Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 184

September 29, 2020: How’s everyone doing?

Staying safe?  Keeping busy?  Taking your vitamin D?

Production has resumed here in Canada  and so far, so good.  Officially.  Unofficially, however, I’ve been hearing about productions that have had to quietly shut down.  A couple are back up and running following a mere 2-3 day sabbatical while another bigger one is seemingly down for an extended count – suggesting either multiple cases or, more likely, a major cast member testing positive.  Hopefully, everyone makes a full recovery and they’re back at it sooner than later, but this just goest to show…moving forward on the production front is going to be very tricky.

This friday, the Crime Club convenes to discuss – Uncut Gems:

Amazing people with whom I have worked…

#AmazingPeopleWithWhomIHaveWorked
Adrienne Kakoullis was our unit publicist on both #DarkMatter and #UtopiaFalls. She's proactive, well-organized, and an absolutely lovely individual. pic.twitter.com/Im3QcmBG1Z

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) September 6, 2020

#AmazingPeopleWithWhomIHaveWorked
Colin Cunningham played the role of the ever-reliable fan-favorite Major Paul Davis on #Stargate before moving on to such productions as #FallingSkies, #BloodDrive, and #Preacher. An actor "with chops" as they say. pic.twitter.com/ppwnwWf43m

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) September 7, 2020

#AmazingPeopleWithWhomIHaveWorked
Jeremy Presner was an editor on #StargateAtlantis. His immense skills are on display in episodes like "The Storm", "The Eye", "Duet", "Michael", and "Sateda". pic.twitter.com/XAdjGNGbeL

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) September 8, 2020

#AmazingPeopleWithWhomIHaveWorked
Vince Coates was a second assistant director on all three installments of the franchise, over approximately 80 episodes of #Stargate. Hard worker. Great attitude. And a very nice guy. pic.twitter.com/J1yZy8t9yw

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) September 9, 2020

#AmazingPeopleWithWhomIHaveWorked
Actor Kyle Mac (@KyleMacHere) played the role of the doomed android Arrian in #DarkMatter season 2. He was so good that I ended up casting him in the role of a completely different android, Chase, in season 3. pic.twitter.com/kV631lvKKM

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) September 10, 2020

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September 27, 2020: Suji Sunday!

Autumn style.

A touch of tongue.

Ready to throw down.

Personalized takeout from the gang at Zakkushi on Queen!

Yum!

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September 26, 2020: Who’s up for a Dark Matter rewatch?

Well, this was a lot of fun.  I sat down with the gang at Orville Nation the other day and we talked sci-fi, Stargate, Dark Matter, and, of course, food.

We also discussed the notion of doing a Dark Matter rewatch that would culminate in a weekly Monday discussion in which I would offer behind the scenes insights on the individual episodes.

Who’s in?

I’ve completed a first draft of my Project F overview and have set it aside for a couple of days so that I can return to it with fresh eyes top of next week.  Fresh eyes and also a set of notes from fellow writer Alex Levine (following Ivon Bartok’s set of notes).  In the interim, I’m going to see if I can come up with a couple of takes for these studio-owned characters I was pitched yesterday.  So far, nothing.  But I’m sure something will come.  Eventually.

Who’s up for some behind the scenes pics from the old Stargate days?

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September 25, 2020: The Crime Club convenes to discuss Sexy Beast!

 

In the movie’s opening moments, Gal Dove (Ray Winstone) is soaking up the sun on a hot summer’s day when – a giant boulder comes tumbling down a mountainside, narrowly missing him, and lands in his pool.  It’s an incredibly prescient moment given that, later that night, an unseen force comes barreling into his life in the form of sociopath Don Logan (Ben Kingsley), a former “associate” who has come to Spain to enlist Gal for a heist.  Gal is happily enjoying his retirement from his criminal career and politely turns down the job offer, but Don proves as intractable as that giant rock sitting at the bottom of Gal’s swimming pool.  What follows is a test of endurance, not only for Gal, but those dear to him, as the sociopathic Don exerts his influence.

This film is rife with symbolism, some cumbersome (that prophetic boulder), some kind of silly (the Donny Darko-esque nightmare rabbit who stalks Gale in his visions), but the brasstacks of the narrative – the battle of wills, first between Gale and Don, later between Gale and the impossibly scarier mobster Teddy Bass (Ian McShane) – is terrific, unnervingly suspenseful.  It’s all back-stopped by a great soundtrack, kicking things off with The Stranglers and ending with Dean Martin.

I enjoyed this one quite a bit although one element left me confused.  Why does Teddy kill Harry at movie’s end?  If it was simply to pressure Gale, then it really felt like overkill.  I mean, literally.

So, who watched it?  And what did you think?

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September 24, 2020: Favorite Anthony Lemke Dark Matter moment? Go!

After the first two episodes of Dark Matter aired, one thing was clear – fandom hated THREE.

I was seriously worried.  Had I made a huge mistake by making him TOO unlikable?

But Anthony Lemke was utterly delighted when I told him.  He’d read the next seven scripts, knew where the character was headed, and had no doubt that viewers would grow to love his character.

And he was right. By series end, THREE was a fan favorite.

(photos by Norman Wong)

Please list your favorite Anthony Lemke/THREE moment!

What do you say?  Yes/No?

Chocolate Chicken Drumsticks? Yes/No
Thanks (?) to @Thogar and @ArcticGoddess1 for the heads up. https://t.co/5Cs78TJJFX

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) September 24, 2020

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September 23, 2020: Interpret my dreams!

Had a great time chatting with the amazing Sabrina Furminger on her YVR Screen Scene podcast.  Check it out here:

https://www.yvrscreenscene.com/home/2020/9/22/episode-115-joseph-mallozzi

Well, I’ve completed a first draft of the Project F series overview.  It’s a robust but spacious 21 page document that covers everything you would want to know about the series – unless, of course, you want spoilers.  If you do, that would be another week and another 2-3 pages.  Anyway, I’ve got the document out to some fellow writer friends for notes, setting up one more pass after which I will switch focus to the next thing…whatever that may be?  TimEscape?  The comic book thing?  The fantasy series adaptation?  You’re guess is as good as mine.

I’ve been dreaming a lot lately.  Or maybe it’s more a case of “I’ve been remembering a lot of my dreams lately”.  Instead of dreaming about being a passenger on a doomed air flight, my recurring dreams have focused more on me dodging falling objects – shipping containers, trains, loose pieces of concrete and, last night, a lawn chair from a penthouse balcony.  Okay, you closet dream-interpreteters, tell me what it all means.

More from the Stargate vault…

He was super high on the day.  Can you tell?

Iron Man!  Or “some similarly cool alien alloy” Man!

Third floor!  Sporting goods, ladies hats, and stun grenades!

Pssst.  He’s behind me, isn’t he?

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September 22, 2020: What foods are you missing most during this lockdown?

Look at what Akemi surprised me with the other day…

No, not a bowl of dyed child tongues.  Even better!  It’s uni – fresh sea urchin!  It’s been ages since I’ve had some.  And sushi for that matter.

What particular foods have you been missing during this pandemic?

Very exciting.  Had a terrific zoom chat today with my new agency.  Very excited about moving forward with them.  First project on deck: TimEscape.

And animated discussion on the Atlantis set.

Lots of laughs on the set of Stargate: Universe.

A romantic interlude.  And, oh, Peter DeLuise!

Cookie Butter Beer? Yes/Nohttps://t.co/yrdOKuv89p

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) September 22, 2020

What say you?

Took this munchkin to the vet for her physical today.  The vet was pleased to report she checks out great – healthy lungs, heart, no weird bumps or lumps and, best of all, she weighs in at a compact 13 lbs.  Akemi was convinced she had put on weight during the lockdown and we would have to curtail her treat intake.  Suji was absolutely thrilled to learn the opposite.  Keep them treats coming!

 

 

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September 21, 2020: Yes/No, SGU, and mobile satellite platforms with fully automated defense systems!

Let’s kick things off with a little Yes/No compliments of one Alex Mallari Jr. who hit me up with this this morning…

ICE CREAM ON A SPICY CHICKEN SANDWICH WITH HONEY DRIZZLED ON TOP!!!

OMG! Burger

13425 University Blvd #500, Sugar Land, TX 77479

Would you try this? pic.twitter.com/DJSKjaqjDs

— Your Favorite Places In Houston (@YPHoustonTX) September 20, 2020

I’ll be honest.  It’s a yes from me (although the honey is optional).  There’s a place here in Toronto called Tokyo Hot Fried Chicken that does a version of this – but it’s about a 45 minute walk from my place.

How many calories would 90 minutes of brisk walking burn off?  Instead of calories, please answer in the form of number of fried chicken ice cream sandwiches.

A few pics from the SGU vault…

Great time on that show.

Almost finished my first pass on the Project F series overview and am now reconsidering my attack on the pilot summary.  I think I need to make it less plot-driven and more character-focused to balance the high-concept sci-fi trappings.  Something to contemplate…just as soon as I finish this final section on ontology, the analogous nature of morality, the transcendental bonds of camaraderie, and mobile satellite platforms with fully automated defense systems.

Alas, our Crime Club discussion on Sexy Beast will be delayed yet again.  But I promise we’ll get to it this Friday.

Probably.

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September 20, 2020: Suji Sunday!

 

Hanging around the strawberry bush, snacking on the low-hanging fruit.

Tongue tricks!

Unboxing.

Hey, do those donuts belong to anyone?

The caterpillar patiently awaits its magical transformation.

Walk prep complete!

A well-deserved nap.

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September 19, 2020: Joseph Mallozzi, Bird Doctor M.D.

Yesterday, Akemi and I were sitting in the living room when we heard a BANG!, and saw a small bird bounce off our window and land on the balcony.  We assumed it was dead but, some fifteen minutes later, it was up and around.  It hung out for about an hour and then, finally, took flight.  A happy ending!

Until about twenty minutes later when – BANG!  A bird hit the other window and dropped to the balcony, either dead or unconscious.  A closer look revealed…it was the same bird!  This time, I thought, he was dead for sure and I was wondering how Akemi was going to dispose of the corpse when –

The bird hopped up.  He looked dazed and clearly not flight-ready.  In fact, after an hour went by, I began to wonder if he’d ever fly again which, in turn, left me to wonder what I was going to do about this injured bird sitting on my balcony.

Shortly thereafter…

A nice, comfy little bed.  Water.  And a snacks in the form of strawberries, almonds, walnuts, and a piece of leftover Hong Kong Milk Tea mocha donut.  What more could a bird want?

As it turns out – freedom.  About an hour later, it just flew off, probably sorer but hopefully wiser.  Although I really can’t criticize as I’ve done the same on several occasions.

Fielding a few questions from the comments section…

Jessica C writes:  “1) Will the amazing plot hook of Stargate Universe and an artificial structure in the cosmic microwave background radiation be mentioned in the new series? (note: it’s actually entirely possible, and current scientific papers have hinted at finding such a structure in our own CMBR; see this video from PBS Space Time, 13:55 mark, released after SGU: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC2JOQ7z5L0 ).”

Answer: I’m not developing the new series so this is really a question for Brad Wright, but as I’ve been saying, any new in-canon series could open the door to answering many of the franchise’s outstanding questions.

“2) It has been mentioned that Atlantis is meant to be massive, around the size of Manhattan, but due to a mixup with the CGI team it was rendered a lot smaller. Will the new series render Atlantis in all its fidelity, splendour, and more importantly, scale?”

Answer: Again, I have no idea if and how Atlantis would figure into a new series, but I imagine the revisit of any established locations would come with upgraded visuals.

“3) Will the series be more adventure of the week (SG1, Atlantis) or continuous (SGU, The Expanse, Game of Thrones, etc)? I’m really a much bigger fan of the latter, especially when binge watching / streaming, but I understand it’s what a lot of people didn’t like about SGU and what eventually led to its cancellation [image error]