GREEN MEDDLER'S JMS on CompuServe 12/18/95
DeAnna Miller
dmille12 at ix.netcom.com
Mon Dec 18 18:56:40 EST 1995
NOTE TO ARCHIVERS:
There is a message TO JMS FROM someone else in this message.
In my view, it was essential to the thread, no way to ade-
quately synopsize it, so it is included. Sorry for the
inconvenience.
DeAnna.
Subj: Screen Saver Audio Section: Babylon 5: General
To: Shirley DeCarufelFriday, December 15, 1995 12:26:05 AM
From: J. Michael Straczynski #416434
Actually, the "cricket" sounds are the identicard
scanning sounds used in the pilot movie.
jms
Subj: Hague back Section: Babylon 5: General
To: John M. Kahane Friday, December 15, 1995 5:05:20 AM
From: J. Michael Straczynski #416505
At the office, I use the Kinesis keyboard, with two key-
wells, not broken lines. Works well.
jms
Subj: <Gethsemane Thought> Section: Babylon 5: Upcoming
To: John M. Kahane Friday, December 15, 1995 5:05:24 AM
From: J. Michael Straczynski #416506
{regarding "Passing Through Gethsemane" ep}
Thanks. Adam did a great job interpreting the script on
that one, and it's definitely one of our most successful
episodes...though today I took a look at another, more
completed version of episode 8, "Messages," and *man* is this
amazing...just a knockout...trouble is we keep raising our own
bar and won't accept anything less...so the pressure becomes
quite astonishing after a while.
Fun, though....
jms
Subj: Babylon 4 Section: Babylon 5: General
To: Michael "GANDALF" Kalus December 15, 1995 5:12:27 AM
From: J. Michael Straczynski #416508
"wasn't nearly enough time"
If you apply 20th century construction models, sure...but
we've advanced quite a bit in 250 years.
jms
Subj: Babylon 4 Section: Babylon 5: General
To: Michael "GANDALF" Kalus December 15, 1995 5:38:03 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski #416676
{regarding not enough time...}
Except, of course, there's no need to transport steel
and other materials from Earth...if that's your premise then
it's seriously flawed. You mine ore from the surrounding
asteroids, as NASA has described for some time could be done.
You could assemble the shell off Earth in pieces fairly
quickly, use the jump gate to get it to Epsilon Eridani, and
mine whatever else you need there in the area fairly effi-
ciently.
Bear in mind that building a station like this in 2260
uses many of the same techniques already being used else
where...so in many cases it's a matter of slightly converting
what's already being mass produced for other reasons.
Explorer vessels like the Cortez, for instance, are nearly as
long as Babylon 5 (as seen in "A Distant Star"), and its
rotating section is nearly as wide. And you've got other big
ships, many with rotational areas for gravity-positive
sections. This isn't like NASA gearing up to make a one-off
of something; this is a matter of adjusting technology
already in use.
jms
Subj: Babylon 4 Section: Babylon 5: General
To: John McAuley Saturday, December 16, 1995 1:54:17 AM
From: J. Michael Straczynski #416849
{regarding acquiring raw materials to build B5}
Aside from the hull stuff which would've been constructed
elsewhere and shipped in and assembled, they would've mined
the asteroids for most of the raw materials needed.
jms
Subj: Babylon 4 Section: Babylon 5: General
To: John McAuley Saturday, December 16, 1995 9:38:13 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski #417210
{regarding B5 winning a Cult TV award}
I know we won one, and I believe it was this past year,
yes; a very nice engraved glass award.
jms
Subj: Kosh and the Shadows Section: Babylon 5: General
To: Birgit Kohls Friday, December 15, 1995 5:13:00 AM
From: J. Michael Straczynski #416509
{regarding why they didn't kill Kosh}
Course, a dead Vorlon would be a major giveaway for
them...best to keep a low profile, at least for the time
being.
jms
Subj: <TFON - Religion> Section: Babylon 5: Upcoming
To: Colin Glassey Friday, December 15, 1995 5:38:06 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski #416678
Yes, those are pretty much the two interpretations...
that the Vorlons *created* the myth of angels, or that they
came in and *exploited* it for their own purposes. In my
view, the latter seems more logical in some ways.
jms
Subj: <TFON - Religion> Section: Babylon 5: Upcoming
To: Philip Hornsey Saturday, December 16, 1995 9:38:15 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski #417212
{regarding assumption that Vorlon standardized beliefs}
On the other hand, I didn't say that was the case in all
places and in all cases.
jms
Subj: What's In A Name (Kosh) Section: Babylon 5: General
To: Gerald Himmelein Friday, December 15, 1995 5:38:11 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski #416680
<Quoting Gerald Himmelein to JMS>:
>two days ago, I finally got around to purchase the
>Compact Disc release of The Who's classic WHO'S NEXT
>album [remastered, with bonus tracks and new liner
>notes... really nice...] from 1971.
>When I read through the fine print, I found myself
>gasping in surprise.
>"Original vinyl sleeve design by Kosh."
<snip>
>This Kosh appears to be a photigrapher and designer,
>and he apparently went with just that name, just Kosh.
<snip>
>my question would be whether you were aware of this
>designer / photographer talent of the 70's and if his
>name became the inspiration for the Vorlon Ambassador.
No, I'd absolutely never heard this story before...I'm
astounded....
jms
Subj: What's In A Name (Kosh) Section: Babylon 5: General
To: Gerald Himmelein December 16, 1995 1:54:16 AM
From: J. Michael Straczynski #416848
{regarding JMS's taste in music}
Basically, I'm a fan of *all* music, except hard-stuff
country and opera.
jms
Subj: B5 Videos Yet Again Section: Babylon 5: General
To: Trent K. Johnson Saturday, December 16, 1995 9:38:19 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski #417213
We'd almost certainly go for tapes initially...videodisks
would mean remastering all the film stock back to its
original aspect ratio, and we're talking major bucks here.
jms
Subj: Screen saver frustration Section: Babylon 5: General
To: Bob Danielson Saturday, December 16, 1995 9:46:03 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski #417222
To get at the files, you have to follow these steps: use
the Install part of the setup menu, which takes you to the
CDrom. Highlight the files in the Images directory. Then
copy them into the correct directory on your hard drive. Once
that's done, you then select the images you want. Also be
sure that the image categories are toggled on your setup menu
(personal info, battle info, images (all vs. selected) and so
on.
I've found that every once in a while, a video piece will
bump into my system. What's weird is that I have two
identical systems, one at the work office, one at home...on
the work office system, every single image works without
problem. At home, one of the images bumps into windows and
shuts me down.
The best way to find out which is doing this is to
individuall select the areas (i.e., first select just Battle
Info, or Geological Info, and de-select all the others in the
setup menu). Let those run through, and if there's not a
problem, try the next one. Since they go in order, you can
figure out pretty fast which one is causing you a problem.
I did this, and now my system at home works fine, after
omitting one of the ship info files that, again, runs just
fine on the work system.
jms
Subj: JMS resigns rastb5 Section: Babylon 5: General
To: Richard M. Perry Sunday, December 17, 1995 1:54:19 AM
From: J. Michael Straczynski #417309
{regarding using SW and ST doing well as an argument
for getting B5 eps for sale on tape}
Nope. Doesn't work. They see Star Wars and ST as
valuable commodities; they don't see us that way because they
*know* us, and we're just a show of theirs, one of many.
This is the way it *always* goes, though. On Star Wars, they
gave away most of the merchandising rights because they didn't
think anybody would want the stuff; on ST they canceled it
after 3 seasons and didn't bother to protect the copyright on
the stuff for almost ten years (which is why they often don't
prosecute stuff based on the first series that gets pirated)
because they figured it was worthless.
It's only LONG after the horse has left the barn that the
suits ever really understand what they've got...or had.
jms
Subj: From jms: info Section: Babylon 5: General
To: Anne L. Warner Sunday, December 17, 1995 10:27:07 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski #417659
Yes, the ratings on WSBK have been up between a half a
point and a full ratings point over where it was, now that
they've stabalized it. Which is what we've been saying would
happen for some time.
This is probably the overwhelming problem we've had with
the few stations that've been shuffling the show around...
they don't give it a stable time slot, constantly pre-empt
it, put it on at 3 a.m., and say it doesn't do good numbers.
Well, duh. But as soon as they GIVE it a solid spot, even
if it's only for a little while, the difference is noticeable
almost instantly. And then it *does* do well for them.
What're you gonna do....it's Chinatown, Jake....
jms
Subj: Chrysalis Section: Babylon 5: General
To: Gerald Himmelein Sunday, December 17, 1995 10:27:14 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski #417662
{regarding if Garibaldi's shooting was pre-planned}
No, the shooting of Garibaldi was always a very strong
part of the story for the end of first season; that line goes
all the way back to the pilot, and Laurel Takashima.
jms
Subj: Ds9 Cancellation Rumor Section: Star Trek: DS9
To: Ted Wilcox Sunday, December 17, 1995 10:47:23 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski #417671
"I agree it is rediculous but JMS reported it at a Comic
conference somewhere and I was giving what I consider good
advice to all who wish to do something positive in lieu of
his negative comment. Read previous messages about the
cancellation rumor so you can direct your anger to the proper
sources. I did not start this and I will not speak further on
this rumor because it is exactly what JMS wants. He loves for
us to argue among ourselves. Be careful, he may be reading
and enjoying this right now!"
Excuse me just one damned minute here. I just found
out about this thread, and once again this is being totally
and 100% distorted by you.
I have never, ever, at any time posted a rumor saying
"Hey, DS9 is going to be canceled." If you can find it, and
post it, I will resign from Compuserve *instantly* and
*permanently*. But you won't, because it doesn't exist. What
you, and a few others, do is take what *was* said, throw it
out there to cause a firestorm, which gets me in trouble.
What I said was this: that at the time all this took
place, several months ago, there were several articles
published -- in TV Guide, in the Los Angeles Times, elsewhere
quoting people like Kerry McCluggage, the head of Paramount,
who was concerned that having two ST shows around was cutting
into the potential viewers for Voyager. Even one of the exec
producers over at ST commented, in the LA Times article, that
they may have gone to the well once too often.
At the same time as this, there was a rumor floating
around town, which is *still* floating around, that Paramount
was concerned about the notion of two shows splitting the
potential ST audience...an audience that is necessary to
Voyager as the cornerstone for the Paramount Network, UPN.
There's much to be said for canceling one show, DS9, so that
there's only one place to go if you want to see Star
Trek...Voyager. Because Paramount has *millions* of dollars
more invested in their network than in the standard syndica
tion deal for DS9.
The *possibility* was being discussed, came the word on
the street. And several other people in the industry, who
work in post production and sound editing at the other
studios around town, came forth and supported this by saying
they'd heard much the same. But it's only woolgathering,
nothing more, and I never said it WAS anything more than
that. But a few people like you and a couple of others have
taken that one message, which I posted only once, here, not
some "comics conference," and crossposted it to other forums,
paraphrased it, distorted it, and changed it around in order
to make it look like I posted a rumor that I *never* in fact
posted, for the simple purpose of causing me grief.
While there's much to commend this electronic forum,
what's *wrong* with it at root is that people can come in
here, post something like this as if it's true, and then you
have to respond to it and chase it down.
Knowing folks here, I'm sure *somebody* has my original
post filed away somewhere. I'm happy to see that reposted,
because it is exactly as I have characterized it.
Look, I get in enough trouble for the things I *really*
say without other people putting words in my mouth and
deliberately distorting it.
I have never, ever, at any time, said that DS9 was
going to be canceled, or that there was a rumor on the
streets that DS9 was going to be canceled. Never happened.
Are we clear on this now?
jms
NOTE TO ARCHIVERS: HERE IT IS
Subj: Ds9 Cancellation Rumor Section: Star Trek: DS9
To: J. Michael Straczynski December 18, 1995 1:54:05 AM
From: Georg Buthe #417721
> Knowing folks here, I'm sure *somebody* has my
original post filed > away somewhere. I'm happy to see that
reposted, because it is exactly as I > have characterized it.
Sure, no problem.
People read into messages what they want to read. Human
nature.
Georg Buthe
------------------------quote---------------------------------
%: 358451 S2/Star Trek [SFMEDIA]
06-Oct-95 06:25:18
Sb: #357994-VOYAGER'S BAD TREK
Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644
To: Mary Taylor 75530,2650
Speaking of TPTB, here's an interesting angle on the
whole Voyager/DS9 dynamic.
Recently, more and more, the ST execs (people like Berman
and Pillar) have been commenting publicly about the factional
ization of the SF TV marketplace, and how this has diminished
the numbers for the ST shows overall. Most interestingly, one
of them commented in an LA Times article this past week that
a big problem for them is the factionalization *within*
ST...that people may only have time to watch one version of ST
that week, and they're being forced to choose. And, of
course, there are the debates between the two sides on
quality.
Which dovetails precisely into the rumor running around
town that Paramount is considering giving the axe to DS9 after
this season, in order to force folks who want their ST to
watch Voyager...because they have more money invested right
now in Voyager, particularly in start-up, and they have their
hopes for the Paramount network pinned to Voyager as their
center. They don't like the idea of a syndicated show out
there causing problems for the network on which they've spent
millions and millions of dollars. And DS9's ratings have been
steadily on the decrease since the debut. So the logic goes:
take away DS9, and make those who want Trek go to Voyager as
the sole provider of that.
Given the sources from whom this has come, I give very
high credibility to the notion that this *is* being discussed;
whether or not it will be implemented, that only time will
tell. If Voyager continues to decrease, threatening the
foundations of Paramount's bid for a network, I'd think the
chances of this happening will continue to rise.
jms
Subj: Ds9 Cancellation Rumor Section: Star Trek: DS9
To: Georg Buthe Monday, December 18, 1995 3:11:01 AM
From: J. Michael Straczynski #417729
THANK you. As the message said, the topic *was* being
discussed, but that there was no indication as to whether or
not that step would eventually be implemented. And others
confirmed this. Nowhere in that message was it stated by me
that the show *is* going to be canceled, or that I'd heard
anyone else say that it was going to be canceled.
With luck, this will finally put an end to the distor
tions that get around, thanks to some people who want to fuel
online wars.
Thanks again for digging this out.
jms
Subj: Ds9 Cancellation Rumor Section: Star Trek: DS9
To: Stephen C. Smith Sunday, December 17, 1995 10:53:15 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski #417674
Stephen: check my comment to Ted.
jms
SSSSS PPPPP OOOOO IIIII L EEEEE RRRRR
S P P O O I L E R R
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S P O O I L E R R
SSSSS P OOOOO IIIII LLLLL EEEEE R R
UPCOMING SECTION UPCOMING
SSSSS PPPPP OOOOO IIIII L EEEEE RRRRR
S P P O O I L E R R
SSSSS PPPPP O O I L EEE RRRRR
S P O O I L E R R
SSSSS P OOOOO IIIII LLLLL EEEEE R R
UPCOMING SECTION UPCOMING
Subj: JMS: Best party ep? Section: Babylon 5: Upcoming
To: Lynn Dimock Friday, December 15, 1995 5:05:19 AM
From: J. Michael Straczynski #416504
<Quoting Lynn Dimock to JMS>:
>Why does your saying an episode is serious make me so
>nervous?
I don't know, but it should make you *really* nervous....
jms
Subj: JMS resigns rastb5 Section: Babylon 5: General
To: Anne L. Warner Sunday, December 17, 1995 10:27:08 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski #417660
<Quoting Anne Warner to JMS>
>Without suggesting anything that hasn't been clearly
>indicated on the air as interesting history, could we
>give you our opinions about what "history" we'd like
>to see???
>One of my votes would go to Valen and the origins of
>the Grey Council.
Then you will get your wish, and then some.
jms
Subj: <Gethsemane Thought> Section: Babylon 5: Upcoming
To: Philip Hornsey Friday, December 15, 1995 5:38:08 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski #416679
<Quoting Philip Hornsey to JMS>:
>Did Adam Nimoy direct Messages?
No, Mike Vejar directed "Messages."
jms
Subj: <Gethsemane Thought> Section: Babylon 5: Upcoming
To: Philip Hornsey Saturday, December 16, 1995 9:38:15 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski #417211
{regarding Nimoy doing any others}
We're currently working that out.
jms
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