I think that content owners just plain hate their fans. Because some of what they do in the name of "protecting their interests" doesn't even seem to be driven by greed, since it doesn't make them any money.
A group of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans were organizing sing-alongs, similar to what Rocky Horror Picture Show fans have done for many years, around public showings of the "Once More With Feeling" musical episode of Buffy. Clinton McClung, uberfan, even got a licensing agreement from Criterion Pictures for showing the episode in public.
It seems to me that when you're in the business of creating this sort of content, it behooves you to understand your audience and the sort of passion they have about their interests. At the very least you want to encourage fans to get their business. At most, I think you have a bit of an ethical obligation to do more than suck money from people when it's convenient to benefit from their enthusiasm.
I guess Fox is one vampire that Buffy will not be defeating any time soon.
Posted by James at October 13, 2007 5:57 PMTrackBack URL for this entry:
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This astounds me. They had another RHPS on their hands -- the damn CD still sells and so does the sheet music.
The Buffyverse still churns out new copy. Hell, Joss took it to graphic novels because he can't let go of the story.
This is the stupid studio move in years and is reminiscent of when Harry Potter first hit and Warner shut down the fansites run by kids.
I'm all for protecting intellectual property. I'm totally against stupid marketing. The IP owner reaches out to the people who made this stuff work, hires them and says, "You're our consultant. Show us how to tap the fan zeal that kept Star Trek on the air for a generation, and we will reward you beyond belief."
[aside: ST didn't rely on continuity. Fans hated that, but not doing so proved to be a syndication boon for them and Seinfeld. Shows like Buffy and The Sopranos get crushed in syndication because they're impossible to watch out of context...]
Posted by: george at October 13, 2007 6:59 PMI want to think that someone at Fox is going to see this story and tell someone "make this work."
There has to be a way everyone can benefit. And isn't that what business is really supposed to be about?
Posted by: James at October 13, 2007 7:32 PMI read this story too. Fox is being stupid about the whole thing, for sure. However, what really got me is that I was a Buffy fan, but I wasn't really that impressed with the musical episode. And now it's like this cult thing? Yikes!
In any event, Fox should be setting these things up and not trying to prevent them. Morons.
Posted by: Kitten Herder at October 13, 2007 9:24 PMThe Coolidge Corner has been doing this sing along for years now. Seems pretty idiodic for FOX to shut it down.
I too remember disliking the musical episode but would consider going to the show for the goofy fun aspect of it.
Joss Whedon is now doing "season 8" as a comic.
Posted by: B.O.B. (bob) at October 15, 2007 7:47 AMInterstingly, I heard an interview with Whedon a month or two back where he sounded amused/pleased with this sing-along phenomenon. I wonder if he knows what Fox has been doing...
Posted by: Patti M. at October 15, 2007 8:24 AMI wonder if Fox knows what Fox is doing... I suspect not.
Posted by: Chuck S. at October 15, 2007 11:31 AMBa bing! Good one, Chuck!
Posted by: Patti M. at October 15, 2007 12:40 PMEver notice how Disney properties disappear for a while and then come back to the shelves in "one-time-only-magical-super-collector's" editions?
Fox'll hide OMWF for a while, then put out a $150 15th Anniversary Expanded DVD with enclosed Mr. Pointy prop and FUN!1!! Extras.
Then, they'll license OFFICIAL live performances, require the "actors" to attend "special" (read "expensive") "Once More With Training" weekends and pay for OFFICIAL prop and costume kits in order to hold fully licensed performances. FOX'll take a cut of the boxoffice from the official venues.
I love this business.
Posted by: ThirdMate at October 15, 2007 1:41 PM