JMS CompuServe messages collected by The Green Meddler . Subj: Bab5 books Section: Babylon 5 To: David Fox, Monday, July 03, 1995 11:56:25 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#259272 I'm involved in the books quite a bit, inclusive of reading the manuscripts and approving premises. Some stuff slips past me, mainly in the small details, but the bigger picture is generally consistent with the show. jms Subj: role of Natoth Section: Babylon 5 To: David Fox, Monday, July 03, 1995 11:56:22 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#259271 The role of Na'Toth has not worked out as well in the second season as the first; I may rethink my approach on this a bit. jms Subj: Acts of Sacrifice/Lumati Section: Babylon 5 To: Chris Carrier, Monday, July 03, 1995 11:56:19 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#259270 I think one need look no further than the latest communiques from Dole and Newt to get some idea on the progenitors of the Lumati. jms Subj: Renewal Cont... Section: Babylon 5 To: Randy Pastrone, Monday, July 03, 1995 11:56:17 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#259269 KCOP will carry the third season; B5 has been renewed overall. jms Subj: Bearded folks raise hand Section: Babylon 5 To: Jerry D Bookter, Tuesday, July 04, 1995 4:42:29 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#259828 Have recently grown a beard. The two most consistent comments I get: 1) "Good heavens, it's so GREY!" 2) "Oh, my (son/husband/brother) just grew a beard... he's going through a mid-life crisis too." My kingdom for a nerf-bat. jms Subj: B5 Convention Section: Babylon 5 To: Brian A. Thomas, Tuesday, July 04, 1995 4:42:27 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#259827 For personal reasons, I'd urge *against* Atlanta. Nothing wrong with the city, there are just personal reasons why I won't go there. jms Subj: role of Natoth Section: Babylon 5 To: Jason Wong, Tuesday, July 04, 1995 4:33:31 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#259814 I don't think Mary really *got* the notion of Na'Toth, though she did try gamely. So I'm moving in other directions. jms Subj: B5 Video Releases in UK Section: Babylon 5 To: Gerard Keating (Ireland)Friday, July 07, 1995 1:42:05 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#262062 That's very weird, because they're delivered in surround, and it costs no more to dupe them in that mode. jms Subj: Bearded folks raise hand Section: Babylon 5 To: Brian Kornfeld, Thursday, July 06, 1995 9:24:22 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#261894 I *think* there's a jms gif somewhere in the files; if not, it can be uploaded, as a "before" shot. The "after" shot can be found on any Post Office wall.... jms Subj: Garabaldi's Eyes Section: Babylon 5 To: Philip Hornsey, Thursday, July 06, 1995 2:51:27 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#261186 It's a screwup committed by the EFX guy, who was "doodling" on Garibaldi's face while he was rendering another shot, and didn't think he'd saved that one frame. jms Subj: Acts of Sacrifice/Lumati Section: Babylon 5 To: Chris Carrier, Thursday, July 06, 1995 2:51:26 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#261185 Yeah, well, you only need to watch Dole hold a pencil to figure out why he came out for the disabilities act; if it's in his personal interest, then he's for it; if it serves the rest of the commonweal (except the big money boys, which thus also constitutes a personal interest), he's a'gin it. jms Subj: B5 Specs Section: Babylon 5 To: Paul Sulkowski, Wednesday, July 05, 1995 10:07:13 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#261056 None of that information has been officially released at this time; at some point down the road it may. jms Subj: B5 Convention Section: Babylon 5 To: Rae Augenstein,Wednesday, July 05, 1995 10:07:15 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#261057 "I assume you're not against the idea of this convention?" I'm not against many ideas, except maybe tarring, feathering and dead-catting, but I can't endorse it until it gets to a less tenuous state. jms Subj: B5 Convention Section: Babylon 5 To: Brian A. Thomas, Wednesday, July 05, 1995 10:07:09 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#261055 I can't technically endorse *anything* until there's a business plan and things get real. Y'unnderstand, I get asked CONSTANTLY to endorse one convention or another in the nascent stages, "We haven't done this before, but if you'll endorse us, we know we can do it," and I'm the one who gets the rap if things don't work out. So I really can't comment in any kind of official capacity until this would get real-er. jms Subj: "Infection" question Section: Babylon 5 To: Robert Miller, Wednesday, July 05, 1995 10:07:08 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#261054 No similarity. Icarus is a Greek name, chosen for its own reasons. jms Subj: "Infection" question Section: Babylon 5 To: Lynn Dimock, Thursday, July 06, 1995 9:24:25 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#261895 There are some deliberate connotations to be derived from choosing Agamemnon, yes. Particularly as re: Cassandra, given that G'Kar is our nominal Cassandra figure in the story...someone gifted with the power of prophecy (though not literally in G'Kar's case) who was cursed in that no one would never believe her until it was too late. jms Subj: Emmy Nom. for B5? Section: Babylon 5 To: Rae Augenstein, Friday, July 07, 1995 8:20:13 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#262766 I certainly hope so. We've done all we can to help the process along. We've put many of our actors up for it via the application process, which is time-consuming and expensive, we made videocassettes up for academy members of two of our best episodes ("Coming --" and "Geometry of Shadows"), also very expensive...so we can only hope they get the recognition they deserve. I think we'll have a strong shot at some of the technical areas, like EFX, costuming, makeup, sound editing, music, that sort of thing, IF enough academy members actually *look* at the episodes, but the non-tech stuff, acting/writing/directing, are always long-shots in the SF genre, sadly. jms Subj: Visions '95 Section: Babylon 5 To: Bob McLaughlin, Sunday, July 09, 1995 11:34:11 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#264496 If you're going to be speaking with her , her name is Mira, not Miri. Miri is a Star Trek episode. jms Subj: WB Official B5 Web page? Section: Babylon 5 To: Michael Grabois, Sunday, July 09, 1995 5:31:06 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#264223 The only discussions re: a B5 web page involve getting the elusive fan club going, which is still in progress. jms Subj: Babylonians at Starquest Section: Babylon 5 To: Jeannette Fornadel, Sunday, July 09, 1995 5:31:13 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#264224 The Rangers will be an increasingly important presence. jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: SysOp Dupa T. Parrot, Sunday, July 09, 1995 11:26:19 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#264492 It was a little of both, yes. jms Subj: Garabaldi's Eyes Section: Babylon 5 To: Bob Perse, Sunday, July 09, 1995 11:26:18 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#264491 > He was. jms Subj: "Infection" question Section: Babylon 5 To: Philip Hornsey, Sunday, July 09, 1995 5:31:14 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#264225 <>> What one finds depends on what one looks for, and what one sees. JOE! Congratulations! That was the ONE HUNDRED THOUSANDTH question that you answered in a CRYPTIC and INCOMPREHENSIBLE manner.> When the cat calls at midnight, your shorts will ignite. jms Subj: Londo in AOS Section: Babylon 5 To: Jerry D Bookter, Monday, July 10, 1995 3:41:22 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#265074 Thanks. He's a fascinating character to explore, and the most careful balancing act of the bunch; part of the character's appeal is that on a very fundamental level, you *like* him, and you don't want to see him on this terrible slide downward. So every so often, you have to pull him back, go in a different direction, remind us of his basic humanity and potential for heroism. He is, really, any of us caught in a web of events spinning more and more out of control every day. jms Subj: Londo in AOS Section: Babylon 5 To: Philip Hornsey, Tuesday, July 11, 1995 3:50:24 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#265555 The environment came first, then the broad sense of what the story was going to be, then the characters, then how the characters fit with the story, and how the story fit with the characters. jms Subj: Ancient Ones Section: Babylon 5 To: Bob Perse, Tuesday, July 11, 1995 3:50:25 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#265556 No, Varn was not one of the First Ones. jms Subj: Ancient Ones Section: Babylon 5 To: Bob Perse, Wednesday, July 12, 1995 2:41:06 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#266446 Of course, insofar as I recall, it wasn't stated in the episode that Varn's people actually *built* the Great Machine; after all, if they could build it, why would the others have been searching for it so frantically for the last several hundred years? jms Subj: L.Ditillio Section: Babylon 5 To: Walter J. Lee, Wednesday, July 12, 1995 2:54:31 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#266449 Larry's greatest skill is as a world-builder, and a script doctor in working with other writers. The former comes from his background as a gamer, the latter from his years in TV. Problem with B5 is that this world is already built pretty completely, from one end to the other. Also, the job of a story editor is mainly to sit and listen to pitches from outside writers, and to rewrite their scripts when they come in. But in the case of B5, virtually all the scripts were based on presmises I'd assigned to writers; we took maybe two pitches in two years. I wrote 12 scripts in year one, 15 in year two, and personally did just nearly all the rewrites on freelance scripts in year two. Bottom line, there wasn't much for Larry to *do*, and there was a growing sense of frustration, in that he wasn't in a position to do what he's good at doing. So finally we parted ways. Not much more to it than that. jms Subj: Ancient Ones Section: Babylon 5 To: Rich Foster, Wednesday, July 12, 1995 4:00:30 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#266985 Could be. jms Subj: Morden and his place Section: Babylon 5 To: Philip Hornsey, Wednesday, July 12, 1995 3:50:14 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#266966 His comment would have been addressed to the shadows and their current emissary. jms Subj: Londo in AOS Section: Babylon 5 To: Philip Hornsey, Wednesday, July 12, 1995 3:50:17 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#266967 I don't have any other kind. jms Subj: This seasons shows Section: Babylon 5 To: Tony Scarpelli, Wednesday, July 12, 1995 4:00:00 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#266986 Thanks. We've been working very hard to make each season better than the one before. The "48 Hours" approach did help to explicate the show for new viewers. jms Subj: This seasons shows Section: Babylon 5 To: Tom Knudsen, Wednesday, July 12, 1995 11:05:13 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#267414 > "Explicate, n, to make clear, to explain (a literary work)" Oxford American Dictionary jms Subj: This seasons shows Section: Babylon 5 To: J. Michael Straczynski,Wednesday, July 12, 1995 11:06:12 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#267415 Oops. Meant to type v for verb, not n for noun there. jms Subj: Emmy nominations? Section: Forum&Technical Hlp To: Rae Augenstein, Thursday, July 13, 1995 2:00:25 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#267508 No, I believe the Emmy nominations are announced on July 20th. jms Subj: Gen. Haig/Control Section: Babylon 5 To: Robert Pierce, Friday, July 14, 1995 2:34:19 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#269009 No purpose in the name echo; and Hague of 2259 has no bearing on our General Haig. jms Subj: B5 at Shore Leave Section: Babylon 5 To: Cynthia and Richard, Saturday, July 15, 1995 12:56:09 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#269454 That's good to hear. Glad it went well. The only other East Coast con I know of for a bit is Magnum Opus Con in Florida shortly. jms Subj: Ancient Ones Section: Babylon 5 To: Laurence Moroney, Saturday, July 15, 1995 12:56:12 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#269455 Varn was the custodian of Epsilon 3, the planet below B5, who was replaced by Draal, a Minbari. jms Subj: B5 at Shore Leave Section: Babylon 5 To: Richard P. Manny, Saturday, July 15, 1995 7:29:10 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#270001 As far as I know, Bruce Boxleitner and Patricia Tallman will both be at Magnum Opus Con. jms Subj: B5 and JMS in San Diego Section: Babylon 5 To: Michael Grabois, Saturday, July 15, 1995 7:29:08 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#270000 It'll be pretty much the same, minus the MSTB5 stuff, which was done by local fans. I definitely encourage folks to be there for the 11am-1pm presentation I'm doing if you're *anywhere* in the San Diego area, because the presentation I'm giving won't be given again until after the new season begins in November. No confirmed cast members at this point, since they only gave us the one time slot, except Bill Mumy, who generally goes to SDCC every year, same as me. jms Subj: B5 and JMS in San Diego Section: Babylon 5 To: SysOp J. Shaun Lyon, Sunday, July 16, 1995 3:55:04 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#270240 It's that Saturday, 11-1. I think I may be on another panel or two somewhere, but that's the main event. jms Subj: Fav. 2nd season moments Section: Babylon 5 To: William H. DiPaola, Sunday, July 16, 1995 5:18:06 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#270594 Actually, 18 were shown thus far, not 19. Four remaing out of 22, that leaves 18. jms Subj: Big Bang Latest Section: Babylon 5 To: All Sunday, July 16, 1995 5:18:08 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#270595 Bad enough that Big Bang stiffed Michael O'Hare for the remaining $5,000 on his fee to attend the convention, bad enough the check to Mark Hammil to reimburse his travel expenses bounced, but I was just told today that the check for the remainder of his fee, $10,000, ALSO bounced. There are vague mumblings about how they hope to replace the check in, oh, three months or so, but nobody's holding out any hopes. And, of course, there was the check to Walter Koenig that bounced and had to be replaced (fortunately this happened just *before* the convention, so he was able to make it clear he wouldn't attend if it wasn't replaced immediately), the many people who still haven't gotten refunds.... There were a few people here offering apologia and explanations for the behavior of Big Bang/CMC earlier. I note we haven't heard much from them here of late. This behavior is unconscionable and unforgiveable. jms Subj: The Shadow and Jung Section: Babylon 5 To: Sam W, Monday, July 17, 1995 1:00:22 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#270870 There has always been a certain element of Jungian archetypes in the show, both in the shadows and elsewhere. (Comes from having a degree in clinical psych, I suppose.) There's a *lot* of thematic/symbolic stuff going on in the show, actually.... jms Subj: Oxygen Masks Section: Babylon 5 To: Jerry D Bookter, 75453,2257 Monday, July 17, 1995 1:00:23 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#270871 Er, it does both. Yeah, that's it, that's my theory, and I'm sticking to it. Though mainly it does make the actor's face clearer. jms Subj: The Shadow and Jung Section: Babylon 5 To: Sam W, Monday, July 17, 1995 9:27:19 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#271580 Yeah, I've read Jaynes' book, and was fascinated by it. But then I've always found the whole issue of the function of the corpus callosum to be of interest, particularly the split-brain experiments of the 1970s. Fascinating stuff. jms Subj: Odd gadget in "H,P" Section: Babylon 5 To: Nathan Wallace, Monday, July 17, 1995 2:46:02 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#271232 It's a flashlight, and he's also holding one. You caught a very small glitch. Originally, he came out, flashed twice with his flashlight, giving the code; then she did the same, and THEN stepped out of the shadows, putting her flashlight down on the ledge beside her. It took too long, though, interminably, so when we edited it, we cut out that sequence...and hoped nobody'd notice the flashlight sitting there. jms Subj: Fan Club - Next action? Section: Babylon 5 To: Don Chase, Monday, July 17, 1995 9:27:17 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#271579 Don't wait on us; we've been fighting/negotiating for a year and a half on this fan club, and it's taken this long to get even to this point. jms Subj: Big Bang Latest Section: Babylon 5 To: David Chandler-Gick, Tuesday, July 18, 1995 1:47:29 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#271731 Yup...and that's just the beginning of the nightmare.... jms Subj: Fav. 2nd season moments Section: Babylon 5 To: Robert Miller, Tuesday, July 18, 1995 1:49:16 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#271732 How do you get a shot of Morden's head on a pike past the censors? Easy. You frame the shot so the head is draped...in shadows. If I were to be planning such a thing, of course.... jms Subj: Big Bang Latest Section: Babylon 5 To: SysOp J. Shaun Lyon Wednesday, July 19, 1995 12:39:29 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#272608 Certainly inquiries should also be made as to whether or not the actors gave permission for their performances to be edited and sold in a profit- making capacity. A copy of the contract should be provided if so, to help avoid any liability for CIS. jms Subj: Fan Club - Next action? Section: Babylon 5 To: Philip Hornsey, uesday, July 18, 1995 3:08:26 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#272138 It's nothing to do with support; it's the process of making the deal with WB, which is like jumping rope with the rope on fire. jms Subj: CGI FX for next Season Section: Babylon 5 To: William H. DiPaola, Tuesday, July 18, 1995 3:08:28 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#272139 It's *really* hard to quantify this stuff; the key is to make it look more real overall, so in a way you don't *notice* it as much. So yes, it will continue to improve; but how to quantify that, I've no idea. jms Subj: CGI FX for next Season Section: Babylon 5 To: Kenneth Porter, Wednesday, July 19, 1995 12:39:00 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#272609 You can't move the NASA zero-g trainer; it's where it is, in Florida. We're in California. Also, they don't really have a zero-g trainer in the sense you mean; they have a water-tank that simulates zero-g using carefully balanced counterweights and lifts. Again, that won't transport to CA. We can't use the Vomit Comet airplane in a series like this, which only lets you shoot for 30 seconds at a time, at hideous cost. We have, however, vastly improved the interior of the station, which you'll see in more detail than ever before in one of the final four episodes. I think it's a *substantial* improvement. jms Subj: <> Section: Babylon 5 To: Z. Michael Milutinovic, July 18, 1995 3:26:04 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#272154 You may very well see an echo of that scene, and learn why it was there in the first place, in that episode. jms Subj: Oxygen Masks Section: Babylon 5 To: Will Gearhart, Wednesday, July 19, 1995 1:52:24 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#273040 Actually, our actors never seem to have a hard time getting around in them, so I'd guess no. jms Subj: Emmy Rip-Off Section: Babylon 5 To: Jeannette Fornadel, Thursday, July 20, 1995 3:25:01 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#274030 Not to pick nits...X-FILES got nominated for Best Series, only the second time this has happened (I think the first was TNG, which I believe got a nomination in its final year). So that's very encouraging. And we've gotten 3 nominations so far, and as for EFX, the ballots are still being counted in this and several other areas in which we think we have a good shot. Three nominations ain't bad...Kung Fu got zero, Baywatch zero, DS9 got only two, Pointman got zero, Hercules got zero.... jms Subj: Emmy Rip-Off Section: Babylon 5 To: C. Bussjaeger, Thursday, July 20, 1995 9:57:19 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#274410 Actually, I only included Hercules because it's genre. In going over the list, you realize how kinda special this is; out of all the shows on television, network and syndicated, only 62 series, movies, comedies or specials were nominated; out of that, only ELEVEN are dramatic series. And that eleven includes DS9, ST:V, X-Files and B5. So four out of those eleven dramatic series are genre series, about 45%. That ain't bad. And this time at bat, B5 got as many nominations as The John Larroquette Show, the Kennedy Center Honors, the Liz Taylor story, Murder She Wrote, Murphy Brown, the Simpsons and the Tonight Show. And *more* nominations than Lois and Clark, Love & War, Politically Incorrect and DS9, among others. So apart from the actors situation, I don't feel in the least slighted. jms Subj: Emmy Rip-Off Section: Babylon 5 To: Marte Brengle, Thursday, July 20, 1995 9:57:21 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#274411 Breast augmentation is also a science. jms Subj: B5 Emmy Nominations Section: Babylon 5 To: Barbara Pfieffer, Thursday, July 20, 1995 3:45:18 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#274038 As an aside...there are other areas in which we hope to receive recognition, among them directing, special effects, music and sound editing. Those ballots are still being counted, however, and won't be announced for another week or two. That aside, it's *very* hard to get actors recognized for their work in SF. Ditto writing. But we continue to improve. The pilot B5 movie got one nomination; the first season got two; the second season has gotten three so far, and possibly one or two more yet to come. If we keep going at this rate, it's going to be impossible for them to ignore us for long. As is the case with X-Files. They've begun receiving nominations in areas normally reserved for mainstream shows (and I'm absolutely thrilled spitless that they got the nom for Best Series; that's just terrific), so that bodes well for gradual change in the industry, and for B5 to start getting recognition in those same areas. jms Subj: 3rd season scripts Section: Babylon 5 To: Barbara Pfieffer, Thursday, July 20, 1995 9:57:16 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#274409 Scripts to date are five: Matters of Honor, Convictions, A Day in the Strife, Voices of Authority, Passing Through Gethsemane, and due sometime next week, Dust to Dust. jms Subj: New season Section: Babylon 5 To: michael, Friday, July 21, 1995 2:15:08 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#274963 Thanks. And yes, nothing new comes out until the first week of October, then straight through to about December 14th. So unless there are any last-minute changes, you'll have something like 11 new eps in a row. jms Subj: 3rd season scripts Section: Babylon 5 To: Jeannette Fornadel, Friday, July 21, 1995 2:15:11 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#274964 No idea yet on how many I'll finally write; I usually don't know until it's over. jms Subj: Emmy Rip-Off Section: Babylon 5 To: SysOp Lee Whiteside,Friday, July 21, 1995 2:15:12 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#274965 Actually, I think the rules on the EFX award *have* changed, it's no longer a juried award. jms Subj: New season Section: Babylon 5 To: Joe Salemi Saturday, July 22, 1995 10:54:09 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#276375 Hmmm...if your info is correct (not saying it isn't, only that I haven't heard this new bit), the "new season" that begins for Voyager in August probably consists of the last 4 episodes they held back from their first season. Assuming they play through, then the next month would have new season two episodes. They only started filming their season recently, so they're really going to have to rush post-production to get material out there in time to meet airdates. Doesn't affect us at all (except perhaps the Mountain is hoping to get a leg up a bit), but I hope it doesn't cause compromises in quality to do it that fast. (The Mountain is LAspeak for Paramount; Warner Bros. is the Shield.) jms Subj: San Diego Comic Con Section: Babylon 5 To: Sheree Harrell, Saturday, July 22, 1995 10:54:11 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#276376 I'll be doing my primary B5 presentation at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. CAn't give details, but I suggest you be there. jms Subj: New season Section: Babylon 5 To: Anne L. Warner, Sunday, July 23, 1995 5:53:23 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#276992 I'm simply here to serve the commonweal. And the Dolby Surround Sound corporation. Thankyew. jms Subj: San Diego Comic Con Section: Babylon 5 To: Don Berg, Sunday, July 23, 1995 5:53:27 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#276995 It's held at the SD Convention Center down by the Harbor. It's HUGE, the usual attendance is over 25,000 people. jms Subj: More third season stuff Section: Babylon 5 To: Barbara Pfieffer, Monday, July 24, 1995 2:39:13 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#277836 I think that uploading can be done. As for Marcus...he's a Ranger, who'll be seen a lot in the coming season. jms Subj: More third season stuff Section: Babylon 5 To: Barbara Pfieffer, Monday, July 24, 1995 10:35:04 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#278476 I'll give more info on Marcus after we've closed the deal with the actor. jms Subj: New season Section: Babylon 5 To: Anne L. Warner, Monday, July 24, 1995 2:39:15 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#277837 Thanks, yeah, I think we're just on the cusp of finally breaking through in a big way; my sense is that we're right around where X-Files was just before it broke. jms Subj: Deep Space Franchise Section: Babylon 5 To: Robert Miller, Monday, July 24, 1995 10:43:09 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#278478 Correct; the Deep Space Franchise line is *all* Peter's. jms Subj: Deep Space Franchise Section: Babylon 5 To: J. Michael Straczynski, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 7:14:23 AM From: Peter David, #278753 And as I wrote it I sat there thinking, "And as Peter kisses his Trek novel career good-bye...." PAD Subj: B5 & JMS books Section: Babylon 5 To: Jeannette Fornadel, Monday, July 24, 1995 10:43:11 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#278479 Re: advice on getting your foot in the door. Have a persistent foot. Write constantly. For anyone and everyone. Patience, determination, direction and strength. And never follow somebody else's path; it doesn't work the same way twice for anyone...the path follows you and rolls up behind you as you walk, forcing the next person to find their own way. jms Subj: More third season stuff Section: Babylon 5 To: Burhaan Ahmad, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 1:57:01 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279129 Different ranger. jms Subj: More third season stuff Section: Babylon 5 To: SysOp Dupa T. Parrot, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 10:39:05 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279852 I believe he will be in the opening credits next season, yes. jms Subj: More third season stuff Section: Babylon 5 To: John Lester, Wednesday, July 26, 1995 2:27:20 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#280570 I would not be surprised to see Sinclair in a two-parter this coming season, on the B5 station. jms Subj: UK airing / video taped? Section: Babylon 5 To: David Chandler-Gick, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 1:57:02 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279130 Warners is legitimately concerned about people offering to make mass numbers of copies of episodes and send them out to others, whether for profit or not. Particularly when they haven't been seen in this country, such that it violates a lot of laws both domestic and international. If someone is engaging in mass copying, be assured that Warners will have men with badges knocking on their doors in very short order. jms Subj: UK airing / video taped? Section: Babylon 5 To: Michael Beemer, Wednesday, July 26, 1995 10:06:26 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#281108 Irony is generally lost on studios. jms Subj: B5 & JMS books Section: Babylon 5 To: Jeannette Fornadel, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 1:57:06 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279131 Everyone always tells you it won't happen, you're wasting your time, it's pointless...because that's how they want to think, because someone achieving something makes someone who may not have done so feel self- conscoius, because they KNOW you and as it says in the New Testament "A prophet is without honor only in his own land and among his own people," and because overall the system is designed to keep you IN. A writer by nature removes him- or herself from the system of 9-5 office type work. Over time you make your own hours, your own schedule, you select who you work for... you're outside the normal space/time continuum, and between you and that goal is one hell of a lot of surface tension. Every writer has been told, at some point, "You'll never make it, why waste your time?" Ninety percent of the time, they're right. Ten percent of the time they're not. But you won't know which camp you fall in until you try. jms Subj: B5 & JMS books Section: Babylon 5 To: Jeannette Fornadel, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 5:12:14 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279382 I started writing at 14; started selling at 17. One warning re: 300+ page books at this point...if nothing happens, and it may or may not, it can be a big stumbling block to get over. Don't let the smaller stories get away from you either. It's good to do a variety of things. jms Subj: B5 & JMS books Section: Babylon 5 To: Jeannette Fornadel, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 10:39:08 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279853 The differences between screenwriting and a novel...would take a book to communicate. Suffice for now to say just that the strengths of a novel are all internal (internal monologue, POV, narrative descriptions), and the strength of a screenplay is all external (dialogue and visuals). Which is why the best novels often make the worst movies. jms Subj: B5 & JMS books Section: Babylon 5 To: Jeannette Fornadel, Wednesday, July 26, 1995 2:27:21 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#280571 I could probably adapt the B5 storyline very well to a novel, since it would provide the chance to expand on a lot of stuff. Whether or not that ever happens is anyone's guess. jms Subj: B5 & JMS books Section: Babylon 5 To: Jeannette Fornadel, Wednesday, July 26, 1995 10:07:15 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#281112 It took 5 years to sell B5. jms Subj: B5 & JMS books Section: Babylon 5 To: Philip Hornsey, Wednesday, July 26, 1995 2:27:24 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#280572 Some comics adapt well, some don't; Watchmen would be great. jms Subj: Competition 4 B5... Section: Babylon 5 To: David Chandler-Gick, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 2:13:00 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279163 I don't consider Space competition in that sense, except that it will be something more motivating us to work harder (like we lacked that). From where I sit, the more, the merrier, and welcome to them. jms Subj: <>> Section: Babylon 5 To: Simon Grierson, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 5:12:10 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279380 Boy, a whole lotta questions, and not *one* I can answer at this time without spoiling stuff for down the road. Well, actually, there *is* one I can answer. No, the B5 facilities were never flooded. And thanks for the reaction.... jms Subj: <>> Section: Babylon 5 To: Simon Grierson,Tuesday, July 25, 1995 10:39:02 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279851 Some of it's the sound of the name, some has actual roots in other places (minbar is the term for the pulpit in a mosque; delen is middle english for divided). jms Subj: B5 Syndication? Section: Babylon 5 To: Glenn Storey/Wa., Tuesday, July 25, 1995 5:12:19 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279383 The show is already in syndication, just not stripped daily. You usually only trim network shows, which are longer than syndicated shows; since we're already at that shorter length, it should be okay. jms Subj: B5 Syndication? Section: Babylon 5 To: Glenn Storey/Wa., Wednesday, July 26, 1995 10:07:14 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#281111 It wouldn't likely go daily until the 5 years are up. jms Subj: <
> Section: Babylon 5 To: Richard McLaren, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 5:23:05 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279407 C4 is showing the eps in the right order; don't worry. jms Subj: <
> Section: Babylon 5 To: Martin Colloby, Wednesday, July 26, 1995 10:06:27 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#281109 No, they're not correct. That's the production schedule, not the preferred airdate schedule. jms Subj: <> Section: Babylon 5 To: Colin Radford, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 5:23:06 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279408 Remember, Kosh was the one who sent those images into Sheridan's brain, not anybody else; he was communicating useful information that may come up down the road, but in rather symbological form. jms Subj: Star Fury Models Section: Babylon 5 To: C. Bussjaeger, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 10:39:01 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279850 No, never heard that song. jms Subj: <
> Section: Babylon 5 To: Tom Knudsen, Wednesday, July 26, 1995 10:07:17 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#281113 It wouldn't do a bit of good. jms Subj: Bless B5 and Thank You Section: Babylon 5 To: Deon W. Becic, Sunday, July 30, 1995 8:42:04 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#284792 Thanks. We're definitely growing, it seems. And the prospect of a true B5 convention is indeed a possibilitiy, though down the line a bit. jms Subj: Speculation V Story Line Section: Babylon 5 To: Mark Sloan, Sunday, July 30, 1995 8:42:05 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#284793 Introducing new story elements vs. speculating on what events already shown may mean. That's the dividing line. jms Subj: Unlicensed Bumpersticker Section: Babylon 5 To: Jeff Frank, Sunday, July 30, 1995 9:00:08 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#284800 It also has a lousy production quality -- that will teach me to order thru the mail. Would you like this sticker and the address & phone for Starbase Columbus?> Yeah, I'd appreciate the info on that. And if you've got one, all the better. Bad enough it's pirate, but to have crummy artwork...sheesh.... jms [[[ EDITOR'S NOTE: MESSAGES WITH SPOILERS FOR THE LAST FOUR EPISODES CAN BE FOUND IN THE FILE "spoilers" IN THIS DIRECTORY. THEY'LL BE MERGED BACK INTO THIS FILE AFTER THE US/CANADIAN AIRINGS OF THE EPISODES. ]]] Subj: Bless B5 and Thank You Section: Babylon 5 To: Jean Teneglio, Monday, July 31, 1995 11:29:01 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#285752 Some parts of the world are in first season, some are in second. It varies by area. jms Subj: Party Suggestions? Section: Babylon 5 To: Randy j Zimmerman, Monday, July 31, 1995 12:45:19 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#285238 The only thing I'd suggest is adding either And the Sky Full of Stars and/or The Parliament of Dreams. Photos or other residue can always be sent along to us, at the address: 14431 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423. Be sure to include C/O Babylon 5 in the address. jms Subj: Party Suggestions? Section: Babylon 5 To: Anthony Ho, Monday, July 31, 1995 11:29:25 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#285749 Pretty much the order they were shown in is okay, though again Knives should precede Z'ha'dum; the rest is okay, as far as I can remember. jms Subj: Women on B5 Section: Babylon 5 To: Eric Baker, Monday, July 31, 1995 12:45:22 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#285239 There is no pre-determined male/female ratio on the show; it's pretty much the luck of the draw or the script. One thing that might help, though, is that we've changed casting directors. We kinda kept nudging the one before for a greater diversity in guest roles (looking for different ethnic groups, looking for men and women equally in parts that can go either way), and our new one is definitely more inclined in that direction, so this will doubtless improve. jms Subj: Renderings on B5 Section: Babylon 5 To: John Lester,Monday, July 31, 1995 11:29:04 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#285753 All I know is that it's indeed now a PC/Dos environment, using an exported brand of Lightwave. You may want to leave a public message here for Paul Beigle-Bryant, co-CGI maven at Foundation Imaging, who is known to hang out here from time to time. jms Subj: Ferengi rules rumor? Section: Babylon 5 To: Burhaan Ahmad, Monday, July 31, 1995 11:40:12 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#285758 I doubt very much anyone from B5 ever started that rumor because, frankly, I don't even know what the heck he's *talking* about. jms Subj: Season 3 Starts Shooting Section: Babylon 5 To: Brett Sherris, Monday, July 31, 1995 11:40:14 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#285759 We did indeed shoot our first day on year three today, and it went very well. We wrapped about a half hour early, about seven-ish, the cast is happy to be back, everyone's fallen right into step...it's a wonder to behold. jms ******************************************************* * SPOILERS FOR FINAL FOUR SEASON-TWO EPISODES FOLLOW. * ******************************************************* Subj: <> Section: Babylon 5 To: Derek Paterson, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 2:13:01 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279164 Re: things you don't expect to happen...that's kind of one aspect I was after here. By way of comparison.... There's one great thing about The Shining, despite some other flaws in the film: they set up Scatman Cruthers (sp?) as the one guy who understands what's going on...he gets the Shining, he's a potentially heroic character, and when all hell breaks loose, he's the one to get into the snow plow, cross terrible weather, we're all sure he's going to get there and fight the menace...he overcomes weather and nonsense to get there...he blows through the front door, ready for action.... and gets an axe in the middle of his chest and dies. I *loved* that, and always kinda wanted to something of that nature, where you set someone up to be that kind of character, the future, whatever, then you yank it back and let the audience say, Oh, hell, NOW what? jms Subj: << Divided Loyalties >> Section: Babylon 5 To: Brian Deane, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 5:12:11 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279381 I'd say the next 3 are equal or more on a wow scale, in some ways. One other thought on Talia...one of the motifes we've played with from the start was always showing Talia in mirrors...in Race, in Z'ha'dum and others...always showing the reflection, her opposite, just to set stuff up on an emotional/symbological level. jms Subj: <
> Section: Babylon 5 To: Ruth Ballam, Wednesday, July 26, 1995 2:35:22 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#280585 In the B5 universe, as a general rule of thumb, people don't just come back after something like this. "Talia" has been destroyed permanently; that's what it said in the episode, and that's the way it'll stay. jms Subj: <
> Section: Babylon 5 To: Robert Miller, Sunday, July 30, 1995 8:42:09 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#284794 One thing you have to remember is that while Talia is in the opening credits, to Psi Corps she's just one more of many programmed individuals in various places. The character in "Spider" was a highly valued infiltration unit, with very expensive "parts." Of the two, Talia would've been far more expendable. And I don't recall that Control actually issued any death order; it was the Psi Corps/B13 in any event. jms Subj: <
> Section: Babylon 5 To: John McAuley, Monday, July 31, 1995 11:29:29 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#285751 The problem in trying to keep something mysterious and vague is thatsometimes you can outsmart yourself, and get confusing. The *theory* isthat there was the Bureau as Control overall back on Earth; and a minor Control figure on B5. And Controls are always referred to as "he"regardless of the facts to avoid giving any means of identification to anoutsider based on gender. So it would be BUREAU CONTROL ----------------------|--------------------- | | | Earthdome Control B5 Control Minipax Control (That's a breakdown using artificial and not necessarily correctelements, just for illustration.) It is, however, a confusing bit of terminology, so it's been amended subsequently. jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: Malcolm Pemberton, Monday, July 31, 1995 11:29:26 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#285750 I don't remember offhand; I'll have to check the tape. (I have a vague memory that it was a right hand originally, flopped to shoot in the other direction.) jms