Script Book # 6 - SPOILERS

[Jan]

There are photos attached to JMS's IMDB page now, showing JMS with Tracy Scoggins and JMS with Doug Netter posed with the G'Kar uniform JMS talked about in this volume. As Amy mentioned over on the mod group, you can see a bunch of defferent emotions in JMS and Tracy's expressions.

Jan

[Jan]

I think that moment was a special point for Londo. Beforehand he wouldn't ally with a Narn against fellow Centauri. Afterwards I think he just knew how cruel man can be to his kind (or alien to alien, but I think that waters down the concept *g*). It was no moment where he was active in a sense that he did something, but he was fully aware that he was responsible for that, he didn't like it and he was to weak to take position against.

I agree. You could sense the horror of his realizing that *he* was responsible for what he was seeing even if Refa had given the order.

Remember Midnight Nation? People who think they have no other way (That scene with the campfire-people *really* hit me)?

I do indeed and I sometimes have to fight the impulse to force people to read it when they whine about their lives but refuse to do anything.

I think that Londo was in a similar position here, especially when much later he sits on his throne and talkes about having all the power and no choices. I think there would be choice for him, even in that position, but he has to much fear to think of alternatives.

Good point. That fear led directly to to his heart problems in "The Very Long Night of Londo Mollari", too.

Jan

[Harrdy]

I think that moment was a special point for Londo. Beforehand he wouldn't ally with a Narn against fellow Centauri. Afterwards I think he just knew how cruel man can be to his kind (or alien to alien, but I think that waters down the concept *g*). It was no moment where he was active in a sense that he did something, but he was fully aware that he was responsible for that, he didn't like it and he was to weak to take position against. Remember Midnight Nation? People who think they have no other way (That scene with the campfire-people *really* hit me)? I think that Londo was in a similar position here, especially when much later he sits on his throne and talkes about having all the power and no choices. I think there would be choice for him, even in that position, but he has to much fear to think of alternatives. But I am just babbling, haven't even read No. 6 atm, will have to wait until I have No. 2, 3, 4 and 5 through... I'm no native speaker/reader (sometimes: sadly).

PeAcE

[Jan]

Has anybody else fired up the Season 4 opening title and followed along with JMS's memo about it in Volume 6? I just now got around to it. It's interesting to see what was left in and picture what was changed. After reading how he wanted the left hand scene to be active for the characters, I'm kind of surprised that he had both of Londo's frames from the same scene. As interesting as his watching the bombardment of Narn was, it wasn't an active one for Londo.

Jan

[Jan]

JMS saw the headless uniform in a theatre lobby; it was a special exhibit for whatever that industry event was.

According to what JMS wrote, the event was held at the Museum of Television and Radio in Beverly Hills, not at a theater.

The only museum I know of that has B5 uniforms on display is the SF Museum in Seattle (at least, they did at one time - I can check with friends in Seattle if anyone is burning to know if they're still there).

I don't know if the MoT&R has the G'Kar uniform on display or if they'd borrowed it from WB for the occassion. That's why I said I'd like to check that museum out if I ever get the chance.

Jan

[Garibaldi's Hair]

JMS saw the headless uniform in a theatre lobby; it was a special exhibit for whatever that industry event was.

If my reading of Vol6 was correct, it was a WB event for the launch of AOL's service offering WB shows (including B5) for online viewing.

[AmyG]

The best one, though, was the one of G'Kar's uniform. I'd've loved to have seen that in person. One of these days if I'm ever in LA for a con, I'll have to check out that museum.

JMS saw the headless uniform in a theatre lobby; it was a special exhibit for whatever that industry event was. The only museum I know of that has B5 uniforms on display is the SF Museum in Seattle (at least, they did at one time - I can check with friends in Seattle if anyone is burning to know if they're still there).

Amy

[WorkerCaste]

I think you're giving agents far too much benefit of the doubt. They are the lowest and slimiest players in the Hollywood food chain - by far. Studio executives and some producers are slightly higher by comparison. When agents run amok on behalf of their clients in their own self interest, it can damage an actor in the community. In the case of Foxworth's appearance in B5, JMS seemed to indicate that there was direct dialog with Foxworth himself. One could surmise that Foxworth was owning the double booking rather than his agent. Lastly, choosing the larger paycheck over a prior commitment shouldn't surprise anyone in this business. Integrity is truly a scarce commodity in Hollywood.

I can't say I'm that familiar with the inner workings of show biz, but I know if I was being represented in anything and I could possibly be considered in breach of contract, I would expect to be notified and make the decision myself. Now, with regard to JMS's post, I would certainly have my representative make the call, especially if they were the ones that put me in the position in the first place, but it would have been after my decision. But, then, that's me. This may be so common place in the industry that it doesn't really register.

[phazedout]

Saddened

I've just read JMS's tribute to Andreas (book arrived today). Please bear in mind that I've done no more than glance at any of the other volumes, but I felt I had to read this one.
I'm knocked sideways again, like I was when I first read about his death, Joe's words bring it flooding back.

Farewell Andreas, hope you're somehwere reading this, and happy.
Phaze

[frulad]

I was talking to Doctor Who producer Russell T. Davies recently, who mentioned that they were getting contacted by lots of well-known actors who wanted to appear in the series. And then the agent gets involved, asks for an astronomical sum of money and that 'Wouldn't it be great if...?' idea promptly goes out the window.

Well, RTD is doing a bangup job with DOCTOR WHO, so I hope he's not worrying about it too much... (Still glowing from seeing Sarah Jane & K9 this week.)

[Jan]

In the case of Foxworth's appearance in B5, JMS seemed to indicate that there was direct dialog with Foxworth himself. One could surmise that Foxworth was owning the double booking rather than his agent. Lastly, choosing the larger paycheck over a prior commitment shouldn't surprise anyone in this business. Integrity is truly a scarce commodity in Hollywood.
Chris

This is the post I found about the contact in backing out of the booking:

From: J. Michael Straczynski <[email protected]>
Subject: PoNR-Hague
To: CIS
Date: 3/2/1996 4:02:00 PM

No, Stephen, you've got that backward. We had booked Foxworth
long in advance. Later, out of the blue, a rep for the actor said that
by accident he'd been double-booked on B5 and DS9 for the same
period...and even though we had prior claim, because the other was a
two-parter, more money, they went for that. One can only wonder when
the other offer *really* came in....

jms

Emphasis added by me.

Jan

[KaCHING64]

BTW, I would think that the final decision had to be Foxworthy's. I wouldn't think an agent would break a contract without consulting with the client. Boosting the salary demands before an agreement is reached is one thing, but I thought this was a signed deal.

I think you're giving agents far too much benefit of the doubt. They are the lowest and slimiest players in the Hollywood food chain - by far. Studio executives and some producers are slightly higher by comparison. When agents run amok on behalf of their clients in their own self interest, it can damage an actor in the community. In the case of Foxworth's appearance in B5, JMS seemed to indicate that there was direct dialog with Foxworth himself. One could surmise that Foxworth was owning the double booking rather than his agent. Lastly, choosing the larger paycheck over a prior commitment shouldn't surprise anyone in this business. Integrity is truly a scarce commodity in Hollywood.

Chris

[WorkerCaste]

So, how much of the extra lines and extra takes do people think really happened, and how much is for comedic effect?

BTW, I would think that the final decision had to be Foxworthy's. I wouldn't think an agent would break a contract without consulting with the client. Boosting the salary demands before an agreement is reached is one thing, but I thought this was a signed deal.

[Jan]

Still, wouldn't the final decision have to have come from Foxworth? From what I understand the Trek gig was a two-parter so I suppose it's understandable from a financial standpoint even if B5 got there first.

I think that JMS was right, though. In a way, killing off Hague did increase the tension. And the blooper of the scene where McGill changes his line reporting Hagues death is hilarious.

Jan

[Joe Nazzaro]

I think that's probably true, which would explain if not mitigate Foxworth's non-return to B5. It wouldn't be the first time an agent had a different agenda from his client, and this happens all the time. I was talking to Doctor Who producer Russell T. Davies recently, who mentioned that they were getting contacted by lots of well-known actors who wanted to appear in the series. And then the agent gets involved, asks for an astronomical sum of money and that 'Wouldn't it be great if...?' idea promptly goes out the window.

And incidentally, it wasn't just actors who backed out of B5 without warning. I remember JMS telling me about a director who shall remain nameless, who had done a lot of Star Trek episodes and was signed on for an episode of B5 until pressure was put on him not to do it. So he didn't.