In recent years, toxic fandom has been an increasingly troublesome issue, particularly with fanbases around high-profile franchises such as Harry Potter and Star Wars. Daniel Kwan, the creative director for the popular YouTube channel Everything Everywhere All At Once, has the perfect response to this troubling trend.
Kwan’s response to toxic fandom is a simple one: move away from the admiration of the actors and filmmakers and instead focus on the content itself. According to Kwan, toxic fandom is rooted in the misplaced adoration of the creators behind the films and films, rather than an appreciation of the content.
The Everything Everywhere All At Once team has gone to great lengths to foster healthier attitudes among fans. To do this, they’ve focused their content on celebrating films and films, not their associated personalities. Though their videos feature occasional interviews with stars, they prefer to shine a spotlight on the talent behind the films and films to celebrate the countless individuals who make these beloved franchises possible.
In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Kwan was quoted as saying: “We try to focus more on the films and films themselves, not only the talent behind them… I think it’s important to appreciate the people that make these films and films every bit as much as you appreciate the films and films themselves. It really does take a village.”
Kwan’s view on toxic fandom has served to remind fans that the success of these films and films aren’t the result of a few people alone and that there are countless individuals working tirelessly to bring these stories to life. Just as the films and films we enjoy call for our admiration, so too do the innumerable people who create them.
Kwan’s response to toxic fandom stands as a powerful reminder of the importance of respecting and celebrating the work of individuals who are as deserving of our admiration as our favorite films and films. The teams behind Everything Everywhere All At Once have been at the forefront of encouraging healthier fan behavior, and Daniel Kwan’s sentiments couldn’t come at a better time.