A Rant About Colin Morgan “Fans”
Today, not long from now, a supposed “fan” of Colin Morgan will begin posting video clips from his brand new film Benjamin, despite my–and others’–request not to do so.
This is not some big budget cinematic Marvel universe blockbuster we’re talking about. Benjamin is a small, independent LGBT film. Keep in mind that, while it is available to rent on streaming services in the UK, the film was literally released in cinemas two days ago, and is still actively in theatres, trying to earn back the investment that the production company gave it so that it could be made.
Other fans on this site have posted ways in which international fans could legitimately access the film so that they could also financially support it. Many of us fans that do not live in the UK have availed ourselves of these means in order to both view and financially support the film.
Therefore, it frustrates and incenses me more than I can accurately put into words that someone would find it MORALLY ACCEPTABLE to pirate a rented video stream (because Benjamin is not available for purchase at this time, only for rental) for a film that just opened ffs! and post otherwise unreleased scenes online before even most people in country have been able to see it.
Spoiling the film so soon after its release literally takes money away from the film’s creators and, if there were profit options in Colin’s contract, it literally takes money away from the person you supposedly support!
Make no mistake, this isn’t about supporting Colin’s work. Because, if it were, the “fan” would instead be trying to amplify the ways that more people could legitimately support the film. No, this is about gaining attention for oneself by being the first to post something, even at the expense of the project and the people involved in it.
This is not the first time this particular “fan” has spoiled Colin’s projects in what I consider to be an inappropriate manner. Just a couple of months ago, she was posting audio clips from The Worldship Humility that contained spoilers just a few days after the book became available. Certainly, it was not enough time for most people with access to the audiobook to have completed their listen, and yet, she took it upon herself to determine that it was fine to spoil a few choice key moments from the book in order to gain more clicks and followers.
And while I am upset with this specific person at the moment, sadly I know she won’t be the first or the last to do something like this.
Make no mistake that it is more that I have issues with this sort of “fan” in general than just one person.
Colin has said in more than one interview in the last couple of years that there isn’t enough support for the really good stories, that there isn’t enough financial support being given to them. And here you guys are, pirating his stuff and sharing it willy-nilly just after it’s released without even a thought to these very issues that Colin is trying to fight against by the projects he chooses.
Do not call yourself a “fan” if Colin is simply “eye candy” to you or a smooth voice to listen to but you don’t give a shit otherwise. Do not go around calling yourself his “fan” when you disrespect his beliefs and his life’s work for your own selfish needs. With “fans” like that, who needs enemies?
If you’re reading this right now and you feel that these things are all well and good “in the interest of the fandom”, then please, I beg you, unfollow me now. Because I have no interest in associating with the kinds of “fans” that give the rest of us a bad name.
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