The other face of the Upside Down. How fandom reinterprets Stranger Things

This contribution aims to describe practices and attitudes recurring among the most active fan communities of the Stranger Things television series (Netflix, 2016 - in progress). Therefore, the analysis could be ascribed to the area of micro-sociological studies on fandom (Scaglioni 2006), focusing on the community of fans who rework on television series by producing original works such as stories, videos, illustrations, or cosplays. Usually, these works are shared on specific virtual platforms (Jenkins 2008; Gray, Sandvoss 2017), that promote the development of social and emotional ties (Riva, Boato 2020; Paasonen 2021). This phenomenon is encouraged by the spread of serial and transmedia narratives, which allow fans to collaborate on the expansion of the narrative ecosystem (Mittell 2017; Hills 2017). The research is divided into two complementary phases. The first one is based on digital ethnography, focused on websites dedicated to fanfictions (EFP, Wattpad) and on the main social networks’ groups (Facebook, Instagram), by collecting more than 300 posts. The second phase is based on semi-structured interviews with 15 fans of the television series who produce or have produced original content inspired by Stranger Things. Firstly, we wanted to understand how the most active Italian fans of the Stranger Things series usually decline the original work in new representations. We were also interested in the reasons why producers of fanmade invest time and energy into the community. Finally, we analyzed the type of relationship that is established within the most active group of the fandom. The community plays an important role in the practices of consumption and rework of new products, by encouraging and rewarding grassroots participatory activities (Boccia Artieri 2012; Lamerichs 2018). All of this takes place within an inclusive social context, yet often very demanding towards high-quality standards. This contribution also aims to investigate the set of emotional and social advantages that feed the participatory culture.