2020/01/01 by Sneha Kumar · 1 voice
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Gender, Feminism, and Media #Gothic Literature and Media Analysis #Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
paper · pdf · doi:10.22215/etd/2020-14040
openalex publication_date 2020/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/03/25
My thesis explores the contemporary lesbian web series as being similar to fanfiction and its fandom as an affective community built on a set of inclusions and exclusions. My case study is Carmilla (Canada, Spencer Maybee 2014-2016), a YouTube web series shot in vlog format, and its lesbian fandom. I argue that Carmilla challenges the genres of the gothic and lesbian vampire in ways similar to fanfiction. Building on the work of fan studies scholars Katrin Dveling and Louisa Stein, I propose that affective bonds are created between Carmilla fans through various kinds of online activities and these flows of affect are influenced by the race and location of fans. My experiences at the first CarmillaCon in Toronto suggest that the online and offline Carmilla fandom both create and reflect each other.