num_pages: 395
description: Note: same ISBN as volume 2 - 0979539382 (9780979539381)It's true. The creator of Babylon 5 answers 5296 fan questions covering every aspect of the show in over 100 categories in this new Babylon 5 book series.J. Michael Straczynski answered these questions as they surfaced over a period of 18 years as part of an online experiment he started in 1991 and continues to this day.This makes Asked &amp; Answered something that has never been done before with a television show: an oral history IN REAL TIME. No revisionism. Nothing forgotten. No detail spared.Because this dialogue with fans starts in 1991 it pre-dates the production of the Babylon 5 pilot so you'll discover JMS' complete vision for the series many aspects of which never made it to the screen.Even better these questions and answers include interactions on AOL Bulletin Boards GEnie Forums the moderated usenet group CIS Discussion threads and Chat Transcripts some of which are not available in archives anywhere.In addition to Babylon 5 Asked &amp; Answered includes JMS' responses to personal questions about his life politics love religion writing and more. These responses are grouped with a related B5 topic showing fans  for the first time  the provenance of the Babylon 5 philosophy and culture. All that plus JMS' real life stories behind the stories.To make this the ultimate source it took 2 years and a crew of four B5 experts  in addition to J. Michael Straczynski  to compile categorize and edit. COMPLETE DETAILS ABOUT PART 3Rants religion money sex and Star Trek...just a few of the topics covered in the most volatile release of the entire Asked &amp; Answered series.Part 3 (pages 779-1183) includes more than 1100 missives grouped into the following  often heated  topics:RANTSThis is JMS unplugged. He shares his thoughts  unfiltered and often exasperated  on a breadth of topics including: the sound in space issue comparisons of Babylon 5 to Shakespeare Lord of the Rings Dune and every other saga of any import atheism language and culture the idea that a five-year arc prohibits the organic development of a story the perils of being the topic of an online forum religion in Babylon 5 predictability of stories why he almost quit the online community forever why the tone of his online posts changed over the years and how he really feels about people expressing an opinion that conflicts with his.RELIGIONThis section covers a wide range of religion related questions including: What are the religions of each alien species? What are the spiritual convictions of the principal human characters? Why is religion in the 23rd century a valid premise? How did Earth's religions deal with the existence of aliens? Why do B5s alien races have more than one religion? Why did JMS showcase religion when most TV shows avoid it? What happened when the topic of Babylon 5 was raised at a multi-faith meeting of interdenominational leaders? What are JMSs thoughts on the pagan group that makes its new members watch B5 in its entirety?REMUNERATION AND MONEYHow much was JMS paid for Babylon 5? How much does money matters to JMS? Could JMS have gotten a better deal for the show? What does JMS spend money on? Why has he never gotten a cent of residuals on the DVD sales?SEXWhat are the hookers are like on Babylon 5? Why does prostitution still exists in the 23rd century? Can different species breed with each other? PLUS JMSs thoughts on bi gay and lesbian characters.SPECIAL EFFECTSHow does CGI impact the script? Why did JMS choose CGI over models? How did B5s space shots differ from what came before? What happened when California wildfires threatened the visual effects facility? PLUS over 30 questions and answers detailing the shows pioneering use of computer generated imagery.SHIPSHow did JMS design the Vorlon ships? Which ships can enter B5's space? Who can use the station's facilities? How do Starfuries launch? PLUS details of the unused Northrodyne C31-03 Patriot details of Starfury design down to their engine parts and the facts about White Stars and other alien spacecraft.SOUND DESIGNWhat is walla? How was B5s soundtrack different from those of other shows? What was JMS's fresh approach to the sound of weaponry? Which of the unique sounds on the show were original creations (and which where not)? What are wild tracks? PLUS the truth about Kosh's voice.SPECIESEverything you ever wanted to know but were afraid to ask in 256 questions about: Centauri Drazi Humans Minbari Narn pak'ma'ra Shadows Vorlons and other First Ones. PLUS detailed explanations about their characteristics and their histories (don't miss JMS's note comparing and contrasting Narn and Centauri history or his detailed list of the which races were at war or allied at the time of the pilot) as well as the theories behind the design of each race.STAR TREKDid the Babylon 5 crew ever socialize with any of the Star Trek crews? How did Babylon 5's budget compare to that of the various Star Trek series? How did JMS fight allegations that this concept or that idea was originated by Star Trek? Is JMS the next Gene Roddenberry? Does it make JMS crazy when every article compares Babylon 5 to Star Trek? Did Paramount use JMSs concept to create Star Trek: Deep Space Nine? How did Deep Space Nine most impact Babylon 5?TECHNOLOGYFour categories highlight the technology of the 23rd century: GENERAL (medicine space suits time travel and transporters) COMMUNICATIONS (links BabCom ISN and Universe Today) TRANSPORTATION (hyperspace jumpgates the core shuttle and the transport tubes) and WEAPONRY (mass drivers PPGs projectiles and stealth tech).ALL THIS AS WELL AS SECTIONS COVERING: THE TITLE SEQUENCE(JMS offers insights and anecdotes about the shows varied title sequences including the concept the visuals and the narration) THE UNIVERSE OF BABYLON 5 (Featuring detailed histories and background including the Earth/Minbari War Earths first contact with alien life and the funding of the Babylon Project despite four failures) THE SHOWS VISUAL AESTHETIC (Including logos graphics and cinematography) THE WARDROBE (Highlighting costumes makeup and prosthetics)and last but not least WRITING BABYLON 5A comprehensive section with thorough discussions of the cast the characters the episode titles the origins of the story the planning of the series the process of writing the scripts story structure themes JMSs personal dedication the achievement and the reactions gathered along the way.
language: English
title: Asked & Answered: J. Michael Straczynski Answers 5,296 Questions About Babylon 5 & Beyond. Part 3
publisher: Synthetic Worlds Publishing