Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 204

Welcome to my Time Loop Episode MasterClass

I’ve always been a huge fan of time travel, and especially time loop stories.  One of the very first episodes I wrote for Stargate, with my former writing partner Paul Mullie, was Window of Opportunity, a time loop episode that consistently ranks as Stargate fandom’s all-time favorite episode (a huge achievement when you consider the franchise produced close to 350 episodes of television).  Almost two decades later, in the final season of Dark Matter, I wrote a time loop episode that now  ranks as that fandom’s favorite Dark Matter episode of all time.  



I believe that the huge appeal of the time loop story is the notion of cyclical familiarity – and the ways these familiar elements can be altered or reset.  In a macro sense, this parallels the successfully formula of most procedurals.  Take House, for example.  Every episode,  the team is presented with a mysterious ailment.  As the various story and character elements play out over the course of the episode, the medical issue is investigated and various potential treatments proposed.  Inevitably, late in the episode, the team has a breakthrough and the actual solution to the problem becomes evident.  Except – they’re wrong.  And this is something House realizes late in the final act, coming up with the REAL actual solution in the show’s closing minutes, saving the day.  A lot of other shit happens over the course of the episode of course, much of it unrelated to that medical issue, but that medical issue forms the foundational structure of the narrative.  It’s what everything else hangs off of.
 
So, for starters, let’s look at structure.  What is the issue at the heart of the story that can be explored?  In Run Lola Run, one of the greatest time loop movies, the issue is her attempt to reach her boyfriend before he gets himself killed in a robbery.  In the X-Files time loop episode, Monday, it’s Mulder’s attempt to thwart a bank robber from setting off a bomb, killing him and Scully in the process.  In Star Trek: Next Gen’s Cause and Effect, it’s the crew’s attempts to avoid a deadly encounter that results in a core shutdown and the destruction of the Enterprise.  The stakes are BIG and in order to sustain a time loop episode through its 45(ish) minute runtime (to say nothing of  a multi-episode season), you’re going to need BIG STAKES.


 
There’s always a mystery at the heart of the loop.  Ultimately, by discovering the reason for or means to the time loop, one is able to send the action spiraling off in a delightfully unexpected direction.  In Supernatural’s Mystery Spot, the Winchester brothers are caught in a time loop and, after numerous attempts, eventually discover that a trickster is behind their predicament.  This realization, and the ensuing conflict, sends the story off in a totally different direction.  In Dark Matter, the crew discovers the device responsible for the loop but, in attempting to end the loop, the Android is propelled through time and experiences glimpses of potential futures.  My point is you want to seed a mystery related to the time loop early, spend the bulk of your episode developing that mystery and progressing an investigation, then pay off the eventual revelation in satisfactory time-themed fashion.  


 
The time loop-themed series Day Break focused on a detective who is framed for murder.  He exploits the time loop to uncover the identity of the real murderer and find out why someone set him up.  More recently, in Russian Doll, our protagonist is caught in a time loop that always ends in her death.  She uses the loop to figure out what the hell is going on.  I think that, in a perfect world (and episode) you want to exploit both – the BIG STAKES issue as well as the BIG MYSTERY related to the loop.  When done right, those two seemingly unconnected tracks will intersect multiple times before ultimately dovetailing at the end of hour story.


 
One of the reasons time loop episodes are the most popular of most genre shows is their inherent potential for humor.  Even amidst the continuous death, there’s that undercurrent of dark humor that permeates the whole (Happy Death Day is a good example in the feature world).  While I’m not saying it should be a comedy like Groundhog Day, there should be opportunities for humor.


 
One of the first BIG episodes of one hour live action television I ever wrote was that Stargate time loop episode.  Some 17 years later, when it came time to write the Dark Matter time loop episode, I prepared myself by watching two dozen time loop episodes of various t.v. shows, a half dozen time loop movies, and assorted time loop stories and books.  The aim was to distill the formula but, in so doing, come up with a unique spin on what has become a beloved sci-fi chestnut.  You have to ask yourself:   What makes THIS time loop episode unique?  



In distilling the formula of a time loop story, you can readily identify key elements that appear in almost every version, tropes that can – in some instances – be subverted to the delight of most genre-savvy viewers :
 
In television, the opening tease always concludes with a colossal Holy Shit moment (the Enterprise is destroyed, Mulder and Scully are shot and killed) or the completion of an initial loop, establishing the story conceit from the get-go.
 
Our protagonist lives the loops long enough to realize what is happening (while establishing a string of repetitive beats for the viewer which can be twisted and turned in future loops).  
 
Our protagonist must attempt to convince others what is happening to them (as they are ALL caught in the loop but, for some reason, only our protagonist is aware).  These attempts at an explanation build, as does our protagonist’s frustration with his inability to convince the others until – by some some stroke of unexpected brilliance – the solution presents itself.
 
Inevitably, multiple characters become cognizant of the fact that they are trapped in the loop.
 
The means by which the loop is initiated should never feel cumbersome.  Ideally, the device (and I don’t necessarily mean a literal device or instrument) that initiates the loop shouldn’t be readily obvious or, if it is, should be hidden in plain sight.  Don’t front load exposition.  Make the discovery a natural progression of the story, part of the investigative pursuit that sees our characters putting the pieces together with each subsequent loop.  It’s always more rewarding for viewers to be on the journey with our characters rather than one or two steps ahead, waiting for them to catch up.  



A fairly obvious rule but if you characters loop, they go back to Step 1, Day 1. They may have the memories of their experience, but they wouldn’t carry over any physical consequences of their actions because they are, in essence, rebooting. This is a fundamental law of theoretical time looping.    I remember having someone pitch me an idea for a time loop series that involved our protagonist ending one loop by shooting himself in the head.  He awakens at the start of yet another loop, but his mind has been damaged by the bullet that killed him in the previous loop.  “What bullet?”I asked.  “The bullet from before,”I was told.  I explained the theoretical impossibility given that time had reset and that when time resets, EVERYTHING resets, including your physical form.  There would be no residual damage from a bullet wound that never happened.  To which he replied: “I always felt rules were meant to be broken.”
 
In most time loop stories, time – “in general” – loops.  At the end of Groundhog Day, our characters leave and return to the big city where they presumably pick up their lives, uninterrupted, because the rest of the world was caught in the loop as well.  But there are rare exceptions where the time loops within a temporal bubble (ie Stargate’s Window of Opportunity is an example).




Progression is made on various levels.  In a practical sense, this could be a skill. In Groundhog Day, Bill Murray’s character learns to play the piano.  In Dark Matter, THREE learns to speak French (which becomes his means of convincing the others that what he is telling them about the time loop is true).  In Stargate, O’Neil and Teal’c learn science in order to solve the loop.  In a best case scenario, whatever skill your trapped protagonist learns pays off in some (preferably unexpected) way.  In a more emotional sense, this progression could be related to character and relationship.  Again, back to Groundhog Day, Bill Murray’s character finds a way to make Andie McDowell’s character fall in love with him, first by exploiting the time loop, but ultimately coming to a personal revelation about himself which culminates in the establishment of a sincere bond between the two characters.  This emotional epiphany is at the heart of most any well-executed time loop episode.  The beauty of the time loop is that, on the surface, it may seem like endless repetition but, in reality, it offers our characters the means by which to grow, personally and in their relationships.


 
So concludes my Time Loop Episode Masterclass.  Thanks for attending.

The post Welcome to my Time Loop Episode MasterClass appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

April 9, 2020: Today’s Dark Matter rewatch is Episode 10! With special guest stars Marc Bendavid and director John Stead!

Alright, Dark Matter fans, here we go again!

Join fans around the world as we watch and live tweet Dark Matter Episode 10 with actor Marc Bendavid, John Stead, and yours truly.  We’ll be kicking things off at 3 ET! Please double check the time in your area.

So, here’s a detailed breakdown of how it’s going to work.  Everything you need to know about how to take part.

STEP #1: Sign up for a twitter account and make sure to follow me @BaronDestructo, @marcbendavid, and @SouthCampFilms.

STEP #2: Sign up for an instagram account and make sure to follow @marcbendavid  and @southcampfilms.  [Note: If you’re using a desktop/laptop version of Chrome, you’ll need to download the Instagram Story extension.  – Thanks to Don R. Bell for this tip]

STEP #3: Cue up Dark Matter Episode 10, whether you’re watching it on dvd, Netflix, Amazon Prime, or other means.

STEP #4: Make sure you’re following me on twitter.  Keep an eye out because at the appointed time (3:00 p.m. ET) I’ll tweet GO! which is your signal to press play.

STEP #5: Watch and tweet, engage with Marc, John, me, and Dark Matter fans around the world.  For first time tweeters, just hit this icon at the bottom left of your screen –

And then write a message in the pop-up box (making sure not to go over the 240 character limit).  Hit SEND and you’re done!

Please include the hashtag #DarkMatter in all of your messages so we can find your tweets.

STEP #6: Once the episode is over, head on over to Marc Bendavid’s instagram page. Once you see his icon on the left hand top of the page indicate he has gone live (you’ll see the word LIVE) OR if you see an icon indicating he has gone live (you’ll see the word LIVE) just click on his face and you’ll be transported to a live videostream of Marc and John.  They’ll be answering your questions for about 30-45 minutes.

STEP #7: There is no step 7.  We’re done.  But prepare to do it all over again next when I have a few more Dark Matter guests lined up for a rewatch or two!

The post April 9, 2020: Today’s Dark Matter rewatch is Episode 10! With special guest stars Marc Bendavid and director John Stead! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

April 8, 2020: Tomorrow’s rewatch! Today’s comfort foods!

Alright, Dark Matter fans – ready for another rewatch?

Tomorrow at 3 pm ET (check your local times!), join actor Marc Bendavid (ONE/Derrick Moss), director John Stead, and yours truly for a rewatch of Dark Matter Episode 10.  Allow me to jog your memory…

One of my very favorites.

We’ll follow up our rewatch and live tweet with an InstaLive Q&A with Marc and John.  So save the date!

Came across this video today on comfort foods from around the world…

I’ve had 15 of 20, and have enjoyed almost all (still on the fence about marmite).

So, what’s YOUR favorite comfort food?

Someone asked me online and I had a hard time answering.  Chocolate is, of course, top of the list, but you can’t really make a meal of chocolate.  For any extended period of time.  I do love pizza and sushi, but fried chicken is my guilty pleasure.  So let’s go with that.  For now.

Hey, gardeners, Akemi and I will be starting our own modest balcony gardens soon.  What do you recommend growing?

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April 7, 2020: More Dark Matter fun! Pizza Party! And, yes, pants!

Those of you who caught yesterday’s Dark Matter rewatch, live tweet, and Insta Live session were treated to a terrific Q&A with actress Zoie Palmer and Co-Executive Producer Ivon Bartok who offered some wonderful insight into their days on the show.

Thursday, we get to do it all over again when we’ll be joined by actor Marc Bendavid (ONE) and director John Stead for a rewatch of Dark Matter Episode 10. You know, the one with the heist, that other merc, and that WTF ending?  We convene at 3 pm ET. (check your local times). Clear your schedules!

So, how are you all doing?  How are you spending your days?  I’m sure I’m spending them in similar fashion – staying indoors, watching old episodes of 30 Rock, and eating enough supplements that they can, in their daily entirety, be considered a full other meal.  And, of course, working.  Ish.  I have notes on implement on a couple of projects.  A new project to totally restructure.  And a zoom call tonight to discuss that small town mystery pilot.  And, yes, before you ask, I WILL be wearing pants.

Akemi has been all sorts of inspired since the lockdown.  Today, she made pizza!

Curiously, this is the second time she’s made pizza.  And on both days she made pizza, coincidentally, back in Montreal, mom made pizza –

What are the chances?

So, what inspired culinary creations have you served up over the last few weeks?

Do tell.

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April 6, 2020: Today, we rewatch Episode 205, We Voted Not To Space You, with actress Zoie Palmer and Co-Executive Ivon Bartok!

Today’s the day!  Join fans around the world as we watch and live tweet Dark Matter Episode 205, “We Voted Not To Space You” with actress Zoie Palmer, Co-Executive Ivon Bartok, and yours truly.  We’ll be kicking things off at 3 ET! Please double check the time in your area.

So, here’s a detailed breakdown of how it’s going to work.  Everything you need to know about how to take part.

STEP #1: Sign up for a twitter account and make sure to follow me @BaronDestructo, @ZoiePalmer, and Ivon Bartok.

STEP #2: Sign up for an instagram account and make sure to follow @zoiepalmerzeeeps  and @ivonbtok.  [Note: If you’re using a desktop/laptop version of Chrome, you’ll need to download the Instagram Story extension.  – Thanks to Don R. Bell for this tip]

STEP #3: Cue up Dark Matter Episode 205, We Voted Not To Space You, whether you’re watching it on dvd, Netflix, Amazon Prime, or other means.

STEP #4: Make sure you’re following me on twitter.  Keep an eye out because at the appointed time (3:00 p.m. ET) I’ll tweet GO! which is your signal to press play.

STEP #5: Watch and tweet, engage with Zoie, Ivon, me, and Dark Matter fans around the world.  For first time tweeters, just hit this icon at the bottom left of your screen –

And then write a message in the pop-up box (making sure not to go over the 240 character limit).  Hit SEND and you’re done!

Please include the hashtag #DarkMatter in all of your messages so we can find your tweets.

STEP #6: Once the episode is over, head on over to Zoie Palmer’s instagram page.  Once you see her icon on the left hand top of the page indicate she has gone live (you’ll see the word LIVE) OR if you see an icon indicating she has gone live (you’ll see the word LIVE) just click her face and you’ll be transported to a live videostream of Zoie and Ivon (hopefully, if this works).  They’ll be answering your questions for about 30-45 minutes.

STEP #7: There is no step 7.  We’re done.  But prepare to do it all over again Thursday with actor Marc Bendavid and Director John Stead when we rewatch Episode 10!

[Thanks to Tom Gardiner for the movie poster and gif.  And thanks to @TeamRazaEurope for the graphic]

The post April 6, 2020: Today, we rewatch Episode 205, We Voted Not To Space You, with actress Zoie Palmer and Co-Executive Ivon Bartok! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

April 5, 2020: Suji Sunday!

Foot-rest.

Tasting the air.

Staking a claim on the couch.

All comfy.

Scalp massage.

You shall not pass!

Quarantine Pizza…

The post April 5, 2020: Suji Sunday! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

April 4, 2020: What lies ahead? And what’s going on?

On Wednesday, we rewatched Dark Matter Episode 304, All the Time in the World, live-tweeting and then following up with an InstaLive Q&A by actor Anthony Lemke and director Ron Murphy.

On Thursday, we rewatched Episode 302, It Doesn’t Have To Be Like This, and followed that with an InstaLive Q&A by actress Jodelle Ferland and yours truly.

On Friday, we rewatched Episode 308, Hot Chocolate, live tweeting and then rolling into an InstaLive Q&A by actor Alex Mallari Jr. and director John Stead.

Our Dark Matter rewatch resumes…

Monday, April 6th at 3:00 p.m. ET (check your local times) we we will be rewatching Episode 205, We Voted Not To Space You (Thanks to Thogar for the poster!), live-tweeting and then following up with an InstaLive Q&A featuring actress Zoie Palmer and Co-Executive Producer Ivon Bartok.

Clear your schedules!

So, what else is going on?  How are you all weathering the storm?

Akemi, Suji, and I are keeping busy.  Akemi is looking to start a balcony garden in the coming month and, after watching a bunch of youtube videos and consulting a true expert (actor Marc Bendavid), she feels confident enough to place an order with our local gardening store.  She has already gotten started on some herbs (thyme, basil, chives, green onions, and pea shoots) but plans to expand into potatoes, tomatoes, garlic, onions, micro greens, and strawberries.

Development work continues on my end.  Received feedback on that web series adaptation and am spending the weekend composing notes on their notes.  I also received notes on my first draft of the second script for my sci-fi series, TimEscape.  Will have to ponder those tomorrow.  Also, I have a call this week about a pilot script I had left for dead a while ago.  Hey, Jeff, remember Southern Gothic?

Yesterday, I joined my friends Nigel, Nadia, and Bruce for a Netflix Party screening of The Night Comes For Us, a joyously OTT Indonesian action flick in the spirit of The Raid and The Raid 2.  We’re considering making this a weekly thing.  If so, eventually, I would recommend the sequel to the greatest zombie movie ever made…

For her part, Suji seems to have adjusted to the single walk routine, settling for a big morning walk and a lesser scamper around the apartment in search of the kibble I hide all over the place.

Tomorrow: It’s Suji Sunday!

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April 3, 2020: Today’s Dark Matter Rewatch and Livestream 101!

Well, this is nice.  Actor Jeff Teravainen (Dark Matter’s Lieutenant Anders and Utopia Falls’ Gerald) alerted me to the fact that the #DarkMatter hashtag was actually trending in Canada during yesterday’s Episode 302 rewatch and live tweet with actress Jodelle Ferland.  NICE!  And congratulations!

Today, we’ve got another amazing rewatch, live tweet, and InstaLive Q&A!

 

Join fans around the world as we watch and live tweet Episode 308, “Hot Chocolate” with actor Alex Mallari Jr., director John Stead, and yours truly.  We’ll be kicking things off at 3 ET! Please double check the time in your area.

So, here’s a detailed breakdown of how it’s going to work.  Everything you need to know about how to take part.

STEP #1: Sign up for a twitter account and make sure to follow me @BaronDestructo, Alex Mallari Jr, and John Stead.

STEP #2: Sign up for an instagram account and make sure to follow Alex Mallari Jr. and John Stead.

STEP #3: Cue up Dark Matter Episode 308, Hot Chocolate, whether you’re watching it on dvd, Netflix, Amazon Prime, or other means.

STEP #4: Make sure you’re following me on twitter.  Keep an eye out because at the appointed time (3:00 p.m. ET) I’ll tweet GO! which is your signal to press play.

STEP #5: Watch and tweet, engage with Alex, John, me, and Dark Matter fans around the world.  For first time tweeters, just hit this icon at the bottom left of your screen –

And then write a message in the pop-up box (making sure not to go over the 240 character limit).  Hit SEND and you’re done!

Please include the hashtag #DarkMatter in all of your messages so we can find your tweets.

STEP #6: Once the episode is over, head on over to Alex Mallari Jr’s instagram page.  Once you see her icon on the left hand top of the page indicate she has gone live (you’ll see the word LIVE) OR if you see an icon indicating she has gone live (you’ll see the word LIVE) just click her face and you’ll be transported to a live videostream of Jodelle  and I (hopefully, if this works).  We’ll be answering your questions for about an hour.

STEP #7: There is no step 7.  We’re done.  But prepare to do it all over again Monday with actress Zoie Palmer and Co-Executive Producer Ivon Bartok when we rewatch Episode 205, We Decided Not To Space You.

The post April 3, 2020: Today’s Dark Matter Rewatch and Livestream 101! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

April 2, 2020: Today’s Dark Matter rewatch and livestream – instructions included!

Yesterday saw us kick off our Dark Matter rewatch.  We were joined by actor Anthony Lemke and director Ron Murphy for a  re-viewing of Episode 304, All the Time in the World (aka The Time Loop Episode!).  We live tweeted.  I offered up some behind the scenes snippets.  And then we all headed over to instagram for an InstaLive Q&A with Antony and Ron. Today, it’s…

Join fans around the world as we watch and live tweet Episode 302, “It Doesn’t Have To Be Like This” with actress Jodelle Ferland and yours truly.  We’ll be kicking things off at 3 ET! Please double check the time in your area.

So, here’s a detailed breakdown of how it’s going to work.  Everything you need to know about how to take part.

STEP #1: Sign up for a twitter account and make sure to follow me @BaronDestructo and Jodelle @Jodelle Ferland.

STEP #2: Sign up for an instagram account and make sure to follow Jodelle Ferland and me.

STEP #3: Cue up Dark Matter Episode 302, It Doesn’t Have To Be Like This, whether you’re watching it on dvd, Netflix, Amazon Prime, or other means.

STEP #4: Make sure you’re following me on twitter.  Keep an eye out because at the appointed time (3:00 p.m. ET) I’ll tweet GO! which is your signal to press play.

STEP #5: Watch and tweet, engage with Jodelle, me, and Dark Matter fans around the world.  For first time tweeters, just hit this icon at the bottom left of your screen –

And then write a message in the pop-up box (making sure not to go over the 240 character limit).  Hit SEND and you’re done!

Please include the hashtag #DarkMatter in all of your messages so we can find your tweets.

STEP #6: Once the episode is over, head on over to Jodelle Ferland’s instagram page.  Once you see her icon on the left hand top of the page indicate she has gone live (you’ll see the word LIVE) OR if you see an icon indicating she has gone live (you’ll see the word LIVE) just click her face and you’ll be transported to a live videostream of Jodelle  and I (hopefully, if this works).  We’ll be answering your questions for about an hour.

STEP #7: There is no step 7.  We’re done.  But prepare to do it all over again tomorrow with actor Alex Mallari Jr and director John Stead when we rewatch Episode 308, Hot Chocolate.

The post April 2, 2020: Today’s Dark Matter rewatch and livestream – instructions included! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

April 1, 2020: Today’s Dark Matter Rewatch and Livestream in 6 Easy Steps!

Our Dark Matter rewatch begins today!  Join fans around the world as we watch and live tweet Episode 304, “All the Time in the World” with actor Anthony Lemke and director Ron Murphy.  Please double check the time in your area.  We’ll be kicking things off at 3 ET!

So, here’s a detailed breakdown of how it’s going to work.  Everything you need to know about how to take part.

STEP #1: Sign up for a twitter account and make sure to follow me @BaronDestructo, Anthony Lemke, and Ron Murphy.

STEP #2: Sign up for an instagram account and make sure to follow Anthony Lemke and Ron Murphy.

STEP #3: Cue up Dark Matter Episode 304, All the Time in the World whether you’re watching it on dvd, Netflix, Amazon Prime, or other means.

STEP #4: Make sure you’re following me on twitter.  Keep an eye out because at the appointed time (3:00 p.m. ET) I’ll tweet GO! which is your signal to press play.

STEP #5: Watch and tweet, engage with Anthony, Ron, myself and Dark Matter fans around the world.  For first time tweeters, just hit this icon at the bottom left of your screen –

And then write a message in the pop-up box (making sure not to go over the 240 character limit).  Hit SEND and you’re done!

Please include the hashtag #DarkMatter in all of your messages so we can find your tweets.

STEP #6: Once the episode is over, head on over to Anthony Lemke’s instagram page.  Once you see his handsome mug on the left hand top of the page indicate he has gone live (you’ll see the word LIVE) OR if you see an icon with that handsome mug indicating he has gone live (you’ll see the word LIVE) just click his face and you’ll be transported to a live videostream of Anthony and Ron (hopefully, if this works).  They’ll be answering your questions for about an hour.

STEP #7: There is no step 7.  We’re done.  But prepare to do it all over again tomorrow with actress Jodelle Ferland and yours truly when we rewatch Episode 302, It Doesn’t Have To Be Like This.

Then, Friday, it’s Alex Mallari Jr. and director John Stead with the Hot Chocolate rewatch.

Monday, April 6th, it’s Zoie Palmer and yours truly with We Voted Not To Space You.

Thursday, April 9th, it’s Marc Bendavid and I with Episode 10.

And – yes!  I’m looking to lock down a few more actors with a few more rewatch/livestream sessions in the coming weeks.  So stay tuned!

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