my name as a url
Internet vs. IRL fame
Received a VERY interesting question on my Formspring.me site.
why is it that "IRL" comics don't recognize internet comics as legitimate? is it the lack of "struggle" and "mileage"?
I think it's because a lot of them are a member of "the club." The entertainment industry. Those of us doing this stuff on the internet are extremely well connected to our audiences, whereas those that do this "the old way" usually don't interact with their following much. They don't need to; they have huge teams making sure their people remember them and are around to buy stuff.
We spend a LOT of time talking to people. Answering questions on sites like this, having conversations on Twitter, responding to email, comments - all that stuff.
A traditionally successful comedian/celeb (not all of them, mind you) has a big wall up: a publicist. That person handles all of this stuff because the traditional comic/star doesn't seem to really want to deal with that. They seem to take criticism less well, too - like I said, there's a wall up. A bubble.
Because we're much more connected with who we are trying to entertain, we are - I think - a bit more liked by individuals. In appearance, we seem to care a lot more. I don't know how much a traditional comic cares (probably a lot, actually), but the appearance is what counts. We appear to be more "of the people," I'd have to say.
Because of that appearance, we are a threat. Our followings care a lot more. If Alec Baldwin attacked me, he'd look like a huge bully as I have a small following compared to his and I attempt to treat them like people and not as fans. Not that he would - that would be just dumb of him - but that is what it would look like. It would result in me getting a lot of exposure and the people that like me would like me more due to the "bullying."
If they ignore us (and I am not saying Alec Baldwin has any idea I even exist, but celebs vs. their internet counterparts), it keeps us with smaller followings than them and therefore keeps them in a better position.
Because if I had the same following size as Alec Baldwin, but I attempted to keep in communication with them, those folks would probably be way more supportive. If if happened that became standard practice with all public figures, that would involve a lot more work for them. Some of them honestly don't have the time and I believe their image would unjustly suffer. Some of them do have the time but just don't want to do that - and who am I to judge that. Some people are not that social. I am not that social, but this stuff is a lot of fun for me. I like the input and I like seeing what people have to say about what I make. It doesn't necessarily change what I do, but it's very interesting.
Bottom line, my opinion they see their internet counterparts A) as wannabes due to old "only nerds have websites" stigmas and B) as threats to their way of life (and good reasons to try to keep the "only nerds have websites" stigmas going).
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By the way, there is a few traditional celebs that get it. Jimmy Fallon and Kevin Smith are my favorites.
why is it that "IRL" comics don't recognize internet comics as legitimate? is it the lack of "struggle" and "mileage"?
I think it's because a lot of them are a member of "the club." The entertainment industry. Those of us doing this stuff on the internet are extremely well connected to our audiences, whereas those that do this "the old way" usually don't interact with their following much. They don't need to; they have huge teams making sure their people remember them and are around to buy stuff.
We spend a LOT of time talking to people. Answering questions on sites like this, having conversations on Twitter, responding to email, comments - all that stuff.
A traditionally successful comedian/celeb (not all of them, mind you) has a big wall up: a publicist. That person handles all of this stuff because the traditional comic/star doesn't seem to really want to deal with that. They seem to take criticism less well, too - like I said, there's a wall up. A bubble.
Because we're much more connected with who we are trying to entertain, we are - I think - a bit more liked by individuals. In appearance, we seem to care a lot more. I don't know how much a traditional comic cares (probably a lot, actually), but the appearance is what counts. We appear to be more "of the people," I'd have to say.
Because of that appearance, we are a threat. Our followings care a lot more. If Alec Baldwin attacked me, he'd look like a huge bully as I have a small following compared to his and I attempt to treat them like people and not as fans. Not that he would - that would be just dumb of him - but that is what it would look like. It would result in me getting a lot of exposure and the people that like me would like me more due to the "bullying."
If they ignore us (and I am not saying Alec Baldwin has any idea I even exist, but celebs vs. their internet counterparts), it keeps us with smaller followings than them and therefore keeps them in a better position.
Because if I had the same following size as Alec Baldwin, but I attempted to keep in communication with them, those folks would probably be way more supportive. If if happened that became standard practice with all public figures, that would involve a lot more work for them. Some of them honestly don't have the time and I believe their image would unjustly suffer. Some of them do have the time but just don't want to do that - and who am I to judge that. Some people are not that social. I am not that social, but this stuff is a lot of fun for me. I like the input and I like seeing what people have to say about what I make. It doesn't necessarily change what I do, but it's very interesting.
Bottom line, my opinion they see their internet counterparts A) as wannabes due to old "only nerds have websites" stigmas and B) as threats to their way of life (and good reasons to try to keep the "only nerds have websites" stigmas going).
--------------------------
By the way, there is a few traditional celebs that get it. Jimmy Fallon and Kevin Smith are my favorites.
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