Battlestar Galactica to the Big Screen? - Page 40

TwoBrainedCylon · December 15th, 2011, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apolloisall

LOL, I have it!

In the words of Ramirez, "We are BROTHERS!"

Favourite technical martial arts book I'd recommend is
http://www.amazon.com/Yuen-Kay-San-W.../dp/1892515032

Yep, we are brothers, -- except I really try not to fight these days as it takes a lot longer to heal than it used to.

Looks like a good book. Thanks for the recommendation.

All my best,

Russell

137th Gebirg · December 15th, 2011, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwoBrainedCylon

Lang thrives on the attention. He sincerely does have serious issues that require the services of a mental health professional (and that's not a joke but the real situation). One aspect of his mania is that he feels he is the absolute center piece of all that occurs in the world. He really does think that Universal execs, Ron Moore, Bryan Singer, and everyone here is sitting up nights worrying about what he's going to write next. He truly doesn't get what a cosmic joke he's become in everyone's eyes, -- or maybe on some level he does and maybe that's where most of the anger comes from.

Does anyone actually buy those online books of his? He seems to have quite a few of his "treatises" out there.

And it has occurred to me that if we constantly refer to him as we have recently, he may erroneously think that his ideas and theories are being tacitly validated by the members here.

TwoBrainedCylon · December 15th, 2011, 07:12 AM

I think he sells a couple on automatic orders from distributors. They almost immediately pop back up on the used sell list. It can't be much because as soon as negative responses are posted on Amazon, he answers that the person writing the critique hasn't purchased the book. The only way he would know that would be if the book sold less copies than the critiques he gets on the site.

Over the many years that's he wasted, I doubt he's sold more than 20 copies of all of his writings combined. I'm confident that none of these self-published books can be defined as profitable. Even with his recycling material, I'd guess that from a business standpoint, his salary for writing and producing them comes out to something like $0.03 an hour. That might be a bit optimistic.

All my best,

Russell

Senmut · December 15th, 2011, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apolloisall

There's that word again... it confounds me. My Liberal friends say I go too Conservative, my Conservative friends say I'm a Liberal-

How about this view- the oppressive Colonial Regime, with its rigid social values & unbreakable & unquestionable military-based chain of command led to the destruction of the Colonies, and, in the pilot, only Apollo & Starbuck's stepping outside of that chain with Purple & Orange Squadrons saved what was left; therefore TOS Galactica was a cautionary tale of the dangers of the inevitable downfall of us all due to Conservative control of not only society, but it's inconclusively initiated military response (and lack of viable alternative solutions) to perceived and/or misjudged real and/or unreal aggression.

What a Lefty show that actually was.... I'm gonna burn my costume, my lasers, my Galactica, all my Vipers, my Joyride Cylon & Viper, my landing bay diorama, my Raider, my Son's Basestar, all my Galactica comics, books & photo novels....

Hey, don't forget the gold coins/cubits. OBVIOUSLY, a gold-standard economy, based on capitalistic greed, with the warmongering military-industrial complex makes sure the rich get richer, and the poor get pooer!
NOT!

Senmut · December 15th, 2011, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apolloisall

Nah, the people did what they did to survive with no real Godly help, save for the Ship of Lights restricting what a crazy alien was trying to do to the fleet.

Well, there is Adama's unshakeable belief in The Book Of The Word, which led them to Kobol, and escape from the Cylons. Also his and Apollo's spiritual sensitivities that made it easier for them to see through Iblis, and grasp who he was, before anyone else.
I would call that Godly help.

137th Gebirg · December 16th, 2011, 06:54 AM

I would classify TOS as definitely more right-of-center. Post-holocaust, the Colonials were heavily militarized, under constant martial law/police state, and the Council of 12 were a band of childish lemming-like buffoons who blindly embraced their enemies in desperate bids for feel-good peace at the expense of their constituents and generally couldn't agree on the color of $h!te.

Hmmm...

Kind of prescient, if you look at what's going on now in our world...

Apolloisall · December 16th, 2011, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 137th Gebirg

I would classify TOS as definitely more right-of-center. Post-holocaust, the Colonials were heavily militarized, under constant martial law/police state,

The overall structure maybe, but like Airwolf (another Bellisario related series), the meat of the episodes is really pretty centerist IMO.
But then, MY "centerist" can be someone else's loony Left, or radical Right.

137th Gebirg · December 16th, 2011, 09:34 AM

^^^ Very true, it's all a matter of perspective. But in TOS, there is the very heavy reference to scripture, which has generally been deep within the purview of conservatism, plus reference that Apollo made in one episode to an "Armaments Day", like it was some kind of celebration of Colonial military power - also a very conservative idea with a hawkish bent.

Granted, in these cases, we should transcend projections of our own society upon another society where life-spans are in the hundreds of years, who has been in a constant state of war for over 1000 years. Numbers like that are difficult for Earth humans to fathom and, as such, perceptions of political leanings shouldn't apply in-universe. To a Universal bean-counter, however, I suspect most of them are incapable of making such distinctions. Ergo, yes, a faithful continuation or retelling of TOS would definitely not track with today's "sensibilities".

Senmut · December 16th, 2011, 06:58 PM

Yes. We must constantly remember that the Colonies are NOT our own culture.

Gemini1999 · December 16th, 2011, 09:51 PM

Folks -

Just a polite reminder to keep the discussion on topic. If you wish to continue the side discussions recently posted, I can move them to a thread of their own.

Regards,

Gemini1999
Colonial Fleets Moderator

TwoBrainedCylon · December 20th, 2011, 08:24 AM

So as not to derail things much further, I've written my 2011 response to Mr. Andrew Fullen. Its located in the Cafe section of Fleets at http://colonialfleets.com/forums/sho...397#post308397 .

As he scowers Fleets constantly for updates on what a few of us write, he's sure to get the message soon.

Now back to the regularly scheduled discussion.

All my best,

Russell

137th Gebirg · December 20th, 2011, 08:55 AM

Well written, Russell.

Although I think your summation paragraphs toward the end speak the loudest singular truth - that the rest of your essay won't make a damn bit of difference to his perception of reality. More's the pity. You tried...

I still baffle at the thought that he thinks you're an RDM "stealth marketing" advocate somehow. Seriously??? He clearly hasn't been paying attention.

Apolloisall · December 20th, 2011, 10:18 AM

Reasons why we will not see a proper Galactica series anytime soon (from a TV producer mentality):

1- Its concept is inherently a downer. Big defeat from the get go. Right there new viewers will be turned off. No quick turn around to victory by the end of the pilot. (Maybe we can just make it a continuing war, not a crushing defeat that sets the tone)

2- Just been done. And ratings were not that great after the initial season. The BSG potential viewer well is rather dry right now.

3- The main characters are too good. We need angst. (We could do it like a Twilight in space...)

4- We just got out of Iraq; viewers are tired of military stuff now. (Let's lose the military angle & make it all research vessels with young hot scientists...)

5- The Egyptian thing is not in style. Egypt is middle east, and middle east is not good. (We could make it a Mayan motif instead!)

6- The world socio-economic structure is changing dramatically. Protests are breaking out in many places. A series about fighting for your way of life & what you believe MAY not be the best thing to put on in these times.

Yeah, forget this. Where was that other project we were considering? Oh, here it is- DALLAS 2012!! Yeah. And no expensive FX....

137th Gebirg · December 20th, 2011, 11:15 AM

^^^ Twilight in Space... Oy vay!

I like the Mayan angle, though. With 2012 around the corner, there could be a reasonable tie-in to market on the mass-psychological hysteria with ancient prophecies. You really couldn't escape the Ancient Astronaut hook, though, as that is the core premise for the BSG universe with "Life Here Began Out There".

TwoBrainedCylon · December 20th, 2011, 11:41 AM

I don't think the ancient Egyptians will ever go out of style. The Mayans link to the original premise but they don't have the WOW-factor of ancient Egypt.

Not sure I agree with the dark premise being a limitation for today's media.

Also not sure I agree that things need a quick resolution. Seems to me that the media has turned in exactly the reverse direction, with stories being drug out for weeks (in television) and across a few movies in films.

All my best,

Russell

Apolloisall · December 20th, 2011, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwoBrainedCylon

I don't think the ancient Egyptians will ever go out of style. The Mayans link to the original premise but they don't have the WOW-factor of ancient Egypt.

I agree, I was just taking a semi-farcical jab at the suits there.

Remember Trials & Tribble-ations? Imagine if some production team could slavishly reproduce Galactica like that?
I'd be in Heaven!

It would be so retro-cool, it would garner SUCH interest!!!

...it is a dream I have....

Punisher454 · December 20th, 2011, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 137th Gebirg

^^^ Twilight in Space... Oy vay!

Maybe a Buck Rogers remake would go over better right now, but replace Twiki with a new sparkly "Vorvon" character overburdened with teen angst.
To help balance the cast we could also resurrect Jerry Orbach with CGI as a more hip Lars Mangros with a Lenny Brisco type wisecrack to end every scene.

Well okay, maybe not.

martok2112 · December 20th, 2011, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apolloisall

Reasons why we will not see a proper Galactica series anytime soon (from a TV producer mentality):

1- Its concept is inherently a downer. Big defeat from the get go. Right there new viewers will be turned off. No quick turn around to victory by the end of the pilot. (Maybe we can just make it a continuing war, not a crushing defeat that sets the tone)

Disagree. Independence Day's first battle was a major defeat for Earth. Turned around with some seemingly absurd notion of a laptop being able to implant a virus into a the attackers' mothership, and the Earth won. Ended up being a blockbuster.

Star Wars and The Empire Stikes Back both ended up starting with downer notes. (Rebels slaughtered/ defeated, and Princess Leia captured. Luke attacked by wampa, and the rebellion routed from Hoth with MAJOR casualties. Also, TESB ended on a downer. Han Solo captured and on the way to Jabba the Hutt. Both of them ended up blockbusters.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apolloisall

2- Just been done. And ratings were not that great after the initial season. The BSG potential viewer well is rather dry right now.

Disagree. There is plenty of potential for Galactica viewership on either side of the fence...whether it's Larson's version, or Moore's version. It just needs to be done in a way that can appeal to both.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apolloisall

3- The main characters are too good. We need angst. (We could do it like a Twilight in space...)

Partially agree. Characters need to be less than perfect, but not overly dysfunctional. In other words, human. TWILIGHT?! Twilight you say?! To the gallows with 'im!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apolloisall

4- We just got out of Iraq; viewers are tired of military stuff now. (Let's lose the military angle & make it all research vessels with young hot scientists...)

So.....Lost in Space.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apolloisall

5- The Egyptian thing is not in style. Egypt is middle east, and middle east is not good. (We could make it a Mayan motif instead!)

How about Hobbitian? Then we could make it Middle Earth instead.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apolloisall

6- The world socio-economic structure is changing dramatically. Protests are breaking out in many places. A series about fighting for your way of life & what you believe MAY not be the best thing to put on in these times.

Problem with this world is the world has become a bunch of wussies. Jump at the slightest touch over the latest wounds. I remember when our world used to be a little tougher.
M*A*S*H* was actually an allegory about the VietNam conflict, but was made to take place during the Korean War. The execs thought as you did...but folk are smarter than that. Sure it was comedy, but it was also heartwrenching drama.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apolloisall

Yeah, forget this. Where was that other project we were considering? Oh, here it is- DALLAS 2012!! Yeah. And no expensive FX....

What?! Why have we not taken 'im to the gallows yet?!

Apolloisall · December 20th, 2011, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martok2112

What?! Why have we not taken 'im to the gallows yet?!

martok2112 · December 20th, 2011, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apolloisall

FINE! Take the Imperious Leader to the gallows!!

Apolloisall · December 20th, 2011, 04:45 PM

MU HU HU H HA HA HA!!!!

BST · December 20th, 2011, 05:08 PM

AHEM!

Yonder gallows --

Apolloisall · December 20th, 2011, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BST

AHEM!

Yonder gallows --

I repent of all my sins.

TwoBrainedCylon · December 20th, 2011, 07:05 PM

Steve,

The ratings projections are a significant factor. No matter what the reasons, no Galactica effort has produced the ratings needed to support the series at the level required to make it an ongoing effort. GINO plunged under its support levels in the middle of season 2. It should have been killed then. The original missed the mark 2/3rds of the way through the first year. G1980 hardly got out of the gate. Caprica never grabbed an audience either.

You can make excuses for the reasons why all day but the hard numbers don't support launching a major film effort. That doesn't mean it couldn't be done and become a huge hit but the numbers on the books suggest otherwise.

All my best,

Russell

Apolloisall · December 20th, 2011, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwoBrainedCylon

GINO plunged under its support levels in the middle of season 2. It should have been killed then.

Any ideas why it wasn't? I mean, I'm glad it lasted to an end, but I'm confused...

BST · December 20th, 2011, 07:54 PM

GINO continued because, quite honestly, there was nothing else in the Sci-Fi stables that could garner its level of ratings, however anemic.

Apolloisall · December 20th, 2011, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BST

GINO continued because, quite honestly, there was nothing else in the Sci-Fi stables that could garner its level of ratings, however anemic.

That's not a good thing future-Galactica-wise...

Senmut · December 20th, 2011, 09:06 PM

It's not a good thing for ANY good sci-fi, good sci-fi wise.

martok2112 · December 20th, 2011, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwoBrainedCylon

Steve,

The ratings projections are a significant factor. No matter what the reasons, no Galactica effort has produced the ratings needed to support the series at the level required to make it an ongoing effort. GINO plunged under its support levels in the middle of season 2. It should have been killed then. The original missed the mark 2/3rds of the way through the first year. G1980 hardly got out of the gate. Caprica never grabbed an audience either.

You can make excuses for the reasons why all day but the hard numbers don't support launching a major film effort. That doesn't mean it couldn't be done and become a huge hit but the numbers on the books suggest otherwise.

All my best,

Russell

Understood.

TwoBrainedCylon · December 21st, 2011, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BST

GINO continued because, quite honestly, there was nothing else in the Sci-Fi stables that could garner its level of ratings, however anemic.

I'm not sure I agree with this. Stargate was hitting close to the ratings and there were pitches at Sci-Fi to give the GINO money to Stargate and let them run with it. Also, just about anything that was shown could garner similar figures. Recall that the cheap movies of the week and reruns of old films like "The Day After" were beating the GINO ratings.

GINO had the appeal that its format was such that Bonnie thought it could bring in the female viewers. We now know that some of the "fans" were hired to post on the various boards but at the time there were a lot of female posters praising GINO. Everything else was seen as a primarily guy-oriented show. Bonnie Hammer firmly thought that GINO was going to turn around and skyrocket in the ratings and pushed Ron and company to develop more soap opera storylines. (I know the claim from Ron was that they did their own thing but that conflicts with the other stuff I heard. I can't say I know Bonnie had the direct influence is a hard fact but it is my understanding of the situation at the time.)

Consequently, GINO was given more running room than its ratings deserved. For better or worse, its ratings are now a gauge for the potential audience of any follow-on series or films even though the format was targeting an entirely different audience than the one most likely to go see a "Battlestar Galactica" movie.

Suffice to say that whatever the reasons, pitching a Galactica film and saying there is a built in audience has got to be a hard sell these days.

All my best,

Russell