Cast Gas Fund...Who? What? When? Where? How?

[anomia]

WHERE ARE THE DETAILS ABOUT THE CAST GAS FUND SPELLED OUT?

I bring this up because I just received an email from a fellow Scaper. Bebe’s shy; I’m not. Here’s what’s going on:

AtlantaScapers is selling shirts to raise money for the Cast Gas Fund. On Oct 18 BeBe contacted them to make sure there weren’t copyright problems before placing a large order. She received a message back from Barbarella (???) saying it would be checked into. Yesterday, BeBe received another email from Barbarella stating:

"Barbarella wrote:

So far I have found no copyright issues with the Tshirts if you still want them...
Henson has said nothing and I sent them the Tshirt design to look at an approve so I'm assuming since nothing was said there's no copyright issues...I specificly stated in the email to them that there were questions about copyright. I am assuming that no reply means they have no problems...especially since the cast was wearing them on camera...

Do you still want them? I'm asking because the sale will make it possible for me to make it to Boston SFX and cover the con out there with Gigi and Anthony.

Sincerely
Barbarella
aka
Leah"


Now, did I misread that, or did Barbarella just say that monies from the Cast Gas Fund are going to finance HER trip to Boston? Apparently the purpose of the fund has changed since the initial (and subsequently deleted) request for money was made on her site:

Sep 27, 2002 Message from Barb:

“Helooooooo Lil Scaper Drannits!

We need your help. We need to raise funds to get Lani Tupu, Gigi Edgely, and Paul Goddard to Atlanta for the 5th of Farscape Global Rally. Their appearance could help the cause greatly by getting them the necessary press as well as get these rallies the press they need to gain new fan support. I urge all Scapers to participate in this donation drive. All donations are goin to paying the air fare of the cast from Australia to Atlanta. Please help all you can every little bit helps even if its just 5 dollars.”


DOES ANYONE OUT THERE KNOW WHERE WE CAN FIND THE NEW PURPOSE OF THE CAST GAS FUND?

Frankly, until such information is made available, I question whether any site should be supporting or advertising this fund. It has the potential to detract from legitimate Farscape fund-raising efforts.

[lisaw]

I'll repost here what I answered when you posted to the atlantascapers list...

----------------------------
This is all a big misunderstanding being blown out of
proportion. :) Hopefully once I 'splain it to you
it'll all go away...

The original purpose of the CGF didn't extend past the
trip to Atlanta/Orlando. However, it seemed like a
really cool idea to try and set up more similar events
for the cast & fans whenever possible. Since Anthony &
Gigi are already going to be in Boston for two
conventions (United Fan Con & Boston SFX), Barb and
her crew started investigating possible side trips for
the cast. That would be covered by the CGF as a CGF
event for the fans. This is what Barb means by
"covering Anthony" in Boston. :) Does that make sense
to everybody? Can we move along now?

Yay.

And, yes, there are possible side trips in the
planning stages for the future... If they're over here
why not get 'em other places, hmm?

----------------
And then Adam said:

You have to understand, Barb is critical. She is the cast's only
support person, and the only one in the US outside of Henson & Co that the cast deals with (this is partly by design, partly accidental). She is the cast's ONLY connection with the Scaper community.

In other words, Barb is *our* representative to the cast, and I'm told that the cast will *only* deal with her when coming stateside. Her using the fund to get her to cast appearances is not abusing the fund; it's an absolute necessity.

-------------------
And I said:

While what Adam says is true, it's important to note
that CGF $$ gets the cast to do CGF events. It's not
about financing Barb. She has a job and makes good
money on her own. :) It's about covering the expenses
for side trips involving CGF events and thus making it
worthwhile for Barb to get to ________ and _do_ a CGF
event. It's true that there's no CGF event without
Barb though. :) With Barb = CGF events. Without =
Aussies at conventions where you pay big bucks to get
near them.
--------------------

Now, I am _still_ sick with the hideous plague I contracted some two & a half weeks ago. Anti-biotics aren't killing it, so it must be viral. If there are those of you who want to jump on me, expect a seriously delayed response time as I will have to crawl to the computer from my deathbed and I will be suffering under the effects of whichever cold drugs I'm trying today. (I've already gone through three boxes of diff. things)

Lisa

[Maayan]

She is the cast's ONLY connection with the Scaper community.

I'm not getting involved in the Gas Fund debate as I know nothing about it, but this assertion is seriously untrue and could stand to be corrected. Several people involved in the campaign have regular contacts with cast and crew. They just don't feel the need to publicize them.

[GeekedOut]

I also talk to several people on a daily basis who have more contact with the cast/crew then Barb seems to have. She is not the only one, no matter what is said.

[Kithlyara]

My main problem with this is we still have not received the first accounting that we were promised, and no updated time frame has been posted to the Save Farscape Central site. I know we've been told that everything is waiting on the accountant, and that's fine, but can a updated timeframe please be posted? Or just a general update posted to the site instead of getting everything second hand here? Please? The lack of information on the Save Farscape Central site is making people leery of donating to the Cast Gas Fund.

Once again, this is just my two cents. Take it for what's it's worth, which really isn't much :)

[MediaSavant]

All of the other collection funds have made clear statements of what they are doing and what their strategic thinking is behind it.

This one seems to only do so when they are called on it. Even then, they provide little rationale for what they are doing and how the funds are intended to raise Farscape's awareness among non-fans as opposed to just being autograph opportunities for fans.

We fans can all attend cons if we want to get autographs. There are several out there. But, we already watch the show.

I'm not saying they don't have a strategy, but it certainly would help to be more communicative about it.

[DRD2001]

My money will now stay in my pocket. I can attract new members myself. There is no need to give my money to someone else, so they can shmooze with the stars. Patience is a virtue, but so is honesty. Sorry if I step on any toes, but this is how I feel now. First frelled by SciFi, now by certain fellow scapers.
:mad:

[anomia]

I care about Farscape; I care about the campaign; I care about the fans donating money; I care about the Atlanta Scapers who have worked so hard. And believe it or not, I care about the Cast Gas Fund.

There are three distinctly different issues that unfortunately keep getting lumped together in different threads!

1. PUBLICITY SURROUNDING THE ATLANTA FIFTH OF FARSCAPE RALLY.
Mistakes happened; lessons were learned. The publicity received so far wasn't what many Scapers anticipated, and as a result some are upset. Are Atlanta Scapers responsible? Heaven's no! Many worked their butts off; others were there to show their support! Is there a person, who others trusted, who perhaps lives in the Atlanta area, that was responsible for not getting more publicity? Probably. Are we going to learn this person's name? Probably not. Would knowing the person's name change anything? No. It's a moot issue.

We've been told that there will be more publicity coming out of the Atlanta Rally. Great! We'll wait for it. But let me say again...ATLANTA SCAPERS ARE NOT TO BLAME! They are respected and cherished for their devotion to the cause! I GIVE THREE CHEERS FOR ATLANTA SCAPERS!!!

2. ACCOUNTING OF CAST GAS FUND.
This is a legitimate and appropriate request by contributors that is completely separate from the publicity issue. Contributors want to feel confident that their money was put to good use. Any fund that wants to survive should periodically provide an accounting of funds collected and spent. Does this accounting need to be extremely detailed or complicated? No! But it should give basic information: amount of funds collected, money spent on transportation, lodging, and meals for the cast, and whether the venture ended up in the black or the red!

SaveFarscapeCentral indicated that an accounting might be available on Oct 21. It wasn't, and unfortunately the site has made no mention of it since then. THIS IS A CASE WHERE SILENCE IS NOT GOLDEN! Even a simple statement to the effect that "So and so is still working on the accounting and a new date of such and such is anticipated" would go far to appease contributors. If Scapers are kept informed, then threads like the "Atlanta Accounting Update" won't be bumped and bumped, ad infinitum. This problem could be put to rest with just a little information at SaveFarscapeCentral!

3. A DESCRIPTION OF THE CAST GAS FUND.
This is extremely important if the fund is to survive. If someone asks for my money, whether they knock on my door, phone me, or send me a letter, I ask for information! If they can't provide it, it doesn't mean they aren't legitimate...but it does make me leery of them and means they aren't getting my money! To maintain the integrity of the Save Farscape Campaign as a whole, newcomers should never need to ask for information regarding ANY fund; it should be readily available.

Numerous sites are promoting the Cast Gas Fund at SaveFarscapeCentral, and newcomers who've just heard about Farscape's cancellation are visiting these sites. They don't know the history of the fund, and unfortunately when they visit SaveFarscapeCentral there is NO explanation about its purpose or control. Again: this problem could be put to rest with just a little information at SaveFarscapeCentral!




I visit SaveFarscapeCentral daily, and have nothing against the site. I don't know the webmistress and have had no dealings with her. But I do wish that someone in her confidence would talk with her. I believe that the site's silence is doing a disservice to itself and the Save Farscape Campaign as a whole.

DRD2001: Remember, one bad apple don't spoil the whole bunch, girl (or guy)! Don't blame all Scapers or all funds for the actions (or lack thereof) of individual people or sites! This campaign needs contributions, but as some wise person once said, "Choose! But choose wisely!"

[DRD2001]

Anomia, I'm not blaming, but....
I have been knocking myself out trying to help. I've spent my time and money working for Farscape. I have offered to several people to make 2' X 8' banners or car magnets for them for rallys and such, but no one is interested. I have followed everyone elses plan and done all those To Do List suggestions. As for some others(no names) that I'm on an info list for, all I ever get is "Send more money and I'll tell you about our great party", or they repeat what is already posted here. Wonderful for them, but what about Farscape? As for me, I'm not here to feed someones ego trip. I'm here to help save Farscape. I will continue to do that, but from now on, in my own way. My money will be staying in my pocket. I made sure I didn't donate more that I could spare, and now I can spare none. Bitter, no. Annoyed, yes. Fed up, most certainly. Good Luck to everyone else.

[atlantagirl]

I agree with anomia completely.

I think that one thing that everyone involved in the Cast Gas Fund needs to bear in mind is that on the internet, it is crucial to maintain communication. That's really all that we have to base our opinions on -- what's said, when it's said, and how people respond to it. Most members of the Farscape community don't actually know any of the people involved. The fact that members of the Atlanta Scapers community met for the first time a couple of weeks ago indicates that, even in this relatively small geographic area, we don't actually know each other and have no way to know who is a good and trustworthy person. And, of course, the people who sent money to the CGF are not in this small geographic area. I can't blame them for feeling abused at this point. On the internet, words are everything and silence is deafening.

But the beauty of the internet is that instantaneous communication is completely possible. There is no good reason not to maintain a very (VERY) open discussion, particularly when money is involved. (Well, being dead or in the hospital or held hostage would be good reasons, but let's hope that none of them apply.)

If the CGF wishes to remain viable and to attempt to solicit funds for future endeavors, then whoever is responsible for it needs to step up to the plate -- now and in the future -- and do a much better job of communicating. A method of accounting for funds needs to be established as well as a method of determining what projects are funded and for communicating this information to contributors.

I think that most people can accept that things take longer than anticipated, but by leaving everyone in the dark, particularly when lots of people are asking for information, there is a serious APPEARANCE of impropriety or incompetency. This could be alleviated by the simple act of communication. And I don't mean an occasional post every few weeks, but an update every day (or 2 at most).

[DangerWillRobinson]

DRD2001,

I too would not feel comfortable donating to the CGF at this moment, but don't let your anger toward it stop you from donating elsewhere. This website seems well organized and the people responsive to the questions posted to them. Also the www.benbrowder.net site did the ad I believe in the Hollywood reporter or Variety and is now accepting donations for an ad in th e USA today so if you got some extra change there are alternatives. But if you prefer to "do it in your own way" more power to you. I wriite UPN and other networks because I want to help save Farscape. As for the things going on with the CGF, To quote a past president, "I feel your pain".

[lisaw]

FWIW, guys head to the main SFC.com page for some totals.

Lisa

[zaphod beeblebrox]

Some completely arbitrary totals. There's no break down. We waited two weeks more for that? How about some proof of those numbers. What the frell is "misc" (btw, I know what it stands for)? That's not an acceptable item for an accounting. How do three hotel rooms cost $7000 for a week?
I'm sorry, that's completely unacceptable.

[lisaw]

Well, just doing basic math when you take 10 days into 7k... you get about $233 per hotel room per day. That's not completely inconceivable, is it? It's not to me, at least. Not with what hotel taxes run. They're evil.

I also think that the total for cabs has got to be way off. I can speculate that those have to be receipted cabs because that's only four or five trips and there were many many more than that... some of that "misc" must be other travel expenses like the tanks of gas bought, all the tolls paid in Florida (yegads I don't know how people live down there! I think I paid out $10 in tolls myself just getting around) etc.

Lisa

[zaphod beeblebrox]

Except Gigi left the states early so I'm not sure that math adds up as well as you say.

[lisaw]

Uh, she didn't leave that early. She left a day early, so ok, take off one hotel room charge. That doesn't change the figures that significantly. You also have to account here for the short time frame of the trip. Things are much more expensive when you're doing them at the last minute. Airfares are pricier, hotels are harder to find and you pay full price... if you can get a room. That's just one of the many reasons why in the future plans for the CGF nothing this extravagant is planned. Anything done will be planned around something where the actors are already here-- so their airfare and hotels will be largely covered. It's much more conceivable that if, frex, Anthony is in Boston he can make a side trip to say, Chicago, because he's already _in_ the States. Then you're paying for airfare to/from domestic cities and a couple of hotel nights not _the whole shebang_. This was a very gutsy thing which was pulled off, and while it didn't go very smoothly, the fact that it went at all is amazing.

Lisa

[Scaper989]

DRD2001 I know where you're coming from. There are three
funds (that I'm aware of) and the gas fund ain't gettin no more
of my money.

However, Angie has put out two ads so far (Hollywood Reporter
and Variety) within a week or two of when the bad news hit. She
delivered what she promised. See the "USA Today" thread for
details. There's also the Beyond Hope fund, which has a clear
marketing plan, and has funded the "do it yourself media"
comercial. This won't air until probably January, but I do have
faith this will materialize because it's already made, funded, and
the plan is clear. They have other plans, such as a media blitz
of radio stations, clearly defined.

Please don't give up hope. So one idea tanked, there are others.
We've gotten our story out TWICE in TV Guide, and three or
four stories on CNN (including an interview with Ben Browder). We
ARE getting heard and the big splash won't come until January.
Then you can expect news programs to take notice that the
Farscape fans have produced and financed our OWN ad in
USA Today and our OWN comercial broadcast in at least the top
10 major markets.

This is the biggest "Save Our Show" campaign in television
history!

[Dutch]

But Lisa, did the cast end up having to pay for their own hotel rooms, as was stated somewhere else? Were they reimbursed? What's the story on that?

[zaphod beeblebrox]

LisaW, it's really great that you're trying to clear up the mess that is this fund, I'm sure Barb really appreciates your efforts. But there are too many inconsistancies in everything that's gone down. The purpose of the fund was never really fulfilled, there was always confusion about where the money was going and with the exception of your attempts to post on various message boards making excuses, nobody at Save Farscape Central ever seemed willing to clear up the confusion. They seemed to drag their feet a lot in getting the accounting up there and what we ultimately get is this list of seemingly random numbers and requests for still more money? So that the cast can do more events where we all have to hope the objectives of the events are actually fulfilled. Those objectives being gaining new viewers and promoting Farscape, not just parties and autographs for people who are already fans. I have serious doubts about the managing of this fund, not just the accounting inconsistancies, but that the people at Save Farscape Centeral aren't seeming to make the best use of the funds they have. A lot of that money is going to waste.

[DangerWillRobinson]

Dutch

Unless things changed, from what I understood was that The Chamber was donating there space for the "rally" and that they were going to pay for the hotel rooms through the sale of Alcohol and cover charge from the rally. Remember when the second call for money went out. Lani's rep went to the hotel and found out they needed to pay for the hotel rooms upfront and she didn't have a credit card to do it with, so Barb put out the second call for more money. IF and I say IF it is true that The Chamber paid for the hotel rooms, then that part of the accounting needs to be addressed. I am just going by what was put out during the request for money.

P.S. Does anyone know why Gigi left early? Just curious.

[Deneba]

Originally posted by DangerWillRobinson


Unless things changed, from what I understood was that The Chamber was donating there space for the "rally" and that they were going to pay for the hotel rooms through the sale of Alcohol and cover charge from the rally.

What I've heard is that the rooms were paid by the CGF. That was not the original plan, but the team was reportedly left with few options at the last minute. I don't know anything beyond that rumor.


P.S. Does anyone know why Gigi left early? Just curious.

Again, more rumor, but I heard she had an audition in Australia, and had to return home early.

D.

[DangerWillRobinson]

Originally posted by Deneba
What I've heard is that the rooms were paid by the CGF. That was not the original plan, but the team was reportedly left with few options at the last minute. I don't know anything beyond that rumor.

[b]

D.



It seems nothing went according to plan those 10 days, what happened that The Chamber backed out of there deal to cover the hotel stay? That is the first I have heard of that. No wonder cost skyrocketed. I guess they didn't have a firm deal with The Chamber.

Thanks Deneba for the info.

[wmdopple]

Originally posted by Deneba

Again, more rumor, but I heard she had an audition in Australia, and had to return home early.


That's what she told me and my friend... no details on what the audition was for, though. Felt sorry for her.. she was pretty dead on her feet by the time of the last appearance, and she said she would have to go straight to the audition almost as soon as she got back to Australia.

[waltersgirl]

I will continue to do that, but from now on, in my own way

that's how every fan should be helping. in their own way. there is no right and wrong way to help. every effort, no matter it's "size", is worthy and valued.

[kimrb]

How very sad it is to see what this incident has done to Scaperdom. What a huge waste of money. Unfortunately this subject will never die until fans are satisfied about the fund. And I don't think thats going to happen. Save Farscape Central will not be upfront with the fans and so we spiral downward. If I presented my figures for a project like they have been presented to the fans, I'd be out of work. It is so simple to put this to bed, but those with that power refuse to use it. This is a hard lesson to learn, but learn we must. It smells way to much like "Miss Cleo" to me, just a rip.

[Shipscat]

Well, kimrb, I agree with you that it would make things a lot better if Save Farscape Central would open up communication and let us know, in great detail, what was going on..I think the Miss Cleo comment was a little mean-I don't think anyone involved in this meant to rip anyone off. You have to remember that we aren't professional fundraisers or media people..well, some of us are. ;) and we really don't know what we're doing, and we will make some mistakes.

But I don't think we need to make them twice-I think a lot of people were not happy with the results for the gas fund, and won't donate again. But the advantage to being a many-headed Hydra is that we have a lot of other projects going on, and different groups, and have a lot more chances to still do some good.

[kimrb]

I have no intentions of being mean. I apologize if that is the perception. And I'm not painting the Atlanta Scapers with a broad brush. I have great respect for all Scapers, Atlanta included. I want to hear from the horse's mouth. Posts here and in other threads have, for the most part, been aimmed at the top of the group, the one that refuses to step into the light. Only this one person can put an end to this. Seems to me adults can set aside ego and be more forthcoming.

[Shipscat]

I totally agree.

Ships

[DangerWillRobinson]

I think allot of people will not give the CGF a second look. Remember the old saying "once bitten, twice shy." I will direct my funds elsewhere.

[pilotsmanacurist]

I think the problem with the whole Atlanta, CGF fiasco was that the rally was put together to fast, was not well planned, and was run by some people that only saw a chance to get close to the actors of the show and forgot the main reson for the rally. To save the show!

Everyone was caught up in with the idea that THEY would be rubbing elbows with the actors from the show. No one took a step back and said, HEY, this is to fast. Why can't we do this a month later? We can plan it better, get more people involved, save more money, get better rates, more publicity...not to mention other things that my sleepy brain can't think of this after-Halloween morning. (Candy high last night, candy low this morning UGH!)

November and December 5th do not fall on weekends, so that ends the 5th of Farscape catchy slogan for a Rally. But that doesn't mean an end to the ralleys! (1812, a little music please)

We have a whole month to plan one in December. A month to contact the media, to get people to hit the shopping malls who will be filled with holiday shoppers! Pass out fliers to watch the show in one month, not four! A shorter time for a viewer to remember to see the show.

As a loyal fan of Farscape I've done the surfing, and democratically made my choice on who I think will help the show get back on the air. This site, as well as others that have joined the Farscape Webmasters Association have my backing 120%! United we stand, divided we fall. The Association shows that we are united in once cause. To get the fifth season of Farscape back on the air!

(1812 stops playing. A muffled thank you comes from a dusty box.) We really need to get my Pilot out of that box! I haven't done his nails in months!!

[anomia]

Dear Pilotsmanacurist:

I believe there is a lot of truth in what you say. When people are too close to a problem, they don't always SEE the problem. And I think that's what happened with the CGF fiasco.

You may not remember, but The Tao of Frell (interesting handle!) did post a thread "Serious Questions--That Need Answers"
questioning the speed and organization of the event. Unfortunately many just viewed it as a rant, and disregarded it.

This shows the need for MORE people who may be lurking to jump in here and let us know when you think things are going off track! It also should make readers of this board realize that when questions are asked and answers demanded, it shouldn't be construed as infighting among the fans.

[Vianney]

There's an old ... saying in... Tenessee? well, maybe they say it in Tenessee, that says... uh... fool me... fool me... twice, or once...

Hum, more on that later :)

PS: sorry about this comment that's not making any point or bring any new insight, but boards are ALSO made to have fun ;)

[atlantagirl]

There's an old saying I first heard Scotty say on classic Star Trek:

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."