‘TMI Uruguay’ is a fan account focused on keeping fandom informed on everything related to the Shadow World, both show and book fans alike. Dalma, a 28-year-old fan from Uruguay, works hard to provide a happy place for fandom to share their excitement.
What inspired you to start your account?
My love for the books. A while ago, I used to have a Facebook page with all the info and updates about the books; later, I had to put it aside and eventually I ended up on Twitter. I only had my personal account when the announcement about the TV show was made and I was so excited that I started following the cast and crew every time someone new joined the team. One day, I was tweeting with (Season 1) VFX Supervisor Stephan Fleet, who we knew was going to do some of his magic on the first episode of the show, and I mentioned I was thinking of changing the name of the account to TMI plus my country instead of keeping my personal one. He said, ‘Go for it,’ and here I am!
How long have you been involved in fandom, and what brought you into it?
I’ve been involved in the fandom for the past five years pretty much since I discovered this amazing world. I found the books back in 2011 when City of Fallen Angels had just been released. The Shadow World had been like a safe haven for me for a long time, as I had been suffering from depression and anxiety for several years, hitting ups and lows. The books helped me a lot through the hardest times and this world somehow made me feel like I belonged. The characters are so brave and inspiring, and you can relate to them, and the fandom has become family through the years. I’ve been lucky enough to make friends and meet people who I can talk to for hours, and that’s pure gold.
What has been your most memorable moment on the job?
There have been three moments that were memorable for me. When the pilot aired, I was so excited I couldn’t sleep and I was waiting for the episode to be on Netflix, which was 5:00 a.m., my time. I tweeted about it and my tweet ended up on the Shadowhunters page. Another moment was when I wanted to participate in ‘Fanart Friday.’ My drawing skills are really limited, but I entered during ‘Silent Brothers Week,’ and my drawing was posted on the Shadowhunters page.
My most memorable moment was also on a ‘Fanart Friday.’ Like I said, I can’t really draw, so under the topic of ‘family,’ I decided to write a poem. I’ve been writing poems all my life, almost never sharing them, but since writing is an art in itself, I thought that it would also classify as fanart. So, I entered a poem and it won. Totally cheesy, but totally true. Here it is – it’s called ‘Ohana’:
How many times people called me crazy?
weird, obsessed or totally nuts?
They said, “It’s just a book”,
“just a story” and “not real at all”.
And I felt so alone
until they showed up,
I met them many years ago.
My real family, not by blood but love.
They understood me, encouraged me
and absolutely changed my world.
They know a book is not just a book,
that characters can feel and be real.
They can make you laugh, make you cry
make you feel you are by their side.
I found a place where I belong,
surrounded by people from all around the world.
I call them friends, family, Shadowhunters,
and they have definitely changed it all.
How much time do you commit to your account per week?
Probably more than I should [laughs]. I have my phone with me all the time and notifications on to know when the cast or crew posts something new on Twitter or Instagram. I check Snapchat at least once a day, same with the Shadowhunters website. I’m always trying to post news as soon it’s out, but sometimes, due to work or life itself, it’s a little bit difficult. I guess intentions are what matters!
How do you stay organized? Do you have designate responsibilities for yourself?
Sadly, it’s been only me since the beginning. The account has been running for two years and I’m the only one managing it. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up with the cast, news, and crew in so many different social media accounts, but I try my best and work it out. I try to have a balance between work, family, friends, and the account – not specifically in that order – it varies all the time according to what the moment requires.
My family and friends know very well that I can’t be bothered on Monday nights, and that on Tuesdays, I’m probably going to be tweeting about an episode all day before it airs, just talking about it [laughs]. Plus, there are others accounts that always tag me, help me, and try to keep me posted when they know I need it. I wouldn’t be able to do it without @TMI_Church, @vanvpaez, @ShadowhunterRU, and my lovely TMI Mentors, @ShadowhuntersLA and @TMI_Institute.
What is your favorite thing about Shadowhunters?
Tough question. I’d have to say the cast. They are so humanly rich, they are role models – so down to earth, talented, and always taking their jobs so seriously and working so hard to give their best. The workout sessions, diets, all the training is insane, but they do it every day with a smile on their faces and take their time to share their days with us; and sometimes even to talk, or reply or share a thought, an opinion; and they are always there to listen to us about what we like and what we don’t. I’ve honestly never seen that in an entire cast before. Same goes for the crew. I always say I would like to know all of their names and send them a huge thank you note. This is the first time I’ve been this involved in a fandom, and getting to see all the steps of an episode and the work they do – from the grip team to the prosthetics, the costume designs, the make-up, the props. They might be behind the scenes, but they’re a fundamental part in keeping this show going.
And, last but not least, the writers and producers, former and current. The work they’ve been doing all along is truly amazing. How they’ve made big changes but have somehow kept true to the overall story. And, like I always say, as long as they stay true to the characters, I’m happy. The writers have been doing that – exploring characters’ weaknesses, fears, and loves in such a creative way. It makes me love the show more every day.
What’s next for your account? Do you have anything on the horizon you’re looking forward to?
Like any other account, I hope it keeps growing, but one of the things I’ve been talking about with the Latin American accounts is to try to come together and somehow be noticed by Netflix LA. So far, the only conventions the cast have attended and will attend in Latin America are in Brazil. Emeraude, Harry, and Alberto visited Argentina, but there was no official convention, so members of accounts from Colombia, Paraguay, Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and Latin America, in general, are trying to figure out how to do it. Our main goal is to have the cast in conventions across Latin America, of course not in all the countries, but maybe in central locations like Buenos Aires, Argentina, where not only fans from Argentina can assist but also Uruguayan, Chilean, and Paraguayan fans. Other locations could be Mexico and Colombia. It’s an idea we are working on, so we’ll see what happens.
Have you had any interaction with the cast?
Face to face, no. On Twitter, yes. I think my favorites are always the surprise ones. Waking up or hearing your phone ring to find a DM or a tweet from the people you admire is just priceless. The support and love from Jade, Kaitlyn, Shailene, David, Curtis, Kat, Nicola, Paulino, Maxim, and everyone involved on the show, in a DM or in a tweet, is always like an encouragement to keep working hard. But, truth be told, Kaitlyn thanking me for the gift I made her for Avery was probably the best. It was so adorable. I was giggling like an idiot, and the photo she posted was the cutest.
Wish to share your love with like-minded fans? You can follow TMI Uruguay on Twitter and YouTube, and you can add TMI_Uruguay on Snapchat!
