Mr Baldwin speaks by KevinIanBeaumont

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Mr Baldwin speaks

POSTED BY: KEVINIANBEAUMONT
UPDATED: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 07:02
SHORT URL:
VIEWED: 7823
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Tuesday, November 23, 2004 1:40 PM

From Adam:

"
So, I'm walking back from Starbuck's today and guess who comes riding up on his bicycle: No... not John Mellencamp. JOSS, it was Joss.

So he says, " I was going to call you today" and I says, "About the postponement?"
"Yeah, I figured if anyone would already know it would be Adam, MR. ONLINE GUY" So he proceeds to tel me that this will be a blessing in disguise and the studio is really happy with the film and wanted more time to gear up a really kick-a$$ marketing SCHEME. Which they will.

Then we chit-chatted for a while about family and stuff... Caterpillars... the length of the show... the fact that Jayne is really cool... and funny... and strong looking.... and "Oh, by the way," he asks, "are you guys free next thursday for a screening?"

So I says, "Hmmmmm I'll check my schedule but I think perhaps maybe it will be a possibility that I will attempt to squeeze it in." What's that guy's name again? Oh yeah... Joss. The boss. AKA G-d.

So anyway guys, this is good news, let's take it as GOOD NEWS. It felt rushed to me anyway. Like the series did. Now we have plenty of time for all of those summer-esque trailers and OSCAR (trademark) considerations.

Love and Serenity Always,

A.B.
"

Whilst I have all your attention, also, I'd like to point out to all those people bombarding Universal complaining and petitioning: Universal have given Joss $50,000,000 for Serenity. In total, it's going to cost them a lot more with advertising.

That's a huge commitment they didn't need to make.

They are delaying the release as it makes business sense for them: They should have with Chronicles of Riddick, for example, as it was a busy time, but chose not to: it got buried. They didn't make the money they wanted from it.

Those complaining, petitioning and (planning to) advertise in magazine will dent things.

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Tuesday, November 23, 2004 1:59 PM

SPOOKYJESUS

Quote:
Originally posted by KevinIanBeaumont:

Those complaining, petitioning and (planning to) advertise in magazine will dent things.

These people are just feeling hurt and so are acting selfish. They'll get over it.

Thanks for posting Adam's post.

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Tuesday, November 23, 2004 2:32 PM

HAUFEL

Just a clarification on one point. The proposed ad in Variety is for the purpose of communicating a vote of confidence in Universal and to reaffirm the support of Browncoats in marketing of the movie. Hence, it probably should not be grouped with the other letter writing and emailing mentioned. In any case, it's all just thoughts at this point, but positive thoughts. Here's the thread:

http://forums.prospero.com/foxfirefly/messages?msg=19878.1

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

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Tuesday, November 23, 2004 2:32 PM

KEVINIANBEAUMONT

Adam continues to post to the OB (thanks Adam!)

There's lots of posts, but choice quotes follow

"I've called around to "in-the-know" types in Hwdland, they are all in agreement that this is a good sign. :- )"

"This is good news. I am very relieved, actually."

And finally;

"*Smooch!* :- )"

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Tuesday, November 23, 2004 2:52 PM

EST120

Quote:
Originally posted by KevinIanBeaumont:
So he proceeds to tel me that this will be a blessing in disguise and the studio is really happy with the film and wanted more time to gear up a really kick-a$$ marketing SCHEME. Which they will.

hmm. this is excellent news, though. it is always nice when the studio likes the movie. it may give them leverage to get another one made later. so the expected release date is now in september? i guess that makes sense. if you want to delay because of the competition, september really would be the earliest it could go. after april, when all the summer blockbusters (ie cash cows) start coming out, things are a little crowded. plus, serenity does not appear to be (at least in my mind) a special effects bonanza like so many of those summer releases, so it seems reasonable to let those films duke it out first.

still, it is disappointing on some level to know that we have to wait another 5 months but oh well. at least the movie is still coming out and has not been shelved or anything like that.

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Wednesday, November 24, 2004 3:36 AM

BROWNCOAT1

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

I would sincerely hope that no one has found it necessary to send emails or letters demanding anything of 'Versal.

I for one am in total agreement w/ Adam and Joss on the postponement. It will give Joss more than ample time to do the special effects, get the movie score just right (please say there will be a soundtrack!), and to aid 'Versal in the planning of a marketing strategy.

I am on pins and needles too in anticipation of the BDM. The 5 month delay is hard to take, but I know it will be worth it!

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 5:44 AM

ZOID

Fellow Coats of a Brownish Color:

I, for one, don't think it's necessarily a bad thing to write some letters. We want them to know someone cares.

The bad thing would be filling them with invective or hateful sentiments. Universal feel they have good reason to move the release date. That should be seen as a vote of confidence on their part that Serenity is capable of returning a profit on their investment. They are simply trying to ensure its success and maximize that profit.

By moving it, they not only ensure the success and profitability of this movie, but eliminate some of the competition for eyeballs that the movie would have had in April. More eyeballs means more potential ticket purchasers for the next two movies, should Serenity indeed be a moneymaker.

Still, I think we could safely write letters to Universal letting them know we are disappointed about the delay, but that we know it was a business decision favorable to Serenity and future movies; that we support the studio's decision and will continue to support Serenity and any marketing "SCHEME" related to its eventual release.

Then, we thank them for their time and consideration, very respectfully, payroll signature, printed name. P.S. Sometimes we children have to understand that due to financial considerations, we can't have the G.I. Joe with kung fu grip for our birthday as originally promised; instead we have to wait 'til Christmas. It's not that we aren't loved (even though that's how it feels), it's just that a balloon payment on our college fund is due.

In like manner, We The Faithful must understand that we'll get our new toy as promised, just a little later, and our future prospects are enhanced for the price of a little patience.

...And self-restraint.

Rational(izing)ly,

zoid
_________________________________________________

"Burn the land and boil the sea, you can't take the sky from me." The Ballad of Serenity

Only 309 days, 13 hours, 34 minutes, and 13 seconds left until The BDM!
(*Grrrr! Aaargh!*)

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Wednesday, November 24, 2004 6:52 AM

BROWNCOAT1

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

Quote:
Originally posted by zoid:
Fellow Coats of a Brownish Color:

I, for one, don't think it's necessarily a bad thing to write some letters. We want them to know someone cares.

The bad thing would be filling them with invective or hateful sentiments. Universal feel they have good reason to move the release date. That should be seen as a vote of confidence on their part that Serenity is capable of returning a profit on their investment. They are simply trying to ensure its success and maximize that profit.

By moving it, they not only ensure the success and profitability of this movie, but eliminate some of the competition for eyeballs that the movie would have had in April. More eyeballs means more potential ticket purchasers for the next two movies, should Serenity indeed be a moneymaker.

Still, I think we could safely write letters to Universal letting them know we are disappointed about the delay, but that we know it was a business decision favorable to Serenity and future movies; that we support the studio's decision and will continue to support Serenity and any marketing "SCHEME" related to its eventual release.

Then, we thank them for their time and consideration, very respectfully, payroll signature, printed name. P.S. Sometimes we children have to understand that due to financial considerations, we can't have the G.I. Joe with kung fu grip for our birthday as originally promised; instead we have to wait 'til Christmas. It's not that we aren't loved (even though that's how it feels), it's just that a balloon payment on our college fund is due.

In like manner, We The Faithful must understand that we'll get our new toy as promised, just a little later, and our future prospects are enhanced for the price of a little patience.

...And self-restraint.

Rational(izing)ly,

zoid

You took the proverbial words out of my mouth Zoid my friend.

I hope my post did not seem to indicate that I was against people writing emails, letters, etc. I'm not. I just don't want a flood of critical or venom filled correspondences finding their way into the very hands that are responsible for us even having the BDM.

As I have said elsewhere, it is imperative that we all voice our support for Joss, 'Versal, and the cast in any way we can. If people here wish to send letters or post cards, please let them be positive and supportive. Let them all know that the Browncoats are behind them 100%.

__________________________________________

"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 8:15 AM

NICOLACLARKE

I agree with what all the rational-type people here have already said. Plus, late summer/early autumn is a good time for a word-of-mouth sleeper hit (as I strongly suspect our Serenity will be). In late April it would be swamped by all the bigger guns (woah, v mixed metaphor...).

I also think that fan letters *are* good, providing they have courtesy and grammar and so forth.

I'm heading over to check out the Variety ad thread now.

/ pure intentions, juxtaposed /

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Wednesday, November 24, 2004 10:27 AM

CAITE

Out of curiousity where did you find this? In it Adam says that Joss referred to him as "online guy" and I was just wondering if has a site or blog or something.

Thanks!

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Wednesday, November 24, 2004 10:35 AM

THEGREYJEDI

I think it just means that of the whole of the BDH's, Adam must spend the most time online.

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

http://tomeofgrey.blogspot.com

Real Fans Wait - 09/30/05

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Wednesday, November 24, 2004 11:26 AM

HAUFEL

This comes from the so-called "OB" - the "Official Board" or "Original Board". It's the Prospero forum set up by FOX to promote the series. The link to the referenced message is here:

http://forums.prospero.com/foxfirefly/messages/?msg=19873.221

Adam's the Online Guy because he posts a LOT in that forum - mostly political. His profile says he's posted 8401 messages in the last two years.

As a follow up, he also had this to say later in the above thread:

http://forums.prospero.com/foxfirefly/messages/?msg=19873.245

Quote:
I've called around to "in-the-know" types in Hwdland, they are all in agreement that this is a good sign. :- )

Patience Iagos... patience. :- )

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

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Wednesday, November 24, 2004 11:43 AM

CAITE

Thanks so much!

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Wednesday, November 24, 2004 3:22 PM

RUXTON

Kevin,

Thanks a bunch for posting this. Eases the pain a bit.

Zoid & BC1, well said.

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Wednesday, November 24, 2004 3:32 PM

CALHOUN

This is the first i've heard about the "postponement" I cant believe how well you all are taking it...

I AM FRACKING BESIDE MYSELF!! GORRAMMIT!!

September!!!.... NOOOOO!!!

Had to get that off my chest.

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Saturday, November 27, 2004 6:32 PM

LAILING

Sorry to burst your bubble, folks, but September is when studios pull out the movies they expect to bomb. It's not "Summer Blockbuster" season, nor "Christmas Blockbuster/In-Mind-for-the-Oscar's" season. It's more like "Well-we-spent-all-this-money-so-I-guess-we-have-to-show-it-sometime-but-we're-not-wasting-it-on-Blockbuster-season" season. Like the rest of you, I can't help but be disappointed. Sigh.

(By the way, you may be interested to know, my husband tells me that X-men fans universally hate Joss Whedon, claiming he has totally f***ed up the X-Men comics he has written, and they desperately don't want him to have anything to do with the next movie, especially Storm and Wolverine. Or anything else, for that matter.)

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
"They've gone to *plaid*!"

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Saturday, November 27, 2004 9:58 PM

ZOID

LaiLing:

As I opined in another thread, yours is a textbook example of 'tai kwan dodo' gloom and doomsaying (with tip o' the hat to "Ice Age"). The sky is falling! All movies that are released in September are crap!

Except, perhaps, for these:

Quote:
techiecl wrote, in 'Browncoats, This Is Our Turning Point' thread:
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
...

Maybe your taste in movies differs from mine; but "American Beauty" was a masterpiece. I think you're just over-reacting. Try taking some deep cleansing breaths, and try not to treat the opinions of the kids at the comic book shop as Hollywood insider information...

The movie got moved down on the schedule. We know why: the new Kidman production isn't on time. Serenity lost her spot to that flick; Serenity is bumping another pic out of its spot, probably because that movie sux too much to be shown in September, huh? Have the hubby ask his 'media consultant' drinking buddies about that decision, too.

If this post seemed a little strident, so did yours. When attempting to crush people's hopes and foment panic, bring some better evidence than 'only sucky movies come out in September' and 'my husband's buddies think Joss is screwing up their favorite cartoons (and this year's Dragon BallZ just doesn't have the emotional impact it did a year ago)'.

Scornfully,

zoid

P.S.
My sincerest apologies to any gentlefolk on this board I may have offended with my frank -- if somewhat snide -- comments. But I will not tolerate irresponsible and unsubstantiated fear-mongering of this kind.

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Sunday, November 28, 2004 1:34 AM

KEVINIANBEAUMONT

Quote:
Originally posted by LaiLing:
Sorry to burst your bubble, folks, but September is when studios pull out the movies they expect to bomb.

Except, of course, they moved Serenity before they saw the framework copy of the movie (minus music, sfx etc). How could they expect it to bomb before they saw it?

Would they really give $50m for a movie (which budget has recently been increased to $100m, by the way, including marketing, which hasn't been picked up yet by people online) they expect to bomb from the offset? No.

Here's a fact: April was crowded with similar genre pictures. That's a fact, because it is. Here's another fact: Chronicials of Riddick, from Universal, bombed in exactly that situation last year. Should they make the same mistake, and release it a week before Episode 3 etc? No.

Also, regarding Star Wars - A reporter recently spoke to one of the studio assigned producers of X-Men 3, and they said they're still looking at Whedon.

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Sunday, November 28, 2004 10:20 AM

TETHYS

Quote:
Originally posted by LaiLing:
(By the way, you may be interested to know, my husband tells me that X-men fans universally hate Joss Whedon, claiming he has totally f***ed up the X-Men comics he has written, and they desperately don't want him to have anything to do with the next movie, especially Storm and Wolverine. Or anything else, for that matter.)B]

Hate to say this fellow Browncoat, but he needs to re-look at the characters of Logan and Storm. The movie X2 was taken from the basis of the first movie, not Joss, so ppl that think that can kiss it. I've been an X-fan for twenty years, and I LOVE the direction of Wolverine in the movies, along with the movies themselves.
Remember, an opinion is an opinion, and Stan Lee loves the movies, and so do movie-goers.

If he(and eveyone else) want to blame anyone, blame the people that first started the X-Movies: Twentieth Century Fox and Brian Singer, the scribe and director of the first movie.

No baddy-mouthing Joss...

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

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Sunday, November 28, 2004 1:17 PM

SIMONWHO

Quote:
Originally posted by LaiLing:
Sorry to burst your bubble, folks, but September is when studios pull out the movies they expect to bomb. It's not "Summer Blockbuster" season, nor "Christmas Blockbuster/In-Mind-for-the-Oscar's" season. It's more like "Well-we-spent-all-this-money-so-I-guess-we-have-to-show-it-sometime-but-we're-not-wasting-it-on-Blockbuster-season" season. Like the rest of you, I can't help but be disappointed. Sigh.

(By the way, you may be interested to know, my husband tells me that X-men fans universally hate Joss Whedon, claiming he has totally f***ed up the X-Men comics he has written, and they desperately don't want him to have anything to do with the next movie, especially Storm and Wolverine. Or anything else, for that matter.)

Well, in reverse order, most X-Men fans are apparently delighted with what Joss has done (check out this poll for more: http://www.danger-room.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=NS-Polls&file=i
ndex&req=results&pollID=13&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0&POSTNUKESID=631cf554fdee1bb1c075d9a83a6f61dd )
And then of course is the little matter of his Astonishing X-Men being the number one best selling comic book for the last 4 months. I think "universally hate Joss" might be a bit of an overstatement.

Next, you state that Serenity isn't being shown in "Blockbuster" or "Oscar" season. Well, did you think that is was really an Oscar contender? Or that it belonged in the same league as Batman Begins, Star Wars III, Fantastic Four, The Pink Panther, etc, etc, etc? Those are blockbusters, Serenity is a movie that if you were asked "Who's in it?", you would either have to say "no-one you'd know" or say "Oh, the good looking one of the Baldwin brothers", lying through your teeth.

But just because the movie isn't released in the biggest grossing months of the year doesn't mean it won't be a hit. Look at all the TV shows that are scheduled in dud slots yet manage to become smashes despite/because of the lack of competition. Serenity needs to have great word of mouth because that is what's going to make it a success. Now us fans are going to pump it up for all we can but it's the "mass market" who are going to decide its success.

I think the notion of whether the movie is a "success" or "failure" is only going to be decided after the DVD release. DVD sales are now such that cinema releases can function as something of a "loss leader" for the money the DVD will make later (I've mentioned elsewhere the utter dud Chronicles of Riddick still selling 1.5m units in its first day). If Firefly makes a good chunk of change, they'll do another one. I think it stands a much better chance of making an impact with a September premiere and March DVD than with an April premiere and a Christmas DVD.

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Sunday, November 28, 2004 1:38 PM

RICKKER

BWAHHHAHHAHHAHHA. LaiLang Sorry had to get that out. Your husband tells you what? I have been a comic fan since I could read and an Xmen fan for going on three decades. Joss' work on the book is some of the best writing in comics history IMHO. I have heard exactly zero negitive input on his work. As for Serenity the movie will be amazing, spectacular, and mind numbingly delightful. For me. I am going to bring as many of my family and friends I can drag into the theatre. Most of the friends will not be a problem. I do not like the delay, I don't have the patience for it. But I will because I believe in the story, the actors and most of all I believe in Joss. Ever since the first eppisode of Buffy the vampire slayer I got it and I loved it. We will find a way to keep flying.

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Sunday, November 28, 2004 9:13 PM

QUICKSAND

Quote:
Originally posted by KevinIanBeaumont:

They are delaying the release as it makes business sense for them: They should have with Chronicles of Riddick, for example, as it was a busy time, but chose not to: it got buried. They didn't make the money they wanted from it.

Those complaining, petitioning and (planning to) advertise in magazine will dent things.

This is a Legit point of view from Adam, who is obviously more in-touch with the business than I am.

'Owever, being the closeted boy-genius gadfly that I am, I'd like to point out that Riddick tanked because it was FRIKKIN' PG-13!!!! You can't make a movie about a murderer and edit out the violence so you can play the malls. Did the makers of "Monster" edit out the killing, raping and homosexual-doin's to get a PG-13 movie? Certainly NOT.

Would Riddick have made more money in September? Maybe. Adam may know his stuff (unless it's true what I heard about him bein' a Republican) ... but my two counter arguments are, quite eloquently, "PG-13" and "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow."

___\_o_/___
--------------- (Qs)

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Tuesday, November 30, 2004 12:31 AM

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 BrownCoat1:
It will give Joss more than ample time to do the special effects, get the movie score just right

This turns out not to be the case. Joss doesn't do special effects; he describes them & approves them, but they are done by special effects houses. Unless a special effects house asked Joss or the producers for more time to complete their special effects, they will deliver them on the originally scheduled date. Unless the producers or the studio make more money available for special effects, there will be no more time available for them.

Keep the Shiny Side Up

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Tuesday, November 30, 2004 6:23 AM

DIETCOKE

Hey, I just got a reply from Adam to a post on the Fox board. On Friday, Adam will start a new thread telling us what he thought of the rough cut. No spoilers, of course, but just what he and others reactions were to the movie.

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Tuesday, November 30, 2004 7:02 AM

ILIKESTRAWBERRIES

Does anyone remember last September, when for some reason unknown to me, "White Chicks" was the #1 movie in the country? I think the move to Spetember is sad, yes, but anything that can get "Serenity" to be the #1 movie in the country for a few weeks is a-ok by me. Come on fellow Browncoats, we're getting our BDM and now we have 5 months to recuit more independants to the cause. Throw a party on the original release date for your local Firefly community complete with molded protein, Mudder's Milk, and strawberries. All is not lost.

"Now I can't get down."

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