Zoic character rigger Scott Rosekrans will be participating in the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon this year, to raise money for cancer research.

I’ve been running with Team in Training, in association with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. My goal is to raise $100 for every mile I run, bringing my total to $2600, that will go to putting an end to the suffering and misery experienced by so many touched by this horrible disease.

I have a very personal connection to the cause, and its been a wonderful experience running with so many inspired people, and meeting some of the strongest survivors with the biggest hearts and most amazing stories. I’ve met people from all walks of life; young, old, rich, poor, etc., that have benefited directly from this program, and are alive today thanks to donations raised by thousands of runners across the country.

Each donation helps accelerate finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. More than 823,000 Americans are battling these blood cancers. I am confident that my participation in Team In Training will help bring them help, hope and support.

You can go to www.teamintraining.org and search for my name, or shoot me an email (srosekranz[at]zoicstudios.com), or come by my desk. I’ve got plenty of stories and I love talking about it, so if you wanna come get inspired….

On behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, thank you very much for your support. I greatly appreciate your generosity.

More info: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society website; San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon website; Team in Training website.

As in previous years, Zoic Studios is providing holiday gifts to at-risk families through an Adopt-A-Family program — this year, via the National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence/South Bay.

Two families will receive clothing, toys and educational electronics donated by Zoic Studios, its employees and freelancers. Zoic vowed to match the cash value of employee gifts and donations to a maximum of $2500 — which the Zoic community met!

About the charity:

Family Preservation is designed to protect children by strengthening and preserving families whose children are at risk of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Our program is sponsored by the Department of Children and Family Services, Mental Health and the Probation Dept. We offer varies services to the families such as Counseling, Parenting Training, In-Home Outreach Counseling, Substitute Adult Role Model, Mental Health counseling, etc. We service the South Bay area and currently servicing over 35 families.

To everyone who donated: Zoic thanks you, Family Preservation thanks you — and the families thank you! Happy holidays!

More info: NCADD/SB.

Of course Firefly is the science-fiction dramatic series broadcast on the Fox Network in 2002-2003, created by Joss Whedon of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel fame. Canceled after only 11 episodes aired, the show has since engendered a major Hollywood motion picture (2005’s Serenity), a novel, a role-playing game, two comics series, soundtracks, a slew of merchandise & collectibles, and countless hand-knitted orange “cunning hats.”

I stopped by to get an idea of what’s going on with Firefly flans*, and to find out the answer to the question, Why are people still so devoted to a show that had only 14 episodes (and a movie), after nearly a decade?

Here are some answers from convention-goers, from commenters on fireflyfans.net, and from Zoic Studios co-founder Loni Peristere.

The Browncoats, a Firefly-themed band from St. Louis, Missouri.

Some credited the show’s realism, like Co-Pilot Gary Miller of The Browncoats, a Firefly-themed band from St. Louis. “[It’s] because Firefly feels so real. It’s a sci-fi show without aliens. It’s about real people and real-life types of situations — in the future. Not to mention the dialogue, the acting, and the story are all brilliant.”

For me, it was all about the writing. The dialogue, and the way the characters were developed through dialogue, were just brilliant. I especially loved the dialogue for River Tam (Summer Glau of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles), the ship’s ultra-violent fugitive waif — she rarely spoke, but when she did, it was always a bizarre window into her disordered mind. And usually either disturbing or hilarious.

On fireflyfans.net, hughff says: “I agree that the writing is the key. Too frequently today, television and especially film concentrate on the visual image. However, great films/shows recognize that it’s a synthesis of both visual images and dialogue.

“There was never any doubt from the very start that Firefly had the dialogue right. More than what it told us about the characters per se, I liked what it showed about their interrelationships. The verbal exchanges between Mal and Inara; the way Jayne treated Kaylee like a little sister, the way that Mal’s trust and respect for Simon grew incrementally — these were important to the flavor of the show.

“The show didn’t avoid complexity — these were real people living in a messy (i.e. real) world (alright, worlds) and as such, things were never simple.

“Finally, and Zoic can take more than a little credit for this, the show did have some great visual images: the Reaver ship sliding past in absolute silence; Crow disappearing through the air intake; Serenity rising up the cliff after the bar fight. The off-center and shaky ‘hand held’ camera work, even in the CGI, began a trend that has become everyday (Bourne Ultimatum, Battlestar Galactica) but broke new ground for me. When I first saw the first episode I thought, ‘How could they be so amateur?’ But by the end I was hooked into the vision and never let it go.”

Firefly-themed collectibles on sale in the dealer’s room.

One of the most interesting answers came from Dwight Bragdon, Board Member of the California Browncoats, a San Diego-based non-profit that promotes Firefly and Serenity fandom through charity. Since 2007 they have raised over $100,000 for charities like Equality Now and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “We are still in love with Firefly ten years later because of the type of people the show attracts. We’re smart, funny and caring, and we took our energy and enthusiasm for the ‘Verse and turned it into a community of giving….

“We can also see how much the cast and crew cared about the ‘Verse too… They lead by example too with their charity. [Actor] Nathan [Fillion] co-founded Kids Need to Read with author P.J. Haarsma; [actor] Adam Baldwin shows great support to the Marine Corps – Law Enforcement Foundation; Joss [Whedon] is a great supporter of Equality Now; and the list goes on.

“These guys and girls are people that I am proud to call friends, proud to call family and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.”

For Beth Nelson, Chairman of the Austin Browncoats, another charitable non-profit based in Texas, the message of Firefly is hope. “People want to root for the underdog, because for many of us, we’re the underdogs right now. Firefly gives us that hope and inspiration. Firefly and Serenity tell the story of people who might have been forgotten, left behind, taken for granted — but if they work together, they can accomplish anything…

“So much of it has to do with how well the characters were developed and how sincere and believable the dialogue was – which is something Joss is known for… We’re all flawed; we can all identify with characters who… sometimes pick the wrong path, even with the best intentions.

“In the end, though, I think we all love what Firefly has become. Firefly went from being this amazing space western to so much more. Outside of the ‘Verse itself, the fans have become a family, a movement that got together to do more than just love a television show or a movie. Numerous fans are working towards charitable goals – ending violence and discrimination or making sure every kid has the wealth of knowledge literature can bring them.”

The dealer’s room.

Loni Peristere was directly involved in the production of Firefly and Serenity, as visual effects supervisor. He created the Firefly-class spaceship Serenity, along with Whedon and production designer Carey Meyer. “When Joss first told me about the new show,” Peristere said, “he told me to read The Killer Angels,” the 1974 historical novel by Michael Shaara, which tells the story of the Battle of Gettysburg from the Confederate perspective. The novel inspired Whedon to create Firefly.

“Firefly is about not fitting in, about finding a place for yourself in a world where you don’t fit, finding a family and making a living,” Peristere explained. “There are very few shows out there where the stars are outcasts, who join together as a family, which as Joss says is what ‘makes them mighty.’ None of the characters fit in – Nathan is a Browncoat [stand-in for Confederate]; Morena [Baccarin's character] is a whore; there’s the fugitive; the tomboy; the interracial couple; the weary shepherd; the mercenary who’s incapable of doing anything else. They would all be loners, if they didn’t band together.

“How Zoic was part of that, is we made the viewer a ‘welcome voyeur.’ The camera followed the emotional beats. By using a handheld camera on-set and a ‘handheld’ camera effect for the CG exteriors, we put the viewer in the emotional center of the story. The viewer is a voyeuristic participant – another outcast, a part of the crew.”

Peristere also feels a special kinship with the Firefly cast and crew. “We knew it was important. We fell in love with it because it was a great story to tell. The show was made by creative people we loved and respected for their bravery, because they embraced the outcast. All the creative people I respect the most come from the cast and crew of Firefly. It was a moment that’s impossible to recapture.”

One last reason the flans and Browncoats stay devoted – because Firefly died too soon. From Jaydepps on fireflyfans.net: “Another reason it is still relevant is because of how abruptly it was cut [off], and it never received closure. We’ve been thirsting for more. A good TV series goes for a decent amount of seasons until the story is filled in, mostly. Then the series leaves TV… Firefly was never given the chance to do this.”

More info: Creation Entertainment; the discussion on fireflyfans.net; The Browncoats website and on MySpace; California Browncoats; Austin Browncoats.

*If you want to know why they call us “flans,” just read this aloud: “Firefly fan.”

Zoic Studios co-founder Loni Peristere is avid supporter of The Blank, and of independent theater in Los Angeles in general. Peristere has been involved with the theater’s annual nationwide Young Playwrights Festival, which chooses the best plays and musicals by writers 19 and under, and produces the plays with professional actors and directors (including Peristere). Past festivals have featured actors such as Jeremy Sisto (Law & Order), Chris Pine (Star Trek), Noah Wyle (ER), Sarah Michelle Gellar, Eliza Dushku & Alyson Hanningan (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Tiffani Thiessen (Beverly Hills 90210), and Debra Messing (Will & Grace).

The Blank begins their “Great Writers” season on November 20, with the smash-hit one-man comedy The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris, directed by Michael Matthews.

Zoic donated an “Episodic Sampler Basket” as a fundraising prize, featuring memorabilia from four of Zoic’s most popular shows: True Blood, Fringe, V, and Zoic fan favorite Firefly. The basket also includes limited edition Zoic swag as well.

Hollywood’s Blank Theatre Company’s productions have garnered rave reviews, audience acclaim, and numerous theatrical honors. Over the years, The Blank has been nominated for 23 Ovation Awards and won 5 including “Best Musical”; 14 LA Drama Critics Circle Awards and won 12 including “Outstanding Production”; 21 LA Weekly Awards winning 7 including “Musical of the Year”; 12 NAACP Theatre Awards winning 4 including “Best Production”; and won 17 Back Stage West Garland Awards.

For more information: The Blank Theater Company (information, tickets); Hamburger Mary’s West Hollywood; the Young Playwrights Festival; The Blank on Facebook.

On 10/14/09, the Fireflies West cyclists arrived back in Los Angeles, concluding their journey at The Mill in Santa Monica.

The group of 25 directors, production company staffers and agency executives completed the six-day cycling trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles, raising money for a Leukemia charity.

For more information: Fireflies West on Facebook; Fireflies West Takes Off to Benefit Leukemia Research.

On October 9th a group of directors, production company staffers and agency executives will set off on their bikes for a six-day cycling trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles in the inaugural “Fireflies West” ride. Participants include riders from RSA (the original founders and supporter of the ride), The Mill L.A., Restless Films, Zoic Studios and advertising agency 180, to name a few. In total 25 riders will cycle down the coast of California in hopes of raising awareness with the goal of raising funds for a Leukemia charity.

Fireflies West is a sister-ride to the annual 1000 KM event held every year in the French Alps, which culminates with the Fireflies riding triumphantly down the Croissette in Cannes during the International Advertising Festival in June.

Director Jake Scott, founder of the Fireflies ride, recalls: “In June 2001, five guys got together to ride across the French Alps for The Catherine Lewis Centre at Hammersmith Hospital in London. We did well, and we were asked if we would do it again the following year. The last night of the second year’s ride we had to descend the final mountain in the dark. The moon was hidden, and none of us had lights. As we entered the forest it became virtually impossible to see. And then suddenly thousands upon thousands of fireflies appeared, hovering above the road, as if to guide us through the darkness. It was the most magical thing you’ve ever seen. As we came upon the first town light they vanished and we were safe. What’s incredible is the gene that allows fireflies to glow is helping researchers track the effectiveness of anti-cancer drugs—much like it helped us descend the mountain.”

“For those who suffer we ride,” is the motto of the event and is based on the dedication to the belief that the riders can fight cancer and save lives.

Donations for the event can be made at the Fireflies site. To sponsor a specific rider, visit www.justgiving.com. For more information, contact Bryan Farhy, Executive Producer at Restless Films, at bryan@restlessfilms.tv.