If nothing else works out, we can at least have someone write a review of the movie after seeing it in a theater. Such a review could include a fact check, some background about the "blue macaws" (hyacinths, et al) and could expound in a positive tone on topics germane to our mission and principles. Since the movie's scheduled release date is April 8th and our next quarterly newsletter is scheduled for publication on April 1st, it seems that the timing for the newsletter is not good. We'd either need to delay the release of the Spring issue, which is possible, or include such a review in the Fall issue, by which time it would be old news. However, we could instead post the review on facebook, on our blog, and/or elsewhere on our main web page. Thoughts? --VH From: media-advisors-bounces@mickaboo.org [mailto:media-advisors-bounces@mickaboo.org] On Behalf Of Vincent J. Hrovat Sent: Monday, January 10, 2011 10:27 AM To: 'Mickaboo media advisor team'; 'Patricia Blau' Subject: Re: [Media-advisors] Rio (macaw movie) teaser I agree that we will probably not be able to see the movie but, as they say, it won't hurt to ask. I also think that we will be facing a huge culture gap when we ask them whether the content lends itself to parrot rescue. They don't necessarily know anything about the reality of what we do, and, since they've been up to their elbows in making and promoting this movie for months, they'll probably be thinking mostly in terms of whether partnering with a rescue will lead to bigger receipts! But, again, it won't hurt to ask, and more specific questions about captive breeding, etc. may help shape the answers. It's possible that this type of Q&A will give us enough to make a reasonably informed decision. I am still inclined to think that: 1.) We should error on the side of caution, which would probably mean choosing not to partner with the movie if we can't get sufficient disclosure about the contents thereof. 2.) We would need to tell people, politely of course, that the leg shackles displayed in the movie are barbaric, and the "any bird can fly" schmaltz is nonsense. There are almost certainly other examples of bad advice or husbandry in the movie that we may want to address. So, Patricia, I don't disagree with your pragmatism / negativity, but, like probably most of us, I hope there's something here that we can leverage. --VH --VH From: media-advisors-bounces@mickaboo.org [mailto:media-advisors-bounces@mickaboo.org] On Behalf Of Patricia Blau Sent: Monday, January 10, 2011 10:06 AM To: Mickaboo media advisor team Subject: Re: [Media-advisors] Rio (macaw movie) teaser I would say that we will not get much attention if we insist on seeing the movie before asking for a partnership. I say this from my experience with filmmakers and the industry generally. Perhaps another way to approach it might be to ask them-- we are a bird rescue involving bird types that seem to be featured in your movie; if you partner with us, we can be another venue for promoting your film (among rescues)-- do you think this is appropriate, or does the content not lend itself to parrot rescue? If they actually are willing to talk to us (already a long shot), we can inquire whether any part of the movie is encouraging of people breeding birds for the pet market? - and if so, politely back away. I realize it sounds a bit obsequious, but we are not bringing a lot to the table from a filmmakers' or studio's point of view; even if we encourage our followers to go to the movie, the numbers of potential moviegoers we might influence is simply not on a major-motion-picture scale. If they think they have a huge hit on their hands, they'll think we're unimportant; if they think they have a dog that needs all the help it can get, we may not want anything to do with it anyway. I'm sorry to be a bit negative about this- I worked in film for 25 years, and not too many people in that industry do much for anyone who can't reciprocate in kind. p On Jan 9, 2011, at 7:22 PM, Vincent J. Hrovat wrote: Here's a recently-released teaser for this movie: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/rio/trailers/11111382 (You have to sit through a short, loud and annoying ad first.) It consists of many of the same scenes that have been in previous trailers, mostly schmaltz and slapstick. However, this one also reveals that the "blue macaw" pair is captured and stolen by poachers as part of the story ("they must be worth a fortune"), which might make a good platform to talk about illegal trafficking of birds, wild-caught v corporate bred birds in the pet market, etc. I still think we'd need to see the whole movie to determine its feasibility as a partner, but this does make it look a bit more substantial than what I had previously seen. --VH