- This is how the Broad Spectrum of Crow Consciousness works: LLcruize and tWISTEd sPINe brainstorm ideas until one jumps out at us.  Then we write.  Separately.  We DO NOT read each other's articles. We DO NOT discuss what the other has written.  We simply take the same theme and let our minds loose… the end result will be as much a surprise to us as it is to you. Will we agree? Disagree? End up in totally different zones making different points? You'll have to read and find out…just like us.

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What Will It Take To Maintain/Grow The Crow Franchise?

by LLcruize

When you attach the word "franchise" to THE CROW, many fans shudder. Franchise rings of commercialism, a dirty word in the world of THE CROW. However, there is a certain amount of dancing with the commercial devil required to continue making new movies, new comics, new series, etc. So we as fans must not look upon "franchise" as a negative, but a necessary thing.

With that said, what would it take to make THE CROW a more vital franchise? I think there are three areas of focus needed to keep the Crow franchise growing. We need more active involvement of the fan base, a viable official site and open dialogue from fans with Pressman Films and Jeff Most. I will further discuss these key areas below.

Active Fan base

I think the continuation of THE CROW starts with the fans. We need to be active and vocal in our support of Crow projects, both official and fan based. Go to conventions, arrange live chats, start a website, whatever, but be proactive. We can't sit back and wait on Pressman Films or other offices to do things. We have the means and the capability to carry the flag. I'm speaking directly to webmasters of the crow sites now. We have a responsibility to help continue the legacy of THE CROW. One of the best ways to do this is to make sure fan created projects are given a platform. The ChambeRoom's monthly poetry and illustration contest, inspired by THE CROW, is just one example of how this can be accomplished in an effective manner. Fans who visit the ChambeRoom are the judges and cast votes for their favorites. The winner of the drawing contest gets their image used as the background for the discussion room for that month. It is the little things that help THE CROW continue on. Another ChambeRoom sponsored project is C3, which is an online Crow comic. Also, we at (ABaHB) are working with the ChambeRoom and CrowsLoft to sponsor Croween 2k1. It is an opportunity for fans, through photography and dress, to show their creativity and love for THE CROW. All of these projects and so many more out there, help to keep the fire burning. I take being co-webmaster of ABaHB very seriously. We are in a position of influence with the fan base and in part, with the "powers that be".

If you are not a Webmaster of a CROW site, be an active participant at your favorite site. Don't sit back and level criticism at other fans and sites that are trying to promote THE CROW through worthwhile and fun projects and activities. Get in there and offer your talents. At ABaHB we are fortunate to have a proactive list of regular visitors who feed us news, updates and fan made projects. Cooperation, not fighting, is how we can help the Crow become a vital franchise.

Official Site

I think one thing that MUST happen is for the official site, www.thecrow.com to become a more active site. It needs to be totally revamped and become a living, breathing entity. In order to accomplish this, in my opinion, it is essential that fan sites engage in a certain amount of partnering. A central hub is a must. Most other movie genres have an official site that is very active. At ABaHB, we have been on top of Crow news for years, yet I realize that not everyone visits us and the most current information is not getting out to all fans. The current number of members registered with the Crow Community Forum at crow.com is close to 12 thousand. That, combined with the non-registered visitors to the forum, is a lot of people. These are people who would benefit from up to date information. Currently, the Salvation information on the site is out of date. Information is lacking about past and future projects. This has not gone unnoticed by the owners of the official site. The lack of manpower and time has kept the site stagnant.

Having a more active official site doesn't mean fan sites will go un-noticed. As I mentioned, a certain sense of partnering will need to be done for the official site to stay on course. Not only that, fans enjoy having choices. Each site is unique and offers a different perspective on what lies within the realm. Fan sites are the lifeblood and the voice of the fans.

Fan Communication with Pressman Films & Jeff Most

Lastly, I think more interaction between Pressman and Jeff Most and fans is needed. Having the official site operating in an active capacity should help facilitate this. As we all know, Pressman and Most are going to make decisions based on a financial bottom line. That is expected. But fans want to feel the camaraderie. The official agencies need to solicit fan input. Listen to what we say. There is already an open line of communication. We need to exploit it more than we have in the past. Perhaps a round-table discussion between representatives from fan sites along with a Pressman Film rep and Jeff Most would be a viable idea. These discussions could be held quarterly online or via phone. Whenever I have an opportunity to speak with someone within Pressman or with Jeff Most, I always make sure to mention something about a poll we have run to keep them informed of what the fan base is saying. As I said before, other genres have active websites. They also have active communication between the fans and the organizations creating the movies and other projects. Communication is essential. THE CROW deserves that same kind of interaction.

I think each and every one of us can make a difference. I have fought many causes in regard to THE CROW over the last couple of years. Though the battles have been tough and more have been lost than won, I have had a sense of satisfaction knowing that even in those battles lost, a difference was made. We can't sit back and expect the genre to continue another 10 years unless we're willing to give something of ourselves to the cause.

Take care…..amf