Stand Up for Buffy

Event
Event:	Stand Up for Buffy
Participants:
Date(s):	June 18th, 1999
Type:	Fan campaign
Fandom:	Buffy the Vampire Slayer
URL:
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Stand Up for Buffy was a fan campaign organized to express fan dissatisfaction following the postponement of two Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes: "Earshot" and "Graduation Day, Part 2".

The campaign initially grew out of the JossBtVS discussion list, but soon had a dedicated list of its own; the BuffyAd list launched on May 27, 1999. The organizers aimed to run a magazine ad highlighting their love of the show, and their dissatisfaction with decision made by the network. Soon the Stand Up for Buffy campaign was taking pledges, garnering media attention and the thanks of Joss Whedon. They also engaged in a letter writing campaign.

On June 18, 1999, they ran a full page ad in Daily Variety.

Comments by Organizers

"In looking back over the history of Stand Up For Buffy, what really impresses me is the speed at which we got things done, the immense amount of organization behind the effort and how well we all worked together. Rayne, Kristen and I were strangers when we decided to spearhead the Stand Up Committee and now, while we've still never met face to face, I consider them to be great friends. When the campaign started, Kristen was in New York, Rayne was in Ohio and I was in Seattle. While Kristen has since relocated to California, there is no denying that for the majority of the time we were a cross-country team. I find that pretty amazing - thanks to the Internet and our passion for the show, we were able work together and create a campaign that really got fan voices heard.

If I know anything, I know that without Rayne and her financial skills, organization, and hard work, Stand Up For Buffy never would have happened. I know that without Kristen's fast and tireless work and her connections within the BtVS community, Stand Up For Buffy never would have happened. I know that without each and every person that pledged his or her hard-earned money, Stand Up for Buffy never would have happened. I know that without the support of the BtVS community, Stand Up For Buffy never would have happened. But it did happen. Together we made a statement that the WB could not ignore. Everything and everyone converged in the best possible ways. I feel incredibly lucky to have been a part of it. So I must send my thanks to each and everyone of you who made this possible - whether you helped refine the ad, donated money, got the word out, linked to the Stand Up site, or sent us encouraging email voicing your support - Thank You. Together, we Stood Up For Buffy and I for one, couldn't be prouder." -- Allie "frobly" Gerlach

"Boy this was an adventure. When I first jumped on-board Stand Up for Buffy, I had no idea that this would get so big. How hard could it be to place an ad in an industry trade magazine? Well, it *was* hard, and time consuming, and nerve-wracking, and... I wouldn't trade it for anything. I have such a sense of accomplishment. I felt that something wrong was being done to my favorite show, and I *actually did something about it!*

For anyone out there who still thinks this was just about a pulled episode or two, you're wrong. This was about so much more. This was about standing up for something I believed in - artistic freedom. I wanted to make sure that the WB didn't get any ideas about interfering with Joss Whedon's vision. I want to see the show that Joss wants us to see. Not the show that the WB wants us to see. And that's what I fought for.

Aside from the sense of accomplishment, the best thing that came out of this was the friendships I made. I didn't know Allie or Kristen at all when this first started, and now I have two great friends. The three of us make a great team!

I would like to thank the 30 members of the committee, the 139 people who believed in this cause and contributed to it and the countless people who took the time to write letters to the WB showing support for the cast and crew of Buffy. Not only did we stand behind our show and make our point, but in the end, we were also able to make a substantial contribution to the Make a Wish Foundation, which gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling." -- Beth "Rayne" Kiefner

"When I look back on how this all started, I'm frankly amazed at we accomplished. Not to mention how quickly we accomplished it. The idea was a pretty bold one. We were the first large scale, fan based campaign ever formed for a show that was still on the air and in no danger of cancellation. There were some naysayers at first. But the day that we launched the site and began accepting pledges, we were overwhelmed by the support that all of you showed us. Not just money, but kind words and encouragement. It won't surprise anyone when I say that I'm a Joss Whedon fan. He was the primary reason why I got involved in Stand Up. The idea that a network could try and stifle his creativity did not sit well with me. I have to say, for me, no moment in this campaign could ever top his thank you. I think, for all three of us, it made every moment of hard work worth it.

On a personal note, I also got to know members of the BtVS Online Community better by working on Stand Up for Buffy. I made so many friends, including Beth and Allie. These are two remarkable women that I had never met before. Now I count them among my dearest friends. I want to thank them for their hard work and for being so supportive of me when I was in a new city, 3,000 miles away from home, with no furniture. They helped me keep my sanity and my sense of humor through it all.

Finally, I want to thank all of you. Every person who contributed, every person who sent us supportive emails, everyone who helped generate good word of mouth on this campaign. We couldn't have done it without you. You're the ones who translated Stand Up for Buffy from an idea to a reality." -- Kristen Reidel