A Message From Joss Whedon
(Plus: You Are Dua Khalil)
Joss On Equality Now
There are two ways to fight a battle like ours. One is to whisper in the ear of the masses, try subtlely and gradually to change the gender expectations and mythic structures of our culture. That's me. The other is to step up and confront the thousands of atrocities that are taking place around the world on an immediate, one-by-one basis. That's a great deal harder, and that's Equality Now. It's not about politics; it's about basic human decency.
- Joss Whedon
Joss On 2006
But the second "Thank You" is obviously for the screenings, and everyone's involvement. ... What an achievement. I wish I could have been at one. ... I got an E-mail from Jessica Neuwirth [of Equality Now], who was of course thrilled and grateful for the whole thing. It's by your efforts that my movie has become inexorably linked to such a vital, under-recognized cause, and so y'all should be frantically patting yourselves on the backs. Thank you. It matters. Plus, fun!
- Joss Whedon
Equality Now On 2006
During the last week of June 2006, Joss Whedon's fans, the Browncoats, organized 47 screenings of his film Serenity in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. The screenings were held to benefit Equality Now and celebrate Joss' birthday. Earnings totaling over $60,000 have been reported. Equality Now is extremely grateful for the support of the Browncoats and inspired by the tremendous energy and commitment they have put into their efforts to support our work to end human rights abuses against women and girls around the world.
- Equality Now
Thanks From...
All of us at Equality Now continue to be amazed by and grateful for the Browncoats' and Serenity fans' generous and committed support for our work. Their energy and enthusiasm is inspiring and these screenings are coming at a critical time when we are especially in need of funds! We thank each and every one of them and Happy Birthday to Joss!"
- Amanda Sullivan, Equality Now
Local Total:
$13,000
Global As Of 21 August:
$121,806.05 (est)
Women's Film Initiative:
Approx. $1,000
May 2007 Updates
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31 May 2007: The twenty-eighth edition of The Hollywood Theatre Calendar, June 8 to August 16, 2007, is now available (pdf) at The Hollywood Theatre as well as outlets throughout Portland, Beaverton, Vancouver, Gresham and other areas. It includes an ad (jpg) for our screenings on the back, at the top. For what it's worth, that's likely the only place you will see that particular design, because we have something new in the works which you shortly will start seeing rather consistently. So, stay tuned.
29 May 2007: We once again are taking orders for Can't Stop The Serenity posters and t-shirts, while supplies last. Proceeds from the sale of these posters and shirts go to Equality Now, the charity-of-choice for the Can't Stop The Serenity events. The poster is a standard 27" x 40" full color one-sheet, with a list of the participating cities for 2007 in a "credit block" at the bottom. The standard t-shirt, in sizes S to 4XL, is a 100%-cotton Hanes black tagless, with the participating cities listed on the back in "tour" fashion. The "women's cut" t-shirt, in sizes S to 2XL, is a 100%-cotton Hanes black scoop-neck, with the participating cities listed on the back in "tour" fashion.
26 May 2007: For those who might have missed it, here's the audio (mp3) of Mike Russell from The Oregonian on last night's Cort and Fatboy show, pitching our charity screenings to listeners of KUFO. It's expected that similar mentions will occur every Friday until the event weekend arrives.
25 May 2007: While it's still not yet determined whether they will be going into the general raffle, a special raffle, or some form of auction (if we conduct one), it's time to reveal the identities of the authentic Serenity props which have been donated to PDX Browncoats by The Prop Store of London for use in this year's fundraising events. And so, for your viewing pleasure: Bank Heist Money Display and Reaver Throwing Razor Weapon.
19 May 2007: Late this evening, Joss posted a message to WHEDONesque that is extraordinarily relevant to the work done by Equality Now. It is a difficult read. Because of its importance, and the fact that sometimes WHEDONesque experiences high traffic, we've reproduced the message in full here on this site. Read it.
18 May 2007: Want to help promote the screenings online? Now we have a banner ad and a blog ad, for use in linking to our main page. Stay tuned for more such options and opportunities to help promote the screenings.
17 May 2007: If you're a user of Upcoming, our screening events now are listed there. Friday's event is here and Saturday's event is here. Meanwhile, this is a good time to remind you to buy your tickets to one (or both!) screenings.
15 May 2007: Pre-orders no longer are being taken for Can't Stop The Serenity t-shirts and posters. A limited quantity will be available for purchase at the screenings in June. Since you'll have to wait a little more than a month to try to get your hands on those items, perhaps now is a good time to purchase your tickets. Stay tuned here for further updates as we approach the "one month to go" mark. And start thinking about having the first weekend in June set aside, because our regular monthly shindig just might be something you'll want to attend.
14 May 2007: This is it. Today is the last and final day for pre-ordering your Can't Stop The Serenity t-shirts and posters. Proceeds from the sales of these items go to Equality Now. If you do not order today, there is no guarantee that you will find what you want at the screenings, since only a limited quantity will be available beyond what was pre-ordered.
13 May 2007: By now you know the drill. There is only one day left to pre-order your Can't Stop The Serenity t-shirts and posters, proceeds from which will go to Equality Now. Don't miss out on the chance to make sure you get what you want. Pre-order yours today.
12 May 2007: The next two days are your last chance to pre-order t-shirts and posters. Only. Two. Days. Proceeds from the sales of these items go to Equality Now. If you're undecided, check out the designs for the poster, shirt front, and shirt back. Remember: While a limited quantity of each will be available for purchase at the shows, they might sell out and in the case of the t-shirts you might not find your size. Ordering now is the only way to make sure you get what you want. If you don't pre-order, there is absolutely no guarantee that you will find what you want at the screenings. Pre-ordering, of course, also helps us make sure things are running as smoothly as possible. And, of course, don't forget to buy your tickets to one or both screenings.
11 May 2007: If you've been holding off on pre-ordering your Can't Stop The Serenity posters and t-shirts, time is running out. There are only three days left to order them. Only. Three. Days. If you're undecided, check out the designs for the poster, shirt front, and shirt back. Remember: While a limited quantity of each will be available for purchase at the shows, they might sell out and in the case of the t-shirts you might not find your size. Ordering now is the only way to make sure you get what you want. If you don't pre-order, there is absolutely no guarantee that you will find what you want at the screenings. Pre-ordering, of course, also helps us make sure things are running as smoothly as possible. And, of course, don't forget to buy your tickets to one or both screenings.
10 May 2007: Only four days left to order your Can't Stop The Serenity posters and t-shirts. Only. Four. Days. So click through and check out the designs and place an order or two. Remember: While a limited quantity of each will be available for purchase at the shows, they might sell out and in the case of the t-shirts you might not find your size. Ordering now is the only way to make sure you get what you want.
09 May 2007: With only five days left to place your pre-orders for t-shirts and posters, perhaps you'd like to see the final designs rather than descriptions and mock-ups. At least, that seems reasonable to us. So head over to our Merchandise page and check out the new links to the poster design and the front and back ("tour-style") designs for the event t-shirts. Remember: While a limited quantity of each will be available for purchase at the shows, they might sell out and in the case of the t-shirts you might not find your size. Pre-ordering, of course, also helps us make sure things are running as smoothly as possible. And don't forget to buy your tickets to the screenings.
07 May 2007: There are only seven days left to pre-order your t-shirts and posters to guarantee you get what you want. While a limited quantity of each will be available for purchase at the shows, they might sell out and in the case of the t-shirts you might not find your size. Pre-ordering, of course, also helps us make sure things are running as smoothly as possible. This is your now-daily reminder to make those pre-orders. And remember that ticket sales are up and you can start your planning to attend one or the other (or both!) of the screenings.
06 May 2007: In addition to being able to purchase tickets, and pre-order merchandise (do it by 14 May!), you now can help promote our screenings as well, with the first set of handbills and flyers. (If you were out at various shops for Free Comic Book Day yesterday, or at the Hollywood Theatre itself, you've seen these already.) If you'd like to help get the word out, download this material, print it out, and have fun. And please let us know if you find local businesses around town who agree to let you post the flyers or set out the handbills. We might want to do a little follow-up with them. Finally (for now, anyway), you also can read our press release (pdf), which started going out on Friday.
05 May 2007: Tickets are available (online and at the Hollywood Theatre box office) for advance purchase. Tickets are $13 in advance (plus a $1 fee if you purchase online rather than at the box office) and $18 at the door on the day of show. Friday, 22 June, doors open for pre-screening activities at 7:00 PM and programming begins at 8:00 PM. Saturday, 23 June, doors open for pre-screening activities at 1:00 PM and programming begins at 2:00 PM.
05 May 2007: And so it begins. When the Hollywood Theatre box office opens this afternoon, tickets will be available. If you're hitting Things From Another World on NE Sandy for Free Comic Book Day, you'll be able to walk right across the street and purchase your screening tickets. Then they go up online later today. Tickets are $13 in advance and $18 at the door on the day of show. Friday, 22 June, doors open for pre-screening activities at 7:00 PM and programming begins at 8:00 PM. Saturday, 23 June, doors open for pre-screening activities at 1:00 PM and programming begins at 2:00 PM.
01 May 2007: While we await the final go-ahead on launching advance ticket sales, we do have something you can do right now to start supporting this year's screenings: Place your pre-orders for event posters and t-shirts. Proceeds from the sale of these items, of course, go to Equality Now, the charity-of-choice for the Can't Stop The Serenity events. While a limited quantity of posters and t-shirts will be available for purchase at the show, pre-ordering now will help ensure you get what you want. Note: Items you pre-order must be picked up at the show. Pre-orders end on 14 May.
To keep updated, subscribe via feed or via email, whichever is most convenient for you.
Local Total:
$13,000
Global As Of 21 August:
$121,806.05 (est)
Women's Film Initiative:
Approx. $1,000