lurkers-guide/ftp/GEnie/jms95-06

JMS messages on GEnie, June 1995.  Collected by David Strauss
<dss2k@poe.acc.Virginia.EDU> and Steven Miale <smiale@cs.indiana.edu>.

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SFRT II RoundTable
Category 18,  Topic 17
Message 525       Fri Jun 02, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 23:55 EDT
 
     Trying to remember what's in the 5 and 6 sets...a purple Centauri
personal transport, a Narn heavy cruiser, I *think* a Narn fighter, 
Earthforce 1 (gorgeous), the Marie Celeste (expect shipments to vanish
mysteriously), and one other, I forget....

                                                                 jms
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SFRT II RoundTable
Category 18,  Topic 17
Message 533       Sat Jun 03, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 05:44 EDT
 
     Aha!  Yes, THAT was the last one, an EA atmospheric shuttle.  To the
other points...no, that's a Narn cargo transport in the current version; the
Narn fighters are much sleeker.  Also, the Centauri ship in the current batch
is a personal liner, as used by Lady Ladira in "Signs and Portents."  The
Centauri transport I'm referring to, in the later batch, is this purple, bug-
like thing with a tall fin rising out of the back.  It looks kinda like a flat
potato bug.

                                                                  jms
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SFRT II RoundTable
Category 18,  Topic 17
Message 540       Sat Jun 03, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 23:20 EDT
 
     Then I don't know what the other one is.

    No idea on the line of delineation that Creation may have.

                                                               jms
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SFRT II RoundTable
Category 18,  Topic 17
Message 545       Sun Jun 04, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 05:28 EDT
 
     No, the Narn heavy cruiser/fleet ship is in set 5 or 6, as I noted above.

                                                                  jms

     (I.e, the one you saw in "And Now.")
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SFRT II RoundTable
Category 18,  Topic 17
Message 551       Mon Jun 05, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 05:17 EDT
 
     IT WAS IRONHEART'S SHIP!  That was the last one.  I think....

                                                                 jms
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SFRT II RoundTable
Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 712       Wed Jun 07, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 03:20 EDT
 
     Background info required to follow episodes is ALWAYS included in those
episodes.  Background info NOT required to follow stuff, but just for fun, is
sometimes given on the nets and not referenced in the show, or more often,
will eventually be referenced in the show.  Also, it's been mentioned before
that you don't have to read the comics or the novels to follow the show; the
stories are complementary but exclusive.

                                                         jms
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SFRT II RoundTable
Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 736       Thu Jun 08, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 01:17 EDT
 
     I'm not being cute, or close, or withholding information: straight
up...we have still not been given any official word about renewal.  That
official word comes in a call from WB business affairs, authorizing us to
activate our contracts and pick up our options with actors, directors, crew,
others.  That call has not yet come.  We've heard all kinds of rumors from WB
lately.  Some good, some bad, mostly involving changing situations with PTEN,
nothing to do directly with us.  

     Whatever you were told, it ain't "official" until we're notified, as the
producers.  That notification has still not yet come.

                                                            jms
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SFRT II RoundTable
Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 766       Fri Jun 09, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 03:26 EDT
 
     Got the phone call late today, spent the next bit on the phoen with
people who had to be notified.  Didn't get a chance to log on until just now. 
Yes, it is now safe to say..............eep.

     The official announcement of BABYLON 5's second season will be made
tomorrow by Warner Bros.

     Naturally, the day the word comes is the day I'm kinda down with a slight
bug, which kinda takes the edge off it...but suffice to say that Brett's
observation is correct; with this new season, we'll be 3/5ths done with the
story, over half.  

     Suffice to say we are all very happy, and looking forward to shooting
Year Three commencing about July 31st.  (And half the fun, well a quarter of
the fun, is knowing just how many people in what groups are going to be SO
pissed off that we've been renewed....)

                                                                jms
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SFRT II RoundTable
Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 768       Fri Jun 09, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 04:11 EDT
 
      sigh...third season...I meant THIRD season...sigh....

                                                                     jms
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SFRT II RoundTable
Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 825       Sat Jun 10, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 05:04 EDT
 
     Actually, some PR departments at studios/networks *have* been wrong about
such things in the past.

     The reason for the delay was that there were some structural and
corporate things going on with PTEN that had nothing to do with us per se, but
which could ultimately affect us.  There was one brief period last week --
Thursday and the first part of Friday -- when the corporate stuff seemed to
put our fate in doubt.  The words actually entered my head, "Oh crap, they're
gonna cancel us."  It was a very depressing 24 hours.  But finally word came
back that the logjam had been fixed, the pieces had all come together, and
things were looking positive again, but final word wouldn't come until this
week.

                                                                jms
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SFRT II RoundTable
Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 845       Sat Jun 10, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 21:52 EDT
 
     I wrote some of the .avi stuff, including the Vorlon/IRQ thing, since
it's something that perpetually makes me nuts.

     There's always been a side-story that could go off after B5 finishes its
run, but I doubt it'll go anywhere, even if B5 does break out.

     Interestingly enough...one of the first clues we got that we'd been
renewed was a call from the WB International folks, asking about a third
season.  Apparently, what Ch4 wants to do for year 3 is to air the show in its
original, widescreen aspect ratio.  They called to see if we could let them
have access to our original negative to re-transfer it back to that format,
for their broadcast.  Our reply: hell, yes.

     Expect some new characters next season, yes.

                                                                  jms
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SFRT II RoundTable
Category 18,  Topic 17
Message 589       Sat Jun 10, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 05:07 EDT
 
     Dan: that's the annoying thing I keep hearing...that Galoob keeps
shipping the micros out, they arrive at stores, the store managers don't
bother to display them, nobody knows to ask, and after a while they're shipped
back.  Makes Me Nuts.

                                                                jms
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SFRT II RoundTable
Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 609       Mon Jun 12, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 20:05 EDT
 
     Can't really take much time off; got to have 6 scripts minimum in hand
when we begin rolling film July 31st.

                                                        jms
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SFRT II RoundTable
Category 18,  Topic 26
Message 420       Sun Jun 11, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 21:21 EDT
 
     I'll definitely be at San Diego Comic Con.  Will try and convince a cast
member or two to come along.

                                                                  jms
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SFRT II RoundTable
Category 18,  Topic 2
Message 603       Tue Jun 13, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 00:31 EDT
 
     dj...one of the...I won't say problems, because it isn't a problem, but
the...unique aspects about this cast is that they're in large measure *very*
bright, and very verbal, and some of the banter that goes back and forth, done
totally poker-faced and straight, could be taken in the wrong light.  Look at
some of the comments between me and Claudia on some of the on-line interviews
at AOL and DC Comics Online.  We can get pretty brutal if you don't know we're
absolutely just putting it on.  

     So if you want to pass it along in private mail, that's fine, but on
balance, I'm not terribly concerned about it; it's how we play.

                                                              jms
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SFRT II RoundTable
Category 18,  Topic 26
Message 435       Tue Jun 13, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 00:33 EDT
 
     Though I'd originally heard about doing two presentations at San Diego
Comic Con, it now looks like doing just one, on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 1
p.m.  Clips, maybe some cast, bloopers and surprises. 

                                                                jms
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SFRT II RoundTable
Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 631       Tue Jun 13, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 18:26 EDT
 
     The casting director brings in actors to audition.  The choices are made
by me, the director, Doug and John Copeland.

                                                                  jms
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SFRT II RoundTable
Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 669       Thu Jun 15, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 17:49 EDT
 
     Generally, there is a brief description of the character in the script,
which the casting director receives to prepare.  If there's anything I have in
mind in particular, and there often is, I'll discuss it with the c.d. and
narrow things down.  T

     Then I'll get a preliminary list of available actors, those who are and
aren't available for auditions.  We call in those who come to auditions, and
try them out.  If nobody works out, we go to the list of actors who won't
audition, and review tapes.  This rarely happens, though, and we prefer to go
from auditions.

                                                                    jms
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SFRT II RoundTable
Category 18,  Topic 23
Message 270       Thu Jun 15, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 17:52 EDT
 
     On places like internet, I look for new threads that haven't been
answered yet, and deal with those first.  Then I peel through the messages I
know contain interesting or funny threads, and get into those.  If a thread
has been going on for a long time, and has more or less devolved into
woolgathering, I bail.

     The other systems, I just sorta graze, looking for interesting areas.
There are some topics here on 18 -- TV stations, filking, topic drift -- that
I don't generally check out.

                                                        jms
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SFRT II RoundTable
Category 18,  Topic 26
Message 465       Sat Jun 17, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 01:57 EDT
 
     Re: hotel reservations vanishing and non-refunds even though
promised...well, gee, what a surprise.

                                                              jms
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SFRT II RoundTable
Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 710       Sun Jun 18, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 02:30 EDT
 
     We're always adding signage, and will continue to do so.  There are  no
single-faith chapels, but facilities that can be used by various groups,
booked ahead.

                                                                     jms
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SFRT II RoundTable
Category 18,  Topic 2
Message 324       Sun Jun 18, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 02:31 EDT
 
     We're going to try some more complicated alien stuff, some more elaborate
shots mixing CGI and live-action, some interesting new items in the wardrobe
department, more stuff taking place on other worlds, a new main theme more
related to what's going to happen in year three, other stuff.

                                                                jms
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Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 148       Wed Jun 21, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 01:51 EDT
 
     Two of the four episodes have been delivered for some time; number three
gets delivered this week; number four, the week therafter.

     The original theory was to have the eps ready in time to air all four in
July.  That was our timetable as we understood it at the time for WB/PTEN, and
that's what was plugged into the formula when we did our production schedule.

                                                          jms
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Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 162       Thu Jun 22, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 17:28 EDT
 
     Apparently Channel 4 in the UK will broadcast all 4 remaining year two
eps starting July 25th and continuing each Tuesday thereafter until all four
have been aired.  (There had been some discussion of airing them all the same
night in a B5 marathon, but this is probably better for reaching people.)

                                                                jms
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Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 186       Sat Jun 24, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 02:32 EDT
 
     We *do* have accurate estimates; I'm not quite sure how we got off on
this.

     Warners gives us required delivery dates.  We work backwards from those
delivery dates, and come up with a shooting schedule that allows us to meet
those dates with room to spare.  So I'm not quite sure what it is we're not
doing.

                                                               jms
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Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 192       Sat Jun 24, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 19:04 EDT
 
      Temporary titles on the first four episodes, in order: "Matters of
Honor," "Convictions," "A Day in the Strife," and "Voices of Authority."

      (That's season three, natch.)

                                                                    jms
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Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 206       Sun Jun 25, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 02:50 EDT
 
     Actually, "The Gathering" wasn't shot widescreen; that progression  was
only implemented when we went to series.

                                                               jms
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Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 209       Sun Jun 25, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 06:01 EDT
 
     Only 2 TV series that I know of are shot in widescreen; us and Lois and
Clark.

                                                            jms
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Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 210       Sun Jun 25, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 06:05 EDT
 
     Just a note on a B5 alumnus; it appears that Christy Marx has got her own
series, co-created (I think that's the credit, but she'll have more on the
specifics when she's ready to talk about it) by her and someone known to
B5'ers (no, not me).  It's a live-action SF series, and should look very cool,
a whole new universe to play in.  Anything more specific will have to come
from her, as is appropriate.  Y'all can keep tabs on this over in her topic,
470/11/43.

                                                                     jms
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Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 230       Sun Jun 25, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 22:38 EDT
 
     One of the problems we've encountered in the past is that Paramount tends
to buy LOTS of advertising in pubs like Entertainment Weekly and others, and
some of them have no desire to piss of the big P.  I got a note from one of
the staffers at Sci-Fi Entertainment (the Sci-Fi Channel is co-owned by
Paramount) who indicated that there was a very clear and deliberate emphasis
on not doing B5 coverage for that reason.   But another reporter is going to
be doing a small piece on the show for an upcoming issue, so maybe we'll shake
that loose finally.

                                                      jms
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Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 269       Wed Jun 28, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 04:10 EDT
 
     To all in the Chicago area, I have the schedule for B5 stuff, or most of
it, for the Comic Con this weekend in Rosemont at the convention center.

     FRIDAY: 3-4 jms and bloopers, and stuff
             4-5 Michael O'Hare's acting workshop 

   SATURDAY: 11-12 noon Q&A with Michael
             1:30-3 special jms presentation (*be there*)
               4-5 jms writing for TV seminar
             (that evening is an informal B5 gathering with me,
               Michael and Peter David, don't know when or where)

   SUNDAY:   1-2 B5 panel with jms, Michael and Peter


      Word to the wise: arrive early for the Saturday 1:30 presentation; we'll
start right on time, and there's a lot to fit in.  

                                                                   jms
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Category 18,  Topic 2
Message 333       Mon Jun 19, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 01:15 EDT
 
     Torville, I *have* explained it.  I've explained it and explained it
until I'm blue in the face.  I don't know what more you're looking for, unless
you're simply assuming that there's more to it when there's not, in which case
there ain't much I can do.

                                                             jms
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Category 18,  Topic 2
Message 341       Tue Jun 20, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 05:36 EDT
 
     So, like, howcum SeaQuest getting a third season is in the opening card
here on SFRT2, but not B5?  Huh?  Huh?  What're we, chopped liver?   Not a
peep, not a mention, not a syllable, a consonant, a quiver, nothing.

     Hrmph.

                                                                jms
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Category 18,  Topic 2
Message 354       Wed Jun 21, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 01:53 EDT
 
     Totally off-base question: any truth to the rumors floating around that
GEnie is going to go bye-bye come fall?

                                                              jms
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Category 18,  Topic 2
Message 366       Thu Jun 22, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 03:11 EDT
 
     Okay, that's good to know.  Where this info came from was from some folks
over on the new Microsoft Network, so I figured there might be some margin for
error there.

     Genie has always been kind of the unofficial home for B5, after all.

                                                                  jms
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Category 18,  Topic 2
Message 377       Fri Jun 23, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 03:41 EDT
 
     What's Hi-Tech Home?

                                                          jms
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Category 18,  Topic 23
Message 273       Wed Jun 28, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 00:04 EDT
 
     It was a rerun, and he had it on tape.

     Next novel won't be "Dark" but another title; better story.

                                                                     jms

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Category 18,  Topic 26
Message 527       Sun Jun 25, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 02:46 EDT
 
     There was just a huge message posted on rec.arts.b5 about BB, a real
scathing review.  Others are filtering in along the same lines.  As I'd been
worried about, apparently the organizational aspects are a total
nightmare/disaster.  But I'll let others speak from their own experience. 
(The J.Potts message on rec.arts is very telling, as he's generally a very
good reporter on this stuff.)

                                                                  jms
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Category 18,  Topic 26
Message 556       Tue Jun 27, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 01:11 EDT
 
     Certain individuals have a habit of blaming others for errors they commit
themselves.  We NEVER at any time heard anything about images of B5 stuff in
holographic badges.  If they couldn't be delivered, it's because something
went wrong at that end.  Word was put out that the Jenerators, Bill's band,
opted out at the last minute to do another gig; not true, as Bill himself
said, they just weren't going to pay them or even pay transportation.

     My first impression of the organization 'way back at the Planet Hollywood
embarrassment was that the thing was ineptly run.  There were major, worrying
problems in: hotel accommodations, arrangements for transportation, guest
relations, tickets, advance work, sound and every aspect of follow-up.  Every
single one of these concerns is what came up again here in the Big Bang, as
I'd feared.

     I have to add, however, that there is NO reason, NO excuse, for the
assault on a dealer who was attempting to document some of the screwups at the
convention.  To attack someone, beat the camera into his face, requiring an
ambulance...in 18 years of convention going, I have *never* seen this behavior
on the part of convention organizers, and it is absolutely intolerable. 
Equally intolerable, if on a lesser scale, is stranding actors at airports for
hours at a time, not feeding them until 9:30 p.m. (which is why most left at
that time) because "we figured you'd eat on the plane."

     My concern was always that the organization was going to be a shambles,
and that people wouldn't get their money's worth in terms of what was
promised.  My crew/actors, they'd be fine; but the rest, I feared, would be a
disaster.  It appears I was correct.

     As with the Planet Hollywood situation, there were even more problems
behind the scenes, more horror stories, that the fans don't know about because
the actors/participants try to put on a good face...but those are very much in
evidence in calls I've had since the convention.  Actors who were promised
first-class tickets, only to discover that they'd have to PERSONALLY pay money
for that upgrade, forced to fly coach; a person who claimed to have invested
$30,000 into the convention, no contract, just on the word of those involved,
who saw how the con was organized and indicated his belief that he had just
lost his investment.

     Not good, not good....

                                                                    jms
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Category 18,  Topic 26
Message 558       Tue Jun 27, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 03:57 EDT
 
     Yet another cover story blown to hell.  But who would notice, among so
many?

                                                                    jms
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Category 18,  Topic 26
Message 590       Thu Jun 29, 1995
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 23:59 EDT
 
     One could *choose* to have fun at a hanging; but should you have to work
that hard at it, and should not things promised be things  delivered?

                                                                     jms