[B5] About Claudia Christian's Departure
Jesus Cea
jcea at jcea.es
Fri May 19 02:02:44 CEST 2023
Mi mensaje anterior hace referencia al hecho de que Claudia Christian no
salía en la quinta temporada de Babylon 5. Había un enlace que adjunto,
junto con su transcripción.
Recordemos que este texto es de 1997.
http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/misc/cc-leave.html
"""
About Claudia Christian's Departure
The following are comments from JMS and Claudia Christian about her
departure. As new comments become available, they'll be added to the
bottom of this page.
Note: Please don't send comments on her departure to the Lurker's Guide.
We don't work for the show and have no influence whatsoever over the
situation. See JMS' July 20 messages before you contemplate writing
letters to try to reverse the decision.
Comments from JMS, July 19 1997
There have been some questions raised as to what has happened
regarding Claudia Christian and Season 4. In simplest possible terms,
which can be verified through every cast member, and in the press, what
happened was this:
In early June, WB asked for, and received, one-month exensions on
their contract options from all cast members except Claudia, for the
purposes of allowing WB time to work out the co-financing deal with TNT
for year 5 of B5. There was a great deal of red tape left over from the
PTEN deal to finish unraveling, and other business aspects, to work out
in going from syndication to cable, and it was taking longer than expected.
Claudia said, repeatedly, that she was on board for the fifth
season, but that she didn't want to give the extension for business
reasons of her own. We took her at her word and allowed her to not give
the extension. Assurances were made to us, and to her fellow cast members.
While we were all together (cast, some crew, and I) in Blackpool
for Wolf 359, word reached us of the articles in Variety and Reuters
reporting that Claudia would not be returning to B5, and was looking for
other work. This was the very first indication we had that she would not
be in season 5. TNT was upset by this, WB was upset by this, and we were
called on the carpet asking why we had trusted her about the fifth year.
When spoken to in Blackpool, she was still, at that point, saying that
she was going to be in season 5...but did nothing to address the
situation with WB. She was told that WB had to know, for sure, if she
was in or out by last Friday. All she had to do to be in season 5 was to
pick up the phone, or have her agent do so, and call WB and say, "I'm in."
This did not happen. Friday came, and went. It was clear that she
had no intention of being in season 5, and wanted instead to pursue
movies. She is more well known now after B5, after all.
Cast members prevailed upon her to change her mind over the
weekend. Bruce, Jeff Conaway, others took it upon themselves to try and
talk her back onto the show, tried to get her to call on Monday in case
she might be able to repair the bridges burned the prior week. On
Monday, she left the convention early, and never called WB, never called
Doug, never called anyone.
Bottom line is...she passed on season 5. She chose not to be there.
I know that she has now told some people that WB doesn't want her...but
if that is the case, why the articles planted in Variety and Reuters
saying that the B5 producers were "bummed" that she wasn't available,
that she had chosen not to return to the show? (Again, at the time the
articles appeared, this intent had not even been conveyed to us or to
WB; we had to learn about it by reading it in the trades, in articles no
one had even discussed with us.) Why did she not give the extension, as
was also reported? Why was it announced in the press (in articles
reprinted right here on the nets) that she wasn't coming back and was
looking for other work long before we even knew anything about it?
The offer was on the table. We extended it to the very limit. All
the other actors signed on, and urged her to do the same. She chose not
to. It was never a matter of anyone not wanting her. I personally urged
her Thursday night to call her agent and talk this out and make her
intentions clear if she wanted to come back to the show. She declined.
Every cast member who was there in Blackpool saw what went down, and can
verify this.
And that, as they say, is the long and the short of it. While I
will not recast the role, on the theory that she may come around someday
and decide she wants to be in one of the TNT features or one of the
movies, we will be bringing in a new character to fill that position in
the B5 command structure. Fortunately, 421, already filmed, is
structured to allow us to adjust for this without missing a beat, and
the story will continue as planned with only a minor variation in the
first two episodes to introduce the new character.
Response from Claudia Christian, July 20 1997
Dear Folks,
Here's my side of the story and I should know because I was there.
On June 20th, I was called into the B-5 office to find out the fate
of the 5th season. With three other cast members present we were told
that we could make the fifth season (yeah!). We were then asked to give
up the residuals for that season (those are the things that pay the rent
since syndication isn't exactly lucrative). Well, nonetheless I said
okay-I even volunteered to talk the rest of the cast into it. I had
expressed my hesitation in extending my contract renewal because I
wanted to get their assurance that in the 5th season I could get at
least 4 episodes off to do a film. That was the only thing I was asking
for. No raise--accepting a paycut-- simply less episodes, period. Ask
yourself this: why would I have done the TNT promos for the 5th season
if I did not want to be involved?
While I was in Europe (I was there for almost a month), I heard
about the gossip column in Variety. It is a gossip column, nothing more.
I have no idea who planted the gossip and frankly, I didn't think much
of it since Hollywood is based on gossip. Because the producers and Joe
were in Europe, I assumed negotiations for the 5th season would continue
when we all returned. I was told quite curtly that my request for time
off had been denied and that Ken Parks from Warner Bros. had told my
agent to tell me to "Find another job, we'll replace her." After four
years of working for a substantial paycut because I loved the show and
the people involved, and felt that I was portraying a character that
people really cared about, this hurt me immensely. At that point, I was
in shock but I still went to Blackpool thinking that they would come
around and give me the time I needed off. I knew Ivanova was in the
first episodes. I figured we could sit down with my agent and come to a
deal. In Blackpool, I was told by JMS that he would give me the episodes
off but I could not get anything in writing. I trust him, however I know
that he was not writing all of the episodes for the fifth season so I
really felt that I had to have something in writing. I turns out my
fears were justified because when my agent spoke to John Copeland
(producer) and mentioned Joe's offer to write me out of a few episodes,
Mr. Copeland responded by saying "That's not possible. If TNT wants her
in every episode then she has to do all 22. That's the deal, take it or
leave it."
At this point, I was told that I had until Monday to call Warner
Bros. to tell them I was on board. Well Folks, an actor does not call a
studio. Our union has rules. The producers of B-5 never called my
manager or agent to tell them of this deadline. Instead, I was told by
Jeff Conaway. I called my agent and left word. We missed each other. On
Monday, I found out that on the previous Friday my agent had received a
fax stating that the offer for me to be in B-5 was withdrawn. In
essence, I was fired. This fax was received on Friday, so what kind of
game was being played by giving me false hopes throughout the weekend in
England? And by the way, on Tuesday of that week, I was in London
promoting the show and doing magazine interviews and TV talk shows for
them on my own time. Why would I do that if I did not believe something
could be worked out.
If they really wanted me back, they would have accepted my plea
through my agent to sit down and have a meeting. He was told by John
Copeland that he was "a dollar short and a day late." They simply did
not even want to sit down with me!
Once again, I would do season 5...if I had less episodes. I am hurt
and disappointed that I have not even received the opportunity to
discuss my needs. I was dismissed coldly and simply. I want you to know
that I have given my heart to the show and I love Ivanova as much as any
of you. I did not "leave" the show. I did not ask for more money. I did
not create this mess. Perhaps this is a great lack of communication. I
would like to think that. Thank you all for your love and support. I
would never abandon you.
Claudia Christian
Response from JMS, July 20 1997
You must understand that Claudia is one of 10 or so actors on the
show. The other actors understood and understand that we cannot
renegotiate contracts in mid-stream, and they are *supportive of the
show*, and gave us extensions on their contracts so that WB could have
time to make the TNT deal work. They are all, to a man and woman, on
board otherwise.
Claudia opted to not give the extension, where the other cast did,
and now wants (or says she wants to) renegotiate, now that all the other
cast members are locked down. To do so in her case, when she did not
give us the extension, and deliberately embarrassed WB by having an
article appear in the trades saying she was out and looking for other
work, would be an insult to all the other cast members who have worked
with us to date.
Further, yes, she's right, in that the contract could not be
changed so that she could go out and do movies at a moment's notice. By
contract, we must have first call on an actor's services. That is a
requirement of ANY TV contract with an actor who is a series regular.
That cannot be changed for ANY actor, ANYwhere.
That said...I already *told* Claudia that, even though we couldn't
put it in the contract, I would be happy to work with her *informally*
on this, and that if she said she needed to be gone from X-date to
Y-date, I would write her out of those episodes so that she could do the
movies. SHE ALREADY GOT FROM ME THAT PROMISE. I've already done similar
things for her and other cast members on the show, which is how many of
them have appeared in other projects. So this is, for me, a non-issue.
No, from my standpoint, she wanted off the show, and I have no idea
why she is running up the fans like this unless she wants to avoid
responsibility for this.
Again, this isn't a case of my word against hers. EVERY SINGLE CAST
MEMBER was there when this went down, and MANY of them tried to talk her
out of walking off the show. If you don't want to take my word for it,
ask any one of them who was there, especially Bruce or Jeff.
I would suggest the fans *not* get into this, because a) you're not
getting solid or reliable information from Claudia, and b) it is simply
too late. She opted to pass on season 5, whether she wants to admit this
or not, whether she's running from responsibility from that, I don't
know...but it was her choice. I sat with her on Thursday night at
Midnight and told her, flat out, that I would accommodate her request on
a personal basis, and that she *had* to either contact WB herself or
have her agent do so the next day, or she was off the show, because we
HAD to get the show going. The train was leaving, and she could be on it
or not as she chose. She chose not to get on board.
What you also don't understand is that we start shooting season 5
in less than one month. We're in the process of writing scripts *right
now*, and have been since we got the production order right about the
time we went to Blackpool. You can't whipsaw the writing back and forth
-- is she in, isn't she in, maybe she is, maybe she isn't -- and hope to
have anything in shape to shoot. That was why we had to know at that
date. Normally we have a longer lead time; this time we didn't, and this
has already put the scripts back a bit. The script with the new
character is written and in; if I take it out now I have to replace it,
and there isn't *time*.
Claudia knew this. WB knew this. We were up against it. She had to
choose to be in, or out. She chose out. It's no longer our
responsibility, and it's flatly too late to bring her back. The door is
closed on season 5.
More from JMS, July 20 1997 (in response to discussions on CompuServe)
1) This confirms what I said in my note to Brian, that I personally
assured Claudia of the chance for time off (so Kevin, bugger off).
2) Neither I nor anyone else in B5 told her that she had until
Monday. I sat with her Midnight Thursday and said she had to talk to her
agent and get this to WB *the very next day*, Friday, or that was it.
Jeff took it upon himself to try and talk Claudia into trying to work it
out on Monday, out of his concern and a hope that this could be saved.
3) Her agent was notified several days prior to the deadline that
it was in place by WB business affairs.
4) As noted in my other message, there wasn't time to sit down
leisurely after Blackpool and discuss this. The first script had to be
in on July 6th. The second on July 12th. The third one on July 18th.
Those are the hard and fast deadlines in order to meet production
requirements for season 5. It is not July 20th. By the time anyone could
"sit down" we'd be deep into episode 5 or 6, and then what do we do?
Rewrite all 5 or 6 at the last minute?
It's an unfortunate situation. Nobody's denying that. But what
happened, happened.
From JMS, July 22 1997
"I do have a question though. Why did you opt for a new character,
instead of simply promoting Corwin? Was this simply to save changing
Corwin's role in S5 or is there another reason?"
It involves some things that happen later this season that require
a certain grade officer in place in S5, and would require Corwin to jump
several ranks. He's too young and inexperienced for that job.
From JMS, July 22 1997
The information on residuals is not correct. NO ONE was asked to
give up residuals on season 5 forever. That simply never took place.
To explain:
There are different residuals formulas for the various forms of TV.
The best one is for network, where the fee paid per rerun is quite high;
then you have syndication, which starts at a much lower level; then
there is the basic cable residual, which is lowest of all. In year 5, B5
is going from syndication to basic cable. That means it must now use the
basic cable residuals formula. But the cast had to be informed of this,
and agree to it, otherwise there could not BE a fifth season.
The basic cable deal is spelled out very clearly in the Screen
Actors Guild (SAG) agreement, which is standard for all parts of the
Industry. The rule is that the amount paid to an actor over double-scale
is *credited against* residuals. Once that amount is earned out, the
residuals come again. That is standard for basic cable. (The closest
parallel would be a print author, who is paid an advance against
royalties; once that advance is earned out, the royalties come to the
author.)
So to make it clearer: let's say for the sake of argument that
scale is $5,000 per episode. (It isn't that exact figure, but I don't
have the SAG book in front of me; still, that's close.) Double scale
would be $10,000 per episode. So if an actor is paid, let's say, $12,000
per episode, then $2,000 over double scale per episode is credited
against residuals, for a total of $44,000. That amount would get burned
through pretty fast, and then the actor would again start getting residuals.
That was the situation explained to *all* the actors. NO ONE was
asked to permanently give up S5 residuals. That simply never happened,
and *could not* happen under SAG rules. And the rule as specified above
can be verified in the SAG agreement.
BTW...it was stated to Claudia's people that WB *could* drop her
down to 18 episodes if she wanted to be paid for only those 18 episodes,
but her reps demanded that she should be paid for all 22 regardless, and
didn't take that deal.
You must understand that this sort of thing is common. For
instance, when Stephen Furst wanted to do fewer episodes so that he
could appear as a regular in the sitcom "Misery Loves Company," he said,
"Look, I really want to do this, so if you could cut me down to, say, 8
episodes, and just pay me for those 8 instead of the contracted 13,
that'd be great." And that deal was made, and made quickly. If an actor
wants to be reduced in the number of episodes, but still be paid for the
full number, that makes things difficult for a studio to go along with.
And as of now, it's a moot point. The boat has left the pier. This
is no longer an issue that can be altered. She opted out, for her own
reasons. Heck, that was announced in the trades long before we knew what
was going on. We have had no choice but to move on.
From JMS, July 22 1997
Let me put this to you straight-out, because I've now gotten about
75 more emails tonight, not a few of them threatening. Some people have
told me that I had better look over my shoulder the next time I come to
a convention. I have been called every name in the book. Right now I am
about 2 inches away from yanking the modem out of the wall and leaving
it out.
Let's get this straight, shall we?
1) We asked Claudia back. We wanted Claudia back.
2) Claudia passed.
3) The time during which she could have come back has expired. The
deadline was not put on arbitrarily. We roll film on August 18, just a
few weeks from now. We *had* to know by the date given whether or not
she would be in so that scripts could be written. There was no longer
any time.
4) The boat, as they say, has left the pier. You can't whipsaw
scripts back and forth and do it all at the last minute.
5) It is *too late* for anything to change this for season 5.
Whether 1 letter or 1 million letters come in, it's too late. It's
*done*. She passed, and we've had no choice but to move on. The only
thing that will be accomplished by more emails -- threatening or
otherwise -- is to piss off me and WB, not necessarily in that order.
Harrassment usually pushes people in the opposite direction than that
intended, and this will be no exception.
This was not a miscommunication. This was not a mistake. There is
no time, and no opportunity, for further negotiations. There is no
middle ground, there are not three sides or four or seven. Anybody who
doesn't want to take my word for this scenario can ask any of the
actors. Ask Bruce. Ask Jeff. Ask anyone who was there. (Except Jerry,
who came in Monday and missed the fireworks.)
She passed. Not us. The problem is not at this end of the modem
line, and the accusastions, threats, abuse and intimidations are
unmerited and undeserved.
I have been straight with the net community now for going on five
years. At San Diego Comic Con, I asked Shane Shellenbarger, a fan and
sometimes journalist who has taped my every convention appearance for
the last 5 years if he had *ever* caught me in a lie or a contradiction
or a misrepresentation. He coulnd't find even one. I've told you the
truth in this. If five years of telling the truth isn't good enough,
then nothing I've done has meant a damn, and I shouldn't be here.
I have to write this show and get it off the ground. I can do that,
or I can deal with harrassing email. I can't do both. Especially when I
did nothing to deserve it except do everything in my power to keep
Claudia from passing on the show.
From JMS, July 22 1997
"In the back of my mind, I wonder why Claudia, her agent, Joe, and
the WB/TNT folks couldn't sit down together (or conference call, or
whatever) and talk with each other on that final day."
I did. That Thursday night, I sat with her for half an hour, urging
her to call her agent, and have her agent call WB. Didn't happen. We
never even heard anything from her or her people until literally 1 week
after the deadline for scripts to start coming in.
From JMS, July 22 1997
Will Captain MacDougal be replacing Ivanova?
I'd prefer to put a female in that position, to keep the cast
relatively balanced. I've actually come up with some very interesting
ideas on this, which are kinda fun...a way to put a lot more conflict
into the inner circle, if you will.
From JMS, July 22 1997
Actually, this would be much simpler if it *were* a communication
breakdown. But it ain't.
Onward.
From JMS, July 22 1997
Yeah...ask any cast member, and they'll tell you that when I make a
promise, it's kept, no matter what it takes.
On the reaction...it goes with the territory. What's been difficult
have been the emails that have come in suggesting that I "watch my back"
at the next few conventions I attend. Disagreement or discussion is one
thing; threats are another.
From JMS, July 22 1997
There was no pay cut for the fifth season for the cast. And the
residulas formula is standard for basic cable.
From JMS, July 22 1997
"Joe could write sa character out of an episode or 4, yet the suits
could insist that the actor be present on the set anyway (or be in
breach of contract)!"
Nope. Wouldn't happen. Has never happened. Would never happen. WB
has not even given us a creative *note* in almost 2 years.
This one's a non-starter. That would simply not happen. If you're
not in the script, there's no need for you to be there.
From JMS, July 24 1997
"If that's the case, then why wouldn't/couldn't he put it into
writing? So far as I can tell, that's because although he can do
everything in his power to keep Ivanova out of four episodes, there are
higher powers within WB/TNT who could say otherwise. They're the ones
who hold CCs contract, not JMS."
Every studio holds the contract on its actors; that's the same for
every show.
Nothing could be put into writing in the form of a renegotiation
because all of the actors are on a favored nation basis...if one
renegotiates in his/her favor, they all get to renegotiate. Any of our
cast can take fewer episodes if they agree to be paid for fewer episodes
since that favors WB. Or they can come to me and we'll do it
unofficially, as has been done with every single cast member for 4+
years now. Peter wanted to do "The Late Shift," I wrote him out for a
couple of episodes to accommodate that; Andreas wants to do a movie, he
asks, and I write him out. This has never, ever been a problem.
From JMS, July 24 1997
"Again, I'm not saying that JMS did anything wrong, but if the
studio can supercede Joe (i.e. Joe can verbally say 'I'll do it', but
the studio still has the right to say 'no'), then I can't blame CC for
wanting something in writing <shrug>"
Any studio can supercede the authority of an executive producer.
The question, though, is one of logic.
If Character X is not in an episode, is not written in an episode,
there is no grounds on earth for a studio to force the actor to hang
around the studio for that episode. Never been done to my knowledge on
ANY show, anywhere, at any time. Nor would there be any reason to do so
here.
And WB doesn't write the scripts. I do. And they don't bother us on
that one. We haven't had a creative note since year 2, episode 2, and
that was mainly on a scene they wanted clarified.
In the past, with every actor on the show, I have said, "Come to
me, and we'll work out unofficially time for you to get away." There are
some occasions when I say, "Look, I *need* your character for this
episode, I can't do "Severed Dreams" without Sheridan," but that doesn't
happen too often. We have never had a problem with WB over this. And
never once have I given my word to an actor about being available, and
not had it work out.
From JMS, July 24 1997
"In her message, CC has quoted Copeland as saying that if TNT/WB
want her to do the 22 episodes, there's nothing that can be done about it."
What John said was that if she wanted to be paid the full amount
(the 22 episode fee) she had to be in all 22.
"However, there still seems to be a question as to whether or not
she was informed of the correct deadlines or if WB/TNT withdrew whatever
offer was on the table before that deadline arose."
She was. They didn't.
On the Thursday before the final Friday deadline, I sat in the bar
of the DeVere Hotel in Blackpool with Claudia and said, "Claudia, the
press has announced your departure from the show. WB takes it seriously,
and I have to start writing *yesterday*. We have to know if you're in or
out, and we have to know by mid-day (noon) tomorrow. If we don't get an
indication from your agent that you're in, the offer will be withdrawn."
The offer was withdrawn at mid-day Friday, as indicated. Because to
wait any longer would damage the show, and our chances of getting going
without missing airdates.
From JMS, July 24 1997
"CC trusts that JMS will do what he can, but feels that things
might be out of his hands and puts the question to Copeland who tells
her (via her agent) that what JMS offered is "Not possible."
It is not possible only if one wishes to be paid for all 22.
"5. A deadline is set for CC to get in touch with WB to confirm S5.
According to CC, she was told this by Conaway and not informed via
normal channels (i.e. via agent, manager, WB). She tries to contact her
agent regarding this but they miss each other over the weekend."
Ken Parks of WB Business Affairs informed her agent. I personally
informed her as well.
"JMS says she had a Friday deadline. CC says she was told Monday by
Conaway and that neither her agent or manager were informed of this
deadline."
After the Friday deadline passed, Jeff took it upon himself to try
and convince her to go back to the show. He went to her and said that if
she or her agent contacted WB on Monday, there might be a chance to
patch things up. That was the full extent of it. Jeff does not represent
the show, and was not asked to convey this to Claudia, and was acting on
his own good will to try and help her out. It had nothing to do with
deadlines.
From JMS, July 24 1997
Nothing was said about any of this online until Claudia began
talking about it at a convention Toronto and indicating that she had
been fired, which was not the case.
She passed.
From JMS, July 24 1997
We'll probably start casting in the next 7 days.
From JMS, July 24 1997
"With the exception of 501 (airing in the 422 slot), you should
have about 2 extra months to get the episodes in the can. They won't,
after all, air until January, when they previously aired in November.
Why then, was the deadline for Claudia to make up her mind left so short?"
Because you can't just come in and shoot one episode, then tell
everyone, "Okay, we're taking a break for two months." The moment you
begin shooting, the clock is ticking. SAG regulates the span of time you
have the actors, equipment is rented...on and on. We had to come back in
time to shoot 501/422, and it's going to be close as it is. It takes 52
days of post to finish an episode once it's filmed, so with 501/422
shooting August 18th, just do the math to see how close this is going to be.
And once we pull the trigger on 501, we have to go immediately into
502. And on and on.
Even if this were not an issue with the 422 business, we would
*still* have to start shooting in August because of the schedule of
holidays, and TNT's desire to run S5 *straight through* without reruns
or breaks. That means you have to start early and be finished with a lot
of shows, and vault them, to be able to then run through them all
sequentially in 22 weeks.
From JMS, July 24 1997
"Even if Claudia had no doubt that Joe could steer her around any
trouble with the suits, the verbal agreement wouldn't carry any weight
in the outside world."
<thud>
Y'know, up until this very moment, the whole 4-eps-in-writing thing
hadn't made sense to me, I couldn't get my brain around it.
I don't know if that's it, but it's a helluvan interesting thought.
From JMS, July 24 1997
Regarding the new character
It'll be an interesting addition to the mix, given what happens in
the latter part of the season.
And no, she won't be "dead and gone forever." There's the third TNT
movie, and a possible feature film, and if she wants to approach us
about those projects, we'll be more than happy to have the discussion.
That's precisely why I'm not recasting the role.
From JMS, July 25 1997
Claudia's statement that the actors were asked to give up their
residuals now makes sense ... to me, anyway, and I'm writing to ask
where or if I'm wrong in this deduction ... in that the actors *were*
asked to give up residuals that might be able to cover their rent for a
month in exchange for residuals that might be able to cover lunch. Her
statement about "giving up residuals" could be taken as a bit of
exaggeration, as, by the previous scale, the basic cable residuals *are*
pretty much nonexistent on a making-a-living basis."
Prior to getting the S5 renewal, we called in as many actors as
were present and explained that shows made for basic cable are,
according to the Screen Actors Guild Basic Agreement, different in many
ways from syndication, as syndication is different than network, in
terms of residuals.
In network, the fees generally start higher, and the residuals
start at a higher percentage of that fee as well . In syndication, the
fees are smaller, and the residuals start at a lower percentage. (For
writers, for instance, I think the going fee for a network script is
about $26-30,000 and the first rerun gets a high percentage of that back
to the writer; in syndication, the script fee is about $15-16,000 and
the first rerun starts at an even lower percentage of that fee.)
For basic cable, things get more complicated. The fees paid stay
the same as syndication, so across the board actors' fees, directors and
writers don't get touched. But the various Guilds gave basic cable a
break in terms of encouraging original production, and in rerunning
network/syndication fare. For instance, there's one formula for
something made for network/syndication and later run on cable, and
another for something made *specifically* for basic cable.
And it's the latter that we had to explain to the actors, because
under SAG regs, again as part of the various guilds' decision to give
cable a break to get it up and viable (so that it can later be brought
up to par with syndication), the formula is that the amount paid to an
actor above double-scale is credited against residuals. Once that is
burned through, residuals accrue to the actor again.
That was the ONLY item mentioned in terms of residuals. Bear in
mind in ALL this that we *cannot* make ANY deal that contravenes what is
established by the various guilds, so asking any actor to give up
residuals forever, as some have suggested, cannot be done by us or
ANYone because we are Guild signatories.
From JMS, July 28 1997
No...let me stress this again: there was never any meeting here.
The meeting you *might* be thinking of was the one where we brought
in the actors to explain to them the differences in syndication vs.
cable residuals formula. That took place some weeks before.
If it helps, let me break down the dates for you a bit:
July 9th: the Variety and Reuters pieces appear saying Claudia's
has left the show. WB wants to know where Claudia stands, and we need to
know because at this point I've finished writing the new 422, and am
about to start on 502 (actually the first S5 episode). I hear about this
when Claudia, I and the rest of the cast are in the UK at Blackpool. The
WB need for urgent clarification is conveyed to Claudia's agent.
July 10th: I reinforce to Claudia, at the pub in the DeVere hotel,
that unless she confirms through her agent by noon Friday, the 11th,
that she wants to be on the show, the offer will be withdrawn, that she
will have, to all intents and purposes, passed on the offer.
July 11th: there was no "final comment," no meeting...again, we are
still in the UK. For there to be a final comment, she or her agent would
have had to actually *speak* to someone. But no call came from either
Claudia or her agent. There was NO response at all. Thus, the offer was
finally and reluctantly withdrawn because we were simply out of time,
and having been told that silence = a pass on the offer, there was no
longer any reason to maintain the offer. She passed.
July 12th: Jeff goes to Claudia and on his own, tries to convince
her to try and work this out on Monday, that if her agent makes contact
first thing, maybe this can be worked out. This is not a position that I
told him to advance to her, he did this entirely on his own, hoping that
she could still come back from her decision. Bruce and other cast
members also try to talk to her about this, concerned about her decision.
July 14th (Monday): Claudia leaves the convention mid-day,
announcing that she is going to go to a photo shoot.
The weekend of July 19th-20th: I'm at ComicCon in San Diego, where
I learn that Claudia, at another convention, has announced that she was
fired from B5. And that, to paraphrase, is where the blitz hit the fans.
I know you keep trying to find some way that maybe I wasn't there,
perhaps to save me from the situation...but I was there for every bit of
it; having the room 4 doors down from Claudia at the time, I couldn't be
*more* in the thick of it unless I slept on the floor of her room.
From Claudia Christian, August 13, 1997
Dear Sweet Wonderful Guys and Gals, Ladies, Gentlemen - poets all
of you:
I am sitting in my trailer on the film set of "Guardian" (not the
film that conflicted with B-5, I have been lucky enough to star in 2
films - "Guardian" and "Thick and Thin" with Robert Townsend, in the
last month). Anyway - I'm in here perusing the copious , kind, funny and
downright incredible e- mails I have received from you. I actually
started to cry a few minutes ago as I read a particularly touching
message from a woman in Toronto. You are eloquent and I am so happy to
have been able to entertain you in whatever way I have. Out of the
hundreds of e-mails I have received from all over the world I have only
had one negative one and that was from a fellow who hated my CD! I am
amazed at your loyalty and your generosity of spirit. As I was depressed
after being disinvited to the annual B-5 party - yes I am no longer
welcome anywhere near B-5. I was then heartened by yet another slew of
love from you via the e- mail. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
Now then to answer some of your questions:
1. I would love to be in the B-5 TNT movies or the feature, however
I get the feeling they do not want me in anything at all.
2. I was never offered 18 episodes at a different price, I was told
"If TNT wants you for all 22 - you have to do all 22" period.
3. I will still do conventions (If I am invited!) I love to be with
the fans and always have a great time at them.
4. I apologize to anyone who missed me in Boston after I could only
make an appearance on Sunday. I took the Red-Eye after finishing work on
the movie I'm doing and missed my talk on Saturday. I hope that everyone
who stayed for Sunday a decent show.
5. To Andrew P. I don't know Paul Lynch...at least I don't
recognize the name.
6. To Mark K. Your welcome for the B-day card!
7. The deal breaker was never about money! It was about time!
8. Yes, it is ironic that they are replacing me with an actress
that will be in only 8 episodes out of 22
9. Joseph B My game is called "Solar Eclipse" it's on Sony Playstation
10. Karen in NY The agent you are referring to was my convention
agent, there was no foul play or stupid moves on the part of my
theatrical agent. As I've said before they received a fax saying I was
released on Friday after that they assumed the fight was over. I no
longer work with the woman you heard about at Wolf.
11. If you read the Variety article, it simply said that I had not
signed my contract yet, it did not state that I was leaving the show,
period! It was gossip, I do not know who planted it.
12. I auditioned for the Borg on Voyager during season 4 when we
were told that it did not look good for season 5. If I had gotten the
job I could not have done it once B-5 was picked up. It had nothing to
do with anything. All of the actors were auditioning for lots of things
since we thought the series was over. Remember season 5 was a miracle,
we even shot the last episode thinking it was over.
13. Yes Vince is my brother, a great guy, but I think he needs to
get back to work in his lab so no more e-mails to him okay:-)
14. Kevin S 6-D loves you and 6-D bless you, you are great,
remember that! Thank you for your kind words.
15. John D I didn't think you were short...
16. Damon does exist, he is my best friend and has set up this
access to you for me.
17. Susan B I think Diana does an excellent job with my web site,
she receives a lot of mail for me. I don't understand your comment "Be
careful when you write people" I have only written twice. The original
rebuttal and this letter now. Beware of impostors they say! Also Susan,
I write from the heart not to impress a teacher, so sorry for the "poor
phrasing".
18. Stephen Christian Thank you!!!! You're the BEST!
Now for the summary....
In case you didn't notice, during season 4 I mostly read off of a
TelePrompTer for "The Voice of The Resistance" or said "Aye Captain"
into my link. I was creatively frustrated but continued to float along
thinking I would get my chance to stretch my acting muscles. It wasn't
until episode 421 that Joe wrote a scene for Richard Biggs and I that I
am very proud of and was thrilled to be able to do. Add to that the fact
that I had a car accident that ended up costing me my savings account, I
was drained. Along comes a producer who wants me to star in a film that
will help get me on my feet again...barely...and satisfy my acting needs
in a challenging role. I really wanted to do it. I asked for the time
off and I was told I would get it. I explained I needed it in writing.
There was no way they would hire me without this permission note. I had
to get one for the one day I worked on the Steven Bocheo pilot "Total
Security" for crying out loud! I was refused. Nothing in writing meant I
couldn't do the film. I thought it could be worked out. I was wrong.
In conclusion:
I have never said I did not want to be a part of season 5. I would
be happy to don Ivanova's uniform for episodes in season 5, the TNT
movies of the week or the potential feature. My pride prohibits me from
calling them. They know my number if they want me they can ask me. The
ball has never been in my court people, I am just a pawn in this great
chess game.
Thank you again for your love and support. I cherish each and every
letter that has come to me.
Lots of Love
Claudia Christian
From JMS, August 14 1997
How can the story continue without one of the main characters?
One of the first things I had to do, in plotting out the storyline,
was to set aside trap doors for *every single character*, because you
never know when or how the real world is going to impinge upon you. An
actor can quit, or get hit by a car, or slammed by a meteor...there's no
way to control the characters the way you do in a novel. That's a given.
But you can't bring X-million viewers along to a certain point, then
say, "Well, all the stuff we were going to do we can't because X isn't
here."
So in a way, the structure of the story is kind of like a computer
game tree...pull out a piece along the way, and it goes down a different
path, but ends up at exactly the same point at the end. It's the
difference between different *results* and different ways of *getting*
there.
You can do a story about a platoon in WW II, for instance, and some
of the platoon may live, die, be injured, whatever...but the story of
WWII is the story of WWII.
Beyond that, a challenge is just that: a call to see just how good
you *really* are, kid. If you've ever seen GLORY, there's the scene in
which one of the Massachusetts 54th is being taught to shoot. He does
just fine, hits the target, reloads fine...when nobody's shooting at
him. At which point the colonel starts firing a revolver right next to
his head, teling him to try and do it NOW, and do it FAST, with ten
thousand guns firing at him.
That's when the art comes in, that's when the skill comes in...in
dealing with what you *don't* expect.
"""
--
Jesús Cea Avión _/_/ _/_/_/ _/_/_/
jcea at jcea.es - https://www.jcea.es/ _/_/ _/_/ _/_/ _/_/ _/_/
Twitter: @jcea _/_/ _/_/ _/_/_/_/_/
jabber / xmpp:jcea at jabber.org _/_/ _/_/ _/_/ _/_/ _/_/
"Things are not so easy" _/_/ _/_/ _/_/ _/_/ _/_/ _/_/
"My name is Dump, Core Dump" _/_/_/ _/_/_/ _/_/ _/_/
"El amor es poner tu felicidad en la felicidad de otro" - Leibniz
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