Updates from Elm Street

In Loving Memory: David Rappaport

Today marks the 21st anniversary of David Rappaport's death after a year long battle with a severe allergic reaction to prescription medication. As I do every year, I would like to take a moment to send love and best wishes to his family, friends, and loved ones -- all of whom have been infinitely more kind and generous than anyone has the right to expect.

To everyone else, I leave a list of ways you can send messages and help the Rappaport family during this amazing year. You see, 2011 also marks not only the 25th anniversary of 'The Wizard' in September, but what would have been David Rappaport's 60th birthday in November, as well. What a fabulous time to let his family know what his legacy of work and life means to you, and pass that inspiration on to both new and future generations!

As mentioned in the previous post, negotiations are underway to release 'The Wizard' from the vaults. That means messages, Petition signatures, and Region 1 votes are more important now than ever before to make sure there's no turning back or giving up. And 'Rescuing The Wizard' doesn't stop there. Once that series is released we will also work on releasing and preserving as much of the rest of his work as possible. If David Rappaport's life and work reached you in a positive way this is a wonderful way to pay it forward.

Thank you to everyone (past, present, and future) who has taken the time to write and vote!!

Send Private Email Messages to:
[email protected]

Send 'Rescue The Wizard' Messages and Petition Signatures to:
[email protected]

Web Sites and Pages:

David Rappaport's Official Website:
http://davidrappaport.co.uk

David Rappaport's Official Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/David-Dave-Rappaport/118202871537709

'Rescue The Wizard' Petition Webpage:
http://www.thewizardtvfansite.com/petition.htm

'Rescue The Wizard' Official Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-z-Ezg2fTk&feature=channel_page

TV Guide's TV Shows on DVD Website (Region 1 Voting Only):
http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/shows/Wizard/4706

Find-A-Grave Webpage Memorial:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=9306

post written by Jessica (The MGT)

Rescue The Wizard Campaign Update

Despite myriad of obstacles causing a long delay between public updates, the Rescue The Wizard campaign has never taken a break. Negotiations are underway to release the series, which means the positive encouragement and inspiration generated by messages, votes, and Global Petition signatures are more important than ever before. If you haven't let your voice and vote be heard yet, now is the perfect time to do so.

The tallies as of this post:

Global Petition: 686

TV Guide's TV Shows on DVD voting website: 314

We are very thankful to all of the fans in Region 1 (US, Canada, US Territories) who have taken the time to register and vote on the TV Shows on DVD website. And, of course, all the fans around the world who are sending messages, adding their names to the Global Petiton...and those who are spreading the word about the campaign. THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH!!!

Where can you go to help:

Add Your Name to the Rescue The Wizard Petition: http://www.thewizardtvfansite.com/petition.htm

Email Messages To: [email protected]

Watch and Pass Along the Link to the Official Rescue The Wizard Video (the only official Wizard video anywhere): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-z-Ezg2fTk&feature=channel_page

Region 1 Viewers can also vote on TV Guide's special website: http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/shows/Wizard/4706

Thanks, again, to everyone for all of your time and help in Rescuing The Wizard!!

What makes a Fan a Fan?

This very important question was posed by producer Irving Rappaport during our meeting in the UK earlier this month:

Fans are an important part of the entertainment industry.  But what, in your honest opinion, are the qualities that take a person from simply being a member of the audience to a full-fledged Fan?

We would love to hear from everyone.  Use the Comments in this blog to send us your answers and opinions.

Thank you!!

A Time To Remember: David Rappaport (1951-1990)

Twenty years ago David Rappaport ended his life after a painfully agonizing, year-long battle with suicidal depression caused by a severe allergic reaction to prescription medication.  This anniversary remains a very difficult time for his family, friends and loved ones.  As we do every year, we would like take this opportunity to send them our love, give them their space, and remind everyone of the official places to visit and leave messages of remembrance.

David Rappaport's Official Website: http://davidrappaport.co.uk/

David Rappaport's Official Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/David-Dave-Rappaport/118202871537709

David Rappaport's Find A Grave Memorial: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=9306

The David Rappaport Pages Tribute Site: http://www.mooivanmij.nl/davidrappaportpages/

'The Wizard' Official Website: http://www.thewizardtvfansite.com

Simon's Workshop on Yahoo! Groups: http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/Simons_workshop/

Note: The Tribute Site has moved to a new URL address, so please make sure to update any existing Bookmark.  The link on Dave's Wikipedia listing has been updated, but the link on Dave's IMDB listing has not as of this post's publication.

We will continue to post news on the David Rappaport Legacy Project and the Rescue 'The Wizard' Campaign, as it becomes available.

Happy Birthday, David Rappaport!!!!

Today marks the 58th anniversary of David Rappaport's birth.  As we do every year, we ask that fans feel free to check out the links below for official places to remember and leave messages, but please allow David's family and friends the privacy they need during this bittersweet time of year.

David Rappaport left us all an amazing, eclectic legacy.  Some of which has yet to be discovered.  We all look forward to another year of discovering even more.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Dave!!!  And, Thank You for everything!!!

David Rappaport's Official Website

'The Wizard' Official Website

Rescue The Wizard Campaign Headquarters

The David Rappaport Pages - Official Fan Tribute

David's Find A Grave Memorial Page

Wizard Fans, Choose Your Video!!

The images below are from two versions of 'The Wizard' episode 'The Other Side'.

The image on the right represents the video quality fans worldwide have had to settle for when they can procure an unauthorized copy of any episode.  It is from the televised show videotaped by fans during the episode's original broadcast in 1986.  These off-the-air videos have been viewed and copied countless times on both VHS and DVD for sale and/or trade by fans and other members of the general public, often for illegal profit.

The image on the left is from the original production videotapes belonging to the owners of 'The Wizard'.

It's obvious which one represents the way 'The Wizard' is supposed to look.  Add to that the difference in audio quality, and being able to see the subtle colors and action of the original episodes, and it's clear that settling for a copy of a 'The Wizard' videotape the wrong way gets you the video quality on the left.  Getting the tapes the right way by working to "Rescue The Wizard" will provide the quality on the right, and will bring our beloved show back to old and new fans around the world the way it was meant to be seen.

Over the past few years I have been told by Wizard fans worldwide that the "only" way to win release of 'The Wizard' from the vaults of 20th Century Fox Studios is to focus on copying and passing around/selling/trading/downloading the copies represented by the image on the left.  That plan hasn't worked for 23 years.  Now you can see why.

We hope this taste of what is not only possible, but actually exists, will bring a renewed, more powerful drive to the "Rescue The Wizard" campaign.  If you want to watch 'The Wizard' as it is supposed to be seen, then please make your vote heard - "For the love of Simon".

Unlicensed Promotions Cause Negative Effects

"Everything we do creates a cause, which has an effect, for better or worse."  These words from Simon McKay in The Wizard episode Twist of Fate are just as relevant now as they were 23 years ago.  When fans and the general public create, copy and/or sell unauthorized and unlicensed video copies and other materials - even under the guise of "promotion" - this action creates a very negative effect for The Wizard.

Contrary to popular belief, being a fan does not entitle one to licensing rights, nor do property rights disappear when material in any form is uploaded to the internet.  All material for The Wizard is the Intellectual Property Right of the series' cast and crew, and the Copyright Property of 20th Century Fox Studios.  By that same token, all material on David Rappaport's official and tribute websites are the Intellectual Property of David Rappaport's family, and Copyright Property of the individuals and companies listed therein.  Creating and selling/trading video copies, episode guides, etc., without a license is stealing, pure and simple. Removing pictures and information from The Wizard's official website and David Rappaport's websites without authorization is also stealing, pure and simple.

There are positive ways to promote The Wizard and the Rescue The Wizard campaign.  Sending The Wizard's cast and crew, and 20th Century Fox Studios the message that fans only wish to show uncaring, disrespectful selfishness towards The Wizard is not it.

Currently, no one has the licensing rights to sell or trade any material from The Wizard, and no one has complete information on the series.  Anyone selling/trading materials from The Wizard does not care about the series, only their own pocketbooks.

Think before you act.  Maturity is not measured by chronological age, but rather by one's choice of actions and reactions.

Priscilla Weems: Get Well Soon!!!

Actress, singer, and 'The Wizard' alum Priscilla Weems (Linda Wynthrope "the girl raised by wolves" in the episode 'Endangered Species') is currently in hospital recovering after her car was struck by another on 9/28. We are encouraging all fans of 'The Wizard' and/or Priscilla to send speedy recovery cards/letters to her fan mail address: 585 Box Cyn Rd, Canoga Park, CA 91304, USA. Everyone with 'The Wizard sends our love and support to Priscilla, her family (especially her child) and friends.

Rescue The Wizard Update (9/17/09)

Rescue The Wizard Petition Total: 473 <br>

TVshowsonDVD Vote Total: 289 <br>

<br>

Anything Is Possible
Tout Est Possible
Cualquier Cosa Es Posible
Wszystko Jest Mozliwe
Tudo e Possivel
Alt Er Mulig
Alles Ist Moglich
Все Вобможно

David Rappaport's Legacy - The Prologue

It has often been said that David Rappaport understood he had an interesting story to tell. This is true. During his 15 year professional acting career David continually fought to tell his story - his training, choice of projects, the story he was telling with each character, etc. But, David's true story and the story most people both inside and outside of the industry want to record, sell, and believe remain entirely different. As a result, David's legacy has been obscured; even undoing the strides he made towards equality and respect for anyone outside the so-called 'norm' within the Performing Arts / Entertainment Industry. For the few of us who fight to keep David's accurate legacy from fading into oblivion, this incessant need of others to rewrite his story to fit their own stereotype embracing, twisted, often nefarious, purposes makes our work frustratingly difficult. The damage these lies have already done and continue to do to his family and friends is just unforgivable.

Yes, there is no doubt the Entertainment Industry and News Media deserve their fair share of the blame. So, too, do the fans and members of the general public who insist on trying to force David Rappaport to be whatever they want him to be - whether by declaring him a "wanna be" or "sell out" or affirmation of their "fascination with little people". Even the fans who have simply accepted the fabrications said and written by those listed above over the years as fact rather than being bothered to seek the truth deserve some blame. If this truly is the "Information Age", there is simply no excuse for this to continue.

In this place David Rappaport has a voice - a voice of truth. Death shall have no dominion here, and the truth will set us all free.

End of Prologue