This file contains messages posted by J. Michael Straczynski on GEnie from Feb 1 - Feb 28th, 1995. Postings are copyright 1995 by J. Michael Straczynski with compilation copyright 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 General category. This is the main topic for the hit SF series. We discuss all general information on the series in this topic. Topic 2 is for SPOILERS! DO NOT POST STORY IDEAS! 571 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 360 Mon Feb 06, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 16:46 EST The VO at the end of all the PTEN shows has been dropped. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 374 Tue Feb 07, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 00:51 EST Sean: if you could send me a copy of that TV Guide piece asap, I would be *profoundly* grateful. Slowly, we're starting to get noticed. Break Magazine, out of North Carolina, just did a very good three-page review that says B5 "has set the SF TV world on end with the quality of its writing...stories that are gripping and speculative...if you haven't checked out Babylon 5 you owe it to yourself to do so. This is, without doubt, the best science fiction series ever produced. Give it the next six weeks. You'll be hooked." (Reviewed by staffer Tom Poston.) jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 404 Wed Feb 08, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 00:53 EST Well, after nudzhing them for the last two years, finally SFWA has given in to Harlan's insistence about changing the Grand Master Nebula awards rules, since we were and are on the verge of losing many of those deserving of the honor, and why the hell can't we amend one bitty rule to give out a couple at a time rather than once every two years? Granted it doesn't go all the way (and of course it wasn't in the LEAST due to outside pressure), but at least now it'll be once a year rather than once every two years...and this comes on a day when R.A. Lafferty has a stroke, I'm told. BTW, and totally unrelated (well, mostly)...Harlan will be on the Tom Snyder show on the 17th of this month. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 428 Thu Feb 09, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 05:52 EST The copy of the Canadian TV Guide commentary should be sent to me at 14431 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 260, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 487 Sat Feb 11, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 22:23 EST BTW, Harlan Ellison will be signing tomorrow at Golden Apple book store in LA tomorrow from 2-4 p.m. I'll probably be tagging along. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 509 Mon Feb 13, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 04:06 EST I thought the size of your hands was indicative of the size of your dish.... The comics and novels are within B5 continuity in general, but bear in mind you've got a LOT of different people working on these things, so some of the finer points may vary. In general, we're keeping it as much within our universe as possible; but as an adjunct, not required reading, since that's unfair to viewers. I'm pretty sure the pilot wings are uniform across the board. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 517 Mon Feb 13, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 21:12 EST Yeah, Jerry called me about the Rush mention. We've now been mentioned on the Howard Stern Show and Rush Limbaugh...talk about your wide demographics.... jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 306 Sun Feb 19, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 23:59 EST Two different Minbari, yes. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 342 Wed Feb 22, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 02:50 EST It's my understanding that, for instance, while the navy does not salute uncovered, the army and air force can or do. So we've tried to vary our salutes (Colonel Ben Zayn and General Franklin, both army or marine types, got salutes uncovered, for instance, while others may not). Funny ad in this week's BATMAN comic, for a company called French Toast, their French Toast Profile, showing a kid and a (probably bogus) bio, listing his name as Michael O'Heir, whose biggest wish is to meet an alien from another galaxy, and whose goal in life is to become a Commander at NASA. Hmmmmmmmmmmm.... jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 356 Thu Feb 23, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 01:42 EST November would be the start of year three, so it makes sense that that would be the end of this next contract; you don't contract for a show beyond the current season until it's been renewed. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 359 Thu Feb 23, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 04:34 EST Yeah, it's not like a computer is running this show *ccKKkak** not like a computer is running this sh~~ckckk...not like a computer i ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 375 Fri Feb 24, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 00:16 EST There are several periods of renewal, variously for B5 and PTEN per se. One was in January; the next is in April/early May. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 381 Fri Feb 24, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 04:31 EST I'd go for about 6.5, maybe 7 at the outside. Which is better than last year at this time, when it was 4 or 5. The final word, yes/no, will probably come in early May. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 399 Sat Feb 25, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 04:00 EST Assuming that the panel has not yet taken place, please take this with you and read it at the panel. Ahem. Actually, I have nothing to say, I haven't heard anything from J. Michael Straczynski, I'm making this all up. No, really. I made up the part about having a message from him. But if I actually HAD a message from J. Michael Straczynski, it would probably say this: Babylon 5 has most emphatically NOT been canceled. Our ratings continue to improve slightly from one quarter to another, and our demographics are nothing less than appropriately stellar. Nothing will be decided firmly until late April or early May, but we have real hopes for being renewed. Last year at this time I put the odds of renewal at 50/50; I now place them closer to 65/35, maybe even 70/30. 54-40 or fight. Tippecanoe and Tyler, Too. Bibble-bibble wah, bibble wah wah bibble. That's where the message ends. I'd just like to add a personal comment, thanking J. Michael for clearing this up for us, and that I'll be modeling the lace teddy I'm wearing beneath my clothes in the Elmtree tomorrow at one o'clock. I would also like to know why no one on the panel looks like Ivanova except the gentleman on the left. And please stop that, we can see you. I also predict that when I sit down the entire room will burst out in applause and laughter. Thank you. No, I'm not sitting yet. This was only a drill. If I were actually sitting, I would not be quite this tall. Is it cold in here, or is it just me? Thank you for your patience. I'm still not done yet. Yes, you are. No, I'm not. I absolutely, positively, cagetorically and enthusiastically REFUSE to sit down. (sit) jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 1 Message 418 Sat Feb 25, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 22:26 EST Gale...congratulations, you have just become part of the B5 mythos. jms ------------ ************ Topic 2 Wed Nov 20, 1991 STARR [Arne] at 19:41 EST Sub: Babylon 5 -- The Series!! >>SPOILERS<< Babylon 5 is moving into a second season of 22 episodes. This series can be seen at 8 Pm on Wednesdays, in most areas. This topic is for SPOILERS only. Just remember our NO STORY IDEAS rule and we'll let you live. 448 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 18, Topic 2 Message 264 Wed Feb 01, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 02:54 EST An accident of casting. Turhan had come in on an audition for the part of Elric in "Geometry," but while we wanted someone with more sheer menace (which Ansara gave us), we were just charmed out of our socks by him. I swore right then that I'd write a part designed just for him, and no one else. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 2 Message 274 Thu Feb 02, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 20:37 EST Unfortunately the station doesn't have the budget for that, and it's easier to deal with what you have than pour more money into it in the hopes of revenue down the road. Kinda like Congress. Also, the areas of downbelow are mainly crummy, near the waste recycling system, the air compressors, the water reclamation facility...not exactly choice real estate. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 2 Message 292 Sat Feb 04, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:52 EST I'm very happy at the reaction. I was telling John Copeland a bit ago, when we finished the episode, "Maybe we ought to superimpose a crawl before the first frame of the teaser saying, "JUST IN CASE YOU THOUGHT WE WERE KIDDING."" An aside on the jms/kosh discussion, for whatever interest it may have....when Ardwight comes in to do Kosh, they call me in to direct his performance so that it matches what the intent is now, and how it will be interpreted later. From where I sit in the control room, I can't see him, I can only hear his voice. So it's kinda like talking with Kosh there, and me saying, "Okay, can you try 'In Fire' hitting the second word harder, and with a sense of some anger behind it?" And between takes, he's still in Kosh-speak mode, muttering, "How will this end, how do I know talk to my agent...go on, get out, buzz off...." jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 2 Message 306 Sat Feb 04, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 20:10 EST Hal, the answer to your question is Yes. Remember that this show is wrapped around ambiguities. I always have had a problem with the Evil Force lurking on the edge, lusting for conquest, looking to take over the galaxy, because then the inevitable question becomes, "Yeah, but what do you DO with it?" I have no patience with or interest in cackling bad-guys. Once again, as with all our characters, they're set up to look one way, so you're lulled into a sense of predictable familiarity. "Oh, okay, now I know who all the players are and what they're after." Only to discover that this ain't necessarily so. There's a great scene in "Wrath of Khan" (if I may be permitted a ST reference) in which the Enterprise is able to get the upper hand because Khan is going back and forth in his search, not up and down, not taking advantage of the full XYZ axis. "Two dimensional thinking," Spock calls it. If one wishes to hit the target there, and in this show, one must set aside two-dimensional thinking. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 2 Message 357 Wed Feb 08, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 00:56 EST I think Campbell was very interesting. I have many of his books, including those on occidental and oriental mythologies, Hero With A Thousand Faces, others...very cogent and thought-out analyses. I don't think, though, that you can consciously attempt to utilize them in your storytelling, because then you're trying to out-think yourself. These examinations work best AFTER the fact; otherwise it's like the centipede trying to analyze which foot goes first. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 2 Message 387 Sat Feb 11, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 18:32 EST Actually, during WW II and the Vietnam and Korean wars, it was not at all uncommon for base commanders and other commanders to fly missions -- even dangerous ones -- to a) maintain the trust and respect of their pilots, b) to survey the situation personally in order to make the right judgments on mission objectives, and c) to maintain flight pay and full flight classification on new equipment. Remember, in the military, the amount of time you spend in combat situations is *directly* proportional to career advancement and promotion, which is why women pilots have been rightly clamoring to be allowed into combat missions; otherwise they can't rise in the ranks. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 2 Message 391 Sat Feb 11, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 22:21 EST Frmfh...I meant to type wing commander...brain implosion.... jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 2 Message 446 Sat Feb 18, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 02:50 EST Actually, what the Knight said was, "Maybe you're still inside; maybe we're *both* still inside." Some tie-ins...remember Sheridan in "A Distant Star" saying that he was feeling beached, abandoned? His unsureness in taking on this post, what if it was a mistake? A number of his actions come into a clearer light once you know he was in essence checking them all out, and putting on a hard "I'm a nice guy" attitude. Also, I noted somewhere in a preview for upcoming episodes, among the things coming, "conspiracies of light as well as dark." Perhaps that is now clearer. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 2 Message 452 Sun Feb 19, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 04:58 EST How did they solve the strike? Vorlon arbitrators. Each side thinks it got what it wanted because it doesn't quite understand the terms of the agreement. The game has started, it is too late for the hot dogs to vote. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 2 Message 473 Tue Feb 21, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 01:45 EST We've actually introduced and carried on several traditions, including specific rules for the officer's club (or you end up buying drinks for everyone), ships' logos behind the bar, proper traditional ship IDs on caps, that sort of thing. 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. 431 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 18, Topic 3 Message 351 Sat Feb 04, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 20:14 EST The Sanctuary is entirely a virtual set. It's all blue-screen, no walls, no windows, no stars, no nothing. I made sure to ask Foundation and Mitch to blur the walls a bit in close up to give it the correct depth of field. (Much of the CGI/background work is done by Mitch, our effects guy, who works independent of Foundation, who was also the main EFX guy on Predator, ET and others.) Because that was a LONG scene, the rendering time was just hideous. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 3 Message 358 Sun Feb 05, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 02:03 EST The Sanctuary set has ALWAYS been entirely virtual, except for a small grating on the floor as a marker. The walls, the windows, all of it. Virtual. We've actually done this a number of times. I haven't said anything before because whenever I mention there's a virtual set, and where it is, people look at it and say, "Oh, yeah, I could tell it was virtual." Because they knew ahead of time. So I stopped mentioning it. We're sneaky that way. You've seen, and will continue to see, sets that don't exist ANYwhere. Hell, you know that bazaar shot in the main title sequence? The second floor? Doesn't exist. Digital compositing and virtual set melding. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 3 Message 370 Sun Feb 05, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 18:40 EST The area where the reception was being held is the Rotunda. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 3 Message 383 Fri Feb 10, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 01:49 EST You'll get something close to this shot in a few days. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 3 Message 389 Sat Feb 11, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:39 EST A CGI sequence is not a story; a CGI sequence that has a result IS a story. I.e., "A nifty St. Elmo's Fire effect shimmers over the station" (non- story idea) ... "...turning everyone into ducks" (story idea). jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 3 Message 397 Sun Feb 12, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:14 EST We've actually played with the idea of doing that scene several times, just haven't yet found the right story to do it in. jms ------------ ************ Topic 5 Tue Nov 03, 1992 T.ORTH [Mr. Rico] (Forwarded) Sub: Grid Epsilon Irregulars - News & Info. This topic is for information about Babylon 5 fan groups, newsletters, fanzines, get-togethers, B-5 at conventions, and other general fun. 316 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 18, Topic 5 Message 230 Sat Feb 04, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 20:16 EST Don't you threaten ME with another learning curve! I just got Windows/Norton Desktop configured JUST the way I want it...don't even THINK of jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 5 Message 240 Sun Feb 05, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:58 EST My two systems (at present): both are Pentiums, 32 megs ram, onboard 3x CD Rom, external jukebox CD Rom changer, external rewriteable magneto optical Iomega changeable drive (620 megs each), 64 bit #9GXEPro card in one system (1 meg VRAM), and 128 big Imagine card (4 megs VRAM) in the other, Supermatch 17" (former) and Nanao 17" Flexscreen (latter), 2 gig sized hard drives in former, 1 gigabyte hard drive in the latter, plua (plus) with the other a Kinesis ergonomic keyboard (which is actually working out), plus both have Soundblaster 16 sound cards and enhanced IDE systems for running SCSI stuff. They didn't arrive so much as taxi in under the watchful gaze of guys in orange vests. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 5 Message 250 Mon Feb 06, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 04:25 EST Didn't get the footpedals; I'd just get confused. Slowly getting used to the board, though. I just wish they made one with a trackball jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 5 Message 293 Sun Feb 12, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 23:16 EST Showman: 1 CD went off to you via post office on Friday. You should have it by Monday/Tuesday. jms ------------ ************ Topic 10 Thu Nov 12, 1992 SANDMAN [Henry] at 19:25 EST Sub: Sex in Babylon 5 Can't do without this one!! 478 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 18, Topic 10 Message 463 Sun Feb 05, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 23:26 EST Anybody know what WGN stands for? (I do, just seeing who else does.) jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 10 Message 473 Sat Feb 11, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 18:35 EST Someone had it right before: World's Greatest Newspaper (WGN), for parent company the Chicago Tribune. jms ------------ ************ Topic 14 Thu Dec 31, 1992 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:59 EST Sub: Lurkers/Introductions: Please Sign In A place for newcomers to come in, say hello, whether you want to jump into the conversation or not, just to let us know you're here. 458 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 18, Topic 14 Message 403 Fri Feb 24, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 04:38 EST It was either stand on the chair or stand on Matt. The chair looked considerably steadier. jms ------------ ************ Topic 17 Tue Jan 19, 1993 C.STOBBE [Colin] at 21:02 EST Sub: Babylon 5 - Merchandising A place to discuss all the neat Babylon 5 merchandising coming out (hopefully) soon 467 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 18, Topic 17 Message 417 Sat Feb 04, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 20:19 EST Showman...if sometime Monday during the day you leave me an EMAIL message with your address, I can at least send you one of the CD's, though not autographed. This may help make up for losing all the others. No charge. jm(we care about our fans)s ------------ Category 18, Topic 17 Message 420 Sat Feb 04, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 21:36 EST Well...maybe 98% class, 2% soya lecithin.... jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 17 Message 442 Fri Feb 10, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 01:54 EST The CD is from Sonic Images, and I just finished approving the final stages of the revised booklet inside (more pictures, including a three shot of me, Doug and John), and having reviewed the additional suite, which is I think about 12 minutes long, making the whole CD about 55 or 56 minutes. It will be hitting stores sometime in March; the first 2,000 copies right off the press are already earmarked for the UK, to fill a backlog of orders. If you haven't got a copy of the soundtrack, and want one, I very strongly suggest you go to your record store locally or contact a discount distributer and pre-order; the limited edition went out in a flash, and while Sonic Images can do good sized orders, they're not as fast as, say, a Warners Records. These things are going to fly out the door, and if they know how many to advance produce, that'll help minimize any shortages. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 17 Message 457 Sun Feb 12, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:16 EST Insofar as I know, no, no EA pins have been licensed, so any out there are of dubious origin. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 17 Message 494 Fri Feb 24, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 04:35 EST I don't think we'll be doing a 900 number ever, frankly; though I find the idea of 1-900-ASK-KOSH more than just a little amusing. "Hello, this is Julie from Wisconsin, and I was wondering if I will be successful in my new job?" "Beauty...in the dark." 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. 282 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 18, Topic 24 Message 271 Sun Feb 12, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 23:20 EST If there *were* a Self Destruct system, it would not be used if there were any real number of civilians on board. And even then only if it were clear that everybody was going to die anyway, and the station needed to be kept out of the wrong people's hands, or used to get a secondary target. jms ------------ ************ Topic 25 Sat Feb 04, 1995 DUNEWALKER at 18:10 EST Sub: Babylon 5 Suggestion Box Give your suggestions concerning the plot of Babylon 5. 20 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 18, Topic 25 Message 2 Sat Feb 04, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 20:20 EST Re: 1 and 2....n'grath's been gone all season, and you'll be seeing a LOT more of Kosh very soon now. jms ------------ ************ Topic 26 Sun Jan 22, 1995 SF-VENTERS [Jan] at 17:15 EST Sub: B5 Conventions/Public Appearances This is the location where you can post and find out about SF/F conventions where some of the Babylon 5 cast and Executive Producer will be guests. 121 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 18, Topic 26 Message 67 Wed Feb 08, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 21:02 EST Quickie alert...looks like Claudia, Mira, maybe Jerry and definitely I will be making an appearance next Thursday evening (16th) at Planet Hollywood in Chicago, in part to promote the coming convention, and in part to promote the show in general. jms ------------ ************ Topic 28 Mon Feb 06, 1995 BILL.HIRST [Fluffy Frog] at 00:03 EST Sub: Babylon 5 filking songs There was Sheridan, and Londo too, Sinclair and Delenn. A Centauri, and a Narn, .... here on Babylon Five. 56 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 18, Topic 28 Message 11 Fri Feb 10, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 02:10 EST To the Brady Bunch Theme It's the story Of a bunch of filkers Who simply couldn't leave B5 alone They were cruising For a bruising Riding the modem tone. It's the filking That drives you crazy With rhymes that cut you clear down to the bone Even more scary Than Mayor Barry It makes you groan and groan Till the one day the filkers met a producer And they knew that they were clearly out of luck Now this group must somehow cross the border Or risk assault and mayhem from a truck. The Filking Bunch. The Filking Bunch. Run away from the scary Filking Bunch. jms ------------ ************ Topic 30 Mon Jul 04, 1994 D.KAUFFMAN5 [CyberDad] at 13:14 EDT Sub: Nods, In-Jokes, and References Post any nods, in-jokes, or references you have seen here. For example, Babylon 5 refers to the Babylon of ancient Earth; the location of B5 is at Grid Epsilon 470/18/22, the location of the original B5 topic on GEnie. 364 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 18, Topic 30 Message 302 Mon Feb 06, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 02:02 EST ...sigh...okay, everybody who thinks I'd spend 10 years of my life getting and making this series just to do LoTR with the serial numbers filed off raise his hands. Both of 'em. Makes it easier for the chain saw. jms ------------ Category 18, Topic 30 Message 307 Mon Feb 06, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 04:27 EST THE BABYLON CAFE Tonight's Special FROG'S LEGS jms ------------ ************ Topic 31 Sat Jul 09, 1994 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 20:23 EDT Sub: Really Stupid Questions from JMS Every so often, I need Information. (You won't get it!) Technical stuff, research or reference stuff...and given the brain trust here, I figured this could be a useful resource from time to time. With appreciation. 277 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 18, Topic 31 Message 249 Wed Feb 01, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 00:00 EST Unfortunately, I've never been able to dictate scripts. I need to SEE the words on the page. A lot of what I write has a certain rhythm to the language, and I can only see that on the page. (People who have gotten used to my writing can sometimes tell exactly where a jms scene appears in another script by the rhythms.) For me it all happens when I fall through the page. jms ------------ ************ Topic 32 Tue Feb 07, 1995 J.YUEN at 17:34 EST Sub: Babylon 5 Novels With the 1st Novel due on Feb 13, I'll go ahead and start the topic , please report sightings. 69 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 18, Topic 32 Message 8 Thu Feb 09, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 19:15 EST Normally, for things like this, the studio has rights to the actor's likeness. For other aspects of merchandising, like actual figures of the actor, there is a percentage given. Unfortunately, many studios take advantage of the idea that there is no such thing as a percentage of the net, since there is never (on the books) any profit. Case in point: in the 27+ years of Star Trek, the majority of the big seven actors have gotten about $16,000 from all of the dolls, figurines, chess sets and zillion other products with their faces. This out of a billion dollar franchise. jms ------------ ************ Topic 35 Tue Nov 01, 1994 STARR [Arne] (Forwarded) Sub: #209 - "The Coming Of Shadows" The episode that also gives us the title of season 2. 194 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 19, Topic 35 Message 60 Thu Feb 02, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:30 EST The "ban" was only for the satellite viewers; now that the show has begun to air regionally, anybody can talk about anything. (And it was just a request, not a ban; I don't have the power to enforce one, and wouldn't want to do so in any event. Common courtesy, and a request...which was wonderfully accommodated.) jms ------------ Category 19, Topic 35 Message 69 Thu Feb 02, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 20:33 EST There are some episodes coming that are about as intense as this, though not as much *happens*, in the sense of a bunch of events affecting lots of people in different places. Yes, intentional parallel structure to "Midnight," which is why I included the shot from that episode in Londo's dream. I like irony. jms ------------ Category 19, Topic 35 Message 96 Sat Feb 04, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:44 EST On the chance that the datacrystal might fall into the wrong hands, I had Sinclair deliberately avoid using Garibaldi's last name, and avoid Delenn's altogether (since she has only the one). The Ranger was told to deliver the crystals at the cost of his own life if necessary...but sometimes such orders don't end well for the messenger. So both messages began the same way. Re: the Ranger's pin...I kind of designed this, working with Ann Bruice, our costumer. I sketched out what I had in mind, which is two figures at either side of the brooch, one minbari, the other human, joined and made of the same metal, over a precious stone. jms ------------ Category 19, Topic 35 Message 124 Sun Feb 05, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 18:35 EST The Rangers actually owe more to the Lone Ranger and the Texas Rangers in general. FYI, Sinclair called Delenn "old friend" as far back as the 2-hour pilot. jms ------------ Category 19, Topic 35 Message 130 Sun Feb 05, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 23:22 EST Doug: correct. He starts to speak to Garibaldi, but then the guards show up. He looks back at them..and clams up. jms ------------ Category 19, Topic 35 Message 135 Mon Feb 06, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 01:58 EST I will tell you a true and secret thing, re: Londo's dream, and looking up into a blue sky to see the ships passing overhead. Ever since I was a kid, I've had that image in my dreams, of standing out in the open and looking up as strange dark ships pass overhead. It's always been an unnerving image, and I really wanted to use it here to see if it would have the same effect on others. The other single most recurring image is to be standing at the bottom of a long set of stairs, in a basement, and the door at the top of the stairs is thrown open, and there's gunfire, and guards, and flares in the night beyond, and more ships firing down. Don't be surprised if this shows up as well, someday.... jms ------------ Category 19, Topic 35 Message 153 Tue Feb 07, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 18:44 EST Y'know...in looking at all these dream messages...there's another dream in a few episodes...I have this nasty hunch that modems are going to explode over this one.... jms ------------ Category 19, Topic 35 Message 158 Tue Feb 07, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 21:45 EST G'Kar specifies a quarter million civilians, as I recall; it was the military presence that got wiped out. jms ------------ Category 19, Topic 35 Message 166 Wed Feb 08, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 04:59 EST When dialogue appears, and dialogue doesn't appear, it's in the script that way. Re: civilians/military...this may be a case of "it's in Joe's head, but getting it out clearly is gonna be a bitch...." jms ------------ ************ Topic 36 Wed Dec 07, 1994 STARR [Arne] (Forwarded) Sub: #210 - "GROPOS" by Lawrence DiTillio. Directed by Jim Johnston. 166 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 19, Topic 36 Message 10 Wed Feb 08, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 05:02 EST So then I assume that holographic genitalia would be completely out of the question.... jms ------------ ************ Topic 37 Wed Dec 07, 1994 STARR [Arne] at 00:58 EST Sub: #211 - "All Alone In The Night" by JMS. Directed by Mario Di Leo. co-starring Robert Foxworth. 60 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 19, Topic 37 Message 1 Wed Feb 08, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 00:48 EST (to the satellite people who will see this episode first..... *gotcha!* jms ------------ Category 19, Topic 37 Message 12 Sat Feb 11, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 18:28 EST Which is basically deliberate. Now we begin the process of narrowing down these threads, and collapsing some of them, so that we see that A and B, originally perceived as two different things, are actually aspects of the same thing. Since so much has been thrown out, the next episdoes after this are kinda focused on only one or two elements at most. You've been hit with a lot; now's time to pull back a little and let people breathe and digest what they've seen. Then, as stated, you start peeling back the layers and tossing out the red herrings so you can concentrate on the important aspects. (And, really, there's not *that* much, minus that pennultimate scene in Sheridan's quarters, that isn't an extension of what has gone before...Delenn was told that she might be dropped from the Grey Council in "Babylon Squared," and the information about the President has been sort of there in the background ever since Chrysalis. Even so, though, this concern has been anticipated, and built around. jms ------------ Category 19, Topic 37 Message 26 Tue Feb 14, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 23:25 EST I doubt we'll be seeing these guys again for a long time, if ever. So I don't consider them on the level of certain shadows or stuff. They came, they grabbed, we whomped. jms ------------ Category 19, Topic 37 Message 57 Sat Feb 18, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 02:38 EST Yes, Sheridan was speaking in the Drazi's native language, trying (without success) to get through; they're a cranky species to start with, and this didn't help. jms ------------ Category 19, Topic 37 Message 105 Mon Feb 20, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 02:56 EST Sheridan learned a smattering of various languages while on patrol on the Agamemnon. jms ------------ Category 19, Topic 37 Message 116 Tue Feb 21, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 05:08 EST Pledging oneself to someone's side is not common, and carries great significance. From that point onward, you are bound to that person until your death, and you must defend that person at the cost of your own life. jms ------------ Category 19, Topic 37 Message 126 Fri Feb 24, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 04:28 EST It's Ivanova. jms ------------ ************ Topic 38 Wed Dec 07, 1994 STARR [Arne] at 00:58 EST Sub: #212 - "Acts Of Sacrifice" by JMS. Directed by Jim Johnston. 102 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 19, Topic 38 Message 13 Mon Feb 20, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 18:50 EST Don't laugh, I actually considered that for a while; just wasn't time or space left to do it. jms ------------ Category 19, Topic 38 Message 16 Tue Feb 21, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 01:43 EST Will probably know sometime later March/early April. jms ------------ Category 19, Topic 38 Message 23 Thu Feb 23, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 01:40 EST It's both; laughing at the absurdity, and crying...about as close as we've seen to a nervous breakdown. jms ------------ Category 19, Topic 38 Message 30 Fri Feb 24, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 00:11 EST Given that the Narns were agrarian prior to the arrival of the Centauri, and were under their heel, and got most of their tech FROM the Centauri leftovers, no, they're not more advanced. It's a lot like the Russian situation, seemingly this tremendous power, but once you look deep, not as well off as they'd like you to think. Claudia loved the scene when I first described it to her, prior to finishing the script. She was dying to do it, and kept sort of "doing" it around people for some time prior to filming. jms ------------ Category 19, Topic 38 Message 53 Sat Feb 25, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 22:22 EST The Narn were not out in space prior to the Centauri arriving. While Paul Williams was on set for this ep, I had him sign my two CDs of the "Phantom of the Paradise" soundtrack. Ah, power.... jms ------------ ************ Topic 39 Wed Dec 07, 1994 STARR [Arne] at 00:59 EST Sub: #213 - "Hunter, Prey" by JMS. 75 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 19, Topic 39 Message 6 Sat Feb 25, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 22:22 EST Be patient; by the end of this season, you're going to know a LOT about Kosh. jms ------------