The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5
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  1. JMS CompuServe messages for June 1996. Collected by John Hardin
  2. <jhardin@wolfenet.com>.
  3. Date: 31-May-96 16:10:35
  4. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  5. To: Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com>
  6. Subject: Spoiler Vorlon Question
  7. Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com> asks:
  8. > I do, however, have one question (also about the Vorlon), that
  9. > you might be able to answer : Will whatever Kosh was doing to
  10. > Lyta in Passing Through Gethsemane have anything to do with the
  11. > overall (arc) plot at some time in the series?
  12. Yes, primarily because what Kosh was doing with Lyta (that
  13. sounds vaguely suggestive) wasn't a one-time event. There was a
  14. transference going on, and that aspect will be heard from again.
  15. jms
  16. ------------------------------
  17. Date: 31-May-96 16:10:36
  18. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  19. To: Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com>
  20. Subject: WWE - Beginning???
  21. Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com> asks:
  22. > Just a thought, people are probbably going to hate me for asking
  23. > this, but where exactly does the storyline to War Without End
  24. > Begin?
  25. The storyline began millions of years ago.
  26. We're coming in in the middle of the story.
  27. But then, that can be said of all of us.
  28. jms
  29. ------------------------------
  30. Date: 31-May-96 16:10:37
  31. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  32. To: (blocked)
  33. Subject: B5 essential episodes
  34. {original post unavailable}
  35. I did it off the cuff, I don't actually have a list; somebody
  36. else here may have it offhand.
  37. jms
  38. ------------------------------
  39. Date: 31-May-96 16:10:39
  40. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  41. To: William H. DiPaola <76521.1751@compuserve.com>
  42. Subject: <<WWE2>>
  43. {original post had no questions}
  44. It's not a shadow host, no, but one of the many things that
  45. work for them.
  46. jms
  47. ------------------------------
  48. Date: 31-May-96 16:10:41
  49. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  50. To: Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com>
  51. Subject: B5 Renewal!!?
  52. Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com> asks:
  53. > Do you know yet if B5 is going to be renewed for another 1 or 2
  54. > seasons? If not, how are you going to decide what to do about
  55. > wrapping it up? I know that it's been said that you yourself
  56. > stated that you could finish it in one more season, but how are
  57. > you going to make that decision if you don't know how long you've
  58. > got?
  59. We'll know soon. We're cautiously optimistic.
  60. jms
  61. ------------------------------
  62. Date: 01-Jun-96 02:03:41
  63. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  64. To: TIMOTHY R. GREEN <73023.143@compuserve.com>
  65. Subject: Hour 25
  66. TIMOTHY R. GREEN <73023.143@compuserve.com> asks:
  67. > How do you find the time to do everything you do?
  68. > Unless you have some way of slowing down the time flow somehow?
  69. It helps to be an obsessive-compulsive personality....
  70. jms
  71. ------------------------------
  72. Date: 01-Jun-96 02:03:43
  73. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  74. To: (blocked)
  75. Subject: <<UK Dust 2 Dust>>
  76. {original post unavailable}
  77. No, that has nothing to do with the redemption.
  78. jms
  79. ------------------------------
  80. Date: 01-Jun-96 02:03:44
  81. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  82. To: (blocked)
  83. Subject: How Time Flies
  84. {original post unavailable}
  85. This is probably the most commonly asked question, and the
  86. answer remains...I dunno. Right now, the sheer task of getting this
  87. show made now, for TV, is sufficiently daunting, that the idea of
  88. telling it again in print is enough to make me tip over. Also, this
  89. show was *designed* for TV; if I'd wanted to write a nove, I'd've
  90. written a novel.
  91. So for now, the answer remains "I dunno."
  92. jms
  93. ------------------------------
  94. Date: 01-Jun-96 02:03:46
  95. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  96. To: (blocked)
  97. Subject: Just curious...
  98. {original post unavailable}
  99. Thanks, I can only hope you're right.
  100. jms
  101. ------------------------------
  102. Date: 01-Jun-96 02:03:50
  103. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  104. To: Brian A. Thomas <75231.1122@compuserve.com>
  105. Subject: Trading Card Game???
  106. Brian A. Thomas <75231.1122@compuserve.com> asks:
  107. > Are they refuring to the next regular card set like the one we
  108. > saw before or is it a trading card game (none of the other stuff
  109. > listed on the page is anything but trading card game)? While we
  110. > are talking about Babylon 5 games, what is the current word on
  111. > the Babylon 5 RPG? Who is making it?
  112. > Any other stuff coming out for our computers soon?
  113. Fleer's coming out with a brand new card set, but not a card
  114. game set.
  115. The RPG will be out from Chameleon later this year.
  116. jms
  117. ------------------------------
  118. Date: 01-Jun-96 02:03:52
  119. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  120. To: Michael R. Marks <104504.455@compuserve.com>
  121. Subject: B5 Renewal!!?
  122. Michael R. Marks <104504.455@compuserve.com> asks:
  123. > I wish to know if videos will ever be released and why does
  124. > Warner seem to treat the show with indifference?
  125. Thanks; and we hope to have the videos out eventually.
  126. jms
  127. ------------------------------
  128. Date: 01-Jun-96 02:03:54
  129. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  130. To: Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com>
  131. Subject: <<War & Delenn>>
  132. Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com> asks:
  133. > When Delenn has her time-flash, does she just see what happens in
  134. > the future, or is she actually there, like John's trip?
  135. No, she more just saw it as a passive recipient, whereas he was
  136. actively There.
  137. jms
  138. ------------------------------
  139. Date: 01-Jun-96 02:03:57
  140. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  141. To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
  142. Subject: <War...2> Aftershocks
  143. Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
  144. > Is whatever it is they tried to make her tell them something that
  145. > concerns B5 in 2260-2262?
  146. No, what they were after from Delenn was info relevant to that
  147. time, some of it related to their son.
  148. jms
  149. ------------------------------
  150. Date: 01-Jun-96 16:03:45
  151. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  152. To: Arline Williams <102551.2346@compuserve.com>
  153. Subject: Hour 25
  154. Arline Williams <102551.2346@compuserve.com> asks:
  155. > Did I miss anything else as *spiffy* as that?
  156. I can't remember what we discussed in the first hour...nothing
  157. as cool as that happened, at any rate.
  158. jms
  159. ------------------------------
  160. Date: 01-Jun-96 16:03:46
  161. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  162. To: Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com>
  163. Subject: B5 Renewal!!?
  164. Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com> asks:
  165. > Any idea who that person is?
  166. It's a grip who stood too close for the photo.
  167. jms
  168. ------------------------------
  169. Date: 01-Jun-96 16:03:47
  170. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  171. To: Brian A. Thomas <75231.1122@compuserve.com>
  172. Subject: Trading Card Game???
  173. Brian A. Thomas <75231.1122@compuserve.com> asks:
  174. > Meanwhile is that book coming from Boxtree called "Making of
  175. > Babylon 5" or "Creating Babylon 5"?
  176. I think it's Creating B5...but I haven't gotten my copy yet, and
  177. that's from memory.
  178. jms
  179. ------------------------------
  180. Date: 01-Jun-96 16:03:50
  181. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  182. To: TIMOTHY R. GREEN <73023.143@compuserve.com>
  183. Subject: Universe
  184. TIMOTHY R. GREEN <73023.143@compuserve.com> asks:
  185. > Do you think we have a purpose in the universe, or a purpose to
  186. > make the best of our lives as we find them?
  187. The purpose we have is the purpose we find, and that we *choose*
  188. to find. Acting on that purpose is another topic altogether....
  189. jms
  190. ------------------------------
  191. Date: 01-Jun-96 16:03:52
  192. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  193. To: Chris Shepard <102076.276@compuserve.com>
  194. Subject: ^The Shadows^
  195. Chris Shepard <102076.276@compuserve.com> asks:
  196. > Why is this?
  197. I've gone over the legal aspects of the story idea provision,
  198. oh, about 25 times...I know it's in the faq file somewhere. Bottom
  199. line, I can't see or accept any story ideas, period.
  200. jms
  201. ------------------------------
  202. Date: 02-Jun-96 14:49:58
  203. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  204. To: John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com>
  205. Subject: How Time Flies
  206. John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com> asks:
  207. > What kind of feeling and what kind of reaction do you have about
  208. > this side of the B5 success story?
  209. Actually, I've no idea...I don't socialize at all -- except for
  210. B5 related gatherings, I haven't been to a party in...oh, about 2
  211. years, maybe a bit more. So I don't tend to hear from anyone *not*
  212. really involved with the show in terms of other TV writers or
  213. writer/producers. I imagine I'll hear more when I get done with it.
  214. jms
  215. ------------------------------
  216. Date: 02-Jun-96 14:50:01
  217. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  218. To: (blocked)
  219. Subject: Just curious...
  220. {original post unavailable}
  221. I don't think they quite knew *how* this show was to be sold to
  222. the audience; the arc wasn't heavily played initially, no. Later,
  223. moreso.
  224. I hear all the time though from new viewers who just started
  225. watching, and are right up to speed.
  226. Re: changing the episodic structure...no, can't really do that,
  227. because you have to think in larger terms, both down the road and how
  228. the show airs overseas, minus those breaks.
  229. jms
  230. ------------------------------
  231. Date: 02-Jun-96 14:50:03
  232. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  233. To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
  234. Subject: Trading Card Game???
  235. Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
  236. > Are there any more novels contracted after #6 (love the
  237. > Delenn/tea ceremony bit in #6)?
  238. They're waiting until we get formally renewed to contract for
  239. more novels. That should be soon.
  240. jms
  241. ------------------------------
  242. Date: 02-Jun-96 14:50:05
  243. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  244. To: (blocked)
  245. Subject: B5 Ent Utility
  246. {original post unavailable}
  247. The character-oriented wav and avi files weren't done because
  248. there are still pending matters to be worked out with the various
  249. unions -- SAG, WGA and DGA -- about how those are to be used. It's
  250. still a new medium, and how you reuse footage shot contractually for
  251. purpose A, turned to use B, and what residual structure you follow, is
  252. still being worked out.
  253. jms
  254. ------------------------------
  255. Date: 02-Jun-96 14:50:08
  256. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  257. To: Chris Shepard <102076.276@compuserve.com>
  258. Subject: ^The Shadows^
  259. Chris Shepard <102076.276@compuserve.com> asks:
  260. > BTW, what made you get in touch with Ron Thorton?
  261. Thanks. John, Doug and I had originally worked with Ron on
  262. Captain Power, so that's where that connection comes from.
  263. jms
  264. ------------------------------
  265. Date: 02-Jun-96 14:50:09
  266. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  267. To: (blocked)
  268. Subject: ^The Shadows^
  269. {original post unavailable}
  270. Apology unnecessary, but accepted. We learn by doing.
  271. I don't know which message reprint request or content you're
  272. referring to, so I really can't comment.
  273. jms
  274. ------------------------------
  275. Date: 02-Jun-96 14:50:12
  276. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  277. To: (blocked)
  278. Subject: < first episode year 4>
  279. (blocked) asks:
  280. > is this a wolf in sheep's clothing story?
  281. The Hour of the Wolf is that hour around 3 a.m. when you can't
  282. sleep because you're worried about one thing or another....
  283. jms
  284. ------------------------------
  285. Date: 02-Jun-96 14:50:13
  286. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  287. To: (blocked)
  288. Subject: FInal Scene-Severed Drea
  289. (blocked) asks:
  290. > In the final scene of Severed dreams (the applause scene), are
  291. > you the guy who begins clapping first?
  292. Nope, I don't do cameos in the show.
  293. jms
  294. ------------------------------
  295. Date: 02-Jun-96 15:56:32
  296. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  297. To: (blocked)
  298. Subject: <WWE II>
  299. {original post had no questions}
  300. Thanks. Also, our hard ratings shot up almost a full half a
  301. point this quarter over our last batch of new episodes, from a 3.0, our
  302. usual, to a 3.4, at a time when most syndicated shows were in a
  303. downturn, including DS9, which went down over a full point during the
  304. same period. Warners is most pleased.
  305. jms
  306. ------------------------------
  307. Date: 02-Jun-96 15:56:43
  308. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  309. To: Chris Shepard <102076.276@compuserve.com>
  310. Subject: ^The Shadows^
  311. Chris Shepard <102076.276@compuserve.com> asks:
  312. > If I write a show that was truly my idea, how do you defend
  313. > yourself from some crazed lunatic coming into court saying that I
  314. > stole it from him/her? How can that person prove it was theirs to
  315. > begin with? It's the same idea, but how could one sue the other
  316. > for stealing it? What about space battles in general?
  317. > Cloaked ships?
  318. > The shadows cloak themselves, but how would the Trek guys sue JMS
  319. > for stealing their idea about cloaking technology? Don't they have
  320. > enough?
  321. Chris, the only thing wrong with your message, and your
  322. assumptions, is that they're wrong on just about every conceivable
  323. level. Let me try to walk you through this to help you understand a
  324. little better.
  325. First off...a general observation. Story ideas are worthless.
  326. It's very doubtful that you or anybody else has had an idea that nobody
  327. in the history of mankind has ever had before. You can take a basic
  328. idea and give it to 10 different writer and you'll get 10 TOTALLY
  329. different stories. What matters is execution, how the idea is
  330. rendered. An idea isn't a story, and what matters is *story*, a series
  331. of consequences and reactions based on actions.
  332. Most amateur writers don't know or understand that, and think
  333. that their story idea is something saleable, something somebody wants
  334. to buy, or something they need to jealously protect. There are even
  335. people who will exploit that. There was a publication a few years ago
  336. which would publish your story idea in a big book, on per page (which
  337. you paid for, natch), and sent it to the major studios and networks.
  338. Not one of them ever sold. None of them were worth buying.
  339. None of them were really stories. And it was thrown into the trash of
  340. every studio or network at which it arrived because of fear of lawsuit.
  341. Now, to your points individually:
  342. "For one, I would talk with the individual and arrange something
  343. legal so that his story idea could be used and he/she would receive
  344. full credit plus pay."
  345. This is illegal. There is no fee inside the Writer's Guild for
  346. "story idea." (ST tried to get around this for a few years, but was
  347. finally trounced by the WGA.) If it's a credible, WGA signatory, which
  348. all the major studios and networks are, they can't operate outside
  349. formal parameters in their agreements. There's no category for "story
  350. idea," so they can't buy that, and there's a reason for it. A "story
  351. idea" is sufficiently general that it can't be readily surrounded...is
  352. it a sentence? A paragraph? A page? Two pages? You could start
  353. taking whole stories, swiping them, and getting the royalties
  354. -- thousands and thousands of dollars -- while the originator of the
  355. story got a couple hundred bucks, if that much. This provision exists
  356. to *protect* writers.
  357. See, part of the problem is, you're looking at the TV writing
  358. business not as a writer, but as a fan, a viewer. We who work in this
  359. business have had to painstakingly, and at great suffering, fight for
  360. protections for those who work in this business as their livelihood.
  361. Creating a scenario such as the one you describe would hurt the
  362. profession beyond description. Yes, you may like the show, but should
  363. we set into place practices and policies that will undo years of
  364. hard-won strikes, and create what is, in essence, the camel's nose in
  365. the tent...the camel -- studios who would exploit this to take stories
  366. and outlines for zero money -- would surely follow, on the logic that
  367. if you permit this for one show, you have to permit it for all.
  368. (Also, for the "full credit plus pay" part...again, what credit,
  369. and what pay? There's no provisions set up for either. You'd have to
  370. create whole new areas in the WGA for this, which don't currently
  371. exist; you can't just do this willy-nilly. Pay...a flat fee? Fee plus
  372. residuals? How do you determine how much a 1 paragraph story should
  373. get vs. a two or three page story? Which gets a flat fee and which
  374. residuals? It's a slippery slope.)
  375. "Secondly, if I created a forum and opened it to fans who wanted to
  376. give their ideas for stories, etc., then I would post a message at the
  377. beginning of the forum stating that anything spoken and written in that
  378. forum cannot be protected by law."
  379. Now you're in violation of US Copyright Law. Anything you write
  380. is instantly yours under what's known as Commonlaw Copyright. In
  381. addition, a forum like Compuserve copyrights all content as a communal
  382. copyright, owned by both parties, the poster and CIS. (All services
  383. work this way.) Also under the law, you cannot make a statement or a
  384. policy which removes people's rights from them...in other words, you
  385. can SAY that anyone posting messages gies up their rights...but that
  386. doesn't have *any* legal basis whatsoever, and cannot be enforced. The
  387. only way would be to have each person type up a waiver, hard-copy, sign
  388. it, get it notarized, and mail it *for each and every suggestion*
  389. giving up all rights to that specific story. It can't be done en masse
  390. for anything written.
  391. "Lastly, how would one prove in court that someone has stolen someone
  392. elses idea. If I write a show that was truly my idea, how do you
  393. defend yourself from some crazed lunatic coming into court saying that
  394. I stole it from him/her?"
  395. That's the hard part. You can't. Sure, you can win the case in
  396. court, but a case like this can take two or three YEARS of your life.
  397. And most will hang on because most cases like this are settled,
  398. regardless of merit, because it's cheaper than a trial. Do you want to
  399. spend two or three days a week, every week, for three years giving
  400. depositions, talking to lawyers, dredging out every bit of paperwork,
  401. turning over your computer files to lawyers, having your friends and
  402. co-workers deposed, your character challenged, all because somebody
  403. posted a story idea that was vaguely similar to what you did? I don't.
  404. "How can that person prove it was theirs to begin with?"
  405. By showing a printup of the story as posted in the forum you
  406. have suggested here. (Or another.) Their word not good enough? You
  407. subpoena the sysops here, access the CIS database, on and on.
  408. "An idea is an idea. Buck Rogers had the idea of stargates in it's
  409. series. Babylon 5 uses the jumpgates. It's the same idea, but how could
  410. one sue the other for stealing it? What about space battles in
  411. general?"
  412. See, again, here's the problem...a stargate or a jumpgate isn't
  413. an idea, it's a bit of technology. You can't build a story around
  414. that, so it's not a story idea, again you're not clear on your terms.
  415. "How about a jump gate?" isn't a story idea. "How about a jumpgate to
  416. go kill the giant frog monster in sector 97" *is* a story idea. Once
  417. again, you don't have a clear notion what it is you're discussing.
  418. "Cloaked ships? The shadows cloak themselves, but how would the Trek
  419. guys sue JMS for stealing their idea about cloaking technology?"
  420. Shadow vessels don't cloak; they have alternate technology for
  421. phasing in from hyperspace.
  422. "It's plain silly and it's a waste of everyone's time."
  423. It is...until you end up in court for it. The ONLY reasonable
  424. protection is the no-story provision. Especially in a case like B5,
  425. where the whole story is *already worked out*.
  426. It's the difference in perception between an amateur writer and
  427. a writer who does this as a living. (By "amateur" I don't mean bad, I
  428. just mean one who is either unpublished, inexperienced, or a
  429. hobbyist...I'm an amateur bowler, as an example.) You don't understand
  430. the consequences of this sort of thing, it's not a profession to you,
  431. it's something you'd like to toss out there. But it can hurt. Marion
  432. Zimmer Bradley recently found herself in a *terrible* position...she'd
  433. worked for about 2 years writing a new novel, turned it in...and had
  434. the book cancled by her publisher because a fanzine to which she had
  435. possible access had published a very similar story and they might sue.
  436. Two years of work, down the drain.
  437. This isn't a game, or a hobby, or something where you can make
  438. up the rules as you go. Writing is a *business*, a creative one, yes,
  439. but if you're going to make a living at it, you have to treat it as a
  440. business, just as if you're a carpenter or a plumber or a surgeon.
  441. Those rules are there to protect writers from being expoited,
  442. harrassed, ripped off or sued.
  443. jms
  444. ------------------------------
  445. Date: 02-Jun-96 15:56:47
  446. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  447. To: Jack P <102474.2071@compuserve.com>
  448. Subject: New Upcomings or Reruns?
  449. Jack P <102474.2071@compuserve.com> asks:
  450. > Does the producers intend to show any new continuing episodes for
  451. > the summer or we'll all have to wait until the fall implying in
  452. > the meantime we'll just watch the past season reruns? Also I don't
  453. > know why in the world would the LA station airing the B5 show as
  454. > they always have, show the week's encore of other shows(less
  455. > desirable) and not B5 for those that couldn't be around the first
  456. > time?
  457. The produers of B5 -- viz, me -- have no control or influence
  458. over the scheduling of episodes or reruns. Just FYI.
  459. jms
  460. ------------------------------
  461. Date: 03-Jun-96 00:57:32
  462. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  463. To: All
  464. Subject: jms in UK
  465. Can't recall if I mentioned this earlier, but...in addition to
  466. being at the Wolf 359 convention in Blackpool this coming weekend, I'll
  467. be doing an autograph session at Forbidden Planet Bookstore in London
  468. this Thursday at 4 p.m. along with David Bassom, author of "Creating
  469. Babylon 5" and "The A-Z of Babylon 5."
  470. jms
  471. ------------------------------
  472. Date: 03-Jun-96 01:13:00
  473. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  474. To: John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com>
  475. Subject: Question of Timeline
  476. John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com> asks:
  477. > So can you clarify the dates somewhat here for me, please?
  478. Well, she didn't go directly into Vorlon space; she left, went
  479. around a bit, had to find a pilot willing to take her...it was a time
  480. consuming process.
  481. jms
  482. ------------------------------
  483. Date: 03-Jun-96 01:13:03
  484. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  485. To: Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com>
  486. Subject: < first episode year 4>
  487. {original post had no questions}
  488. Yup, that's it, that's the hour of the wolf....
  489. jms
  490. ------------------------------
  491. Date: 03-Jun-96 01:13:06
  492. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  493. To: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
  494. Subject: < first episode year 4>
  495. SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks:
  496. > Is this anything like "The Hour Of Scampering?"
  497. > Or maybe "The Hour Of Running Like Hell?"
  498. No, no, no, you're thinking of the Hour of the Plucked
  499. Parrot....
  500. jms
  501. ------------------------------
  502. Date: 03-Jun-96 01:13:08
  503. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  504. To: (blocked)
  505. Subject: FInal Scene-Severed Drea
  506. {original post had no questions}
  507. Nopers....
  508. jms
  509. ------------------------------
  510. Date: 03-Jun-96 01:13:09
  511. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  512. To: Steve Brightman <73420.3057@compuserve.com>
  513. Subject: << How old is Delenn >>
  514. Steve Brightman <73420.3057@compuserve.com> asks:
  515. > Excuse for asking but just how old is Delenn ?
  516. > So I guess she must be at least 900 years old ?
  517. No, Delenn never said she held Valen when he died, she said she
  518. held Dukhat, the last of the Grey Council leaders, at his death.
  519. jms
  520. ------------------------------
  521. Date: 03-Jun-96 01:36:01
  522. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  523. To: Cathy Holley <75204.1515@compuserve.com>
  524. Subject: ^The Shadows^
  525. Cathy Holley <75204.1515@compuserve.com> asks:
  526. > How do the studios get around buying a book to make into a movie
  527. > or tvshow? And didn't you sell B5 as an idea?
  528. > not a complete story?
  529. > or am I missing the point?
  530. "How do the studios get around buying a book to make into a movie or
  531. tv show? I mean in many cases if you compare the book to the movie,
  532. there isn't a whole lot left except the basic storyline."
  533. They don't get around buying the book; they *do* buy the book.
  534. No, when all is said and done, the result may not look much like the
  535. book, but that's a matter of creative realization of the project --
  536. artistic success or failure
  537. -- not legalities.
  538. "And didn't you sell B5 as an idea? Not a complete story?"
  539. Again, define "idea." The way Chris defined it, an "idea" is,
  540. "Let's do a show on a space station."
  541. You also have to remember that like many other writer/producers,
  542. I'm in a position where I've shown that I'm capable of taking something
  543. and making it into a TV show. But even so, like every other person
  544. there trying to sell a series to PTEN, I didn't just walk in the door
  545. with an idea.
  546. If you're going to sell a series, you need to know the
  547. characters, the situations, the possible additional storylines, the
  548. support network and supporting characters...all of that. What usually
  549. happens is that you go to a network, with a long list of credits, and
  550. spin out a few details of what you have in mind: the central character,
  551. the situation, some additional characters, how you'd get in and out of
  552. stories, and the like. There's been a LOT of prior thought given to
  553. it, it's a LOT more than just an idea. Then the network gives you seed
  554. money (called "development money") to take that proposal and flesh it
  555. out, writing a treatment and series bible, then a pilot script. Based
  556. on ALL THAT, you then get or don't get your series.
  557. When a writer comes in to pitch for a series already on the air,
  558. he or she has the beginning, middle and end of the story worked out,
  559. and some of the high points along the way. Every so often, somebody'll
  560. come in and try to sell an idea, just a notion...and you want to hurt
  561. them. I was working on MURDER, SHE WROTE and a guy came in to pitch
  562. his story. "Okay," I said, "what did you have in mind?"
  563. "Amnesia" he said, then sat back, pleased with himself.
  564. I waited. Glaciers slowly moved across the northern polar
  565. frontier. "What about it?" I asked finally.
  566. "*Amnesia*," he said again, as though repeating it would
  567. suddenly make me understand.
  568. "WHOSE amnesia?" I asked. "Who forgets what, what's been
  569. forgotten, and where do we go with it?"
  570. "Well, we'd work that out after I get the assignment."
  571. He was never invited back.
  572. jms
  573. ------------------------------
  574. Date: 03-Jun-96 13:29:30
  575. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  576. To: annie <104246.3046@compuserve.com>
  577. Subject: << How old is Delenn >>
  578. annie <104246.3046@compuserve.com> asks:
  579. > How old is Delenn?
  580. In human terms, she's probably around her late 40s early 50s,
  581. which is very young still for a Minbari, who can live to be almost 200.
  582. jms
  583. ------------------------------
  584. Date: 03-Jun-96 13:35:10
  585. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  586. To: Marte Brengle <76703.4242@compuserve.com>
  587. Subject: Joining B-5 Fan Club?
  588. Marte Brengle <76703.4242@compuserve.com> asks:
  589. > Anyone actually got the fan club stuff yet?
  590. The first issue of the newsletter -- Universe Today -- should be
  591. going out this week, if it hasn't already started going out. There
  592. were a few glitches in the cards from the printer that had to be
  593. corrected, and I wanted to make some final changes to the poster, which
  594. now looks better. It's all in place now, however.
  595. jms
  596. ------------------------------
  597. Date: 12-Jun-96 13:41:45
  598. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  599. To: (blocked)
  600. Subject: How Time Flies
  601. {original post unavailable}
  602. Thanks. Unfortunately, we're not really set up to give tours of
  603. the set, so that's not possible for us.
  604. jms
  605. ------------------------------
  606. Date: 12-Jun-96 13:41:46
  607. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  608. To: Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com>
  609. Subject: jms in UK
  610. I think the books will only be out via import stores.
  611. jms
  612. ------------------------------
  613. Date: 12-Jun-96 13:41:48
  614. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  615. To: Chris Croughton (UK) <100014.3217@compuserve.com>
  616. Subject: jms in UK
  617. {original post had no questions}
  618. Thanks; I just now got this, if I'd known at the time, I likely
  619. would've stopped by.
  620. jms
  621. ------------------------------
  622. Date: 12-Jun-96 13:41:50
  623. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  624. To: Elyse M. Grasso <70302.3304@compuserve.com>
  625. Subject: Sidebars 1
  626. Good points, thanks.
  627. jms
  628. ------------------------------
  629. Date: 12-Jun-96 13:41:53
  630. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  631. To: Elyse M. Grasso <70302.3304@compuserve.com>
  632. Subject: Sidebars 2: Cabaret
  633. I wouldn't say Cabaret was my favorite movie of all time, but
  634. it's certainly one of my tops, and that one scene, "Tomorrow Belongs to
  635. Me" still scares the hell out of me.
  636. If I had to delineate my favorite films overall, they'd be
  637. Seconds, They Might Be Giants, Forbidden Planet, The Stuntman, A
  638. Christmas Story, The Empire Strikes Back, Cabaret, Failsafe, Seven Days
  639. in May, Aliens, All That Jazz, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Glory,
  640. The Haunting of Hill House, Road Warrior, Terminator 1 and 2, The
  641. Natural, Network, Something Wicked This Way Comes, The Rocky Horror
  642. Picture Show, Phantom of the Paradise, When Worlds Collide, The Seven
  643. Faces of Dr. Lao, The Shootist, War of the Worlds, Stalag 17, and The
  644. Time Machine.
  645. Those are films I can watch again and again and never get bored
  646. with them. Lao is a particular favorite, it's just a beautiful film.
  647. I tend to love films that break your heart or make it soar, or both at
  648. the same time, like Glory, or Giants.
  649. jms
  650. ------------------------------
  651. Date: 12-Jun-96 13:41:54
  652. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  653. To: carrie foreman <76400.1170@compuserve.com>
  654. Subject: Merchandise question
  655. No, Psi Corps pins have not been licensed, and are thus illegal.
  656. jms
  657. ------------------------------
  658. Date: 12-Jun-96 13:41:57
  659. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  660. To: Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com>
  661. Subject: JMS: Sorry...
  662. Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com> asks:
  663. > Just how negative are those feelings?
  664. I didn't read the thread, but yes, Carl's right when he says
  665. that we have to be careful to avoid storylines and the like. Don't
  666. worry, apology accepted; forgiven, forgotten, gone. We learn by doing.
  667. jms
  668. ------------------------------
  669. Date: 12-Jun-96 13:41:59
  670. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  671. To: (blocked)
  672. Subject: Other races' ships
  673. (blocked) asks:
  674. > Just out of curiosity, have any Markab ships been shown, other
  675. > than the one in "Confessions and Lamentations"?
  676. Yes, Marcabs had warships, though not a lot of them.
  677. jms
  678. ------------------------------
  679. Date: 12-Jun-96 13:42:01
  680. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  681. To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
  682. Subject: 4th Season
  683. Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> asks:
  684. > Were you given any feel as to the likelyhood of a Season Five?
  685. Thanks, and we'll know more about Warner's plans in a bit.
  686. jms
  687. ------------------------------
  688. Date: 12-Jun-96 13:42:04
  689. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  690. To: (blocked)
  691. Subject: Did Sinclair get married
  692. {original post unavailable}
  693. No, they didn't get married. Wasn't time, and his new posting
  694. precluded that.
  695. jms
  696. ------------------------------
  697. Date: 12-Jun-96 13:42:05
  698. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  699. To: (blocked)
  700. Subject: A B5 reflection
  701. {original post had no questions}
  702. That's great, thanks for passing it along.
  703. jms
  704. ------------------------------
  705. Date: 12-Jun-96 13:42:07
  706. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  707. To: John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com>
  708. Subject: Series Renewal
  709. {original post had no questions}
  710. Thanks, we're very pleased.
  711. jms
  712. ------------------------------
  713. Date: 12-Jun-96 13:42:09
  714. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  715. To: Rick Sharon <76416.2213@compuserve.com>
  716. Subject: B5 Renewal
  717. {original post had no questions}
  718. Thanks. Yes, the numbers and support led right to renewal. I
  719. should mention that the domestic ratings have grown enough that one of
  720. the major station groups has committed its stations to return
  721. double-runs of episodes for the coming year, so Los Angeles and a
  722. number of other markets will be getting two showings per week again.
  723. jms
  724. ------------------------------
  725. Date: 12-Jun-96 13:42:14
  726. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  727. To: Kathy Sheldrake <76236.254@compuserve.com>
  728. Subject: Fabulous Costumes
  729. {original post had no questions}
  730. Thanks. Yes, the costumes are great. Ann Bruice does a
  731. terrific job finding fabrics which don't seem to be one thing or
  732. another; your eye just sorta slides off them. It's a very tough job.
  733. jms
  734. ------------------------------
  735. Date: 12-Jun-96 13:42:19
  736. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  737. To: Vivien Loveday <100705.2440@compuserve.com>
  738. Subject: <Point of No return>
  739. {original post had no questions}
  740. Thanks, and Severed is even better....
  741. jms
  742. ------------------------------
  743. Date: 12-Jun-96 13:42:20
  744. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  745. To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
  746. Subject: Bablyon 5 Beyond the Rim
  747. Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
  748. > In your "Hours of the Wolf," (with the uncertainties you must
  749. > deal with as a creator/executive producer of a syndicated show
  750. > you must have a continuing series of "Hours of the Wolf), do you
  751. > ever get story ideas about the B5 characters that occur well
  752. > outside of the the megastory you've committed yourself to tell?
  753. > Would it be helpful or detrimental to start agitating at either
  754. > the local or WB-macro level for a guarantee (or as close as is
  755. > possible in the fluid dynamics of syndicated series) of a season
  756. > 5? Since you've indicated the possibility that you might be
  757. > required to compress seasons 4 and 5, is there any value to all
  758. > of the dedicated viewers stating up front that a compressed
  759. > season is not an acceptable option?
  760. Thanks. Yes, I sometimes do get notions for stories with our
  761. characters outside the B5 arc. Earlier stuff, later stuff...you just
  762. sorta file it away. I'll probably never get to telling any of it, but
  763. it helps add truth to the writing because I know what they're doing
  764. elsewhere and elsewhen. Those tales will probably never be told.
  765. jms
  766. ------------------------------
  767. Date: 12-Jun-96 13:42:23
  768. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  769. To: Bob Ingersoll <72204.2405@compuserve.com>
  770. Subject: Last 5 When?
  771. Bob Ingersoll <72204.2405@compuserve.com> asks:
  772. > Will they run sometime over the summer, or are they being held
  773. > back again until the start up of next year's season?
  774. October. Urk.
  775. jms
  776. ------------------------------
  777. Date: 12-Jun-96 21:02:35
  778. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  779. To: Roseann M. Caputo <103510.1542@compuserve.com>
  780. Subject: B5
  781. Roseann M. Caputo <103510.1542@compuserve.com> asks:
  782. > Was it updated as well?
  783. > Oh, will Peter David be writing any other episodes?
  784. > ?
  785. Thanks. It's a great show, and fun to work on.
  786. To the question of the writing book...the version being
  787. published this October is *completely* rewritten, stem to stern, with
  788. new chapters and other goodies.
  789. jms
  790. ------------------------------
  791. Date: 12-Jun-96 21:16:16
  792. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  793. To: John L. Creigh <75270.423@compuserve.com>
  794. Subject: Merchandise question
  795. John L. Creigh <75270.423@compuserve.com> asks:
  796. > Is is okay/legal to use the PTEN copyrighted gifs on a website?
  797. It's been general policy for WB to look the other way on that as
  798. long as proper copyright notices are appended.
  799. jms
  800. ------------------------------
  801. Date: 12-Jun-96 21:16:17
  802. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  803. To: Mary Taylor <75530.2650@compuserve.com>
  804. Subject: B5 Renewal
  805. Mary Taylor <75530.2650@compuserve.com> asks:
  806. > Does by any chance the major station group that has committed to
  807. > a return of double runs of the show include WPWR in Chicago?
  808. I'm reasonably sure that WPWR Chicago is one of those that have
  809. committed to the new slate of double runs, but I'm not 100% sure; will
  810. get a list as soon as available.
  811. jms
  812. ------------------------------
  813. Date: 12-Jun-96 21:16:18
  814. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  815. To: (blocked)
  816. Subject: B5 congrats
  817. {original post unavailable}
  818. Thanks, and I'm glad the show is finally reaching your corner of
  819. the world.
  820. jms
  821. ------------------------------
  822. Date: 12-Jun-96 21:16:21
  823. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  824. To: (blocked)
  825. Subject: Sheridan Disappears?
  826. {original post unavailable}
  827. He doesn't disappear completely.
  828. jms
  829. ------------------------------
  830. Date: 12-Jun-96 21:16:23
  831. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  832. To: Brian A. Thomas <75231.1122@compuserve.com>
  833. Subject: Celebration Time!!!
  834. Brian A. Thomas <75231.1122@compuserve.com> asks:
  835. > Since I believe you said you were not going to pull another
  836. > season 3 and write all the scripts yourself, who can we expect to
  837. > see pen some eps this upcoming season? Niel Gaiman or Halan
  838. > Ellison? Also, who do we need to be writing to, outside of our
  839. > local stations, to insure that WB gives a speedy greenlight to
  840. > season 5 ASAP...after all, what is one last season to a big
  841. > studio like them?
  842. Nothing much to be done now for year 5, that will depend as does
  843. every season on the ratings for the year preceding.
  844. jms
  845. ------------------------------
  846. Date: 12-Jun-96 21:16:24
  847. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  848. To: (blocked)
  849. Subject: Season Finale
  850. {original post unavailable}
  851. When I'm ready....
  852. jms
  853. ------------------------------
  854. Date: 13-Jun-96 12:46:38
  855. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  856. To: Wilfred Gibo <74543.1600@compuserve.com>
  857. Subject: Celebration Time!!!
  858. {original post had no questions}
  859. Thanks, and we look forward to the coming year.
  860. jms
  861. ------------------------------
  862. Date: 13-Jun-96 12:46:40
  863. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  864. To: (blocked)
  865. Subject: Merchandise question
  866. {original post unavailable}
  867. No, I think that's fine as well, with proper notices.
  868. jms
  869. ------------------------------
  870. Date: 13-Jun-96 12:46:41
  871. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  872. To: (blocked)
  873. Subject: Merchandise question
  874. {original post unavailable}
  875. You cannot make and *sell* them. That's the difference.
  876. jms
  877. ------------------------------
  878. Date: 13-Jun-96 12:46:43
  879. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  880. To: S J NICHOLSON <76574.1663@compuserve.com>
  881. Subject: Chicago Comicon
  882. S J NICHOLSON <76574.1663@compuserve.com> asks:
  883. > Do you (or anyone out there) know what your schedule would be
  884. > this weekend? Is it going to be Friday, Saturday and Sunday?
  885. I believe my main panels are in the afternoons on Saturday and
  886. Sunday.
  887. jms
  888. ------------------------------
  889. Date: 13-Jun-96 21:36:36
  890. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  891. To: Mark Pruett <74133.3406@compuserve.com>
  892. Subject: Sidebars 2: Cabaret
  893. Mark Pruett <74133.3406@compuserve.com> asks:
  894. > Seconds...Seconds....was that the truly dark film with Rock
  895. > Hudson? Or am I remembering wrong?
  896. > You included The Shootist but not Robin and Marian?
  897. Yes, that was the Rock Hudson film...and the letterbox Forbidden
  898. Planet has been out for some time on disk.
  899. jms
  900. ------------------------------
  901. Date: 13-Jun-96 21:36:38
  902. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  903. To: (blocked)
  904. Subject: *B5 Renewed*!!
  905. {original post unavailable}
  906. Actually, TNT had the rights to B5 at a point after 88 episodes,
  907. yes, BUT...WB had the option within that contract to produce only 66
  908. episodes and still get the same deal.
  909. jms
  910. ------------------------------
  911. Date: 13-Jun-96 21:43:19
  912. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  913. To: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
  914. Subject: Chicago Comicon
  915. SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks:
  916. > Are you bringing anything *interesting* to show us????
  917. Mainly clips from coming shows, not any finished episodes.
  918. jms
  919. ------------------------------
  920. Date: 13-Jun-96 21:43:22
  921. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  922. To: John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com>
  923. Subject: Timeline Inconsistency
  924. John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com> asks:
  925. > That places "Messages From Earth" about a week after
  926. > "Exogenesis," right? You start to see the dilemma?
  927. > Which means that "Severed Dreams" takes place about the 12th of
  928. > April? How's that so far?
  929. > But what does this do with the dates for "Sic Transit Vir" and
  930. > "Ceremonies of Light and Dark"? So any chance of you helping out
  931. > with the dates for all this, and a clearing up of some of the
  932. > timeline here for me?
  933. The only thing I can clear up is that Sic Transit was *not*
  934. filmed prior to Ceremonies, the filming order was Severed, Ceremonies,
  935. Avalon and Vir. Other than that, you're on your own.
  936. jms
  937. ------------------------------
  938. Date: 14-Jun-96 21:34:14
  939. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  940. To: Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com>
  941. Subject: B5 Publicity??
  942. Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com> asks:
  943. > The UK was pleasant, I trust?
  944. > Who handles B5 publicity?
  945. > Is it WB or in-house Babylonian Productions?
  946. > Does that include talk show bookings, SNL guest hosting, and all
  947. > that jazz? but how do *you* feel personally as regards SNL's
  948. > tendency to parody the week's guest host's roles? I know you
  949. > dislike (or just don't want to see) fanfic B5 parodies, what
  950. > about parodies done by the Not Ready for Prime Time Players? have
  951. > you seen the RPG playtest rules and background? Is it true to your
  952. > vision?
  953. WB has generally handled B5's publicity, though we've lately
  954. hired our own publicists to help gain additional exposure.
  955. Parodies don't bother me.
  956. Newsletters have begun going out; posters and fan club packets
  957. have had to wait until we got everything worked out. Remember, please,
  958. everybody, that the FC is a new creation, was not a going concern;
  959. those who got in at the very beginning will have a short wait that
  960. those joining thereafter won't have. As with everything else we do, we
  961. try and do it *right*. If that takes a bit longer, so be it. (I sent
  962. back the new poster design twice for small changes and improvements,
  963. which alone put things back.)
  964. jms
  965. ------------------------------
  966. Date: 14-Jun-96 21:34:17
  967. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  968. To: Ruth Spradlin <73477.3155@compuserve.com>
  969. Subject: Pilot Movie
  970. {original post had no questions}
  971. Thanks, I didn't know that.
  972. jms
  973. ------------------------------
  974. Date: 14-Jun-96 21:34:18
  975. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  976. To: (blocked)
  977. Subject: Fourth season...
  978. {original post unavailable}
  979. Thanks, and we're looking forward to year four.
  980. jms
  981. ------------------------------
  982. Date: 14-Jun-96 21:34:22
  983. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  984. To: Anita Karve <73653.3253@compuserve.com>
  985. Subject: Bablyon 5 Beyond the Rim
  986. Anita Karve <73653.3253@compuserve.com> asks:
  987. > Any chance of covering those areas in B5 movies after the 5th
  988. > season is over? If not commercial features, what about
  989. > made-for-television ones?
  990. We'll kinda have to see what happens when it comes round to make
  991. that decision; right now just telling this one story now takes up 110%
  992. of my time.
  993. jms
  994. ------------------------------
  995. Date: 14-Jun-96 21:34:23
  996. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  997. To: Doug Quinn <76330.350@compuserve.com>
  998. Subject: << WWE Questions >>
  999. Doug Quinn <76330.350@compuserve.com> asks:
  1000. > 1) On the destruction of B5 -- can I assume that the vision of B5
  1001. > being blown to bits in in SIGNS & PORTENTS is the same possible
  1002. > future we saw in BABYLON SQUARED and in WAR WITHOUT END? Or was
  1003. > the vision from SIGNS & PORTENTS fortelling a different future
  1004. > that's still out there? 2) Since Jeff Sinclair was Roman Catholic,
  1005. > and since Jeff Sinclair became Valen, and since Valen became the
  1006. > spiritual and political leader of the Minbari, does this mean
  1007. > that the Minbari are Roman Catholic?
  1008. Yes, the vision of B5 blowing was the same as the one from
  1009. Signs.
  1010. jms
  1011. ------------------------------
  1012. Date: 14-Jun-96 21:45:48
  1013. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1014. To: (blocked)
  1015. Subject: Sidebars 2: Cabaret
  1016. {original post unavailable}
  1017. I liked "Unforgiven" quite a bit, but it isn't a film that I
  1018. could watch endlessly, or often. The others are films that catch me up
  1019. and take me someplace I enjoy returning to, and if I'm channel surfing
  1020. and happen to land on one of them, I generally tend to stay.
  1021. jms
  1022. ------------------------------
  1023. Date: 14-Jun-96 21:45:51
  1024. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1025. To: (blocked)
  1026. Subject: B5 TV Schedule - UK
  1027. {original post unavailable}
  1028. BTW, I heard today from the chain of command that the UK might
  1029. *not* be broadcasting the final 5 prior to the US, at the insistence of
  1030. WB. Won't be able to track this down any further until next week.
  1031. jms
  1032. ------------------------------
  1033. Date: 14-Jun-96 21:45:52
  1034. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1035. To: (blocked)
  1036. Subject: Making life interesting
  1037. {original post unavailable}
  1038. Congratulations, you're doing *exactly* what I did when I
  1039. dropped everything, sold what I had, and came to L.A. Good luck.
  1040. jms
  1041. ------------------------------
  1042. Date: 15-Jun-96 17:06:09
  1043. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1044. To: (blocked)
  1045. Subject: Merchandise question
  1046. {original post unavailable}
  1047. No more feeders...they won't leave the female extras alone.
  1048. jms
  1049. ------------------------------
  1050. Date: 15-Jun-96 17:06:10
  1051. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1052. To: Bruno Melancon <102647.3222@compuserve.com>
  1053. Subject: Series Renewal
  1054. Bruno Melancon <102647.3222@compuserve.com> asks:
  1055. > BTW, did you start writing any fourth season episodes?
  1056. Yup, I'm writing the first episode now, "The Hour of the Wolf,"
  1057. and we should have 6 in hand by the start of filming.
  1058. jms
  1059. ------------------------------
  1060. Date: 15-Jun-96 17:06:12
  1061. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1062. To: Mark Sloan <100407.3462@compuserve.com>
  1063. Subject: <<Interludes>>
  1064. Mark Sloan <100407.3462@compuserve.com> asks:
  1065. > A question about "I&E" (Second favourite episode of season 3 so
  1066. > far, after Severed Dreams): Did Adira's killer suffer the same
  1067. > fate as the guard who appeared in the episode's teaser? Now season
  1068. > 4 has been confirmed, are you going to make him put all the
  1069. > weight back on?
  1070. > ?
  1071. No, Adira's killer is still alive...can be useful, those folks.
  1072. jms
  1073. ------------------------------
  1074. Date: 15-Jun-96 17:06:13
  1075. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1076. To: (blocked)
  1077. Subject: Communicator
  1078. (blocked) asks:
  1079. > How does the communicator stay on the hand?
  1080. Sleight of hand.
  1081. Molecular bonding at the epidermal level.
  1082. Crazy Glue.
  1083. Pick one.
  1084. jms
  1085. ------------------------------
  1086. Date: 15-Jun-96 17:06:16
  1087. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1088. To: (blocked)
  1089. Subject: Bablyon 5 Beyond the Rim
  1090. {original post unavailable}
  1091. No, it's a tribute to Alfie.
  1092. jms
  1093. ------------------------------
  1094. Date: 16-Jun-96 11:08:27
  1095. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1096. To: Vivien Loveday <100705.2440@compuserve.com>
  1097. Subject: Other races' ships
  1098. Vivien Loveday <100705.2440@compuserve.com> asks:
  1099. > Would they have contracted Drafa?
  1100. There would've been a very few on deep space patrols, or on
  1101. isolated worlds that would've survived, yes, as was indicated in the
  1102. narration at the close of the episode, but you're talking about very,
  1103. very small numbers. The race is still effectively dead.
  1104. jms
  1105. ------------------------------
  1106. Date: 16-Jun-96 11:08:28
  1107. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1108. To: Dimitri M LaBarge <71501.3353@compuserve.com>
  1109. Subject: Series Renewal
  1110. Dimitri M LaBarge <71501.3353@compuserve.com> asks:
  1111. > Have you a title for this season's episodes yet?
  1112. Yes, I have titles for this season's shows, mostly, and the
  1113. overall title.
  1114. You'll get them in the fullness of time.
  1115. jms
  1116. ------------------------------
  1117. Date: 16-Jun-96 11:08:28
  1118. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1119. To: Bernard F. Dowdy, J <76550.347@compuserve.com>
  1120. Subject: <More of Zathras?>
  1121. Bernard F. Dowdy, J <76550.347@compuserve.com> asks:
  1122. > Will we see Zathras again in a future episode or was his trip
  1123. > 1000 years into the past his exit from the series?
  1124. I'd love to see Zathras again somehow....
  1125. jms
  1126. ------------------------------
  1127. Date: 16-Jun-96 16:26:41
  1128. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1129. To: Vivien Loveday <100705.2440@compuserve.com>
  1130. Subject: <Severed Dreams>
  1131. Vivien Loveday <100705.2440@compuserve.com> asks:
  1132. > what is it, and what happened to it?
  1133. Clarke has inside info that ISN would be going public soon with
  1134. info on what was *really* going on on Mars, his planned attack on B5,
  1135. and other stuff he wanted quiet.
  1136. jms
  1137. ------------------------------
  1138. Date: 16-Jun-96 16:26:42
  1139. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1140. To: Neville White <101352.1023@compuserve.com>
  1141. Subject: <severed dreams in UK>
  1142. {original post had no questions}
  1143. Thanks. The Television Thing to do would've been to have that
  1144. moment of victory, Sheridan saying the crisis is over, then fade to
  1145. black...but it was absolutely *vital* to go to the lower sections and
  1146. see the human cost of that victory. War is never a bloodless game.
  1147. jms
  1148. ------------------------------
  1149. Date: 16-Jun-96 16:29:34
  1150. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1151. To: Tim Kelly <76735.3255@compuserve.com>
  1152. Subject: B5 at an end in NY?
  1153. Tim Kelly <76735.3255@compuserve.com> asks:
  1154. > is picking up the show for a fourth season, WOR may be nixing the
  1155. > show from their fall schedule? Now, I don't want to start a rumor,
  1156. > but is there any truth to this???
  1157. No, NY will continue to air the show next fall. There's always
  1158. somebody saying they've got a "source" at WB saying one apocalyptic
  1159. thing or another...and they're always full of it.
  1160. jms
  1161. ------------------------------
  1162. Date: 16-Jun-96 20:57:00
  1163. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1164. To: Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com>
  1165. Subject: Lift question
  1166. Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com> asks:
  1167. > Can the lift take someone horizontally from sector to sector?
  1168. Yes, the tubes can move at both angles.
  1169. jms
  1170. ------------------------------
  1171. Date: 16-Jun-96 20:57:01
  1172. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1173. To: Steven K. Andeweg <72143.674@compuserve.com>
  1174. Subject: Staff of Aesculapius
  1175. {original post had no questions}
  1176. Thanks, we try to get the details right. As someone once said,
  1177. god is in the details.
  1178. jms
  1179. ------------------------------
  1180. Date: 16-Jun-96 21:59:10
  1181. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1182. To: Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com>
  1183. Subject: <<Interludes>>
  1184. Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com> asks:
  1185. > Was it?
  1186. Certainly, one theme of the show is how we each deal with the
  1187. traumas that beset us, and the choices we make. The difference is in
  1188. how we handle them. In "Shadow" and "Interludes" both Londo and
  1189. Sheridan have to confront somewhat similar losses: the death of a loved
  1190. one. But Sheridan, at the last, was willing to suck in the pain and do
  1191. what was right, however much it grieved him, and forego
  1192. revenge...Londo, on the other hand, has embraced revenge.
  1193. jms
  1194. ------------------------------
  1195. Date: 16-Jun-96 21:59:11
  1196. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1197. To: (blocked)
  1198. Subject: Hour 25/B5 Music
  1199. {original post unavailable}
  1200. Agreement on both counts.
  1201. jms
  1202. ------------------------------
  1203. Date: 17-Jun-96 11:34:52
  1204. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1205. To: (blocked)
  1206. Subject: Hour 25/B5 Music
  1207. {original post unavailable}
  1208. My agreement was that it should be on the next CD, and have
  1209. noted same to Chris.
  1210. jms
  1211. ------------------------------
  1212. Date: 17-Jun-96 11:34:53
  1213. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1214. To: Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com>
  1215. Subject: Delenn's Family
  1216. Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com> asks:
  1217. > will we ever hear about Delenn's parents/family?
  1218. As a matter of fact, yes, you'll hear about Delenn's parents in
  1219. "Grey 17 Is Missing."
  1220. jms
  1221. ------------------------------
  1222. Date: 17-Jun-96 21:00:29
  1223. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1224. To: (blocked)
  1225. Subject: B5 off air in Philly
  1226. {original post unavailable}
  1227. I'm sure WB is looking at alternate stations. The basic reality
  1228. is that if the station supported the show, it did well; if not, not.
  1229. jms
  1230. ------------------------------
  1231. Date: 17-Jun-96 21:00:32
  1232. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1233. To: (blocked)
  1234. Subject: Season 4 Narration
  1235. {original post unavailable}
  1236. Yes and no.
  1237. jms
  1238. ------------------------------
  1239. Date: 17-Jun-96 21:00:34
  1240. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1241. To: (blocked)
  1242. Subject: <WWE & Geo. of Shadows>
  1243. {original post unavailable}
  1244. No, it wasn't an intentional bit of foreshadowing, unless my
  1245. subconscious is smarter about this stuff than I am...which is
  1246. altogether possible, I suppose.
  1247. jms
  1248. ------------------------------
  1249. Date: 17-Jun-96 21:18:04
  1250. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1251. To: Paul Owen <100331.2357@compuserve.com>
  1252. Subject: Severed Dreams
  1253. Paul Owen <100331.2357@compuserve.com> asks:
  1254. > Just a little question, at the end of SD when Delenn returns with
  1255. > the Minbari ships, what is the small Minbari ship that
  1256. > accompanies the cruisers ?
  1257. That's the White Star, and thanks.
  1258. jms
  1259. ------------------------------
  1260. Date: 17-Jun-96 21:18:06
  1261. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1262. To: (blocked)
  1263. Subject: <Severed Dreams>
  1264. {original post unavailable}
  1265. I actually went to a mix of schools; four different high
  1266. schools, a dozen or so grade and junior high schools...some were
  1267. public, some were parochial (catholic) schools. The last time I
  1268. stepped into a catholic school was in my first year of high school at
  1269. St. Benedict's High School in Matawan, New Jersey. After, oh, about
  1270. six months they asked me to leave, on the theory that I was
  1271. troublesome, asked impertinent questions, and had a tendency to poke
  1272. holes in whichever theological discussion was underway at the moment.
  1273. So I got blipped over to Matawan Regional High School, and stayed
  1274. public thereafter...though still getting into trouble from time to time
  1275. for asking too many questions and refusing to take "because I said so"
  1276. as ANY kind of legitimate response.
  1277. So yes, while I do have some experience with catholicism, I
  1278. wasn't in any way raised, trained or educated by those intellectual pit
  1279. bulls of religion, the Jesuits. The last time I had anything to do
  1280. with it at all was about the same time as the above incident, wherein I
  1281. was told, at the first session of this religious doctrination session,
  1282. that Confirmation was "the sacrament of free choice." I wanted this
  1283. clarified -- religious rules were always tricky, and you didn't want to
  1284. get on the wrong side of anything as positive as hell (to paraphrase
  1285. Christopher Fry) -- and asked, "So this one we can choose or not, we
  1286. don't have to be here, right?" The nun said yes, that's corr---
  1287. She never finished the word, as there was no longer a "me"
  1288. standing in the room, only a jms-shaped silhouette made of the dust
  1289. kicked up by my sudden and rocket-like departure, rather like a Warner
  1290. Bros. cartoon, which disappeared before her eyes.
  1291. Bottom line...I have *always* been a pain in the ass.
  1292. jms
  1293. ------------------------------
  1294. Date: 18-Jun-96 01:40:41
  1295. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1296. To: (blocked)
  1297. Subject: Two Questions
  1298. {original post unavailable}
  1299. Basically, after seeing what he's done for the Narns, and
  1300. knowing who Vir is all this time, and seeing his reaction of horror to
  1301. what Lyndisty was suggesting, anybody who thinks he offed the Narn
  1302. isn't paying attention.
  1303. jms
  1304. ------------------------------
  1305. Date: 18-Jun-96 01:40:42
  1306. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1307. To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
  1308. Subject: ABA and B5
  1309. {original post had no questions}
  1310. That's good to hear from the ABA booths. Thanks.
  1311. Re: the fan/pro relationship (which can be difficult at
  1312. times)...yes, I do tend to think that because many SF pros come from
  1313. the ranks of fans, it makes them more receptive to and sympathetic to
  1314. that side of things. It makes me *very* annoyed to see people who've
  1315. stood in line for 1, 2 or 3 hours for an autograph being turned aside.
  1316. If I have any control over this, I won't have it. (The only time I
  1317. haven't been in control of this was at Wolf, where a number of folks
  1318. were turned aside, and that's something the organizers and I have to
  1319. discuss for next time. I also found out, after the fact, that some
  1320. folks were turned away from the Forbidden Planet signing because they
  1321. brought stuff instead of buying, and that was NEVER a condition that
  1322. I'd agreed to or even knew about, and I'm quite unhappy about that.)
  1323. Generally speaking, I don't care how long I have to sit there
  1324. and sign, ain't *nobody* walking away empty handed if I can help it.
  1325. Because I've been in that position myself.
  1326. jms
  1327. ------------------------------
  1328. Date: 18-Jun-96 14:43:38
  1329. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1330. To: Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com>
  1331. Subject: <<Interludes>>
  1332. Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com> asks:
  1333. > Isn't this one of the primary differances between the characters,
  1334. > though?
  1335. Yep, that's it exactly.
  1336. jms
  1337. ------------------------------
  1338. Date: 18-Jun-96 14:47:18
  1339. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1340. To: (blocked)
  1341. Subject: UK B5 Radio Times
  1342. {original post had no questions}
  1343. So like, what does it SAY?
  1344. jms
  1345. ------------------------------
  1346. Date: 18-Jun-96 14:47:19
  1347. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1348. To: (blocked)
  1349. Subject: Which came first?
  1350. {original post had no questions}
  1351. The *Mars* excavation was years ago, the *Ganymede* one was the
  1352. one in Messages.
  1353. jms
  1354. ------------------------------
  1355. Date: 18-Jun-96 14:47:20
  1356. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1357. To: (blocked)
  1358. Subject: Which came first?
  1359. {original post unavailable}
  1360. The excavation came first, then martial law.
  1361. jms
  1362. ------------------------------
  1363. Date: 19-Jun-96 00:25:34
  1364. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1365. To: Tom O'Hay <71264.106@compuserve.com>
  1366. Subject: Just curious...
  1367. Tom O'Hay <71264.106@compuserve.com> asks:
  1368. > Years ago, after reading a story, I asked the children "How would
  1369. > you like to go there?" Do you remember S Spielberg's "Amazing
  1370. > Stories"?
  1371. Thank you, I appreciate that. That's really all I've ever
  1372. wanted, to tell a good story.
  1373. jms
  1374. ------------------------------
  1375. Date: 19-Jun-96 00:25:36
  1376. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1377. To: Vivien Loveday <100705.2440@compuserve.com>
  1378. Subject: Other races' ships
  1379. Vivien Loveday <100705.2440@compuserve.com> asks:
  1380. > What I meant was, will we see them again, and will they come in
  1381. > on B5's side?
  1382. No, they're effectively out of the picture.
  1383. jms
  1384. ------------------------------
  1385. Date: 19-Jun-96 00:25:38
  1386. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1387. To: (blocked)
  1388. Subject: <severed dreams in UK>
  1389. {original post had no questions}
  1390. Thanks. And you're quite right; when we lose touch with our
  1391. myths, we have to dig them out, dust them off, and recast them under
  1392. different names, so that people can rediscover them without thinking
  1393. they're reading about something old and irrelevant.
  1394. jms
  1395. ------------------------------
  1396. Date: 19-Jun-96 00:25:40
  1397. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1398. To: Darran Williams <101656.2143@compuserve.com>
  1399. Subject: UK B5 Radio Times
  1400. Darran Williams <101656.2143@compuserve.com> asks:
  1401. > So what lies ahead over the next 11 episodes?
  1402. > What do you think of that last line then ?
  1403. Thanks for the info, it's appreciated.
  1404. "What do you think of that last line then?"
  1405. What's to think? Dominic May is a fine name.
  1406. jms
  1407. ------------------------------
  1408. Date: 19-Jun-96 11:41:54
  1409. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1410. To: (blocked)
  1411. Subject: What of Earth?
  1412. {original post unavailable}
  1413. Yes, we'll definitely get back into the Earth side of things;
  1414. we just go in cycles story-wise.
  1415. jms
  1416. ------------------------------
  1417. Date: 19-Jun-96 11:41:56
  1418. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1419. To: (blocked)
  1420. Subject: JMS: thestation.com????
  1421. (blocked) asks:
  1422. > Any ETA when the page will be on-line?
  1423. As soon as WB stops dithering about and gives us authorization
  1424. to put it out there. All licensed stuff has to go through their
  1425. auspices, and they're taking their time. We're pressing them as much
  1426. as we can; we've had a beta site on line now since May.
  1427. jms
  1428. ------------------------------
  1429. Date: 19-Jun-96 23:59:04
  1430. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1431. To: Vivien Loveday <100705.2440@compuserve.com>
  1432. Subject: Other races' ships
  1433. Vivien Loveday <100705.2440@compuserve.com> asks:
  1434. > What about that lone Narn cruiser?
  1435. > Is that due to play a part again?
  1436. We'll see the Narn cruiser again this season.
  1437. jms
  1438. ------------------------------
  1439. Date: 19-Jun-96 23:59:09
  1440. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1441. To: (blocked)
  1442. Subject: Technical Accuracy
  1443. {original post unavailable}
  1444. Usually they use equations, I understand...though glitches, such
  1445. as those you note, do slip through.
  1446. jms
  1447. ------------------------------
  1448. Date: 24 Jun 1996 12:05:03 -0700
  1449. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1450. To: (blocked)
  1451. Subject: Series Renewal
  1452. (blocked) asks:
  1453. > Will Janet Greek be back?
  1454. We'd love to have Janet back, but she apparently just adopted
  1455. an infant, and isn't sure she wants to do any work for the coming year.
  1456. jms
  1457. ------------------------------
  1458. Date: 24 Jun 1996 12:05:04 -0700
  1459. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1460. To: (blocked)
  1461. Subject: Shadows are Beautiful!
  1462. {original post had no questions}
  1463. Thanks...and I'm not sure the shadows' motivation is an "open"
  1464. question as much as it is one open TO interpretation....
  1465. jms
  1466. ------------------------------
  1467. Date: 24 Jun 1996 12:05:08 -0700
  1468. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1469. To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com>
  1470. Subject: Shadows are Beautiful!
  1471. Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> asks:
  1472. > Is that in some way different from what Elizabeth said??
  1473. It's between those two positions....
  1474. jms
  1475. ------------------------------
  1476. Date: 24 Jun 1996 21:22:33 -0700
  1477. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1478. To: (blocked)
  1479. Subject: Shadows are Beautiful!
  1480. {original post unavailable}
  1481. You don't have all the information yet on which to base any
  1482. conclusions; it's coming by season's end.
  1483. jms
  1484. ------------------------------
  1485. Date: 24 Jun 1996 21:36:23 -0700
  1486. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1487. To: Lynne Caulfield <101647.2616@compuserve.com>
  1488. Subject: Why GA deserves an Emmy
  1489. {original post had no questions}
  1490. Since you mention the UK ratings, the newest volume of the B5
  1491. videotape, #11, just came out in the UK...and it's #1 on the charts,
  1492. topping the X-Files you cite.
  1493. As for the other UK ratings you mention, Channel 4 is always
  1494. generally rated lower than BBC1 and BBC2; within the course of what C4
  1495. airs, B5 does *extremely* well for them, and just recently came in at
  1496. #16 in their list of programming.
  1497. jms
  1498. ------------------------------
  1499. Date: 25 Jun 1996 12:56:48 -0700
  1500. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1501. To: Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com>
  1502. Subject: Shadows are Beautiful!
  1503. Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com> asks:
  1504. > Defining 10 as 'kills because (s)he enjoys doing it, and revels
  1505. > in the deaths/pain of others' and 1 as 'kills because it is
  1506. > necessery to do so for survival/etc', where would the Shadows
  1507. > rate? How was the Chicago Comicon, BTW?
  1508. On the 1-10 scale you suggest, and using those specific
  1509. criteria to make a decision, I'd rate the shadows right around E or F.
  1510. jms
  1511. ------------------------------
  1512. Date: 25 Jun 1996 12:56:50 -0700
  1513. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1514. To: Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com>
  1515. Subject: Another Death?
  1516. Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com> asks:
  1517. > Do the future events depeticted in War Without End have to come
  1518. > to pass, or has the future now been changed by the very fact that
  1519. > Sheridan knows something of it? If so, do all the characters that
  1520. > were alive in the future scenes in War Without End necesserally
  1521. > have to be alive in that future now?
  1522. Sheridan, by taking the actions he took to keep history on
  1523. track, has now pretty much assured that the events we see *will*
  1524. happen.
  1525. jms
  1526. ------------------------------
  1527. Date: 28 Jun 1996 00:44:28 -0700
  1528. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1529. To: Al Lipscomb <75204.2225@compuserve.com>
  1530. Subject: Series Renewal
  1531. {original post unavailable}
  1532. Of course, there's a substantive difference between killing a
  1533. character to serve the plot, or because of real-world events, and
  1534. offing somebody without giving the person a fair chance.
  1535. jms
  1536. ------------------------------
  1537. Date: 28 Jun 1996 00:44:29 -0700
  1538. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1539. To: (blocked)
  1540. Subject: Marcus Cole/Jason Carter
  1541. {original post unavailable}
  1542. Just one.
  1543. jms
  1544. ------------------------------
  1545. Date: 28 Jun 1996 00:47:45 -0700
  1546. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1547. To: Mark Sloan <100407.3462@compuserve.com>
  1548. Subject: Special B5 episode
  1549. {original post unavailable}
  1550. Uh, huh....
  1551. *
  1552. Okay, buddy, back away from the keyboard and keep your hands
  1553. where we can see them.
  1554. jms
  1555. ------------------------------
  1556. Date: 28 Jun 1996 12:55:36 -0700
  1557. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1558. To: Juanma Barranquero <100044.2131@compuserve.com>
  1559. Subject: B5 in Spain
  1560. {original post had no questions}
  1561. That's great, thanks for letting me know.
  1562. jms
  1563. ------------------------------
  1564. Date: 28 Jun 1996 12:55:37 -0700
  1565. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1566. To: (blocked)
  1567. Subject: Marcus Cole/Jason Carter
  1568. {original post unavailable}
  1569. Of course, if my head implodes, I won't be able to finish the
  1570. story, now will I...?
  1571. Read "Scheherezade" lately?
  1572. jm(probably misspelled that)s
  1573. ------------------------------
  1574. Date: 28 Jun 1996 12:55:39 -0700
  1575. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1576. To: annie <104246.3046@compuserve.com>
  1577. Subject: Another Death?
  1578. {original post had no questions}
  1579. Oh, Delenn definitely still knows more than she's telling....
  1580. jms
  1581. ------------------------------
  1582. Date: 26 Jun 1996 00:33:45 -0700
  1583. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1584. To: (blocked)
  1585. Subject: What of Earth?
  1586. {original post unavailable}
  1587. Thanks. It's primarily an effort to integrate the real world
  1588. into the series. So much of SF on television tends to take place in a
  1589. vacuum. The leader of the Federation is always the leader of the
  1590. Federation, we rarely hear about squabbling, elections, economic
  1591. problems, dissident groups breaking away...and when we do it's usually
  1592. a misunderstanding or basically good people with a different agenda
  1593. that can be quickly resolved.
  1594. I think that integrating all of those elements lends an
  1595. atmosphere of verisimilitude to the story, making it all the more
  1596. *real*.
  1597. jms
  1598. ------------------------------
  1599. Date: 26 Jun 1996 00:33:49 -0700
  1600. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1601. To: (blocked)
  1602. Subject: sci fi shows
  1603. {original post unavailable}
  1604. "Neverwhere" will probably show up either on PBS or Bravo, since
  1605. it comes off the BBC.
  1606. I've seen the "Dark Skies" pilot...it's kind of a hodge podge of
  1607. stuff. Parts are very effective, some aspects stretch credulity...but a
  1608. pilot can be a poor indicator of the series, so I'll definitely give it
  1609. a shot when the regular show begins.
  1610. jms
  1611. ------------------------------
  1612. Date: 26 Jun 1996 00:33:51 -0700
  1613. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1614. To: Neville White <101352.1023@compuserve.com>
  1615. Subject: Shadows are Beautiful!
  1616. {original post unavailable}
  1617. Exactly, the already had a source on Earth.
  1618. jms
  1619. ------------------------------
  1620. Date: 26 Jun 1996 00:33:53 -0700
  1621. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1622. To: (blocked)
  1623. Subject: Ahem... regarding Bears
  1624. {original post unavailable}
  1625. It was supposed to have been arranged by some of the folks at
  1626. Comic Con in Chicago. When I got there, I asked if this had been taken
  1627. care of (they said they knew the right people, and I'd reimburse for
  1628. the cost involved). They said it was all going to go off as planned.
  1629. If it didn't...then I'm hugely annoyed.
  1630. jms
  1631. ------------------------------
  1632. Date: 26 Jun 1996 00:33:56 -0700
  1633. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1634. To: Dan T. Davis <71121.1254@compuserve.com>
  1635. Subject: Another Death?
  1636. {original post unavailable}
  1637. Many things are possible.
  1638. But that future will happen.
  1639. jms
  1640. ------------------------------
  1641. Date: 26 Jun 1996 11:55:19 -0700
  1642. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1643. To: (blocked)
  1644. Subject: Series Renewal
  1645. {original post unavailable}
  1646. Yes, it's the same casting director.
  1647. jms
  1648. ------------------------------
  1649. Date: 26 Jun 1996 12:06:18 -0700
  1650. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1651. To: (blocked)
  1652. Subject: Marcus Cole/Jason Carter
  1653. {original post unavailable}
  1654. Y'know, every time a character gets introduced on this show,
  1655. there's always somebody who yells about killing him off. I've been
  1656. told by folks on the nets, variously, to kill Londo ("Who's the jerk in
  1657. the Bozo hair? He's a joke, he's ruining the show, space him!"), Vir
  1658. ("Flounder in space? Give me a break, he's nothing, throw him out an
  1659. airlock!"), Lennier and others, including Sheridan ("He smiles too
  1660. much, what's the deal, Smilin' Jack," which was a setup for his fall).
  1661. Many people screamed to kill Sinclair during the first season...and
  1662. then were the first ones wanting him back a year later.
  1663. And in each case, they went on to become some of our most
  1664. popular characters.
  1665. Patience is a virtue. We get to know people over time. See
  1666. their strengths and weaknesses over time. There's a lot more to Marcus
  1667. than meets the eye...and many people *do* like Marcus' character quite
  1668. a lot.
  1669. The sad thing to me is to see folks who, if they don't
  1670. instantly spark to someone, say "Kill him!!!" Which seems to me rather
  1671. cruel and intolerant for just not sparking to someone. I wonder if
  1672. they have friends, or if they meet someone and instantly don't take to
  1673. them, do they wait in an alley and blow their brains out...or give them
  1674. time to grow...or at least take a wait-and-see attitude. I sometimes
  1675. wonder about a society that breeds the notion that if you don't like a
  1676. character, let's *kill* them. Not, "let's not feature him," not "write
  1677. him out," but KILL him. There's something rather disturbing in that.
  1678. But...if Marcus doesn't work for you, he doesn't work for you.
  1679. He does work for others. And he works for me.
  1680. I think you're outnumbered.
  1681. jms
  1682. ------------------------------
  1683. Date: 26 Jun 1996 21:50:47 -0700
  1684. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1685. To: Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com>
  1686. Subject: Series Renewal
  1687. Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com> asks:
  1688. > Joe, Putting aside your total lack of time, are you interested in
  1689. > directing?
  1690. I go back and forth on this. Basically, no, I'm not interested
  1691. in directing. On the other hand, my gut (and my agent) tells me that I
  1692. should do it at least once, just so I understand the process (a good
  1693. idea), and to add that aspect to my resume. I dunno...we'll see.
  1694. jms
  1695. ------------------------------
  1696. Date: 26 Jun 1996 21:50:50 -0700
  1697. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1698. To: (blocked)
  1699. Subject: Series Renewal
  1700. (blocked) asks:
  1701. > As an employer, how do you hire for the show in such a way as to
  1702. > let your employees know how long they would be under your employ?
  1703. > How do the actors deal with this?
  1704. Thanks. Basically, you hire actors by the season. You hire
  1705. someone for, say, 13 episodes out of 22. That actor has a pay-or-play
  1706. *guarantee* of 13 episodes. We may only end up using him in 11, but he
  1707. gets paid for all 13 regardless. So that allows the actor to plan his
  1708. year effectively. The contract for all actors has an option for the
  1709. following year at the producer's discretion. When we get the word on
  1710. renewal, we can then choose whether or not to bring an actor back,
  1711. assuming we haven't already decided this earlier and killed the
  1712. character off.
  1713. jms
  1714. ------------------------------
  1715. Date: 26 Jun 1996 21:50:53 -0700
  1716. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1717. To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
  1718. Subject: sci fi shows
  1719. {original post had no questions}
  1720. Odd, I'd thought Tracy Torme was off Sliders now. I'd heard
  1721. that, anyway. Let me know if he's still listed on the show in the new
  1722. eps.
  1723. jms
  1724. ------------------------------
  1725. Date: 26 Jun 1996 21:51:00 -0700
  1726. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1727. To: Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com>
  1728. Subject: Another Death?
  1729. Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com> asks:
  1730. > But will the events we saw unfold as we saw them, or will they be
  1731. > changed? Or did Sheridan exist in two time continuums at the same
  1732. > time? Would his very knowledge of the future shade events
  1733. > somewhat?
  1734. Events will unfold as we saw them. Sheridan might try to use
  1735. his knowledge to change things...but who knows, that may just bring
  1736. them about.
  1737. jms
  1738. ------------------------------
  1739. Date: 26 Jun 1996 21:51:02 -0700
  1740. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1741. To: Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com>
  1742. Subject: Ta'Lon?
  1743. Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com> asks:
  1744. > Question: Are we going to be seeing more of Ta'Lon?
  1745. Wouldn't mind seeing more of him.
  1746. jms
  1747. ------------------------------
  1748. Date: 29 Jun 1996 00:25:17 -0700
  1749. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1750. To: Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com>
  1751. Subject: Another Death?
  1752. {original post unavailable}
  1753. Yup.
  1754. jms
  1755. ------------------------------
  1756. Date: 29 Jun 1996 15:44:32 -0700
  1757. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1758. To: (blocked)
  1759. Subject: Series Renewal
  1760. (blocked) asks:
  1761. > Due to the timing of Warner Bros' decision to renew, does this
  1762. > give you enough time to assign scripts, and have those authors
  1763. > complete the job in time for filming? Or will you just take the
  1764. > first few episodes yourself? I can not even begin to understand a
  1765. > writer's creative process, but generally how long does it take
  1766. > from the time of story assignment to the time the finished script
  1767. > is submitted?
  1768. Depends on the writer. Freelance writing almost always takes
  1769. longer because they don't know, and can't be *expected* to know, the
  1770. show as well as you do if you're on staff. You can have several pitch
  1771. meetings over the course of weeks before a good story walks in (though
  1772. in the case of B5 the stories are generally assigned out by me, saving
  1773. that process); then you wait anywhere from 1-3 weeks for the outline;
  1774. you have a meeting about it; another week or so for the revised
  1775. outline; you have another meeting; then about 2-4 weeks for the first
  1776. draft script; then another meeting; then another 1-3 weeks for the
  1777. second draft. (These are *optimal* periods, sometimes it's shorter,
  1778. but usually it's longer.) And then, on a show as eccentric as B5, you
  1779. often end up rewriting large portions of it anyway. So it can take as
  1780. much as 2 months or more to produce a shootable script.
  1781. I can write a script in 7 days or less, that's ready to go
  1782. before the camera as written. Which isn't to say anything qualitative,
  1783. only to say that it's easier and faster because I'm inside the bubble.
  1784. jms
  1785. ------------------------------
  1786. Date: 29 Jun 1996 15:44:36 -0700
  1787. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1788. To: Richard Wakefield <100534.504@compuserve.com>
  1789. Subject: Hyperspace vs. Distance
  1790. {original post had no questions}
  1791. No, what I said was that *time* works about the same way in
  1792. hyperspace, not distance, nor that there was necessarily a proportional
  1793. 1-1 corrolation between realspace and hyperspace. There's still some
  1794. distance involved in hyperspace, yes, though again there isn't always a
  1795. 1-1 corrolation. It takes 3 days to get to Earth. It takes 4 days to
  1796. get to Centauri Prime, even though CP is almost twice the distance from
  1797. B5. It's *extremely* confusing to navigate hyperspace, which is why
  1798. you need the beacons and transfer points, or it's extremely easy to get
  1799. permanently lost.
  1800. jms
  1801. ------------------------------
  1802. Date: 29 Jun 1996 15:44:39 -0700
  1803. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1804. To: (blocked)
  1805. Subject: Another Death?
  1806. {original post unavailable}
  1807. No, of course there's free will. But if I pull a trigger, and
  1808. the bullet flies out hitting someone in the head, what happens between
  1809. the moment of the trigger, and the impact, has nothing to do with free
  1810. will. Sheridan made the choice -- free will -- to do what was done in
  1811. WWE. There were two probable results, depending on whether he did or
  1812. didn't do as asked. Once he did that, the two probabilities folded
  1813. into one actuality (a la Shroedinger's Cat).
  1814. Which doesn't mean to say he won't *try* to change things....
  1815. jms
  1816. ------------------------------
  1817. Date: 29 Jun 1996 23:25:42 -0700
  1818. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1819. To: Ray Pelzer <70475.1263@compuserve.com>
  1820. Subject: sci fi shows
  1821. {original post had no questions}
  1822. Okay, the error here was mine. I was having dinner with a
  1823. friend a few weeks ago, and catching up on stuff (this friend also
  1824. works in the TV biz) and names were flying around...he mentioned that
  1825. Michael Piller was no longer involved in ST, and Tracy's name came
  1826. up...and this is entirely my own fault, I got the two juxtaposed in my
  1827. head. So I misspoke myself.
  1828. jms
  1829. ------------------------------
  1830. Date: 29 Jun 1996 23:25:44 -0700
  1831. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1832. To: Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com>
  1833. Subject: Slowly but Surely
  1834. {original post had no questions}
  1835. Thanks, I'll take all the help I can get....
  1836. jms
  1837. ------------------------------
  1838. Date: 29 Jun 1996 23:25:46 -0700
  1839. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1840. To: (blocked)
  1841. Subject: Another Death?
  1842. {original post unavailable}
  1843. Ah...sleeping on the couch again, are we...?
  1844. jms
  1845. ------------------------------
  1846. Date: 27 Jun 1996 02:19:53 -0700
  1847. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1848. To: Michael Studte <100245.2335@compuserve.com>
  1849. Subject: Series Renewal
  1850. Michael Studte <100245.2335@compuserve.com> asks:
  1851. > Now, when do we start the campaign to get the series renewed for
  1852. > its fifth year? And is there any light on the horizon for a
  1853. > laserdisk release of the series?
  1854. Thanks. There's nothing much happening currently on videos or
  1855. disks; in the fullness of time, I suppose....
  1856. jms
  1857. ------------------------------
  1858. Date: 27 Jun 1996 02:19:55 -0700
  1859. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1860. To: (blocked)
  1861. Subject: What of Earth?
  1862. {original post unavailable}
  1863. Yeah, five seasons would be 110 episodes.
  1864. Thanks re: the producer part. This is probably the one area I
  1865. get asked about the least, and the hardest part of the job. You have
  1866. to make sure each and every element intersects correctly with every
  1867. other element, and that takes some juggling.
  1868. jms
  1869. ------------------------------
  1870. Date: 27 Jun 1996 02:19:57 -0700
  1871. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1872. To: William H. DiPaola <76521.1751@compuserve.com>
  1873. Subject: A laugh for ya
  1874. {original post unavailable}
  1875. That's great...and congratulations on the win.
  1876. jms
  1877. ------------------------------
  1878. Date: 27 Jun 1996 13:53:07 -0700
  1879. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1880. To: Art W. Sullivan <104630.1315@compuserve.com>
  1881. Subject: Just curious...
  1882. Art W. Sullivan <104630.1315@compuserve.com> asks:
  1883. > Did you start with the place B5 and write forward, letting the
  1884. > story evolve, or backwards from a conclusion? Are you a character
  1885. > or plot driven writer?
  1886. I started with the place, but basically saw the story in one
  1887. full blown moment of clarity...dunno where that sort of thing comes
  1888. from.
  1889. jms
  1890. ------------------------------
  1891. Date: 27 Jun 1996 13:53:10 -0700
  1892. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1893. To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com>
  1894. Subject: Ta'Lon?
  1895. Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> asks:
  1896. > Are there any regular or semi-regular characters you never want
  1897. > to see again on the show??
  1898. Sure, but those I just don't mention.
  1899. jms
  1900. ------------------------------
  1901. Date: 27 Jun 1996 13:53:12 -0700
  1902. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1903. To: Richard Wakefield <100534.504@compuserve.com>
  1904. Subject: Hyperspace vs. Distance
  1905. Richard Wakefield <100534.504@compuserve.com> asks:
  1906. > How many Hyperspace hours away are the various races from Earth ?
  1907. > do all ships travel the same speed in Hyperspace, or can some go
  1908. > faster...meaning shorter travel times, etc ? And, finally :), we
  1909. > know the tech order of the races, does this also equate to their
  1910. > ships speeds ? Is this fast, or slow compared to EA ships ?
  1911. Hyperspace isn't like warp speed, you don't generally run into
  1912. the same problems with time dilation. It's largely the same in both
  1913. places.
  1914. jms
  1915. ------------------------------
  1916. Date: 27 Jun 1996 13:53:13 -0700
  1917. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1918. To: Jonathan Kass <74130.443@compuserve.com>
  1919. Subject: WWE2 Question/Spo
  1920. {original post had no questions}
  1921. I think his message to Garibaldi was a momentary lapse, it
  1922. wasn't something he'd planned, his emotions momentarily got in the way
  1923. of his reason. To do so would be dangerous, so it wasn't done by him.
  1924. jms
  1925. ------------------------------
  1926. Date: 27 Jun 1996 19:51:32 -0700
  1927. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1928. To: Joe Smith <103020.3110@compuserve.com>
  1929. Subject: Series Renewal
  1930. {original post had no questions}
  1931. Nice quote, thanks....
  1932. jms
  1933. ------------------------------
  1934. Date: 27 Jun 1996 19:51:33 -0700
  1935. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1936. To: CHRIS LAND <101750.2526@compuserve.com>
  1937. Subject: Marcus Cole/Jason Carter
  1938. CHRIS LAND <101750.2526@compuserve.com> asks:
  1939. > Did Aragorn inspire Marcus as I have heard that you enjoyed LOTR?
  1940. Thanks. And no, Aragorn didn't inspire Marcus. There's a lot
  1941. of heroic fantasy stuff that goes a long way beyond Tolkien, after all.
  1942. jms
  1943. ------------------------------
  1944. Date: 30 Jun 1996 14:08:52 -0700
  1945. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1946. To: [F] ALL (2nd Pass)
  1947. Subject: From jms re:Email
  1948. Every once in a while I have to put this out as an FYI, so
  1949. those of you who know the routine, stand down...the rest of
  1950. you...c'mere, Unca Straczynski wants a word with you.
  1951. From time to time, my personal email mailbox begins to fill up
  1952. with questions that really should be asked in public forums, and which
  1953. require lengthy, in-depth explanations. (One such today asked me to
  1954. explain, in detail, the military hierarchy of Earthforce, relative
  1955. strengths of ships, on and on and on. In itself, not a bad
  1956. question...but asked in email, that means that I have to answer the
  1957. same thing for the next guy who asks, on and on and on.)
  1958. I can't get into detailed, exhaustive discussions of the plot
  1959. or story or characters *in private email*. If your question is a good
  1960. or a valid one, it should be posted in a public forum, so that others
  1961. can benefit from the answer. Otherwise either I end up writing pages
  1962. of information over and over again, and nobody else gets the
  1963. information, or I just decline to answer the question.
  1964. The *only* reason for using email is if it's a personal or a
  1965. confidential question, or something you don't want to say on the nets
  1966. for whatever reason. Please help me to keep my head above water by not
  1967. using email unless there's a valid reason for it.
  1968. If there *is* something you need to express in email, please
  1969. use the genie address (straczynski@genie.geis.com) instead of the
  1970. compuserve address, because the CIS emailbox can only hold 100 letters
  1971. at a time; any more than that which arrive get bumped and sent back or
  1972. deleted. I lost an important piece of email regarding B5 business
  1973. today because it got shoved out by a letter asking me to explain the
  1974. differences in organization and accountability to oders between the
  1975. religious and military castes of Minbari.
  1976. Bear in mind that with CTS, it *hurts* to type. The more I
  1977. type, the more it hurts. (Please don't send me any more info on CTS,
  1978. btw...I have all the available information on CTS, more than most
  1979. doctors right now, and to type a thank you note for each one that comes
  1980. in just makes the problem worse.) If a question needs answering,
  1981. better if I can answer it once, so everyone can see it, than 15 times
  1982. for one person at a time. Every keystroke you see from me comes with
  1983. discomfort.
  1984. Please try and use the email address(es) only if there's a
  1985. valid reason for it; otherwise, let others benefit from the sharpness
  1986. and quality of your question by asking it publicly.
  1987. jms
  1988. ------------------------------
  1989. Date: 30 Jun 1996 20:17:43 -0700
  1990. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1991. To: (blocked)
  1992. Subject: From jms re:Email
  1993. {original post had no questions}
  1994. I can't dictate scripts; I think through my fingers. Tried it,
  1995. just can't get into the characters.
  1996. jms
  1997. ------------------------------
  1998. Date: 30 Jun 1996 20:17:45 -0700
  1999. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  2000. To: Richard Wakefield <100534.504@compuserve.com>
  2001. Subject: Hyperspace vs. Distance
  2002. Richard Wakefield <100534.504@compuserve.com> asks:
  2003. > Does this mean Ships travel at different speeds in Hyperspace ?
  2004. > And maybe the Vorlons and Shadows are so advanced they can go
  2005. > faster, hence the WStar + Battlecruisers ??
  2006. Actually, the White Star doesn't go to Earth in "Severed," it
  2007. goes in "Messages from Earth," and it's stated in dialogue that it
  2008. takes 3 days in that episode as well.
  2009. jms
  2010. ------------------------------
  2011. Date: 30 Jun 1996 20:17:47 -0700
  2012. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  2013. To: Bill Dugan <71016.576@compuserve.com>
  2014. Subject: Hyperspace vs. Distance
  2015. Bill Dugan <71016.576@compuserve.com> asks:
  2016. > Is it confusing for the First Ones, or just for us younger races?
  2017. Dunno, but it confuses the hell outta me....
  2018. jms
  2019. ------------------------------
  2020. Date: 30 Jun 1996 20:17:50 -0700
  2021. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  2022. To: Steven GASKELL <101700.2032@compuserve.com>
  2023. Subject: Mimbari Anti Grav.
  2024. Steven GASKELL <101700.2032@compuserve.com> asks:
  2025. > But what if you attach a buttered piece of bread, butter-side up
  2026. > to a cat's back and toss them both out the window? Will the cat
  2027. > land on it's feet? Or will the butter splat on the ground?
  2028. Dropped out of counseling again, I see....
  2029. jms
  2030. ------------------------------
  2031. Date: 30 Jun 1996 20:17:51 -0700
  2032. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  2033. To: Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com>
  2034. Subject: Minbari Males
  2035. Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com> asks:
  2036. > Is this a correct assessment?
  2037. Yes, they can grow facial hair only.
  2038. jms
  2039. ------------------------------
  2040. Date: 23 Jun 1996 22:14:02 -0700
  2041. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  2042. To: (blocked)
  2043. Subject: Series Renewal
  2044. (blocked) asks:
  2045. > Have you started lining up directors yet?
  2046. > Is Adam Nimoy slated for any in season 4?
  2047. Yes, we've begun lining up directors; will announce more as we
  2048. get closer to finalizing stuff.
  2049. jms
  2050. ------------------------------
  2051. Date: 23 Jun 1996 22:14:04 -0700
  2052. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  2053. To: (blocked)
  2054. Subject: What of Earth?
  2055. (blocked) asks:
  2056. > Second, has there been much shown in the economics of the
  2057. > universe you've created? I've seen postings concerning the
  2058. > relative military and technological strength of the major races
  2059. > -- has there been any similar comparisons of economic influence?
  2060. > Is it something you consider part of the backstory when writing
  2061. > episodes or is the amazingly complex factors you already juggle
  2062. > quite enough?
  2063. There's been some on economics, not nearly enough, though.
  2064. jms
  2065. ------------------------------
  2066. Date: 23 Jun 1996 22:14:06 -0700
  2067. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  2068. To: (blocked)
  2069. Subject: JMS: thestation.com????
  2070. (blocked) asks:
  2071. > Just how much does WB "own"?
  2072. > I notice everything is copyrighted by WB, so you don't own any of
  2073. > it? If you want to write a novel or make another show based on the
  2074. > B5 universe do you now have to get WB permission? Is this typical?
  2075. Yes, on all TV series, the studio owns the copyright and all
  2076. that entails. That's why ST in all its forms is (c) Paramount, not
  2077. Roddenberry.
  2078. jms
  2079. ------------------------------
  2080. Date: 23 Jun 1996 22:14:08 -0700
  2081. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  2082. To: (blocked)
  2083. Subject: sci fi shows
  2084. {original post had no questions}
  2085. I don't generally watch any of the ST shows. I like X-Files
  2086. quite a bit, haven't seen virtually anything of Sliders...though I can
  2087. tell you now that the next big, nifty show to come along in the
  2088. fantasy/sf genre is going to be "Neverwhere" by Neil Gaiman. I've seen
  2089. a couple of episodes of it, and it's neat. Look for it later in the
  2090. year or spring. (It's from the BBC.)
  2091. jms
  2092. ------------------------------
  2093. Date: 23 Jun 1996 22:14:11 -0700
  2094. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  2095. To: (blocked)
  2096. Subject: B5 on WBTV in Euro?
  2097. {original post unavailable}
  2098. Haven't got a clue.
  2099. jms
  2100. ------------------------------
  2101. Date: 23 Jun 1996 22:14:13 -0700
  2102. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  2103. To: Michael N. Rubinste <74012.147@compuserve.com>
  2104. Subject: Londo in I&E (Spoilers)
  2105. Michael N. Rubinste <74012.147@compuserve.com> asks:
  2106. > If Londo believes that Adira was killed by Refa, and wants
  2107. > revenge, then why doesn't he just have Refa killed, like he
  2108. > threatened to do?
  2109. Refa is a powerful guy now, with powerful allies; he needs
  2110. money, in large amounts, and more influence, so when and if Refa would
  2111. get it, there wouldn't be the kinds of repercussions that might
  2112. otherwise come, as with a mafia hit, for instance.
  2113. jms
  2114. ------------------------------
  2115. Date: 23 Jun 1996 22:30:49 -0700
  2116. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  2117. To: Simon Grierson <100407.2075@compuserve.com>
  2118. Subject: JMS
  2119. Simon Grierson <100407.2075@compuserve.com> asks:
  2120. > It seems clear that there is demand for B5 Merchandise of this
  2121. > type - so can I ask (if I may be so bold) why there is no such
  2122. > merchandise, other than the Micromachines and Stamp sets,
  2123. > availalbe? Have you any information?
  2124. > Oh - before I go, is there any information on B5 Club membership
  2125. > in the UK?
  2126. We're going after the pirates. On the model front...basically,
  2127. all that has to happen is for a model company to come to us and make a
  2128. deal to produce the models. (A decent sized company.) So far, none of
  2129. them have, on the theory that only ST models sell from TV shows. Maybe
  2130. if they heard from consumers interested in B5 models, they'd come to us
  2131. and make a deal.
  2132. jms
  2133. ------------------------------
  2134. Date: 23 Jun 1996 22:30:50 -0700
  2135. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  2136. To: Simon Grierson <100407.2075@compuserve.com>
  2137. Subject: B5 and Star Wars.
  2138. Simon Grierson <100407.2075@compuserve.com> asks:
  2139. > Can I just make a little point of observation here?
  2140. > Micheal Statzynski into the same "Great Minds of Science Fiction"
  2141. > category that I think they deserve to be in?
  2142. I can't think of any higher compliment than to be included in
  2143. the same sentence as the Star Wars trilogy.
  2144. jms
  2145. ------------------------------
  2146. Date: 23 Jun 1996 22:30:53 -0700
  2147. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  2148. To: Elizabeth Elliott <100601.3142@compuserve.com>
  2149. Subject: Shadows are Beautiful!
  2150. Elizabeth Elliott <100601.3142@compuserve.com> asks:
  2151. > Doesn't anyone else think the same way about this poor, despised
  2152. > race?
  2153. Ah, you are now the first...there will be others....
  2154. jms
  2155. ------------------------------