NovTek, Inc.

Name:	NovTek, Inc.
Date(s):	1990s
Profit/Nonprofit:
Country based in:	USA
Focus:	Beauty and the Beast (TV)
External Links:
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NovTek, Inc. was a fan-run for-profit company owned by Phil Smith who was associated with Helpers Above Tulsa, a Beauty and the Beast (TV) fan club based in Oklahoma, USA.

a 1993 flyer

The main NovTek activities were making convention videos:

• Tunnelcon (1993)
• Reflections (1997)
• Great Expectations (1995)

Not only did NovTek film many of the annual fan conventions, but they also hosted panels on how to make fan vids as well as provide entertainment.

A fan in 1997 wrote: "Novtek had a "video scrapbook" at the opening ceremonies that had everyone in tears."

"Fans of the entire series were a little disappointed that third season was not represented in the beautiful NovTek video at Opening Ceremony."

From a 1993 Flyer

You just got Lucky!

NovTek has been given the proprietary video rights to produce the official convention video for Great Expectations. In the past, many convention videos have had poor lighting, poor sound, or poor editing.

This time it's different!

Our professional videographers happen to be fans of the Beauty and the Beast T.V. show and know what it means to have a high quality video of a convention like this one. We vow to produce one for you.

The cost is only $39.95 + $3 shipping and handling. (Oklahoma residents only, add $1.80 for state sales tax)

In 60 to 90 days you will receive a 2 cassette album containing:

• Opening Ceremony
• Talent Show
• Question & Answer with the Stars
• Candle Lighting Ceremony
• Edward Albert in the Costume
• Closing Ceremony
• Much, Much More

1994 Dispute

See An Open Letter to Fans of Beauty and the Beast Regarding the Tunnel Con III Video for much more.

The video for the third Tunnelcon contains third-season comments and elements that made some fans upset.

Last and probably least, a small tempest over certain footage in the TunnelCon III video. In a recent published letter, a concerned fan objected to this footage that involved Nan and a few other all-season fans discussing the state of tolerance in this fandom. The letter-writer didn't like such a discussion being made in so public a forum as a convention video (she took it to be part of the panel session concerning Diana). What the letter-writer didn't and couldn't know, with only the tape itself to go by, is that this was a private conversation among a few friends after both the panel and the following meeting of the Jo Anderson fan club were OVER. No audience was present. The room was empty except for 4 or 5 friends who rarely get a chance to talk face to face...and a videographer way off at the other end of the room, whom Nan, at least, had completely forgotten about by that time.

Although Nan is unapologetic about what was said and feels it's absurd to call the conversation "fan bashing" (as the letterwriter did) since no fan whatsoever was even so much as criticized (really, in all honesty, it's pretty dull, bland stuff with nil shock value), it's nevertheless unfortunate that the resulting footage was included on the tape since it's so easily misinterpreted, out of context. Phil Smith, like the letter-writer, assumed it was part of the session, found it interesting, and put it in; and, although surprised, Nan at first saw nothing wrong with it, not realizing it could be (and had been) interpreted as part of something public rather than one of the video's many miscellaneous "candid" sequences of fans "fanning," as it were. Nan has no criticism for Phil or his crew: they were doing what they were supposed to do, taping whatever was going on. It was only Nan's inexperience in such matters that's the culprit here, if culprit there be. She's not used to checking on whether or not she's being taped. Hereafter, at a convention, she'll try to do her own "fanning" more discreetly and more wisely.

1995 Dispute

This dispute regarded money, footage, and permissions.

Reported in Of Love and Hope v.3:

In regard to the convention tapes for A Distant Shore, there's a dispute, which may even become a legal dispute, between the [convention organizers] Carousels & Caverns Community and NovTek over whether NovTek has the right to sell convention tapes, since they weren't the official videographer for the convention. C&CC contends, we gather, that any footage of the convention is their property (although they did shell out considerable money for the Ron Perlman footage NovTek had captured, and they hadn't--Ed.) whereas NovTek contends that by not forbidding filming (the NovTek crews weren't exactly inconspicuous, with all their equipment), C&CC tacitly gave permission to film and therefore can't legally object to their making the resulting tapes available. Until this matter is settled, it's not certain that NovTek's set of tapes will continue to be available.

From a fan's 1995 con report:

I guess there will be a choice of which video to purchase this year. The official group of the Con left early Friday and did not get Ron Perlman's part on tape. Someone at the committee’s table told me they would be able to get what was needed by making an arrangement with NovTek, who was also there filming on their own. The official video was selling for $55.CD for two tapes. I have to admit that, since I was not impressed with the way the Con was handled, I do not have a lot of confidence in the tape that will be produced. But, since NovTek is doing their own tape I think we’ll all have a choice in which one we want.

Fan Comments

TUNNELCON III VIDEOS Videotapes of TunnelCon III, including all the special moments, (Stu Sheff in the G-string; the 3rd season commemorative ping-pong ball and water pistol fight; the naming ceremonies; the celebrity Q&A's, and much more!) will be produced, again by the redoubtable Phil Smith of Helpers Above Tulsa and his crew at NovTek, Inc. If you saw the extremely handsome video Phil did for Great Expectations, you'll know why the TunnelCon III video will be an absolute treat for both those who were and weren't able to attend the convention. A three-tape set, to be prepared and shipped this fall, costs $50 plus $4 s/h. OK residents add an additional $4. That's a reasonable price considering how packed these tapes were the last time.... and how underpriced. These aren't merely home movies but a three tape video produced and edited by professional videographers...and the difference shows. So send (and make check or money order payable to) NovTek, Inc. Video Productions [address redacted].