Need some B5 Advice about script books

[Synbios1978]

I really need some advice on the script books. Like a bonehead, I kept putting off getting the books as I really didn't think about it much over the past two years, but now that it's a week from orders being stopped, I realized time has almost ticked away on me. The price for the 15 volume set (not including the additional 3 volumes of other writers) is $572 after shipping. I know you can probably save some by using coupon codes located online. But, that's a good chunk of change which I don't have the cash for right now. I can always put it on credit, but I've been good lately and don't know if it's worth it to do.

I know I wouldn't just buy them for just the scripts nor the special behind the scenes images, but I'm really interested in the additional thoughts and writeups of the behind-the-scenes content. I guess my question is for anyone who has the books, is it worth it for the additional JMS written content?? Also, how long is volume 15 to any who have it? $570+ is a lot to spend for someone's thoughts, but I just can't see me sitting down to read a manuscript when I have the final production.

Thanks in advance.

[Jan]

Okay, first a little full disclosure here, some of which you may already know.

1. With me being on the Scripts Team you can assume that I'm already biased in favor of the books.

2. While I'm not a B5 completist, I've always been a collector of scripts. In fact, I already owned every B5 script before these books came out.

That said...yes, to me they are very definitely worth it assuming that you're interested in how the show got made, what influenced it, and what happened along the way to change the 'original' plan.

The introductions/commentaries probably average about 45-50 pages each and JMS is pretty candid about things he liked, things he disliked, why he did things the way he did. Will you find out any real secrets or scandals? Not that I recall. Will you get a very personal story about this show that was one man's vision? Very much so.

As far as Volume 15 is concerned, full disclosure again:

3. I provided 50-odd pages of content for it in the "Joe Cuts" section.

If you're interested in alternate drafts of scripts, V15 is a goldmine with an alternate draft of "And the Sky, Full of Stars", "Soul Hunter" and practical joke portions of "The Exercise of Vital Powers".

And speaking of alternates, Volume 15 has the memo that JMS wrote that contains the oft-speculated on 'original' arc.

Ordinarily I'd advise you to get one or two before making a decision but there's no time for that any longer. Hope this helps.

Jan

[Eolirin]

Honestly, the commentaries themselves are worth the price of admission there. I've barely paged through the scripts themselves, but I've ready all of the commentaries and they've all been very valuable to my appreciate of what went into making B5. It's kinda hard sinking that much cash all at once though, but in my opinion it's worth it. Volume 15 isn't that long in terms of actual content, since a good portion of the book is filled with a very awesome index of all of the script changes between the production and the scripts in the book, but the content that is there is rather interesting.

I'd buy them.

[OmahaStar]

I know I wouldn't just buy them for just the scripts nor the special behind the scenes images, but I'm really interested in the additional thoughts and writeups of the behind-the-scenes content. I guess my question is for anyone who has the books, is it worth it for the additional JMS written content?? Also, how long is volume 15 to any who have it? $570+ is a lot to spend for someone's thoughts, but I just can't see me sitting down to read a manuscript when I have the final production.

Thanks in advance.

Full discloser here ... Unlike Jan, I didn't participate in any way with these books. I just collected, and randomly at that.

I have to tell you, when these books started, Cafe Press's service was (in honor of Mr. Carlin) shit. Their customer service didn't exist, and every experience I had with them made the previous call seem like a picnic. I stopped collecting after the 2nd volume, then picked up the 7th one, and didn't see the service improving. On Jan's advice, I contacted the script team (Jaclyn) who kicks butt. She went in there and got them straightened around, and because of her, I ended up ordering the rest.

I now have the full set of 15, and am thrilled with them. They are a goldmine for fans. There are photos that never leaked out. There are memos that show the actual creative process. What were the idiots at TNT really thinking? Was PTEN really comprised of monkeys? There are tributes to those we lost along the way, and as Jan said already, a good 45-50 pages of essays about the individual episodes in each of the volumes.

As for the 15th, there's something even more special. First, it's free (sweet!). Second, it's signed by JMS himself. No, not personalized, but still a free autographed book.

Also, a feature that hasn't really been talked about very much is the back covers of the books. Starting .. oh, I think around the 5th or 6th book, the back covers have artwork done by Peter Ledger. This was the very concept artwork that sold the series, and it's just gorgeous.

You already know the books go off sale in less than a week. When it's over, it's done. There are no more chances to get it. If you can do it, then I would urge you, one fan to another, to get them. I have seen what happens when limited editions get sold out and later, fans decide they wanted whatever it was. If they can even get the stuff, they pay two, three, four times more than they would have in the first place.

If you get them and decide you don't want them, you can always unload them on ebay. I've seen them go for a hundred bucks on ebay, when they're still selling at cafepress.com for cover price. Not recently, it was awhile back, but still. Now that the series is at an end, you have the opportunity to get them before it's too late. 6 more days and it's done.

I have no regrets about getting my set, and I hope in a few weeks when you get yours, you'll say the same.

[Synbios1978]

Thanks for the reply's!! I'm so torn about this....AHHH!!!! It looks like a wonderful set and I love B5 (probably getting ready to watch it again), the only thing I wish the DVD's had was more commentary by JMS. I understand there are reasons why it wasn't done, but does this have that type of thing with each episode. I don't want to get too annoying with questions but $600 is a good chunk of change....that's like 6-8 tanks of gas....lol....but the way the scripts are done, do the comments lean towards a commentary of likes/dislikes or is it more of an overview of the series as it goes or a little of both?? I'm either really talking myself into something or really talking myself out of something. My wonderful wife has agreed to go either way on it (I was shocked when she said that)...but this would be like my big ticket item for the year if you wanna call it that....so it's like the script books or a iphone & a new Xbox 360...lol

With coupon codes, I suppose it would only be around $499....LOL....that's helps some....one final question as well, how exactly should I get the 15th volume?? I need to order 1-13, then 14 separately or just order all 14 then fill out the proof form immediately afterwards I guess? Can anyone help me on this part (I want to get everything in order so if/when I pull the trigger, I'm fully ready and won't screw something up.

Thanks again!

[OmahaStar]

Well, let's put it the easy way ... An iPhone you can pick up two weeks from now. The scriptbooks, you can't.

The commentaries are a mixture. It's not all one thing or another, but a great, very informative look at the entire thing. They also point out things you may have missed in some episodes, or what they were going for and got wrong, or things he's really proud of.

And there is an essay for every single episode, plus loads of extras like I already mentioned. Now it's up to you to decide whether it's worth it. For a casual fan, it may not be. For a big, hardcore fan, now that I have them I say without a doubt, it's worth it.

[Jan]

but the way the scripts are done, do the comments lean towards a commentary of likes/dislikes or is it more of an overview of the series as it goes or a little of both??

There are a few episodes where he talks about what he doesn't like but I think far more of the commentaries are about what was going on at the time both in production and in the story. IMO, if you liked his commentaries on the DVDs, you'll like these.

One other thing. There really is a 30-day money back guarantee on these. If you don't like them, you can send them back.

Jan

[Jan]

one final question as well, how exactly should I get the 15th volume?? I need to order 1-13, then 14 separately or fill out some form that I can't find on CafePress? Can anyone help me on this part (I want to get everything in order so if/when I pull the trigger, I'm fully ready and won't screw something up.

Just go ahead and place your full order and then fill out the proof of purchase form right after. Honest, there's nobody waiting for you to mess anything up to void your claim. They WANT anybody who deserves it to get their free Volume 15.

Jan

[Synbios1978]

Thanks for everything. I think I'm going to sleep on it tonight, then probably make my decision tomorrow. I don't want to do anything rash since I do have 5 more days, but I believe I'll have my decision made by tomorrow, and I'm leaning really heavily towards getting them now. BTW, out of curiosity, on the new scripts by the other authors, are they laid out the same or are they pretty much just the scripts? Just trying to actually plan ahead (at least get one of these for $29.99...lol. I'll post back and let you know what I do. But thanks again for everything!

[Jan]

The Other Voices books also have introductions by each writer. In some cases the writer just writes what they want and in some others they're answering questions from the fans. Some are short and some are quite long.

Volume 3 is due out around July 15 and the debut discount will be for that first week.

Jan

[Karen]

In all honesty I am very happy with the script books and would not have missed them for the world, but I have gotten each volume as it has come out. If I were just finding out about them, there is no way I could justify the money in one huge chunk. I love these books and would be very unhappy not to have them, but wouldn't be able to afford all of them at once. Being able to buy them over a period of time has made them attainable for me. So, there you have it. I would be deeply disappointed if I hadn't started at the beginning, especially now, with prices for gas and food where they are. If you can do it without feeling any pinch, go for it. If it will cause any hardship, I would have to say, personally, that I would, very sadly, pass.

[babylonlurker]

As a fan I waited until vol. 12 was out - then it dawned on me that this was a one-off thing and made the decision. No regrets - it is worth every cent/penny. ... I have not read all of it, but what I have read is *very* interesting. JMS's writing skills show clearly, not just in the scripts, but also in the essays.
Get the books - the iPhone you can get later - not the script books.....

[glindros]

I started with issue 11, and realized my mistake for not starting earlier.

AS I say each book is like attending a convention. My cost for Dragon Con this year is far higher than a run of script books.

I even picked up an extra copy of some of my favorite books. (Including issue 11)

It may hurt your wallet, but you'll be glad you did.

[byong]

I feal your pain. I wish I could get them too. We've got two kids with one on the way. We've just gotten to a point in the last year to have discretionary income and I got the DVD's. I consider myself a B5 and JMS fan and totally want the script books but can't do it right now. Maybe when I'm old and retired and have money coming out of my sleeves I'll see a set at a garage sale and die a happy man.

[OmahaStar]

My cost for Dragon Con this year

You'll be at D*C too? Why, we simply must paint the town while we're both there. I'm thinking ... pastels.