JMS on where we are now

[Joseph DeMartino]

Hot off the newsgroup:

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, arial">quote:</font><HR>The situation with the actors on Rangers is unique in that it falls between the corporate structures of SFC and WB.

WB owns the underlying rights to the B5 universe. SFC generally likes to own the rights to the shows it airs these days.

WB likes to spend as little as possible on any of its shows because, well, that's their position on everything. They want the license fee from the network to carry the lion's share of the burden.

SFC likes to spend less money on license fees for shows it doesn't own and more on things it does own.

So when we were making the deal for the movie, it was a case of "no, *you* go first" when it came to who was going to pay for what for the series.

Complicating this was of course not knowing what they were finally going to get in the end, both in terms of the finished product and the ratings (which could be considered separately as triggers for a series).

Finally it was decided to finance the movie and put a pin in the series negotiation until either or both of the triggers above were pulled so they could best evaluate who should spend what, and in what proportion, on the series.

Absent a series deal in place, you can't make option deals with actors. The one cascades from the other.

Both WB and SFC want to make this thing. Neither WB nor SFC want to be the one compromising its position financially. The better the end result, the more easily they can come to an agreement, which I think should not be difficult once they've seen the final result which is pretty damn spectactular...we're talking nearly feature film quality here).

So that's the deal on the actors, and why there isn't an option on their
services for the series at this time.

jms<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

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Joseph DeMartino
Sigh Corps
Pat Tallman Division
joseph-demartino@att.net

 

[Ninja_Squirrel]

Not totally on-topic, but since JMS states that it's near feature film quality, will it be shown in widescreen? Maybe that's already been answered somewhere, but I don't remember.

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Not many fishes left in the sea. Not many fishes, just Londo and me.

 

[channe]

I think sometimes we fans forget there's a corporate structure out there that has to -pay- for G'Kar's costume, JMS' lunch and the little signs that say "Bathroom" in Minbari...

It's good that we know this, though - it'll soften the blow that comes when we see the movie, fall in love with the characters and then are informed that one of them can't come back because... well, actors are working stiffs like you and me, and they have to eat and pay bills, too...

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Channe, Freelance Writer Extraordinaire and The Next JMS
--
B5 Synchroninity of the Day: I just found out that the new dorm I'm living in next year has been named Breen Hall.

 

[hypatia]

My God, this sounds like politics! Everyone wants their names on it, but no one wants to pay for it!

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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

 

[channe]

Hypatia-

I'm laughing my arse off. You made my night.

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Channe, Freelance Writer Extraordinaire and The Next JMS
--
B5 Synchroninity of the Day: I just found out that the new dorm I'm living in next year has been named Breen Hall.

 

[Jomar]

This sort of message really depresses me. These guys at WB play with millions of dollars a day but they can't make a decision.

From the way JMS speaks the series is a pretty sure thing provided one of the two gets off their high horse and does something.

Well, I haven't seen the movie yet so I don't know who I would really miss if they aren't available. But when I DO see the movie I will definitely know and I'm going to be mad as hell if that character isn't available because WB let him/her slip through their fingers.

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[SataiDelenn]

Channe... Hypatia... Jomar... EVERYONE... I agree with you!

This is ridiculous. It does sound like politics. It did waver my resolve and leave me feeling a little depressed regarding the future for a series.

Channe is right. These actors are just like the rest of us, no one a Russel Crowe, Julia Roberts or Harrison Ford who can afford to sit back and wait for a project they believe in to be commissioned. They have to eat, pay bills and some probably have children to put through school.

The longer this takes, the less likely it is that our new friends can wait. In the immortal words of some Human somewhere...

"Bummer!"

Thanks for this Joe, it seems to be providing a reality check we needed. I for one was in delusion land happily certain a series would be developed, but not thinking of the other factors such as actor availability.

Three months didn't feel like such a long time, but when it is broken down to rent, groceries and bills... it can be an eternity with no income.

If any B5lotr's cast members read these posts, will you please let us know if there is anyway we the fans can expedite the airing of your film? Maybe Antony can get together an on-line petition or something?

I'd also like the actors to know that I for one will not be angry if you had to move on in order to continue the upkeep of life!

In Valen's Name... why doesn't WB just let SFC buy the bloody thing. Parasites.

There, my unMinbari, overly emotional expression of frustration for the day!

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Sheridan: "It's... damn inconvienient!"
Delenn: "The truth often is."

 

[StarStuff]

On the other hand

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, arial">quote:</font><HR>The better the end result, the more easily they can come to an agreement, which I think should not be difficult once they've seen the final result which is pretty damn spectactular. JMS<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

So there is hope of an early decision once they have seen the film.

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God be between you and harm in all the empty places you must walk.

 

[SataiDelenn]

Thank you, StarStuff.

I prefer that, the quote you highlighted is most certainly seeing the glass half full, rather than half empty.

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Sheridan: "It's... damn inconvienient!"
Delenn: "The truth often is."

 

[RW7427]

I think it would be a shame if there never was a series for Rangers because SFC and WB couldn't agree who would pay for it. Money always seems to ruin the good things. I just hope they can put their greed and fear of losing money aside to work together to make a series happen. IMHO, if they did, they just might be in for a rather pleasant surprise. Based on the number of B5 fans out there, it would seem to be in their interest to at least try.

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Long live the Salad Rangers! We live for the Salad Bar, we die for the Salad Bar.

 

[hypatia]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SataiDelenn:
There, my unMinbari, overly emotional expression of frustration for the day!

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I don't know about that. Remember a certain Minbari storming into a room yelling "bastards"?

I loved that scene!

This is one of the times I say I wonder what's up with WB sometimes. Either put up or shut up and sell the rights to the franchise!

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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

 

[Jomar]

To get back to square one, both these companies, WB and the SciFi network have to make money or they can't stay in business.

I honestly don't know how many B5 fans there are, or were at the peak of Babylon 5. I'm sure most of them will be on deck when "To Live and Die in Starlight" airs, provided they are made aware of it.

So here's hoping for a good publicity campaign.

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