ALL SCI-FI

johnnybear · Mission Specialist Joined: 15 Jun 2016 Posts: 441

Babylon 5 was a very clever TV series indeed! The Shadows and their servants The Drakh were sparingly used throughout it's run and so when they did turn up you noticed their involvement a little more! Great characterisation of the outer space politics of various planetary powers and their relationships with each other and the more superior forces like the Vorlons and the Shadows!
JB

johnnybear · Mission Specialist Joined: 15 Jun 2016 Posts: 441

The Keepers were a very clever idea but disgusting looking creatures it has to be said! Londo having one attached to his neck for thirty years at the end of the series has to be one of the best storylines in the entire show!
JB

Bud Brewster · Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 10:08 am Post subject:

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Hey, welcome back, Johnnybear!

I'm delighted that my recent activity on Trek BBS helped you discover All Sci-Fi's new location after we had trouble with Randy Everett's son when he deleted us from his poor late father's server! Sad

We shall slaughter the fatted calf and celebrate the return of the prodigal son with beer and grilled pork chops! Cool

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

johnnybear · Mission Specialist Joined: 15 Jun 2016 Posts: 441

Grilled pork chops!!! Yuck! give me a pizza covered in mushrooms and I'll supply the booze, Bud! Smile

JB

Bud Brewster · Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 5:22 pm Post subject:

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This is America, JB! Every man can chooses his own path . . . especially when he's headed for the dinner table!

You want pizza — you'll get pizza! Cool

As for the booze . . . how do you feel about Scotch? Very Happy

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

johnnybear · Mission Specialist Joined: 15 Jun 2016 Posts: 441

Scotch is my tipple, Bud! But take it easy with the olives on the pizza! Laughing

JB

Gord Green · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2018 2:41 am Post subject:

Ooooh….Scotch is my choice too!

Where else can you get a tour of the Highlands in every sip!
My first choice is Glenfidich 12 year, but EVERY single malt is a treat!

From peat to seaweed to smoke every taste is a trip!
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There comes a time, thief, when gold loses its lustre, and the gems cease to sparkle, and the throne room becomes a prison; and all that is left is a father's love for his child.

orzel-w · Galactic Ambassador Joined: 19 Sep 2014 Posts: 1865

Pow · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2018 4:53 pm Post subject:

Read that the cost to produce the B5 TV pilot movie was $4,000,000.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was $12,000,000.

The sets alone on ST:DSN cost $4,000,000. That was the entire B5 budget.

I am a fan of both series, but it amazed me how B5 managed to produce just as fine a show as DSN with far less $$$.

johnnybear · Mission Specialist Joined: 15 Jun 2016 Posts: 441

Well, sadly the B5 effects weren't on a par with DS9 were they! The sets were less believable as well yet I've seen all of B5 and only two seasons of DS9 so far...
JB

Krel · Guest

Bud Brewster · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2019 2:33 pm Post subject:

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Enjoy this well-crafted 20-minuite documentary on the popular science fiction series.
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_________________ The Making Of Babylon 5

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

Bud Brewster · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2019 1:12 pm Post subject:

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I wish the picture quality of this 24-minute video about Babylon 5 was better, but it's certainly watchable, and fans of the show will find it interesting.
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__________________ TNT Guide To Babylon 5

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

Pow · Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2021 1:11 pm Post subject:

J. Michael Straczynski Interview.

I saw Babylon 5 as a production challenge. Having worked on series in television for years (Murder She Wrote, Captain Power & the Soldiers of the Future), I knew that 30% of the TV budget goes to waste due to lack of preparation and forethought. I wanted to create a working model on how to produce a science fiction TV show that would work and not break the bank for a network.

I wanted to create a weekly TV show that would be smart about the execution of the production; more responsible and more responsive to the demands. I wanted to show networks that you can do an epic science fiction series and bring it in on or under budget. The networks long cry was that they disliked doing sci fi shows because they were always very expensive.

Note from me~ I've read that 2 ways JMS was able to achieve making B5 cost effective was: (1.) Being the first to utilize CGI instead of traditional model work for the visuals, (2.) No outdoor location shooting which can be expensive.

Krel · Guest

JMS has said that the only thing that made the show possible was to use CGI. Foundation Imaging was created to do the SPFX for the show. Near the end of the show's run Foundation Imaging got forced out as the SPFX provider. But they landed on their feet when Paramount hired them to do the effects for the various ST series.

Another way JMS saved money was by not using studio soundstages, they used warehouses as soundstages. That was the same method Filmation used with their SF series in the 70s.

The show also had a second cast to play the different Aliens. This saved money because they had all the life-casts they needed to make all the alien prosthetics, and contact lenses.

One thing I liked about the show was that people did stupid things, but it was how people act in real life. There was an episode where a charismatic Esper arrived at B5 and started organizing the other telepaths of all the different races. They decided to petition for their own planet. The leader may have been charismatic, but sadly he wasn't too smart. He sends the telepaths throughout the station, covertly spying on people for information.

Now it was established in the show that most people didn't like telepaths, or trust them. Now if the leader had gone to the council, hat in hand, and asked for a planet, they probably would have given it to him. BUT! Instead he does the stupid thing that guarantees a total freakout and panic. He tells them about the spying, and if they don't give him a planet, they will release the information they have gathered. That is real.

Now for the stupid. People raid the B5 armory and make off with weapons. It is then said that they don't know how many weapons were taken. REALLY!?! If the person in charge of the armory didn't know how many weapons they were reasonable for, then...IMMEDIATELY FIRE THEM, AND CHARGE THEM WITH DERELICTION OF DUTY!

David.