Attn JMS: Lochley in only 8 episodes?

[B5JMS Poster]

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From: Ray Martinez <waverider at mindspring.com>
Date: 15 Aug 1997 16:00:16 -0400
Lines: 11




             jms,
 
                  A message from Claudia on the unmoderated group
(relayed thru Steven Christian) claims that Captain Lochley will only 
appear in 8 episodes of Season 5. Is that true? 


             -Ray

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From: jmsatb5 at aol.com (Jms at B5)
Date: 15 Aug 1997 18:37:43 -0400
Lines: 30

The information is correct.  Basically, I need to conclude the threads I
have in year 5 without introducing new ones.  This is, after all, the end
of the story.  So you want to be wary of introducing too many stories with
a new character.  Second, nearly all of our cast members started out at a
smaller number and were gradually expanded to 22 episodes.  The average
starting point is anywhere from 6 or 7 to 11 or 13 to start.  You want to
see how the character works out before you commit to a full season, which
is important when bringing on a new character.  You need to make sure that
the character fits, and that the actor is the right choice for that
character, before making a massive commitment.

You also need somewhere to go in future negotiations.  Bill, Stephen,
Jeff, Pat...practically *everybody* started out at a number of episodes
similar to this and gradually moved up each year.  (That's one of the
carrots you can hold out to an actor, to keep them in subsequent seasons,
offering more episodes.)

Also bear in mind that the 8 episodes is a guarantee, but not a *limit*. 
It means we are guaranteeing at MINIMUM that number of episodes.  Last 
year, for instance, Pat was guaranteed/signed for I believe 7 episodes,
but ended up in something like 9 or so.

This is absolutely standard for B5 throughout its history.


 jms




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