Once Upon a Time... Is Now/Issues 007-008
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Once Upon a Time... Is Now (Out-In, Out/In, Out...In) |
| Publisher: | |
| Editor(s): | Jeanne Cloud and Joyce DeBoard (issues #1-#27), Jeanne Cloud, Loreen Vanderkrats, and Linda Lakin (issues #27-#33 -- tho perhaps as far as #45), Jeanne Cloud and Loreen Vanderkrats (issues #46-#60 -- tho perhaps as early as #34) |
| Type: | letterzine |
| Date(s): | 1988 to 1996 |
| Frequency: | sometimes monthly, sometimes bi-monthly, at the end much more infrequent |
| Medium: | |
| Size: | digest-sized |
| Fandom: | Beauty and the Beast (TV) |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Once Upon a Time... Is Now (Out-In, Out/In, Out...In) is a Beauty and the Beast letterzine. It is digest-sized.
See List of Letterzines for similar fanworks.
Contents
The zine is a collection of letters from fans (titled "From the Helpers") of the show discussing aspects of the show including the actors, characters, stories, and fanfiction. This zine also contains photos (both xeroxed and original), some original artwork, con reports, open letters, and sometimes clippings and interviews.
Some regular features were: "OK Good...OK Fine" (the editorial), "From the Library" (zine listings), and "On the Pipes" (fan clubs).
There were 60 issues published between 1988 to 1996.
Issue 7
Once Upon a Time... Is Now 7 was published in January 1989.
Issue 7: Excerpts from the Letters
This letter is written jointly by Joyce and myself and does not necessarily reflect the views of any other staff members. We would like to talk to you about the new season. Rumors have it that there has been a lot of negative response to what has been shown thus far. Many of you have called and talked to us personally about your views on what has been shown and a lot of it has not been overly favorable. To this, we would like to respond, "Be careful of what you wish for. You may get it." The studio has listened to us and tried very hard to give us what we told them we wanted. We said we wanted more romance...they gave it to us. We said we wanted to see more of the tunnels and learn more about the society...they gave it to us. We said we wanted to get away from the danger and rescue episodes and they did. They have given us exactly what we asked for and now we are not pleased. WHAT exactly DO we want? Most of us have been amazed to be dealing with studio personnel who actually listen and deal with fans; who care enough to try to give us what we want. We are extremely worried that we are going to bum them out. We are going to teach them that fans can never be pleased and they will STOP dealing with us. It must be very frustrating for them to present us with what they view as the perfect season and have us react in such a manner. If we keep this up, we will probably see the end of the magic this season. Why should they continue with a no-win situation? Enjoy the beauty, for they have given us so much. We are not suggesting that you shouldn't write and express your views, but keep in mind what kind of an impression of fandom you are giving them. Be constructive. It would also be nice to tell them what you DO love. Positive input is so important. We have something very special here. Do we really want to mess it up? [1]
A rumor is circulating in Fandom to the effect that B&B plans an episode in which Vincent 'beasts out', goes into a 'rut' and actually stalks Catherine as a result of it. This rumor is untrue! IT WILL NOT HAPPEN. A story which explores the beastial aspects of Vincent's nature would be a very valid study of him.
We have all seen the manifestations of this part of his nature and have been given some of his feelings about it ("Terrible Savior" is a good reference). An episode which explores this in more depth would add immeasurably to our understanding of Vincent and I welcome and applaud it. I also trust it will be handled with good taste and respect and not played for shock value, but this is being twisted into something which it is not and that will damage this series if it's not stopped.
As much as I love B&B - and I do with all my heart — even I might turn away from it should such a story as Vincent portrayed as an animal in heat (pardon the indelicacy of that wording) ever be aired. I truly believe many, many fans — if not most - would agree that this gossip is ugly and that this supposed storyline would be the very antithesis of B&B's premise of romance and love. These are the fans I want to reach with this assurance.
I learned of this rumor to begin with from the Fandom network — the Pentagon should have such a grapevine (as a friend of mine puts it!) — so I turn to the same network to help squelch the rumor. That the information is not true, along with a request to help get the word out, comes to me through a telephone conversation with one of the series' executive producers. Trust his words absolutely and ask all the fans to do the same.
I'd like to add a couple of personal comments on other points which came up during that conversation: There is great concern in the production offices about details of unaired episodes getting out. Sometimes, as above, it's inaccurate; in others, it is correct. But either way, it hurts the show. Can you see it from their point of view? What if you were a writer and details of your unpublished plots were being leaked — would you not be upset? I know it's hard not to be curious about future episodes-a great deal of the fun is in trying to figure out what will happen next - but constant digging and prying is only going to result in less response to fans and more headaches to the producers. This all ties together: a scrap of a plot here, a thread of a story there, connect the two, make a couple of guesses and ~ if it's right, the episode's impact is greatly reduced. And if it is wrong, an ugly rumor can start....
The other point is fan reaction to the first five episodes. B&B has always been a show which has had both the nerve and the class to dare to experiment, to push its limits, to explore its own possibilities. We are seeing some of that now. THEY CANNOT SIMPLY STAND STILL! Nor can they please everybody - no-one can do that.
I don't mean to say that loyalty obligates you to love everything you see; it does not. I do mean to say you must not engage in 'beast-bashing'. Viewer input is important (and with this series, it's listened to), but the same rules you would use to criticize a dear friend apply here too: be specific, be fair and be courteous and gracious. Say what you loved as well as what you didn't; take into account the great variations in interpretations; never, never be nasty or mean.
What has been created in Vincent and the Society and in Catherine and her world Above is a precious thing, to be treasured and respected. The stories of their lives and their love are meant to add a light to our lives, to touch us and teach us. We should protect and nurture them, and do nothing that would harm the series or hurt the feelings of those who have given it to us.
I've followed the "kiss" debate avidly. I thought "A Happy Life" was perfect. I'm frustrated by their lack of affection, but it just means we fans will have to work harder.
Both are obviously afraid of intimacy. Maybe they've discussed it (off-camera, naturally). Perhaps they fear kisses will lead to further contact. (Let's hear it for further contact!) If Vincent is afraid of his bestial nature or if he's not sexually functional or even if he wants a commitment from Catherine ("marriage" or at least a promise of no more Elliot Burch, et al), there could be perfectly valid reasons for holding back. So as much as it frustrates me, I'm content for now to let the relationship — no romance - grow. Oh, yeah, and why do we assume Vincent's a virgin? Maybe as a randy youth, he did his own experimenting and encountered the same problems he fears with Catherine. Turning into a raving beast and killing your first partner could certainly give him second thoughts about trying it with Catherine..! "Let's not rush them; let's trust them." Now if we could only trust network bigwigs!
Issue 8
Once Upon a Time... Is Now 8 was published in February 1989 and contains 28 pages.
This issue has a con report (with many photos) for Icon. It includes a transcript of an interview there with Roy Dotrice.
From the editorial:
Cheryl White and I attended the B&B/Icon convention in Cedar Rapids over the weekend of January 20-22. Deb Hense absolutely knocked herself out to keep us and the other attendees happy. Her gracious attempts made us feel welcome and included in all activities. She's a nice gal — you should get to know her if you don't already. Thanks, Deb, we owe you a lot.
Roy Dotrice was the guest of honor and is the most charming man you'd ever want to meet. We spent hours talking to him about every conceivable subject. He seemed genuinely interested in what we had to say and kept us thoroughly entertained with his stories. Cheryl has written a more detailed report giving you an attendees view of the weekend. Much, much fun was had at this small, relaxed, WONDERFUL convention.
Issue 8: Excerpts from the Letters
I just had to write and share with you a story about a very special fan I know who, as far as I'm concerned, is the biggest fan of B&B and whose life has been truly and totally enriched through this show.
This is a fan who was born with a noticeable speech impediment, who was forced to endure this situation throughout her life, ridiculed at an impressionable age, leaving her a very self-conscious, introverted person, until B&B. This is now a fan who takes it upon herself to promote this show and will actually, willingly, approach total strangers, asking if they watch the series, their opinion if they do, and is in total disbelief when she meets someone who not only does not watch the show, but has also not even heard of it! It is then, she believes her personal duty to inform this "recruitee" of all the aspects of this series. Including a visual presentation of the many, many items which are carried with her always and everywhere in her purse.
This is a fan who stood outside, alone, for two days in the scorching LA heat last summer during the taping of the Emmy Awards with the hope of gaining even the slightest glimpse of the arrival of Ron Perlman or Linda Hamilton.
This is a fan who, in her kitchen, has two entire walls devoted to items about the show, a life-size poster of Vincent, 8X10 glossies of the stars, news articles, and what does not fit on her wall, overflows to piles and piles of B&B items on her dining room and kitchen table.
This is a fan who was unexpectedly widowed and since that time, knowing there would never be anyone who could compare to her late husband, never gave a moments thought to romance, not for 30 years! Until B&B.
This fan is not some love-sick, easily influenced individual who will outgrow this phase. This fan is my Aunt Vera; she is sixty some years young now that she has been reborn because of B&B.
Through this show, my Aunt is now no longer shy or introverted; her speech impediment has not slowed her down a bit when she now discusses the show to anyone and, best of all, she is no longer reduced to just letting her life go along, uneventfully, day by day.
For this beautiful and positive influence that this series has had on my Aunt and her life, I say thank you, thank you, thank you Ron Koslow, Witt-Thomas, Ron Perlman, Linda Hamilton, and everyone involved for giving her something to live for, a reason to dream, a purpose for caring and a rediscovery of romance and love.
Why do you think so many of us felt that we were alone in our obsession with B&B? I don't even remember being told to wake up and face reality by any of my family or close friends. Yet, I felt extremely uncomfortable talking to them about my feelings for this show. It didn't keep me from talking! But I know I didn't express all my feelings. Now, as I read (and reread) all these letters, I feel like someone is saying, "Yes, you were right! B&B is the best thing that has happened in years." I read the letters and laugh, nod in agreement, say, "No way!" and thoroughly enjoy myself. I wish that I had had you to lean on during the writers' strike. I wanted to send a copy of Neil Diamond's "Hello, Again" to all those involved when the new season finally started..
I risked sounding like an idiot (and an illiterate one at that) at NOLAcon and asked George outright from whence he pulled the quote [mentioned in issue #5]. He looked (only slightly) annoyed and told me that he "made it up". Such was my fear and he also said that there is no more of it and he's not going to write it either.
This was probably the best and worst weekend of my life. First off, like all of you, I was living for Nov. 18 — every calendar circled. I had my own countdown by hours. The CBS promos were so promising and so enticing. I mean, could I contain myself? The hour had. arrived; the TV on, tape in VCR, the familiar skyline, that voice and here is what I was waiting for along with all you other fans. The powerful score under the credits (O.K. good, that's the same), the misty photography and a "date" sequence with physical contact, the sharing of the totally sensual experience, all in the first ten minutes. I mean when Ron Koslow stated a deepening relationship, this was it; but then I felt the beginning of a letdown. Hot that I didn't enjoy the show; the quality was intact, but where was the intensity and character development I hoped for in a season opener. I mean we were all "hanging" after "A Happy Life". I would have liked to see the episode pick up after what was in that last scene or at least pick up on the sentiments and how they would proceed with the Vincent/Catherine relationship this season. If new viewers were to be enticed, "Chamber Music" would not be the lure although the "concert date" was so new for these characters. It just did not sustain and I felt disappointed. However, I think "Remember Love" and all the story ideas for future episodes seem to indicate that this episode may be an exception to the year ahead.
But my letdown was only minor when I found out at 8:45, my VCR was incorrectly recording a Knicks game. Seven months of waiting, reading, anticipating. I was psyched; obviously the power of the show psyched me out. I have never had this happen before. Can you imagine not rewatching the "date sequence" again, again, and again that night I Fortunately, good fan and friend, Rita Palmer, came through and helped me through a very dark time. It has been said the passion of B&B has made us do strange things. This more than qualifies.
I am in the process of reading my first copy of OUT. ..IN. It is issue #3. I had to put it down. Have you ever been so excited about something or liked something so much that you have had to get away from it for a while to catch your breath? Joyce said she hoped I would like the issue. I LOVE THEM!
It is truly frustrating to realize how much I have missed. I didn't even know about conventions. I would have attended at least one, to see Ron Perlman in person... (Would I have gotten over my awe long enough to ask for an autograph? Hot if I had know he was sick I. I would have felt like I was imposing.) It was wonderful to read the two articles by [Linda L] and [Donna K] and find, as I had always suspected, that there is a lot of Ron Perlman in Vincent. It breaks my heart to read how impressed he is with the "intelligent letters" they receive (issue #3, "On the Set in Statesville"). I have never written an intelligent letter in my life! All my letters babble, as you can see.
Somewhere between these lines I have finished reading my three issues. Wonderful! The letters! These people say what I am feeling in a way I never could. Why do you think so many of us felt that we were alone in our obsession with B&B? I don't even remember being told to wake up and face reality by any of my family or close friends. Yet, I felt extremely uncomfortable talking to them about my feelings for this show. It didn't keep me from talking! But I know I didn't express all my feelings. How, as I read (and reread) all these letters, I feel like someone is saying, "Yes, you were right! B&B is the best thing that has happened in years. " I read the letters and laugh, nod in agreement, say, "No way!" and thoroughly enjoy myself.
[...]
I do get very emotionally involved with the show and it only gets more intense with each viewing.
Falling in love with this TV show has really taught me a lot about who I am. People my age and kids in my high school have so many dangers and problems and pressures to deal with, and it's so good to know that there is some good left in the world, especially in Hollywood and television. It feels so good to come home after a tough, long basketball practice and teachers, and people and homework, etc., and to be able to watch something so good and relaxing and romantic.
I wish people wouldn't use the words ugly, repulsive, grotesque, etc., to describe Vincent. To me, he is very handsome and charming. I have always loved lions and they couldn't have designed a better-looking "beast" for this show. And that voice and that mane and those eyes!
IS VINCENT REALLY A "BEAST?" Increasingly lately, I've been getting the uneasy feeling that the producers and writers of B&B have decided what Vincent is. (They just haven't let us in on it yet.)
I've recently read and heard comments from a few of the creators of this show that lead me to believe that not only do they think of Vincent as a "beast," they actually seem surprised that most of us don't share that perception.
At Space Trek V, I was somewhat shocked to hear even Ron Perlman answer a question about Vincent by saying, "Well, I don't know what the percentages are, but he's a beast...with a lot of humanity." I couldn't help wondering how someone who has a lot of humanity could, by any stretch of the imagination, be considered a "beast. " I was sorely tempted to ask him why he, of all people, would say that - especially since Vincent always refers to himself (if somewhat obliquely) as a "man." In fact, Vincent seems quite anguished when anyone implies that he's something other than human. (It pains me to so frequently disagree with the person who's most responsible for shaping Vincent into every red-blooded female's perfect fantasy, but then Ron doesn't think of himself as a sex symbol either.)
[...]
It may sound ridiculous, but I'm beginning to feel almost as outraged about this "prejudice" toward Vincent as I would about prejudice directed toward any person (and/or group of people) that have been victimized by discrimination and persecution. What more must he do to prove his worth as an intelligent, civilized, enlightened being?
This "person" is human in every way that matters—on second thought, make that superhuman. And I'm not talking about his strength, roar, or unusual appearance. What really makes Vincent a "mythic" being is his total selflessness. If the man (yes, man!) were to give sensitivity lessons to other members of the male population, he would earn the undying gratitude of millions of appreciative wonen. Maybe most men can accept someone this special only if he isn't completely human. This would let them off the proverbial hook. I can hear it now...:
Wife to Husband: "Why can't you be more like Vincent?"
Husband to Wife: "Okay, honey, I'll start practicing my roar, sharpen my nails, and let my hair grow long."
You get the picture, pretty frustrating, isn't it?
From discussions I've had with friends and acquaintances at conventions, in letters, and on the phone, I understand that some people think that Vincent suffers a loss of control when he "beasts out." Others have postulated that he's even afraid of losing control if he were to become involved in a physical relationship with Catherine. Without further ado, let's dispel this silly notion right now. Once and for all, Vincent is not Spock; pon far or its equivalent is probably not on the horizon. Nor is he "The Incredible Hulk" (a thousand blessings on the house of Koslow). Most of the time, his discipline and control go "far beyond those of mortal man. " Vincent can and does become angry without turning into a beast ("Nor Iron Bars a Cage," "Promises of Someday"), and whenever he flies into a rage, the provocation is extreme. Vincent becomes a whirlwind of unleashed fury only when people he loves (or other helpless victims) are threatened. Anyone would react violently under those circumstances; it's just that Vincent's anatomical differences enable him to inflict far greater damage than an ordinary man could. Moreover, he's often quite methodical in the disposal of his enemies ("Beast Within", "China Moon").
It's clear that he has the ability to control this darker side of his nature, and can turn it on and off at will.
I think we all know what Vincent really is; he's 100% wonderful and maybe that's all we need to know. It's way past time to put this whole "beastiality" [sic] question to rest, and start concentrating on the other, more pertinent problems facing these two people. I'm eagerly anticipating many more rip-roaring discussions.
References
- ^ This letter was reprinted with permission in Beauty and The Beast: The Newsletter (March 1989)