For BCM241 this semester we are required to perform an ethnographic research task which seeks us to “assist others to better understand the lives, perspectives and experiences of people from their view point” (Moore, 2020). I’ll be posting regular blog posts regarding my niche and the research I will do within that topic.
Overall, if there is one thing I enjoy in the world, is fandom’s and their related media eg. movies, TV shows, YouTube etc. In fact, I don’t just ‘enjoy’ fandom’s, I live and breath fandom’s. If I am not at work or doing uni work I am usually involving myself in the fandom culture or incorporating it to my everyday life, for example, my media degree allows me to incorporate many of my interests into my work! But one specific fandom I live and breath is the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise.
Ever since I was little, probably age 8, I have been obsessed with the Harry Potter series. My parents had the first few movies and least to say, I was hooked! Words cannot even describe how much I have read the books, watched the movies or involved myself somehow in that community, being on TikTok (which is trending at the moment), fanfiction or even in conventions for the Harry Potter community. I can’t tell you specifically what made me love the series at the start, I was too young initially to understand the complexities of the series and how dark it can actually get, but now I love the series for exactly that, it can be seen as a simple series about magic, or a complex series that explores values, morals and much more – which notably is one of the reasons why it is one of the worlds most popular series on movies and books.
To expose myself even more on this public forum, lets explore how much more I really like the series. Whenever it is my birthday or Christmas, I receive at least 1 Harry Potter object. I have 2 full shelves of merchandise in my bedroom, lets not even begin on the about of clothing I have that is Harry Potter licensed, and I have even started my own business that sells Harry Potter themed art frames!
Overall, I really want to explore why people keep coming back to the Harry Potter series, why is it one of the most popular book series in the world. How can it be so popular globally and recognised without much effort? Why is it that people sort themselves into their own respective Harry Potter house and identify themselves with this fictional life.
Till next time,
Alex
References –
Moore, C. “BCM241 Media Ethnographies, Introduction and Overview’, 2020, BCM241, University of Wollongong
AMC Blogs 