JMS CIS Digest: 12-Mar-96 14:47:29 through 13-Mar-96 12:28:09 (18 msgs)
John Hardin
jhardin at wolfenet.com
Wed Mar 13 16:10:18 EST 1996
RFC 1153 Digest of messages from
J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
12-Mar-96 14:47:29 through 13-Mar-96 12:28:09 (18 messages)
WARNING: This digest may contain information about episodes
you haven't seen yet. Proceed with caution.
Subjects in digest:
Babylon 5 - Widescreen
Duck food?
Two questions...
Fan Club
8 NEW B5 EPS!
B5 PR
Security Forces again
Question re:First Ones
Other Arc Series
The "whys"
Administrivia:
Last updated Mon Mar 11 9:41:50 PST 1996
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obSpoiler-space...
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Date: 12-Mar-96 14:47:29
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Babylon 5 - Widescreen
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469058 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.468985 at compuserve.com>
No, the report is not correct. Only the 2-hour pilot was
filmed in normal aspect ratio; from day one, the series has been shot
in widescreen format, cropped for current ratios.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 12-Mar-96 13:52:13
From: Mark Sloan <100407.3462 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Duck food?
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469045 at compuserve.com>
Hi, Joe
Did someone once say negotiating with TV executives was "like
being nibbled to death by ducks"? If so, who was it? Have I got
the context right? I believe this remark gave birth to one of my
favourite exchanges between Londo and Vir.
Regards, Mark Sloan
------------------------------
Date: 12-Mar-96 14:47:30
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Mark Sloan <100407.3462 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Duck food?
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469059 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.469045 at compuserve.com>
I think it was Eric Severied of CBS News.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 12-Mar-96 23:50:26
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Two questions...
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469323 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.469094 at compuserve.com>
No, no plans for feeders.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 12-Mar-96 23:50:27
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Fan Club
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469324 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.469103 at compuserve.com>
There's a PO box, which I'll post when we're closer to doing
this.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 12-Mar-96 17:31:02
From: (blocked)
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS!
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469125 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.468202 at compuserve.com>
Glad to hear of the new episodes. I can remember when 39
episodes per season were the norm. (Guess I'm dating mysel!)
<BG> On another note, have you ever kill off a main character in
B5? If not, is that ever a possibilty?
Nora
------------------------------
Date: 12-Mar-96 23:50:30
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS!
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469325 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.469125 at compuserve.com>
Yes, we killed Lt. Keffer, one of our starfury pilot recurring
characters, and killed Talia's primary personality.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 12-Mar-96 18:43:45
From: Cherns Major <75026.3723 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 PR
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469184 at compuserve.com>
> Synopses come from one of two places: 1) a two-page synopsis
> from the studio/network, or 2) scripts provided to TV Guide by
> same.
That's very interesting--thanks. I guess that the publications
like this system because the condensation down to five lines can
make it sound as if the publication's representatives really did
watch the episode in order to write the blurb, especially since
not every publication will use the same words.
However, as this thread (or this branch, anway) started with a
complaint about a spoiler in _TVGuide_, it sounds as if the
publications are left on their own in deciding that revelations
might or might not spoil the viewing experience. I personally
don't mind spoilers, but it sounds as if the system ought to be
amended a bit to allow the studio/network to specify spoiler-type
items that ought not to be revealed in a listing. (Or: might a
synopsis even have some sort of guide for the blurb-writer?--like,
"The unusual thing about this episode is that ------ does -------,
something he/she swore never to do."
On a totally different matter: a day or so after you posted your
reply to my query, I received from two separate people a request
for permission to quote my query to accompany a posting of your
reply on Usenet; it seems that these two guys are totally
dedicated to collecting every word that falls from your fingers,
and giving them the widest possible audience. I can imagine that
this must be a daunting responsibility on your part--or maybe
amusing or maybe irritating. Can you say, "Blessed are the
cheesemakers"? <g> (Later: I see that there has been some
discussion of this.)
Thanks again for your reply. --Howard
------------------------------
Date: 12-Mar-96 23:50:38
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Cherns Major <75026.3723 at compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 PR
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469328 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.469184 at compuserve.com>
No, actually, it's neither annoying nor irritating to have all
my posts archived. For starters, it keeps me honest; I don't think
I've ever been caught out in a major contradiction. It shows the
progression of events, and chronicles how a show is made for
educational purposes.
(Since some are opting out of being reposted, I'm going to try
to make my replies here more reflective, so they can be followed even
without any supporting messages.)
jms
------------------------------
Date: 12-Mar-96 23:50:39
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS!
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469329 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.469221 at compuserve.com>
We knew last year that Kung Fu would only go 4 seasons, as that
was what PTEN needed to make the production worthwhile. 88 episodes is
a good average syndication package.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 12-Mar-96 20:40:22
From: Fred Owens <74051.3602 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Security Forces again
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469252 at compuserve.com>
Joe,
Are the B5 security forces a civilian organization or a military
unit?
Thanx again for your diligence is replying to your fans.
Da Chief -Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.-
- DA Chief (Fred) { 12-Mar-1996 @ 22:01:48 }
------------------------------
Date: 12-Mar-96 23:50:41
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Fred Owens <74051.3602 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Security Forces again
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469330 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.469252 at compuserve.com>
It's regulated as part of the military.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 12-Mar-96 23:50:45
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS!
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469331 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.469255 at compuserve.com>
Thanks, we try to keep it interesting.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 12-Mar-96 21:19:50
From: Andrew Diseker <70714.105 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Question re:First Ones
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469279 at compuserve.com>
Hello, Joe!
I was thinking about the show the other day, I realized that
there seems to be a theme starting to show up: some of the
characters look like they're growing up. For instance,
Lennier and Vir are acting more like equals to Delenn and Londo,
and even G'Kar is more mature, looking to lead the Narn, rather
than seeking personal revenge.
Now, the question is: Just because the "First Ones," Vorlons, and
Shadows are old races, does age necessarily lead to maturity, or
does a race only last to become an old one by becoming mature?
I realize that if I'm way off base, you'll let me know in no
uncertain terms, but if this is an important theme, you'll try to
distract me and the other readers by some inconsequential humorous
Kosh-like statements.
I will consider this being "praised with damned feints."
(I sure hope that wasn't censored)
Andrew Diseker (AKA Captain Nerd)
------------------------------
Date: 12-Mar-96 23:50:46
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Andrew Diseker <70714.105 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Question re:First Ones
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469332 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.469279 at compuserve.com>
A first one is a first one because...well, they're first. But
yes, the characters are growing. Growth and change are at the center
of the show.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 13-Mar-96 12:28:06
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Other Arc Series
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469485 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.469317 at compuserve.com>
I think they have the potential to become very popular, if done
right; if they're treated as novels, which means you're going to be
tied to the quality of the person telling the story. If it's just done
as a gimmick, then arc-series won't hit it. My sense is that since
over the next few years series may end up having shorter runs due to
the massive amount of available programming, why not build it to turn
that to an advantage?
jms
------------------------------
Date: 13-Mar-96 12:28:08
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The "whys"
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469486 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.469318 at compuserve.com>
Well, you've just asked two questions disgused as one; why do
*I* feel I need to tell this story, and why should this story *need* to
be told.
I need to tell this story because it won't let go. The only
way to get rid of it is to tell it. Because I think it may be
important. It needs to be told because I think it has some ideas we
need to hear, and because it's time somebody did a saga like this to
help reinterpret some myths at a time when we very badly need our
myths.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 13-Mar-96 12:28:09
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com>
Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS!
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469487 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.469409 at compuserve.com>
It's too early to tell if the Kung Fu situation will have any
impact on B5.
jms
------------------------------
End of JMS CIS Digest 12-Mar-96 14:47:29 through 13-Mar-96 12:28:09
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