Monday, June 17, 2013

TWD & Fans: A Love/Hate Relationship

Well, it's been another one of those days regarding TWD production & locations, especially on Twitter. Currently, I have about 803 followers. Some I know personally & have met in person, but a vast majority I do not know at all. Ready for some good, old-fashioned internet drama? Good. Here it comes...

So, let's get something straight: I don't like it one bit when someone calls my character or my actions into question; especially by someone with  obviously dubious motives & character. More than that, I absolutely abhor someone who uses another for their own personal gain. I'm not a hateful man, but sadly, I have grown to dislike a few of the local fans around here. They're obnoxious, of inferior social skills, incapable of any deductive reasoning or problem solving- most of all; they're assholes. There's 4 of them and they know who they are. Like any virus, these types of fans have spread well beyond the walls of confinement and out into the world....and they all want to come right here, to my back yard, my computer and right into the palm of my hand to my phone. TWD is not that important to me anymore.

This whole "anonymous internet bravery" is something of a mystery to me, as I am an honest man and I put what I think right out there. If I'm wrong, I'll accept the responsibility & move on. I don't use people. I ain't perfect, that's for damn sure; but I still believe in following the law, treating people with respect and making good decisions based upon facts, not conjecture.

 "By eliminating the impossible, whatever remains; however improbable; must be the truth" - Sherlock Holmes.

It's so easy to post negative things about someone (even simply alluding to it seems to be enough, really); attention-seeking individuals use it as both a diversionary tactic & an attention grabbing tactic. Sad, but true. This is what is currently happening in TWD Fandom. Fans trying to make a name for themselves or their websites. TWD junkies flock to their favorite dealer to get their fix on an regular basis now. The dealers eat up the attention & the money. Count me out. I'm not like that. What I post is, or would be very soon, public knowledge anyway. Inevitable discovery, I say. I wanted to be a relater of information to those fans who could otherwise be unable to come to Georgia and watch filming.

When season 4 began filming, we (our local group of fans) were so excited! I mean, Season 2 & 3 were great to go & watch, get autographs, pictures, etc. Well, we should have known that it wouldn't last forever...and it didn't. AMC tightened everything up and now, it seems, that those days are indeed over with. There's no use travelling for hours, or even days, to try & watch them film. The information is too sketchy at first to be reliable and too late, when it's confirmable. We live right here on top of Ground Zero and we can't see crap!

 I will accept my share of responsibility for this by stating that I should have never posted the photos & videos from the set of "Clear". I got caught up in the excitement and I did it. It won't happen again and here's why:

Keith (last name redacted) told me something one day while we were sitting around Senoia that really stuck with me. "These folks (AMC, Valhalla, Raleigh Studios,cast & crew) work hard to bring their viewers a quality program. A program filled with unexpected twists & turns, a program worthy of the fans attention." I thought about it and I realized that I had undermined their work, their long hours of conceptualizing sets, building them, writing the scripts, meetings, organizing- just thinking of the pure logistics alone is beyond me! I felt bad about what I did, but what is done cannot be undone.

So, I began to focus on fan interactions with the cast & crew, instead of the actual filming itself. It satisfied my fan curiosity & it gave other fans a "window" in which to see things they may not ever get the chance to see otherwise. Almost 'documentary style', just by a regular guy fan. That's all I am - a regular guy. A fan. Nothing more.

Then, I was talked into joining "Twitter". Bad mistake in hindsight. It was exciting at first, connecting with friends, making new friends and meeting new fans. Then, the bottom drops out. Somehow, I've been placed into this category of fans that have the reputation of being a crazy fan who'll do anything to get a picture or video. Nothing could be further from the truth. Hell, in our local group, I'm the shyest one! I don't like bothering people. I sure as hell ain't going to do anything illegal or trespass to get information, pics or video.

Twitterers began inundating me with questions...questions that, by some stretch of their imaginations, they thought I could answer! I can't recommend hotels, I won't show you all the locations from Season 3,  I can't tell you where Reedus is right now, I can't give Lincoln a message for you, etc. Now, in all this, there's some local fans who are trying their best to become something of a fan icon or gain notoriety amoung fans. These are the fans who are doing the most damage.

 It's not me telling people where they might be filming at next that does the real damage, but the girl who "has a friend at the studio who tells her everything". It's the fan who spreads rumors about AMC sending out letters to people regarding "Cease & Desist Orders". It's the fan who keeps on & on about how much of a fan they are and they would do anything to see filming. It's those fans who've tried to get into the studio to see the prison set, or jump the fence at the car lot, tailing vehicles leaving the studios, or stayed in a vacant house for hours trying to literally stalk Reedus! THOSE are they fans who have ruined any future location viewing.

And to the Intern who's reading this, I apologize with the most sincerity. Because of all this, you're having to read all of my Tweets, my YouTube and now... this Blog entry.

I'm just Joe...a regular guy. I'll still watch TWD though.

-Nash

11 comments:

  1. As someone who recently befriended you on Twitter, I did so because you seemed like one of the normal fans of TWD, a "regular Joe" (pun intended ) if you will. I hope I haven't upset you.( I believe I asked about which city was best to stay in during my upcoming visit ). I am doing a guided tour and a self one of locations from PAST seasons, largely in part because of the craziness I have been reading about that is going on up there with these rabid fans. In fact, coming on a weekend when most of the cast isn't even town, because I don't want to get lumped into the group of " problem fans". So again, sorry if I bothered you, but if I get lost in the woods, I hope I can still tweet you for directions back to civilization!! lol @Twinsmommy

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    1. Aw, you didn't bother me! I'll still be blogging away! I'll help you any way I can.

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  2. This makes me sad Joey. But I too have noticed the crazies that have done nothing but stalked and try to drag as much information out about TWD as possible. Yes I know me and Bo were "walkers" in the past season but that doesn't make me a TWD information "god". Although I love to share stories from our experience we never did tell anyone but close family we were even on the show till after it aired. I just find it sad that ppl have ruined it for those few who haven't let TWD take over their lives. I believe most have forgotten this is a fictional show and "Darly, Rick, The Governor".. are not real!! Still love the show but I understand they have to protect whats theirs. And I agree with your blog fully. I'm sorry it had to come to you leaving twitter when you we're just relaying fun information to those fans around the world. Glad to see you will still blog:)

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    1. Hey, you know I love you guys! I'll be right here blogging when the mood hits me!

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  3. I'm sorry it had to come to this, Joe. I recently joined twitter and followed you, and appreciated your integrity when reported. I think I had said to you that unless there's integrity in this game, no one wins. Thank you for all your hard work and willingness to put yourself out there. I hope the rabid-obssessive fans and the girl "with a friend at the studio" and all like her come to realize that they truly caused one huge mess and hurt some truly genuine people. Take a breath and get back to enjoying your life, Joe! :) @TWDspoilergirl

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    1. Thank you. Yeah, when fans try to gain notoriety for themselves, it says a lot about character. To me, being a fan means helping other fans enjoy the experience as I had or introducing new people to the show. I've learned that in all reality, some fans are just out for themselves. In all my years of being a Trek fan, I've never met a fan crowd as willing to throw you under the bus as TWD fans.

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  4. I admire you- you are right as in my DM last night! What a shame that a few have spoiled it for all by lacking common sense and letting their greed get the best of them! The girl with the friend at the studio got her friend fired and others as well btw. Not associated with me in any way!
    I love your blog and Youtube entries and will enjoy those in future. Wish you well and thank you for all the hard work, the love for the show and your wonderful interactions with people everywhere. You are a hero to many like me and we appreciate you being the good man of excellent character and judgment that you are as well as an astute judge of people! Thanks for all your great work, take care !

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    1. Wow. Fired, huh? Some friend she turned out to be. Think of how she will treat other fans. Hey, I'll be bloggin' and Youtubin'! I just don't feel Twitter is the place for old Deadite Joe!

      BTW, thank you for the compliments!

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  5. You will be greatly respected and admired whatever you choose to do and wherever you choose to share it! I look forward to catching up with you here and on Youtube- so stay safe!

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  6. I live in Newnan and love the show! When season 3 was filming I went to Caldwell Tanks one night because I was curious. I never got out of the car because I felt silly lol! I wish I had found your blog earlier so I would have known there were some cool people/fans hanging out just like me. Most Not crazed just people who like the show and really think it's awesome it's being filmed in our "backyard". I hate to hear there are some people that are getting out of hand. As popularity grew for the show I was afraid that would happen. I just hope that they continue filming here and do not let some crazies ruin it for everyone. Keep up the good work. I don't think I will try to go to anymore filming locations. I will just wait to see it in October:) Thanks for your integrity!

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  7. JOE! I've been following you since you started your YT Channel, then twitter and your Blog & I will continue following you. You know that I'm a Local ATL Fan & doing my own research whenever I can...taking my own Pictures and videos for a small Tiny YT channel that I have on which you are 1 of my subscribers. (Thank you for that). BTW I really appreciate all the hard work and dedication you always put on your Blogs & YT Videos.You are a great Helpful Man a Wonderful FAN! Please don't feel bad for whatever happened. Just Feel proud of what you DO for yourself everyday. I send you a Big HUG. & We will continue communication ,right!. See here & on YT!! Blessings!! HAZEL (wwonderhazel on YT)

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