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June 24, 2005
New Chapters Forums
We've set up several forums to discuss chapters issues here: this was something that was raised at the Chapters Assembly at ISDC this year - seemed like a good idea, but we'll have to try it in practice to get a feel for how it will really work. We've added a general forum area for chapters, and an area to discuss chapter resources (stuff on the web, and real things like banners, posters, etc.) and chapter projects (like the IMAX movie coming up, or things individual chapters are doing). It's a place to raise ideas and learn from one another, so let's try it out!
Posted by apsmith at 04:20 PM | Comments (0)
June 17, 2005
Magnificent Desolation (from Karen Rugg)
The following information was prepared by Karen Rugg, who's been working
with IMAX to get NSS involved in the Tom Hanks movie coming out late
this summer. Sounds exciting!
******
Launch your Membership Efforts into Orbit with the IMAX Film
"Magnificent Desolation: Walking On The Moon" Promotion!
******
The NSS and IMAX Theatres have joined forces to help your local chapter
capitalize on the release of the latest IMAX film, Magnificent
Desolation: Walking on the Moon, and boost your 2005 membership
recruitment and retention efforts.
* The Opportunity
The launch of "Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon" at your
local IMAX Theatre provides an exciting opportunity for your local
chapter to target and attract concerned space enthusiasts. It’s worked
before. In 1998, NSS teamed with Tom Hanks and HBO for the mini-series
"From the Earth to the Moon" to initiate viewing parties and contests
for current and prospective members. And in 2002, for the IMAX release
of "Apollo 13: The IMAX Experience", one California chapter in
particular teamed with Universal Studios CityWalk IMAX Theatre to create
and host an NSS lobby display for four weeks.
* About The Film
"Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon", the newest space film
produced by IMAX, in conjunction with Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman from
Playtone, takes audiences to the surface of the Moon to walk alongside
the extraordinary Apollo astronauts who have stepped upon its surface.
Only through the magic of IMAX technology, can audiences experience the
life-changing events of the 12 men who walked on the Moon by showcasing
what they saw, heard, felt, thought and did while on the lunar surface.
- Film release date: Friday, September 23, 2005
- Will launch in select IMAX, IMAX Dome and IMAX 3D theatres
- Approximately 40 minutes in length
- IMAX films will play for many years to come
- Initial launch (9/23/05) will consist of approximately 70 domestic
theatres – the commercial theatres will play the film for approximately
6 weeks, and museums/institutions will play for longer; several IMAX
theatres will launch the film on later dates.
There are many ways that you can work with your local IMAX theatre to
mutually leverage your resources. Here are some ideas you can ask your
local theatre to consider providing:
- Host an advance screening for your NSS chapter members and local VIPs
- Provide lobby space for an NSS chapter display during the run of the
film to distribute chapter information and sign up new members
- Provide free passes to NSS chapter leaders to use for recruitment and
promotion purposes
- Provide NSS chapter exposure on the theatre’s website with a possible
link to monitor traffic
- Brainstorm contests and giveaways to maintain NSS awareness among
viewers during the run of the film.
In exchange, here's what you can offer your local IMAX theatre:
- Provide knowledgeable speakers for brief talks about the Apollo
program, lunar exploration, or careers in space exploration to school
groups before or after viewings of the film
- Connect the theatre with local space experts, former Apollo program
employees, maybe even a retired astronaut in your area
- Provide credible advocates who can connect space exploration’s past to
space exploration’s present and future
- Provide experienced volunteers to help stage a public/media event,
such as a Moon Viewing party with telescopes and binoculars held outside
before or after a viewing of the film (full Moon, 9/25/05)
- Be creative and open minded to ensure a win-win partnership.
Feel free to talk with these NSS chapters; they've done it before:
-- Bill Higgins, Chicago Space Alliance, Higgins@fnal.gov
Bill's chapter has worked with museums to give short talks about Apollo,
and Chicago hosts many space-related items.
-- Larry Evans, Orange County Space Society, 949-770-0702,
OCSpaceSociety@hotmail.com
OCSS hosted a display at a Universal City IMAX theatre for four weeks.
-- And visit The Hub at http://www.nsschapters.org/hub for ideas
collected by Peter Kokh.
IMAX emailed information about NSS and a list of NSS Chapters to these
theatres on June 3. IMAX wants this partnership to work, too!
Step One: Create your game plan—special speakers, displays, contests,
special events, community outreach.
Step Two: Make the call.
Step Three: Report back.
If you are successful in creating a dialogue with your theatre, please
email a brief report to Karen Rugg at krug4space@aol.com.
IT’S ONE SMALL STEP FOR YOU,
BUT ONE GIANT LEAP FOR YOUR CHAPTER!
Posted by apsmith at 02:26 PM | Comments (2)
GaiaSelene on Wired
Chip Proser's documentary Gaia Selene, a version of which was featured at this year's International Space Development Conference in Washington DC, has now received coverage from Wired Magazine. The writer, Jason Silverman, seems to be skeptical - that it's just propaganda to promote space exploration. And not needed anyway given the ferment in the industry. But still, it's interesting to see broader coverage.
Also interesting are these images from the film, shown on Wired's site.
Posted by apsmith at 02:22 PM