Much ado about keanu reeves: The drama of ageing in online fandom

Shenja van der Graaf*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

Fans tended to meet at concerts or at the sidelines of movie premieres, while more adamant fans could attend 'KeanuFest' which was the only organized gathering in the US and, at that time, organized by a fan-led club called 'Zero Distortion'. Research into Internet cultures in general, and fan communities in particular, has shown the pervasiveness of rich, interpersonal relationships that get formed and maintained online such as in social networks and micro blogs, 'performed' in front of an audience. The chapter discusses the roles of drama and ageing in fandom on the Internet. It provides an overview of the methodology. The chapter explores the performative orientation of Keanu fandom at the intersection of milestones, coming of age and showing age within fan exchanges. It concludes with a discussion of the findings demonstrating how drama and the work it does in adult lives is age-related, and a mechanism to manoeuvre the role of fandom in it.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Ashgate Research Companion to Fan Cultures
EditorsLinda Duits, Koos Zwaan, Stijn Reijnders
Place of PublicationLondon
PublisherRoutledge
Pages35-48
Number of pages14
ISBN (Electronic)9781315612959
ISBN (Print)9781409455622
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Apr 2016
Externally publishedYes

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