Will We See New Moon and Twilight Saga Media Fatigue? by Larson Hill
Is
more always better? At times, it is. What about
that age old saying, too much of a good thing
can be harmful? Before I get going on a New Moon
subject that continues to fascinate me by the
minute, I have to say that I'm not a Twilight
hater at all. I'm a big fan of the Stephenie Meyer
penned saga. If you look around here and find
the Twilight related articles that I've written
on New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn, each
will show how I love to look at Twilight and New
Moon from many different angles. In fact, I believe
The Twilight Saga has a lot of positive messages
that fans of all ages are connecting with on many
levels, which feel welcome after so much turmoil
and social stress in recent years. At the same
time, I also believe there’s a point with a popular
property where too much of anything can sometimes
cause fatigue.
But after nearly being burned out on coverage of some comic book properties over the years given all of the overwhelming, similar Twilight Saga and New Moon type hype surrounding such movies as The Dark Knight, Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Watchmen, and all of the "in-development" news, looking at the passionate differences between comic book geeks and Twilighters has been fascinating and fresh. I mean, for a two year stretch there was "too much of a good" media thing with comic book movies, and still is, which, in this online industry vet's opinion, can have an adverse impact on certain projects if there's too much of a long term media blitz. It's what people call media fatigue, and it's very real. But with media coverage of any popular franchise, there are constants and fluid variables, including Twilight and New Moon.
Given the increasing buzz and popularity surrounding The Twilight Saga and the upcoming sequel New Moon, starring Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner, there are two distinct feeding frenzies taking place at the same time, both with two equally unique "modus operandi" at play. On one side you have the legions of Twilight Saga fans that can't get enough of their favorite literary-to-film franchise while on the other side you have the media. There's largely an organically economic, supply and demand equation at play between the two. And since the internet has become nothing more than an unmoderated message board, where the elite media and outlets in between can sometimes follow the coverage lead of anonymous pre-teens and vice versa, entertainment hunger is being fed in ways that aren't quite as distinguishable to the naked Twilight eye.
Let's
get this Twilight tidbit out of the way, too.
As far as the popularity and constant media
coverage of Twilight and New Moon, true fans
of The Twilight Saga love the tidal waves of
Twilight and New Moon related stories. Why wouldn't
they? The Twilight Saga is their favorite series
of novels and movies in similar manner to the
Harry Potter movies, Star Wars and Star Trek
franchises, or any number of others. Floods
of media coverage have little impact on true,
hardcore fans and their love for Twilight or
New Moon. It's a "once a fan, always a fan"
scenario. However, the answer to the "too much
of a good thing can be harmful" question is
much more interesting to ponder when thinking
of the large numbers of casual or intermediate
Twilight fans as thousands upon thousands of
Twilight and New Moon related stories hit the
internet each day. If you look at it too much,
though, the answer IS there.
Since I first thought about these Twilight media questions over a year ago when I was sitting at a tropical beach bar with a number of colleagues from some of the elite entertainment outlets, I've been more and more curious by the day to see how all of the exhaustive media examination, if you will, will impact the Twilight Saga. Perhaps more intriguing is the question of which huge entertainment event will eventually lure the press away from The Twilight Saga. When you step back and look at the last few years, it's been a mainstream entertainment hopscotch from Anna Nicole to Paris Hilton to Britney and Kevin to The Twilight Saga and stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, Nikki Reed, Peter Facinelli, Dakota Fanning, and on and on into the New Moon Twilight night. At some point in the Twilight future, there’s a media jump beyond The Twilight Saga.
The
interesting thing about Twilight and New Moon
coverage is that we haven't even reached the
one year anniversary of the theatrical release
of Twilight, so who knows what will come down
the pike to potentially leave The Twilight Saga
playing second fiddle to a new media darling.
Equally as interesting when contrasting the
unwavering "constant" of Twilight fan passion
that fuels The Twilight Saga popularity is the
"constant" within the media coverage that can
be found in the title and lyrics of an old DJ
Quick song from Snoop's "Murder Was the Case"
album way back in 1994. But no matter what makes
sense with Twilight and New Moon, it is what
it is. It's an ongoing cycle between fans and
the media until one jumps off the Twilight train
first.
Can too much of a good thing be harmful? Sure. Will we see media fatigue set in with New Moon and The Twilight Saga? For some people, maybe, it’s hard to say. In looking ahead, however, at this stage of the game I wonder how much Twilight meat will be left on the New Moon carcass when the mainstream press moves on from The Twilight Saga. But like I mentioned, for true fans of The Twilight Saga and New Moon it's nothing but a Twilight windfall?
well hey my name is daira,an i have never being a fan of books but all this about the twiligt is just of the h0ok.new moon eclipse.an all the rest that am getting to.am not even sleeping at night because of this.i am not even doing my work at school.i think i fell this year.but thats not the point the point is that is worthyt......an bella you better best of take care of ed because if you dont i sure wiil.
Subject: loving this twiling life i wish it was real life
hi my name is daira. end i can say this i have never been a book fan. but all this about the twililing new moon eclipce.was just kicking me to the curb.i cant even sleep reading this books i cant even do my school work.i think i am going to fail.all i can say is that this is hte best book i have read in 21 years.i wish that yea bring up more stuff like dys.well wish yea the best.an bella you better hold on to ed.because if you dont i wiill.lol...
kirsten jacobs – south africa
June 14, 2009 - 08:45
Subject: twilight
I am a !$ year old girl at Springfield Convent high school.Every single girl at my school is completely OBSESSED with twilight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE THE MOVIES AND THE BOOKS,AND CANNOT WAIT FOR NEW MOON TO COME OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply to kirsten jacobs
taylor vandriest
September 03, 2009 - 09:14
Subject: Re: twilight
tay tay here im obssed with twilght and rob is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
As a member of many Rob-centric fan communities, I'm constantly updated on the latest 411 on Rob via my iPhone, netbook, laptop, computer, et al. It's become Pavlovian to the extent that my day is not complete without news of Rob throughout the entire day. With the plethora of movies Rob has in the pipeline, I don't see myself at all tiring from news of Rob; he's a gifted creator, in music, acting, etc. that there's no time to be bored. As for media outlets such as yours, had I not been directed here through a Rob fansite this article would not have been sought out. In other words, should the media decide to stop reporting as much on the Twilight saga, I won't care as I'm only interested in Rob and by proxy the saga, which is not at all important to me as much as Rob's future career endeavors are. My interest in Rob is diversified and a long term investment.
crazy4more
June 06, 2009 - 22:03
Subject: Will We See New Moon and Twilight Saga Media Fatigue? NO
Great article! I'm obsessed with Twilight Saga and will never get enough updates on its stars, movies and on-going projects. Can't wait for more!
M.E
June 06, 2009 - 21:40
Subject: New Moon Fatique??
Ok i do fully understand the consept of having too much Twilight and New Moon but, have you seriously seen all of the hype and devoted fans? I have a gut feeling that they won't give up on it, and there are 2 more instalements left. I have to say that ECLIPSE was one of my absolute favorites out of the series, and i am jumping out of my pants to see it on the big screen.
If you know all of the Twilight and New Moon hype, then you will know that a "Fatique" is NO WHERE in sight. It hasn't even started yet... Well with the devoted fans at least.
The fans, like me, could possibly be described as one of the most famous Twilight quotes ever.
They are "Unconditionally, and irrevocably in love with them"
They won't give up on it, and there is definately NO FATIQUE possible yet.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Robsessed
June 06, 2009 - 18:11
Subject:
There are so many alternatives to the mass media conglomerate machines such as fan sites, fan-driven blogs, etc. that even if they decide to jump ship to the new next thing, the true fans will continue on with, for me, the Robsession. I love Rob and will follow his career for the long term outside the saga. For starters: Remember Me, Unbound Captives, Bel Ami. He was excellent in Little Ashes and How to Be.
Ellen Yatteau – usa/TN
June 06, 2009 - 16:16
Subject: Twilight Saga burn out
Because the Twilight frenzy is based on the books and the movies bring to life characters we already love, I feel it will be a long time before the whole thing gets old. The casting was fabulous for the movies. Robert has become Edward and every Twifan is in LOVE with Edward. Kristin plays Bella with great insight into her part. Taylor worked hard to keep his Jacob part with the fans behind him 100% They all took a chance and worked on a project that they had no idea if it would work. It took off like wild fire and every fan cannot wait to see more. I hope the studios don't keep back the release of the movies. That would really cool the frenzy down (like the Harry Potter Half Blood Prince). I am a Harry Potter fan also but moved on to a Twilight interest due to the lag of anything happening with Harry Potter. It was kind of sad and disappointing. I hope they can get the HP interest back. I am sure that this happen to a lot of the HP fans and because they are getting older, a good love story with vampires and shape shifting wolves was right up their ally. I love watching all the kids from both movies and only wish them the very best. It would be nice if the media would have some respect for their private lives and do some responsible reporting, not drag them down in the mud. If you can't say something nice than don't say it. A lot of stars have problems because of lies that are splashed everywhere just to sell their paper, mag etc. It is criminal and a real shame!!
Katy – OK
June 06, 2009 - 15:45
Subject:
I read all 4 Twilight books in 1 week. Obviously, I am a true fan. I love that the books are becoming movies. I wish there were more "news" about the characters and why they are so fascinating and loved by the public - young and old (4 generations of my family have read the books and loved them - from age 10 to 83). What makes these books so intriguing that all ages enjoy them? I find this more interesting than whether or not Pattinson and Stewart really are dating. I would relish a forum talking about the characters, the story and Stephanie Meyers. While I find the stars are doing a great job portraying these characters, I'd truly enjoy an article about this part of the actors -- how they came to make these characters so alive. And, yes, I agree, something/someone will top this media frenzy eventually. As they say "history repeats itself."
Reply to Katy
Ellen Yatteau – usa/TN
June 06, 2009 - 16:30
Subject:
Glad to see someone older than me who loves the Twilight Saga. We are 3 generations enjoying them. I also would welcome the Forum or maybe we should call it a blog.
alouwho
June 06, 2009 - 15:20
Subject:
I am loving the coverage, but media fatigue might be nice for the main stars, namely Rob, it would give them a break. Do I think it is going to happen? I really don't. Looking at my own obsession, I don't see myself getting bored and I know there are millions out there who feel the same way. It will be very interesting to see how it all plays out though. I hope the media coverage stays positive too.
JL
June 06, 2009 - 13:41
Subject: Consumer society/Media consumption/Consumption of Public Lives
Veeeery interesting article LH. I think your conclusions that fatigue will set in has been shown over and over. According to your definitions I'm prob an "intermediate" fan. I think where the fatigue sets in is when media slips into consuming the public lives of the people at the center of the storm. What's fascinating is the "news" regarding the series itself is relatively few and far between, and highly controlled by the studios. I wonder if there was more sharing of info and less security lockdown, it might spare the stars a little. Meh, that may be a bit naive. Here's wishing entertainment reporting was more about the stories being told.
Is
more always better? At times, it is. What about
that age old saying, too much of a good thing
can be harmful? Before I get going on a New Moon
subject that continues to fascinate me by the
minute, I have to say that I'm not a Twilight
hater at all. I'm a big fan of the Stephenie Meyer
penned saga. If you look around here and find
the Twilight related articles that I've written
on New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn, each
will show how I love to look at Twilight and New
Moon from many different angles. In fact, I believe
The Twilight Saga has a lot of positive messages
that fans of all ages are connecting with on many
levels, which feel welcome after so much turmoil
and social stress in recent years. At the same
time, I also believe there’s a point with a popular
property where too much of anything can sometimes
cause fatigue.
Let's
get this Twilight tidbit out of the way, too.
As far as the popularity and constant media
coverage of Twilight and New Moon, true fans
of The Twilight Saga love the tidal waves of
Twilight and New Moon related stories. Why wouldn't
they? The Twilight Saga is their favorite series
of novels and movies in similar manner to the
Harry Potter movies, Star Wars and Star Trek
franchises, or any number of others. Floods
of media coverage have little impact on true,
hardcore fans and their love for Twilight or
New Moon. It's a "once a fan, always a fan"
scenario. However, the answer to the "too much
of a good thing can be harmful" question is
much more interesting to ponder when thinking
of the large numbers of casual or intermediate
Twilight fans as thousands upon thousands of
Twilight and New Moon related stories hit the
internet each day. If you look at it too much,
though, the answer IS there.
The
interesting thing about Twilight and New Moon
coverage is that we haven't even reached the
one year anniversary of the theatrical release
of Twilight, so who knows what will come down
the pike to potentially leave The Twilight Saga
playing second fiddle to a new media darling.
Equally as interesting when contrasting the
unwavering "constant" of Twilight fan passion
that fuels The Twilight Saga popularity is the
"constant" within the media coverage that can
be found in the title and lyrics of an old DJ
Quick song from Snoop's "Murder Was the Case"
album way back in 1994. But no matter what makes
sense with Twilight and New Moon, it is what
it is. It's an ongoing cycle between fans and
the media until one jumps off the Twilight train
first.