Today the news hit: CRUSADE: THE BABYLON PROJECT (a new series
set in the B5 universe) is a go for production starting July 27th, to
go on the air January 6th on TNT.

Also: if you can get a copy of tomorrow's Hollywood Reporter, do
so: they have dedicated the issue as a special B5 issue, and there is
going to be a lot of coverage of the show. The issue will almost
certainly become a hard-to-find item in future, and is a testament to
the success not only of the show, but recognition within the industry
of what we've done to improve the way television is made.

jms

Michael Gillman <100724.1646@compuserve.com> asks:
> Anyway to get the 'Hollywood reporter' in the UK <G>?
> Also, do you know if there are any plans for Kathryn Drennan to
> Write another B5 novel?

I keep bugging her about doing one...it's up to her.

jms

Anita Karve <73653.3253@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is the Hollywood Reporter a general newsstand pub, or do you
> pretty much have to be in LA or the biz to get it? Will you begin
> working on casting very soon, or is that something for further
> down the line?

You can find the Reporter at many larger newsstands in big
cities. And we won't get to any real casting until the first few
scripts are in-hand, so we know what we're getting into.

jms

As has come out in the press today, CRUSADE: The Babylon Project, is officially
a go project as a series. We start shooting July 27th to go on the air January
6th. More info will follow over time.

Also, for those of a collecting nature...tomorrow will see the publication of
the Babylon 5 issue of the Hollywood Reporter, a tribute to the show and some
of the new production techniques we've pioneered. You can try various news
stands or libraries as a main source for this one.


jms

From: (jmsatb5@aol.com)
B5 Official Fan Club at:
http://www.thestation.com

{original post unavailable}

It'll have a five year arc, but not as rigorous as the B5 arc.

jms

{original post had no questions}

Thanks...and yeah, I want it to be as much on the edge as B5,
but in a slightly different way. Why can't an SF show be as much on
the cutting edge in its storytelling as a Homicide or NYPD Blue? So
I'm going to gradually start playing with the format, and see where it
takes me. If it ain't gonna be better than what we did before, ain't
much point to doing it....

jms

Anita Karve <73653.3253@compuserve.com> asks:
> How do you find outside writers?
> You're a fan of his and vice versa, but for other potential
> writers do you solicit resumes/writing samples/outlines?

"With Neil Gaiman, it was obvious. You're a fan of his and vice versa,
but for other potential writers do you solicit resumes/writing
samples/outlines?"

Usually, I know the writer's work, so it's just a matter of
getting them in and handing them a premise (or in some rare cases,
asking them to come up with a story pitch). If it's someone whose work
I don't readily know -- and this is rare for me to do on a first
season, when I know that every episode has to kick -- I'll call the
person's agent and get some samples of their prior produced work.

Since there are only 11 available slots for this season, that
doesn't leave a lot of room right off the bat, and I have about 6-7
writers in mind for the rest, so it's already close to being locked
down before we've even started.

jms

Phil Herscher <73107.3470@compuserve.com> asks:
> But don't you ever take a vacation?
> Or are the stories so insistent about getting made?

As best I can determine, my first real free time (a week or
better) is in May 1999.

jms

{original post unavailable}

I imagine we'll keep about 95% of the production crew on the
move to Crusade.

jms

Anita Karve <73653.3253@compuserve.com> asks:
> Any chance Kathryn Drennan will be one of those writers?

It's something I've discussed with her...if she comes up with a
story she wants to tell, she's said she'll do one.

jms

{original post unavailable}

Nah...occasional wistfulness notwithstanding, I wouldn't have it
any other way. Understand that I'm in the best position imaginable:
people are paying me for something I'd have to do for free, because I
can't not write. I get to write, and tell my stories my way, and make a
decent living. How much more can anyone ask for? And with all that,
it seems inappropriate to complain about the hours.

jms

Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com> asks:
> ;) Still, do you _ever_ just sit back to smell the roses or watch
> a sunset?

"Still, do you _ever_ just sit back to smell the roses or watch a
sunset? I find myself wondering where you would find the time."

I would like to, some time...my fantasy is having just one day,
to go out and do nothing...no deadlines hanging over my head...no
frenzied phone calls from actors or agents or studios or networks...I
realized how much I'd like this when I was writing Londo's speech in
"In the Beginning," about giving anything for just five minutes on a
beach...and I realized that it wasn't entirely just Londo talking.

{original post unavailable}

Many thanks....

jms

{original post had no questions}

No, A Call to Arms isn't a Crusade pilot, it's a B5 movie that
somewhat sets the stage for the new show, but is not a part of it.

jms