Cheap Sets - Great Story

[Jan]

That reminds me of an article I read about somebody visiting the set of Legend of the Rangers. Apparently among the items used to give texture to the walls of the Liandra was at least on Frisbee.

Jan

[AmyG]

I believe that's called a French curve.

[The Puzzled Pak'Ma'Ra]

Mystery art

... Season 1, Londo's quarters. Behind Londo, on the wall, is some Centauri art or some such... What is this thing? Looks like a thing I used in art class back in junior high to draw curves, taped to the wall and spray-painted over... (just left of his shoulder - HIS left, not yours.)

[The Puzzled Pak'Ma'Ra]

You should go over to the archive and do a search on "Zima". Basically, they did it as a gag, but JMS caught a moderate amount of flak for it. His responses are an interesting read.

... I found a lot on the topic. You were right - it was a gag. So was the Kawasaki Ninja that Garibaldi was trying to fix.

... Reading posts archived in the Lurker's Net, it's pretty easy to see why JMS had to back off from the net a bit. Man! There some lunatics out there!

... Cheers.

[Endymion]

There's a really key episode in season 3 where they're in the War Room (Interludes and Examinations??) and Delenn gives one of her monologues about where the Shadows came from, it's a really long and solemn scene, but I can't help laughing at it:

Very obviously, on one side of the screen, large as life, is one of the prop guys standing in his overalls with a notepad and pen making notes!!!

It's so clear and so obvious I really wonder how that take got into the episode. Unless that was the only take, and they had to leave it in there.

I haven't seen any mention of it anywhere before, did anyone else spot it?

[WorkerCaste]

Nothing to do with cheap sets, but hardly worth starting a new thread.

... First Season, "TKO", Garibaldi and Smith are in a bar talking...

... and there's a "Zima" sign in the background. Wasn't that an alcoholic drink, clear, like a wine cooler or something? (maybe they still make the stuff but I never see it here in Japan).

... product placement, as well as wobbly sets are something I look for, just for kicks. I was surprised to see it on B5. Not a bad thing, just a surprise.

... (who knows, maybe Zima will be a big drink in 2258 . . .?)

You should go over to the archive and do a search on "Zima". Basically, they did it as a gag, but JMS caught a moderate amount of flak for it. His responses are an interesting read.

[The Puzzled Pak'Ma'Ra]

... Nothing to do with cheap sets, but hardly worth starting a new thread.

... First Season, "TKO", Garibaldi and Smith are in a bar talking...

... and there's a "Zima" sign in the background. Wasn't that an alcoholic drink, clear, like a wine cooler or something? (maybe they still make the stuff but I never see it here in Japan).

... product placement, as well as wobbly sets are something I look for, just for kicks. I was surprised to see it on B5. Not a bad thing, just a surprise.

... (who knows, maybe Zima will be a big drink in 2258 . . .?)

[David Panzer]

Cool. I always wondered what that other door in C & C was for.

[Jan]

Trivia item regarding sets: Did you know that in the original 'white model' for C&C, the entrance was supposed to be to the right of the characters as they faced the window instead of directly behind them?

Jan

[WorkerCaste]

The only redress that really bothered me was when they'd turn the Council Chambers set into a caffeteria. For some reason that one always bugged me. Maybe if they'd dragged a steam table in from the Craft Services area it would've helpt?

I have to agree. It never quite looked like any caffeteria/lunch room I've been in.

[Jan]

The only redress that really bothered me was when they'd turn the Council Chambers set into a caffeteria. For some reason that one always bugged me. Maybe if they'd dragged a steam table in from the Craft Services area it would've helped?

Jan

[WorkerCaste]

Actually, I think the sets on B5 were an area with room for imporvement. Gfven the budget, I think they did a good job but the results do not always stand up to close scrutiny. Watch the DVD's with commentaries, JMS has a good laugh at the sets at times, commenting on how the same rooms keep pooping up...

I liked some, such as C+C and the War Room (although the big space-map is always obviously a painting...) but generally thought them tobe inferior to Treks (which had twice the budget, so go figure...)

The costumes, on the other hand, match the make-up in being some of the best on TV this side of a BBC cosutme drama...

I think redressing standing sets is a time honored tradition regardless of your budget. Logistics and realities of sound stages and production schedules limit your options, even if you have the money. I actually thought they did a great job with that in B5. But, yeah, a bigger budget could've probably helped at times with the look and feel of sets -- better materials, sturdier construction, ability to replace them if the get worn, etc.

[Darth_librarian]

Actually, I think the sets on B5 were an area with room for imporvement. Gfven the budget, I think they did a good job but the results do not always stand up to close scrutiny. Watch the DVD's with commentaries, JMS has a good laugh at the sets at times, commenting on how the same rooms keep pooping up...

I liked some, such as C+C and the War Room (although the big space-map is always obviously a painting...) but generally thought them tobe inferior to Treks (which had twice the budget, so go figure...)

The costumes, on the other hand, match the make-up in being some of the best on TV this side of a BBC cosutme drama...

[WorkerCaste]

I usually see the mistakes in shows too...but in B5...I didnt care....besides...I wouldnt want to pay for railings that dont wobble...and walls that dont shake for a three second scene.......I dont think JMS or Babyloian productions did either..

its something I can live with...and put aside.......

For me, that's the real test. No movie or show can get it all right. After all, it's fakery! I tend to notice stuff that's off a bit. Not everything, by far, but a pretty good chunk. The test is really when I feel I want to mention it; how much does it occupy my mind?

A) During the movie or show -- This is bad.
B) Immediately after the movie -- Probably an OK entertainment experience.
C) During bouts of nostalgia -- Good to great entertainment!

[David Panzer]

Nacho- exactly. I included in one of my posts in this thread a mention of a B5 drinking game. That right there should show my humor about it, especially since I'm not one to turn away from drinking games, even when I'm the only one participating