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1571 lines
61 KiB
1571 lines
61 KiB
The following postings from JMS (and occasionally others) are from the
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CompuServe information service. They're collected by Michele Worley,
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michele_l_worley@yahoo.com.
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-----------------------------------
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Objects would fall at 1/3 normal speed in C&C. What's the
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zero-G docking area for?
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-----------------------------------
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BABYLON 5: EYES---ORDERS
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FROM: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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RESPONSE TO: ROBERT MILLER
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Re: objects falling at one-third their normal speed...again
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I don't think this is correct. A six pound mallet will weigh
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two pounds, and drop just as fast as a two-pound object in 1G.
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And as I recall, Gallileo dropped a wooden ball and a metal
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ball of vastly divergent weights and they both hit the ground
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from a great height at the same time. (Gallileo? Da Vinci?
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Why can't I ever remember these things? I mean, five years
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of college and when I go to hook up a car battery for jumpers
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I can never remember if it's positive to positive and negative
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to negative or negative to positive and positive to negative....)
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Main goods unloaded go into the zero-g cargo bay area,
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which is above the station.
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jms
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---------------------------------------
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Part of an argument RE the gravity in C&C. Lots of
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people trying to give JMS a Physics I tutorial.
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---------------------------------------
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BABYLON 5: EYES---ORDERS
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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But you really can't compare this to the moon experiments,
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because there you're dealing with one-sixth gravity, which is
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much more noticeable.
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jms
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----------------------------
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Several people tried to correct JMS' intuition re gravity.
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----------------------------
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BABYLON 5: EYES---ORDERS
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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The gravity in C&C is 1/3rd G, which makes a 200 pound
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person about 66 pounds...and you're not really going to see
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any real difference; 66 pounds is a good sized child, and
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you don't generally see children floating from step to step.
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The central docking area is part of the whole station
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section that rotates, so it rotates as well. Docking is no
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more difficult than anything else, because in space *everything*
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is in motion, there's no such thing, really, as a stationary
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object. Even the Lunar lander was capable of docking with a
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mothership above the Moon in the 70s; we should be no less
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capable of this in 250 years.
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jms
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------------------------------------
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Note: The 'he' in the next post is Garibaldi. JMS posted
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this just before B^2 initially aired.
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------------------------------------
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BABYLON 5: <IVANOVA: "DAMN...">
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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Of course he doesn't fit into the stereotype of an
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atheist, because the stereotype is *wrong*.
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And he is definitely an atheist.
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As for the rest...I agree regarding his cynicism and
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irreverence. He has a tendency to say the unlikeliest
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thing at the most inappropriate moment (as you'll see
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next week).
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jms
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BABYLON 5: <IVANOVA: "DAMN...">
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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"How exactly did you create so many absorbing characters?"
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In a way, I kinda took a shortcut...the kind of shortcut
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that helps you make the characters more real. I basically
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peeled off aspects of my own background and divided it up among
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the characters.
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I have an Eastern European background; that brings with it
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a certain amount of pessimism, a somewhat sardonic humor, and a
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view of life that is somewhere between resignation and
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astonishment, and gave that to Ivanova.
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I was raised Catholic (though it wore off, I'm happy to
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report), so I gave some of that to Sinclair, escalating it to
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Jesuit training; gave him some of my fascination with history
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and religion and philosophy. I've also lost a lot of people
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over the years, and gave him some of the sadness that comes
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with that.
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One of the things that has constantly gotten me in deep
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trouble is that I'm basically a smartass; I always mouth off
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at *exactly* the wrong moment. So this went right to Garibaldi,
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along with my basic atheism.
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The alien ambassadors are less personally based, since
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there have to be some alien characteristics about them; a
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different culture that informs who and what they are. In
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those cases I kind of backtracked from what the species was,
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and tried to choose as typical a representative of that as I
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could.
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jms
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BABYLON 5: <IVANOVA: "DAMN...">
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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"Then explain Kosh."
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Okay...you got me.
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jms
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---------------------------------------------
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BABYLON 5: B5 RELIGION
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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Actually, you're distorting the issue to make your point.
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To say that the atheist position that there is no god is a
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belief because one must actively believe there is no god, and
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thus this is now a belief system...I'm sorry, but this just
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doesn't wash.
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If I say to you, "There are green penguins on the North
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Pole," it is incumbent upon me to prove that point, not for
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you to disprove it You can look forever, and not find one,
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and I can simply say, "Well, you didn't look in the right
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places." I said it, I must disprove it.
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If you don't buy the premise of green penguins in the
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North Pole, then are you an anti-green-penguinist? Is this
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now a belief system? If you take this to its logical
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conclusion, then there are zillions of belief systems based
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on non-belief in purple gazelles, Thor, talking goldfish and
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the chance of the Mets ever winning the Series...all you'd
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ever have time to do is not believe in something...all the time.
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The key to what you are doing is to redefine the language
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to your own purposes. But words mean what they mean, not what
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you want them to mean. A religious belief system is the belief
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in a supernatural force or gods, according to the dictionary.
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To say the contrary position is also a belief simply doesn't
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parse logically or linguistically.
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This is really the newest (oldest) trick of the
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fundamentalist aspect of the country...if religion must be kept
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separate from the state, then by golly we'll cobble up an excuse
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to define science as religion, atheism as religion/belief...when,
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in fact, it is nothing more than linguistic smoke and mirrors.
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The first rule of debate is to redefine the terms of the debate
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in such a way that it favors your position; that's what this
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amounts to, nothing more, nothing less.
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jms
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BABYLON 5: B5 RELIGION
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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"...it seems to me that your position is one
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of agnosticism. You do not believe in a God, but
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you are not ridiculing those who do."
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I think you are mistaking agnosticism for good manners.
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There is this theory propogated that all atheists are
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religion haters. Not true. I will protect the rights of a
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religionist with my dying breath, because with that freedom
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comes my own (though I sometimes wonder if the other side
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would return the favor).
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I am not an agnostic. I am an atheist. My job is to
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write people AS people, not try to reduce them to stereotypes
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to advance some personal agenda or belief system. If I would
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perform my job as a writer honorably and honestly, I cannot
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approach this sort of thing with a hateful approach. Religion
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is like the little girl, who when she was good she was very very
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good, but when she was bad she was horrid. To advance the one
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without the other reduces the story to propaganda. Peoples is
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peoples.
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jms
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BABYLON 5: B5 RELIGION
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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Sorry, your argument falls apart on the face of it.
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A negative CANNOT be proven for the reasons you cite. So
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it would be foolish to advance such a thing in the hopes
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of convincing others (which is why you don't generally see
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atheist missionaries).
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Look...let's say that I call you one day, and say, "Hey,
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Bob, lissen, I need another hand working on B5, and I think
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you've got the qualifications. Hop in your car, move all your
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belongings, and when you get here, we'll work out the details
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of hiring you."
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Wouldn't you want at least the minimal proof of a contract?
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Or a signed letter of intent? If you would want that much for
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something as transaitory as a job, it seems to me that one would
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wish for at least as much when deciding whether or not to accept
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a certain cosmological perspective.
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It's not up to you to prove you *don't* have an offer, it's
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up to me to prove that you *do* have an offer.
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Trying to argue a negative statement is the first sign that
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the person really doesn't have a clue, or is trying to make a
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false analogy (which is what you're doing, by trying to restate
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my position in those terms).
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jms
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--------------------------------------------
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BABYLON 5: CHRISTMAS ON B5
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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We have a New Year's celebration in one episode later
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this season, and at some point will probably show other
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stuff next year.
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jms
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---------------------------------------------
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Poster comments on seeing Michael Moore & Kevorkian singing
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the Hokey Pokey (paraphrase)
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---------------------------------------------
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BABYLON 5: HOKEY POKEY MEANING
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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Missed the first half of TV Nation, but caught that...loved it.
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I see a great duet with Londo coming.
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(TV Nation...best show on TV...well, second best....)
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jms
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----------------------------------
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BABYLON 5: MINBARI WAR CRUISER
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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No, B5 is closer to 2.5 miles in diameter, not 1 mile.
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The thing is roughly 5 miles long, after all.
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jms
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-------------------------------
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BABYLON 5: MORE CONGRATS
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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It's generally acknowledged that ST:TNG got the Emmy
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nomination for Best Seris this year for the reasons you
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cite: it was their last year, and they had to do *something*.
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The sadness in this is not that they got the nomination and
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didn't deserve it, they probably did...the truth is that they
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probably deserved it *some time ago*...have probably deserved
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it for a long time now.
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But finally one SF series has cracked that particular nut,
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even if it took seven years to do it, so my hope is that perhaps
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we might get the nod at some point before our 5 years are up.
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Still, with the bias against SF within the Academy, who can tell?
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jms
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----------------------------
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BABYLON 5: O'HARE DEPARTURE
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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...sigh...it's not that Michael wanted to leave the show
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per se. Again, we came to HIM, it wasn't the other way around.
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With this as an option, there was now the opportunity for him
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to pursue a number of other possibilities, stage and TV, while
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his character was "away" for a bit.
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jms
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----------------
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BABYLON 5: <A VOICE...QUESTION>
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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Telepaths are found in equal number in both places.
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jms
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----------------
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BABYLON 5: WHAT IS MINBARI GOV'T?
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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It's the Minbari Federation and the Vorlon Empire.
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Though those are the best translations we have of their
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statements. What the Vorlon government *really* is, and
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how it's structured, is still quite unknown, since while
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Kosh has come to B5, no human has *yet* been allowed into
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Vorlon space, insofar as we know at this time.
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jms
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-------------
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BABYLON 5: B5 CAST ANNOUNCEMENT!
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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TO: ALL
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**** Announcement ****
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Since this has just been released by PTEN, and will be
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on the news wires shortly (and is probably already there),
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I can now announce this here.
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The new Commanding Officer for Babylon 5 is Captain John
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Sheridan, former captain of the Earthforce military starship
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Agamemmnon. It was Sheridan who won what is arguably Earth's
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only real victory during the Earth/Minbari War, destroying the
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Minbari war cruiser Black Star and several accompanying
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vessels. He has been appointed to Babylon 5 over the strenuous
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objections of the Minbari Government, by the president's
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insistence that Babylon 5 has had too much influence from the
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Minbari and must begin to pull back and consider Earth's
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interests; Sheridan is a symbol of that desire because of his
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record, which is the reason for his assignment.
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Captain Sheridan will be portrayed by the well-regarded
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actor Bruce Boxleitner, known to many as the series lead in
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"Scarecrow And Mrs. King." He has also starred in numerous
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TV movies, miniseries and feature films. He is also a solid
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SF fan (media *and* print), and is very excited about coming
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onto the Babylon 5 team. We're equally excited to have him.
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(Those here who've heard rumors about this building, and
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were kind enough to refrain from repeating them here at my
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request, can now speak, and I thank you again for your
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Cooperation.)
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jms
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--------------------------------------
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QUESTION: <figuring PTEN dropped O'Hare for a more romantic
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lead a la J T Kirk, doesn't care for the idea> (paraphrase)
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--------------------------------------
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BABYLON 5: B5 CAST ANNOUNCEMENT!
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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Basically, what you're doing is prejudging Boxleitner
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because he's reasonably good looking and has played a
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leading man. He's also played some very nasty parts as well.
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Of all those who we considered, he was the one best suited
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for the role that has been created.
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I suggest you give him a chance...I think you'll like
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what you see.
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jms
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BABYLON 5: B5 CAST ANNOUNCEMENT
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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Garibaldi's named after the famous Italian military hero.
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jms
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------------------------------------------
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QUESTION: Have any of the current B5 personel ever served
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with Sheridan before? (paraphrase)
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------------------------------------------
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BABYLON 5: B5 CAST ANNOUNCEMENT!
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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Only Ivanova has served with him before; Garibaldi
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doesn't know him from Adam, and this will lead to some
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awkwardness and questions of trust down the road.
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jms
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--------------------
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QUESTION: How does Sheridan regard the Minbari? (paraphrase)
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--------------------
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BABYLON 5: B5 CAST ANNOUNCEMENT!
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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Sheridan is a soldier. A soldier is told, in wartime,
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THIS is your enemy. You kill the enemy or your enemy kills
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you. Afterward, you're in the same position American soldiers
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were in after the end of WW II when it came time to reconcile
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with the Germans and the Japanese. It can sometimes be very
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awkward...and sometimes reconciliation takes a while.
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jms
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-------------------------------
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COMMENT: re Sheridan --- this ought to provide serious
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tension on board B5... (paraphrase, likes casting choice)
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-------------------------------
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BABYLON 5: B5 CAST ANNOUNCEMENT!
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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Thanks, I think Bruce is a great addition.
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And you're right about the situation providing some
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tension and story line possibilities; it ties into where
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the story is going, and ups the ante on several emotional
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levels, some personal (Garibaldi), some diplomatic (the
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Minbari don't much like him).
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jms
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------------------------------------
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QUESTION: Why call Ivanova Lt Cmdr instead of Cmdr? And do
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you go by Joe, Michael, Mike or JMS? (paraphrase)
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------------------------------------
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BABYLON 5: B5 CAST ANNOUNCEMENT!
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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The main reason for the Lt. Cmdr. distinction in most
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circumstances is because otherwise you've got two Commanders
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on deck, and it helps to keep distinct which you're addressing.
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But we have some different ideas in mind for year two.
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And it's Joe.
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jms
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------------------------------
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The Ben Zayn quote JMS refers to below is from Eyes.
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------------------------------
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BABYLON 5: B5 CAST ANNOUNCEMENT!
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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Sinclair (according to the stats given in "Sky") was
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squad leader in the Battle of the Line, which would be
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roughly equivilent to Lieutenant in rank. I don't believe
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that Ben Zayn said "Go ahead, Captain;" I'm fairly sure he
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said "Go ahead, Sinclair."
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jms
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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No, as I understand it, the rank goes (in descending
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order) Captain, Commander, Lt. Commander.
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jms
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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How we're handling Sinclair's relocation...is something
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I'd prefer to have shown in the episode, rather than talk
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about it and diminish any impact. Will he return? We've
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already filmed one scene with him that'll show up later in
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The second season, so I'd say this is a real possibility.
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jms
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----------------
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BABYLON 5: HYPERION HVY CRUISER
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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Actuallly, the Hyperion is one of the few surviving
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heavy cruisers from the Earth/Minbari War period; after
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we lost a LOT of our ships, there were some new ones
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commissioned, which we haven't seen yet, which are far
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cooler than even the Hyperion (though we'll see them next
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season).
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jms
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-----------------
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BABYLON 5: NEW B5 NOVEL #770906
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FROM: JOHN VORNHOLT
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TO: ALL
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DATE: SAT, JULY 23, 1994 1:45:28 PM
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Check this out! I've just gotten approval to write a
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Babylon 5 novel. It's untitled, but the cover will
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feature Talia Winters, Garibaldi, and either Bester or
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Kosh. The book will also feature Psi Cop Grey, the new
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commander, and jaunts to Earth and Mars.
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The publisher is Dell, and we're all trying to get the
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book out this year. The ball is in my court, if you know
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what I mean. Joe's notes on my outline were extremely
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helpful and on-target. I know many of you have questions,
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but I have a short deadline and won't be able to spend
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much time on-line. (I don't really spend much time here,
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anyway.) Rest assured, I will be back to remind you when
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the book is coming out. <g>
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Yowza!
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John
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------
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BABYLON 5: BABYLON 5 (#785357)
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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DATE: MON, AUG 8, 1994, 1:00:14 AM
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What does a casting decision have to do with changing the
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story of a show you find "so far cerebral and provoking?"
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You note Boxleitner as "some pretty boy space cowboy,"
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which may (or may not) describe some of the roles he may have
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played, but a) he's played other kinds of roles, and b) that
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isn't the kind of role that he's going to be playing on B5.
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What you are doing, really, is discriminating against someone
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because he may look good. Bear in mind that many women comment
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on the notion that Sinclair was attractive. So if you're
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swapping attractive for attractive, I don't see the difference.
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"Give the braindead what they want." To which braindead
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do you refer here? Because it was, fundamentally, my
|
|
decision -- based on the story and what was going on for year
|
|
two -- to bring this notion to Michael O'Hare, who supported it.
|
|
|
|
I understand that you like the show, and I appreciate that;
|
|
what I'm trying to do is to get you out of speaking in cliches
|
|
that have nothing whatsoever to do with the situation.
|
|
|
|
The story is the story is the story. That isn't changing.
|
|
Nor is Sinclair gone forever. We have, as I've repeatedly noted,
|
|
already filmed one lengthy sequence with the character to show up
|
|
later this season. The changeover in command of the Babylon 5
|
|
station will broaden out the story and let us do more stuff.
|
|
And the stories for next season that we have on hand now are even
|
|
more ambitious, and more complex, than those seen this season.
|
|
Our second episode, "Revelations," is easily on a par with
|
|
"Chrysalis," our big cliffhanger for year one.
|
|
|
|
Science Fiction is, in part, about approaching the future
|
|
with an open mind. (And Boxleitner, btw, is a *major* SF fan,
|
|
not just of the media stuff, but the novels as well, and is a
|
|
voluminous reader.) Some of the people most upset over Sinclair
|
|
leaving are the same ones who first said to throw him overboard
|
|
based on the pilot. "Give him a chance," I said, "he'll grow on
|
|
you." He did. Now you and a few others are throwing Bruce
|
|
overboard based on your perception of his prior work. To which
|
|
I say again, "Give him a chance, he'll grow on you."
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
BABYLON 5: BABYLON 5 #786276
|
|
FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
|
|
DATE: TUES AUG 9, 1994 2:06:11 AM
|
|
|
|
Yes, in several of my conversations with Bruce (who's
|
|
also a big fan of airplanes, and has flown in just about
|
|
everything), he indicated that he had seen the show, and
|
|
enjoyed the show, prior to our contacting him. (In fact,
|
|
his kids are *major* fans of the show, and felt very strongly
|
|
that he should take the part.)
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
BABYLON 5: BABYLON 5 #786273
|
|
FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
|
|
DATE: TUES AUG 9, 1994 2:06:00 AM
|
|
|
|
Next season's last episode will not be a cliffhanger
|
|
per se, but will, like "Chrysalis," just escalate the hell
|
|
out of the show.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
---------------------------------------
|
|
Why don't we see more of the Garden area, since it's supposed
|
|
to be so huge? What's there, anyway? Crops, parkland, places
|
|
for the Lurkers to camp out?
|
|
---------------------------------------
|
|
BABYLON 5: B5 INTERIOR (#785275)
|
|
FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
|
|
DATE: SUN, AUG 7, 1994 11:29:29 PM
|
|
|
|
On the one hand...we have more interior sets than any other
|
|
series that I know of; 18 standing sets and 42 swing sets. And
|
|
we're building a number of other sets for next year, including
|
|
an Officer's Club. In addition to C&C, we've seen various holding
|
|
cells, numerous quarters, a conference room, Sinclair's briefing
|
|
room, the Council Chambers, the business room, two separate
|
|
restaurants, the Zocalo, the Dark Star Club, the Casino, the Happy
|
|
Daze Bar, Doug's Dugout Sports Bar, the Ombuds Courtroom, various
|
|
DownBelow sectors...we've shown a *lot*.
|
|
|
|
Re: the crops/parkland...no, there are no settlements there.
|
|
You don't waste precious land needed for farming and oxygen
|
|
reclamation and hydroponic gardens to throw up a shack or house.
|
|
Those who work in the central Garden area live in standard B5
|
|
quarters. There are some recreational areas, a hedge maze (as
|
|
you'll see later this season), and we're adjusting some of our sets
|
|
to reveal more of the garden area. No one "camps out" on the
|
|
surface; if they try, they're destroying precious crops, and are
|
|
arrested.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
PARAPHRASED: In VitW, poster impressed by Londo.
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
BABYLON 5: LONDO, GUARDIAN? (#785463)
|
|
FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
|
|
DATE: MON, AUG 8, 1994, 3:29:23 AM
|
|
|
|
Thanks.
|
|
|
|
There's a LOT more to Londo than meets the eye.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
-----------------
|
|
BABYLON 5: RANKS IN B5 (#785277)
|
|
FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
|
|
DATE: SUN, AUG 7, 1994, 11:29:02 PM
|
|
|
|
A captain (as in the two-parter) is not subordinate to
|
|
Sinclair, but B5 is Sinclair's command, and the captain must
|
|
defer while on that base of command (as Sinclair must defer
|
|
to Major Krantz in another episode where he is on that person's
|
|
station). Overall, the ranks have been fairly consistent,
|
|
insofar as I can tell.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
BABYLON 5: B5 CAST ANNOUNCEMENT! #785276
|
|
FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
|
|
DATE: SUN, AUG 7, 1994, 11:29:31 PM
|
|
|
|
We hadn't finished negotiating with Bruce,
|
|
and I was concerned that anything resembling an
|
|
official announcement or comment from me might
|
|
mess that process up.
|
|
|
|
Showed "The Quality of Mercy" and "Babylon
|
|
Squared," which airs this week.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
----------------------------------------------
|
|
Assumptions: (1) Sinclair is still with the show as a
|
|
recurring guest-star who returns as necessary to the story.
|
|
(2) Story line development, not fan requests, brought this
|
|
about.
|
|
----------------------------------------------
|
|
BABYLON 5: B5 CAST ANNOUNCEMENT! #786274
|
|
FROM: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
|
|
DATE: TUES, AUG 09, 1994 2:06:03 AM
|
|
|
|
Both your assumptions are correct.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
----------------------------------------
|
|
QUESTION #785298: How can you tie up the loose ends in B^2? Looks
|
|
like it won't play out for a couple of decades...(paraphrase)
|
|
----------------------------------------
|
|
BABYLON 5: BABYLON SQUARED... #786247
|
|
FROM: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
|
|
DATE: TUES, AUG 9, 1994 1:19:09 AM
|
|
|
|
Re: a couple of decades...maybe...maybe not...the story
|
|
can go where it needs to go. All I can say is that if the show
|
|
goes its full 5 year run, all that has been indicated will be
|
|
shown in depth.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
------------
|
|
SF/FANTASY TV: THE STARLOST #786120
|
|
FROM: CHRIS BUNCH
|
|
DATE: MON AUG 8, 1994 11:10:03 PM
|
|
|
|
Now, the scary thing is, were you paying THAT much
|
|
attention to STARLURCH?
|
|
|
|
Although the really scary thing is that if I saw it
|
|
now, given the crudola that's on - Deep Space,
|
|
Babbling Five, and so forth, I might say, now THERE is real SF.
|
|
|
|
Oog.
|
|
|
|
Speaking of oog - our agent called and said they're reviving
|
|
OUTER LIMITS, and the people there were interested in us doing
|
|
a script for them - one of the producers was a big fan of our
|
|
stuff on WEREWOLF. We said maybe (not wanting to do ANY more TV,
|
|
and so they sent us the bible. Org, as Albert Alligator used to
|
|
say - each and every line in the Writer's Guide was another stake
|
|
in the coffin - good gets rewarded, evil punished, they're gonna
|
|
do the moral at the end of each episode, and so on and so forth.
|
|
I'd forgotten, until I looked it up, just what a hound-doggie
|
|
OUTER LIMITS was. The new one is gonna be on Showtime - wanna bet
|
|
it's gonna make the old one look scintillating?
|
|
|
|
Oh yeah - we sent them some ideas, but they had every swingin' one
|
|
of them in development. Including one called VIRTUAL MARILYN (Monroe).
|
|
Suuuuuuuuure they did.
|
|
|
|
chris
|
|
|
|
|
|
SF/FANTASY TV: THE STARLOST #786288
|
|
FROM: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
|
|
TO: CHRIS BUNCH
|
|
DATE: TUES, AUG 9, 1994, 2:30:21 AM
|
|
|
|
I was called in to be a consultant on the revival
|
|
of OUTER LIMITS, and was pretty appalled by what stories
|
|
were presented in the bible. (They felt I could consult
|
|
even while doing B5.) Ran as fast as I could. My only
|
|
hope is that Michael Cassutt (as new producer/writer) manages
|
|
to steer them away from the directions they were taking,
|
|
'cause they were *real* awful.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
------------------------------------------------------
|
|
QUESTION #785796: When do we get more about
|
|
the Battle of the Line? (paraphrase)
|
|
------------------------------------------------------
|
|
BABYLON 5: A VOICE ITW I & II #786272
|
|
FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
|
|
DATE: TUES AUG 9, 1994 2:05:24 AM
|
|
|
|
The revelations about the Minbari will come, in part,
|
|
in "Babylon Squared," which tells half the story, and
|
|
"Points of Departure," next season's first episode which
|
|
shows the other half.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
----------
|
|
BABYLON 5: B5 SYNDICATED RATINGS #786275
|
|
FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
|
|
DATE: TUES AUG 9, 1994 2:06:07 AM
|
|
|
|
It's generally around #4 or #5 in order of dramatic
|
|
series; I find it interesting, though, that after a brief
|
|
slump while we were showing reruns, the ratings have begun
|
|
a steady rise over the last 4 episodes, every one a bit
|
|
higher than the one before.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
-----------
|
|
BABYLON 5: MANY QUESTIONS #786290
|
|
FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
|
|
DATE: TUES AUG 9, 1994 2:30:29 AM
|
|
|
|
Soundtrack should be out around November.
|
|
|
|
There are currently no contracts for models of the ships.
|
|
|
|
B5 will be released on video in regular format around
|
|
the fall. Later, letter-box aspect ratio laserdisks will
|
|
follow, though I don't know exactly when.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
-----------
|
|
BABYLON 5: JOKE MENTIONED AT ICON #786289
|
|
FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI, 71016,1644
|
|
DATE: TUES, AUG 9, 1994 2:30:24 AM
|
|
|
|
It's in "The Quality of Mercy." You'll know it
|
|
when you see it.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
-----------
|
|
FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI (message #791961)
|
|
DATE: SUN AUG 14, 1994 11:48:11 PM
|
|
|
|
"JMS has specifically told us that one MAIN
|
|
character will die in Chrysalis or Points of
|
|
Departure (I don't remember which)."
|
|
|
|
No I haven't.
|
|
|
|
Never said it.
|
|
|
|
Sometimes, what happens is that people guess
|
|
about what's going to happen in the story...and
|
|
gradually that becomes the assumption on the part
|
|
of some people that this WILL happen...which in
|
|
time metamorphoses into "JMS said this would happen."
|
|
|
|
This is yet another of those. Never said it.
|
|
|
|
While I understand how this happens (and it
|
|
happens a lot), the only real complication that I get
|
|
from it is that suddenly I'm being held to promises
|
|
I never made...and if it doesn't happen as I
|
|
supposedly said, then it's somehow my fault.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
BABYLON 5: B5 OF TAPE & LD #791583
|
|
FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
|
|
DATE: AUG 14, 1994 4:49:26 PM
|
|
|
|
I'm led to understand that videotapes of B5 will
|
|
be out sometime around the Fall or so, from first
|
|
season. There will eventually be laserdisks, and the
|
|
best part of *that* is that they'll be in the original
|
|
letterbox format in which the show is actually filmed.
|
|
|
|
In fact, in preparation for that, we've begun the
|
|
process of transferring the videotape CGI effects to film,
|
|
in correct aspect ratio to match the original live-action
|
|
film. As we finish, this will all have to be
|
|
quality-controlled, so though it's a burden, I've
|
|
volunteered to get the first set of widescreen tapes so
|
|
that I can screen them prior to final transfer to disk.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
BABYLON 5: B5 NETWORK #791584
|
|
FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
|
|
DATE: SUN AUG 14, 1994 4:50:00 PM
|
|
|
|
Babylon 5 has nothing to do with Paramount,
|
|
and would never get moved there in a billion zillion
|
|
years. Insofar as I know, there are no plans to move
|
|
B5 to the Warners network when that gets going either
|
|
(PTEN is affiliated with Warners), as the two (PTEN
|
|
WBN) are very competitive with one another.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
----------------------
|
|
Question: Could you consider an offer from another network
|
|
if it came up? (paraphrase)
|
|
----------------------
|
|
BABYLON 5: B5 NETWORK #792101
|
|
FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
|
|
DATE: MON AUG 15, 1994 2:29:25 AM
|
|
|
|
You have to understand that B5 is not owned by me,
|
|
any more than Star Trek was actually *owned* by
|
|
Roddenberry. PTEN owns the copyright to B5, as
|
|
Paramount owns the copyright to ST. So any future
|
|
movement, if ever required, is extremely problematic.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
---------------
|
|
BABYLON 5: B5 FILMING START? #789144
|
|
FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
|
|
DATE: THURS AUG 11, 1994 11:36:31 PM
|
|
|
|
All I can really say at this point is that it's
|
|
going great. We began filming on Wednesday, and once
|
|
again we're on schedule, and the cast members are
|
|
performing terrifically. Bruce is fitting right in.
|
|
Everyone -- cast and crew alike -- are excited to be
|
|
back, and eager to get into the new stories, particularly
|
|
since many of them go through some very interesting
|
|
changes in their characters. So far it's been great.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
---------------
|
|
DATE: THURS AUG 18, 1994 7:29:10 PM
|
|
|
|
All you have to do with Harlan to make him happy,
|
|
within the context of a show, is to treat him with the
|
|
respect his position in the world of SF would require,
|
|
and leave his words alone. That doesn't seem to me
|
|
much to ask for.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
---------------
|
|
DATE: THURS AUG 18, 1994 3:49:16 PM (#795469)
|
|
|
|
Harlan is currently writing the "Demon" sequel for us. He
|
|
is on as Conceptual Consultant next year, and is working closely
|
|
with us. But there are always people out to tear Harlan down, so
|
|
I'd pretty much ignore these weasels.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
===============================================================
|
|
Poster requested a description of Earth s government(s).
|
|
===============================================================
|
|
DATE: FRI AUG 19, 1994 1:23:20 AM (#796173)
|
|
|
|
Bill...those are far, far too elaborate questions
|
|
(and answers) to be dealt with even faintly in a message
|
|
or two. I'll try and get into some of this down the road,
|
|
and I know the faq has a lot of this, which I'd just be
|
|
repeating.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
===============================================================
|
|
QUESTION: Do you plan on bringing in fur-bearing aliens?
|
|
===============================================================
|
|
DATE: THURS AUG 18, 1994 3:49:09 PM (#795465)
|
|
|
|
It's something we've discussed and are considering.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
==========================================================
|
|
Questions: (1) Are you a Mensan or a logodaelian leaving clues
|
|
for logomancers? (2) Are you a Turtle? (summarized)
|
|
===========================================================
|
|
DATE: FRI AUG 19, 1994 1:23:18 AM (#796172)
|
|
|
|
I have been accused of many of those things, but
|
|
never convicted.
|
|
|
|
If nominated I shall not run, if elected I shall
|
|
not serve.
|
|
|
|
The bag will be deposited in the black tree at
|
|
midnight.
|
|
|
|
"Are you a Turtle?"
|
|
|
|
I am the Egg Man. Coo-coo-ka-choo.
|
|
|
|
jm(who once belonged to Mensa, but quit)s
|
|
--------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
DATE: THURS AUG 18, 1994 3:49:12 PM (#795467)
|
|
|
|
Haven't yet seen or heard what the airdate
|
|
schedule will be like for next year, but like you
|
|
I hope it'll be with more new episodes straight
|
|
through, and fewer interruptions by reruns.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
=======================================================
|
|
NOTE: Miguel == Miguel Ferrer
|
|
=======================================================
|
|
DATE: THURS AUG 18, 1994 3:49:14 PM (#795468)
|
|
|
|
Yes, there's a B5 comic from DC; I've written the
|
|
first book, and gave DC the premise for the next 4-issue
|
|
cycle, which is being scripted by Mark Moretti, art by
|
|
Michael Netzer/Rob Leigh, cover (first issue) by Kaluta.
|
|
I've spoken to Bill Mumy about doing the comic (we're going
|
|
to have rotating artist/writer combinations for each
|
|
4-issue self-contained arc), and he's interested. Have
|
|
also spoken with folks like Peter David and John Ostrander,
|
|
who've expressed interest, but nothing's committed yet.
|
|
|
|
The novels will be coming out from Dell starting in
|
|
the fall.
|
|
|
|
Would love to have Miguel do an episode one of these
|
|
days. Soon as we find the right part for him.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
----------------------------------------------------
|
|
DATE: FRI AUG 19, 1:23:25 AM (#796176)
|
|
|
|
Expect the CD Rom around January or so.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
===================================================
|
|
QUESTION: Which came 1st, the B5-universe reason for
|
|
having Garibaldi deliver the autopsy report in B^2, or
|
|
the idea that it might be a waste to bring in an actor
|
|
[Dr. Franklin] for 1 scene? Was this an effortless
|
|
decision? Knock-down fights? (paraphrase, see #796937)
|
|
===================================================
|
|
DATE: SAT AUG 20, 1994 12:47:03 AM (#797156)
|
|
|
|
I make those decisions, so there's no drag-out
|
|
fights. I can't really tell you which came first
|
|
because they both kinda came at the same time; I look
|
|
at the story, and ask, "Do I need this character here?"
|
|
If the story dictates no, not really, then I don't.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
DATE: SUN AUG 21, 1994 3:12:23 AM (#798072)
|
|
|
|
If you're referring to Na'Toth as done by Caitlin
|
|
Brown...no, there wasn't a problem with the makeup. She
|
|
came in at the last moment to do the character after the
|
|
original actress *did* have a problem working within a
|
|
prosthetic. Caitlin is a very attractive woman who has
|
|
begun receiving feature film/romantic lead parts, and felt
|
|
she wanted to pursue that rather than continue hiding her
|
|
face as Na'Toth.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
DATE: SUN AUG 21, 1994 3:19:18 AM (#798082)
|
|
|
|
Yeah, the last episode of this year will air around
|
|
the last week in October. PTEN thinks it's our strongest
|
|
episode (which it is), and they feel that it's best to
|
|
hold that to kick in year two. Me, I'd prefer it be aired
|
|
well before that, since it is a cliffhanger in some ways...
|
|
but hey, I'm just the executive producer....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
=========================================================
|
|
QUESTION (paraphrase) Have *you* considered doing a cameo?
|
|
=========================================================
|
|
DATE: TUES AUG 23, 1994 3:11:02 AM (#799838)
|
|
|
|
Nope. Don't do cameos. Destroys the illusion for me.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
DATE: WED AUG 24, 1994 3:04:24 (#800953)
|
|
|
|
Not PGP, it's PPG...Phased Plasma Gun (or Phased
|
|
Plasma Generator, depending on who you're talking to).
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
DATE: WED AUG 24, 1994 3:17:05 (#800965)
|
|
|
|
The three main components of Minbari society are
|
|
the religious caste, the warrior caste, and the
|
|
workers...which aren't really a caste per se, which is
|
|
why they're not often included. It's a very different,
|
|
less influential part of their society.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
DATE: WED AUG 24, 1994 9:41:14 (#801676)
|
|
|
|
The way it was constructed is that we'd have a few arc stories
|
|
in year one, the rest mainly stand-alones. We then roughly double
|
|
that number in year two. Increase it again by year three...such
|
|
that by year five, every story is an arc story, all closely connected,
|
|
because by then all hell has broken loose, and you're racing toward
|
|
the conclusion of the story.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
DATE: WED AUG 24, 1994 9:41:17 (#801678)
|
|
|
|
The people at Creation Con are, for the most part,
|
|
idiots. They went around announcing that Michael York
|
|
was going to be brought in as the new commander of B5;
|
|
they just released a bunch of B5 caps with tags that read
|
|
LICENSED PRODUCT PARAMOUNT TELEVISION...which had to be
|
|
recalled when PTEN went righteously ballistic. And now
|
|
they picked up on Mark Altman's goofball notion that
|
|
O'Hare was fired because of what was said on the Nets,
|
|
which the studio NEVER EVEN SAW.
|
|
|
|
Idiots. I refuse to have anything more to do with them.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
==========================================================
|
|
QUESTION (paraphrase): In AtSFoS, the GC guy had a triangle,
|
|
but not in B^2. In S&P, Delenn had one. Why?
|
|
==========================================================
|
|
BABYLON 5: B-SQRD QUESTIONS (#799834)
|
|
DATE: TUES AUG 23, 1994 3:11:28 AM
|
|
|
|
While the triangle is one element of the Grey Council
|
|
symbology, it is not present and visible at all times and
|
|
under all circumstances; it has a particular purpose or
|
|
meaning.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
DATE: WED AUG 24, 1994 2:23:00 (#801258)
|
|
|
|
Some of the information about the missing 24 hours
|
|
is in "Babylon Squared," but the bulk of it, the heart
|
|
of the story, is in the first episode of the second
|
|
season, which C4 *has* purchased.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
========================================================
|
|
QUESTIONS: Why did the Minbari surrender? Why was Sinclair
|
|
chosen for B5? (paraphrase)
|
|
=========================================================
|
|
DATE: WED AUG 24, 1994 3:17:03 (#800964)
|
|
|
|
You will get *all* the answers in the first episode of
|
|
the second season, which airs at the start of November.
|
|
(Well, all the answers to the specific questions you asked,
|
|
anyway....)
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
==========================================================
|
|
<insert question about involvement with The Real Ghostbusters
|
|
and offence at the "vulgar way" of ending QoM here>
|
|
==========================================================
|
|
BABYLON 5: JUNE LOCKHART EPISODE (THE QUALITY OF MERCY)
|
|
DATE: SUN AUG 21, 1994 5:47:19 PM (#798475)
|
|
|
|
To your first question...yes, I was involved with
|
|
the animated series "The Real Ghostbusters," as story
|
|
editor for the first syndicated season and the first
|
|
network season (basically story editing 78 episodes in
|
|
the same season), and over all wrote about 20 or so
|
|
episodes. It was a great deal of fun, but the best part
|
|
is that the show continues to be very popular.
|
|
|
|
As for the ending of "Quality," which you describe
|
|
as "vulgar, unnecessary and uncalled for"...the only
|
|
thing that I can do is disagree. While you are free to
|
|
describe it in any terms you wish, and I cannot contest
|
|
that part of it, since a subjective reaction is just
|
|
that...it is not within the purview of any viewer, or
|
|
reader, to decide that something is or is not necessary
|
|
and called for within the province of a story. That is
|
|
the writer's responsibility. You may not like it. That's
|
|
your province. So I would separate out those two issues.
|
|
|
|
Secondarily, it was handled with infinite discretion.
|
|
At NO POINT was anything put verbally. At no point was it
|
|
even linked to sex. It was *very* carefully written so
|
|
that unless you're really paying attention, you won't get
|
|
it. Certainly young kids won't get it. It's implied only
|
|
very, very tangentially. My show is for adults. I write
|
|
for adults. If you want to see vulgar, turn on "Absolutely
|
|
Fabulous" on Comedy Channel...which is also one of the
|
|
funniest shows around.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, I'm sorry you didn't like that aspect. You
|
|
are the first person to express that opinion, but that in
|
|
no way invalidates it. I just don't agree with it.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
=========================================================
|
|
QUESTION: <compliment on handling with discretion & maturity)
|
|
Just to get really sordid...considering what Li looks like,
|
|
does this mean that Centauri males have one or *two*?!
|
|
(paraphrased from #799714)
|
|
=========================================================
|
|
DATE: TUES AUG 23, 1994 3:11:03 AM (#799839)
|
|
|
|
Centauri males have six.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
===========================================
|
|
QUESTION: <about how Londo's appendange reacted
|
|
when the water pitcher was removed>
|
|
===========================================
|
|
DATE: WED AUG 24, 1994 3:16:27 (#800962)
|
|
|
|
We used a bullwhip sound effect for the
|
|
"retraction" in QoM; when we were in sound editing,
|
|
I asked for the hardest whip-crack they had...and
|
|
got it put in REAL loud. Every time I hear it, I'm
|
|
on the floor....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
|
BABYLON 5: QofM GOV'T HYPOCRISY (#798897)
|
|
DATE: MON AUG 22, 1994 1:21:04 AM
|
|
|
|
There are actually many issues to get into in all of
|
|
this. Which is really the "person," the mind, the soul,
|
|
or the body? If a person has an accident, getting amnesia,
|
|
which wipes out his entire personality, is that person as
|
|
good as dead? Is there no difference between amnesia and
|
|
death? If not, why not just kill the amnesiac? But
|
|
obviously there *is* a difference. So what is the person?
|
|
What constitutes death?
|
|
|
|
We consider the actual death of the *brain* through the
|
|
cessation of brain activity to be the test for death. But
|
|
what if you simply rearrange those patterns?
|
|
|
|
There is also the question of *justice*. If the person
|
|
is dead, then that person cannot do much to correct the ills
|
|
he visited upon society. It is simply a waste of material.
|
|
So why not take someone who, in any decent society, would be
|
|
executed or forced to live in a 6x9 cage the rest of his life,
|
|
and give the soul, and the body, a new chance by giving the
|
|
person a new personality and letting him, as the Ombuds says,
|
|
"serve the community harmed by his actions"?
|
|
|
|
Finally, if the person is dead, he's dead; let's say 5
|
|
years down the road somebody finds evidence that proves the
|
|
person was innocent. There is at least the *chance* to
|
|
reconstruct some of the original memories and personality
|
|
profile.
|
|
|
|
All of this, again, has to be considered in light of the
|
|
fact that we are talking about a *space station* with limited
|
|
space and resources. You cannot warehouse every person who
|
|
kill somebody in a station that small; you would run out of
|
|
space almost immediately. (If you also include basic felons
|
|
and near-killings.) So what *do* you do with them? As was
|
|
noted, Earth doesn't want them and won't pay to have them
|
|
shipped back...what's left?
|
|
|
|
That's the dilemma I wanted to pose in the episode...what
|
|
*can* you do?
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
DATE: TUES AUG 23, 1994 3:11:30 AM (#799835)
|
|
|
|
"...the 'personality' remaining in the body will
|
|
be punished for a crime that 'personality' did not
|
|
commit."
|
|
|
|
1) But again, which is the person...the old
|
|
personality, the new one, or something else?
|
|
|
|
2) Part of the new personality would be the delight
|
|
in serving others.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
=======================================================
|
|
QUESTION: <admire memory-wipe solution> What about the
|
|
theory that some people are genetically prone to commit
|
|
crimes? Even if the personality is wiped, if the brain
|
|
is genetically/chemically predisposed to be criminal
|
|
wouldn't the new personality also be criminal? (paraphrase
|
|
from #801973)
|
|
====================================================
|
|
DATE: THURS AUG 25, 1994 3:26:17 AM (#802040)
|
|
The theory is as yet only a theory; and if proven
|
|
true, still wouldn't cover all cases. If true, those
|
|
cases where that could be shown that was the cause would
|
|
receive different treatment.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
====================================================
|
|
QUESTION: If Talia wears gloves to avoid physical contact
|
|
with others, why did she keep them on when putting the
|
|
black band on the badge? Why does she seem to wear them
|
|
all the time? (paraphrase from #799070)
|
|
======================================================
|
|
DATE: TUES AUG 23, 1994 3:11:31 AM (#799836)
|
|
|
|
I suspect that's a director question....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
DATE: THURS AUG 25, 1994 1:14:04 AM (#801949)
|
|
|
|
There will be 22 episodes in season two.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
DATE: THURS AUG 25, 1994 1:14:09 AM (#801950)
|
|
|
|
My involvement is *total* with every single aspect of B5.
|
|
|
|
Once the script is written, I work directlly with the
|
|
costume designers, prop designers, art director, director,
|
|
computer graphics designers, every department. I'm in on
|
|
every phase of pre-production. All design elements must get
|
|
approval through my office.
|
|
|
|
I'm directly involved in casting sessions, with final
|
|
approval (along with Doug Netter) of who's cast in our
|
|
episodes. I have meetings with the director and others to
|
|
set the tone of the episodes.
|
|
|
|
I'm on set during filming, working with the director as
|
|
much as I can, given that I'm simultaneously working on the
|
|
next few episodes. Generally, though, once the script hits
|
|
the stage floor, it's virtually never changed (and then only
|
|
after checking with me or Larry), and the directors know what
|
|
they're doing well enough to leave them alone. (Hire good
|
|
people and get out of their face.)
|
|
|
|
When the director finishes his or her cut of the episode,
|
|
John Copeland and I take over and do the producer's cut, in
|
|
some cases totally re-editing episodes (though the better the
|
|
director, the less of this we need to do). After the producer's
|
|
cut is made, I work directly with John, Chris Franke, and our
|
|
sound design people on the sound effects, music, walla and
|
|
other elements that go into the show.
|
|
|
|
Finally, I'm there at the end audio mix, where it all
|
|
comes together.
|
|
|
|
I can't "leave this kind of stuff up to the directors"
|
|
because for starters, directors don't do a lot of this stuff.
|
|
Also, directors come and go and may not have the vision of
|
|
the series in its totality. Further, TV is primarily a
|
|
producer/writer's medium, whereas film is a director's
|
|
medium. This is my vision of the show, and I have to be
|
|
there at every stage to make sure it *remains* my vision.
|
|
|
|
So on one level...my fingerprints are all over the show,
|
|
on every square inch, at every level. On another level...one
|
|
can only do this if you've got a terrific crew, cast and
|
|
production team who know their stuff and make this an easy
|
|
and painless process. They're bright, have vast amounts of
|
|
initiative, and are fun to work with.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
==========================================================
|
|
QUESTION: Will you and Claudia Christian be appearing at a
|
|
Dallas convention in October?
|
|
===========================================================
|
|
BABYLON 5: CONVENTION APPEARANCE (#799837)
|
|
DATE: TUES AUG 23, 1994 3:11:01 AM
|
|
TO FRED J ORTIZ
|
|
|
|
Yeah, I plan to be at the con provided we're not shooting
|
|
the pilot for a second SF series at the same time. Claudia
|
|
will also be there.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
=======================================================
|
|
QUESTION: *WHAT* new series? (paraphrase)
|
|
=======================================================
|
|
DATE: TUES AUG 23, 1994 3:13:20 PM (#800116)
|
|
|
|
I will tell more about this in the fullness of time.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
DATE: WED AUG 24, 1994 3:04:23 (#800952)
|
|
|
|
I'll probably post a note about this shortly.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
==========================================================
|
|
QUESTION: Will you and Claudia Christian be appearing at a
|
|
Dallas convention in October?
|
|
===========================================================
|
|
BABYLON 5: CONVENTION APPEARANCE (#799837)
|
|
DATE: TUES AUG 23, 1994 3:11:01 AM
|
|
TO FRED J ORTIZ
|
|
|
|
Yeah, I plan to be at the con provided we're not shooting
|
|
the pilot for a second SF series at the same time. Claudia
|
|
will also be there.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
=======================================================
|
|
QUESTION: *WHAT* new series? (paraphrase)
|
|
=======================================================
|
|
DATE: TUES AUG 23, 1994 3:13:20 PM (#800116)
|
|
|
|
I will tell more about this in the fullness of time.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
BABYLON 5: NEW JMS PROJECTS (#800954)
|
|
DATE: WED AUG 24, 1994 3:04:29
|
|
TO: ALL
|
|
|
|
Since this just hit the wire services, I figured
|
|
I'd mention it here.
|
|
|
|
The release went out from Classics International,
|
|
owner of First Comics. A deal has been concluded between
|
|
CIE and Rattlesnake Prods. (owned by my partner on Babylon 5
|
|
Doug Netter) to form a separate entity to produce a feature
|
|
film based on the Grimjack books by John Ostrander.
|
|
|
|
The movie is budgeted for $30 million, and I've been
|
|
asked, and have agreed, to write the screenplay. (My job,
|
|
as I see it, is to Leave The Damned Thing Alone and *adapt*
|
|
the book, rather than throw stuff out and make it all up.
|
|
I loved the book when it was out, and read it regularly.
|
|
My hope is to do as faithful a transition to film as
|
|
possible. I've met with John Ostrander, and our feelings
|
|
on which cycle of the Grimjack story to base the feature
|
|
film on are absolutely the same.)
|
|
|
|
The plan is to have the script finished by late fall,
|
|
probably around November/December, and shoot the thing in
|
|
early or mid-1995.
|
|
|
|
(In addition, this Fall we're currently slated to
|
|
begin production on a two-hour pilot for a new contemporary
|
|
science fiction series which I've created and written for
|
|
first-run syndication. Current plans are to film the pilot
|
|
in either Vancouver or Portland, with Doug and I serving
|
|
again as Executive Producers, as with Babylon 5. I can't
|
|
reveal the title at this time -- it's nothing you'd
|
|
recognize, it's an original concept, but it's a cool title
|
|
and I'd hate to lose it -- but I hope to have more on this
|
|
over the next few months. Also, there are still one or two
|
|
more hurdles before we can start production, even though
|
|
we've been unofficially greenlighted, so I'll hold back
|
|
just a bit for now until the ink dries officially.)
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
DATE: WED AUG 24, 1994 2:32:02 (#801271)
|
|
|
|
My basic problem is that unless I'm writing all the
|
|
time, I get twitchy. If I have some down time, as we did
|
|
between seasons one and two, and we don't know if there's
|
|
going to be a second season or not so there's nothing to do
|
|
on B5 during that time (aside from post production and
|
|
editing, which isn't really writing), I have to find
|
|
*something* to do with words beside BBSing...so I sell a
|
|
series concept (with Doug) to a studio and write a pilot.
|
|
What can I say? I'm an obsessive-compulsive personality.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
====================================================================
|
|
QUESTION: <hoping new work doesn't interfere with B5 script creation>
|
|
====================================================================
|
|
DATE: WED AUG 24, 1994 9:41:16 (#801677)
|
|
|
|
No, no problem. The pilot script is already finished,
|
|
having been written during our (alleged) hiatus. The
|
|
screenplay won't be a problem. Should the pilot go to series,
|
|
while I'll be exec producing the series, it will be at some
|
|
slight remove, because my first day-to-day allegiance has to
|
|
be B5. In the case of the other series, there will have to be
|
|
an experienced writer/producer/show-runner brought on board to
|
|
work directly with me and Doug...someone who also knows SF, with
|
|
enough credits to guarantee the best show conceivable.
|
|
|
|
==============================================
|
|
QUESTION: <similar to B5 structure, just more episodic?>
|
|
=============================================== jms
|
|
DATE: THURS AUG 25, 1994 3:19:09 AM (#802038)
|
|
|
|
No, the structure we're discussing *is* the B5
|
|
structure; the structure of the new series, should
|
|
it go from the pilot, would be far more episodic. One
|
|
major saga at a time is *more* than enough for me.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------
|
|
DATE: FRI AUG 19, 1994 1:23:22 AM (#796174)
|
|
|
|
Valen, Zathras...these are all things I'd rather let
|
|
be brought out in the series rather than here, at least at
|
|
this time.
|
|
|
|
And the grail story was fairly self-contained, not much
|
|
in the way of arc related stuff there.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
==============================================================
|
|
QUESTION: Why was Garibaldi delivering the autopsy results
|
|
on the Starfury pilot (in B^2) instead of Franklin? (paraphrase)
|
|
==============================================================
|
|
DATE: THURS AUG 18, 1994 10:03:02 PM (#795886)
|
|
|
|
Garibaldi is head of security, and Franklin would
|
|
likely give him the report, which Garibaldi then relays.
|
|
In such things there is a chain of command. And as you
|
|
say, it seemed pointless to bring in the actor just for
|
|
one half-page scene.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
===============================================================
|
|
Here are a few comments from JMS about B5's legal system (QoM).
|
|
================================================================
|
|
DATE: THURS AUG 18, 1994 3:49:11 PM (#795466)
|
|
|
|
No, what was done was perfectly correct legalistically.
|
|
This is an unlicnsed alien device being used on humans; it
|
|
was used in killing someone; it had to be conficscated.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
==================================================================
|
|
QUESTION: insert grumbling about lack of civil rights in QoM here
|
|
==================================================================
|
|
DATE: THURS AUG 18, 1994 10:13:27 PM (#795897)
|
|
|
|
Allow me to disagree with you.
|
|
|
|
Dr. Franklin did not require a search warrant to enter
|
|
Rosen s quarters. The door was basically open, and he is NOT
|
|
an officer of the law. Only officers of the law are required
|
|
to have search warrants. Neither was he there to arrest her.
|
|
|
|
Defense counsel was sitting with the defendant at the
|
|
table. He had no lines, but he was there. The trial had
|
|
been ongoing; this was the part where the verdict is rendered
|
|
after a decision has been reached.
|
|
|
|
The pattern of the judge passing sentence is exactly the
|
|
same as when circuit court judges used to work the frontier
|
|
areas of the US. Where would you find a jury on B5? Most
|
|
civilians are passing through, on stop-over for only a day or
|
|
two...unable to follow a long hearing. The only other ones
|
|
are station personnel, which represents a conflict of interest.
|
|
Your only choice is a circuit court style judge whose loyalty
|
|
is owed to no one.
|
|
|
|
The alien device was being used on humans without any
|
|
kind of license, she is not a certified doctor, and it was
|
|
used in the death of a human. Under those circumstances, it
|
|
is within the judge s right to confiscate the device for the
|
|
greater good. (You can have a unlicensed firearm in a state
|
|
that requires licensing, and use it in a righteous self-defense
|
|
shooting, but it will be confiscated afterward. No compensation
|
|
is required because its use is/was unregulated, unlicensed, and
|
|
she was/is not a working doctor.)
|
|
|
|
It *is* due process. Even according to 20th century terms.
|
|
Only problem is in understanding what due process actually *is*,
|
|
as opposed to what we think it *should* be.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
==================================================================
|
|
QUESTION: Was the device in QoM confiscated as part of the trial
|
|
for convenience of the story line? (summarized)
|
|
==================================================================
|
|
DATE: FRI AUG 19, 1994 1:23:24 AM (#796175)
|
|
|
|
No, it wasn't convenience for the story line, if this
|
|
were a real case it would be confiscated as part of that
|
|
case. It wouldn't have to be dealt with separately.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
---------------------
|
|
BABYLON 5: <B-SQRD QUESTIONS> #792996
|
|
FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
|
|
DATE: MON AUG 15, 1994 11:52:15 PM
|
|
|
|
Valen was the one who brought Minbari civilization together,
|
|
he is their Christ-figure. And yes, the hevyset Grey Council
|
|
member is the same one as in "Sky."
|
|
|
|
jms
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BABYLON 5: QUALITY OF MERCY--SPOIL #790957
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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DATE: SAT AUG 13, 1994 8:21:11 PM
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The scan is preparatory to the prisoner being
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mind-blanked. It is, as the Ombuds pointed out, the
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death of personality, the death of one's mind. Hence
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the black band on the Psi symbol.
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jms
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI (#786290)
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DATE: TUES AUG 9, 1994 2:30:29 AM
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Soundtrack should be out around November.
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There are currently no contracts for models of the
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ships.
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B5 will be released on video in regular format
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around the fall. Later, letter-box aspect ratio
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laserdisks will follow, though I don't know exactly when.
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jms
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI (#787150)
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DATE: WED AUG 10, 1994 12:39:09
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Any videos released will be the broadcast versions;
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there are no director's cuts on film or video, for starters,
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only computer-generated Avid versions. Also, TV doesn't
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generally *have* such a thing as a releaseable director's
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cut. The producer makes the final cut. Period.
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jms
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------
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Question: Will the soundtrack have both themes (pilot & series?)
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------
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BABYLON 5: MANY QUESTIONS #787151
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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DATE: WED AUG 10, 1994 12:39:11
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The soundtrack will exclusively be the series, as of
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this time.
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No deals on models pending, that I'm aware of. Calls
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won't help, it's a matter of getting a licensee to come to
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the table with a sufficient deal.
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jms
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----------
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Question: Why is Ivanova always "Lt Commander" and not just
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"Commander"? (paraphrase)
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-----
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BABYLON 5: LCDR VS CDR??? #788210
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
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DATE: THURS AUG 11, 1994 2:25:03 AM
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Because there are two people who would respond to
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Commander -- Sinclair and Ivanova -- the distinction is
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kept in order to know who's being addressed. Otherwise
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whenever someone says "Commander" they'd both turn.
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jms
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI (#786275)
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DATE: TUES AUG 9, 1994 2:06:07 AM
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It's generally around #4 or #5 in order of dramatic
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series; I find it interesting, though, that after a brief
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slump while we were showing reruns, the ratings have begun
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a steady rise over the last 4 episodes, every one a bit
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higher than the one before.
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jms
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FROM: J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI (#788095)
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DATE: THURS AUG 11, 1994 12:11:04 AM
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I was raised by elves with attitude.
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jms
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