Fanderson
Fanderson is the official appreciation society for the works of Gerry Anderson. It is a not-for-profit organisation endorsed by Anderson Entertainment Ltd, Gerry Anderson Productions plc and ITC Entertainment Group Ltd. Based in the UK, but with a worldwide membership, the club is run by a small committee of unpaid volunteers.[1]
The club was formed on 20 August 1981 at a meeting convened by ITC. To that point ITC had assisted the variety of clubs and societies that followed the works of Anderson, as well as their other properties, but they asked that the clubs should merge and in return they would offer all available assistance (except financial).[1]
The club today
As ownership of the ITC part of Anderson's productions has changed hands, so the club has maintained reciprocal relationships with PolyGram, Carlton, Granada Ventures, and now, ITV Studios Global Entertainment. It also maintains relationships with the owners of the non-ITC Anderson productions such as Southern Star (Terrahawks), Carrington Productions International (Lavender Castle) and Universal Studios (Doppelgänger).[1]
Fanderson values the relationships it has with the many talented cast and crew members of the Anderson productions, interviewing them for FAB magazine and inviting them for personal appearances at conventions and events. The sole exception to this is Sylvia Anderson, whom the committee doesn't contact out of respect for the club's Honorary President, Gerry Anderson, with reference to his and Sylvia's acrimonious divorce.[1]
As a not-for-profit organisation the club produces a regular full-colour magazine 'FAB' for its members, along with exclusive merchandise including books, soundtrack and mini-album CDs, DVDs, badges, stickers and other paraphernalia. Many of these items, particularly original soundtrack CDs, are made in limited quantities in agreement with the license holders. To the exasperation of many fans, UK tax law restricts sales of this merchandise to club members. However, analysis of merchandise income shows that, on average, the membership fee is less than the tax that would be charged to an average member in one year.[1]
The club also arranges conventions at which like-minded fans can meet with the cast and crew of the various Anderson productions, enjoy episodes, buy merchandise and raise money for charity.[1]
References
External links
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