JMS on Compuserve: October 18, 1995 -- 77 char formatted
B5JMS Poster
b5jms-owner at shekel.mcl.cs.columbia.edu
Thu Oct 19 17:00:47 EDT 1995
Subject: JMS on Compuserve: October 18, 1995 -- 77 char formatted
* 1: Oct 19, 1995: The Green Meddler <kilgalen at tde.com>
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Subj: <What do they know?> Section: Babylon 5
To: Michael W. Mahoney, Sunday, October 15, 1995 5:06:01 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#369765
Basically, all that was indicated in the script was that he for a beat
isn't sure what's up...then lets it go. I generally don't drop specific
points explaining foreshadowing in the scripts, in case they leak out.
If a line like that isn't sufficiently clear for the actor's intent, they
then come to me and I explain it verbally.
This was done in particular when we had to shoot "Chrysalis" before "Signs
and Portents," even though the latter aired before the former.
jms
Subj: Brains & Telepaths Section: Babylon 5
To: Scott Belgarde, Sunday, October 15, 1995 5:06:02 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#369766
No, no direct corrolary between IQ and telepathic potential; it's a
matter of genetics, primarily.
jms
Subj: <Inquisitor Was?> Section: Babylon 5
To: Eric Baker, Sunday, October 15, 1995 5:06:04 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#369767
I've always been a big fan of Alan's work, but I just couldn't get
into this one, and gave up after the first couple issues.
jms
Subj: Ellison CITY Note Section: Star Trek
To: GREG LASH, 74323,456 Sunday, October 15, 1995 5:06:08 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#369768
The trade, I think, is a whole separate deal, so I have no info on
that one. The limited delay is only another week or so.
jms
Subj: New Season Section: Babylon 5
To: Ron Russak, Sunday, October 15, 1995 5:06:11 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#369769
Originally they were done on Amigas, but the software has now been
exported to PC platforms, so that's their venue now.
jms
Subj: B5 Repeat on KCOP? Section: Babylon 5
To: Stephen C. Smith, Sunday, October 15, 1995 5:06:16 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#369771
No, there aren't any more repeats in LA or most markets; this is an
overall PTEN change. You get one chance and one only.
jms
Subj: <Divided Loyalties> Section: Babylon 5
To: Bob Perse, Sunday, October 15, 1995 5:06:17 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#369772
Certainly, a determined teep can get that information somehow....
jms
Subj: B5 Repeat on KCOP? Section: Babylon 5
To: The Jawa / Jawa #2, Sunday, October 15, 1995 8:43:14 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#370016
<I really do hate to nag, but any word on the videos?>
If there were word, you wouldn't have to ask about it.
jms
Subj: B5 Repeat on KCOP? Section: Babylon 5
To: Steve Bennett, Monday, October 16, 1995 11:22:24 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#371760
My *guess* is that they'll show the last four again to start reruns,
or thereabouts. I haven't seen a final schedule yet.
jms
Subj: <Divided Loyalties> Section: Babylon 5
To: Will Gearhart, Sunday, October 15, 1995 5:06:21 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#369773
Oh, sure, I could tell you what *I* think is the absolute truth of the
metaphysical aspects of the B5 universe...but what would be the fun in that?
jms
Subj: New DS9 opening = B5? Section: Babylon 5
To: Arthur Stoppe, Sunday, October 15, 1995 8:39:09 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#370009
I've actually received email from people who say they've been
harrassed by some of the more extreme ST fans for liking B5.
One recent correspondent sent me a note off the usenet describing when he
went into an SF bookstore (that also carried comics, soundtracks, other
stuff), and was derided for wanting the B5 soundtrack.
He was made fun of, told the disk wasn't there, finally found it hidden
behind some other stuff, and was endlessly insulted in a way that was very
openly hostile and mean-spirited. It happens.
jms
Subj: New DS9 opening = B5? Section: Babylon 5
To: Tom Trankle, Monday, October 16, 1995 3:14:14 AM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#370332
I saw your prior note, and I'd have to say that probably most of the
items you cite as similarities in approach have to do with just about any
space-borne science fiction.
Many colony worlds, varying tech levels, that's fairly generic.
Definitely agree about the differences, though.
jms
Subj: New DS9 opening = B5? Section: Babylon 5
To: Arthur Stoppe, Tuesday, October 17, 1995 12:41:17 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#372229
Yes, I've seen the elusive Chris Franke, who is actually a 2'3" Latino
with a broken nose and a tattoo covering both ears. He hires this person
to pretend he's Chris.
jms
Subj: B5 Horror Element Section: Babylon 5
To: John M. Kahane, Sunday, October 15, 1995 8:43:16 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#370017
In Zone, I tried as much as possible mainly to stick to the Serling
influence in my stories; that I felt was my primary obligation.
"Gethsemane" isn't a horror-type story at all, though it does have a
very TZish feeling, so it doesn't owe to any of those. Best to just let
you see it when it airs.
jms
Subj: Lame Voyager Writing Section: Star Trek
To: Janelle Keberle, Monday, October 16, 1995 3:14:09 AM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#370330
Okay, here's intro lesson #5, on How Hollywood Works, by jms, age 12.
Writers, the really *good* writers, are few and far between. Sure,
you've got journeymen and journeywomen, people who can cobble up a decent
story, but the percentage of really *good* writers is the same as it is in
any other venue, a minority.
And of that sampling universe, smaller still is the group that can write
perfectly for *your show*.
Writer A may be a great writer on series A, B and C, but when it comes
to show D, just doesn't Get It. Every once in a very great while, someone
walks in the door, and absolutely nails it first time at bat. That person
is *exactly* suited to your show.
So it's in your best interest to grab that person and stick him on staff as
fast as you humanly can.
If you bring him in as a staff writer, he can't rewrite others, and
can't verbally participate in story sessions (per WGA rules) with freelance
writers.
His utility is limited, and since there isn't that much difference in
salary between a staff writer and a story editor, you usually bring the
person in as story editor.
Or, if the person has a lot of credits, you bring him or her in as a
producer.
Hence the preponderance of writer/producers in TV, which has somewhat
become the norm.
Working through freelance scripts is a difficult thing on the best of days,
so there's an understandable impulse to hire a whole bunch of writers who
you know Get It, give them producer titles, and have them do the lion's
share of the writing.
This is how most TV shows are done today. In a way, it's kind of diminished
the title "producer," since many writer producers don't really produce,
it's just a title with more money.
You've got producers, co-producers, associate producers, executive story
editors, story editors, supervising producers and executive producers.
And even executive producers don't always participate in the day-to-day
operation of a series, so they've come up with a term that creates a subset
of executive producers, an unofficial term you'll never see on-screen,
which is "Show Runner."
That's the one person who is running the whole darned thing.
Is all this fairly new? Yeah, fairly. There was a time when the
majority of TV shows were written by freelancers, but that was when the WGA
consisted of far fewer writers thantoday, and it was easier to dip into
that pool.
Now you've got well over 9,000 Writers Guild members, of which roughly 50%
are unemployed at any given moment. That's a lot of people scrambling to
beat down your door at any moment.
When you factor in the greater risks these days, the short orders
(you used to get a full season's order, 24 episodes, on networks, now you
get 8, then if the ratings hold, 7 more, then a third order for the balance
of episoodes, called the Back Nine,
which means you can risk less with outsiders in your first batch), that can
lead to a bunker mentality.
Did I start out this way? Sorta. I've only written two freelance TV
scripts for dramatic series; each time I get hired instantly right
afterward.
On other shows, I'm just hired straight off, no freelance work required. I
didn't actually set out to be a producer; it was never my plan, or my goal.
Didn't want the Pointy Hat of Authority.
But I discovered early on that the only way to make sure nobody
rewrote me, that the words got through as I wanted them to get through, was
to go up the ladder until I became an executive producer/show runner.
It's a hell of a lot of work.
If someone said, "Look, we'll make you a staff writer, pay you crappy
money...but we won't change your words," I'd take it in a hot second. But
that hasn't happened, so here I am...in the cannon barrel.
jms
Subj: "Inside Trek" column Section: Babylon 5
To: Michael Grabois, Monday, October 16, 1995 3:14:11 AM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#370331
<Did you see this past weekend's version of the "Inside Trek" column? It
purports to be a Star Trek info column, but recently it has turned into a
general Science Fiction column: who's appearing where, what TV shows are
on, etc.
On Saturday, they had an interview with Bruce Boxleitner, also praising B5
as well as quoting you. I don't know if the LA papers carry it, but I can
send it to you if you didn't see it.
mg>
Yeah, thanks, I'd love to see a copy....
jms
<Should I send the "Inside Trek" column to the Ventura Blvd address?
mg>
Yes, thanks, that'd be great.
jms
Subj: B5 cards, etc... Section: Babylon 5
To: Phil Koltko, Monday, October 16, 1995 11:22:28 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#371761
Because you're still hooked into the way the non-B5 world does things.
We're kind of obsessive about stuff here.
Yes, I do have approval over everything, and while a few things
could've been better with the cards, I'm overall quite pleased. It's a
start.
Remember, we're still in the process of convincing people that there really
is interest in the show, so the miracle isn't whether or not a given
product was done well, rather that it was done at *all*.
So these so far are fine, and we'll continue to improve.
jms
Subj: B5 cards, etc... Section: Babylon 5
To: Phil Koltko, Tuesday, October 17, 1995 6:36:05 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#372661
Basically, when you go into someone else's company, as much as you may
advise, suggest, and carry on, ultimately it's not your company, and you're
bound by the way other people do business.
Some people can license a product, for instance, but because the show
isn't a proven money-producer in licensing, they may want to hedge their
bets; they may not invest as much money into production, or publicity, or
artistic contributers of one sort or another.
So the choices you then get to approve may not be the ultimate best
possible in a theoretical world in terms of pushing the envelope or being
as daring as the show. Their inclination is to play it safe.
As time goes on, and people become reassured that B5 products will
work for them, they will be more comfortable investing more money into
them, which in turn will attract more artistic types, which then leads to
more daring or unique stuff.
The first few novels were, I thought, fairly prosaic; the next batch
are, I think, more interesting...because the book company is now putting a
little more effort and thought into the product, since the first 3 volumes
have very much proven their worth.
And the list of writers on the next batch is very good, includng SM
Stirling and Neal Barret Jr.
It's a growing process....
jms
Subj: Major B5/ST News Section: Star Trek
To: David Seraphin, Monday, October 16, 1995 11:22:02 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#371763
<Thank you JMS for the quick response and I appreciate the
clarificationAnd "always with due respect" because what you do is great and
a welcome breath of fresh air in a very stale TV business,
Again many thanks for creating such a wondeful show!>
Thanks, your support is very much appreciated.
jms
Subj: <Talia Winters> Section: Babylon 5
To: Brian Kornfeld, Monday, October 16, 1995 11:22:08 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#371766
1) You're assuming Bester knows everything. Also, Bester's interest
may have been more...carnal than PsiCorp oriented.
2) The real Talia was becoming more and more disenchanted with PC, and
this was in time going to pull her into resistance activities, which Talia
v2.0 would only be *thrilled* about.
The self-protection mechanism only kicks in when the personality's
existence is threatened.
3) Remember that Ironheart was not seeing Talia under the best of
conditions...he was fighting hard NOT to use his abilities, for any reason,
because it created mindquakes...he was pulling everything IN.
And later he was shot, also not a good position.
It lays out fine, really.
jms
Subj: <Talia Winters> Section: Babylon 5
To: Pankaj Mangalik, Wednesday, October 18, 1995 2:06:05 AM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#373241
Having written the episode, produced it, edited it, seen it at least
20 times, to synopsize it again, after all that, is something I really
don't think I'm up to, much as I'd like to....
jms
Subj: Episodes Evaluation Section: Babylon 5
To: peter stathis, Tuesday, October 17, 1995 12:41:18 PM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#372230
The shadows influence is partly the gothic horror influence overall,
and a lot of Jungian influence.
jms
Subj: <Divided Loyalties> Section: Babylon 5
To: Spencer W. Farrow, Wednesday, October 18, 1995 2:05:24 AM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#373236
<<>>Yeah, well, the great thing is that I've found a source for Drake's
Cakes out here in CA...<<
Drake's Cakes in CA? (You're a Drake's Cakes fan! I knew I liked you!)
You mean I can actually get Funny Bones without travelling to the east
coast ?!?! Halleleujah!!
Are you at liberty to divulge your source, or will it be revealed in a
future ep? <vbg>
TIA - Cheers - Spencer
BTW, "Divided Loyalties" was a great episode. If this is just a warm-up to
the things that are to come, it's going to be a *great* season.
(Let's see, a box of Funny Bones, a quart of cold milk, and a great new B5
episode to watch....... the makings of an very enjoyable evening.......)>
Try Slices pizza on Van Nuys in Sherman Oaks; they sell 'em by the box.
jms
Subj: Back to the Beginning Section: Babylon 5
To: John M. Kahane, Wednesday, October 18, 1995 2:05:25 AM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#373237
<I was rewatching the pilot movie for the umpteenth time (but the first
time in quite some time) , and wondered whatever happened to the
information Delenn gave to Sinclair
which was supposedly "everything [the Minbari] know" about the Vorlons.
Now obviously, this was likely a lie considering the serious doubts I have
that Delenn would hand Sinclair a file explaining the whole bit about the
Old Ones, the past Shadow war, etc. -
so was there actually any info there? Did Sinclair ever get around to
reading it?
Just a couple of good questions that I thought I'd ask you...>
Yeah, there was a lot of info there...it was everything she had
*there* at hand, but not everything the Minbari have overall.
jms
Subj: B5 Horror Element Section: Babylon 5
To: John M. Kahane, Wednesday, October 18, 1995 2:06:00 AM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#373238
What many folks forget is that Serling's story were as often about
redemption as about damnation; about hope as often as about horror. That
lesson is forgotten by many horror writers who claim him as influence.
The Serling influence, for me, is the strength of individual humans to
endure much, sacrifice greatly, yet come out the other end of the struggle
something nobler and stronger.
jms
Subj: Talia/Garibaldi/Comic#8 Section: Babylon 5
To: Allan S. Nassau, Wednesday, October 18, 1995 2:06:02 AM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#373239
<I'm a little confused over continuity between issue #8 of the comic and
Divided Loyalties. In issue #8 Garabaldi looks at Talia in the Shadow/Psi
Corp Human medical experiment lab...
I mean he "LOOKS" at her since his gazing raised the suspicions of the
people in the lab.
But in Divided Loyalties he doesn't appear to have met her before. Doesn't
he remember seeing her on Mars with Sinclair? What gives?>
Nope, he was looking at the process overall; he never saw Talia. The
one shot of her is the omniscient POV, not his.
(And even if he had seen her, it would've been only a glimpse of a blonde
woman, no name that he could see, and after so many years, given that her
condition wasn't great at the time, he wouldn't necessarily recognize her
in any event.)
But it's a moot point; the comic never indicated that he saw her.
jms
Subj: B5 via CON-RAD Section: Babylon 5
To: Grey Culberson, Wednesday, October 18, 1995 2:06:03 AM
From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#373240
<CON-RAD will be my first 'B5-heavy' convention. Will I see these
wonderful things I've heard mention of like blooper and title videos?
BTW, I just heard L. Nemoy is confirmed for the banquet. Will you be
taking part in the event as either a recipient or a speaker?>
I've got some concerns about ConRad that I'm looking into; have to get
into that more before I comment.
jms
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