Subj: Re:Some questions
|
|
Date: 96-05-07 04:21:31 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
The only database I use is the one in my head, and some notes here and
|
|
there....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Marcus (continued)
|
|
Date: 96-05-07 04:22:01 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
We're all hiding something or other.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Renewal
|
|
Date: 96-05-07 04:22:57 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
We'll know by the middle or end of this month; it's 50/50 because of the
|
|
changing economics of the syndication marketplace right now. It's all nuts
|
|
at the moment.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:B5 legal status
|
|
Date: 96-05-07 04:23:30 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
No, you only send an ambassador if you recognize something as legitimate, and
|
|
EA will never recognize an independent B5.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:After the Series
|
|
Date: 96-05-07 04:24:33 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
That period is so far outside my ability to even see right now that it's
|
|
beyond my ken. The show is all I can see right now.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Michael York
|
|
Date: 96-05-07 04:25:46 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
We look around for who might be right for the role, and then who of that is
|
|
available and within our price range. Sometimes the actor doesn't come in,
|
|
if the actor has a lot of credits, but most will audition. Then we make our
|
|
selection.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:jms?monkmusic?
|
|
Date: 96-05-07 04:26:21 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
No, the music was the music, it wouldn't change by the hearer.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:JMS-B5 Origins?
|
|
Date: 96-05-07 04:28:35 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
The story kind of came in all at once; and yes, in a way, it's the story I've
|
|
been preparing to write from day one. The eclectic, weird background I have
|
|
is what enables me to tell this story this way. This is, I think, my seminal
|
|
work in the field. To invoke greater names for a moment, Heinlein wrote lots
|
|
of books, but he's known for Stranger in a Strange Land; Frank Herbert wrote
|
|
lots of books, but he's known for Dune. I've done a lot before this, and
|
|
hope to do a lot after, but I suspect that this is what I'll be most known
|
|
for when it's all said and done.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:JMS at home
|
|
Date: 96-05-07 04:34:35 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
"I'm assuming when you are the creator/writer/executive producer of a running
|
|
series that you must spend an enormous amount of time either "doing" things
|
|
related to it or "thinking" about things related to it."
|
|
|
|
Absolutely. Even when I'm not actively working on it, it comes up constantly
|
|
in conversation, or in other ways. It never goes away, and I'm always
|
|
jotting down notes for future use.
|
|
|
|
"How does this affect your lifestyle? Can one be in your position and still
|
|
have a personal life - or is literally everything you do somehow involved
|
|
with, wrapped up in or connected to "the series"?"
|
|
|
|
Not if you're going to be this involved with the process. It's really a 24
|
|
hour a day job. I haven't seen a movie at a theater in the 8 months
|
|
preceding the wrap; haven't gone to a party except the B5 christmas and wrap
|
|
parties in about a year. For the six years it'll take to make this show --
|
|
you count the pilot and post-production on the last year -- I went into this
|
|
knowing that my personal life would pretty much go to hell for that period of
|
|
time. The show is the single dominant concern; has to be, or it won't be
|
|
done right.
|
|
|
|
"Are you able to go out and have a good time and not think about anything to
|
|
do with B5, or is it always there, in the back of your mind?"
|
|
|
|
It's always there.
|
|
|
|
"I very much admire what you do, but feel it must, at some point, drive you a
|
|
little nuts........"
|
|
|
|
Sometimes, but only a little. I fought for 5 years to get this show on the
|
|
air; it's a great privilege, and a terrible responsibility; WB has entrusted
|
|
me to do this properly, and that's a great compliment. In the media, it's
|
|
unspeakably rare to get one singular vision on the air, without compromise or
|
|
committee...I'm not *about* to complain about the hours. I've got absolutely
|
|
no grounds to complain about ANYthing.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:great love story
|
|
Date: 96-05-07 04:35:16 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
It's fair to say that the Sheridan/Delenn relationship has some very
|
|
interesting times ahead.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Vir? Babble?
|
|
Date: 96-05-07 04:36:59 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Even the babble is pretty tightly scripted. The hesitations and occasional
|
|
stumble-restatements are the actor's delivery. There's occasionally a very
|
|
tiny bit of improv in that kind of scene, but very little.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Rules for Epics
|
|
Date: 96-05-07 04:43:11 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Actually, it's Chekov's rule of playwriting: If there's a gun on the wall in
|
|
act 1 scene 1, you must use it by act 3 scene 3. Similarly, if you fire the
|
|
gun in act 3, you must show it in act one. I do try to play fair with the
|
|
audience, and either hint at or point to what's coming in various ways, so
|
|
that if you back up all the episodes, it's right there in front of you.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Interludes & Examination
|
|
Date: 96-05-07 04:47:28 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
The Delenn/Sheridan axis is proceeding, but I've been very deliberately
|
|
holding off the kiss, and what would follow that, so I could do it in a very
|
|
special way. You'll see soon enough....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Seasons 4 and 5
|
|
Date: 96-05-07 04:48:08 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
There was never the intention of carrying the shadow war through seasons 4
|
|
and 5. That'd get boring.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:The Wrath Of Kosh
|
|
Date: 96-05-07 04:49:30 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Kosh fought and fought hard. And he did not go down easily...and one might
|
|
say that yes, he did not go down alone...but not entirely in the way you're
|
|
thinking.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:To JMS: Possible Triangle
|
|
Date: 96-05-07 23:35:31 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Well, remember that we never defined what those feelings were between
|
|
Sinclair and Delenn; she had a great deal of respect and admiration for him,
|
|
yes. And she had a fair measure of faith in him as well. Question is,
|
|
what's the root of that? We'll learn some of that in the two-parter. As for
|
|
Sinclair, he was mainly involved with Sakai.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:slap heard 'round univers
|
|
Date: 96-05-08 03:20:30 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
I think the contact would've been too fleeting, and too much a shock (and it
|
|
likely hurt like the dickens) that by the time he knew it was there, it was
|
|
too late, and she would've sensed it in either event.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Repost Worldsinger questi
|
|
Date: 96-05-09 01:45:53 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Huh, I must've missed that in my copy of SF Universe; didn't see it. That's
|
|
good to hear. No, that's the only issue of the Trek comic that I ever wrote,
|
|
mainly out of curiosity and because I like the original characters a lot. It
|
|
was fun.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:To JMS: Possible Triangle
|
|
Date: 96-05-09 01:47:39 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Yes, the voice you heard OS was Delenn; I kept her OS to avoid tipping the
|
|
plan for her eventual change to more human physical qualities.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:JMS: Having fun?
|
|
Date: 96-05-09 01:48:16 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
"Are you having fun? Or has it all become a demon that must be fed?"
|
|
|
|
Yes.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Some Questions
|
|
Date: 96-05-09 01:49:43 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
1. How far will Delenn and sheridans relationship go?
|
|
|
|
You'll find out in the two parter, to a large extent.
|
|
|
|
2. Why are the shadows attacking everyone?
|
|
|
|
Good question. We'll get that by season's end.
|
|
|
|
3. Is B4 going to become a big part of the storyline?
|
|
|
|
In a sense.
|
|
|
|
4. Do the vorlons have a large amount of ships?
|
|
|
|
Depends on your perspective.
|
|
|
|
5. Is B5 going to be renewed?
|
|
|
|
We remain cautiously optimistic.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:JMS: Delenn/G'Kar in Tea
|
|
Date: 96-05-11 05:11:59 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
In most cases, if it's a critical scene, I make it a point to be there to
|
|
make sure it's correct. If, however, it's a very emotional scene, I tend to
|
|
stay away, and let the actor find the emotional core of the scene without
|
|
seeing me lurking in the BG.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Curious About Writing
|
|
Date: 96-05-11 05:13:49 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
No scripts are in hand for next season, in any form; this is always the case
|
|
each year as we wrap production. We wait for WB to renew the show, then
|
|
provide a script order. Once we have the script order in hand, scripts get
|
|
going. If it's a freelance script, going from first meeting through 2 drafts
|
|
of the outline, 2 drafts of the script, it takes about a month, plus the time
|
|
I spend revising it; if I write it myself, it's a lot less time, because I
|
|
know the show more than any freelancer can be reasonably expected to.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:I&E Spoiler Q's
|
|
Date: 96-05-11 05:14:49 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
I think Kosh realized that some things have to be, and that as we've said
|
|
from the start, there is always a price to pay.
|
|
|
|
As for writing letters, copying WB as well as the local station is always a
|
|
good idea.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Some Questions
|
|
Date: 96-05-11 05:15:33 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
No plans for Takashima; the highest rating is a P12; and the Vorlons still
|
|
have their part to play.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Rangers obsolete?
|
|
Date: 96-05-11 05:16:11 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
The job of the Rangers takes on a different aspect now that stuff is in the
|
|
open, at least to some extent; you'll find it by season's end.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Ivanova's Emblem
|
|
Date: 96-05-11 05:17:18 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
It's certainly a return to more traditional Russian history; the Russian
|
|
Consortium is pretty much no longer socialist in any way, though it's still
|
|
vastly inefficient.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Keeping Track
|
|
Date: 96-05-12 04:12:19 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Freelance writers know stuff on a need-to-know basis. Yes, there's a general
|
|
outline for the whole series, but as a rule, I just kinda keep it all in my
|
|
head...a dark and scary place that nobody'd ever enter anyway.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:JMS: About Franklin . .
|
|
Date: 96-05-12 04:13:09 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Franklin would be off the council for a while; he has to go and figure his
|
|
life out first.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: On Questions, from jms
|
|
Date: 96-05-12 04:19:52 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
If I can make a suggestion....
|
|
|
|
Please try to avoid packing a message with 5, 7 or 10 questions or more; the
|
|
odds are that I won't be able to answer all of them, or even most of them.
|
|
The problem with the AOL interface is that if I use the Read New command,
|
|
once it pops up, if I log off the point where I came in is lost. If I take a
|
|
long time to answer 7 questions in one message, the odds are good that I'll
|
|
either get bumped or have to go do B5 stuff and won't get to the other
|
|
messages/questions, and it's hard to backtrack afterward. It's also a bit
|
|
more than I find manageable, given that when you combine all the services I'm
|
|
on, about 500 messages per day flit in front of my corneas.
|
|
|
|
So if we could keep the questions down to just a couple per message, it'd
|
|
help me a lot.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Questions
|
|
Date: 96-05-12 23:43:26 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
I've never operated from any other perspective other than that we will finish
|
|
this story.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Questions
|
|
Date: 96-05-12 23:44:08 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
We might run into the technomages again, yes....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:JMS: A few more questions
|
|
Date: 96-05-12 23:44:51 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
The vorlons will become more active, but in a curious way...and there are
|
|
some more White Star class ships, yes....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:JMS: Contingency plan
|
|
Date: 96-05-12 23:45:22 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
See my note two messages up.
|
|
|
|
And yes, all filming for this season is done.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Lyta
|
|
Date: 96-05-12 23:45:51 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Lyta was off-station running an errand for Kosh.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:A three-edge sword
|
|
Date: 96-05-12 23:46:19 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
The three edges: your side, my side, and the truth in between.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Question and other Stuff
|
|
Date: 96-05-12 23:46:55 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
No, Centauri women are bald by choice, to show their disdain for the
|
|
showiness of the males.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:A Tell JMS mess.
|
|
Date: 96-05-12 23:47:36 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Thanks...it's an obsession, and the encouragement helps.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Kudos and Question
|
|
Date: 96-05-12 23:48:32 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Humor is where we find it.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:one of...
|
|
Date: 96-05-13 03:54:16 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
{Are the Shadow Ships more sensitive to pain than the Vorlon
|
|
ships?}
|
|
|
|
I suppose you could say they are, yes....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:JMS: Re; Interludes
|
|
Date: 96-05-14 03:49:32 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
You'll see the new Vorlon within the first few new episodes, whenever they
|
|
air.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Advancing the relationshi
|
|
Date: 96-05-14 03:50:43 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
I think they're still testing how they feel toward one another; if theydon'
|
|
feel what they think they might feel, it's all a moot point and not
|
|
worth
|
|
their pursuit; if indeed there's something there, they have to decide that,
|
|
then look at the other aspects.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:I&E ?- ATTN JMS
|
|
Date: 96-05-14 03:51:51 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
I never said we'd see Lyta in I&E, so I can't answer that. As for how this
|
|
affects her relationship with the new ambassador...isn't it better to see it
|
|
than have me just answer it?
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:SERIOUS Delenn problems!!
|
|
Date: 96-05-14 03:52:36 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Delenn's been holding back. More than she should. There will be a price.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Warners & Paramount
|
|
Date: 96-05-14 03:53:10 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
You would sooner get a mongoose and a python setting up house together in a
|
|
cottage by the sea.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Interludes...
|
|
Date: 96-05-15 03:09:44 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
When they shot the scene itself...no, not a lot of emotion in the Kosh
|
|
sequence in his quarters, because it was all very technical, bits and pieces.
|
|
But in the hallway scene with Sheridan, and the later scene with Delenn and
|
|
the others...yes, very much so.
|
|
|
|
It was *extremely* difficult to write. As a writer, the only way to evoke a
|
|
feeling in your audience is to feel it yourself and communicate that honestly
|
|
in the text. It was just awful.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:delenn's clothes
|
|
Date: 96-05-15 03:11:20 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
There hasn't been much occasion to drag out the little black number in a
|
|
while. But yes, she has new clothes along the way...the green dress she
|
|
wears in "War" for instance, and over the course of seasons, she's gotten new
|
|
clothes quite often, moreso than just about anyone else, really.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Everything
|
|
Date: 96-05-15 03:13:24 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
There will be models...in the fullness of time.
|
|
|
|
As to sitting back and looking at the show...right now, I'm still way too
|
|
close to it to do that. When I look at any of the episodes, all I see are
|
|
the flaws. The things that could've been better. Stuff nobody else notices,
|
|
but I know it's there. In time, I'll be able to look at them objectively,
|
|
but not this soon.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Direct Marketing Concern
|
|
Date: 96-05-15 03:15:12 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
I already answered your question posted here in email. To repeat what I said
|
|
then....
|
|
|
|
The fan club will be selling only a very few items, most of it designated as
|
|
fan club stuff (i.e., "Babylon 5 Fan Club" t-shirts or posters), on a limited
|
|
scale. It won't be producing nearly enough to cause even a blip in the
|
|
direct marketplace arena.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Wordsmith-WWE-I
|
|
Date: 96-05-15 03:17:43 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Actually, both those questions are answered in the next installment, so I'll
|
|
let that answer for me.
|
|
|
|
Yeah, I lov language, the way it can snake around behind you and turn into
|
|
something else when you're not looking. The alchemy of metaphor and the
|
|
well-chosen allusion. Banging words together is half the fun.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:ATTN: JMS -- Hootch?
|
|
Date: 96-05-16 03:06:14 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
It takes a lot of alcohol to have an effect on them...but they enjoy it when
|
|
they do. Meanwhile, in moderate amounts, it just makes them happy.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Old shows
|
|
Date: 96-05-16 03:06:40 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Tapes will eventually be available. No reruns of first season for now.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:JMS: parents and children
|
|
Date: 96-05-16 03:07:11 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
"where are all the moms?"
|
|
|
|
Good note, and good catch. I'll have to get into this more.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Dr.Who- Opinions JMS?
|
|
Date: 96-05-16 03:08:31 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
I rather enjoyed it; some of the story needed a bit of work, and the woman
|
|
doctor was annoying at times, but I think they got a *great* actor for the
|
|
doctor, and pilots are always uneven. I hope they go forward; I'll watch.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Great war
|
|
Date: 96-05-16 03:09:09 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Yes, the shadow war was never meant to consume the entire emphasis of the
|
|
show.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Second B5 CD
|
|
Date: 96-05-17 03:59:00 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
I've heard, on tape, the first 15 minutes of the new CD, and it's great.
|
|
Figure about July or so, to give Chris time to get it down just the way he
|
|
wants it.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Small critique of WWE par
|
|
Date: 96-05-17 04:00:01 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Yep, it was misspelled, and it wasn't misspelled in the script. When I saw
|
|
that on the final tape, it was too late to correct it for this airing. It'll
|
|
be corrected later. (Somebody wasn't being careful when they did the
|
|
captioning.)
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:WWE spoiler question
|
|
Date: 96-05-18 04:20:40 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
I'd rather let part 2 get into what exactly happened to Centauri Prime....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:JMS: Ivanova and The 3rd
|
|
Date: 96-05-18 04:21:45 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
{What happened to the "Third age of Mankind" in the opening narration?
|
|
Is its lack of any importance?}
|
|
|
|
No, that'll likely show up again in year four....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:the Whamy Kiss
|
|
Date: 96-05-18 04:22:35 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
There's always hope...as you'll see in part two.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:A Question...
|
|
Date: 96-05-18 04:23:21 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Usually you only get the main war council and the support staff who monitor
|
|
the progress of the war; the ambassadors were called in on Sheridan's hunch
|
|
that now the vorlons would get involved.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Over the top?
|
|
Date: 96-05-18 04:25:21 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
No, I don't laugh about it...it's always an interesting, sometimes
|
|
fascinating process. If there were any consistent error I've seen, it's the
|
|
tendency to focus on the little tiny things, and thus miss the big things
|
|
I've just wheeled onto the stage in full view. If you're going to do this
|
|
show right, you have to play fair; so the person standing way in the
|
|
background of a scene, just passing by, an extra, isn't likely to be very
|
|
important, for instance...but people seem to leap after that one. I
|
|
sometimes get cute in my foreshadowing, but I try not to be obscure.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Mira on SciFi Buzz
|
|
Date: 96-05-18 04:25:52 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
The clip they showed was from "Grey 17 Is Missing."
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Two Questions
|
|
Date: 96-05-19 04:19:14 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
"1. In the unthinkable, will you wrap up the storyline this season, or is
|
|
that too late?"
|
|
|
|
After the conclusion of this season, there are basically 3 major movements
|
|
remaining in the symphony (for lack of a better description). They fit
|
|
comfortably in 2 seasons, leaving room to do the usual routine of starting
|
|
each season with 4-5 standalones, and layering in other standalones along the
|
|
way, some non-arc personal stories, and so on.
|
|
|
|
If they came to me, put a gun to my head and said, "Okay, year four is it,
|
|
wrap it up," yes, it could be done. You just yank out the standalones and
|
|
interstitial stuff I put between major movements, and shove the three pieces
|
|
together. It's not what I'd *prefer*, obviously, but it could be done.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Real JMS please stand up?
|
|
Date: 96-05-19 04:21:20 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
"Sitting here reading the spoilers, questions, comments and answers with my
|
|
husband. He doesn't believe its you answering these comments. I, on the
|
|
other hand, never thought about it."
|
|
|
|
If the message has my initials on it, assuming it's not an imposter like the
|
|
jerk who wandered into an IRC the other day...it's me, and ONLY me. You'll
|
|
note the writing style is always the same in every message, and elsewhere.
|
|
I'd never entrust this to an assistant or anything similar, because I'd get
|
|
the rap if something incorrect were said..and nobody else knows the show as I
|
|
do.
|
|
|
|
It's me.
|
|
|
|
Whether that's good or bad remains to be seen.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re: Just another compliment:
|
|
Date: 96-05-19 04:24:47 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
"One would find it hard to believe that episodes like "Severed Dreams",
|
|
"I&E","A Late Delvery From Avalon" and of course, WWE could be written by the
|
|
same guy. The pace, dialog, everything are adapted so well for each
|
|
episode."
|
|
|
|
Suddenly I'm having an identity crisis....
|
|
|
|
I like to try different styles for different moods. I also like to vary the
|
|
tone of the show; one will be more comedic, as with Sic Transit Vir, others
|
|
much darker, like Ship of Tears. I enjoy trying new things, risking a bit,
|
|
failing on occasion, but learning in the process.
|
|
|
|
"You previsouly said that after B5 you would get "back" to writing. What in
|
|
Gods name are you doing now? If this isn't writing, I sure as heck don't now
|
|
what is."
|
|
|
|
Actually, the theory would be to get back into writing novels and plays,
|
|
assuming B5 runs its full course.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Blown Away by WWEI
|
|
Date: 96-05-19 04:25:33 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Thanks...I think you'll approve of part 2 as well.
|
|
|
|
Thanks again.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Renewed?
|
|
Date: 96-05-19 04:26:27 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
We should get word on renewal in a couple weeks, give or take.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:foreshadowing
|
|
Date: 96-05-20 04:49:53 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Some folks catch double-meanings when they're there...some don't...some find
|
|
double meanings when they're *not* there. Art is a participatory sport.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:1 big question
|
|
Date: 96-05-20 04:50:22 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Vorlon/Shadow tech is more or less at the same level; the Vorlons had the
|
|
benefit of surprise.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Offhand lines...
|
|
Date: 96-05-20 04:52:02 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
"In WWE(1)I noticed a larger than usual group of offhand lines (ethel
|
|
&.../wait in car.../cool-you know what I'm talking about). Was this
|
|
scripted? Or was someone just ad libbing?"
|
|
|
|
There's almost NO ad-libbing allowed on the show. You can't change a word
|
|
unless someone comes to my office and approves it, and it can't change the
|
|
meaning. (I.e., the actor is having a hard time saying "shibboleth" or
|
|
something.) Everything said in this show is scripted, offhand comments
|
|
included.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:WWE/I
|
|
Date: 96-05-20 04:52:32 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Incidental voices of just a line or two, for a one-time or so character,
|
|
don't often get credited under SAG rules.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:"Are You Alright?"
|
|
Date: 96-05-20 04:53:02 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
It's a lot of different things, including what's coming in part two.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:The Second Letter
|
|
Date: 96-05-20 04:53:27 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Wait and see.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:B-5 fan Club
|
|
Date: 96-05-20 04:54:42 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Stuff will start going out soon. For one thing, we're getting a crush of
|
|
memberships, and rather than keep sending out dribs and drabs, we're trying
|
|
to do stuff all at once to make it simpler for mailing, copying, printing and
|
|
the like. The first newsletter is finished, and should be going out shortly,
|
|
and the poster is being somewhat redesigned 'cause I wasn't quite happy with
|
|
what we had, it could be improved, and that's what we're doing.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Congratulations from the
|
|
Date: 96-05-20 04:56:00 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Thanks, I appreciate that....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:To JMS - telepaths abound
|
|
Date: 96-05-20 04:57:17 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
This question will be dealt with by the season's end.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:WWE-1
|
|
Date: 96-05-20 04:58:01 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
I've begun to point to the question of "why," and thus having pointed to it,
|
|
intend to answer it, by season's end.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Oh, Lucy, I'm Home....
|
|
Date: 96-05-20 04:58:17 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Justine: thanks....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Speaking of pawns...
|
|
Date: 96-05-20 19:25:07 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
The shadows looked for Morden's opinion; he's an advisor, in a sense, on
|
|
lower-species politics.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:JMS: The Scar?
|
|
Date: 96-05-20 19:25:54 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
He got the scar while doing his training of rangers on Minbar.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:suggestion for plugging B
|
|
Date: 96-05-26 01:14:23 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
We've contacted Howard's people, who say that because he likes the show so
|
|
much, he doesn't want the folks to do his show because he'd have to rag on
|
|
them by virtue of the nature of the show, and doesn't really want to do that.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:to JMS
|
|
Date: 96-05-26 01:15:03 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
You'll be hearing more about the resistance a bit down the road. And thanks.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Thanks and a Question..
|
|
Date: 96-05-26 01:17:18 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
"Would YOU categorize Babylon 5 as a Science Fiction show, or a Drama? I
|
|
know that it is set in a Science Fiction setting, but the storylines and such
|
|
are really, I think, in the Drama category. What do you think?"
|
|
|
|
I have no problem calling it a science fiction, or SF (which also includes
|
|
speculative fiction) show. I know a number of writers in TV who hate the
|
|
term, deny that what they're doing is SF, but I'm proud that it's SF, and
|
|
would definitely classify it as such.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Seasons episodes
|
|
Date: 96-05-26 01:18:03 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Re: the cliffhanger season 3 ending...I'd rather air it in Summer also...but
|
|
the choice ain't mine.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:JMS: Metamorphosis device
|
|
Date: 96-05-26 01:20:15 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
The chrysalis device originally came from Epsilon 3 with the other equipment;
|
|
this should've been showcased more visually, but there was so much going
|
|
on...
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Three questions
|
|
Date: 96-05-26 01:21:34 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Claudia wears one earring to remember her real brother, and Ivanova's
|
|
brother, who passed away.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re: Praise for JMS.
|
|
Date: 96-05-26 01:22:44 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Thanks, we try.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Who was that?
|
|
Date: 96-05-30 04:07:30 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
You'll have to wait and see who entered the room.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:A Few
|
|
Date: 96-05-30 04:07:53 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
The Vorlons were called in after B4 arrived.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
Subj: Re:WWE writing
|
|
Date: 96-05-30 04:09:02 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Thanks. Actually, I keep hearing about B5 screenings becoming social events
|
|
on an ever more regular basis. Sometimes to "convert," sometimes to catch
|
|
'em off satellite, or just watch them on a big screen. I think it's great.
|
|
|
|
Thanks again.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:G'kar of future
|
|
Date: 96-05-30 04:09:58 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Yes, one of his eyes had been plucked out some time before.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:JMS: wwe I & II
|
|
Date: 96-05-30 04:10:41 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Barb: thanks, and thanks for working with your local station.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Flashforward
|
|
Date: 96-05-30 04:11:24 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
It'd be hard to work in what everybody else saw in an episode down the
|
|
road...that becomes difficult from a story perspective. "By the way, y'know,
|
|
when we were on B4, I saw the darndest thing..."
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:JMS: Writing for Babylon
|
|
Date: 96-05-30 04:12:10 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Thanks. We don't take any kind of story ideas, or spec scripts, however.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:ATTN JMS: Please Read...
|
|
Date: 96-05-30 04:14:28 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Thanks, and I remain happy to be here.
|
|
|
|
On the writing and the scenes you cite...a story, *any* story, should be
|
|
designed not just to take you through the mechanics of a plot, but to make
|
|
you *feel* something. Those, for me, are the elements I look for when I
|
|
watch something, and when I write something. If I'm not on the verge or
|
|
tears in writing Kosh's fate, you won't be that way watching it.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Remote Control
|
|
Date: 96-05-30 04:16:07 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
That's an absolutely *wonderful* story! Thank you for passing it along.
|
|
|
|
But tell your co-worker to always duck *first*.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:Cousin Brucie!
|
|
Date: 96-05-30 04:16:37 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Yep, that was Cousin Brucie.
|
|
|
|
And Melissa appears later this season.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:JMS-A Great Story!
|
|
Date: 96-05-30 04:18:14 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
Thanks (actually, to you and those in-between who posted such nice comments;
|
|
they're much appreciated).
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re: Writing
|
|
Date: 96-05-30 04:19:26 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
All I can say is that I have always approached the writing with the
|
|
assumption we can finish the story.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subj: Re:JMS is bad,and I'll tell
|
|
Date: 96-05-29 03:47:39 EDT
|
|
From: Jms at B5
|
|
|
|
The delay in episodes until October ain't my idea....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|