Written by Denise Gary
In 2008, Kids Need to Read was approached by a group of Browncoats who explained that they were planning to film a movie based on Joss Whedon’s Firefly/Serenity universe. They were driven by their love of the “Verse,” and committed to raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for charitable causes. Each charity chosen had to be supported by Joss Whedon, or one of the actors associated with Firefly and its movie incarnation, Serenity. Because actor Nathan Fillion was the star of Firefly and Serenity, and is one of the founders of our organization, Kids Need to Read was contacted early on. Our foundation was the first charity to step forward and agree to lend its name to this project. Due to our Browncoat origins, KNTR took this partnership to heart and supported the project wholeheartedly from that moment forward.
Throughout the years that followed that first meeting, while Redemption was being created, the folks at Kids Need to Read and Browncoats: Redemption have forged a lasting friendship. Writer/Director Michael Dougherty and the rest of his dedicated cast and crew have extended their enthusiastic support toward KNTR and its mission. They have consistently backed that support with an amazing sense of integrity, always backing up their promises with action. Never was this more apparent than when five of the Redemption cast and crew members trekked to Phoenix Comicon 2010 to promote their project. Mike told me that they were there to help KNTR, but they went far above and beyond the promise of “help.” They rolled up their sleeves, jumped into the fray, and befriended Kids Need to Read in every way possible, including Mike stepping in as a fantastic DJ at the Kids Need to Read Geek Prom. We appreciate these fantastic people beyond measure.
Browncoats: Redemption held its premiere at Dragon*Con 2010. The film has been given a warm reception by Browncoats far and wide. It is a testament to the heart that was put into the project from idea to final product. That the film was made at all is a miracle of the independent spirit that resides within the soul of all Browncoats. Mike’s passion was evident from the first time we met, and that passion has never waned.
The DVD is available for donations at the Browncoats: Redemption Movie Store. All proceeds from the sales of the DVD go, as an equal donation, to Kids Need to Read, Equality Now, The Dyslexia Foundation, The Al Wooten Jr. Heritage Center, and Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation. Kids Need to Read supporters can use a special code to receive $2.00 off their purchases of the DVD. This discount does not affect the amount being donated to KNTR and the other charities from each sale, so stock up for yourself, your friends, or your holiday gift-giving, while knowing you are benefiting several great charities in the process. Enter “kntr2010” upon checkout and save $2 per DVD. Spread the news!
PJ Haarsma on the set with the cast and crew of Redemption © Michael Dougherty
Be sure to watch for a cameo by KNTR founder and The Softwire author PJ Haarsma. And . . . pay attention to the name and call letters of a journalist near the end of the film. They should be familiar to supporters of Kids Need to Read, as should the Terrify’n Space Monkey that sharp-eyed viewers may spot during the film.
Michael Dougherty with KNTR Terrify’n Space Monkey © Michael Dougherty
Get your copy today and support Kids Need to Read!
I recently had the pleasure of being a guest on the Browncoatsmovie Ustream channel. We chatted about many fun topics during this informal Q&A with Michael Dougherty, including the most important lesson I learned from PJ Haarsma; overcoming challenges; how to capture your own lightening in a bottle rather than trying to duplicate the efforts of others; spousal reactions and falling asleep on the job while building a new organization; developing a thick skin against criticism; PJ’s cameo in Redemption; my favorite book (The True History of the Conquest of New Spain); why we donate The Softwire Series; and comments about Nathan Fillion, Felicia Day, Wil Wheaton, Browncoats, and Nathan Fillion Fans. My favorite part of the Q&A: being called a “firecracker” by Mike!
Thank you, Mike “Mr. Man” Dougherty, and the entire cast and crew of Browncoats: Redemption for everything you do on behalf of Kids Need to Read!
Find out more information about Browncoats: Redemption.
