B5 panels at cons

[AmyG]

So, it's a bit early, but I have to ask: is anyone planning on going to DragonCon?

And, while we're on the subject of cons, I'm interested to know what you folks would consider an ideal Babylon 5 panel, assuming an all-fan panel (i.e. no guests: no writers, directors, or actors). Since the show's been off the air so long, it's hard to find good fodder for discussion that hasn't been discussed a bazillion times before already. Things that have (IMHO) been exhausted are religion and B5, mythology and B5, where B5 is going in the future, the novels of B5.

I was thinking about self-sacrifice with regard to just about every major character, and I think you might be able to cobble together a good panel starting from there, but otherwise, my well has run dry! If anyone else has any thoughts, I'd appreciate hearing them - this is the time that DragonCon is taking panel suggestions, and I'd like to come up with something fresh and interesting this year.

Amy

[OmahaStar]

I'll be there. I won't have bells on (*glancing at Jan, holding a string of them and giggling in the corner*), but I'll be there.

One definate area for a panel would be a study of the life of Jane the Magnificant, and how it was Her sacrifice which brought Babylon 5 into its own, and how without the Great Jane, the series would have never made it past episode 2.

She was there in the first aired episode, and the last filmed episode, and every season in between. She's also one of only 3 people who appeared in Babylon 5 proper, as well as Crusade. (the others being Mr. Welles and Lochley ... Dureena and Galen didn't make it til the movies)

[modernmajorgeneral]

Literary sci-fi panels related to B5

Hi there,

Matt Steffney here. I think a panel on the literary influences of B5 would be great. We could discuss the imprint of Lord of the Rings, Alfred Bester, The Martian Chronicles, Olaf Stapledon, David Brin's Uplift series, the Foundation Trilogy, C.J. Cherryh, H. Beam Piper and many more on our favorite series. With fewer and fewer B5 guests floating around and with B5 slowly (and sadly) "passing into legend", I think this would serve as an engaging look back at the series that will yield new insights for new and old fans. It will easily fill an hour, and will serve as a way for us to keep the flag high while waiting for JMS to get a new deal together for a new B5 project.

[Andrew_Swallow]

How about:
"Does the success of the new Dr Who and Battlestar Galactica mean that the studios may be willing to finance a Babylon 5 movie or spin off series?".

"Who would make a good guest star?"

"Was releasing Babylon 5 on DVD a good idea?"

"Would Dream Police or Rising Stars make a good film?"

[AmyG]

Thanks, guys - particularly to Matt for a really interesting idea. Keep 'em coming!

Amy

[FuryPilot]

So, it's a bit early, but I have to ask: is anyone planning on going to DragonCon?

I was thinking about self-sacrifice with regard to just about every major character, and I think you might be able to cobble together a good panel starting from there, but otherwise, my well has run dry! If anyone else has any thoughts, I'd appreciate hearing them - this is the time that DragonCon is taking panel suggestions, and I'd like to come up with something fresh and interesting this year.
Amy

I wish I were going. Lack of fundage strikes again.

Self-sacrifice is a great starting point. I'd also recommend motivations -- what drives great characters to greatness.

The way of the warrior -- and how it applies even to non-warrior characters.

I might think of a few more.

FP

[modernmajorgeneral]

I've got my registration underway on the AMTV Dragon Con yahoo group. The next step is to get the directors' ear on all matters B5. Amy, have you submitted any panel ideas thus far to Dragon Con?

[modernmajorgeneral]

By the way, add Frank Herbert, Gordon R. Dickson, Michael Moorcock and Larry Niven to the literary influences on B5. I'm already making an outline for a potential panel. If anybody likes the idea, please post your two cents.

[modernmajorgeneral]

I'm now registered on Dragon Con AMTV at Yahoo. I made my first pitch for the literary B5 panel minutes ago. Any advice from anybody on how to best lobby for a panel in this kind of environment?

[AmyG]

That's the right place. For added emphasis, you might want to copy the track staff via e-mail with your panel idea. Jan, do you have the track staff e-mail address handy? I'm on the laptop, and it's in the other room on the iMac...

Amy