Audiences are no longer just consumer to text but producers too.

The media of today are much more diverse and are intersected into three main platforms which are; broadcast, print and E-media. looking at my case study i will be explaining that the audiences are no longer just consumers but producers too. In the media a consumer is one that intakes information by either watching, reading or being virtually active. a producer is one who creates the things that the audience or the consumers intake. The three texts that i have chose as my case study are; Smallville, Dr Who and The vampire diaries. The common theme which runs throughout them is the genre of "Super-natural" and "Drama", though there audiences are quite different all three of these texts have a similar way of getting their audiences involved by using the three platforms of media.


 How has Smallville used E-media to involve their audiences into producers?

The online website for the TV show series smallville has given a whole new experience for their audiences. Through the internet the audiences have access to almost all information about the series including how it began, the cast, shooting scenes/bloopers, the history of superman and what future episodes contain. Discussion forums allow the audience to engage in conversation about the show and express what their opinions are; this is an example of how the consumers are now becoming producers as they are now not only in-taking the information that the broadcasting platform provides they are providing the website and other members of the forum with information about the show that is given by someone who is not an official producer. Elaborating on this, there are websites other then the official one made by fans to provide a more entertaining side such as interactive games that involve the characters from the series, photo galleries including a page where photo uploads are possible if you have any pictures with the characters. There are other means of connections about the series that may provide more then the official websites. Such as facebook or twitter pages which not only provide pages on the series and fictional characters but on the real people who play those characters, they give constant updates about the series and their own life. Now the audiences have began a personal relationship virtually over the internet with these characters, although they may not respond due to other personal issues they will certainly receive it. Buying the music that has been played during the show and also purchasing other merchandise that is connected to the show may be done online as-well, some audience member have even gone to lengths where they produce their own merchandise such as designing their t-shirts and selling them online for other fans to buy. The E-media has provided the audience to explore much more vastly into the inn’s and out’s of the show, also could be a tool to expand the smallville fan base to a greater scale.

How has Dr who used print-media to involve their audience’s intro producers?

The doctor who magazines have been running since 1979. It is known in the Guinness world book of records for longest T.V tie-in. Also sanctioned and run by the BBC, initially starting off as a weekly magazine it eventually turned to a monthly issue. The fact that that this magazine is famous for being the longest running magazine specialising to act as another branch of media to promote a T.V show proves that this particular text have always wanted to involve the audiences into producers. Even in 1990 when the show was cancelled the magazines continued running, which may of driven more of the broadcast audiences into the print sector.  In one of the issues of the magazine there had been a competition  where they asked readers to send in a drawing of a monster and from all the applicants, the drawings will be judged and the winner’s drawing of a monster will feature in an episode along with receiving various doctor who merchandise and a chance to meet with the actor’s. This competition enables the winner or all other participants to get involved in the actual production of the show, as what they produce in the drawings will be what audiences will view when they watch, therefore making the audiences of the show also producers as they are the creators of that particular character. Also the magazine occasionally gives out “free-bees” such as doctor who pencils/pens/bags or toy figures, when readers use these in public they are advertising the show as people will view it and may take into consideration to find out what it is therefore the audiences are now potentially producing new viewers.  

How does the vampire diaries use all three platforms of media to make their audiences into producers.

The vampire diaries does not to a great extent use their platforms to make or encourage audiences into producers, this could be because it is a fairly new show launched in September 2009 with only 2 seasons aired. Their fan base is continuously growing throughout the broadcast and e-media sector. They do not own their own magazine as of yet however have featured in numerous magazines and newspapers for reviews and article’s. Another reason could be because the shows is based on a book series written by L.G.Smith and they want to stick to what happens in the show according to the script of the book. Magazines they have been featured in includes vanity fair, sky and teen vogue these magazines include the show’s target audience of teenagers and young adult’s (in the early 20’s). They where mostly to advertise the show and gain reader’s attention by giving them a background knowledge of what the show will be about and exclusive photo shoots. In conclusion to the print media attempting to make the vampire diaries audience into producers it fails in the sense it is still new and after they have gained a loyal follow ship of the audience they will attempt to engage them in more in the production of the show.