New idea to give Showtime a push...

[ilianexsi]

Hi, everybody....
I've been reading the 'brainstorming' and 'cancellation commemoration' threads and started thinking about what else we could do that would make a difference....

For Showtime to make up their minds that they MUST have this series, they'd have to see that they'd get a big financial return for their investment. So I thought, what if EVERY person on this board who is committed to the idea sent Showtime a postcard saying, 'YES, I will subscribe if you pick up this series?' I like the idea of their office being flooded with postcards from people who are ready to subscribe, as soon as they hear the announcement--people who watched regularly for four years on another network, and are ready to keep subscribing each year the show continues. I would think that after the first batch came in, they'd start counting-- keeping track of how many potential new subscribers are part of the Farscape package. (I figure postcards are good because they're cheap, and they can be sent with pics from your city, which gives a nice view of how widespread Scapers are.)

Any thoughts on the idea? I know subscriptions aren't the only thing that would make a difference for them, but I thought this would be a dramatic way to show them how many of us there are.
--ilianexsi

[RescueFarscape]

Great minds think alike;)

If I remember rightly, over 200 people voted on Darth Buddha's poll they would subscribe to Showtime if FS were picked up. If we use the old 1,000-viewers-for-every-letter formula, that number alone sending postcards in represents, theoretically, more than 200,000 new Showtime subscribers.

I was going to ask if anyone minded me using them as a reason for Showtime to save Farscape, but never got around to starting the thread. Gotta get off my eema;)

Anyhoo, this is definitely something terribly easy to do, that doesn't require quite as much as a letter.

Great idea, ilianexsi!

[Xothas]

I think it's a great idea! It would be vital to get everyone involved, because for it to work as you propose, it would have to be one postcard per person.....we could even warn them they were coming, so they would know to start counting...and we could have a thread here where everyone could post once they sent it out, so we could keep a count as well....

[JadedLegend3]

Great idea!

I had mentioned that I would subscribe in the letters I sent out, but it never hurts to send more! Sounds like a plan!

Jacqui :love:

[Twich]

Make sure it's a post card then...those are easier to tabulate and quicker to spot. It's BEYOND excellent if we could all use Farscape post cards too. That REALLY gets the point across.

AND.....make sure that we pick ONE address to send it to....or make sure everyone sends to EACH address. Doesn't do much good if a few send to one person and then a few to another. Needs to be a group effort.

[Xothas]

What Twich said!

[dzelika]

and the address would be?

[Twich]

Um....let us figure out who is best to work on and we'll get to ya. I'm not up on the folks involved as much as others....anyone else have a suggestion?

[Shipscat]

Tivonel, welcome to the board.

That's a whole lot of..well..post, that means you don't think showtime will do it. Or that a fifth season is possible. Since you don't think to think that it's possible to bring Farscape back, then why are you here?

Considering that the odds are low already, why would it hurt? I for one would get Showtime or HBO if they ran Farscape, and I have had neither channel before. That makes me a brand new subscriber that might like the other stuff and stick around.

Oh, and Henson does not have a lot of corporate debt to pay off-that goes with Em, where it belongs.

Henson is not placating us-they have a sense of responsibility to the fans, and would not let us continue if they had given up. Neither would the other PTB.

[RescueFarscape]

Hear, hear Shipscat! The actors/producers have had a good rapport with the viewers from the beginning. We would be told if there were no plans for Farscape.

[Xothas]

What Shipscat said! And, by the way...you think only a few hundred postcards would be sent?

whatEVER

[ilianexsi]

Well, then.... what?
Wow, not to be crabby or anything, but it's hard for me to read posts like that and still have any hope. So, SciFi doesn't want it, Showtime doesn't want it, no response from UPN..... remind me again why we're still bothering? I'm sorry if that sounds nasty, but it's been a year and I'm starting to wonder how many years I'm willing to keep this up.... I never thought I would, but I'm starting to lose hope, I'm starting to not care anymore. I don't want just a miniseries to wrap everything up in one neat, partly-satisfying package, at which point it'll die again; I want more seasons, I want the story to keep going. If it's been this long and there's no sign of another network wanting the series, whether from lack of money or lack of interest, then maybe we're just wasting our breath?

Sigh.... sorry to sound so dark and gloomy..... I guess I've just had a very hard time lately keeping up hope. It's been so long, without anything much positive to keep me going. I've gotta admit, I'm starting to think it's a lost cause.
--ilianexsi

[Shipscat]

Well, you know rescuefarscape, at the time of the first Scapercon, creation entertainment had planned the first Farscape convention for exactly the same date as the fan run con-which had been planned first, and the date was all over the scifi board. There had even been a rumor that someone had talked to a Creation employee who claimed they were going to blow our little con out of the water because they were going to do it on the same date, and tie up all the actors. None of the PTB knew about it until the official date was announced and the bboard exploded.

They did these expensive webcasts from Burbank and David Kemper apologized, and asked us not to boycott Creation and their products because they needed the money to keep the show going, and promised it would never happen again. It hasn't. So I have been impressed with his integrity and appreciation of the fans since then.

[ilianexsi]

Just to clarify-- I was referring to tivonel's post, the others after got posted while I wad madly typing!

It's good to see that so many people still have hope for a happy ending.... I'm glad everybody isn't getting as gloomy as me. :)
--ilianexsi

[Xothas]

ilianexsi:

I know it's hard, but just be patient. Farscape is coming back. I repeat, it IS coming back. Announcement or not, the panel was wonderful at comic con...and there is yet news to come....stay tuned, and cheer up!

As for our dear friend phisher here, everyone wave goodbye! Nice try pal, but no dice.

[Mickie]

ilianexsi, now is absolutely, positively the not the time to give up hope. Go and read the Comicon report. The cast haven't given up hope. From his comments, Wayne sounded far more hopeful than he did at Burbank last year. Henson is just about to aquire the rights to the series. Brian Henson is more dedicated to the series than any of us could hope to be.

Things are moving. I can feel it. They just won't be able to tell us anything that's going on in the background until a deal is tied up with a bow and the check is in the bank. It sucks, but it's just the way it has to be.

[ilianexsi]

Thanks, everybody..... I needed that pep talk! :) I'll be good and keep writing and try to be patient......
--ilianexsi

[Xothas]

Yeah, don't let phisher (aka tivonel) get you down. Just stay tuned, focus, and stay the course! :)

[grinner]

Man... Pisher was here and I missed it... damn. He is my favorie troll. So single minded about his love of Zhaan and his hatred of DK... rats.

[ilianexsi]

....and another good reason to send postcards.... the postal workers can read 'em and maybe they'll get interested and/or curious. Which is why I'll probably put the savefarscape.com address someplace on any I send.
--ilianexsi

[blue]

tivonel
not evil? (he doth protest)
his real name is
ivonele
evil one

or maybe its
seviley
yes evil

[Mike@Pilots Chamber]

In reference to Twich, I have some Farscape postcards that came free with videos/magazines etc. I can post them on the net if people have a way to print onto card/make their own postcards to send.

In the meantime, I think this is a good idea. We need to get a LOAD of people on the board doing this though.

I'll try and scan the postcards in and put them up later today.

EDIT - just gone through the postcards I have - all season 1 - John, Aeryn, D'Argo, Zhaan, Rygel, Crais, crew shot from Throne For A Loss, and cool montage of crew from season 2 (except it advertises WHSmith at the bottom, but it still looks cool).

[DorothyGail]

Yes, please, let's do something enmasse!! I've been feeling hopeless about sending letters or cards lately. Who's our target/s? Lets just do something, anything! All send the same card? Different cards? (probably better) Ratscape cards?

To whom? (I don't care if it's hopeless!) When? :comp: :whip:

[BlackThorn]

I'm for postcards. Different postcards. State postcards, Farscape related, whatever. Show how diverse we are!

Message? Should be the same general message from everyone. Doesn't have to be worded the same. Personalize it, but the meaning should be the same. I like the idea of promising to subscribe if they pick up Farscape, but it doesn't quite work for those of us who already subscribe to Showtime. Hmm....

To whom? Showtime for the first run.

Address? We should pick one and everyone send the cards to that one. I think the idea of letting them know in advance would be good.

Timing? Not sure whether they should all be sent on the same day or if we should perhaps select a week to mail them out.


That's my thoughts on this. If we do this and it goes off well, we could do the same for other targets. Perhaps have an organized Showtime mailing week, Viacom mailing week, etc . . . With the message changed to fit the target?

[I-am-so-Johns-girl]

Yes...please post the images Mike@Pilots Chamber! :aok: I've got lots of blank post card stock to print and could use more images! Thanks :hug2:

[grapeshot]

Well, I am already a subscriber. However, I was seriously thinking about unsubscribing, so I'll just promise to keep my subscription going. How's that? Or do you all think it would be better to only mail in postcards that promise to become a new subscriber?

By the way, I certainly agree with everyone who thinks a miniseries is not enough. There isn't a single fan here who doesn't want a full blown season 5, 6, 7, and beyond. IF we get a miniseries, I don't think anyone here will settle for that and give up. We'll keep up our efforts until we get a new season. Sure, a miniseries will be nice, but don't imagine that's going to be the moment the "fat lady sings".

[RescueFarscape]

grapeshot, I don't see any reason why current suscribers shouldn't write. I think it would be just as excellent for them to hear what current customers want as well as hearing from potentials.

And I've gotta agree with you on the mini-series. I keep on telling myself that I'll be happy with whatever, but deep down, I suppose, I really want full seasons of Farscape.
But can you imagine what a cool jumping-off point a mini-series would be? Advertise the heck out of it in a Scaper's own insidious and not so insidious ways, get more people hooked on FS thru the mini-series, which in turn becomes the starting point for season 5!:bgb:

:whoops: um, yeah, well anyway...Has anyone decided who we should focus the attention on? Frank Pintauro already gets at least two postcards every day (poor guy)lol. Maybe focus on someone else?

[Dominar of Action]

Love this idea. Yes, please post links to any images that can be used for postcards here. :applaud:

[grapeshot]

Yeah, RescueFarscape, that's JUST what I was thinking about the supposed (maybe it is happening and maybe it ain't) miniseries. THIS one could be advertised and publicized properly!

[harveywhispers]

I really like this idea. Do you think we should have a specific mailing date?

[starscream]

I'm all for writing cards, but it's not like I can subscribe to Showtime from Europe. Any ideas on how international scapers can contribute to this project?

[harveywhispers]

bump

[ilianexsi]

I don't know how Showtime is set up-- is there anybody (a person or a department) who deals with subscriptions, drumming up new subscribers, etc.? Or maybe just send them to one of the VP's, since they're both all about scheduling/acquisitions/planning?

As for when, the only time that comes to mind for me is after August 1st, when the Hensons are back in charge again. Maybe somebody else might have a better idea, though.
--ilianexsi

[blueassbitch]

Originally posted by ilianexsi
Hi, everybody....
I've been reading the 'brainstorming' and 'cancellation commemoration' threads and started thinking about what else we could do that would make a difference....

For Showtime to make up their minds that they MUST have this series, they'd have to see that they'd get a big financial return for their investment. So I thought, what if EVERY person on this board who is committed to the idea sent Showtime a postcard saying, 'YES, I will subscribe if you pick up this series?' I like the idea of their office being flooded with postcards from people who are ready to subscribe, as soon as they hear the announcement--people who watched regularly for four years on another network, and are ready to keep subscribing each year the show continues. I would think that after the first batch came in, they'd start counting-- keeping track of how many potential new subscribers are part of the Farscape package. (I figure postcards are good because they're cheap, and they can be sent with pics from your city, which gives a nice view of how widespread Scapers are.)

Any thoughts on the idea? I know subscriptions aren't the only thing that would make a difference for them, but I thought this would be a dramatic way to show them how many of us there are.
--ilianexsi

Here's a post card I quickly threw together. Kinda a rough draft. But I think if we send something that atleast mentions the I am Farscape and I will subscribe part would be very effective. Also we could put our own demographic info on the back and sign it. What do you think? I'm open for suggestions. I tried to post the fixed post card and wound up deleting it on accident and it won't let me add an image so I will post it at the end in another reply, just keep scrolling. Sorry about that.

[Dominar of Action]

*Very* cool postcard! :bounce:

Now, someone remind me where I can get postcard stock for an inkjet printer ...

[blueassbitch]

Got my card stock at Wal-mart, 150 sheets for $5 ;)

[Mike@Pilots Chamber]

Postcards are a-comin'...

[blueassbitch]

Should we all try and send them at the same time to make an even bigger statement, kinda like when skiffy recieved hundreds of bras:rollin:. Maybe on black friday?

[Mike@Pilots Chamber]

Postcards are up, but I can only post the links to them - I cannot post them here because I've transferred them to Geocities, and they don't like that sorta stuff.

So if someone could post them here on the bboard on my behalf, that would be great!

Anyways, the postcards are gonna be at this site (www.geocities.com/pilotschamber/cards.htm) seeing as though Geocities doesn't seem to like me posting images.

EDIT - POSTCARDS NOW DEFINITELY UP - LINK TO SITE AND USE AS YOU WISH

[Nomar]

Shouldn't it be "Intelligent?"

Or am I retarded.

[blueassbitch]

Originally posted by Nomar
Shouldn't it be "Intelligent?"

Or am I retarded.
No, I'm the retarded one. Atlest some of us scapers are intelligent. I'll fix it and edit the post. Thankyou, LOL! :wingnut:

[blueassbitch]

Here is the corrected, intelligent post card, LOL!

[Ammit]

rofl, awesome :)

[NYPinTA]

:aok: :aok: Very Nice! :aok: :aok:

[I-am-so-Johns-girl]

:eek: :cry2: :bawl: :shrug:
Can't see them Mike......

[Mike@Pilots Chamber]

"exceeded its allocated data transfer"?!?

Last time I use Geocities...

Still, it says it should be back up soon. Keep checking, and save them when you can! Also, if you have some reliable webspace, could you please do me the honour of posting them there and from there into this topic?

[RobinC]

Great postcard! I love the dig at reality TV.

Robin

[Mike@Pilots Chamber]

[B]POSTCARD LINK BACK UP - Postcards (www.geocities.com/pilotschamber/cards.htm)

[Roland]

Very nice Mike! :aok:

[ilianexsi]

Looks great-- makes me wish I had a printer! For those of us who don't, is it acceptable to write the same message on a regular postcard? Will it have the same impact? Or should I save the image on a diskette and go to Kinko's?
--ilianexsi

[Sermon]

Perfect. I love the postcard. :) But I think there's just one tiiiiiny mistake - as far as I know it's "Nielsen", and not "Neilsen".

[SabaceanBabe]

I think you're right on the spelling of Nielsen, but then, if you leave it misspelled, then isn't it just that much more pointy? I'm so not Nielsen that I don't spell it right? (No offense, BAB!!)

[Dominar of Action]

ilianexsi - IMO, it's more important that you send *something* than it is that you use a particular design or what have you. If going to Kinko's would hold you up or make it less likely that you'll get around to it, skip it and just go the handwritten route! :)

[blueassbitch]

No offense taken, like I originally said I threw it together really quickly, and besides I am the World's Worst Speller. No really, I have a certificate and everything. I'll fix it once again. Thanks all. LOL :lol3:

[kitfoxer]

This is a great idea, and very easy to do. (speaking of To Do's, this would be a good one, plus another reminder to send-in-your-pix-for-the mosiac) Is there a consensus on the address? Send them anytime, or target a particular date?

TIA, kitfoxer

[blueassbitch]

O.K I believe everything is fixed now.

[jpinMoya]

Great Card Blue!! I like all that Mike put up. I think send whichever you like but lets get the time set up.

[DorothyGail]

<GASP!!> I love it! Thank you, BAB!!!!!

[I-am-so-Johns-girl]

Thanks muchly Mike....the link finally worked! :aok:

[DorothyGail]

Uhm, yeah.....are we going to have a target date, or just fling these at random?

[ilianexsi]

My initial thought was sometime after August 1st, when Henson would be back in control, but if we can't agree on a date I suppose we could just start sending them whenever we can. I'm still wondering who's the best person to mail them to, though.
--ilianexsi

[Dominar of Action]

Well, I went ahead and sent 3 letters today. Can still do the postcards when we decide to do it as a group :)

[harveywhispers]

Sent a few more post cards today.

Aiming for Hendependence Day works pretty well for me.