ATT JMS: Proportions of writing

[B5JMS Poster]

Subject: ATT JMS: Proportions of writing
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 No. | DATE        |  FROM
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s  1: Feb 11, 1997: crigler at seo.com (James B. Crigler)
*  2: Feb 13, 1997: jmsatb5 at aol.com (Jms at B5)

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From: crigler at seo.com (James B. Crigler)
Lines: 35



Lo, these 20 or so years ago, I was in the middle or so of a degree in
music composition (the fact that it was a BM is *not* a reflection on
the content), and I had a class called Form and Analysis.  (I probably
studied the form of the novel in some lit class or other, but I wasn't
paying much attention.)  Anyhow, Form and Analysis was largely about
understanding the proportions of a piece (for the performer and, to a
lesser extent, for the listener) and getting the proportions right
(for the composer).  The first time I took the class I liked it so
much I just *had* to take it again (read: I didn't get it the first
time and my composition instructor made me take it again).

But I've noticed on B5 that many of the episodes are (what I call)
well proportioned; they don't just have the rescue at the end and then
the closing credits, but there is a period of reflection or emotional
payoff to most episodes.  The first episode in which I noticed this
was one of you're personal favorites (he said with just a hint of
sarcasm): "Infection."  Yeah, Sinclair gets the Ikaran war machine,
but then the conversation with the reporter pays off the whole thing.
Of course, there are exceptions (cliffhangers, multi-parters,
occasionally episodes written by others), but by and large this is
what I see.

BTW, if you've never stated it plainly, whose was the gloved hand
trying to assasinate Lyta in "Divided Loyalties"?

-- 
Jim Crigler <crigler at seo.com>
Schwartz Electro-Optics, Inc.   Voice:  (407)298-1802 x200
3404 N. Orange Blossom Tr.        Fax:  (407)290-9666
Orlando FL 32804-3498 USA




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From: jmsatb5 at aol.com (Jms at B5)
Lines: 15

Thanks...at last, I'm well proportioned....

I've always preferred the arc, both inside an episode, and between
episodes, and even in the course of a season, where there's the resolution
and then there's time to consider, reflect, and show the impact of these
things.  It's not just about solving the technical problem that way...it's
about the people who solve the problem and how they are affected by the
problems and solutions.


 jms




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