JMS CIS Digest: (Archival) 03-Mar-96 00:02:22 through 15-Mar-96 22:05:28 (162 msgs)
John Hardin
jhardin at wolfenet.com
Sat Mar 16 16:11:45 EST 1996
RFC 1153 Digest of messages from
J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
03-Mar-96 00:02:22 through 15-Mar-96 22:05:28 (162 messages)
WARNING: This digest may contain information about episodes
you haven't seen yet. Proceed with caution.
Subjects in digest:
PoNR-Hague
<Point of No Return>
B5 PR
Deja Vu
Violating Your Privacy
Just wanted to say...
Season 3 and Na'Toth
Prison Authors
Do you want a party???
Bill Mumy on CNBC
<<Point of No Return>>
Shwartzkopff
Fan Club
<PoNR, BAMN>
Earthforce Ship Names
<The last few eps?>
To JMS....WOW!!!!!
General Hague / EA Fleet
"Point of No Return"
PoNR: Zocalo Optics
New episodes
SFX Magazine Awards
Your copyright
<<PoNR>>
When will they be back?
Comic books in U.S.?
Cruisers? (PoNR)
Labor Relations
Demento Half-Dozen
B5 in SciFi Entertainmnt
<Arc answers&questions>
I want a poster
<<<Point of No Return>>
Finished Writing!
JMS Interview
B5 Doors / AI
Evidence of an arc <g>
Kosh in US History
Enjoying Babylon 5
<PoNR> A complaint
The Future of B5
OrganicTechnology
The Ensemble Look
<Tallman Episodes>
<Messages from Earth +>
B5 Security Forces
Thought from jms
B5:Starlog
B5 T-shirts
B5: 5 or 6 years?
Babylon 5 - Widescreen
From jms re:Email
NEW B5 EPS!
Marcon/Columbus Dispatch
Space Cases Thoughts?
Kim Strauss
Grey council,more than..
Starfury Model?
8 NEW B5 EPS!
Two questions...
FoN
Duck food?
Security Forces again
Question re:First Ones
Other Arc Series
The "whys"
Rumor: B-5 canceled?
Jumpgate dimensions
AT on JAG?
YEAR (sing) of shd war..
B5 RPG?
Just a Question
When is.....
character initials
Minbari warrior caste
Minbari Stealth
Administrivia:
(This archival digest covers the period of time when the permissions
procedures and direct submission to multiple mailing lists were being
debugged, and is intended to cover any messages that may have been
inadvertently dropped due to these procedures not being stable.)
Last updated Sat Mar 16 20:31:10 PST 1996
Contact me (John Hardin) at <jhardin at wolfenet.com> with comments
and requests.
JMS has expressed reluctance to answer questions from non-Compuserve
subscribers in the CIS B5 forum. Therefore I will no longer post
questions in the CIS B5 forum on behalf of non-CIS susbcribers. Sorry.
If permission from the author has been received, non-JMS original
posts will be included in this digest. Otherwise they will not. Please
see the copyright notices below.
I am not involved with administration of any mailing lists this digest
appears in. If you have questions about the mailing list, *please* send
them to the mailing list owner. Mailing list owners I am aware of are:
<b5jms-owner at majordomo.cs.columbia.edu> (B5JMS Poster, b5jms)
<judge at america.net> (Dirk A. Loedding, jms-posts)
<kcop-b5-info at babcom.com> (Alan Sheltra, kcop-b5)
Mark Holtz at 1:203/1701 (Mark Holtz, Fidonet B5 echo <mholtz at calweb.com>)
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION - IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ:
The messages in this digest are copyrighted and the rights to them
remain with the original authors. If a message appears in this digest
then I have received permission to repost it to USENET and to mailing
lists. This permission does not automatically transfer to other persons.
Particularly, if this digest is being forwarded to mailing lists, etc.,
then the person doing so must 1) obtain permission to do so from the
original poster of each message on CIS, and 2) *remove* such messages
from the digest until and unless permission is granted. JMS has granted
blanket permission for distribution of his posts.
I suggest mailing list moderators contact me to make arrangements for
me to post the digest directly to their mailing list.
Additionally, the original compilation of these messages is Copyright
Compuserve.
Replies to this digest currently go to me.
This is a minimized digest. The postings being replied to, where
available, have been parsed for questions rather than included
verbatim.
obSpoiler-space...
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 00:02:22
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: PoNR-Hague
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463164 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.462920 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
No, Stephen, you've got that backward. We had booked Foxworth
long in advance. Later, out of the blue, a rep for the actor said that
by accident he'd been double-booked on B5 and DS9 for the same
period...and even though we had prior claim, because the other was a
two-parter, more money, they went for that. One can only wonder when
the other offer *really* came in....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 00:02:25
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Randy Upshaw <75464.1275 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Point of No Return>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463165 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.462743 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
"Even in the USSR the military would not support an attempt of
martial law."
You mean like when Yeltsin called up the military, dissolved
the Senate, and had tanks open fire on the Senate building to keep from
being ousted in a coup...you mean like that?
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 00:02:29
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Randy Upshaw <75464.1275 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Point of No Return>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463166 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.462879 at compuserve.com>
Randy Upshaw <75464.1275 at compuserve.com> asks:
> I don't see that that has anything to do with the b5 story line?
> By the way were are the shadows???
"I don't believe a conservative nightwatch would be tolerated
either."
Senator Joseph McCarthy. The House Un-American Activities
Committee. You can look it up.
Also, there was a PBS documentary this past week on the
blacklist; I suggest that ANYone who thinks we would never fall for
something like the Nightwatch should take a look at it. It makes the
Nightwatch look pale by comparison.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 00:32:49
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Cherns Major <75026.3723 at compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 PR
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463172 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.462978 at compuserve.com>
Cherns Major <75026.3723 at compuserve.com> asks:
> This discussion (about a spoiler for Point of No Return) brings a
> question to my mind: where do TVGuide and other publications get
> their little capsule descriptions, anyway? I don't presume that
> TVGuide has a screening room where they watch all programs that
> will be aired in a month or so, just to come up with little
> five-line descriptions; wouldn't there be some sort of system in
> which the station provides these descriptions along with their
> schedules? And, assuming that stations themselves don't have
> description-writing screening panels (or even advance access, in
> many cases, I imagine), wouldn't these descriptions come from the
> program source itself? Which brings up another question: are
> episode titles usually provided for shows that have them, and why
> aren't these listed? Or am I 'way off track in all this supposing?
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.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 00:32:52
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Cherns Major <75026.3723 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Deja Vu
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463173 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.462980 at compuserve.com>
Cherns Major <75026.3723 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Just out of curiosity, what would be the general time, from story
> inception to broadcast, of a typical 1-hr sf show? So is there a
> rule-of-thumb length of time during which we can assume that plot
> similarities could be attributable to coincidence rather than,
> er, "homage" (to put a nicer face on it than it deserves)? Or is
> script security in the industry so lax that the question is
> irrelevant?
Well, there are a number of factors going into this, including
that as we develop threads over time, they become apparent outside even
before the script appears (as noted by some who've anticipated some
revelations here, in broad strokes).
One other element is that B5 is only able to do what we do on
budget because we prepare a LONG time in advance. We have scripts on
the deck, ready to shoot, 4-6 weeks sometimes before we roll film.
During that time, scripts circulate to agents and others as casting and
other production elements start moving. In many TV shows, the script
often doesn't land on the stage floor until a few days before
filming...in some cases, pages are still landing *as* they're filming.
Once an episode is filmed, a 7 day process, it takes 52 days of
post production before it's ready to air.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 00:32:54
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Violating Your Privacy
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463174 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463000 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
Okay, I *think* I know what that refers to; I wrote a long
message on one of the services about the ratings system, but it's
nothing I saved, I just explained it that one time as best I could.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 00:32:57
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Violating Your Privacy
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463175 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463043 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
Short version: anyone with even minor celebrity -- and there
can be no more minor a celebrity than a producer -- attracts a certain
number of what can only be described as stalkers. Stalkers range from
vaguely annoying to disturbing (and disturbed) individuals. I have
acquired about six or so who are dedicated to one singular goal: trying
to disrupt my life, my career and my show through a constant, chronic
pattern of abuse, insults, outright fabrications, disinformation
campaigns, and innuendo. Six doesn't seem like a lot, and in the
grander scheme, they're irrelevant; on the less grand level, because
they are singularly dedicated to this cause, utterly tireless, they
can, and have, paralyzed whole discussion areas, poisoned topics and
made places on the net unlivable for me and many others.
Several of them, if they were doing via other means -- mail,
phone, in person -- what they are doing on the nets, could easily be
arrested and prosecuted under any of a number of anti-stalking laws,
for creating malicious mischief, character assassination, and other
charges. But the nature of the net makes it easier for these
individuals -- who are basically cowards -- to do what they do with a
relative (though shrinking) degree of impunity.
Their behavior is pathological at best, and it was the exposure
on a daily basis to their virulent pathology, the necessity to respond
each and every day to the next new charge or rumor or lie -- which, if
unanswered, becomes assumed truth on the nets -- that in time drove me
from rastb5. As with most Internet newsgroups, it does not have the
same safeguards against chronic abusive personalities that are present
in CIS, AOL, GEnie and other systems and BBSs across the country.
A number of people who've gotten tired of the chronic abuse of
the system, and each other, recently resolved to try and create a new
moderated group whose purpose would be to ONLY restrict these chronic,
abusive messages from the petty dysfunctional, while allowing a) a full
range of open criticism and language, and b) not in any way affecting
or censoring the original rastb5 area. Any group of people can agree
to come together and form a group of their own, with their own rules,
which others may or may not choose to enter. When and if that group
gets approved, many of the users who left rastb5 will sign on with this
new group, myself included.
(I understand there's a discussion about this issue currently
going on over there, using the words censorship and nightwatch. Which
are loaded terms designed to elicit an emotional response and muddy the
waters. Censorship is enacted against an individual against his or her
will; anyone who joins the moderated newsgroup, should it be approved,
does so knowing the charter of the group, thus expressing a willingness
to go along with that, just as anyone signing on with CIS understands
the general guidelines here. If someone doesn't want to work under
those guidelines, they need not sign on, and hang out in the
unmoderated area. How this relatively simple logic gets muddied is
beyond me.)
In any event, to your question...if any of the less than
rock-solid individuals noted three paragraphs above are asking for your
cooperation, that decision is between you and your conscience.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 00:33:02
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Point of No Return>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463176 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463096 at compuserve.com>
(blocked) asks:
> You've thought of everything, haven't you?
But of course....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 00:33:05
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Just wanted to say...
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463178 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463110 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
Thanks...yes, Marcus does seem to have a way with women of
taste and sensibility....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 00:33:07
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Joe Salemi [ZD Net] <72631.23 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Violating Your Privacy
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463179 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463118 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
Absolutely. You're quite right. The other digest of my
messages is a fine and fair thing, because I've said that my messages
can be reposted anywhere, anytime. It's others who have not given
their permission, and the messages involved, that they may need to be
made aware of. (Darn, ended on a dangling preposition....)
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 00:33:10
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Joe Salemi [ZD Net] <72631.23 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Season 3 and Na'Toth
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463180 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463121 at compuserve.com>
Joe Salemi [ZD Net] <72631.23 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Am I correct in guessing that some of what would have been
> Na'Toth's story moved over to Ta'Lon? Or did you plan on bringing
> him back all along?
I liked Ta'Lon, and definitely wanted to bring him back.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 00:33:11
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Prison Authors
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463181 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463131 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
It's just those darn Narns...politeness isn't easy for some of
them.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 00:33:13
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Ray Pelzer <70475.1263 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Do you want a party???
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463182 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463160 at compuserve.com>
Ray Pelzer <70475.1263 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Remember the stuff about the actual latitude and longitude of
> "Area 51" being burned into the Newton 2.0 operating system, and
> a CIA cryptographer found it, and they pressured Apple to remove
> it from the time zones utility?
How odd that they would be so concerned about a base that, they
say, doesn't even exist....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 01:04:30
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Peter David <72550.2517 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Bill Mumy on CNBC
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463193 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463106 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
BTW, Peter, I happened to catch the episode tonight (though I
missed the opening and about 2-3 minutes at the top). Nicely done. I
still think I preferred the commander from the test episode (now it's
YOUR turn to hear that), but a lot has been improved, particularly the
sets, which are very elaborate and visually interesting. Some fun
writing, good (if somewhat over the top) directing, and the effects
were quite good. This one may actually have some shelf life....
Congratulations. You are now officially a Mogul. Your
certificate of membership should arrive in a few days.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 01:04:31
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Mike Hoffmann <100321.2604 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Violating Your Privacy
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463194 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.462948 at compuserve.com>
Mike Hoffmann <100321.2604 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Is this sudden request related to the events of message abuse?
If Brent Barrett -- not one of the Demento Half-Dozen -- is
asking permission to repost your messages, then he's doing this
properly. So if you don't mind your posts being reposted, by all
means, give permission.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 01:04:32
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <<Point of No Return>>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463195 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463168 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
Good heavens, Karen, there was nothing in your message to be
offended *at*. I took the inquiry at face value, and answered it thus.
Glad you enjoyed "Point." It sets everything up, so we can
knock it all down in "Severed Dreams." Now everyhing I need is right
where I need it to be....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 22:26:49
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Shwartzkopff
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463821 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463170 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
Not that I know of....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 23:06:44
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Automedia, Inc. <70530.2521 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Violating Your Privacy
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463842 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463459 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
Thank you for your forthrightness, and your honesty, and your
dilligence in dealing with the situation. I think your approach is a
good model for anyone in this situation.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 23:06:45
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Violating Your Privacy
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463843 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463280 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
Well said, Cynthia.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 23:06:48
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Violating Your Privacy
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463844 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463345 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
Actually, casual copyright infringement has been dealt with
more and more lately; one of the reason you see precise instructions in
Kinko's Copier locations, and the reason they won't copy a full
manuscript unless you can prove you own it, is because they got hit
bigtime over the issue. It is, as you say, an area which has been dealt
with only casually, but which I suspect is going to get more attention,
particularly as the nets come more fully under the scrutiny of Suits.
(I think I just made an inadvertent pun...)
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 23:06:50
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Violating Your Privacy
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463845 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463288 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
Not per se, but it was interesting nonetheless.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 23:06:52
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Violating Your Privacy
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463846 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463289 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
They do it because they ain't wired up right, Joel....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 23:06:56
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Violating Your Privacy
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463847 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463346 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
Every once in a while, I get something along these lines,
though so far usually it's enough just to tell them to please back off
a little. Their desire is usually well-meaning, just...overly
enthusiastic. For a while, I was getting 7-8 messages a day from a few
different people, in email, asking extremely detailed background
questions, literally dozens at a time, every day. Eventually, I had to
ask some of them to just back away and stop it. So far they have, some
with greater grace than others.
A related problem I have sometimes is that people will send me
email with 5, 8, or 20 questions (literally), each question requiring
an elaborate explanation to be clear. I don't think they understand
the sheer volume of email I get on a daily basis. If a person sends me
one or two questions I can answer fairly briefly, they'll usually get
an answer. If it's something like this, I go into overload, and either
say "sorry" or just don't reply. If I were to engage in that kind of
detailed email correspondence, I'd a) never have time for the show, and
b) 2/3rds of the rest of my email would never get answered. It's hard
to fault them, because it's clear that their messages spring from real
interest in the show. I just think they don't really understand how
*much* email I get on a daily basis. (So in general, if it's a general
question of any sort, from which others might benefit from the answer,
*always* post it publicly instead of emailing it. This also saves me
from having to answer the same question in email 50 times.)
Then there was the one person I told to avoid sending me email
with 15 questions...who solved the problem by sending me 15 emails with
1 question each.....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 23:06:58
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Violating Your Privacy
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463848 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463504 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
For starters, read the message I just left here regarding my
own email. To the question at hand...ask the reposter to please not
repost your messages. From what I saw from Brent, he's a very
reasonable fellow, and will oblige. Anyone else, tell them the same
thing, if that's your decision.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 23:07:01
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Violating Your Privacy
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463849 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463779 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
No, Brent seems okay.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 23:07:03
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Colin Knowles <72152.201 at compuserve.com>
Subject: PoNR-Hague
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463850 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463683 at compuserve.com>
Colin Knowles <72152.201 at compuserve.com> asks:
> can they get away with that?
> Are you considering legal action?
> Or would it just not be worth the trouble and expense?
Nope. There are better ways of handling this. You'll see.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 23:07:04
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Point of No Return>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463851 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463265 at compuserve.com>
(blocked) asks:
> Would you like to borrow our dentist?
I dunno....dunno if I want a funny dentist....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 23:07:07
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Chris Croughton <100014.3217 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Fan Club
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463852 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463356 at compuserve.com>
Chris Croughton <100014.3217 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Is there someone to contact about it (by email, not the WWW which
> is ridiculously slow)?
I imagine we'll have some info on how to deal with this soon;
we're still sussing out all the details.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 23:07:09
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Peter David <72550.2517 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Bill Mumy on CNBC
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463853 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463377 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
It *WAS* the same actor?!
(thud)
I'm astonished....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 23:07:13
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Shawn J Ashe <72460.1762 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <PoNR, BAMN>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463855 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463619 at compuserve.com>
Shawn J Ashe <72460.1762 at compuserve.com> asks:
> I was wondering, was "By Any Means Necessary" meant to foreshadow
> the use of the "chain of command" concept? What's the word on the
> Fan Club/Videos?
We hope to have some more info on the fan club out soon.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 23:07:17
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Earthforce Ship Names
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463856 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463622 at compuserve.com>
(blocked) asks:
> PMFJI, but speaking of names, is it an intentional pun to have
> General Hague's ship named the Alexander?
It was subconscious, but appropos.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 23:07:18
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Timothy C Schell <71174.2414 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <The last few eps?>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463857 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463625 at compuserve.com>
Timothy C Schell <71174.2414 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Was the machine built by the same race as the Machine custodian
> we saw in "A Voice in the Wilderness?" When was the machine
> constructed and is its placement sheer chance? Did Kosh have a
> commanding influence on G'kar's revelation? Some of what G'kar
> said in PONR echoed Kosh's intrusion, but is much of it based on
> G'kar's personal reflections and his scan of Londo?
No, the Epsilon machine wasn't built by the same folks; and
Kosh was the prime mover in G'Kar's revelation.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 23:07:19
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Z. Michael Milutinovic <71532.2231 at compuserve.com>
Subject: To JMS....WOW!!!!!
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463858 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463641 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
Thanks...we try to make it a good ride....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 23:07:23
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: General Hague / EA Fleet
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463859 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463651 at compuserve.com>
(blocked) asks:
> Are these cruisers Agamemnon type?
> Can you please give us all some clarification of the number and
> types of ships used by the EA fleet?
No, most of the cruisers shot down were of the Hyperion class,
slower and not as well equipped as the Omega class destroyers, a la the
Aggy or the Alexander.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 23:07:25
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: "Point of No Return"
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463860 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463652 at compuserve.com>
(blocked) asks:
> How do you do it?
> Do you write them all?
Yes, this season they're all my scripts, though that'll change
next season. How does one do it? Practice. Listening. And you have
to be willing to make a fool of yourself 10 times on the theory that on
the 11th time, you'll do something terrific.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 23:07:25
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Don Crossman <75147.175 at compuserve.com>
Subject: PoNR: Zocalo Optics
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463861 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463656 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
I have no explanation...will go check.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 23:07:28
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Al Lipscomb <75204.2225 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Point of No Return>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463862 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463682 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
Bingo....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 23:07:30
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: William H. DiPaola <76521.1751 at compuserve.com>
Subject: New episodes
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463863 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463795 at compuserve.com>
William H. DiPaola <76521.1751 at compuserve.com> asks:
> BTW, how long is this next string of reruns expected to last?
I suspect it's an automated VO on the station computer; write
them and let them know, and they'll likely change it. (And we get new
eps the week of April 3rd.)
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 23:07:31
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Rick Sharon <76416.2213 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Point of No Return>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463864 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463810 at compuserve.com>
Rick Sharon <76416.2213 at compuserve.com> asks:
> B-/ Reruns after that ending?
> We've been screaming at him all season, it paid off?
Thanks, and the powderkeg smoldering is a good analogy.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 23:24:54
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: SFX Magazine Awards
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463877 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463397 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
"JMS...a great mind and nice people..."
Stop that. I have a reputation to protect, you know.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 03-Mar-96 23:24:55
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: John Hardin <74076.22 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Your copyright
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.463878 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463532 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
Just so we're clear...the problem is primarily with the mailer
set up by the Hall Brothers, who were picking, choosing and editing
threads for the express purpose of providing "ammo" to use by others in
the Let's Get B5 and JMS arena. It's that use that had to be
addressed, and it's spilled over into the other mailers.
The flip side is that this *is* a legitimate issue, and had to
be dealt with one way or another. I would also rather it hadn't come
out in this way, but when the stuff is out there, it has the potential
for misuse; it was inevitable that it would *be* misused...and now it
has. Once again, the Usual Few misuse the system and cause more grief
and emotion in a situation that could've been dealt with differently.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 04-Mar-96 11:26:34
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <<PoNR>>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.464130 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463873 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
Y'know, I think this was one of those subconscious things the
brain does sometimes...I hadn't put it together when I put him on that
ship. It's a sad thing when you can't even trust your own brain
anymore.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 04-Mar-96 11:26:35
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Timothy C Schell <71174.2414 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <The last few eps?>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.464131 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.463910 at compuserve.com>
Timothy C Schell <71174.2414 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Do we ever find out *who* built the Epsilon Machine?
> a Utah producer and playwright who are putting on a play called
> "Star Twek?"
Yeah, I also heard that Paramount sent the US Navy a letter
claiming that they owned the copyright to the term USS Enterprise, and
that the Navy should cease and desist from using that name in future.
The Navy told 'em to stick it where the sun don't shine.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05-Mar-96 00:21:27
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: When will they be back?
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.464662 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.464451 at compuserve.com>
(blocked) asks:
> Draal?
> Talia?
> Talia2?
> Talia95?
> Sebastian?
> Zathras?
> Morden?
> Lady Morella?
> And most importantly, WHERE'S THE FRIGGIN FEEDERS????
You'll see Morden and Zathras before the season is out.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05-Mar-96 00:21:28
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: "Point of No Return"
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.464663 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.464511 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
No, I'm not going anywhere as far as B5 is concerned; we'll
have some freelance scripts coming in in years 4 and 5, but that's just
the same as in years 1 and 2. They'll almost certainly be based on
assigned premises, and in all cases, I rewrite to make sure it all
hangs together.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05-Mar-96 00:21:31
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: John Hardin <74076.22 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Comic books in U.S.?
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.464664 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.464513 at compuserve.com>
John Hardin <74076.22 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Are they only available in the UK/Australia?
Let me try and address a problem I'm having with this question
and the one preceding, both of which are from folks not on CIS. I've
just gotten a number of emails from people saying they have a problem
here, in the sense that they pay CIS for access to this forum, and the
ability to ask questions publicly. To post a number of questions from
people not subscribers on CIS, giving them that ability, bothers some
of the users here who have to pay a subscription for that.
Personally, for me, a question is a question regardless of
source, and thus far, I've answered all questions forwarded from other
services here. It's an awkward situation, because if this were a free
service, as rastb5moderated would be, it doesn't *matter* where the
questions come from, it's all equally free. But I'm sort of "living"
in CIS's house while I'm here, and on a pragmatic level I have to be
considerate of the wishes of the people in whose house I'm hanging out.
Especially the wishes of the other users here. One user put it quite
bluntly: "If they want to ask you questions on CIS, why don't they sign
up and pay the money same as I do? This isn't fair."
So I've been debating what to do about this. My only solution,
poor as it is, is that questions here have to originate here. Once the
moderated group is open, which is free to all, anyone from anywhere can
ask as many questions as they choose, and this won't be an issue. For
now, this seems the only fair solution.
In short, I'd love to answer the forwarded questions, but I
feel I have to be responsive to the wishes of the users here.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05-Mar-96 00:21:34
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: John Hardin <74076.22 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Cruisers? (PoNR)
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.464665 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.464514 at compuserve.com>
John Hardin <74076.22 at compuserve.com> asks:
> So are there two cruisers at large or was "4 of 5" inclusive of
> the Alexander? Were those four cruisers shot down by the Shadows
> or did Earth Force do the dirty work?
Ditto.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05-Mar-96 00:21:36
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: John Hardin <74076.22 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Labor Relations
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.464666 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.464512 at compuserve.com>
John Hardin <74076.22 at compuserve.com> asks:
> The Nightwatch is a problem, sure, but what about the issues of
> B5's overworked and as-yet-Shadow-ignorant workers? (Get the
> feeling I'm pro-union?) And at what point is Sheridan going to
> have to let the people of Babylon 5 know about this Shadow war--
> his own "date which will live in infamy" speech? What can I say?
Ditto.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05-Mar-96 00:21:37
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Demento Half-Dozen
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.464667 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.464587 at compuserve.com>
Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352 at compuserve.com> asks:
> On other matters, is our okay enough to let the neutral reposters
> (Brent & John) to repost our messages? And are the B5 masks
> 800-trekker now has in their catalog the ones you mentioned last
> week?
Not a problem, Kevin. You've usually been quite fair.
(I agree about Penn and Teller...love 'em. They're just nuts.)
I can see no reason not to oblige Brent and John Hardin with
their requests for reposting from my side of it; these are, of course,
issues of privacy, the latitude and longditude of which are
circumscribed by the quiet turning of your own considered conscience.
If you don't mind, then say yes; if you do mind, then say no.
As for the masks, yes, I believe they're the licensed ones from
Ruby.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05-Mar-96 00:21:41
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Ray Pelzer <70475.1263 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <The last few eps?>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.464668 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.464590 at compuserve.com>
Ray Pelzer <70475.1263 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Eh?
> Doesn't "prior use" enter into copyrights like that, regardless
> of whether or not the military is involved?
It ain't an issue of copyright, but of *trademark*, which can
be put on at any time.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05-Mar-96 00:21:43
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Toni Muller <75223.1575 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <<Point of No Return>>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.464669 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.464629 at compuserve.com>
Toni Muller <75223.1575 at compuserve.com> asks:
> When they criticized you for writing all the eps this season, I
> thought, "He's trying to tell a STORY, and who better to tell it
> than its creator?" Is this common for fan-zines (yours is the only
> show for which I've bought such paraphenalia, so I'm a newbie)?
Any time you do something that hasn't been done before, you
will have people jumping on your head out of the near-religious
conviction that they must do so for the good of the commonweal.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05-Mar-96 00:44:52
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 in SciFi Entertainmnt
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.464673 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.464500 at compuserve.com>
(blocked) asks:
> Great quote: Would Andrea Thompson return to B5 as either Talia
> or Control?
There are a number of actors who feel that if they're in a
story, then they should be at the *center* of the story. Andrea seemed
to feel that if she was in an episode, the episode should be about her
character, and was consistently lobbying for this, despite the fact
that it would cut into the arc, and time for the other characters
on-screen. Babylon 5 is an ensemble show; time on screen is determined
by the story, not by whim or personal insistence.
Yes, we used her 8 or 9 times in a given season; but by
contract, we paid her for a full 13 episodes, whether she appeared in
them or not. We were never under any obligation to give her *any*
guarantee; we did so to make her feel comfortable taking on the job.
For the first year he was on the show Jeff Conaway didn't have a
guarantee of episodes; he was used as he was needed, and that grew with
time. Andrea wanted time away from the show to do other projects; we
accommodated where we could, as we do with all our cast members, but if
a request comes in at the last moment, or conflicts with our schedule,
we can't comply. We feel that if we're paying someone a great sum of
money to be available to us, for episodes they may not even appear in,
this is not unreasonable.
Finally, it was never Warner Bros. who hired her or pushed her
on me. WB didn't care one way or another. I was the one who hired her,
with Doug Netter. If I hadn't felt she was right for the role, I
wouldn't have hired her. But I was also under no constraint to make
the show into the Andrea Thompson Show. Andreas and Peter have often
appeared as many times in a season as Andrea, and didn't even *have* a
guarantee for the first two seasons. (Now they do.)
We did what we could to accommodate her without destroying the
story arc. I regret that she has taken out her frustrations in this
way. Either one is a team player, part of an ensemble, or one is not.
We are very proud of the fact that the cast members as they stand now
are all ensemble, team players.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05-Mar-96 00:44:53
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Arc answers&questions>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.464674 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.464601 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
Not bad. Y'know, if I wuz you, I'd send this along to the
rastb5-info group for archiving. Helps to answer the yahoos saying
I've left the arc behind and gone off to Latveria to work for Dr. Doom
or whatever nonsense is being proffered this week....
It still tracks.
Individual threads come and go, but the story still tracks.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05-Mar-96 22:56:13
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: I want a poster
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.465287 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.464780 at compuserve.com>
(blocked) asks:
> Are any B5 posters currently authorized, or are there any plans
> for producing them any time soon? Through the fan club, possibly?
We may do some limited posters for the fan club, yes; that's
all that's on the boards just now.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05-Mar-96 22:56:14
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: John Hardin <74076.22 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Comic books in U.S.?
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.465288 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.464867 at compuserve.com>
John Hardin <74076.22 at compuserve.com> asks (on his own behalf :) :
> However, given this policy, how do you respond to questions
> emailed to your CIS address?
It's an awful bind there as well. Up until now, I've been
responding to most of my email. I guess I consider email different
than a public posting, because anyone can direct email anyone without
having to use an intermediary to post in a forum. And it's a private
communication.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05-Mar-96 22:56:17
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <<<Point of No Return>>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.465289 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.464976 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
I get my drive from Dell Computers. The software comes from
the improper allignment of my grey cells.
And thanks.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05-Mar-96 22:56:20
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Finished Writing!
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.465290 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.464977 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
From your lips to Hugo's ears....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05-Mar-96 22:56:21
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: JMS Interview
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.465291 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.465028 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
I think we're all getting old and cranky.
Goodness knows I am....
Unfortunately, I was also young and cranky.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05-Mar-96 22:56:24
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Comic books in U.S.?
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.465292 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.465077 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
I absolutely agree on just about every count.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05-Mar-96 22:56:26
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 Doors / AI
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.465293 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.465103 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
They will usually open automaticaly (from the inside); from the
outside, you need to use an identicard. If you ask to enter, the
person inside has to give the verbal cue.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05-Mar-96 22:56:27
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Sarah E. Heacock <102412.1400 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Comic books in U.S.?
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.465294 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.465117 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
Yeah...it's a very difficult issue, and one I'm still working
through to find The Right Thing To Do.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05-Mar-96 22:56:30
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Fan Club
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.465295 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.465175 at compuserve.com>
Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Will the fan club have an option for the non-netted?
Yes, the club has to serve netters and non-netters just as
well, or it's organizationally deficient.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 05-Mar-96 22:56:33
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Arc answers&questions>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.465296 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.465228 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
Yes, Lyta was to develop a relationship with the Vorlons from
the start.
Some of Garibaldi's past has caught up with him; there is more
to come.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06-Mar-96 00:07:42
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Evidence of an arc <g>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.465313 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.465281 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
Let me straighten out two issues.
On the Sinclair issue, I have never, at any time, said that the
change was for ratings. When we decided to make that change, WB
indicated that they'd like the next person in that chair to be more
well-known. We had no problem with that, since we were considering
Bruce at that time, as he was someone with whom both Doug Netter and
John Copeland had worked before, and were nuts about.
Re: Pat Tallman and Lyta...after the pilot, we made an offer to
Pat for the series. This is a matter of public record. Pat can verify
this. (Which right there puts the lie to the statement that WB didn't
want her in the series; we *offered* her the series. We couldn't have
made that offer if WB didn't want her there. Pure and simple.) What
happened thereafter was a comedy of errors, with WB playing tough-guy
with *all* the actors agents, and on the other side Pat getting some
bad advice from a manager just brought on (and subsequently let
go)...so that the deadline passed for an acceptance, and we had to move
on. Pat has said this at cons and online many times over the last
several years, long before we ever contacted her again about doing the
show, so there's no need to take my word for this.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06-Mar-96 01:44:02
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Kosh in US History
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.465348 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.465310 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
I think your friend needs two weeks off in the Martian Pleasure
Dome.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06-Mar-96 18:32:44
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Bruno Melancon <102647.3222 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Enjoying Babylon 5
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.465791 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.464128 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
Thanks. I suggest you download Tapcis and use it; it makes
sorting through the threads a lot easier. Welcome to the club.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06-Mar-96 18:32:50
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com>
Subject: PoNR-Hague
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.465793 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.464166 at compuserve.com>
Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Trying to give the guy the benifit of the doubt (he's had a
> pretty damn rough last few months after all), but would it not
> have been professional to at least give you guys a couple of
> scenes to tie up characters threads?
It wasn't workable, due to his schedule.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06-Mar-96 18:32:52
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Violating Your Privacy
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.465794 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.464168 at compuserve.com>
Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Do you think that this is some innocent person that reposted a
> bunch of our material which was then grabbed by the Fullers, or
> is this some twisted scheme?
You must understand that because I'm not on rastb5, my info
comes secondhand. My understanding, from TF's own statements, is that
this last round came about because of a mailer generated by people who
like trying to "mind-phuque" me, of which he is one, and is thus on the
list. (The term is his, cleaned up for cis.)
There are, on the other hand, other lists compiled by people
who're fans of the show, for general information purposes. They should
not be considered in the same way, and as far as I can tell, they are
going to great lengths to do this the right way.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06-Mar-96 18:32:55
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Point of No Return>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.465795 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.464188 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
I disagree. When even Truman was loathe to take on HUAC and
McCarthy, you've got a real problem. You make the impact sound
minimal; but people committed suicide when their careers were ruined by
HUAC and Tailgunner Joe. I personally know writers who were at the top
of their form and their careers who never worked again because they
were blacklisted or greylisted.
It was also the climate created by HUAC that threatened much
more widely than the actions of the committee itself. Take Red
Channels, a sleazy little rag published by the owner of a *SUPERMARKET
CHAIN* in which he listed those he considered -- based on whim or
divine revelation -- reds or sympathetic to reds. Even a publication
like that had tremendous destructive power. I know one of the writers
listed in Red Channels; the networks grey-listed him instantly. It was
*years* before he could work again.
The whole red-baiting hysteria of the 50s came as close to
destroying the American dream as any threatened invasion. If it had
been led by someone a little less self-destructive than McCarthy, I
hate to think what would've happened.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06-Mar-96 18:32:57
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <The last few eps?>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.465796 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.464200 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
I first heard about it at a con, from a member of the crew of
the USS Enterprise. Also, when it happened, it was reported here and
there in a few places.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06-Mar-96 18:33:07
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Brian A. Thomas <75231.1122 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <<Point of No Return>>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.465799 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.464357 at compuserve.com>
Brian A. Thomas <75231.1122 at compuserve.com> asks:
> You were not kidding when you said you were pulling the triggers
> on the guns you set up were you? [Another moment of stunned
> silance] What?! A repeat next?!
> When in May do we get new episodes?
You get new eps in April, the first week, rather than May.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06-Mar-96 18:46:01
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 Doors / AI
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.465804 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.465436 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
You can program in a variety of commands, from OPEN to COME or
YES, though the vaguer the statement, the more probability of a
mistake.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06-Mar-96 18:46:03
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Evidence of an arc <g>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.465805 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.465447 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
"Basically, it was a decision by the WB suits that was mutually
agreed to by all."
Not correct. It was first broached by me, to Michael, for
story reasons; we discussed it, mutually and amicably agreed that this
would work out for both of us, and then confirmed this with WB, to whom
we had indicated we might do this, pending the conversation with
Michael.
There's a long post here that was written by me and archived at
the time; it's in one of the two B5 libraries. It goes into great
detail on the whole thing.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06-Mar-96 18:46:04
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Point of No Return>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.465806 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.465537 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
I appreciate that, thanks.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06-Mar-96 18:46:09
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Fan Club
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.465808 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.465748 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
We have a PO box now, and we'll do ads in magazines and the
like, plus maintaining a convention presence.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06-Mar-96 18:46:10
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 Doors / AI
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.465809 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.465750 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
Yes, there's a sensor device, just as in your local drug
store's automatic doors when you approach.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06-Mar-96 22:42:51
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Evidence of an arc <g>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.465997 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.465862 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
We learn by doing.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 06-Mar-96 22:42:51
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <PoNR> A complaint
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.465998 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.465901 at compuserve.com>
(blocked) asks:
> But where are the true believers?
> PS: Do all Psi Cops have to be so insufferably smug?
> Couldn't you have just one that was likable?
Okay, Greg, you asked for it, you got it...and it'll be in one
of the very first batch of new episodes coming up. I'll narrow it down
to the first four up, to avoid spoilers. But it's there. In spades.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 07-Mar-96 16:06:20
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: William H. DiPaola <76521.1751 at compuserve.com>
Subject: The Future of B5
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.466351 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.466017 at compuserve.com>
William H. DiPaola <76521.1751 at compuserve.com> asks:
> (I wonder if you see where I'm going with this.) Now, being that
> B5 is set to be a 5 year arc, the completion of which will take
> place in year 5, how might we expect to see things taking place
> so far off into the future where the show's setting is concerned?
> Do you plan near the end of the arc to jump the current time line
> ahead twenty or thirty years so that we will get to see what
> happens, or will we be left dangling somehow by events that will
> not unfold?
Well, the odds of a spinoff are few and far between to start
with, so it's probably a moot point. To the other question....
See, this is a puzzlement to me. If I answer your question
about when and how we'll see Londo's future, that ruins the show. This
is the puzzling part...I often get notes saying, "When are we going to
see this happen?" Well, if I were to say, "Okay, you're going to see
G'Kar lose his eye in episode 7 of year 4," then it *completely
eliminates* any surprise, any tension, any shock value to it. I might
as well just not make the episode at that point.
So I have an answer to your question. And we will deal with
this point. But to simply blow it out there would be to destroy the
impact of anything we might have in mind.
It's funny...at conventions, actors get asked "how do you
create this character," when the characters were created by me, and I
get asked to reveal coming plot points that I *can't* reveal without
kicking the props out from under the show. I can talk in general
terms, but anything detailed has to go by the boards.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 07-Mar-96 16:06:33
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Point of No Return>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.466352 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.466167 at compuserve.com>
Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com> asks:
> The *speed* of McCarthy's collapse with the simple words "Have
> you no decency Sir? At long last?"
Yes, but equally dangerous, Phil, is blindness or self-delusion
about real failings and real problems. Each population that marched
off to annhilation under a dictatorship did so convinced that their
values and their morals and their national fabric was supremely strong.
Pride has a tendency to goeth before a fall.
For additional reading check out "The Man Who Corrupted
Hadleyburg." Check out European history. We're not a different species
over here on this side of the atlantic; we're just as capable of being
foxed as the next guy in another country.
And your notion that the government wasn't responsible for what
happened to people during the HUAC period doesn't jibe with the truth.
It was the FBI which contacted networks and asked them for lists of
anyone considered communist; the FBI who suggested there might be
problems unless certain people were removed. It wasn't just people
who'd attended Young Communist meetings who were targeted...it was
anyone who *knew* anyone who'd been at these things, or had in fact
NEVER been to anything like this. People were called before HUAC and
asked to *name names*, and if you didn't, then you were hiding
something, being uncooperative, facing contempt charges, so you named
the names that had been named before, or made up new ones, gave up your
buddies or your co workers, whatever was necessary to keep from being
jailed or fired.
The problem was worse than just "inaccuracy." It was rooted in
meanness and cynicism. I know someone who was asked during the second
World War to make short films for the military and the newsreels, and
to do radio shows, celebrating the US and the Soviet Union working
together to defeat the Nazis. All well and good, right? Well, this
same person, after the war, was grey-listed for having produced
Communist propaganda MADE AT THE REQUEST OF OUR OWN GOVERNMENT at the
time. Meanness. Cynicism.
To be named before HUAC was to instantly get a file at the FBI
in your name. As soon as that happened, you could reliably depend on
having your phone tapped, your business associates would be questioned,
your mail would be intercepted...no, the government didn't say
publicly, "don't hire this person," but when all this starts to happen,
jobs and reputations disappear. People committed suicide over the
destruction of their careers, their *lives* being torn apart. Did
McCarthy pull the trigger? No, but the people he targeted are just as
dead as if he did.
There's the common assumption that one measures the decline of
a democracy in body counts and increasingly inconvenient laws and
regulations. But this is symptom, not cause. Laws follow norms, and
norms follow values in the political food chain. And the values of
HUAC were the values of terror, and spying on your neighbor, and
looking for the enemy beneath bedsheets. A democracy, ANY democracy,
is based first and foremost on the notion of trust, however flawed,
that the person beside you, however different his specific beliefs may
be from your own, nonetheless hews to the same notions of liberty, and
that when push comes to shove, you will be wiling to lay down your
life to protect that person's rights. Take that away in a paroxysm of
paranoia, distrust, conspiracies, hearings and vague accusations, and
everything else falls apart. The center does not hold.
To question ourselves is not to weaken our democracy, but to
strengthen it, because we know precisely what we believe and why we
believe it; we're not victims if we learn from our mistakes and thus
fail to repeat them. If we *deny* our mistakes, or try to bury them,
or rationalize them, then we create the potential for trouble. We are
at our most vulnerable when we are the most self-congratulatory and
assured. Because then we get blindsided.
"Fact is, the Red Scare tended to get two specific (and fairly
small) groups of people, Hollywood actors, writers and executives, and
people affiliated with Democratic institutions."
Yes, and the Nazis tended to get two specific (and fairly
small) groups of people, jews and communists. So I guess that's okay
too.
Any attempt at repression *always* starts by first targeting
artists, writers, and intellectuals, the ones in a position to
verbalize and explain why what's happening is *wrong*. You want to
eliminate, neutralize or destroy their credibility. This is standard
operating procedure. That's where it starts, but not always where it
ends. To assume that because we've always caught it before means we
always *will* is, again, to set yourself up for a fall.
The manipulators always go after an easily identifiable group
first, one which they can easily tar with the brush of responsibility
for society's problems. We're seeing it again today, writ smaller, in
the constant and repeated assaults on Hollywood...attacking the
*picture* of the problem rather than the problem itself.
Again, you demonstrate the problem. "Well, it's just these two
small groups, really." Then it becomes three groups. Then four. Or
you just stay with the two groups...and you harrass, chivvy, destroy,
terrorize, humiliate, bankrupt and ultimately lead to the death of many
of them. But as long as it's just a couple of small groups, it's not
that bad, really.
"Every man's death diminishes me. So ask not for whom the bell
tolls. It tolls for thee."
I'd also point out that when HUAC started, it was as the result
of accusations that there were commies in the Military and the
Pentagon; but when they found that they could get on TeeVee and the
Newsreels by bringing in actors...that's what they did. What does it
do to a nation starstruck by actors to see these same shining examples
of the American dream standing before the cameras and naming names of
other actors, business associates, others? You speak of the values of
a nation...what effect does that have on our values? What *are* our
values if we allow this to take place...or dismiss it after the fact as
having hurt only a few people, really.
It did great harm to the fabric of the nation, not in fines or
jail sentences, but in the *heart* of the nation, the way we look to
one another. Its effects reverberated long after the HUAC hearings
stopped. It bred a level of paranoia that when the youth culture of
the 60s began to pop up, many of them were instantly categorized as
commies; "Go back to russia where you came from" was a common cry to
longhairs in that time. Because to dissent was unpatriotic; the only
ones who attacked the government were the commies, end of discussion.
The parents of kids who were teenagers in the 60s had come through
McCarthy, had learned the wrong lessons of citizenship.
No executions? Perhaps Julies and Ethel Rosenberg had some
part in spying, maybe they didn't, I don't know if we'll ever know for
sure. But the Russians were working on a-bomb technology long before,
and records show that they got it pretty much on their own. They were
executed as part of the hysteria of the times, their trial a rush to
judgment.
No, we're not so weak a nation that McCarthy himself can
destroy it; WE destroy it, if we allow ourselves to be convinced to
turn one another in, to have the heart and soul of the nation sold out
to terror and paranoia. Every nation has within its breast the seeds of
its own destruction, within its own population; what some individuals
do is water that seed, and fertilize it. If it grows, it grows in us.
They don't do it to us, we do it to ourselves. And given the right
conditions, the right environment, the right soil...we could do it.
Even here.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 07-Mar-96 16:06:38
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Chris Land <101636.1572 at compuserve.com>
Subject: OrganicTechnology
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.466353 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.466201 at compuserve.com>
Chris Land <101636.1572 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Who has it?
> The Minbari?
> Am I right?
Vorlons and shadows both have organic tech, yes.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 07-Mar-96 16:06:39
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Bruno Melancon <102647.3222 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Enjoying Babylon 5
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.466354 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.466261 at compuserve.com>
Bruno Melancon <102647.3222 at compuserve.com> asks:
> 2 questions: 1) What does "3 first acts" mean?
> 2) When does your script begins?
> It seemed six years after the War, but since the last TV show
> doesn't end with an armistice, how did you approach the beginning
> of your show?
The last V movie ended with the armistice, as I recall; and 3
acts means the 3 dramatic sections between commercials.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 07-Mar-96 16:13:55
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The Ensemble Look
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.466355 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.466065 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
Then you needn't worry. We have no plans to begin adding any
more recurring characters at this point; we have all we need. And, in
fact, may start to lose a few of them in the fairly near future. War
is hell, you know.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 08-Mar-96 23:42:02
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: John M. Kahane <102664.773 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Tallman Episodes>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467184 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.466474 at compuserve.com>
John M. Kahane <102664.773 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Can you tell us what episodes she'll be appearing in for the
> remainder of the third season, if any?
She's also in "Walkabout" this season.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 08-Mar-96 23:42:02
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Violating Your Privacy
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467185 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.466597 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
Thanks. If one watches the show "religiously," does that mean
one must angle the TV so one faces Mecca, or is simple genuflection
sufficient?
jms
------------------------------
Date: 08-Mar-96 23:42:05
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: William H. DiPaola <76521.1751 at compuserve.com>
Subject: The Future of B5
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467186 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.466659 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
Then let me put it as straightforwardly as possible: I *hate*
loose ends, and thus the odds of very many things left dangling at the
end of the story are fairly small.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09-Mar-96 00:20:49
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Fan Club
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467192 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.466580 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
We'll give the info out when we've settled for sure on what
we're going to be charging, and offering, for the club. (Unlike some
clubs, which charge as much as $20 or more, we're trying to keep it
down to something a little more reasonable, to keep it more accessible
to people.)
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09-Mar-96 00:20:49
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The Ensemble Look
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467193 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.466696 at compuserve.com>
(blocked) asks:
> So this would be a bad time to set-up as a life insurance
> salesman on B5?
The key to writing an ensemble show is to use those characters
that serve the story, and for no other reason, not becuase you think
they should get more on-air time for egos or any other rationale.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09-Mar-96 00:20:52
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The Ensemble Look
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467194 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.466939 at compuserve.com>
(blocked) asks:
> I noticed a post stating that you and Walter Koenig were going to
> appear at Chicago Comicon; can you confirm that yet?
Yes, Walter Koenig, Harlan Ellison and I will *all* be at
Chicago ComicCon. This should be most interesting....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09-Mar-96 00:20:56
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: John M. Kahane <102664.773 at compuserve.com>
Subject: The Ensemble Look
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467195 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.467081 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
"We care what happens to these people and aliens."
Which is essential, whatever happens. If something happens to
someone, and you don't care for the character, it's meaningless.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09-Mar-96 00:20:56
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Mike Hoffmann <100321.2604 at compuserve.com>
Subject: The Ensemble Look
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467196 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.467106 at compuserve.com>
Mike Hoffmann <100321.2604 at compuserve.com> asks:
> But where does that leave Jerry Doyle?
> Can I offer you my life instead?
No, Jerry's great to work with, there hasn't been a problem.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09-Mar-96 00:21:00
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The Future of B5
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467197 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.466735 at compuserve.com>
(blocked) asks:
> How DO you create a character like Delenn?
> How DID you create Delenn?
As with any character I create, I tend to peel off a small
piece of myself to make the core of it. There are certain aspects of
me scattered in all the B5 characters, Delenn in particular. Then you
start adding elements that seem to shore up those traits. For Delenn I
pulled in some aspects of Zen mysticism, Japanese culture, certain
Moslem influences in government and culture (minbar is the name for the
pulpit in a mosque)...next comes the layering of history, where she
came from, who her parents were, what happened to them (which, btw,
you'll hear this season)...where she was when the war started, what she
felt about it, what she did at the time, what happened later....
Our personalities are formed in large measure by our history,
what we have seen and done and learned. Once you have all those
details, you're a long way toward building the character. A character
is like a well-reared child, it has aspects of its parents, but is more
than just a reflection, and forms its own life after a while.
The final element comes in when you have an actor in the role,
and you look at the actor and the character and try to merge them, so
the truth of the person behind the name becomes the truth of the
character. For Mira, that meant hitting those aspects of Minbari
culture which I knew would resonate with her background from the former
Yugoslavia. I know that if I put her in the middle of a scene in which
she has to deal with her government unraveling, what the actor felt
when the real thing began to happen will seep out, whether it's wanted
or not. Is it manipulative of the actor? Absolutely. Several of the
actors have come to me and noted that the character is hitting
something that's very close to them, and how did I know to hit them
with this? Half of being a writer is observation.
It's the same reason I assigned David Gerrold to write
"Believers," even though he couldn't at first figure out why he, mainly
noted for his light comic work, would be given this heavy dramatic
story...until he was well into it, and -- having just adopted a young
boy -- had to go through the emotional turmoil I wanted those parents
to go through.
You have to be part oracle, part counselor, part parent, part
boss and partly mad to make this show work....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09-Mar-96 00:21:03
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com>
Subject: The Future of B5
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467198 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.466755 at compuserve.com>
Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Is it safe to say that one day we *will* see a resoution of the
> Londo-G'Kar thread that will dispose of the dream in *some
> manner*, even if that is Londo doing something that makes that
> unlikely to happen?
But of course....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09-Mar-96 00:21:07
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Enjoying Babylon 5
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467199 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.466754 at compuserve.com>
Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com> asks:
> So this would have been made *instead* of the *amazingly*
> pathetic series?
This would've followed the last version, and have been truer to
the original miniseries.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09-Mar-96 00:21:11
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Pete Weidner <73670.2317 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Messages from Earth +>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467201 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.466793 at compuserve.com>
Pete Weidner <73670.2317 at compuserve.com> asks:
> So how come all of a sudden we can track them?"
> How can this be?
It can be for a number of reasons. The White Star was moving
through a highly charged atmosphere, which would leave detectable
trails; it was being fired at by the shadow vessel, which would've
attracted considerable attention from the flares; diving at that speed
and coming back up there would be considerble heat on the surface of
the ship (not normally a problem in space); and it was pretty much
shaken up/partially damaged during the fight. Also, at that range,
once you're near enough, you can pick it up visually as it gets close;
it's not a cloaking system, only a stealth system.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09-Mar-96 00:21:14
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Pete Weidner <73670.2317 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Messages from Earth +>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467202 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.466793 at compuserve.com>
Pete Weidner <73670.2317 at compuserve.com> asks:
> So how come all of a sudden we can track them?"
> How can this be?
The Agamemnon was not IN the Minbari war; as established in the
show, it was one of the first of the Omega class destroyers constructed
AFTER the war. It's a *very* impressive battleship, as shown in its
battle against the Streib.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09-Mar-96 00:21:17
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Lee McNeil <101611.1440 at compuserve.com>
Subject: OrganicTechnology
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467203 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.466847 at compuserve.com>
Lee McNeil <101611.1440 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Is the WhiteStar ALL organic or only PART organic and part
> metalic ? And also the race that comes to B5 in the episode No.12,
> "Acts Of Sacrifice" in season 2, The Nulami, do they have organic
> technology and and are they going to make an appearance in the
> Great War ?
The Lumati don't have organic tech; and a ship using this tech
would be a combination of the two, using organic components for certain
specific tasks.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09-Mar-96 00:21:20
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Fred Owens <74051.3602 at compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Security Forces
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467205 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.467011 at compuserve.com>
Fred Owens <74051.3602 at compuserve.com> asks:
> For the record, what is the status of the security forces on B5?
> Are they EA or are they rent-a-cops hired by Sinclair to manage
> his security when he took over due to the problems on the other B
> stations?
No, they're attached to the Earth Alliance and responsive to
those commands.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09-Mar-96 00:21:23
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Blaine Jack <103333.304 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Thought from jms
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467206 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.467164 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
Thanks...and yes, a saga is just what I have in mind....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09-Mar-96 00:41:21
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5:Starlog
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467213 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.466783 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
"Everybody involved in B5 is in it for the money."
Y'know, this with some of your other comments here -- using the
old canard of dismissing anyone who disagrees with you as "worshipping"
someone who creates or does a TV show -- amounts to some of the most
cynical crap I've seen in a long time.
Here's a little revelation for you: Before doing B5, I was a
writer producer on MURDER, SHE WROTE. A top-ten (sometimes even top 5)
rated megahit for CBS, with extremely high visibility. I resigned M,SW
to take on the reins of a syndicated series, which pays me HALF WHAT I
EARNED WHEN I WAS ON M,SW. Not only is my producer's fee half what it
was when I was at the network, the scripts fees are ALSO far
less...about $15,000 as compared to $24,000 for a network script. The
residuals are lower in syndication, the publicity budget is less,
people pay less attention to you in town.
Now...why don't you just sit down and do the math, and poke
your head out of your butt long enough to consider that maybe, MAYBE,
some people do something because they're motivated by something other
than just being in it "for the money." If I were "in it for the
money," I would've stayed with a hit network series for major bucks.
If I were "in it for the money" I'd be pushing for more merchandising,
I'd *NEVER* have set a ceiling of 5 years on the show, and I'd
certainly never want to get away from TV and go back to writing novels
when this is all over, since books pay a fraction of TV.
It's truly sad to see the world through your eyes, in which no
one does anything for reasons other than THE BUCKS...no story wanting
to be told, no art, no music, no committment, nothing other than sheer,
naked greed.
Do not mistake cynicism for open-mindedness. Yours is just
another form of prejudice. One can be just as close-minded by assuming
the worst of others as by (to use your term) "worshipping."
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09-Mar-96 17:28:19
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: William H. DiPaola <76521.1751 at compuserve.com>
Subject: The Future of B5
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467513 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.467187 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
No offense was taken; I was just trying to be clear; it was an
important question, and I wanted to get across how strongly I felt on
it.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09-Mar-96 17:28:19
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 T-shirts
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467514 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.467261 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
If they're from All-U or Creation, they're legit; if not, not.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 09-Mar-96 17:28:22
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Bruno Melancon <102647.3222 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Enjoying Babylon 5
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467515 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.467366 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
Problem isn't WB, it's the shrinking syndication marketplace
that's making it more difficult for shows not affiliated with one of
the webs or weblets to find a home.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10-Mar-96 02:13:09
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: dianne k. <103234.3341 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Thought from jms
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467728 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.467662 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
Thanks. As for the script book, a new and expanded edition will
finally be coming out this Fall, totally rewritten and expanded (by
100,000 words), with new chapters and info.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10-Mar-96 15:08:28
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Mark Sloan <100407.3462 at compuserve.com>
Subject: B5: 5 or 6 years?
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467954 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.467761 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
A stand-alone TV movie really can't be an arc in the same sense
as a season of the show. So I can't really consider it "a year." A
year of story time equals one year of real time. That's the five year
arc, which refers to the *series*, to that specific one-to-one ratio.
The movie I've always considered to be a preface, or introduction...The
Hobbit, if you will, to The Lord of the Rings. If it were going to a
sixth year arc, then it should've covered a span of a year; but it only
covered a few days.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10-Mar-96 15:08:30
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Fan Club
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467955 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.467835 at compuserve.com>
(blocked) asks:
> Are you going to have some sort of "Charter Membership" for those
> of us who are standing in line on day one?
One of the things we'll be offering for the first 100 signups,
when the details are announced, are full-color decals/stickers of the
*alternate* B5 logo designed by Peter Ledger, never actually used in
the show. These are from my own personal collection of stuff we did
during the development period. We're still looking into what else can
be included for those first in line.
What we're also going to do is to offer the first two issues of
the B5 newsletter free to those who signed onto the original
newsletter, which was going to run for only 5 issues, and stopped at
#3. This way everyone gets their full money's worth.
(The other day I suggested that we start the newsletter with
volume 5, on the theory that volumes 1-3 were destroyed or sabotaged at
the printer's, and volume 4 vanished mysteriously....)
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10-Mar-96 15:08:33
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com>
Subject: B5:Starlog
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467956 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.467872 at compuserve.com>
Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com> asks:
> How many years did you have to worry about where the next meal
> was comming from, and how many times did your *mind* tell you
> that you were an idiot for trying to be a writer instead of
> getting a "straight" job, while your heart wouldn't let you try
> something else?
Quite true. During the period where I was working to break in
as a writer, I earned maybe $3,000 a year tops. I used my little
income to buy writing supplies instead of food...at one point, at 6'4"
I was down to about 155 pounds. Maybe a bit less. I was getting by on
beef jerky and soda because I couldn't afford real food. (Water
would've been cheaper than soda, but I needed the sugar rush to get my
energy level up enough to write; with the result that by the time I
crashed at night I had the shakes from lack of food and the sudden
sugar drop.)
Everyone told me to forget it, to take a regular job, and let
the writing wait. But I knew that if I did this...I'd never get out.
It was all or nothing.
So yeah, I paid my dues. And then some. And if you pay your
dues, and you work hard, and you keep to your vision, and you have
something roughly resembling talent...sometimes things work out. They
did.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10-Mar-96 15:08:36
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Enjoying Babylon 5
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467957 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.467877 at compuserve.com>
Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Incidently, was it in response to this submission that the
> infamous "If we give the SF fans rayguns and spaceships the'll
> show up" comment was made?
No, that comment came when I was still a reporter with the
late, lamented LA Herald Examiner, when the V series was still in
production, by one of the producers of the series.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10-Mar-96 15:08:39
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Darran Williams <101656.2143 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Babylon 5 - Widescreen
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467958 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.467916 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
Haven't heard what the disposition is yet on C4 re: widescreen
or regular.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10-Mar-96 15:08:42
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 T-shirts
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.467959 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.467921 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
Then they're *definitely* not legit.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10-Mar-96 19:24:19
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: All
Subject: From jms re:Email
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.468096 at compuserve.com>
Every once in a while I have to put this out as an FYI, so
those of you who know the routine, stand down...the rest of
you...c'mere, Unca Straczynski wants a word with you.
From time to time, my personal email mailbox begins to fill up
with questions that really should be asked in public forums, and which
require lengthy, in-depth explanations. (One such today asked me to
explain, in detail, the military hierarchy of Earthforce, relative
strengths of ships, on and on and on. In itself, not a bad
question...but asked in email, that means that I have to answer the
same thing for the next guy who asks, on and on and on.)
I can't get into detailed, exhaustive discussions of the plot
or story or characters *in private email*. If your question is a good
or a valid one, it should be posted in a public forum, so that others
can benefit from the answer. Otherwise either I end up writing pages
of information over and over again, and nobody else gets the
information, or I just decline to answer the question.
The *only* reason for using email is if it's a personal or a
confidential question, or something you don't want to say on the nets
for whatever reason. Please help me to keep my head above water by not
using email unless there's a valid reason for it.
If there *is* something you need to express in email, please
use the genie address (straczynski at genie.geis.com) instead of the
compuserve address, because the CIS emailbox can only hold 100 letters
at a time; any more than that which arrive get bumped and sent back or
deleted. I lost an important piece of email regarding B5 business
today because it got shoved out by a letter asking me to explain the
differences in organization and accountability to oders between the
religious and military castes of Minbari.
Bear in mind that with CTS, it *hurts* to type. The more I
type, the more it hurts. (Please don't send me any more info on CTS,
btw...I have all the available information on CTS, more than most
doctors right now, and to type a thank you note for each one that comes
in just makes the problem worse.) If a question needs answering,
better if I can answer it once, so everyone can see it, than 15 times
for one person at a time. Every keystroke you see from me comes with
discomfort.
Please try and use the email address(es) only if there's a
valid reason for it; otherwise, let others benefit from the sharpness
and quality of your question by asking it publicly.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10-Mar-96 22:44:30
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: [F] ALL
Subject: NEW B5 EPS!
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.468202 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.8 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
Good news. We've finally convinced Warner Bros./PTEN to go
with eight new episodes in a row, starting the first week of April.
The new schedule, which just went out via fax to the stations today, is
as follows:
So here now is the revised schedule:
NEW EPISODES:
2/12 EXOGENESIS
2/19 MESSAGES FROM EARTH
2/26 POINT OF NO RETURN (w/Majel Barrett)
RERUNS:
3/4 FALL OF NIGHT
3/11 THERE ALL THE HONOR LIES
3/18 AND NOW FOR A WORD
3/25 IN THE SHADOW OF Z'HA'DUM
NEW EPISODES:
4/1 SEVERED DREAMS
4/8 CEREMONIES OF LIGHT AND DARK
4/15 SIC TRANSIT VIR
4/22 A LATE DELIVERY FROM AVALON (w/Michael York)
4/29 SHIP OF TEARS (w/Walter Koenig)
5/6 INTERLUDES AND EXAMINATIONS
5/13 WAR WITHOUT END: PART ONE (w/Michael O'Hare)
5/20 WAR WITHOUT END: PART TWO
We're now in the process of working to get 2 new episodes in
July, so there are only 3 left for October. Even so, we're very
excited to get a chance to show eight episodes in a row, building up to
the end of the May sweeps with our big two-parter.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10-Mar-96 23:28:45
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Marcon/Columbus Dispatch
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.468233 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.468126 at compuserve.com>
Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Is this for real, or just Netrumor?
Yes, as of this point, I'll be at Marcon with Richard, that's
correct.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10-Mar-96 23:28:49
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Space Cases Thoughts?
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.468235 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.468151 at compuserve.com>
Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Any thoughts on your next step in this in-joke-a-thon?
> Will you wait for Peter to do a year 4 script, or might something
> crop up this year?
I haven't yet decided...though I have some ideas...and a few of
them are *real* doozies.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 10-Mar-96 23:36:11
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5:Starlog
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.468236 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.468133 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
We've always done everything in our power to assist our actors
in taking outside work when they're not needed in the show. We let
Stephen Furst out of his contract enough to do "Misery Loves Company"
for Fox, and rearranged our shooting schedule days to accommodate him;
ditto when Peter Jurasik wanted time off to do "The Late Shift," and
Andreas when he wanted to do a recent movie project.
The key is that we need *advance word* on these things; then we
can adjust the scripts and schedules. If someone comes to us at the
last minute, we can't do much about that.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11-Mar-96 14:33:00
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Fan Club
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.468522 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.468299 at compuserve.com>
(blocked) asks:
> Are you assembling a mailing list from people who write the PO
> box now?
There's a mailing list being put together, yes, but what'll
count is when the actual checks arrive, and we haven't released the
figure yet. BTW, we also plan to offer fan club members a 10% discount
on all B5 merchandise produced by the club.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11-Mar-96 14:33:02
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Fredericka Meiners <74014.2707 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Point of No Return>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.468523 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.468309 at compuserve.com>
Fredericka Meiners <74014.2707 at compuserve.com> asks:
> On a slightly different but related topic, could you tell us how
> the EA government is set up? Is there a written constitution?
> What happened to the idea of a "lower house?"
> Did it go by the wayside when the EA was established?
Thanks.
There's not a lower house in the EA, in the sense that each
nation/state has its own various houses, and its own leader, but that
leader is also part of the EA senate. One per nation/state. Each
nation/state has its own constitution, but must not contravene the
larger principles of the EA constitution.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11-Mar-96 14:33:03
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Ruth Spradlin <73477.3155 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Kim Strauss
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.468524 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.468314 at compuserve.com>
Ruth Spradlin <73477.3155 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Could this be the same Kim Strauss who portrays all those Markabs
> and Narns, and my personal favorite the Green Drazi?
Dunno, but I'll find out.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11-Mar-96 14:33:05
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Space Cases Thoughts?
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.468525 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.468328 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
Oh, I have no intention of writing for the show...but the ball
is in my corner now, and I have to return it somehow.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11-Mar-96 14:33:07
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Space Cases Thoughts?
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.468526 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.468385 at compuserve.com>
Tom Knudsen <72347.1626 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Is this a trend you expect to see continue in the future?
We're ahead of our time, and forging a new way of doing TV, no
question.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 11-Mar-96 14:33:09
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Lee McNeil <101611.1440 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Grey council,more than..
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.468527 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.468407 at compuserve.com>
Lee McNeil <101611.1440 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Anyone else think that this might be refering to the Shadows and
> the Vorlons? Any comments ?
All I can say is...not bad.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 12-Mar-96 00:36:18
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Starfury Model?
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.468861 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.468635 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
Yeah, send me a copy. I think these are the same guys we've
already targeted, but it never hurts to be sure.
We shut them down as soon as we hear about them.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 12-Mar-96 00:36:18
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS!
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.468862 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.468675 at compuserve.com>
(blocked) asks:
> Has he been on before?
York's a major film actor who's starred in many films,
including one of my personal favorites, "Cabaret." Also in the
"Logan's Run" movie.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 12-Mar-96 00:36:25
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Two questions...
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.468864 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.468691 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
The Playgirl with Biggs is out now here in the states; I don't
know the issue date offhand, but it came out a couple/three weeks ago.
It's only a one-page or so item.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 12-Mar-96 00:36:26
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Sarah E. Heacock <102412.1400 at compuserve.com>
Subject: From jms re:Email
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.468865 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.468705 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
That's true, but only until the moderated groups is up and
running, which I hope is soon, then all internet folks will continue to
have free access.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 12-Mar-96 00:36:32
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: FoN
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.468867 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.468813 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
Thanks. Yes, the show (and individual episodes) takes on a
different sense the more you watch it, and can look back. It's fun....
jms
------------------------------
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>
(blocked) asks:
> Is this true ?
> It seems unlikely that the UK video releases of season two will
> be in WS should I wait around to see if there will be Laser Discs
> or fanclub videos for S2 ?
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 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>
Mark Sloan <100407.3462 at compuserve.com> asks:
> 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 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>
{original post unavailable}
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>
{original post unavailable}
There's a PO box, which I'll post when we're closer to doing
this.
jms
------------------------------
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>
(blocked) asks:
> (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?
Yes, we killed Lt. Keffer, one of our starfury pilot recurring
characters, and killed Talia's primary personality.
jms
------------------------------
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>
Cherns Major <75026.3723 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Can you say, "Blessed are the cheesemakers"?
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: David Scarpa <73672.2136 at compuserve.com>
Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS!
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469329 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.469221 at compuserve.com>
David Scarpa <73672.2136 at compuserve.com> asks:
> How will the cancellation of Kung Fu affect B5 ?
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 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>
Fred Owens <74051.3602 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Are the B5 security forces a civilian organization or a military
> unit?
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>
{original post had no questions}
Thanks, we try to keep it interesting.
jms
------------------------------
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>
Andrew Diseker <70714.105 at compuserve.com> asks:
> 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?
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>
{original post unavailable}
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>
{original post unavailable}
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>
{original post unavailable}
It's too early to tell if the Kung Fu situation will have any
impact on B5.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 13-Mar-96 22:57:24
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Rumor: B-5 canceled?
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469727 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.469204 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
Yes, as I recall, last May we were told that year four would
almost certainly be the last for Kung Fu. Which is no secret; all
parties pretty much knew that going into the renewal period.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 14-Mar-96 00:09:30
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Arwel Parry <100336.623 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Jumpgate dimensions
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469735 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.469509 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
They're pretty big...but because they're not anchored, they can
(and do) move apart to accommodate larger ships when necessary.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 14-Mar-96 00:09:32
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Theo Thourson <73214.2131 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Other Arc Series
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469736 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.469512 at compuserve.com>
Theo Thourson <73214.2131 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Have you considered doing another series after Babylon 5's run,
> and after you've had a long vacation <G>?
If B5 goes its full five years, I think I'd probably prefer to
get out of TV and go back to writing novels and plays.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 14-Mar-96 00:09:33
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com>
Subject: The "whys"
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469737 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.469517 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
Of course, there are many who don't see such people in a Good
Light; even Washington had people out smearing his name every day
(which, among more altruistic reasons, was why he didn't want to stay
in charge forever). We are never so greatly appreciated as when we're
safely and conveniently deceased.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 14-Mar-96 00:09:40
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: AT on JAG?
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469739 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.469668 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
I have no idea what Andrea's going to be doing, or how much.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 14-Mar-96 00:09:41
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Blaine Jack <103333.304 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Thought from jms
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469740 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.469702 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
Thanks....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 14-Mar-96 12:05:16
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Jumpgate dimensions
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469903 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.469831 at compuserve.com>
Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com> asks:
> I mean, everyone knows how to build 'em, and pretty well how they
> work, but *everybody* bough plans for the things and they haven't
> changed in the whole history of the galaxy?
Yeah, generally, the tech is pretty standard, and universal, so
you don't get a lot of variation with jump gates.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 14-Mar-96 12:12:03
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Laurence Moroney <100546.50 at compuserve.com>
Subject: YEAR (sing) of shd war..
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.469908 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.469769 at compuserve.com>
Laurence Moroney <100546.50 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Does that mean it ends this season?
> What happens then to years 4 and 5?
I think it's fair to say that the shadow war will drag on into
at least a portion of the fourth season.
Bear in mind that in the first season, we didn't even know the
shadows *existed* until it was almost over. This is more than just the
story of this particular war.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 15-Mar-96 00:15:24
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: TJG Hamshere <101351.3145 at compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 RPG?
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.470288 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.469921 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
Nope, the time I spend here is on my own dime in terms of time
invested. Wouldn't have it any other way.
And yes, there will be a B5 rpg coming out later this year, and
yes, as with all licensed B5 products, I'll be involved in the
development process.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 15-Mar-96 00:15:26
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Theo Thourson <73214.2131 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Other Arc Series
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.470289 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.470104 at compuserve.com>
Theo Thourson <73214.2131 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Full length or one act?
I tend to write both full-length and one-act plays, depending
on the requirements of the topic. I've had about a dozen produced (a
mix of both lengths), and one published (and no, I won't tell you
where, because I was only 18-19 when I wrote it, and that it's still in
print leave me chagrined no end).
I actually tend to write just about anything; I enjoy working
in, and have sold in, every form of prose: short stories, novels,
anthologies, articles, investigative pieces, nonfiction books, even
songs. The one thing at which I'm *truly* awful however is poetry.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 15-Mar-96 00:15:28
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Just a Question
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.470290 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.470236 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
Too simple. Not it.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 15-Mar-96 00:15:31
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: YEAR (sing) of shd war..
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.470291 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.470270 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
The information about the Battle of the Line comes back into
play twice this season, and the Minbari soul aspect is a major aspect
we'll be getting into at one point this season as well.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 15-Mar-96 00:15:32
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Laurence Moroney <100546.50 at compuserve.com>
Subject: YEAR (sing) of shd war..
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.470292 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.470278 at compuserve.com>
Laurence Moroney <100546.50 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Does that mean we will lose the Vorlons when the war is over?
> Or, as a previous hypothesis of mine went, does that mean we will
> _become_ the Vorlons when the war is over? By the way, Kosh is
> Clarence isn't he?
You make those assumptions about the war dominating the show
because that's the obvious way to go, and the way most shows *would*
go. We're many things, but obvious ain't one of them. There's more to
it.
But no, we don't become Vorlons at the end of the war. They're
who and what they are because they're millions of years older than we
are; you don't just get that status in a box of Crackerjacks.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 15-Mar-96 00:25:47
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: When is.....
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.470293 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.470115 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
Story ideas aren't safe just because this season is over (from
a writing POV), because you can just as easily toss something out
that's planned for year 4.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 15-Mar-96 13:53:24
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 RPG?
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.470500 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.470388 at compuserve.com>
Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Who is doing it?
Chameleon Games is doing the RPG.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 15-Mar-96 13:53:25
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Babylon 5 - Widescreen
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.470501 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.470451 at compuserve.com>
(blocked) asks:
> Are you able to say if we are ever likely to get B5 commercially
> available in widescreen ?
Eventually, yes, B5 will be available in widescreen.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 15-Mar-96 13:53:27
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Al Lipscomb <75204.2225 at compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 RPG?
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.470502 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.470452 at compuserve.com>
Al Lipscomb <75204.2225 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Could this mean that by the time the games comes out you will
> have finished showing us the aliens and are moveing along with
> other things?
I think I can work out how much info to put in and still leave
me with other areas to bring out new stuff, and there'll likely be
supplements and subsequent reference works later that incorporate new
stuff anyway.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 15-Mar-96 18:11:01
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Eric Rochkind <70671.302 at compuserve.com>
Subject: character initials
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.470665 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.470437 at compuserve.com>
Eric Rochkind <70671.302 at compuserve.com> asks:
> Is this intentional?
> Will we later find out that both Sinclair and Sheridan have
> middle names beginning with an "M"?
Sinclair's middle name is David, Sheridan's middle initial is
J.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 15-Mar-96 18:27:16
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Michael Suehl <101661.1133 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Thought from jms
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.470670 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.470527 at compuserve.com>
{original post had no questions}
Thanks....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 15-Mar-96 18:27:17
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Minbari warrior caste
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.470671 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.470590 at compuserve.com>
(blocked) asks:
> I have heard that you said that the warrior caste was not
> "touched by shadows"? Is this true?
I don't think I've ever said that.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 15-Mar-96 18:27:18
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Minbari Stealth
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.470672 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.470632 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
As established in the show, they use gravitational and magnetic
drives in many cases.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 15-Mar-96 18:27:19
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Jumpgate dimensions
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.470673 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.470646 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
B5 is probably a bit too big, but it's a moot point, as the
station can't move under power anyway.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 15-Mar-96 22:05:28
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Jumpgate dimensions
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.470834 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.470692 at compuserve.com>
{original post unavailable}
Yeah...funny, that....
jms
------------------------------
End of JMS CIS Digest 03-Mar-96 00:02:22 through 15-Mar-96 22:05:28
*******************************************************************
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