I don't think the fans were exploited.

Are. I think that Universal is capitalizing on the fans' desperation about the series getting canceled.

Hey kid, get "Serenity" tattooed on your forehead in Papyrus and we'll give you a hat. Costs them nothing, and sort of puts the onus on the fans to make sure the flick is successful, which I find kinda crappy. I'd feel better about it all if it were a true partnership, and the fans' efforts were matched by the studio. Instead of a hat, promise them a billboard in their city. The studio can afford it, and I think the fans would appreciate the backup.

My bitterness is more complex than the canceled show, though. And I'm sure I'll get over it. I mean, it's only been, what, three years? I need at least five to drop a grudge.

Are. I think that Universal is capitalizing on the fans' desperation about the series getting canceled.

"Capitalizing" is what happens in capitalism. Of course they're going to stoke the fanbase. Marketing is bullshit. It's the definition of bullshit.

I really don't get how somebody as savvy as you are about this stuff, Allyson, can view it with such righteous indignation. You know it's a business. You know how much money is a stake. It doesn't happen on the scale of fandom and friendship and loyalty.

90% of fan efforts I've seen and been personally involved with to promote the movie have had nothing to do with getting points or whatnot. It's all because we want this movie to be as successful as possible. Simple as that. That Universal benefits from this is incidental. Well, other than that we also want them to benefit so much that they'll want to continue to work with the 'verse.

Hec, when have you ever known me not to be righteously indignant?

It's this:

Marketing is bullshit.

I feel something I did that gave me some measure of pride (we didn't save the show, but my god, that was a fantastic campaign) is tainted by the marketing bullshit. And it's probably not rational to feel that way. And yet, here I am, trying to scrub the stink out of my hair.

Hec, when have you ever known me not to be righteously indignant?

It's part of your charm.

I feel something I did that gave me some measure of pride (we didn't save the show, but my god, that was a fantastic campaign) is tainted by the marketing bullshit. And it's probably not rational to feel that way. And yet, here I am, trying to scrub the stink out of my hair.

Well, I do think you were exploited a bit. Though you are willingly a point person for fandom and like the inside access and scoops and genuinely like the shows you push (even if it takes a few episodes as it did with Firefly).

I certainly see your relationship with Tim as a friendship, so I don't think it starts there. But once you're at a remove from personal relationships, you're exactly who I'd start with if I was finessing an alternative/underground marketing campaign. You're organized, you're loyal, you write well, you're respected. You get fans fired up about new shows before they arrive.

It's not like you're influential on a large scale, but a small army of Allysons (daunting thought, and you're irreproducible) is a marketers wet dream.

Is fandom exploited? I don't think so. You? Yeah, a little.

Andi (WindSparrow) and I just finished watching Objects in Space (Andi for the first time).

Then we couldn't stop, and watched deleted scenes, the 10th character, Joss' walk through, and wnything else we hadn't gone through. Pretty much just to keep it going. But when we were done we finally admitted we were done.

Andi still hates Fox, and we are both ready for this movie.

You know about the easter egg, right Daniel?

Yup. Showed that to her after The Message so the hat wouldn't be a surprise.

I remember Tim saying (Sunday afternoon at Comic Con 2004) that he'd be involved with the next movie, if the first was successful enough. A Firefly movie written by Tim? Did I hear him right, or was that sleep deprivation talking to me?

90% of fan efforts I've seen and been personally involved with to promote the movie have had nothing to do with getting points or whatnot.

So very much this. I've got a minimum of 45 people lined up to see the movie simply because I asked them to and because my stoopid giddiness over it is apparently infectious.

I gave the 'fans are being exploited' discussion a fair read and then completely discounted it.

While registered everywhere a Browncoat can be counted, I've never even considered participating in points systems and such. I tried to get into a screening out of rabid curiosity rather than status building or mindless submission to some evil marketing plan.

I'm pleased for people who participate in these things to their enjoyment. Assuming they are being exploited sort of suggests they are simple minded...unable to make decisions in the face of corporate manipulation. I suppose that is so in some cases but, hey, circle of life.