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About #RestoreTheMagic, the new http://change.org petition, and the TATMR DC leaks: A thread
While the director's cut campaign for Thomas and the Magic Railroad has existed in some form since 2007, #RestoreTheMagic didn't exist until early 2015. Restore The Magic's mission has changed a lot over the years. At first, it was about convincing @ShoutFactory to release it.
Then, following Shout's statements of disinterest, we expanded to include Sony Pictures and HIT Entertainment/Mattel. When the rough cut was announced to have been discovered in 2016, we put all our eggs in Mattel's basket, as most progress was being made through them.
And when the Lady prop was discovered in November 2017, Restore The Magic came up with a plan to purchase the prop and expand its mission. Currently, its a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to educating people about railway representation in media.
Well before buying Lady, Eric Scherer and Katie Nail from Actors Reaching Out agreed to assist in the campaign. This was following their ARO show they did with Britt in 2016. They assisted in reorganizing the campaign with a goal in mind and the role of the fans' involvement.
Thus, phase 1 of the RTM campaign was simple: Delete all old petitions and campaign groups and have only one group for Restore The Magic. It has been the stance of Restore The Magic since the completion of phase 1 that only RTM's petition was valid and all others were not.
And when we finished the petition on May 1st last year, we didn't come up with that date willy-nilly. Mattel was preparing to discuss plans for the 75th anniversary later in May 2019, and part of that discussion was whether or not a director's cut release would happen in 2020.
If Mattel's decision following that discussion was NOT to move forward with the director's cut release, then it would not happen, EVER. No amount of future petitioning would change their mind one way or the other. But based on Britt's statements since the petition's conclusion,
I have reason to believe that we really DID succeed. These were the statements on May 14, 2019, the statement about Peter Fonda's passing, and the very first statement surrounding the recent leaks. THAT was the reason we ended the petition when we did: A final number of...
...total signatures would help in Mattel's decision. Seeing the number of interested parties can easily help in making a decision on if there's enough interest to release any product, and that's the purpose the petition served - How many people are interested in seeing he DC!
And then, the leaks happened...
However you feel about the leaks (and I'm assuming most of you reading this are against the leaks), do you really think Mattel would abandon existing plans for a DC release, which would have been in the works for at least a year now, all because...
However you feel about the leaks (and I'm assuming most of you reading this are against the leaks), do you really think Mattel would abandon existing plans for a DC release, which would have been in the works for at least a year now, all because...
...someone leaked the unfinished workprint? That's not how companies operate. If anything, the leaks give Mattel MORE of a reason to release the director's cut, not less. By releasing an official product, it will help combat the leak and also make them money in the process.
But for whatever reason, someone created a new http://Change.org petition for a director's cut release, because of the damage the leaks are causing. Leak or no leak, I won't be supporting this petition, and neither will Restore The Magic. Personally, here are my reasons:
1. As someone on RTM's board of directors, I acknowledge that only RTM's petition is official and valid, and all others are void.
2. RTM's official petition was sent to Mattel, and they've already made their decision on the DC.
2. RTM's official petition was sent to Mattel, and they've already made their decision on the DC.
3. No matter how popular this new petition gets, it won't sway Mattel one way or the other on whether or not the DC will be released.
4. Mattel is already aware of the leak and is looking at taking legal action against the leakers.
5. This petition serves no actual purpose!
4. Mattel is already aware of the leak and is looking at taking legal action against the leakers.
5. This petition serves no actual purpose!
If the goal is to convince the powers that be to release the director's cut, that's already been done. RTM has already done everything we can to ensure a director's cut release.
If the goal is to convince Sony or Mattel to take legal action against the leakers,...
If the goal is to convince Sony or Mattel to take legal action against the leakers,...
Mattel is already on it.
If the goal is to show support for Britt Allcroft, who has come out with public statements condemning the leaks, there are plenty of better ways to do that. Send Britt a message or email. Leave a comment on her posts. A petition isn't needed for this!
If the goal is to show support for Britt Allcroft, who has come out with public statements condemning the leaks, there are plenty of better ways to do that. Send Britt a message or email. Leave a comment on her posts. A petition isn't needed for this!
I figured I would make this thread because I wrote and filmed my upcoming YouTube video on the subject before the new petition was made. You can find that here: But those are my thoughts on the petition, and I won't be supporting it!
(End of the thread)
(End of the thread)
