Promoting BSG TOS - Brainstorming Ideas

[Kronus]

Caprica is "in the mix", insofar as the Sci-Fi channel is concerned. The interactions which led to this thread being started in the first place were not surrounding the production of a show for TV but, for theaters. These two productions are not mutually exclusive.

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On another note, there are many words of wisdom that I've seen on this thread, in particular, and on this site, in general. There have been many agreements in thought and many differences in opinion which is healthy for conversation. Those differences, oftentimes, give folks "something to think about". I've found that the best thing for me to do is to sift through the differences in opinion and see how it all makes sense to me. Somewhere in the midst of those thoughts or in a combination of ideas, will be the truth or the way that I want to proceed.

While some may "ask for another card", others are content to "hold" theirs. Personally, I don't like to jump into something, both feet, until I have an idea of just what it means to jump into something with both feet. That's the way that I feel about the possibility of this movie.

In my opinion, we're too early in the process, to know just what's going to happen and, unfortunately, a bit too jaded about past misfortunes to feel confident enough to "hitch our wagon to that star".

However, there is also a danger if we simply sit on our hands and wait to see what develops. We will then, have to 'take what we get' which is what happened with the Moore production.

So, what do we do?


My first suggestion would be to spread the word in whichever way would yield the most ears hearing it or the most eyes seeing it.

One quick way would be to advertise on our respective websites and to reach out to other sites, to spread the word. It would be inexpensive and involve a minimal of time writing some code for the message.

Once that's done, make initial contact with some of the players especially Universal and Larson. Just let them know your preference, "repeat our message", and refer them to whichever website for more information.

Short and sweet. Just let them know we're out here.

Just like the guy who wears a ball cap that is blue with gold letters "ND". After seeing the guy a few times, with the same hat, I'd get the idea that he likes Notre Dame. Same concept with this. Keep the message out there.

Who knows, we may reach 1,000 people or 1,000,000 people if we do this.

We will reach nobody if we do nothing.

My suggestion would be to start up another thread to brainstorm ideas so that we could see what's feasible and what's not. That won't require much from anyone except a little thought.

So, whomever has the initiative, go ahead and start the thread. ;)

I own 9 sites and 6 of them would be great places to put ads on (they are SciFi based). So count me in to help advertise...

Who will create the ads/banners? If you need a place to help host them I will donate one of my servers to help with the bandwidth.

[Kester Pelagius]

If we're really serious then. .

STEP 1

Before anyone starts passing around their flight helmet to collect cubits to waste on ads or whatnot let's try the following:

Find out who owns the RIGHTS to what. Does Larson even own the rights to anything Galactica? It appears that, currently, Ron Moore or the Sci-Fi Channel own the cable/TV rights. The question here is what sort of contract is involved? Are these exclusive rights? Do they preclude other projects, like movies or separate franchise efforts?


STEP 2

Once you find out the status of the RIGHTS for the series decide on a course of action. If all else fails MAKE A FAN SERIES. Star Trek fans seem to have done this many times over. It's always surprised me, with all the sample artwork and renders showcased over the years, that no BSG fan series ever materialized. 10 grand would go a long way for basic wardrobe, especially if the work is done by fan volunteers. (If money is raised put it to good use, don't merely waste it lining the pockets of greedy media moguls.)

STEP 3

Outline what you would like to see done/achieved. As I said in the post in the other thread. .

At this point in time a continuation series would be pointless. Too much time has past from the original series, the principle actors are getting on in age (those that are still with us), and Ron Moore's series has soured the waters. If all the intent here is to play to the old fan base this project wont go far. You need to look to the now, plan for future audiences, and try to create something that will draw in more than just extant sci-fi fandom.

One possible way this could be achieved would be to go back to the source. Start all over. New cast. But what, exactly? Perhaps redo the basic idea of Saga of Star World updated for the times. Or maybe go to the novelization and adapt that.

Let's be honest, those original teleplays weren't exactly brilliant samples of genre writing. It's obvious the writer(s) modeled most of their ship-to-ship tactics and encounters on a marine navy model, which does NOT work in a space setting. A planet shrouded by a harmless mist? Mist HIDING space ships? That's obviously a retool idea of a mist shrouded shoreline, and it's WW II era. Modern military tech has optics that can see through mist and smoke and walls and who knows what all else! My point being get someone knowledgeable about genre jargon AND (however theorhetical) 3D space tactics to UPDATE the dialogue in the scripts (or write fresh ones).

Too, realize that the basic premise of Saga of a Starworld is great for a 2-3 hour teleplay. But, when stretched out over a series, tends to quickly lose focus. And there's a reason for that. The writer's know they have to pad the series out because the second the imminent crisis is resolved the series is over, or at least that's probably what is assumed. The only series, IMO, to successfully manipulate this formulaic premise is 24; though LOST almost made it work. The series seemed interesting but, after a point, it's obvious pointlessness wears thin. When you are purposefully padding a series out just for the sake of trying to get a few extra episodes aired it shows.

Now the formula can work. Just when the audience thinks the imminent threat/crisis has been resolved it's not. 24 does this well, however each season is self-contained. Proof that this doesn't work stretched out beyond a closed narrative can be found in Ron Moore's series. The formula works on a small scale narrative with defined beginning, middle, and end yet, in slower paced dramas, and as applied to larger scale narratives, doesn't work that well. Worse it seems to bog down when done in space opera. Honestly where's the sci-fi in Ron Moore's beastly spectacle? If you took away the space cut scenes you'd never know this was supposed to be sci-fi. The series has bogged down in irrelevancies and nonsensical drama queen soap opera claptrap. But I digress.

IMO that means there's only two possible ways to go: 1) A multi movie trilogy or quadrilogy, with each movie being self-contained, yet part of an over-arcing narrative journey, or; 2) Carefully plotted and planned mini-series events. The second option may be better as a mini-series can be adjust for any amount of time from 3-8 hours, thus giving plenty of screen time to character and plot development.

As I said in that other thread:

I wrote somewhere, the Lords of Kobol know where, on the 'net a long while ago that what I'd like to see is essentially the story presented in the novelization done as (roughly) three one hour acts. The first hour would give us backstory about the colonies, the Cylon Empire, the other alien races inhabiting the 'verse et al. The second hour would be for the sneak attack and exodus. This act wouldn't merely focus on the Galactica but show various battles spread throughout the home sector. Going into the third hour focus would shift to Galactica getting to the home sector- she'd have been crippled and forced to make do with light speed, thus explaining her late arrival- and while the Cylons are chasing other fleet elements/survivors we'd see the "rag tag" remnants of the Colonials come together around Galactica.

I'd like to see the third act take the Galactica to Carillon, and depict it as the debauched hedonistic bacchanal described in the book, no watered down PG-13 nonsense. In fact I wouldn't worry about ratings. Get the move done, submit it, then re-edit it to get R and PG-13 ratings. No reason you can't have two versions of a movie in theaters, or just released unrated to DVD. Sorry kids but I'm an adult and you can do what I had to do when I was a 'kid' and wanted to see a movie, get someone to sneak you into the theater or rent it for you; or just wait till you're old enough!

From Carillon have the movie end with the fleet setting off into the depths of space. Have a nice bit of narration play that leaves the movie open for another installment. If done right this could be the opening shot of a awesome trilogy.

So long as we don't get Vipers with legs on them or other nonsense meant to emulate OTHER popular sci-fi franchises- please NO TRANSFORMING MECHA! NO MONKEYS IN DAGGIT SUITS! and, whatever you do, NO WISE CRACKING SIDEKICK ROBOTS!- I'll be content. Also, when updating the premise, be aware this is SPACE OPERA and that's not the dirty word it used to be half a century ago. Be sensible. Be aware of the setting. With CGI you can do a lot more than you could with models. The Colonials would NOT merely have a handful of ship designs. I'd like to see more than just carrier vessels. A multi-planet space faring race with a blood enemy that has it's own empire would have cruisers, patrol craft, destroyers, interceptors, bombers, unmanned drone craft, probe vessels, mines, and all manner of paramilitary, police. and civilian craft in between.

Make the battle scenes spectacular. Retain that sense of wonder, what some authors refer to a "pulp poetry". Return to the mythic, this is about HEROES after all not insufferable prat emo teens full of indecisive angst. Good is good, evil is evil, and NOT EVERYTHING needs to be explained. The Lords of Kobol are a mystery. Keep them that way.

Anyway that's my two cubits worth. Apologies if it got a bit rantish.

Thoughts?

[Malkyte]

Since we are brainstorming, let me throw this out there:

We have a LOT of talent in this fanbase, especially when we start looking at the audio/video and FX/modeling side.

We have also identified a desire to give an organized and comprehensive message to anyone that may listen.

Well, what about a good ol-fashioned docmunetary? Hang with me on this...

I see this as serving multiple functions: We get a respectful message to the studios, that BSG is still in our hearts and minds, and we can also articulate what it was that captured our hearts, minds and imaginations with the original. It can also serve as a solid reponse and explanation to those who may not be familiar with the original and why it resonated and still resonates with so many of us to this day.

The documentary can talk about the history of how the show came to be, and all of the obsticles it faced. It can explain the truth about the Lucas lawsuit and how ABC totally screwed up its own show, etc.. You could potentially invite former members of the production both infront of the camera and in back, to share their feelings, as well as have fans, like us, dicuss in ernest, what it is that still holds our attention to this show from way back when.

I think this can be achieved with relatively low level of effort and or needed funds, and can be a classy way to get our message out there to multiple constituance.

Just a thought.


Malkyte

[monolith21]

Malkyte...I love this idea. The Browncoats did it and their show doens't have nearly as much history or ups and downs to it! The Gino lovers will watch it as well...for the same reason some of us have watched Gino. Morbid curiosity.

So raising money to do a documentary is a fantastic idea. We might get some eyebrows raised!

As for a fan series...I've got a ROUGH full length episode written. I takes place mostly on a planet so the sets would be minimal. I wrote it with a very small budget in mind. I can throw it out there. I have no idea on how to get it made.

Also, I think we need a high visiblity presence at some of the major conventions. I'm always dissapointed by the lack of Battlestar at these things! I had an idea a few years back to get a few cylons and build up a cool looking booth. Show some episodes and have the DeSanto artwork out. Models, props, costumes, but most importantly fans and info!

[monolith21]

For those of you who don't know what I was talking about...

http://www.donetheimpossible.com/