JMS CIS Digest: 18-Feb-96 16:29:42 through 19-Feb-96 00:29:04 (22 msgs)
b5jms-owner at cs.columbia.edu
b5jms-owner at cs.columbia.edu
Wed Feb 21 06:33:10 EST 1996
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
From: jhardin at wolfenet.com (John Hardin)
Lines: 573
RFC 1153 Digest of messages from
J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
18-Feb-96 16:29:42 through 19-Feb-96 00:29:04 (22 messages)
WARNING: This digest may contain information about episodes
you haven't seen yet. Proceed with caution.
Subjects in digest:
Enjoying Babylon 5
Thought from jms
JMS: Ivonova/Bureau 13
Good Grief - DS9
Writing B5
8 NEW B5 EPS!
<Messages from Earth>
>>Messages from Earth<<
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Date: 18-Feb-96 15:34:01
From: Bernard F. Dowdy, J <76550.347 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Enjoying Babylon 5
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.454417 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.454393 at compuserve.com>
Persistence I have in abundance. I also have a knack for keeping
things organized. It's the "getting others involved" part that
I'm having trouble with.
Perhaps it's time to litter the bulletin boards at my old alma
mater. A plan is beginning to form. . .
By the way, "Exogenesis" was a great episode. I really enjoyed
seeing more of David Corwyn and Marcus Cole. The running gag with
the bouquet of roses was hilarious! Congratulations on a fine
job.
Bernie
------------------------------
Date: 18-Feb-96 16:29:42
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Bernard F. Dowdy, J <76550.347 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Enjoying Babylon 5
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.454441 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.454417 at compuserve.com>
Some viewers have set up petitions at local SF-oriented
bookstores, which can also be a good place to start.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 18-Feb-96 16:43:08
From: David E. Francis <72047.2070 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Thought from jms
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.454447 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.454429 at compuserve.com>
JMS,
Thanks for letting us know that you consider the MFE
episode one of the best this season so far. I remember what you
posted about CtI---and you were most assuredly correct. That
episode was fantastic!!! I can't wait to see MFE (guessing that
is what you will abbreviate the episode title for posting).
While I am here, let me say that I think ALL the episode
this season have been great. I have enjoyed them immensely.
Thanks again,
David E. Francis
------------------------------
Date: 18-Feb-96 18:07:44
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: David E. Francis <72047.2070 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Thought from jms
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.454500 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.454447 at compuserve.com>
Thanks...on all counts, really.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 18-Feb-96 16:50:56
From: Rowan Kaiser <74160.473 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Enjoying Babylon 5
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.454456 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.453896 at compuserve.com>
> Thanks...and the best is yet to come. This coming week's
> episode, "Messages From Earth," is probably the best thing we've
> done on the series to this point.
I'm getting the feeling that this one is one that should be
taped, hmmm?
Rowan Kaiser Mistie, Montie, PITAS and Kidism Patroler
Darling Facist Bullyboy, give me some more money, you bastard.
May the seed of your loins be fruitful in the belly of your
woman.
------------------------------
Date: 18-Feb-96 18:07:45
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Rowan Kaiser <74160.473 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Enjoying Babylon 5
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.454501 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.454456 at compuserve.com>
Taped?
Bronzed.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 18-Feb-96 18:00:06
From: FitzGeralds <103571.3245 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: JMS: Ivonova/Bureau 13
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.454487 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.453032 at compuserve.com>
I'm sort of new to Babylon5. I came on board when Bruce
Boxleitner started but didn't always watch until this season. I
thought in this past episode (2/17-18) Ivonova came on a little
too strong with the new lieutenant (like a sledge hammer!!).
Maybe she doesn't know how to be subtle (or was it done that way
deliberately by the writers?). Did she really think she could
evaluate him in such a short time? What else should he have
said? He had no idea where she was coming from. Could he trust
her? I know I'd be very leery if I were in his shoes. As you can
see I'm getting very involved with the characters.
One thing I really like about the show is the continuity of
relationships (not necessarily romantic ones). As much as I am a
big fan of STNG, I found that the lack of relationship continuity
to be a strong failing in STNG episodes. When people work together
for a long period of time, a relationship is built and in B5 it's
an ongoing process. That's really great!
Nora
------------------------------
Date: 18-Feb-96 18:10:26
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: FitzGeralds <103571.3245 at compuserve.com>
Subject: JMS: Ivonova/Bureau 13
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.454504 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.454487 at compuserve.com>
Thanks. Yes, I tend to find *process*...the going from one
state to another, to be interesting. Growth not only provides drama,
it can often produce irony, tragedy, and comedy, and ah *loves* all of
those.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 18-Feb-96 18:00:46
From: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626 at compuserve.com>
To: Wayne A. Hall <74617.217 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Good Grief - DS9
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.454491 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.454311 at compuserve.com>
Wayne,
<JMS sometimes speak with forked tongue. At times he
says he is against comparisons to TRek, then when someone posts
something negative about Trek, he heartily endorses it!>
I'd like you to provide an example of this. In all my
time online with Joe (about 3 years both here and on Genie) I've
rarely seen him say anything derogatory about Trek. Yes, he's
bashed a few particular episodes (and believe me, those episodes
DESERVED it), but in general Joe either says good things about the
show and the people working on it (with the notable exception of
Pillar and Berman, who IMO are ruining Trek), or he ignores it
completely.
Also, don't always equate criticism with bashing. I
criticize Trek a LOT. Most of that comes out of my disappointment
with a show I loved at one time which I feel has fallen down a
black hole of mediocrity (I'm mainly talking about Voyager here,
DS9 has been mostly enjoyable this season). Then I look at B5 and
see characters and a story that I care about more than I EVER did
about ST. I can't help making a comparison. If Joe agrees with
this criticism, he's free to agree. He usually won't bother, so
again, I'd like to see examples of Joe Trek bashing before I buy
your story.
Tom^^^^
Guardian of The Republic
General Pain in the Butt
Ranger
------------------------------
Date: 18-Feb-96 20:12:59
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Good Grief - DS9
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.454582 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.454491 at compuserve.com>
If you're looking for rationality here, save your time; these
are the same two, he and his brother, who *insisted* over on AOL that I
had sent official B5 reps to conventions to bash ST...and when
challenged, backpedaled fast...until finally admitting that they saw a
couple of guys on a panel who'd said bad things about ST, but were in
NO way associated with B5 in ANY official capacity whatsoever. They
basically just made it up.
He just posted a HUGE and *provable* fabrication about DS9's
ratings over on the ST section, and then has the audacity to come here
and say that *I* speak with a forked tongue.
They seem to think that somehow I should prevent B5 fans from
ever saying anything derogatory about ST. I don't have that kind of
control. They said it here again, that I "allow" this behavior. This
is irrational thinking at its finest, that somehow I control or allow
viewers of this or any show to do or say ANYthing. Their attitude is
like a cranky child, "Make 'em stop talking bad about our show!"
Basically, accuracy and the Halls dine at separate tables.
You're making the same mistake I did at first with the Halls...assuming
that you were dealing with sensible individuals interested in the
facts. You're not, and they're not.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 18-Feb-96 19:18:39
From: John M. Kahane <102664.773 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Writing B5
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.454559 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.452137 at compuserve.com>
Hullo, Joe,
> Thanks. And from where I sit -- which is mainly behind my
> keyboard these days -- the idea of being bored is VERY appealing.
I'm not surprised at this. :) The working on BABYLON 5
day in and day out (or at least it seems so to this fan, with the
occasional break, of course) must have been very taxing
Speaking of writing and the like, how is the carpal tunnel
doing right now in your case? It must have been very hectic this
past season, what with doing all the writing of the episodes of
the series and so forth. (Yes, I know there are still two
episodes to come.)
jmk
------------------------------
Date: 18-Feb-96 20:25:10
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: John M. Kahane <102664.773 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Writing B5
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.454598 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.454559 at compuserve.com>
Frankly, the carpal tunnel is not good right now. Yesterday it
shot up from my left elbow to wrist...it's hard to describe unless you
take a shishkabob skewer and drive it from your elbow to your wrist
real fast a few times. Mainly it's a dull but constant
weight/discomfort in the wrists, fingers and forearms; the ring finger
of my right hand is now constantly turned inward...I have to sleep on
it flat under my pillow at nights to straighten it out by morning.
(The left hand just started doing the same thing a few days ago.)
This is the worst part of the year for this, at this point in
the writing. Last year at this time, I had to write 20 minutes, then
ice my arms down for 20 minutes, then write 20, then ice 20. And so
on. The discomfort is pretty chronic now, but not always as acute,
because I'm doing the exercises, and wearing the wrist restraints, and
doing all the things I should be doing.
But the bottom line...to write this season means writing over
1,000 pages of scripts in less than 10 months. Not counting interim
drafts and the like. That's the equivilent of a novel every 5 months.
That's going to take a toll on you no matter what you do. (Dictating
or voice recog doesn't work for me; I write through my fingers.)
When these last two scripts are finished, though, I'll have a
fair amount of time to recuperate before doing it all over again.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 18-Feb-96 20:00:30
From: Michael Beemer <71551.1670 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS!
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.454580 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.454392 at compuserve.com>
Joe,
> Yes, I believe he does write as well, including some Robotech
> stuff.
Er, beg pardon, but what Robotech stuff is there left to
write? As far as I know, the only new Robotech stuff is licenced
comics.
Then again, given my propensity for misquoting authors,
whada I know? g
Mpb.
.from GCP 2.1 [18-Feb-96 21:32]
------------------------------
Date: 18-Feb-96 20:25:14
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Michael Beemer <71551.1670 at compuserve.com>
Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS!
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.454599 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.454580 at compuserve.com>
He's written some of the translated scripts for the animated
series.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 18-Feb-96 20:18:33
From: Daniel M. Upton <75442.1331 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Messages from Earth>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.454587 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.454391 at compuserve.com>
I just want to add my voice to the chorus of praise for this
episode. Everything was just about as perfect as it could be. I
have to wonder how you are going to keep raising the bar. Now for
a question. Does a Shadow ship have only one crewman and can the
"person" leave the ship once he has bonded with it?
One little nit, however. If it is only a two day jump from Earth
to B5 why can't they get eggs to the station before they spoil?
Also eggs freeze nicely when removed from the shell.
Dan^^^^
------------------------------
Date: 18-Feb-96 20:30:29
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Daniel M. Upton <75442.1331 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Messages from Earth>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.454601 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.454587 at compuserve.com>
Basically, it's the cost involved in transporting something as
basically trivial as eggs. Yes, it can be done, but the cost per egg
would be quite substantial, given limited space in ships. Space flight
is still very expensive.
And yes, a shadow vessel has one "core" sentient, and once in,
it's very difficult for that person to ever get out again.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 18-Feb-96 20:45:21
From: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Writing B5
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.454605 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.454598 at compuserve.com>
> But the bottom line...to write this season means writing over
> 1,000 pages of scripts in less than 10 months. Not counting
> interim drafts and the like. That's the equivilent of a novel
> every 5 months. That's going to take a toll on you no matter
> what you do. (Dictating or voice recog doesn't work for me;
> I write through my fingers.)
Have you ever considered speaking as you type. I would think that
you might be able to train yourself to dictate if you did this for
a couple of scripts.
Phil ^^^^ FREE MARS!
------------------------------
Date: 18-Feb-96 22:43:21
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Writing B5
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.454635 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.454605 at compuserve.com>
I'd just distract myself....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 18-Feb-96 21:03:35
From: Alan Katz <74260.3612 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Thought from jms
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.454611 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.454500 at compuserve.com>
Actually, this has been the most consistent season to date.
Although some episodes have been more intense than others, all
have been terrific. You are to be congratulated. When one
considers how rare such consistency is in ANY medium, let alone
episodic TV, that is a truly remarkable accomplishment.
They just damn well better renew B5 for two more years!!
Alan
------------------------------
Date: 18-Feb-96 22:43:21
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Alan Katz <74260.3612 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Thought from jms
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.454636 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.454611 at compuserve.com>
Thanks, we try....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 18-Feb-96 22:43:03
From: Toni Muller <75223.1575 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Messages from Earth<<
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.454634 at compuserve.com>
Masterful episode! My poor husband had to keep listening to me
go, "O, M'gosh, O, M'gosh. This is totally awesome," at every
commercial break.
The first thing that came to mind when Sheridan removed his EA
pin was the scene in down below arranged by Kosh in which Sheridan
gave his pin to the monk for "a moment of perfect beauty." Was
this planned or just one of those things? The symbolism was
great, at any rate.
The CGI shots of the shadow ships were incredible. I got goose
bumps when the camera panned over the Mars landscape to reveal the
half-buried shadow ship. I'm sure the tie-in to the comics will be
appreciated by fans.
The scenes with Zack were well done. I found myself really
rooting for him, saying out loud, "Come on, Zack, choose the right
way." I thought at the end he might remove the NW band, but knew
that was probably too good to be true - at least for now.
Andreas was superb (as always) in his scene with Garibaldi. Will
we learn what he has written during his tenure in prison? And the
way he faded into the shadows during his last line - great shot.
I also like the way you are developing the relationship between
Sheridan and Delenn. It's very realistic and appropriate for the
characters' personalities as well as for the gravity of the
situation in which they find themselves.
And I was struck again by just how perfect Sheridan (and
Boxleitner) are as chief of B5 at this point in history. Sinclair
is not the warrior Sheridan is; Sheridan is perhaps at his best
fighting, in action.
There is much more I could say, but I'm sure others will and I
have to get some sleep. I am totally looking forward to next
week's episode.
Get some sleep yourself!
Toni
------------------------------
Date: 19-Feb-96 00:29:04
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Toni Muller <75223.1575 at compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Messages from Earth<<
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.454667 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.454634 at compuserve.com>
Thanks. Yes, the way Sheridan removes his EA pin here is an
echo, or a shadow, so to speak, of his moment in "Honor." The latter
is meant to sort of indicate what might be ahead for him, what he may
have to do at some point along the line. He has to give up things that
mean something to him. (We'll get more of this philosophy in a few more
eps, I don't want to get too specific here.) Visual foreshadowing.
From here on in, things get very interesting....
jms
------------------------------
End of JMS CIS Digest 18-Feb-96 16:29:42 through 19-Feb-96 00:29:04
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