You can not select more than 25 topics
Topics must start with a letter or number, can include dashes ('-') and can be up to 35 characters long.
848 lines
23 KiB
848 lines
23 KiB
JMS (and coproducer George Johnsen) Usenet messages for April/May 1997.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 1 Apr 1997 12:30:40 -0500
|
|
Subject: Re: New episodes?
|
|
|
|
Penny-
|
|
|
|
The new broadcast schedule starts the week of April 21 and runs 9 weeks
|
|
straight. This is quite similar to what we did last year, only the big
|
|
block of episodes started the first week in April and ran through May.
|
|
|
|
I can tell you that there are some mighty cool shows in the batch, and
|
|
that the effects crew is really humping to make the satellite date on a
|
|
few of them. (Hey, if it was easy, everybody would do it!:-)
|
|
|
|
George Johnsen
|
|
CoProducer, B5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 2 Apr 1997 02:06:17 -0500
|
|
Subject: Re: B5 and "ethical" awards (ATTN JMS)
|
|
|
|
B5 has won the Space Frontier Foundation Award for Best Vision of the
|
|
Future, and an award from the American Cinema Foundation for presentation
|
|
of values in a dramatic television series.
|
|
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 2 Apr 1997 12:26:21 -0500
|
|
Subject: Re: StarFury vs. Thunderbolt
|
|
|
|
Hardware afficianados:
|
|
|
|
As in all warcraft, there are different purposes for different
|
|
vehicles. The Starfury is still considered a front line craft by
|
|
Earthforce (and a lot of other people, evidently, as the Black Omega
|
|
Squadron uses it as their weapon of choice). There are upgraded
|
|
versions of the 'fury still being built and used. In fact, the retrofit
|
|
package is one of the things that the B5 armorers would dearly love to
|
|
get their hands on now that the station is embargoed.
|
|
|
|
Since the Thunderbolt is designed to handle atmospheric flight as well
|
|
as space flight, some compromises were made making it a different beast
|
|
to fly in space. It is equipped with the latest in offensive and
|
|
defensive systems, and has more to keep under control than the 'fury,
|
|
hence the two person approach. Control freak pilots don't care for the
|
|
'bolt, as it takes two to operate. It does have heavier armor, as well
|
|
as the heat shielding that comes with atmospheric incursion.
|
|
|
|
There are other ships in the EA arsenal that are of slightly different
|
|
characteristic, like the Badger assault fighter and the Olympus class
|
|
Corvettes that give a wider range of capabilities of a pretty well
|
|
rounded force.
|
|
|
|
I suspect that the Earthforce arsenal is made up of the pet projects of
|
|
dreaming generals, greedy contractors, and plain old visionaries much
|
|
like ours is now. This means that there is a wide range of hardware yet
|
|
to be seen.
|
|
|
|
George Johnsen
|
|
CoProducer, B5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 3 Apr 1997 02:24:30 -0500
|
|
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: B5 PRESS ALERT! I'm dealing with reporter; need advice
|
|
|
|
The only things I'd mention, that are worth passing on to the
|
|
reporter...the tendency of B5 to form communities...the use of fairly
|
|
rigorous science in the basis of the show, and how we've become NASA's
|
|
newest darling...the overall story arc...the ethical issues the show deals
|
|
with...all the obvious stuff.
|
|
|
|
If the reporter tries to create a B5 vs. ST dynamic, that's something to
|
|
be cautionary about. But that's all.
|
|
|
|
Beyond that, you'll do fine. Sheridan certainly hasn't had any problems
|
|
with reporters, after all....
|
|
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 4 Apr 1997 22:53:16 -0500
|
|
Subject: Re: ATTN GEORGE: Severed Dreams nit-pick
|
|
|
|
John-
|
|
|
|
Yup. The show was seriously under the gun for delivery when those shots
|
|
were done. If I remember correctly, a couple of these shots came in on
|
|
the same day we were to deliver, and there was no time to re-render them
|
|
and still make the satellite.
|
|
|
|
If I were to tell you it would never happen again, I would be a big
|
|
liar, or a deluded optomist, but we try. Animators are human, after
|
|
all! :-)
|
|
|
|
George Johnsen
|
|
CoProducer, B5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 5 Apr 1997 02:52:41 -0500
|
|
Subject: Re: Omega-class cruiser design
|
|
|
|
Kevin-
|
|
|
|
Methinks you refer to the Aggie Class, not the Omega, as the O's have no
|
|
rotator.
|
|
|
|
Anyway- The Destoyers are all business. There is no need for extra
|
|
storage space onboard, and certainly no need for passengers! This
|
|
allows for a portion of the cylinder describing the same arc as the full
|
|
cylider ships. At one time, we strongly considered locking down the
|
|
rotator section during battle to increase manouverability, and not
|
|
using a cylinder or sphere would have made this concept more practical
|
|
in presenting a narrower target to the opposition. As it is, we
|
|
postulate that the control systems of the class can take into account
|
|
the additional torque generated by the spinning section.
|
|
|
|
Besides- we would have to spend a heck of a lot more on filming Zero G
|
|
sequences if we locked down, or strap all the actors to their seats.
|
|
Tough to do that acting thing in a 5 point belt for any length of time!
|
|
|
|
George Johnsen
|
|
CoProducer, B5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 5 Apr 1997 02:52:59 -0500
|
|
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS
|
|
|
|
See, Joe uses this wacky keyboard, and sometimes he just misses! :-)
|
|
|
|
Yes, the new ones start with 410. They will finish with 418 if and only
|
|
if I can keep my crew awake for that long......:-o
|
|
|
|
George J
|
|
CoProd, B5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 5 Apr 1997 12:24:53 -0500
|
|
Subject: Re: Afraid to criticise? Hardly! (was: criticism of B5 in RASTb5)
|
|
|
|
>From the perspective of the staff, I can say that rastb5m gets read with
|
|
regularity, while rastb5 gets read from time to time.
|
|
|
|
The issue is not criticism, which usally has some basis when offered in
|
|
either group (okay, I'm being polite- sometimes it's just flamebait).
|
|
|
|
The issue is civility. When the work is treated with respect, whether
|
|
it is loved or hated, the poster gets taken seriously. When the
|
|
criticism is thoughtful, we can agree or disagree, but at least we can
|
|
talk. Whether it is through the moderator, or through moderation,
|
|
rastb5m is a more homey place to hang out.
|
|
|
|
The fact is, there is not one episode that we wouldn't like to have at
|
|
least one more tweak on before it really escapes into the cosmos. As a
|
|
very good friend of mine says often, Art is never complete it is only
|
|
abandoned. From that perspective, criticism is mutual.
|
|
|
|
George Johnsen
|
|
CoProducer, B5
|
|
|
|
PS- about the last scene bears...... really have to ask Joe.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 6 Apr 1997 17:35:39 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: ATTN GEORGE: Docking question
|
|
|
|
Docking Procedures are under the control of C and C as soon as they lock
|
|
on to their docking beacon. Whenever a pilot tries an overide, you get
|
|
the potential for an accident, like we saw with G'kar's G'Quan Eth
|
|
plantin "By Any Means Necessary".
|
|
|
|
The station's synchronizers lock into the ship's local computers and
|
|
that's all that's needed.
|
|
|
|
George J
|
|
CoProducer, B5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 6 Apr 1997 17:36:02 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Is B5 ready for HDTV?
|
|
|
|
There are several schemes in proposal form for both the upconversion on
|
|
standard broadcast, to make new sets useful with those who prefer to
|
|
continue to broadcast using the equipment they have, and downconversion
|
|
for those whop wish to watch a new channel with an old teevee set. This
|
|
will take the form of an inline box that decodes the signal and puts out
|
|
a standard NTSC compatible signal.
|
|
|
|
I am off to the National Assoc of Broadcasters meeting to see what the
|
|
latest lies, er I mean proposals concerning HDTV are. Rest assured that
|
|
B5 is ready whatever dopey backwards compatible signal format they come
|
|
up with. We do a conformed film neg of every episode for archival that
|
|
is just for this purpose. CG and composites can be rerendered to
|
|
whatever new rez that is required, and we welcome the opportunity.
|
|
|
|
The biggest problem is that storytellers and hardware folks aren't the
|
|
only ones with input into the standard. The computer folks want in, and
|
|
this will make the format even more confused. Recent gov rules have
|
|
allowed the standard to be made more computer friendly. This means that
|
|
MSNBC is just the start!
|
|
|
|
George Johnsen
|
|
CoProducer, B5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 6 Apr 1997 17:36:02 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: ATTN GEORGE: Severed Dreams-hole in a WALL?
|
|
|
|
Boris-
|
|
|
|
We don't really know where the Marines actually penetrated, but their
|
|
first hole would be through the "floor". If we assume that they know the
|
|
station well, it is likely they would punch through an "unimproved", or
|
|
storage area first, as it would be easier than to burn through a fully
|
|
habitable area. Then they would go through a wall or a door to get at
|
|
the goal. We postulate that they actually were shown entering through
|
|
their second burn, and entering the occupied area.
|
|
|
|
All the 95's are in the same relative position, sequenced from the
|
|
center.
|
|
|
|
George Johnsen
|
|
CoProducer, B5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 7 Apr 1997 18:38:55 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: Omega-class cruiser design
|
|
|
|
Okay, Okay- I'm the first contestant for the dumbass of the week award!
|
|
|
|
Of course it is the Omega Class.
|
|
|
|
Too many hours, too many ships, too many file names. For those who
|
|
care, the files in Lightwave are labelled AgClasDestr, so I fell back on
|
|
most recent contact protocol.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, the rest of the answer does not suffer from the same caffeine
|
|
induced hallucination, and is correct.
|
|
|
|
George J
|
|
CoProd, B5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 7 Apr 1997 18:39:40 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: ATTN George: The transmition in Epiphanies (Spoilers)
|
|
|
|
David-
|
|
|
|
Believe it or not, that piece started as color bars. It was twisted
|
|
using Flint software from Discreet Logoc on an SGI Maximum Impact using
|
|
fractal morphing plug ins.
|
|
|
|
Feedback is a wonderful thing......
|
|
|
|
It is certainly concievable that Fractint would work to create a similar
|
|
effect.
|
|
|
|
George Johnsen
|
|
CoProducer, B5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 8 Apr 1997 18:02:31 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: B5 Spinoff / In the Beginning.
|
|
|
|
Excuse me, but the Londo scene in question is the one that takes place
|
|
moments before Sheridan and Delenn are brought in, and then allowed to
|
|
escape. (War Without End.) He can't exactly see to their execution since
|
|
they outlive him in story continuity, now can he?
|
|
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 9 Apr 1997 15:05:06 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: Omega-class cruiser design (POSSIBLE SPOILERS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark and folks-
|
|
> :
|
|
> : POSSIBLE SPOILERS
|
|
> :
|
|
> :
|
|
> :
|
|
> :
|
|
> :
|
|
> :
|
|
> :
|
|
> :
|
|
> :
|
|
> :
|
|
> :
|
|
> :
|
|
> :
|
|
> :
|
|
> :
|
|
> :
|
|
> :
|
|
> :
|
|
> :
|
|
> :
|
|
> :
|
|
> :
|
|
> :
|
|
|
|
|
|
You have it substantially correct. (Even though i have been known to
|
|
get it confooosed from time to time- too many hours, not enough pillows)
|
|
|
|
The Nova Class Dreadnaughts have been around for quite a long time, but
|
|
are getting a "sprucing up" for further development. As we discovered in
|
|
our own navy, there is a need for several classes of ship of varying
|
|
sizes.
|
|
|
|
The Omega Class are the next development in that series. The habitat
|
|
section was added, as well as more armored sections. There is a further
|
|
development of that class under discussion. You can also see some
|
|
design elements of the class contained in the Cortez.
|
|
|
|
The newer ships under development are all of smaller classes, like the
|
|
Olympus Class Corvette, the Badger heavy fighter, and the Cotten Class
|
|
Deep Penetration Tender. We will see these participate heavily in the
|
|
second of the TNT movies.
|
|
|
|
George Johnsen
|
|
CoProducer, B5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 10 Apr 1997 05:08:10 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Thanks for ICON!
|
|
|
|
Thanks...and your question was a good one, which is why I kinda moved away
|
|
from it....
|
|
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 10 Apr 1997 13:54:17 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: Attn JMS: Ted Turner, WB and what if God was one of us.
|
|
|
|
Yes, the PTEN agreement excluded doing our show for first-run on
|
|
cable...but it was the only offer anybody made to us. We took it, because
|
|
after five years of trying to find someone who'd trust us to do the show,
|
|
you don't walk away from the table once you have what you wanted. Who
|
|
knew if it'd take *another* five years to get that far? In year 1, it
|
|
wasn't the venues, it was the notion that a show like this could be *made
|
|
at all* let alone successfully.
|
|
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 10 Apr 1997 18:00:08 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: attn jms : autograph queues
|
|
|
|
I think it would take about the same amount of time...and I don't know if
|
|
I could take it seriously, it's too much like a receiving line at
|
|
Buckingham Palace, and I share nothing in common with Lady Di (well, other
|
|
than the wardrobe, but I digress...).
|
|
|
|
(Then again, Di shaares nothing in common with Buckingham Palace
|
|
anymore...)
|
|
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12 Apr 1997 00:14:06 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: ATTN JOE: B5 Informational CD question please
|
|
|
|
Janet-
|
|
|
|
The CD will be multiple platform, as Joe uses several Intels, John
|
|
several Macs, and I use a PowerMac, 32 NT's and 24 Alphas. We gotta be
|
|
able to run the darn thing ourselves!
|
|
|
|
George Johnsen
|
|
CoProducer, B5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12 Apr 1997 00:14:06 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: ATTN GEORGE: Babylon 5 on DVD?
|
|
|
|
Clay, Jay, Claudia, and other DVD interested folks:
|
|
|
|
The discussions we have had concerning DVD with Warners have all been
|
|
based on 2 episodes per disk, with supplimental material, and full use
|
|
of DVD's capability.
|
|
|
|
4 episodes per disc hits the compression scheme pretty hard, and I don't
|
|
like the way it looks, so we will stick with two per, IF this were to
|
|
become a product.
|
|
|
|
(Big IF by the way, for reasons we have already discussed in this forum)
|
|
|
|
And, btw, ehat do you mean where are you, George? I've been here
|
|
working my behind off getting these episodes out! :-)
|
|
|
|
George Johnsen
|
|
CoProducer, B5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12 Apr 1997 03:11:12 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: Episode 422/522 Finale.. Question
|
|
|
|
"What are the chances of major spoilers being leaked from "Sleeping in
|
|
Light" over the next year?!?!?!?"
|
|
|
|
I'm sure some of that's bound to happen...but the reality of it is that if
|
|
you add up all the people who are online and might get this information,
|
|
you'd actually end up with only about 4% of the viewing audience...so
|
|
it'll still have its desired impact.
|
|
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12 Apr 1997 19:07:41 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: B5 airing order on TNT
|
|
|
|
We definitely plan to work with TNT to make sure the air order is correct.
|
|
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 13 Apr 1997 21:21:15 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: I-CON notes and Drall
|
|
|
|
Yeah, Michael was down with a very serious 24-48 hour intestinal flu bug
|
|
that pretty much put him away, but he pushed past it to come to the con.
|
|
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 14 Apr 1997 04:21:40 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Gratuitous use of the word "Hell"
|
|
|
|
The hell you say....
|
|
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 15 Apr 1997 19:54:57 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: ATTN GEORGE, JMS: the monkey, the nut, and the jar
|
|
|
|
> Do you enjoy it enough to want to do it again?
|
|
> Can B5 episodes be re-rendered well enough for theater sized screens?
|
|
|
|
Yes and Yes. The resolution of the renders we are doing now allow for
|
|
the highest rez digital video storage currently available in NTSC. For
|
|
theatrical release, all we need do is flip this little chromium switch
|
|
here.......and out comes a ready to transfer film frame render.
|
|
|
|
|
|
> Not only would it be nice to see B5 on a really big screen "TV",
|
|
> if fans flock to theaters to see B5 episodes, WB's mind-set might allow
|
|
> it to issue video tapes.
|
|
|
|
I'm not really sure if this is a plausible strategy. Someone at
|
|
Warner's would need to book the theatres, and that would be the same
|
|
folks who think home video wouldn't fly.
|
|
|
|
> Does B5 have press kits that it gives to reporters?
|
|
> If so, would WB allow tapes of "And Now for a Word" and "The Illusion
|
|
> of Truth" to go into the press kits?
|
|
> B5 might get more requests for press kits than there are reporters.
|
|
> JMS would report this sad situation to WB with the suggestion that he
|
|
> start charging most folks (non-reporters) for press kits.
|
|
|
|
Creative thinking, but......
|
|
|
|
|
|
> To sell "The Coming of Shadows" as a promotional item, would JMS have
|
|
> to talk to the same monkey (Warner Home Video?) that has its hand around
|
|
> the nut in the jar?
|
|
|
|
Yup. The home video issue is truly Warner's to deal with. We can hope
|
|
that it will eventually be dealt with, but i sure wouldn't guess when or
|
|
in what format.
|
|
|
|
George Johnsen
|
|
CoProducer, B5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 16 Apr 1997 06:13:58 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: new 67 year old viewer
|
|
|
|
That's truly wonderful...thanks for that report, it made my day. Best to
|
|
your dad.
|
|
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 18 Apr 1997 19:31:42 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: Attn JMS: How's you directing debut going
|
|
|
|
Not directing yet, still in prep, balancing that with finishing writing
|
|
the first two movies. Just finished the first draft on the second one
|
|
this morning (about 4:45 am), then planning to take the weekend to revise
|
|
them both. Then it's back to prep. Expect me to be offline a lot during
|
|
that period, because I'll be going in at 6:25 a.m. and wrapping every day
|
|
at 7:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 21 Apr 1997 00:52:53 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Watching 24 B5 eps in a row...
|
|
|
|
(grinning ear to ear)
|
|
|
|
Thank *you*.
|
|
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 21 Apr 1997 14:40:44 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: ATTN JOE: Surviving the idiots
|
|
|
|
|
|
One simply learns.
|
|
|
|
And when negotiation fails, you just roll in a grenade and come in firing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 23 Apr 1997 03:30:29 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Happy Passover!
|
|
|
|
I do not celebrate Passover (wrong group, and I'm an atheist in any
|
|
event), but I will pass along your kind wishes to the rest.
|
|
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 23 Apr 1997 17:47:55 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: ATTN: JMS: Sleeping in the Light
|
|
|
|
|
|
"But seriously, what kind of responses do you expect to see in this
|
|
newsgroup
|
|
the week following the last episode?"
|
|
|
|
In a way you're kind of asking the wrong person, as I'm inside the
|
|
fishbowl and can't see the show the way anyone outside can see it. The
|
|
only gauge I have is the reaction the script got around the stage when
|
|
people on the crew and cast read it. (With a note attached explaining the
|
|
possibility of airing it as 522 or 422, but that either way thsi would end
|
|
up the story.)
|
|
|
|
Pretty much everybody cried. I came home to a message on my machine from
|
|
Mira, who was almost unable to speak, and another from Claudia who said
|
|
she was honored and proud to be a part of this, and the script had made
|
|
her cry. Bruce, Richard, big beefy guys on the crew...all said the same
|
|
thing. And there I have to concur; I lost is several times as I was
|
|
writing it, due to the content; there's one scene in particular...you'll
|
|
know it when you see it...that put me away for an hour when I finished
|
|
writing it.
|
|
|
|
But here's the thing...*every single person* who cried at the script,
|
|
ended it feeling that it was not a sad script in the end, or a down
|
|
ending...that it left them feeling proud, and tall, and *positive*...that
|
|
life goes on...that it was a reaffirmation of life itself, on its most
|
|
primal level. They felt good about the ending. And that was a great
|
|
relief for me, because I was trying something *very* difficult from a
|
|
writing perspective, and at first blush it looks as if I've pulled it off.
|
|
(Now I get to go in as director and *totally* screw it up.)
|
|
|
|
Only one fan has read the script...someone whose opinion I trust. Because
|
|
I was curious about the reaction from that side of the screen. And the
|
|
reaction was *exactly* the same.
|
|
|
|
So how do I think people will react?
|
|
|
|
I think a lot of people will cry.
|
|
|
|
But by the end of it, I think it will come around, and be all right...and
|
|
mainly, that people will then look back at the whole story, through all
|
|
these long years, and say, "It was a good story." And close the cover,
|
|
and put it on the shelf with the other books that will be reread again
|
|
down the years, and turn off the lights, and go to bed feeling that the
|
|
time was well spent.
|
|
|
|
Which is the most any writer can ever ask for. To tell a tale worth
|
|
telling To make people cry. To make people laugh. And even, once in a
|
|
while, make them think about things, and see the world just a little
|
|
differently than when they began.
|
|
|
|
And then they can centerpunch me on the freeway, or throw a plane at me,
|
|
and I won't even mind. Because everything I set out to prove, I proved.
|
|
Everything I set out to say, I said.
|
|
|
|
I've carried this story like a hermit crab carries its shell for five long
|
|
years, counting the pilot. It's been an *awfully* long and difficult
|
|
road, and no one will ever really know just how hard this show was to
|
|
make. Nor should they, because it isn't the difficulty that makes the
|
|
story, the *story* makes the story. But one way or another, aired as 522
|
|
or 422, when it airs the burden is off at last. Then it no longer belongs
|
|
to me. It belongs to you. As should be.
|
|
|
|
And, in the end, I think you'll be pleased.
|
|
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 25 Apr 1997 17:53:36 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS OR GEORGE: ships changing size?
|
|
|
|
Boris-
|
|
|
|
Actually, we never change the size of the ships. (Okay, before you start
|
|
furiously typing...) The lenses that we use change often, and
|
|
depending on the style of lens selected, the ships may appear closer or
|
|
farther away from another object. This makes things confusing for
|
|
sure. Add to that that the relative distance between two objects may be
|
|
compressed to allow for better screen composition, and we may start to
|
|
explain what you are realizing. The hardware of B5 is a bit "undefined"
|
|
from a tech point of view. This will be remedied in upcoming
|
|
publications.
|
|
|
|
George Johnsen
|
|
CoProducer, B5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 25 Apr 1997 18:37:25 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: Heartfelt thanks!
|
|
|
|
Thanks. And at least one of your wishes is assured...TNT will air reruns.
|
|
The rest is still being discussed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 15 May 1997 22:51:24 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: Action figures?
|
|
|
|
As much as i would like to have them on my desk....
|
|
|
|
There has not been a license granted for traditional action figures at
|
|
this time.
|
|
|
|
George Johnsen
|
|
CoProducer, B5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 22 May 1997 02:31:39 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: Contract Questions
|
|
|
|
--Considering the way you have been jerked around by WB, what are
|
|
your contract obligations to them, beyond the end of B-5?
|
|
--If you are then a "free agent" with whom would you partner for
|
|
future TV projects?
|
|
--Are there any other brain-children waiting in the wings?
|
|
--Are any scifi TV projects contemplated?
|
|
|
|
My contract is specifically for B5, if it were to go away (and there's
|
|
some interesting, positive movement going on behind the scenes right now)
|
|
I would have no further obligations or ties to WB. I've turned down a
|
|
number of network gigs along the way, preferring to stay with B5 (even
|
|
though some of them would've paid twice or more what I get on B5) so
|
|
finding another berth wouldn't be hard.
|
|
|
|
And yeah, I have some other projects simmering in the background that
|
|
might go with or without a fifth season.
|
|
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 23 May 1997 00:20:43 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: ATTN: JMS, *ALERT* *ALERT*
|
|
|
|
The host misspoke...
|
|
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 23 May 1997 01:33:52 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Anything special done on last day of Shoot?
|
|
|
|
Around lunchtime, I began to notice people filtering out -- crew and
|
|
others -- wearing white t-shirts with blue lettering that read, on front,
|
|
"Shhh...the Great Maker is Directing." And on the back, "...and on the
|
|
seventh day we wrapped." JMS 4:22 May 5, 1997. It was a nice thing, and
|
|
we're considering making the shirts available via the fan club.
|
|
|
|
Since it's customary for directors to bring in food on the last day of an
|
|
episode shoot, I brought in food at the end of the day, and folks stayed
|
|
around until late in the evening, just hanging around, chatting, eating,
|
|
and the like. (I headed home around 7 mainly because I was just bushed.)
|
|
We also took a big family picture that will go into the end credits of the
|
|
episode, whenever it will finally air. A lot of our past directors, crew,
|
|
actors and others showed up for the thing, and stayed for the party,
|
|
knowing that either way, this was going to be the last episode of the
|
|
series, whether it's 4 or 5 years.
|
|
|
|
Then everybody went away for a few days, and now we're back shooting movie
|
|
#1, "Thirdspace."
|
|
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 23 May 1997 18:34:46 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Spoilers: Episode 422 Confusion
|
|
|
|
"In other words, because 422 takes place in the far future (2281), it is a
|
|
|
|
stand-alone episode. It can be dropped into ANY position in the B5
|
|
schedule
|
|
....as long as its last. Correct?"
|
|
|
|
Bingo.
|
|
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 23 May 1997 19:52:57 -0400
|
|
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: 522 always 2281?
|
|
|
|
Yes, the final chapter in the series was always going to fall in 2281, 20
|
|
years after the events in 2261.
|
|
|
|
|
|
jms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|