17:55:05 Moderator {public msg} Welcome we have with
us tonight Walter Koenig
17:55:40 walter_koenig {public msg} Hello
17:56:06 walter_koenig {public msg} Hi gang (actually
his first words were in Russian)
17:57:12 walter_koenig {public msg} I have been doing
my Book tour
17:57:44 walter_koenig {public msg} for my autobiography,
Warpfactors:neurotics guide to the Universe.
17:58:17 Chyro {question presented} What kind of
differences, especially in creative freedom, do you find between
network and syndication/cable shows?
17:58:40 walter_koenig {public msg} Its really a matter
of Production company and not the venue...
17:58:59 walter_koenig {public msg} What I've discovered
with Babylon 5, is a exctradorinarily caring group of people
17:59:10 walter_koenig {public msg} with a marvelous
feeling of mutual respect.
17:59:39 walter_koenig {public msg} I sometimes think
that the budget restraints t hey operate under draw them closer together.
18:02:19 walter_koenig {public msg} I'm back
18:02:46 walter_koenig {action} moderator froze too
18:03:09 walter_koenig {action} the next question is
abotu the book tour.
18:03:53 walter_koenig {public msg} He wrote the first
20,000 words in a peoiod of about 4 months and on thaT basis we made a
sale
18:04:25 walter_koenig {public msg} I wrote the last
90,000 words ove thte course of 5 months.
18:04:31 walter_koenig {public msg} It was released on
April 1st.
18:05:01 walter_koenig {public msg} Fro the book tour
I've been to New York, San francisco and Dallas
18:05:32 walter_koenig {public msg} I'll allso be
appearing at various conventions in Tuscon, AZ and Charleston WV in
June.
18:05:38 walter_koenig {public msg} In Chicago in july
18:06:24 walter_koenig {public msg} Uk in August.
October in Australia and also the biggest ever B5 convention oct 16 -16
at the Fairplex in Pomona, CA
18:06:39 Jen12 {question presented} What does it feel
like to have been part of not one, but two shows that have changed SF
so much?
18:07:33 walter_koenig {public msg} I feel very priviladges
to have been a part of 2 televison series that I could feel respect
for. Shows that continuosusly made statements
18:07:38 walter_koenig {public msg} that...
18:08:05 walter_koenig {public msg} targested the Human
condition in a socially responible manner
18:08:11 walter_koenig {public msg} . <g>
18:08:30 Medlab {question presented} Mr Koenig, if
there were a defining moment in your career - a scene, a part, what
would it be?
18:09:05 walter_koenig {public msg} probably, when I
was cast in episode of the Mr. Novak televison series...
18:09:31 walter_koenig {public msg} after being initially
turned down. This role was the first Russian I played
18:09:46 walter_koenig {public msg} It led three later
to being cast on Startrek.
18:09:47 Teityan {question presented} Creating backstory
for Bester -- How much did you do, particularly early on, and how
well did it match what Joe wrote into scripts later?
18:10:25 walter_koenig {public msg} I did not write in
my mind any back story for Bester. I wrote in my mind
18:10:29 walter_koenig {public msg} ...
18:11:27 walter_koenig {public msg} What iI did do was
find the elements of character and personality in Bester the I can
relate to.
18:11:34 walter_koenig {public msg} <g>
18:12:10 Anwenn {question presented} Will Walter being
doing more stage work?
18:12:26 walter_koenig {public msg} I would like to.
I just have to find the right property and character. <G>
18:12:31 Reschell {question presented} From what I've
seen, the reviews have been quite good. Have you been pleased at
your reception at promo events?
18:13:00 walter_koenig {public msg} Yes. I've been very
pleased at the receptio I've received at the tgour...
18:13:35 walter_koenig {public msg} Folks are coming
out and very receptive. What 's interessting is how many comments
I receive about my role on Babylon 5.
18:13:37 crayklaw {question presented} /ask What made
you decide to do a second book?
18:14:22 walter_koenig {public msg} Actually it's a
third book. I have been approched ezarly on to write my autobiography...
18:14:51 walter_koenig {public msg} But I was then in
the middle of writing a novel. the ide however, didn;'t go away.
And when I felt that I could..
18:15:11 walter_koenig {public msg} devote the time to
it. I sat downa nd started working opn the book without a contract.
18:15:19 walter_koenig {public msg} <g>
18:16:10 walter_koenig {public msg} I just felt that
time was right. I thoulg I could write something that would be
entertaining and the reader could identify with. Those last 2
elelments that promptem bme to go forward with thte books.
18:16:16 G-tral {question presented} do you have
anything new in the works besides your book?
18:16:30 walter_koenig {public msg} no.
18:16:34 Doctor Rock {question presented} do you think
a good sense of humor is a prerequisite for playing a villian
18:16:35 walter_koenig {public msg} <g>
18:16:58 walter_koenig {public msg} It's an interesting
quesiton....
18:17:26 walter_koenig {public msg} I think the more
dimentional you can make a chatracter. The more involving that
characte will utilmately be...
18:18:03 walter_koenig {public msg} The cardboard
cutout villian is finally less interesting than one who...
18:18:31 walter_koenig {public msg} manifests bahavior
attitudes we all can identify. You dont' have to like this person.
18:18:43 walter_koenig {public msg} but at least we
know where he's coming from.
18:18:50 walter_koenig {public msg} A sense of humor
...
18:19:02 walter_koenig {public msg} can very well be
part of that dimentionality.
18:19:05 walter_koenig {public msg} <g>
18:19:08 Medlab {question presented} With all you have
done, dwhere do envision yourself going form here? And if you could
have it ALL your way?
18:20:13 walter_koenig {public msg} If I could have it
all my way, I would love to be capable and succeed at writing
a brilliant novel...
18:20:26 walter_koenig {public msg} perform on the
Broadway stage, and ...
18:20:59 walter_koenig {public msg} do some contemproary
work on a television series that I respect.
18:21:06 walter_koenig {public msg} <g>
18:21:17 Cisco {question presented} Is there a story
behind Bester's damaged hand?
18:21:32 walter_koenig {action: } laughs hysterically.
18:21:32 walter_koenig {action: } laughs hysterically.
18:21:40 walter_koenig {public msg} there's two stories...
18:21:48 walter_koenig {public msg} mine and JMS
18:21:55 walter_koenig {public msg} I chose ...
18:22:36 walter_koenig {public msg} the damaged hand
with the idea that that which doesn't kill us makes us stronger....
18:23:21 walter_koenig {public msg} It was my way,
bleieve it or not, of leveling the palying field. It gave me the
edge, the anger, the sense of strength...
18:23:54 walter_koenig {public msg} to deal twith all
these people who didn't like Bester and wanted to see him gone. JOe's
concept,
18:24:11 walter_koenig {public msg} which will be
detailed in a coming novel about the Psi Corps...
18:24:51 walter_koenig {public msg} 3was due to a
family tragedy in Bester life, involving is parents and their death.
He shut down emotionally.
18:25:11 walter_koenig {public msg} the clentched fist
is a manifestationof that withdrawl. I think his idea is great.
18:25:17 JoanDarc {question presented} Are you planning
on doing book signings in any Canadian cities?
18:25:20 walter_koenig {public msg} <g>
18:26:01 walter_koenig {public msg} I will be in
Toronto the week end of the 8th and 9th of NOvember for a convention
18:26:24 Reschell {question presented} Are you at all
attracted to acting on such shows as Law and Order or Homicide?
18:26:25 walter_koenig {public msg} and I'm sure
there'll be books available.
18:26:41 walter_koenig {public msg} absolutely.
18:26:47 walter_koenig {public msg} Do you know someone
there?
18:26:54 walter_koenig {public msg} <g>
18:27:26 Jessie2659 {question presented} How much
preparation did you do in planning how to act the words JMS writes for
Bester?.
18:28:00 walter_koenig {public msg} I sit with the
script and I go over this part aloud many times...
18:28:20 walter_koenig {public msg} in the course of
that kind of rehearsal. The words sometiimes come out differently.
18:28:37 walter_koenig {public msg} Whaen that happens,
I examine that...
18:29:14 Lysandra {question presented} which is your
favorite B5 epsiode that you've done?
18:29:40 walter_koenig {public msg} how I've said the
dialog to see if there's any intuitive, espression on the lines thai
Ive not previously percieved.
18:30:03 walter_koenig {public msg} Then, I determine
whether will provide me with a new approach.
18:30:12 walter_koenig {public msg} that would work for
the cahracter.
18:30:42 walter_koenig {public msg} frequently an actor
reads a script, develops an mine set on how the words should be said
andis locked into thaT.
18:31:25 walter_koenig {public msg} I'm consitantly
looking to bring a fresh perspectiv to the text but one lwhich still is
consistent with the over all character.
18:32:17 walter_koenig {public msg} at this point my
favourit episode, is a toss up between the last 2 episodes I've done, I
think.: phoesnix Risisng...
18:32:33 walter_koenig {public msg} and The Corps is
Mother, the Corps is Father.
18:32:38 walter_koenig {public msg} <g>
18:32:40 Jessie2659 {question presented} Enjoyed your
book very much. You write at the end about your experience at Wolf 359
in England. Can you tell us a little more about that here?
18:33:21 walter_koenig {public msg} The sense I had was
that we had gone back in time...
18:34:00 walter_koenig {public msg} that the excitment
of the fans and their overwhelming support of everyone on lthe show.
was a soverwhelming as it had been...
18:34:13 walter_koenig {public msg} for star trek
during the late 70's.
18:34:29 walter_koenig {public msg} It was an exhilerating
experience.
18:34:34 walter_koenig {public msg} <g>
18:34:41 Dechande {question presented} Mr. Koenig, do
you view this character of Bester with distaste, pitty, or any such
feeling?
18:35:03 walter_koenig {public msg} no, in order to
make the character live and be credible...
18:35:32 walter_koenig {public msg} my responisbility
as an actor was to be able to justify who he was. if I donet believe
in Bester that the audience won.t
18:36:19 walter_koenig {public msg} I usderscore that
that is my responisbility of an actor. viewed as a member of the
audience, Iwould probalby hold similiar views as those.
18:36:25 walter_koenig {public msg} <g>
18:36:36 MarshallH {question presented} were you
skeptical about the role of Bester (and B5 in general) when you were
approached with it? Or were you interested from the beginning?
18:37:13 walter_koenig {public msg} I was more than
interested. Comingl this late im ny career...
18:37:38 walter_koenig {public msg} the role of Bester
is even more apreciated. this part has truely been a gift.
18:37:58 walter_koenig {public msg} and my only sadness
is like all marvelous things it has to end.
18:38:03 walter_koenig {public msg} <g>
18:38:10 Reschell {question presented} When recalling
lines, do you rely on an interior "voice" or an interior vision
of the script page?
18:38:53 walter_koenig {public msg} once in a while, I
can actually see the placement on the page where the lines occur...ho
18:39:21 walter_koenig {public msg} however, when my
focus, concentration are greatest, the words are simply there when I
ndeed them.
18:39:30 Kaz {question presented} what shows do you
want to appear on ?
18:39:31 walter_koenig {public msg} ,G>
18:39:47 Reschell {question presented} For you ideal
Broadway experience, what would be the role that would make it perfect?
18:40:36 walter_koenig {public msg} On televison I'd
lvoe to do a sitcom. the gritty shows like NYPD Blue Homicide, Law
ans Order. and I loved to do
18:41:19 walter_koenig {public msg} death of a Salesman
in the Theater and/ or Cane, Mutinee corutmarshall (Capt Queed),
18:41:43 walter_koenig {public msg} or a wobnderful
farsical comedy.
18:41:51 walter_koenig {public msg} <g>
18:41:58 Jessie2659 {question presented} In your book,
you said that JMS had approached you initially for a another role in B5
- but you were unable to take him up on it due to health. Will you
share with us what role that was?
18:43:45 walter_koenig {public msg} In the first year
episode where two people ocme abord the ship and one of the m enters
Sinclairs dream, that character whould have been the character I would
have played If I
18:43:57 walter_koenig {public msg} hadn't been ill.
However, Joe wrote it muche diferently
18:44:14 Ricketts {question presented} Did you fear at
first that your role as Bester might simply be ruse to attract Star
trek fans to B%?
18:44:56 walter_koenig {public msg} for me, instead of
the way wrote it for the actor who played. By the way , I thought
the English fellow who played it did it quite brilliantly.
18:45:34 walter_koenig {public msg} No. Joe had seen
me work on the stage and I knew that he respected my ability and that..
18:45:54 walter_koenig {public msg} the role came out
of that respect and not for any manipulative reason.
18:46:00 walter_koenig {public msg} <g>
18:46:03 mnm {question presented} Would your novel
perhaps be in the science fiction genre?
18:46:47 walter_koenig {public msg} No, it's a mystery
story. The title of whis at present is "The Man who Wasn't there"..
18:47:03 walter_koenig {public msg} I have some hope of
getting back to it in the next few months and trying to complete it.
18:47:10 walter_koenig {public msg} <g>
18:47:12 Moltar {question presented} What parts do you
enjoy more: heroes or villians?
18:47:51 walter_koenig {public msg} I haven't really
played any heroes to speak of wit the possible exception of the video
feature "Moontrap"...
18:49:11 walter_koenig {public msg} If Bester is and
exapmple of the kind of villians out thtere to bve played, I would just
aas soon play that role. But again, let's not forget...
18:49:11 walter_koenig {public msg} that actors are not
born to play one character. the whole idea of being a performer...
18:49:12 walter_koenig {public msg} is to experience a
wide
18:49:27 walter_koenig {public msg} range of theatrical
characterizations.
18:49:34 walter_koenig {public msg} <g>
18:50:25 Moderator {action} We have time for one or two
more questions
18:50:35 walter_koenig {public msg} regarding book
appearances for thoses of youin lght LA area...
18:50:42 Satai_Leo {question presented} Are you a
Babylon 5 fan yourself?? Do you find yourself getting involved with the
story as much as we do? Or is it hard to seperate yourself since you
are a part of making the show?
18:51:25 walter_koenig {public msg} I will be doing a
signing at the Shrine Auditoriam this Sunday May 3rd and at Dangerous
Vision Book stor in Sherman Oaks May 9th.
18:52:17 walter_koenig {public msg} I have some distance
since I know the people involved and I find myself rooting for the
actors as muchaas I do for the characters
18:53:09 walter_koenig {public msg} that notwithstanding,
I find the storing very aborbing and I watch as frequently as I can.
18:53:17 walter_koenig {public msg} <g>
18:53:19 Medlab {question presented} Mr. Koenig, with
the conclusion of Babylon 5, do feel a sense of completion what you
have been able to accomplish through Bester - or is there more of a
story you would like to be told?
18:54:12 walter_koenig {public msg} I don't feel the
characte, in my estimation, is done. But...
18:54:36 walter_koenig {public msg} I do not know what,
if any, appearances Mr. Bester will make in the future.
18:55:52 walter_koenig {public msg} YOu folks have been
terrific. None of the quesitons seemed frivilous. I have been
impressed with the overall intelligence in this chat.
18:55:55 walter_koenig {public msg} Thank you.
18:56:21 Moderator {action} Thank you all for comming
and our guest next week will be Wayne Alexander
18:56:28 walter_koenig {action} Good Night from the
typist - Karen
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