Babylon 5 posts by JMS on GEnie for First half of April, 1994 This file includes a compilation of posts on GEnie by J. Michael Straczynski in the Babylon 5 category. The posts are copyright by JMS (and compilation copyright is by GEnie). ************ Topic 1 Mon Oct 26, 1992 SF-MARSHALL [Dave ] at 18:50 EST Sub: Babylon 5 - The Series (Non-Spoiler) Welcome to the Babylon 5 category and main topic for the new series. Here is the place for all general information on the series. Topic 2 is the location for SPOILERS. And please, NO STORY IDEAS are to be posted either. 942 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 792 Sat Apr 02, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 23:36 EST How much of any episode's dialogue is looped depends on whether or not the line was clear on the mike, if there was on off-camera noise, and other factors. Sometimes there's almost none, sometimes there's a lot. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 804 Sun Apr 03, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 23:48 EDT The ripple is caused by heat from the discharge. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 805 Mon Apr 04, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 00:54 EDT Personal request: could some enterprising SFWA member here, who might've archived the "Ellison vs. Platt" topic in the SFWA category, send me the whole thing in email? Confidentiality 100% assured. It's for a non-networked member. (Any SFWA member who objects...take it to email. Not that I'll be the least concerned, of course, I'd just rather not have it clogging this topic.) jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 809 Mon Apr 04, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 15:09 EDT Stories become more problematic in direct proportion to the complexity of the suggestion. If it's a one-liner, or a brief thought, that's not too problematic. If it's a lengthy discussion of a possible story...THAT'S a problem. It lets someone say, "Hey! My story had 52 specific notions, and 52 of those are in his story, so I wuz robbed." It's really a question of degree, courtesy and intent. And the writing credit on MOTFL was jms. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 811 Mon Apr 04, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 22:41 EDT The refraction depends on the angle you're viewing it from, so it does vary a bit. Bits and pieces...at Phil & Ed's Excellent Convention in Burbank the other day, I saw my first B5 hall costume...very well done, actually, a B5 command-rank uniform, which was *very* detailed and authentic looking. It actually took me a second to realize that this wasn't one of ours, but rather an impressive simulation. (VERY strong reaction from folks there about the show, all positive.) Also, I'm tentatively planning to show "Signs and Portents" at I-CON that Saturday. There are several to choose from, but since that one's a real blow- out, that seemed the best choice. I'm also *very* eager to see the audience reaction to something in there.... jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 813 Tue Apr 05, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 02:16 EDT BTW, did I mention that Mira Furlan is getting a GEnie account...? jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 831 Wed Apr 06, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:31 EDT Actually, no, I don't believe John Flinn was our DP on the pilot movie. The series is a *tad* lighter than the pilot, but not much. Re: the grainy aspect...this is happening *after* we turn over the episodes on digital (D2) format. Apparently the company that PTEN uses to drop in the commercials (one dub), do the closed captioning (another dub) and other stuff (total: five generations down) was doing so on *analog one inch tape*...and, we recently discovered, using *USED STOCK*. Neither PTEN nor anyone else noticed this or was aware; we noticed the substantial difference in picture and audio quality, and began backtracking it and found this out. Starting with "War Prayer" we've been able to correct some of this (with considerable yelling), and will in time correct the rest. Also, some TV stations are downlinking to less than effective stock, which doesn't help. The image that leaves here on D2 is VERY sharp, with nicely saturated colors. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 839 Thu Apr 07, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 20:09 EDT *What* main debate at ICON? jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 844 Fri Apr 08, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 01:54 EDT Tom: one word. Jihad. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 851 Sat Apr 09, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 01:46 EDT The attack killed the Minbari leader, head of the Grey Council, Dukhat, the most evolved and wise soul of all the Minbari. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 867 Sun Apr 10, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 02:12 EDT Ah...is that why there was a message in my mailbox asking me out on a date...? jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 872 Sun Apr 10, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 04:43 EDT Don't write to Seagram's; if you want to help support the show, it's best to write your local station. I think Mira's coming here simply because she's heard about it from me and others, such as Arne. And yes, I'd say she's coming *here*. The minbari warrior caste leader who committed suicide rather than issue the surrender command was Sineval. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 881 Sun Apr 10, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 23:37 EDT Yeah, that's kind of how I figured it would go, and one reason I wasn't real sanguine on this from the start. As for Ordover's behavior, from what I've seen of him on the forums, that seems about par for the course. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 887 Mon Apr 11, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 04:28 EDT BTW, could someone find for me and repost that review of TNG that slammed the actors? A friend asked for it, and I can't find it on my disk...thanks. jms ------------ ************ Topic 2 Wed Nov 20, 1991 STARR [Arne] at 19:41 EST Sub: Babylon 5 -- The Series!! >>SPOILERS<< Babylon 5 offically became a series on May 28 '93. There will be 22 hour eps for season one (in addition to the pilot). Airs Wednesdays at 8PM in most places starting Jan. 26 '94. This is the SPOILER topic where anything goes. 907 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 18, Topic 2 Message 846 Wed Apr 06, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 23:53 EDT We expect to know around the second week of May. Because of the recent entry of Paramount's new network, which is grabbing up stations left and right, nothing in the current marketplace is a lock, so we'll see what we will see. They're really hoping that ST spinoff #3 will be sufficient bait -- offering the guaranteed ST franchise -- to help close down other venues and other competing shows. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 2 Message 864 Sat Apr 09, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 22:52 EDT It has *always* been my sense that the body was slipped out an access airlock in the zero-g cargo area. Every other access -- like the boarding area and standard cargo area -- is under close security to prevent this kind of thing, or the influx of contraband. There's really nowhere to GO from the zero-g section, so it's a little looser. As for how he got the body there...there is an answer, and a reason, and if you look at this episode again after the season is over, even the nitpickers who brought it up will be able to figure it out. I didn't address it in the issue because I didn't think anyone would make a federal case out of this, and for other reasons that will in time become apparent. Several other nits picked at this episode will *also* be clarified by season's end. It's not easy to sit quietly, knowing the answer, and being unable to tell it, but that's simply what I have to do for the time being. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 2 Message 868 Sun Apr 10, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 02:16 EDT The zero-g cargo section extends from the front of B5 well into the middle of the station, *inclusive* of red sector, which is below it. I'm never optimistic. As far as pickup is concerned, it's very basic...the Paramount network, as stated, is making inroads, pressuring stations to sign onto the new network or else they won't get the proven, guaranteed, franchise, new ST series. Independent stations only have so many available hours, which is putting a real crunch on the syndicated marketplace. Whatever people may think, a second season is not a lock. I wouldn't have asked people to express their support, *especially* to the local stations, just to jerk people around. I take that kind of request very seriously, and wouldn't ask unless I felt it was useful. I am hopeful, and certainly there are many positive signs...but at the same time, as I've said before, this is one town where hope can kill you. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 2 Message 875 Sun Apr 10, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 16:58 EDT The official end of the season comes with "Chrysalis," airing araound the end of November. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 2 Message 883 Mon Apr 11, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 22:22 EDT Located above the station proper is the long zero-g cargo loading area. You'll see, in later episodes, ships pulling up in front of the area and offloading cargo. That is accessible from many parts of the station. jms ------------ ************ Topic 3 Tue Nov 03, 1992 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:09 EST Sub: Babylon 5 - Computer SFX Tech-Talk Some of the new computer EFX used in BABYLON 5 will be revolutionary, a new approach never seen before on this scale. It's all new tech, and this topic will try and address the new technologies involved. 465 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 18, Topic 3 Message 427 Mon Apr 04, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 15:10 EDT We're already doing it, and have done it. We've already begun integrating "virtual sets" in with real ones. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 3 Message 434 Tue Apr 05, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 23:17 EDT As an example...in the next-to-last shot in "Survivors," someone is entering a ship in the docking bay. The only real object in that room, aside from the actor, is a ladder. Everything else is CGI...but you can't tell. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 3 Message 438 Wed Apr 06, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:33 EDT Nope, that's not the shot from "Survivors." You'll see windows -- BIG windows -- looking out into space in "By Any Means Necessary" and "A Voice in the Wilderness." You'll see windows in the Garden from buildings as well, particularly in "Legacies." jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 3 Message 443 Wed Apr 06, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 23:53 EDT Well, it's not exactly much of a *challenge* now, is it, since you now KNOW where the shot is.... jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 3 Message 452 Sat Apr 09, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 22:55 EDT Unless you're planning to do monstrous amounts of blue-screen work, making stars go left to right (or right to left) is easy; ST uses a star curtain, which simply is on a loop running in the right direction (when they don't use blue screen). Stars out of the B5 window would be going in a CIRCLE...which would require a star WHEEL of *enormous* size. We were able to trick the camera using camera moves in the pilot to make the stars move, but have found it more difficult to do this on the series. We have some ideas on how to fix this for a (hopefully) second season. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 3 Message 454 Sun Apr 10, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 04:45 EDT In "Survivors," we attempted a cgi/composite shot out the window, which looks pretty spiffy, actually. It's in the teaser. We may do this in future. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 3 Message 460 Sun Apr 10, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 20:51 EDT I believe that shot was from "Believers." jms ------------ ************ Topic 4 Tue Nov 03, 1992 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:12 EST Sub: Babylon 5 - Cast & Characters For discussion of the actors who will be bringing BABYLON 5 to life with their performances...for information before, and discussion after the airing of "The Gathering" pilot. 487 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 18, Topic 4 Message 448 Sun Apr 03, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:09 EDT Some were real, yes. Some weren't. An SF convention on board Babylon 5...oh dear....(slapping self, bad jms, *bad* jms). jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 4 Message 452 Sun Apr 03, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 19:26 EDT I don't know, but I think I can be *reasonably* sure that there won't be anyone there selling Dianetics books in the dealer's room.... jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 4 Message 468 Fri Apr 08, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 15:58 EDT Well, you'll get June Lockhart in "The Quality of Mercy," airing May 25th. We live to serve. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 4 Message 471 Sun Apr 10, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 04:45 EDT No, no scenes with Bill Mumy, though some consideration was given to the notion. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 4 Message 477 Tue Apr 12, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 22:47 EDT Jerry tells us he is a gourmet cook. Jerry also told us he belonged to the Dance Company of Harlem. I'd check that tuna *real* careful.... jms ------------ ************ Topic 12 Wed Nov 18, 1992 B.WIST [Brad] at 18:12 EST Sub: Babylon 5 Sightings Post here when you've spotted Babylon 5, whether it be on Television, Magazine, or somewhere else. Let us know where we can find it/see it, too. 541 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 18, Topic 12 Message 524 Mon Apr 04, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 22:44 EDT I knew about it...I get all memos on this stuff, and was there the day she came by...I just plumb forgot to mention it. So much goes on in the course of an average day that by the time I get home, my brain is melting out my ears. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 12 Message 526 Tue Apr 05, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 23:18 EDT Only when *you're* talking to me. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 12 Message 534 Tue Apr 12, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 23:28 EDT Since they apprently scan this topic...could someone here please notify the pinheads at the Prydonians of Prynceton that the Compton's CD Rom of B5 is not being done by Richard Compton, B5 director; that it is being done by the same people who put out Compton's Multimedia Encyclopedia; that Richard Compton was also NOT the head of the B5 special effects department...and while you're at it, suggest they find a new topic for their top ten...unless they're willing to incorporate poor journalism, inaccurate fact checking and typos. jm(yn a slyght snyt but workyng on yt)s ------------ ************ Topic 15 Thu Dec 31, 1992 J.ROY18 [Jonathan] at 21:29 EST Sub: Babylon 5 - Alien Races Aliens races in Babylon 5... their politics, abilties, technology, history, and any other discussion specificly about non-humans. 524 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 18, Topic 15 Message 494 Tue Apr 05, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 23:19 EDT There are some gender-based differences, yes. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 15 Message 499 Sat Apr 09, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 01:46 EDT Very likely. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 15 Message 506 Sat Apr 09, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 23:01 EDT No one has seen the entire series outline. Three people have seen a ten- page synopsis of the full five-year story, and are sworn to absolute secrecy about it. Larry, as I mentioned earlier, read it, and his first reaction was, "You're out of your f*****g mind." A second person began crying at the end of it. (Honest to god, I'm not making this up.) The synopsis contains only the broad strokes; not the details, and there's a LOT of odd stuff in the details. In preparation for a (hopeful) second season, I've broken out the individual episodes/stories for year two, and let one person skim through the breakdown, only in order to determinen production needs in advance, so we can budget accordingly. That's all. jms ------------ ************ Topic 24 Fri Jun 04, 1993 J.ROY18 [Jonathan] at 21:11 EDT Sub: Babylon 5 - Weapons and Warfare! For discussion about the weapons, counter weapons, armor, shielding, tactics, logistics, and so forth, of small combat and large scale war in the Babylon 5 universe. 552 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 18, Topic 24 Message 548 Sat Apr 02, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:31 EST Actually, there's a second shot in which you can see a body being thrown out; it's between Mitchell and Sinclair being hit. Remember that the body is strapped in in an angular fashion, and look for it as it blows (as I recall) from left to right. It's there. jms ------------ ************ Topic 25 Fri Mar 12, 1993 S.SHELLENBAR [>> SHANE <<] at 08:47 EST Sub: J. Michael Straczynski Speaks in Public This is the place to find out where and when JMS will be appearing next. JMS has honed his skills as a public speaker and is taking his act on the road. 453 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 18, Topic 25 Message 436 Wed Apr 06, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 23:55 EDT Seemed to go fine, though it's better to ask the audience than the person at the front of the room...perceptions can change depending on which end of the microphone you're on.... jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 25 Message 438 Sat Apr 09, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 23:03 EDT Still plan on showing "Signs and Portents" at I-CON, though it'll be tight getting that one finished in time, given the incredible amount of CGI in it. Also will be doing a panel there with Harlan, Michael O'Hare and Arne on the origins of B5, and a one-man Q&A session/workshop on writing for TV. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 25 Message 440 Sun Apr 10, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 02:17 EDT At this point it'll just be me, maybe Harlan (who's GoH there) on the B5 stuff. Probably just the usual...me rambling insensibly for an hour, some clips, maybe an episode for the convention. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 25 Message 443 Sun Apr 10, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 17:02 EDT Well, I'll probably bring the gag reel, some clips, and as far as episodes go...my *guess* at this point would be either the two-parter, or D.C. Fontana's "Legacies." Just about anything else would reveal stuff too early. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 25 Message 450 Mon Apr 11, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 22:23 EDT I really don't know; my suggestion is to leave a message on the ICON topic in SFRT3. I haven't seen a breakdown of the schedule yet. jms ------------ ************ Topic 9 Sat Oct 16, 1993 STARR [Arne] at 22:58 EDT Sub: And the Sky Full of Stars (#106) by JMS. Time to find out about Sinclair's "hole in his mind". 278 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 19, Topic 9 Message 223 Mon Apr 04, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 22:38 EDT As another aside...I'm surprised no one here has mentioned what transpired just recently on CI$. A couple of people were posting their version of what they thought ST 7 was going to be about, in some detail, and Paramount jumped in on jackboots and started threatening lawsuits, against the people, against CI$, against everyone and anyone involved. There may even have been an injunction. In any event, the lawyers descended en masse and stomped on it hard. jms ------------ Category 19, Topic 9 Message 227 Tue Apr 05, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 02:15 EDT I would like to know the 3 times that the specific line, "There's a shuttle leaving in two hours, be on it" was used. I know of only one: in "Mind War." G'Kar said to the assassin, in "Parliament," "That's your flight, I suggest you hurry," *in answer to a PA notice, but that's not the same thing by any measure. Please cite the three times you say this exact phrase was used. Because I don't think it's there. jms ------------ Category 19, Topic 9 Message 233 Tue Apr 05, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 23:14 EDT Cindy: your recollection is incorrect. The story was *not* the real one, so saith the people who were posting it. They were just making it up. Legally, this is a very muddy and difficult area. Which is why I have generally avoided getting into it here. There are always some who, upon getting a request like this, want to drag out the legalities of why they should or shouldn't go along with it, who says they can't do it... when from my perspective, why are we getting into the legalities of it? I ask it as a *courtesy*. I spend 3+ hours a day on these systems, and as a rule of thumb I never ask much in return. Even when I'm blind tired after a long day, and I log on to find (as today) 1,075 message in my mailbox, I still make it a point to come in every day, read everything in both B5 topics, and respond as much as I can...and the only thing that I ask in exchange, as a courtesy, understanding that it's a difficult area, is to refrain, where possible, from posting significant or detailed story ideas. I don't see why legalities have to be argued over each time this gets brought up. One can argue the merits and the specifics and the letter of the law ad infinitum...all I've said is that if they *do* start popping up here, I'll have to excuse myself from the discussion. Anyone who wants to engage in elaborate story speculations and ideas can do so privately, in email, to your heart's content. All I ask is that you not do it where I can see it. I don't like having to make the request, would *much* prefer not to do so, but the flat bottom line is that we are a lawsuit happy country, and I cannot expose myself, my show, and PTEN to that kind of risk. (And please don't go over the realease form and promises discussion all over again...we've hashed and rehashed that one, and it doesn't work.) Most people in this town can't believe the amount of effort that I put in here, in an exchange which, from a strictly numerical point of view, wouldn't notch the ratings up a fraction of a point. But to me, it's important. I'm just trying to minimize the amount of danger to which I expose my show. If the show matters, then the request matters. jms ------------ Category 19, Topic 9 Message 239 Wed Apr 06, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:26 EDT Talia is nowhere near a P10; her basic telepathic ability remains around P5. The other is totally aside, in terms of mind-scans and the like. Being able to play the fiddle won't make you a better steel worker. Re: the non-repeated repeated line...thank you. You made that statement several times, and just felt it was time to call you on it. jms ------------ Category 19, Topic 9 Message 262 Sat Apr 09, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 22:44 EDT Bear in mind, Sinclair was only out about 24-48 hours (I don't recall the exact number). So it wasn't that long a period of time in which to arrange a prisoner transfer. Pathman...your perception comes from a slight advantage: you're here. This has been discussed in great detail on-line, and in the various faq files, and in my individual postings. (About Sinclair and the Line.) But this group, for all its other wonderfulnesses, comprises not enough people to make a hiccup on the ratings. Unless off-line viewers saw the pilot MOVIE -- and not all of them did -- this is their *first introduction* to the fact that there was a missing 24 hours at ALL. Most of them didn't have that prior knowledge in order to HAVE the suspicions. As much as I like the online environment, one can't tailor a show around prior knowledge gained through this exchange. We have to bring everyone along *together*. jms ------------ Category 19, Topic 9 Message 266 Sun Apr 10, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 04:41 EDT Psi Corps, as a government-regulated agency, is prohibited from endorsing candidates or taking a political stance. jms ------------ ************ Topic 11 Sun Oct 17, 1993 STARR [Arne] at 15:14 EDT Sub: The Parliament of Dreams (#108) by JMS. 136 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 19, Topic 11 Message 136 Sat Apr 02, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:29 EST Bill appeared in, I believe, 6-7 episodes this season, and will likely appear in about 13 next year, Neilsen willing. jms ------------ ************ Topic 14 Sun Oct 17, 1993 SF-MARSHALL [Dave ] at 15:15 EDT Sub: Deathwalker (#113) by Larry DiTillio. Co-starring Sarah Douglas and Robin Curtis. 14 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 19, Topic 14 Message 3 Tue Apr 12, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 02:38 EDT I have no idea. jms ------------