This week we started class with a discussion of the uses and gratification theory. The uses and gratification theory is an approach to understanding why and how people actively seek out specific media to satisfy needs. Everyday people use music, books, film and television to fulfil their cognitive and affective needs. People use media to increase the self-esteem and to measure their status in society. There is often individuals who look to seek social integrative needs to receive validation and credibility. These are the individuals who socialize with family and friends to develop or retain relations in society. They both view similar forms of media and find commonalities within that media. This begins to help individuals relationships with others that share the same interests, likes and dislikes. There are others who use media as a mean of escapism and to relieve tension. In the twenty-first century we have has many different forms of media allowing certain individuals to be alone or as a way of coping with loneliness. Some people have certain types of social media that they love to use. Twitter is my most used app, twitter is a place I can be more active and find information I want. You can figure out anything with just a simple search and scroll feed to find news and things that are funny. We also talked about fandom, fandom is something that many people may take more seriously than others. There are many events that people can attend to show their love and support for certain movies and shows. These are the things that can help show their support to the people who make the shows and movies they like possible.

Galaxy Quest begins with the crew of the canceled space-adventure television show at a fan convention receiving introductions and signing autographs. Jason Nesmith embraces and loves the attention he receives from his fans; while his supporting cast resents and despises him for “soaking up” all the glory. The plot of this science fiction parody shifts towards a group of people called thermians. The Thermains are represented by Mathesar and approach Nesmith with an issue of life or death. A group of Aliens threaten the remaining Thermians and they request help from “Commander Taggart” to save their race. To Nesmith he thinks that this is all an act and agrees to help the Thermians with their problem. The next morning he is transported to the Protector and addresses the leader of the hostile aliens, Sarris. At this point Nesmith is still unaware of the danger at hand, he orders Mathesar to fire on Sarris’s ship and then requests to return home to sleep off his hangover. He is then shot into outer space and back to his home in seconds. Nesmith now realizes the situation at hand and rallies his crew to return to the Portector. The film ends with destruction of Sarris’s ship and crash landing of an escape pod into a convention. Finally Sarris attempts to kill the pesie humans and is foiled by Nesmith with a swift laser to the chest. To me this film is solely comedy and action but has heartfelt moments throughout.

Then I had watched a TED Talk by Mary Franklin, she was the former Sr. events Lead for Lucas Film, she had the position to coordinate various marketing and promotional events for the company. She received this position because she is a huge Star Wars fan and was apart of the StarWars fan club. She helped the company because she was a fan and she knew what everyone wanted to see.

Question to the class: How do you use fandom to connect with others on the internet? Did you enjoy Galaxy Quest ?