JMS coming to UK?

[Sigma]

Don't know if it is posted yet, but JMS latest post on alt.babylon5.uk newsgroup (July 2):

Not knowing the area very well...if one were going to be spending a great deal
of time in Hertfordshire, which is apparently near London (pity please on a
geographically unenlightened American), would it be better to get a small flat
in London for that time and commute, or get something in Hertfordshire itself?
How long is the trip? Or is there somewhere in-between that would be salutory?

jms

[B5_Obsessed]

A-Ha!

I posted last month that B5:TMoS just might go into production at a UK film studio such as Pinewood, Shepperton, Leavesden or Elstree.

This message narrows down the possibilities; Elstree and Leavesden are both in Hertfordshire, and there is currently a high WB presence at Leavesden due to the ongoing Harry Potter productions.

[Joseph DeMartino]

Or not.



Joe

[B5_Obsessed]

JMS did post it on a B5 forum and highlighted that he would be staying along time in the UK. He keeps dropping these clues, and this is definitely another one. I think he's more than capable of having his travel arranged without having to ask the UK messageboard posters.

[Joseph DeMartino]

I think he's more than capable of having his travel arranged without having to ask the UK messageboard posters.

He could certainly arrange his travel. What he's looking for is practical suggestions from people "on the ground" about what living arrangements would be easiest for a stranger spending some time in a specific area. That's why he posted the message to a U.K. B5 group rather than the mod, depsite the fact that the latter has plenty of Brits as members. And what other kind of fourm was he going to post it to? He's primarily known (especially on the 'net) for B5. To a lesser degree he's also known for his comic book work - but his comics have been distributed almost exclusively in the U.S. So he picked the only place where he could request information from a primarily British group whose members would know who the heck he was.

Meanwhile TMoS still hasn't been officially announced, his last message about the film itself referred to re-writes necessitated by Richard Biggs's passing and we haven't been told that a director is attached to the project at this stage. (And the director will have a great deal of input when it comes to deciding where to shoot the film.) Pre-production, location scouting, preliminary FX work, costume and set design on a big screen, FX-heavy space adventure can easily take a year or more, so the cameras may not roll on TMoS until next summer, and shooting almost certainly coulnd't start any earlier than next January.

And last I checked B5 was not the one and only thing that JMS had ever done or was ever capable of doing.

So I still maintain that a) there is no way in the world that JMS's pending trip to England has anything to do with filming the next B5 project, because there is no way that will be possible in the next few months and b) there is no reason to assume that the trip has anything to do with B5 at all.

Regards,

Joe

[circularREASON]

I just think he is coming over here for a holiday.

I mean lets face it, this is a wonderful country.

And if he happens to do this and it have anything to do with TMoS would be great.

But lets face it chaps and chappettes.

TMoS will NOT be filmed in ENGLAND.

It is too bloody expensive.

( although some BLUESCREEN work for SW ep3 is being done here )

[B5_Obsessed]

Originally posted by Joseph DeMartino
[B]He could certainly arrange his travel. What he's looking for is practical suggestions from people "on the ground" about what living arrangements would be easiest for a stranger spending some time in a specific area.

.

I'm sure George Lucas did the same before he moved filming to Australia.

Meanwhile TMoS still hasn't been officially announced, his last message about the film itself referred to re-writes necessitated by Richard Biggs's passing and we haven't been told that a director is attached to the project at this stage. (And the director will have a great deal of input when it comes to deciding where to shoot the film.) Pre-production, location scouting, preliminary FX work, costume and set design on a big screen, FX-heavy space adventure can easily take a year or more, so the cameras may not roll on TMoS until next summer, and shooting almost certainly coulnd't start any earlier than next January.

Read the post. He never said he would be going very soon, only that it was a pending trip to Hertfordshire.

And last I checked B5 was not the one and only thing that JMS had ever done or was ever capable of doing.

If TMoS is a feature film, it is damn well the biggest thing on his plate right now.

So I still maintain that a) there is no way in the world that JMS's pending trip to England has anything to do with filming the next B5 project, because there is no way that will be possible in the next few months and b) there is no reason to assume that the trip has anything to do with B5 at all.

Time will tell.

[Bonehead]

I guess there is a possibilty that he may direct himself, although I suspect this unlikely.

He could, however, already have a director in place and they are involved in preliminary casting, and holding some interviews in England. Maybe a bit of location scouting while their at it.

But I'd agree with Joe, its way too early to be thinking about filming. Maybe he really is just taking a break, or maybe a change of scenery to concentrate on his re-writes.

[Joseph DeMartino]

I guess there is a possibilty that he may direct himself, although I suspect this unlikely.

There is no way that Warner Bros. would put a potential franchise film with a budget certain to be north of 30 million dollars in the hands of a man whose entire directorial experience consists of one TV episode. I don't even think it is likely that any of the experienced B5 TV directors will get a shot. WB will probably want a more established film director - and that could well be one of the things delaying the announcement. Film directors expect to have a lot of control over their projects. As executive producer on a TV show, JMS was used to having the final word - TV directors are hired guns who come in a week before they shoot to prep, shoot for a week, do a week of post and go off to their next assignment. I suspect that finding a director who has at least one or two films under his/her belt but is still willing to take orders from a strong producer has been one of the major stumbling blocks in finalizing the whole package.

Regards,

Joe

[Tim_Fleming]

Not B5

JMS's business in the UK has to do with the new show that he is executive producer for. T

[Jan]

Re: Not B5

Originally posted by Tim_Fleming
JMS's business in the UK has to do with the new show that he is executive producer for. T

Er...I think you forgot the "I think...", "In my opinion..." or "I hope...." in that sentence. Or else you've got information that the rest of us sure haven't seen yet.

Jan

[Tim_Fleming]

Not Really

It is not the B5: TMoS project. You don't have to believe me.

[Joseph DeMartino]

It is not the B5: TMoS project. You don't have to believe me.

That isn't the question, Tim. Most of us have already concluded I (for incredibly obvious reasons) that the Hertfordshire project is not TMoS. But Jan didn't say anything about TMoS in the post you replied to.

You said, positively, that it was the series that JMS had been offered the Executive Producer's slot on. You stated that as if it were fact. She suggested that you should have addded a qualifier like "I think" or "I believe" unless you're claiming to have some kind of "inside" information that the rest of us lack.

Then you reply by ignoring what Jan actually wrote and addressing an issue that she didn't raise. What's that all about?

I'd also like to know what your source is for such a certain statement - by category ("someone at the network and/or studio") if not by name - if you have actual information on what the project is.

But if

JMS's business in the UK has to do with the new show that he is executive producer for. T

is just your guess about what JMS is up to, I think you should say so - just as Jan suggested.

Regards,

Joe

[colonyearth]

Originally posted by Joseph DeMartino
That isn't the question, Tim. Most of us have already concluded I(for incredibly obvious reasons) that the Hertfordshire project is not TMoS. But Jan didn't say anything about TMoS in the post you replied to.

You said, positively, that it was the series that JMS had been offered the Executive Producer's slot on. You stated that as if it were fact. She suggested that you should have addded a qualifier like "I think" or "I believe" unless you're claiming to have some kind of "inside" information that the rest of us lack.

Then you reply by ignoring what Jan actually wrote and addressing an issue that she didn't raise. What's that all about?

I'd also like to know what your source is for such a certain statement - by category ("someone at the network and/or studio") if not by name - if you have actual information on what the project is.

But if



is just your guess about what JMS is up to, I think you should say so - just as Jan suggested.

Regards,

Joe

LOL...wow...Joe is usuing my early arguments about directors in this thread...and I'm in more and more agreement with you, Joe, as each day passes. That's actually why you haven't heard much from me...Joe has been beating me to the punch on explanations and thoughts with some logic and reason behind them...so I've just sat back and let him do the talking for a while.

Oh, BTW, you're doing very well, Joe...Bravo!

It's funny, when I first started coming to the forums, both here and at the WB site and at B5tv, all of the same thoughts and speculations came up then that have arisen as the newest group has joined in say the last month or so. I've been down the paths of those thoughts, and while it's fun to watch those same arguments about TMoS, et al, be bandied about again...I'm not sure I have the strength often times to jump into the foray.

The wildest thing is that Joe and I seemed so many times on the opposite sides of the really rough and flaming arguments (ahem...discussions) back then. Yet now...we're most often on the same side.

While he and I still disagree at times...I have learned the Joe does possess an excellent memory in regards to episodes, novels, and things that JMS has said. Admittedly, my memory on details can falter from time to time (though I'm a stickler for facts and continuity ).

So...to all the newbies out there...listen to Joe...argue your points with him in the knowledge that he remembers everything , and show some deference to "first ones" around here...they've been a part of the JMS online community for many years (some since the beginning)...and they know from whence they speak.

Oddly, now I feel like an old-timer now. Not a "first one" (though they have all become dear and valued friends to me now), but a Minbari-esque member. Older, wiser, been around for a while. In some ways (such as the workings of the film industry) I am a bit more knowledgeable than others since I'm a filmmaker, myself.

But, anyway, Joe...carry on the fight. Aisling and Jan...keep up the patient love and support for the "younger races". Radhil, keep up the wild love. Omahastar...keep up the dirty love! And you others (to numerous to mention) know I love and respect you all.

I mean it guys. Me...I've been so busy lately...and have only been jumping in when the spirit speaks or my muse is pissed.:eek

I'm feeling more and more like a Vorlon.

With one exception...I talk too much to be a Vorlon.



Peace,
CE

[LytaaaarGh]

me too CE
My life has been booom boooom booOOOOOoooom recently! I've been reading but that takes up any possible time i might have for writing a reply.

As to the UK visit.. i too believe it has to do with this new series rather than TMoS...

it couldnt have anything to do with starhyke or hitchiker's guide could it?
... i know hitchikers is a movie.. but its being produced at Elstree.

(Apologies - i havent had time to read many posts so i don't remember jms's exact words in reference what sort of thing he would be working on - only that it was something he couldnt say no to and it wasnt doc who )
(maybe theyre gunna remake hitchikers into a series after??? As i don't know how many of the books will be in the film.)