Browncoats, this is our turning point! by techiecl

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Browncoats, this is our turning point!

POSTED BY: TECHIECL
UPDATED: Thursday, November 25, 2004 19:14
SHORT URL:
VIEWED: 6796
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Tuesday, November 23, 2004 11:34 AM

As I see it, we Browncoats are at a turning point in the fandom.

Do we become angry, spiteful, embittered fans? and complain to Universal about this delay?

OR

Do we regroup and rededicate ourselves and remind people we are the fandom that: donated to charities in the name of Firefly, are sending DVD sets to troops, donating DVD sets to libraries...

We're more than just a fandom. We're a true community. So let's make the right choice, and stick together, and make the most of these five months to make "Serenity" the best damn September movie ever.

--------------------------
In a time like this, we can show our worst side or our best side. I choose the latter.

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Tuesday, November 23, 2004 11:47 AM

MALICIOUS

Initially, I like the former. Perhaps when I am less pissed off, I can become one of the latter.

Mal-licious

Co-Holder of the Red Bell from Hell

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Tuesday, November 23, 2004 11:53 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

Quote:
Originally posted by techiecl:
Do we become angry, spiteful, embittered fans? and complain to Universal about this delay?

And use up otherwise valuable space on this site raging against a machine, using vulgar language that may turn away new fans who come here, see one unfortunate word and never come back again?

I've spent time raging against the machines and you know what? It doesn't do much good except to lower my stress level.

Postponed in this case does not mean it's been tossed in the dustbin. Anyone who paid close attention to the easy rhythm in Joss's message would see that.

It means five more months to plan even bigger damn movie parties. Five more months to convert more people to the wonderfulness that is Firefly. Five more months to build our fandom from something amazing into something truly spectacular.

Me? I'm going with the "best side" and taking the high road. Who's with me?

Fans come and fans go...but zealots are with you until the bitter black end.
I draw...therefore I am.
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

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Tuesday, November 23, 2004 12:05 PM

ZEEK

Quote:
Originally posted by Channain:
Quote:
Originally posted by techiecl:
Do we become angry, spiteful, embittered fans? and complain to Universal about this delay?
And use up otherwise valuable space on this site raging against a machine, using vulgar language that may turn away new fans who come here, see one unfortunate word and never come back again?

I've spent time raging against the machines and you know what? It doesn't do much good except to lower my stress level.

Postponed in this case does not mean it's been tossed in the dustbin. Anyone who paid close attention to the easy rhythm in Joss's message would see that.

It means five more months to plan even bigger damn movie parties. Five more months to convert more people to the wonderfulness that is Firefly. Five more months to build our fandom from something amazing into something truly spectacular.

Me? I'm going with the "best side" and taking the high road. Who's with me?

Fans come and fans go...but zealots are with you until the bitter black end.
I draw...therefore I am.
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

"I'm with ya too"....wait wrong scifi series quote.

"May have been the losing side...still not convinced it was the wrong one" Even if we don't get our BDM (god forbid) at least we'll be able to respect ourselves and know that we did the right thing. This is our time to shine. Maybe if we show what mature devoted fans we are we'll get even more respect from the suits of the world.

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Tuesday, November 23, 2004 12:11 PM

THEGREYJEDI

Also, conventions. Think conventions. August hosts the big convention in Charlotte. And there might be a chance of some Big Damn Heroes there. And other conventions that would have fallen after the April release date.

We can weep and moan and gnash our teeth. Dress ourselves in sack cloth, tear out our hair, and smear our faces with ash. Or we can be better than that. Isn't that what we're all about? Being bigger than that? Better than that? Is it frustrating? Well, by all levels of Hell, yes. But we've waited this long, haven't we? Just a little bump along the way, right? Still less than a year away. Someone said it already. More time to get things right. More guerilla marketing. More converting. More time to get those costumes looking fabulous. We get up. We dust ourselves off. We move on.

--------------------------------------------------
http://www.jed-soft.com Gamer Rigs, Budget Prices

http://tomeofgrey.blogspot.com

Real Fans Wait 09-05

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Tuesday, November 23, 2004 12:21 PM

SOULOFSERENITY

The Man They Call Soul...

Hey, another five months can be a beautiful thing. Just think of it as foreplay. We post, we blog, we write and read fanfics. We support each other even when Firefly isn't involved. We speculate, we start rumors, we cry out our support for the God that is Joss. We wait and yearn for every article, every post by one of the stars, every blog by the Creator. We salivate at the first preview, at the press release photos, at the official movie posters. Over and over and over, until we are nearly at our bursting point, and then, when we sit in front of that silver screen and experience what we have waited for for so long, when our Big Damn Heroes look down at us, when we see Serenity larger than life.

It will be worth the wait. Trust me.

______________________

But if your hand touches metal, I swear by my pretty floral bonnet, I will end you.

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Tuesday, November 23, 2004 12:27 PM

TECHIECL

When you put it that way...ummmm, I'll be in my bunk.

But seriously, I'm glad I'm not the only one seeing the opportunity we can make out of this.

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Tuesday, November 23, 2004 12:52 PM

DYAIRVATREE

I think the high road is definietly the best response I'm upset of course but as long as we still have the movie to look foward too it's not that big a deal. Good things come to those who wait as the saying goes. This seems especially true for browncoats. Bitching about Universal is definitely counter productive. If Joss says it's just a desicision to help make the movie reach more people I see no reason to disbelieve it or get mad.

I remember the wait we had to get the DVD's and just how worth while the wait was when they came out. And the only reason the DVD's ever came out was because us Browncoats did stuff like push Firefly to the top of lists of TV shows most wanted on DVD. So in that spirit I'm going to re-dedicate myself to creating as many new Firefly fans as possible and with Christmas comming up I've got a few ideas on how to do that.

I still remember the bad old days when the most I thought I could look foward too was tracking down someone to sell me VCD's of already broadcast episodes, I still have those VCD's by the way.

Any how this is more than likely the golden age of being a Browncoat in the short time between the DVD's and the release of the movie. You see if the movie does well places like this will be swamped with people and it won't have the personal feeling it does now. And if it doesn't do well, well that will be the end of any hope for a continuation of the Firefly universe. And things around here will be a lot less hopefull than they are now.

So in conclusion things ain't so bad.

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Tuesday, November 23, 2004 1:01 PM

TECHIECL

Domestic grosses of past late september movies:

[snipped from Aint it cool news]
* Rush Hour (9/18/98) $141.1
* American Beauty (9/15/99) $130.0
* Remember the Titans (9/29/00) $115.6
* Sweet Home Alabama (9/27/02) $127.2
* School of Rock (10/3/03) $81.2

So late September ain't a "Loser" date.

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Tuesday, November 23, 2004 1:36 PM

SPIKEANDJEZEBEL

Speaking of conventions, I bet that "Serenity" will be premiered someplace before September - most likely the San Diego Comic Con. I advise any Browncoats not in the Southern California area to save your pennies for a trip next July....

"I like smackin' 'em!" - Jayne Cobb

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Tuesday, November 23, 2004 1:37 PM

INARAESQUE

I've never been so proud to be part of a fandom.

With this news, we're all so disappointed, so I expected more sniping, more bitterness...

But everyone is being so unbelievably classy, smart and compassionate/encouraging each other fans. I'm so awed and proud at the utter lack of bullsh*t over this.

You're all awesome.

I love my fandom.

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Tuesday, November 23, 2004 1:59 PM

BILLYUNO

*closes the door to his bunk, through which many loud noises, crashing and screaming can be heard*

*steps out looking calm*

Okay, I'm fine. I can wait another five months. The fanfics, and such have never been my thing, but the artwork is always good. Now we have several months for trailers which are always just as good as the movie, and an artform unto themselves. I still have my DVDs and a lot of friends to convert. Now I have five extra months to get a party together.

I admit to some initial... misgivings. But I'm past all that now, and I've moved onto acceptance.

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Tuesday, November 23, 2004 2:32 PM

KELLAINA

Quote:
Originally posted by Channain:

Me? I'm going with the "best side" and taking the high road. Who's with me?

"If it was anyone of us, the Captain wouldn't hesitate."

I know it doesn't really fit, but that scene keeps popping into my head. We now have five extra months to promote the movie and wait for it. September may not be the ideal month for movies but that just means Serenity will get all sorts of attention (and the box office records are much easier to break than in May

).

And nothing says sequel more than biggest opening weekend box office ever in September!!!!!

Serenity

September competition

So, yes, when it comes to the high road I'm right there with you!

note: just so everyone doesn't think I've ignored the other posts I actually wrote the response 2 hours ago, just couldn't finish and post it at the time.

If nothing we do matters, then all that matters is what we do. -"Angel"

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Tuesday, November 23, 2004 3:12 PM

the movie is not the Series. Only the facts have been changed, to irritate the innocent; the names of the actors and characters remain the same

Quote:
Originally posted by techiecl:
Domestic grosses of past late september movies:
[snipped from Aint it cool news]
* Rush Hour (9/18/98) $141.1
* American Beauty (9/15/99) $130.0
* Remember the Titans (9/29/00) $115.6
* Sweet Home Alabama (9/27/02) $127.2
* School of Rock (10/3/03) $81.2

So late September ain't a "Loser" date.

Thinking back, the above titles sound like the biggest grossing movies of their season. There also may be a declining trend, there -- only Sweet Home Alabama excepted. I may be out of date but, conventional wisdom used to be that a film needed domestic gross of three times direct production costs in order to earn a profit. On that basis, Firefly will have to be the biggest September release in over half a decade, in order to avoid the "Loser" label.

I'll do what I can but, Universal is gonna have to come up with a helluva promo campaign.

Keep the Shiny Side Up

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Tuesday, November 23, 2004 4:04 PM

TECHIECL

Actually from what current standards and budgets of movies, I believe a film making its budget back is a sign of success. The real profit comes from merchandising, licensensing, and dvd sales/rentals.

And 'versal, knows that'd for every TV series box set sold is an indicator of "Serenity" DVD sold (especially if they split it among a normal and a special edition dvd 6 months later).

__________________________________________________
Dogbert: Try not to think of yourself as an organic pain collector hurtling towards oblivion

Dilbert: Too late...

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Tuesday, November 23, 2004 4:14 PM

the movie is not the Series. Only the facts have been changed, to irritate the innocent; the names of the actors and characters remain the same

Quote:
Originally posted by techiecl:
And 'versal, knows that'd for every TV series box set sold is an indicator of "Serenity" DVD sold (especially if they split it among a normal and a special edition dvd 6 months later).

Be interesting to see. Personally, I think 20th Century Fox Television Productions (not the FOX TV network) will get a big boost in DVD sales when the BDM comes out.

And I've bought five sets of the DVDs, 'cause nobody had a chance to see the real show on TV. I won't feel the same way about the movie, so I can't see myself buying that many copies of it.

Keep the Shiny Side Up

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Tuesday, November 23, 2004 8:36 PM

NEEDLESEYE

Sure it's disapppointing to wait another 5 months, but with all the great Browncoats here, the journey to September will be shorter.
Besides, Joss won't let us down.

Keeper of Jayne's goggles. 8)

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Tuesday, November 23, 2004 9:56 PM

RUXTON

Something's fishy here. I suspect we're never going to see this movie. I sure hope I'm wrong, but mark my words. Even Joss said he hopes they won't change the date again. I suspect he's being lied to...again.

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Wednesday, November 24, 2004 5:20 AM

BROWNCOAT1

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

Techiecl wrote:

Quote:
As I see it, we Browncoats are at a turning point in the fandom.

Do we become angry, spiteful, embittered fans? and complain to Universal about this delay?

OR

Do we regroup and rededicate ourselves and remind people we are the fandom that: donated to charities in the name of Firefly, are sending DVD sets to troops, donating DVD sets to libraries...

We're more than just a fandom. We're a true community. So let's make the right choice, and stick together, and make the most of these five months to make "Serenity" the best damn September movie ever.

I agree Techie, and I hope that everyone here finds their way to the latter rather than the former.

We have been through a lot as a fanbase. For those that have been around since the beginning, we've seem more than others. The pilot being kicked to the curb (because the nitwits at Fox don't know a good thing when it slaps them in the face), the network airing the episodes out of order, the prempting for sports, etc. Then came the frantic messages of bad ratings and the whispers of the dreaded "hiatus". When word was passed down of the "hiatus" (the p.c. way of not saying cancelled) we fought like mad to save the show. There was letter and post card campaigns, online petitions, and emails galore.

When the word came down that Fox in their infinite ignorance was cancelling our show, we dug in for the long fight and again took up post card campaigns to which ever network Joss was shopping Firefly to at that time.

Then word came that no one was buying. That had to have been the lowest I have ever seen the fanbase. We were devastated. Joss and the cast were devastated.

So we pushed for DVDs. Against hope and despite the critism of many online sites, we pushed, and Joss pushed. We got our big shiny DVDs.

You all know this story, except for maybe some of the newer Browncoats, those as came after they saw the show on DVD. You all know, but it seems at times some of us have forgotten what we have gone through to get where we are now. Critics, trolls, and fools at networks said Firefly was a dead show and no one would touch a cancelled show. We didn't give up and neither did Joss. Now we have the BDM. The fanbase is bigger than anyone ever dreamed possible. We have done the impossible and you know what that makes us.

So the movie is put off a few months. So what? As long as we have waited and as hard as we have fought, we can do five months standing on our heads while whistling the Ballad of Serenity.

Time to tug our brown coats straight, check our pistols in their holsters, and get ready for what is to come.

Quote:
Channain wrote:

And use up otherwise valuable space on this site raging against a machine, using vulgar language that may turn away new fans who come here, see one unfortunate word and never come back again?

I've spent time raging against the machines and you know what? It doesn't do much good except to lower my stress level.

Postponed in this case does not mean it's been tossed in the dustbin. Anyone who paid close attention to the easy rhythm in Joss's message would see that.

It means five more months to plan even bigger damn movie parties. Five more months to convert more people to the wonderfulness that is Firefly. Five more months to build our fandom from something amazing into something truly spectacular.

Me? I'm going with the "best side" and taking the high road. Who's with me?

Fans come and fans go...but zealots are with you until the bitter black end.

You know Channy, this is why I love you. You are a true Browncoat.

Channy is right. Belly aching gets us nowhere. Joss and 'Versal need our support now more than ever. We need to get out there and push the DVD set, the BDM and convert more Browncoats. We have been given and extra 5 months to add to our ranks and get more people in the theatre to fill seats for the BDM. We all know that any future films depend on the success of this movie. We have as much to do w/ that success as anyone.

So get out there and use this time to make it happen. We owe it to Joss, the cast, 'Versal, and last but no where near least, we owe it to OURSELVES.

Keep Flyin' Browncoats!

__________________________________________

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

Richmond, VA & surrounding area Firefly Meet Up:
http://firefly.meetup.com/9/boards/

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Wednesday, November 24, 2004 1:42 PM

INARAESQUE

Channain, Browncoat1: all of you who are being so encouraging and -- I lack the words to express what I'm trying to say here. You've made me cry a little in a good way, seeing how awesome everyone is here, how tenacious and devoted.

I'm seeing the spirit of theme song embodied in so many posts, I'm seeing Mal's refusal to lay down and die in the face of bitter disappointment. I can't help but think about that big red button to call everyone back, about Mal's rallying of the troops in Serenity Valley.

I'm seeing everything I love about our show and our big damn heroes embodied in the fandom. We're going to hold this valley, browncoats, until our movie comes out and awes us all.

Next summer and fall, we are going to share delighted grins at every scan of a magazine ad, every tv spot, every poster spotted, every trailer. There's going to be merchandise and every browncoat's wallet is going to be hurting a bit. I have no doubt that, if there's action figures -- and there better be gorram action figures *ahem* -- we're going to get posed photographs with captions running from the sublime to the obscene and it'll add to the general excitement.

The novelisation will come out and there will be much debate over reading it or not, over needing a fix because it's been so long versus not wanting to be spoiled for the actual movie experience.

I heard talk of a comic-book adaptation, too, so we'll have the art to debate/delight over, and which lines are included from the movie or not...

And we're going to hit that last ten-day countdown so utterly giddy and when we see our little ship and our disreputable crew up on the big screen, we're going to know we've made it this far, we've done the impossible and it does make us, Joss, our BDHs -- all of us -- mighty.

Then we're going to watch the money the movie makes and grin delightedly and smugly to one another as Fox and all the detractors are proven so very, very wrong.

We're going to have the sheer glee of sequels being announced, and the countdown to an amazing dvd release.

And we're just going to go from strength to strength.

So we hold this valley, no matter what.

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Wednesday, November 24, 2004 4:44 PM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

Quote:
Originally posted by BrownCoat1:
You know Channy, this is why I love you. You are a true Browncoat.

garsh. I'm thinking it must be my Scottish blood. My clan motto is "Dulcius ex aspiris" which means "sweeter after difficulty."
But your signature line says it as well:

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

Fans come and fans go...but zealots are with you until the bitter black end.
I draw...therefore I am.
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

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Thursday, November 25, 2004 5:06 AM

CYBERSNARK

Quote:
Originally posted by inaraesque:
We're going to hold this valley, browncoats, until our movie comes out and awes us all.

All things being equal, that might not've been the best analogy to draw. . .

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

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Thursday, November 25, 2004 5:19 AM

ROBYN12

Yay us! I'm all for keeping up good spirits, getting more fans and, in case of the Dutch opening date: not having to fight our way to the cinema to see it. :0
Hugs and power to us all!

Robyn.

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Thursday, November 25, 2004 5:30 AM

SHINYHAPPYKLIN

Quote:
Originally posted by spikeandjezebel:
Speaking of conventions, I bet that "Serenity" will be premiered someplace before September - most likely the San Diego Comic Con. I advise any Browncoats not in the Southern California area to save your pennies for a trip next July....

Ah, but Dragon*Con is only 3 weeks before the premiere, and I think would more likely be a possible bet for an early sneak peak...too early, and it's too spoilerish. Three weeks might be just about right to build excitement.

And there's the Browncoat Ball and the possibility of having ALL the BDHs there as well! I'm personally looking forward to the increased possibility of media blitz opportunities and personal appearances by the BDHs all over the world between now and September!

"We gotta go to that crappy town where I'M a hero..."
Shiny stuff for Browncoats at: http://www.cafepress.com/outtotheblack

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Thursday, November 25, 2004 5:42 AM

GWENHARKER

I've been a Joss fan for awhile and original Buffy lover. Firefly started and(in alot of people's opinions) Buffy and Angel truly suffered for it. That's why I refused to watch Firefly. It felt like Joss, who gave me a reason for fighting for forever and a reason to realize the things in school aren't always the worst things that could happen, had betrayed me. Here was this 'shiny' new obsession for his and a TON of Joss fans are still bitter towards him and Firefly.

My first instinct was that this is a prime oppurtunity to win back some of those bitter and betrayed fans, but reading some stuff people have said about the movie makes me lose hope a little.

So dammit! We WILL hold this ship and we WILL rescue those in trouble of missing the best BIG DAMN MOVIE of the year. Did you all see the 10 seconds our Cap'n Mal got on 'Around the world in 80 seconds' on MSNBC? That's excellant due to the fact that there is no advertising (officially) by the Big Boys Upstairs.

Write an article for your local community paper! School paper! I'm trying to figure out how to host a day Shindig at my local library (For our culture year, January is China, but that just isn't enough time to plan something I've never down before).

Come on Browncoats! Let's blow every other movie out of the water. Make everyone question 'Is this movie as good as Serenity.' I only hope Joss won't let us down (grain of salt, like my bitter Buffy freinds)

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Thursday, November 25, 2004 10:31 AM

INARAESQUE

Quote:
Originally posted by Cybersnark:
Quote:
Originally posted by inaraesque:
We're going to hold this valley, browncoats, until our movie comes out and awes us all.
All things being equal, that might not've been the best analogy to draw. . .

Not one for fatalistically optimistic, then, Cybersnark?

Oh, well!

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Thursday, November 25, 2004 11:29 AM

CYBERSNARK

Not one for fatalism, me. It's like that classically patriotic USian cheer "Remember the Alamo!"

Y'all lost the Alamo!

I was thinking more that we will sit through the "local colour" (Episode III, XXX 2 and whatnot), and that we will rise (yet) again with a suitably grand entrance.

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

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Thursday, November 25, 2004 7:14 PM

TETHYS

maybe it'll come out on the newly dubbed Independents Day!!!!

20Sep for those that don't know

"Your mouth is talking. Might wanna see to that"

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