Firefly: Relit.... E-mail Phase, January 2nd!

POSTED BY: TDBrown
UPDATED: Monday, January 29, 2007 10:08
VIEWED: 29421
PAGE 1 of 1

TDBROWN

Monday, December 18, 2006 2:36 PM

Firefly: Relit, to put it simply, is a project where we suggest to the Sci/Fi Channel that they use Firefly as a Summer Replacement Series in 2007. Many people have already sent e-mails to them on this topic, but we want to make an impression on the top Brass, so....

On December 30th, I would like to encourage everyone to send Letters to the President of the Channel. We want to be taken seriously, so I would like to suggest that we Not send Overly decorated or "Fanboy" type letters. Let's keep it simple and to the point. Show them we're sincere and serious, and it'll improve the chances that they'll take us seriously.

The Mailing Address is:

Bonnie Hammer, President
NBC Universal | Sci Fi Channel
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY
10020

On January 2nd, which is when the letters will probably arrive, I'd like folks to send e-mails to feedback@scifi.com as well. As in all our campaigns to get noticed and get something done, it's all about Numbers. So let's drown 'em in letters and e-mails on Jan 2nd!

Here is the e-mail that I've been sending. It should serve as a fairly good template for Letters and e-mails both.

Subject: Programming Suggestion for Summer, 2007

To the Sci/Fi Programming Staff:

Firefly is one of your more popular shows; Check the
Numbers from the last few "Marathons" you've had of
it, and I'm sure you'll agree that it's still quite
popular. It's also in the Interests of NBC/Universal
that it BE a popular Show. The Film Serenity is doing
well in DVD sales, and Firefly's popularity certainly
ties into that.

So... Here's what I have in Mind:
Firefly as a Summer Replacement Series

There are 14 Episodes, if you count the Pilot as One
Episode. Show the Series in the dvd Format, the way
Joss Whedon originally intended them to be. Sci/Fi
could have each Episode Introduced by one of the
Show's Cast, perhaps a different one each time, and
Joss for the Pilot Episode. The "Host" can intro an
Episode, and provide a tidbit of commentary or trivia
at the end of each Installment. Show one per week,
on the same designated night, just like a regular
Series.

The Production costs will be extremely low, compared to
the cost of a "From scratch" New Series. It'll take all Sum-
mer and Folks can Tune in, Same Time, Same Channel each
week. It'll be a blast for those of us already
familiar with Firefly,
and Introduce an entirely New Audience to it as well.

This could generate enough renewed interest in Firefly to bring
about interest in a Serenity Sequel, or perhaps a
Serenity-based
Mini-Series. Also, if Sci/Fi is in line for the
non-paying Cable
Premiere of Serenity, this would be the PERFECT
Tie-in!

I hope you all give this some serious consideration.
It could
certainly work, to the benefit of all concerned.

Sincerely,
Timothy Dale Brown
5985 South Handy Road
Bloomington, IN 47401
Ph 81* 82* 7*15

Thank you to everyone who decides to do this. It's a simple, practical way to keep Firefly alive and Flying. Hopefully, we can get Sci/Fi to at least consider it! :)

FITCH66

Monday, December 18, 2006 10:09 PM

I think that is a great idea. Living in England as I am, and with no access to anything but British terrestial TV, I won't exactly benefit from it, but I'm in for sure.

TDBROWN

Monday, December 18, 2006 10:48 PM

That's the spirit, Fitch! Glad to have you on board!

DEWRASTLER

Tuesday, December 19, 2006 6:02 PM

Great plan. I'm in. Now the word just needs to be spread.

________________________________
"There's no I in team."
"Well there's no you in team eitther, and if I'm not on the team, and you're not on the team, who's on the damn team! This team sucks."

TDBROWN

Tuesday, December 19, 2006 6:08 PM

Thanks, DeWrastler, and you're right; We need to be telling other BCs about this ASAP!

FOLLOWMAL

Tuesday, December 19, 2006 7:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dewrastler:
Great plan. I'm in. Now the word just needs to be spread.

Yup! It does.

I plan to take part in this as well, sending my letter on regular plain paper in a business envelope on December 30th. I'll probably paraphrase TD.. his letter is very professional and respectful. Then I'll follow that up with an email on January 2nd.

I'll initiate a BSC post on this to go out on December 27th. And I'll spread it and bump it on the boards before hand, hoping to get folks to thinking about preparing their letters beforehand.

I'm going to make mine out during the process of doing my late ( because of B3, what better reason could I have!!) Christmas cards.

Go to www.goodworkspresents.org to find out how to honor the Captain!

ROON

Tuesday, December 19, 2006 8:00 PM

I'm in too!

76th Battalion
Private

TDBROWN

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 10:13 PM

Thanks FM and Roon!

The more folks know about this, and send mail and e-mails, the more likely that we Might have FF to watch this coming Summer!

GWEK

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 11:03 PM

Good idea!

Of course any Firefly right now would be sans Fillion and Torres... at least until Fox cancels two MORE Tim Minear shows (Standoff and Drive).

www.stillflying.net: "Here's how it might have been..."

TDBROWN

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 11:07 PM

Uh, we're not talking about New shows this Summer. We're talking about convincing Skiffy to show the Existing Episodes as a Summer Series. This could potentially lead to bigger and better things.

TDBROWN

Thursday, December 21, 2006 1:30 PM

-Or were you talking about Fillion and Torres as Hosts of the Show? That would make sense. But one of the Beauties of this idea, which would be to Skiffy's advantage, is that the "Host" segments wouldn't be long, and would be inexpensive to Shoot. I would imagine that all of the Host shots could be done in a Day, maybe two at the most.

I truly believe that if Sci/Fi sees this idea and really thinks about it, they'll do it. It just makes sense, in so many ways!

CLEMENTINE

Thursday, December 21, 2006 2:37 PM

Good idea. I'm in.
___________________________________

Holding.

VERSEEXPLORER

Friday, December 22, 2006 10:08 AM

Great idea. I'll write a letter and send an e-mail. I recall that someone mentioned that Barbara Hammer was really interested in increasing the number of female viewer to the Sci-Fi channel. Ladies be sure to mention that you are a Browncoat woman.

Help Spread the Word to Non Sci-Fi Fans
http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=20&t=25063&m=412141#412141

Private VeX is serving under SFC Alexander in the Medical Corp, and marching with the 76th
Sign up NOW! http://fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=11&t=25704
More Information: http://76thbaattalion.homestead.com/index.html

TDBROWN

Saturday, December 23, 2006 4:54 PM

Nice to meet you, Clementine, and welcome aboard!

Thank you Sooo much, VerseExplorer!

I knew I could count on you!

NECROSCAPE

Saturday, December 23, 2006 5:08 PM

I missed the original shove to keep the show airing but damn skippy ya' got my help now.

RHAVENER

Saturday, December 23, 2006 6:01 PM

Count me in!

How many other sites has this idea been spread to?

Can you folks give me some thoughts here.
Let me explain my quandary -- like yourselves, I've loved All Things Firefly since the beginning. The 'verse has grown to be a huge one, with sites for fan fic, videos, graphics & screen caps, discussions, local interest, props, merchandise, pod casts, wikis, and the list goes on and on.

I rarely post anywhere, because I spend most of my time out there reading. Sites like FFF.net are so big, that I find myself wondering from thread to thread, and probably missing important stuff.

I often consider myself lost in the woods, due to the shear quantity of sites and resources out there.

I would bet that I'm not alone in my bewilderment.
How do you folks keep up on All Things Firefly??

Anyway, it just always seems to me like the big problem is getting everyone focused into taking action in one giant push.

Perhaps we need some methodology to organize our efforts better, so that when an effort like Firefly Relit comes along, we have a mechanism in place to spread word of it to all the other sites out there.

Respectfully,

Randy (rooster1056)

TDBROWN

Saturday, December 23, 2006 6:36 PM

Thank you, Necroscape. Glad to have you with us, and I hope you tell your friends!

Thank you, Rhavener, for your support and your thoughtful comments.

I agree; From past experience, it is very difficult to get us all into a United Front, and I think it's because the Browncoat Community is "Independent" by it's very Nature! That's why we have to rely very strongly on individual support and word-of-mouth.

FollowMal is involved with the Browncoat Signal Corp. Their mission is primarily the spreading of information about Proactive BC Causes, such as charitible Drives and Spreading the Word about Serenifly. This project falls in the latter category, and FM tells me that she'll be havivng the 'Corp spreading the word on December 27th.

Other BC Sites that have this project posted as a topic are: The OB, Serenitymovie.org, sci/fi.com's Firefly Forum, the Indiana Browncoat site, and the Alamo City Browncoats, a large Yahoo Group out of San Antonio Texas. If you or anyone else know of a site where this could be posted, please feel free to copy and paste the lead post from this thread.

Thanx!

MARTIANWAY

Sunday, December 24, 2006 4:02 AM

I'm in, and Emailing all my Browncoaty friends. Also DECEMBER 30TH IS MY BIRTHDAY so everybody should send me cards.

I know one thing we did right
was the day we started to fight.
Keep your eyes on the prize
hold on, hold on...

FOLLOWMAL

Sunday, December 24, 2006 4:32 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by rhavener:
Count me in!

How many other sites has this idea been spread to?

Can you folks give me some thoughts here.
Let me explain my quandary -- like yourselves, I've loved All Things Firefly since the beginning. The 'verse has grown to be a huge one, with sites for fan fic, videos, graphics & screen caps, discussions, local interest, props, merchandise, pod casts, wikis, and the list goes on and on.

I rarely post anywhere, because I spend most of my time out there reading. Sites like FFF.net are so big, that I find myself wondering from thread to thread, and probably missing important stuff.

I often consider myself lost in the woods, due to the shear quantity of sites and resources out there.

I would bet that I'm not alone in my bewilderment.
How do you folks keep up on All Things Firefly??

Anyway, it just always seems to me like the big problem is getting everyone focused into taking action in one giant push.

Perhaps we need some methodology to organize our efforts better, so that when an effort like Firefly Relit comes along, we have a mechanism in place to spread word of it to all the other sites out there.

Respectfully,

Randy (rooster1056)

Randy,

Mostly I'm going to go with what TDBrown said.

I'll add that I'm sure we'll have this pretty much all over the 'Verse by the 27th. The BSC is pretty good at spreading the word.

When I want to know what's going on around the 'Verse, I hit four sites immediately. If you want to know the hottest news in the 'Verse, hit www.whedonesque.com. This is Whedonverse Central as far as I'm concerned. News that is the best of news and all the attendant comments are right there.

Then because this is home I come here and check out the News Forum on the upper right, then after catching up all that news, I skip down below the General Discussions and check out the Guerilla Marketing threads... see what is up that I might want to be involved in or add to or comment on.

Then it's off to www.serenitymovie.org, the Browncoat Board to see what is on the news page there.

Next the oldest forum the OB ( Old Board ) or Prospero board or the Firefly Board. At http://forums.prospero.com/foxfirefly/start.
Folks started here and the news sometimes hits here first.

Heck, Nathan himself posted here recently.

You may already know all this.. sorry if I'm not helping.

I do wish we had a site that had it all in one concise place.

Go to www.goodworkspresents.org to find out how to honor the Captain!

RHAVENER

Sunday, December 24, 2006 10:18 PM

Thank you so much!
That makes perfect sense to me, and is exactly what I was looking for. I have feeds from Whedonesque on my browser's homepage.

I agree with you about your wish to have a concise place to get everything new. There is such a wealth of info out there, and I think it can sometimes be boggling.

I was recently on a board, and a fan had questions similar to mine. I pointed him to here, to the OB, and welcomed him to check out all of my links on rooster1056.stumbleupon.com.

I've just often wondered how other folks keep in touch with all the things going on in the 'verse.

Merry Christmas to You and to All of the Fine Folks on this Board!!!

Randy

TDBROWN

Monday, December 25, 2006 12:55 AM

Followmal and I were IMing each other on Yahoo today, and your dillema came up in the conversation. We both had the answer, but had forgotten to post it!

http://www.bigdamnboard.com/

The best reference board on the web, my friend!

RHAVENER

Monday, December 25, 2006 8:00 AM

Excellent!
Thank you.
Randy

TDBROWN

Monday, December 25, 2006 1:09 PM

You're Welcome, Randy

******************************

MERRY CHRISTMAS, BROWNCOATS!!

5 more days until the letter sending, and 7 to the e-mailing!
Thanx in advance

FIZZIX

Wednesday, December 27, 2006 2:05 AM

Hehe, now I feel a bit daft, I went on to a mini rant of exactly this sorts of thing....

http://fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=2&t=25962#430162

/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\
May not be smart, and it may not please you, but you're definitely gonna see what I have to say.

TDBROWN

Wednesday, December 27, 2006 5:02 AM

Well, I read your post, so I'm kind of gathering that you're with us on this one, Fizzix

If that's the case, welcome aboard, and we're glad you're going to help!

FOLLOWMAL

Wednesday, December 27, 2006 6:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Fizzix:
Hehe, now I feel a bit daft, I went on to a mini rant of exactly this sorts of thing....

http://fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=2&t=25962#430162

/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\
May not be smart, and it may not please you, but you're definitely gonna see what I have to say.

I read your post last night, Fizzix and I was going to comment and link you to this thread. LOL

I'm glad you think this is a good idea and that you might take part.

Go to www.goodworkspresents.org to find out how to honor the Captain!

FOLLOWMAL

Wednesday, December 27, 2006 6:34 PM

I'm not putting it in this forum, as a poster for the BSC, because we've had this thread going for awhile, but this idea has gone out 'Verse wide thru the BSC today and hopefully some other folks will take part.

This is what I've written, as you can see I paraphrased TDBrown because his letter is very professional and worth taking note of and I hope they do.

I also made note of the fact that I'm a woman and think improving programming choices at SciFi so that women can enjoy it is a good idea. There was some discussion during the summer that Ms. Hammer was involved with decisions to do just that and liked the idea of the channel being more woman friendly. I thought it was prudent for me to mention it.

Letter:

Bonnie Hammer, President
NBC Universal | Sci Fi Channel
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY
10020

Subject: Programming Suggestion for Summer, 2007

To the Sci/Fi Programming Staff:

First of all, I'd like to point out that I'm a woman. I've
noticed that your programming has been more interesting
and exciting for women to watch. I appreciate the
thought that goes into programming choices that acheive that
end.

I'd like to also say that I'm a fan of Firefly and Nathan
Fillion and I think more women would be interested in seeing this
show.

Firefly is one of your more popular shows; Check the
Numbers from the last few "Marathons" you've had of
it, and I'm sure you'll agree that it's still quite
popular. It's also in the Interests of NBC/Universal
that it BE a popular Show. The Film Serenity is doing
well in DVD sales, and Firefly's popularity certainly
ties into that.

So... Here's what I have in Mind:
Firefly as a Summer Replacement Series

There are 14 Episodes, if you count the Pilot as One
Episode. Show the Series in the dvd Format, the way
Joss Whedon originally intended them to be. Sci/Fi
could have each Episode Introduced by one of the
Show's Cast, perhaps a different one each time, and
Joss for the Pilot Episode. The "Host" can intro an
Episode, and provide a tidbit of commentary or trivia
at the end of each Installment. Show one per week,
on the same designated night, just like a regular
Series.

The Production costs will be extremely low, compared
to the cost of a "From scratch" New Series. It'll take all
Summer and Folks can Tune in, Same Time, Same Channel
each week. It'll be a blast for those of us already familiar
with Firefly, and would Introduce an entirely New Audience
to it as well.

This could generate enough renewed interest in Firefly
to bring about interest in a Serenity Sequel, or perhaps a
Serenity-based Mini-Series. Also, if Sci/Fi is in line for the
non-paying Cable Premiere of Serenity, this would be the
PERFECT Tie-in!

I hope you all give this some serious consideration.
It could certainly work, to the benefit of all concerned.

Sincerely,

Diane Elhard
P.O. Box xxx
XXX, Missouri
XXXXX

I'm mailing this on December 30th in a plain business envelope, with Attn: Programming Staff on the
front. It will be printed on letterhead paper from my business, I want them to see I'm an adult, a business
owner and therefore someone who can purchase sponsors' merchandise. I am not making this fangirly or gushing at all. No brown paper announcing I'm a Browncoat ( heck!), no flourishes, etc. I believe that would be inappropriate. We want them to consider this a viable proposal.

Obviously, I'm not doing the letter verbatim the way Tim did it, I will be changing words, but for the sake of easy posting I copied and pasted all but my leading lines about women's programming. Everyone should use their own words, sticking to the idea of the letter as closely as possible.

I hope we can get lots of folks to take part!

Go to www.goodworkspresents.org to find out how to honor the Captain!

TDBROWN

Thursday, December 28, 2006 12:43 AM

Thank you for your fine BSC work, FM, and I love the revisions to the letter!

3 more days and we mail 'em!

MARTIANWAY

Thursday, December 28, 2006 7:29 AM

Just a bump to put this on top of the forum, and a thanks to FollowMal for some shiny suggestions!

I know one thing we did right
was the day we started to fight.
Keep your eyes on the prize
hold on, hold on...

FOLLOWMAL

Thursday, December 28, 2006 8:41 AM

Thank you, MartianWay for the bumpage and the shiny!

Go to www.goodworkspresents.org to find out how to honor the Captain!

ASPERADITA

Thursday, December 28, 2006 12:20 PM

sounds shiny, im aboard with the emailing. i would send a letter, but i dont think it would get there on time- im in australia. this doesnt exactly benefit me directly, but it will help the cause in the long run!

+ bump

"shiny. lets be bad guys."

ASPERADITA

Thursday, December 28, 2006 12:30 PM

oh, by the way, i just posted the link to this thread in a topic on the firefly imdb.com section, so hopefully that will help. its already on the serenity boards :)

sorry about the double post...

"shiny. lets be bad guys."

- browncoats we will rise again -

ITHAS2BME

Thursday, December 28, 2006 9:20 PM

I wasn't aware of this so i'll bump.

Who has the power to get this over onto the Headlines to get a little more notice?

... I'm in.

FOLLOWMAL

Friday, December 29, 2006 12:38 AM

Thank you ItHas2BMe!

I wish someone had that power. *sigh*

It needs to be on the news section.. perhaps it'd get some attention that way.

A friend of mine on the Browncoat Board told me today that she was writing and in the letter she was mentioning the excellent sales of Firefly on Amazon.com. She thought that might help them take notice.

Go to www.goodworkspresents.org to find out how to honor the Captain!

AVALONSMOMMY

Friday, December 29, 2006 6:56 AM

I'm in! Bump!

Burn the land and boil the sea; you can't take the sky from me

FOLLOWMAL

Friday, December 29, 2006 9:17 AM

Thanks!

Go to www.goodworkspresents.org to find out how to honor the Captain!

TDBROWN

Friday, December 29, 2006 4:45 PM

OK... I'm pasting the lead post from this thread over in "General Discussion" so that more folk will see it. I had a version over there a month ago, but it's archived now... pages deep.

Hope we can garner some extra help that way...

FOLLOWMAL

Saturday, December 30, 2006 2:56 PM

Stamp on envelope, letter will be mailed this a.m. as I go to the bank for my business. Woot!

Here's hoping that SciFi pays attention and brings us a summer of shiny goodness and that many Browncoats discover that they are just exactly that and ... well, the more Browncoats there are the more likely there will be something made to sell to us.

Ask me how to join The Appreciatin' Nathan Crew!
Go to www.goodworkspresents.org to find out how to honor the Captain!

TDBROWN

Saturday, December 30, 2006 4:12 PM

Go Team Go!

Came in here to give a "Rah-Rah" speech and it looks like none is required. Good going, everyone! You are all proving, once again, just how wonderful Browncoats are! :D

TD/Tim

ps: If you're mailing today, please sign on here and let us know that you have. Strength in Numbers!!

NECROSCAPE

Saturday, December 30, 2006 5:16 PM

As I posted in the other thread on this, I'm about to drop it in the mail.

TDBROWN

Sunday, December 31, 2006 2:26 PM

Thanks, Necro (told you I'd say it twice! lol)

And Thanks to everyone who has sent a letter or is about to. Please remember that we're also sending e-mails to feedback@scifi.com on the 2nd of January.

You guys are the best TD/Tim

"Might have been the losing side, still not convinced it was the wrong one." -Mal

TDBROWN

Monday, January 1, 2007 1:33 PM

Happy New Year!

Please send e-mails tomorrow!

"Might have been the losing side, still not convinced it was the wrong one." -Mal

FILLYGIRL

Monday, January 1, 2007 1:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by TDBrown:
Happy New Year!

Please send e-mails tomorrow!

"Might have been the losing side, still not convinced it was the wrong one." -Mal

Bump and I'm in and HAPPY NEW YEAR! May THIS be the Year of the Browncoats!!!!

...it's worse than you know...Operative
...it usually is.....Mal

VAUSH007

Monday, January 1, 2007 8:30 PM

TD Brown, your letter template was great - simple and to-the-point. I have already sent in an email, making sure to point out that I am a female (as I read further down on the thread that Ms. Hammer is actively seeking to increase the channel's female viewership).

I also had a suggestion, a financial incentive that I included in my letter. Hopefully, others will think this makes sense as well.

I promised SciFi that if they brought back Firefly either with new episodes or the summer run discussed here, I would intently watch every commercial they aired and if they showed one for a product my family already uses, I would switch brands and continue to use it as long as they continued buying air time. Not only that, I would contact the manufacturers and tell them that I had not considered their brand until I saw their ads during Firefly.

Regards, Misty

BROWNCOATPILOT

Monday, January 1, 2007 9:19 PM

As a newly made browncoat (I did not get FOX when Firefly was on the air) and a new member to the board; I have been trying to catch up and participate in as much stuff as possible. So as my first act of partcipation I am in all the way, minus the letter in the mail...I found this too late to do that. But yeah I am in and here's to more events.

BROWNCOATPILOT

Monday, January 1, 2007 10:38 PM

BUMP!

"Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayl!" - Wash

FOLLOWMAL

Monday, January 1, 2007 11:30 PM

BrowncoatPilot... let me hijack this thread for just a second to welcome you, thank you for participating and to give you your browncoat....

*hands BrowncoatPilot a virtual browncoat that hopefully expresses how much you are now a part of this family and that fits!*

Now, back on topic. I forgot to post that I mailed my letter on the morning of the 30th and I regret that I didn't include the above mentioned suggestion that I would buy brands that advertised during the show's run on SciFi. That's an excellent idea!

So.. I'll include it in my email tomorrow!

Ask me how to join The Appreciatin' Nathan Crew!
Go to www.goodworkspresents.org to find out how to honor the Captain!

BROWNCOATPILOT

Tuesday, January 2, 2007 1:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by FollowMal:

BrowncoatPilot... let me hijack this thread for just a second to welcome you, thank you for participating and to give you your browncoat....

*hands BrowncoatPilot a virtual browncoat that hopefully expresses how much you are now a part of this family and that fits!*

Thanks for the coat. I feel very welcome!

"Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayl!" - Wash

TDBROWN

Tuesday, January 2, 2007 2:06 AM

Ditto on the welcome, BrowncoatPilot, and a big Xie-Xie to you and Vaush007 If you'd like to send a letter a tad late, there's really nothing to stop you, y'know lol. And the e-mails tomorrow will be Shiny as can be!

"Might have been the losing side, still not convinced it was the wrong one." -Mal

ZZETTA13

Tuesday, January 2, 2007 2:43 AM

I will be out of town tomorrow so e-mailed Si/Fi just now and will mail the hard copy tomorrow before I leave. It may be a little late but it will get there.

Z

No power in the verse like the browncoats :)

TDBROWN

Tuesday, January 2, 2007 3:15 AM

Knew I could count on you, Z

"Might have been the losing side, still not convinced it was the wrong one." -Mal

TDBROWN

Tuesday, January 2, 2007 10:18 AM

feedback@scifi.com

To the Programming Department:

Firefly is one of your more popular shows, even though it’s not part of your Channel’s Regular Rotation. Check the Numbers from the last few "Marathons" you've had of Firefly, and I'm sure you'll agree that it's still doing quite well. It's also in the Interests of NBC/Universal that it BE a popular program. The Film Serenity is doing well in DVD sales, and Firefly's popularity certainly ties into that.

I've noticed that your programming focus has been to make Sci/Fi more attractive for women to watch. I appreciate the thought that goes into programming choices that achieve that end. It has been my experience, from the Firefly and Serenity Web Sites that many women are fans of Firefly, Nathan Fillion and Adam Baldwin. I think more women would be interested in seeing this show, if given the opportunity.

Here's what I have in Mind:
Firefly as a Summer Replacement Series

There are 14 Episodes, if you count the Pilot as One Episode. Show the Series in the dvd Format, the way Joss Whedon originally intended them to be. Sci/Fi could have each Episode Introduced by one of the Show's Cast, perhaps a different one each time, or One “permanent” Host and
Joss himself for the Pilot Episode. The "Host" can intro an Episode, and provide a tidbit of commentary or trivia at the middle and end of each Installment. Show one per week, on the same designated night, just like a regular Series.

The Production costs will be extremely low, compared to the cost of a "From scratch" New Series. It'll take all Summer and Folks can Tune in, Same Time, Same Channel each week. It'll be a blast for those of us already familiar with Firefly, of course, and would Introduce an entirely New Audience to Firefly (And, by extension, Serenity) as well.

This could generate enough renewed interest in Firefly to bring about interest in a Serenity Sequel, or perhaps a Serenity-based Mini-Series. Also, if Sci/Fi is in line for the non-paying Cable Premiere of Serenity, this would be the PERFECT Tie-in!

I hope you all give this some serious consideration. It could certainly work to the benefit of all concerned, Fan and Network alike..

Sincerely,
Timothy D Brown
5985 South Handy Road
Bloomington, IN 47401
Phone 812 824 7015

"Might have been the losing side, still not convinced it was the wrong one." -Mal

CLEMENTINE

Tuesday, January 2, 2007 3:19 PM

Done.

MONKSDAD

Tuesday, January 2, 2007 3:37 PM

and done

"And I think calling him that is an insult to the psychotic lowlife community."

ITHAS2BME

Tuesday, January 2, 2007 5:48 PM

E-mailed.

(and a bump)

... I'm in.

RAE

Tuesday, January 2, 2007 6:55 PM

I'm wondering if this would be a good way to let them know we'll even help pay for new episodes, if they will tell us how... One of the big problems we've run into is how to collect/manage the funds. If sci-fi is willing to help us set something up, and perhaps match funds donated by the fans it may solve this problem. Most of us are willing to contribute, as seen on previous threads. Not sure what the $$ amount would be to pay for new episodes. Anyone know how we might check into this?

Rae

BTW, I told my husband if we win the lottery, that I'll sponsor a whole new season. He said ok, so ....LOL

BROWNCOATPILOT

Tuesday, January 2, 2007 8:20 PM

SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED, AND SENT!!! Plus a good ol' fashion bump!

"Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayl!" - Wash

JOKER23

Tuesday, January 2, 2007 11:19 PM

new guy to the show/movie and i just sent my email. i really hope it works

ZZETTA13

Tuesday, January 2, 2007 11:37 PM

Welcome joker23 and thanks for pitching in so soon :)

TD you know you can always count on a fellow browncoat :)

Mal
"What kinda crapy planet is that....try to kill you. Someone tries to kill you, you try to kill'em right back!"

TDBROWN

Tuesday, January 2, 2007 11:56 PM

Thank you all, and a BIG BC welcome to Joker23

Good response from several BC Boards on this... proud of all of you!

"Might have been the losing side, still not convinced it was the wrong one." -Mal

FOLLOWMAL

Wednesday, January 3, 2007 8:07 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by joker23:
new guy to the show/movie and i just sent my email. i really hope it works

Welcome Joker23.. welcome home.

New folks get a virtual browncoat of their own if I'm around to catch them when they arrive.

*hands Joker23 a browncoat that fits perfectly, seein' as how it's virtual*

Thank you for taking part in the campaign. Every little bit helps and this is such a good idea.. I'm hoping SciFi takes it and runs with it!

Oh, and on topic:

I emailed and bumped too!

Ask me how to join The Appreciatin' Nathan Crew!
Go to www.goodworkspresents.org to find out how to honor the Captain!

FOLLOWMAL

Wednesday, January 3, 2007 8:08 AM

You know folks... it's not too late to snail mail and to email. If you didn't get in on this first wave of folks taking part... just fall in now and add to our numbers.

Ask me how to join The Appreciatin' Nathan Crew!
Go to www.goodworkspresents.org to find out how to honor the Captain!

TDBROWN

Wednesday, January 3, 2007 10:03 AM

A Huge Thank You to everyone who sent out letters and e-mails over the last few days!

The "project" isn't over, though. Not as long as you take an interest in promoting this idea. If you want to keep sending e-mails to Sci/Fi, that's a Shiny idea, and we won't discourage you from doing it.

-I sent 4 e-mails this morning, from 4 different Addresses!

"Might have been the losing side, still not convinced it was the wrong one." -Mal

BOOMSHAKE007

Wednesday, January 3, 2007 4:27 PM

I really think this whole thing was a great idea and has potential for working.

I also agree with sending more, more, more. But, are more standard letters and emails going to do the trick? I don't know. SciFi is probably recieving letters and emails for all sorts of reasons, and we certainly don't want ours getting "lost" in the crowd. I think we'll have a much better chance if we break the mold. Not exactly sure how, but it needs to be done. If, among the stacks of black and white text, they start finding things, pictures, CDs with fan media, whatever, it'll stick in their mind. Very similar to how commercials work on tv; you'll always remember that one commercial where they did something crazy as you forget about all the mundane, every day ones.

TDBROWN

Thursday, January 4, 2007 12:47 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BoomShake007:
I really think this whole thing was a great idea and has potential for working.

I also agree with sending more, more, more. But, are more standard letters and emails going to do the trick? I don't know. SciFi is probably recieving letters and emails for all sorts of reasons, and we certainly don't want ours getting "lost" in the crowd. I think we'll have a much better chance if we break the mold. Not exactly sure how, but it needs to be done. If, among the stacks of black and white text, they start finding things, pictures, CDs with fan media, whatever, it'll stick in their mind. Very similar to how commercials work on tv; you'll always remember that one commercial where they did something crazy as you forget about all the mundane, every day ones.

Thank you, BoomShake

I fully understand what you're saying, but I feel that "Plain envelope, Serious letter" was really the way to go this time around, especially when addressing the President of a Network, which we just did. When we sent Universal Mail for the Anniversary Job, we got all fanciful and fan-oriented, and that was fine because it suited what we were doing. We were thanking Universal for making the BDM, and showed our Browncoat colors in all their glory while doing so

. -That was appropriate for that situation.

I feel that the mail campaign was just how it should've been. We needed to be taken seriously, and we needed to be consistent in expressing what we wanted. I believe this approach can only Help our image as a devoted Fan Group. If they decide to ignore us, there's always the Summer of 2008, and we'll start the Project in August of THIS year, shouting at the top of our Lungs! lol

"Might have been the losing side, still not convinced it was the wrong one." -Mal

BOOMSHAKE007

Thursday, January 4, 2007 1:18 AM

mm, i see what you're getting at. i agree, we definitely needed a serious business stye letter for this campaign. Now that you point it out, the fan media may be a bit too informal, but I still think we could stand for something to make us stand out.

I'm sure there's all sorts of elegant, business like things we could do. Perhaps some sort of stationary template? When I did my letter in Pages (Mac's Word equivalent), they had business letter templates. One of em had a small logo and organization title spot at top right. maybe we could all settle on a logo for the campaign (something simple, maybe modified serenity logo) and put that up with the "Firefly: Relit Campaign" or another unified name, it would serve two purposes. 1. Give them something to remember us by. Logos are a major part of product advertisement and audience remembrance. 2. Give us a bit more unity. Right now it's a bit more like a bunch of ships sailing to the destination. If we all fly under the same flag, we suddenly become a formidable fleet.

Just a thought.

TDBROWN

Thursday, January 4, 2007 1:24 AM

And a good thought it is!

If we could get Everyone to do that, sure, I'd go for it. But as a realist, I know it's unlikely. Our Independence is part of what makes us Browncoats. On the Serenitymovie and Sci/Fi Boards, my signature with all my posts is:

Independent in Spirit, United in a Common Passion: BROWNCOATS

That, I believe, is as good a definition for us as there ever was !

"Might have been the losing side, still not convinced it was the wrong one." -Mal

ZZETTA13

Thursday, January 4, 2007 1:31 AM

Hiya fellow browncoats

BOOMSHAKE007 I think you hit on a very good idea. I'm going to wait a few days then send another letter. This time in a brown envelope and I'll put something on the front to help it stand out. Maybe fancy lettering or something,or some small chines lettering across the bottom. The letter inside will be totaly serious though.

Z

BOOMSHAKE007

Saturday, January 6, 2007 3:47 PM

One more thing. What do you think of having a similar thing to this camipain on a periodic basis. Weekly would be wonderful, but probably a bit too much to keep everyone interested. How about, say, monthly or bimonthly. Every month, on the first we mail letters and on the 4 we email, and a similar thing mid-month. Sure, everyone can do what they want in between (I know I'll keep sending letters), but this way, every single month, on the same days (around), they will get the Firefly Pile of Mail. This could have a pretty big impact on the network as they come to expect the mail.

Also, if we keep it on a regular periodic basis, we can get more involved. I know a lot of people who were away over the New Year's break and really wanted to send letters and email, but were unable to. If the mass mailing is on a set time every xxx portion of time, they could make a lot more of the mailing events. In addition, we can start spreading the word, telling everyone and anyone that's seen Firefly and wants to see it back, when the mailings occur. Each time, it'd be possible to get more people to do it. Scifi would see the Firefly Pile of Mail grow into a mountain. A mountain that can't be ignored.

TDBROWN

Sunday, January 7, 2007 1:23 PM

Well, assuming that Sci/Fi doesn't make it a Summer Series This year, I have proposed that we should try again in August, asking for the Summer Replacement Series in 2008.

I'm making an extremely rough estimate that 500-1,000 letters got there this time, and easily 1,000+ e-mails. If we wait 'til July to pump folks up again, we might get an even better response than we did this time!

As I've said many times, in Projects like this it's all about the numbers. It's sheer Volume that gets attention.

"Might have been the losing side, still not convinced it was the wrong one." -Mal

TDBROWN

Tuesday, January 9, 2007 5:19 PM

Some folks say they got their letters back as undeliverable....

The good people over at the sci/fi Board wanna try again!

The correct address is:

Attn: Bonnie Hammer, President
The SCI-FI Channel
30 Rockefeller Center
New York, NY 10112

We're going to send letters out on Feb 1st, followed by e-mails on the 3rd. Anyone wanting to help out is more than welcome!

"Might have been the losing side, still not convinced it was the wrong one." -Mal

JLIN

Wednesday, January 10, 2007 3:14 PM

Bump...I'm so glad we are trying again! I forgot to mail my letter during the holiday rush but I sent an e-mail on the scheduled day. I will definatly send a letter on Feb 1st.

Thank Universal for airing Firefly in HD at
http://universalhd.com/Firefly/

TDBROWN

Thursday, January 11, 2007 10:25 PM

We're sending letters to a new, correct address on Feb 1st, with e-mails to follow on Feb 3rd!

Ah-HA!!!
I called the switchboard for NBC/Universal and managed to get an Address for
The Programming Department, and for Ms Hammer. I highly suggest that every-
one who wants to do this on the 1st of Feb should write BOTH addresses, so we
can be sure that SOMEone hears us!

The Addresses are:

Programming Dept
The Sci Fi Channel
30 Rockefeller Center
New York, NY 10112

(or)

Ms Bonnie Hammer, President

The same Address.

-Evidently, Skiffy is no longer located at the Avenue of the Americas Address.....

"Might have been the losing side, still not convinced it was the wrong one." -Mal

SIRI

Friday, January 12, 2007 2:12 AM

Hi TD,
I have sent my emails and snail mail. Today my letter was returned as not deliverable as addressed. I check your original post and sent it to the address listed. Has anyone else had this problem? I will try again and recheck address. Maybe the people at the PO ni NY couldn't read my writing.

Just wanted to check it out so as not to slow up the push.

"I'm (still) thinkin we'll rise again."

Siri

TDBROWN

Friday, January 12, 2007 2:23 AM

Yes, siri, we all had that problem. it turns out we were given an incorrect address. The sci/fi address has changed, and that's reflected in the post right before yours. It's the reason why we're going to try again. They got our e-mails, but the PTB didn't get the letters. We hope to change that Feb 1st.

"Might have been the losing side, still not convinced it was the wrong one." -Mal

ASPERADITA

Saturday, January 13, 2007 2:14 AM

so if they got our emails, do we re-email on feb the 3rd? or is it just the letter campaign this time around?

on stand-by. this is fun. its like a guerilla war.

"shiny. lets be bad guys."

TDBROWN

Saturday, January 13, 2007 2:30 AM

The plan is, Mail letters on the 1st, e-mails on the 3rd if you want to.

It is a war, sort of, but a polite one... lol

"Might have been the losing side, still not convinced it was the wrong one." -Mal

ASPERADITA

Monday, January 15, 2007 1:44 AM

ok, im all in. ill email again coz im overseas and i have no idea how long letters take on international mail.

"shiny. lets be bad guys."

TDBROWN

Thursday, January 18, 2007 10:04 AM

Just a little Bump to remind everyone that we're not through

Letters on Feb 1st, e-mails Feb 3rd

"Might have been the losing side, still not convinced it was the wrong one." -Mal

BOOMSHAKE007

Thursday, January 25, 2007 1:00 AM

So I have my first version of the letter all typed up, and I'd like to show you folks for comments, criticisms, suggestions, and if anyone else wants to use it as a template (in addition to the first one from tdbrown):

Dear Ms. Hammer,

One of the more popular shows the Sci Fi Channel has aired is the Firefly series. I’m sure the ratings and audience count from your previous marathons will verify this. Currently, the Serenity and Firefly series DVDs are still top sellers at #21 and #8 respectively on Amazon.com, even after so many years, and they will continue to do this well into the future regardless of what happens. If these many people enjoy the movie and series enough to shell out hard earned cash for them this late into the game, just think of what could be done. Therefore, I have a proposal for the Summer of 2007 that will be both in your best interest and that of the public:

Firefly as a Summer Replacement Series

In the original series, there are 14 episodes counting the true pilot. If you were to show each one of them, in the DVD order as Joss had intended, you would have a perfect summer show. Since this entire series will be reruns, there will be no cost devoted to creation, only what it takes to air, which will be considerably lower than any new series and thereby maximize your profit margin. In addition, SciFi already owns the television rights to air reruns of Firefly, so there’s no money being filtered to rights costs and it should be utilized in order to make the purchase worth while. Although the channel will have to do some marketing and advertising to the public, a great deal more will be done by the current fans. Already the “Browncoats”, as they refer to themselves, have introduced countless people to the series who completely missed its brief period on Fox. Flyers and the like are already being put up just to get people to notice what Joss has created and bring them into the FIrefly ‘verse. Overall, 90% of this proposal is already completed, and the rest will be relatively cheap compared to other options.

Using the standard episode-per-week model, Firefly would span the entire summer, thereby eliminating any need for end of the season fillers. With it’s current fan base, in addition to those that will hear of it via advertisement and word of mouth, SciFi will have a vastly greater viewer base than ever before. It will bring in anyone from hard-core scifi viewers to those that have never watched a scifi before. The coherent, engaging story, if played preferably during prime time, will maximize the numbers that will be maintained week after week and increased through out it’s run-time. These viewers are then more than likely to spill out and try your other shows, improving the overall audience that SciFi reaches and in turn, the revenue generated.

Most would be content with the simple rerunning of the full series, as would I. However, there are still things that could be implemented for an even further crowd-catching draw. At either the beginning or the end of each episode, there could be an intro/closing commentary made, perhaps by Whedon or the actors themselves, or read by another host. This would help to fill the audience in a bit more on the ‘verse, behind the scenes happenings, or any other point of interest regarding that week’s episode. For a final conclusion at the summer’s end, it can be topped off by a showing of the Serenity movie, giving the audience a wrap-up that will hold for now. Depending on the numbers and the fan response, which even now looks like it will be tremendous, a new installment of the series may become plausible. Joss himself has said that he, and the actors, would love to continue the story; it’s just a matter of money. While this is all speculation, I’m just putting out on the table the possibilities that the future may hold.

Sincerely yours,

Brian Bickerton
ADDRESS
PHONE NUMBER

IWEN

Thursday, January 25, 2007 4:01 PM

Is this push being posted on any of the other firefly/serenity boards out there? I usually only read hit this site and Whedonesque...but I know there are other sites out there.

Iwen

www.myspace.com/biffbrannon

IWEN

Thursday, January 25, 2007 4:02 PM

Is this push being posted on any of the other firefly/serenity boards out there? I usually only read hit this site and Whedonesque...but I know there are other sites out there.

Iwen

www.myspace.com/biffbrannon

BOOMSHAKE007

Thursday, January 25, 2007 11:12 PM

I know it's on the SciFi Channel firefly boards, the serenitymovie.org boards, and as a Facebook.com group. I'm sure there's more

TDBROWN

Sunday, January 28, 2007 1:20 AM

Followmal has been nice enough to send it out through the Browncoat Signal Corp to dozens of BC Groups, and yes, I have posted it here, on serenitymovie.org, the OB, the Indiana BC Forum, and on Skiffy.

I intend to repost it and/or update existing posts tomorrow, just in time for folks to prepare for the 1st.

"Might have been the losing side, still not convinced it was the wrong one." -Mal

LEADB

Monday, January 29, 2007 12:58 AM

This thread is worth the occaisional bump as we head in toward "put in the mail box day... Feb 1"

=====
http://signal.serenityfirefly.com/
...The 'verse just got bigger
Vote for Firefly at: http://richlabonte.net/tvvote/index.html
====

DERANGEDMILK

Monday, January 29, 2007 1:05 AM

If possible we should try to get it on Whedonesque though. That site gets A LOT of viewers. Problem is they aren't accepting new members you can't just sign up and start posting. Anyone know someone with an account?
-e

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

Vote for Firefly at http://richlabonte.net/tvvote/index.html

TDBROWN

Monday, January 29, 2007 10:08 AM

I'm a member of Whedonesque, DM, but we're not allowed to "self-promote" and their whole attitude about asking the PTB for anything is kind of... well... timid. JMHO

*************************************************

Firefly: Relit, to put it simply, is a project where we suggest to the Sci/Fi Channel that they use Firefly as a Summer Replacement Series in 2007. Many people have already sent e-mails to them on this topic, but we want to make an impression on the top Brass, so....

On Feburary 1st, We would like to encourage everyone to send Letters to either the President of the Channel or the Programming Department. We want to be taken seriously, so I would like to suggest that we Not send Overly decorated or "Fanboy" type letters. Let's keep it simple and to the point. Show them we're sincere and serious, and it'll improve the chances that they'll take us seriously.

The Mailing Address is:

Bonnie Hammer, President
The Sci Fi Channel
30 Rockefeller Center
New York, NY
10112

On Feburary 3rd, which is when the letters will probably arrive, we'd like folks to send e-mails to feedback@scifi.com as well. As in all our campaigns to get noticed and get something done, it's all about Numbers. So let's drown 'em in letters and e-mails on the 3rd!

Here is the e-mail that I've been sending. It should serve as a fairly good template for Letters and e-mails both.

Subject: Programming Suggestion for Summer, 2007

To the Sci/Fi Programming Staff:

Firefly is one of your more popular shows; Check the
Numbers from the last few "Marathons" you've had of
it, and I'm sure you'll agree that it's still quite
popular. It's also in the Interests of NBC/Universal
that it BE a popular Show. The Film Serenity is doing
well in DVD sales, and Firefly's popularity certainly
ties into that.

So... Here's what I have in Mind:
Firefly as a Summer Replacement Series

There are 14 Episodes, if you count the Pilot as One
Episode. Show the Series in the dvd Format, the way
Joss Whedon originally intended them to be. Sci/Fi
could have each Episode Introduced by one of the
Show's Cast, perhaps a different one each time, and
Joss for the Pilot Episode. The "Host" can intro an
Episode, and provide a tidbit of commentary or trivia
at the end of each Installment. Show one per week,
on the same designated night, just like a regular
Series.

The Production costs will be extremely low, compared
to
the cost of a "From scratch" New Series. It'll take
all Sum-
mer and Folks can Tune in, Same Time, Same Channel
each
week. It'll be a blast for those of us already
familiar with Firefly,
and Introduce an entirely New Audience to it as well.

This could generate enough renewed interest in Firefly
to bring
about interest in a Serenity Sequel, or perhaps a
Serenity-based
Mini-Series. Also, if Sci/Fi is in line for the
non-paying Cable
Premiere of Serenity, this would be the PERFECT
Tie-in!

I hope you all give this some serious consideration.
It could
certainly work, to the benefit of all concerned.

Sincerely,
Timothy Dale Brown
5985 South Handy Road
Bloomington, IN 47401
Ph 81* 82* 7*15

Thank you to everyone who decides to do this. It's a simple, practical way to keep Firefly alive and Flying. Hopefully, we can get Sci/Fi to at least consider it!

"Might have been the losing side, still not convinced it was the wrong one." -Mal