There are very few parts of fandom that I am reluctant to talk about
but the BNF (Big Name Fan) is not something I’m particularly excited to
discuss. I probably would have avoided the topic if it weren’t for the number
of questions I’ve received about it (from both inside and outside fandom). Despite
my misgivings I’ll do my best to explain this phenomenon just for you lonely
reader… don’t ever say I don’t do things for you.
To be honest I’m not entirely sure where to
start with this topic. The simple answer is probably the best. A BNF is
something that is famous within fandom for being a fan. The definition of a Big Name Fan according to fanlore: “a well-known fan, either in an
individual fandom or in the fannish community as a whole.”
So yeah basically it does what it says on the box.
People rise through the ranks of fandom for a
variety of different reasons but whether you like them or not BNFs are usually pretty
legitimate. A BNF could be a fantastic artist or they might have written a
popular fic or maybe they just contribute intelligent and interesting meta to
the conversation. Sometimes they reach the title of BNF for being incredibly
motivated and always being the one to organise fan activities.
For whatever reasons, legitimate or not, these
fans are well known within a particular fandom. People seek out their opinion
and their thoughts tend to be given more clout than those of those of lesser-known
fans. Sometimes BNFs can be demonised and that sucks because in generally they
are just fans like everyone else but unfortunately it’s just a side effect of
notoriety.
Of course there are those that let the power go
to their heads – people have been known to take their status as BNF and use to
build a cult like fandom. There are even those that manufacture their
popularity. Most of us that have been part of fandom for sometime have seen at
least one so-called BNF turn to the dark side. Well with great power comes
great responsibility and not everyone has the morals to handle any kind of fame
– even if it is just within a small subculture.
Generally the title of BNF is not one that
people actively seek (Nobody
Ever Admits They’re a BNF). It just happens when a subset of the fandom
decides that someone is worthy of recognition and then said person is thrust
into the spotlight and expected to deal with both the positive and negative
aspects of this position. In reality the only difference between BNFs and
everyone else is that more people listen to the BNFs. Yes they are talented, but
fandom is full of incredibly talented and intelligent people and I can
guarantee you that for every popular fic or artwork there are a bunch of other
lesser-known works that are just as good.
It’s not that I hate BNFs - I have nothing
against them because they are generally just really good at fandom and that’s
not really something I can fault. It’s the culture I have an issue with. Like I
said it’s not the individual that lifts themselves about the others – it’s the
masses and I honestly don’t understand why fandom feels the need to give
certain fans more clout than others.
It’s not really fair to the individual or the
group. Not only are the opinions of BNFs considered better than others, which
can result in interesting ideas that stem from other sources being ignored but
also the BNFs are often excluded from the fandom that they once loved just
because a bunch of other people decided they were different.
It’s totally cool to respect someone’s opinion
more than others because there are always going to be some people you agree
with more than others. It’s fine to ask this person their thoughts on something
you are interested in. It’s cool to love someone’s fanwork (art or fic). It’s
also okay to like the same artists or fan fic writers as everyone else. They
are usually popular for a reason. Go ahead get excited when your fav author
writes a new fic or a great artist posts something new just don’t by into the
mythology that BNFs are somehow essentially better than others.
There is an assumption that BNFs know something
you don’t know. That they are privy to secrets that no one else is allowed to
know but I can tell you that’s bullshit. The only way they could possibly know
something you don’t know is if they are part of – or around – the creative
process (and that doesn’t count because they can’t legally tell us anything we
are not allowed to know). BNFs do tend to have good connections and a vast
network of informers but that’s usually the result of hard work (logistically
the longer you have been a fan the more likely you are to have the right
connections).
I am, of course, ignoring the other nuances that create
the Big Name Fan because it’s naïve to think it’s purely the result of hard
work and talent. They have to be blessed with a certain amount of charisma and
they usually have to have the right friends. Truth is, people that are friends
with BNFs are more likely to become BNFs themselves. BNFs have usually been
fans since the beginning because fandom still holds onto the ridiculous idea
that the longer you have liked something the more of a fan you are. I’m not saying
any of these things are bad – I am just pointing out that they are contributing
factors in the creation of BNFs.
Right so BNFs are a thing but only if you let
them be. You shouldn’t worship at the alter of anyone – not even our
illustrious creators or the wonderful actors that bring our favourite
characters to life – but especially not fellow fans. You can show your support
for people that you like or that you think are talented, just don’t hate them
because they are more popular than you and don’t idolise them either. They’re
just fans after all.
I hope that answers your question lonely reader
because I really don’t want to have to revisit this topic. If you need further
clarification then hit me up in the comments or here.
You can’t read more fangirl lessons here.
Next time I’ll be talking about fandom and entitlement.
