Social media is giving TV stars and creators a more direct relationship with fans and, as actor Joseph Morgan of the CW Network’s The Originals can attest, requires a thick skin.
The connection can be particularly intense for shows on the CW, which has a comparatively young audience and shows with a heavy geek factor of comic book heroes, vampires and zombies. Fans don’t hesitate to speak out about what they do or don’t like on their favourite programmes.
“There are always people who feel strongly that they don’t like something that happens,” Morgan, who plays Niklaus Maiaelson in The Vampire Diaries spinoff, said. “You have to accept that that’s a good thing – as long as people feel one way or another.”
The online response makes him feel like he’s involved in the biggest play he’s ever been in, said Ian Somerhalder, who plays Damon Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries.
Caroline Dries, executive producer of The Vampire Diaries, said her studio encourages producers and actors to live tweet when episodes of the show are airing. She’s resisted so far – she finds it “annoying” – but does watch what people are saying.
The danger can come in listening too much. Do you try to write the show in response to what you think fans want to see?
“The fans are so polarised in what they are rooting for that to appease all of them the show would be gobbledy-gook,” Dries said.
Dries’ Twitter following is almost entirely composed of show fans. She takes the feedback like any human would – pride when something she’s written draws praise, hurt feelings when it’s the opposite.
Actors and producers are warned against getting into online arguments with fans.
As a network executive, the only negative CW President Mark Pedowitz sees is when fans become obsessed by an actor and become an online pest.
“You want your talent and producers engaging with the fans,” he said, “because they make your shows. They are the consumers.” – Sapa-AP