Never Surrender Dreams Special Print

[Jan]

I just got my print and it looks really nice! I was a little concerned that I wouldn't like it as well as the original NSD 'handwritten' one but I really do.

Now, where to hang it?

Jan

[Night Marshal]

While I have no bases for this other than the voice in my =)

One of my running theories for why JMS is doing all this is because he is trying to rise capital to become more independent and maybe have the money to fund some of his own projects. What that would be I have no I idea and I can't really see making enough money off the script book and other quote gear would be all that much but to me It makes me happy to think of JMS working in the back ground doing something on his own. That might dazzle us all Because I have read enough about JMS that I really don't think he cares about money other than to meet his basic needs, So to me I like to think he has some other master plan for it. I might be wrong but hey its a thought

[Jan]

Yes, it was clear that you weren't taking a shot at JMS, no worries.

What's good and what's bad? I can hardly speak for JMS but the only thing I specifically remember him saying of a negative nature was that he left at least one show, maybe more, because the toy companies had too much control over stories. For B5 he insisted that stuff be of good quality.

You've mentioned the 'deep space franchise' dig a couple of times now. That wasn't written by JMS, it was written by Peter David who was surprised that it was left in. I don't think the dig was really about merchandise, though, I think it was about the Trek franchise in general.

Jan

[Triple F]

As I hopefully implied above itÆs not a dig or anything at jms. The bit about the Never Surrender Dreams I can see and appreciate

ItÆs the line between whatÆs considered good quality, ethical or suitable merchandising and exploitative or bad that I have difficulty in seeing. The financial realities of life coupled with the market created by fans means that memorabilia and merchandising in general is inevitable I guess, and if both æsidesÆ get something from it then itÆs no bad thing.

Is it things like product placement or the creation of a figure or character in a story thatÆs clearly only there to sell some future ætoyÆ (and can effect a story) that turns mutual profit into exploitation or is simply something like swamping the market with stuff from the four corners of the globe by those who have purchased a licence. And is that what those behind ST did (hence the little dig at them).

[Jan]

I'll take a stab at this. Keep in mind, though, that it's just my opinion, though, even if I phrase it to sound like I know JMS's thoughts.

As I recall, what caused JMS to walk from the animation shows wasn't that they did have toy tie-ins, it's that the toy companies were given a large say in what was to be in stories.

JMS hasn't said that he was against action figures and other tie-ins, he only wanted to ensure (in the case of B5, at least) that what was offered was of good quality and, as he's said, stuff he'd want to own himself. One of the reasons he started his posting experiment online was because he didn't like the way SF fans were treated, Here's part of a postthat illustrates that:

my sense is this: a long
time ago, when we began this journey -- and I've been on-line talking about
B5 on the nets for several *years* now -- the one thing that was foremost
in my mind was the sense that SF media fans are probably the most exploited
such fans around. They're expected to be cash cows who line up and buy
the products, no talking or shoving in the lines, and for god's sake no
questions or hassle. They're often valued for as long as they continue to
buy the merchandise. Every year, producers who don't know SF, and don't
know fandom, and really don't care, trundle out their shows as the Next
Best Thing Since Sliced Bread, raise a lot of attention...and when the show
turns into crap, they're suddenly nowhere to be found.

As for the quote gear and script books and special prints...remember that it started out as just the script books. JMS has always been about showing/teaching how TV is made and he began selling scripts via the Fan Club and at cons years ago because the script is the foundation of any TV show or movie. From what he's posted, various publishers were interested in publishing *some* of the scripts but he wanted to put them all out there and that's where self-publishing came in.

Almost immediately upon learning that Cafe Press was involved, fans on the moderated newsgroup started asking for more stuff and JMS realized that, while he couldn't use images from B5, he could use his own words and so the quote gear was born.

As for the special prints...I can't say that he's posted a whole lot about them but I *think* that what he's putting out is the stuff that really means something to him and that fans have told him mean a lot to them. And since I go to his convention appearances whenever possible, I can tell you that the Declaration and that Never Surrender Dreams really do matter to him. So, yes, in that way it is personal. If he's donating the proceeds to charity, he hasn't said. And he probably wouldn't. When pressed in the past, he's made it clear that he believes that charitable donations should be private.

Having him inscribe and sign things for them means something to the fans, too. That's gotta be why I never go to those cons without stuff from 4 or 5 people for him to sign.

Does this help at all? I might be able to dig up some other posts but this seems long enough already.

Jan

[Triple F]

I’m going to ask something here. It’s a question I’ve been meaning to ask for a while as I’ve never even bought a tee-shirt or keyring for this or any other show/film and don’t understand something – so no biting my head off for this please.

I was under the impression that one of the reason jms disliked and subsequently left Captain Power was that it was essentially a springboard for selling Matel action figures. He also made a point of commenting on the marketing surrounding Star Trek with the “deep space franchise” comment while using words like demeaning on one of the episodes, and he’s basically made it clear he did not want the fans of B5 to be “exploited” in the same way.

I realise everyone (including the actors) have to make money, and some fans like this sort of thing of course. But as has been said above, charging a fair few bucks for three words on a bit of card (which wouldn’t seem so excessive if it included the whole quote on a scroll or something) does, on the surface seem a bit – I’m trying to think of a word that doesn’t sound like I’m trying to be deliberately insulting - contradictory.

Although I do own a successful printing business (so know the types of costs & profits involved), I am unfamiliar with this whole memorabilia thing. So don’t understand where the line is drawn between good and bad “marketing” of action figures, games, models, posters and the like (if anyone knows please share. As B5, like ST, has all these (and more). Based on the image on that site, is this a personal thing with jms and are the profits donated to charity or something.

[Jan]

In case I change my mind are there any coupon codes good till October 17?

$5 off $50 or more. Coupon Code: WACKYKNOWN (Expires: Oct 20, 2007)

That takes care of domestic shipping, at least.

Jan

[wwwmwww]

I've got the limited edition of the "Declaration" too and I'm not sure about this one. Personally I wish it were the whole quote from "THE FOUNDATION" that Jan posted above. If it were I wouldn't be able to pass it up. However if he'd just publish "THE FOUNDATION" I'd be even happier. I'd buy an autographed and inscribed copy of that in a second... but I'm not really keen on buying it at a rate of $30 a word.

In case I change my mind are there any coupon codes good till October 17?

[Night Marshal]

This looks cool but I don't think its for me

[Jan]

Gotta love a coupon code like wackycranes, eh? Glad it worked for you, DeMonk.

I love the 'Foundation' piece, Jan. That's why I have neversurrenderdreams.com as my 'location' on my profile.

Jan

[DeMonk]

Thank you!
WACKYCRANES did the job.

[babylonlurker]

Jan, I will consider this one .

Have got the ltd. ed. of the "Declaration" , so have a *nice* thing there signed by the great maker.

very good quote you started this thread with

[Jan]

Ah! Good question. I just found

Save 5 on 40 code SRV203 thru 10/13

or

coupon for $5 off any purchase of $50 or more. coupon code: WACKYCRANES. This offer is valid until Oct 14, 2007.

I think CP has quit issuing the really good $10 and $15 coupons. At least I haven't seen any for a while.

Jan

[DeMonk]

Any coupons available?

[glindros]

Jan you beat me to it.

Unlike the stuffed bear. This is something I'm diving in for.