Once Upon a Time... Is Now/Issues 053-054
| 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 53
Issue 53: Excerpts from the Letters
It was disheartening to hear that some of fandom wants to put a ban on who should be invited to TunnelCon III. My views echo Lorraine’s on this. These 'villains' are actors, not the characters themselves - how could a different perspective fail to do anything other than enhance the Q&A sessions? Aren't we all eager for some new news, quips, stories? Just think about it. What we have as a whole is too fragile and precious to risk fracturing in fighting about its parts. Vincent would be the first to say so, if he were real! Well, I guess it's time to get off my soapbox before I get yanked off.
Another convention has come and gone, For the second year in a row, NovTek has videotaped the International Beauty and the Beast Convention. The first was Great Expectations in Austin, TX. This year it was TunnelCon III.
There were many things that were done differently this second time around....
....All other technical things aside, we have noticed that the two conventions had distinctly different flavors. Although they were both excellent in their own right, they were different as well. It is like making a preference between two kinds of chocolate dessert. I cannot speak for anyone else, but I want them both!
I've just come home from TCon III, and I had the most wonderful time. I took my entire family this time, as opposed to just dragging along my companion, Misha. My father, mother, and 9 year old little sister all joined the extended family of B&B fandom. This year's con was one of the best times I have ever had....
....The star attraction, in my opinion, was Myhr. He was so funny and handled the job of MCing the events so well, that when I met him and spent time chatting with him on Sunday, I was amazed to hear that he is still new at this. He is a sincere and sweet guy. I hope he continues to join and entertain us.
For me, the attraction of a convention is seeing everyone once again. Once a year, for three magical days, my phone friends and my mailbox friends turn from just voices and letters into living and breathing people right next to me that I see and touch. What could be better? I always thought that one of the most fun parts of any convention is being in the lobby of the hotel on Thursday afternoon and watching people greeting one another after a whole year apart. I really think that these relationships that we all have are the true essence of our fandom.
Issue 54
This issue contains a letter from Lynette Combs which was an opening volley in An Open Letter to Fans of Beauty and the Beast Regarding the Tunnel Con III Video letters.
Issue 54: Excerpts from the Letters
The audacity some people have to tell Ron Koslow what should and should not appear in any movie is beyond belief. At this point, with the fragility of the chance that we'll even get a movie, I hardly feel that agitating Mr. Koslow in any way is a good idea. I personally have faith in Mr. Koslow that he's going to please the fans. Why on earth wouldn't he? I think the fans - all of us - have to be supportive - period! No added commentary! No plot ideas! Let the man be!
Rather than waste our efforts in a futile attempt to convert fans to 'our side', we should be trying to organize things so that both sides can get what they want out of fandom without forcing either to accept what is simply unacceptable to them. This can be done if everyone would just try to understand the various motives for the involvement of fans in the B&B organization. If we forget that, or assume that it's not important, believe me, we will lose fans. Are we such a large organization that we can afford to casually disregard the interests of our community, and risk losing some of our numbers?
I was tingling all year at the thought of going back to Las Vegas. I really enjoyed this years' convention - even though, for me, it didn’t produce the same emotional highs as Great Expectations did. The guest stars were wonderful, I made several new friends, and the panels and other events were lots of fun. My personal favorite was Diane Davis' "Mad Libs"! I was sorry to hear that this was probably the last TunnelCon we'll see. My sincere thanks go out to Betty Neiswender and all her colleagues for contributing so much to B&B fandom over the years, and for giving us all such precious memories. You've earned a rest!
[Lynette Combs's letter]:I am continually surprised to find the 3rd-season controversy still raging; and even more surprised by the intolerance demonstrated by the bitter, censorious letters that have recently made their way into print.
Who is still feeding these fires.. and why? If all of us put as much energy into keeping the show and its ideals alive as we do toward writing such furious letters, this fandom could be a happier and more productive place.
I have three points to make.
One: For me, "maturity" is shown by our power as individuals (in this fandom or out of it) to allow others to feel as they feel, and believe as they believe, without censure. Such censure is futile anyway. It only fuels anger and makes enemies. It also cripples us in our purpose, which is Keeping the Dream Alive.
Two: I don't know any "classic" fans who are "intolerant" of anything except 3rd season itself. The fact that time has passed, and we're no longer visibly upset about it, changes nothing. I don't know why it should be so hard to understand that for many of us, that particular storyline will never be acceptable, Never. Ever. For us it was too deliberately destructive, too painful, too contemptuous of the show's audience... etc. We do not censure those who chose to enjoy it; we believe this fandom is big enough for all of us. Don't you? (I have friends in other factions: we just don't "talk politics." )
We are, however, tired of these continuing attempts to force season 3 down our throats. Again: That storyline well never be acceptable. Ever. If you liked it, wonderful! I'm truly happy it didn't hurt you too. But please stop being such evangelists about it. It isn't working. We're here for the duration and we won't be shouted down. We'd much rather be friends (and for some of you who've written most bitterly, lately -- I thought we were).
At the same time, all our objections aside, none of the "classic" fans I know are planning (or have ever planned) any deliberately "embarrassing incidents" (i. e., picketing, spitting on guests -- whatever) at "future conventions. When I hear these rumors, they invariably come from other factions. The next time you hear such a rumor, please consider the source carefully.
Three: There is nothing wrong with telling the Powers That Be (including movie-makers and con organizers) what we want. Corporations like Spelling and Republic spend millions every year trying to find out exactly that. As consumers it is absolutely our right and writing (in a positive, courteous way) also lets them know we're still out here. What reasoning would lead you to disagree? If someone said you didn't need to vote in an election because "everyone" had your best interests at heart, wouldn't you have better sense? In any event, this is just like casting a vote; and if you do not choose to "vote," then it isn't our fault that you abstain.
As for the idea that Ron Koslow "would never let us down, " as one fan recently argued here. Oh, please. I think that's confusing the "magic with the magician" (those of you who still believe in magic, that is). I think the old saying goes, "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me." Remember?... I have a great deal of respect for Mr. Koslow, who after all gave us Vincent and the original Dream; but in bowing to network pressure to "retool" (and for purely financial reasons), he proved himself just as susceptible to corporate pressure as anyone else. He's human, and fallible. What began as his dream, we have made our own. In a way that's a tribute to him; it's part of what, as a writer, he meant to do.
This is a fantasy, folks, With enough faith and determination we can have what we want. And I, for one, refuse to let anyone dictate my dreams.
I hope this letter makes sense. I go to conventions (and stay in this fandom) to have a good time. "Beauty and the Beast" has been a positive force and a catalyst for change in my life, and I would like to help carry it along in that direction for newcomers to the show as well. I am disturbed that their first glimpse of this fandom might be through the ind of inflammatory, pointless name-calling I've seen in recent letters.
This isn't about us. It's never been about just us. It's about Keeping the Dream Alive.