Moderator {public
msg} Hello. JohCopeland is on a conference call. We will
be starting in a few minutes.
18:02:19 Moderator {public msg} Welcome.
18:02:24 john_copeland {public msg} Howdy
18:03:45 Moderator {public msg} We have with us
tonight, John Copeland. He is Produce's BAbylon 5 and has directed
two episodes.
18:03:55 john_copeland {public msg} Actually three
episodes.
18:04:30 Green {question presented} do you feel the
shows increasing 'cult' status, and many fans obsession with the
minutest detail has detracted from the original thinking behind the
show, or do your feel it has enriched the overall experience?
18:05:02 john_copeland {public msg} I think it has
driven us to make as good a show as we possibly can.
18:06:46 Moderator {public msg} I'm back minor computer
problems
18:07:12 john_copeland {public msg} How 'bout a
question.
18:07:29 Kaz {question presented} what part of the
production process do you mainly do?
18:08:11 john_copeland {public msg} I'm involved with
the casting, hiring directors, design, editing episodes, mixing episodes,
basically just about everything.
18:09:00 Sparky {question presented} Are there any
legal tightropes to cross when a producer wants to direct an episode?
18:09:28 john_copeland {public msg} Not really.
It's actually liberating to direct.
18:09:54 Reschell {question presented} Is directing
something you find you like enough to want to do more of in the future,
B5-related or no?
18:10:35 john_copeland {public msg} Yes, I think so.
I've done it from time to time in the past and I have a lot of fun when
I do direct.
18:10:46 john_copeland {public msg} It's sort of like
being behind the wheel of the car.
18:11:21 Ivanava {question presented} JMS has said
that during editing you are designated Captian Action when it comes
to editing the Big Action scenes . . can you share with us what it
is like to direct the action from the editing booth?
18:12:12 john_copeland {public msg} It's not directing
the action in the edit room, it's cutting the action in a compelling
manner so that the action and impact of the action are exciting.
18:12:46 john_copeland {public msg} Dealing with
action, and editing movement is something that has fascinated me from
the days when I was a student filmmaker in college.
18:13:29 Bub_Ramone {question presented} In what ways
do you feel the move to TNT has affected followership and awareness of
the show?
18:14:18 john_copeland {public msg} I think it's great.
Viewers, here in the US, can count on seeing B5 on a single station
and at a regular time. That is not something that the world of
syndication offered us in the past.
18:14:41 Reschell {question presented} Is there a
certain type of scene that jms gives you that produces a dread/rejoice
reaction, since it'll be a bear to set up but you know will really get
to the viewing audience bigtime?
18:14:42 john_copeland {public msg} I think that our
viewership will continue to grow on TNT. We can also take advantage
of better publicity.
18:15:45 john_copeland {public msg} Well, Joe has given
me scripts that he says he hopes will not kill me in doing. But no,
I don't dread facing any type of a dramatic scene or comdeic scene
as a director.
18:16:34 john_copeland {public msg} I love having the
challenge to create the reality of a situation, like in "endgame" that
is a very exciting veiwing experience for you all.
18:17:08 SenorBeef {question presented} You mentioned
you actually directed 3 episodes, not 2, what was the third?
18:17:36 john_copeland {public msg} The very last
episode of the fifth season, "Objects at Rest."
18:17:51 Reschell {question presented} Do you have
a preference between dramatic and comedic to direct?
18:18:08 john_copeland {public msg} I think I prefer
dramatic action.
18:18:36 john_copeland {public msg} But there were
some humorous elements to "The Ragged Edge."
18:19:03 mfarah {question presented} Do you expect
to be directing episodes in Crusade?
18:19:26 john_copeland {public msg} I'll likely direct
one episode next season on Crusade.
18:19:41 JoanDarc {question presented} Mr Copeland
:) What is your favorite thing about working on such a awesome show
(1 of the best sci-fi shows ever..correction "the BEST") Bab5?
18:20:38 john_copeland {public msg} I like the entire
experience. I find everything that stretches me into new directions
and gives me opportunity to learn new things is exciting and fulfilling.
18:21:13 Bub_Ramone {question presented} in the
spectrum of television history, where do you see b5 fitting in at?
18:21:14 john_copeland {public msg} I get the
opportunity to face new challenges every day and that is very exciting.
18:22:32 john_copeland {public msg} That's hard to
say. A couple of thoughts off the top of my head would
be that B5 paved the way for more science fiction on tv. We
also broke new ground with the manner that visual effects are done.
And Joe's creation of a novel for television is certainly pretty
unique in the annal of US tv.
18:23:16 Kaz {question presented} How much more
difficult is it to direct and produce at the same time?
18:23:56 john_copeland {public msg} It's not that much
more difficult. I work a little longer hours, but it's a lot of fun.
18:24:52 Bluewolf {question presented} Will the Crusade
have a 5 year arc also?
18:25:09 john_copeland {public msg} My directing also
gives me very good insight on what we ask the rest of our directors to
do. I have to work with the same schedule that they do. I figure
if I can do it, so can they. But I have a good appreciation
of what they are doing too.
18:25:44 john_copeland {public msg} Yes Crusade will
have a five year arc, but not as intertwined one as B5.
18:26:01 Ivanava {question presented} John - Can you
give us a timeframe as to when we can expect any information about who
will be in Crusade's cast?
18:26:26 john_copeland {public msg} Not until this
summer, probably at the end of July.
18:26:49 Reschell {question presented} The B5
Production Model seemed to be innovative in making sure production
could be done economically from organization . Will "Crusade" be
any more of a challenge to apply the model to?
18:27:54 john_copeland {public msg} We are going to
push the envelope on "Crusade" both with vizfx and sets in a different
manner than we've done on B5.
18:28:25 john_copeland {public msg} But we will be
using the same production model, and many of the crew are staying with
us.
18:29:12 Doctor Rock {question presented} I seem to
remember you are a keen aircraft enthusiast, would you like to comment
on that and any possible carryover of that interest to B5 action
?
18:29:47 john_copeland {public msg} Certainly in some
of the vizfx sequences that take place in atmospheric conditions.
18:30:23 john_copeland {public msg} I think that my
appreciation for old movies has served me a little better in terms of
editing action and staging it in episodes.
18:31:12 The_Master {question presented} How difficult
is it to take today's social and cultural events and place them in a
futuristic setting?
18:32:03 john_copeland {public msg} That's kind of
a question for Joe and his writing. However, I would venture
that many elements of the human condition don't change much over
the years and translate pretty well.
18:32:52 Medlab {question presented} As a producer
to the series Babylon 5, where do you feel you had the greatest impact?
18:34:03 john_copeland {public msg} That would be a
long list. I think in invisioning the mounting of the production
to begin with. My job is to take Joe's vision and create the
environment to get it on screen.
18:34:50 Medlab {question presented} If you had your
way, where and how would you make your greatest impact and contribution
to "Crusades?"
18:35:29 john_copeland {public msg} It will be along
the same lines as my contribution on B5. It's the same job.
Turning the scripts into a visual reality.
18:35:49 Kaz {question presented} how many projects
are you working on right now? :)
18:37:16 john_copeland {public msg} In production,
finishing season five of B5, finishing "The River of Souls," the
production of "A Call to Arms" and preparing for the start of Crusade.
I'm also involved with a documentary for National Geographic, and an
animated series.
18:38:34 Ivanava {question presented} The Flying Tigers
are a legendary group in flight history . . .how were you able to
convince them to share their logo with B5?
18:39:31 john_copeland {public msg} I've gotten to
know many of the veterans over the years. It is a subject that
both Bruce Boxleitner and I share. In fact, many of the Flying
Tigers are fans of the show and have been to visit the set a couple
of times.
18:40:08 john_copeland {public msg} The Tigers were
very pleased that we thought enough to ask if we could use their logo
on the show.
18:40:54 Medlab {question presented} What most attracts
you to a "production?" What most attracted you to Babylon 5?
18:41:26 john_copeland {public msg} I loved the idea
of "Babylon 5" and I also love the challenge of doing something no
one has done before.
18:42:10 Callista {question presented} what do you
think is the best thing about the show, the fact that its a continuous
story, the story itself...?
18:43:17 john_copeland {public msg} All of it.
B5 is a contemporary myth for today, I love that aspect. The
writing and the characters are wonderful. I think the fact
that we have touched people with the show is something that I'm very
proud of as well.
18:43:41 Moderator {action} we have about 10 or 15
minutes left.
18:44:19 Kaz {question presented} how many directors
do you currently employ and how do you decide who gets what episode?
18:45:13 john_copeland {public msg} We have about six
or seven directors we work with. Joe and I try to match episodes
to individual director's strengths.
18:45:57 Kaz {question presented} how much time do
you spend researching new technology to help produce the show?
18:46:19 Moderator {action} We have time for one or
two more questions.
18:46:59 john_copeland {public msg} That's something
that is an ongoing process. I'm always looking at new things for
the show. Right now I'm exploring a bunch of stuff with the
Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena.
18:47:44 john_copeland {public msg} You will be seeing
a whole new aray of things in Crusade.
18:48:18 Bub_Ramone {question presented} Can you tell
us if most of the major races will be involved in Crusade? (please use
Narns)
18:48:52 john_copeland {public msg} Crusade takes place
in the same galaxy, you will see many things that you are familiar with
and many new things as well.
18:49:57 Kaz {question presented} I noticed there are
alot of stage actors cast in visiting roles, is that by design or just
happens?
18:50:53 john_copeland {public msg} We find that actors
with strong theatre backgrounds are very good at the roles in Joe's
scripts. They bring a certain technique of acting with them that
translates well for us.
18:51:30 john_copeland {public msg} Sure.
18:51:44 The_Master {question presented} What TV
programmes did you watch as a youngster?
18:53:49 john_copeland {public msg} Boy that's a long
list. I watched "Commander Cody and the Space Rangers," "Hopalong
Cassidy," Rin tin tin, The Untouchables, Mr. Lucky, Peter Gunn, Maverick,
Cheyenne, Bonanza, The Rifleman, Combat, Lost in Space, Star Trek,
Twelve O'Clock High, Alfred Hitccok, Thriller, Outer Limits....and
the list goes on and on.
18:54:16 Moderator {public msg} Thank you John for
taking the time to be here tonight.
18:54:43 john_copeland {public msg} It's been fun
talking with you all tonight. Thanks for all the great questions.
18:56:01 Moderator {public msg} Thank you again.
Remember, return to the comlink before you exit the auditorium or else
you will return here next time you log in
18:56:42 Moderator {public msg} Good night
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