gemified | July 25th, 2010 - 8:55 pm
“We Want Our ABM!”
The telethon has been a long employed tried and tested method of soliciting funds for many a good cause. I can’t remember a year when the BBC’s Children in Need Appeal or Comic Relief wasn’t on my screen. Famous faces doing anything but that which they are famous for in order to persuade us to reach into our pockets. I have seen members of the Royal Family lead teams of athletes through assault courses, newscasters and weathermen performing musical numbers, and comedians spoof anything from ‘Misery’ to the ‘Sound of Music’.
Rather than adopt the subscription model, Susan Miller and Tina Cesa Ward have decided to put a spin on the idea of a telethon and hold the first web-a-thon to gain enough funds to bring the fans a third season of ABM. The web-a-thon will be broadcast on the ABM site as well as YouTube in three pre-taped 30min specials hosted by Lisa Bernhard. It will include a tour of ABM’s locations as well as appearance from the show’s talented cast, and promises to reveal a few things to the fans about the cast that we did not know.
It is hoped that the web-a-thon will raise the necessary $100,000 – $120,000 to continue the high quality production we are used to from ABM. Despite requiring this money to make the show, Susan Miller will not be taking any money for herself and Tina Cesa Ward will be taking only a directing fee. The makers of ABM will also be donating some of the monies raised to charity; such is the nature of the creators of this show.
Fans will be given the chance to make donations towards the show as well as bid in the eBay auction. On offer are such sought after items like Vivian’s “No one knows I’m a Lezbian” t-shirt featured in the premiere episode of Season Two and a walk-on role in Season Three. A part of me would like to see a trouble free season for VivSter as part of the offerings but I think that my bank manager would be glad that it isn’t. Also, I’m still trying to convince myself that whatever Susan and Tina do to VivSter, it will eventually lead to happiness. I have to keep the faith.
Having watched the show from the beginning I don’t know fully the affect it has had on the lives of its audience, but I have some idea. I have read articles and tweets about how much people love the show. I have felt the frenzied anticipation that builds in the run up to a new episode. I have seen how the fans have used whatever means they have available to tell people about the web-a-thon, including several wonderfully inventive flyers and videos. There is no doubt that the fans want Season Three, and giving them the opportunity to help in this way is a stroke of genius.
I recently read a blog post in which the web-a-thon was likened to buying shares in a company. I like that analogy. However, instead of buying a share in my favourite company it feels like I am paying to preserve my own sanity. I simply have to know what happens next in the lives of Vivian, and Aster, and Archibald, and Elisabeth, and Sophie, and Jonathan, and Gabe, and Aunt Jodie, and…you get the picture.
It’s not only for my own selfish sanity that I want Season Three though. I see what happens when this ensemble come together, how much enjoyment they take from being able to do something they love with people they are not just colleagues with. To know that I can do anything to ensure that continues is what has me thankful that I get paid this week. Now I, and all of the other ABM fans around the world, can do something – anything, to give back to this marvellous show that has given all of us so much.
Check out the main site for ways on how to donate. Every 200th Person who donates will get a personal phone call from a Cast Member!
Auction items include a Walk On Role, personalised voice mail by Nicole Pacent or Rachael Hip-Flores, lunch with Executive Producers Susan Miller & Tina Cesa Ward, and the infamous “Nobody Knows I’m A Lezbian” Tee Shirt!