From: pip@pro-freedom.cts.com (David Pipgras)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.starwars
Subject: NEW SFAN UPDATE 7/24/92
Date: 25 Jul 92 05:50:17 GMT
Article-I.D.: pro-free.1992Jul24.225017.352
Organization: ProLine [pro-freedom] AppleVan (Apple UG of Vancouver, WA)

For those of you who have seen and read my posting about SFAN, I would
like to make a small addition. There has been a lot of support for
SFAN from the fans out there who want a quality SCI-FI cable network,
and I would like to share some comments that I have received from the
folks who are supporting and operating SFAN:

==============================
>From Mike Kelly, SFAN Founder:
==============================

The Space, Fantasy & Adventure Network (SFAN) is to be composed of
three complimentary elements: entertainment, enlightenment, and
encouragement. SFAN will attract and keep an audience by offering a
good, innovative combination of TV series from the 50s through the
80s, plus certain foreign programs, many of which have not had much,
if any US exposure. Will combine this with theatrical films and
initially small, realistic core of original programming. Original
programming that will run the gambit from history through current
accomplishments, to "where its headed" features about the genre. We
will also look at technology from the past, present and future,
relating it to science fiction, to show individual contributions and
present a positive image of the future. The future history of man is
somewhere beyond out solar system. When the United States had an
aggressive, goal-oriented space program, there was national direction
and appreciation for technical exploration. When that space program
faded, so did national direction and sense of purpose. That interest
can be re ignited, using the reach of expanding cable media to
accomplish the task. SFAN will be a forum to advocate an aggressive
space program. Visionary fans who wrote millions of letters to save
STAR TREK, a half million letters to name the first space shuttle, and
twice notified President Regan of their desire to keep a viable space
program can once again influence policy. This proves that the
imagination of the American people can be captured. "Peace Dividends"
from the defense budget should be invested to support and retain
professionals thrown out of work. Investment of defense budget cuts in
a goal-oriented aggressive space program can rekindle the spirit of
the American people, employ at-risk defense industry workers, generate
fall-out technology (with new industries and jobs) and result in
economic and social windfalls. We will movie into the science fiction
writer's traditional image of the future of earth. SFAN is being
supported by entertainment industry figures, respected science fiction
and fantasy writers, and space advocacy groups willing to work with us
toward out common goals: the future of humanity on our planet and in
space.

=============================================
>From Lt. General Daniel O. Graham, USA (Ret.)
=============================================

Director of HIGH Frontier space advocacy group has announced that High
Frontier has associated itself with he Space, Fantasy and Adventure
Network (SFAN). "High Frontier is interested in working with SFAN as
Aerospace Technical Advisor and Industry Liaison. We are very
enthusiastic about space launch and space development business; SFAN
will allow us an excellent chance to reach our target audience. We
will also be happy to help SFAN acquire space science information,
videos, speakers and the like from the aerospace community. As far as
we know, the Space Fantasy and Adventure Network is the only one it
its kind, and long overdue." High Frontier, Inc., based in Arlington,
VA is originator and mentor of both the Strategic Defense Initiative
(SDI) and the Single-Stage-To-Orbit (SSTO) reusable space launch
vehicle.


==================
Letters of Support
==================

PIERS ANTHONY : "I'm behind anything that supports the genre."

ARTHUR C. CLARK : "Good luck with your project!... I enjoyed reading
STC & look forward to seeing future issues... I'm overwhelmed with
projects (55 at last count) - but wish you the best with yours - as
long as it really is a 'legitimate adult effort' as you promise, and
not endless re-runs of Grade B movies like, 'That - Son of It' or "The
Dribbling Doom: Attack of the Killer Dentures'. --All best, Art.

FRITZ LEIBER: "Your idea strikes me as the most viable one with which
I would be happily associated. I would be happy to supply ideas for
such a venture. Hope to hear from you further..."

Plus support from : ALIEN NATION Fan Club, THRILLER Fan Club, Star
Trek Fan Club of California, Atari Corporation, TSR, Inc. (Makers of
Dungeon and Dragons)

Also support from Forest J Ackerman (Famous Monsters Magazine).
                  Walter Koenig
                  Nichell Nicols



==========================
An Update From Bjo Trimble
==========================

Hello! Thanks to your letter-writing and the coverage in USA Today
(May 4th) the MSOs know about SFAN. THE MSOs think fans will accept
any channel as long as it says "Science Fiction" somewhere. The June
8th press release from High Frontier space advocacy group is another
step.

Mike has avoided the temptation to put up a "front" and incur debts
and obligations which could cripple SFAN . Funding has come from
Mike's own pocket, small private investors, and from the uncompensated
(for the time being) labors of folks (like me) who truly believe in
SFAN. We're all committed to fighting for SFAN, working long hours to
make it happen.

SFAN will be you channel--you can tell us what you want it to be. But
if this endeavor fails, there will never again  be the chance to
develop a TV channel from the viewers and for the viewers.

Thanks for your letters and calls asking questions and offering
support. You can telephone me at (713) 359-4284, but remember that I'm
in the Central Time Zone, so no late night calls. Mike is available at
(512) 440-1092, but please understand if we have to "juggle" calls a
bit.

Tell your local newspapers, TV, a nd radio stations that SFAN Founder
Mike Kelly and Trek Expert Bjo Trimble are available for telephone,
personal interview or conventions.

KEEP THOSE LETTERS AND CARD COMING! Your letters will truly make the
difference. We are thankful for letters like these:

     "SFAN? A Cable channel that could potentially be what the
     SCI-FI Channel was first touted to be? Yes! I especially
     like your and Mike's policy of not promising something
     that you can't deliver, and making it clear that SFAN
     has to be a business in order to survive."  --RR


======================
Final Words Department
======================

Fans have been getting letters from MSOs saying: "You will be please
to learn that USA Network (a venture of MCA-Universal and Paramount)
has acquired the Sci-Fi Channel...USA will launch the channel on Sept.
24th...I have attached the press release about the ...Sci-Fi. We are
aware that there is a reasonable interest in this type of programming
genre and our cable systems will be evaluating Sci-Fi as one of a
number of new services to add...(Lotsa stuff deleted)

Naming USA Network's owners implies that Sci-Fi Channel can freely tap
into both Universal's and Paramount's movie archives, but SFC will
have to bid competitively for movies, just like anyone else wanting to
lease films. The film industry does not recognize relatives when it
comes to money!

The USA Network press release makes the identical claims to shows that
STC has been making for over 3 years: claims that owners of these
series have refuted over and over again! The release also says that
the average Science Fiction  fan is between the ages of 12-34 (guess
which age they'll aim for?). Your job: Keep writing these MSOs
(Multi-System Operators) as well as your local cable company and
INSIST ON SFAN.

Most important of all, ask  ten people to write letters. They ask ten
people to write letters who ask ten people to write letters...  .

If you would like to contact SFAN, please write to:

Bjo Trimble (or Mike Kelly) SFA Network Suite 372 1807 Slaughter Lane
#200 Austin, Texas 78748-6200

Mike Kelly is the founder/person with the dream of SFAN... He is a
real person, and you can contact him at the above address.

Please, *PLEASE* pass on this information on SFAN to EVERYONE. Feel
free to reprint it in your newsletters, post to your BBS systems,
tattoo on your pets (no, just kidding on the pets--but you get the
idea).


           *KEEP WRITING*


=====================
Cable MSO Information
=====================

Number One: Tele-communications Inc. Suite 600 John C. Malone,
President & CEO 4643 South Ulster Street Denver, Colorado, 80237
Phone: 303-721-5500


Number Two: ATC-WARNER-PARAGON Joseph P. Collins, Chmn. & CEO 300
First Stamford Place Stamford, Connecticut 06902-6732 Phone :
203-328-0600 Fax   : 203-328-0690


Number Three: Continental Cablevision, Inc. Amos B. Hofstetter, Jr.,
Chmn. & CEO Pilot House Lewis Warf Boston, Massachusetts 02110 Phone :
502-223-3401


Number Four: Comcast Corporation Ralph J. Roberts, Chmn. 1234 Market
Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-3732 Phone : 215-685-1700

Number Five: Cox Cable Communications James O. Roberts, President 1400
Lake Hearn Drive Atlanta, Georgia 30319 Phone: 404-843-5000


==============================
HOW TO WRITE EFFECTIVE LETTERS
==============================

1. Write a short, sincere individual letter to EACH multi-system
operator (MSO)  saying that you want the Space Fantasy & Adventure
Network (SFAN). When mail is counted, your letter will truly make the
difference.

2. THEN, ask 10 people to write letters. They write the letters and
then ask 10 people to write letters, and on and on (get the idea?).
Don't be judgemental; there are many "closet" fans out there: fellow
workers, neighbors, church groups, classmates, civic and other clubs,
etc.

3. Don't (ever) address a V.I. P. (executive) familiarly, act smart,
use insulting language, or tell a corporation how to run their
business - you are asking for a favor--the privilege of getting SFAN,
you own special genre network. The wrong attitude will nullify your
letter.

4. Be pleasant. Corporations seldom get anything but complaints, so a
cheerful, upbeat letter can make a CEO more receptive.

5. Don't use form letters, meimographed (photocopied) or multiple
carbons. Such letters give the impression that only a small segment is
doing all the writing--but computer letters are OK

6. Sign the letter!! Anonymous mail is sleazy and is either thrown
away or put in the "nut" file.

7. Use company letterhead or club stationary if you have a right to.
Corporations are sensitive to potential "Pressure groups"

8. Don't misrepresent yourself. Corporations are geared to ferret out
spurious claims. Such tricks will not help SFAN and someone may check
it out for a news story.

9. Don't barrage local cable companies -- they are not interested
unless the MSOs are interested and accept SFAN first.

10. Use petitions to get the names from those who won't bother to
write a letter themselves. Corporations understand that only a
percentage of people will get off their fat apathy to write letters;
signatures on a petition can show how many MORE people want SFAN on
their cable. The petition should have at least one contact address.

11. Keep letters on SFAN and getting on everywhere!

12. Don't mail you letters to SFAN!! We would have to re-mail them
again. We do want to hear about your mail campaign tho'

13. For this campaign, it is not necessary to use business envelopes.
Personal stationary and postcards will do just fine.