I think he said MAY 15th [img]smile.gif[/img]
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ April 22, 2004 07:37 PM: Message edited by: ianviking ]</font>
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I think he said MAY 15th [img]smile.gif[/img]
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ April 22, 2004 07:37 PM: Message edited by: ianviking ]</font>
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yup. 15th of MayQuote:
from Sindatur
Oh...and starting around the Ides of May, look to the wrong side of the river for word from Harry, Jack and Albert.
Well, I guess JMS is branching out a bit on his internet access. Looks like he's started to participate in rec.arts.sf.tv newsgroup as well. So, I've added these from March...nothing has popped up in April.<hr width="100%">
<font face="georgia"><font color="green">I hate TNT for killing the series. Why couldn't they simply TRUST jms to do a good job? Idiots.</font>
<font color="red">If you exclude the first half of B5's fifth season, the B5 movies, and the initial scripts of Crusade. Otherwise, JMS's track record at that time was poor and if B5's initial ratings had not been so strong, Crusade would have never been started.</font>
First, the ratings you cite were for the first half of season 5, which you said a moment ago were apparently not up to snuff...so you've got kind of a contradiction there. As for the "poor track record" comment, there are two Hugos, a Ray Bradbury Award from SFWA (the only other one haveing been given to James Cameron) and a dozen other awards sitting on the shelf that say otherwise.
<font color="red">Many of the mistakes of Crusade certainly were not TNT's fault.</font>
And on what specific information do you base this? Please show your work. You offer this up not as an opinion, but as a statement of direct fact. Please cite the facts to back this up.
<font color="red">The music was JMS's idea.</font>
Yes, it was. And the network also thought it was great. It was a different style, an experiment. Sometimes experiments work, sometimes they don't. It's a better way to live than living a life in which one never tries anything that may fail.
<font color="red"> The various navel gazing episodes so out of place for a series set against a time limit were JMS's idea.</font>
Please cite your facts to back this up, and define your terms.
<font color="red">TNT made suggestions: some good, some really moronic but most amounted to minor tweaks to the episodes.</font>
Again, you state this as fact. So in this case, I must assume that you have seen the actual notes from TNT, yes? If not, then how do you justify this statement as anything other than your opinion, offered as fact?
And in point of fact, your statement is utterly false. Some of their suggestions included:
"Can we lose the makeup on Dureena (our resident alien character) and make her an alien by her attitude?"
"We'd like to have one of the characters include a sexual explorer, so when they make contact with a new race, his or her job is to go and have sex with them."
"We want to see more fist-fights on the bridge."
"We'd like to see an episode worked around a wrestler, since wrestling is hot right now."
"We think you should give the captain a dog for a pet."
"Rather than have the characters work their way out of the problem as depicted, we think it would be better if Captain Gideon arranges to have Dureena compromised so the antagonist will rape her, and Gideon will catch him in the act, and use this as blackmail to get the character to back off his demands."
Minor tweaks?
<font color="red">JMS's insistence on implementing changes as clumsily as possible probably ensured the demise of Crusade.</font>
Again, you are citing my intention, and my decision on how to implement changes. Please show your work and back this statement up. Further, the decision to cancel Crusade had nothing to do with the content of the show, but rather, as we learned later, the fact that TNT's market research had found that the B5 audience came in for B5 and didn't stay for any of TNT's other programming, and they decided they wanted out, in favor of shows that would bring in a sustained audience increase.
But you didn't know that, did you? Why? Because you have no idea what you're talking about, and are sitting here, behind your keyboard, where you think you're an expert on things you know nothing about, batting around your own opinions as though they were facts hoping that someone would buy the bullshit.
The only problem, of course, is when someone who actually has the facts contradicts your statements or asks you to back them up.
Which you can't. Because they're not true.
Oh, and as for --
<font color="red">If someone suggests replacing dialogue with actually showing an event that does not mean finding the worst looking riot footage possible.</font>
Sorry, but that was also done at TNT's direction. They demanded the inclusion of riot footage at the last moment to show the big repercussions, even though nothing was available that would work. Nor would they give us much money to buy anything else. Those were the shots that met with their approval.
But again, you don't know what you're talking about, so really, what's an exec producer to do?
jms
<hr width="50%">
<font color="red">Just curious JMS, what would have happened if you *ignored* TNT's suggestions, and just continued business-as-usual? We engineers sometimes do that, because the suggestions coming from marketing can not be implemented with current technology! (i.e. non-engineers trying to engineer a product and failing miserably)</font>
I did ignore a great number of them, including all the really egregious ones cited earlier.
<font color="red">Was ignoring TNT's notes possible? And what would the consequences be?</font>
The consequences were that we only got 13 episodes.
jms
([email protected])
(all message content (c) 2004 by synthetic worlds, ltd.,
permission to reprint specifically denied to SFX Magazine
and don't send me story ideas)
Oh, and there's been mumblings on the rec.arts.sf.tv.b5.mod newsgroup, the one JMS had originally secluded himself to, that it's been over a month since he's popped up.
That was all I needed to say...back to my nap.
http://www.whitepond.org/ibmw/smileys/sleep.gif
Thanks Wizz. Guess I got my fix from, JMS so far. I enjoy rading him lambasting (SP) a poster who doesnt know what he/she is talking about.
One more new post from JMS, several hints in this one, and for those of you in New Jersey, or close by, here's your first opportunity in 30 years to see him in New Jersey.
Subject: from jms
From: [email protected] (Jms at B5)
Date: 4/29/04 9:56 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Message-id:
I know I've been absent for a while now, but there are reasons, especially in
regards to B5:TMoS. In a project of this nature, and this size, there's stage
one (let's do this) stage two (let's make everybody's deal) and stage three
(making it). We're hip-deep in stage two just now, and it's taking a freaking
long amount of time to get through it all. Stage two is also the most
unnerving and nerve-wracking stage when there's a lot of money involved, as
there is in this situation.
So every day is a case of "Are we there yet?" and being told yes...almost.
I swear, it's the kind of thing that could lead a monk to murder.
Thing of it is...there's a LOT happening right now in the B5 universe, on a
multitude of fronts, some of it in response to TMoS, some of it coming up
completely on its own. All I can say at this moment is that if you've been
waiting for new stuff in the B5 universe, you may be getting your wish in
spades very soon.
Soon, I promise, all will be made clear. I don't like being Mr. Mysterioso on
this, but if I say too much, the-powers-that-be will use my head to make a
2.35:1 sized hole in the wall.
On other fronts....
Ibooks/Simon and Schuster just delivered the final production galleys on
Straczynski Unplugged (originally called JMS Unplugged, which I recommended
over Straczynski Unplugged because I couldn't imagine anyone Asking For It By
Name without blowing out an incisor or two, but who listens to me). It
includes some stories from my Twilight Zone anthology, plus "Say Hello, Mister
Quigley," "Cold Type," "We Killed Them in the Ratings" and "The Salvation of
Lyman Terrell," which have appeared in various publications but have never been
gathered together before in one book, plus a new introduction. I think it
should be hitting stores sometime in the coming month.
Ibooks/Simon and Schuster are going to be putting together a whole line of JMS
books, including a shared universe series of novels and other stuff...more when
I can talk about it.
For those who've been considering getting into the Supreme Power series, Marvel
published a graphic novel containing the first 6 issues last month (it ended up
at #3 out of the top 100 titles). It's a good jumping-on point for the series,
which I'm eminently proud of. (I know, a dangling participle, what can I say?)
I'm doing two other books for Marvel, one of which I think they should be able
to announce soon. The other is the Dream Police book, which I brought over
from Top Cow. Mike Deodato is doing the art, and it's just beautiful. (Mike
is also doing the art on Amazing Spider-Man during John Romita Jr's leave of
absence, and it's very nice indeed.) The first scripts are in on both the new
project, and for the Doc Strange miniseries, and artists have been selected,
but it's up to Marvel to release that info.
Finally...for those who want to support a worthy cause...recently I heard about
a high school in Hawthorne, New Jersey (not far from Paterson, where I was
born) which was having a small comic convention to raise funds for its art
program. The high school arts program for the coming year had to be cut
entirely due to lack of funds, to the point where this past year people
literally had to scrounge in junk yards for wire for sculpture classes.
Initially, I was going to just donate to the cause, but the more I looked into
this, the more it became clear that I had to kind of do something. So I'm
going to be flying out for the day to be at the fund-raiser convention for the
school. (I know, I know...I pass all the big conventions that pay big bucks
and I do this instead...I'm not wired up right, I admit it, but...sometimes you
just gotta do what's right, you know?) It's not an alma mater for me or
anything, but in hailing from Paterson (also Newark and Matawan) when I was a
kid I probably got in fights with kids from Hawthorne, so I figure I owe
something, right?
I got my real start as a writer in high school, through teachers who saw in me
something more than a kid from the streets. Those teachers -- specifically
Rochelle Terry and Joanne Massie at Chula Vista High -- gave me the support I
needed to start following my dreams, so it's a crucial time for others as well,
a time that needs our support, particularly at a time when so many schools are
suffering from similar cuts.
The convention is May 8th, Saturday, and I'll be there to talk, answer
questions, and sign autographs. Now, we usually try to limit signatures to 5
or so per person, but I'm taking the cap off...and in another break with
tradition, in which I never ask for a fee to sign stuff, this time I'll be
charging one buck per autograph, with all of the money going to the high
school. So for those of you in the area with twenty copies of various comics
or books or whatever...this is your chance to stock up. There will also be an
auction to further help raise funds.
Details about the fund-raiser and the other fine guests can be found at:
http://www.newsarama.com/forums/show...threadid=12223
This is the first appearance I've made at any kind of East Coast convention in
years, and the first time I've been in New Jersey in over 30 years, so there's
no way to know how long it'll be before I get into town again. And admission
is only $3, so how can you go wrong?
It's a worthy cause. So if you're in the vicinity, stop by, step up, and do
some good.
If you can't make it, and can't help, check into your local schools and see if
they need help. Because odds are they do.
jms
******************************************
Isn't 2:35:1 the size of a theatrical release? Is that his Vorlon way of admitting it's a Theatrical movie?
Also, I get the impression there's more than just B5:TMoS and an unknown project from the way LOT is all capitalized.
WOOO HOOOOOOOO!
<font face="Palatino Linotype", size="+1", color="blue">Whoa! This is a bit out in left field!</font>
<hr>
<font face="georgia"><font color="red">Hello Joe, at "alt.sexual.abuse.recovery.moderated" someone has made the following suggestion: I should try writing a story in which I meet Vantu, and sit down, talk. I should forget about sex, not because it's wrong or it's not a part of what's going on between Vantu and me, but just because jumping to this fantasy short-circuits the process and prevents important parts of it from happening. I have to communicative with Vantu in order to reach across the fracture lines of a broken self, a process that may go on for weeks, months, and years. People here have explained to me that there is no legal or ethical problem in writing fan-fiction for non-commercial purposes, which this is going to be and yet I am reluctant into doing so. You are one of the Hired Guns who have fathered Vantu; all I need from you is your blessing to use him into doing something good; he could be the greatest ally and teacher I ever had and I might discover that I have a thing or two to teach him as well. What a cool partnership it could be.</font>
This is going to be a very hard thing for you to hear from me, but it has to be said.
I cannot give you "permission" on anything like this because there is no permission for me to give. We can do or say or write anything we want, I don't have control over your life. This is why I didn't give you "permission" to read my novel, because that permission is not mine to give.
Second, and most importantly, I cannot give you permission concerning a fictional character.
There is no Vantu. I did not birth anyone or anything. It is as fictional a creation as Santa or the Easter Bunny.
I need you to listen to me very carefully: you are fixated on a fictional character and letting that drive your life. You must, must, must seek professional help. You won't find it in the news groups, even the well-intended ones, because what you are going through -- delusional behavior -- is only really treatable by medicine. I've been down this road with other people, I know what I'm saying...and if you put stock in what I say, then you have to put stock in this as well.
I wrote some cool stuff for the character of Vantu, but there's one big difference between him, and you: you're real. "Vantu" isn't. We picked the name Vantu because it was close in sound to Vishnu. That's it. That's as deep as it goes. There is no "there" there.
If, as you say, my words have had meaning to you, then take these to heart: tomorrow, not the day after, but tomorrow, go to a local clinic and find someone to talk to about this. Show them this email, if you have to. Explain the whole situatoin to them, they'll listen.
The thoughts you have about all this can be moderated and helped chemically, because there is an imbalance at work that is making you believe in something that does not exist, and that someone halfway around the globe has to give you permission to do things that people do every day, otherwise you can't do them.
If you want the darkness to go away, you have to move away from it and into the light you always quote in your sigs...but that light can't be found here. It will only be found in the office of a caring physician who can help you find your way back to where the rest of the world is waiting for your return.
This will be my last message to you until and unless you can confirm that you've done this. I don't think it's healthy for you otherwise.
jms
<hr>
BTW to all the comics folks...I just found out that Dynamic Forces will be donating stuff for the auction to help the school, that Marvel is going to be donating other stuff...and that none other than Marvel's very own Editor in Chief Joe Quesada hisownself will be there around noon to lend support.
Anybody at DC care to up the ante...?
jms
</font>
([email protected])
(all message content (c) 2004 by synthetic worlds, ltd.,
permission to reprint specifically denied to SFX Magazine
and don't send me story ideas)
Wow, very out there.
Hey Aziz! You gotta get over to that school and get some signed comics from JMS! Perhaps some of the 911 issues?
Sorry dude. I'm working two jobs right now and won't be able to make it to that. It is about 2 hours away and I just don't have time these days. [img]frown.gif[/img]