Helen O'Hara, co-host of the Empire Podcast and author of Women vs. Hollywood, discusses being a woman in fandom spaces, transitioning from lawyer to film journalist, dealing with trolls on the internet, debunking the criticism of being paid by Disney for biased reviews, maintaining a positive voice for film critique, facing challenges and isolation in a dream job, and experiencing a packed house and supportive listeners.
Diversify your reading and engage with diverse perspectives in film journalism and fandom.
Avoid toxic fandom behavior and gatekeeping, prioritize inclusivity and understanding.
Balance constructive criticism with avoiding constant cynicism, and understand the complexities behind film productions.
Deep dives
The importance of reading diverse voices
The speaker emphasizes the importance of reading other voices and being aware of perspectives that are different from our own, such as those from people of color and individuals with disabilities. This effort is seen as a way to broaden one's understanding and engage with diverse perspectives in the realm of film journalism and fandom.
The influence of fandoms on critics and journalists
The podcast explores how being part of a fandom and engaging in film journalism can alter one's perspective. The speaker reflects on the necessity of proving oneself in film journalism and navigating online communities associated with fandoms. The dangers of gatekeeping and toxic fandom behavior are examined, highlighting the importance of inclusivity, understanding, and avoiding negative tribalism.
Criticizing films and navigating fandom anger
The speaker discusses their approach to film criticism and the challenges of navigating fandom anger. They express the desire to avoid being overly negative and snarky, encouraging more positive communication and celebrating what one loves. The speaker also reflects on the potential consequences of targeting the wrong individuals for criticism and the importance of understanding the complexities behind film productions.
Importance of Addressing Representation in Film
The podcast episode discusses the significance of addressing the lack of representation of women in film, both behind and in front of the camera. The host emphasizes the importance of highlighting issues related to the depiction of women, diversity, and consideration of LGBT issues. They acknowledge that pointing out these shortcomings does not mean hating a film, citing personal examples of enjoying movies despite their lack of diversity. The host also highlights the challenges faced by female critics, such as being criticized for expressing opinions, and the societal pressure on women to hold back their opinions.
The Influence and Responsibility of Being an Authority in Fandom
The podcast explores the surreal experience of being an authority in fandom and having people value and seek out one's opinions. The host reflects on her journey in journalism, where she initially didn't pay much attention to the journalists behind the work. She discusses the privilege and responsibility of having an audience that looks to her for advice and opinions. The host shares her approach of balancing constructive criticism with avoiding constant cynicism and the potential backlash that comes with expressing opinions. She also discusses the joy and surprise of live shows with packed audiences who came to see her.
This is a fandom exploration podcast that will interview podcasters and content creators one on one in a relaxed manor. We are just here to have a good time
Today we talk to Helen O’Hara, the co-host of the Empire Podcast, journalist for the Empire Magazine and author of the new book Women vs. Hollywood! We talk about all sorts of things, like what it’s like being a woman in fandom spaces, how she got to Empire Magazine, the ire of the Snyder Cut and so much more!
