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**Jan** · 08-13-2009, 12:06 PM

Hi, Miles, welcome!

Originally posted by miles601 View Post

-Are scripts for comic books covered under the same (or a similar) seperation of rights agreement that allow an author to publish scripts for TV shows? If so, any plans to publish JMS' scripts to "In Darkness Find Me" or "In Valen's Name"? How about plans to publish an addition outlines or notes generated by JMS to guide the scripts generated by Mark Moretti or Tim DeHaas? (or for that matter an Other Voices style volume of their scripts)

I don't know for sure what standard contracts might say about a possible 'separation of rights clause' but my feeling is that it's very doubtful. I *believe* that most comic work is considered 'work for hire'. For sure there's no union.

-Does anyone know if the "Babylon 5 Series Treatment" published by the Fan Club back in the 1990's is included in the 15 volume script series (I might have missed it but I don't think I saw such a document as I read the series)? Is the Writer's Bible included in Volume 15 the same as what was sold from the Fan Club? If not does anyone know where copies could be purchased second hand from collectors?

Both the Treatment and the Writer's Bible were included in Volume 15 as well as the outline that JMS wrote that illustrated the 5-year arc as it was at the beginning of season 1.

-In Volume 9 they published an outline JMS generated relating to the novel Personal Agendas are there any plans to publish similar notes regarding the trilogies (Psi-Corps, Passing of the Techno-Mages, Legions of Fire) or other B5 novels?

Not that I know of. I'd love to see them myself, though.

-Finally, does anyone know if other script fragments or long form outlines exist for other unproduced Babylon 5 episodes (similar to what was published relating to "Festival" or "Laser-Mirror-Starweb")

Not that I'm aware of from JMS. There was one other unproduced script written by Bill Mumy and Peter David. I've written a synopsis of the episode that I can send you either via email or in 3 separate PMs. PM me if you're interested.

Jan

**glindros** · 08-14-2009, 03:28 AM

As long as it's question hour for the archivist, I had a question about the Crusade scripts. As I run across B5 scripts I see that they are often into two, three or more drafts. Did any of the unproduced Crusade scripts make it past the first draft?

**Jan** · 08-14-2009, 04:11 AM

Originally posted by glindros View Post

As long as it's question hour for the archivist, I had a question about the Crusade scripts. As I run across B5 scripts I see that they are often into two, three or more drafts. Did any of the unproduced Crusade scripts make it past the first draft?

"Value Judgments" and "End of the Line" only seem to have had Final Drafts published to the crew. "To the Ends of the Earth" had a Final and Blue Revision.

Jan

**Dan Dassow** · 08-14-2009, 04:34 AM

Fair Market Value

Jan,
What is generally the fair market value of a film screenplay? If someone were to print out the screenplay for Changeling for JMS's signature which Universal made available for free, what, in your expert opinion would be just compensation for JMS? What is the current postal address (not his home address) for JMS?

**Jan** · 08-14-2009, 05:22 AM

Originally posted by Dan Dassow View Post

Jan,
What is generally the fair market value of a film screenplay? If someone were to print out the screenplay for Changeling for JMS's signature which Universal made available for free, what, in your expert opinion would be just compensation for JMS?

There's really little value to a screenplay not used in production. Looking at Ebay I see movie scripts going for $10 to $20 on average with a very few going higher but those usually have reprinted autographs on them. How much compensation would be fair to JMS for the script...I don't know. I assume that he gave permission for the 'Changeling' script to be posted. He doesn't charge for his autograph (except the one benefit appearance at Hawthorne High).

What is the current postal address (not his home address) for JMS?

JMS has said in the past that when he's not working on a show he generally works from his home office. If he has another mailing address these days I'm not aware of it.

Jan

**Joe Nazzaro** · 08-14-2009, 05:04 PM

If memory serves, the reason that Joe's Changeling script was reprinted on the studio site was because it was up for Oscar consideration, which basically means Academy members should be reading the screenplay if they're going to vote. I'm not sure how it works for the Oscars, but my wife is a member of Bafta and a lot of the procedures seem to mirror each other quite a bit. Anyway, not that many years ago, copies of screenplays used to be sent to members, but the postage was quite expensive, and frankly not all that any read them, so quite a lot of copies were just getting dumped in the bin. But since the studios still needed to make their screenplays available in some way for Oscar consideration, they had to find other ways of doing it, whether it was sending them on demand or posting PDF files on special sites. Personally, I think the latter is a great idea; it's much less wasteful and members can still read the screenplays if they want.

The reason for this unsolicited history lesson is that I think Joe's Changeling screenplay was posted for that reason, not necessarily so the general public could get their hands on it. That's just my semi-educated guess of course.

**Jan** · 08-14-2009, 07:10 PM

Originally posted by Joe Nazzaro View Post

The reason for this unsolicited history lesson is that I think Joe's Changeling screenplay was posted for that reason, not necessarily so the general public could get their hands on it. That's just my semi-educated guess of course.

You're absolutely right, Joe. It was a 'For your consideration' site at universalpicturesawards.com, not just a site advertising the movie. Now that awards season is over, everything's been taken down.

Jan

**glindros** · 08-17-2009, 06:43 AM

Hi Jan,

In looking over some of your pictures at http://photos.b5archivist.com/ , you mention you have four unproduced scripts. Counting the unpublished Crusade scripts as the first three, what's the fourth?

**Jan** · 08-17-2009, 07:31 AM

Originally posted by glindros View Post

Hi Jan,

In looking over some of your pictures at http://photos.b5archivist.com/ , you mention you have four unproduced scripts. Counting the unpublished Crusade scripts as the first three, what's the fourth?

The fourth one is the fifth season script by Peter David and Bill Mumy, "Gut Reactions". I think I've sent you the synopsis of that before, haven't I?

Jan

**glindros** · 08-17-2009, 11:29 AM

Originally posted by Jan View Post

The fourth one is the fifth season script by Peter David and Bill Mumy, "Gut Reactions". I think I've sent you the synopsis of that before, haven't I?

Jan

Probably, but darned if I can find it. If you could resend it when you get a chance it would be appreciated. I wasn't aware that had actually made it to script status.

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