What did your letter say? by DevonNite

FIREFLY AND SERENITY GUERILLA MARKETING

What did your letter say?

POSTED BY: DEVONNITE
UPDATED: Monday, October 2, 2006 06:40
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VIEWED: 7290
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Thursday, September 28, 2006 10:31 AM

With Saturday being the Anniversary of the BDM, many people were planning on writing to Universal Pictures to thank them for providing us with SERENITY.
I sent in my letter and, I didn't realize until I had dropped it in the mail that I had forgotten to mention a Special Edition DVD of the BDM. Maybe I should send another.

In my letter I thanked them for the movie and for re-airing Firefly on the SciFi Channel. I told them that my family and I have purchased multiple copies of the DVD and we have all of the LICENSED merchandise that they have made available and will continue to make those purchases. I made sure to emphasize the Licensed part so they know where I am sending my money.

I mentioned my anticipation for other SciFi channel materials, i.e. BattleStar Gallactica, Eureka, Dr.Who and that I was looking forward to seeing the Dresden Files and the Room. I wanted to make sure that they knew that I gave them more of my time for other projects.

Lastily I made it clear that I would continue spending my money for more of this franchise in any form that they choose to make available and thanked them again.

All in all, it was one and a half paragraphs.

What did your letter say??

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Thursday, September 28, 2006 12:37 PM

TDBROWN

Since I started this whole shebang in the first place, I got a little carried away (Imagine that!) and sent Three Letters:

One to Donna Langley,
One to Jon Gordon...
And one to the PR Department that basically said, "Have you SEEN all the mail Donna and Jon got?" lol

My letters to L&G were similar to yours, DevonNite. I told them Thank You for making the Movie, and how nice sequels and extended Edition DVDs could be, if the market seems to demand it. I pointed out that the volume of letters they received should help show them that the market is still out here, waiting semi-patiently.

I then told them how I came to see Serenity for the first time, what it means to me and why.

If we're lucky, they'll be receiving thousands of letters this weekend, so I doubt that mine will actually be read, at least not in it's entirety. But it's the VOLUME of letters that will make a difference to Them, and it's being able to speak from the Heart that's made a difference to ME!

TD/Tim Brown

ps: Don't forget phase two of the Anniversary job!

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Thursday, September 28, 2006 1:10 PM

STINKINGROSE

Sent a card. Let them know it was part of the Big Damned Thank You. Said I'd rented the movie on the recommendation of a friend. Loved it and had to go right out and buy the movie and the TV series.
Oh, and thanks.

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Thursday, September 28, 2006 1:50 PM

DOCTROID

My letter was heavier on "congratulations" than "thank you" -- congratulations on various awards (Hugo, Nebula, etc. -- it came to a pretty good list) and great DVD sales Serenity has earned. But Thank You was there too, and mention of my looking forward to similar quality offerings from Universal.

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Thursday, September 28, 2006 2:00 PM

MARINA

Ok, I mailed off multiple letters about a week and a half ago but nearly 70% have come back undeliverable. Could someone who successfully mailed letters please post the addresses for Sci Fi, Universal, and Fox?

I'm very smart.

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Thursday, September 28, 2006 4:38 PM

KURYA

Did you address it to the right people? Donna Langley and Jon Gordon? I am mailing mines out now...

that is the address being passed around.

Universal Pictures
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608

Prakash

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Friday, September 29, 2006 12:51 AM

11THHOUR

Quote:
Originally posted by doctroid:
My letter was heavier on "congratulations" than "thank you" -- congratulations on various awards (Hugo, Nebula, etc. -- it came to a pretty good list) and great DVD sales Serenity has earned. But Thank You was there too, and mention of my looking forward to similar quality offerings from Universal.

Good idea to put more emphasis on Serenity's awards and strong DVD sales. A "thank you" to Universal is nice, but reinforcing the positive business/prestige side of Serenity is what really gets the attention of a major motion picture studio.

The main thrust of the letter campaign has been not to push for a sequel, but it certainly helps the future of the 'Verse to reaffirm the strong DVD sales and critical acclaim for Serenity. Universal may appreciate fan gratitude, but ultimately it has to look at its productions from a business point of view.

Glad you posted about your letter, an excellent point of view.

11th Hour

>>>}———————————————)))======<[]>======(((———————————————{<<<

"Because teenage pranks are fun when you're about to die!" - Hoban Washburne

Firefly/Serenity Guerilla Marketing Posters ~ http://the11thhour.home.att.net
Serenity Inspired Cafe Press Shop ~ http://www.cafepress.com/11thhourart

Spread the word today ~ Give the gift of Firefly: http://www.apple.com/itunes

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Friday, September 29, 2006 2:04 AM

DEVONNITE

I think that they are all good ideas.

If every letters says the exact same thing, it would be easier to dismiss them.

All the awards in the Verse may not matter to Universal, but sales of their licensed merchandise which brings in money and being able to support more of the properties which will generate money, will certainly matter.

It's good to mix it up, If we all point out different things, more points are made.

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Friday, September 29, 2006 2:26 AM

MRBEN

I've been bad, and haven't written my letter yet. Hopefully this weekend....

It should probably be pointed out that, as far as I am aware, Universal Pictures don't have any control/influence on the airing of Firefly on Sci-Fi (or any other network), even though Sci-Fi is owned by NBC/Universal. (I could be wrong though)

mrben

"Carpe Aptenodytes"
http://www.jedimoose.org

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Friday, September 29, 2006 5:08 AM

KURYA

Im mailing out the letters now. As long as Universal gets them, doesnt matter if its a bit late, the volume over several days speaks well "volume".

In my letter I mentioned thank first, then about what products I bought, how because of their release I am a fan, and how helped create a fan group in Montreal, and how we organized a charity screening etc.... Mentioned how nice it would be to have a Special edition DVD

also mentioned how I am committed to following Joss's Work now, and look forward to anything coming out of Universal, made a mention of Joss's movie Goners. I think that was about it.

Prakash

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Friday, September 29, 2006 10:07 AM

DEVONNITE

Good job at mentioning the Special Edition DVD. A Special Edition DVD release will only mean more money for Universal.

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Friday, September 29, 2006 10:09 AM

DEVONNITE

Universal has to pay for the rights to re-air the series. Universal is the parent company of SciFi Channel.

Universal has full control on what is shown on SciFi Channel.

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Friday, September 29, 2006 11:15 AM

11THHOUR

Also in the letters it might be good to remember to add the personal touch. If you're a Sci-Fi fan that's great, but if you weren't particularly a Sci-Fi fan, but Firefly/Serenity really connected with you... well that's an excellent compliment on Joss Whedon's writing and the talented cast.

If you have purchased Serenity merchandise beyond the DVDs, then mentioning that could be good also.

Just a couple of thoughts to consider. And even though tomorrow is the 30th, it's still not too late to send a note or postcard to Universal. All the letters don't have to fall on Universal the same day... in fact, it's better if they don't.

11th Hour

>>>}———————————————)))======<[]>======(((———————————————{<<<

"Because teenage pranks are fun when you're about to die!" - Hoban Washburne

Firefly/Serenity Guerilla Marketing Posters ~ http://the11thhour.home.att.net
Serenity Inspired Cafe Press Shop ~ http://www.cafepress.com/11thhourart

Spread the word today ~ Give the gift of Firefly: http://www.apple.com/itunes

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Friday, September 29, 2006 3:26 PM

KURYA

Well I think its good also to mention Goners... because it shows we are interested in Joss Work's in general... and show that we are a market to be tapped into for alot of things... including Serenity. This is sooo cool...I have never done anythign like this before.

Prakash

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Saturday, September 30, 2006 2:34 AM

BANDO

Quote:
Originally posted by 11thHour:
Also in the letters it might be good to remember to add the personal touch. If you're a Sci-Fi fan that's great, but if you weren't particularly a Sci-Fi fan, but Firefly/Serenity really connected with you... well that's an excellent compliment on Joss Whedon's writing and the talented cast.

That's what I did in my letters (one to each of the contacts listed in the original post). I'm not a regular poster or Sci-Fi fan, but since I found Firefly and this website (my other favorite is Whedonesque), I've really turned into a huge fan. I also work at a fairly well-known company, in an industry that people would never think would have Sci-Fi fans (I'll leave it to your imagination), so I included that as well. I also included a mention of how my wife is now a Browncoat also. I figured we are somwhat different than other fans and tried to say that Firefly/Serenity fans come in all shapes, sizes, ethnics, and backgrounds, etc. Hope it helps!

"Offering to shoot us might not work so well as an incentive as you might imagine."

Bando

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Saturday, September 30, 2006 3:17 AM

DOCTROID

Awards do matter -- and any intelligent corporate executive should realize it -- because they drive increased sales of DVDs and licensed products. Of course the bottom line is what it's all about in the end.

Meanwhile I'm sort of the opposite of "not an SF fan, but..." I'm an old SF fan, one who can remember when 2001 was in the theaters (!), and can say -- and did -- that Serenity was one of the best space action movies ever done. After all it's got interesting characters and great dialog... and by comparison with a lot of movies that have nothing but special effects going for them, that's pretty special.

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Saturday, September 30, 2006 4:48 AM

VERSEEXPLORER

I gave them a big Thank You, and I mentioned all the people that I took to the movie with me. I also wrote that I have numerous copies of the DVD to share with friends, and that I have not found anyone that has not loved it. The final paragraph was about how the fan base is growing. There are new Browncoats that are just learning about the 'Verse.

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Saturday, September 30, 2006 2:20 PM

TVCHICK

My letter, sent to Donna, Jon, PR, & Marketing:

Firstly, I wanted to thank all at Universal for making the movie SERENITY last year. It was an amazing blessing to be able to continue seeing the story of these wonderful, complex characters. I commend Universal for letting Joss Whedon have so much control in producing his vision. My family rarely sees movies in the theater, and pretty much never sees movies in the theater until they’ve been out several weeks, in order to avoid crowds, however, with Serenity, my husband and I both left work early to see the very first showing in our city. (We saw it repeatedly, by the way!) I was also very grateful to be able to purchase the DVD in time for Christmas last year! It was an early gift for myself, as well as a gift for several family members and friends. (I believe my stepfather was disappointed that he didn’t get the DVD. I plan to correct that this Christmas!)

Though I am already thankful for the movie being made, the DVD being sold so quickly, and the multiple items that you have licensed for sale, I would be thrilled to have the opportunity to purchase a Special Edition DVD as well. I love the extras on the current DVD, but would absolutely LOVE having more commentaries (The actors are all so entertaining to listen to on the Firefly DVD commentaries!), the extended gag/blooper reel, the River Tam Sessions, more bloopers & deleted scenes, and the movie trailer. (Of course, any other goodies would be wonderful as well!)

Of course, even more, I would be thrilled beyond words if Universal takes advantage of their contract to produce a sequel! (I am NOT ready to let go. I'm also not ready to start buying graphic novels, so my hope is that the story will continue with Universal’s help.) I understand that there are financial concerns with any theater release, but I know that I, as well as thousand of other Serenity/Firefly fans, would still be happy if it was even released straight to DVD. We have fallen in love with these characters and this universe. (I know I am not the only one who cries a little at the though of never seeing this story continue.) We are a loyal group of fans and I have not heard of ONE person who has seen this movie (even without seeing Firefly) and not loved it. Because of this, I have no doubt that a sequel, released in any form, would make money for Universal.

Once again, thank you for this movie (and treating the story, the characters, the director, and the fans far better than FOX ever did). I am still hoping to see more of the story. And with Universal’s support, I will!

Faithfully yours,

P.S. Have you seen the Big Damn Thank You website? It’s aimed totally at Universal! http://www.bigdamnthankyou.com]

---
[ http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=20&t=22978 ]Join the Anniversary Job!

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Saturday, September 30, 2006 2:40 PM

BROWNCOATJIM

i sent a letter to the new CW network, giving them the URL's to this sight and all of the other FF sites, imploring them to look at the potential viewership, equating that with advertising dollars, and creating an equation for why they should pick it up. Let's face it, Fox won't, and i can't say that I have the greatest faith in Sci-Fi (Farscape........need I say more?), so i am really thinking that CW will be our best bet.

WE'RE GONNA CRASH? I DON'T WANNA CRASH!

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Monday, October 2, 2006 6:40 AM

MSG

I thanked them for their support for the BDM and the fact that it gave us some closure. I thanked them for taking a risk on us and said we would all be interested in more sequels if they chose to make them:)

I choose to rise instead of fall- U2

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