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3117 lines
103 KiB
3117 lines
103 KiB
JMS CompuServe messages for June 1996. Collected by John Hardin
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<jhardin@wolfenet.com>.
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Date: 31-May-96 16:10:35
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com>
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Subject: Spoiler Vorlon Question
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Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com> asks:
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> I do, however, have one question (also about the Vorlon), that
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> you might be able to answer : Will whatever Kosh was doing to
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> Lyta in Passing Through Gethsemane have anything to do with the
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> overall (arc) plot at some time in the series?
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Yes, primarily because what Kosh was doing with Lyta (that
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sounds vaguely suggestive) wasn't a one-time event. There was a
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transference going on, and that aspect will be heard from again.
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 31-May-96 16:10:36
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com>
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Subject: WWE - Beginning???
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Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com> asks:
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> Just a thought, people are probbably going to hate me for asking
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> this, but where exactly does the storyline to War Without End
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> Begin?
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The storyline began millions of years ago.
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We're coming in in the middle of the story.
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But then, that can be said of all of us.
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 31-May-96 16:10:37
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: (blocked)
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Subject: B5 essential episodes
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{original post unavailable}
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I did it off the cuff, I don't actually have a list; somebody
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else here may have it offhand.
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 31-May-96 16:10:39
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: William H. DiPaola <76521.1751@compuserve.com>
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Subject: <<WWE2>>
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{original post had no questions}
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It's not a shadow host, no, but one of the many things that
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work for them.
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 31-May-96 16:10:41
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com>
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Subject: B5 Renewal!!?
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Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com> asks:
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> Do you know yet if B5 is going to be renewed for another 1 or 2
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> seasons? If not, how are you going to decide what to do about
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> wrapping it up? I know that it's been said that you yourself
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> stated that you could finish it in one more season, but how are
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> you going to make that decision if you don't know how long you've
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> got?
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We'll know soon. We're cautiously optimistic.
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 01-Jun-96 02:03:41
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: TIMOTHY R. GREEN <73023.143@compuserve.com>
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Subject: Hour 25
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TIMOTHY R. GREEN <73023.143@compuserve.com> asks:
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> How do you find the time to do everything you do?
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> Unless you have some way of slowing down the time flow somehow?
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It helps to be an obsessive-compulsive personality....
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 01-Jun-96 02:03:43
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: (blocked)
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Subject: <<UK Dust 2 Dust>>
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{original post unavailable}
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No, that has nothing to do with the redemption.
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 01-Jun-96 02:03:44
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: (blocked)
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Subject: How Time Flies
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{original post unavailable}
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This is probably the most commonly asked question, and the
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answer remains...I dunno. Right now, the sheer task of getting this
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show made now, for TV, is sufficiently daunting, that the idea of
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telling it again in print is enough to make me tip over. Also, this
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show was *designed* for TV; if I'd wanted to write a nove, I'd've
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written a novel.
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So for now, the answer remains "I dunno."
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 01-Jun-96 02:03:46
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: (blocked)
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Subject: Just curious...
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{original post unavailable}
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Thanks, I can only hope you're right.
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 01-Jun-96 02:03:50
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: Brian A. Thomas <75231.1122@compuserve.com>
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Subject: Trading Card Game???
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Brian A. Thomas <75231.1122@compuserve.com> asks:
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> Are they refuring to the next regular card set like the one we
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> saw before or is it a trading card game (none of the other stuff
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> listed on the page is anything but trading card game)? While we
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> are talking about Babylon 5 games, what is the current word on
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> the Babylon 5 RPG? Who is making it?
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> Any other stuff coming out for our computers soon?
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Fleer's coming out with a brand new card set, but not a card
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game set.
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The RPG will be out from Chameleon later this year.
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 01-Jun-96 02:03:52
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: Michael R. Marks <104504.455@compuserve.com>
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Subject: B5 Renewal!!?
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Michael R. Marks <104504.455@compuserve.com> asks:
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> I wish to know if videos will ever be released and why does
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> Warner seem to treat the show with indifference?
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Thanks; and we hope to have the videos out eventually.
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 01-Jun-96 02:03:54
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com>
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Subject: <<War & Delenn>>
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Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com> asks:
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> When Delenn has her time-flash, does she just see what happens in
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> the future, or is she actually there, like John's trip?
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No, she more just saw it as a passive recipient, whereas he was
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actively There.
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 01-Jun-96 02:03:57
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
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Subject: <War...2> Aftershocks
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Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
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> Is whatever it is they tried to make her tell them something that
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> concerns B5 in 2260-2262?
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No, what they were after from Delenn was info relevant to that
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time, some of it related to their son.
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 01-Jun-96 16:03:45
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: Arline Williams <102551.2346@compuserve.com>
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Subject: Hour 25
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Arline Williams <102551.2346@compuserve.com> asks:
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> Did I miss anything else as *spiffy* as that?
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I can't remember what we discussed in the first hour...nothing
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as cool as that happened, at any rate.
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 01-Jun-96 16:03:46
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com>
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Subject: B5 Renewal!!?
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Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com> asks:
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> Any idea who that person is?
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It's a grip who stood too close for the photo.
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 01-Jun-96 16:03:47
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: Brian A. Thomas <75231.1122@compuserve.com>
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Subject: Trading Card Game???
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Brian A. Thomas <75231.1122@compuserve.com> asks:
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> Meanwhile is that book coming from Boxtree called "Making of
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> Babylon 5" or "Creating Babylon 5"?
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I think it's Creating B5...but I haven't gotten my copy yet, and
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that's from memory.
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 01-Jun-96 16:03:50
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: TIMOTHY R. GREEN <73023.143@compuserve.com>
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Subject: Universe
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TIMOTHY R. GREEN <73023.143@compuserve.com> asks:
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> Do you think we have a purpose in the universe, or a purpose to
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> make the best of our lives as we find them?
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The purpose we have is the purpose we find, and that we *choose*
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to find. Acting on that purpose is another topic altogether....
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 01-Jun-96 16:03:52
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: Chris Shepard <102076.276@compuserve.com>
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Subject: ^The Shadows^
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Chris Shepard <102076.276@compuserve.com> asks:
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> Why is this?
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I've gone over the legal aspects of the story idea provision,
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oh, about 25 times...I know it's in the faq file somewhere. Bottom
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line, I can't see or accept any story ideas, period.
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 02-Jun-96 14:49:58
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com>
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Subject: How Time Flies
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John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com> asks:
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> What kind of feeling and what kind of reaction do you have about
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> this side of the B5 success story?
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Actually, I've no idea...I don't socialize at all -- except for
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B5 related gatherings, I haven't been to a party in...oh, about 2
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years, maybe a bit more. So I don't tend to hear from anyone *not*
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really involved with the show in terms of other TV writers or
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writer/producers. I imagine I'll hear more when I get done with it.
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 02-Jun-96 14:50:01
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: (blocked)
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Subject: Just curious...
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{original post unavailable}
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I don't think they quite knew *how* this show was to be sold to
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the audience; the arc wasn't heavily played initially, no. Later,
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moreso.
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I hear all the time though from new viewers who just started
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watching, and are right up to speed.
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Re: changing the episodic structure...no, can't really do that,
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because you have to think in larger terms, both down the road and how
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the show airs overseas, minus those breaks.
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 02-Jun-96 14:50:03
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
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Subject: Trading Card Game???
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Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
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> Are there any more novels contracted after #6 (love the
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> Delenn/tea ceremony bit in #6)?
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They're waiting until we get formally renewed to contract for
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more novels. That should be soon.
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 02-Jun-96 14:50:05
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: (blocked)
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Subject: B5 Ent Utility
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{original post unavailable}
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The character-oriented wav and avi files weren't done because
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there are still pending matters to be worked out with the various
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unions -- SAG, WGA and DGA -- about how those are to be used. It's
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still a new medium, and how you reuse footage shot contractually for
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purpose A, turned to use B, and what residual structure you follow, is
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still being worked out.
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 02-Jun-96 14:50:08
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: Chris Shepard <102076.276@compuserve.com>
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Subject: ^The Shadows^
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Chris Shepard <102076.276@compuserve.com> asks:
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> BTW, what made you get in touch with Ron Thorton?
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Thanks. John, Doug and I had originally worked with Ron on
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Captain Power, so that's where that connection comes from.
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 02-Jun-96 14:50:09
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: (blocked)
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Subject: ^The Shadows^
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{original post unavailable}
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Apology unnecessary, but accepted. We learn by doing.
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I don't know which message reprint request or content you're
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referring to, so I really can't comment.
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 02-Jun-96 14:50:12
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: (blocked)
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Subject: < first episode year 4>
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(blocked) asks:
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> is this a wolf in sheep's clothing story?
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The Hour of the Wolf is that hour around 3 a.m. when you can't
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sleep because you're worried about one thing or another....
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 02-Jun-96 14:50:13
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: (blocked)
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Subject: FInal Scene-Severed Drea
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(blocked) asks:
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> In the final scene of Severed dreams (the applause scene), are
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> you the guy who begins clapping first?
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Nope, I don't do cameos in the show.
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 02-Jun-96 15:56:32
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: (blocked)
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Subject: <WWE II>
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{original post had no questions}
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Thanks. Also, our hard ratings shot up almost a full half a
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point this quarter over our last batch of new episodes, from a 3.0, our
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usual, to a 3.4, at a time when most syndicated shows were in a
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downturn, including DS9, which went down over a full point during the
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same period. Warners is most pleased.
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jms
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------------------------------
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Date: 02-Jun-96 15:56:43
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From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
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To: Chris Shepard <102076.276@compuserve.com>
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Subject: ^The Shadows^
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Chris Shepard <102076.276@compuserve.com> asks:
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> If I write a show that was truly my idea, how do you defend
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> yourself from some crazed lunatic coming into court saying that I
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> stole it from him/her? How can that person prove it was theirs to
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> begin with? It's the same idea, but how could one sue the other
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> for stealing it? What about space battles in general?
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> Cloaked ships?
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> The shadows cloak themselves, but how would the Trek guys sue JMS
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> for stealing their idea about cloaking technology? Don't they have
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> enough?
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Chris, the only thing wrong with your message, and your
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assumptions, is that they're wrong on just about every conceivable
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level. Let me try to walk you through this to help you understand a
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little better.
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First off...a general observation. Story ideas are worthless.
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It's very doubtful that you or anybody else has had an idea that nobody
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in the history of mankind has ever had before. You can take a basic
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idea and give it to 10 different writer and you'll get 10 TOTALLY
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different stories. What matters is execution, how the idea is
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rendered. An idea isn't a story, and what matters is *story*, a series
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of consequences and reactions based on actions.
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Most amateur writers don't know or understand that, and think
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that their story idea is something saleable, something somebody wants
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to buy, or something they need to jealously protect. There are even
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people who will exploit that. There was a publication a few years ago
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which would publish your story idea in a big book, on per page (which
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you paid for, natch), and sent it to the major studios and networks.
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Not one of them ever sold. None of them were worth buying.
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None of them were really stories. And it was thrown into the trash of
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every studio or network at which it arrived because of fear of lawsuit.
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Now, to your points individually:
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"For one, I would talk with the individual and arrange something
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legal so that his story idea could be used and he/she would receive
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full credit plus pay."
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This is illegal. There is no fee inside the Writer's Guild for
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"story idea." (ST tried to get around this for a few years, but was
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finally trounced by the WGA.) If it's a credible, WGA signatory, which
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all the major studios and networks are, they can't operate outside
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formal parameters in their agreements. There's no category for "story
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idea," so they can't buy that, and there's a reason for it. A "story
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idea" is sufficiently general that it can't be readily surrounded...is
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it a sentence? A paragraph? A page? Two pages? You could start
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taking whole stories, swiping them, and getting the royalties
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-- thousands and thousands of dollars -- while the originator of the
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story got a couple hundred bucks, if that much. This provision exists
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to *protect* writers.
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See, part of the problem is, you're looking at the TV writing
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business not as a writer, but as a fan, a viewer. We who work in this
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business have had to painstakingly, and at great suffering, fight for
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protections for those who work in this business as their livelihood.
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Creating a scenario such as the one you describe would hurt the
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profession beyond description. Yes, you may like the show, but should
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we set into place practices and policies that will undo years of
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hard-won strikes, and create what is, in essence, the camel's nose in
|
|
the tent...the camel -- studios who would exploit this to take stories
|
|
and outlines for zero money -- would surely follow, on the logic that
|
|
if you permit this for one show, you have to permit it for all.
|
|
|
|
(Also, for the "full credit plus pay" part...again, what credit,
|
|
and what pay? There's no provisions set up for either. You'd have to
|
|
create whole new areas in the WGA for this, which don't currently
|
|
exist; you can't just do this willy-nilly. Pay...a flat fee? Fee plus
|
|
residuals? How do you determine how much a 1 paragraph story should
|
|
get vs. a two or three page story? Which gets a flat fee and which
|
|
residuals? It's a slippery slope.)
|
|
|
|
"Secondly, if I created a forum and opened it to fans who wanted to
|
|
give their ideas for stories, etc., then I would post a message at the
|
|
beginning of the forum stating that anything spoken and written in that
|
|
forum cannot be protected by law."
|
|
|
|
Now you're in violation of US Copyright Law. Anything you write
|
|
is instantly yours under what's known as Commonlaw Copyright. In
|
|
addition, a forum like Compuserve copyrights all content as a communal
|
|
copyright, owned by both parties, the poster and CIS. (All services
|
|
work this way.) Also under the law, you cannot make a statement or a
|
|
policy which removes people's rights from them...in other words, you
|
|
can SAY that anyone posting messages gies up their rights...but that
|
|
doesn't have *any* legal basis whatsoever, and cannot be enforced. The
|
|
only way would be to have each person type up a waiver, hard-copy, sign
|
|
it, get it notarized, and mail it *for each and every suggestion*
|
|
giving up all rights to that specific story. It can't be done en masse
|
|
for anything written.
|
|
|
|
"Lastly, how would one prove in court that someone has stolen someone
|
|
elses idea. If I write a show that was truly my idea, how do you
|
|
defend yourself from some crazed lunatic coming into court saying that
|
|
I stole it from him/her?"
|
|
|
|
That's the hard part. You can't. Sure, you can win the case in
|
|
court, but a case like this can take two or three YEARS of your life.
|
|
And most will hang on because most cases like this are settled,
|
|
regardless of merit, because it's cheaper than a trial. Do you want to
|
|
spend two or three days a week, every week, for three years giving
|
|
depositions, talking to lawyers, dredging out every bit of paperwork,
|
|
turning over your computer files to lawyers, having your friends and
|
|
co-workers deposed, your character challenged, all because somebody
|
|
posted a story idea that was vaguely similar to what you did? I don't.
|
|
|
|
"How can that person prove it was theirs to begin with?"
|
|
|
|
By showing a printup of the story as posted in the forum you
|
|
have suggested here. (Or another.) Their word not good enough? You
|
|
subpoena the sysops here, access the CIS database, on and on.
|
|
|
|
"An idea is an idea. Buck Rogers had the idea of stargates in it's
|
|
series. Babylon 5 uses the jumpgates. It's the same idea, but how could
|
|
one sue the other for stealing it? What about space battles in
|
|
general?"
|
|
|
|
See, again, here's the problem...a stargate or a jumpgate isn't
|
|
an idea, it's a bit of technology. You can't build a story around
|
|
that, so it's not a story idea, again you're not clear on your terms.
|
|
"How about a jump gate?" isn't a story idea. "How about a jumpgate to
|
|
go kill the giant frog monster in sector 97" *is* a story idea. Once
|
|
again, you don't have a clear notion what it is you're discussing.
|
|
|
|
"Cloaked ships? The shadows cloak themselves, but how would the Trek
|
|
guys sue JMS for stealing their idea about cloaking technology?"
|
|
|
|
Shadow vessels don't cloak; they have alternate technology for
|
|
phasing in from hyperspace.
|
|
|
|
"It's plain silly and it's a waste of everyone's time."
|
|
|
|
It is...until you end up in court for it. The ONLY reasonable
|
|
protection is the no-story provision. Especially in a case like B5,
|
|
where the whole story is *already worked out*.
|
|
|
|
It's the difference in perception between an amateur writer and
|
|
a writer who does this as a living. (By "amateur" I don't mean bad, I
|
|
just mean one who is either unpublished, inexperienced, or a
|
|
hobbyist...I'm an amateur bowler, as an example.) You don't understand
|
|
the consequences of this sort of thing, it's not a profession to you,
|
|
it's something you'd like to toss out there. But it can hurt. Marion
|
|
Zimmer Bradley recently found herself in a *terrible* position...she'd
|
|
worked for about 2 years writing a new novel, turned it in...and had
|
|
the book cancled by her publisher because a fanzine to which she had
|
|
possible access had published a very similar story and they might sue.
|
|
Two years of work, down the drain.
|
|
|
|
This isn't a game, or a hobby, or something where you can make
|
|
up the rules as you go. Writing is a *business*, a creative one, yes,
|
|
but if you're going to make a living at it, you have to treat it as a
|
|
business, just as if you're a carpenter or a plumber or a surgeon.
|
|
Those rules are there to protect writers from being expoited,
|
|
harrassed, ripped off or sued.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 02-Jun-96 15:56:47
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Jack P <102474.2071@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: New Upcomings or Reruns?
|
|
|
|
Jack P <102474.2071@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Does the producers intend to show any new continuing episodes for
|
|
> the summer or we'll all have to wait until the fall implying in
|
|
> the meantime we'll just watch the past season reruns? Also I don't
|
|
> know why in the world would the LA station airing the B5 show as
|
|
> they always have, show the week's encore of other shows(less
|
|
> desirable) and not B5 for those that couldn't be around the first
|
|
> time?
|
|
|
|
The produers of B5 -- viz, me -- have no control or influence
|
|
over the scheduling of episodes or reruns. Just FYI.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 03-Jun-96 00:57:32
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: All
|
|
Subject: jms in UK
|
|
|
|
Can't recall if I mentioned this earlier, but...in addition to
|
|
being at the Wolf 359 convention in Blackpool this coming weekend, I'll
|
|
be doing an autograph session at Forbidden Planet Bookstore in London
|
|
this Thursday at 4 p.m. along with David Bassom, author of "Creating
|
|
Babylon 5" and "The A-Z of Babylon 5."
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 03-Jun-96 01:13:00
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Question of Timeline
|
|
|
|
John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> So can you clarify the dates somewhat here for me, please?
|
|
|
|
Well, she didn't go directly into Vorlon space; she left, went
|
|
around a bit, had to find a pilot willing to take her...it was a time
|
|
consuming process.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 03-Jun-96 01:13:03
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: < first episode year 4>
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
Yup, that's it, that's the hour of the wolf....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 03-Jun-96 01:13:06
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: < first episode year 4>
|
|
|
|
SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Is this anything like "The Hour Of Scampering?"
|
|
> Or maybe "The Hour Of Running Like Hell?"
|
|
|
|
No, no, no, you're thinking of the Hour of the Plucked
|
|
Parrot....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 03-Jun-96 01:13:08
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: FInal Scene-Severed Drea
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
Nopers....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 03-Jun-96 01:13:09
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Steve Brightman <73420.3057@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: << How old is Delenn >>
|
|
|
|
Steve Brightman <73420.3057@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Excuse for asking but just how old is Delenn ?
|
|
> So I guess she must be at least 900 years old ?
|
|
|
|
No, Delenn never said she held Valen when he died, she said she
|
|
held Dukhat, the last of the Grey Council leaders, at his death.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 03-Jun-96 01:36:01
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Cathy Holley <75204.1515@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: ^The Shadows^
|
|
|
|
Cathy Holley <75204.1515@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> How do the studios get around buying a book to make into a movie
|
|
> or tvshow? And didn't you sell B5 as an idea?
|
|
> not a complete story?
|
|
> or am I missing the point?
|
|
|
|
"How do the studios get around buying a book to make into a movie or
|
|
tv show? I mean in many cases if you compare the book to the movie,
|
|
there isn't a whole lot left except the basic storyline."
|
|
|
|
They don't get around buying the book; they *do* buy the book.
|
|
No, when all is said and done, the result may not look much like the
|
|
book, but that's a matter of creative realization of the project --
|
|
artistic success or failure
|
|
-- not legalities.
|
|
|
|
"And didn't you sell B5 as an idea? Not a complete story?"
|
|
|
|
Again, define "idea." The way Chris defined it, an "idea" is,
|
|
"Let's do a show on a space station."
|
|
|
|
You also have to remember that like many other writer/producers,
|
|
I'm in a position where I've shown that I'm capable of taking something
|
|
and making it into a TV show. But even so, like every other person
|
|
there trying to sell a series to PTEN, I didn't just walk in the door
|
|
with an idea.
|
|
|
|
If you're going to sell a series, you need to know the
|
|
characters, the situations, the possible additional storylines, the
|
|
support network and supporting characters...all of that. What usually
|
|
happens is that you go to a network, with a long list of credits, and
|
|
spin out a few details of what you have in mind: the central character,
|
|
the situation, some additional characters, how you'd get in and out of
|
|
stories, and the like. There's been a LOT of prior thought given to
|
|
it, it's a LOT more than just an idea. Then the network gives you seed
|
|
money (called "development money") to take that proposal and flesh it
|
|
out, writing a treatment and series bible, then a pilot script. Based
|
|
on ALL THAT, you then get or don't get your series.
|
|
|
|
When a writer comes in to pitch for a series already on the air,
|
|
he or she has the beginning, middle and end of the story worked out,
|
|
and some of the high points along the way. Every so often, somebody'll
|
|
come in and try to sell an idea, just a notion...and you want to hurt
|
|
them. I was working on MURDER, SHE WROTE and a guy came in to pitch
|
|
his story. "Okay," I said, "what did you have in mind?"
|
|
|
|
"Amnesia" he said, then sat back, pleased with himself.
|
|
|
|
I waited. Glaciers slowly moved across the northern polar
|
|
frontier. "What about it?" I asked finally.
|
|
|
|
"*Amnesia*," he said again, as though repeating it would
|
|
suddenly make me understand.
|
|
|
|
"WHOSE amnesia?" I asked. "Who forgets what, what's been
|
|
forgotten, and where do we go with it?"
|
|
|
|
"Well, we'd work that out after I get the assignment."
|
|
|
|
He was never invited back.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 03-Jun-96 13:29:30
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: annie <104246.3046@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: << How old is Delenn >>
|
|
|
|
annie <104246.3046@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> How old is Delenn?
|
|
|
|
In human terms, she's probably around her late 40s early 50s,
|
|
which is very young still for a Minbari, who can live to be almost 200.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 03-Jun-96 13:35:10
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Marte Brengle <76703.4242@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Joining B-5 Fan Club?
|
|
|
|
Marte Brengle <76703.4242@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Anyone actually got the fan club stuff yet?
|
|
|
|
The first issue of the newsletter -- Universe Today -- should be
|
|
going out this week, if it hasn't already started going out. There
|
|
were a few glitches in the cards from the printer that had to be
|
|
corrected, and I wanted to make some final changes to the poster, which
|
|
now looks better. It's all in place now, however.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Jun-96 13:41:45
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: How Time Flies
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
Thanks. Unfortunately, we're not really set up to give tours of
|
|
the set, so that's not possible for us.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Jun-96 13:41:46
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: jms in UK
|
|
|
|
I think the books will only be out via import stores.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Jun-96 13:41:48
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Chris Croughton (UK) <100014.3217@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: jms in UK
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
Thanks; I just now got this, if I'd known at the time, I likely
|
|
would've stopped by.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Jun-96 13:41:50
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Elyse M. Grasso <70302.3304@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Sidebars 1
|
|
|
|
Good points, thanks.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Jun-96 13:41:53
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Elyse M. Grasso <70302.3304@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Sidebars 2: Cabaret
|
|
|
|
I wouldn't say Cabaret was my favorite movie of all time, but
|
|
it's certainly one of my tops, and that one scene, "Tomorrow Belongs to
|
|
Me" still scares the hell out of me.
|
|
|
|
If I had to delineate my favorite films overall, they'd be
|
|
Seconds, They Might Be Giants, Forbidden Planet, The Stuntman, A
|
|
Christmas Story, The Empire Strikes Back, Cabaret, Failsafe, Seven Days
|
|
in May, Aliens, All That Jazz, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Glory,
|
|
The Haunting of Hill House, Road Warrior, Terminator 1 and 2, The
|
|
Natural, Network, Something Wicked This Way Comes, The Rocky Horror
|
|
Picture Show, Phantom of the Paradise, When Worlds Collide, The Seven
|
|
Faces of Dr. Lao, The Shootist, War of the Worlds, Stalag 17, and The
|
|
Time Machine.
|
|
|
|
Those are films I can watch again and again and never get bored
|
|
with them. Lao is a particular favorite, it's just a beautiful film.
|
|
I tend to love films that break your heart or make it soar, or both at
|
|
the same time, like Glory, or Giants.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Jun-96 13:41:54
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: carrie foreman <76400.1170@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Merchandise question
|
|
|
|
No, Psi Corps pins have not been licensed, and are thus illegal.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Jun-96 13:41:57
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: JMS: Sorry...
|
|
|
|
Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Just how negative are those feelings?
|
|
|
|
I didn't read the thread, but yes, Carl's right when he says
|
|
that we have to be careful to avoid storylines and the like. Don't
|
|
worry, apology accepted; forgiven, forgotten, gone. We learn by doing.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Jun-96 13:41:59
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Other races' ships
|
|
|
|
(blocked) asks:
|
|
> Just out of curiosity, have any Markab ships been shown, other
|
|
> than the one in "Confessions and Lamentations"?
|
|
|
|
Yes, Marcabs had warships, though not a lot of them.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Jun-96 13:42:01
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: 4th Season
|
|
|
|
Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Were you given any feel as to the likelyhood of a Season Five?
|
|
|
|
Thanks, and we'll know more about Warner's plans in a bit.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Jun-96 13:42:04
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Did Sinclair get married
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
No, they didn't get married. Wasn't time, and his new posting
|
|
precluded that.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Jun-96 13:42:05
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: A B5 reflection
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
That's great, thanks for passing it along.
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Jun-96 13:42:07
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Series Renewal
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
Thanks, we're very pleased.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Jun-96 13:42:09
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Rick Sharon <76416.2213@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: B5 Renewal
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
Thanks. Yes, the numbers and support led right to renewal. I
|
|
should mention that the domestic ratings have grown enough that one of
|
|
the major station groups has committed its stations to return
|
|
double-runs of episodes for the coming year, so Los Angeles and a
|
|
number of other markets will be getting two showings per week again.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Jun-96 13:42:14
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Kathy Sheldrake <76236.254@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Fabulous Costumes
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
Thanks. Yes, the costumes are great. Ann Bruice does a
|
|
terrific job finding fabrics which don't seem to be one thing or
|
|
another; your eye just sorta slides off them. It's a very tough job.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Jun-96 13:42:19
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Vivien Loveday <100705.2440@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: <Point of No return>
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
Thanks, and Severed is even better....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Jun-96 13:42:20
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Bablyon 5 Beyond the Rim
|
|
|
|
Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> In your "Hours of the Wolf," (with the uncertainties you must
|
|
> deal with as a creator/executive producer of a syndicated show
|
|
> you must have a continuing series of "Hours of the Wolf), do you
|
|
> ever get story ideas about the B5 characters that occur well
|
|
> outside of the the megastory you've committed yourself to tell?
|
|
> Would it be helpful or detrimental to start agitating at either
|
|
> the local or WB-macro level for a guarantee (or as close as is
|
|
> possible in the fluid dynamics of syndicated series) of a season
|
|
> 5? Since you've indicated the possibility that you might be
|
|
> required to compress seasons 4 and 5, is there any value to all
|
|
> of the dedicated viewers stating up front that a compressed
|
|
> season is not an acceptable option?
|
|
|
|
Thanks. Yes, I sometimes do get notions for stories with our
|
|
characters outside the B5 arc. Earlier stuff, later stuff...you just
|
|
sorta file it away. I'll probably never get to telling any of it, but
|
|
it helps add truth to the writing because I know what they're doing
|
|
elsewhere and elsewhen. Those tales will probably never be told.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Jun-96 13:42:23
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Bob Ingersoll <72204.2405@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Last 5 When?
|
|
|
|
Bob Ingersoll <72204.2405@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Will they run sometime over the summer, or are they being held
|
|
> back again until the start up of next year's season?
|
|
|
|
October. Urk.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Jun-96 21:02:35
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Roseann M. Caputo <103510.1542@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: B5
|
|
|
|
Roseann M. Caputo <103510.1542@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Was it updated as well?
|
|
> Oh, will Peter David be writing any other episodes?
|
|
> ?
|
|
|
|
Thanks. It's a great show, and fun to work on.
|
|
|
|
To the question of the writing book...the version being
|
|
published this October is *completely* rewritten, stem to stern, with
|
|
new chapters and other goodies.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Jun-96 21:16:16
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: John L. Creigh <75270.423@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Merchandise question
|
|
|
|
John L. Creigh <75270.423@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Is is okay/legal to use the PTEN copyrighted gifs on a website?
|
|
|
|
It's been general policy for WB to look the other way on that as
|
|
long as proper copyright notices are appended.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Jun-96 21:16:17
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Mary Taylor <75530.2650@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: B5 Renewal
|
|
|
|
Mary Taylor <75530.2650@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Does by any chance the major station group that has committed to
|
|
> a return of double runs of the show include WPWR in Chicago?
|
|
|
|
I'm reasonably sure that WPWR Chicago is one of those that have
|
|
committed to the new slate of double runs, but I'm not 100% sure; will
|
|
get a list as soon as available.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Jun-96 21:16:18
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: B5 congrats
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
Thanks, and I'm glad the show is finally reaching your corner of
|
|
the world.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Jun-96 21:16:21
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Sheridan Disappears?
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
He doesn't disappear completely.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Jun-96 21:16:23
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Brian A. Thomas <75231.1122@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Celebration Time!!!
|
|
|
|
Brian A. Thomas <75231.1122@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Since I believe you said you were not going to pull another
|
|
> season 3 and write all the scripts yourself, who can we expect to
|
|
> see pen some eps this upcoming season? Niel Gaiman or Halan
|
|
> Ellison? Also, who do we need to be writing to, outside of our
|
|
> local stations, to insure that WB gives a speedy greenlight to
|
|
> season 5 ASAP...after all, what is one last season to a big
|
|
> studio like them?
|
|
|
|
Nothing much to be done now for year 5, that will depend as does
|
|
every season on the ratings for the year preceding.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Jun-96 21:16:24
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Season Finale
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
When I'm ready....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 13-Jun-96 12:46:38
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Wilfred Gibo <74543.1600@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Celebration Time!!!
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
Thanks, and we look forward to the coming year.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 13-Jun-96 12:46:40
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Merchandise question
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
No, I think that's fine as well, with proper notices.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 13-Jun-96 12:46:41
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Merchandise question
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
You cannot make and *sell* them. That's the difference.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 13-Jun-96 12:46:43
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: S J NICHOLSON <76574.1663@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Chicago Comicon
|
|
|
|
S J NICHOLSON <76574.1663@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Do you (or anyone out there) know what your schedule would be
|
|
> this weekend? Is it going to be Friday, Saturday and Sunday?
|
|
|
|
I believe my main panels are in the afternoons on Saturday and
|
|
Sunday.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 13-Jun-96 21:36:36
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Mark Pruett <74133.3406@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Sidebars 2: Cabaret
|
|
|
|
Mark Pruett <74133.3406@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Seconds...Seconds....was that the truly dark film with Rock
|
|
> Hudson? Or am I remembering wrong?
|
|
> You included The Shootist but not Robin and Marian?
|
|
|
|
Yes, that was the Rock Hudson film...and the letterbox Forbidden
|
|
Planet has been out for some time on disk.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 13-Jun-96 21:36:38
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: *B5 Renewed*!!
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
Actually, TNT had the rights to B5 at a point after 88 episodes,
|
|
yes, BUT...WB had the option within that contract to produce only 66
|
|
episodes and still get the same deal.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 13-Jun-96 21:43:19
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Chicago Comicon
|
|
|
|
SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Are you bringing anything *interesting* to show us????
|
|
|
|
Mainly clips from coming shows, not any finished episodes.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 13-Jun-96 21:43:22
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Timeline Inconsistency
|
|
|
|
John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> That places "Messages From Earth" about a week after
|
|
> "Exogenesis," right? You start to see the dilemma?
|
|
> Which means that "Severed Dreams" takes place about the 12th of
|
|
> April? How's that so far?
|
|
> But what does this do with the dates for "Sic Transit Vir" and
|
|
> "Ceremonies of Light and Dark"? So any chance of you helping out
|
|
> with the dates for all this, and a clearing up of some of the
|
|
> timeline here for me?
|
|
|
|
The only thing I can clear up is that Sic Transit was *not*
|
|
filmed prior to Ceremonies, the filming order was Severed, Ceremonies,
|
|
Avalon and Vir. Other than that, you're on your own.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 14-Jun-96 21:34:14
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: B5 Publicity??
|
|
|
|
Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> The UK was pleasant, I trust?
|
|
> Who handles B5 publicity?
|
|
> Is it WB or in-house Babylonian Productions?
|
|
> Does that include talk show bookings, SNL guest hosting, and all
|
|
> that jazz? but how do *you* feel personally as regards SNL's
|
|
> tendency to parody the week's guest host's roles? I know you
|
|
> dislike (or just don't want to see) fanfic B5 parodies, what
|
|
> about parodies done by the Not Ready for Prime Time Players? have
|
|
> you seen the RPG playtest rules and background? Is it true to your
|
|
> vision?
|
|
|
|
WB has generally handled B5's publicity, though we've lately
|
|
hired our own publicists to help gain additional exposure.
|
|
|
|
Parodies don't bother me.
|
|
|
|
Newsletters have begun going out; posters and fan club packets
|
|
have had to wait until we got everything worked out. Remember, please,
|
|
everybody, that the FC is a new creation, was not a going concern;
|
|
those who got in at the very beginning will have a short wait that
|
|
those joining thereafter won't have. As with everything else we do, we
|
|
try and do it *right*. If that takes a bit longer, so be it. (I sent
|
|
back the new poster design twice for small changes and improvements,
|
|
which alone put things back.)
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 14-Jun-96 21:34:17
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Ruth Spradlin <73477.3155@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Pilot Movie
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
Thanks, I didn't know that.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 14-Jun-96 21:34:18
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Fourth season...
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
Thanks, and we're looking forward to year four.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 14-Jun-96 21:34:22
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Anita Karve <73653.3253@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Bablyon 5 Beyond the Rim
|
|
|
|
Anita Karve <73653.3253@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Any chance of covering those areas in B5 movies after the 5th
|
|
> season is over? If not commercial features, what about
|
|
> made-for-television ones?
|
|
|
|
We'll kinda have to see what happens when it comes round to make
|
|
that decision; right now just telling this one story now takes up 110%
|
|
of my time.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 14-Jun-96 21:34:23
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Doug Quinn <76330.350@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: << WWE Questions >>
|
|
|
|
Doug Quinn <76330.350@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> 1) On the destruction of B5 -- can I assume that the vision of B5
|
|
> being blown to bits in in SIGNS & PORTENTS is the same possible
|
|
> future we saw in BABYLON SQUARED and in WAR WITHOUT END? Or was
|
|
> the vision from SIGNS & PORTENTS fortelling a different future
|
|
> that's still out there? 2) Since Jeff Sinclair was Roman Catholic,
|
|
> and since Jeff Sinclair became Valen, and since Valen became the
|
|
> spiritual and political leader of the Minbari, does this mean
|
|
> that the Minbari are Roman Catholic?
|
|
|
|
Yes, the vision of B5 blowing was the same as the one from
|
|
Signs.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 14-Jun-96 21:45:48
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Sidebars 2: Cabaret
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
I liked "Unforgiven" quite a bit, but it isn't a film that I
|
|
could watch endlessly, or often. The others are films that catch me up
|
|
and take me someplace I enjoy returning to, and if I'm channel surfing
|
|
and happen to land on one of them, I generally tend to stay.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 14-Jun-96 21:45:51
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: B5 TV Schedule - UK
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
BTW, I heard today from the chain of command that the UK might
|
|
*not* be broadcasting the final 5 prior to the US, at the insistence of
|
|
WB. Won't be able to track this down any further until next week.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 14-Jun-96 21:45:52
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Making life interesting
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
Congratulations, you're doing *exactly* what I did when I
|
|
dropped everything, sold what I had, and came to L.A. Good luck.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 15-Jun-96 17:06:09
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Merchandise question
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
No more feeders...they won't leave the female extras alone.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 15-Jun-96 17:06:10
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Bruno Melancon <102647.3222@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Series Renewal
|
|
|
|
Bruno Melancon <102647.3222@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> BTW, did you start writing any fourth season episodes?
|
|
|
|
Yup, I'm writing the first episode now, "The Hour of the Wolf,"
|
|
and we should have 6 in hand by the start of filming.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 15-Jun-96 17:06:12
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Mark Sloan <100407.3462@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: <<Interludes>>
|
|
|
|
Mark Sloan <100407.3462@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> A question about "I&E" (Second favourite episode of season 3 so
|
|
> far, after Severed Dreams): Did Adira's killer suffer the same
|
|
> fate as the guard who appeared in the episode's teaser? Now season
|
|
> 4 has been confirmed, are you going to make him put all the
|
|
> weight back on?
|
|
> ?
|
|
|
|
No, Adira's killer is still alive...can be useful, those folks.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 15-Jun-96 17:06:13
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Communicator
|
|
|
|
(blocked) asks:
|
|
> How does the communicator stay on the hand?
|
|
|
|
Sleight of hand.
|
|
|
|
Molecular bonding at the epidermal level.
|
|
|
|
Crazy Glue.
|
|
|
|
Pick one.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 15-Jun-96 17:06:16
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Bablyon 5 Beyond the Rim
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
No, it's a tribute to Alfie.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 16-Jun-96 11:08:27
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Vivien Loveday <100705.2440@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Other races' ships
|
|
|
|
Vivien Loveday <100705.2440@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Would they have contracted Drafa?
|
|
|
|
There would've been a very few on deep space patrols, or on
|
|
isolated worlds that would've survived, yes, as was indicated in the
|
|
narration at the close of the episode, but you're talking about very,
|
|
very small numbers. The race is still effectively dead.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 16-Jun-96 11:08:28
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Dimitri M LaBarge <71501.3353@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Series Renewal
|
|
|
|
Dimitri M LaBarge <71501.3353@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Have you a title for this season's episodes yet?
|
|
|
|
Yes, I have titles for this season's shows, mostly, and the
|
|
overall title.
|
|
|
|
You'll get them in the fullness of time.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 16-Jun-96 11:08:28
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Bernard F. Dowdy, J <76550.347@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: <More of Zathras?>
|
|
|
|
Bernard F. Dowdy, J <76550.347@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Will we see Zathras again in a future episode or was his trip
|
|
> 1000 years into the past his exit from the series?
|
|
|
|
I'd love to see Zathras again somehow....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 16-Jun-96 16:26:41
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Vivien Loveday <100705.2440@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: <Severed Dreams>
|
|
|
|
Vivien Loveday <100705.2440@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> what is it, and what happened to it?
|
|
|
|
Clarke has inside info that ISN would be going public soon with
|
|
info on what was *really* going on on Mars, his planned attack on B5,
|
|
and other stuff he wanted quiet.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 16-Jun-96 16:26:42
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Neville White <101352.1023@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: <severed dreams in UK>
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
Thanks. The Television Thing to do would've been to have that
|
|
moment of victory, Sheridan saying the crisis is over, then fade to
|
|
black...but it was absolutely *vital* to go to the lower sections and
|
|
see the human cost of that victory. War is never a bloodless game.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 16-Jun-96 16:29:34
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Tim Kelly <76735.3255@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: B5 at an end in NY?
|
|
|
|
Tim Kelly <76735.3255@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> is picking up the show for a fourth season, WOR may be nixing the
|
|
> show from their fall schedule? Now, I don't want to start a rumor,
|
|
> but is there any truth to this???
|
|
|
|
No, NY will continue to air the show next fall. There's always
|
|
somebody saying they've got a "source" at WB saying one apocalyptic
|
|
thing or another...and they're always full of it.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 16-Jun-96 20:57:00
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Lift question
|
|
|
|
Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Can the lift take someone horizontally from sector to sector?
|
|
|
|
Yes, the tubes can move at both angles.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 16-Jun-96 20:57:01
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Steven K. Andeweg <72143.674@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Staff of Aesculapius
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
Thanks, we try to get the details right. As someone once said,
|
|
god is in the details.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 16-Jun-96 21:59:10
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: <<Interludes>>
|
|
|
|
Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Was it?
|
|
|
|
Certainly, one theme of the show is how we each deal with the
|
|
traumas that beset us, and the choices we make. The difference is in
|
|
how we handle them. In "Shadow" and "Interludes" both Londo and
|
|
Sheridan have to confront somewhat similar losses: the death of a loved
|
|
one. But Sheridan, at the last, was willing to suck in the pain and do
|
|
what was right, however much it grieved him, and forego
|
|
revenge...Londo, on the other hand, has embraced revenge.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 16-Jun-96 21:59:11
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Hour 25/B5 Music
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
Agreement on both counts.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 17-Jun-96 11:34:52
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Hour 25/B5 Music
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
My agreement was that it should be on the next CD, and have
|
|
noted same to Chris.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 17-Jun-96 11:34:53
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Delenn's Family
|
|
|
|
Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> will we ever hear about Delenn's parents/family?
|
|
|
|
As a matter of fact, yes, you'll hear about Delenn's parents in
|
|
"Grey 17 Is Missing."
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 17-Jun-96 21:00:29
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: B5 off air in Philly
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
I'm sure WB is looking at alternate stations. The basic reality
|
|
is that if the station supported the show, it did well; if not, not.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 17-Jun-96 21:00:32
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Season 4 Narration
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
Yes and no.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 17-Jun-96 21:00:34
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: <WWE & Geo. of Shadows>
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
No, it wasn't an intentional bit of foreshadowing, unless my
|
|
subconscious is smarter about this stuff than I am...which is
|
|
altogether possible, I suppose.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 17-Jun-96 21:18:04
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Paul Owen <100331.2357@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Severed Dreams
|
|
|
|
Paul Owen <100331.2357@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Just a little question, at the end of SD when Delenn returns with
|
|
> the Minbari ships, what is the small Minbari ship that
|
|
> accompanies the cruisers ?
|
|
|
|
That's the White Star, and thanks.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 17-Jun-96 21:18:06
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: <Severed Dreams>
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
I actually went to a mix of schools; four different high
|
|
schools, a dozen or so grade and junior high schools...some were
|
|
public, some were parochial (catholic) schools. The last time I
|
|
stepped into a catholic school was in my first year of high school at
|
|
St. Benedict's High School in Matawan, New Jersey. After, oh, about
|
|
six months they asked me to leave, on the theory that I was
|
|
troublesome, asked impertinent questions, and had a tendency to poke
|
|
holes in whichever theological discussion was underway at the moment.
|
|
So I got blipped over to Matawan Regional High School, and stayed
|
|
public thereafter...though still getting into trouble from time to time
|
|
for asking too many questions and refusing to take "because I said so"
|
|
as ANY kind of legitimate response.
|
|
|
|
So yes, while I do have some experience with catholicism, I
|
|
wasn't in any way raised, trained or educated by those intellectual pit
|
|
bulls of religion, the Jesuits. The last time I had anything to do
|
|
with it at all was about the same time as the above incident, wherein I
|
|
was told, at the first session of this religious doctrination session,
|
|
that Confirmation was "the sacrament of free choice." I wanted this
|
|
clarified -- religious rules were always tricky, and you didn't want to
|
|
get on the wrong side of anything as positive as hell (to paraphrase
|
|
Christopher Fry) -- and asked, "So this one we can choose or not, we
|
|
don't have to be here, right?" The nun said yes, that's corr---
|
|
|
|
She never finished the word, as there was no longer a "me"
|
|
standing in the room, only a jms-shaped silhouette made of the dust
|
|
kicked up by my sudden and rocket-like departure, rather like a Warner
|
|
Bros. cartoon, which disappeared before her eyes.
|
|
|
|
Bottom line...I have *always* been a pain in the ass.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 18-Jun-96 01:40:41
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Two Questions
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
Basically, after seeing what he's done for the Narns, and
|
|
knowing who Vir is all this time, and seeing his reaction of horror to
|
|
what Lyndisty was suggesting, anybody who thinks he offed the Narn
|
|
isn't paying attention.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 18-Jun-96 01:40:42
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: ABA and B5
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
That's good to hear from the ABA booths. Thanks.
|
|
|
|
Re: the fan/pro relationship (which can be difficult at
|
|
times)...yes, I do tend to think that because many SF pros come from
|
|
the ranks of fans, it makes them more receptive to and sympathetic to
|
|
that side of things. It makes me *very* annoyed to see people who've
|
|
stood in line for 1, 2 or 3 hours for an autograph being turned aside.
|
|
If I have any control over this, I won't have it. (The only time I
|
|
haven't been in control of this was at Wolf, where a number of folks
|
|
were turned aside, and that's something the organizers and I have to
|
|
discuss for next time. I also found out, after the fact, that some
|
|
folks were turned away from the Forbidden Planet signing because they
|
|
brought stuff instead of buying, and that was NEVER a condition that
|
|
I'd agreed to or even knew about, and I'm quite unhappy about that.)
|
|
|
|
Generally speaking, I don't care how long I have to sit there
|
|
and sign, ain't *nobody* walking away empty handed if I can help it.
|
|
Because I've been in that position myself.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 18-Jun-96 14:43:38
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: <<Interludes>>
|
|
|
|
Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Isn't this one of the primary differances between the characters,
|
|
> though?
|
|
|
|
Yep, that's it exactly.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 18-Jun-96 14:47:18
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: UK B5 Radio Times
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
So like, what does it SAY?
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 18-Jun-96 14:47:19
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Which came first?
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
The *Mars* excavation was years ago, the *Ganymede* one was the
|
|
one in Messages.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 18-Jun-96 14:47:20
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Which came first?
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
The excavation came first, then martial law.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 19-Jun-96 00:25:34
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Tom O'Hay <71264.106@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Just curious...
|
|
|
|
Tom O'Hay <71264.106@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Years ago, after reading a story, I asked the children "How would
|
|
> you like to go there?" Do you remember S Spielberg's "Amazing
|
|
> Stories"?
|
|
|
|
Thank you, I appreciate that. That's really all I've ever
|
|
wanted, to tell a good story.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 19-Jun-96 00:25:36
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Vivien Loveday <100705.2440@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Other races' ships
|
|
|
|
Vivien Loveday <100705.2440@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> What I meant was, will we see them again, and will they come in
|
|
> on B5's side?
|
|
|
|
No, they're effectively out of the picture.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 19-Jun-96 00:25:38
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: <severed dreams in UK>
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
Thanks. And you're quite right; when we lose touch with our
|
|
myths, we have to dig them out, dust them off, and recast them under
|
|
different names, so that people can rediscover them without thinking
|
|
they're reading about something old and irrelevant.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 19-Jun-96 00:25:40
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Darran Williams <101656.2143@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: UK B5 Radio Times
|
|
|
|
Darran Williams <101656.2143@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> So what lies ahead over the next 11 episodes?
|
|
> What do you think of that last line then ?
|
|
|
|
Thanks for the info, it's appreciated.
|
|
|
|
"What do you think of that last line then?"
|
|
|
|
What's to think? Dominic May is a fine name.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 19-Jun-96 11:41:54
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: What of Earth?
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
Yes, we'll definitely get back into the Earth side of things;
|
|
we just go in cycles story-wise.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 19-Jun-96 11:41:56
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: JMS: thestation.com????
|
|
|
|
(blocked) asks:
|
|
> Any ETA when the page will be on-line?
|
|
|
|
As soon as WB stops dithering about and gives us authorization
|
|
to put it out there. All licensed stuff has to go through their
|
|
auspices, and they're taking their time. We're pressing them as much
|
|
as we can; we've had a beta site on line now since May.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 19-Jun-96 23:59:04
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Vivien Loveday <100705.2440@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Other races' ships
|
|
|
|
Vivien Loveday <100705.2440@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> What about that lone Narn cruiser?
|
|
> Is that due to play a part again?
|
|
|
|
We'll see the Narn cruiser again this season.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 19-Jun-96 23:59:09
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Technical Accuracy
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
Usually they use equations, I understand...though glitches, such
|
|
as those you note, do slip through.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 24 Jun 1996 12:05:03 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Series Renewal
|
|
|
|
(blocked) asks:
|
|
> Will Janet Greek be back?
|
|
|
|
We'd love to have Janet back, but she apparently just adopted
|
|
an infant, and isn't sure she wants to do any work for the coming year.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 24 Jun 1996 12:05:04 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Shadows are Beautiful!
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
Thanks...and I'm not sure the shadows' motivation is an "open"
|
|
question as much as it is one open TO interpretation....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 24 Jun 1996 12:05:08 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Shadows are Beautiful!
|
|
|
|
Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Is that in some way different from what Elizabeth said??
|
|
|
|
It's between those two positions....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 24 Jun 1996 21:22:33 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Shadows are Beautiful!
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
You don't have all the information yet on which to base any
|
|
conclusions; it's coming by season's end.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 24 Jun 1996 21:36:23 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Lynne Caulfield <101647.2616@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Why GA deserves an Emmy
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
Since you mention the UK ratings, the newest volume of the B5
|
|
videotape, #11, just came out in the UK...and it's #1 on the charts,
|
|
topping the X-Files you cite.
|
|
|
|
As for the other UK ratings you mention, Channel 4 is always
|
|
generally rated lower than BBC1 and BBC2; within the course of what C4
|
|
airs, B5 does *extremely* well for them, and just recently came in at
|
|
#16 in their list of programming.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 25 Jun 1996 12:56:48 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Shadows are Beautiful!
|
|
|
|
Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Defining 10 as 'kills because (s)he enjoys doing it, and revels
|
|
> in the deaths/pain of others' and 1 as 'kills because it is
|
|
> necessery to do so for survival/etc', where would the Shadows
|
|
> rate? How was the Chicago Comicon, BTW?
|
|
|
|
On the 1-10 scale you suggest, and using those specific
|
|
criteria to make a decision, I'd rate the shadows right around E or F.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 25 Jun 1996 12:56:50 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Another Death?
|
|
|
|
Vlobb <101523.507@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Do the future events depeticted in War Without End have to come
|
|
> to pass, or has the future now been changed by the very fact that
|
|
> Sheridan knows something of it? If so, do all the characters that
|
|
> were alive in the future scenes in War Without End necesserally
|
|
> have to be alive in that future now?
|
|
|
|
Sheridan, by taking the actions he took to keep history on
|
|
track, has now pretty much assured that the events we see *will*
|
|
happen.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 28 Jun 1996 00:44:28 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Al Lipscomb <75204.2225@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Series Renewal
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
Of course, there's a substantive difference between killing a
|
|
character to serve the plot, or because of real-world events, and
|
|
offing somebody without giving the person a fair chance.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 28 Jun 1996 00:44:29 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Marcus Cole/Jason Carter
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
Just one.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 28 Jun 1996 00:47:45 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Mark Sloan <100407.3462@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Special B5 episode
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
Uh, huh....
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
Okay, buddy, back away from the keyboard and keep your hands
|
|
where we can see them.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 28 Jun 1996 12:55:36 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Juanma Barranquero <100044.2131@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: B5 in Spain
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
That's great, thanks for letting me know.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 28 Jun 1996 12:55:37 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Marcus Cole/Jason Carter
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
Of course, if my head implodes, I won't be able to finish the
|
|
story, now will I...?
|
|
|
|
Read "Scheherezade" lately?
|
|
|
|
jm(probably misspelled that)s
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 28 Jun 1996 12:55:39 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: annie <104246.3046@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Another Death?
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
Oh, Delenn definitely still knows more than she's telling....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 26 Jun 1996 00:33:45 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: What of Earth?
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
Thanks. It's primarily an effort to integrate the real world
|
|
into the series. So much of SF on television tends to take place in a
|
|
vacuum. The leader of the Federation is always the leader of the
|
|
Federation, we rarely hear about squabbling, elections, economic
|
|
problems, dissident groups breaking away...and when we do it's usually
|
|
a misunderstanding or basically good people with a different agenda
|
|
that can be quickly resolved.
|
|
|
|
I think that integrating all of those elements lends an
|
|
atmosphere of verisimilitude to the story, making it all the more
|
|
*real*.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 26 Jun 1996 00:33:49 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: sci fi shows
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
"Neverwhere" will probably show up either on PBS or Bravo, since
|
|
it comes off the BBC.
|
|
|
|
I've seen the "Dark Skies" pilot...it's kind of a hodge podge of
|
|
stuff. Parts are very effective, some aspects stretch credulity...but a
|
|
pilot can be a poor indicator of the series, so I'll definitely give it
|
|
a shot when the regular show begins.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 26 Jun 1996 00:33:51 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Neville White <101352.1023@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Shadows are Beautiful!
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
Exactly, the already had a source on Earth.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 26 Jun 1996 00:33:53 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Ahem... regarding Bears
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
It was supposed to have been arranged by some of the folks at
|
|
Comic Con in Chicago. When I got there, I asked if this had been taken
|
|
care of (they said they knew the right people, and I'd reimburse for
|
|
the cost involved). They said it was all going to go off as planned.
|
|
If it didn't...then I'm hugely annoyed.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 26 Jun 1996 00:33:56 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Dan T. Davis <71121.1254@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Another Death?
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
Many things are possible.
|
|
|
|
But that future will happen.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 26 Jun 1996 11:55:19 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Series Renewal
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
Yes, it's the same casting director.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 26 Jun 1996 12:06:18 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Marcus Cole/Jason Carter
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
Y'know, every time a character gets introduced on this show,
|
|
there's always somebody who yells about killing him off. I've been
|
|
told by folks on the nets, variously, to kill Londo ("Who's the jerk in
|
|
the Bozo hair? He's a joke, he's ruining the show, space him!"), Vir
|
|
("Flounder in space? Give me a break, he's nothing, throw him out an
|
|
airlock!"), Lennier and others, including Sheridan ("He smiles too
|
|
much, what's the deal, Smilin' Jack," which was a setup for his fall).
|
|
Many people screamed to kill Sinclair during the first season...and
|
|
then were the first ones wanting him back a year later.
|
|
|
|
And in each case, they went on to become some of our most
|
|
popular characters.
|
|
|
|
Patience is a virtue. We get to know people over time. See
|
|
their strengths and weaknesses over time. There's a lot more to Marcus
|
|
than meets the eye...and many people *do* like Marcus' character quite
|
|
a lot.
|
|
|
|
The sad thing to me is to see folks who, if they don't
|
|
instantly spark to someone, say "Kill him!!!" Which seems to me rather
|
|
cruel and intolerant for just not sparking to someone. I wonder if
|
|
they have friends, or if they meet someone and instantly don't take to
|
|
them, do they wait in an alley and blow their brains out...or give them
|
|
time to grow...or at least take a wait-and-see attitude. I sometimes
|
|
wonder about a society that breeds the notion that if you don't like a
|
|
character, let's *kill* them. Not, "let's not feature him," not "write
|
|
him out," but KILL him. There's something rather disturbing in that.
|
|
|
|
But...if Marcus doesn't work for you, he doesn't work for you.
|
|
He does work for others. And he works for me.
|
|
|
|
I think you're outnumbered.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 26 Jun 1996 21:50:47 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Series Renewal
|
|
|
|
Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Joe, Putting aside your total lack of time, are you interested in
|
|
> directing?
|
|
|
|
I go back and forth on this. Basically, no, I'm not interested
|
|
in directing. On the other hand, my gut (and my agent) tells me that I
|
|
should do it at least once, just so I understand the process (a good
|
|
idea), and to add that aspect to my resume. I dunno...we'll see.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 26 Jun 1996 21:50:50 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Series Renewal
|
|
|
|
(blocked) asks:
|
|
> As an employer, how do you hire for the show in such a way as to
|
|
> let your employees know how long they would be under your employ?
|
|
> How do the actors deal with this?
|
|
|
|
Thanks. Basically, you hire actors by the season. You hire
|
|
someone for, say, 13 episodes out of 22. That actor has a pay-or-play
|
|
*guarantee* of 13 episodes. We may only end up using him in 11, but he
|
|
gets paid for all 13 regardless. So that allows the actor to plan his
|
|
year effectively. The contract for all actors has an option for the
|
|
following year at the producer's discretion. When we get the word on
|
|
renewal, we can then choose whether or not to bring an actor back,
|
|
assuming we haven't already decided this earlier and killed the
|
|
character off.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 26 Jun 1996 21:50:53 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: sci fi shows
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
Odd, I'd thought Tracy Torme was off Sliders now. I'd heard
|
|
that, anyway. Let me know if he's still listed on the show in the new
|
|
eps.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 26 Jun 1996 21:51:00 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Another Death?
|
|
|
|
Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> But will the events we saw unfold as we saw them, or will they be
|
|
> changed? Or did Sheridan exist in two time continuums at the same
|
|
> time? Would his very knowledge of the future shade events
|
|
> somewhat?
|
|
|
|
Events will unfold as we saw them. Sheridan might try to use
|
|
his knowledge to change things...but who knows, that may just bring
|
|
them about.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 26 Jun 1996 21:51:02 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Ta'Lon?
|
|
|
|
Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Question: Are we going to be seeing more of Ta'Lon?
|
|
|
|
Wouldn't mind seeing more of him.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 29 Jun 1996 00:25:17 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Another Death?
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
Yup.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 29 Jun 1996 15:44:32 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Series Renewal
|
|
|
|
(blocked) asks:
|
|
> Due to the timing of Warner Bros' decision to renew, does this
|
|
> give you enough time to assign scripts, and have those authors
|
|
> complete the job in time for filming? Or will you just take the
|
|
> first few episodes yourself? I can not even begin to understand a
|
|
> writer's creative process, but generally how long does it take
|
|
> from the time of story assignment to the time the finished script
|
|
> is submitted?
|
|
|
|
Depends on the writer. Freelance writing almost always takes
|
|
longer because they don't know, and can't be *expected* to know, the
|
|
show as well as you do if you're on staff. You can have several pitch
|
|
meetings over the course of weeks before a good story walks in (though
|
|
in the case of B5 the stories are generally assigned out by me, saving
|
|
that process); then you wait anywhere from 1-3 weeks for the outline;
|
|
you have a meeting about it; another week or so for the revised
|
|
outline; you have another meeting; then about 2-4 weeks for the first
|
|
draft script; then another meeting; then another 1-3 weeks for the
|
|
second draft. (These are *optimal* periods, sometimes it's shorter,
|
|
but usually it's longer.) And then, on a show as eccentric as B5, you
|
|
often end up rewriting large portions of it anyway. So it can take as
|
|
much as 2 months or more to produce a shootable script.
|
|
|
|
I can write a script in 7 days or less, that's ready to go
|
|
before the camera as written. Which isn't to say anything qualitative,
|
|
only to say that it's easier and faster because I'm inside the bubble.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 29 Jun 1996 15:44:36 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Richard Wakefield <100534.504@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Hyperspace vs. Distance
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
No, what I said was that *time* works about the same way in
|
|
hyperspace, not distance, nor that there was necessarily a proportional
|
|
1-1 corrolation between realspace and hyperspace. There's still some
|
|
distance involved in hyperspace, yes, though again there isn't always a
|
|
1-1 corrolation. It takes 3 days to get to Earth. It takes 4 days to
|
|
get to Centauri Prime, even though CP is almost twice the distance from
|
|
B5. It's *extremely* confusing to navigate hyperspace, which is why
|
|
you need the beacons and transfer points, or it's extremely easy to get
|
|
permanently lost.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 29 Jun 1996 15:44:39 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Another Death?
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
No, of course there's free will. But if I pull a trigger, and
|
|
the bullet flies out hitting someone in the head, what happens between
|
|
the moment of the trigger, and the impact, has nothing to do with free
|
|
will. Sheridan made the choice -- free will -- to do what was done in
|
|
WWE. There were two probable results, depending on whether he did or
|
|
didn't do as asked. Once he did that, the two probabilities folded
|
|
into one actuality (a la Shroedinger's Cat).
|
|
|
|
Which doesn't mean to say he won't *try* to change things....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 29 Jun 1996 23:25:42 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Ray Pelzer <70475.1263@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: sci fi shows
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
Okay, the error here was mine. I was having dinner with a
|
|
friend a few weeks ago, and catching up on stuff (this friend also
|
|
works in the TV biz) and names were flying around...he mentioned that
|
|
Michael Piller was no longer involved in ST, and Tracy's name came
|
|
up...and this is entirely my own fault, I got the two juxtaposed in my
|
|
head. So I misspoke myself.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 29 Jun 1996 23:25:44 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Slowly but Surely
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
Thanks, I'll take all the help I can get....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 29 Jun 1996 23:25:46 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Another Death?
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
Ah...sleeping on the couch again, are we...?
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 27 Jun 1996 02:19:53 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Michael Studte <100245.2335@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Series Renewal
|
|
|
|
Michael Studte <100245.2335@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Now, when do we start the campaign to get the series renewed for
|
|
> its fifth year? And is there any light on the horizon for a
|
|
> laserdisk release of the series?
|
|
|
|
Thanks. There's nothing much happening currently on videos or
|
|
disks; in the fullness of time, I suppose....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 27 Jun 1996 02:19:55 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: What of Earth?
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
Yeah, five seasons would be 110 episodes.
|
|
|
|
Thanks re: the producer part. This is probably the one area I
|
|
get asked about the least, and the hardest part of the job. You have
|
|
to make sure each and every element intersects correctly with every
|
|
other element, and that takes some juggling.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 27 Jun 1996 02:19:57 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: William H. DiPaola <76521.1751@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: A laugh for ya
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
That's great...and congratulations on the win.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 27 Jun 1996 13:53:07 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Art W. Sullivan <104630.1315@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Just curious...
|
|
|
|
Art W. Sullivan <104630.1315@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Did you start with the place B5 and write forward, letting the
|
|
> story evolve, or backwards from a conclusion? Are you a character
|
|
> or plot driven writer?
|
|
|
|
I started with the place, but basically saw the story in one
|
|
full blown moment of clarity...dunno where that sort of thing comes
|
|
from.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 27 Jun 1996 13:53:10 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Ta'Lon?
|
|
|
|
Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Are there any regular or semi-regular characters you never want
|
|
> to see again on the show??
|
|
|
|
Sure, but those I just don't mention.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 27 Jun 1996 13:53:12 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Richard Wakefield <100534.504@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Hyperspace vs. Distance
|
|
|
|
Richard Wakefield <100534.504@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> How many Hyperspace hours away are the various races from Earth ?
|
|
> do all ships travel the same speed in Hyperspace, or can some go
|
|
> faster...meaning shorter travel times, etc ? And, finally :), we
|
|
> know the tech order of the races, does this also equate to their
|
|
> ships speeds ? Is this fast, or slow compared to EA ships ?
|
|
|
|
Hyperspace isn't like warp speed, you don't generally run into
|
|
the same problems with time dilation. It's largely the same in both
|
|
places.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 27 Jun 1996 13:53:13 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Jonathan Kass <74130.443@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: WWE2 Question/Spo
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
I think his message to Garibaldi was a momentary lapse, it
|
|
wasn't something he'd planned, his emotions momentarily got in the way
|
|
of his reason. To do so would be dangerous, so it wasn't done by him.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 27 Jun 1996 19:51:32 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Joe Smith <103020.3110@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Series Renewal
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
Nice quote, thanks....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 27 Jun 1996 19:51:33 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: CHRIS LAND <101750.2526@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Marcus Cole/Jason Carter
|
|
|
|
CHRIS LAND <101750.2526@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Did Aragorn inspire Marcus as I have heard that you enjoyed LOTR?
|
|
|
|
Thanks. And no, Aragorn didn't inspire Marcus. There's a lot
|
|
of heroic fantasy stuff that goes a long way beyond Tolkien, after all.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 30 Jun 1996 14:08:52 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: [F] ALL (2nd Pass)
|
|
Subject: From jms re:Email
|
|
|
|
Every once in a while I have to put this out as an FYI, so
|
|
those of you who know the routine, stand down...the rest of
|
|
you...c'mere, Unca Straczynski wants a word with you.
|
|
|
|
From time to time, my personal email mailbox begins to fill up
|
|
with questions that really should be asked in public forums, and which
|
|
require lengthy, in-depth explanations. (One such today asked me to
|
|
explain, in detail, the military hierarchy of Earthforce, relative
|
|
strengths of ships, on and on and on. In itself, not a bad
|
|
question...but asked in email, that means that I have to answer the
|
|
same thing for the next guy who asks, on and on and on.)
|
|
|
|
I can't get into detailed, exhaustive discussions of the plot
|
|
or story or characters *in private email*. If your question is a good
|
|
or a valid one, it should be posted in a public forum, so that others
|
|
can benefit from the answer. Otherwise either I end up writing pages
|
|
of information over and over again, and nobody else gets the
|
|
information, or I just decline to answer the question.
|
|
|
|
The *only* reason for using email is if it's a personal or a
|
|
confidential question, or something you don't want to say on the nets
|
|
for whatever reason. Please help me to keep my head above water by not
|
|
using email unless there's a valid reason for it.
|
|
|
|
If there *is* something you need to express in email, please
|
|
use the genie address (straczynski@genie.geis.com) instead of the
|
|
compuserve address, because the CIS emailbox can only hold 100 letters
|
|
at a time; any more than that which arrive get bumped and sent back or
|
|
deleted. I lost an important piece of email regarding B5 business
|
|
today because it got shoved out by a letter asking me to explain the
|
|
differences in organization and accountability to oders between the
|
|
religious and military castes of Minbari.
|
|
|
|
Bear in mind that with CTS, it *hurts* to type. The more I
|
|
type, the more it hurts. (Please don't send me any more info on CTS,
|
|
btw...I have all the available information on CTS, more than most
|
|
doctors right now, and to type a thank you note for each one that comes
|
|
in just makes the problem worse.) If a question needs answering,
|
|
better if I can answer it once, so everyone can see it, than 15 times
|
|
for one person at a time. Every keystroke you see from me comes with
|
|
discomfort.
|
|
|
|
Please try and use the email address(es) only if there's a
|
|
valid reason for it; otherwise, let others benefit from the sharpness
|
|
and quality of your question by asking it publicly.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 30 Jun 1996 20:17:43 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: From jms re:Email
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
I can't dictate scripts; I think through my fingers. Tried it,
|
|
just can't get into the characters.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 30 Jun 1996 20:17:45 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Richard Wakefield <100534.504@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Hyperspace vs. Distance
|
|
|
|
Richard Wakefield <100534.504@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Does this mean Ships travel at different speeds in Hyperspace ?
|
|
> And maybe the Vorlons and Shadows are so advanced they can go
|
|
> faster, hence the WStar + Battlecruisers ??
|
|
|
|
Actually, the White Star doesn't go to Earth in "Severed," it
|
|
goes in "Messages from Earth," and it's stated in dialogue that it
|
|
takes 3 days in that episode as well.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 30 Jun 1996 20:17:47 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Bill Dugan <71016.576@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Hyperspace vs. Distance
|
|
|
|
Bill Dugan <71016.576@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Is it confusing for the First Ones, or just for us younger races?
|
|
|
|
Dunno, but it confuses the hell outta me....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 30 Jun 1996 20:17:50 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Steven GASKELL <101700.2032@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Mimbari Anti Grav.
|
|
|
|
Steven GASKELL <101700.2032@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> But what if you attach a buttered piece of bread, butter-side up
|
|
> to a cat's back and toss them both out the window? Will the cat
|
|
> land on it's feet? Or will the butter splat on the ground?
|
|
|
|
Dropped out of counseling again, I see....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 30 Jun 1996 20:17:51 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Minbari Males
|
|
|
|
Brent Barrett <70530.2521@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Is this a correct assessment?
|
|
|
|
Yes, they can grow facial hair only.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 23 Jun 1996 22:14:02 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: Series Renewal
|
|
|
|
(blocked) asks:
|
|
> Have you started lining up directors yet?
|
|
> Is Adam Nimoy slated for any in season 4?
|
|
|
|
Yes, we've begun lining up directors; will announce more as we
|
|
get closer to finalizing stuff.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 23 Jun 1996 22:14:04 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: What of Earth?
|
|
|
|
(blocked) asks:
|
|
> Second, has there been much shown in the economics of the
|
|
> universe you've created? I've seen postings concerning the
|
|
> relative military and technological strength of the major races
|
|
> -- has there been any similar comparisons of economic influence?
|
|
> Is it something you consider part of the backstory when writing
|
|
> episodes or is the amazingly complex factors you already juggle
|
|
> quite enough?
|
|
|
|
There's been some on economics, not nearly enough, though.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 23 Jun 1996 22:14:06 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: JMS: thestation.com????
|
|
|
|
(blocked) asks:
|
|
> Just how much does WB "own"?
|
|
> I notice everything is copyrighted by WB, so you don't own any of
|
|
> it? If you want to write a novel or make another show based on the
|
|
> B5 universe do you now have to get WB permission? Is this typical?
|
|
|
|
Yes, on all TV series, the studio owns the copyright and all
|
|
that entails. That's why ST in all its forms is (c) Paramount, not
|
|
Roddenberry.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 23 Jun 1996 22:14:08 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: sci fi shows
|
|
|
|
{original post had no questions}
|
|
|
|
I don't generally watch any of the ST shows. I like X-Files
|
|
quite a bit, haven't seen virtually anything of Sliders...though I can
|
|
tell you now that the next big, nifty show to come along in the
|
|
fantasy/sf genre is going to be "Neverwhere" by Neil Gaiman. I've seen
|
|
a couple of episodes of it, and it's neat. Look for it later in the
|
|
year or spring. (It's from the BBC.)
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 23 Jun 1996 22:14:11 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: (blocked)
|
|
Subject: B5 on WBTV in Euro?
|
|
|
|
{original post unavailable}
|
|
|
|
Haven't got a clue.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 23 Jun 1996 22:14:13 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Michael N. Rubinste <74012.147@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Londo in I&E (Spoilers)
|
|
|
|
Michael N. Rubinste <74012.147@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> If Londo believes that Adira was killed by Refa, and wants
|
|
> revenge, then why doesn't he just have Refa killed, like he
|
|
> threatened to do?
|
|
|
|
Refa is a powerful guy now, with powerful allies; he needs
|
|
money, in large amounts, and more influence, so when and if Refa would
|
|
get it, there wouldn't be the kinds of repercussions that might
|
|
otherwise come, as with a mafia hit, for instance.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 23 Jun 1996 22:30:49 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Simon Grierson <100407.2075@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: JMS
|
|
|
|
Simon Grierson <100407.2075@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> It seems clear that there is demand for B5 Merchandise of this
|
|
> type - so can I ask (if I may be so bold) why there is no such
|
|
> merchandise, other than the Micromachines and Stamp sets,
|
|
> availalbe? Have you any information?
|
|
> Oh - before I go, is there any information on B5 Club membership
|
|
> in the UK?
|
|
|
|
We're going after the pirates. On the model front...basically,
|
|
all that has to happen is for a model company to come to us and make a
|
|
deal to produce the models. (A decent sized company.) So far, none of
|
|
them have, on the theory that only ST models sell from TV shows. Maybe
|
|
if they heard from consumers interested in B5 models, they'd come to us
|
|
and make a deal.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 23 Jun 1996 22:30:50 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Simon Grierson <100407.2075@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: B5 and Star Wars.
|
|
|
|
Simon Grierson <100407.2075@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Can I just make a little point of observation here?
|
|
> Micheal Statzynski into the same "Great Minds of Science Fiction"
|
|
> category that I think they deserve to be in?
|
|
|
|
I can't think of any higher compliment than to be included in
|
|
the same sentence as the Star Wars trilogy.
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Date: 23 Jun 1996 22:30:53 -0700
|
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
|
|
To: Elizabeth Elliott <100601.3142@compuserve.com>
|
|
Subject: Shadows are Beautiful!
|
|
|
|
Elizabeth Elliott <100601.3142@compuserve.com> asks:
|
|
> Doesn't anyone else think the same way about this poor, despised
|
|
> race?
|
|
|
|
Ah, you are now the first...there will be others....
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
------------------------------
|
|
|