Interesting JMS Facebook Posts & Tweets

[Jan]

Once upon a time (1966-1971) there was a gothic daytime drama (soap opera) called Dark Shadows. I was a fan, as was JMS. If you're familiar with it, this will be hysterical. If not, you may end up scratching your head but it's still funny.

For Dark Shadows fans...is it just me or do Victoria Winters' opening monologues become increasingly incomprehensible? "A fog rolls over Collinsport but there is a darkness deeper than the fog, which keeps the people of Collinsport from seeing the fog but it's there, like the man who is known but unknown, who will be known soon with the terror, the terror that comes like the fog, the fog you could see if it wasn't so dark...." WHAT THE HELL? I've heard psychotic patients spouting word salad that made more sense than some of what she says.

Somebody wondered what a Sheridan voice-over would have been like if JMS had had to write five per week...for weeks on end (and maybe throw in some 60's-style drugs)

Don't do that to me....

...but then...

"A ship approaches Babylon 5, but more than a ship, more than an approach, it stalks toward the station in a stalking manner, its occupant known but still a mystery, a mystery with a name that no man can say, but which they must say if they are to avoid the terror, and the fog...the fog...what the hell is fog doing in space...?"

Well, you ASKED for me to write something new in the B5 universe....

Bit of trivia: I worked on the 90s revival of Dark Shadows for literally about two days before a parting of the ways. They didn't get what made the original work...and the current movie gets it even less.

Wow...I *loved* the 90s revival! I'd love to hear what his differences with them were someday.

Jan

[Doom Shepherd]

Every word of the above is true, not just for writers, actors, etc. but for every job you get. You build your experience and look for better jobs that will pay more.

I am shocked, shocked I say, that there are so many people that just don't get this.

But I must say, that explains all the signs.

[Jan]

No real news but I asked JMS about his plans for the two TV shows he currently has in development:

JMS, since you've mentioned having a couple of TV shows in development, if you're contemplating being the showrunner for one or both, I wonder if you've given any thought to what you'd do differently or what you'd do the same from the shows you've run in the past. Is that anything you can comment on without breaking confidentiality?

For one of the shows I'm developing (for which the pilot script has been in for some time), and which would be shot here in the US, I'd be the full-on showrunner; for the other, which I'm writing the pilot now, and which would be shot outside the country, I'd be handing off much of the day-to-day production responsibilities while controlling the creative side. (I'm hoping to be able to announce one or both of these by SDCC.)

As a showrunner, I'm not sure what I could (or would) do differently, except of course these being two different shows with their own unique needs, because the lion's share of the work is creating characters, answering lots of questions from crew, and trusting your gut. That's really the meat of it, whether it's SF or mainstream or fantasy. And at every step of the way, you're learning on the job; the rules of one show don't always pertain to the next, even if they're in the same genre, so it's a new experience and a learning curve every time.

Thanks. Any idea how much of the writing for each you'd be likely to do?

A big ol' hunk.

Jan

[SmileOfTheShadow]

Yay for a big ol' hunk! Hope these get picked up!

[Jan]

A little more info. When asked if one of them might be a science fiction show, JMS replied:

One is mainstream quasi-procedural, the other is dark fantasy. More than that I don't want to say until one or the other goes ahead.

Both getting greenlit would be good...

Jan

[Jan]

This one could cause some long and passionate discussion so if anybody wants to comment, would you please take it to the the Off-Topic Forums and maybe start a thread there?

The interesting thing about watching the debate about same-sex marriage, especially the declaration by many that marriage has always been a Christian family tradition, is that so many of these folks seem not to have an actual grasp of church history.

Leaving aside for a moment the fact that same-sex marriages were routinely conducted by the Catholic Church for nearly three hundred years, from the 10th to the 12th centuries under what was variously termed “the Office of Same-Sex Union” or the “Order for Uniting Two Men,” what’s more compelling is what the Church felt about marriage between a man and woman for the first nine hundred years of its existence.

Basically, they were against it. Marriage created issues of property that could potentially be inherited by offspring rather than granted to the church or seized by lords in the absence of an heir. Marriage was considered by many of Christendom’s brightest lights to be something vile and repugnant. Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus (160-225 AD), one of the most regarded Christian writers of his age, often derided marriage, saying that it “consists essentially in fornication.” Thascius Caecilius Cyprianus, the Bishop of Carthage, believed that marriage and childbirth was no longer necessary since the world was now full and ready for Christ’s return.

Consequently, for over eight hundred years the Church refused to have anything to do with marriage. It refused to allow marriages to take place on church grounds and prohibited members of the clergy from taking part in marriage ceremonies outside church grounds. They were to be performed strictly according to local customs without Church recognition, sanction or involvement.

It was only during the late 9th century that the Catholic Church, under pressure from followers, finally began to recognize marriage as a sacrament to be included in the list of other church rituals. But even then, it was considered a second-rate “lesser sacrament,” a poor cousin to the other, more important sacraments such as Baptism, Confirmation and the Holy Orders. It wasn’t until the Council of Trent in 1547 that marriage was finally accorded equal status with the other sacraments. (Ironically, many of the arguments raised at Trent against including marriage with the other sacraments were similar to the arguments being made against same-sex marriage today.)

So the next time you hear someone talking about marriage between a man and woman being a Christian tradition, after you mention the same-sex marriages of the 10th-12 centuries, remind them that conventional marriage, marriage between a man and a woman, was derided, ignored, prohibited, diminished or dismissed by the church for ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED AND FORTY SEVEN YEARS.

Then sit back and enjoy the ruffled-feather symphony, knowing that history and the facts are on your side.

And some replies. You can view the entire thread at: https://www.facebook.com/#!/permalin...39652459402959

John...should I mention that it was lefties/liberals who wanted seat belts in cars (against conservative opposition), tried to intervene in Germany before Pearl Harbor (against conservative opposition), got the interstate highway system under construction (against conservative opposition), initiated medicare and medicaid (against conservative opposition), and fought for the rights of women to vote (against conservative opposition)? Or would you rather just straw-man-and-jingo it from here?

Put your face in the book

I didn't say that marriage didn't exist only that it wasn't a church priority. Most marriages done during that time were done in line with old roman ceremonies. The quote from tertullian is accurate. He also said that marriage was a mortal crime "more dreadful than any punishment or death." That he didn't live by his own principles is hardly uncommon. And there were many others saying much the same or worse at the time. Tatian and bishop marcian condemned marriage as licentious. Others said it was satanic or a form of prostitution. Saturnianus said marriage perpetuated the deviltry of women. Origenes Adamantius 185 - 254 AD. an important theologian and biblical scholar said "Matrimony is impure and unholy, a means of sexual passion". There's plenty more.

Timothy until Martin Luther and the 16th century it was just one church so the history still applies.

ETA: I went ahead and started a thread here: http://jmsnews.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5085

Jan

[Jan]

This could be interesting for someone of an artistic bent:

I need a really talented, experienced, professional graphics designer/commercial illustrator for a project. This is for pay. Some knowledge of SF/fantasy useful but not required, the most important thing is the quality of workmanship. If you'd like to be considered, add your link and a sample below. This will require the signing of a non-disclosure agreement. Folks in the LA area have a bit of an edge but can work with folks elsewhere it the quality is there. Necessity to deliver in hardcopy and digital. And no, I can't discuss the subject beyond this one note.

DO NOT SEND ME EMAILS with your info unless I already know you. It will not rebound to your benefit.

I'm open to anyone. (And by graphics design and commercial illustration I meant things like logos, posters, illustrations, slilck looking stuff

Jan

[Jan]

JMS followed up on a post from an incident a couple of years ago where he helped out. The administration at one of the colleges he attended had basically shut down the college paper which had been highly critical of said admninstration by unearthing a long-standing but never enforced rule. JMS came through with the funds to publish the issue. This post has links to that original story as well as follows up on the fates of some of those administration officials.

So here's how the good guys win once in a while. Two years ago, the newspaper published by Southwestern Collge in Chula Vista, which I'd attended many moons ago, was shut down because some on the board of directors didn't like what the paper was reavealing about them. They used obscure rules and regs to deny them financing for the issue set to come up right before an important board election. When word of this got to me, I kinda felt I had to jump in. Reference at:

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2010/oct/01/southwesterns-sun-comes-out-again-with-help-from/

The paper came out and the truth with it. Now, two years later, it seems that many of those same board directors have been indicted, arrested or named by grand juries on a number of fronts, including bribery and corruption.

http://www.fox5sandiego.com/news/kswb-conflict-of-interest-found-in-southwestern-college-construction-bids-20120315,0,4677425.story

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/mar/20/d-searches-homes-two-former-southwestern-board-mem/

Looks like the good guys really do win once in a while. Good for the folks at the Southwestern Sun for getting the ball rolling and never letting up on exposing the corruption in their midst.

Southwestern's Sun comes out again

https://www.utsandiego.com

After a college newspaper dust-up with the administration delayed its first issue of the school year from publishing, thestudent paper came out this week with funding from a Hollywood writer.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=310324399053923&id=139652459402959

Now that's putting his money where his mouth is. Good on JMS.

Jan

[Jan]

Oboyoboyoboygoodiegoodiegoodie...

Just found this little gem, in typical JMS "I'm not saying anything now" style:

A fan posted a long post that basically asked if JMS might please come back to doing television:

Thanks for the kind words, and you might just get your wish sooner than you expect....

https://www.facebook.com/#!/permalin...39652459402959 For the full thread. Since he's said that he's got two TV shows in development, I asked "One eep or two?" but no answer so far.

Oboyoboyoboygoodiegoodiegoodie... Fingers very tightly crossed!

Jan

[Delenn_of_Mir]

Oboyoboyoboygoodiegoodiegoodie...

Just found this little gem, in typical JMS "I'm not saying anything now" style:

A fan posted a long post that basically asked if JMS might please come back to doing television:



https://www.facebook.com/#!/permalin...39652459402959 For the full thread. Since he's said that he's got two TV shows in development, I asked "One eep or two?" but no answer so far.

Oboyoboyoboygoodiegoodiegoodie... Fingers very tightly crossed!

Jan

Yahooooooooooooooooooooooo!

JMS TV is the best TV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Especially if they leave him alone to do what he wants with them

[Dan Dassow]

Oboyoboyoboygoodiegoodiegoodie...

Just found this little gem, in typical JMS "I'm not saying anything now" style:

A fan posted a long post that basically asked if JMS might please come back to doing television:

Originally Posted by Fans of J. Michael Straczynski
Thanks for the kind words, and you might just get your wish sooner than you expect....

https://www.facebook.com/#!/permalin...39652459402959 For the full thread. Since he's said that he's got two TV shows in development, I asked "One eep or two?" but no answer so far.

Oboyoboyoboygoodiegoodiegoodie... Fingers very tightly crossed!

Jan

Yet, again confirming that Joe-MS is the original Vorlon.

http://twitter.com/straczynski/statu...44479901937664
JMichael Straczynski @straczynski
Holy crap, Paul McCartney just turned 70! Didn't the Mayans have something to say about this? And if not, why... http://fb.me/1aAzlRIAb

From this I gather that Joe-MS will not be able to complain when we remind him of Angela Merkle's 58th birthday on 17 July 2012.

Only 24 shopping days until 17 July 2012.

[Jan]

JMS posted to both his Fan page and to Studio JMS:

Had good news today that will turn the next six months upside down but still great. Probably break in the press in a week or two.

Nope, not GB or B5 related. Be at peace, all will be revealed soon. Just wanted to share the fun as much as can be at this still confidential moment.

ETA: Seems like a good time to reveiw those Skywatch Game guesses, huh?

Jan

[Jan]

Somebody on Facebook asked whether JMS thought that reviews of Changeling were unfair:

No, it did very well in that respect. There were some great reviews, some not great ones, but most were in the middle trending toward good or better, and that's all anyone in the arts can ask for. There will be some who absolutely hate your work, some who absolutely love it, and most will be somewhere toward the middle. As long as that middle leans more toward the good than the bad, you're doing well. So no, I don't think it got too badly dinged.

The same person came back and asked how JMS coped with not being Hollywoods *hot* writer anymore after things died down after 'Changeling'.

Honestly, you're not making any sense. I still work with anyone I want, I'm still taking constant meetings, I've written on assignment, or sold on spec, over a dozen screenplays in five years, my going rate is over a million bucks per script, I just formed my own studio and people are rushing in with prospects for finance...I couldn't be happier. Nor am I out here trying to compete with anybody else. People flash in and out of the press all the time, that's not heat that's PR, and the moment you mistake the two, you're done. Becoming a writer isn't hard, getting a flash in the press isn't hard, staying a writer is hard. That requires a steady hand and not falling for the okeydoke of "I have to be today's hot writer." That's horseshit.

Jan

[Dan Dassow]

Somebody on Facebook asked whether JMS thought that reviews of Changeling were unfair: ...

Jan

I came to a similar conclusion as Joe-MS after reading a few hundred reviews while researching the Changeling Wikipedia article. Many of the reviews were positive.

Joe appears to be pleased that the Changeling article is a featured Wikipedia article. The article probably would not have achieved that status without Joe's ongoing effort to show us what is going on behind the scenes.

[Andrew_Swallow]

JMS posted to both his Fan page and to Studio JMS:

ETA: Seems like a good time to reveiw those Skywatch Game guesses, huh?

Jan

Any leaks on what the new project is yet?

It is about the time required to write a graphic novel or a major film.