ATTN JMS: Art of Screenwriting

[B5JMS Poster]

Subject: ATTN JMS: Art of Screenwriting
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 No. | DATE        |  FROM
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s  1: Oct  8, 1996: "Timothy Reed" <treed at ball.com>
*  2: Oct  9, 1996: jmsatb5 at aol.com (Jms at B5)

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From: "Timothy Reed" <treed at ball.com>
Lines: 12

Regarding the rerelease of your screenwriting book:

I've heard that the new edition of your screenwriting book will contain the whole script of "The
Geometry of Shadows" as an example. But I wondered how applicable an example that would be to a
beginning (or at least unproduced) writer. You've often said that for B5 you scrupulously include
various camera angles, minute details, detailed f/x explanations, and all the rest that is necessary
for you to get what you want out of the show. But as Executive Producer, that's your privilege and
prerogative; but don't most producers frown on "directorial" items written into a script by a writer
they don't know?

You obviously have the advantage of being a well-established writer; you have the luxury to break
rules that aspiring writers don't. Could you comment on how your book addresses this?

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From: jmsatb5 at aol.com (Jms at B5)
Lines: 12

The script which, I hope, WB has included, for "The Coming of Shadows," is
written exactly the same way I write *all* my scripts, whether for B5 or
Murder, She Wrote or any other series.  And there's really no one way to
do this, which is something I make clear in the book...you find the style
that works for you.  I've seen, and bought, scripts that were very spare
when it came to camera stuff, and scripts that were chockablock with them.
 Ain't no one answer in this business.


 jms


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