j_iacovelli {public msg} Hi everyone
admin {public msg} Welcome to the chat. I was having troubles. Feel free to send your questions.
admin {public msg} ARGh!!!!!!!!! I'm having troubles. I'm jgoing to exit and come back.
j_iacovelli {public msg} For those of you that don't know I'm the production designer for Crusade and B5..
j_iacovelli {public msg} We're having a bit of a glitch
Ivanava {question presented} John - Out of so many wonderful episodes, can you share with us which two or three really stand out in your mind now that B5 is over?
j_iacovelli {public msg} Two or three..... Most of season 4 was pretty great and I tend to think of favorite shows in term of favorite directors. My favorite directors are Joe Johnston, Janet Greek, Jaesus Trevino, Mike Vejar, and a few others. <g>
k57 {question presented} Do you try to incorporate B5 elements to flow into Crusade?
j_iacovelli {public msg} yes we have too <g>
tom5 {question presented} What was the origin of the "Thorntongon" shape that is a visual motif throughout the series? (I.E. the asymmetrical shape of some of the doors)
j_iacovelli {public msg} I didn't know it was called that because of Ron Thorton. That shape was developed by me and Daren, because I thought it was a cool shape for a door Ron Thorton had nothing to do with it. <g>
Wedge {question presented} What does a production designer actually do?
j_iacovelli {public msg} Read "Gaffers, Grips, and Best Boys" By Eric Taub or "Shot by shot" by Steven D. Katz. Basically I'm responsible for the over all look of the show which isn't really true on a Sci-fi show where there are so many other visual contributors such as Viz Effects and other artists. <g>
Eureka Lott {question presented} What would you say are the main differences in the approaches of B5 and Crusade?
j_iacovelli {public msg} Crusade is much sleeker and cleaner and I think much more beautiful. We go to many more places on Crusade and there is a greater varity of looks. It is an extension of the B5 world. <g>
Rex {question presented} What is the major difference to the transition to Crusade from B5? Is there more time to shoot an episode?
j_iacovelli {public msg} The major difference is that we learned a lot doing b5 and Crusade has benefited from that knowledge. I told Joe the other day that it took us 5 years of b5 to design are new ship the Excalibur <g>
k57 {question presented} How many people on your crew or whom do you work most closely with
j_iacovelli {public msg} I work most closely with Mark Walters the art director, Jason Howard the Decorator, Dark Hoffman the Prop Master. We have a crew of about 35 people depending on what is needed <g>
tom5 {question presented} Could you briefly describe the linear control room onboard the Excalibur?
j_iacovelli {public msg} The bridge of the Excalibur was designed based on the idea of a working ship. Like an aircraft carrier or submarine. The spaces are tight and in designing this we designed the sets for the camera lens in a specific way that we were unable to do in the bast on B5. <g>
Ivanava {question presented} John - What elements have you designed for Crusade that will truly make it distinctive from B5 and give the show its own unique signature?
j_iacovelli {public msg} The Excalibur is completely unique to anything we did before on B5 and we think its great. <g>
Ivanava {question presented} John - Which episode was the most challenging for you to design - one that really had to wondering how in the world are we going to do THAT?
j_iacovelli {public msg} The current one
admin {action: j_iacovelli} grins at j_iacovelli evilly.
j_iacovelli {public msg} that we are preping that John Copland is directing. We joke that it's called the nightmare before Christmas. Its the biggest and the most expensive to date for our department. <g>
BigDuke_6 {question presented} How did you and Joe Straczynski meet before you started Babylon 5?
j_iacovelli {public msg} We met on the presentation pilot for Capt. Power. I really got to know him on the pilot of B5. <g>
tom5 {question presented} Who is Daren (the co-creator of the Iacovelligon)?
j_iacovelli {public msg} Daren was an assistant art director on the first season but I should have really given the credit Chris Mueller who was the assistant art director on the pilot. <g>
Garibaldi's Uniform {question presented} is there more work involved in producing Crusade than there was for B5?
j_iacovelli {public msg} Yes. Will it ever end.....
j_iacovelli {public msg} When will we get an easy show. <g>
Koshka {question presented} B5 (the station) was supposed to look functional and rather low budget. Will Crusade look more refined due to intent or because TNT invested the $$$ in sets?
j_iacovelli {public msg} Crusade does look more refined and money does help. We would like more... send your checks and money orders. :)
j_iacovelli {action: } grins evilly. <g>
Wedge {question presented} what is/will be food on the ship Excalibur?
j_iacovelli {public msg} Same food as on be five but better ... cause we have more money.
j_iacovelli {action: } laughs hysterically.
j_iacovelli {public msg} Even the catering is better here we have sodas at lunch time Gary Cole must have had a better bargaining agent the Bruce
j_iacovelli {action: } grins evilly.
j_iacovelli {public msg} <g>
Ivanava {question presented} John - How many hours a week DO you work...50...60...70...more?
j_iacovelli {public msg} more. But my crew works harder. Can I count the time I spend asleep during my nightmares? <g>
Purple {question presented} Which world was your favorite to bring to life on B5?
j_iacovelli {public msg} No doubt Centauri Prime. Most fun. Liberace on acid. <g>
Purple {question presented} What were the substances used to create Delenn's Chrysalis?
j_iacovelli {public msg} Was made by Optic Nerve. Mostly of Latex and fiber glass I think. <g>
tom5 {question presented} Mr. Iacovelli, what work did you do on that Titanic documentary? Did you work on the Queen Mary?
j_iacovelli {public msg} I was a Consultant and I just consulted on a Titanic Museum set to open next month in Orlando. I would love to work on the Queen Mary. <g>
Eureka Lott {question presented} What exactly makes Crusade more challenging for you?
j_iacovelli {public msg} The pressure of doing a new show and to make it better than a proven success. <g>
admin {action} We have about 10minutes left. There's still time to send your questions.
Garibaldi's Uniform {question presented} which episode(s) have affected you emotionally on Babylon 5?
j_iacovelli {public msg} Well "Sleeping in light " was pretty hard to watch. I really broke up towards the end. My other favorite moment was in season one when Sinclair met the religious leaders in the Zocolo. <g>
Koshka {question presented} Have you had any amusing convention experiences you could share with us?
j_iacovelli {public msg} Only stories about Jerry Doyle. A certain back rub in San Diego. I was not involved. You'll have to ask Jerry. <g>
Belshazzar {question presented} Was it your idea to have a kind of wrap-around landscape inside B5 itself? It was a really nice touch.
j_iacovelli {public msg} That was based on the book called "The High Frontier" by O'neil. <g
G-Eagle {question presented} What is your favorite stage of a show ? (Beginning, middle or end)
j_iacovelli {public msg} Definitely the END and the paycheck is not so bad either. I do like reading Joe's scripts <g>
tom5 {question presented} Are you aware of the online Dead Media Project...great research material, especially if you have to create alien media that has been dead for a million years!
j_iacovelli {public msg} Thank you for the tip
Ivanava {question presented} John - I know that R.L. Dietz did some of the stunning outdoor photos you used to dress cast quarters on B5, do you remember any other photographers that you used?
j_iacovelli {public msg} Don Hamilton from Spokane is the only other Photographer we have the rights to use. <g>
admin {action} there's only time for one or two more questions.
tom5 {question presented} Any hints/tips on making portable green/blue-screens on an ultra-low budget? (I can't really afford the $50.00 a can Ultimate stuff!))
j_iacovelli {public msg} Mark Walters says save your pennies. <g>
Purple {question presented} Will there be blooper reels made of bloopers from Crusade errors?
j_iacovelli {public msg} Not available to the public unfortunately. <g>
admin {public msg} Do you remember hearing about any bloopers?
j_iacovelli {public msg} haven't heard anything yet.
Bajele {question presented} What have you found to be the most enjoyable part of starting this project?
j_iacovelli {public msg} Working with my crew whom I love They are the best crew in Sci-fi. <g>
admin {public msg} Thank you John for coming tonight. A transcript of the chat will be available in the Cultural Center.
j_iacovelli {public msg} Thanks for your great questions
admin {public msg} John will be in the Comlink Main Room for a little while for a more informal chat
admin {public msg} good night
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