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The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5
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JMS Usenet messages for February 1997.
Date: 1 Feb 1997 14:03:38 -0500
Subject: Re: The Long Night ( *Spoilers* )
:I am unaware of any *deliberate* attempt to have people tortured to
authenticate information. The deception consisted of several elements."
That you may not be aware of it does not mean it's incorrect.
I ran across this information in an article in The Los Angeles Times about
8 years ago. It was something of a big deal because the situation had
been kept secret ever since the war, and when it came out it caused a
great deal of distress (and discussion) about the ethics involved.
I called a couple of other people who I talked to when the article first
came out, and their recollection of it is the same as mine.
I'll try and get around to doing a search on the LA Times database, to see
if I can find the exact references, though I don't know if their search
engine goes back that far.
jms
Date: 2 Feb 1997 03:27:31 -0500
Subject: Re: jms graphics note (cgal repost)
Mojo:
I will point out to you that in my original message, I never even
MENTIONED Foundation, or referred to it in any way, manner, shape or form.
You did that on your own. You made baseless statements about our entire
EFX team coming from Foundation, when you know this is an absolute and
utter fabrication on your part.
If you've got a problem with this topic being brought up, it's you who did
it, so take your concerns to the mirror.
Me, I'm out of this.
"All I can say is that Joe REALLY doesn't know how to take a sarcastic
comment in good stride!"
Maybe, in future, if you didn't just drop in "sarcastic comments"
randomly, you wouldn't have problems like this. Every time I have made a
positive comment about the EFX this season, you have jumped in with
sarcasm. Grow up, Mojo.
Meanwhile, as far as I'm concerned, this thread is over.
jms
Date: 3 Feb 1997 01:20:36 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: pat tallman question
Unless it's a small stunt where we have to see her face, such as getting
tossed against a wall, it's always a stuntwoman for the bigger stuff.
Same as all our cast.
jms
Date: 3 Feb 1997 01:26:15 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: From B5 to Crusade - A Transition $ Q!
We're still discussing how the transition would take place.
jms
Date: 3 Feb 1997 09:09:12 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Is it really you?
"He (Mr. Ellison that is) also mentioned that J. Michael Straczynski took
over hosting a radio show in the LA area. I haven't ever heard of this
before (as opposed to knowing about Cap'n Power- one of my favs as a kid,
Ghostbusters, etc.), and I was wondering if it was really you."
Yeah, that was me. The show was HOUR 25, a 2-hour weekly talk show
covering SF, fantasy, comics, horror, you name it. I hosted the show for
5 years on KPFK-FM.
jms
Date: 3 Feb 1997 09:12:01 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS -- The Long Night - Something magical happened...
That's an amazing (and amazingly gratifying) report...thank you very muc
for that. And my best to the NY fans. Thanks again.
jms
Date: 3 Feb 1997 14:50:58 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN: JMS - Choice of Music in "The Long Night"
It's not exactly a question of choosing the music: I sit with Chris
Franke, our composer, and indicate, "Here's where the music starts, and
ends." If it's source music, we discuss the type of music, and he then
composes it. We don't choose from library stuff on the show.
jms
Date: 4 Feb 1997 19:03:51 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN: JMS where's Bester?
He'll be up in 2 more eps.
jms
Date: 4 Feb 1997 19:14:28 -0500
Subject: Re: Attn: JMS -- Say cheese!
Suddenly this whole photographic/photogenic discussion has taken a
frightening turn....
jms
Date: 4 Feb 1997 19:13:04 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Regarding Babylon 5: the Sequel
Yeah, there will be an arc to the sequel series, but not quite as
intensive or rigorous as the one in B5.
jms
Date: 4 Feb 1997 21:33:52 -0500
Subject: Re: Attn JMS: Background graphics for ITF (no spoilers)
We use the Hubble images (provided by them) a lot on the show, including
these current couple of episodes. We digitize them, then enhance them
into 3D.
There aren't any official B5 paintings going on now, the only artwork of a
collector's sort now is the collector's plate series from Hamilton, which
is very nice (the Delenn plate in particular is *gorgeous*).
jms
Date: 4 Feb 1997 21:34:49 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN: JMS - "Into the Fire" (spoilers)
Thanks...and the shadow voice was definitely Ed Wasser.
jms
Date: 5 Feb 1997 01:44:28 -0500
Subject: Re: Into the Fire ( *Spoilers* )
Over? As Londo said..."Oh, I haven't even *started* with you yet."
Was the story of Earth over after WW2?
jms
Date: 6 Feb 1997 02:06:00 -0500
Subject: Re: Attn JMS: Background graphics for ITF (new spoiler question)
Yeah, John Copeland and I picked the specific images used in that one.
jms
Date: 6 Feb 1997 15:15:20 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN:JMS
Yes, when you write a novel, you own the copyright; nobody can touch it
without your permission.
jms
Date: 7 Feb 1997 10:12:34 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Only on Babylon 5 . . . (no ITF spoilers)
1.) The CGI was excellent and seemed very different than in previous
episodes, much larger, better defined, darker. Was this an effort on
your part, or the post-production department?
We're trying some new rendering techniques...I think they're working very
well. (Some of the stuff in the next episode has a very realistic feel to
it.)
2.) Have you found some way to slow down time or compress the episode
into a shorter span? When I finished this one, I swore I had watched a
two hour movie.
You did. We arranged for a time dilation bubble to appear over your
house.
3.) Any reaction from the actor or staff on this one? Especially, Ed
Wassner? (Might be a bit of spoilers in the answer to this one)
Ed wants to come back as an alien. I see no problem with this.
jms
Date: 8 Feb 1997 02:36:14 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Revellogram model kits
I saw the ad copy for the first batch of models when they came through my
office for approval...the Starfury is going to be one of the first ones
out, and if the ad just came through, then it means they're about to start
marketing it, so I'd keep my eyes open.
jms
Date: 8 Feb 1997 02:38:44 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS & ALL: Very cool web site!!
The early information on Vorlons was just put in there to make the studio
happy, since I didn't want to reveal what they were -- it'd be kinda hard
to explain to business types -- because they wanted *something* to hold
onto. The same material includes drawings done again just to help them
relax.
jms
Date: 9 Feb 1997 02:42:19 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Question about scores
I think there are certain separated rights...but for the examples you
cited, they were probably done via arrangements with the studios, not the
composers.
jms
Date: 9 Feb 1997 02:45:53 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN: JMS <spoilers for #406>
Ghar...your comments are well and good and have nothing to do with
reality.
First, the Rangers situation is not a typical military situation. They
are primarily from Minbar, both in terms of actual Minbari and humans
trained there. They are specifically under Delenn's charge, with Sheridan
*sharing* that authority. He did not know Ericsson because they're a
large bunch to whom he has not been introduced, and likely they don't have
very large records on them. This is a *de facto* army, not a *de jure* (I
hope I spelled that right) army...there ain't a lot of paperwork on the
Rangers.
Second, it was Delenn who sent for this particular White Star, more for
its strategic location...which Sheridan used because it was closest to the
goal. Your observation is like saying that General Patton should know
*instantly* about every soldier on the line in battle, however distant he
is. Which is simply absurd. Watch some old WW2 footage someday...there's
General MacArthur walking among some troops..."What's your name, son?
Where are you from?" By your lights, he should have known that.
Third, re: the encryption notice...of *course* they're all
encrypted...what Sheridan said was "we're RE-encrypting this message EVERY
THREE SECONDS, so be sure to have your system keep up." That's an
escalation in layers of encryption so elaborate and involved that it makes
the system actually slow down.
Before you start flaming, I suggest you stop and consider what you're
saying some time, and that there may be other elements at work beyond just
what you THINK should be the case.
jms
Date: 9 Feb 1997 12:55:13 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: I'm going "huminahuminahumina..."
Thanks.
You can sit down now.
jms
Date: 9 Feb 1997 12:56:31 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN: JMS--Pushing the Envelope (SPOILERS, Into the Fire)
Thanks. Now comes more fun...again, it's all about process...going from
post-war (Minbari) to an uneasy peace, to showing how a war starts to come
about, the actual beginning of a war, its progress, then the aftermath.
That arc really is at the core of the show...the changes that take place
through this process.
jms
Date: 9 Feb 1997 13:11:51 -0500
Subject: jms thinkpad story: end notes
Just a follow-up since a few have asked....
A while back, I posted about the IBM Thinkpad 560 that I bought, which
went kablooey within 24 hours and could not be fixed, and the multiple
incompetent attempts to make it work by techs who had never touched this
model before. I vented here in my frustration about it all.
Well, what then happened was that a Very Nice Man named Robert Kirk at IBM
heard about this, and intervened. Through his own resources, he had it
checked out thoroughly, and discovered that the motherboard was wired
wrong, and badly, with some connections not fully made, so it'd work one
minute, and not the next.
It's subsequently been replaced, and it has been running fine ever since.
I've held back saying anything more until I was sure...but it's a fine
little machine, now that it's working.
Sometimes, as with any bureaucracy, you have to get their attention, and
that's what the nets are good for. I heard from several others who had to
go through similar steps..and if you plink them in public, they will
sometimes do what they will never do for you in private.
jms
Date: 11 Feb 1997 19:25:25 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Qs about Crusade
"Can you tell us if Crusade is going to be a definite length eg B5
is/was supposed to be 5 years (still hanging on for season 5
announcement and sadly for season 4 to start showing in UK)."
There's a definite ending in mind, yes, but there's some room to play
within that framework. Again, there's an arc, but not quite as rigorous
as with B5.
jms
Date: 12 Feb 1997 20:16:19 -0500
Subject: Re: ATT JMS: Proportions of writing
Thanks...at last, I'm well proportioned....
I've always preferred the arc, both inside an episode, and between
episodes, and even in the course of a season, where there's the resolution
and then there's time to consider, reflect, and show the impact of these
things. It's not just about solving the technical problem that way...it's
about the people who solve the problem and how they are affected by the
problems and solutions.
jms
Date: 12 Feb 1997 20:22:12 -0500
Subject: Re: ATT:JMS Into the Fire ( *Spoilers* )
Yes, if Sheridan had not pushed Kosh into the trigger event that started
to accellerate the story, the events that followed...wouldn't have.
jms
Date: 14 Feb 1997 07:11:24 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Thanks for the job!
Thanks...the show can be a nudge, but only a nudge...you have to do what
needs to be done, and you did exactly this. All praise and responsibility
rests at your feet; I got nothing to do with it, but I will, with thanks
and appreciation, reflect for a moment the sunshine of your accomplishment
as though I actually had something to do with dawn. Good luck.
jms
Date: 14 Feb 1997 07:14:02 -0500
Subject: Re: Attn: JMS B5 Soundtrack Vol. 2
The two songs may show up somewhere someday, but I'm in no rush...I like
the soundtrack being instrumental.
jms
Date: 14 Feb 1997 07:03:39 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Comparison to "Lucifer's Hammer"
I agree, it's often the aftermath that holds the greatest interest. The
Civil War tells one kind of interesting story; the Reconstruction that
followed, which endured for many years longer than the war, tells another,
just as interesting story.
There's a line one of the characters will say soon, "The duration's going
to be a lot longer than the war." It's a very true comment.
One of my favorite books is "Alas, Babylon," by Pat Frank, which is about
a nuclear war (written in the early 60s). But the war happens entirely
off-stage, way in the distance...and the book focuses on one small
township dealing with the after effects, and the day-to-day realities of
surviving in a changed world. I've always been partial to that kind of
storytelling.
jms
Date: 14 Feb 1997 15:12:56 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: How could you? -- SPOILERS for 'Epiphanies'
"Was this your intention - to get a response from those of us who follow
the Sheridan and Delenn story line closely? Some how, I feel manipulated
and very disappointed."
Yes, as I sat in the editing room, I thought, "Hmmm...if I do this, it'll
get the Sheridan and Delenn fans' knickers all in a knot...."
Every scene goes through some editing...there is barely a scene we film
that doesn't get a line or two or three snipped. Sometimes the edit is
noticeable, sometimes it ain't. The only thing you can decide is, "Does
this move the story along or not?" I was chasing about another 20 seconds
(which was all we're talking about here), and the back-and-forth didn't
really add anything to what was already in that scene. I treated it the
same as I would treat any other scene.
jms
Date: 14 Feb 1997 15:13:42 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: A request for a "final curtain bow".
We've been considering something along those lines, but even broader,
which is all I can say about it for now.
jms
Date: 14 Feb 1997 15:13:57 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Holographic storytelling and irony
I'd say that about 75% of the ironies are deliberately planned, and 25%
come out of the general ether as I'm writing.
jms
Date: 14 Feb 1997 15:14:35 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: promised end vs. non renewal
"As you seem to be very quiet about the possible futures, here is my
question:
What do you *want*? :-)"
To tell stories.
It's all I've ever wanted.
As for the future of B5, whatever happens...I proved that it could be
done, when the Industry said it couldn't. What I set out to achieve, I've
achieved...now it's just surviving the last stages of it all.
jms
Date: 15 Feb 1997 09:59:01 -0500
Subject: jms quickies
For those in the Los Angeles area, I'll be doing a B5 presentation at
Gallifrey, at the Airtel Hotel in Van Nuys, including a new blooper reel
and scenes from episodes yet to come.
I'll also be at Megacon in Orlando, Florida in about a month.
Preliminary, unofficial word is that we got a 4.1 rating for the second
new episode, our highest in 2 years.
Also, the new issue of Sci-Fi Universe has two articles by Stephen Smith,
one of which, a week following the production of B5, is probably the best
and most comprehensive article ever written on the subject. I commend it
wholeheartedly.
Finally, Antioch Publishing is hitting the bricks shortly with a line of
B5 nifties, ranging from bookmarks to bookplates, and other stuff. It's
beautiful stuff, made for readers.
jms
Date: 16 Feb 1997 06:06:32 -0500
Subject: Re: ATT: JMS No Models from Revell?
"recently I read that you saw ads for the model ships to be made by
Revell/Modello, and thought they'd be out soon. I rushed out to the local
hobby shop, where the owner had heard nothing new on the subject."
These were ads that were coming through my hands for approval. They won't
be appearing for a while yet...but definitely later this year. They
wouldn't be sending me ad copy if they weren't planning to do something.
Since the ads just came through, they wouldn't have shown up in the latest
catalog.
jms
Date: 16 Feb 1997 06:08:45 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: GenCon Attendance?
No, nothing is currently in place for GenCon.
jms
Date: 16 Feb 1997 06:09:59 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN:JMS
The PTEN logo remains because that's what owns B5; the thing is no longer
functining as it did, but on the books it remains.
jms
Date: 16 Feb 1997 06:11:17 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN: JMS Epiphanies (spoiler
My suspicion is that they're dropping the B5 promo into what was the Kung
Fu promo spot, since KF ain't no more. They can't put in any more
commercials because they're up to the maximum limit, and most fans have
indicated wanting to see the longer promo not the short one, which is
often cut off.
jms
Date: 16 Feb 1997 06:16:46 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Question about B5 novels
In the past, we've taken pitches, but overall I've felt that the books
strayed too far from canon by doing it that way; the latest batch were
more directly influenced. One is taken right out of B5 canon, the
Anna/Icarus story, and it's one of the best to date; the second one up is
based on a premise I wrote up and was assigned to the writer (it's the
weakest of the three, set on Centauri Prime while G'Kar was still held
prisoner, but still okay); the third is also based on a premise, and
follows Sinclair after leaving B5 to form the Rangers...I worked very
closely with the writer here to ensure that virtually *every line* is
canon. Frankly, if anyone asks from now on, "What happened to Sinclair
after leaving B5?" I can point to this book and say, honestly, "It's all
in there."
I think we'll continue to work this way more in future.
Dell only works with published authors with agents and credits.
jms
Date: 16 Feb 1997 06:17:02 -0500
Subject: Re: JMS: quickies (Was: jms quickies)
Sorry...Megacon is the weekend of March 15th.
jms
Date: 16 Feb 1997 06:19:21 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: 14th April for season 4 in UK?
"I had written to them about the repeats of Season 1 (which we're not
getting in Wales) and after explaining that their commitment to Welsh
langauge programming did not allow them sufficient airtime for as many
repeats as the main C4, they went on to say, "However, you'll be glad to
know that the next series has been provisionally scheduled to start on
the 14th April 1997 on Channel 4. That series will definitely be shown
by S4C, although I am unable to give you a date and time at present.""
This is the first time I've heard a specific date, so I can't comment with
any kind of competence one way or another...I can only nod wisely, as if I
knew what the hell was actually going on....
jms
Date: 17 Feb 1997 05:08:24 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Complete Book of Scriptwriting
Thanks...no, haven't written any other technical books, and all my fiction
is currently out of print.
jms
Date: 16 Feb 1997 13:33:31 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN:JMS - WB Mixed Signals, Ratings...
Yeah, it's enough to drive a Vorlon to hyperventilate....
jms
Date: 19 Feb 1997 21:05:32 -0500
Subject: Re: Attn JMS: audio problem during "The Illusion of Truth"
My guess is it was caused by the downlink, but I'll try to verify.
jms
Date: 20 Feb 1997 04:43:26 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN: JMS Master story tellers are never boring
Thanks...and yeah, I'll be at Marcon this year, story-bag in hand....
jms
Date: 20 Feb 1997 04:57:29 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Question about B5 novels
"Is this book consistant with what happened to Sinclair in the first few
issues of the DC comic? Or is the DC comic now non-canon?"
It's *absolutely* consistent with the comic, the events of which are
mentioned at some length in the novel. I'm telling you...it ties in the
comics, the first year, the following year, the development of the
Rangers, what happened to Marcus and his brother, what happened to
Catherine Sakai, we learn a lot more about Valen...it's going to be pretty
cool.
jms
Date: 20 Feb 1997 17:00:09 -0500
Subject: George is Here!
I just saw the first message I can remember from George Johnsen, B5
co-producer and head of Post Production on BABYLON 5. His message here
was signed George Johnsen <ndeiprod@earthlink.net>.
For those interested in the details of post-production -- sound, music,
editing, CGI, other stuff -- George is the guy to ask. George is
one-third of the Terrible Triumverate without which B5 would not happen,
and even if it did happen, wouldn't be a fraction as good as it is. (The
other two being me, one presumes, and John Copeland, one fears.)
Everybody join in welcoming George...make him feel at home...and feel free
to ask him all the technical questions you've considered asking me, but
knew you wouldn't get back an even reasonably intelligent reply. (Insert
evil laughter here.)
(George also makes a *great* convention speaker, incidentally. Simply a
word to the wise.)
George also did the closing voice-over in season 1 of B5, by the way.
This newsgroup is now officially bi-producial. Bi-producerial.
Something....
jms
Date: 20 Feb 1997 17:01:50 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: I-CON
I'm pretty sure we'll all be there for all 3 days...I know Harlan and I
will, pending any last-minute adjustments.
jms
Date: 21 Feb 1997 04:37:46 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Drooling and muttering
Sounds like the drooling has stopped, but the muttering continues....
And thanks muchly.
jms
Date: 21 Feb 1997 04:52:11 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: MegaCon
My main B5 presentation will be that Saturday, March 15th, from 3-4:30, at
the Orange County Convention Center there in Orlando. I'll be there with
bloopers, some scenes from episodes to air in May, and other gimcracks.
jms
Date: 21 Feb 1997 04:57:51 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Crusade/B5 ending? ** SPOILERS**
"You have pretty consistently said that you would *end* B5, and that there
would *never* be a sequel. Instead, you would do something in the B5
universe, but not realated to the B5 storyline. The description sure
sounds like a sequel to me."
What I have said about this from the beginning, and the ONLY thing I have
ever said about this, was that there was a side-story in the B5 universe
that could go off from the main story. That has been quoted in many
different places, and on line, and definitely includes any plans for
"Crusade."
BTW, that new characters were mentioned does not exclude any current cast
members...doesn't include them, either, but bottom line, that ain't a
complete list of characters. There's room and flexibility in there,
depending on what happens.
jms
Date: 21 Feb 1997 05:04:44 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN:JMS-New comics?
Yes, here's the skinny:
There's going to be a new 3-part story arc for the comics. It'll first
appear in the UK, serialized in the B5 magazine (which will be regularly
published over there shortly, to coincide with new episodes), then it will
be gathered together and published in the US by DC Comics. The books are
being written/assembled in-house, to avoid conflicts with editors.
I've written the first issue, which brings the Valen story into the
foreground, and the second two parts are being written by Peter David.
jms
Date: 21 Feb 1997 05:02:51 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Complete Book of Scriptwriting
"Are there any plans to put any of [my books] back in print?"
Ehhhh...no, not really.
I'd rather see my next novel come out first, since it's going to be a
better book than those preceding it. (Yes, I'm writing it now in my
copious free time.)
jms
Date: 21 Feb 1997 15:21:24 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: You really depress me
If it's a little close to home...you have to remember I came out of
journalism, that was where I cut my teeth as a writer, working for
newspapers and magazines. You see a lot of the tricks, some good, some
not so good, used for purposes that are sometimes good or not so good,
distortions on the left and distortions on the right. So it wasn't hard to
just tweak it a bit.
Thing to remember, though, is that this isn't ISN as we've known it in the
past, at least not to this extreme. If anything, this ep should point to
the difference between journalism, albeit biased, and propaganda, which is
all ISN is now, and how only an informed viewership can prevent the one
from sliding into the other.
jms
Date: 22 Feb 1997 21:32:03 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: New book?
Thanks. I'm loathe to say too much about the book for now, because I tend
to prefer to talk about these things closer to completion, so I know it's
something that will *happen*. I can say for now only that it's an SF
novel, probably with a good mainstream appeal to it, in a contemporary
setting. I'm not able to work on it as much or as often as I'd like,
stealing away a few hours here and there, but I'm about 100 pages into it
now, and hope to have it done by the end of the year.
jms
Date: 23 Feb 1997 05:10:26 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Sheridian's model :-)
Actually, I think the Starfury model was an illegal one we confiscated.
Waste not, want not...
jms
Date: 23 Feb 1997 05:16:03 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Sonic Images and B5 CD vol2
"You should have gotten her name and asked to speak to the manager (or
call back later). I don't think that JMS will be able to do anything
about this -- he doesn't work for or manage Sonic Images."
No, but it never hurts to make a phone call (which I did)...
jms
Date: 23 Feb 1997 15:19:25 -0500
Subject: The Illusion of Truth ( *Spoilers* )
Spoilers for The Illusion of Truth
"3 - In the Delenn/Sheridan interview, there is a
change in the vocal acoustics of the journalist
for the "new" questions he asked. "
And not just in the voice quality...look at the footage again. He's
sitting in a different chair, in a different room.
jms
Date: 24 Feb 1997 22:08:45 -0500
Subject: Re: Attn JMS: audio problem during "The Illusion of Truth"
Hey Folks-
The audio problem on TIoT was caused by the uplink at the uplink
facility that Warners is using this year. This facility is not all
digital, like our facility was last year, and these analog-y problems
creep in from time to time. The buzzing mentioned happened specifically
on the "hypertext" captions (tell the truth, how many people touched the
button pads?), and was caused by the audio channel being too close to
video with a high white level. (Video pro alert- yes i know this is an
overly simplified explanation)
WB is in the process of fixing the problem.
Any of the other mentioned problems, voices shooting off into the
surrounds, steering effects in stereo, dialog level fluctuations are a
local phenomenon.
George Johnsen
CoProducer, B5
Date: 24 Feb 1997 22:09:10 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN GEORGE: Equipment question
Hey, Lee-
Whoa- sounds more like a lightwave mailing list question! :-)
The arsenal looks like the following-
Alphas for design stations serving 5 animators and one animation
assistant (housekeeping and slate specialist). Most of these stations
run Lightwave and a couple add Softimage. VERY plug-in hungry. PVR's
on every station, with calibrated component NTSC (darn it, I hates ntsc)
right beside.
P6's in quad enclosures for part of the renderstack, and Alphas for the
rest, backed up 2x per day to an optical jukebox.
Completed shots output to a DDR post rendering and get integrated into
the show.
Shots to composite go to the Macs running After Effects, or the SGI
running Flint, depending on the type of comp being done, and then to the
DDR (8 minutes capacity on the SGI).
Boy it sure sounds easy! The only problem is, we have a killer schedule
and very picky producers, and ESPECIALLY picky viewers! :-)
It is, however, a bunch of fun!
George Johnsen
CoProducer, B5
Date: 24 Feb 1997 22:14:26 -0500
Subject: Re: Attn GEORGE: Interceptors
Mark-
The interceptors have two components, one that throws a ball of energy
at an incoming weapons charge (physical or energy) and causes
dissipation, and the other is a net-like energy web that reduces the
severity, but does not deflect or absorb, beam type energy. This allows
some time for maneuvers after beam contact.
Note that Major Ryan (He'll always be D-Day to my brother!) was very
reticent to fire on the Clarkstown at all. Knowing that the
Interceptors were down made his job all the more difficult. The rear
facing beamn on the Alexander is similar in design to the front facers
on the Clarkstown. When the C-town fired on the rotating section ofthe
Alexander, it did not explode, as the interceptors were still active.
George Johnsen
CoProducer, B5
Date: 25 Feb 1997 17:06:46 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN: JMS: First question I've ever asked you
No, the last name isn't dubbed, only Jarrico was dubbed, because it was
mispronounced.
jms
Date: 25 Feb 1997 18:49:26 -0500
Subject: Re: ATT JMS: B5 in April '97 MacUser
Hey Tom!
Even though the Joe uses "another" platform, the show actually uses
many! Macs have been essential to the creation of the show from the
beginning. Even farther back, the Amiga and the Newtek Toaster were
employed.
Currently we use Pentiums and Alphas for animation, Macs for Editing,
Matte paintings and Compositing, and SGI's for Compositing and titling.
If that isn't platform independent, I don't know what is!
So, Andy can continue to like the show, AND be true to the magazine he
works for!
George Johnsen
CoProducer, B5
(and Mac user since the 128!)
Date: 25 Feb 1997 18:49:42 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN: JMS or GEORGE--Questions about ISN cameras
Jeff-
The ISN cameras are not capable of autonomous operation, but they can be
progammed within a parameter set. The wand is a control device to
change those parameters. Thus, one operator, two cameras (or more!)
There was a distinct anti Minbar/Minbari sentiment among this particular
crew, as evidenced by the later parts of the show, and it isn't hard to
imagine that the bumping was at the behest of the wand wielder. If
Lennier was simply annoyed, advantage ISN. If he reacted violently,
advantage ISN. I'm sure that footage will be used on another ISN
propoganda broadcast. (You can see it on Channel 134 of your cable)(Oh,
sorry, Channel 134 is not availbale in all sectors after curfew)
George Johnsen
CoProducer, B5
Date: 25 Feb 1997 20:25:28 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Question on Ethics in Writing
The line about meaning what you say is an old saying that goes 'way, way
back, long before the O'Toole movie. And as far as Caligula goes, the
sense of it is there, but not the details...and even if they *were*,
basing part of a story on historical precedent, on actual events, is
hardly inappropriate. (And in this case, again, it isn't based on
that...evocative of it, yes, but nothing more.)
The notion of the Vorlons and Shadows representing Order and Chaos goes
back to the Babylonian creation myths, that the universe was born in the
conflict between order and chaos, hence part of the reason I decided to
name this show after Babylon. That's called *research*. It informs the
show, but it is not the show.
jms
Date: 26 Feb 1997 13:18:52 -0500
Subject: Re: Atonement; slight spoiler
"My question is, since we can see that the ship's engine is running, why
aren't all of the objects in the hold laying against the bulkhead as a
result of the ship's movement? Aside from that, it was a pretty neat
effects shot."
Because it's accurate; it's the same reason you don't see everything
slammed up against the back wall of the shuttle even though it's circling
the earth at thousands of miles per hour.
jms
Date: 26 Feb 1997 18:49:21 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: News release
No, the Netter release categorically does NOT state that there will not be
a fifth season, only that TNT has the rights to the 88 episodes and is
hoping to get them on ASAP...but we're told by WB that this does not
preclude year 5, which would (in the case of renewal) run in syndication
cuncurrently with the reruns on TNT.
jms
Date: 27 Feb 1997 04:55:19 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Can you elaborate on Netter Digital Press Release?
Happy to explain.
"And now this letter comes out from your company which seems to imply
there won't be a fifth season."
NDEI is not my company. I don't own it, don't work for it, it's entirely
Doug's separate company. With a stockholder's meeting coming up, he told
his financial PR person to pump out a release to get a little heat
going...and there was the TNT deal to pick up the B5 episodes that clicked
over at 88 episodes. That is the point at which they can get the show
clean, and there's the two movies for TNT to announce as go projects.
The financial PR person put this out, rather than the B5 publicists, or
WB, and it never went in front of me or John Copeland. It just went out.
That TNT gets access to 88 doesn't preclude a possible season 5, which
could air concurrently, a la the way Lazarus Man did.
When I came in and found email on this, and saw the release, I raised hell
with Doug about it. He said "the entire 88 episodes" just refers to
what's solid right now, it doesn't mean it's going to be all there is...to
which I said it could be read that way, and many people *were* reading it
that way, and his person could've saved everyone a lot of hassle if it'd
been run past me first.
One thing's for sure: This Will Never Ever Happen Again.
jms
Date: 27 Feb 1997 17:53:01 -0500
Subject: Re: Sound problems?
Steve-
It is most assuredly NOT the way the sound is done on the show. We do
take advantage ofthe extra dynamic range offered by digital post
production, and that sometimes results in a 2 or 3 db difference between
us and the commercials, but not the phenomenon you describe. I would
love to speak with your affiliate to see if there is some help we can
offer.
George Johnsen
CoProducer, B5
Date: 27 Feb 1997 17:53:48 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS & George Johnsen: hi from .hu
Andras-
Cineon is not the only processor to have a grain remover/grain adder
module in the software. The discreet logic Flint, Adobe After Effects,
and Lightwave 3D used on B5 also have various modules and plugins for
grain manipulation. We use 'em all the time on composite and blue
screen shots to make the generated elements fit into the film elements.
We shoot with Panavision Gold super 35. We have tested nearly all of
the emultions currently available, and 5298 is what John Flinn III, ASC
likes the best, so that is what we use. He feels it preserves the look
he is going for the best. I know an EXR test was scheduled, but we
haven't gotten there yet.
We record all of our CG elements to hard drive and optical disc. The
images are created "resolution independent" meaning they could be
rendered for anything from video game to Imax, based on user input. For
the NTSC version, we output to digital tape, eventually.
Hey, advertise Kodak all you want, they make good film. Love that
Kodachrome, even thogh it's disappearing.
George Johnsen
CoProducer, B5
Date: 27 Feb 1997 21:52:00 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN George Johnson: No more space battles like Long Twilight
>Kevein responded to:
|>
|> I was wondering why we haven't seen any other space battles like
|> we saw in the Long, Twilight Struggle. I believe this is the one
|> where *SPOLIERS FOR LTS BELOW*
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Kevin-
Well said, well strategized!
George Johnsen
CoProd, B5
Date: 27 Feb 1997 21:51:29 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN George: No more space battles like Long Twilight Struggle?
In article <5f1pep$jff@larch.cc.swarthmore.edu>,
fox@allspice.cs.swarthmore.edu (Annie Fox) writes:
|>
|> I was wondering why we haven't seen any other space battles like
|> we saw in the Long, Twilight Struggle. I believe this is the one
|> where *SPOLIERS FOR LTS BELOW*
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Peter-
There are most likely both types of battles you mentioned plus a few
more types we don't imagine as yet. You will see more of the Long Range
stuff if the story dictates. Remember that there weren't any Shadow
fighters in the scene you indicate, only battlecrabs (yes, now we call
them that, too), so the weapon size and distance could be greater. The
element of surprise is also a player, as is the fact that these weapons
were still quite unfamiliar to those being attacked.
Our intention with the closer range battles was to convey several
dramatic things. One, a more intense, less calculated battle. Two, a
more personal fight for the participants, as these current fights are at
once more desperate and more monumental, Three, these are combination
fighter and larger ship battles. In addition to the large capital ships
being involved, there are a high number of smaller, more manueverable
ships that have no reason to exist, if technology is so great that
battles can only be fought from a distance. I am convinced that the
distances displayed are plausible for fighter-type battles. In all of
the history of pilot to pilot combat, there is always a component of the
direct engagement of the enemy. Technology continues to advance, and
after every major advance, the battle distances expand out..... for a
time. As soon as the pilots figure out how to react to the weapon, and
defend against it, the engagement distances close up again.
George Johnsen
CoProd, B5
Date: 28 Feb 1997 05:52:56 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: The Magic of Intention
I'm kinda prohibited from saying anything leading to a neilsen family.
I can only look out at the clouds and consider what a pleasant day it
is....
jms
Date: 28 Feb 1997 05:56:57 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Design of Novels' Covers
"What are the chances of the publisher choosing a new graphical theme
for the novel covers? The previous covers mistakenly placed the books in a
class unworthy of the subject: main character (B5 station), flanked by
several alien and beautiful woman/heroic captain caricatures, adorned by
dime store typography -- elements straight from Book Graphics 010. "
I've been screaming about the covers from day one...and finally just put
my foot down. "But it helps give us continuity," they say. "Sure," says
I, "cover 1 is a crappy cover, so let's make a whole LOT of crappy covers
that are all crappy in the same way so we can make 'em consistent."
Jeanne's book is more or less of that mold; the second uses a similar
philosophy but is better rendered; and the third book coming up has
probably the best cover to date, showing the Minbari temple and some great
sketches of Sinclair, Sakai and Cole.
jms
Date: 28 Feb 1997 11:40:33 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: 'Go' for re-editing the pilot?
"Now that TNT has set a definite date for airing the
series, have they given you a 'go' for re-editing The Gathering? If so,
how much will you be able to put back (the character stuff with Sinclair?)
Might you even re-score it with Christopher Franke music?"
We're still negotiating that out, but in hopes of this going, we've begun
redigitizing the footage so we can get into the main scenes we want to
work on.
jms
Date: 28 Feb 1997 17:17:15 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: I-Con
I think Saturday is my main day there.
jms
Date: 28 Feb 1997 19:45:22 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Do you shoot in advance? (Spoilers? Maybe. Up
Somtimes, yeah, we'll gang together shots in one location that will spill
across several episodes, and definitely did that in Garibaldi's case. I
just figure out what's coming, and write those specific additional scenes
prior to the rest of the scripts.
jms
Date: 28 Feb 1997 21:15:54 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: IMAX B5?
Laura darling,
Are you trying to kill me?
George Johnsen
CoProducer, B5
PS- we'd love to do it. Our animation is resolution independent, but
there would be much additional work in creating the level of detail that
the large frame would require. Would be great fun to do, and Boy, would
it sound good!
Date: 1 Mar 1997 04:19:35 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Are *you* happy with S4 perceived "rush"?
Truth: I go back and forth. The "Into the Fire" thing, for instance...it
would've likely been a two-part episode, but it still would've ended up
exactly where it ended up. A few more big explosions, but I wonder also
if that really adds anything past a certain point.
>From a production standpoing, since "Fire" darn near killed us in the CGI
department, it's probably a darned good thing it DIDN'T go for 2 eps.
That puppy had something around 120 or 140 EFX shots.
Overall, I'm actually quite happy with how this season is going, in terms
of the intensity of the arc and the emotions and incidents. Parts
would've been a bit more laid-back if I had decided not to cover my bets
on renewal, and maybe the situation has worked out to the best (again the
ABA principle, Art By Accident).
So I dunno...all I know is what's in the episodes this season, and it's
pretty cool overall....
jms
Date: 2 Mar 1997 02:29:26 -0500
Subject: Re: Atonement ( *Spoilers* )
The ship with Marcus and Franklin *wasn't* spinning...hence, no gravity.
jms
Date: 2 Mar 1997 02:46:31 -0500
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Re: Compuserve's 'To Sysops from jms'
The CIS situation seems to now be working out; the policy of backrooming
messages has been stopped, and the larger policy is being reexamined and
may be restructured.
Again, it's the B5 rule...if you make a stand, and approach the problem
from the perspective that you can make a difference, you can. And it
wasn't just that it was me, believe me...it was the many, many people who
stood up and said the same thing. You decide to change things, and you
change things.
jms