No offense, but I don't see why people persist on using e-mail as a means of sending feedback to TPTB. Snail-mail is much more effective in that it's physically tangible and cannot simply be deleted with a keystroke or mouse click.

Oddjob | January 11, 07:10 CET

Because snail mail cannot crash a server if alot is recieved but email can and if you impact a companies mail server, your going to get their attention. :)

Also the same could be said for snail mail as well - except instead of a few mouse clicks by an exec or exec admin on some level, you get the mailboy taking it out with the trash .... plus hey trees are not as harmed in the process of mass emails compared to snail mail, the mail person does not get a hernia from carrying all the mail and you save a few cents. :)

Another plus for email - you can schedule the same piece of mail to go out a few times a day or once every hour until they catch on and block you but hey you still have gotten their attention. :)

RavenU | January 11, 07:59 CET

One major reason why snail mail is considered more effective is because email is so easy to send off. By taking the time and effort to write a letter and mail it, you're showing that you've thought through your position.

Emails certainly do show the execs what their audience is thinking. But their value is still lower than that of a hand written letter.

Plus, purposely disabling their mail server probably won't get the kind of attention viewers want.

abbylee | January 11, 08:09 CET

Well, just in case it does help Firefly get a chance on the big screen, I sent an e-mail. Thanks for the link Bunnyofthekungfu.

Firefly Flanatic | January 11, 08:56 CET

It wouldn't be on purpose - it would just happen if they receive a large ammount of emails at one time the server wouldn't be able to process them thus shuting down the server from operation tempoarily.

BTW - :) < Usually means I'm kidding for future reference.

Also I know some people who work for different levels at different studios and if you think snail mail works you'd be surprised. Most of these companies wont even open unsolisted mail after 9-11, they just toss it. Those companies that do open the mail, pay minimum wage to people to scan through it make a note of the movie or tv show title and mark if it seems possitive or negative. So in other words some one else is interpreting your oppinnion and sometimes they just mark what they feel is fair.

Now a days a lot more studios are goin to electronic data for more results cause it is faster, eaiser, and cheaper. In this case a database is probably set up and scanned for common themes such as show titles, actress names and so forth and then a report is generated that the execs look at to see what most visitors to their site are interested in. So don't count the electronic age out .... cause it is just getting started.

RavenU | January 11, 09:33 CET

In this case a database is probably set up and scanned for common themes such as show titles, actress names and so forth and then a report is generated that the execs look at to see what most visitors to their site are interested in. So don't count the electronic age out .... cause it is just getting started.

Personally, I do find it hard to believe that any of these companies do actually use any kind of parser for their emails, but I could be wrong. And if they are, then I'm sure they are also hunting for repeated email addresses :D

Most of these companies wont even open unsolisted mail after 9-11, they just toss it.

You're right, I should have specified that postcards are usually the best. Execs also prefer them because they tend to be short and to the point.

But mostly, I think that if you're really serious about getting your thoughts heard, you should do all possible methods and hope it works :D I'm not telling people to stop emailing, I'm just wanting to make sure they know their other options as well.

abbylee | January 11, 15:23 CET

You know even postcards are never seen by the execs either, like you said "Execs also prefer them because they tend to be short and to the point." The shorter the better that's why they pay people minimum wage to look at them and get the information from what they give them - like I said not the most reliable way of getting information.

"Personally, I do find it hard to believe that any of these companies do actually use any kind of parser for their emails, but I could be wrong." I know a few IT people that work for Paramount Studios and you would be surprised by how much info they colloect and go through in a day. The execs are always asking for reports and comparison and they are starting to rely on the database information they recieve electronically more cause it is a faster turn around than conventional mail or other arcane statistically research {looking at the Nielsens}. The reports are short and to the point and yes they relieze the +/- for internet recieved datd is higher than the conventional methods but as they move forward they are findings way to cut down on all those issue and bring them into the same percentage range as the other methods have shown,

RavenU | January 11, 16:55 CET

I think we're both agreeing that no matter how you send your letter, it's always someone in charge of collating the information who reads it.

I am still very surprised that there is such a focus on parsing emails and generating reports for specific words. While this breaks down which shows, plot lines, and characters are getting the most attention, it may not show whether the attention is positive or negative.

No matter which format you submit your letter in, it will be initially read by someone who is not involved with the show, and then used to create a report. I stand by my original statement: Emails certainly do show the execs what their audience is thinking. But their value is still lower than that of a hand written letter.

abbylee | January 11, 21:41 CET

sorry, i thought that this :) was a smile...silly me not being down with the net lingo. Plus, no matter if it is email or snail mail, can it really hurt the cause? instead of us just posting links about articles about how the future of firefly(the television series) was wrongly snuffed out, i thought i'd send something different. and how does everything that is posted on here somehow end up in an argument or debate? just read and enjoy

[ edited by bunnyofthekungfu on 2004-01-11 21:57 ]

[ edited by bunnyofthekungfu on 2004-01-11 21:58 ]

bunnyofthekungfu | January 11, 23:54 CET

I subscribe to the "every little bit helps" theory. I whipped off an email this morning. Universal needs to realize they have on their hands a potential franchise that could be their Star Trek. Plus, going forward and doing what Fox was unable/unwilling to do would not be a bad thing either.

[ edited by NOLA64 on 2004-01-11 22:29 ]

NOLA64 | January 12, 00:29 CET

Out of interest and I do subscribe to "the every little bit helps but postcards seem to stand a better chance that emails" theory, have any TV execs gone on record about postcard or email campaigns? How effective is it?

Might be worthwhile digging up the sales figures for the Firefly DVD and sending them off to Universal as well (not that Joss and Mutant Enemy have already done this of course but if the fans did it as well).

Simon | January 12, 02:57 CET

Well someone's reading the e-mails because I just got a reply to mine thanking me for supporting the Firefly Movie!

Firefly Flanatic | January 13, 04:22 CET

Me too, let's hope they're keeping some sort of tally.

jack knight | January 13, 05:50 CET