Hi.  I'm doing some research on fandom.  Fandom, though not an official word, is described as a form of entertainment with devoted fans and its community of fans and creators. If you're a huge fan of Lord of the Rings, for instance, Lord of the Rings would be your fandom.  The survey is also attached as a word document.  I will admit, it works better on paper than on the net, but any response will be greatly appreciated. Also, please forward this on to any and all of your friends, if you so desire!

   I'd greatly appreciate it if you could take some time and fill out this survey as accurately and fully as you can.  You don't have to be a huge fan of something! Any and all responses are appreciated.  If there is a question you feel uncomfortable answering, you may leave it blank or draw a line through it.  It may take a while to fill out, but this will really help me!  I'd like all replies to be received by January 31, 2006, but if they're later than that, it's okay.  Please send all completed surveys to:  

fandomsurvey@... 

-or- 

Fandom Survey

525 S. State St. Apt. 429

Chicago, IL 60605 

Thank you much! 

Questions, comments, complaints, may be sent to fandomsurvey@... . 

 

Instructions: Please fill out any answers as fully as you can.  Except for number 8, when your fandom is referred to, please consider the fandom you feel most strongly about.  If you cannot decide, please consider fandom in general.  

Section 1: personal info

1. Your age:
2. Your gender:
3. Where are you from?
4. Do you have Internet access?
5. Want to see the results of this? Your e-mail: ___________________________________@_____________
6. Do you consider yourself a "fanatic" of a musician, band, book, movie, athlete, actor, or other form of entertainment? (If no, skip to Section 3.)
   • Yes
   • No

 

Section 2: questions for a fanatic

7. Is your fandom a: (If it is a combination of two, check all that apply, and circle the one you prefer.  For example, if you are a fan of Harry Potter, and you like the books more, check both, and circle "Book." Circle nothing if you like them both equally or if they are inseparable, such as Book and Author)
   • Book
   • Author
   • Movie
   • TV Show
   • Actor/actress
   • Athlete
   • Top 40 Musician/Band
   • Independent musician/band
   • Other (please write in) _________________________________

 
 

8. Who are you a fan of? (List any and all that you feel strongly about.)

 
 
 
 
 

9. How long have you been a fan?

 
 

10. On a scale of one to ten, how big of a fan do you feel you are? (circle number)

11. Please check all that apply:
    • I have attended events dedicated to my fandom.
    • I have dressed up like a character or person from my fandom.
    • I have written to a person in my fandom.
    • I have autographs that I bought.
    • I have autographs from when I met someone in my fandom.
    • I met someone in my fandom, but couldn't say much, I was so nervous.
    • I met someone in my fandom, and he or she was really cool and easy to talk to.
    • I met someone in my fandom and he or she was a bit of a disappointment.
    • I have decorated my room/house/office with paraphernalia and memorabilia, posters, and the like.
    • I write fan fiction and/or draw fan art.
    • I read fan fiction and/or look at fan art.
    • I hide my being a fan from my family and certain friends.
    • I advertise my being a fan.
    • Most of my friends are fans of this, too, because I introduced my fandom to them.
    • I met most of my friends through my fandom.
    • I am part of an Internet community of fans.
    • I have traveled out of state for an event in my fandom.
    • I have traveled internationally for an event in my fandom.
    • I spend more than $50 a month on my fandom.
    • I get in arguments defending my fandom.
    • I have been teased about my fandom, but it doesn't bother me.
    • I have been teased about my fandom, and found it offensive.
    • I have missed school/work for my fandom.
    • I have broken up with my significant other because they were disrespectful to my fandom.
    • My fandom changed my life for the better.
    • My fandom changed my life for the worse.
    • I have been dumped because of my fandom.
    • I have felt judged because I was a fan.
    • My boyfriend/girlfriend is in my fandom.
    • I am shy—until you ask about my fandom.
    • I was/am popular in high school.
    • My co-workers/fellow students and boss/teacher knows about my fandom.
    • I consider myself attractive.
    • I am happy with my job/school.
    • I have more than one fandom.

 
 

12. What is your favorite part about your fandom?

 
 
 
 
 

13. Tell a vivid memory dealing with your fandom.

 
 
 
 
 

14. What is it about your fandom that attracts you and other fans?

 
 
 
 
 

15. What is the coolest thing you have done for/relating to your fandom? Did you show anyone? How was it received?

 
 
 
 
 

16. When you are "in your element," for example, at a movie premier for your favorite actor, or a concert with your favorite musician, describe how you feel, physically or emotionally.

 
 
 
 
 

17. If you have changed because of your fandom, how so?

 
 
 
 
 

18. You are decked out in all of your fandom's gear: costumes, face paint, posters, or props, whatever pertains to your fandom.  You're on your way to an event, but there aren't many others like you in sight.  People on the street eye you strangely.  How do you respond?

 
 
 
 
 

19. You're a huge fan of Lord of the Rings, and rather proud of your encyclopedic knowledge of all things Middle Earth.  You and a new group of friends are hanging out when you see an ad for the new Lord of the Rings Trivial Pursuit.  You are about to point it out excitedly and make a comment, but one of your friends says, "Look at that.  What kind of a loser would buy something like that."  How do you react?

 
 
 
 
 

20. You've never met your friend's boyfriend, but she's told him about you. "I told him you were a huge fan of Britney Spears, and he basically said that he's lost all respect for you."  Your friend continues to explain about how she tried to convince him otherwise, but the damage has been done.  How do you feel about being judged before this person has even seen you?

 
 
 
 
 

21. If you have more than one fandom, how do your fandoms differ?  How are they alike?

 
 
 
 
 

22. Do you have any other comments about fandom in general or your fandom specifically?

 
 
 
 
 
 

Section 3: questions for a non-fanatic

23. If you don't consider yourself a fanatic, why do you think some people are fans about something?

 
 
 
 
 

24. How do you feel when you meet someone who feels very passionately about something that you are not interested in?

 
 
 
 
 

25. Have you ever decided not to approach someone because they show fanatic qualities? Why or why not?

 
 
 
 
 

26. You are out at a restaurant with your family, and a group of young teenage girls come in chatting excitedly and loudly and occasionally breaking into loud, raucous song.  They are wearing t-shirts and make up with glitter, with the name of a popular music group written everywhere. What else can you assume about this group of girls? Are they fanatics? Why or why not?

 
 
 
 
 

27. A large man with a football jersey on passes you on your way into the grocery store.  He's carrying a twelve pack of beer, and is heading to an SUV.  Would you consider him a fanatic? Why or why not?

 
 
 
 
 

28. You see a young man with a cloak on and a fake sword at his waist dawdling near the entrance of a movie theater.  Upon closer look at the crowd, you see several others in different costumes.  What is your first thought?

 
 
 
 
 

29. Have you ever been a fan of something? If so, What? When? What do you remember most about it?

 
 
 
 
 

30. Are you a fan, but don't consider yourself a "fanatic?'

 
 

31. Do you have any other comments about fans or fandom?

--
--...a.m.a.n.d.a...--

And after it rains, there's a rainbow
And all of the colors are black
It's not that the colors aren't there
It's just imagination they lack
Everything's the same back
In my little town