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The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5
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JMS CompuServe messages for March 1997. Collected by John Hardin
<jhardin@wolfenet.com>.
Date: 01 Mar 1997 00:30:53 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com>
Subject: Official: No year 5
Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com> asks:
> So what exactly is your relationship with Netter?
> I've noted you saying you don't work for him, does Copeland?
> And I've noticed he is an Executive Producer, does that mean you
> two have equal "ownership"?
Yes, we both have equal ownership of Babylonian Productions, but
Netter Digital Entertainment is his separate company, I have nothing to
do with it, don't work for or with it or own any of it.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 01 Mar 1997 00:30:58 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: WizOp Wes Meier <76703.747@compuserve.com>
Subject: NEW To Sysops From jms
"I decided to not address that part of your message because it seemed
moot in light of the fact that I agreed with you in regard to the
Carlin 7, that we are reconsidering our position that we will abide by
them, and that, in the meantime, would discontinue "backrooming" any
messages unless they were blatantly offensive and/or broke other forum
rules. As for the stats you requested, I can't provide what I do not
have. While I admit that we pulled messages containing profanity, we
did not do so "arbitrarily." We pulled EVERY message that we saw."
Ah, but now that confirms what I suggested earlier. The rules
require you to pull one such message per every 50 messages, that was
the part of the rule book that you, yourself, cited to me. So if you
pulled EVERY message, then you violated CIS rules. So that point is
now resolved. Thank you.
"If we decide to no longer aspire to remaining off the PC list then
Carlin's 7 becomes moot and you will have "won" on both of your points.
What more do you want?"
Actually, nothing...and this isn't about me winning, I don't
have any vested interest in you losing or me winning. Who wins if a
situation goes from unreasonable to reasonable? Answer: we both win.
You aren't stuck having to enforce essentially indefensible and
arbitrary policies, and can instead enforce them selectively,
logically, and in keeping with CIS policies. Which means you don't get
people yelling at you, and you have the backing to avoid doing things
which you, yourself, stated you don't like doing. I don't see this as
a particularly bad thing at all here.
RE: the interview this afternoon with Sci-Fi Entertainment, in which I
mentioned the current fracas, you say:
"Thank you for indicting us in an area where we can't "confront our
accuser."
Old Joe McCarthy would be proud of you for using that tactic. I hope
that you will "update her" if you and I conclude this discussion to
your satisfaction."
I simply applied the same practice that was going on here, and
backroomed the discussion with the reporter, since that seemed good
enough for the sysops. And you can certainly "confront your accuser"
-- assuming that anyone who speaks from their own experience of a
controversial situation is automatically your accuser -- when the piece
appears. But to your last point...yes, I will indeed update her
completely if this continues toward a positive resolution, as it seems
to be doing. Understand that I'm a pain in the butt...but I'm fair.
And I try to be honest.
That said...I now turn to the earlier, positive comments, so we
can end this on a positive note...and those looking on: pay attention
to what's said in Wes's note.
Regarding the rules under discussion, note the following:
"...we are reconsidering our position that we will abide by
them, and that, in the meantime, would discontinue "backrooming" any
messages unless they were blatantly offensive and/or broke other forum
rules."
I think that this single sentence now takes care of most of the
concerns here; if the practice of backrooming is now being
discontinued, this is a positive step in the right direction, and
negates about 75% of the concern shared by myself and others here. I
think that most people here would agree with that.
"If we decide to no longer aspire to remaining off the PC list
then Carlin's 7 becomes moot." A valid point.
Re: the Fair Use issue: "That isn't as definitive as I'd like,
but seems to substantiate what other, non-legal, folks have said. On
the other hand, there have been others who are or have been publicists
who claim that more than 2-3 lines quoted exceed "fair use." Believe
me, we're working on nailing this down."
Thank you, and I have every confidence that what you discover
will confirm what has been discussed here. Bear in mind that
publicists are rarely journalists, and their job is often to discourage
use of their client's material in excess, so they can control it, and
when using one's quotes to publicize something, there are other very
strict rules that come into play. If I write a review of a book, and a
publicist wants to excerpt that review to promote someone's book to
make them money, I'm going to be fairly hard about what's allowed to
promote someone else's work.
This is a different situation altogether from quoting material
in the context of a discussion. There the Fair Use contingencies of
copyright law come into play. Any good book on journalism law will go
into this at length. Good on you, though, to continue to dig into it.
"Any constructive suggestions you have would be welcomed --
assuming we decide to continue with wanting to stay off the PC list.
Hell, for that matter, any constructive suggestions ANYONE has would be
welcomed at this point!"
Which was the other point I mentioned. By not backrooming these
sorts of discussions, you open up the door to constructive suggestions
on how to deal with them. If you had said, "Listen, folks, we have a
problem here...the use of language is getting into the
more-than-1-in-50 limits we have to abide by, and I'm concerned about
the quoting of material. Could you work with me on this and come up
with some ways to moderate the discussion a bit so it doesn't get out
of hand, and give me some hard facts about what constitutes Fair Use"
I'll bet you $100 you'd have tons of *constructive* comments, NObody
would've said you had a german accent, and you would've come out of
this like a saint.
B5 fans are *notoriously* helpful, and understanding, and you
can bet your shoes they would've come at you with a very different
response. "Here," they would've said, "HERE is somebody who respects
our intelligence, who wants our input, who is open to at least
*discuss* this so that we know what's at stake, and know what our
options are, and would welcome our help to resolve a thorny problem
he's stuck with and doesn't much like."
So given all this...to those looking on...lay back for a bit. I
think we are getting some positive movement here, the policy of
backrooming has already been stopped, from what Wes has said, and the
policy is being reconsidered, which was the point of the exercise.
I think that Wes has been very receptive here, and has made a
good faith effort to rectify what is, for him and other sysops here, a
difficult and obviously painful situation. Let's now let the process
continue.
The "Joe McCarthy" comment I will let slide personally, because
you were upset, and we're all entitled to a moment's upset. Instead, I
will again simply thank you for taking the steps you have taken, and
look forward to the final resolution of this.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 01 Mar 1997 00:31:03 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Ron Chusid <74756.3150@compuserve.com>
Subject: To Sysops from jms
Ron Chusid <74756.3150@compuserve.com> asks:
> Then it's about time, no?
> Have you considered the odds?
Check my last note...
jms
------------------------------
Date: 01 Mar 1997 00:31:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com>
Subject: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
{original post had no questions}
Thanks. I've seen just about every article on CTS that I can
think of, and I've got it down to a roar...sometimes it's worse than
other times. The Kinesis ergonomic keyboard at work helps, and I just
sent out for a Datahand keyboard to use at home to see if that helps
further. It aches pretty much all the time, but it's a low, dull ache
and I'm hardly aware of it most of the time. It's only when I go to
bed, and I'm still for more than 5 minutes at a time, that it really
starts to demand my attention.
It was *much* worse last year or so, when I had to literally
write for 20 minutes, ice down my hands/wrists for 20 minutes, write
for 20, ice for 20, on and on. I actually haven't had to do that this
year.
(And yes, when I remember to do so, I use the wrist braces.)
jms
------------------------------
Date: 01 Mar 1997 00:31:11 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Atonement<<
Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com> asks:
> Does what we (and a few Minbari) now know about the triluminaries
> glowing in response to human DNA necessarily negate the theory of
> the "Minari Soul Train"? Will Delenn ever tell John the truth?
> What's going on with Delenn's/Mira's hair?
We keep working on Mira's hair...some days it's better than
others.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 01 Mar 1997 00:42:03 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com>
Subject: To Sysops from jms
{original post had no questions}
Give Wes some time...he has restored the messages, and is
currently in the position of reconsidering the situation regarding the
rules themselves, and what actually applies within those rules. I
think we should be willing to give him the room to do so without an
immediate deadline, since he has made a good faith effort here.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 02 Mar 1997 02:44:05 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: To Sysops from jms
{original post had no questions}
"The ultimate irony is that *you,* our resident atheist, promised to
regale us with a plethora of censorable biblical quotations!"
Who better?
Y'gotta understand, I've read the thing *twice*, cover to cover.
(And ANYone with the patience to get through Deuteronomy, Numbers and
Leviticus has my enduring respect.) It's actually a pretty good book,
all things considered, and despite some misuse by some of its readers.
There's good drama, lots of melodrama, an overall arc (and an ark),
some good writing and some utterly *awful* writing, blood and thunder
and some racy material, the perfect ingredients for a
potboiler...except that it's often redeemed by such terrific parts as
Psalms, and parts of the Song of Solomon, and Proverbs, and the story
of Job, which is probably one of the best stories ever written.
A good editor would've helped *enormously*, but one can't expect
god to be all things at once....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 02 Mar 1997 02:44:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com>
Subject: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com> asks:
> That line about Sheridan's head imploding was more than a little
> autobiographical, no?
"That line about Sheridan's head imploding was more than a little
autobiographical, no?"
Just a tad....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 02 Mar 1997 02:44:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: NEW To Sysops From jms
{original post unavailable}
As it happens, I have an answer to this. First, it's Warner
Bros. that would be at issue here, since they own the copyright to B5.
That issue aside for the moment...
This actually came up not long ago, when a person doing synopses
of the episodes didn't just synopsize it...it included every line of
dialogue in the episode, and extensive narrative descriptions. WB saw
that and said, "Tell 'em to stop it." Which they did.
On several occasions, whole pages at a time have been excerpted
for articles, or reprinted...a heck of a lot more than what was posted
here...and neither WB nor I have a problem with that. As it is, many
of the current synopses contain *massive* verbatim quotes of dialogue,
just not as much as the one main offender. Nobody blinks an eye.
I'm not saying this across the board, but you asked what would
apply in my situation, and that's it. (Which, btw, is a kind of
evasion...rather than dealing with the problem That Is, people create
what they hope are similar situations and say, "Well, what would you do
if THIS happened?" Well, this HASN'T happened, and it isn't a direct
corrolary to this current situation in ANY event. Its' just a way of
skidding the discussion off in another direction and muddying the
waters.)
jms
------------------------------
Date: 02 Mar 1997 02:44:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Meryl Yourish <103470.2703@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Soundtrack Vol 2
{original post had no questions}
Thanks...yeah, it's a great CD.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 02 Mar 1997 02:44:17 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Kirk R. Darling <73063.3115@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Atonement<<
Kirk R. Darling <73063.3115@compuserve.com> asks:
> Yes, but why did you give Ducat hair (a beard)?
> Is it possible, BTW, that the "transformation" for Delenn worked
> more thoroughly than the other Minbari realize because it had
> some human DNA already in Delenn's cells to build on? And judging
> from the stunned expressions on the faces of the other Gray
> Council members when the trilumenary glowed, did they understand
> that significance, and do any others now on Minbar? Finally, I beg
> for a hint...will this information have any future bearing on the
> plot, or is it merely "nice to know" data?
Yeah, the human DNA definitely helped...and overall, this isn't
so much the arc as the overall story and history. It's filling out the
world.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 02 Mar 1997 02:44:20 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: The One and the Nine
Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> Does this mean that Dukhat (and any leader of the Minbari people)
> is also on the Grey Council? Was Valen the first leader of the
> Minbari people in the history of the Grey Council? Or is it
> possible that this vacancy in the Nine was the one that Delenn
> later filled? Or am I reading this in the wrong way?
> Can you help me understand this a little better, please?
There's the One, and the Nine...when Dukhat was alive, there
were 9 grey council members and him as the head of it, making ten.
(Look at the picture and count the number of people.) 1 and 9.
Valen called together the Grey Council, formed the first one;
until then the castes had been in constant competition. He wanted to
operate outside of that a bit, so he made sure he was not one of the
Nine. That tradition has continued.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 02 Mar 1997 03:14:55 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: To Sysops from jms
{original post unavailable}
"But that doesn't mean I'll back every decision or idea or crusade or
action he takes - and nobody SHOULD (and I bet he'd be the first to
agree with me)."
Yup. When I behave like a jerk here, I fully expect to be told
so.
"The issue he's brought up here is a valid one - but the method he
started with was too confrontational by far. He should have started it
friendly, specially without the threats of splitting, and then, if
rebuffed, gotten brittle."
That one, I dunno...it's easy to second-guess things after the
fact. I knew that a number of people had *already* either been (or
felt) forced off, or were resigning, and sometimes the only way to get
a result is to first get the horse's attention, as the saying goes.
I've had a number of dealings with lots of systems and worked things
out quietly, behind the scenes; you don't know about them *because*
they've been worked out in a friendly way.
Then, there are days when only a howitzer will suffice.
It was my call. I made it. And it seems to have worked. Would
it have worked out with the other approach? Again, I dunno. I'm only
a P3, after all....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 02 Mar 1997 03:14:57 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: WizOp Wes Meier <76703.747@compuserve.com>
Subject: To Sysops from jms
WizOp Wes Meier <76703.747@compuserve.com> asks:
> at work, at home, and at play"?
> That sorta, kinda, leaves us out in the cold, eh?
Related question, Wes: When a conference is promoted at the
opening menu, does it bring in a substantial number of folks who are
not *already* members of the forum? I was just thinking that folks not
into SF likely would not show up for a conference with an SF type...and
those into SF are likely already aware of it from the on-site notice.
Just curious.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 02 Mar 1997 03:15:00 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 Soundtrack Vol 2
{original post had no questions}
I believe Chris Franke's website (www.sonicimages.com) has a
full breakdown on the tracks and their sources.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 02 Mar 1997 03:15:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Captain Power <uh oh>
{original post unavailable}
It was a mixed bag...some good stuff, some stuff I wouldn't mind
seeing dropped off a pier somewhere....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03 Mar 1997 01:08:12 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com>
Subject: To Sysops from jms
Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is there a way for those of us not in The Business to glom onto a
> copy of FCC rules?
I imagine that anyone writing to the FCC in Washington DC can
obtain a copy of the rules, since the FCC is a public agency,
regulating the public airwaves, to ensure they conform to the public
"interest, necessity and convenience."
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03 Mar 1997 01:08:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: To Sysops from jms
{original post unavailable}
"Think it'll happen though?"
When hasn't it?
I've been told I'm a jerk before, will be in future; and in a
sense, your message wondering if my actions were right was implicitly
implying a potential state of Jerk...and that's okay.
You're wrong, of course....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03 Mar 1997 01:08:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: WizOp Wes Meier <76703.747@compuserve.com>
Subject: To Sysops from jms
{original post had no questions}
I see. Though, that would apply only to SFMEDONE, if it got the
PC label...you could still hold COs on SFMEDTWO, with different forums.
In other words...let's say, worst case scenario, SF1 gets PC'd. No
opening menu announcements. But SF2 is *not* PC'd. So the CO could be
held there; and since they're both (presumably) under the same roof, it
all works out the same, yes?
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03 Mar 1997 01:08:16 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: NEW To Sysops From jms
{original post unavailable}
Okay. You're right.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03 Mar 1997 01:08:18 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Minbari facial hair?
(blocked) asks:
> How did that happen??
Other Minbari have had facial hair; including Draal v1.0 and
Kalain in "Points of Departure." It's certainly not common, though.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03 Mar 1997 01:08:21 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Catherine Becic <73414.2603@compuserve.com>
Subject: email
Catherine Becic <73414.2603@compuserve.com> asks:
> About how much email do you average a day?
Email...maybe 60-80 per day, sometimes more. In public forum
messages, on various systems...hundreds.
I try to answer as much as I can, but often the questions are
too complex, or ask for elaborate story discussion ("Can you give me
the history of Minbar before Earth made contact?"), or have
multiple-subquestions to the point where I can't deal with ANY of it.
See, the problem is, everyone thinks "Well, it's just me, after
all." Well, according to our ratings, there are between 10-15 million
"me's" out there. But often folks don't understand that.
For instance, a guy sent me a piece of email recently with 13
*very* elaborate and detailed questions, much along the lines of the
one just quoted above. I couldn't get into any of them, there were
just too many, and they were much too involved. A week later, I got a
VERY angry and agitated letter from that person saying what a jerk I
was for not answering his questions, that he had taken the time to
write them so I had an obligation to answer them, he's the Fan who is
keeping the show alive and we owe this to the fans who support us...he
got fairly abusive about it. "It shouldn't take too much of the BUSY
PRODUCER'S TIME to answer ONE LETTER!" he said in conclusion.
Sure, if it WERE just one letter. But it ain't.
Other times, people will leave public or private mail
*demanding* I answer something, as though I were under contract to
them, or paid to be here. Suffice to say that I generally ignore such
notes.
It's worth noting, though, that those remain the exceptions to
the rule; most of the online crowd is well-behaved and intelligent and
courtous, especially among B5 fans.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03 Mar 1997 01:08:24 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Subverting Censorware
{original post unavailable}
Never said there shouldn't be guidelines. The only question was
the extent, the degree, and the clarity or consistency with which those
rules are applied. The general concensus was that the rule was being
*over*applied. So now let's see how it shakes down before taking the
next logical step.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03 Mar 1997 01:08:27 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: TNT Air Order
(blocked) asks:
> What order will TNT air the episodes in?
> In the original air order, or in the order you originally
> intended, that for various reasons aired differently?
I'll be discussing this issue with TNT in the near future, at
which time we'll get into the preferred air order, which probably won't
be a problem for them to follow.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03 Mar 1997 01:08:29 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: ben dibble <105430.3170@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Dreaming
ben dibble <105430.3170@compuserve.com> asks:
> What then is the deciding factor as to whose memories are
> experienced by all present? Is it whoever "allows" themselves to
> be drawn into the experience, who wills it to happen to them?
I think the order or dominance of the drug is probably
determined by the contents of the script....
jm(oh, look, over there, a comet)s
------------------------------
Date: 03 Mar 1997 01:08:31 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Dave Vincent <75460.1133@compuserve.com>
Subject: The One and the Nine
Dave Vincent <75460.1133@compuserve.com> asks:
> Could you identify this ship?
> Is this the case?
There was the Prometheus, which was there; and others, including
the Amundsen. The one you saw, which looks a bit like the Aggy but
without the rotating section, is another, smaller class of destroyer
also seen, I believe, in "Dreams."
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03 Mar 1997 01:08:33 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Van Valen
(blocked) asks:
> Did you already have him pictured in your head?
> Did it make casting easier?
> Who designed them?
Actually, that was Dukhat, and yeah, that's pretty close to how
I saw him in my head. Definitely a bigger than life fellow.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03 Mar 1997 01:08:35 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Atonement>...Attunement
{original post had no questions}
Good points. Speaking of visual puns, someone pointed out that
in "Epiphanies," you've got Zack leaving customs, saying of whoever
comes through next, "it might be the Second Coming and I'm five sins
behind on penance," and who walks in...but the Three Kings....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03 Mar 1997 01:35:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Ray Pelzer <70475.1263@compuserve.com>
Subject: To Sysops from jms
{original post had no questions}
Y'know, I've been thinking about all this a lot over the last
few days (what else do I have to do, run a show or something?) and
here's the thing that gets me in the area of parental controls.
It starts with discussions over language, and nobody wants to
say "We can't have language or other problematic items our
conferences," because it smacks of censorship (which, in fact, it is).
(And, granted, some uses of language are a little more disagreeable
than others, I'm not getting into degrees here, just the overall
notion.)
So someone says, "Instead of doing that, let's have a Ratings
System, which will tell parents which forums (or shows) are safe for
their kids, and which are not, so we can have areas where you can say
whatever you want, and other areas where it's more controlled, and
parents know where to go."
Then the ratings go into place...but nobody wants to be tagged
with the harsher designation. Because that would mean a loss of
revenue, or prestige, or visibility. So now everyone starts doing
whatever it takes to avoid that rating, by changing content or
enforcing stricter rules to avoid the label, since that's somewhat
easier to defend (even though it's exactly the same as the original
problem, they've just moved the target to something that's less of an
obvious flash-point as censorship).
What you therefore end up with is that all forums or shows move
toward the safer designation, and there no longer IS a choice between
"kid" and "adult" conversations or topics or language or subjects.
Because the latter has ceased to exist not for political reasons but
for *economic* ones.
It's much like what happened in the record biz...some groups
wanted labels put on records, have them rated so parents and kids could
tell the hard stuff from the safe stuff, "But we're not pro-censorship,
we just want to be informed." Until the records started coming out, at
which point the same parents groups began screaming about x-rated
albums being even in the same STORE where kids could enter their orbit,
even if protected by cellophane wrapping and warned by labels. It
became a basis for exclusion.
Nobody in TV right now wants to be hit with the TV-M (mature)
rating, because of threatened boycotts. It's the same material that
may have been there before, but now that it has a label, that label has
become a target.
The expressed intent is to create clarity in making choices in
material.
The result is to *remove* choices by excluding material.
The more I look at it, the more insidious it gets.
I think I'll write something about this, one of these days....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03 Mar 1997 01:35:18 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Minbari castes
(blocked) asks:
> What caste is Lennier, and do every member of a clan belong to
> the same caste?
Lennier is religious caste; and all members of a given clan
belong to one caste.
There are, for instance, no religious caste members of the Star
Riders (military caste) clan.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03 Mar 1997 01:35:20 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Douglas Piligian <70760.2440@compuserve.com>
Subject: Atonement
Douglas Piligian <70760.2440@compuserve.com> asks:
> Just wondering, what, if anything, was involved in using the song
> from Pirates of Penzance that Marcus was singing at the end?
Nothing, really...we just grabbed one of the audio bits from the
day's filming and dropped it in.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03 Mar 1997 01:35:22 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Douglas Piligian <70760.2440@compuserve.com>
Subject: Grey Council
Douglas Piligian <70760.2440@compuserve.com> asks:
> Now if Delenn has not voted, how can there be a tie vote?
> They needed more than a simple majority What say you oh Great
> Maker?
Others in the Council died, as was noted when the one says, "Our
brothers?" "Dead," Delenn says. So there were others.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03 Mar 1997 12:05:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: Caste, Clan, Family?
Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> So I take it, from earlier comments of yours that Delenn chose
> her caste as a child (I believe you said it was due to her
> "vision" in the temple), that you are not born into your clan? In
> other words, If Delenn had chosen to be a worker, she would not
> be in the clan she is currently in, correct? If that's the case,
> then clans aren't necessarily organizations of relatives, right?
> Was her clan the "Mir" clan? Or was "Mir" her family name?
> Is that different than the clan?
> Is this correct?
Yes, Mir is her family; you are generally born into a caste
unless you at some point decide that the calling of your heart is
elsewhere, at which point you enter training for that other caste (with
the permission of your caste leaders) until such time as it's finalized
that that's what you want, at which time you're assigned to a clan
within that caste. If you choose to stay in the caste you're born
into, you automatically are in your familiy's clan.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03 Mar 1997 12:05:08 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John F Davis <73455.43@compuserve.com>
Subject: Minbari castes
{original post had no questions}
Don't take this the wrong way...it's simply an
observation...just a thought from someone who works with words all the
time and gets very anal retentive about these things...the dictionary
is our friend....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03 Mar 1997 12:05:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: TNT Air Order
{original post unavailable}
No, the fault was mine, not the suits.
Prior to exec producing B5, I had never edited a show before,
never had final cut before...had never even been IN an editing room for
more than 5 minutes before. So here I am, given the director's
cut...and I know it's real slow, but I haven't done this before, so I
don't trust my instincts. I let it go with very minimal changes.
And I've been kicking myself ever since. I should've followed
my instincts, but instead I deferred to the director's cut.
It's a mistake I have never made since.
Even so, that first cut just gnaws at me...I *know* I can make
it better, stronger, even if only a bit in a few places, that would
help salve my soul over this thing.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03 Mar 1997 12:05:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: WizOp Wes Meier <76703.747@compuserve.com>
Subject: To Sysops from jms
{original post had no questions}
So then the concern about not getting opening screen promos
because of parental controls is moot because we can't get the promos
ANYWAY because it's not business oriented, so it's really a moot issue
in any event...?
Fascinating.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 04 Mar 1997 14:00:18 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: TNT Air Order
{original post unavailable}
Yeah, we're also going to update the CGI, if we can do this.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 04 Mar 1997 14:00:19 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: Caste, Clan, Family?
Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> So, am I correct in my memory that you said Delenn changed castes
> when she was young? If so, what was her family's original caste?
No, Delenn never changed castes.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 04 Mar 1997 14:00:20 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Douglas Piligian <70760.2440@compuserve.com>
Subject: Delenn
Douglas Piligian <70760.2440@compuserve.com> asks:
> Hasn't Delenn learned her lesson about telling the truth, all of
> it, to Sheridan? Are we seeing a return of the old Delenn?
Certainly Delenn has some hard things to do coming up.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 04 Mar 1997 14:00:21 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: To Sysops from jms
{original post unavailable}
Yeah, that's the problem...it has to be one or the other
Family, or Adult...and if you have any content that ain't kid-approved
it automatically puts you in the latter category, which lots of people
don't want for all the reasons you cite. Something here don't make a
whole lot of sense....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 04 Mar 1997 14:00:24 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Next New Show?
{original post unavailable}
The next ep comes around May-ish, so you can sleep in for a
while...
jms
------------------------------
Date: 04 Mar 1997 14:00:27 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John M. Graham <74166.3727@compuserve.com>
Subject: TNT Air Order
John M. Graham <74166.3727@compuserve.com> asks:
> Will the Gathering be shown before or after the Prequel Movie?
The prequel will be aired first, then the pilot, then the
series.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 04 Mar 1997 14:00:29 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 in new Ent.Weekly
(blocked) asks:
> Writer_s_?
> Joe, do you have multiple personalities that we don't know about?
WriterS....sigh.
Hell, we're just happy to know they're AWARE of us....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 04 Mar 1997 14:00:31 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com>
Subject: Caste, Clan, Family?
Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> asks:
> The fact that Mir is the Russian word for peace wouldn't have
> anything to do with you using it for her family name.....would
> it?
Yeah, there's that, and it nicely intersects with the fact that
Delenn is portrayed by MIRa Furlan. It's kind of a bank shot.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 04 Mar 1997 14:00:33 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com>
Subject: Official: No year 5
Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com> asks:
> And Netter digital does the Special Effects, right?
> So what else does Netter Digital do?
NDEI has its own projects under development, was involved in
the Battleground Earth project with Majel Roddenberry, produces the
occasional documentary (such as the Wild West documentary a couple
years ago), and other projects which don't involve me at all.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 04 Mar 1997 14:00:34 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: Van Valen
{original post had no questions}
Certainly that ties in with what Delenn said about humor being
essential to Minbari philosophy and culture.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 04 Mar 1997 14:00:37 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The One and the Nine
{original post unavailable}
No, if you keep watching Dukhat comes in, followed by Delenn,
through the opening (the empty spot) and then another Minbari comes in
to fill that spot.
(Sudden thought...I have to check to see if we *used* that shot
or if it was just in dailies...but if you count the Minbari there at
the end of the scene, you'll find the count is correct.)
jms
------------------------------
Date: 04 Mar 1997 14:00:40 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Official: No year 5
(blocked) asks:
> Has there been any word on the fate of year 5?
> Can you give us the odds?
No, no definitive word yet.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 04 Mar 1997 14:00:43 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bob Koslosky <102365.2062@compuserve.com>
Subject: Atonement
Bob Koslosky <102365.2062@compuserve.com> asks:
> Those ships that showed up just before the humans attacked, where
> Delenn said something to the effect that they only showed up when
> death was near - who were those guys?
Those were Soul Hunters, who in the first season we learned
showed up to attempt to grab Dukhat's soul...they were prevented from
successfully boarding the ship by the Minbari, who threw up a wall of
bodies to stop them (which is why there were few around with Delenn and
Dukhat; Soul Hunters are a pretty advanced sort, the terror of Minbari,
and it took a lot to stop them). After Dukhat died, Delenn went down
and joined in, confronting them about this.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 04 Mar 1997 18:28:35 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All
Subject: Sysop on CIS Rules
Just received this, and thought I'd pass it along for whatever
use it may have in illuminating the discussion.
jms
Subj:Confessions of a CIS sysop
Date:97-03-03 23:00:21 EST
From:rick@hugin.imat.com (Rick Moen)
To:jmsatb5@aol.com
Here's how CIS forum-content regulation works, from the perspective of
a (former) CIS primary forum sysop ("wizop").
I used to work for a software company, and as part of my job as a
support rep created a CIS forum to support our customers -- and then
ran it single-handed for four years. This meant answering all
CIS-based customer questions from around the world, plus handling all
forum administration. Many wizops recruit assistants, giving them
access to some sysop functions.
As a forum (primary) sysop, one is handed a couple of big binders,
that mostly cover technical matters, but in passing touch on content
guidelines. These were vaguely described, but the sysop is told he's
obliged to keep "off" all profanity, solicitations of business for
other online services, and some other things. Forum members were to be
_advised_ by e-mail if a post had been removed, and could be locked out
(in ordinary circumstances) _only_ after a warning. (As a courtesy, I
also sent a copy of any removed post back via e-mail, in case the
poster wanted to edit and re-post it or send it unchanged via e-mail.)
I enforced the profanity guidelines, among others, permissively, and
always with the advisories described. I told members up front that it
was a _support_ forum, and that they could create a Berate Company
Management forum elsewhere.
To get to the point, several things: (1) "Wizops" operate forums by
contract with CIS for a percentage of user billings. (2) CIS thus
distances itself from both administration _and_ some legal liability.
(They can say "Not our fault. We weren't running it." This, in my
view, is CIS sysops' primary design function.)
(3) The standard CIS forum contract forbids disclosure of its terms to
any third party. (Yes, I'm violating it. I have reason.)
(4) Many if not most forum sysops, both wizops and their chosen
assistants, ignore the obligation of accountability to users. They do
this for convenience's sake, and because there's little to hold them
accountable. My successor did this, for example. Sysops tend to see
themselves as overworked and under-appreciated (almost always true):
Unfortunately, they tend to consider this an excuse for whatever
management techniques seem most expedient.
(5) CIS forum management routinely abdicates its responsibility to
oversee sysops. My guess is that exercising it would (most of the
time) tend to increase their legal exposure, and they intercede only if
there's a disaster brewing that might spill over from the sysop onto
them. I've known a number of cases of people appealing to CIS
management over clear cases of high-handed sysop behaviour: I don't
think CIS even _responded_ to any of those users. Again, little existed
to _hold_ them accountable.
(6) The remedy: Exactly what you're doing. Have someone watch the
watchers, and spotlight abuse when it happens. Don't accept
convenience and mishap as excuses for absurd happenings such as those
you've described. The responsible parties _will_ be motivated to
elmininate abuses if faced with fair complaints from multiple parties,
that won't go away if ignored.
Thank you for pursuing the matter. Feel free to quote this e-mail if
you wish, and you need not omit my name or mailbox, if you do. I stand
behind it.
-- Cheers, Rick Moen rick@hugin.imat.com
----------------------- Headers --------------------------------
From rick@hugin.imat.com Mon Mar 3 22:59:59 1997
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From: Rick Moen <rick@hugin.imat.com>
Message-Id: <199703040356.TAA06900@hugin.imat.com>
Subject: Confessions of a CIS sysop
To: jmsatb5@aol.com
Date: Mon, 3 Mar 1997 19:56:54 -0800 (PST)
Content-Type: text </PRE></HTML>
------------------------------
Date: 04 Mar 1997 23:27:11 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com>
Subject: TNT Air Order
Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is the directors cut typically different from a producers cut?
> Is there a differnce between TV and Movies on how they would
> differ?
A director's cut can be the same as, or vastly different from,
the producer's cut, depending on what the director does, and how much
in sync the director is with the producer. But the producer gets final
cut in TV, whereas the director gets final cut in films (unless the
studio or a big name producer has it contractually otherwise).
jms
------------------------------
Date: 04 Mar 1997 23:27:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Catherine Becic <73414.2603@compuserve.com>
Subject: email part 2
Catherine Becic <73414.2603@compuserve.com> asks:
> Does that mean that snail mail people are out of luck?
> Do you also respond to those?
I try to reply to snail mail as I can, though it's certainly
easier to do so in email.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 04 Mar 1997 23:27:15 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Catherine Becic <73414.2603@compuserve.com>
Subject: Atonement again
Catherine Becic <73414.2603@compuserve.com> asks:
> So how come this one turned out to be a lie/deception?
Those Minbari...I tell you, you just can't trust 'em....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05 Mar 1997 02:58:44 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Kick-A$$ Advertising
(blocked) asks:
> I wonder who I should report this rule violation to?
That is kinda funny, since I was sent a private message here a
month or two ago by, I believe, Chaffee, chiding me for using the term
"pain in the ass" in a public forum...and here that word is used in a
Member Services announcement.
I guess that means that they can't promote the Member Services
Announcements in the Member Services Announcements section anymore.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05 Mar 1997 02:58:46 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Atonement
{original post unavailable}
What airs is considered canon; in 15 years, nobody's gonna be
hauling these messages around. But the show will still be on the air.
If it airs, it's canon.
And in another one of those posts, I did mention that on just a
couple of small occasions, I have fibbed when asked major story arc
questions to protect future storylines from being deflated....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05 Mar 1997 02:58:47 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Atonement
{original post unavailable}
He could have left Dukhat a message...but tampering in the
future is VERY chancy business, and could even make things worse, for
all we know.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05 Mar 1997 02:58:52 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All
Subject: to sfwa from jms
(The following material -- which will be posted to other forums
-- is submitted on the theory that I apparently haven't gotten in
*nearly* enough trouble lately. So I may as well go for broke.
jms
John J. Miller
SFWA Secretary
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
(address deleted for privacy)
Dear Mr. Miller:
I am in receipt of your recent letter inviting me to rejoing SFWA.
While others who have either resigned from SFWA or let their
memberships lapse have received similar letters, I note that you
added, in handwriting, the following: "Michael - We're particularly
interested in encouraging writers of your stature and experience to
rejoin."
I'm posting this, my reply, both online as well as in standard mail
to you, because the issues at hand affect others in the industry;
because it is a good subject for public debate; and because SFWA has
to this date refused to publish my letter of resignation from SFWA
in its membership publication; even now, years after the fact, SFWA
does not choose to recognize the boorishness of its behavior toward
those of us who work in television, film and other media.
To recap, for the benefit of those looking on, and for the purpose
of historical accuracy: a number of us were troubled by the fact
that SFWA allowed TV and film scripts in the SF genre to count for
membership, so that our dues could be accepted, but that these very
same scripts were not considered "real" science fiction...and thus
ineligible for consideration for a Nebula Award.
An attempt was made to restore the Dramatic Nebula, given in years
past, in order to achieve equity with other forms of SF. Those
involved in the attempt included myself, Harlan Ellison, David
Gerrold, D.C. Fontana, Michael Cassutt and others. We believed,
foolishly in retrospect, that SF writers -- presumably forward
thinking and progressive -- would understand that stories can take
new and different forms, that SF for television and film was a
perfectly valid form. It's still SF; it simply uses a new kind of
technology to facilitate that storytelling. Since SF is often
about the foolishness of small-minded people when faced with
changing technologies, and generally the impact of technology on
people and art forms, we felt they would agree that the time
was right for the reinstatement of the Dramatic Nebula.
We were wrong.
We were greeted by an outpouring of such virulent bigotry, such
undisguised hostility, and such abuse as to numb the senses. There
was hate mail, name-calling and dead-catting; we were called (in
person, and in SFWA's publication) "hacks" and "no-talents" and
told that scripts aren't stories...obscene and threatening messages
were left on my answering machine...hate mail arrived at my home...
and the most nakedly straightforward one stated, "I work my ass off
for a few pennies a word, while you Hollywood hacks earn big bucks
for turning out crap. You'll never see the Dramatic Nebula back as
long as I'm alive."
To help defuse some of the tempers, many of us were willing to
disqualify ourselves from ever being eligible for the Nebula, should
it be reinstated, to remove any suspicion of a vested interest. It
was the principle that concerned us.
For an organization claiming forward-thinkers, there was more fuzzy
thinking and illogic pouring out of SFWA than at any average meeting
of the Flat Earth Society. "Why should SFWA give scriptwriters a
Nebula if the WGA won't give awards to prose writers?" some yelled
at us, which granted was at least an attempt to put together a
comprehensible sentence.
"Because the WGA is *form* oriented, and SFWA is *genre* oriented,"
we said, "that's why. Any genre script can win a WGA award, as long
as it's in the right form. And any form of SF should be able to be
considered for a Nebula, as long as it's in the right genre."
Our point, in the final analysis, was simply this: If SFWA will not
recognize scripts as SF for the Nebula, then they should not qualify
for membership in SFWA. If SFWA *does* recognize them as SF for
purposes of membership, then they should be eligible for the Nebula.
It was real simple: you can't have it both ways. Pick one.
But that didn't happen...the illogic, the contradiction was allowed
to continue, with SF scriptwriters held as second-class citizens
within SFWA. In theory, a GOR novel could be considered for a
Nebula...but a Babylon 5 script could never even begin to be
considered because according to SFWA, it isn't a story, it isn't
real writing, it isn't literature, it is absent of quality, and
fundamentally, it ain't SF.
It was this issue that finally compelled me to resign from SFWA,
as had others before me. That, and the insults, abuse, veiled
and not-so-veiled threats and harrassment I received from many
in SFWA over this issue.
And now you come to me...and you ask me to rejoin. You say this
is because of my "stature and experience"...but what use can that
be to SFWA if my work and the work of every SF writer working in
television or film is dismissed as lacking in merit by virtue of
the form in which we work? Since the bulk of my work is in TV,
how can SFWA consider what I have to be "stature" if it does not
recognize that there is any quality work in SF being done in TV?
I don't believe in stature, particularly and especially my own.
I'm still the same person I was when I resigned, for good or ill.
The only thing that matters to me, that has *ever* mattered to
me, is the work. The storytelling. This genre. I love SF. I
love the community of fandom that has embraced it, and given it
life. I love the sense of wonder that is SF.
[More]
------------------------------
Date: 05 Mar 1997 02:59:00 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: to sfwa from jms
[Continued]
In order to rejoin SFWA, I would have to accept the tacit
implication that my work is NOT SF...and this I will never do.
Last year, I realized a lifelong dream, and we received the Hugo
award for an episode of Babylon 5. And I'll tell you a true
thing: I'll take the Hugo over the Nebula any day, because it
comes based on the quality of the work...it comes based on the
understanding that fans have that SF is SF, regardless of the
medium. Where the pro community throws up barriers, and tidal
waves of snobbery, and play political games by defining SF as
whatever is most convenient for them, the fan community is open
to the free debate of one singular question: "Is it good SF?"
In light of that, what possible reason could I have for wanting
to rejoin SFWA? To associate with writers who disdain the form
in which I work? To try and educate them? We tried that...and
got our heads handed to us.
It's not just the Nebula that's the concern...as before, I'm
willing to permanently disqualify anything I write, now or in
the future, from Nebula consideration, to set aside allegations
of self-interest; it's the principle of the thing that matters,
the desire to make this better for the next guy to come down this
road; and it's the attitude behind the current situation that
rankles, that worries me; the open hostility and prejudice
against those working in the visual media.
So thanks, but no thanks.
SFWA has chosen to ostracize film and television...and in the
end, has only hurt itself. By sticking its head, ostrich-like,
in the sand, it has failed to come to grips with these new
media...has become isolated, so that no one in Hollywood thinks
of SFWA members, because SFWA thinks nothing of Hollywood.
The result? Where once many SF novels were chosen as fodder for
movies, now movies and TV shows drive a substantial portion of
the novel market through licensing. All too often now, books are
based on movies, when it *should* be the other way around, which
means that the audience is deprived of visual medium access to
some truly excellent work. The publishing industry has become
more like Hollywood in many ways now, looking for the blockbuster,
losing the midlist, one megacompany swallowing up another. We've
been there, done that, and could've helped.
(Now *here's* an irony I hadn't considered before just this
moment: while an episode of B5 is not eligible for a Nebula, a
novel based on B5 *is* eligible. Where is the logic in that
one? And here's another irony: one of the members who most
vociferously opposed the Dramatic Nebula on the grounds that
everything SF that came out of Hollywood was crap...well, his
name showed up recently on a list of writers asking to be
considered for an assignment to write one of the Babylon 5
novels.)
Because of SFWA's provincial attitudes toward those of us who
work in TV and film, it has lost access to secondary markets
and opportunities, costing its members potentially hundreds of
thousands of dollars.
If parts of this letter seem angry, or frustrated, you should
understand that the two areas of my life which have always meant
a great deal to me are my work in television, and SF as a genre.
I'm proud, have always been proud, of both. Many producers
assigned to SF series deny they're doing SF, as though they were
ashamed of it. I've always embraced the idea. I was proud to
be a member of SFWA. I was proud to write for television. But
finally I had to choose between them, and that was a very
difficult, painful thing for me. It still is. It's like having
divorced parents; you want desperately for them to get along with
each other, somehow put it together again...but it doesn't happen
and doesn't look like it will *ever* happen. So you get upset.
I'm not upset with you, John, or even many members of SFWA, a
number of whom weren't even members when all this went down a
few years ago. It's simple frustration with a system, and a
certain loud proportion of the membership, that is provincial
and parochial. A great deal of good could come out of a tighter
coordination between those of us working in the visual media,
and print authors. To see that frittered away is maddenning.
Television and film are as valid a forum for the exploration
of science fiction as any short story or novel. As long as
SFWA persists in saying otherwise, I will never rejoin that
organization.
Let me know when you folks get serious. Let me know when you
are willing to consider that what we do in TV and film counts as
SF. Then we'll talk.
But not before.
J. Michael Straczynski
Executive Producer/Creator/WRITER
Babylon 5
------------------------------
Date: 05 Mar 1997 14:14:21 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Robert Freeman <74577.1525@compuserve.com>
Subject: A fan says thanks...
{original post had no questions}
Thanks...we try.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05 Mar 1997 14:14:24 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: to sfwa from jms
{original post had no questions}
I agree 100%. One of the things I've been ragging on for years
is that you should bring in SF writers to work on SF shows. Real
simple logic. But the perception there is that SF print authors can't
deal with, or are disdainful of, scripts...something SFWA perpetuated
when many of their members said they (as a group) wouldn't be able to
make sense of a script.
There are some terrific resources out there who would be
invaluable to any SF series. That's why I gave Peter David his first
shot at a live action TV series, ditto for Christy Marx and others.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05 Mar 1997 14:14:26 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Douglas Piligian <70760.2440@compuserve.com>
Subject: Triluminary
Douglas Piligian <70760.2440@compuserve.com> asks:
> Does it glow brighter if there is more of the DNA present?
> did it glow really bright when held up to Sinclair after he was
> captured at the Battle of the Line? Did they know at that time
> that it only glowed in the presence of Valen's DNA? ever get your
> ISDN modem to work?
Yeah, we showed it glowing when Sinclair was catpured. Since
it happened with Valen, they assumed it was because he had a Minbari
soul, maybe Valen reborn.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05 Mar 1997 14:14:27 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: to sfwa from jms
{original post had no questions}
The only point of disagreement is that "SF on screen is
actually more of an accomplishment." They're equal, in different ways,
and certainly a movie or TV show can, in time, start to look dated.
But a book, which exists in your head, never grows old.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05 Mar 1997 14:14:29 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Atonement
{original post unavailable}
Yeah, some are more accurate than others.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05 Mar 1997 14:14:33 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Trent K. Johnson <71020.1052@compuserve.com>
Subject: Edit Process
Trent K. Johnson <71020.1052@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is this something to do with a different editing process, or does
> it relate to the change in satellite delivery?
I'm afraid I don't know what elements you're referring to, so I
can't answer that offhand. On the rest...thanks.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05 Mar 1997 14:14:34 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: To Sysops from jms
{original post unavailable}
Well said. You really ought to consider giving this writing
thing a shot sometime.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05 Mar 1997 17:41:29 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Incongruous Advertising
{original post unavailable}
"This forum is subject to Parental Controls because the 'bot looks at
the messages here. Parental Controls covers forums, Web pages, and
newsgroups, not Member Services."
Yeah, I think that contradiction is kind of the point....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05 Mar 1997 17:41:31 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com>
Subject: TNT Air Order
Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com> asks:
> So in films the director provides the thematic vision of the
> movie, wheras in TV the producer provides that vision?
Correct. In many films, the director is there from the start,
working on the vision...in TV, a director comes in 2-3 weeks before you
shoot, and walks into a situation where the vision is already set.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05 Mar 1997 21:45:21 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com>
Subject: TNT Air Order
Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com> asks:
> So that's why you became an Executive Producer?
> To protect the vision of your work and not have a director or
> producer change it?
"So that's why you became an Executive Producer? To protect the
vision of your work and not have a director or producer change it?"
I sure as heck can't think of any OTHER reason to do it, given
the grief involved....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05 Mar 1997 21:45:23 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com>
Subject: to sfwa from jms
Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com> asks:
> As to the SFWA, is there anything that we, the fans can do to
> help you win this crusade?
Thanks...and as for SFWA, it's an internal matter that they will
have to consider on their own.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06 Mar 1997 17:06:39 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Incongruous Advertising
{original post unavailable}
"It's important to understand the difference between CIS rules
and Forum rules."
Not a problem. Same rules we sometimes heard growing up.
"Don't do as I do, do as I say."
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06 Mar 1997 17:09:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Redist. of SFWA Letter?
{original post unavailable}
Sure; any post of mine can be reposted elsewhere.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 08 Mar 1997 20:50:58 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com>
Subject: TNT Air Order
Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com> asks:
> Have you ever considered directing?
"Have you ever considered directing?"
With great trepidation, and at the urging of Warner Bros., I've
decided to direct one episode this season...not because I have any
particular ambition to be a director, but because I think it will help
me become a better writer by more fully understanding that side of the
camera. Given how massively busy I am already, this decision will
almost certainly be called as evidence in any sanity trial that might
take place in future.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 08 Mar 1997 21:20:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: PAUL SHEWARD <100256.1563@compuserve.com>
Subject: New Set of B5 Cards
{original post had no questions}
I saw a piece in one of the comics publications the other day,
might've been Comics Buyers Guide or the like...apparently unopened
boxes of the first B5 set are going for $150 each, originally $35 or
so. Not bad....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 08 Mar 1997 21:20:08 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: to sfwa from jms
{original post unavailable}
The point of my "internal matters" reply was in response to
someone who wanted to know whom at SFWA to bombard with email about
this. I'm reasonably confident that no one at SFWA wants to receive
such a bombardment, and such a bombardment would not do any good, hence
my observation.
That's got nothing to do with the reality that SFWA's stance is
massively stupid, and deserves to be openly discussed. As someone
once said, "When someone does a foolish thing you should tell them it
is a foolish thing; they may choose to continue doing it, but at least
the truth is where it needs to be."
I'm certainly pleased to hear that GRRM is currently SFWA's
veep. George is a VNM (Very Nice Man).
Of course, that's got nothing to do with SFWA's general attitude
toward this area, scriptwriters in general, or the dramatic nebula
(they get to like George because a) he's an accomplished novelist, and
b) he's a VNM, and ignore the rest of it if they so choose). Still,
it's good news for George, and I'm pleased for him. It's a good thing
to have George, since some others, like Harlan Ellison, also refuse to
rejoin SFWA over the dramatic nebula question, and the treatment of
scriptwriters in general. George is a much more patient and generous
man.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 08 Mar 1997 21:20:12 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: JOHN GRAVES <102735.1124@compuserve.com>
Subject: Is The Great Maker Here?
JOHN GRAVES <102735.1124@compuserve.com> asks:
> JMS, Are you still participating in the CIS forum?
> When I left a posting for the sysops, >>Who Killed JMS<< the
> responses seemed very defensive (gee, I wonder why?
I'm here...and the sysops have generously altered the position
of sfmedone to allow for greater flexibility, and for that I think they
deserve considerable praise.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 08 Mar 1997 21:20:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: AgamemCon Report
(blocked) asks:
> But B5 fans?
"My respect for fans would ratchet yet higher if it turns out that
more than 350 of them can keep a secret .... especially online. I
can't imagine saying to 350 mundanes "This is just between you and me
..."
Here's the amazing thing.
From time to time at cons, I'll decide to tell a story that for
one reason or another I want kept off the nets. And I'll say to the
audience, please oblige me on this one.
I've done this about a dozen times, in front of audiences as
large as 2,000 people.
And y'know what?
As far as I can remember, not once has anyone broken that
agreement.
Anybody wants to badrap the fans, I tell 'em that...and it sets
them straight real fast.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 08 Mar 1997 21:20:16 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: <David L. Gold> <73177.1161@compuserve.com>
Subject: Mr. Garibaldi
<David L. Gold> <73177.1161@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is this now Garibaldi?
> Or was it Talia?
> And if it's not Garibaldi, how long until we get back the
> loveable lug we remember?
Mr. Garibaldi is certainly going through some rather dramatic
changes, yes....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 08 Mar 1997 21:20:19 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Kirk R. Darling <73063.3115@compuserve.com>
Subject: Decendents of Valen
Kirk R. Darling <73063.3115@compuserve.com> asks:
> What would be the social status of a Minbari who was known to be
> a descendent of Valen? What does that mean in terms of the racial
> purity issue? Would general knowledge of Delenn as a descendent of
> Valen help her or hurt her on the Gray Council (racial impurity
> versus descendency from the One)? Did the other members of the
> Gray Council understand the significance of the glowing
> Triluminary (yes, I saw the astonishment on their faces, but that
> might only have been surprise at the phenomenom)? Was Dukhat a
> descendent of Valen? Is it now known among at least the Gray
> Council that Valen was Sinclair?
No, Dukhat was not descended from Valen; yes, the Grey Council
now knows who Sinclair was; and general knowledge of what happened
would certainly have an upsetting effect on Minbari society, so they
will continue to keep it indefinitely back-roomed....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 08 Mar 1997 21:25:54 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: JOHN GRAVES <102735.1124@compuserve.com>
Subject: Who Killed JMS?
JOHN GRAVES <102735.1124@compuserve.com> asks:
> Just what the heck is going on?
> What are you folks thinking of?
As I noted in a message to you in another thread, everything has
worked out fine, and the sysops have adjusted the structure to allow
for greater flexibility, for which they are to be commended.
So I'm still alive and well and here...the reports of my dearth
are greatly exaggerated....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 08 Mar 1997 21:25:56 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 Starfury model/drwgs
{original post unavailable}
The models advertised in the UK are pirate and inferior.
Authorized models will be coming out from Revell/Monogram later
this year.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09 Mar 1997 22:33:40 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com>
Subject: TNT Air Order
Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com> asks:
> Joe, You're gonna actually do it after all?
"I read the article in the latest Sci Fi Universe magazine, and
honestly, I don't know how you do it all. God, talk about stress!"
1) I have no choice.
2) You just shrug your shoulders and you do it.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09 Mar 1997 22:33:42 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: PAUL SHEWARD <100256.1563@compuserve.com>
Subject: New Set of B5 Cards
PAUL SHEWARD <100256.1563@compuserve.com> asks:
> Don't suppose you want to buy an autograph card do you Joe ?
> Hasn't anyone convinced Jerry "Bruce Willis' twin brother" Doyle
> to come to Blackpool for convention in the summer ? ?
> to make the love interest a bit more viable, or was there some
> other thinking behind the changes ? Are you prepared for the hero
> worship that's going to abound at the convention ?
I think Jerry has other commitments...
As for the pilot, initially Delenn was going to be a male
Minbari who came out of the chrysalis female...but due to our inability
to modify Mira's voice enough to make it work, we dropped that aspect.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09 Mar 1997 22:33:44 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Who Killed JMS?
{original post unavailable}
No current plans for LD release.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09 Mar 1997 22:33:46 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Is The Great Maker Here?
{original post unavailable}
Apparently they've changed the category under which this forum
falls to allow for greater flexibility in language...I think the sysops
can probably explain it better than I can...sysoping not Zathras'
strength....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09 Mar 1997 22:33:49 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Craig M. Bobchin <102354.3246@compuserve.com>
Subject: Was this Delenn?
Craig M. Bobchin <102354.3246@compuserve.com> asks:
> Funny, ain't it...?
> I was wondering if you've yet sprung the off beat plot turn on us
> yet, and if so was it one of the transformations? If not is this
> still on the books to be done? If it was and not one of the
> transformations what was it?
The off-beat notion was Delenn going from male to female, and
then having a relationship with the CO.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09 Mar 1997 22:33:51 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Richard M. Perry <76461.2737@compuserve.com>
Subject: Atonement
{original post had no questions}
I have NOT fibbed about past works.
Denied, denied and denied, sure, but fibbed, never.....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Mar 1997 02:14:24 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: NEW To Sysops From jms
{original post unavailable}
"He promised to "update" the reporter, though, so I presume he's done
that and the article will accurately reflect what went on here."
Yup. Already in process.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Mar 1997 02:22:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Who Killed JMS?
{original post unavailable}
We don't have a public affairs office.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Mar 1997 02:22:17 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Babylon 5 CD, Volume Two
(blocked) asks:
> JMS, sorry to bother you but why isn't the Volume Two CD out in
> stores?
Actually, a very few stores *have* gotten it in...but sonic
images decided to fill all the fan orders first, and have gotten
somewhat overwhelmed. Once they catch up, they'll hit the stores.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Mar 1997 02:22:19 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Back to Z'Ha'Dum
{original post unavailable}
No, it's one of her regular dressing gowns.
And thanks....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Mar 1997 02:22:21 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Meryl Yourish <103470.2703@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Man In Between
Meryl Yourish <103470.2703@compuserve.com> asks:
> Was Lorien the man in between?
> Was Sheridan the man in between?
> Was Justin the man in between?
> Okay, if you won't answer those three, then will you answer the
> following? Was Refa the one who was already dead?
Refa was never already dead, so it can't be him. Dead is dead,
and the only one who fits that description would be Sheridan.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Mar 1997 16:25:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All
Subject: jms in Orlando
Just to advise those in the Orlando area...I'll be at Megacon at
the Orange County Convention Center thereabouts, giving my B5
presentation on Saturday at 3:00 p.m., with scenes from shows not yet
aired, bloopers, and other sundry stuff. I *think* there's also an
autograph thing afterward, but can't be sure offhand.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Mar 1997 16:25:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: NEW To Sysops From jms
{original post unavailable}
Actually, no, once you tell someone that part of a story *ain't*
a story no more...it tends to go away.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Mar 1997 16:25:11 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com>
Subject: TNT Air Order
Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com> asks:
> Why were they so interested in you directing?
> Which one?
> Are you going to act as well to cover all the bases?
> What does your wife think of your schedule?
"Why were they so interested in you directing?"
Well, they know the show is really my vision, and they're
curious what it would look like if it was also followed through behind
the camera. And as our liaison with WB said, "We like it when our
creative people spread their wings a little." They like the show, and
it does well for them, and they're just generally supportive that way.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Mar 1997 16:25:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rob Carr <73200.2754@compuserve.com>
Subject: to sfwa from jms
Rob Carr <73200.2754@compuserve.com> asks:
> But who would want to win such an award?
> What's it mean if you let someone else win?
Well, for starters, I don't think it would be letting someone
else win; nominees would be submitted, and the best of that batch of
nominees would win in head-to-head competition. We've been bypassed
for the occasional Emmy nomination even though I think some of the work
done that year in those areas was at least as good as anything done
elsewhere...does that diminish the kudos to the ones who *did* win?
Beyond which...even if SFWA *were* to start working on restoring
the dramatic nebula -- the chances of which are roughly equivilent to
an ostrich giving birth to an iguana -- it would take them a couple of
years minimum to do it, by which time B5 is over anyway, and who knows
if any later work of mine will be in the SF area at that point anyway?
(It's likely, but one never do know...I ended up on Murder She Wrote
for 2 years, remember.)
Either way...my concern is the principle at work here. If
disqualifying or refusing the Neb myself is the only way to ensure that
this ain't a personal agenda, and thus make the road easier for
somebody else down the road, then that's jake by me. But, as stated,
the odds of this are slim and none.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Mar 1997 16:25:17 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Is The Great Maker Here?
{original post unavailable}
I'd be hard to pick an absolute favorite; I like all of them,
for various reasons, and at various times. If you put a gun to my
head, I'd say it was probably either Delenn or Londo, because of the
many shades to their characters. They're like crystals, they change
color and texture depending on how the light shines through them.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Mar 1997 16:25:19 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: SFWA issue on SFLITs
{original post unavailable}
I'm sure there are, but having already been villified by Martin
over on GEnie, speaking as veep of SFWA, I think I've had enough SFWA
for a while.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Mar 1997 16:25:21 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Trent K. Johnson <71020.1052@compuserve.com>
Subject: Edit Process
{original post had no questions}
All I can figure out is that they must be artifacts of the
analog commercial drop-ins they've been doing, which affect the uplink
process.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Mar 1997 16:25:23 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Richard M. Perry <76461.2737@compuserve.com>
Subject: Atonement
{original post had no questions}
You're right.
I am dust beneath thy feet.
I shall now sit in my garden and eat worms all day as penance.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Mar 1997 16:25:26 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: AgamemCon Report
{original post unavailable}
Good point.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Mar 1997 16:25:28 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Man In Between
Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com> asks:
> Didn't Londo have a prophecy about not killing the one who is
> already dead? So, with the flash forward in WWEII we see him
> sparing Sheridan, thereby avoiding his fate, right?
The goal was to *redeem* himself. Sparing Sheridan was part of
that. Then he had to surrender himself to his greatest fear: his death
at G'Kar's hands.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Mar 1997 16:25:30 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com>
Subject: Delenn and the Truth
Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com> asks:
> Why didn't Delenn tell John the truth about her trip to Minbar,
> and won't John be slightly ticked off when he finds out the
> truth?
"Listen, honey, while you were out I went to the store and I
bought some new candles, you know how we're always running out, and
Lennier took the cat in to be cleaned, and oh, did I mention I was
directly responsible for the deaths of two hundred and fifty thousand
of your best friends and fellow officers? Pass the sugar."
She'll never tell him.
Because it's over...what would be the point, except to ruin what
they have now.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11 Mar 1997 14:42:45 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Is The Great Maker Here?
{original post unavailable}
I think that would give away half the fun of what's coming.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11 Mar 1997 14:42:48 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: jms in Orlando
{original post unavailable}
I don't recall a 1 pm Sunday session, but it's possible.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11 Mar 1997 14:42:49 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Ron Chusid <74756.3150@compuserve.com>
Subject: jms in Orlando
Ron Chusid <74756.3150@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is Megacon the real reason you are going to Orlando?
I find this vaguely unnerving....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11 Mar 1997 14:42:52 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John M. Graham <74166.3727@compuserve.com>
Subject: Support Letters.
John M. Graham <74166.3727@compuserve.com> asks:
> My question is, where do we need the most pull, WB, our local
> stations, or both? Should I trust them?
At this point, I'd hold off until we see which way this goes....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11 Mar 1997 14:42:54 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: First-season reruns
{original post had no questions}
I know, I know, I know....
At least we'll get 'em finally on TNT.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11 Mar 1997 14:42:56 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: Delenn and the Truth
{original post had no questions}
"You are a sadist, you know."
Thankyew....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11 Mar 1997 14:42:59 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com>
Subject: Delenn and the Truth
Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com> asks:
> Doesn't he suspect to some degree?
> He knows she was on the Grey Council, he knows she knows about
> Sinclair, isn't there the possibility he'll put 2 and 2 together?
> Also, doesn't she to some degree want forgiveness from him for
> her part in the war?
The reality is...in war, one does what one does. Afterward, as
we heal, we try to forget what we did, and what they did. He killed as
many Minbari as he could; she was on the Grey Counci that directed the
war. One doesn't go into it.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11 Mar 1997 14:43:01 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: Who cares about truth?
Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> And, even if love wasn't motivation enough for her to come clean
> with her life, shouldn't truth be? What the hell has she been
> fighting for all this time? But truth doesn't apply to her?
> Was it all just a convenient lie to her?
Ah, but Minbari never tell anyone the whole truth....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11 Mar 1997 22:55:54 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Is The Great Maker Here?
{original post unavailable}
"Can you give us any hints about what will happen to Garibaldi? He's
acting stranger and stranger.
Well...he'll probably start acting stranger and stranger....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11 Mar 1997 22:55:55 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: And now for a word...
{original post unavailable}
I've spoken with several people regarding cons in Germany, but
all of them take place in 1998, not 1997. And nothing has been signed
by me with any of them.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11 Mar 1997 22:55:57 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: Mr. Garibaldi
{original post had no questions}
"There was always irreverence and distrust before -- the irreverence
has been retained, and the distrust cranked up..."
Ding....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11 Mar 1997 23:02:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352@compuserve.com>
Subject: TNT Needs a Talking To..
{original post had no questions}
1) The re-edit is likely going to be paid for by WB.
2) It's a VERY bad mistake to intervene in business negotiations
between a production company and a studio...you will ONLY end up
pissing off the people who you want to pony up the dough to do
something, and that will be the end of that.
TNT has been *extremely* enthusiastic about the show, and doing
all they can to promote it.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 13 Mar 1997 20:22:36 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Atonement
(blocked) asks:
> Was Delenn's clan expecting her to do another transformation to
> undo her "humanness"? Since the transformation had made her
> "genetically compatible with the humans", isn't she now
> genetically incompatible with Minbari? Or would she have been
> expected to remain childless? Perhaps the equation of Sinclair
> becoming mostly Minbari was balanced by Delenn becoming mostly
> human, but what has this to do with migrating souls? It must have
> migrated!)?
Yes, some Minbari on the Grey Council think that Sinclair opened
up the "soul door," for lack of a better term, and Delenn's actions can
be seen as a kind of back-fire, closing the door again. Ain't
necessarily what's true, but what they believe.
And yes, they would've had Delenn remain childless, but would be
allowed to marry a Minbari. And, again, it's a matter of marrying a
non-Minbari with or WITHOUT kids...it's a very inflammatory sort of
thing from a cultural perspective.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 13 Mar 1997 21:10:37 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Kirk R. Darling <73063.3115@compuserve.com>
Subject: Was this Delenn?
Kirk R. Darling <73063.3115@compuserve.com> asks:
> Leguin's _Left Hand of Darkness_?
No, but I know the story...and the idea there is of a race that
changes sex. Minbari do not change sex as a rule, it was going to be a
one-off with Delenn.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 13 Mar 1997 21:10:40 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Richard P. Manny <70762.141@compuserve.com>
Subject: jms in Orlando
Richard P. Manny <70762.141@compuserve.com> asks:
> Must I send you my schedule so you can it right?!
I didn't know you could still *go* to cons, given the last
incident, and the petition, and the restraining order....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 13 Mar 1997 21:10:42 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Year 5: Catch-22?
{original post unavailable}
Both are true, to varying extents. The key stations are the
major market stations, which are getting the most pressure to change,
whereas the smaller markets are much more willing to stand pat.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 13 Mar 1997 21:10:44 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: Spot the Satai
Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> Does Sheridan know that Delenn was Satai?
Well, Sheridan knows that Delenn was Grey Council, so he would
obviously know she was Satai, since that's pretty much the same thing.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 14 Mar 1997 03:15:17 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: to sfwa from jms
{original post unavailable}
"It's a looooooong jump from that to saying that SFWA 'doesn't
consider screenwriters real writers.'"
Ah.
So, I take it that the letters that appeared in the SFWA Journal
from SFWA members stating essentially that point did not actually exist
in our universe, having instead filtered over via some spatial rift
from the Bizarro Universe version of SFWA...(which would frankly be
redundent).
jms
------------------------------
Date: 14 Mar 1997 03:44:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All
Subject: The Real Corwin
For those who know that one of my chief mentors as a writer was
(and is) Norman Corwin...who was also one of the main inspirations to
such other writers as Ray Bradbury, Rod Serling, Charles Kuralt, Stan
Freberg and others, here's your chance to actually experience some of
it.
A number of his radio dramas (and some scripts) have just been
made available via The Mind's Eye. They include performances by such
folks as Jimmy Stewart, Vincent Price, Ray Bradbury, Elsa Lanchester,
William Shatner, Edward G. Robinson, Lionel Barrymore, Orson Welles,
Jill Eikenberry, Groucho Marx, Robert Benchley and others.
You can get a catalog from 1-800-411-MIND, or from their website
at www.lodestone-media.com.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 17 Mar 1997 20:57:33 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
{original post unavailable}
I'll probably try it eventually, but for obvious reasons can't
handle any kind of learning curve right now....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 17 Mar 1997 20:57:35 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Captain Power <uh oh>
(blocked) asks:
> I was just wondering, what was the last episode of Captain Power?
> Was that the last episode?
Yup, that was the last ep, "A Summoning of Thunder," part two.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 17 Mar 1997 20:57:37 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: TNT Air Order
{original post unavailable}
That's what we're trying to work out.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 17 Mar 1997 20:57:40 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: TNT Air Order
{original post unavailable}
For all intents and purposes, the pilot *is* the director's
cut...what we want to do is make a producer's cut of more material and
better editing.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 17 Mar 1997 20:57:41 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: PAUL SHEWARD <100256.1563@compuserve.com>
Subject: New Set of B5 Cards
PAUL SHEWARD <100256.1563@compuserve.com> asks:
> what with all the gender related issues ?
I could've pulled it off. Ve haff vays....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 17 Mar 1997 20:57:43 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: to sfwa from jms
{original post unavailable}
But, see, Mike, there's the contradiction...when you talk about
SFWA being tolerant and inviting, you're generalizing from the
individuals to the group. But when I do the same, you say, "No, no,
those are just the individuals." When enough individuals say
something, it becomes a group opinion, and hence an organizational
opinion.
Basically, you're saying that if the action is *positive*, it's
SFWA the organization speaking...if the action is *negative*, it's just
the members talking, thus giving the group deniability.
You can't have it both ways, Mike.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 17 Mar 1997 20:57:46 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Status Check
(blocked) asks:
> Are you and Harlan still on for I-CON at Stony Brook, Long
> Island, in three weeks?
I'm trying to still be there, but I'm working out some problems
with the convention, when has stuck me on 4.5 to 6.5 hours of panels,
presentations and the like per day, with little or NO breaks in between
to eat or rest, and insisting that I *have* to do all of it, and that's
just plain hideous. If we can come to a reasonable understanding on
this, then yeash, I'll be there...if not....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 17 Mar 1997 20:57:51 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Richard M. Perry <76461.2737@compuserve.com>
Subject: Cherry Red
{original post had no questions}
You should've come up and said hello, I didn't know you were
there.
Re: the look on my face...it's a sad thing, but at 42 years old,
having lived the life I've led, and done the things I've done, part of
me is very iconoclastic and brash, but there's a part of me that's
still about 12 years old and shy and...okay, I blush. Easily. It's
*really* embarrassing. (Some women tell me it's cute, which is even
MORE embarrassing.)
And yeah, Narns are marsupial, but since Andreas keeps referring
to himself otherwise, I used it.
And the commune story...is WAY too long to tell.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 17 Mar 1997 20:57:54 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: A door
(blocked) asks:
> What did he mean by this?
> Am I close?
Close. They couldn't break the rules of engagement, but he
did...and started things moving.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 18 Mar 1997 14:40:20 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: to sfwa from jms
{original post unavailable}
Okay, Mike...so the organization speaks for itself. Over on
GEnie, George Martin came in, and speaking as Vice President for SFWA,
speaking for the *group*, said, of my statement to disqualify myself
from future Nebulas to show that this isn't part of a vested interest
on my part but rather the principle, "Don't you have enough awards,
Joe?" When another fan reminded him of my statement given above, he
said, "You cannot disqualify yourself from a Nebula, and I suspect Joe
knew that." (Which I didn't.) In essense he first questions my
motives and my ethics, then assaults my honesty, as his way of dealing
with my raising the issue. (I then made it plain that I will not
accept any Nebula in future, regardless, if that's what it takes,
though I think most people knowing you don't want one will tend to
discourage voting in that area.)
So now what is this, George speaking as George, or George
speaking for SFWA the organization? Because when he came in he sure as
heck made it clear that he was speaking in his capacity as VP.
Sorry, Mike, but the organization acts as its members act, and
speaks as its members speaks, and George's intemperate reaction, to
immediately and gratuitously go for the personal attack rather than
discussing the issue, when I had never said a WORD about any one person
in this discussion, just shows again why many are afraid to pursue this
issue any more. They're tired of the petty, personal attacks, and so
am I, from many of the members AND the organization and its
spokespersons. Because an organization doesn't exist as some kind of
Platonic ideal, outside reality (though in this I sometimes wonder if
SFWA is outside reality). It says in the Bible, "You shall know them
by their works." An organization is known by what it does, and what
it says, through its members. So you can try and divorce the two all
you want, but they're the same thing.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 18 Mar 1997 23:47:35 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Marcon
{original post unavailable}
Yes, although I'm waiting for some details to be worked out, as
things stand now I plan to be at Marcon.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 18 Mar 1997 23:47:37 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Becky Murphy <76131.1534@compuserve.com>
Subject: Directors
Becky Murphy <76131.1534@compuserve.com> asks:
> I was wondering (since it's not in the Lurker's Guide) who
> is/will be directing "Racing Mars", "Face of the Enemy",
> "Intersections in Real Time" and "Between the Darkness & the
> Light"? Also, are there any new episode titles you can share with
> us?
Intersections is John LaFia; Darkness is David Eagle.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 18 Mar 1997 23:47:39 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: A door
(blocked) asks:
> Wasn't the (planned) complete destruction of every world ever
> touched by the Shadows a "break" in the rules of engagement?
FIrst, that *followed* his trip to Z'ha'dum...so yes, the rules
began to slip after that.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 19 Mar 1997 03:53:19 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Lee Whiteside <76711.2660@compuserve.com>
Subject: TIME NewsWire transcript
{original post had no questions}
In private mail, I said the same thing to Ray; in this case, the
sysops acted correctly. Fair Use does not in any way cover reposting
entire articles.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 19 Mar 1997 03:55:45 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Sandra G. Bruckner <76642.3664@compuserve.com>
Subject: Status Check
{original post had no questions}
Happily, I spoke to the President of the ICON group today, and
they seem bent on making this work, and making it right, so I suspect
this will all work out as soon as I can see a schedule with a more
reasonable layout.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 22 Mar 1997 18:56:34 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Richard M. Perry <76461.2737@compuserve.com>
Subject: Cherry Red
{original post had no questions}
"Aw, come on; tell us a story, Joooooe. <g>"
What the heck do you think I've been *doing* these last 4 years?
jms
------------------------------
Date: 22 Mar 1997 18:56:36 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: Rituals by the Bushel
{original post had no questions}
You have far too much time on your hands.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 22 Mar 1997 19:12:57 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: TNT Needs a Talking To..
{original post unavailable}
No, the tapes are not coming out shortly, the dealer is
mistaken.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 23 Mar 1997 20:08:43 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: Thanks for the Mega
{original post had no questions}
Thanks....
that bad, bad man in hollywood
------------------------------
Date: 25 Mar 1997 12:05:54 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Shelf life
(blocked) asks:
> That is, are steps taken to prevent or ameliorate this
> degradation? Or is the question irrelevant for some other reason?
I think we've got WB more aware of the preservation issues once
some of the original prints of shots from the pilot were eaten by rats
while in storage facilities. (The negatives are safe.) We spoke to
them.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 25 Mar 1997 12:05:55 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: sequel series?
{original post unavailable}
We're still awaiting final word.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 25 Mar 1997 12:05:57 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Shadow War
{original post unavailable}
They did take part in the war, just not to the same extent as
the religious caste, though toward the end they got much more involved.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 26 Mar 1997 01:43:27 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Kristi Ferebee <75361.1615@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Shadow Within
Kristi Ferebee <75361.1615@compuserve.com> asks:
> Hey, has anyone finished the new B5 book "The Shadow Within"?
> (Or can we?
The story of the Icarus as presented in this book is considered
canon.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 26 Mar 1997 15:09:22 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: G'kar - Cross?
(blocked) asks:
> Was that intentional?
> Also, are Narn usually strong enough to break the unweakened
> chains, or was that just an extra bit of adrenaline or equivalent
> on G'kar's part?
I think one can make the argument there is some symbolism in
there from christian literature, but that kind of scene takes place in
other belief systems as well, and historically that sort of torture was
used in many places, including the Roman empire in general.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 26 Mar 1997 15:09:23 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352@compuserve.com>
Subject: Prequel Plans?
{original post had no questions}
I've found it's generally best to *see* what one does before
deciding whether not to be disappointed by it. And I really have no
interest in running the story by anyone for approval or to make sure
they think it'll be okay, and along the way destroy any possible
interest in *seeing* it since the story is already out there on the
nets.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 26 Mar 1997 15:09:24 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Dr John A Purvis <100341.1147@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Shadow Within
Dr John A Purvis <100341.1147@compuserve.com> asks:
> There was some talk about a Book featuring Catherine Sekai is
> this still mooted? Also if there is a recurrent theme of lost and
> missing females, how about Lyta between her disappearance after
> the gathering until her return?
Catherine Sakai is one of the major characters in the third of
the current batch of new B5 novels.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 26 Mar 1997 23:06:41 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: con in Germany ?
{original post unavailable}
It took me a while to run this down, but I have the info: I
have not been formally approached by this convention in Germany, and
will not be going. The convention was mentioned to Bruce, but he has
not confirmed and is not going, and is distressed that they are using
his name. I do not believe Andrea is going either; only Jerry has so
far indicated that he will be there.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 26 Mar 1997 23:13:05 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael Beemer <71551.1670@compuserve.com>
Subject: Nine New Eps!!!
{original post had no questions}
It doesn't bode well or poorly for a season 5; they'd hold back
a few in either event.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 26 Mar 1997 23:13:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Nine New Eps!!!
{original post unavailable}
Actually, there'd be no rush at all in terms of getting a sequel
into prep and out the door. The discussions now are in the area of
fall 97 to shoot and January 98 to air (with or without a simultaneous
S5 of B5). We have a lot of the stuff we'd need for the sequel
(costumes, uniforms, some sets, prosthetics, that sort of thing), so
the lead time would be very short.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 27 Mar 1997 13:38:33 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Nine New Eps!!!
{original post unavailable}
The fate of the show has little or nothing to do with the final
five, one way or another...they'll be seen regardless.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 27 Mar 1997 13:38:35 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Shelf life
(blocked) asks:
> And did the rats listen when you spoke to them?
The rats are the ONLY ones who listen to me anymore.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 29 Mar 1997 23:00:11 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: T.P. Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com>
Subject: music for pilot movie
T.P. Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com> asks:
> Joe, if you re-edit the pilot, would you be asking Frank to
> re-score it?
Yeah, Chirs would re-score it.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 29 Mar 1997 23:03:20 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: R. Thomas <71544.3171@compuserve.com>
Subject: ITF question
R. Thomas <71544.3171@compuserve.com> asks:
> Am I correct in my understanding that the 6 first ones' ships
> Lorien brought out were from species from this particular galaxy,
> but that had already gone beyond the rim, and do not reside in
> the galaxy at all? If so, will the walkers still appear in normal
> space around sigma 957 from time to time?
They were all still hanging around here, for one reason or
another, mostly to do with inertia, familiarity...but finally
recognized that it was time.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 30 Mar 1997 19:36:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The Raven & the Dove
{original post had no questions}
That was not the specific intended message, no....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 31 Mar 1997 13:52:30 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Eric Baker <76600.2605@compuserve.com>
Subject: I-con: Time of Program?
Eric Baker <76600.2605@compuserve.com> asks:
> What time are you doing the B5 presentation at I-con?
I don't have the schedule with me at the moment, but it's
mid-afternoon Saturday...though there is a second presentation on
Sunday, apparently.
jms
------------------------------