Babylon 5: I Need a Hero (1995)

I was hired by Joe Straczynski to create official Babylon 5 music videos for him to use at science fiction conventions, and later to promote the show to networks. We produced eight over the run of the series. Now, 10 years after the end of the series and numerous requests from fans, Straczynski has allowed me to post these online.

This was the first video actually commissioned by Joe, in the spring of 1995. One thing that (I think) helped me get the assignment is that over the run of the series, I worked either for a TV station or production facility that had satellite access, and I was already archiving the episodes for myself on either 3/4", BetaSP, or 1" videotape. Since I had access to high-quality source material that was outside the Warner Bros. Publicity chain-of-command, who continually seemed to have problems with leting Joe have access to promo materials for his own show, he was able to do an end-run around them.

Joe suggested the song, but everything else was my work. I think I nailed this one right out of the gate, since Joe only had one or two minor notes on it. I really like how this one turned out, and it's a fan favorite.

This video, along with the first one, got out on several of the bootleg Babylon blooper compilations, due to an unscrupulous Chicago convention promoter who let a tape get duplicated (which was the least of his offenses). That was the main reason Joe and I kept a lid on these for so long, preferring that they be seen at conventions with a crowd.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• babylon 5
• b5
• straczynski
• hudgens
• z-team

[BanjoOz]

Wonderful to see this for the first time! Not all fans can get to conventions to see material like this, especially those who came "late" to discovering B5 (and/or live outside the US)... it's just a shame (like SO many YouTube fan videos) that it can only be seen in tiny low res. But this is by FAR my favourite (along with the tribute to Andreas) of your vids here.

[Khandor82]

Started watching B5 again some time ago. Still captured by the story. B5 never loses it's appeal!

My only worry is that my DVD's will wear out of heavy use :D Maybe I should consider making some back ups ;-)

[trekmamaleslie1]

@BanjoOz

My husband & I were at the I-Con (Stony Brook, LI) when this video was shown. Blew the roof off!!

Soooo good to see this, again.

[Companion92]

wow, really good video :D

[Jtslugshipo]

wats up with 360 :( i know 240 works but can u re-do it or something to get 360 working please :)

[darkshvein]

Won't play in 360p!

[Khandor82]

thanks a lot. That worked! Wonder what was up but now I can listen these again! Hurah!

[Cheevey]

@Elemental2000 Change the playback resolution to 240 instead of 360, when I did that playback was fine, albeit in mono

[Cheevey]

@Elemental2000 Change the playback resolution to 240 instead of 360, when I did that it playback fine, albeit in mono

[Elemental2000]

This video has froze up too. It would be awesome if the ones not working could be re-uploaded. Great job!

[Burnz2much]

@1942PANTHERV Picard > all