Archive-name: tv/babylon-5-faq
Last-modified:  3 July 1994
Frequency: Bi-monthly

The BABYLON 5 Frequently Asked Questions List

    The latest version of this file can be retrieved via anonymous ftp at
    ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/babylon-5-faq. (This URL shorthand
    describes the ftp site, ftp.hyperion.com, along with the appropriate
    directory and file name.)

    World Wide Web users can point to http://www.hyperion.com/lurk/lurker.html

IMPORTANT:  DO NOT POST STORY IDEAS to the Babylon 5 newsgroups. Since the
            show's creator/Executive Producer is online, he would have to
            withdraw for legal reasons.  We don't want that!

-------------------------
Contents of this FAQ List
-------------------------

This FAQ list is a "launching point" to the many questions and answers about
Babylon 5.  More detailed resources are available online and in the print
media. See topic 16 of this list or follow the cross-references for more
in-depth information.

*** By popular demand, changed areas are marked by "*" (in the first column).

1.  What is Babylon 5?
2.  Who is behind Babylon 5?
3.  What makes JMS think he can do a good science fiction TV show?
4.  How much of the series is planned out already?
5.  Where can I see Babylon 5?
6.  What is Babylon 5 About?
7.  Who are the characters in the show?
    a. The Main Cast for the Series
    b. Supporting and Recurring Cast
8.  What kind of Special Effects does Babylon 5 have?
9.  Babylon 5 Episodes
10. How has Babylon 5's development progressed?
11. Who can you write to show support for Babylon 5?
12. Now that Babylon 5 is a series, can I submit a script?
13. Appearances
    a. Science Fiction Conventions
    b. Babylon 5 Newsletter
    c. Publications
14. One-Liner FAQs
15. Miscellaneous Info
    a. Merchandising
    b. Fans' influence on the show
    c. Awards
    d. Babylon 5 References in other JMS works
    e. Miscellaneous Production Info
    f. Production Order vs. Airing Order
    g. Changes
16. Where to find online information
    a. Internet
    b. GEnie
    c. Other
17. Credits and Legaleze

-----------------------
~1.  What is Babylon 5?
-----------------------

Babylon 5 is a new science fiction television series that is set on a space
station in the mid 23rd Century.

After the two hour pilot movie in Feb. 1993, the series started the week of
Jan. 24, 1994, with a season of 22 episodes.  The series is planned for a five
year run. It has been renewed for its second season, which will start Nov.
1994. It is part of the Warner Bros. Television Consortium, called the Prime
Time Entertainment Network (PTEN), syndicated to stations across the USA and
internationally.

-----------------------------
~2.  Who is behind Babylon 5?
-----------------------------

The show was created by J. Michael Straczynski (JMS), who is co-executive
producer on the show along with Doug Netter.  It has been in development since
1987, the last few years with Warner Bros.

JMS has been involved with genre television for many years, as story editor
and writer for the Twilight Zone TV series (syndicated version), Captain
Power, and the animated The Real Ghostbusters.  He has also written for Jake
and the Fatman and Murder, She Wrote.  JMS has also had many published short
stories, an anthology, and two fantasy/horror novels. Until recently, he was
co-host of Hour 25, a Los Angeles area science fiction radio talk show.

Doug Netter is an equal partner in Babylon 5 and has been in the business for
a long time, at one time being the head of MGM wherehis nickname was
Rattlesnake, thus Rattlesnake Productions, his production company.  Doug
mainly handles the business side and leaves the creative work to Straczynski,
which is how they first worked together on Captain Power.

Harlan Ellison is the Conceptual Consultant for the series.  He has also
written a "manifest" for the show that will explain to other writers how to
write science fiction for television and Babylon 5, in particular.

*
Well-known science fiction writers, including Ellison, David Gerrold, and D.C.
Fontana, and Peter David are contributing scripts to the show.

Christopher Franke, formerly of Tangerine Dream, does the soundtrack.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
~3.  What makes JMS think he can do a good science fiction TV show?
-------------------------------------------------------------------

JMS has been on many panels at science fiction conventions dealing with what's
wrong with science fiction on television.  He has also been active on various
computer networks getting feedback from science fiction fans.  His main
criteria for a good science fiction television series include that it must be
good science fiction AND good television (both are rarely combined together in
one show); it would be geared towards adults, not kids ("No Cute Kids, No Cute
Robots.  Ever!"), doing for science fiction what "Hill Street Blues" did for
police shows.  It would also have to be done on a reasonable budget and it
should look like nothing ever seen on TV.  And to make it a series, it would
not be just individual stories (alien attack/ possession/ misunderstanding of
the week), the stories would be part of an overall larger story, but still
watchable each week as a separate chapter.  JMS is also in tune with the
viewing audiences of his show, still maintaining a presence on several
computer discussion boards on the topic of the Babylon 5.

---------------------------------------------------
~4.  How much of the series is planned out already?
---------------------------------------------------

Unlike most television series, an overall story arc has been planned for
Babylon 5 as if it were a five year miniseries.  Events have been planned for
each season which will tell a larger story over time; hints are dropped along
the way that foreshadow events to come. There is plenty of room for individual
stories within each season and each episode can be viewed alone. There is also
a writer's guide (in-house) as well as much backstory on the Babylon 5
universe.

-------------------------------
~5.  Where can I see Babylon 5?
-------------------------------

USA
---
In most areas, Babylon 5 airs WEDNESDAY NIGHTS AT 8 PM ET/PT on stations that
are part of the Warner Bros. Prime Time Entertainment Network (PTEN)
consortium, generally made up of independent stations. (These stations also
air Time Trax and Kung Fu: The Legend Continues.)  Stations with other
affiliations may broadcast the show at other times. Check your local listings,
get the document referenced here, or call your local station.
## Station List: ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5tvlist.txt

SATELLITE
---------
Babylon 5 is fed on satellite several days before airing dates on Galaxy 4
Channel 21. Audio is 5.8 left, 6.2 right, 6.8 mono.

    Fridays,  10-11 AM Eastern
    Fridays,   2-3  PM Eastern
    Saturdays, 5-6  AM Eastern  (combo feed with Kung Fu following)
    Sundays,   8-9  AM Eastern  "

    PTEN Promo feed: Wednesdays, 11:30 PM Eastern

UK
--
Starting May 16, 1994, Babylon 5 airs Mondays, 6 PM, Channel 4.
S4C (Wales) airs Babylon 5 Sundays at 10:50 AM.

ELSEWHERE
---------
The following sites may have already started or should start soon.
Confirmations requested; please send e-mail to FAQ list moderator.

France:     Canal Plus
Germany:    Set Eitz (SAT 1 or Sat Eins?)
Philipines: RCTI
Trinidad:   AUM
Europe(?):  Sky-TV
*
Singapore:  Channel 5, Sundays
Australia:  7 Network -- starting in the Fall

Other info is just station IDs or areas): Taipei, TV3, TVNZ, TTV, IBC, BEC,
Canal Sinco, ICP, Proziba, and Italy.

VIDEO
-----
In Europe, Australia, and Japan, the Babylon 5 pilot movie has been released
on home video (and on laserdisc in Japan). There are NO immediate plans for a
U.S. home video release of the pilot or the series.

-----------------------------
~6.  What is Babylon 5 About?
-----------------------------
## Detailed backstory: ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5log.txt
## More information:   ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5_jms_answers.txt

Babylon 5 is set in the years 2257-2262 A.D. on a 5 mile long space station in
neutral space.  It was constructed by the Earth Alliance to help keep the
peace between the EA and four other alien alliances of which Babylon 5 is
centrally located between.  Each of the alliances has an official
representative on the station.

These include the Earth Alliance, represented by Commander Jeffrey Sinclair,
who is in charge of Babylon 5.

The Minbari, represented by Ambassador Delenn.  The Minbari waged a war with
the Earth Alliance 10 years earlier and mysteriously surrendered on the brink
of victory.

The Centauri Republic, represented by Londo Mollari.  The Centauri Republic
was the first to make contact with Earth and helped advance their technology.
However, they are really on the decline, much like the decline of the British
Empire.

The Narn Regime, represented by Ambassador G'Kar.  The Narn were previously
under the control of The Centauri Republic but rebelled and are now
independent and growing in influence.

The Vorlon Empire, represented by Ambassador Kosh Naranek.  The Vorlons have
avoided contact with the other alliances and are a mystery.  They have agreed
to participate with Babylon 5. Vorlons breath a methane atmosphere and are
VERY alien aliens.

Several other races form the League of Non-Aligned Worlds.

There also appears to be another major race in the shadows....

----------------------------------------
~7.  Who are the characters in the show?
----------------------------------------
## Cast Info:       ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5actors.txt
## Characters Info: ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5log.txt
                and ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5_jms_answers.txt
## Guest Stars:     ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/Guide/
                    (see appropriate episode guide)
## Appearances:     ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5appearances

========    a. Main Cast

COMMANDER JEFFREY DAVID SINCLAIR    Michael O'Hare

The current commander of Babylon 5 and representative of the Earth Alliance.
His rank doesn't seem high enough to warrant such a lofty position; his past
involvement in the Earth-Minbari war seems to be a factor.

LT. COMMANDER SUSAN IVANOVA         Claudia Christian

Of Russian descent, a commanding presence, and quirky at times, somewhat
pessimistic.  Second in command and in charge of day-to-day operations on
Babylon 5.

TALIA WINTERS                       Andrea Thompson

Babylon 5's resident telepath, PSI-corps level 5.

SECURITY CHIEF MICHAEL GARIBALDI    Jerry Doyle

In charge of security on Babylon 5.  He has a troubled past but was picked by
Sinclair for the job.

AMBASSADOR LONDO MOLLARI            Peter Jurasik

Represents the Centauri, a decadent and fading republic.  Appearances aside,
Londo is a "romantic" character with disparate official and personal sides,
who wants back the glory days of the republic.

AMBASSADOR DELENN                   Mira Furlan

Represents the Minbari.  Delenn is a member of the Minbari Grey Council and
why she is on Babylon 5 as an ambassador is one of the many mysteries on the
station.

AMBASSADOR G'KAR                    Andreas Katsulas

Represents the Narn Regime.  G'Kar is a patriot, always looking for ways to
turn situations to the Narn's advantage.

DR. STEPHEN FRANKLIN                Richard Biggs

Middle thirties, dedicated and self-assured. His background is mainly in
experimental medicine so does not have a good "bedside manner."

VORLON AMBASSADOR KOSH NARANEK      animatronics
                                    Native voice designed by Chris Franke
"There's simply nothing that        English translation: Ardwight Chamberlain
I can say about Kosh just now."
  -- J. Michael Straczynski

========    b. Supporting And Recurring Characters

    >>> Assistants to the Ambassadors:

VIR COTTO                           Stephen Furst

Centauri assistant to Londo.  Timid and given no respect by Londo, so far.

NA'TOTH                             Caitlin Brown

A female Narn, assistant to G'Kar.  She replaced Ko'Dath, who had an accident
with an airlock shortly after her duties began.

LENNIER                             Bill Mumy

A monk-like male aide for Delenn, having lived a monastic life, will be a true
innocent on B5.  One of the few who knows Delenn's important title.

    >>> Other Characters:

CATHERINE SAKAI                     Julia Nickson

She works for an Earth company that surveys asteroids and planets for mineral
exploitation.  Runs the survey ship Skydancer. She is a past and current flame
of Sinclair's.

N'GRATH                             animatronics

An insect-like non-humanoid alien, who can arrange or fix things for a price.

DR. MAYA HERNANDEZ                  Silvana Gallardo

A Doctor under Dr. Franklin.

SENATOR HIDOSHI                     Aki Aelong

The station's contact with the Earth Alliance Senate.

TECH #1                             Marianne Robertson

One of the many unnamed technicians at work in Babylon 5's Command and
Control (C&C) center.

------------------------------------------------------
~8.  What kind of Special Effects does Babylon 5 have?
------------------------------------------------------
## More Info: ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5_jms_answers.txt
## Also see:  Section 13c.
## or read articles listed in ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5.media

*
All special effects for Babylon 5 are computer generated.  Foundation Imaging,
headed by Ron Thornton, is utilizing Lightwave 3D and specialized software in
conjunction with NewTek's Video Toaster (running on the Amiga platform) to
design and render the visual effects.  Space scenes are clearer and more
realistic than Model shots.  Some interior shots such as docking bays are
"virtual sets" combining live action with computer imagery. Macintoshes and
PCs are used occasionally for 2-D effects and painting packages.

-----------------------
~9.  Babylon 5 Episodes
-----------------------
## FULL Schedule and
   episode synopses:    ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5episodes
## Past episodes:       ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/Guide/

(This ABRIDGED list includes only _upcoming_ rerun schedules.)

PILOT MOVIE

02/22/93        The Gathering  (title not shown on-screen) by JMS, director RC

SEASON ONE Airing Order    (JMS's blanket season title: "Signs and Portents")

 Week of  No.  Title                                Writer   Director
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
 01-24-94 103  Midnight on the Firing Line             JMS         RC
 01-31-94 102  Soul Hunter                             JMS         JJ
 02-07-94 104  Born to the Purple                      LD         BSG
 02-14-94 101  Infection                               JMS         RC
 02-21-94 108  The Parliament of Dreams                JMS         JJ
 02-28-94 110  Mind War                                JMS        BSG
 03-07-94 107  The War Prayer                          DCF         RC
 03-14-94 106  And the Sky Full of Stars               JMS         JG
 04-18-94 113  Deathwalker                             LD         BSG
 04-25-94 105  Believers                               DG          RC
 05-02-94 111  Survivors                               MSZ         JJ
 05-09-94 114  By Any Means Necessary                  KD          JJ
 05-16-94 116  Signs and Portents                      JMS         JG
 05-23-94 119  TKO                                     LD          JF

 06-20-94 106R And the Sky Full of Stars
 06-27-94 113R Deathwalker
 07-04-94 109  Grail                                   CM          RC
 07-11-94 122  Eyes LD          JJ
 07-18-94 115  Legacies                                DCF        BSG
 07-25-94 120  A Voice in the Wilderness I             JMS         JG
 08-01-94 121  A Voice in the Wilderness II            JMS         JG
 08-08-94 118  Babylon Squared                         JMS         JJ
 08-15-94 117  The Quality of Mercy                    JMS         ??

The rest of the schedule is tentative, and subject to change.

 08-22-94 105R Believers
 08-29-94      * To Be Announced *
 09-05-94 111R Survivors
 09-12-94 116R Signs and Portents
 09-19-94 114R By Any Means Necessary
 09-26-94 109R Grail
 10-03-94 122R Eyes
 10-10-94 120R A Voice in the Wilderness I
 10-17-94 121R A Voice in the Wilderness II
 10-24-94 112  Chrysalis                               JMS         JG

### NOTE:  Chrysalis may be rescheduled to end-october so Warners can promote
###        the episode along with the new season.  We'll keep you posted.

SEASON TWO Airing Order

*
10-31-94 201  Points of Departure                      JMS         ??

*
The second season begins shooting August 1.

*
Other scripts confirmed as being written for season two include a sequel to
the the _Outer Limits_ episode, "Demon With A Glass Hand" by Harlan Ellison
(unofficially called "Demon on the Run"), "A Trick of the Mind" by Larry
DiTillio, "The Long Dark" by Scott Ross, "Pestulance, Famine, and Death" by
Peter David, and "A Distant Star" by D.C. Fontana.  JMS has indicated he will
be writing 10-12 scripts, similar to the first season.

WRITERS:          LD = Larry DiTillio; KD = Kathyrn Drennan; DCF =
                  D.C. Fontana; DG = David Gerrold; CM = Christy
                  Marx; JMS = J. Michael Straczynski; MSZ = Marc
                  Scott Zicree.

DIRECTORS:        RC = Richard Compton; JF = John Flynn; JG = Janet
                  Greek; BSG = Bruce Seth Green; JJ = Jim Johnston.

------------------------------------------------
~10. How has Babylon 5's development progressed?
------------------------------------------------

1987 Spring/Summer  Babylon 5 treatment created by J. Michael Straczynski,
                    also writer's bible
1988 May            Artist Peter Ledger hired to design a Babylon 5 logo, and
                    to do a series of paintings based on the treatment and
                    bible, which were then used for various presentations
1988 Summer/Fall    Babylon 5 pitched to CBS, HBO, ABC, and others
1989 March          Babylon 5 pitched to Chris-Craft Television, a consortium
                    of stations.  CCT pledges support of B5, and attempts are
                    made throughout 1988 and 1989 to create co-production
                    deals with foreign investors
1989 June/July      Babylon 5 submitted/pitched to Paramount
1989 December       Babylon 5 receives additional pledge of support from
                    Warner Bros., which begins working with CCT to form fifth
                    network at same time
1991 November       Babylon 5 announced as one of three flagship projects for
                    Warners' Prime Time Entertainment Network (PTEN). The
                    trades carry the story extensively.
1992 June/July      Casting for the pilot movie
1992 August 10      Filming on the pilot movie begins
1992 Sept. 4        Filming ends on the pilot movie
1992 Nov.  7        First showing of pilot movie to a convention audience
                    at Wishcon II in Springfield, Mass.
1992 Nov. 28        First announced showing of pilot movie to a convention
                    audience at Loscon 19 in Los Angeles, CA
1993 Jan. 14        Final edit of pilot movie completed
1993 Feb. 19/20     Satellite feed of pilot movie to local stations.
1992 Feb. 22 week   TV debut of the pilot movie.  It achieved a 10.3 GAA
                    national rating, which was better than the two hour
                    premieres of "Kung Fu: The Legend Continues" (10.2),
                    "The Untouchables" (10.2) and "Time Trax" (8.3).
1993 April          Series Pre-production starts
1993 May 28         Formal announcement by Warner Bros. of a series order
1993 Mid-July       Filming starts on the series
1993 Late Summer    Parts of the first three episodes are previewed at San
                    Diego Comic Con, WorldCon and CopperCon 13
1993 Mid-Sept.      Foundation Imaging awarded Visual Effects Emmy for the
                    Babylon 5 pilot movie at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards
1993 Mid-Oct.       First fully completed episode delivered to Warner Bros
1993 Oct./Nov.      PTEN rebroadcast of Babylon 5 pilot movie
1993 Nov. 26        "Midnight on the Firing Line" screened at LosCon 20
1994 Mid-Jan.       "Making of Babylon 5" airs (hosted by Walter Koenig)
1994 Jan. 20        Satellite feed of first episode
1994 Jan. 26        Start of weekly series on PTEN
1994 Mar. 23        Filming ends for first season
1994 May 12         Announcement of renewal for second season
*
1994 Aug. 1         Filming starts for second season
1994 Nov 2 (appx).  Premiere of second season with "Chrysalis, Part II"

-----------------------------------------------------
~11. Who can you write to show support for Babylon 5?
-----------------------------------------------------
PTEN is a consortium of stations where each station has a say in what gets
produced.  JMS has requested that if you would like to write in support of the
show and to encourage renewal, write your local station.

For Warner Bros. write to:                  For the show's creator,
                                            as well as the cast and crew:
Dick Robertson
Vice President                              J. Michael Straczynski
Domestic Television Distribution            14431 Ventura Blvd, Suite 260
Warner Bros. Television                     Sherman Oaks, CA  91423
4000 Warner Boulevard
Burbank, CA 91522.

-----------------------------------------------------------
~12. Now that Babylon 5 is a series, can I submit a script?
-----------------------------------------------------------

All current stories are developed by JMS, because only he knows where the
story is going.  JMS is looking at spec scripts, selecting writers based on
their talent and understanding of the Babylon 5 universe,  then giving out
assigned stories.  Babylon 5 is not accepting outside stories.  Scripts not
submitted through an agent will be returned unopened, as is standard practice.

All freelance scripts will have the original writer as the sole credit. Any
rewrites or additions (such as a "B" plot or additional scenes) by Babylon 5
staff will not add to the writing credit.  This will allow the freelancer to
get full royalties for the episode.

----------------
~13. Appearances
----------------

========    a. Science Fiction Conventions

## More Info:   Con information is often posted on the USENET groups such as
                alt.fandom.cons, rec.arts.sf.announce, rec.arts.sf.fandom.

J. Michael Straczynski has been attending science fiction conventions when
possible.  Past convention appearances have been Loscon 19, and 20; Gallifrey
One in 3D, Gallifrey One Goes Forth, A Fifth of Gallifrey One, WesterColt .45;
the San Diego Comic Con; WishCon II; Con-Dor; Baycon, Phil and Ed's Excellent
Convention.

Upcoming con appearances planned by J. Michael Straczynski include:

    San Diego Comic Con (August 4-7, 1994)    -- B5 panel probably Sat. PM

    Most Likely, Loscon 21 (November, 1994)

Arne Starr, Artist on the DC Comics Star Trek series has been making Babylon 5
presentations at cons he has appeared at.

Adam "Mojo" Lebowitz (B5 visual effects) has been making some convention
appearances.

========    b. The Official Babylon 5 Newsletter

A Babylon 5 newsletter is being produced with the cooperation of J. Michael
Straczynski by Christy Marx.  The first issue was made available for free and
copies are still available.  To receive the additional issues, send a $5 check
or money order to Christy Marx, Editor - BABYLON 5 NEWSLETTER, P.O. Box 2325,
Oakhurst, CA  93644.  (In Canada $7 and $9 elsewhere).
Make check out to "C. Marx" (IMPORTANT!)

If you want to just get issues 4-6, which will deal with the series, send
$3.00 ($5.00 Canada)

If you send in for all issues, you get issues 1-3 right away (although #2 is
available only as a copy) and the rest as they are issued.  Issue #4 is in
process and is supposed to appear sometime REAL SOON NOW.

========    c. Publications

## More Info: ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5.media

The April 1994 issue of _CineFantastique_ has a major feature article on
Babylon 5.  Half of the issues have a Babylon 5 cover, while half have "The
Stand" on the cover.

Adam "Mojo" Lebowitz, who works with Ron Thornton on the visual effects, has
an article in the June 1994 _Toaster User_.  Call AVID publications at
800-322-2843 from the USA.

-------------------
~14. One-Liner FAQs
-------------------
## More Info:   ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5_jms_answers.txt
                (or retrieve other archives, episode guides, etc.)

Following are some of the questions asked a lot by newcomers to Babylon 5 and
brief answers to those questions.

Misc:

Q: How come [insert name] is in the opening credits but not in the show?
A: Characters that appear in 7 or more episodes are in the opening credits.

Q: Which came first, Deep Space 9 or Babylon 5?
A: B5 was pitched to Paramount in 1989, two years before DS9 was created.

Q: Has B5 been renewed a second season?
A: Yes, thanks in part to fans writing their local stations (see sec. 11.)

Q: Why are they using paper in the 23rd century?
A: Paper is convenient.  It's a recycleable, synthetic material.

Q: Why is Sinclair, only a commander, running the station?
A: The Minbari rejected all choices, down the line, and accepted Sinclair.

Q: What does the "Third Age" of mankind mean?  What are the 1st and 2nd?
A: Joe ain't telling.  To reveal the 1st and second would give away the 3rd.

Q: What has happened with Harlan Ellison's scripts this season?
A: They've been delayed due to poor health and earthquake injuries.

Q: How is the "sound in space" issue dealt with?
A: You hear music in the space shots, some sounds are part of the music.

Aliens:

Q: What's with the Centauri Hair?
A: Hair is a measure of status: more elaborate = higher status. Women go bald.

Q: What is that thing on Minbari heads?
A: It's a bone, which grows with age and differs among individuals.

Q: Is Bill Mumy (Lennier) the same guy from _Lost In Space_?
A: Yes.  Only much older.

Q: How did the war between Earth and the Minbari start?
A: A misunderstanding on first contact.

*
Q: What was it that the Minbari found with Sinclair which stopped the war?
A: Still quite a mystery; will be revealed by "Points of Departure."

*
Q: What is known about Vorlons?
A: Very little. Reclusive, and may be hiding something under those suits.
   (We'll see a what a Vorlon looks like in season two.)

Q: Why are we always seeing aliens speaking English to each other?
A: As in WWII movies, we assume they are speaking in their native tongue.

Technology:

Q: How do jump gates work?
A: Ships enter one and exit another. Large ships can make their own points.

Q: What's the size and capacity of the station?
A: 5 miles long, holding as many as 250,000 beings (many in transit).

Q: How do PPGs (Phased Plasma Guns) work?
A: A superheated burst of plasma, burning through the air.

Q: How does communication with Earth work?
A: Tachyons, giving instantaneous communications; problematic in jump gates.

Q: Where in the galaxy is the station?
A: Approximately 25 light years from earth, at an as-yet-undiscovered star.

Q: Why doesn't JMS quote people when he responds to messages online?
A: His news->mail gateway doesn't have the technology.  Live with it.  :)

-----------------------
~15. Miscellaneous Info
-----------------------

========    a. Merchandising

## More Details: ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5_jms_answers.txt

Babylon 5 products will be arriving, but not for a while, to prevent the
problem of "the tail wagging the dog." Licensing Company of America, a
subsidiary of Warner Bros. is handling the licensing of Babylon 5 products.
Creation Conventions has licensed some products already, like T-shirts, hats,
etc. Electronic Arts has licensed the rights to a computer game based on
Babylon 5.  Novelization (perhaps one per season tying together main story arc
ideas), video releases (in widescreen on LaserDisc), and technical manuals are
all being explored or developed although nothing has yet been announced.

Creation Entertainment has T-shirts and photos available -- (818) 409-0960

*
An interactive CD-ROM has been announced for release next year (?) by
Compton's.  The CD Rom will feature sections on the universe of Babylon 5 as
well as very educational and interactive sections that takes you from script
to editing to final cut.  Encoded sections of the disc which contain spoilers
for future storylines will require unlocking by entering the appropriate
keywords which will not be known until later events are revealed in the show.

*
A Comic adaptation with DC comics will commence November 1994, showcasing
stories that occur in parallel with the main television story.  Issue number
one, written by JMS, is entitled "In Darkness Find Me" and features the
inverse side of the story of "Midnight on the Firing Line."  Stories will be
divided into four-issue cycles featuring different writers and artists.

*
Dell publishing will be releasing four Babylon 5 novels next year, featuring
stories which will be connected with the events in the series.

A soundtrack by Christopher Franke should be available by November 1994.

========    b. Fans' influence on the show

The location of Babylon 5 is at Grid Epsilon 470,18,22 which corresponds to
the original location of the Babylon 5 topic on GEnie (Page 470, CAT 18, Topic
22).  The first mention of a planet's coordinates in "Mind War" were Grid
Epsilon 471,18,25 which corresponds to a topic in the Babylon 5 Category on
GEnie.

Partially due to fan response from those who saw the pilot movie or clips,
some things in the pilot movie were changed before broadcast.  The voice of
Delenn is Mira Furlan's voice without any processing and Delenn is female to
begin with.  Original plans were to electronically process her voice and have
Delenn change sex during the series. Some additional voice-over was done by
Patricia Tallman to clarify one scene in the show with Kosh in the Medlab.

The branding of a Minbari in "The War Prayer" that had similarities to a DS9
episode was kept after feedback from fans about it.  It had been considered
removing the branding scene and electronically wiping the brand from the rest
of the episode.

When names submitted for a mega corporation and a mineral were rejected for
legal reasons, JMS went to the GEnie B5 Category and asked for suggestions.
The resulting names used are Quantium-40 for the mineral and Universal
Terraform for the company.  Q-40 is mentioned in both "The Parliament of
Dreams" and "Mind War" and Universal Terraform in "Mind War". The waiter
mentioned in "Parliament" is named for David Strauss, who submitted Q-40.

The denizens of "Downbelow" are called "lurkers," a term for those on the
newsgroups who read messages but never post.

JMS is considering revamping or killing off n'grath based partly on the
reaction by viewers.

Based on interest in the legal aspects of the Psi Corps, he will indicate how
some of this works in "The Quality of Mercy."

A ship in "A Voice in the Wilderness" will be named "Hyperion" in
acknowledgment of the Babylon 5 ftp site at ftp.hyperion.com.

========    c. Awards

Emmy Award in 1993 for Special Visual Effects for the Babylon 5 Pilot movie.

March, 1994 - Space Frontier Foundation award for "Best Vision of the Future"

========    d. Babylon 5 References in other JMS works

In the Captain Power episode "Final Stand," Tank mentions that he's from the
Babylon 5 Genetic Engineering Colony.

In the JMS Novel "Othersyde," Babylon 5 is mentioned as one of the characters
favorite TV series.

========    e. Miscellaneous Production Info

Babylon 5 is being filmed in the 16:9 aspect ratio, trimming it for broadcast.
Plans are for the episodes to later be available in widescreen on laserdisc
and when HDTV happens.  The opening titles are in letterbox format.

Audio is being done in full Surround Sound.  Larry DiTillio is writing
background dialogue (known as "walla").

Alien makeup and such for the series is being done by Optic Nerve Studios
(Everett Burrell and John Vulich) which is a change from the pilot.

The early episodes had some video and audio degradation due to the manner in
which commercials, closed captioning and such were being added using analog
transfers and used tape.  Some was corrected by the broadcast of "The War
Prayer" with more improvements in time.

========    f. Production Order vs. Airing Order

The production of episodes started far enough in advance that the airing order
of the episodes could be arranged as the producers and network decided,
allowing for additional post-production time and cost reduction.  For example,
the season finale was filmed 12th but will air last.  Micheal O'Hare has
already filmed segments to be used throughout the second season.

========    g. Changes

> Between pilot and first season:

Due to reworking and recasting after the pilot, Lt. Cmdr. Laurel Takashima,
Dr. Benjamin Kyle, and telepath Lyta Alexander were replaced.  Kyle and
Alexander were sent back to Earth under "mysterious circumstances"; Takashima
is on a classified mission, and may return someday.  Most of the character
stories and back-histories were transferred to their replacements.

Make-up for G'Kar was improved; Delenn's look was substantially modified once
it was established that the character would be female.

> Between first and second season:

Director Richard Compton left the show after "Grail."

Due to a mutual, amicable decision between producers and Michael O'Hare, the
character of Cmdr. Sinclair will be leaving the show's main cast in the
beginning of the second season.  This is an adjustment but JMS has assured us
it will not hurt and should even improve the show's five-year storyline.
Sinclair will still be an important part of the show and should return later.

The introduction will be new for year two; hopefully shorter.  The narrator
has not yet announced.

> A list of episodes that have been mentioned online and later retitled.

  "Blood and Thunder"       -->  "Midnight on the Firing Line"
  "Amaranth"                -->  "Born to the Purple"
  "Carnival!"               -->  "The Parliament of Dreams"
  "A Knife in the Shadows"  -->  "Survivors"
  "Backlash"                -->  "By Any Means Necessary"
  "Raiding Party"           -->  "Signs and Portents"
  "The Ressurectionist"     -->  "The Quality of Mercy"
*
  "Chrysalis, Part II"      -->  "Points of Departure"

> David Gerrold scripts not used in Season 1:

  "Target Unknown" and "Metaphors and Body Counts"

> Harlan Ellison scripts not completed due to health problems and the '94
  L.A. Earthquake: (May be used in the second season.)

  "Midnight in the Sunken Cathedral" and (not officially) "Demon on the Run"

-------------------------------------
~16. Where to find online information
-------------------------------------

========    a. INTERNET

WORLD   go to URL: http://www.hyperion.com/lurk/lurker.html
WIDE    NOTE: This page contains LOTS of images!
WEB

USENET  rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5
        This group was created in late Mar. '94 and is now the main Babylon 5
        newsgroup.  Via a mail gateway, JMS participates in this group.
        VERY IMPORTANT: Do NOT post any story ideas (for legal reasons)

        alt.tv.babylon-5
        The original Usenet B5group, created Feb. 1993.  Still online for now.

        rec.video.satellite, rec.arts.tv, and rec.arts.sf.tv may also contain
        Babylon 5 discussion and announcements.

REVIEW  The Babylon 5 Reviews Electronic Forum, moderated by Michael S.Shappe
LIST    To subscribe, e-mail the automated list server, LISTSERV@cornell.edu.
        Put a single line into the BODY of the message, reading:
            SUBSCRIBE B5-REVIEW-L Firstname Lastname
        This is processed by machine, so do not include a signature.

FTP     ftp.hyperion.com (192.65.216.1) is the official site from which you
        can retrieve Babylon-5-related files via anonymous FTP.  For now, it
        is preferred to use its faster echo side, ftp.uml.edu.

                HIGHLIGHTS OF FILES AVAILABLE AT FTP.HYPERION.COM
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
File            Description                                              Maint
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bibliographies  REFERENCES
         (dir)  References to newspaper/magazine articles about cast/crew   TR

Credits  (dir)  CREDIT LISTINGS                                             Ju
                Specific credits from each episode

GEnie    (dir)  GENIE POSTINGS OF JMS
                Archive of JMS's postings on GEnie on the B5 topics

Guide    (dir)  EPISODE GUIDES                                              AT
                Information about each episode

Pictures  (dir) GIF AND JPEG IMAGES     (see "Index" file within)
                Along with a number of TV image scans, this directory holds
                a number of official high-quality GIF files (mainly of ships,
                from the pilot and the first episodes), and Electronic Trading
                Card GIF files.

Synopses (dir)  EPISODE SYNOPSES
                Detailed synopses of each episode                           SB

Usenet   (dir)  USENET POSTINGS OF JMS
                Archive of JMS's postings in the alt.tv.babylon-5 group

babylon5faq     FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) LIST                       LW
                Answers to frequently asked questions. VERY useful intro-
                duction to Babylon 5, with pointers to additional info.

b5actors.txt    ACTORS' OTHER ROLES LIST
                Listing of film, TV, stage roles of actors from Babylon 5   LW

b5appearances   CHARACTER APPEARANCES CHART                                 DH
                A list of which charaacters appeared in which episodes,
                broken down into Humans, Aliens, and a Reference Chart.

                ELECTRONIC PRESS KITS
b5demo.zip              for Windows 3.1 (PKZIP compressed; retrieve BINARY)
B5-Interactive.cpt.hqx  for Macintosh (Binhexed and stuffed; retrieve ASCII)
                Interactive "multimedia" presentations introducing the series

b5episodes      UPCOMING EPISODES
                Contains spoilers: general descriptions of upcoming         DS
                episodes, as gleaned from JMS postings

                J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI'S ANSWERS
b5_jms_answers.txt  An indexed & sorted file (over 250K of text) of         DW
                    comments by JMS on Babylon 5 & related topics -
                    VERY good collection of B5 info.  Updated May 1994.

b5log.text      BABYLON 5 GRID EPSILON LOG
                Detailed information, backstory and character profiles      PP
                compiled from postings by JMS on GEnie before the pilot
                aired.  Not yet updated for the series; it contains a few
                obsolete references (eg, replaced characters, a male Delenn).
                Updated 12 Jan 1992.

B5quotes.tar    The Babylon 5 Quote Fortune Generator (for Unix).           MZ
                Fetch the file "B5quotes.FAQ" for instructions, or
                read URL: http://www.cgd.ucar.edu/cms/zecca/b5/b5quote.html
                Version 1.1 (June 1994) includes quotes through "TKO".

b5.tech         TECHNICAL FAQ LIST
                Technical descriptions of various things in B5's universe.   H

b5tvlist.txt    BABYLON 5 / PTEN STATION LIST
                A list of stations known to show Babylon 5, w/ schedules    LW

                HISTORY OF ANCIENT BABYLONIA                                SB
History.Babylonia   A brief history of ancient Babylonia.  Babylon 5's
Parallels.History   broad storyline is based at least in part on real events
                    of ancient Earth history.  Possible parallels between our
                    history and the upcoming story arc are explored.

MAINTAINERS/CONTRIBUTORS
    ------------------------
    SB = Shawn Bayern, bayern@cshl.org
    H  = The Harlequin, mdig8154@uriacc.uri.edu
    DH = David Henderson, davidh@camelot.bradley.edu
    Ju = Jackutis, genoa@mit.edu
    PP = Phil Posner (B5REVISE.TXT on GEnie)
    TR = Troy Rutter, techy@iastate.edu
    DS = David Strauss, dss2k@virginia.edu, REPLAYER on GEnie
    AT = Anthony Taylor, FNATT@elmer.alaska.edu
    LW = Lee Whiteside, leew@indirect.com
    DW = Dan Wood, danwood@netcom.com
    MZ = Michael "The Admiral" Zecca, zecca@ncar.ucar.edu


========    b. GEnie

Because JMS has been on GEnie talking about Babylon 5 since late 1991, GEnie
is a choice place to be for a Babylon 5 fan.  On the GEnie Science Fiction
RoundTable, there are two Babylon 5 categories where JMS talks with the fans
about the show, both production and story info. Most of the information in
this FAQ came from this category. They are located at Page 471, Category 18
and 19.  Archives of past messages are available in the GEnie SFRT files
areas, along with graphics files and the interactive demos are also available
in the file area.  In honor of the fans who are involved with this group, the
specific location of Babylon 5 corresponds to the original location of the
GEnie topic (Grid Epsilon 470,18,22). A split of the GEnie SFRT in November,
1992 created the Babylon 5 category, moving the original topic into the new
category.

========    c. Other

JMS also frequents Compuserve and BIX; there are Babylon 5 sections on America
Online, Compuserve, and other networks; These and other networks and BBSs
contain Babylon graphic files, text files, and forwarded JMS postings.

-------------------------
~17. Credits and Legaleze
-------------------------

Feel free to distribute this text file online.

The Babylon 5 Frequently Asked Questions List is Copyright 1994 by Lee
Whiteside and Dan Wood.  Acknowledgement is made to excerpted contributions
from the Babylon 5 online libraries.

Some of the information contained in this FAQ list is based on posts by J.
Michael Straczynski in the Babylon 5 category in the GEnie Science Fiction
Roundtable (Page 471; Cat 18),  the USENET groups alt.tv.babylon-5 and
rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5, and the CompuServe Babylon 5 topic.

Currently maintained by Dan Wood (danwood@netcom.com)
Originally compiled by Lee Whiteside (leew@indirect.com; 76044,502 on CIS)
Fine-Tooth-Comb edited by David Henderson (davidh@camelot.bradley.edu)
HTML formatting by Steven Grimm (koreth@hyperion.com)
Auto-posting by Troy Rutter (techy@iastate.edu)



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