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Internet Episodes

T

taichidave

Regular
As much as I want to see more Crusade, I don't think the Internet is the way to go.

I've watched webcasts and I get sick of looking at the index card size image and hearing poor sound. Knowing his standards of quality, I can't imagine JMS condoning such a project.

In any case, Crusade deserves far better than to be a step-child of B5 and Farscape. I'd rather the series stay buried than dredge it up for net-episodes.

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"We are all Kosh."
 
This month's issue of Dreamwatch (the UK sc-fi magazine) has an interview with Douglas Netter. Most of the article concerns the new show, B5LR. However, Netter mentions that "they have asked us" to produce all new made-for-internet Crusade episodes!! I can only assume that "they" refers to the Sci-Fi Channel, and "us" refers to the creative team behind Crusade. Netter goes on to say that he is "encouraging" the idea for the new net-episodes.

However, he did point out that nothing had been agreed as of yet, and there was no mention of jms's thoughts towards the possible Crusade revival. In any event, this is interesting stuff, I think you'd agree!!
smile.gif


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:)
 
Well' I certainly wouldn't dismiss webcasts that quickly... With broadband connection a pretty decent image. Of course, the budget would be considerably slimmer, so I'd hope this would be another test before ordering the real thing.
 
I wonder if they mean actual full-cast video episodes sent over the internet, or some other use of internet technology, such as animation, sound only (like JMS' project of internet radio dramas for SciFi), or web-delivered comic strips, like on the Matrix website? I'd be more likely to access text-based (script or narrative format) or still image based "episodes" than I would streamed video or audio, personally.

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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bester:
Netter mentions that "they have asked us" to produce all new made-for-internet Crusade episodes<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I may have misquoted this part slightly. Anyhow, here's exactly what he said...

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, arial">quote:</font><HR>There is a possibility (of Crusade's return). We like Crusade a great deal. We had certain problems with the parties who were involved. The fans seem to like Crusade a great deal. We've been asked about the possibility of doing "Webisodes" of Crusade (on the internet). We have encouraged that. Doing "Webisodes" should be fun.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

He then goes on to mention the potential difficulties of trying to bring back the original cast, and re-building the sets which "were not retained". However, he remains optimistic...

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, arial">quote:</font><HR>I think we could handle it. I think Joe can handle the creation and writing of it. We could do two (shows) in Canada at the same time. In certain areas you (would) have to expand.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

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[This message has been edited by Bester (edited July 26, 2001).]
 
Actually, I hope this idea goes into the Circular File.

Just because there Is an internet is no reason to dump Everything on it. Among other things, at current state of the art, it would come out someplace around 10th rate crud.

The internet backbone is years away from being able to deliver anything as popular as this would be to the number of us that would want to see it.

Besides, I don't see Warner endangering their income by putting several million dollars worth of Video out there for people to download for Free.



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Yes, I like cats too.
Shall we exchange Recipes?
 
Yeah, this strikes me as a grade A dumb idea. I have a reasonably fast DSL connection and streaming video and MPG downloads are still too time-consuming. (And you can be sure they won't go for the download option. Can you say "Real Player"? I knew you could.)

Why would Warner Bros. want to spend millions of dollars getting the cast together, rebuilding sets and producing episodes only to put them in front of a tiny fraction of the number of people who would see them on television. If they're going to do it at all, Sci-Fi should bring Crusade back on the air. Otherwise let it rest in peace.

Regards,

Joe

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Joseph DeMartino
Sigh Corps
Pat Tallman Division
joseph-demartino@att.net
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by taichidave:
As much as I want to see more Crusade, I don't think the Internet is the way to go.

I've watched webcasts and I get sick of looking at the index card size image and hearing poor sound. Knowing his standards of quality, I can't imagine JMS condoning such a project.

In any case, Crusade deserves far better than to be a step-child of B5 and Farscape. I'd rather the series stay buried than dredge it up for net-episodes.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


I would love to see Crusade back again. But I agree. I'd MUCH RATHER see novels than horrible quality net broadcasts.

Maybe in another 20 years things will change, in terms of the technology. But for now, lets hope for tv-movies, a series, novels or nothing at all.


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"I do not believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense,
reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use."-- Galileo
 
Joe D. have you went to www.coolcast.com ?
I have the same connection speed as you, so do me a favor, go there and see how good it can really look watching "T.V." on the net....

If they were able to make the stream look that good, I'd be very happy to see it (Crusade) do something like this....

That is of course if it can't get main stream T.V. broadcasting....

And btw, I think the Internet viewing numbers (which would be much more accurate than any Neilsen) would be a lot higher than anyone seems to think....IMHO that is....


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"Faith Manages"
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, arial">quote:</font><HR>
I have the same connection speed as you, so do me a favor, go there and see how good it can really look watching "T.V." on the net....
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You are missing the point on that.

It isn't JUST a matter of how fast your connection is. It's also a matter of How Many people try to download it at the same time.

The size of the files involved is such that even a few hundred simultaneous downloads will max out or even crash the servers passing the show from Skiffy (or Warner) to you.

The Internet Backbone is almost maxed out just passing ordinary web pages around these days. Add the burden of Video/Audio files and the Backbone will start to break.


I have a "high speed" connection to. Through a cable modem. Since I got it, connect speed has dropped in half because my Neighbors are also signing up. There is only so much bandwidth to go around.

Contrary to the hype, the Internet CANNOT do everything. Hell, some of the things people Are doing is downright silly.




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Yes, I like cats too.
Shall we exchange Recipes?
 
I think it's another one of those "nice idea, but the technology available cannot support it" things.

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smile.gif


[This message has been edited by Bester (edited July 27, 2001).]
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, arial">quote:</font><HR>Since I got it, connect speed has dropped in half because my Neighbors are also signing up. There is only so much bandwidth to go around.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Which is one of the reasons I have DSL.
smile.gif
I'm practically sitting on top of the nearest C.O., get very close to the maximum rated speed, and it doesn't matter how many of my neighbors sign up, they won't affect my bandwidth at all.

But you're right about traffic problems at the server end. This is definitely a case of peoples "eyes being bigger than their stomaches" (metaphorically) when it comes to the internet. Everybody sees all sorts of possibilities, but they fail to see a) the technical limiations and b) the real-life use patterns that people are comfortable with.

While there is something sort of fun about the idea of a refrigerator that will place a delivery order with the local market when I run low on milk, or report in to the factory when it is developing a problem, I have absolutely no interest in marrying a general purpose computer to my television (specialized devices like TiVO or a DVD player are another matter.) Nor do I want to watch movies or TV shows on my computer. The two devices are in different rooms in my house for a reason.

If I'm watching a show on The Discovery Channel or PBS I don't want to interrupt my viewing to bop over to the website whenever one of those stupid little on-screen reminders pops up. I want to watch the damned show. If I want to learn more later, I can make a note of the URL. I don't multitask all that well. I can't generally read text from 20 feet away and pay attention to the picture and the narration. And I don't want to learn how.

"Convergence" my butt. Give me a TV that's a TV and a computer that is a computer.

Regards,

Joe

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Joseph DeMartino
Sigh Corps
Pat Tallman Division
joseph-demartino@att.net
 
The internet is a bandwagon.
Even the Dot.Bomb wasn't enough to convince some people that betting the farm on a dumb idea is a dumb idea.

Too many people have joined the First Church of The Internet.
Like most fanatics, they think it can bring about World Peace, Cure the Sick, Raise the Dead and Educate the Children.

It won't, but a Lot of money is going to be wasted before that particular truth penetrates their thick skulls.

I do see some signs that some businesses are starting to realize that the Internet is just another place to Advertise. One that sometimes allows people to respond to the ad immediately. But, when you come right down to it, it's just another place to spend the Advertising Budget.

All the Other stuff that's being dumped on the internet, B2B, E-everything, ad E-Nausium, is stuff that could just as easily be done over an ordinary Dial Up type high speed data line.

All taht was ever needed was an agreement on the Message Format. Something we are no closer to Now than before all the Internet overhead was tacked on to the message formats.

Forget it, this is getting too close to being a Technical discussion.
laugh.gif


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Yes, I like cats too.
Shall we exchange Recipes?
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Joseph DeMartino:
Why would Warner Bros. want to spend millions of dollars getting the cast together, rebuilding sets and producing episodes only to put them in front of a tiny fraction of the number of people who would see them on television. If they're going to do it at all, Sci-Fi should bring Crusade back on the air. Otherwise let it rest in peace.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I agree. Even if the broadcasts were of high quality (pretty big "if"), this idea just doesn't seem to make any kind of financial sense.

I'd rather the Crusade story continued in novel-form than this.

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:)
 
Have we realised here that this Crusade on the Internet thing is just a rumor? It won't happen.

Joe D, I was totally mentally pumping my fist in the air when I read your message. I know dudes that spend all this cash on DVD players and ultra-high tech for their computers. OK, so now they're gonna watch movies on a 17" screen?

I'm a software engineer professionally, but my computer at home is around 4 years old; extremely outdated. But with a cable modem, I can do anything I want on it. Instead of spending hundreds of dollors on video cards, new monitor, etc to be able to play video games, I just payed $99 for a PlayStation.

Computers are a tool. A nice one, true, but that's it.

I would rather Crusade just die than be broadcast on the internet.

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"You do not make history. You can only hope to survive it."
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by GKarsEye:
Have we realised here that this Crusade on the Internet thing is just a rumor? It won't happen.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It's not a rumor. It's a plan that has been put forward by (I assume) the Sci-Fi Channel, and is being encouraged by Douglas Netter (an executive producer of Crusade).

If both Netter and jms are supporting the plan (as implied by Netter - "We have encouraged that"), then there is a good chance that it may happen.


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:)
 
I just hope they publish the scripts so I can read them, then. I admit the internet short films or trailers and what-not I've seen has really not been very good. I'd rather have a novel!

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"I do not believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense,
reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use."-- Galileo
 
Personally I would like to have Crusade back anyway that I can. Besides I can't imagine that it would stay on the internet. Look at it from a business perspective: this could just be a way to begin getting the cast, sets, etc... back together without taking the risk of greenlighting a series yet.
Obviously the format would have to be different, it wouldn't just be a tv show streamed over the internet but if JMS really is supporting this idea I'm sure he has some sort of idea as to how to do it. That is a man who is very aware of the medium that he is using.

As far as people being entrenched in specific patterns, well I for one have a TV tuner card and a dvd for my computer. I got them when I first moved into the dorms; needed the space and didn't have a tv or vcr anway.
Its a few years later and I still have the same setup in my bedroom. Yes there are TVs in my house but I have dvd, tv, and my mp3 collection all in one convenient space.
Which brings up another point. If convergence will never happen then where is this mp3 phenomon coming from.
Last thing, and don't anyone take this the wrong way, there are some of you who need to learn the difference between your opinion and fact. Most of those I'm reffering to I have great respect for they're very knowledgable and helpful here, its just my pet peeve.
thats all, now I'm almost off of work so I have to go
smile.gif
(can't waste time if I'm not getting paid)

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