PLEASE READ!!! Could it be true?

[Huh]

Hey guys,

I LOVE rumors, and since I trust AnnieBW so much I think it may be more than a rumor!

Check it out:

http://www.watchfarscape.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15207

[seattlescaper]

When I click on the link all I get is "invalid link."

So what's the rumor this time? Does it have to do with the Jim Hensen statue unveiling that AnnieBW attended? Because I don't think she said anything other than Brian Hensen saying something like "keep up the good work," about SFS or something to that effect. Still, having him our efforts in a postive way is encouraging. I wish it were Halloween and we could send the Hensen's their wonderful pumpkin.

[Susana]

I dunno, it just got deleted or something, here's the text of the message:

" HOLY FRELLING DREN - A FEATURE FILM???
John and I literally JUST got in the door from the Jim Henson retrospective at the American Film Institute. Unfortunately, Brian wasn't there. But Marty Baker, who is VP of Worldwide Production for Henson, and their lawyer (Alan somebody whose name I'm drawing a blank on...) were there talking about Jim back in the day. Well, afterwards, John and I go up front and start schmoozing the two guys from Henson.. BTW, they really appreciated the gift baskets! So, anyway, I'm talking to Alan the lawyer and he says, "well, you know Farscape is coming back?" I said, "that's what we all hope." Then he dropped the bomb. He said, and I quote: "Farscape is coming back as a feature film. Brian told me yesterday that they just got the funding." You could have knocked me over with a feather! I practically kissed the guy! I asked him if I could quote him on that, and he said, "sure." Of course, I warned him that I'd be putting it out on the Internet.

I'll have to go back and review the tape, but it's there. I also spoke with Marty Baker, and expressed that five thousand plus fans would kill me if I didn't say how much we all loved Jim and the Muppet legacy. Again, he really appreciated it, and the baskets. We're doing good work, people, and it looks like we may just have gotten our wish. (Well, almost...)

- Annie, keyed up but exhausted..."

[Susana]

So, someone's being deleterific around here, I posted this back over in strategizing, and it was deleting without any notice, so I'm assuming the above post will be hacked away shortly as well.

Anyway, the news, which I guess we're not supposed to be talking about is good re: the return of Farscape.

[waltersgirl]

if there is an announcement to be made, we'd like to allow the Henson family the right to break the news.

[mysticalseeker]

So we stay quiet till we hear from Brian...... Fair enough, but it made my day :D .

[waltersgirl]

it's just that rumors don't give us facts. we can't verify anything and we don't want to mislead anyone. the fans have worked too hard for this. and so has Henson. it's Brian's right, or DK's or Ben's.

[Susana]

can I at least erp?

[Susana]

Okay, I'm gonna have to log off now, or I'm going to go "erp" crazy, and get myself banned! :P

[KellEy.. "red"]

okay.. so stupid question, but what is "erp" .... besides the obvious from the show....

[Susana]

Well, (oops, I haven't left yet!) it was in a much earlier post that I couldn't find that has probably been archived or deleted about how JMS couldn't discuss contract negotiations with the fans, so when he got good news that he couldn't discuss, he just left an "eep". We decided that "erp" fit better with our purposes.

[KellEy.. "red"]

ahhhh... then "erp"-ing is what i'll be doing until further notice from the official end of things!!! :D (quietly, of course)

[Susana]

I'm so proud. I've been reinstated! Read now, and forever hold your peace!


Erps only allowed past this point!

[Huh]

hey, sorry if i violated some sort of rule..

someone should really post these rules!!!

ok, so I won't say anything, but in my own defense, the parties involved said it was ok to quote them on the internet...

so what's the deal? Shouldn't there be a note or something saying "DELETED due to ?????"

Well, at least delete this thread too. I feel bad now calling everyone to read this with nothing to show them!!!

[Susana]

*points up* They put it back in for now, but your link is still bad. You could edit out the link and be fine. (nobody would ever know!)

[Red]

It was a misunderstanding, Huh. I've asked Annie to repost her thread if she wanted to.

[waltersgirl]

you didn't do anything wrong, Huh. the original link thread had been deleted and i wasn't sure by whom, so i cut out Susana's copy of it, but kept it just in case. it's been restored.

[Huh]

i think it is still gone. I don't see it in campaign stategizing.

I HAVE A RENEGADE THREAD HERE!!!

[KellEy.. "red"]

can i cross-post over at Kansas to this thread??

[Xothas]

Knock yourself out! :D

[Huh]

by the way, I am not really freaking out, just having a bit of fun

OK, take notice. I don't do this often, so you know it must be big. Time for a smiley!!!!

:woohoo:

This is me running amok on the FMD after a long day at work...

[waltersgirl]

Huh, what i restored was the contents of Susana's post on this thread, not the original thread that you linked to. that's gone.

and if folks cross-post, please be sure to treat the info as the rumor that it is, which doesn't mean it isn't true necessarily, just that it isn't officially confirmed.

[KellEy.. "red"]

i cross-posted to Kansas with just the URL and to come over to this thread and read... :D

[harveywhispers]

Wow! Even if it is only a rumor, wow!

[vikingscaper]

Since nothing has been confirmed yet, all I will say is....




:eek4:

[seattlescaper]

If wishes were fishes than . . . Farscape would be coming back.

:fish: :fish: :fish: :fish::fish: :fish: :fish: :fish: :fish: :fish: :fish:

But I'll wait for the official announcement before breaking out the party hat. It still is great to hear the rumors though :aok:

[trubador]

:whisper:---> :shocked:---> :thud:---> :scramble:---> :bounce:---> :love:---> :cloud9:---> :angelgrin ---> :shutup:

[RiseAgainst]

if this melarcy is true, i cant say im happy farscape will be coming back as a feature film. there's not NEARLY enough to be covered in a 2 hour movie. It belongs as a television series, and it should stay that way. a feature film seems like the easy way out...

[blue]

I've gotten excited by rumors before, and then .....nothing
So I'll wait with the smilies
except maybe this one
:kitty:

[BritAngie]

Hrmm am I right in saying that this guy was a lawyer who works for Henson? Erm.. isn't it kind of a breach of client trust or something to go around announcing his bosses future projects if his boss hasn't announced them? I always thought in the corporate world that sort of breach of confidentiality was a sackable offence.. which is why I wonder about the voracity of what he said... or who he said he was... Or maybe he was pulling someones leg?

All I can say if he was my lawyer and going around telling strangers about my business and saying "yeah sure go ahead and post it on the internet.." I'd hand him his notice and show him the door...

Just my suspicious and cynical nature kicking in.. ;)

[Jellyfish]

I am with you on that one Angie, either its a cruel wind up or a very poor (and about to be unemployed) lawyer.

Here's hoping.....

andPosted by RiseAgainst
if this melarcy is true, i cant say im happy farscape will be coming back as a feature film. there's not NEARLY enough to be covered in a 2 hour movie. It belongs as a television series, and it should stay that way. a feature film seems like the easy way out...

Yes but a successful film would widen the audience and almost certainly lead to a new series.

[waltersgirl]

accurate, informed or not, he could have simply been a guy who was trying to cut a Farscape fan a break. makes him a knucklehead, but a well-intentioned knucklehead.

[MediaSavant]

I really appreciate Annie's report of the conversation. It's well reported and detailed with all the right qualifications. It's when rumors are vague that I dislike them.

Should the company move forward with a feature film--and we've known this was an option for years--I will be extremely happy.

You won't hear any "shoulda been this" or "shoulda been that" coming from this direction. I'm too cognizent of the financial difficulties involved in getting anything funded to feel that way.

I also trust the creative team implicitly to give us something great regardless of the format they are working with.

[Red]

In whatever form it comes back, be it some sort of film, or a full season, or anything in between, depending on its reception it could very likely be the beginning rather than the ending. So saying that a film or anything shy of a 5th season is just not going to make you happy whatever happens, is to me a rather short sighted view of things.

When Farscape returns, in whatever form that might be, our reception of it, the fans reception, its ratings or box office returns, will be a big part in determining if there will be even more Farscape. Rejecting part out of hand will only hurt the franchise.

If this is reality, if we get a feature film first, then I think we should do what we can to make that as successful as possible. Think of this as a stepping stone to more -- but it needs to be successful.

And if nothing else, it would get sets rebuilt and pull everybody back together for a time and once that happens who knows what could be beyond that.

And MS is right, we've trusted the creative team with the series so far, why would we assume that they would give us anything less than something magnificient? And we all know they want to tell this story in its entirety, not just hack something together for 120 minutes to shut the fans up.

A possible beginning not an ending.

[SabaceanBabe]

Red is absolutely on the money on this. If this is true... If we are going to get a feature film... Then that is simply the springboard to greater things, not a bone to shut the fans up. These people have a helluva lot more integrity than that.

Hmm. Feature film. If true, our next project might be to get an Oscar for best movie... :D

[Digger]

And wasn't there something abut a movie being planned all along? Something that took place between Season's 2 and 3? I could imagine them using the first 15 minutes or so setting things up so that those who had never seen the show would get things, like and extended "previously, on Farscape" (and boy does that give me shivers, just thinking of hearing Ben say that again). Then they could jump right into things. If a movie did well, the sky would be the limit. I think I might just live at my local theater for a week or so and watch it over and over again.

[Red]

Yeah, Digger, they've talked about a movie for a long time. And I remember that DK said he (and I think Rockne - my memory is foggy this morning) had worked out a cool way to present Farscape to new viewers in a movie.

So ... still waiting for an official announcement to know for sure if this is the way things will go.

[harveywhispers]

Well, I'm going to be thrilled with whatever Farscape we get & I am going to do my part to make sure it isn't a one time deal!!!!

*Off to work on more converts & write letters

[Jellyfish]

As this whole thread is based on the assumption that AnnieBW posted a thread containing the text quoted earlier could one of the mods confirm that there was such a post?? Or anyone else who read it before it was deleted??

There are a few things here which don't add up.

[Red]

The post/thread was there, Jellyfish, I read it, and it was accidentaly deleted on a misunderstanding. I have invited Annie to repost in the camapaign strategizing forum. Susana copied the entire post from AnnieBW's thread in the third post of this thread.

[waltersgirl]

Annie's actual post is what Susana cut/pasted here, just like our comments, and Annie's signing her name to the post, indicate. that is not assumption.

[Jellyfish]

Yeah wow I am beggining to get excited now!!!

[cybergal]

Well, I'll fully support it whatever format Farscape returns in.

But for it to be a movie: It would be a movie theatre sized in-your-face to skiffy. That works for me! And I'd be like Digger, spending every day at the theatre for a while.

It would be a great way to increase audience size instantaneously and help with the marketability of the series to another network. "Hey, you liked the movie? Check out the series we already have in the can." Plus it would increase DVD sales which would help the Hensons bottom line.

I'll be waiting and watching for official news. (but I'd be a liar if I said that I wasn't excited about this...)

[Kerrigan]

Frell, I want the official version, uncertainty is killing me!

[tcpike]

I will be cautiously optimistic! ERP!!! :rollin:

[Shipscat]

Another thing to think about, besides the fact that they've always wanted to make a movie, is that movies are instantaneously (so to speak) profitable. We know that series are run at a loss for a long time, and I think starting with the new sets and all it would be the same when the series is resurrected. If they have funding for a movie, and it does well, it'll put money back in Henson's pockets right away.

I am a little worried about the number of people it takes to make a movie successful, tho. We're going to have to get a lot of non-Farscape fans (according to the Nielsen's, at any rate) to the movies.

[Twich]

I have faith.....I think WE can do it. After all...we're the little fandom that could. :D

And yeah...cautiously optimistic. Anything that comes back is something we can use.

Remember the original ST was cancelled...what...partway through S2? :D

[Digger]

Just wondering.....how long before this rumor spreads. We know the guy from SyFy Portal reads this board. The guy from IGN may as well.

[grapeshot]

Also, the audience has a direct impact on the bottomline of the movie -- the money from your wallet creates "instant" profit for the studio and the distributer. Unlike in TV-land, where the supposed size and demographics of the audience is what profits are based on.

Hey, we've got our work cut out for us, but Farscape could be the "Big Fat Greek Wedding" of the scifi world.

[janey_13]

Originally posted by trubador
:whisper:---> :shocked:---> :thud:---> :scramble:---> :bounce:---> :love:---> :cloud9:---> :angelgrin ---> :shutup:

You said it!

[ranger1]

exciting it is to hear about the possibility of this movie! :) however, i agree with the people here who say "keep your shorts on!" :rollin: (and of course, when/if it comes out in the theater, camp there!!)

[tcpike]

Hey, we've got our work cut out for us, but Farscape could be the "Big Fat Greek Wedding" of the scifi world.

Well said, grapeshot!

[Shipscat]

It's up at my site! Farscapeweb!

I checked AICN and IGN this morning..nothing. AICn has the new Doctor Who rumor.

[ranger1]

also, maybe someone could corner Rockne @ the 2BeContinued con this weekend in Indianapolis (or at least somewhere in Indiana - i know a bunch of Chicagoscapers are going & setting up a table in the official con party suite, plus a 'private' viewing room....) :smokin: :smokin:

[Perfect_Tommy]

Originally posted by grapeshot
Also, the audience has a direct impact on the bottomline of the movie -- the money from your wallet creates "instant" profit for the studio and the distributer. Unlike in TV-land, where the supposed size and demographics of the audience is what profits are based on.

Hey, we've got our work cut out for us, but Farscape could be the "Big Fat Greek Wedding" of the scifi world.

Like I've been fast to point out the past few weeks or so, NBC is watching. NBC says it is going to listen to the fans. And I really don't think it will take a huge hit in the box office to bring back Farscape. I mean, even if it does well but isn't a blockbuster, that would be reason enough to to bring back the show.

Anyways, I don't think this is an unwarrented reason to get our hopes up. If you go to farscape.com, the offical word they have posted there is

... Although SCI FI Channel has chosen not to pick up a fifth season, The Jim Henson Company is in active development on a new Farscape film, an anime project and is currently discussing syndication of this highly acclaimed series. We are eager to move forward with the Farscape creative team in developing new projects that will resonate with our overwhelmingly loyal fan base.


So all in all it just sounds like a Farscape movie is a matter of the above stated funding and a few other issues like getting it distributed.

[ranger1]

good point, Perfect_Tommy.

[fiona-maria]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
... Although SCI FI Channel has chosen not to pick up a fifth season, The Jim Henson Company is in active development on a new Farscape film, an anime project and is currently discussing syndication of this highly acclaimed series. We are eager to move forward with the Farscape creative team in developing new projects that will resonate with our overwhelmingly loyal fan base.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


That sounds pretty bloody official to me.

I'm getting my FarScape back! I'm getting my FarScape back! I'm getting my FarScape back!

Fiona

[stellar]

I just bought a dvd-case that holds 64 discs and i'm devoting the entire thing to my farscape collection, of which I have 29 so far and will have 41 eventually (11 for Season 1?).

Yes, I intentionaly left room for two more seasons... intentionally!

If there is a feature-erp, i'll watch it twice a week for a month. That's my minimum commitment, and will buy the DVD... two in case one wears out.

- Stellar... It's my birthday and I'll hope if I want to!

P.S. Let's say there are 1million US scapers (conservatively speaking)... It may not hurt to see it three times a day during the opening weekend. If the hardcorers count for much less than the million... i'm willing to sit through every showing during the opening weekend. Erp.

[Mickie]

That quote has been up for ages. Wait for it people, wait for it.

[Digger]

... Although SCI FI Channel has chosen not to pick up a fifth season, The Jim Henson Company is in active development on a new Farscape film, an anime project and is currently discussing syndication of this highly acclaimed series. We are eager to move forward with the Farscape creative team in developing new projects that will resonate with our overwhelmingly loyal fan base.
-----------------------------------------
That sounds pretty bloody official to me.
Don't mean to burst your bubble fiona-maria, but that blurb has been up for a while now. It's not new so we can't consider it an official announcement. I would imagine any official announcement would be made on Henson.com and on the front page of the official Farscape website.

[fiona-maria]

I beg your pardon. I didn't realise it was an old quote.*sigh*

Fiona

[Perfect_Tommy]

yea, sorry if that got your hopes up. I was just illustrating the fact that they have been working on movie plans. That has been up for quite a while. An announcement of that size wouldn't have slipped past us when it's been sitting on the backside of some website :P

[Huh]

Originally posted by fiona-maria
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
... Although SCI FI Channel has chosen not to pick up a fifth season, The Jim Henson Company is in active development on a new Farscape film, an anime project and is currently discussing syndication of this highly acclaimed series. We are eager to move forward with the Farscape creative team in developing new projects that will resonate with our overwhelmingly loyal fan base.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


That sounds pretty bloody official to me.

I'm getting my FarScape back! I'm getting my FarScape back! I'm getting my FarScape back!

Fiona

AS MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY, THIS IS NOT NEW. THIS QUOTE HAS BEEN UP FOR AT LEAST A FEW MONTHS. THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION.

Just don't want to get people's hopes up unnecessarily.

[SabaceanBabe]

Originally posted by stellar
I just bought a dvd-case that holds 64 discs and i'm devoting the entire thing to my farscape collection, of which I have 29 so far and will have 41 eventually (11 for Season 1?).

Yes, I intentionaly left room for two more seasons... intentionally!

If there is a feature-erp, i'll watch it twice a week for a month. That's my minimum commitment, and will buy the DVD... two in case one wears out.

- Stellar... It's my birthday and I'll hope if I want to!

P.S. Let's say there are 1million US scapers (conservatively speaking)... It may not hurt to see it three times a day during the opening weekend. If the hardcorers count for much less than the million... i'm willing to sit through every showing during the opening weekend. Erp.

Happy birthday and you go right ahead and hope. You deserve it. In fact, you deserve at least a feature film. :D

I think the U.S. numbers are closer to 2 million, but even so, we can make that thing a blockbuster like that! *snaps fingers* After all, we're Scapers.

And while we're watching the flick (if/when it happens), we just have to remember that it's not just the number of times we see it that counts, but rather the number of tickets we buy. :ewink:

[Perfect_Tommy]

lol good point. buy 5 tickets everytime you go to see it. That's genius!

:rofl:

[ejfarscape]

OMG!!!!!!:aok:

Just found this thread...any word yet? Please..more info for the newbie!!

[Huh]

Hey, buy 10 tickets and donate them to a local group. My husband works with mentally challenged adults and they go to the movies all the time. Childrens homes do that a lot too.

And don't worry Fiona-maria. I check the Henson's website all the time. Hell I got excited when I noticed they changed the color of their wall paper. I could have sworn that meant something!!!!

[SabaceanBabe]

Originally posted by Huh
And don't worry Fiona-maria. I check the Henson's website all the time. Hell I got excited when I noticed they changed the color of their wall paper. I could have sworn that meant something!!!!

:rollin: :rollin: :rollin: :rollin: :rollin: :rollin: :rollin: :rollin: :rollin:

[tcpike]

also, maybe someone could corner Rockne @ the 2BeContinued con this weekend in Indianapolis (or at least somewhere in Indiana - i know a bunch of Chicagoscapers are going & setting up a table in the official con party suite, plus a 'private' viewing room....)

Great idea, ranger1! And grapeshot (a Chicagoscaper going to the Indianapolis con) is pondering questions to ask him regarding this rumor as I type this! (I just checked their yahoo chat site.)

:aok:

[stellar]

Thanks SabaceanBabe; I do deserve a feature film... in fact I deserve 7, or until Ben Browder get's old and fat and is relegated to doing priceline commercials. J/K... for all you sensitive-Shatner types.

- Stellar... I'm calm like a bomb.

[Perfect_Tommy]

Holy crap. the who's online has went through the roof. I guess word is spreading about this little rumour.

Don't worry I've had dreams about Farscape coming back and have had to deal with the pain of coming on here in the morning to find it was all a dream....... :(

So getting excited about wallpaper isn't that bad :P

[tcpike]

(((((((Perfect_Tommy)))))) When will Buckeroo and the Hong Kong Cavaliers be playing in Minnesota? Inquiring minds want to know.... *g*

[Perfect_Tommy]

on that note, once we get our movie and season five... who's with me to start a campaign to get Buckaroo Banzai back? :P

Because in the words of the mighty Winston "We've got the tools and we've got the talent."

[Digger]

Don't worry I've had dreams about Farscape coming back and have had to deal with the pain of coming on here in the morning to find it was all a dream.......
Me too P_T! In fact I think there was a thread a while back about just that topic. Sometimes dreams do come true, but just take a while to happen.:)

[Huh]

ok, here is a good question for while we are waiting.

Who is feeling lucky today? I have had an incredible run of luck yesterday and today. I got a really nice raise. My second grant in a row was very well received (and may possibly be funded). I finally got my clone (which is a real accomplishment for me). Everything at work is going well. My sisters in Richmond have been without power since Isabel/tornado ripped through. They were told it would be another 10 days, but it came on yesterday. So I am feeling really lucky today!!!

I almost forgot: THE RED SOX MADE THE PLAYOFFS LAST NIGHT!!!!! (now that is lucky)

What about you guys? How lucky are you feeling? Let's go buy a lottery ticket!!!

[stellar]

If and... forget the If... When Farscape comes back I will return my attention to the Quantum Leap reunion show. ;)

- Stellar

[Twich]

Originally posted by stellar
If and... forget the If... When Farscape comes back I will return my attention to the Quantum Leap reunion show. ;)

- Stellar

Here here!!!

[janey_13]

My lucky day was last Friday: I was busy at work (so I wasn't bored), my friend found out she's being flown to Chicago for a second interview, and I found out I had lost 6 lbs. over the last month!

Maybe this Friday will turn out to be even better, with an OFFICIAL announcement of a Farscape movie.

[mysticalseeker]

Would it be "too forward" of us just to call Henson and see if they have any news that scapers would really be interested in or if they were scheduling an annoucement ??

just a thought.....

[Mysterious Stranger]

I'm not sure if this has been covered or not but I'll say it anyway. (I'm at work and don't have time to read all 6+ pages of posts)

My feeling is that, should this rumor turn out to be true and announcement be made that there wouldn't be a better place to make that announcement than at the con in Burbank in a few weeks. Who better to announce the return of Farscape to than a room full of rabid, hyped up Scapers! Plus, if this is something that has just recently happened, then that would give them plenty of time to work out the details and prepare an official statement.

But hey, anything would be good at this point.

[VBKatLou]

Originally posted by mysticalseeker
Would it be "too forward" of us just to call Henson and see if they have any news that scapers would really be interested in or if they were scheduling an annoucement ??

just a thought.....

Well, one of the mods could probably answer this better, but I think our relationship with Henson is one where we try not to bug them (except with cards and goodies :) ). Remember, we are just the fans and aren't actually in the industry. Therefore, as much as it's killing us, we just have to wait.

[Dominar of Action]

Just a note of caution:Hrmm am I right in saying that this guy was a lawyer who works for Henson? Erm.. isn't it kind of a breach of client trust or something to go around announcing his bosses future projects if his boss hasn't announced them? I always thought in the corporate world that sort of breach of confidentiality was a sackable offence.. which is why I wonder about the voracity of what he said... or who he said he was... Or maybe he was pulling someones leg?BA is exactly right. That was the first thought that went through my mind. Not doubting Annie in the slightest (you go, jirl!), but I do have to wonder whether this person is, in fact, a lawyer. If he is, and he's talking out of school like that, he's probably in deep kimchee this morning.

But that caveat aside, I'll be happy to see John, Aeryn, etc. again in any form! Whatever form the return takes, I'm convinced it'll only be the beginning!! :D

[Shipscat]

I think Henson would contact *us* if they were ready to talk.

Patience..patience-how long does that take?

[Twich]

Yes. If we contacted Henson with every rumor we heard, we would quickly get on their nerves (as some of the flying rumors get on ours) and I'm sure we would not only lose credibility, but good will.

We've waited this long. If an announcement is forthcoming I think we all agree that we will be waiting eagerly for the Hensons to have their bright and shining moment. After all, it IS about us a little..if something does come..but it's THEIR moment. :D

[Sawyer's Miller]

He's right. We get our moment when episode 5.1 airs!

Or indeed Farscape : The Movie.

I wonder if Anth will get to do the voice-overs for the trailers ;)

[mycattoldme]

If and... forget the If... When Farscape comes back I will return my attention to the Quantum Leap reunion show.

Quantum Leap reunion show!!! Wow! I'd love that!!!

[Twich]

Sounds like a new branch of the campaign.

Apologies to those who like Enterprise..but I'd like to see Scott back in HIS role. :D

[stellar]

Yeah... I don't buy that whole line about him NEVER returning home. That and it made me cry like a little girl. Come on Ziggy!

[janey_13]

I cried during the finale for Quantum Leap too. :cry2:

I wish they'd bring it out on DVD though :)

[stellar]

I saw Good Times on DVD in the store the other day... Quantum Leap can't be far behind. For the record... I also cried when James Evans Sr. was killed off.

[janey_13]

MacGyver on DVD would also be very nice.

[AnnieBW]

John and I had a debate on this very subject on the way home last night. We decided that the information was much too valuable, and was from a credible source. However, I still feel that we shouldn't believe anything until we hear it from Brian. I apologize for being a little too over-excited last night, but I was really tired and very stoked.

- Annie

[Shipscat]

No apology needed, Annie.

[Red]

Hi Annie, it was a heck of a thing to hear, I would have been totally stoked too. If you want to start your thread again in the CS, you can do that. I really am sorry about the deletion, it was an unfortunate error.

[AnnieBW]

No problem. I understand completely. Because of the nature of what I do for a living, I'm very hesitant about spreading rumors or saying things that later turn out to be false. I was also concerned because we never who who's lurking, or who our "guests" are. Believe me, I know the value of the grapevine. It's the only way I find out things on my job most of the time. ;) I just didn't want this to hit the sci-fi media until Brian made a formal announcement.

I think the gentleman was probably excited to hear the news, and shared it with us because we were devoted fans of the series. I just don't want him to get into any trouble because of it.

I say that we consider this a "strong possibility" until we hear anything formally. What do y'all think?

- Annie

[Jellyfish]

Whatever you say Annie, thanks for the hope whatever the outcome!!!

[ranger1]

you da shiznit! lol! :aok: :smokin: :aok:

[DesertRat]

Of course it sounds exciting! I'll be waiting for the official announcement.:smokin:

DesertRat;)

[seattlescaper]

Thanks for the report. I agree with you that we should not treat this as an official announcement, but further confirmation of rumors that have been swirling around all summer.

Being Farscape fans, we have been conditioned to expect disaster to quickly follow the heels of any happy moment. So part of me is dreading getting my hopes up. Yet, hope abides. The wheel turns.

[Red]

edited for more coherent official statement from savefarscape.com

Savefarscape.com contacted the Jim Henson Company this morning. Their official line on this rumor is that they're not able to comment at this time. In our conversation they continued to be very positive and supportive of us and Farscape. So ... patience.

My small plea is that anybody tempted to call the Jim Henson company please not to. They've given us what they can and really just a little bit further, just a little bit. Time and patience - we'll get there.

[DesertRat]

"Time and patience". I'll go with that.

[MournsZhaan]

Originally posted by Red
Okay, I called Henson, their official comment on this rumor is that they're not able to comment at this time.

And the follow up question would have been "Has any of your legal staff recently been relieved of his duties due to an inability to keep his big mouth shut?" :D

Chris

[atlantagirl]

Hope. It's what keeps us going. :D

[generic_screenname]

:thud:

Holy crap. I think I just soiled myself.

Gotta feel bad for Alan the Lawyer, though. If this is in fact true, his bosses, benevolent as they are, will have no choice but to tear him a new one for leaking this to the public. I mean, he actually agreed that it could be posted online; he didn't say "You didn't hear it from me" or "This is off the record." That's a pretty big goof. I hope his family likes eating beans out of a can under an overpass.

And if it's false, he's going to be subjected to the furious wrath of thousands upon thousands of vengeful Scapers. They'll be burning "Alan the Lawyer"s in effigy and stealing his newspaper from his front porch.

Poor Alan the Lawyer. :(

[Red]

And the follow up question would have been "Has any of your legal staff recently been relieved of his duties due to an inability to keep his big mouth shut?"
:lol :lol
Not far off. Actually the very kind woman I talked to couldn't think of who Alan the lawyer could be just then, she racked her brains a bit on it. Alan the mystery man. :dunno:

[RydraWong]

Whoever Alan The Mystery Man is, it does sound like he's not directly involved with the project (since he'd only just heard about it himself). So if this is true, he still may not have had all the details straight.

But it definitely strengthens the impression that Henson's are working on something Farscape-related.

I'm just trying to adopt a Zen attitude and hope that we hear something sooooooon .... :meditate:

(Uh, is there a smiley for "gnaws on the furniture"?)

[Mickie]

Originally posted by RydraWong
(Uh, is there a smiley for "gnaws on the furniture"?)

If there isn't I think that we definitely need one.

[Eve11]

erp! Though it sounds to me like Alan the Lawyer doesn't quite understand the Scaper grapevine we've got going.

Well, I'll erp for now, and wait for an official press release. eeeeeee!

[Mike@Pilots Chamber]

Erm... erp?

*wants a full season, but a feature film would be nice as well*

[blue]

Since everyone who is reading this rumor is getting slightly happy and excited, that is just the mood for picking lottery numbers. So how about going here:
http://www.watchfarscape.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15170

and then pming me some numbers, you slightly happy people. Maybe $126 million could help move things along?

[Beaulah]

I hope Alan the lawyer gets a big fat raise! I haven't seen this much excitement in a while.
Thank you Annie and Alan the lawyer!!

[ipimen]

man this thread is too long!!! but i join you in my excitement. I hope this is true and i sincerely hope that it is succesfull. A feature film could bring a lot of viewers and make the job of putting Farscape on the map a lot easier.

I'll have to start saving and see if i can plan a trip to the US to watch the movie!!! God knows when it would come here to Panama.

Farscape lives!!! Whooohooo.

[Mike@Pilots Chamber]

A quick idea if there is a movie - would cinemas like it if we gave them a load of leaflets that can be given out with every ticket for a Farscape movie, telling customers about the series already out on DVD and VHS?

[cybergal]

M@PC -

I would think that would be up to the individual theatres. But I would also think that if you did anything that helped to increase their box office numbers, they would be happy...

[Tiriel]

You know, if there was a movie, I would spend the first few weekends standing in front of the largest theater in LA, dressed up as ScorpySue and handing out fliers letting people know there is a hell of a lot more Farscape where what they just watched came from :D :D :D :D
There's gotta be little like running into your brand new favorite villain, right after you leave the theater...of course, I'm just judging from myself here ;)

Ooooh, I hope the fact that they're not commenting just means they're still busy pressing the confetti or something :bounce: :bounce: :joy: :bounce: :bounce:

Mike: Those bananas...no really, they're disturbing me...I mean...:shocked:

Tiriel :bounce:

[NYPinTA]

I am getting giddy just thinking of what the trailer is going to look like! How sad is that??

Woo Hoo!!!!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[Red]

Hmm, just my tiny suggestion, don't get too caught up in the idea of a feature film - that's still a bit of a question right now. They said as much at comic con, that Farscape would be back, but what form is still undertermined (at least by us) right now.

[trubador]

Originally posted by Red
Savefarscape.com contacted the Jim Henson Company this morning. Their official line on this rumor is that they're not able to comment at this time....
TIME.... it's a Farscape theme, isn't it???
It's always about TIME.
:aok: :aok: :aok:

[B Sharp]

Originally posted by RydraWong
.....I'm just trying to adopt a Zen attitude and hope that we hear something sooooooon .... :meditate:

(Uh, is there a smiley for "gnaws on the furniture"?)


:rollin: :rollin: :rollin: :rollin: :rollin:

pulling out my book on meditation right now...

[Kurt_eh]

Well, I'm crossing fingers, but until there's an official press release, here's a large specimen of Halite:

http://webmineral.com/specimens/Halite.jpg

aka "big grain of salt"

Hey, I'm a geologist :D

[blue]

I would be delighted if it were NOT a movie, but a season. How much character development can there be in a movie? And Farscape features character development over effects. I would dread having a movie come out that wasn't a big hit--and I'm not sure that showing new people only two hours of a Farscape story, no matter how well written, would really give them a feeling of the scope, depth, and variety of the show. They also might try to fit too much into a movie. I would be SO much happier with a season (to start with).

[AnnieBW]

I will have to go back and watch the tape to get Alan the Lawyer's last name. Neither John nor I could remember it. Either that or I'll ask a friend who was in the audience if she caught the name. I do remember them saying that Mr. Alan had been "the lawyer for the Muppets" back when the Muppet Show was on, because he lived in the same building in New York as the person who was moderating the panel. From everything that I've heard over the past two days, the Henson Company is more like a family. (Which may explain why the cast and crew of FS felt like a family.) It's probably a situation that they got the approval, but nothing's been signed yet. It's my opinion that he was probably as excited as Rygel at a buffet, and wanted to share the news with someone. I did ask if we could quote him. Hey, I work for the Federal Government. CYA is part of the job. :D

BTW, for you hard-core Henson fans, they also showed a short subject movie from 1966 called "Time Piece" that was simply incredible! It's not a "puppet" thing, but a study in animation and camera tricks. Some of the stuff that Jim pulled off in that is tough to do nowadays with CGI, let alone back in 1965-66! I'll see if we can post that on-line, too.

- Annie

[atlantagirl]

But, if we do get a movie, perhaps it will be a StarGate-ian success and that will then spur some intelligent, well-funded network to pick up the franchise, reshow the back 88 and make all-new eps and we can have 4 more seasons!

Oooh, I need to sit down, I'm getting a little giddy! :thud:

[Strj500]

I like rumors, but i like official accouncements even better, and if its going to be a movie I'll be going 3+ times......and try to bring other people with people with me.....

[grinner]

If this is true... then the only thing I still have to wait for is... GrimJack. I will have Doctor Who back... I will have FarScape back... and someday soon I might have GrimJack back. Then I will truly be a happy camper. The stars will shine a little bit brighter... and all will be wonderful in the world. Yeah... :woohoo:

[RydraWong]

I think we just have to wait for an official announcement, and trust that whatever they do - whether it's a movie or a miniseries or a Broadway musical :D - they'll do it well.

This is TPTB we're talking about here, remember. These are our Evil Geniuses. They'll torture us and mess with our minds, but they won't sell the show short.

[RydraWong]

I will have to go back and watch the tape to get Alan the Lawyer's last name. Neither John nor I could remember it. Either that or I'll ask a friend who was in the audience if she caught the name.

Then you can phone him up and demand money not to reveal it! :devil:

I've got visions of him being hauled over the coals even as we speak ...

[mfa96]

I think we just have to wait for an official announcement, and trust that whatever they do - whether it's a movie or a miniseries or a Broadway musical - they'll do it well.


:rollin: :rollin: :rollin:

"Farscape: The Musical!" Love that idea! I can see it now....

See Ka'Dargo sing about his visit to Earth and his favorite place in "Fishin' on the Mippippi"
See Chiana sing, "It's not easy being Gray"
See Zaan croon a meditative version of "Blue Skies"
See Rygel prove that only Hynerians can whislte with a mouth full of crackers to the Colonel Bogey March"
See The Scarrens invade earth to the Neil Diamon/Barbara Streisand "hit", "You Don't Bring Me Flowers"
and
See Scorpius revive that underrated Grease 2 melody, "Cool Rodder"

You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll call and tell off sci-fi, when you see "Farscape: The Musical!"

[SabaceanBabe]

Originally posted by blue
I would be delighted if it were NOT a movie, but a season. How much character development can there be in a movie? And Farscape features character development over effects. I would dread having a movie come out that wasn't a big hit--and I'm not sure that showing new people only two hours of a Farscape story, no matter how well written, would really give them a feeling of the scope, depth, and variety of the show. They also might try to fit too much into a movie. I would be SO much happier with a season (to start with).

Hmmm... Let's see. Nerve and the Hidden Memory run about as long as a feature film would. Then there's Look at the Princess. And Liars, Guns, and Money. Oh, and Into the Lions Den. How about We're So Screwed? I think Unrealized Realities, Kansas, and Terra Firma would be pretty close to a movie in themselves, too, but that might need a bit of editing.

My point here is to illustrate that a movie can indeed be made, by these particular Evil Geniuses, that could satisfy Scapers and soon-to-be-Scapers alike. Any one of these sets could have been made into a feature film with just a bit of tweaking to introduce the characters to people who have never seen Farscape, but would still have all the twists and plot development and character development that we have come to expect and even demand of our Evil Geniuses.

I will be perfectly happy to start out with a feature film, watching Farscape on the big screen, and watching all those unsuspecting movie-goers out there get sucked right into that wormhole, the way we all did.

Even a half way successful film will put money into Henson's coffers and allow them to fund not only another season of Farscape but alot of other non-Farscape projects as well. We've speculated that it took, what, between $20 and $30 million for an entire season of Farscape? They could make a fabulous feature film for less than that and they could make twice that much money in one weekend, even if the only people who see it that weekend are died-in-the-wool Scapers.

Oh, man! I'm going to have some good dreams tonight! Ben (sigh) Browder on the big screen... :smokin:

[Digger]

I would be delighted if it were NOT a movie, but a season.
Yeah, but maybe a movie is their only real option right now until the rerun rights revert back to Henson. A movie that was even a modest success would make the property all that more valuable, especially when Henson has those 88 back eps in hand. And the sets would be rebuilt and ready to use.

[Mickie]

Remember that whatever we wind up with is a starting point, not an ending point.

Something is better than nothing. A movie, or a mini-series will give us something to push, to hook new fans with (and then they go to their library and start checking out episodes).

At very least it'll give us x hours more of farscape than we have now.

[AnnieBW]

John has had this wacky idea of Rygel singing Gilbert and Sullivan for the longest time. I'm trying to write it into a story, but can't find a good place for it. :D

[Digger]

John has had this wacky idea of Rygel singing Gilbert and Sullivan for the longest time
Oh God, I can just see Rygel, leading an army to war to take back his throne singing " I am the very model of a modern major general".

[Boron]

I just blundered into this thread, and I am jumping up and down. Then my sensible side jumped in and said "you know that Henson was dedicated to bringing FS back someway. Could this be it??"
And then I'm thinking of the implications, I believe Star trek first came back as a movie.... Think about that. Look where it led. Also, If this was just funded, that means that it is just beginning, and EVERYTHING will have to be co-ordinated. No wonder Henson had "no comment at this time". I don't know how I missed this thread, Where have I been??? Dammit, I can't even type.

Love you all.


:whisper: :love: :bravo: :beer: :bgift: :squish: :moon: :sun:

[MJS]

Now that I read this thread you got me wishing for 5 more seasons + movie trilogy. Damn you!

[fiona-maria]

Rygel singing G&S! LOVE it! That's funny!

Fiona, a G&S fan from waaaaay back

P.S. Reminding myself to be sensible, wait for confirmation...and still feeling excited at the hope welling up underneath my breastbone.*smile*

[Riot Chik]

I am so frelling happy at this point I could just ... well, you know. However, Red is right. We need to have patience, although it's going to be extremely hard. I just hope it doesn't take months.

Thank you, Annie, for making my day!

Erp! Erp! Erp! Frelling Erp!

[RydraWong]

"Farscape: The Musical!" Love that idea! I can see it now....

Hey, you know TPTB wanted to do a musical ep - apparently the only reason they didn't is that "Buffy" got there first ...

[Shipscat]

Hey, MFA, I like your idea of a musical..

My son played Rygel in Pks of Penzance and sang 'I am a Hynerian King!" that was the second Scapercon, I think..I thought it was great(I may be a bit biased, tho) :)

A movie would be great. The cast belongs on the big screen. :)

(I still want my season five, tho!)

[Saajak]

Technically Xena did it first, but I digress... :)

[grinner]

Actually I think the Brady Bunch did it first... guh

[trubador]

Originally posted by mfa96
"Farscape: The Musical!" Love that idea! I can see it now....

See Ka'Dargo sing about his visit to Earth and his favorite place in "Fishin' on the Mippippi"
See Chiana sing, "It's not easy being Gray"...
...
See The Scarrens invade earth to the Neil Diamon/Barbara Streisand "hit", "You Don't Bring Me Flowers"
...
You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll call and tell off sci-fi, when you see "Farscape: The Musical!"
:rollin: :rollin: :rollin: :rollin: :rollin: :rollin: :rollin:

[Eric Satan]

Remember the old thread "The rocky horror Farscape show"? That could stiull be a hit!!!


LETS DO THE WORMHOLE AGAAAAAAIN.

[KellEy.. "red"]

good heavens!! i leave for 10 hours, come back and there's 120 posts to go through!! :thud:

so i'm sitting at work today and i suddenly realized that the postcard that RF sent in with the quote i submitted was something i was *actually* saying and doing!!! it went something like this..

i'm programming the schedule log for Monday afternoon.. i look up at the clock.. it's 11:48am.. for some reason, it goes through my head-- only 8 hours, 12 minutes til Farscape comes on.. then the realization hits.......... then the thought of this thread went through my mind and i found myself actually saying "WORK NOW.. FREAK LATER... WORK NOW.. FREAK LATER...".... my boss (who's also my mom) looked into the control room about that time and shook her head in that "where did i go wrong?" kinda way... oh well... :shrug:

[scape_sister]

We love you too Boron! Heck, right now, I'm feeling all scaperluvish!

"Patience, Yeahaaahh."

Axle Rose, Guns N' Roses

[I-am-so-Johns-girl]

Originally posted by trubador
TIME.... it's a Farscape theme, isn't it???
It's always about TIME.
:aok: :aok: :aok:

I was just thinking the same thing and then read your post trubador......it gave me a woody....erp the willies! :scramble: :signlol:

[DRD1810]

To me, Farscape is all about holding on to hope when there doesn't seem to be any.... This just makes it a little easier. :)

No matter what happens, thanks for making me laugh! :)

[B Sharp]

when practicing meditation to keep your cool, I found that chanting "Erp" rather than 'Om' strikes the right balance between the happy dancing bouncing off the wall sort of feeling that I get when I imagine the announcement, and the calm, rational, grain of salt sort of thing that all the cooler heads are advocating.

Be this moment. Be here on erp. Chant with me now, folks...

eeeeerrrrrrrpppp. deep breath. repeat.

[Babsies]

If it's true (crossing fingers, toes, legs, arms & eyes!!!), by the time the movie is on the big screen, the back 88 should have reverted back to the Hensons, which would make the show more marketable to networks.

Ben, Claud, Anth, Gigi, etc..on a forty-foot screen--'nuff said!!!!
before -> :bounce: during -> :shocked: after -> :thud:

Here's hopin' :beer:

Regards,
B :coffee:

[blue]

"5 more seasons + movie trilogy"-MJS
Yes, that is a good visualization. I'd go for that.

Hey, I won't complain if it's a movie, first. The operative word is "first."

Also, people keep talking about the rights having to revert to Henson before more seasons could be made. But we know that Henson already owns the show, and gets all profits from DVD sales, etc. The Scifi channel only has the time-limited broadcast rights until they expire, which may be soon. The first 88 episodes do not have to be showing anywhere for a new Farscape season to be shown on any channel--the new season could come out before SciFi's rights expire, and in fact, if that happened and Scifi still had rights to any showings left, I'm sure they would want to use them. It would be to their benefit, because it would be so in the news and people would want to watch.

One more thought--if this rumor turns out to be true--all the better if we collect all the money to start the TV advertising projects. So don't forget the TV ad thread. Even a dollar or two from each person will get stage one started.

[DangerWillRobinson]

:multi: :multi:



SO COOL!!!!!!!!!!!

[trubador]

Originally posted by I-am-so-Johns-girl
I was just thinking the same thing and then read your post trubador......
......it gave me a woody....erp the willies! :scramble: :signlol:
:rollin: :rollin: :rollin: :rollin: :rollin: :rollin: :rollin:
I was freakin' a few hours... uhhh, ARNS ago.... when I couldn't get onto FMD. Had to sign up @ Kansas just to satiate my FS addiction. That is, until I saw Grinner's post over there to try the back door approach to this place. Im MUCH calmer now. (Thanx G-man!)

HEY.... Theatre Flick first. I'm okay with that. If "IT" is true, it wouldn't be ready for release until either Xmas season '04 or Summer season '05. Pleanty of time for them AND us to continue to get the word out. Would also mean that by the time it gets released, Skiffy would most likely be out of rerun/syndic rights to FS:1-thru-88, which means Henson will be able to dictate the terms of a better sydic deal with whatever network they want. And the Flick would generate MORE PR for the series itself (just like Star Trek: The Movie did for itself), thereby opening the door to a possible "continuation" of the series, which would them give even MORE PR for ANOTHER flick.... etc. etc.etc....

OH MY.... I'm almost hyperventilating. BREATHE trubador........ BREATHE.....

[grinner]

No worries Trubador... glad to be of service.

[snofall39]

First of all, let me say props to me for reading this entire thread! and an "OH MY GOSH!" is this really (unofficially) happening? Annie-I know I said it elsewhere, but again thank you thank you thank you for all the (unofficial) hope you have given to us (unofficially, of course). Ok, just let me go
WAHOO!!!
and :clap: :clap: :clap:

I'm getting Faaarscape back
I'm getting Faaarscape back

I getta see John Criiichton
and Aeryn Suuun

and he's gonna kiiiiss her
:love:

[Mike@Pilots Chamber]

*envisions the ad we try to do for cinemas*

"Want more Farscape? Check out the Best Of Farscape on DVD and VHS, along with seasons 1 - 4 (or however many are out in that particular country) of the hit TV series, also on DVD and VHS, at your local stores"

[MediaSavant]

I don't know enough about the movie making process to know all the steps that have to be taken between getting funding and actually going into production. And when in this process is the production company confident enough to make an announcement?

I'm full of questions:

Do you have the cast contracted before funding or does that process start afterward.

Is the script finalized before or after?

Is the director lined up before or after?

I constantly hear the term "develpment hell" referred to the movie business and that leads to another question:

How often do projects get funding and still never get made?

I believe in what that guy said to Annie. It's just my lack of knowledge of the process that is encouraging my patience and cautiousness at this time.

I know far too little about how the movie business works. The "official announcement" is key. However, the rumor does provide solid evidence that Henson is actively trying to get to that point. The process is underway rather than in limbo.

[RydraWong]

From the reading I've done about the film business, it can all be very vague and things tend to be very provisional. "Funding" isn't the same as 100% definite funding, and often nobody's completely sure they've got the latter until the moment when film actually starts rolling.

Do you have the cast contracted before funding or does that process start afterward.

Is the script finalized before or after?

Is the director lined up before or after?

That all really depends. A provisional offer of funding or an option of some kind might be established with only a script idea or script treatment. You might get "development funding" - enough money to complete a script and try to assemble a package - but without a firm commitment to further funding after that.

(The term "turnaround" is what happens when a studio development-finances a project and then decides they don't want it - the project is "put in turnaround", meaning that the producers are free to try to pitch it to other companies and see if any of them want to pick it up).

But generally, funding won't be definite until after the script's been completed and revised umpteen times until everyone's happy with it - all the different companies involved will want to have rights of final approval and veto.

With cast and directors, leads (or particularly prestigious directors) may sometimes be "attached" to a potential project, so that the writers/producers can go round pitch meetings saying "If we get the money, so and so wants to do it". But actual contracts generally aren't signed until much later - often once the shooting has actually been scheduled and the timing is known. Contracts tend to be pay-or-play (if the film doesn't get shot, the actor has to be paid for it anyway), so producers won't commit themselves to that until they're pretty sure a project won't fall through.

Hence the state known as "development hell" - a project can be in the works for a very long time before it gets a clear "green light" for production to start. Many projects are officially announced as "in development", and never get shot.

Given this comment and all the other rumors and hints, it definitely sounds as if Henson's are hard at work on something and that they're hopeful it will go ahead. But it's hard to guess at where they are in this whole process, what stage things are at, and how definite things are.

Until they feel they're in a position to make an official announcement of some kind - and evidently they don't feel they're in that position yet - we won't know.

So we just have to keep our fingers crossed for whatever it is, and try not to gnaw on the furniture too much.

[Emeraldcity]

Rydra------ THANK YOU!!!!!!! Thank you for your post. Getting approval for funding is nice, but it can be a very long process until you actually GET the funding.

Some things that I do know:

At this time there is NO script, and most all of the cast are now tied to other projects, something I have to work around when booking them for conventions.

So logistically, there is a WHOLE lot of stuff that has to happen first. This still could take years not months.

BUT, hope is eternal and good things always happen to those who wait ;) ;)

[pyanfar]

Originally posted by Emeraldcity
Rydra------ THANK YOU!!!!!!! Thank you for your post. Getting approval for funding is nice, but it can be a very long process until you actually GET the funding.

Some things that I do know:

At this time there is NO script, and most all of the cast are now tied to other projects, something I have to work around when booking them for conventions.

So logistically, there is a WHOLE lot of stuff that has to happen first. This still could take years not months.

BUT, hope is eternal and good things always happen to those who wait ;) ;)


can i just say something here? how frelling KEWL is this lady!? she digs the show, the actors obviously adore her, and she hangs with us "mere mortal" fans! and i've never heard (er, seen, actually, heh) her say a single unkind word about anyone! now, how many times have you heard of the actors' AGENT hanging out and having drinks in the bar with the show's FANS?? :aok: if i ever get seriously involved with any other fandom, i'm afraid i'm going to be totally spoiled! and if i should ever make it far enough in "the biz" myself one day to actually have my own agent, that'll be even worse! *chuckle*

heehee, anyway, cheers to Jean!
:D

;o)
~ amy

[grinner]

What is a few years. Most of us realized that WHEN FarScape returns... it would take a while to rebuild all the sets and everything like that.

[MediaSavant]

Thanks, Rydra, for your answers. It really helps in how to interpret what was said. When one is outside of a business you can't always understand the meanings of what is said by someone inside it and all the nuances to it.

Thanks also to Emerald City for her additional and helpful information.

[RydraWong]

Well, I'm not in the business myself, so please don't think I'm an expert - I just do a lot of reading, and I've always been fascinated by the movie production process (ever since I read "Final Cut" at an impressionable age). So that's just my understanding of how the process usually works.

[MediaSavant]

Originally posted by RydraWong
Well, I'm not in the business myself, so please don't think I'm an expert - I just do a lot of reading, and I've always been fascinated by the movie production process (ever since I read "Final Cut" at an impressionable age). So that's just my understanding of how the process usually works.

That's okay. I'm the same way with the TV process. I've learned a lot just from reading.

What you said sounded fine to me.

[Shipscat]

All I know about it is that there are many, many projects that are in development that never happen. Funding is key, though.

I also know that producers don't like to make an announcement until every i is dotted and t is crossed. And that I've just gained from conversation.

[MediaSavant]

Because of my own questions, I went back to the Hollywood Reporter to re-read the Firefly announcement.

It appears they made the announcement when they had all the financial partnerships and managment of the project in place, but previous to the cast being locked in. They also made the announcement about four - six months prior to when they hope to go into production:


Sep. 04, 2003
'Firefly' lands in film afterlife
By Zorianna Kit

The short-lived Fox TV series "Firefly" is moving to the big screen. After taking his "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" feature and turning it into a successful TV series, Joss Whedon is about to do the reverse with another one of his creations. Whedon has teamed with Universal Pictures to turn "Firefly," a TV cult favorite, into a feature film.

In addition to having adapted it for the big screen, Whedon will also make his feature directorial debut with the project. Plans are to see "Firefly" go into production in first-quarter 2004.

Universal recently acquired the rights to "Firefly" from 20th Century Fox Television, where Whedon's Mutant Enemy Inc. production company has a television deal.

The action-adventure series was set 500 years in the future and centered on a crew aboard a spaceship. The feature version will incorporate the mythology from the show but will take on a more epic feel. Whedon hopes to enlist the entire cast to come back for the feature, depending on their previous commitments, with new characters added as well.

Whedon is producing the film through his Mutant Enemy Inc. along with studio-based producer Barry Mendell. Mendell, a former agent at UTA, used to represent Whedon. Mutant Enemy president Christopher Buchanan is executive producing. Universal production president Mary Parent is shepherding the project.

"Ever since the show went off the air, our fan base has grown even more," Buchanan said. "We've had tremendous outpouring from the U.S. and Canada as well as the U.K., which just finished a run of 'Firefly' over there. Every comic book and sci-fi convention has had a 'Firefly' presence since the show first aired."

For the series, which ran this past season, Whedon produced 15 hours of television, including a two-hour episode. Three shows never aired on Fox but will likely be featured on the series' DVD release, due out in December. Buchanan said fans created such a demand that DVD presales on Amazon.com sold out within 24 hours.

Whedon, repped by CAA, continues to be executive producer of "Angel," which he created. His feature film screenplay credits include "Titan A.E.," "Alien: Resurrection" and "Toy Story."

[Shipscat]

But they spilled the news(well, at least Nathan Fillion did) when Joss was still trying to shop the script around.

I love these parts:

"Ever since the show went off the air, our fan base has grown even more," Buchanan said. "We've had tremendous outpouring from the U.S. and Canada as well as the U.K., which just finished a run of 'Firefly' over there. Every comic book and sci-fi convention has had a 'Firefly' presence since the show first aired."

For the series, which ran this past season, Whedon produced 15 hours of television, including a two-hour episode. Three shows never aired on Fox but will likely be featured on the series' DVD release, due out in December. Buchanan said fans created such a demand that DVD presales on Amazon.com sold out within 24 hours.


__


I think that bodes well for *us*. :)

[CrystalMoon]

Before now, the rumors have all been about a mini-series. What if it is a mini-series and not a movie? How would that affect the process and timeline? Is it about the same?

[Huh]

you know, i was thinking the same thing about a miniseries. What if this lawyer doesn't know the difference between a film and a made for television movie or something. What exactly is a "feature film?"

There were at least two rumors published about the 4-part Farscape miniseries. Both rehashed the same rumors and put a lot of emphasis on the autoresponse email Henson sent out. There seemed to be some subtle details that, at least to me, made it seem like each writer did talk to an inside source. Of course the rest of the article was such dren that I can't put much into it.

[shamecube]

I am envisioning well-marketed "specials" to get viewers involved in the Farscape universe. Like Farscape Undressed. That special seemed to work rather well and I often wondered why they didn't do more of them. Especially with a series so dependant on watching every episode.

Film Sci-fi does better than TV.

And why has DK been so goshdurned quiet?

[B Sharp]

Originally posted by Huh
... What exactly is a "feature film?"

FEATURE FILM
WordNet Dictionary

Definition: [n] the principal (full-length) film in a program at a movie theater; "the feature tonight is `Casablanca'"

[RydraWong]

What if this lawyer doesn't know the difference between a film and a made for television movie or something.

Well, evidently he was far enough outside the loop not to know he was supposed to be keeping it a secret :D.

So I've got to figure that we don't know how accurate his info may be.

But I don't know much about how miniseries and TV movies normally get produced, so I can't contribute any info on that front, sorry.

[MediaSavant]

The main difference financially between doing a feature film and doing a mini-series or TV movie is that the latter two options require you to sell the idea to a TV network and for them to agree to buy and telecast it.

A feature film puts more control in Henson's hands. They still might have needed investors to throw their money into the pot and they would need a distributor, but it doesn't require any TV networks' largesse for it to happen.

In the area of independent films, many people produce films with their own independent money and then try to get into festivals like Sundance and the Tribeca Film Festival in hopes of finding a distributor. I attended the Tribeca the last two years and attended several parties where filmmakers would easily start talking to you in hopes that you were a distributor or knew one. Many of the films I saw lacked distributors and may never get one. That shouldn't be a problem here, but it is something to iron out in the process.

Since Henson is experienced at both TV and movie production, I'm sure their lawyer knows the difference between a feature film and a TV movie.

I also don't think the guy did anything to get in trouble for. In political circles, this would be called a "trial balloon". Having us buzz about the rumor does the Henson company absolutely no harm and may actually be part of the strategy. "Guerilla marketing".

[blue]

"I also don't think the guy did anything to get in trouble for. In political circles, this would be called a "trial balloon". Having us buzz about the rumor does the Henson company absolutely no harm and may actually be part of the strategy."

Thanks for that good thought, MS.

[Dominar of Action]

I also don't think the guy did anything to get in trouble for. In political circles, this would be called a "trial balloon". Having us buzz about the rumor does the Henson company absolutely no harm and may actually be part of the strategy. "Guerilla marketing".ONLY if he was directed by Henson to talk ahead of time. Otherwise, in legal circles, it's called "breach of confidence" and can get you fired, or even disbarred. It is NOT something a lawyer (or his client) takes lightly.

As for the rest of the speculation (script not written, cast not available, etc.), time will tell I guess. It's fun to speculate, but none of this should change what we're doing in the short term, IMO.

[harveywhispers]

DominarofAction wrote -
It's fun to speculate, but none of this should change what we're doing in the short term, IMO.

I am in total agreement regarding this issue. Now is the time to make sure that Farscape has a huge audience when it does come back!

*The thing that I enticing about a feature film is the fact that it
would potentially go worldwide much faster than television
specials. Considering the relative success of Farscape abroad,
one wonders if this would be a deciding factor used to gain
funding.

[MediaSavant]

Originally posted by Dominar of Action
ONLY if he was directed by Henson to talk ahead of time. Otherwise, in legal circles, it's called "breach of confidence" and can get you fired, or even disbarred. It is NOT something a lawyer (or his client) takes lightly.

I certainly would defer to your knowledge in this area.

[Huh]

Ok, this is pure speculation. However, it is my understanding that right now Australia gives a major tax break for film productions. Unfortunately it does not extend the same break for television productions (something that the Australian entertainment industry would like to rectify). Considering that the major cost of any further Farscape (be it a new season, miniseries, or a feature film) would be the cost of set development, would it not be feasible that they would want to start with a feature film in order to save a couple of million in taxes? They can still go back to the sets for further films or a season 5.

[RydraWong]

ONLY if he was directed by Henson to talk ahead of time. Otherwise, in legal circles, it's called "breach of confidence" and can get you fired, or even disbarred. It is NOT something a lawyer (or his client) takes lightly.

But presumably that would only apply if he was told this in his capacity as a lawyer? Whereas the impression I got from Annie's post was that Alan The Mystery Lawyer wasn't actually working on this project - since he'd only been told about it by Brian the day before. Sounds like he heard about it in conversation, instead of being told about it in a formal capacity.

I'd imagine that an entertainment company like Henson's probably has a lot of lawyers on board.

[Dominar of Action]

Not really, RydraW -- If Henson is his client, and he learns of something about them in the course of his employment by them (even if it's tangential to what he's working on), he has an ethical obligation not to disclose that unless the client (Henson) gives him the OK to do so. Attorney/client ethical considerations don't turn on whether or not you're "acting in your capacity as a lawyer." Rather, the question is whether an "attorney/client relationship exists." Once the relationship is formed, it continues until ended. There's no such thing as being off the clock, so to speak. It's an absolute no-no to be talking about your client's business without his/her permission (subject to only a very few possible exceptions that involve potential bodily harm). Suppose Annie had been a competitor of Henson?

[Huh]

Originally posted by Dominar of Action
It's an absolute no-no to be talking about your client's business without his/her permission (subject to only a very few possible exceptions that involve potential bodily harm).

I was once given very good advice about ethics. If anyone ever questions whether an action can be perceived as ethically wrong then it is ethically wrong.

In other words, if ethics is ever brought up, then in all likelihood some ethical line has been crossed, otherwise the question would never arise.

Of course, this could just be the ultimate way to cover you a**.

[RydraWong]

OK, that makes sense - thanks for the explanation, Dominar :).

[Judith]

Okay, okay, okay...I know this is just a rumor...but i'm so excited.

But could someone do me a favor? Could someone be really reassuring and talk about how a movie could be a springboard for more seasons? Even though it's already been mentioned a million times? Please?

Because...because a movie would be awesome, but a movie is 2 hours of Farscape, and a season is 22 hour of Farscape. Or...actually 22 x 45 minutes. I'm not gonna do the math.]


:kitty:

[Judith]

And...I had something else relevant to say. I did.

OH! Is this why it was hard to get on the board last night?

:kitty:

[Dominar of Action]

In other words, if ethics is ever brought up, then in all likelihood some ethical line has been crossed, otherwise the question would never arise. That's true to an extent, Huh, and a pretty good rule of thumb. However, in general, there are two sorts of ethical rules governing attorneys: mandatory rules that are absolute no-no's, and voluntary rules (or "aspirations") that lawyers are encouraged to follow but that won't get you disciplined if you don't. And, as they say, the devil's in the details ... it's not always clear when your behavior falls in the verboten category and so you have to weigh your duty to represent your client's best interests vigorously against the "smell test" you suggest. Sometimes *failing* to act (even if it's because you think something doesn't smell right) can be as much an ethical violation as acting improperly.

In short, it's a minefield, and I've spent plenty of time debating ethical issues with attorneys in my office precisely because it's not always clear what we are required/forbidden to do. The rules don't always follow common sense. :P

[Shipscat]

Well, Judith, a movie would get LOTS and LOTS of new viewers hooked, potentially..think of it as a big ad for syndicating the old eps, or getting new ones produced. Also, if the movie's even a little bit profitable, it'll bring more money into Henson's pockets which we know they need.

And it would help Ben and Claudia's careers to be on the big screen. :)

[MediaSavant]

Originally posted by Huh
However, it is my understanding that right now Australia gives a major tax break for film productions. Unfortunately it does not extend the same break for television productions (something that the Australian entertainment industry would like to rectify).

Good catch !!

I had forgotten about that. Besides the control issue (not being reliant on a TV network buying it), this would be a major advantage to doing a movie.

[MediaSavant]

Originally posted by Judith_Shakespeare
But could someone do me a favor? Could someone be really reassuring and talk about how a movie could be a springboard for more seasons? Even though it's already been mentioned a million times? Please?


I'm actually not going to be totally reassuring. Others might.

But, IMO, all depends on how successful it is.

If it is super, super successful, it could be a springboard for more movies ala the Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, Matrix franchises. This would be great for Henson and the actors, BTW. Movie franchises are huge.

If it is only moderately successful, it might not make sense to do more movies, but it could interest a TV network.

If it flops totally and Henson and their partners lose a ton, it could do neither.

Personally, I want it to be all it can be.

(and all this is speculatory because no announcement has been made)

[Judith]

Originally posted by Shipscat


And it would help Ben and Claudia's careers to be on the big screen. :)

That would be cool...they're both awesome. I've wondered before whether it might be difficult for an actress like Claudia Black to make it to the big screen here...I mean, I know she's been in both Pitch Black and Queen of the Damned, but Hollywood doesn't seem to hire a whole lot of actresses with accents for main character roles. But on the other hand, she, as well as most of the rest of the cast of Farscape, seems to be pretty good at voicework.

And...YAY....chance for more seasons. Now I can be happy about the prospect of a movie and not be anxious about it being the end of Farscape entirely.

:kitty:

[Shipscat]

Well, Judith, the other thing to consider is that the PTB've talked about wanting to do a movie for a long time-I kinda think the movie would go along the lines of whatever they've been wanting to do and not be a way to fix the frelling cliffhanger we were left with...

[Judith]

Originally posted by MediaSavant
I'm actually not going to be totally reassuring. Others might.

But, IMO, all depends on how successful it is.

If it is super, super successful, it could be a springboard for more movies ala the Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, Matrix franchises. This would be great for Henson and the actors, BTW. Movie franchises are huge.

If it is only moderately successful, it might not make sense to do more movies, but it could interest a TV network.

If it flops totally and Henson and their partners lose a ton, it could do neither.

Personally, I want it to be all it can be.


Dude, now I'm all anxious again. But it wouldn't flop, would it? I mean...it'll be well done...but then I guess it all really depends on advertising.



:kitty:

[grinner]

or how many times you go to see it.

[Shipscat]

A movie's only a flop if it makes less money than it took to make it. If they keep the prices down, I don't see it being a problem..and scifi does do better in the theaters.

[Judith]

Originally posted by grinner
or how many times you go to see it.

I would TOTALLY go see it at least five times, and I'd drag all my friends to it.

And I don't see a lot of movies in the theater. Last one I was 28 days later, and the film BURNED during the movie so I didn't get to see the end. Either end. And I can't remember the last time I went to a movie before that. I think it was The Two Towers. I guess I'm more of a rental type of person. Movie theaters are cold. I have to bring blankets when I go. And I like being able to pause stuff. I have a short attention span. But I would get out there for Farscape.

Damn. This rumor...if it's true, that's awesome. But you know what? It's sucking all the productivity out of my weekend.



:kitty:

[grinner]

I usually go to the first showings of movies. Then I only pay $3.75 typically.
The second showings are usually $5.50 and the main showings are $9.50 to $12.50 depending on the theater. I remember when a "primetime" showing only cost $4. those days are gone.

[atlantagirl]

Originally posted by Judith_Shakespeare
I've wondered before whether it might be difficult for an actress like Claudia Black to make it to the big screen here...I mean, I know she's been in both Pitch Black and Queen of the Damned, but Hollywood doesn't seem to hire a whole lot of actresses with accents for main character roles. But on the other hand, she, as well as most of the rest of the cast of Farscape, seems to be pretty good at voicework.

I'd be willing to bet Claudia could do a creditable mid-Atlantic American accent if she needed to. Look at Lucy Lawless! Look at Kevin Smith (Ares on Xena) who apparently had about the thickest Kiwi accent of anyone ever and I would have sworn he was American.

I've always been afraid that, in order to get big budget financing, they might have to cast big name actors in the lead roles. I'm sure that Henson, et al. know that if they put Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie :grr: in the main roles they'd have a whole new riot going on, but the suits with the money might be willing to chance angering the loyal Scapers in exchange for banking on the box office draw of some big names.

Even the thought gives me nightmares. :eek2:

[harveywhispers]

atlantagirl wrote -
I've always been afraid that, in order to get big budget financing, they might have to cast big name actors in the lead roles. I'm sure that Henson, et al. know that if they put Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in the main roles they'd have a whole new riot going on, but the suits with the money might be willing to chance angering the loyal Scapers in exchange for banking on the box office draw of some big names.

This fear fails to take into account the fact that "big" stars equal a big salary. Perhaps Henson & potential partners would bank on other factors to bring the audience (i.e. a well-known director; Henson name recognition......etc). If the last few years have shown us anything, it is that "underdog" movies can do suprisingly well compared to their big star bloated counterparts (i.e. Greek Wedding vs. T3).

[Selena1]

But at the same time, atlantagirl, they should be banking on the fanbase the show already has as a draw for their funding prospects. This campaign is very well known across the globe and perhaps that's one of the reasons that would interest the "guys with the money". I mean...look at how quickly the fandom has grown, by means of a clever grassroots campaign and word of mouth.

I'm sure they're taking into consideration the lengths we will go to and the dedication we have for the show to be a success, even in a theatre as a movie. From there, they will have tangible numbers that would make it that much easier for Henson to gain the funding to bring us season 5...and 6...and 7....

[blue]

I am favoring MS's idea of a deliberate leak over the idea that Henson would have hired a dopey unethical lawyer who doesn't know how to keep his mouth shut--especially after all the "no comment at this time" replies. And I have no worries about other actors being brought in. Didn't people say Ben was looking happier at that convention where he had to phone to find out what to reply? Henson has too much integrity to ruin Farscape with substitutions--no Brad Pitt casting, not to worry, atlantagirl.
I worry though -- wanting it to be a big hit if it is a movie--that's what I would hope for - it depends on so many things - we assume it will be good artistically - but distribution - what it competes against in the release period - how well it is advertised.....speaking of which....don't forget to contribute to the TV ad fund. It's something we can do to help.

[grinner]

So you think that the Lawyer was told that if someone asked... to remark that a movie might be in the offing? That is a pretty broad suggestion

[blue]

I just prefer to think that no one working for Henson would goof to such an extent--because its a small family type organization, I would like to think those who have Henson's trust are competent, trustworthy people -thus, I would like to think that it is more like a trial balloon than an oops.

[waltersgirl]

given that the event was a tribute to Jim Henson, the source could have easily been a longtime family friend who used to work for Henson, met a member of the fan campaign and chose to share what he only learned the night before.

don't overthink this, folks. give Henson time to get their stuff in order and tell us when they're ready. we'll get the facts then.

[AnnieBW]

The moderator of the panel, who was the director of the AFI, said that he the lawyer dude from when he was a kid, and that it was well-known that "he was the lawyer for the Muppets." Which I took to mean that he worked for Henson, and has done so for a long time. So, no, I don't think it was a plant or misinformation. I may have been shocked beyond reason, but neither my bulldren detector nor my husband's went off at any time. And believe me, we're both very skeptical people with hair-trigger B.S. detectors.

So no, I don't think that he was deliberately planting information. Unfortunately, we're still trying to clear space off of our hard drive so that we can fit over 3 hours of video and audio onto it, so we haven't even begun to upload the tape yet.

- Annie

[blue]

I didn't mean to suggest either plant or misinformation.

[CrystalMoon]

Waltergirl's idea was actually what I was thinking. The lawyer guy was an old friend and had just learned the news. It would make sense for him not to know how secret something like that was.

[AnnieBW]

Hey, I think he was just a fellow fan of the show who wanted to share the good news off the record. The official party line is "no comment". Which, to me, sounds a heck of a lot more telling than just plain "no".

[MediaSavant]

Regarding the budget of the movie and the "big star" factor:

Henson is doing much experimentation with lower budget projects. "Mirrormask", which is in post-production now, is an example of that. It has only a $4 million budget.

I spent this evening watching the last two episodes of season 2 on DVD. Farscape could look damn theatrical with a TV budget. If a film went forward, I'm imagining it is doing so with a modest (by film standards) budget. I don't see hiring big Hollywood stars in that scenario.

[harveywhispers]

waltersgirl wrote -
don't overthink this, folks. give Henson time to get their stuff in order and tell us when they're ready. we'll get the facts then.

That said, I'm going to get back to work building the audience for whatever kind of Farscape we get!

[Shipscat]

Hmm..replace the lead actors with 'big stars" and risk having this campaign turn against them? That would make the PTB well, stupid..and I don't think they'd want to do it anyway. They have big stars, it's just that no one knows that they're big yet. :)

Imagine ITLD on the big screen-our guys know how to do this already, they've been practicing..

Hey, Annie, did they say anything about Mirrormask during any of these events?

[waltersgirl]

hw,
you go. our job here is nowhere near over, especially now.

[Mivonks]

Originally posted by Huh
Ok, this is pure speculation. However, it is my understanding that right now Australia gives a major tax break for film productions. Unfortunately it does not extend the same break for television productions (something that the Australian entertainment industry would like to rectify). Considering that the major cost of any further Farscape (be it a new season, miniseries, or a feature film) would be the cost of set development, would it not be feasible that they would want to start with a feature film in order to save a couple of million in taxes? They can still go back to the sets for further films or a season 5.

That's the way to look at a movie. It's a backdoor to making a 5th season!

Investors get 'instant' gratification, Farscape gets more exposure, it's audience grows (one would imagine :D ), and a network says "duh, let's get this sucker on the air!" :aok:

So, no one needs to worry about a movie taking the place of a 5th season!!

Matt
So frelling excited!

[Nomar]

Can you imagine the first time you saw the trailer in a movie theater?

Black screen. All of a sudden you hear a familiar voice... "My name is John Crichton, an astronaut. Four years ago I got shot through a wormhole." etc.

How cool would that be.

Anyway, carry on. ;)

[trubador]

:eek2: :scramble: :eek2:

[Mike@Pilots Chamber]

Sorry, I'm just imagining a Farscape movie on a production budget of, say, $10 - $20 million, which is barely anything for movies nowadays. That would be enough to rebuild and possibly improve the sets and animatronics, all the CG, pay the actors and staff and whatever else. And it'd still look damn theatrical, 'cos we know how well Farscape looked on it's budget of $1-2 million per ep.

[Perfect_Tommy]

good point mike, I was going to raise that earlier, but I had stuff to do and left the board. I mean really guys....... 212 posts without me? pfht!

Honestly, I think the actors might be willing to take a pay cut just to get back into the roles too. So there could be this movie were a good chunk of the budget goes to just production. But when you want some good examples of cinema quality episodes, just look at season 4. I mean they even filmed and presented it in letterbox.

Now one question that was raised in my mind though. We have all heard DK say that the house is only 80% painted, but what happens when a Farscape movie comes out, and becomes a blockbuster like it very well could be? I doubt that once the ball gets rolling that they'll stop with just one more season. I mean you might as well go for atleast another 3. It makes sense in my mind, so we might end up getting 7-8 seasons with a movie, which is more then awesome.

I mean NBC really knows how to keep a show that's a winner on the air. "Cosby Show","Cheers","Friends","Fraiser" are all examples of shows that people find to be quality productions that have been on for well past the average sitcom season run. With them at the helm I could really see more shows like Invisible Man, Lexx, and of course Farscape gettign the support they need to make a stand for an extended run on seasons. Just my rambling thoughts from my mind is all.

well.... back to sleep I go..... :)

[Dominar of Action]

They have big stars, it's just that no one knows that they're big yet. :roflmao: Ships, you slay me ;)

[Selena]

As I said elsewhere, my reaction to the rumor is ... :thud: