JMS on CompuServe (Feb 07, 1997) *POSSIBLE SPOILERS*
bbarrett at speedlink.com
bbarrett at speedlink.com
Fri Feb 7 17:13:01 EST 1997
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[ Summary of subjects in this section: ]
Sb: #645938-The Long Night
Sb: #645896-Knives b-ball field
Sb: #646003->>Into the Fire<<
Sb: #645994-Not Photogenic?
Sb: #646064-Harlan on Snyder
Sb: #646080-<<ITF>>
Sb: #645698-TLN: Great Job as Usual
Sb: #646114-VTTBOTS
Sb: #646126-<TLN - End Music>
Sb: #646185-New episode...
#: 645938 S6/Babylon 5: Spoilers
06-Feb-97 18:15:03
Sb: #The Long Night
Fm: SHANE S. SHELLENBARGER
Subject:
B5: The Long Night
Date:
Wed, 5 Feb 97 04:19:36 +0000
From:
clh1078 at IMAP2.ASU.EDU (Chris Hazeltine)
To:
shaneshellenbarger at worldnet.att.net
Shane, please forward this to Joe. Thanks.
Joe:
The other night my wife and I were watching the B5 episode "The Long Night"
(which we enjoyed very much)... except for one thing. In the scene where
Sheridan and Ericsson are speaking for the second time, there is a point in
your writing and in their acting (particularly on the part of Bryan
Cranston) where we, as the audience, know exactly what is being asked of
Ericsson...a suicide mission. We can see it in Ericsson's eyes and in his
economy of words. And this was working very well up to the point when
Sheridan asked Ericsson if he had a wife. This question concerned me on
three levels. As a writer, I have always strived to convey dramatic
tension and subtext through dialogue. Sheridan's question seemed
unnecessary and rather jarring. As an actor, I have been trained to show
emotion and subtext through the elegance of expression, gesture and
emotion. Mr. Cranston was extremely believable, making Sheridan's question
inappropriate. Finally, regarding character, for Sheridan to make such a
remark seemed out of character. For some time now he has taken on, more
and more, the persona of soldier; one of commander and leader of a military
unit. As a soldier, Sheridan knew exactly what he was asking of Ericsson,
and Ericsson, as a soldier, knew what was being asked of him. Both
understood their purposes and, dramatically, more was said with silence.
Sheridan's question not only would have been insulting to Ericsson but,
dramatically, it pulled from the moment that you had built in the scene.
Forgive my long-windiness, for this is really not a criticism more than a
question. Why did you choose to have Sheridan ask such a question. I
would very much appreciate your comments.
CLH
#: 646065 S6/Babylon 5: Spoilers
06-Feb-97 23:39:07
Sb: #645938-The Long Night
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
He asked if Ericsson was married because, if he was, that was a call that
Sheridan would have to make, over Stellarcom or in person, to notify her that
her husband was dead. And, for Sheridan, I suppose there was a tinge of
relief, knowing that at least he wouldn't be creating a widow as well as
ordering Ericsson to do what was necessary.
jms
#: 645896 S6/Babylon 5: Spoilers
06-Feb-97 16:03:03
Sb: #Knives b-ball field
Fm: JEAN S MCKNIGHT
Was just thinking about the scene in (Knives, was it?) ---- where Sheridan is
hitting baseballs. The field looked so real, inviting and wide open-- how'd you
do that? And is that B5 baseball hat he's wearing the one he had Ivanova pick
up in the now-defunct B5 gift shop "for his sister"?
Jean McKnight
#: 646066 S6/Babylon 5: Spoilers
06-Feb-97 23:39:10
Sb: #645896-Knives b-ball field
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
The whole set was a virtual set, except for a few feet of dressing. All
done in computer.
The Agamemnon cap is something we may be offering soon via the fan club.
jms
#: 646003 S6/Babylon 5: Spoilers
06-Feb-97 21:27:30
Sb: #645097-#>>Into the Fire<<
Fm: RICHARD E. COUTURE
Joe:
In the final scene where we see an image of both the Vorlon and the Shadows,
why did you not show us the Vorlon in its true form without the encounter suit?
Rich
#: 646067 S6/Babylon 5: Spoilers
06-Feb-97 23:39:12
Sb: #646003->>Into the Fire<<
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Because we'd still be rendering it. There are 114 EFX shots in that
episode, and as it was we just barely made the satellite uplink. If it wasn't
absolutely necessary, better to do it more simply. As it was, we were
rendering the shadow form too.
jms
#: 645994 S5/Babylon 5: General
06-Feb-97 20:56:54
Sb: #644172-#Not Photogenic?
Fm: SHANE S. SHELLENBARGER
Yes, there are photos of Joe in the SF Library.
#: 646077 S5/Babylon 5: General
07-Feb-97 00:27:21
Sb: #645994-Not Photogenic?
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
"Yes, there are photos of Joe in the SF Library."
In *spite* of the petitions....
jms
#: 646064 S5/Babylon 5: General
06-Feb-97 23:10:23
Sb: #Harlan on Snyder
Fm: CARL CANTARELLA
Joe,
I just finished watching Harlan on Tom Snyder's show a little while
ago, and I'll sidestep his disrespect in not mentioning you when Tom asked him
what writers he really respected in the field today even though he was able to
ramble off four or five names in answer to the question. :::ahem::: :\
At any rate, what I'm really writing you about is why it is these idiot
suits involved in television and film have this obsession with rewriting
perfectly good scripts and turning them into crap. Harlan was outraged about
how he had an end run done around him once again with respect to a script he
wrote for the soon to be released ShowTime series, "The Hunger," and I must say
that I couldn't blame him for being so upset. Why is it that jackasses must
involve themselves extensively in a writers material --to the point of ruining
it-- when they don't even know what the hell they're doing in the first place?
That's one aspect about the business that wants me to shy away from
it altogether as a career choice.
#: 646084 S5/Babylon 5: General
07-Feb-97 03:10:05
Sb: #646064-Harlan on Snyder
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Someone once said that writing involves constantly proving you have
talent to those who have none. But some suits don't want to admit that, and
figure, if they can hold a pencil, they can write. Because they have no
respect for writers or the written word. So they screw with it. Constantly.
Which is why I consider myself very lucky with B5, in that they have left me
alone and not interfered.
jms
#: 646080 S6/Babylon 5: Spoilers
07-Feb-97 00:49:01
Sb: #<<ITF>>
Fm: JOHN BOVENMYER
Joe,
A truly awesome work of art, that just happens to be in TV format and just
happens to be SF. Layers upon layers of wonders. A few more kudos and
questions from the latest rounds of viewings:
It was impressive how easily the Centauri bodyguards dispatched Morden's
friends. Human tech has a long way to go before reaching their level.
We need to remember this!
Nice detail with possessed Lyta, white eyes=Vorlon, black eyes=Shadows.
What did the latter call Delenn? It wasn't "Delenn." Is this
important?
As usual the acting was wonderful. To be able to convey so much with such
subtle expressions and motions, in spite of extensive prosthetic makeup,
requires great actors and actresses. This makes me eager to see them in other
roles, without all the makeup...AFTER SEASON 5!
Was the rock that bumped the White Star and thus Lorien, letting the
Vorlons and Shadows know they were being 'tapped,' part of the plan or
just fate that worked out ok?
Could Londo asking Vir to kill him to save Centauri Prime one of his
chances for redemption and a successful chance?!
I presume ships from all six of the extra old ones Lorien fetched show
up in your awesome CGI. I think I've spotted 5 so far--the 5 that left
between "Don't jinx it" and Lorien leaving. What was the 6th?
Now that all 6 have left, and presumably won't appear again, could you
tell us the names of those races (assuming you've given them any) and
which ships belong to each race?
Is Ironheart already "beyond the rim?"
John
#: 646085 S6/Babylon 5: Spoilers
07-Feb-97 03:16:10
Sb: #646080-<<ITF>>
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
I don't think the shadows speaking through Lyta referred to Delenn by
name; they said only, "And you they have left for us."
The jostling from the asteroid was an accident, though the others
would've figured out what was going on soon enough.
Thanks again.
jms
#: 645698 S6/Babylon 5: Spoilers
06-Feb-97 04:56:18
Sb: #645556-#TLN: Great Job as Usual
Fm: DEREK LINDEN
Intriguing...now I'm really curious...what would have been his (and the
universe's) fate had Sheridan not gone to Z'ha'dum?
And thanks for taking the time to respond to all of these queries!
Derek
#: 646200 S6/Babylon 5: Spoilers
07-Feb-97 11:42:18
Sb: #645698-TLN: Great Job as Usual
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
That's one of those great questions to which the universe would rather
we not know the answer....
jms
#: 646114 S22/SF/Fantasy TV
07-Feb-97 05:26:24
Sb: #VTTBOTS
Fm: RANDALL A. SCHANZE
Dear Joe,
Ok, I'm probably noticing things that don't actualy exist here, but on several
different occasions I've noticed that the observation area on the white star's
bridge looks somewhat similar to the observation area in the control room of
the Seaview from Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.
Having grown up on Irwin Allen SF, and having noticed hommages to various other
SF shows on B5 in the past (Most noteably the Prisoner), I was wondering if
this was intentional, entirely my imagination, or perhaps just a case of form
follows function?
Thanks,
Mahatma Randy
#: 646202 S22/SF/Fantasy TV
07-Feb-97 11:52:07
Sb: #646114-VTTBOTS
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
It's your imagination. And form follows function.
jms
#: 646126 S6/Babylon 5: Spoilers
07-Feb-97 07:06:21
Sb: #<TLN - End Music>
Fm: STUART C. HELLINGER
Joe -
I apologize in advance if you were already asked this (I haven't had the time
to log on this week), but was it deliberate that the end credit music for the
"The Long Night" went back to the third season theme?
It was very appropriate and if it was deliberate, it is just another example of
the great care and thought that is put in to the show.
I caught the music when the episode aired last weekend here in New York, but
just had the time to go back and check the end music of the other season four
episodes to be sure.
-SCH!
#: 646203 S6/Babylon 5: Spoilers
07-Feb-97 11:52:08
Sb: #646126-<TLN - End Music>
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
It was an error...but as with many errors on the show, it worked to our
benefit. It's the ABA principle....Art By Accident.
jms
#: 646185 S6/Babylon 5: Spoilers
07-Feb-97 10:27:07
Sb: #642868-#New episode...
Fm: DAVE VINCENT
Now that Cartagia's gone, could you say if Lord Refa controlled him or was in
fear of him like the others.
I always felt Refa held him in check (his contempt was withering) and Cartagia
came into his own when Londo had Refa killed. Also, did the Noble who came to
B5 with Refa realize what Refa's death meant or did he just happen to be a
friend of Refa's (his look at the end of Rock made me wonder about this).
Regards,
Dave
#: 646204 S6/Babylon 5: Spoilers
07-Feb-97 11:52:09
Sb: #646185-New episode...
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Everybody was in fear of Cartagia.
jms
[END]
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