Babylon 5 question

[Ralphis]

Believe it or not, I never once saw an Episode of Babylon 5 until about a year ago via Netflix. I've been gradually watching it since then and almost done. I've found a guide online to help with the view orders of the movies and then Crusade.

My question is this: if Warner Bros. ever wanted to do anything else in the Bablylon 5 world, do they 'legally' need the involvement of JMS? Or could they do a spinoff in the B5 world without his involvement? Does anyone know? I ask because I think it's an interesting universe and the WB should consider revisiting that world.

Could JMS 'legally' do something in the B5 world with a different company? (Like Paramount, Universal). Kind of like how Joss Whedon's Serenity was a sequel to Firefly, but Firefly was on the Fox banner, and Serenity under Universal?

I guess I'm just a little confused here.

Please understand that these are just hypothetical questions. I realize there probably isn't any interest to revive the B5 franchise.

And excuse my typos. I'm too lazy to proof read.

 

[Admiral_Young]

I believe as we discussed in another thread some time ago that Joe owns the rights to a possible Babylon 5 film and that is important since that is the medium that he would be willing to pursue. Not sure about the actual series. I don't think it's a case like Joss Whedon and Fox.

 

[lennier1]

Technically they could do another show without him, but considering how the fandom views JMS it wouldn't be in their best interest. And if you're smart you'll try to get Douglas Netter as well (one of the few producers in the business who are able to constantly improve a production and still have a budget surplus at the end of a season).

 

[Admiral_Young]

Jan would probably be the best person to clarify this for us.

 

[lennier1]

Where is our walking and talking B5 encyclopedia anyway? Still busy partying?

 

[Jan]

Reporting for duty!

My question is this: if Warner Bros. ever wanted to do anything else in the Bablylon 5 world, do they 'legally' need the involvement of JMS? Or could they do a spinoff in the B5 world without his involvement? Does anyone know? I ask because I think it's an interesting universe and the WB should consider revisiting that world.

JMS has said several times that by contract, he would have to be involved with anything new in the B5 universe. How involved, I imagine only he and his agent know for sure. It could range from total approval (doubtful) or just a consulting fee with no actual requirement to consult or anywhere in between.

Could JMS 'legally' do something in the B5 world with a different company? (Like Paramount, Universal). Kind of like how Joss Whedon's Serenity was a sequel to Firefly, but Firefly was on the Fox banner, and Serenity under Universal?

JMS owns the feature film rights to B5 and could go wherever there's money to make and distribute the film. Several years ago a group did option the film rights and commission a feature script (The Memory of Shadows) from JMS but they were unable to put together a financing and distribution deal before the option expired. As recently as last May, JMS confirmed that should he come up with a story he really wants to do as a B5 feature, he can take it anywhere he wants if WB isn't interested.

Please understand that these are just hypothetical questions. I realize there probably isn't any interest to revive the B5 franchise.

When asked about the possibility of future B5, JMS recently has been saying "Ask me again after April."

Jan

ETA: As lennier1 says, Doug Netter would also be an asset. This is sheer supposition, but since Doug was JMS' partner, I imagine that many of the same contract stipulations as to involvement include him, too.

 

[Ralphis]

Ok, thanks Jan.

 

[scifib5st]

When asked about the possibility of future B5, JMS recently has been saying "Ask me again after April."

Jan

After reading the above, I remember JMS writting something about never ask a Vorlon a question....

Kosh's replay, " ^^^^^ You are not ready ^^^"

 

[Distorted Humor]

New Qustion:
If Babylon 5 was filmed in 2010, would it have survived for 5 seasons?

I not sure it would get off the ground, First Run Syndication was very good for SF shows. Cable or smaller Broadcast networks less so.

 

[Ensign_Redshirt]

Technically they could do another show without him, but considering how the fandom views JMS it wouldn't be in their best interest. And if you're smart you'll try to get Douglas Netter as well (one of the few producers in the business who are able to constantly improve a production and still have a budget surplus at the end of a season).

Uh, the fact that Douglas Netter turns 90 this year could very well prevent this. If you're lucky you'd get him as some sort of consultant.

 

[Distorted Humor]

Technically they could do another show without him, but considering how the fandom views JMS it wouldn't be in their best interest. And if you're smart you'll try to get Douglas Netter as well (one of the few producers in the business who are able to constantly improve a production and still have a budget surplus at the end of a season).

Uh, the fact that Douglas Netter turns 90 this year could very well prevent this. If you're lucky you'd get him as some sort of consultant.

Indeed, get a Netter Protge who knows the tricks of getting the most while staying under budget. I think B5 was one of the few SF shows that was UNDER-budget, and not over it.

 

[JoeD80]

New Qustion:
If Babylon 5 was filmed in 2010, would it have survived for 5 seasons?

Too many variables exist for a question like that. Go back to 2003 and say "would BSG have a chance to survive for a whole season like it barely did in the 70s if we did it now?" Well no, not if you did it exactly how you did it before. But what they did do got them four seasons, since there are plenty of other factors that are brought in to play. If B5 was done in 2010, they wouldn't do it the same way as they did in the 90s, so there's no way to say. If it was that simple to figure out what TV worked and what didn't for the current marketplace, jobs would be a lot easier in television than they are.

 

[Jan]

Indeed, get a Netter Protge who knows the tricks of getting the most while staying under budget. I think B5 was one of the few SF shows that was UNDER-budget, and not over it.

From what JMS has said in the script books, I believe most of the credit for that was due to John Copeland.

Jan

 

[lennier1]

Then this raises an even more interesting question: What do you think would have changed in B5 if it was fillmed in 2010?

They would've dumbed it down like there's no tomorrow. Explosions and flashy effects instead of good writing.

 

[Plain Simple]

When asked about the possibility of future B5, JMS recently has been saying "Ask me again after April."

So, did someone ask?

ETA: Never mind, just saw this thread http://trekbbs.com/showthread.php?t=141534

 

[OmahaStar]

Then this raises an even more interesting question: What do you think would have changed in B5 if it was fillmed in 2010?

Everything.

Arc-based shows simply weren't done when B5 came along. Sure, they'd have an occasional two or three episode storyline, but a full-on arc like B5? Wasn't done. B5 showed that it could be done.

Without B5 in the 90s, we wouldn't have had other arc-based shows like Doctor Who.

In the 90s, there was a lot more freedom via syndication and the PTEN "network." There isn't anymore. I mean, at the time there was Xena, Hercules, Star Trek: TNG and DS9, Time Trax, and other shows specifically developed for syndication. The growth of UPN and the WB put a bullet in syndication. In the future, maybe, but now? I don't see it.

So, we're in 2011, where arc-based shows have never had that revival, there is little or no syndication, and Joe, who is known for (if anything) writing cartoons brings this proposed series to the various studios ... IF it even gets the green light, chances are it's an animated series, not live action.

Which brings up another one ... Xena and Hercules used some CGI. It was B5 that really pioneered the use. The team who did CGI work for B5 then went over to work for Voyager (Foundation Imaging). Before that, Star Trek used models exclusively.

So now we're in a world where CGI is not cheap or commonplace on television. Hmm ... I don't think I care for this reality. I like the original one better.

 

[Triple-F]

Without B5 in the 90s, we wouldn't have had other arc-based shows like Doctor Who.

Omaha you do talk shit at times.

Here’s jms replying to someone who came out with the same nonsense on facebook.

Those folks were doing great drama long before B5. For me to take even the slightest credit for influencing Dr. Who or British TV would be like a rooster who crows at the same moment a blast of lightning hits the henhouse saying, for the rest of his life, "yep, I did that."

Which brings up another one ... Xena and Hercules used some CGI. It was B5 that really pioneered the use. The team who did CGI work for B5 then went over to work for Voyager (Foundation Imaging). Before that, Star Trek used models exclusively.

The show never pioneered CGI - Foundation Imaging and other groups did that, it was always going to happen. Remember Thornton was approached to do miniatures and suggested going CGI. After a couple of years Netter set up a new wing to his company then kicked them off - luckily the gig on Trek cropped up.
(Always think that bit's worth mentioning, especially as jms has finally confirmed FI didn't just abandon B5. ; )

 

[OmahaStar]

Without B5 in the 90s, we wouldn't have had other arc-based shows like Doctor Who.

Omaha you do talk shit at times.

Now, now. I know trolling isn't beneath you, but personal attacks? Tsk tsk. Anyway.

Name ONE successful arc-based television series that was running on American television in 1994 when Babylon 5's first season premiered.

Oh, thats's right. You can't. Because there weren't any.

 

[Harvey]

Homicide: Life on the Street aired from 1993 to 1999 (with a TV movie in 2000).

The X-Files aired from 1993 to 2002 (with a movie in 2008).

Twin Peaks had ended by then, but it aired for two seasons from 1990 to 1991 (and, once again, a movie in 1992).

All series that employed arc-based storytelling to some degree or another.

 

[Snatcher42]

I think there's a subtle difference between serialized storytelling and arc-based story telling. Most television these days has become somewhat serialized with an on-going story, but few have archived a sense of pre-defined beginning, middle, and end (an arc) as well as B5 did.

Not trying to argue who came first or what influenced what. Just thought it was worth making that distinction.