Post by Texas sam on Apr 4, 2007 22:44:01 GMT
Save Deadwood !
Don't let HBO kill this wonderful show!
In May, 2006, HBO announced that they were releasing the actors from their contracts for the year beginning on June 11, 2006. This was done without notice and much to the surprise of all involved with the show. Almost immediately, HBO also ordered that the Deadwood sets be struck, also with no prior notice and much to everyone's surprise. What all this means is that Deadwood may be dead as a series. This, in spite of previous assertions from HBO that season 4 was approved.
Creator David Milch has stated on numerous occasions that Deadwood was conceived as a single story in 4 parts (seasons). Season 3 of the series was created and filmed with the understanding that HBO had committed to a 4th season, and the story lines were created accordingly. Cancelling the series at this point means that no resolution to the stories will be possible. In short, we have 3/4 of a story.
More recently, there has been a verbal agreement between HBO and Milch to produce 2 2-hr movies as a compromise "mini-season", which are tentatively slated for filming in mid 2007. As far as we know, no contracts have been signed, and CEO Chris Albrecht has made repeated statements that the movies are not a sure thing, but are a "plan". Whatever one may feel about the degree of "resolution" that can be provided in 2 2-hr episodes, we here feel that continued pressure must be brought to bear on HBO to honor this commitment, if not to reconsider a complete 4th season.
Nov. 2006: We continue to hear rumors about a possible start of production of the 2 movies in mid-2007. However this has not been confirmed by either the production company or HBO, and as far as we know no actors have been signed to contracts.
Jan. 2007: More statements that Milch and Co. intend to go forward with creating the 2 movies, with pre-production starting in mid-2007. However, still no confirmation from HBO. From the Buffalo newspaper, (Milch's home town) we read this:
"Milch said that "John" is being filmed adjacent to the set of his previous HBO series, "Deadwood," to make it more convenient to make two movies that HBO has commissioned to finish that series. Milch said he is collaborating with writer Evan Wright ("Generation Kill") on the first "Deadwood" movie, which will be set in 1879.
"We're very optimistic about the outcome of that work," said Milch. "It's our intention that just the moment that we complete production on "John From Cincinnati' to begin work on that."
He added that series lead Ian McShane has deferred a Broadway role for two months to film the movie, the actors have signed contracts and everything seems to be going as planned."
To add to the confusion, we also have conflicting reports as to whether any actors have actually signed contracts, several have denied that this has happened. Likewise, conflicting info has been quoted regarding when filming might take place, with dates anywhere from July 07 to "late 07" being mentioned. Also, now we see mention of "the first movie", suggesting that the second movie may be a separate project?
March 2007: HBO CEO Chris Albrecht has been quoted in the New York Times, discussing the 2 movies as though they might take place. But still no definitive confirmation that they will be filmed. No filming schedule, no actors signed to contracts or any other evidence that the 2 movies will in fact be made.
What can you do?
Your voice will most definitely make a difference! Follow these steps to make yourself heard. Please contact print and web periodicals and encourage them to cover this story and include a link to this site. Write to HBO and let them know what you think. Don't feel that your voice doesn't matter, exercise it!
Post as many links to this site as you possibly can, in blogs and forums and message boards everywhere. These links give the site high ranking in the search engines, and can increase traffic here.
Contact HBO directly (click here) Contact your local, regional and national press Join the "Cancel HBO" campaign
www.savedeadwood.tv/
Don't let HBO kill this wonderful show!
In May, 2006, HBO announced that they were releasing the actors from their contracts for the year beginning on June 11, 2006. This was done without notice and much to the surprise of all involved with the show. Almost immediately, HBO also ordered that the Deadwood sets be struck, also with no prior notice and much to everyone's surprise. What all this means is that Deadwood may be dead as a series. This, in spite of previous assertions from HBO that season 4 was approved.
Creator David Milch has stated on numerous occasions that Deadwood was conceived as a single story in 4 parts (seasons). Season 3 of the series was created and filmed with the understanding that HBO had committed to a 4th season, and the story lines were created accordingly. Cancelling the series at this point means that no resolution to the stories will be possible. In short, we have 3/4 of a story.
More recently, there has been a verbal agreement between HBO and Milch to produce 2 2-hr movies as a compromise "mini-season", which are tentatively slated for filming in mid 2007. As far as we know, no contracts have been signed, and CEO Chris Albrecht has made repeated statements that the movies are not a sure thing, but are a "plan". Whatever one may feel about the degree of "resolution" that can be provided in 2 2-hr episodes, we here feel that continued pressure must be brought to bear on HBO to honor this commitment, if not to reconsider a complete 4th season.
Nov. 2006: We continue to hear rumors about a possible start of production of the 2 movies in mid-2007. However this has not been confirmed by either the production company or HBO, and as far as we know no actors have been signed to contracts.
Jan. 2007: More statements that Milch and Co. intend to go forward with creating the 2 movies, with pre-production starting in mid-2007. However, still no confirmation from HBO. From the Buffalo newspaper, (Milch's home town) we read this:
"Milch said that "John" is being filmed adjacent to the set of his previous HBO series, "Deadwood," to make it more convenient to make two movies that HBO has commissioned to finish that series. Milch said he is collaborating with writer Evan Wright ("Generation Kill") on the first "Deadwood" movie, which will be set in 1879.
"We're very optimistic about the outcome of that work," said Milch. "It's our intention that just the moment that we complete production on "John From Cincinnati' to begin work on that."
He added that series lead Ian McShane has deferred a Broadway role for two months to film the movie, the actors have signed contracts and everything seems to be going as planned."
To add to the confusion, we also have conflicting reports as to whether any actors have actually signed contracts, several have denied that this has happened. Likewise, conflicting info has been quoted regarding when filming might take place, with dates anywhere from July 07 to "late 07" being mentioned. Also, now we see mention of "the first movie", suggesting that the second movie may be a separate project?
March 2007: HBO CEO Chris Albrecht has been quoted in the New York Times, discussing the 2 movies as though they might take place. But still no definitive confirmation that they will be filmed. No filming schedule, no actors signed to contracts or any other evidence that the 2 movies will in fact be made.
What can you do?
Your voice will most definitely make a difference! Follow these steps to make yourself heard. Please contact print and web periodicals and encourage them to cover this story and include a link to this site. Write to HBO and let them know what you think. Don't feel that your voice doesn't matter, exercise it!
Post as many links to this site as you possibly can, in blogs and forums and message boards everywhere. These links give the site high ranking in the search engines, and can increase traffic here.
Contact HBO directly (click here) Contact your local, regional and national press Join the "Cancel HBO" campaign
www.savedeadwood.tv/