Please, help me out

[Red]

I need your help

I need you to focus. I need you to help me continue to save my favorite show. There is a mini-series filming now, but that's not the end of it. It doesn't have to be. Help me. Help me focus. Help all of us focus.

It's hard to sit in this void of information, believe me, it's killing me as much as anybody else. I get that feeling of apathy and lethargy. What do we do next? How can we do anything? Waiting, always waiting for the information we think will be the key to opening up our next step. But the snipping and the sniping are not helping Farscape. I'm as guilty of it as anybody, but now it's wearing me down. I'm worn out, used up, it's sucking all the energy from me. Energy I'd rather use creatively, on Farscape.

We've done what should have been almost impossible. Really. Ask some of our media biz insiders here, and they'll likely tell you the breath of life in Farscape now is as odd a thing as there is. It shouldn't be. But we wanted it enough and we did what we needed to do to make it happen.

People talk about what we've done. People not related to Farscape in the slightest, know who we are. See, it shouldn't have happened, but isn't that always the start of the best Hollywood stories? Why us, in this time, in this place? Isn't that how they go? Our version is -- why, of all the fan campaigns, did our shout of protest ring out the loudest? I have a theory. It has to do with passion. Not just our passion, but the passion of every member of our extended family. This is not the campaign of a single group or a single website -- and thank god, because we'd have been sunk long ago if that were the case. This is a campaign of passion and love for story. In this time, in this place there was a story and it moved a certain group of people to amazing heights, challenged them to do remarkable things, and took them places they'd otherwise not have gone.

That's why we're all here. We have a passion for a story. Story is, in my mind, an important thing. It tells us who we are, who we want to be, it shares our fears and our hopes, and with the very best stories, makes us better for the telling. For love of story, I will do a lot of things. For love of this story, I've done things I'd never imagined doing. It's started me down an extremely interesting path -- and I think it's done that for many of you as well.

I met David Kemper once, for about 6 seconds. We shook hands and told each other 'thank you'. I met Rockne O'Bannon once (for only slightly longer than 6 seconds), and before I could say a word he said, "I know everybody tells you this, but really, you made this happen." And when he said 'you', he wasn't talking about me. When Kemper thanked me, he wasn't thanking me. They were addressing every single Farscape fan who spared a thought for this campaign. Every single person who wrote a letter, sent a postcard, shared an episode with a friend, came up with some brilliant (and crazy) idea. They were thinking about every single person who kept Farscape alive for as long as it needed to be kept alive -- until they could do their jobs again. I hope you know that, and I wish it'd been all of you standing there instead of me. I honestly do.

You've raised the bar on what fan campaigns are. Hopefully you'll continue to raise that bar. Let us surpass our own greatest achievements. Don't worry that somebody might pass us by, worry that we're standing still when we have so much yet to do. Let's not solely dwell on the remarkable achivements of our past, but let's also look forward to what we can do in the future.

We're not done yet, there's much more, so very much more to do. Sharing what we've learned with others always serves to remind me how much we've done, how remarkable this campaign has been, and it reminds me that we have the potential to do even greater things. Let's go do these greater things. For Farscape, let the only bellweather of success be ourselves, what we can do. We've achieved something nearly impossible in the mini-series, let's do it again. Let's never stop doing it, so that 30 years from now when people talk about fan campaigns they're still talking about us.

We have started something tremendous -- let's finish it. And if others look at us and respect our achievements and strive to do as we've done, we'll stand all the taller for it. The only people who can match us are ourselves. Just as the only people who can defeat us are ourselves.

When the campaign is finally over, and the last episode of Farscape airs (whenever that may be), and we ask ourselves "could we have done more?" "could we have tried harder?" "could we have reached higher?", let's make sure we can't answer 'yes' to any of those questions.

We don't know when or where the mini-series will air. That makes it tricky, I know. But the mini-series is coming. It is being filmed. It is real, it's tangible. The fact that Farscape is alive is such an amazing thing to work with. We may not have some information, but we know the most important bit -- Farscape is back! It's alive! So, fine, we don't know when or where the mini-series will be, but let's not wait for it to get to us, let's go out and meet it. We can advertise Farscape -- we're good at that. Advertise it more. Advertise it bigger. Advertise it smarter, or more subversive, or more in-your-face. For every project you encounter or devise, think "how can this spread Farscape farther, faster, to more people? will this help us reach the ultimate goal?"

The ultimate goal? New legions of Scapers joining us in wild anticipation of this amazing mini-series.

Help me do this. Make this happen. I know we can do it. We did it once, only now we need to do it bigger. We've set awfully high standards for ourselves. I know we can do it, though. Somehow I'm not sure that there's anything we can't do -- if we focus, embrace our passion and look to the future.

[kechara420]

:hug: ok, so now I'm :cry2: ... thanks for the speech, Red!

[harveywhispers]

Awesome speech Red!

Edited to say:

No matter all the things that happen, I am so damn proud to be a little cog in this machine!

[Digger]

:applaud: :applaud: :applaud: :applaud: :applaud: :applaud:
I think a lot of us have felt the same way the past couple of months. The cancellation of the Henson press conference in November, and then no official announcement from them even after the story broke that they were filming the mini (I know, dotting the i's an crosing the t's and all that!) has kind of left us in a quandry. We want to advertise the show, but don't know when or where it will be on. We want to target potential sponsers, but don't know when or where it will be on. It's enornously frustrating. But the fact is that this campaign has suffered many frustrations and survived and flourished. We can still do that. And one way we can is to help out other campaigns when they ask for advice. It can only be good for this campaign to have others come to us. People will appreciate it. People will notice. For decades when anybody mentioned fan campaings they mentioned Star Trek. How many times have we said that Farscape could (and should) be the next Star Trek? Well, now people are coming to us, which makes it even more likely that this fandom will be the one that is mentioned in the future in all those articles about saving shows. That can only be a good thing for Farscape and for this campaign. It all helps. And when the mini finally is aired it will mean more attention for the show, which hopefully will translate into bigger ratings and a greater chance of (a) Season 5 and beyond (b) major motion pictures, (c) regular miniseries events or (d) all of the above.

It would help if we had more concrete information as to when and where the mini will air, but even without that we can still keep Farscape in the news and still keep growing the fanbase. There are a lot of smart people (much smarter than me) on this board. I'm sure we can come up with some good ideas.

[SweetpeaAeryn]

All I can say is...

:clap:

[the_cadpig]

Thanks for the boost, Red. :aok:

[SabaceanBabe]

Dag, Red, way to rally the troops! :D

I've been doing my level best to bring more eyeballs to this amazing show, as have we all. Passive and active advertising.

Passive: all the posters and calendars and cartoons and artwork on the walls of my office, where just about everyone in my 250 person agency pass through at least once every couple of weeks; putting flyers advertising the show, the DVDs, and the upcoming mini into every bill I mail out and even (no, no, bad SB!) into the prepaid envelopes that come unsolicited from credit card companies; return address labels on all personal correspondence that include www.watchfarscape.com.

Active: sharing my DVDs and tapes with others in the office; writing fan fiction and then making my co-workers read them (I got two people who were otherwise uninterested in "science fiction" watching after they read a story); purchasing boxed sets as gifts for friends and family who show an interest; postcards and letters still going out to advertisers and potential networks/channels.

Never underestimate the power of details, of little things. We all just have to do what what we can, when we can. No one can ask more than that. Collectively, we have already made and will continue to make a difference.

We've gotten our foot in the door with this miniseries. Now, we just have to get that frelling door open the rest of the way, so the cast and crew can slip in and just keep on filming. (Whaddya mean we've filmed 22 hours?! Weren't you supposed to yell "cut" when we hit 4??)

Everybody has tiffs and everyone gets knocked down or gets their feelings hurt once in a while. That's life. Accept it and move on. We're a family here, and sometimes family can cause the greatest hurts, but we all have to remember that it only hurts so much 'cause we love each other. And love and hope can conquer all.

[BlackThorn]

:woohoo:

Wonderful post, Red!

I know most everyone experienced a dip in energy, time, resources, and motivation around the holidays, but the holidays ended almost a month ago. Now really is a good time to start picking up momentum again.

[NYPinTA]

Thanks. I needed that. :joy:

[Timmayy]

Thanks Red, for reminding us why you're the captain of this crazy ship.

I agree that we don't want to rest on our laurels, and our main focus has to be on getting more eyeballs watching Farscape. Personally I think we've done an outstanding job of that so far. I mean, we're closing in on 6000 members, and there are regularly as many guests as members here, at least when I have looked.

At this point, I think we, like Henson, are holding our breath until Sci Fi's syndication rights run out. I have dreams of a bidding war between networks over who gets the whole package, including the mini.

All we can do is keep turning people on to Farscape in new, creative ways

[dzelika]

thanks for the boost red. i guess we all needed that.

ps - i am not sure what is the incident you speek of harveywhispers.

[Mickie]

Originally posted by dzelika
ps - i am not sure what is the incident you speek of harveywhispers.

Not important, and the sooner forgotten, the better.

[VBKatLou]

Well said Red. :aok:

[mjwillia]

Great Pep Talk - Howard Dean could have used you Red about two weeks ago! It would have saved him from a lot of embarrassing press!

Just an idea here: Red, can you make a poll of all the on-going ideas that folks are working on here ie. Aeryn go bra-less, Calendars, etc. and have the members vote on "priorty" then you (as our Captain) can use it to take hold of the reins and direct our energies in a coordinated fashion. (Whew! That's a long sentence!)

I know my problem is lack of direction. I'm a good little "worker bee" but I need someone to tell me what needs to be done.

[Jubi Solo]

Originally posted by mjwillia
Great Pep Talk - Howard Dean could have used you Red about two weeks ago! It would have saved him from a lot of embarrassing press!...

...I know my problem is lack of direction. I'm a good little "worker bee" but I need someone to tell me what needs to be done.

Ditto

[CMScaper]

Red, I agree with your pep talk and plea for cohesiveness in the community 100%. Very nicely said.

Originally posted by mjwillia
I know my problem is lack of direction. I'm a good little "worker bee" but I need someone to tell me what needs to be done.

I have to second this comment. Not all of us can be leaders, we need direction. Twich says "Scape the military", OK now I have an objective, I send her DVDs and money. Objective completed, or extended into phase 47.

The things that keep this community together, amidst the spats, is our willingness to work together towards a cause and nothing should keep us from that objective. You have but to say the words, and we'll do it if we can. We'll spread out and cooperate in the arenas we know best. But we need to be told what needs to be done. A giant laundry list of ongoing projects isn't going to do it because it's too much. In the early days, we had the To-Do lists, which I'm glad to see come back, and those gave us specific goals for the week- something perhaps small, but substantive and targeted that we were all doing as a group right then. That's the kind of dedicated activity that got us where we are.

[mjwillia]

Yeah! To "To do Lists"!!!

[ipimen]

Damn you are a good writer! :D

ps - i am not sure what is the incident you speek of harveywhispers.

same here, i missed that, but i don't read every single thread or every single page, so i'm not surprised.

Now, like mjwillia said, tell me what should i do and i'm there...well no "there" since i live over here in Panama, but you know what i mean

[Skippy doo]

Thank you Red.

Make more Scapers. Scape the world. Be nice to each other. It shouldn't be that hard. We can do it.

[StarsGoBlue]

:signbravo

---->Red :hug: <----Stars

I know this wasn't the point of your post, Red, but I just wanted to say a personal thank you for taking on all the crap and nitpicking and squabbles and frustration of not being able to tell us what you know, to run this site and moderate it and help us in the fight virtually 24/7 for the past seventeen months---and oh, yeah, work your butt off with us to bring back Farscape.

You didn't ask to be a leader, and you're not the only one spearheading Scaper efforts. But you are a highly visible figurehead and at times it must feel you're wearing a big ol' target.

I can't imagine what it must be like to walk in your shoes, and I'm enormously grateful that I don't have to. I appreciate it more than I can express, that you & wg & jul & buggs & the entire SFS staff have shouldered enormous responsibilities in this campaign effort.

So, thanks. :hugz:

[divinedaydreams]

Looks and sounds like everyone is ready to get back to business!

Thanks Red we needed that!

[uisceboo]

Thank you, Red. :hug:

And, what she said about those thank you's being for all over you...the truth. That was for every one one of YOU. That's you, and you lurking over there, and yes, you, who thinks no one likes you, but we do! Yes, YOU!

Every damn one of you loves Farscape. You know how great it is to know someone just loved something that you made? Do you know how much greater it would feel if people, a whole bunch of them, loved what you do enough to write letters, show it to other people, make Tshirts and banners and stickers and posters and fliers to save it from oblivion? Pretty far out, huh? That's how they feel. DK and Rockne and Ricky and the cast and crew...that's how they feel. It's because you love Farscape. All the other actions, the campaigns, the achievements branch from that love.

Any time you feel you aren't important, any time you think it's not worth it...any time you figure you can't do anymore...do this. Watch some Farscape. Put in a tape or DVD, tune in on Sunday night, and get a rush off it. While you watch it, remind yourself of the joy, the fun, the pain and the laughter, the sweat and tears, the LOVE that went into making what is before your eyes. Remember that the sole reason Farscape exists is for you to enjoy and love. Without you, Farscape would have no reason to be. So watch Farscape. Enjoy it. Watch the winter blues melt away!

LOVE :love:
boo

[UTChick]

Red,

Great post! I am slowly getting more & more involved - more than I had ever thought I would. Thanks for the extra motivation!

I also want to second what StarsGoBlue said - Thank you & all the staff at SFS for taking point in this venture. We certainly couldn't have done what's been done without you! THANKS!!

I am just always continually impressed by the integrity of the people that are on this board. Everyone says - "beware the internet" & I recognize that there are negatives w/ the net, but this group has certainly been a major exception to that saying.

I've found such fascinating, passionate, caring people here - all ages, race, cultures, all working towards a goal - reviving & getting others to "Share the wonders I've seen".

THANK YOU!!

[grinner]

Our very own Saint Crispen's Day speech... maybe we should call you Buffy.


HUZZAH!!! HUZZAH!!! HUZZAH!!!


wonderful words, Red... :aok:

[Sunderflame]

Awesome speech Red....I needed the morale booster... Jsust recently scaped a doc at work....It's FARSCAPE Maddness, Indiana styel......
http://www.emotipad.com/newemoticons/Goal.gif

[PrairieScaper]

Red, thanks for the polite kick in the slightly-too-relaxed eema. (You could make some cash as a motivational speechwriter, you know that?)

I am very appreciative of the SFS team for coordinating this monster effort!

[gurnemanz]

. . . can do a pretty fine job, if we forget our objective and obsess on ourselves.

What we want is for more people to share the wonders we've seen.

There's a reason that guy who was barred from Avon products (well, I'm . . . fairly sure it was something like that, whatever beer) wrote about "the winter of our discontent." The weather conspires against us, body and soul. You'll recall last year, right about now, was no picnic, either.

"You Must Believe In Spring," wrote Bill Evans. He knew what he was playing about.

Let us renew our spirits. Let us refresh our eyes. If that means a new flood of double-barreled slingshot straps (are slingshot straps double-barreled or double-breasted? Does it depend on the individual?), well, trim 'em up for Mardi Gras if that's what you need. Hot glue, StitchWitchery, Fray Check, shazaaam!

Red, I'm old, large and of dubioius provenance, but here's a big smooch for ya!

:smooch:

[LiLOrion]

So...


who's going to start the brainstorming thread? :)

[Dominar of Action]

Don't worry that somebody might pass us by, worry that we're standing still when we have so much yet to do. Let's not solely dwell on the remarkable achivements of our past, but let's also look forward to what we can do in the future. HELL YEAH!!!

We can accomplish so much more when we keep our eyes on the prize and pull together. Remember, we're the "Fans Who Won't Take No for an Answer"! :sun:

Now, about that Spring Break skywriting idea ... :surf:

[divinedaydreams]

Originally posted by LiLOrion
So...


who's going to start the brainstorming thread? :)

I think there are some ideas already floating about.

Let's see...

-ADV thank you (gift basket and cards)
-Buying Farscape calenders to send to everyone we can think of.
-I think there was talk of sending something to the crew, like a cake?
-PMU foal project is wrapping up and we are talking of sending the parties involved BOS1


I'm sure there are others I'm forgetting.

[Red]

Cheers all. I needed the pep as much as any of you. And I need to find my focus, too. It's frelling hard these days, and boy do I know it.

I'm ready for brainstorming, I want to see what you all can come up with.

A current projects list is a great idea -- all put in one place so everybody can get an idea of what's going on. Can do.

For future projects, stuff you might be dreaming up, please take a moment and consider my questions --
"how can this spread Farscape farther, faster, to more people? will this help us reach the ultimate goal?"

For myself, I think I may have a line on a project or two we could manage without breaking a sweat. I'll go see about info on the mechanics and then we'll see how we can make it work for us.

[SweetpeaAeryn]

Originally posted by divinedaydreams
I think there are some ideas already floating about.

Let's see...

-ADV thank you (gift basket and cards)
-Buying Farscape calenders to send to everyone we can think of.
-I think there was talk of sending something to the crew, like a cake?
-PMU foal project is wrapping up and we are talking of sending the parties involved BOS1


I'm sure there are others I'm forgetting.

And you can always stop by the "Need to borrow your grey matter folks..." thread and give us your reason for Farscape, i.e. why execs should pick up our show, why you love FS, etc.

http://www.watchfarscape.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11487

[waltersgirl]

who's going to start the brainstorming thread?

here's okay...but red did start a nifty thread (http://www.watchfarscape.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19994&perpage=20&pagenumber=1) for this a couple weeks ago and it was languishing on page 3 until about 30 seconds ago.;)

[SabaceanBabe]

Originally posted by Red
Cheers all. I needed the pep as much as any of you. And I need to find my focus, too. It's frelling hard these days, and boy do I know it.

I'm ready for brainstorming, I want to see what you all can come up with.

A current projects list is a great idea -- all put in one place so everybody can get an idea of what's going on. Can do.

For future projects, stuff you might be dreaming up, please take a moment and consider my questions --
"how can this spread Farscape farther, faster, to more people? will this help us reach the ultimate goal?"

For myself, I think I may have a line on a project or two we could manage without breaking a sweat. I'll go see about info on the mechanics and then we'll see how we can make it work for us.

Yay! Something new we can sink our collective teeth into!

[BritAngie]

((((((((Red)))))))) :hug:

Thank you for that-we definitely needed that to refocus all that energy we have bouncing about this board right now!
Thanks for pointing to that light at the end of the tunnel because a few folks had their eyes shut and were worried the light had gone out.. :rollin:

[LiLOrion]

Originally posted by waltersgirl
here's okay...but red did start a nifty thread (http://www.watchfarscape.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19994&perpage=20&pagenumber=1) for this a couple weeks ago and it was languishing on page 3 until about 30 seconds ago.;)

I posted there. I completely forgot about that thread. :)

[destructogal17]

Now, about that Spring Break skywriting idea

id just like to say that i love this idea, and i dont no y we haven't thought of it b4.

it would sure get some attention

luv n hugs
mara
x x x

[blue]

Thanks, Red!!!!!

[mjwillia]

OK.

Now I'm confused. (Ok, I'm always confused!) Are we suppose to keep posting on this thread or the old one posted up above?

Is this the brainstorming thread?

What does it cost to advertise on radio? For instance, every Sunday we put an add on in the major cities to coinside with Chruch letting out and tell the listeners to Watch Farscape tonight. (Most likely someone has thought of this... I just can't keep up with all the ideas scattered about...)

[uisceboo]

I think you can post in either place, as long as you brainstorm! :D

[samati75]

Woo and hoo, Red, thanks for the update, the input, the peptalk and the pats-on-the-back. We needed it, and we definitely need you!

[Jubi Solo]

:bump: :bump: :bump: