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Posted By: Nomad Nov 12, 2002 - 09:03 am

Now that filming is underway, when will we start seeing the new episodes?

It's not official, but from what I've been hearing it'd go after February sweeps, so figure somewhere around early March. And as before, the plan is to air all the shows straight through.

jms

(jmsatb5@aol.com)
(all message content (c) 2002 by synthetic worlds, ltd.,
permission to reprint specifically denied to SFX Magazine
and don't send me story ideas)

Posted By: Nomad Nov 12, 2002 - 09:07 am

Re: Attn: JMS - Any word on DVD sales?
All I'll say is that Warners is, apparently, stunned.

jms


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On B5, Santiago's murder is obviously part of a coup conspiracy. Do you feel the same way about JFK, or does the parallel extend solely to the events of that day?

If Oswald acted alone, I'm a Martian panda bear.

P.S. Congrats on killing off Doug Netter.

Someone had to do it.

jms


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Great! While WB is in this condition, do you think you could take advantage of them and get them to move up the release date of Season 2?

I don't know if they'll be able to move up the date, which last I heard was about April, but I did hear the other day that they want to get the next set up and running asap. It's suddenly become a priority item.

Who'd've imagined?

jms


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You probably have too much class to march over to WHV and loudly say, "I *told* you so!"

We've never actually *met*, have we?

jms


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Mr.Straczysnki, I am currently reading your novel "Othersyde". It is a wonderful novel, are you going to write anymore in the near future? I will try to read the other ones, if I can find them.

The drag is that I was a couple hundred pages into a new novel, mainstream, when the events of 9/11 happened and I had to spike the novel because everything that happened since that day (with a few minor variations) lined up pretty much with my book, which kills any chance of publishing it.

Takes a while to come back from looking at two-hundred-plus dead pages.

On a happier note, I'm in the process of signing a deal that will put all three of my novels, plus my anthology, back into print early next year.

jms

(jmsatb5@aol.com)
(all message content (c) 2002 by synthetic worlds, ltd.,
permission to reprint specifically denied to SFX Magazine
and don't send me story ideas)

Posted By: Nomad Nov 12, 2002 - 09:08 am

I actually went ouot to amazon.com and the cheapest copy of "Othersyde" is like $34.00 ..Yikes

Posted By: Bmat Nov 12, 2002 - 10:11 am

Nommy, I checked used books at barnesandnoble.com and the cheapest was $41, but it is first edition- not sure if that is significant.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/OopBooks/oopResultsTitle.asp?userid=2VRUZF5OE8&author=Michael+J%2E+Straczynski&title=The+OtherSyde&rstart=1&WID=1930413

Posted By: Nomad Nov 12, 2002 - 11:15 am

Actually, they havent created a second printing, so I guess it would be more expensive? I wonder if that is its original pricing back in 1990?

Posted By: Nomad Nov 12, 2002 - 11:20 am

Thanks Bmat! I was gonna check that site. Now I don't have to.

Posted By: Bmat Nov 12, 2002 - 05:51 pm

You are welcome!

Posted By: Nomad Nov 18, 2002 - 07:45 am

JMS before Jeremiah started up, you said that it would probably be going into syndication the following season. Is it still going to be syndicated?

No, I said it'd go international a year later; the syndication aspect in the US won't happen for, I think, 3 more years, to give Showtime the maximum window on it.
jms

(jmsatb5@aol.com)
(all message content (c) 2002 by synthetic worlds, ltd.,
permission to reprint specifically denied to SFX Magazine
and don't send me story ideas)

Posted By: Nomad Nov 25, 2002 - 08:44 am

Inspired, a friend bought a different one (which one secret, to cover myself). Long story short, he ended up receiving two copies, and after we went over them, we're fairly certain they are just dupes for.. well, dupes. There are a couple of written notes, but they are obviously copied.
I just want to know what I should do about this. I mean, firstly, this script *is* one of yours. And we don't want to rip anyone off. (We may feel the DMCA and the Mickey Mouse Protection Act are bad law, but copyright is, generally, a Good Thing.)

Caveat Emptor. Buyer beware.

Be advised that with very few exceptions, any script you buy online is going to be a photocopy, possibly several generations down. Only multicolored drafts are actual production drafts. So if you get an all white draft, or one where the colors don't match the headers (REVISED BLUE 10/14/98, that sort of thing), it ain't the real deal.

The ONLY scripts that one can sell legally are actual production scripts used in the shooting as memorabilia. Anyone selling anything else is a pirate. The rights to the physical script belong to the writer, per the Writers Guild Separation of Rights Provision.

This is important because many writers receive income from selling their scripts at convention (as with David and others), or by publishing them in book form. Mass copies sold by others, illegally, remove or seriously inhibit the writer's ability to do either of those things.

I just want to know what I should do about this. I mean, firstly, this script *is* one of yours. And we don't want to rip anyone off.

Too late. You bought something illegally produced. Not much you *can* do.

jms

(jmsatb5@aol.com)
(all message content (c) 2002 by synthetic worlds, ltd.,
permission to reprint specifically denied to SFX Magazine
and don't send me story ideas)

Posted By: Nomad Dec 02, 2002 - 12:13 pm

I once found a website with a tons of bloopers videos grabbed from some convention or something (and sadly in a very poor quality).
Good, they shouldn't be good quality.

I was sadened not seeing those on the DVDs. Is there any plan for upcoming season packages ?

I think there has to be some arrangement made between WB and the Screen Actors Guild for that to be done, since it involves material not originally intended for broadcast. So that has been a sticking point to date.

jms


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JMS, a plea....is it really that hard to have a season of 52 episodes? Followed by another season of 52... and another... and... immediate dvd release... with commentary... and expanded cut scenes... afterall, you are the amazing super-writer!
I think I would be the amazing dead super-writer...

jms

(jmsatb5@aol.com)
(all message content (c) 2002 by synthetic worlds, ltd.,
permission to reprint specifically denied to SFX Magazine
and don't send me story ideas)

Posted By: Nomad Dec 02, 2002 - 12:14 pm

So I was talking to Doug Netter this afternoon, who had in turn spoken with Bruce Boxleitner earlier in the day about the year 2 DVD. In the course of that conversation, Bruce mentioned something that Doug in turn mentioned to me.
To wit:

Bruce had been at the White House about a month ago, in the company of wife Melissa Gilbert, president of the Screen Actors Guild, for a discussion with some of the functionaries there concerning acting roles moving north of the Canadian border.

As they're talking, in a long conference room, in the middle of the meeting the door opens and Karl Rove -- main strategist for the Republican Party and power behind the White House throne -- comes in. He says (paraphrased from memory)to Melissa, "I hope you'll forgive me, but I actually here to see Bruce."

He then tells Bruce, "I just wanted to tell you that I'm a big science fiction fan, and that Babylon 5 is the best science fiction television series *ever*."

Then there's a pause, and he adds....

"And the President thinks so too."

Upon hearing this, I went to lie down for a spell, but I fully expect to be back on my feet by Spring, latest.

jms

(jmsatb5@aol.com)
(all message content (c) 2002 by synthetic worlds, ltd.,
permission to reprint specifically denied to SFX Magazine
and don't send me story ideas)

Posted By: Nomad Dec 30, 2002 - 08:00 am

Over at rast, somebody (not one of the trolls, as far as I can tell), said:
"JMS says that he did the Rangers pilot just for fun, he didn't expect or want anything to come of it, he was just having fun. He said that at San Diego ComiCon last summer. I was in the audience."

I suspect this is utter BS, but I figured I'd ask. The above quoted words are complete fabrications, right?

It's correct and not correct. I have this rule that the only things I do, are things I think will be fun. I did the Rangers pilot because I thought it would be fun. Note, however, the word "pilot." That's how it was always discussed, as a pilot for a series.

In that situation, you always hope it'll go forward, but you can't ever count on that, because if you get your hopes up, you'll go insane. So you do it for the fun of it, and you don't think about what comes after.

That was the substance of my comments at SDCC.

jms

(jmsatb5@aol.com )
(all message content (c) 2002 by synthetic worlds, ltd.,
permission to reprint specifically denied to SFX Magazine
and don't send me story ideas)

Posted By: Sindatur Jan 07, 2003 - 06:00 am

Well, the Scifi Channel screwed JMS again, darn, darn, darn:

On Polaris...we got down to one of three projects of which one or two would be greenlighted for production. It went down to the wire, but finally SFC decided that the premise of Polaris was a little too science fictiony, when they were looking to go for ideas that had more immediate mainstream appeal. So even though they felt that Polaris was the best written of the projects they had in development, they went for a project about intergalactic (not interstellar, intergalactic) vampires called "Bloodsuckers." It is, to be fair, one of those concepts that, when you hear it, you get it, there isn't a lot of background needed.

It happens. Networks develop tons of shows but only green-light a handful every year. Showtime had something like 35 projects in development this past season, and picked 3. So at least we made it to the final cut, which is something.

We still feel strongly about Polaris, and once the turn-around period has expired, plan to bring it elsewhere.

Sindatur--So, Polaris too has to wait to see the light of day, why don't they change their name, if they don't want anything to do with Space shows? ARRRRRGGGGGH

Posted By: Iznardi Jan 07, 2003 - 07:19 am

The last thing I would want to see on a science fiction channel is a show that is science fiction. And just last night I was thinking, what we all really need is another show with vampires in it.

I don't think I've spent 45 minutes watching the SciFi Channel since November. And I once watched it every night. I can't imagine who they're pulling as an audience these days.

Posted By: Nomad Jan 07, 2003 - 07:25 am

I almost lost my lunch when I read that Sin! Too Science fictiony... What the [Form of unacceptable word deleted. I'm assuming it didn't stand for Frell. Bmat]! Sheesh! Well, we shall see if the scifi channel can get their butts straight for the next season. What idiots.

IMHO, More mainstream means "Show me the money". In otherwords, gotta get the audience that will get in the sdvertisers money. While I can agree with that, they appear to be throwing out quality to do it.

Posted By: fanuilh Jan 07, 2003 - 09:33 am

Intergalactic vampires. Gosh, that was all that was missing in my life....

Too science-fictiony. So... they should change their name to.... The Hopeless Drivel Channel.

Once Farscape is done, I don't think I'll ever watch another SciFi Channel program. What's the point?

Posted By: Iznardi Jan 07, 2003 - 11:12 am

LOL FAN! I move that from now on all SVers refer to that channel as HDC (the hopeless drivel channel). Because that sums up their programming. In the words of a famous theater critic, "not so much entertainment as something to be scraped off the bottom of one's shoe."

Too science fictiony! You know, that's the problem with ESPN. All their shows have sports in them! They need to get away from sports programming. And then there's the movie channels. Why, they never show anything except . . . movies! What's wrong with them?

Ya think those execs ever notice that "too science fictiony" shows get four to five seasons, and "mainstream" shows (The Chronicle, Invisible Man) are off the air after one. Any predictions on how long Bloodsuckers is gonna last? I predict five episodes and they pull it.

Posted By: Nomad Jan 07, 2003 - 11:21 am

Is Bloodsuckers going to be a series or a Movie?

Posted By: Sindatur Jan 08, 2003 - 06:13 am

Hi Nommy,

Definitely a pilot, and if it's cheap until, and sucks bad enough, probably a series (regardless of the ratings).

So, does this mean Friday Night Prime will be:

Tremors
Stargate SG-1
Blood Suckers

Posted By: Nomad Jan 08, 2003 - 07:58 am

What and When is "Supreme Power"?
Supreme Power is an updating of the Squadron Supreme book done quite a while back by Mark Gruenwald. It was one of the first books, possibly the first book, to really examine the role of the superhero in society, and as such is generally considered to have paved the way for such later works as Watchmen, Dark Knight, Marvels, Kingdom Come and others.

Marvel said, basically, if you could take those characters, who were used at a time when comics were still quite a bit more restrictive than now, due to the comics code and other influences, and update them, recast them, free to do whatever you want...what would you do?

Hence, Supreme Power. While it has its moments of dark humor, it's a very intense, serious book. And because it's being done for the Marvel Max line -- which is aimed at mature readers -- there are very few limitations in terms of imagery and language. Marvel has said it wants me to take this book to the wall, and that's pretty much where I intend to go.

Interestingly, unlike the aforemtentioned titles, this isn't a limited series...it's intended to be an ongoing series, while trying to sustain the kind of intensity you get in that kind of limited edition. It's a massive writing challenge, though one of my main goals is to do right by Mark's original creation.

I think the first issue appears sometime in February or March.

So when can we expect RS:Bright? And do you plan any other spinoffs of Rising Stars?

This one, by Fiona Avery, is due out in February, I think. I know that Top Cow is planning other follow-ups to the Rising Stars story, but I'm not directly involved in the writing of them due to my contract with Marvel. One of them may follow the events of Laurel Darkhaven, the teek who ended up a CIA assassin.

Also, when is the next Midnight Nation slated?

There are no more Midnight Nation single issues; it was intended as a 12 issue miniseries, and it's done. I just learned (on this newsgroup, as it happens) that the graphic novel is finally coming out and now available for pre-order on Amazon.com.

Folks, I don't generally hock my stuff around here, because I think it's rude. But in all honesty, in many respects, from a sheer writing perspective, Midnight Nation represents some of the best stuff I've ever done in the form. It's something that I poured a lot of emotion into, a lot of personal feelings and history and beliefs, covering life, death, religion, god, how we achieve meaning...all balanced against a cross-country quest by two people, one out to reclaim his soul, the other a woman sent to help him or kill him, depending on how the story ends up.

It is also, oddly enough, a love story.

It's one of the things I'm proudest of as a writer, and I commend it to anyone who found the ideas in Babylon 5 of interest. And the art by Gary Frank is just gorgeous, and evocative, and full of emotion.

There's a great Cinescape review of the book at --
http://www.cinescape.com/0/Editorial.asp?aff_id=0&this_cat=Comics&action=page&obj_id=34965
-- which contains spoilers, however, so if you want to hold off on some of the surprises, you may want to just get it cold. The key part of the review, though, says:

"MIDNIGHT NATION offered a unique twist on some very old cosmological concepts, and managed to make the idea that "love conquers all" the very core of its resolution without resorting to smarmy melodrama. That's a rare accomplishment, and all the more reason why MIDNIGHT NATION will be remembered as one of the most absorbing and emotionally moving sagas in modern comics history."

It's a nifty little story. Honest.

jms

(jmsatb5@aol.com)
(all message content (c) 2003 by synthetic worlds, ltd.,
permission to reprint specifically denied to SFX Magazine
and don't send me story ideas)