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My letter to Entertainment Weekly, what do you guys think?

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OK guys, I found the Entertainment Weekly website, and found a link where you can send comments to the editorial writers of the magazine, here is what I wrote:

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To whom it may concern:

I am writing to you in an attempt to possibly generate a story about the growing majority of Star Wars fans who want the original versions of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi, not the Special Edition versions in 1997 & 2004, but the original versions as seen in the movies in 1977, 1980, and 1983 out on the DVD format.

I think it would be a big help for our cause that you could do a story in your magazine in an upcoming issue. I love your magazine because to me it everything that is 'in' with todays movies, music, and television, that the mainstream public is concerned about.

Since 1997, when George Lucas released the Star Wars Special Edition, he has not decided to release the original three movies out on DVD, and a growing frustration of alot of fans wanting these versions on the current high tech format has been growing and growing.

There is a webpage www.originaltrilogy.com that has over 80,000 signatures of Star Wars fans who just want the original versions to enjoy on DVD. Now all those fans respect George Lucas has a right to change the movies, cause they are his and no one elses, but we think in fairness to the fans who have supported him since 1977, that boths versions be available on DVD so every customer can be satisfied. Right now there was one release on DVD in 2004, where there were more changes than the 1997 Special Edition version, so this is sort Star Wars Special Edition, Part 2.

I and many others would love if you could do a story about just the history of the Star Wars movies, and how there are many versions now since Lucas started making changes. How the original versions are no longer for sale, and many fans have to result to buying illegal bootlegs, which to me sends a very negative message out there.

If you are interested in doing a story on this, I can give you the name of the creator of the website www.originaltrilogy.com, and he would be glad to give you all the information you need for the story, and I don't think it would be an anti-Lucas story, but more of a pro-Star Wars story.

Thanks for your time,
Chris Olivo


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I know this a hail mary pass, and I probably won't get a response, but we have to stop bitching and complaining and get on the offensive and do something. If we try this on dozens of entertainment magazines, or major newspaper, all we need is one to pick it up, and were off to the races. I am not saying this will bring out the O-OT on DVD next week, but we have to get this somehow in the mainstream, this has to be more than just SW fans who are clamoring for it. I think we forget about the prequels, forget about Greedo shooting first, and focus on ideas as was stated earlier this morning in another post about getting this news about the O-OT on DVD out there, not on just this website, where it has stalled for a couple years. This website is great, cause it really focused me on how much I wanted the O-OT on DVD, but we have to branch out now, more than just SW fans like ourselves.
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I think its good that you made an effort to write to someone, and it would be nice if it becomes a story and it gets some publicity for this site and its goals
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That's awesome. I'm a little bit embarrassed that someone else took the initiative, while I just sat on my ass, but I commend you.

There is no lingerie in space…

C3PX said: Gaffer is like that hot girl in high school that you think you have a chance with even though she is way out of your league because she is sweet and not a stuck up bitch who pretends you don’t exist… then one day you spot her making out with some skinny twerp, only on second glance you realize it is the goth girl who always sits in the back of class; at that moment it dawns on you why she is never seen hanging off the arm of any of the jocks… and you realize, damn, she really is unobtainable after all. Not that that is going to stop you from dreaming… Only in this case, Gaffer is actually a guy.

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There were a few grammar problems here and there, so proof-read it and make the relevant changes before you send it (it will make the letter more legitimate if you have immaculate spelling and grammar), but as far as what you've said in the letter, it's perfect.
MTFBWY. Always.

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Originally posted by: CO
I love your magazine because to me it everything that is 'in' with todays movies, music, and television, that the mainstream public is concerned about.

Is it true?
just a joke...

Originally posted by: CO
Now all those fans respect George Lucas has a right to change the movies, cause they are his and no one elses,...


That is not true. A quick view on those threads suffices to know that IMO...


Anyway, it's a really good letter! It would be awesome if it could change GL's opinion! I vote for it, good job!

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Originally posted by: Kaal-Jhyy
Originally posted by: CO
I love your magazine because to me it everything that is 'in' with todays movies, music, and television, that the mainstream public is concerned about.

Is it true?
just a joke...
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Hey, remember you have to butter them up before you ask them to help you out. I mean who doesn't mind a nice compliment!
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Originally posted by: CO
Now all those fans respect George Lucas has a right to change the movies, cause they are his and no one elses,...


That is not true. A quick view on those threads suffices to know that IMO...


Anyway, it's a really good letter! It would be awesome if it could change GL's opinion! I vote for it, good job!


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The magazine editor won't go through our posts, he will just log on to see if it is legit or not, and the first thing that will pop up is Lucas's quote about not changing movies, and then the next page will be all the people that have signed the petition, cause I really don't think he will have to time to go through our rantings about Lucas.


The thing we have to be courteous, and be legit, and this website helps. If I just wrote a letter asking for the O-OT on DVD, they wouldn't think twice because this one fan wants the old movies? But as they see this website, it atleast sticks out that 80,000 people agree with my letter, so it isn't just myself asking them to do this, it is a whole group of fans, so the editor may think we are on to something. If this goes anywhere, we have to not bitch and complain or say that we hate Lucas, then we will just look like angry fanboys who haven't gotten past their childhood. We have to do this in a dignified way, and maintain it is about releasing the movies for the next generation to enjoy just as much as we can to.

I know I am dreaming now, but wouldn't it be great for the cover of Entertainment Weekly, "Where are the original Star Wars movies on DVD?"

Maybe that is asking too much.

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Hey, just because we respect his right to do so doesn't mean we have to like it!

There is no lingerie in space…

C3PX said: Gaffer is like that hot girl in high school that you think you have a chance with even though she is way out of your league because she is sweet and not a stuck up bitch who pretends you don’t exist… then one day you spot her making out with some skinny twerp, only on second glance you realize it is the goth girl who always sits in the back of class; at that moment it dawns on you why she is never seen hanging off the arm of any of the jocks… and you realize, damn, she really is unobtainable after all. Not that that is going to stop you from dreaming… Only in this case, Gaffer is actually a guy.

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Originally posted by: CO
I know I am dreaming now, but wouldn't it be great for the cover of Entertainment Weekly, "Where are the original Star Wars movies on DVD?"

Maybe that is asking too much.


Yeah, it would be awesome to see that line on a magazine cover! I think it could really change things, maybe not GL decision but I really think that many more fans would join us on that!

You know what? I'm dreaming with you, pal. (no sexual allusion here!)

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Take a look at my Portfolio
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its about time someone did something, i commend you co
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Bless you, laddie.
There's good in the Original Trilogy, and it's worth fighting for.
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having the donner superman 2 article in there obviously helped get that film restored, so why not the oot?
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Well written CO and you beat me to the punch!

Are you planning on including specific examples whether in the form of screen-shots or a detailed list of known changes? I feel this would help. In fact any information that a reporter can use that saves him/her a little work can help loads towards an article.

The idea of a cover story really has me pumped- can you all imagine an EW cover that resembles the Wookie-Groomer splitscreen editions- like an all black cover with a screen cap of something like the S Shaw Force ghost on top and Hayden's on the bottom? Or perhaps a whole MONTAGE of split screen comparisons!!! Hell if I wasn't at work and had access to Photoshope I'd start laying out a mock cover like that!!!

I'd personally probably mention both the Donner Supes article and the fact about Spielberg's last mintue decision to release the original E.T. for the wider release just to remind EW that change is possible.
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Originally posted by: greencapt
Well written CO and you beat me to the punch!

Are you planning on including specific examples whether in the form of screen-shots or a detailed list of known changes? I feel this would help. In fact any information that a reporter can use that saves him/her a little work can help loads towards an article.

The idea of a cover story really has me pumped- can you all imagine an EW cover that resembles the Wookie-Groomer splitscreen editions- like an all black cover with a screen cap of something like the S Shaw Force ghost on top and Hayden's on the bottom? Or perhaps a whole MONTAGE of split screen comparisons!!! Hell if I wasn't at work and had access to Photoshope I'd start laying out a mock cover like that!!!

I'd personally probably mention both the Donner Supes article and the fact about Spielberg's last mintue decision to release the original E.T. for the wider release just to remind EW that change is possible.


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I didn't get too specific, cause I was just curious to see if they are interested. If they are, then I am planning to refer them to the creator of this site, and he can give them all the information they need, and then there is one webpage that did a comparision of the O-OT/'97/and 2004 editions which screenshots and a write up of each change. I don't know if anyone remembers that site?

If we get one magazine or newspaper that is interested, then we can all just get together here and bring as many good sources that we can find, and that would really make it more legit.

But for now, I am just trying to get someone out there to bite, cause if I wrote a long drawn out thesis to them, they may not be interested. But I purposely made my letter short and to the point, and I will all let you guys know if they answer it.

To me this is like being a salesperson, the overall odds of someone being interested in my product is probably very minute, but again, we just need one taker to get the ball rolling.
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Originally posted by: CO
To me this is like being a salesperson, the overall odds of someone being interested in my product is probably very minute, but again, we just need one taker to get the ball rolling.


I wish your balls Godspeed then!
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To be honest they will likely ignore it but i hope that we beat the odds.

THANKS FOR MAKING THE EFFORT! Thats more than most ppl here, myself included, have ever done.
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Good luck, CO! I hope that letter gets read, printed, and sent around as a covert inter-office memo
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Originally posted by: CO
Originally posted by: greencapt
Well written CO and you beat me to the punch!

there is one webpage that did a comparision of the O-OT/'97/and 2004 editions which screenshots and a write up of each change. I don't know if anyone remembers that site?



the site is DVDactive:

null

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Originally posted by: theredbaron
There were a few grammar problems here and there, so proof-read it and make the relevant changes before you send it (it will make the letter more legitimate if you have immaculate spelling and grammar), but as far as what you've said in the letter, it's perfect.


It's a good letter. I too hope that you proof read your letter before you sent it, because if all your T's aren't crossed and your I's aren't dotted, they will probably cast it aside. It looks poor if you have bad grammar.
"I am altering the movies. Pray I don't alter them any further." -Darth Lucas
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I've rewritten it a bit for you. If you don't like it, you don't have to use it

To whom it may concern:

I am writing to you in an attempt to possibly generate a story about the growing majority of Star Wars fans who want the original versions of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi on DVD as seen in the 70's and 80's (as opposed to the 1997 & 2004 Special Editions).

I think it would be an incredible help for our cause if a story was published in an upcoming issue of your magazine. I love your magazine, because to me it represents everything that is 'in' (with today's movies, music, and television) that the mainstream public is concerned about.

Since 1997, when George Lucas released the Star Wars Special Edition, he has not only refused to release the original three movies out on DVD, but he has denied that they even exist in their original form. For a film like "Star Wars" that influenced so many millions of people and permeated our popular culture, this is a significant historical loss. Thousands of fans have gotten extremely frustrated, and the demand for the original Star Wars trilogy on the current high tech format has been growing and growing.

There is a website entitled "www.originaltrilogy.com" that contains over 80,000 signatures of Star Wars fans merely asking for the original versions to enjoy on DVD. All of these fans respect the fact that George Lucas has a right to change the movies (despite the fact that he only directed one of them), but many believe that both versions should be available on DVD so that every customer may be satisfied. It would be much appreciated by the fans who have supported Lucas since the seventies. At this time, there is one 2004 DVD release, in which there were even more awful changes than there were in the 1997 Special Edition. The only current release could easily be titled "Star Wars Special Edition, Part 2", and many fans are disgusted.

A huge number of people (myself included) would love it if you were able to do a story about the history of the Star Wars movies, and the fact that there are many different versions of the films as a result of Lucas' incessant tinkering with the films. You could discuss the fact that the original versions are no longer for sale, and that many fans have resorted to buying illegal bootlegs. People shouldn't have to buy bootlegs to enjoy the original version of one of the greatest films of all time.

If you are at all interested in doing a story on this, I can give you the name of the creator of the website entitled "www.originaltrilogy.com". He would be more than happy to give you all the information you might need for the story. I don't think it would be an anti-Lucas story as much as a pro-Star Wars story, and it would be appreciated by thousands of fans out there.

Thanks very much for your time,
Chris Olivo
colivo72@aol.com
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Davis thanks for the re-write, and I think we should keep all these changes from my letter and make one official letter for the website that each of us can use if we find some publication that we feel will help the cause.

I proof-read my original letter I posted last night, and sent it out late last night after it seemed everyone was cool with it, but I do think that the best thing we can do now is just have one official letter that anyone of us can cut and paste from the website whenever needed. Anyone have anymore changes they feel would make my letter better for the future, go right ahead, I won't get offended, cause I was kinda just doing this last night off the top of my head.
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Good Luck with that it looks good to me also.

and you may want to send it too Mags. "Starlog" and Sci-Fi Channel's Mag.


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You might also want to mention there was a Chicago Tribune article about this site too. Has anyone considered trying to contact through fan mail any celebrities who are known to be big fans of the movies. For example, I heard one of the hobbit actors from LotR (Dominic Monaghan?) mentioned in some interview that he hated Greedo shooting first. Matt Stone and Trey Parker made fun of Lucas and Spielberg in South Park ep 609: Free Hat. Their commentary on the season six dvd for that episode was mainly about how dissapointed with the new prequels, a feeling shared by a lot of people here. I'm sure they would love to find this site but aren't aware since they mentioned in another episode commentary (season 6) that the only way to watch the holiday special was from ebay. Come to think of it, it sounded like they thought the SWhs was good.

Take back the trilogy. Execute Order '77

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I think that it should be mentioned in the letter the work here the fans are doing to preserve the OOT because if they arent doing it with the situation as it is, it would only be a few bootlegers on ebay or whatever who would be keeping the thetarical cuts from extinction and not available on a decent format to anyone who isnt willing to pay bootleggers.