Newbie asking all you Original Browncoats a question by mcallen

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Newbie asking all you Original Browncoats a question

POSTED BY: MCALLEN
UPDATED: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 09:05
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VIEWED: 2383
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Monday, January 16, 2006 4:29 PM

Hi--I'm a very recent convert (just since Serenity was released on DVD) but have become obsessed with all things Firefly/Serenity. I truly think Firefly is the best television show I've ever seen--it defies explanation as to its greatness. In short, I love it. (And the BDM was great, too!)

I am amazed at what the fans accomplished after the series was cancelled. What a Cinderella story! You guys are the best fans ever, and I hope to be counted among you in future tellings of fan accomplishments.

My question, and I think this relates to one of the points being made in another thread by the "talk the talk, walk the walk" poster, is this: What was the trajectory of fan activity after the series was cancelled? Obviously, there were at least a couple of years in there after the series got axed and before the movie starting being made. During that time, were the fans and these sites going all-out? Were there flurries of activity interspersed with periods of relative quiet? Were the same types of ideas/guerilla marketing strategies proposed and discussed?

I guess I'm looking for a little reassurance that the fan base I see after the DVD release (and the constant appearance of new fans like myself) can continue to be as interested as it is now. Is that realistic? Has it happened before?

Not being around after the first wave of Firefly fandom hit the world, I'm curious to know what the mood/activity level/push was at that time. I do worry that this time around, there is going to be less personal involvement from Joss, cast and crew, because as much as I'm sure they would love to do more Firefly/Serenity and tell more stories in the 'verse, I doubt that the pressure to tell at least one complete story is as great as it was after the series was so ridiculously and prematurely cancelled and after they at least got the opportunity to tell one arc of a story with Serenity. From what I've read of Joss's interviews, this time around will be more of a readiness by him to put out more product IF and WHEN he is approached by a studio or network to do so (as opposed to him knocking on every door he can to make it happen, combined with the fan activity at the same time). Please don't misread me--I don't doubt anyone's devotion to the 'verse, and surely everyone personally involved with these projects has the need and right to get on with their lives a bit. I just marvel at any one person's (or even group or people's) ability to stay wholly committed for such a long period of time. I mean, I've only been a fan for a matter of weeks, and this level of obsession is exhausting!

Can any old-timers provide thoughts and/or reassurance that what's happening now resembles what was happening three years ago? I think it would provide a ray of hope to those of us who are going around this block for the first time.

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Monday, January 16, 2006 4:41 PM

THATWEIRDGIRL

The fans have been here all along. Buying ads in Variety. Begging for dvds. Spreading the word. Converting friends. We've never stopped. In fact, Haken started before the show aired...didn't he?

www.thatweirdgirl.com
---
"...turn right at the corner then skip two blocks...no, SKIP, the hopping-like thing kids do...Why? Why not?"

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Monday, January 16, 2006 4:56 PM

DONCOAT

In fact, the fan efforts began even *before* Firefly left the air. As soon as the rumors began to circulate that it was on the chopping block, a "Save Firefly" campaign began. Sadly, none of the blithering idiots at Fox took notice.

You needn't worry about the fans' fidelity. I've never known anybody who says, "Oh, I liked that show, but now I couldn't care less". The opposite seems to be true. Firefly works its way ever deeper into the heart and mind.

Case in point: The second Flanvention (Firefly/Serenity fan convention) is announced 11 months before the event, with only one guest signed on (Nathan Fillion). Within five hours, all 35 "Big Damn Pass" tickets sell out, at over $700 each. Other, less expensive tickets also sell briskly.

That says something about this fandom.

Of course, when it comes to getting more product made from this franchise, what counts most is the bottom line. Sales of the DVD are crucial. Right now, most fan efforts are centered around spreading the word, introducing as many people to the 'verse as we can, and pumping up those sales figures.

And before I forget -- welcome! Please have a look around, and feel free to share your thoughts and questions with the fine folk who hang out here (if I do say so myself)...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don't disagree on any particular point.

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Monday, January 16, 2006 5:21 PM

SERGEANTX

Quote:
Originally posted by mcallen:
...Can any old-timers provide thoughts and/or reassurance that what's happening now resembles what was happening three years ago? I think it would provide a ray of hope to those of us who are going around this block for the first time.

There's a quote from the original version of the pilot, the one that the more desperate among us downloaded as a copy of a copy of a vhs tape that was leaked on the internet before the series even started. After a particularly grim history lesson from Zoe about the battle of Serenity Valey, Simon asks her, "If that battle was so horrible, why did he [Mal] name the ship after it". Zoe answers, "Once you've been in Serenity, you never leave, you just learn to live there."

I think that pretty much captures what this show does to people. I'm forty-one years old and I've never found anything like this show. No piece of fiction, no book, no movie, certainly no television, has found a place in my heart the way Firefly has. I don't think I'm the only one.

Certainly the fan activity volume has ebbed and flowed with the news, and the rumors, of hope for more Firefly goodness. I've even resolved at one point or another to give up this particular habit. But I always find myself checking the boards, googling for any sliver of news on the future of the show, watching old eps - anything to get a fix.

I've heard people at various times spell out all the reasons that Firefly is doomed. But I've never once imagined that something this beautiful could evaporate from the world without notice. Firefly will be back.
http://mysite.verizon.net/damonblack64/resources/JeffBlack-TheValley.m
p3

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

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Monday, January 16, 2006 5:26 PM

DARKJESTER

Just as one example, back before the DVDs were even announced, there was a fan who put together his own analysis of the show, the characters and their interactions on a 2-disc DVD set, using video captures from VHS tapes of the show. It was concise, looked professional, and must have taken weeks to put together. And after the initial run (which he sold for about $15 apiece if I remember correctly), he gave permission for fans to make copies to give to other fans. I watched it over and over, along with my Fox tapes, in the months before the DVDs were released.

There are some fans who will fall by the wayside when another new movie or TV show takes their fancy. That's just the way of things. But (dare I say) most of us have been changed by this storyline, these characters, and we can't go back to being the way we were.

A lot of people compare the Firefly fandom to Trekkies/Trekkers, and there are similarities. But I think we may prove to be more like the fans of Sherlock Holmes. How many decades has it been since Sir Authur penned his last adventure? Yet people are still going to 221B Baker Street in London to this day.

MAL "You only gotta scare him."
JAYNE "Pain is scary..."

http://www.fireflytalk.com - Big Damn Podcast

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Monday, January 16, 2006 5:57 PM

VETERAN

Don't squat with your spurs on.

Quote:
SergeantX wrote:
Monday, January 16, 2006 17:21

...."Once you've been in Serenity, you never leave, you just learn to live there."

I think that pretty much captures what this show does to people. I'm forty-one years old and I've never found anything like this show.

That hits the nail on the head.

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Monday, January 16, 2006 6:09 PM

FOLLOWMAL

Quote:
Originally posted by DarkJester:

But (dare I say) most of us have been changed by this storyline, these characters, and we can't go back to being the way we were.

http://www.fireflytalk.com - Big Damn Podcast

I will never be the same again. I'm here to stay, holding the line and waiting and recruiting too, every day.

I fell in love. Simply put.

"Once you've been in Serenity, you never leave, you just learn to live there." Zoe

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Monday, January 16, 2006 6:51 PM

SPACEMANSPIFF

Welcome! And get ready...you're joining a community of powerfully dedicated fans. Tell us your favorite things about the show and the BDM, specifics or generalities...

Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!

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Monday, January 16, 2006 6:56 PM

RKLENSETH

It changed us all. That's why some of us will never give up or give in even when people tell us our dream is impossible. Well we have done the impossible before and that would make us mighty.

There isn't any fandom that I know of that is like Firefly/Serenity. And we know once you been to Serenity there is no other place worth living.

Welcome aboard.

Oh, and play Cantr II at www.cantr.net.

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Monday, January 16, 2006 7:52 PM

DERANGEDMILK

We all got here at different times and in different ways but we've all come to the same place. And I don't think anyone is getting off at Haven.
-e

"Storms getting worse."
"We'll pass through it soon enough."

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Monday, January 16, 2006 7:56 PM

CHOPPYBADGER

Wow, so true. I am, also, a recent convert (for about 3 weeks). No one converted me besides me. I bought Serenity the day it came out, watched it twice a day for a week and was like, "WOW! I got to get the complete series and learn all that is possible to learn from this 'verse" And trust me, I usually only watch a movie once or twice before it gets stuck on the shelf, even the LotR movies I watched only twice. It is truly a great movie and show. I think it is best for humanity if we get this show back on the road and if enough people yell, someone definently will listen!

Thou Shalt Grot!

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Monday, January 16, 2006 8:08 PM

BOWIE

I'm a recent convert, but see no power in tehverse that can take me away. I am a dedicated fan to many shows that have been canceled, and I think ti should be mentioned that while the fans did a lot, it was also Joss and the crew. We can't survive without them. When Roswell got the plug, me and a bunch of dedicated fans protested our hearts out, but the maker didn't care enouph to fight with us. Joss cared, he faught and kept the boat in the air.

What captured me? We'll, I guess its the hope. Firefly gives that to you, that and strength, in a time when most shows simply say, come up with an excuse, or give up. There's honor in Firefly, honor and hope, and the ideal that even if your down thats no excuse to stop fighting. My favourite quote from Firefly,

"The Loosing side, I'm still not sure it was the wrong one."

Serenity Forever.

If you play Nationstates.net check out the region Firefly.

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Monday, January 16, 2006 8:19 PM

NOSADSEVEN

My reassurance to you is this: It's not the fans that ultimately got us here, it was the show itself.

The show is what created the fire in us. The stories in Joss's head are what forced him to press on. The quality of Firefly itself is what convinced (was it) Mary Parent(?) at Universal to go ahead with the movie. All of these things have since fed upon each other (the fan support encouraging Joss; the movie rumors sparking new interest in the fans; the DVD sales bolstering the sudio's confidence in this movie project; etc.) to bring us where we are today.

We have tools today that we didn't have then. Current technologies and trends in media distribution have opened up some previously unlikely possibilities. The release of Serenity (2005) accomplishes what Serenity (2002) was never allowed to do - it intrigues and entices people new to the 'Verse to watch Firefly.

And Firefly takes care of the rest, because - let's face it - it's that good.

I agree with your observation of Joss's progression from being the driving force behind a continuation to being ready and willing once given the go. In light of that, the fan activity probably needs to focus on building the base in terms that the number crunchers can appreciate, more than just in celebrating the work and showing our appreciation (though that in and of itself is an effective way of building the base). As our numbers grow, I would expect the rate of growth to accelerate, because people feel the need to share this experience with others. Remember, it's not a bunch of freaks who latched onto some show; it's a show that created a bunch of freaks, and will continue to do so in perpetuity.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ain't. We. Just.

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Tuesday, January 17, 2006 9:05 AM

MCALLEN

THANK YOU ALL! Firefly is a wonder--it produces such a visceral reaction in so many people. It's extremely comforting to know that I am not alone in the strength of my reaction to it. I appreciate all of your kind words and reassurances, as well as your validation of my love for this truly unique and beautiful 'verse.

What do I love about it (and let's face it, it IS love, which is not a term I use lightly)? In a word: everything. In more detail, the noble and wounded characters, their loyalty, their perseverance, their strength for themselves and each other. Their independence and courage to challenge the government they know is wrong. The fact that everything they do seems like the "right" thing to do, even when the action would normally be considered immoral. The show's subtext of the importance of belief--in something, in anything--because spirituality in various forms is the only thing that can often get you through. The hilarious and spot-on writing, particularly with a new western/sci-fi/Chinese genre! The palpable chemistry among these extremely talented actors. The cast and crew's sheer joy and caring when talking about this project--the fact that they are true FANS, just like we are. And, more superficaially (but let's be honest) their extreme prettiness (OMG, but that Nathan's a dream, no?).

Again, thanks for the welcome and the reassurance. I'm here for the long haul, too, and anxiously (though patiently) awaiting the day when Firefly lights up a whole lot more of earth-that-was.

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