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The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5
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JMS CompuServe messages for March 1999. Collected by John Hardin
<jhardin@wolfenet.com>.
Date: 02 Mar 1999 00:17:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Andy Ihnatko <72511.204@compuserve.com>
Subject: Elia Kazan?
{original post had no questions}
I will almost certainly be out of the TV room during the
presentation.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 02 Mar 1999 00:17:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Crusade Gone For Now
{original post unavailable}
Your words are most kind, and appreciated...thank you.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 02 Mar 1999 21:17:05 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com>
Subject: Why the change of heart?
{original post had no questions}
Those matters can never be addressed contractually before the
start of a project. They only come up in the process of making a show.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 02 Mar 1999 21:17:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: 13 worth watching?
{original post unavailable}
I think they stand up just great on their own.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03 Mar 1999 21:06:04 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com>
Subject: 13 worth watching?
T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com> asks:
> JMS, Have you thought about telling the story in any other way,
> if no more TV shows are to be made?
Not planning to do so, no.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09 Mar 1999 15:40:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Darran Williams <101656.2143@compuserve.com>
Subject: Crusade Movie Rumour
Darran Williams <101656.2143@compuserve.com> asks:
> As this has only appeared on the Ch4 website and noone else seems
> to know anything about it, I suspect its just someone joking
> about but has anyone here heard anything ? Joe ?
This is the first I've heard of it, so the likelihood of this
having any basis in fact is about zip.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Mar 1999 14:04:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: JudyL <72520.216@compuserve.com>
Subject: Crusade cross stitch
{original post had no questions}
Thanks, I'll check it out (and have seen the others, good work).
jms
------------------------------
Date: 12 Mar 1999 13:38:01 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Writing "Crusade"
(blocked) asks:
> "If they make a season 2 of 'Crusade', will you come back and
> write it, or will someone else write it? And, if I can sneak in a
> question of my own, anything new on a possible "B5" DVD release?
> Widescreen? Supplements?
One thing at a time; as Ted Kennedy (might've) said, I'll drive
off that bridge when I come to it....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 22 Mar 1999 15:09:12 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All
Subject: jms comic preview out
So for those who've asked....
The current issue of WIZARD MAGAZINE, hitting the stands this
week, has a long article about, and a preview issue of, "Rising Stars,"
my new comic from TOP COW, a division of IMAGE comics, publishers of
Spawn and Fathom.
This is gonna be fun....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 23 Mar 1999 22:50:01 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: jms comic preview out
{original post had no questions}
Cool, thanks.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 23 Mar 1999 22:50:01 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com>
Subject: jms comic preview out
T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com> asks:
> design work. Does the artist present you with sketches for your
> approval?
Yes, Keu does a rough pencil sketch, it's run past me for
approval, then it goes to inks, after any changes, if needed.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06 Apr 1999 20:17:11 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: jms comic preview out
{original post unavailable}
I think that it's available via Forbidden Planet.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 13 Apr 1999 00:30:12 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: SFWA Bradbury to JMS
{original post unavailable}
It's a niceness. And given that I've managed to honk off about
80% of SFWA's membership at one point or another, you know it sure as
hell ain't a popularity contest thing....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 13 Apr 1999 00:34:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Crusade Gone For Now
{original post unavailable}
I haven't heard on this one way or the other.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 13 Apr 1999 00:34:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Thomas W. Rackers <72047.1207@compuserve.com>
Subject: SFWA Bradbury Award
Thomas W. Rackers <72047.1207@compuserve.com> asks:
> So this is only the second time the award has been given?
> And what have *I* accomplished in those years?
Thanks, and yeah, I've seen Babylon Park...most funny.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 15 Apr 1999 00:43:08 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: SFWA Bradbury to JMS
{original post unavailable}
"Congratulations - be nice if a Crusade ep wins the reinstated drama
award..."
Not in any Star Wars year...won't happen.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 16 Apr 1999 18:25:01 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com>
Subject: "Severed Dreams" on DVD?
{original post had no questions}
No, it ain't on DVD, none of them are at present, though all the
show is being released on VHS and LD in stages.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 21 Apr 1999 20:18:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: have you wrote any plays
{original post unavailable}
I first began writing dramatic stuff by writing for the stage;
I've had about 12 plays produced, a combination of one-acts and full-
length, though none are currently out there, with the exception of one
thing I did a long time ago that got published in book form.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 21 Apr 1999 20:18:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 in Amazing Stories
T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com> asks:
> JMS, are your 3 stories going to be in consecutive issues of
> Amazing Stories?
I don't know; I think so but don't know for sure. There's an
amazing stories website that may have the info.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 21 Apr 1999 20:18:12 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com>
Subject: "Severed Dreams" on DVD?
Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com> asks:
> But "Severed Dreams" on DVD?
They're releasing them in groups, so eventually it'll be out.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 21 Apr 1999 20:24:03 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Peter Kazmir <112055.402@compuserve.com>
Subject: Amazing Stories
Peter Kazmir <112055.402@compuserve.com> asks:
> Do you know how one might subscribe to Amazing Stories?
There's a website for Amazing Stories magazine, though I don't
have the URL about.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 23 Apr 1999 20:21:01 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Hollywood Video promo
(blocked) asks:
> Can they DO this?
> Speaking of DVD rentals <g> - any news?
I can't see any reason why they couldn't, since it was a
promotional thing, as opposed to a piece of mass-marketed merchandise
for sale.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 25 Apr 1999 16:37:11 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: Again, congrats
Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
> Any chance you'll be squeezing in dropping in on Book Expo
> America in Anaheim before you head out to receive the SFWA award?
"I've seen the grousing (as you undoubtedly have) that "SiL" received
the nomination only because it was impossible to give the nomination to
the entire series and that it doesn't stack up against the other
nominated works for brilliance in advancing the SF in SF dramatic
works."
My response would be two-fold: first, that I didn't know that
advancing SF in SF dramatic works was the requirement, only that it BE
SF. The Truman Show, also nominated, doesn't present any new
ideas...heck, I did a TWILIGHT ZONE episode in 88 that had *exactly*
the same story and structure (simultaneous creation, I'm not saying it
was cribbed, it wasn't). ST:Insurrection likewise doesn't exactly
advance the field of SF by bringing in new ideas...it's another ST
movie, and the core is the fountain of youth idea, not exactly
innovative. Pleasantville has its roots in the Purple Rose of Cairo,
the Last Action Hero and others. Of all the other entries, I'd say
only Dark City really does anything really innovative.
But all are equally in the genre, and thus equally viable
candidates.
As to what SiL might bring that advances the SF in SF dramatic
works, I'd say that it brings something quite new: an ending. This is
the preplanned ending toward which the 5 years of B5 have been working.
We said at the beginning that B5 has a beginning, a middle, and an end.
All SF shows have a beginning, most have a middle...but this is
something new, an ending toward which all has been leading. This
really hasn't been done before in SF TV. B5 introduced the concept of
the 5 year arc to TV...this is the end of that arc, to which all has
been pointing.
(Funnily enough, I think this is the first time that a Hugo
nominated entry has actually had a Hugo visible *in* it.)
jms
------------------------------
Date: 26 Apr 1999 15:17:04 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Again, congrats
{original post unavailable}
In the opening of act one, the camera pans around Ivanova's desk
to reveal her. In foreground in that shot is a small area with several
of what look like medals or frame. In the midst of that is a long
rocket pointing upward, on a round bronze disk. That's the Hugo. The
camera continues on past it to reveal her, so it's in the first few
moments of the act.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 27 Apr 1999 18:54:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Futurerama penned by JMS
{original post unavailable}
I'd love to do one, just haven't been asked...hadn't even
thought about it. We're certainly alike in that we've both been
through the wars on our respective shows. I dunno, we'll have to see.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 28 Apr 1999 19:27:12 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: TNT schedule change !
{original post unavailable}
It's really a rather cruel joke. According to the latest on the
website, they're looking at 7 a.m. or 8 a.m. M-F. And they want input
on this poll from fans who are given nothing for options on where to
put it.
If anyone were to ask me, I'd be *happy* to tell TNT where to
put it.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 28 Apr 1999 19:24:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com>
Subject: Deep Space 9
{original post had no questions}
I haven't seen 'em...only have heard that the last DS9 ep is
pretty much the same as what we did in SiL. Don't know that for a
fact, but the word on the street is that Sisko goes off with the
ancient ones, never to return, and the station gets blowed up.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 02 May 1999 17:53:01 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David L Trahan <110714.3375@compuserve.com>
Subject: Deep Space 9
David L Trahan <110714.3375@compuserve.com> asks:
> No offense, sir, but could you please put a spoiler warning next
> time you give spoilers for non-B5 shows like that?
"No offense, sir, but could you please put a spoiler warning next time
you give spoilers for non-B5 shows like that? I mean, I know this is a
B5 forum, but some people here, such as me, watch shows like DS9, and
do not want to know stuff like that about episodes yet to air."
Sorry, figured it couldn't be much of a spoiler since we'd
already done it on our show....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03 May 1999 20:42:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: IslanderUK <100545.3607@compuserve.com>
Subject: Deep Space 9
{original post had no questions}
"I seem to recall reading in one of the B5 magazines that when JMS was
first trying to sell the idea of B5, he was aware that DS9 was also in
the pipeline, so to say that DS9 is a knock-off is not strictly true
although some of the later story lines are similar."
Negative. We began trying to sell the B5 series to everyone in
town, including Paramount, 5 years prior to getting a Go order. The B5
series was announced in early November of that year. There was NO set
ST series by that point. Over the following Christmas weekend, I got a
phone call from someone very closely involved with Trek, who said,
"They just decided what the new Trek show is going to be. It's about a
space station that's a center of commerce, with a travel gate nearby."
So your information is quite incorrect. Nor did it come from
the B5 magazine (there's only one).
"Still JMS must be quite pleased if it is a knock-off, as to copy ones
ideas is the greatest form of praise."
Let me steal your car and see if you feel the same way
afterward.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 04 May 1999 17:51:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Costello <71045.3050@compuserve.com>
Subject: JMS: Rock Star!
{original post had no questions}
The info from Kitt Peak Observatory also mentioned that the
asteroid has "a moderately eccentric orbit." Suffice to say this has
been cause for some considerable humor around the office....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06 May 1999 13:37:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: IslanderUK <100545.3607@compuserve.com>
Subject: Deep Space 9
{original post had no questions}
"...infact I think it first aired about 6 weeks before the B5 pilot."
Yeah, they pushed through their post production specifically to
beat us into the marketplace.
"I can certainly understand you being "devastated" to find out about
DS9 and am surprised, given the penchant for court action in the USA,
that you have never started legal action for plagiarism."
It was discussed with WB for some time, but they felt that it
would be like getting into a protracted land war in Asia, and the
litigation might prevent B5 from getting a fair shot by being embroiled
in a conflict right out of the gate.
"As far as stealing your car is concerned, if your car was stolen you
would not have use of it. You still retained use of the B5 idea and the
fact that it is similar <g> to DS9 did not prevent it being produced."
Actually, it almost did. WB came within an inch of canceling
the whole thing because they weren't sure the market could sustain two
space station series. It also hurt us in that fans thought that *we*
were the copycats, since we aired second. And Paramount played a lot
of games with the stations to try and keep us off the air so they'd
have the field to themselves. It took us almost two years to really
recover from the damage, it's still an annoyance that we seem to be
providing DS9 with R&D free of charge, and we still have a lot of fans
who think we copied them since our pilot aired second.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 08 May 1999 19:56:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Dupa T. Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
Subject: A HOMer for SiL
{original post had no questions}
That's great news, thanks. It's a wonderful thing, and I'm duly
grateful.
BTW, I've never actually *seen* a Homer before...what's it look
like?
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09 May 1999 22:44:00 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Dupa T. Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
Subject: A HOMer for SiL
SysOp Dupa T. Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks:
> Do you recall receiving it?
"You should have received a HOMer certificate for "The Coming Of
Shadows" sometime in May, 1996. Do you recall receiving it?"
Not offhand.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 14 May 1999 21:16:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com>
Subject: Crusade eps on TNT site
T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com> asks:
> JMS, who wrote the synopses on the Crusade eps at the TNT site?
I've no idea....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 14 May 1999 21:27:01 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Graham Smith <74010.764@compuserve.com>
Subject: 4 weeks to Crusade
{original post had no questions}
"I swear, the folks at TNT are being shown different versions of this
stuff than the rest of us. It's the only way to explain some of this."
We've gotten used to it. Their promotions department is one of
the most inept I've ever seen. I finally snagged the Crusade promo,
and not only did they make terrible selections of footage, a) about
half the footage isn't even FROM Crusade, it's from B5 and A Call to
Arms (inclusive of Keffer getting gakked in season 2), and b) the
little Crusade footage they DO use is repeated several times (first one-
frame each, then again, mostly people just standing around).
We've delivered virtually all of the episodes, there's plenty of
stuff to draw on...why on *earth* would they go to B5 for footage? And
why on earth would they use the same uninteresting Crusade footage
repeatedly, all this in a 20 second promo, where every second counts?
The only possible answer I can come up with is that these
promotions people are totally and completely inept...which would
explain why the majority of their shows are doing terribly right now.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 15 May 1999 18:25:01 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: 4 weeks to Crusade
{original post unavailable}
"The only thing I can think of is that they hope to catch the eye of
existing B5 fans by showing the footage."
Given that the footage used was absolutely unremarkable --
guards standing outside the B5 council chambers, a woman in a starfury
cockpit from ItB, Keffer getting burned, a few others -- that prospect
seems thin at best.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 16 May 1999 21:48:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Costello <71045.3050@compuserve.com>
Subject: JMS: Rock Star!
{original post had no questions}
"The bad puns must be oh, several feet deep by now on the floor..."
Right alongside the punsters....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 19 May 1999 17:17:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Tim <106273.3321@compuserve.com>
Subject: Deep Space 9
Tim <106273.3321@compuserve.com> asks:
> So whats stopping you from starting litigation now ?
> Personally I would love to see the mountain having its peak
> lopped off <g> At the very least you could use the publicity to
> correct all those misinformed sci-fi fans out there ?
Because, again, I do not *own* B5, not now, not before, not once
WB bought it. The copyright belongs to WB, and they don't like to get
into these kinds of tussels.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 19 May 1999 17:17:08 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Dupa T. Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
Subject: Crusade promo
{original post had no questions}
Cool, I'll try to find it...is it available on newsstands?
jms
------------------------------
Date: 20 May 1999 19:40:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Dupa T. Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
Subject: Crusade promo
SysOp Dupa T. Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks:
> The usual address?
Yeah, that's be great, thanks.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 22 May 1999 16:49:04 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com>
Subject: Crusade promo in Canada
T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com> asks:
> Do they give you copies of this stuff?
Haven't seen it, no. Interesting....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 23 May 1999 00:15:00 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 on PBS show
{original post had no questions}
What's interesting is that there was an apparent incident
reported in the news lately where some Star Trek fans showed up en
masse to picket and pick a fight with a line of Star Wars fans waiting
to get into a screening of TPW because they didn't like the publicity
SW was getting.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 24 May 1999 21:19:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All
Subject: Fan Mail Reroute
Just a quick note: the mail drop for all B5 cast and crew is
being shifted from the Ventura Blvd. mail drop to the official Fan Club
address, which is PO Box 856, North Hollywood, CA 91603. All mail for
those folks should go to that address henceforth.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 25 May 1999 19:52:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Dupa T. Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
Subject: Fan Mail Reroute
SysOp Dupa T. Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks:
> Does that include you?
I'll keep the Ventura Blvd. box open for my own stuff for a
while, but it will eventually be closed down.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 27 May 1999 12:58:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com>
Subject: 4 weeks to Crusade
{original post had no questions}
The marriage was going great until the wacky inlaws showed up
with Cousin It from Atlanta....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 31 May 1999 15:48:11 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com>
Subject: 4 weeks to Crusade
{original post had no questions}
Actually, I've finally figured out TNT's marketing strategy for
Crusade, and I've come to realize that I'm wrong, it's an utterly
innovative and unprecedented campaign.
See, the more PR you put out there about a show, the more you
are going to prejudice a potential audience for or -- possibly --
against the program. So the best way to combat this is to put out
little or no PR so that the audience can come to the show without *any*
prior preconceptions whatsoever.
It's breathtaking, I tell you...breathtaking.
jms
(PS, there's a very good Crusade article in the current issue of
Dreamwatch Magazine, from the UK but available out here, that really
gets into the nuts and bolts of what happened.)
------------------------------
Date: 03 Jun 1999 00:53:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: 4 weeks to Crusade
{original post unavailable}
I've actually been just about as busy now as before, so who has
time?
jms
------------------------------
Date: 04 Jun 1999 18:06:01 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Going to Wolf 359 ????
(blocked) asks:
> I was also wonder of the "mix" of people going, is it mainly B5
> people?
Since you're (as usual) fronting for Wolf 359 and Brian Cooney,
may I inquire as to whether or not the B5 cast members who got stiffed
the *last* time by Brian's VorCon (a situation verified independently
by Dreamwatch Magazine) -- such as Peter Jurasik, Mira, Bill, Jerry and
others -- ever got paid what they were due for their appearance fees?
jms
------------------------------
Date: 07 Jun 1999 01:33:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Neil S. Turkenkopf <102664.3532@compuserve.com>
Subject: Episode order?
Neil S. Turkenkopf <102664.3532@compuserve.com> asks:
> Was this your decision,like the eps were shot out of sequence for
> some reason? Or if not,then what does it mean?
The numerical sequence was massively juggled due to changes and
stuff...so ignore the production numbers *entirely*. We start at 108,
then go all over the place, with the final 5 being 103, 101, 102, 104
and ending on 105. Just go by the titles.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 08 Jun 1999 14:19:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Gar Harris <76657.3333@compuserve.com>
Subject: Episode order?
Gar Harris <76657.3333@compuserve.com> asks:
> But you are saying that dispite the numerical sequence being
> disordered, Crusade remains a contining story rather than
> standalone episodes? Also would you answer the question I asked
> about storyboards not being used in episodic TV?
"But you are saying that dispite the numerical sequence being
disordered, Crusade remains a contining story rather than standalone
episodes?"
They're somewhat stand alone that was introducing characters and
setting up the details that would kick the arc into gear with #14.
"Also would you answer the question I asked about storyboards not
being used in episodic TV?"
We used them all the time.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 08 Jun 1999 14:19:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Another Crusade Promo
{original post unavailable}
That's great, though I don't need a copy, thanks.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09 Jun 1999 17:02:04 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 in Academe, Again
{original post had no questions}
Most cool....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09 Jun 1999 17:08:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com>
Subject: CRUSADE
{original post had no questions}
My take on #1 is that this is the weakest of the bunch, because
this is the only one written at the behest of TNT; it's exposition
heavy, too much swaggering macho stuff, no real depth, just stuff
blowing up. The ones that follow are much better.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Jun 1999 00:15:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com>
Subject: CRUSADE
SysOp Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com> asks:
> And the passing reference to SOMETHING happening with the teeps -
> Will we ever find out what that something was? That Drakh - Wayne
> Alexander? That new twist - "Who do you trust?"
All that exposition is what TNT wanted...and one of the reasons
was that they weren't going to rerun ACtA before it...then they were,
which made it all unnecessary...then they ran ACtA AFTER the ep...which
makes NO kind of sense.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Jun 1999 00:15:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: CRUSADE
{original post unavailable}
"The mutiny was clumsy, but I like Gideon, Galen, Dureena and Trace.
(And from the way it opened, my first thought was, "this must be some
of the extra violence TNT wanted. Ugh.")
Ding.
"Will we find out why Gideon wouldn't have his exec scan the Drakh?"
The rules about unauthorized scans still apply. Matheson has to
operate even under stricter rules re: privacy now than before. You'll
see more on this later.
"The only really weak spots, to me were the " Earth in a panic"
scenes, which looked an awful lot like newsreel footage"
TNT note: we need to SEE Earth in turmoil, if we just hear about
it nobody's going to get it. They had us insert that.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Jun 1999 00:19:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael R. Marks <104504.455@compuserve.com>
Subject: CRUSADE
{original post had no questions}
"The opening scene cracked me up. Look there's a fight, as close to
wrestling as you can get on a starship."
Yep. That's one of the mandates they put on the first ep...they
wanted to start with a fist-fight.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Jun 1999 21:54:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: CRUSADE
(blocked) asks:
> I do have one question; how much of the riot scenes were real new
> footage?
It was all real footage.
As for the exposition...one reason they asked for so much was
because they said it was going to air months after ACTA, and nobody'd
remember, and it wouldn't get rerun...then after we shot WZ they
decided they *would* rerun ACTA before WZ...then a few weeks ago they
decided to run ACTA -- which has all the info needed for WZ -- AFTER
WZ.
Now perhaps you get a small sense of what we've been up against.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Jun 1999 21:54:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: CRUSADE
{original post had no questions}
"Somehow I get the feeling that the reason the Detroit Free Press
reviewer said that Crusade looked "like it came from the planet Cheez-
Whiz" can be summed up in 3 letters.... TNT. Unfortunately, if the
first episode were all I had to go by I'd have to agree with him."
And I would as well.
That's the thing about all this...in the negative comments about
War Zone -- and actually there have been far fewer than I'd anticipated
-- there ain't much that I'd disagree with. If anything, they've
tickled me because they reflect EXACTLY what I'd said when these things
were asked for. It's been a massive validation.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Jun 1999 21:54:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Dan T. Davis <71121.1254@compuserve.com>
Subject: CRUSADE
{original post had no questions}
"And the differences were SO transparent (the fist fight, the earth
scenes, the posturing, etc.) I sure wish I could have seen a JMS
script as opposed to a "JMS with TNT" script."
The other 12 fit the bill.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Jun 1999 21:54:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: CRUSADE
(blocked) asks:
> Was this scene editted back together from separate filmings?
"In the scenes with the Senator on Mars I wasn't sure Cole was in the
same room with the other two during the dialogue. Too many cuts back
and forth and his eyes seemed to move around oddly. Was this scene
editted back together from separate filmings?"
At one point in editing we needed some close-ups, and there
weren't any in that part, so we kind of borrowed some from earlier in
the sequence. We do this a lot, when there isn't coverage of some parts
of scenes, rarely does anyone notice the eyeline difference.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Jun 1999 21:55:00 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: CRUSADE
{original post unavailable}
Thanks....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Jun 1999 00:19:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: My take Crusade
{original post unavailable}
"Will a CD on Chen's music be put out> I can't wait..."
Yep, in fact, I have it right here, having gotten the first
pressing of the thing for approval. Chris's company will be putting it
out.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11 Jun 1999 21:04:03 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Dan Deckert <74156.1432@compuserve.com>
Subject: CRUSADE
Dan Deckert <74156.1432@compuserve.com> asks:
> Have you set the bar too high?
"She had trouble understanding Crusade ep 1, and she's smarter than I
am.. Have you set the bar too high?"
Nope. Check out next week's for proof.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11 Jun 1999 21:10:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Lee Gordon <75030.1144@compuserve.com>
Subject: CRUSADE
{original post had no questions}
"And yet I don't recall a scene in B5 in which you fragged the head of
ITN or any other network."
No, but there were occasional little hidden messages in the
episode, as when a character says, "We've had to make some compromises
to get this show on the road." No one noticed that one, despite being
rather literal.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11 Jun 1999 21:10:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: CRUSADE
(blocked) asks:
> "Or, WHERE is ship security?!"
> Did they at least give you a blindfold and a cigarette?
"Did they at least give you a blindfold and a cigarette? <wry>"
Not orally, no.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11 Jun 1999 21:10:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Dupa T. Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
Subject: CRUSADE
{original post had no questions}
I've seen it, thanks.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 12 Jun 1999 16:32:01 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Dan Deckert <74156.1432@compuserve.com>
Subject: CRUSADE
{original post had no questions}
Thanks for the info.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 12 Jun 1999 16:32:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Crusade over here
{original post unavailable}
It'll be on SkyTV, I'm told.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 12 Jun 1999 16:32:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Peter Kazmir <112055.402@compuserve.com>
Subject: Crusade Ratings In!
Peter Kazmir <112055.402@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is this true?
> Is this good?
It's a good start...I think they were anticipating less, and so
was I, given the nearly total lack of PR. It also built every
quarter...it went from 1.8 to 1.8 to 1.9 to 2.0 by the end of the show,
which means we held our audience and built.
The real test will be next week...from what I understand, a lot
of folks didn't even know it was on until after the fact.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 14 Jun 1999 22:08:11 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Doug Allen <75020.3071@compuserve.com>
Subject: Crusade Ratings In!
Doug Allen <75020.3071@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is there any other place than SciFi Channel we should write
> letters to encourage them to pick up Crusade ?
Not that I know of, no.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 13 Jun 1999 16:38:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: the new intro <VBG>
{original post unavailable}
Much amusings....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 13 Jun 1999 16:38:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Zapnudo > [zapnudo]
Subject: CRUSADE
{original post unavailable}
"Did you agree with this?"
Nope.
"I admit, I'm one of the folks who didn't particularly warm to the
footage. It seemed not to fit."
It didn't. Moreover, the order for that stuff came in about two
days before we were supposed to begin shooting, so we had to hurriedly
redesign the set to include the wall monitor, and change other aspects
of the filming, then hurriedly find some footage that would work
(sorta).
"I suppose there were few options."
None. What you have to understand is that we were at this
point, in the writing of this episode, on hiatus...awaiting the okay to
go back into filming. And though it was never said overtly, there was
always the undercurrent of "If TNT doesn't get this one script the way
they want it, they may not give the OK. So give them what they want
just this one time."
I did what I could with what they demanded, and tried to fight
as much as I could. For instance, in one scene, where Gideon tells the
others to meet him in the conference room, the TNT note was, "How does
Gideon know where the conference room is? We should have a scene where
he's shown the conference room."
My reply: "He knows where the conference room is because when
he's escorted to the bridge by Matheson, *HE CAN SEE IT FROM HIS
CHAIR*."
(It was one of those bang-your-head-against-the-wall moments.)
The overall problem, which many folks don't understand, is that
in a script you have a finite number of minutes and pages. Let's say
42 pages. Now, the script is written the way you want, kinda, with some
nice character moments and stuff. Then they want more exposition. You
can't just append it to the page count, you have to stay at 42 pages.
So you have to cut stuff *out* to make room for the stuff they want put
*in*. The first thing out the door is character, followed quickly by
humor.
There was, for instance, a nice clash with the senator and the
intelligence guy over Gideon's background, why he's the wrong person
for the job, why Sheridan picked him specifically for the job...which
had to go in order to put in more exposition (and lengthen the opening
fight scene in the teaser by about a third, another TNT request).
For me, a lot of what makes an episode fun are the character
moments, but there was no longer room for them...they had to go out to
make room for dry expositional stuff or stuff blowing up.
Which is why I picked "The Long Road" as the one to follow in
the broadcast order...it's one big character piece, with a fair amount
of humor, and just fun. A little expository in the second act, but
nothing unreasonable.
Stil, I'm proud of what we did with "War Zone," because it was a
little like someone handing you an inner tube and a tree branch and
telling you to make a radio telescope out of it. It ain't pretty, but
it does the job we had put in front of us.
(One aside...some folks on the net picked up my comments about
War Zone made here earlier and said I was apologizing after the fact
for the episode, once the reactions came in...but the date stamp on the
message, here and on the nets, clearly indicate that I made those
statements BEFORE the episode aired. I know *exactly* where the faults
are in the eps, where they work and where they don't work, and have
always tried to be the first one on record about them because that
seems right to me. This is, after all, about the process of educating
people about how TV works, the decisions that get made and how you deal
with them.)
jms
------------------------------
Date: 13 Jun 1999 21:33:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: JudyL <72520.216@compuserve.com>
Subject: CRUSADE
JudyL <72520.216@compuserve.com> asks:
> Ummm, ok....why?
" There was, for instance, a nice clash with the senator and the
intelligence guy over Gideon's background, why he's the wrong person
for the job, why Sheridan picked him specifically for the job...which
had to go <
Ummm, ok....why?"
Because something had to go time-wise to make room for other
stuff. If we'd kept *that*, then something ELSE of similar time would
have to go, such as Dureena's scene in the cell with Gideon, or the
like. The amount of air time we have per episode does not change.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 13 Jun 1999 21:37:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: JudyL <72520.216@compuserve.com>
Subject: CRUSADE
JudyL <72520.216@compuserve.com> asks:
> Ummm, ok....why?
Also...they said the senator scene was too long (which it
*wasn't* before the big montage/video/the senator explains it all for
you sequence was added in), and to cut stuff out of that scene and add
it to the fight in the beginning.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 14 Jun 1999 22:08:11 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: JudyL <72520.216@compuserve.com>
Subject: CRUSADE
JudyL <72520.216@compuserve.com> asks:
> Actually, I meant why is he the wrong person for the job and why
> did Sheridan specifically pick him for the job, but I imagine
> (hope) we'll be filled in on that little story along the way?
Sheridan picked him for the qualities that made him exactly the
*wrong* person from their point of view...obstinate, difficult,
independent, not prone to following orders from home, not politically
astute...but he'll get the job done.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 13 Jun 1999 16:38:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Roberto Micheri <102701.435@compuserve.com>
Subject: My take Crusade
Roberto Micheri <102701.435@compuserve.com> asks:
> Are there any more materials on Crusade coming out?
> Comics?
> Have you considerd continuing the story as a series of books?
I just finished reviewing his sountrack CD demo, and I like it.
I think it'll go over well.
"Are there any more materials on Crusade coming out? Comics?
Cards.... Have you considerd continuing the story as a series of
books? The Del Rey publications have been nice."
The technomage trilogy follows Galen through his training,
becoming a full-fledged technomage, through the shadow war exodus, and
into the events of Crusade...and the Centauri trilogy also gets into a
lot of Crusade territory, both trilogies involving a secret behind
Galen's involvement in our story.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 13 Jun 1999 16:38:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Costello <71045.3050@compuserve.com>
Subject: CRUSADE
{original post had no questions}
Exactly...check my note to Zapnudo elsewhere in this thread.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 13 Jun 1999 16:38:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Graham Smith <74010.764@compuserve.com>
Subject: CRUSADE
{original post had no questions}
Yeah, those are also applicable.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 13 Jun 1999 21:33:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Roberto Micheri <102701.435@compuserve.com>
Subject: About tha book series...
Roberto Micheri <102701.435@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is it true?
> What happened to the Role-Playing game?
> Have you considered another comapny?
> Perhaps generic role-playing games supplements, where some
> guidelines are given to adapt the material to other systems? Are
> you into Role-Playing at all? Have you ever considered a visual
> dictionary for Babylon 5, like the ones done by DK for Star Wars?
Peter David is doing the Centauri trilogy, Jeanne Cavelos the
Technomage trilogy, and I believe the RPG company went out of business.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 14 Jun 1999 22:08:11 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Roberto Micheri <102701.435@compuserve.com>
Subject: About Role Playing
Roberto Micheri <102701.435@compuserve.com> asks:
> Any other company showing interest in a posible RPG?
I think there have been some inquiries, but nothing substantive.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 15 Jun 1999 15:50:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Roberto Micheri <102701.435@compuserve.com>
Subject: About Role Playing
{original post had no questions}
"All the fans at the office asked me to express how much they love
your creations. One of them asked if you plan on writing any of the B5
novels yourself. Thant would be a thrill..."
Right now it's been all I can do to get out the 9 outlines for
the 3 B5 trilogies....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 14 Jun 1999 22:08:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com>
Subject: CRUSADE
Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com> asks:
> And if you don't mind my asking, have there been any promising or
> potentially promising developments regarding getting "Crusade"
> back into production again for another network?
The word "limited" was their choice to try and put a positive
spin on things from their side, "Oh, we meant to do it this way."
And we probably won't have any clearer ideas on the future of
the show until the very last minute, around the second week of July.
That's typical TV business stuff these days.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 16 Jun 1999 22:27:00 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Karen S. Hayes <112230.2454@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Long Road (spoilers)
{original post had no questions}
Thanks, it's a favorite of mine...nice character and humor
stuff.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 17 Jun 1999 17:22:00 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The Long Road
{original post unavailable}
Thanks, yeah, they're both fun characters.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 17 Jun 1999 17:22:00 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jeff Peterman <75361.430@compuserve.com>
Subject: Tecnomages
Jeff Peterman <75361.430@compuserve.com> asks:
> Maybe, but what about their technology?
> By that I mean have the technomages always had abilities just
> slightly ahead of their contemporaries (and used in a way to
> APPEAR miraculous), or have they had the benefit of technology
> from another civilization?
"By that I mean have the technomages always had abilities just
slightly ahead of their contemporaries (and used in a way to APPEAR
miraculous), or have they had the benefit of technology from another
civilization?"
This is a question that we were going to build, and answer, in
the latter part of the first season...a lot of which will also be in
the 3 technomage novels.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 18 Jun 1999 22:54:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John Bovenmyer <73567.1341@compuserve.com>
Subject: Tecnomages
{original post had no questions}
It's beyond even what technomages know.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 17 Jun 1999 17:18:05 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The Long Road (spoilers)
{original post unavailable}
Yes, there was a definite "chomp" there.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 18 Jun 1999 22:54:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Peter Kazmir <112055.402@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Long Road - Ratings
Peter Kazmir <112055.402@compuserve.com> asks:
> Do you know what the ratings were for The Long Road?
> Do you know where one can get them without pestering you?
We got a 1.4 on The Long Road, which from what we're being told
was down because of being up against the first night of the NBA Finals;
the East Coast was down as a result, so the numbers dropped even though
they were about right for the west coast. And the demographics are
great. (Everything on TNT's lineup and elsewhere got hit by the
Finals, and of all that, we got hit generally the least of everyone.)
Interestingly enough, I just got a note from one of the people
at SPACE, the Canadian channel carrying Crusade, and he says that the
ratings on WarZone *doubled* the usual B5 ratings (which were very good
to start with).
jms
------------------------------
Date: 21 Jun 1999 23:55:00 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: JMS, why do they do it??
{original post unavailable}
1. I understand how a blue screen is used for optical effects. Many
times on Entertainment Tonight (or other shows in this genre) they
will
do a behind-the-scenes story and I notice that a green screen is
being
used. Why use a green screen over a blue screen?
Green is often used for video, blue for film. And if you have
blue uniforms, you can't shoot bluescreen behind them.
2. A strange questions concerning commercials, TV shows, and movies.
When
a car is shown driving on a road, the road appears to have been
hosed
down with water. On one hand, it may have rained before shooting
began.
But on the other hand, what are the odds that it always rains
before a
commercial is filmed!! Do they water down the road to improve
lighting?
It looks cooler.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 25 Jun 1999 18:25:12 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Pam Jernigan <75540.2554@compuserve.com>
Subject: Well of Forever
Pam Jernigan <75540.2554@compuserve.com> asks:
> What I wanna know is, how did Matheson get to such a (relatively)
> high rank so quickly? Just a few short years ago, teeps weren't
> allowed to join EarthForce, so where did he get his experience?
The original air order would have spread out the Galen episodes,
so that he would appear every second or third episode...that changed
with the short order, and they all got bunched together.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 25 Jun 1999 18:25:12 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All
Subject: CRUSADE Bible Available
To all interested:
For the many who have asked over the years for such material,
copies of the Writers Bible for CRUSADE are now available at
www.thestation.com. This is the actual series bible (with some digital
photos inserted) used in Crusade, and contains a fair amount of
information that will be revealed in the later episodes. This is the
first time we've made a writer's bible available from the B5 universe.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 27 Jun 1999 00:03:05 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Shawn D. Ratner <73753.175@compuserve.com>
Subject: Babylon 5
Shawn D. Ratner <73753.175@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is it possible to have Babylon 5 moved back into syndication?
> Would it be possible to move Crusade into syndication?
> Have your plans for making a Babylon 5 Theatrical Movie been
> moved because of Crusade?
"Is it possible to have Babylon 5 moved back into syndication? I'm
sure many networks would give B5 the respect it deserves. I know the
local station here always supported B5 from the beginning. They also
advertised it on the network many times. The reason I ask this is
because I have seen ER in syndication on a local network while its also
shown on TNT."
No, I think they bought it exclusively,
"Have your plans for making a Babylon 5 Theatrical Movie been moved
because of Crusade? I've read that you are waiting till all the Star
Wars movies are released before considering a B5 movie."
I'm in no rush.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 27 Jun 1999 00:03:05 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Dupa T. Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
Subject: Sam Spade
SysOp Dupa T. Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks:
> So, how does it feel to be warping the minds of future
> generations?
Coolness....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 28 Jun 1999 00:15:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Pam Jernigan <75540.2554@compuserve.com>
Subject: Well of Forever
Pam Jernigan <75540.2554@compuserve.com> asks:
> Would you be able to reassure her?
No, it doesn't end on a cliffhanger.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 28 Jun 1999 00:15:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com>
Subject: Well of Forever
T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com> asks:
> replace by "seducing with sex" ?
Yup.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 28 Jun 1999 00:13:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All
Subject: Schedule Change
Just an advisory: the next Crusade episode will air at 11:30
p.m. Eastern time and 8:30 p.m. Pacific.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 28 Jun 1999 20:22:11 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: "Z'ha'dum" derivation?
{original post unavailable}
Not really, no...I always imagined that Z'ha'dum was originally
the Minbari word for the place, and the Z'ha has echoes in Entil-zha
and Isil-zha. The dum (doom) part is obvious. Not to say I wasn't
aware of Khazad-dum, but it wasn't on my mind at the time.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 29 Jun 1999 19:55:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John Bendel <73447.741@compuserve.com>
Subject: Well, Whatever
{original post had no questions}
"I'm very curious where Joe's going with Galen's character."
Actually, Galen has quite a secret he's carrying around with
him. It formed the basis of scripts 114 ("To the Ends of the Earth")
and 116 ("End of the Line," which would've been the cliffhanger). It's
also a major element of the coming technomage novels. There's a very
small reference to it in the episode airing this week, when Galen
mentions that he and someone else have been "betrayed by our own kind."
It also ties into why they were in such a rush to get the hell
out of known space during the shadow war.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 30 Jun 1999 22:34:00 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Roberto Micheri <102701.435@compuserve.com>
Subject: Amazing Stories
Roberto Micheri <102701.435@compuserve.com> asks:
> When will this issues be coming, or came, out???
It's hitting stores this week.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 01 Jul 1999 22:39:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Path of Sorrows
{original post unavailable}
Thanks, this one is a favorite of mine as well. It was one of
the scripts written while we were still shooting the first 5, before
TNT got into the process. When that happened, they made it clear that
they *hated* this story, felt that nobody would be interested in all
this backstory...and asked for it all to be taken out, let them run
into this alien and make him an evil character, an emotional vampire
who drives them insane.
This was one of the first scripts where I dug in my heels
bigtime and refused to do what they asked. I knew it would be
powerful; they thought it would be utterly uninteresting. They were
wrong.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 02 Jul 1999 22:39:03 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Dan T. Davis <71121.1254@compuserve.com>
Subject: Path of Sorrows
Dan T. Davis <71121.1254@compuserve.com> asks:
> Now that I know how you held out, let me also praise the
> inclusion of the non-sequiter Apocalypse Box - why should every
> "emotion revealed" by the forgiveness being "only" emphasize and
> reflect on plot points we are aware of?
Re: the Matheson scene...that one was cut back by about 40%
because the episode ran long. (That sometimes happens on dialogue-
intensive episodes.) The original version had it go over a longer
period of time, and showed him coming over gradually. It is a bit
abrupt as it is now, though I still think it plays.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 02 Jul 1999 22:39:03 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Path of Sorrows
{original post unavailable}
Thanks...and yeah, Daniel is just terrific.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 02 Jul 1999 22:39:04 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Path of Sorrows
(blocked) asks:
> Deriving sustenance from *giving* forgiveness?
> From experiencing others receiving forgiveness?
> From experiencing others forgiving themselves?
> Were you implying that he simply didn't have time to warn the big
> shots, or didn't have time if he wanted a seat on the Last Flight
> Out, or that he shared the captive's distaste for PC veeps and
> wanted them to burn? If you're in a mood for answering multiple
> questions, why cut the transponder out of her skin if she only
> had to send a thought to activate it? To convince Matheson that he
> had better flee? Was that explosion the whole telepath war in ten
> seconds, or is more to come? Do you have a strong feeling either
> way about regarding the critter as analogous to Catholic
> confession?
A device that small would run out of power if it were on all the
time, and might be detected. My feeling was that it was switched off
and had to be removed to power it up, then the telepathic signal would
activate the beacon and bring in the troops. You'd have a two-stage
process to a) avoid detection, and b) ensure that if it *were* found it
couldn't be used by anyone else to stage a trap.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 01 Jul 1999 20:15:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Peter Kazmir <112055.402@compuserve.com>
Subject: Path of Sorrows
Peter Kazmir <112055.402@compuserve.com> asks:
> What's up with that Shadow vessel?
> Was it a Shadow vessel?
> Or was it an experimental EarthForce ship (considering the
> intensity of the interr....errr....debriefing)?
That remains to be revealed.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 02 Jul 1999 22:39:04 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Craig M. Bobchin <102354.3246@compuserve.com>
Subject: Path of Sorrows
Craig M. Bobchin <102354.3246@compuserve.com> asks:
> Was this that ep?
> If so what happened that prevented using Lyta in this role?
> For the curious of us out here was the new ship we saw a Shadow
> ship?
Yeah, Lyta would've been in that ep but Pat was on a movie at
the time.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05 Jul 1999 17:17:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Roberto Micheri <102701.435@compuserve.com>
Subject: Amazing Stories
Roberto Micheri <102701.435@compuserve.com> asks:
> Do you, or any other member of the Forum know of any online store
> I can pick it up?
I believe you can subscribe via their website.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06 Jul 1999 22:03:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: www.thestation.com?
{original post unavailable}
It's down while it's being overhauled, changed, modified, and
one hopes, improved in terms of service.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06 Jul 1999 22:06:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: You're Wired
{original post unavailable}
Yeah, I saw the piece, it's short but nice. And the book is fun
(see my post just sent to all re: Rising Stars). Even if you're not a
comics fan per se, I think you'll like this book.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06 Jul 1999 22:03:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All
Subject: jms rising stars info
I posted this elswhere, and figured I'd put it here as well, even
though it's not technically B5 per se.
A quick update on the latest RISING STARS news:
I've now seen the inked and colored final pages on issue 1, and I have
to say that I'm very, very pleased by the final result. It took a bit
of doing to get there, but the result is quite nice. It has the *feel*
of a very different sort of book than everything else out there,
something a bit special.
That first issue of RISING STARS, "Nova Placenta," will debut at the
Chicago Comic Con in two weeks, where I'll be attending and signing
stuff and talking and the like. (My main presentation has been moved
from Sunday to Saturday at around 5ish, I think.)
It will hit comic stores/newsstands around the 28th of this month.
Advance orders have already topped 100,000 (before re-orders) and it
looks like that may not be enough.
This is a comic that I feel very strongly about, it's something I've
wanted to do for a long, long time. I think it's something that will
appeal to most B5 folks, because it has many of the same elements in
the sense that it treats the genre seriously, tries new and different
approaches to characterization, has an overall story arc with a
beginning, middle and end (24 issues from now), and so on. I think
it'll appeal equally to non-comics fans and those familiar with the
form. It's also something that I think can be read by a variety of age
ranges, all of whom will get something different out of it.
In any event...I'm very happy with the thing, and wanted to put the
word out there about it.
I'm especially pleased that the first issue will have a forward by
Neil Gaiman, a name that should be familiar to both B5 folks ("Day of
the Dead") and comics readers around the planet.
The book is being published by TOP COW (a division of Image Comics,
publisher of SPAWN), also the publishers of FATHOM and DARKNESS. It
should be available at any goodly-sized comics store, and there are
several places on-line where one can find comics.
It's gonna be a fun book.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 08 Jul 1999 17:24:01 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brad Walrod <76702.1043@compuserve.com>
Subject: jms rising stars info
Brad Walrod <76702.1043@compuserve.com> asks:
> Since you've got so many pre-orders, do you think Image might
> consider offering a subscription (don't know if they do that with
> their other stuff)?
I actually don't know if they do subscription or not...I think
you can also order it from www.anotheruniverse.com.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03 Jul 1999 20:08:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael Kalus <100265.3065@compuserve.com>
Subject: Okay, I don't get it!?
Michael Kalus <100265.3065@compuserve.com> asks:
> Turner is a Time Warner company, so WHY is it up to TNT to decide
> if they prolong the series??? Couldn't Warner (IF they believe in
> the series) not simply push it through?
Because they're totally independent organizations (that's how
Time/Warner is structured), and one division cannot force another to
do anything. It is, in my view, just a tad dysfunctional.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 04 Jul 1999 23:12:05 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael Kalus <100265.3065@compuserve.com>
Subject: Okay, I don't get it!?
{original post had no questions}
"Normally I would say this is good, but if the parent company is
loosing money through this, you would imagine that the parten company
steps in.... Well, maybe I am too positive about this"
Part of the WB/B5/TNT hassle has always been getting caught in
the switches on who IS the parent. Time/Warner says we own TNT (which
they do), but then TNT says the biggest shareholder in TW is...Ted
Turner (which is also true). Part of this massively ugly struggle has
been that fight for power, and we've been kind of the football on many
occasions.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05 Jul 1999 23:59:00 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael Kalus <100265.3065@compuserve.com>
Subject: Okay, I don't get it!?
Michael Kalus <100265.3065@compuserve.com> asks:
> Are there any chances that they might consider to put it on the
> WB Network?
No, for much the same interdivisional reasons.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05 Jul 1999 23:58:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Path of Sorrows
{original post unavailable}
We'll learn more about the box as we go.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06 Jul 1999 00:02:11 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Peter Kazmir <112055.402@compuserve.com>
Subject: Path Ratings?
Peter Kazmir <112055.402@compuserve.com> asks:
> So, can you tell us what the ratings were for Path of Sorrows?
I haven't heard on the ratings yet, because everybody kinda
split early for the 4th holiday, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if
it came in well under a 1 rating, since it didn't air until midnight on
the East Coast, a number of folks didn't know it had been moved and
tuned in at the usual time, and many of those who did know about the
change gave up on waiting on the draft's conclusion. GIven all that, I
would be *vastly* surprised if it did even a .7 or so.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06 Jul 1999 20:37:01 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Schedule Change
{original post unavailable}
Yes, he's Peter's father.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06 Jul 1999 20:37:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Graham Smith <74010.764@compuserve.com>
Subject: Path of Sorrows
{original post had no questions}
He was referenced as an Ensign in the Cerberus scene, and a
Lieutenant in the box scene...hence the box came later.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09 Jul 1999 23:14:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Dan Deckert <74156.1432@compuserve.com>
Subject: Patterns of the Soul
Dan Deckert <74156.1432@compuserve.com> asks:
> Besides, why go to Sheridan when he's able to work out a solution
> on his own?
Bear in mind also that Sheridan is totally *outside* Gideon's
chain of command. His authority goes up to the president of the Earth
Alliance, not the ISA. It would be like a field commander in NATO
going to Clinton with a problem. He has to go through the chain of
command first.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09 Jul 1999 23:14:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Vadim Naroditsky <72133.1175@compuserve.com>
Subject: Path of Sorrows
{original post had no questions}
"As for "all lies", the only lie he saw was secret execution of rebel
leaders, which, BTW, makes perfect sense."
I don't think it was so much the *lie* about them as the
executions themselves that were rather the point....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09 Jul 1999 23:14:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brad Walrod <76702.1043@compuserve.com>
Subject: jms rising stars info
{original post had no questions}
I'm glad to hear that, thanks.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11 Jul 1999 14:43:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Dan Deckert <74156.1432@compuserve.com>
Subject: Patterns of the Soul
{original post had no questions}
"This is the Gideon that I think that you've created for us. He's a
lot like Sheridan, making his own decisions based on his own real-time
understanding of the situation at hand. He's also a lot unlike
Sheridan, playing his cards close to the chest and willing to "cheat"
as a first solution rather than as a fallback position. Sheridan was
Ben Cartwright. Gideon is Brett Maverick. <g> Am I close? :-)"
'zactly.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11 Jul 1999 15:13:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John Bendel <73447.741@compuserve.com>
Subject: Rising Star issues
John Bendel <73447.741@compuserve.com> asks:
> So, who's right?
> More importantly, if they are out where can I get them?
1. Rising Star #0 and #1 were out but are no longer available.
The 0 issue was published in the Wizard Magazine FATHOM special
a couple months ago and can still be found; the Preview issue was
published in a special limited edition around the same time and is
harder to find.
2. They are very late and there is no release date.
Issue 1 was put back one month so it could debut at the Chicago
comic con next weekend (where I'll be attending). It will hit comic
stores July 28th.
3. They aren't being published.
Bull ka-ka.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11 Jul 1999 22:10:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com>
Subject: Patterns of the Soul
T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com> asks:
> JMS, since Dr. Chambers is visable on the ship before it's seen
> to be destroyed, is she also officially dead? or perhaps that
> footage would not be seen by anyone else so it doesn't matter?
It's only ever going to be seen by the general, and bear in mind
that in that shot Chambers was WAY in the background, it was only seen
for a moment on the monitor, with the General more concerned about
what's happening in FG, and in any event he would have to instantly
recognize her by sight, and he didn't know her.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 13 Jul 1999 16:13:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com>
Subject: Stephen Furst's audition
T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com> asks:
> Were you present?
> Peter Jurasic was there too (as well as Wortham Krimmer - the 3
> Centauri emperors!), he's never heard of the story and blurted
> out something very much like the punch line, "Is there any doubt
> who Vir is?"
That was probably the pre-casting session, which is held before
the final auditions for the producers (me et al).
jms
------------------------------
Date: 13 Jul 1999 16:21:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Vadim Naroditsky <72133.1175@compuserve.com>
Subject: Path of Sorrows
Vadim Naroditsky <72133.1175@compuserve.com> asks:
> What can one do with enemies if they won't stop fighting except
> destroy them? Would Corps kill them if they voluntarily gave up
> fighting and came back to Corps? How can a person advance from a
> civilian to a first officer so fast? If it is not a secret, will
> we see Bester in Crusade?
"If it is not a secret, will we see Bester in Crusade?"
You would have, in episode 15, "Value Judgments," by Avery.
Walter considered it one of the best Bester scripts to date.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 14 Jul 1999 20:28:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Seanchai <75754.3567@compuserve.com>
Subject: Path of Sorrows
Seanchai <75754.3567@compuserve.com> asks:
> Any news on that front?
No news to report.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 14 Jul 1999 20:32:04 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Gideon's ring
(blocked) asks:
> Is it anything special?
> Earthforce Academy class ring or something?
It's his Earthforce Academy graduation ring.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 19 Jul 1999 00:50:08 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Drew Carey B5 Bits
(blocked) asks:
> My question is this: Did the Carey show producers have to get
> your (or somebody's) permission to use the B5 stuff in this ep?
> Did you know about it?
Actually, those WERE our costumes and prosthetics, loaned to
them.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 19 Jul 1999 00:50:08 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Happy Birthday JMS
{original post unavailable}
Thanks, and a bah humbug to you, too.
jms
(45...blech)
------------------------------
Date: 19 Jul 1999 00:50:08 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Dupa T. Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
Subject: Ruling From The Tomb
SysOp Dupa T. Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks:
> So, was I seeing things or not?
"I noticed the fellow with the "Copeland" sign early in the show. I
saw another sign-holder who was out of focus and that sign looked like
"Straczynski." So, was I seeing things or not?"
Yes on the first, no on the second.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 19 Jul 1999 00:50:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Path of Sorrows> ship
T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com> asks:
> JMS, the mystery ship in <Path of Sorrows> reminds me a lot of
> the Burgess Shale fossil "Hallucigenia" (the upside-down
> interpretation of it.) Do you know if it was an inspiration for
> the design?
Not that I'm aware of.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 19 Jul 1999 00:50:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Any official word?
(blocked) asks:
> Has there been any official decision?
> Is another season still possible?
> Is it desirable?
> Is there any balance possible that gives you a life, and us
> Crusade?
Have the actor's options expired? Yes. Does this close the
door? No, another channel could say yes even after #13, it would just
mean negotiating new contracts, which is quite do-able. If it happens
I can deal with it; if not, I have plenty of other options. I've never
been a one-trick pony.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 19 Jul 1999 16:41:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Any official word?
(blocked) asks:
> I think part of what I was trying to ask is, what do *you* want
> about Crusade? Do you really want to continue it, or would you be
> just as happy to move on? You've been answering "who are you?"
> So I'll still ask, "what do you want?"
"I think part of what I was trying to ask is, what do *you* want about
Crusade? Do you really want to continue it, or would you be just as
happy to move on? You've actually had several months in "moving on"
mode, it seems. I don't think I'm getting my questions out of
sequence. You've been answering "who are you?" in this forum since
before I joined. So I'll still ask, "what do you want?" In a very
limited context."
You have to understand that the only thing I want, the only
thing I've *ever* wanted, is to tell good stories about interesting
characters. I'm fairly simple that way. I would love to continue
telling stores in the B5 universe...but then, I'd love to tell stories
in *other* universes. If one market stays open, I'll stay there...if
it closes, I move on. It's what I've always done.
Would I like to keep doing Crusade? Sure, but not under the
conditions that made these 13 eps so onerous. I have a real simple
philosophy: if it ain't fun, don't do it. Because this job is too hard
to do it if you're not enjoying the process.
It's all about story. Since Crusade stopped I've been offered a
couple of exec producer gigs on other shows, but passed on them because
they weren't really stories I either wanted to do or that I felt I
could do a good job with. One gig that I *did* want I just missed out
by an inch because at the last moment some big names came into the
scenario and they got the gig (and they will probably do very well with
it). Them's the breaks. You wait for a show to come along you would
like to do, meanwhile you try to get your own show off the ground.
Which is where I am now. I'm in the final stages of negotiating
a deal for one series pilot (98% mainstream 2% speculative fiction)
that would be as innovative as what I did with B5...it's a story
nobody's ever done before, and it's been fast-tracked. I literally
thought it up two weeks ago, had one meeting about it with a major
entity (known to everyone), did a rough treatment, and 3 days later
they called to start negotiations on the deal. If that goes, I'll be
excited, because it's something utterly on the bleeding edge not just
storywise but in terms of production and EFX and it's on a huge scale.
In any event, as I said, in the end, it's simply about telling
stories, in conditions that allow me to do my best work. "The exercise
of vital powers along lines of excellence in a life affording them
scope," to quote the Greek definition of happiness.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 20 Jul 1999 21:39:01 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: "B5" on DVD
(blocked) asks:
> "Several others"???
> will presumably want to remaster the episodes for HDTV broadcast
> anyway (wasn't this one of the reasons you shot the show the way
> you did?) why should the time and expense be an issue? While I
> would very much like to see "Crusade" return, I'm just as excited
> at the prospect of something totally new from your pen (word
> processor, whatever.) Any chance you could do *both*? Or shouldn't
> I wish that much work on anybody <g>?
Interesting...all I can say is that I gave up trying to
understand the ways of Warner Bros. years ago. None of it makes much
sense.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 20 Jul 1999 21:39:00 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Dupa T. Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
Subject: Wizard World
SysOp Dupa T. Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks:
> What did you show there?
Not much, just a music video and took questions; they only had
me in there for 45 minutes so there wasn't much time. Mainly there to
promote Rising Stars.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 20 Jul 1999 22:00:00 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Karen S. Hayes <112230.2454@compuserve.com>
Subject: Ama-a-azing stories!
Karen S. Hayes <112230.2454@compuserve.com> asks:
> (in a good way!) BTW, will he ever realize what was meant by
> "saving the eye that does not see?" Am I correct in guessing that
> you learned it mainly from writing screenplays?
"I paid a price for my eagerness in reading this story before any of
the others in this issue. You can say so much in so few words, that
afterwards I found myself a bit impatient with the wordiness of a
couple of the other stories, which lessened my enjoyment of them. I've
learned to make every word count from the rigorous demands of article
word limits. Am I correct in guessing that you learned it mainly from
writing screenplays?"
That's about half it, the other half being a background in
journalism, where you learn to get to the point quickly and
efficiently. I'm actually quite pleased with the story.
"I've also just read the page proofs of Final Reckoning to review it
for B5 magazine. I would have read it in one sitting, except that
around page 175 I had to take a break. I was afraid I would start
hyperventilating. 'Nuff said, until we can all talk about it here."
It really is a kick in the gut, isn't it? When I was outlining
it for Greg, I remember thinking a) I don't envy him the job of making
this happen, and b) feeling really excited about what was going to
happen. It's about the closest I've come to Greek tragedy outside the
Londo arc.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 21 Jul 1999 22:10:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Dupa T. Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
Subject: Rules of the Game
SysOp Dupa T. Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks:
> I presume that Mr. Kitty was yours?
"I presume that Mr. Kitty was yours?"
Yup.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 22 Jul 1999 22:15:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael Beemer <71551.1670@compuserve.com>
Subject: Rules of the Game
Michael Beemer <71551.1670@compuserve.com> asks:
> Who played the "concilatory" Lorcan at the end?
No, it wasn't Wayne, and the name slips away at the moment.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 23 Jul 1999 23:05:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Lee Gordon <75030.1144@compuserve.com>
Subject: How's Peter?
Lee Gordon <75030.1144@compuserve.com> asks:
> How is he doing?
I've spoken with him a couple of times since then, and he seems
to be doing great. Also had lunch with Jeff Conaway a few days ago,
and he said pretty much the same thing.
------------------------------
Date: 25 Jul 1999 14:47:04 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Seanchai <75754.3567@compuserve.com>
Subject: Who is Fiona Avery
Seanchai <75754.3567@compuserve.com> asks:
> Can (will) you tell us about Fiona Avery's connection to B5 and
> Crusade?
"Can (will) you tell us about Fiona Avery's connection to B5 and
Crusade? I just picked up the first PsiCorp novel and she was in the
dedication. Got me to wondering..."
We brought Fiona aboard during the last part of S5 as a
reference editor to keep the continuity straight, and for Crusade
(about which more in a bit). There was a growing problem keeping the
licensees and licensed material accurate; stuff slipped through the RPG
books and elsewhere (this was before she got here). She was brought on
to stop the problem, and to annoy the licensees in the sense that it's
often easier not to get things right, and she has to stay on top of
them and make them crazy in order to ensure that the accuracy the fans
(and I) expect is maintained.
She was also brought on with an eye toward Crusade because she
has a degree in Archaeology and Crusade's an archaeological SF series.
Along the way, she began writing spec scripts for Crusade which ended
up being good enough to buy, and we bought 4 of which 2 were produced,
Well and Patterns. The last one she did, Value Judgments, was probably
the best of the bunch; it's a Bester script that Walter considered one
of his best roles, and would tie in directly with the Psi Corps books.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 27 Jul 1999 23:31:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All
Subject: Rising Stars Debuts 7/28
For those keeping track...the first issue of RISING STARS hits
comics stores this Thursday.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 01 Aug 1999 23:15:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com>
Subject: South Park
{original post had no questions}
I thought the Cartman ep was terrific, didn't see the latest,
and the movie is a kick.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 02 Aug 1999 14:14:11 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Shawn D. Ratner <73753.175@compuserve.com>
Subject: Babylon 5
Shawn D. Ratner <73753.175@compuserve.com> asks:
> Are there plans for a Babylon 5 2000 Calendar?
> Have you had the opportunity to watch the progress of the Babylon
> 5 Space Combat Simulator? Are there any plans for new merchandise?
Yes, there's going to continue to be new merchandise coming
out... there's a new set from Fleer, another company just acquired the
license to do limited edition pewter and gold figurines (good sixed
ones) of the varius B5 ships (and the Excalibur), more novels, special
collector's cards with a sound chip imbedded that play 30 seconds of
stuff...and so on. I don't know about a calendar yet, we usually don't
get those things in until around September.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 29 Jul 1999 23:51:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com>
Subject: Appearances & Deceipts
{original post had no questions}
"But since this was one of the episodes that was probably shot first
(as evidenced by the uniforms), I must say that I'm a little surprised
that the actors seemed more at home here than they did in other
episodes that were probably shot later."
Actually it was the very last one shot.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 30 Jul 1999 15:07:11 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Randy Pastrone <76436.2204@compuserve.com>
Subject: Have you been poking fun
Randy Pastrone <76436.2204@compuserve.com> asks:
> In the last episode were all the references to color schemes and
> the new uniforms a deliberate poke at Star Trek? Excalibur?
"In the last episode were all the references to color schemes and the
new uniforms a deliberate poke at Star Trek? The colors of the new
uniform are a cross between the jackets that Captain Picard wore and
the colors of the cadet's uniforms. And the reference to being able to
breath in the high collars which were part of the NG uniform from about
season 2 on. I don't know if it was intentional but you got a snicker
out of me."
No, it had nothing to do with ST, it was a shot at TNT.
"Also more out of curiosity were you aware that the new ship in the
Star Trek New Frontier book series which started in 1997 is call the
U.S.S. Excalibur?"
I didn't know this until well into the process, and basically,
screw 'em, they don't own Camelot.
This is not a Trek-centric solar system.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 01 Aug 1999 23:15:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Arthur Stoppe <73710.2014@compuserve.com>
Subject: Have you been poking fun
Arthur Stoppe <73710.2014@compuserve.com> asks:
> "In the last episode were all the references to color schemes and
> the new uniforms a deliberate poke at Star Trek? Was this the
> intent?
"I thought the designer character was played a lot like the Victor
Spinetti TV director character from "A Hard Days Night", -you know, the
same kind of fidgety nervous quirkiness, which I thought was really
cool. I thought its was too similar to be anything other than a
tribute of sorts and not merely a coincidence. Was this the intent?"
No. Never even occured to me.
I *am* capable of making up my own characters, you know....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 30 Jul 1999 15:07:11 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Peter Kazmir <112055.402@compuserve.com>
Subject: Crusade So Far
Peter Kazmir <112055.402@compuserve.com> asks:
> How do you feel (personally) about the ratings so far?
> Is this about what you expected?
> Better?
> Worse?
> Then the question that everyone's asking (couldn't help
> it)...what do you feel about it's chances on being picked up by
> SciFi (or someone else)?
The ratings are about what I'd expect given the level of support
(you'll note they're not even providing TV Guide with loglines any more
for the listings, something that would've been decided upon weeks ago
given the lead time of a magazine like that). All during production
they kept talking about the first six episodes being their main
interest, which signaled then what's happened since, that they wouldn't
support it past the first 6, which is the bare minimum required.
I have no information yet on whether it'll finally end up
somewhere else; could be, might not, no way to know. Either way, I'm
sanguine. All I can do is make the show that I feel I have to make for
reasons of conscience, to the best of my ability to make it. I did
that. There are other projects in the works, so if it doesn't go, or
if it does, either way I'm covered.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 02 Aug 1999 20:56:11 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Appearances & Deceipts
{original post unavailable}
No, the episode was written that way from the git-go, there was
no prior version.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 04 Aug 1999 16:50:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Neil S. Turkenkopf <102664.3532@compuserve.com>
Subject: A Lost Clue?
Neil S. Turkenkopf <102664.3532@compuserve.com> asks:
> Was this a reference to the Plague/Cure?
"As Gideon was preparing Greenberg's body for Airlock'nLoad,the
alienwithin was pleading:"Don't do this! Iknow what you're looking
for!" Was this a reference to the Plague/Cure?"
Yep. But since the body couldn't talk aloud, it couldn't
communicate this effectively.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 04 Aug 1999 21:48:00 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Neil S. Turkenkopf <102664.3532@compuserve.com>
Subject: A Lost Clue?
{original post had no questions}
Thanks, that's exactly what it was.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05 Aug 1999 21:29:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Racing the Night
{original post unavailable}
Thanks....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05 Aug 1999 21:32:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Seanchai <75754.3567@compuserve.com>
Subject: Crusade's Future
Seanchai <75754.3567@compuserve.com> asks:
> Are you legally able to tell us how Crusade would have ended and
> share some of its secrets? Would you be able to outline a set of
> books similar to what you did with PsiCorp and the Technomages? In
> other words, do you own the unwritten parts of Crusade or does
> TNT?
Not knowing the final word, I really can't get into this...but
if there were to be no more eps, I'm not sure that I would want to get
into a long dissertation of what would've been...because what would be
the point? It was made to be *done*, not talked about. In addition,
for myself, it would be better to move on to other projects at that
point rather than stay immersed in that one universe.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06 Aug 1999 15:21:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Seanchai <75754.3567@compuserve.com>
Subject: Crusade's Future
Seanchai <75754.3567@compuserve.com> asks:
> Do you think Del Rey would - would be able to - put out a series
> of novels?
Dunno....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 07 Aug 1999 15:38:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Richard M Perry <76461.2737@compuserve.com>
Subject: Rising Stars
Richard M Perry <76461.2737@compuserve.com> asks:
> (this week's episode changed their opinion though) A question
> from class, in the scene where we see Gideon and Lochley heading
> toward the shower together, did you intentionally pick that
> specific ship to dock with the station? The ship docking was
> obviously placed for its subliminal value, but did you
> intentionally use that ship design? Who was Mr. Kitty?
> Was he your cat?
> How are things going with you?
> Have you played the South Park or Star Wars Racer games yet?
> When you play as Jesus and he gets hit, his comment is "You don't
> want to go to hell, do you?" What else can you say about racing
> your friends at 600 MPH? So, when is the next time you'll be in
> Florida? Is Top Cow bringing you back to Megacon next March?
> (Maybe next year though) Speaking of which, have you gotten back
> into your comic book habit yet? What books are you reading lately?
Don't know about Marcon yet; nothing's set. As for the image of
the ship docking at that particular moment...yeah, that was most
definitely deliberate. When I, er, inserted it during editing, the
editor just *looked* at me and said "you are just sick and wrong."
jms
------------------------------
Date: 07 Aug 1999 15:40:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael Beemer <71551.1670@compuserve.com>
Subject: Racing the Night
{original post had no questions}
"Things change...long time gone."
And in later instances when the box talks, it's Gideon's/Gary's
voice. You may take that as foreshadowing if you wish.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 08 Aug 1999 14:51:11 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Graham Smith <74010.764@compuserve.com>
Subject: Racing the Night
Graham Smith <74010.764@compuserve.com> asks:
> BTW, why didn't we see anything of the box in the "first"
> episodes?
"BTW, why didn't we see anything of the box in the "first" episodes?"
You did, in Path of Sorrows.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 08 Aug 1999 15:09:12 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com>
Subject: Racing the Night
{original post had no questions}
Also, no one else on the crew knows about the box. Well,
officially. One other person knows about it, but he's not supposed to
know. And Galen suspects something amiss from his passing comment at
the end of the ep.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09 Aug 1999 16:21:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Graham Smith <74010.764@compuserve.com>
Subject: Racing the Night
Graham Smith <74010.764@compuserve.com> asks:
> Does that make sense?
Remember, you're seeing things with the broadcast order all
kafuffled due to the TNT situation, so it would've been better layered.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Aug 1999 16:57:03 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Karen S. Hayes <112230.2454@compuserve.com>
Subject: Racing the Night
Karen S. Hayes <112230.2454@compuserve.com> asks:
> Do we find out who this is in the remaining four (*sniff*)
> episodes? And if not, can you give us a little hint?
> On the other hand, that uses up all the "he's" doesn't it?
"Do we find out who this is in the remaining four (*sniff*) episodes?
And if not, can you give us a little hint?"
Nope.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 08 Aug 1999 15:09:12 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com>
Subject: Racing the Night
{original post had no questions}
"Well, that was TNT's doing, not Joe's, though I wonder if they would
have had this episode ready to air first anyway because it was so SFX
heavy."
Racing was finished last December.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 08 Aug 1999 15:09:12 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Graham Smith <74010.764@compuserve.com>
Subject: Racing the Night
Graham Smith <74010.764@compuserve.com> asks:
> But it begs the question, "How long do you keep being polite when
> there are billions of lives at stake?"
"I disliked the actions of the EA strip mining the planet at the
expense of the people living there, and liked Gideons solution to it.
But it begs the question, "How long do you keep being polite when there
are billions of lives at stake?"
"That's the potential of the arc that has been set up here. As time
passes, the EA is going to be under more and more pressure to find a
cure by any means possible. That may mean by violent means at times.
This will mean conflicts between the members of the IA and even
conflicts within the EA itself."
Exactly.
As Eilerson said, "Wouldn't you sacrifice a hundred Narns to
save Earth?" It was a question Gideon didn't answer.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09 Aug 1999 16:21:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Chris Shepard > [chrisvshep]
Subject: Crusade and WB Network
{original post unavailable}
"If Warner Bros. really believes in the future of Crusade, then why
don't they just save the show themselves and put it on the WB Network?"
Because there IS no one Warner Bros. It was constructed as a
series of competing and structurally independent fiefdoms...WB Domestic
TV competes with the WB Network and so on. Each division actively
competes and to a large degree won't *cooperate* with other divisions.
A network also wants its own stamp on the development process, so they
simply wouldn't take another show they didn't develop, from a competing
division.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Aug 1999 17:08:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Karen S. Hayes <112230.2454@compuserve.com>
Subject: Racing the Night
Karen S. Hayes <112230.2454@compuserve.com> asks:
> And in a way, the darkest part is Gideon's flashback, when the
> ambassadors, looking after their own interests as usual, force
> him into this devil's bargain of abandoning his search in 4 years
> if he's unsuccessful (Too bad, I used to like the Brakiri
> ambassador!) It makes me wonder whether, if push came to shove
> and the cure hadn't been found at the end of 4 years, Gideon
> would actually keep his word?
"JMS has hinted elsewhere that the cure might be found before the end
of the series. He's also said the show we think we're watching will
turn out not to be the show we're actually watching. Put these two
together, and I wonder greatly if, had the next few years played out,
he might have gradually uncovered some other, greater theme or conflict
that would overshadow the plague, and take over the plot for the last
year or so."
If not sooner....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11 Aug 1999 21:10:04 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Graham Smith <74010.764@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Memory of War
{original post had no questions}
""The Memory of War" by JMS brings a level of intensity to Crusade
that is surprising for what would have originally been the second
episode."
That's because we knew what the show was from the git-go.
Second one we shot, and we were already fully up to speed.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 14 Aug 1999 22:20:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Memory of War
SysOp Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com> asks:
> Are they?
I've no idea.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 16 Aug 1999 14:22:12 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com>
Subject: Crusade scripts
T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com> asks:
> But what about the 4 scripts that are already written?
> will you be able to sell the scripts, publish them somehow?
> If the series does get a new home, will the finished scripts be
> the start of a new season?
"JMS, you have indicated that you have no interest in continue to work
with the Crusade storyline if it doesn't get picked up. But what about
the 4 scripts that are already written? will you be able to sell the
scripts, publish them somehow? I think I can speak for all the fans
that WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!"
The only one that I know will be available: this Friday at
NASFIC (at a table set aside for SFFNET folks) Fiona Avery will be
selling a limited number of copies of her script for "Value Judgments,"
the unproduced CRUSADE script featuring Bester (which Walter considered
had some of the best Bester stuff to date). I believe it's in the
afternoon at some point.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 16 Aug 1999 21:07:08 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Seanchai <75754.3567@compuserve.com>
Subject: Crusade scripts
{original post had no questions}
Just to clarify...she'll be selling 'em at 11:30 that Friday
morning, though folks should check the schedule to confirm.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 16 Aug 1999 21:07:11 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com>
Subject: Crusade in syndication?
Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com> asks:
> If the Sci Fi Channel doesn't pick up "Crusade" as some people
> fear won't happen, would you consider trying to prepare the show
> for the syndicated market for next year?
Unfortunately, the syndicated market has become much more
crowded and much tighter since B5 went on the air, with Tribune and Fox
and UPN and others now claiming vast tracts of exclusive airtime.
Which is a long way of saying there's no room in syndication.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 18 Aug 1999 17:56:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Your new Movie
{original post unavailable}
No, actually, it's a murder mystery story. Fairly
straightfoward, not a lot of deep meaning, written mainly for fun.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 18 Aug 1999 18:01:08 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Peter Kazmir <112055.402@compuserve.com>
Subject: Roddenberry's new shows
Peter Kazmir <112055.402@compuserve.com> asks:
> Have you heard much about any of the three?
> Do have any thoughts about them?
Don't know much of anything about 'em, sorry....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 18 Aug 1999 22:31:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael R. Marks <104504.455@compuserve.com>
Subject: Fiona Avery
Michael R. Marks <104504.455@compuserve.com> asks:
> Do you watch Crusade when it airs?
No, if that were to happen, it won't make a major difference,
since at most a few hundred people will ever see the script, and that
ain't hardly a blip on the ratings. More folks than that see a script
when it's sent out for actors to use for auditions.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 21 Aug 1999 19:35:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The Needs of Earth
{original post unavailable}
I think you also need only read the ongoing battle over the
National Endowment of the Arts to realize that the battle is still an
ongoing one.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 20 Aug 1999 17:52:04 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: What was up TNT's butt
{original post unavailable}
That's way too long an answer for me to go over again...there's
probably a long dissertation on this over on the Lurker's guide.
Suffice to say that the short answer to the question in your heading
is: me.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 20 Aug 1999 17:52:04 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John Morgan <71513.2510@compuserve.com>
Subject: Going down w/ the Ship
John Morgan <71513.2510@compuserve.com> asks:
> can still pick up the show for next season?
Dunno....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 22 Aug 1999 14:17:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Seanchai <75754.3567@compuserve.com>
Subject: What was up TNT's butt
Seanchai <75754.3567@compuserve.com> asks:
> How can you stand being up there like that?
">>Suffice to say that the short answer to the question in your
heading is: me.<<
How can you stand being up there like that?"
I brought a flame-thrower.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 25 Aug 1999 21:00:08 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Babylon 5 Audio Books?
{original post unavailable}
It's a great idea, don't know if they'll do it or not.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 27 Aug 1999 18:21:04 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Anita Karve <73653.3253@compuserve.com>
Subject: Amazing Stories
Anita Karve <73653.3253@compuserve.com> asks:
> But, with your schedule maybe we should just enjoy this one,
> right?
Thanks, the story was fun. I have another, a Lyta/G'Kar story,
coming out in abouta month in AS also.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 27 Aug 1999 18:21:05 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All
Subject: NASFIC schedule
Just an FYI to let folks know that my apperance at NASFIC in
Anaheim has been moved from Sunday to Saturday (tomorrow) at 1:00 p.m.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 29 Aug 1999 00:06:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Anita Karve <73653.3253@compuserve.com>
Subject: Amazing Stories
{original post had no questions}
Actually, it'll be in the issue after the next one; the next one
is a Star Trek issue, and they figured it might not be appropriate....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 25 Aug 1999 21:00:08 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: What was up TNT's butt
{original post unavailable}
"Appearances" was written to explain the change from black to
grey; after the 5 grey-uniform eps in 116 Gideon arranged for a
hideous...accident to happen to the grey uniforms, so they'd go back to
the black ones again.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 26 Aug 1999 21:18:05 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Janetch <112013.1636@compuserve.com>
Subject: Visitors
{original post had no questions}
"I'm glad to see somewhat else comment on the 'Y' in the window. That
was absolutely classic -- and pure Joe!"
Y makes it the show right next door to that other show....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11 Sep 1999 17:14:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Saving the Best for Last
{original post unavailable}
"I have seen that concept before, but with the last five supposedly
being the first five intending to be shown, how do they rationalize the
uniform change? The order shown has them going from the nice looking
dark uniforms to the ugly things of late. Were they going to change
back or were they really shown in order, just not the production order
(or the 'preferred' order)?"
It's not a "concept," it's what happened. "Appearances" was
written to set up the change to the grey original uniforms, and we
would've gone to black again in "To the Ends of the Earth."
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11 Sep 1999 21:12:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: DVD
(blocked) asks:
> Were you qouted accurately?
> If so, can you add anything to the initial report?
> (Aspect ratio, number of eps per disc, supplementary material?)
> Any idea when we can expect an official announcement from Warner
> Home Video? Will you be invited to participate in preparing the
> DVD release (unlike the LDs?) If so, will you have the time?
All I know is what I've been told...that the DVDs will be out
sometime next year; I don't know in what format; I do know they're
going to be releasing "River of Souls" in full widescreen in the UK
(don't know if that's DVD or tape) and if it does well they'll do
widescreen elsewhere (same disclaimer); and no, haven't been asked to
participate in the thing.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 14 Sep 1999 15:31:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bruce Scandariato <72571.1722@compuserve.com>
Subject: Excalibur's fighters
Bruce Scandariato <72571.1722@compuserve.com> asks:
> whats the name of those space/atmospheric star fury type
> fighters?
Thunderbolts.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 14 Sep 1999 15:31:12 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Richard M Perry <76461.2737@compuserve.com>
Subject: transitions
Richard M Perry <76461.2737@compuserve.com> asks:
> Keep the website, or maybe expand it; I'd love to have and e-mail
> address at like rmperry@thestation.com, how cool would that be?
> (of the tail wagging the dog) I wonder how the member discount
> will work if there isn't a formal membership? How much pain are we
> willing to suffer? into death?"
I appreciate all of that...at the same time, however, what you
suggest would mean, in a sense, taking advantage of the fans to some
extent, charging for not getting much, and a) I can't do that, and b) I
think the majority, however attached to the show, would not want that
situation.
In time, if we can get the thing into the black, we will
certainly revisit the structure of the thing and see what can be done
at that time.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 16 Sep 1999 00:00:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bruce Scandariato <72571.1722@compuserve.com>
Subject: Excalibur's fighters
Bruce Scandariato <72571.1722@compuserve.com> asks:
> season 4-5?
Pretty much the same model, yes.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 16 Sep 1999 23:09:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Sci Fi Channel Poll
{original post unavailable}
"I read in SFX August 99 the only response I've heard from TNT. They
claimed they were promised, and though they were buying, a high paced
action series, and got something a lot slower. So that's why they
cancelled it."
You've seen the final five (the first five produced, and the
show the way we wanted to make it)...do YOU think it was a slow
program? That it wasn't high-paced action? If not, then one begins to
wonder at the honesty of the statement.
Though anything in SFX regarding B5 or TNT is going to be
specious at best. When they exceeded the snark-limit, early when
Crusade was still in production, with endless cheap personal shots and
the like, we phantom zoned them, meaning they were cut off from press
kits, photos, and interviews... after which they would take any
possible opportunity to go after me or my shows.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 16 Sep 1999 16:10:08 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: transitions
(blocked) asks:
> Do these messages mean that you're disbanding the Fan Club?
To a certain degree...the forthcoming Universe Today will have
all the info.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 16 Sep 1999 23:09:05 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Sci Fi Channel Poll
{original post had no questions}
The only thing wrong with your argument is that it doesn't have
anything to do with why and what TNT did, which stems from incompetence
and testosterone, not logic or business.
Re: the B5 reruns...yes, the ratings dropped, because they would
run 5 in a row, then rerun the same five right afterward, rather than
giving it a good run, so you're showing eps that just aired a few weeks
earlier, and which everyone's seen. And on top of that, you have your
on-air ads announce "all new episodes," when they're those very same
reruns, and you can onlyh pull that crap so many times before people
give up...and on top of THAT they began moving it all over the schedule
to the point where even *I* didn't know when it was on at various
points....
The series had done well enough in the ratings, and had grown,
across four seasons. When did it run into problems? When it hit TNT.
The primary reason that it was initially going to end with S4 was
because PTEN was gone, the WB network didn't want competition in the
marketplace, and the distribution mechanism was effectively gone.
That's why TNT *bought* a fifth season, because it had been doing well.
And it's done extremely well, up to and including S5, everywhere else
on the planet *except* TNT. That kind of points to the reality that
the problem was in how TNT handled it.
As for Crusade...because we wouldn't make it the show TNT wanted
-- Baywatch meets Wrestling in Space -- they wrote it off and did
everything they could to make damned sure it wouldn't succeed, because
if it DID succeed, it would prove that we were right and they were
wrong, and they absolutely would not allow that to happen. And since
they never coughed up much in the way of production money -- leaving
nearly all of that to WB to pick up -- they had nothing to lose in
doing so.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 18 Sep 1999 18:33:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bob Ingria <70373.1164@compuserve.com>
Subject: Sci Fi Channel Poll
Bob Ingria <70373.1164@compuserve.com> asks:
> What is it with SFX regarding B5/Crusade?
> Was there any specific event that triggered this?
"What is it with SFX regarding B5/Crusade? I've noticed that, aside
from rare lapses into good taste, they seem to adopt a hostile, or at
best, cool tone towards you/the show. Was there any specific event
that triggered this? It was quite noticeable and rather puzzling."
As noted in my prior message, it's specifically because we
phantom zoned them because many of their articles were, quite simply,
unfair and sometimes cheap shots masquerading as objectivity. I don't
mind if somebody does or doesn't like a show or an episode, I got no
beef with that...but some of what was being done by them was wrong, I
felt...and finally, they were cut off from all PR material for Crusade.
At which point they went balls out to attack the show, or myself, at
any given opportunity; it's got nothing to do with journalism and
everything to do with being pissed-off jumped-up fanboys.
By contrast, Dreamwatch has often had both good and bad things
to say about the show, but always one gets a sense that they're being
fair about it, and that their criticisms are well considered and as a
result are often hard to argue with. As opposed to SFX, which takes
cheap ad hominum shots at anyone who even writes in to dare and say
they like B5 or Crusade. You can tell that it's personal with
them...and the moment it becomes personal, you can kiss goodbye even
the pretension to journalistic integrity.
When the situation came out about some B5 cast members not being
paid for their appearances at VorCon, Dreamwatch went out and
independently verified the situation. SFX, because it's close with
some of the people involved with VorCon, did not. This is typical of
their bias. And that bias and that open negativity is, I think, why
their circulation is reportedly shrinking while the circulation of some
of the other magazines, notably Dreamwatch, is increasing, especially
here in the States.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 21 Sep 1999 15:41:11 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Graham Smith <74010.764@compuserve.com>
Subject: Sci Fi Channel Poll
{original post had no questions}
"Which brings us to the "Short Attention Span Theater" syndrome. Most
of the complaints I saw were from people who were expecting something
else and were unwilling to wait and see what developed. This is often
the norm for TV viewers and explains why we get a lot of the cr@p we
do."
This is, unfortunately, all too often all too true.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 22 Sep 1999 20:54:03 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com>
Subject: Game cancelled???
{original post had no questions}
Yup, their restructuring hit a number of games, and this was one
of them.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 25 Sep 1999 15:54:04 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Value Judgements
{original post unavailable}
Except of course that would totally destroy Garibaldi's
character.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 27 Sep 1999 22:41:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Karen S. Hayes <112230.2454@compuserve.com>
Subject: Value Judgements
Karen S. Hayes <112230.2454@compuserve.com> asks:
> Any chance that the other unproduced Crusade scripts might become
> available to your insatiable fans?
It's something we're considering.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 28 Sep 1999 14:58:00 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Even Chen CD?
{original post unavailable}
The cover artwork is sitting on my desk for approval; once
that's done, it should be out soon.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 29 Sep 1999 15:48:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All
Subject: RISING STARS #2 OUT
As an FYI to those who've been waiting, RISING STARS #2 makes
its appearance this week at a comics store near you. It's a good one,
concerning invulnerability, what it *really* would mean, what good or
bad results would come of living with it...and the mystery of how you
kill someone who can't be killed.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03 Oct 1999 20:54:08 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com>
Subject: Final Reckoning
{original post had no questions}
Yeah, it's a heckuva book...and we did plan to get into some of
the Bester storyline in the show. Ah, well....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 04 Oct 1999 16:31:00 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com>
Subject: Final Reckoning
SysOp Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com> asks:
> So I can safely assume Bester's story is canon, right?
"So I can safely assume Bester's story is canon, right?"
Absolutely.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05 Oct 1999 17:55:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All
Subject: B5 Crew Jackets Here
Pitchman mode on:
One of the main questions I get at conventions, when I show up
flying the colors, is "Where can I get that jacket?" As those've
who've been there will attest, my answer has always been, "You can't.
They're only for cast and crew."
So there've been a lot of requests for this particular item over
the years...so for this month only, www.thestation.com will be offering
a limited number (about 200) of B5 jackets. These are essentially
identical to the other crew jackets, same material, same manufacturer,
same detailed logo embroidered on the back. It's a *nice* jacket (and
available for a hell of a lot less than the $500-1000 some of them have
been sold for in the past on ebay and convention auctions).
But they're going to go fast. Same as with the Gathering
script, which was only available in September, and is now off market.
(The next one for sale, this month only, is the script for Midnight on
the Firing Line.)
Pitchman mode off.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05 Oct 1999 23:13:05 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Crew Jackets Here
{original post unavailable}
Note to self: you are an idiot. What you MEANT to say was that
CRUSADE jackets are available, but you WROTE B5 jackets...one might
almost think you had a glitch in your brain in that regard.
Not only THAT, but it turns out that the Gathering is going to
be available until October 8th because the web site was down for about
a week.
Can't you get *anything* rite?
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06 Oct 1999 17:42:04 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com>
Subject: Crusade cancellation
T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com> asks:
> 1) when TNT stopped production 2) when the cast contracts expired
> 3) after the airing when no one picked it up 4) still some hope
> left??
In technical terms it's always when you're told to stop
production and that's it.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 14 Oct 1999 19:45:05 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Neil S. Turkenkopf <102664.3532@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5/Crusade Keyrings?
{original post unavailable}
I don't *think* they're official, but I can't be 100% sure.
Certainly they never came through for approval, which makes me think
they're not official.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 15 Oct 1999 17:03:08 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Andrew S. Troth <74663.3614@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5/Crusade Keyrings?
Andrew S. Troth <74663.3614@compuserve.com> asks:
> Really?
The B5 keychains are legit; the question was in regards to
Crusade keychains.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 18 Oct 1999 18:36:03 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Is there a Best Episode?
(blocked) asks:
> What episode(s) of Crusade deserve consideration for this?
"As you know, the SFWA reinstated the Dramatic Nebula. What
episode(s) of Crusade deserve consideration for this?"
I dunno...maybe THE MEMORY OF WAR, though if anything deserves
it, it's THE MATRIX.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 19 Oct 1999 14:22:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Graham Smith <74010.764@compuserve.com>
Subject: Final Reckoning
{original post had no questions}
"SiL was written and filmed before Season 5 and would have been the
final episode of Season 4 had Season 5 not happened. In that light,
this comment more likely refers to the problems they had in Season 4
than any as-yet-untold problems."
Except of course that Garibaldi's whole future arc was known to
me; whether or not there was a S5, his future was his future.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 19 Oct 1999 14:27:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Is there a Best Episode?
{original post had no questions}
"The only nomination so far is a Swedish porn flick that is only
incidentally SF. The group that nominated that one want to embarrass
the organization into re-abolishing the award. It's a very sorry
mess."
Of course. It's SFWA.
Never have I seen a group that writes about technology so
frightened of a form of technological storytelling. They're the writer-
equivilents of Luddites. (Meaning the ones pulling this crap.)
jms
------------------------------
Date: 20 Oct 1999 20:01:05 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Graham Smith <74010.764@compuserve.com>
Subject: Is there a Best Episode?
{original post had no questions}
"As to "The Matrix", I think you may be betting on the winner there,
but strangely I found the story a trifle weak. Perhaps because it was
so overshadowed by the extravagant visual effect. I'd hate to have to
pay the tab for just 10 seconds of that film."
The story is fairly straightforward and parts of it do not bear
close scrutiny, but the mythology of the thing is very well done, and
obviously the action stuff is the best I've ever seen. The DVD is
particularly cool; it has the movie, commentaries, the ability to dive
out of the movie to see the sequence done segment by segment, then see
the whole thing, and you can see it from script to storyboard to filmed
end-product. I've probably watched the whole thing through about 4-5
times.
As much as I have a personal investment in Crusade and all
things Babylonian, I can't think of much that could compete with the
Matrix in terms of quality.
(And to the question of what episode I'd consider...absent the
Matrix for a moment, it occurs to me that A Call to Arms and River of
Souls are both also elibigle for this year.)
jms
------------------------------
Date: 20 Oct 1999 20:12:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bob Ingria <70373.1164@compuserve.com>
Subject: Final Reckoning
{original post had no questions}
"By the way, I note that SiL clearly does refer to 'events that had
not yet happened when SiL was filmed '. For example, there's Lennier's
death. (Remember that Lennier is toasted as one of the 'absent friends,
in memory still bright'.) Franklin being the head of Xenobiology back
on earth. Garibaldi being head of Edgar's Industries (although this is
implicit in 'Rising Stars')."
Exactly so. Franklin's situation even predates any thought at
all about Crusade as a series.
Garibaldi's death (a much quieter passing than he would have
imagined waiting for him), Franklin's final fate on a distant,
unexplored planet, Delenn's final journey (a quest involving Valen,
though no one else around her believes it), Lennier's sacrifice...it's
all mapped out, on the theory that whether or not it ever gets used,
*I* had to know it.
(Incidentally...in a coming issue of the B5 magazine, there is a
canonical timeline that covers the history of the B5 universe from the
Big Bang to a million years in the future...and it's really nifty to
see the whole thing laid out like that, to realize that, sonuvagun, it
really does work. I commend it to everyone in the highest possible
terms.)
jms
------------------------------
Date: 23 Oct 1999 16:53:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bob Ingria <70373.1164@compuserve.com>
Subject: Final Reckoning
{original post had no questions}
Except, of course, that as I recall (and my memory could be off
here), Bester's parents were never part of the Corps, and thus would
not have had their DNA on file there.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 30 Oct 1999 15:59:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Babylonia Method
Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
> Have your heard of any more new series (or old) that have adopted
> the Babylonian method of organized production?
Not that I've heard, in terms of production, though in terms of
story arc, the guys who do E:FC have said in print that they want to do
a B5 style arc, and a few others are doing the same.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 30 Oct 1999 15:59:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bernard Dowdy <76550.347@compuserve.com>
Subject: Columbia House Videos
{original post had no questions}
I don't have any direct knowledge of this, only what other fans
have conveyed, which is that for whatever bizarre reason, CH doesn't
"have access" to those episodes. I don't know or understand why that
would be.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 01 Nov 1999 17:25:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The Babylonia Method
{original post unavailable}
Nope, never seen it, no time for much TV these days.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 02 Nov 1999 15:23:03 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The Babylonia Method
{original post unavailable}
Funny stuff, thanks....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 02 Nov 1999 21:11:03 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Graham Smith <74010.764@compuserve.com>
Subject: Rumor Mill
Graham Smith <74010.764@compuserve.com> asks:
> Have you heard anything about this?
No, I haven't heard anything about it; I suspect it's just a
rumor.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09 Nov 1999 23:03:08 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Graham Smith <74010.764@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Sightings
Graham Smith <74010.764@compuserve.com> asks:
> Who edits this thing anyway?
"However, the real hoot for me is that Joe is dressed in a sport coat,
turtle neck, and *blue jeans*. Just my kind of outfit. A snappy
dresser to the end :)"
It was either that or wear proper slacks with a Superman tie. I
just can't take anything seriously....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09 Nov 1999 21:18:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All
Subject: Rising Star 11/22/99
Just as an FYI, the next issue of RISING STARS will be out at
newsstands around the 22nd. It's a particularly good one, following
the story of pyrokinetic Lee Jackson after he fled at the beginning.
We also learn a very possible motive for the series of murders. It's a
good one.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09 Nov 1999 21:18:11 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All
Subject: B5 Bible/Treatment!
Also posted to the net:
For the last six years, I've been asked repeatedly -- in email and at
conventions -- "Are you ever going to make the original B5 series
writers' bible available?" My general reaction was to simply
say...maybe someday.
After considerable reflection, and as a Solstice present to B5
viewers... we're finally going to make it available.
TWO such *its*, to be precise.
First: The original Babylon 5 Series Treatment
This is the 23 page document, written in September 1988, that was used
to sell the series for the five years it took to find a buyer. It has
different characters than were ever seen in the show, such as Dr.
Chakri Mendak (a role that later became Dr. Stephen Franklin) and more
background on Vice-Commander Laurel Chang... Sinclair's background is
also quite different from what we eventually ended up with... Delenn
was a male...the Vorlons were warlike, squabbling aliens....
This was the first attempt to put B5 down on paper, in a process that
would change and evolve over the next 5 years. Ideas that were never
used, characters who would never be seen again, the first stirrings of
the Minbari War story (including a never used alternate explanation for
why they surrendered), Delenn was a male character... Kosh had a mate
who came with him to B5...on and on and on.
Second: The original Season One Babylon 5 Writer's Bible
This massive tome weighs in at over 60 pages, with comprehensive
backgrounds on all the characters as well as guidelines for writing SF
for TV in ways that would be different than all of our predecessors. It
lays out the first year of the arc and warns potential writers away
from areas we plan to explore in later years, has additional
backgrounds on regular characters never actually used in the series
(such as a strange fellow named Mr. Jones who would have been
alternately a bane and ally to Garibaldi), stories that would
eventually be filmed, other stories that would never be used,
information on the the history and technology of the B5 universe, Psi
Corps, Earthforce, the various governments, and other areas...this is
the Big One, the Grail of the B5 fictional world. The table of
contents alone covers 2 pages.
This bible was ONLY given to prospective writers, who were in turn
asked to keep the material totally confidential. The treatment was ONLY
given to network/studio. heads and others in a position to buy the
series.
In addition, BOTH of these documents will be peppered with the
original illustrations by Peter Ledger used to sell and visualize the
series in its earliest stage, including the original keyhole logo, many
of them reproduced in full color, others b&w. Some of these images
have shown up in various places, but others will be seen here by the
world at large for the first time.
I debated long and hard about whether or not I would ever make these
available, but finally decided to give in to the many requests for the
release of this material.
This material will shortly be made available at www.thestation.com and
via phone orders. I don't know how long we'll make them available, but
I suspect it may not be very long.
In reading through the documents, it's like taking a trip back through
time to what was, to the very beginnings of the series, what would be,
what might've been, what never was...what got abandoned on the side of
the road, what was kept. At times the material is coy, informative,
deliberately misleading in a couple of places where I wanted to avoid
leaks, rude and sometimes it actually makes a rough kind of sense.
They're going to cost a bit more than the scripts, because at 60+
pages in the case of the bible, and with the color illustrations,
they're more expensive to produce, and we're only doing a limited
number of these.
Expect the full info to go up on thestation.com in a few days.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Nov 1999 17:07:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com>
Subject: Rising Star 11/22/99
SysOp Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is this issue 2 or 3?
It's issue 3, 2 came out last month.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 18 Nov 1999 23:20:05 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John Morgan <71513.2510@compuserve.com>
Subject: New 2 HR B5 Movie?
John Morgan <71513.2510@compuserve.com> asks:
> true & what is the general plot?
I haven't heard anything about it, and thus don't think it's
true.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 18 Nov 1999 23:20:05 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: Art of Collaboration
Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
> What do you feel are your strengths in a collaborative effort,
> and what do you look for in a collaborator? What are the pitfalls
> to avoid, and what are the benefits?
I'm actually the worst person to ask about this, because I
almost never collaborate with another writer.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 19 Nov 1999 17:18:08 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: New 2 HR B5 Movie?
{original post unavailable}
Those rumors are *always* coming...doesn't mean anything.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 20 Nov 1999 15:47:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Lee Gordon <75030.1144@compuserve.com>
Subject: New 2 HR B5 Movie?
{original post had no questions}
"Probably wishful thinking on the part of the originators."
Except, of course, that the *originators* KNOW that it's not
true. It may be wishful thinking on the part of those who *hear it*,
but the person who tells a fib knows that he is telling a fib.
On the internet, inside information is currency, and there will
always be counterfeiters among us.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 21 Nov 1999 22:43:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jamichie > [jamichie]
Subject: Crusade's Future
{original post unavailable}
It's nothing to do with Crusade as a *product*. It's Crusade
and the writing thereof as an *art form* that is at issue here. If a
composer was stopped from finishing a symphony, and someone said,
"Well, can you talk about what you *would* have done?" it's an
impossible question...a symphony is meant to be *heard* not talked
about.
Further, it would mean my spending a great deal of time dwelling
on something that I won't be able to *do*. For me, it's not an
academic exercise, it's a point of great personal frustration...why in
heaven's name should I choose to enhance that any further by dwelling
on all the cool things I could've/would've done had TNT not pulled the
plug?
jms
------------------------------
Date: 24 Nov 1999 22:36:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jamichie > [jamichie]
Subject: Crusade's Future
{original post unavailable}
No, I know where the story was going to go, that ain't the
point; the point is in spending that much emotional time going over
something that somebody canceled.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 24 Nov 1999 22:36:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 on home video
(blocked) asks:
> Does anyone at WB know what they're doing?
> Who is in charge over there?
I'm astouned that they would do that to the two movies...there
was no reason to do so unless they just didn't want to spend the
additonal money on two more transfers. I'm afraid the ways of WB
utterly defy explanation....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 30 Nov 1999 14:12:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com>
Subject: Rising Star 11/22/99
{original post had no questions}
The book, I'm told by TC, will definitely be out this Wednesday;
the holiday kind of cut into their schedule.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 01 Dec 1999 21:10:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com>
Subject: Rising Star 11/22/99
{original post had no questions}
It's officially out now....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 02 Dec 1999 22:39:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Rising Star 11/22/99
{original post unavailable}
There are 24 issues slated for the run, planned at 1 per
month...or at Top Cow's production schedule, that should bring us
through 2010....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 04 Dec 1999 14:27:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Carolyn Dodson <76337.3460@compuserve.com>
Subject: Rising Star 11/22/99
{original post had no questions}
It takes me a week or three to write a comics script because I'm
still kinda learning the form...after that production seems to take
about a year and a half...
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05 Dec 1999 23:21:04 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Carolyn Dodson <76337.3460@compuserve.com>
Subject: Rising Star 11/22/99
{original post had no questions}
I appreciate it, thanks.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06 Dec 1999 22:39:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Richard M Perry <76461.2737@compuserve.com>
Subject: Rising Star 11/22/99
Richard M Perry <76461.2737@compuserve.com> asks:
> And what was it, a year after the announced release that Wing
> Commander III finally hit the shelves? Did you get Batman War on
> Crime?
Yeah, got War on Crime...I mean, c'mon, it's Alex Ross, to NOT
get it would be sacrilege. As always, he does a great job, though I
thought the script was not quite on the same level as the art.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06 Dec 1999 22:39:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Richard M Perry <76461.2737@compuserve.com>
Subject: MegaCon 2000
Richard M Perry <76461.2737@compuserve.com> asks:
> (I already booked a room at the Marriott) Is there any chance
> that Top Cow, or Harlan, will be dragging you along with them
> this year? Top Cow is there every year and I thought they might be
> working on you to go again to promote the current issue of Rising
> Stars which should be what 5 by April?
Nothing's really been set yet as far as I know....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 14 Dec 1999 00:03:08 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Carolyn Dodson <76337.3460@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 versus ST:TNG
Carolyn Dodson <76337.3460@compuserve.com> asks:
> In all fairness I will admit to one problem I have in B5 plotdom
> and I would like to know if this bothers anybody else? Has anyone
> ever raised this issue or read an explanation from JMS on this -
> Mr. Straczynski, are you out there - what's the deal? Is this
> going to be elaborated on in the "Legions of Fire" series?
"In all fairness I will admit to one problem I have in B5 plotdom and
I would like to know if this bothers anybody else? Why doesn't Sheridan
remember that Londo has a freakin Keeper. How can you go forward in
time and remember that Delenn says "do not go to Z'ha'dum" but you
forget that a one-eyed, ugly, creepy looking sucker is sticking out of
someone's neck. I mean I don't think that is something I would forget.
I mean Franklin found a Keeper on Mars and I assume he put it in a
report which I assume Sheridan read - he should be able to put 2 and 2
together. Has anyone ever raised this issue or read an explanation from
JMS on this - Mr. Straczynski, are you out there - what's the deal? Is
this going to be elaborated on in the "Legions of Fire" series? Just
wonderin'"
It's real simple. That vision was almost 20 years in the
future.
At what point should Sheridan assume the Keeper landed on Londo?
For all he knows, it got there a week before. Nothing in Londo's
behavior in the present B5 storyline says "keeper." People start wars
all the time without the necessity of having keepers. Londo has
certainly had his changes and swings in mood prior to having a Keeper.
WE know this because we have privileged information which Sheridan does
not.
If Londo had said "I got this thing in x-year," then that's one
thing, but absent that...there's no way for Sheridan to know that he
didn't get it 10 or 15 years down the line...and, equally, no way to
know what future events he might change -- possibly for the worse -- by
trying to warn Londo. (And, in fact, if he did try to tell Londo about
this, the Drakh would realize that Londo had been compromised, and they
would probably simply kill him and bring someone else into that
role...so Sheridan's right in that respect.)
jms
------------------------------
Date: 21 Dec 1999 22:29:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Unauthorized books?
{original post unavailable}
I think that unauthorized books fall into a grey area; on the
one hand, they're exploiting a known commodity (a show) but none of the
creative people involved with the project actually benefit from the
book; that's sort of the bottom-feeder aspect to the thing...on the
other hand, an unauthorized book can sometimes (but may not always) be
more objective in telling the story of a given show. I've generally
tried to make sure that anything associated with B5 is more than just
fluff; the B5 magazine is probably the best example of this, and
they've shown both the warts and the good stuff, and have in fact
published any number of very critical articles and reviews of episodes
(teeth-grindingly so, in some cases, but I let it go through on
principle).
The Lane books fall into the "may not always be more objective"
category stated above, especially the second one, in which the author,
feeling that the series didn't go the way *he* would've wanted it to
go, totally distorts situations and events to underscore his theme,
even at the expense of honest reporting. The whole book is, frankly,
skewed and even fans have considered it mainly a personal
attack/fannish venting than a book about the show...it's about the
author's frustrated desires and not about the show at all, in the final
analysis. There's a lot of incorrect information in the book, which
in an authorized book could have been caught, but here there was no
safeguard against misinformation and personal opinion disguised as
fact.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 22 Dec 1999 20:45:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Graham Smith <74010.764@compuserve.com>
Subject: Unauthorized books?
{original post had no questions}
"But, like you, I was rather taken aback by the attitude of the author
in the second book. He was clearly miffed and allowed that to color
what could otherwise have been a well done second book. Clearly, the
objectivity was gone."
Yup.
"Still, he did manage to put in a couple of things worth seeing. In
particular, he quoted the entire 'Declaration of Principles' from
'Paragon of Animals'."
Which a) he didn't write, b) I did, and get nothing for the
reuse of my material, c) is widely available online, and d) can be
transcribed by anyone from the episode, so you don't need the book to
do that.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 02 Jan 2000 00:35:00 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: T.P.Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com>
Subject: CBS special
{original post had no questions}
It's apparently going to be tomorrow (Sunday) morning during CBS
Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 02 Jan 2000 22:45:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: CBS special
{original post unavailable}
Message text written by George & Lynn Dimock: "Hope it went well."
It was okay...I never much like the way I look or talk on TV. I
always suspect that the next day America's Most Wanted will start
getting phone calls saying "THAT'S HIM! THAT'S THE GUY!"
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06 Jan 2000 23:10:04 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: CBS special
{original post unavailable}
Message text written by Troy Starr: "Does NASA have a time table for
building their Star Furies? Or were they just asking permission for
the indefinite future? "
In general.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06 Jan 2000 23:11:03 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Karen S. Hayes <112230.2454@compuserve.com>
Subject: CBS special
Karen S. Hayes <112230.2454@compuserve.com> asks:
> How did they hook up with you for this segment?
Message text written by Karen S. Hayes: "How did they hook up with you
for this segment? I ask out of professional curiosity, because I know
that often--not always, but often-- finding the right interview subject
for a piece is pure luck and serendipity on the part of the
interviewer. "
Apparently the segment producer was a big B5 fan, so she called one
day.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10 Jan 2000 23:43:08 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All
Subject: Rising Stars 4 is out
Just as an FYI, this past Thursday the fourth issue of Rising Stars
came out. It's kind of a fun issue.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 13 Jan 2000 17:41:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Carolyn Dodson <76337.3460@compuserve.com>
Subject: Rising Stars 4 is out
Carolyn Dodson <76337.3460@compuserve.com> asks:
> BTW noticed your post time - do you suffer from Delayed Sleep
> Phase Syndrome also?
Message text written by Carolyn Dodson: "BTW noticed your post time -
do you suffer from Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome also? "
No, I just sleep whacky hours. I generally work in the evenings until
about 3 or so in the morning, then crash.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 17 Jan 2000 20:24:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: Boon or Bane?
Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
> Does it seem like a whole new crateful of chainsaws to juggle?
Message text written by Rebecca Eschliman: "I'd be interested in your
reaction as either (or both) a writer or producer to the AOL/T-W
merger, not as it applies to B5 specifically, but what it bodes for the
future in getting new shows launched and supported. Does it seem like
a whole new crateful of chainsaws to juggle? "
Unfortunately, I really don't know/understand enough about the
situation to have an informed opinion.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 21 Jan 2000 23:19:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Gallifrey Convention
(blocked) asks:
> Do you know when your presentations/events are scheduled yet?
Message text written by Martin Roth: "I spotted your name on the guest
list for Gallifrey next month, and by an amazing set of coincidences
I'm actually going to be there part of the time. Do you know when your
presentations/events are scheduled yet? "
I'm told Sunday at 4.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 16 Feb 2000 23:45:11 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Graham Smith <74010.764@compuserve.com>
Subject: Crusade on eBay
Graham Smith <74010.764@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is this legit, or has someone ripped off something?
Message text written by Graham Smith: "There is a Crusade "Workprint"
copy of "Racing the Night" for sale on eBay, Item# 244480063.
Is this legit, or has someone ripped off something? "
It's definitely not legal for people to be selling that stuff.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 16 Feb 2000 23:46:05 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: New 2 HR B5 Movie?
(blocked) asks:
> Is this true & what is the general plot?
> and then produce something lame withOUT you at the helm?
> Do you have any form of insurance against "creative pollution"?
Message text written by Rick Corey: "Is there even a remote, horrid
possibility that WB could say "Since we own all rights to B5, we're
going to put out a B5 movie" ... and then produce something lame
withOUT you at the helm? "
Odds are slim and none.
jms
------------------------------