Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 242
April 14, 2019
April 14, 2019: Suji Sunday!
Every morning when I leave for work, Suji attempts to follow me. Sometimes, she makes it as far as the elevators –
Stocked up on snacks…
Out and about…
Doggy Uber…
Down for the count…
April 13, 2019
April 13, 2019: Showrunning 101 – It’s the scripts, baby!
Every so often, someone will note the myriad producers credited on a project and ask me: “Joe, what does a producer do?” And I will tell them: “Everything and nothing and many things in between.”. The truth is, unless you’re actually working on the production (and even then, there’s no guarantee) it’s tough to figure out a given producer’s role. And while common sense would dictate the seeming hierarchy would offer a fair reflection of relative import, my experience doesn’t exactly bear that out. I’ve worked with Consulting Producers whose contributions to a series were crucial to its development. On the other hand, there have been times where, halfway through production, I’ll be introduced to an “Executive Producer” who will be about as familiar to me as the guy who filled in for our regular craft service guy after HE called in sick that day.
Some day, I’ll give you a general overview of the meaning behind those varied producer titles, but for today’s blog entry, I’d like to discuss the role of one particular Executive Producer – the showrunner. Simply put, she or he runs the show, overseeing production from prep through to post, weighing in on everything from set design to casting, wardrobe to music. And while all of their duties are of utmost importance, their most critical undertaking is the show creative – and by that, I mean: It’s the scripts, baby!
I’m a firm believer in having as many scripts as possible in place before the start of principal photography. I know, I know. This, no doubt, holds true for most any showrunner – but desire and execution are two different things. Last week, our 2nd A.D. marveled over the fact that we already had eight of our ten scripts ready to go. Our Production Manager concurred and pointed out that she had only ever been on one other production where that was the case. That production? Dark Matter of course. I’ve heard horror stories of show’s having to prep off outlines or a showrunner’s verbal pitch for a given episode. And I have vowed to do everything in my power to ensure my team is given the tools to succeed. Hey, things happen and a best case scenario isn’t always possible – but I’ve found that those worst case scenarios CAN be avoided with proper planning.
Early scripts allow for better prep across all departments which, in turn, yield greater efficiencies and, ultimately, a better-looking product. The money ends up on screen instead being used to put out fires. Of course easier said than done and a key part of pulling this off comes down to the people you work with: cast, crew, and, yes, the writers! THEY’RE the architects, the world-builders, the ones locked up for weeks on end, breaking stories, eating cold take-out and drinking warm LaCroix while battling over character motivations, narrative pay-offs, and how alien shovels may differ from those on Earth. It’s the showrunner’s job to run that room, create a comfortable environment in which all can feel confident enough to contribute ideas, no matter how crazy. And it’s the showrunner’s job to not only explore those out-there ideas but also move on from them when it’s clear they’re not going to yield results. It’s up to the showrunner to keep things on track.
Every showrunner has their own approach to the room. I like to keep things fun yet focused while maintaining a blistering pace (by most standards). I’m less concerned with getting all the details right on the first go and prefer to realize an episode’s story like a Polaroid snapshot, gradually defining it over time. On the series I’m presently work on, for example, we broke the show’s ten episodes in broadstroke beats, then I went home every night and wrote up 10-12 outlines for each which we later discussed and revised in the room. The writers eventually worked off these preliminary revised outlines, using them to write their own outlines before going to first draft.
But every production is different. On Dark Matter’s first season, we broke all 13 episodes over the course of two and half weeks, an astounding feat achieved only because I’d been sitting on those stories for over five years before getting that elusive green light. Season 3, on the other hand, was more of a challenge, a much longer room that produced much fewer outlines.
As I said, the writers are the architects. Their scripts are the foundation of each episode and the series as a whole. But once principal photography commences, depending on the production, that writers’ room could be down to a single individual: the showrunner. I remember one such scenario where I was assured: “All the writers are great. You won’t have to do any rewriting”. This, of course, is utter nonsense because, once an episode goes into prep, changes will be required irrespective of how successfully a writer captures the character voices or executes that fourth act turn. Actors or locations become unavailable, episodes don’t board, potential builds and proposed developments prove too expensive. Changes need to be made and, with no writers’ room to call, that job falls to the showrunner. And the size of that rewrite can vary.
When my former writing partner, Paul Mullie, and I first joined Stargate, we co-wrote episodes. Years later, long after we had started writing episodes separately, we still shared a co-writing credit because I was writing originals while he was doing uncredited and unpaid (Hey, it’s part of the job) passes on other writers’ scripts, and occasionally those dreaded page one rewrites. I remember one year Paul received a nomination for two scripts, one he had actually written but hadn’t been credited on, and another he’d been credited on but hadn’t written.
Like I said – it’s part of the job. And a job I got because I was a young writer who was given an opportunity by another showrunner and allowed to learn the ropes and grow into my role as a Co-Producer, Producer, Supervising Producer, Co-Executive Producer and, eventually, Executive Producer. Like many others, I landed that opportunity by delivering a terrific first draft of the pitch they bought.
It’s the scripts, baby!
April 12, 2019
April 12, 2019: Dark Matter Drop Vault II! Playback!
Who needs a new screensaver???
DM 313 – Bomb Control and Countdown
DM 313 – Ferrous Corp Shipyard Lab Drive Card Diagnostic
Raza Tracking Mikkei Shuttle
DM 311 – Sajen File (The Blah’s clearly failed in their parental duties)
DM 311 – Industrial Consoles
April 11, 2019
April 11, 2019: Dark Matter Vault Drop! Playback!
Going through some old file folders and came across the awesome playback elements from back in the day…
DM313 – Aslanov Field Screen
DM313 – Ferrous Corp Lab Wall Graphics
DM313 – Ferrous Corp Shipyard Transparent Lab Monitor
DM313 – Ferrous Corps Shipyard Transparent Monitor
DM 313 – Ferrous Corp Shipyard Console
DM313 – Ferrous Corp Shipyard Store-room Inventory Screen
DM 313 – Ferrous Corp Shipyard Monitor (Aslanov Field)
DM313 – Aslanov Field Overload Initiated
April 10, 2019
April 10, 2019: Week’s Best Comic Book Covers!
These were my favorites…
Avengers: No Road Home #9 (cover art by Yasmine Putri)
Detective Comics #1001 (cover art by Nathan Fairbaim, Andrew Hennessy, Brad Walker)
Infinite Dark #5 (cover art by Nick Robles)
Justice League Odyssey #8 (cover art by Carimine Di Giandomenico, Ivan Plascencia, Stjepan Sejic)
Livewire #5 (cover art by Kenneth Rocafort)
Mighty Avengers by Dan Slott: The Complete Collection (cover art by Marko Djurdjevic)
Planet of the Apes Artist Tribute (cover art by Alex Ross)
Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Princess Leia #1 (cover art by Terry Dodson)
The Batman Who Laughs #4 (cover art by Jock)
The Life and Death of Toyo Harada #2 (cover art by Mico Suyan)
X-Force #6 (cover art by Pepe Larraz)
So, which were your faves?
April 9, 2019
April 9, 2019: Production Day #12!
Well, check out what Andy Loew came across today. A giant light up G.A. symbol, perfect for that Galactic Authority-themed bar I’m planning to open up. It had been sitting in the breezeway, in the way, and I suggested they just store it in my office. It took TWO guys to carry it upstairs!
Other awesome finds include these set dec labels I’m storying away if and when we end up doing that Dark Matter wrap-up miniseries.
Meanwhile, the set dec on this show is decidedly different than my last space-faring adventure series.
Awww. Story Editor Sam Godfrey gifts the Whiskey Club a new bottle.
All I’ll say is – I’ve been drinking a lot of these lately.
The Brain Trust – Creator/Director/Executive Producer R.T. Thorne, Supervising Producer Ivon Bartok, Line Producer Robbie David and (not pictured) yours truly (honestly, I’m part of the team!).
So, what’s up on your end?
April 8, 2019
April 8, 2019: The Weekend Wrap-Up!
Well, well, well. If it isn’t Will Waring, longtime Stargate director and orchestrator of the Ishida Palace bloodbath back in Dark Matter’s second season episode “Sometimes In Life You Don’t Get To Choose”. He’s in town for a round of meet and greets but found time for dinner with Akemi, Ivon and me. Will is pictured (above) holding his trademark pineapple (in decorative art format). For those of you not in the know, Will has always found a way to work a pineapple into pretty much every episode he’s ever directed. For fun, go through his Stargate repertoire and play “spot the pineapple”. But blink and you may miss it. Here was his trademark visual making an oh so subtle appearance in Dark Matter –
Speaking of Stargate, I discovered this behind the scenes video from Stargate: Universe – testing out the stasis pods…
I suspect Akemi is growing weary of my ever-growing hot sauce collection. The truth is I collect them faster than I consume them. So, Saturday, she insisted I taste test my way through the unopened bottles and ditch the ones I didn’t like…
To entice me, she made chips!
I ended up tossing 2 out of 20. Not bad.
There’s always something to do at TIFF.
April 7, 2019
April 7, 2019: Suji Sunday!
Yo, Three-Eyes! (phot by HelmuttThePug)
Lulu crashes Suji Sunday!
And photo bombs Suji.
Check out this blast from the past. So skinny!
This is how we roll.
Conversations with Suji…
April 6, 2019
Tokyo Tip Sheet!
Whenever I hear that someone I know is planning a trip to Tokyo, I make it a point to forward them my Tokyo Tip Sheet, a handy guide for the first-time traveler. Today, I make it available to all of you. Safe travels!
BEFORE YOU GO
Invest in a pocket wifi. We went with: http://www.globaladvancedcomm.com/pocketwifi.html. You can either arrange to pick it up at the airport or have it sent to your hotel. Then, when you’re done, put it in the self-addressed envelope provided and drop it off with your concierge to mail for you.
If you have a choice, fly into Haneda instead of Narita Airport. The former is about a half an hour to Tokyo; the latter 90 minutes.
Check out Paolo’s videos for up to date places to check out and eat: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCixD9UbKvDxzGNiPC_fgHyA/videos
FROM THE AIRPORT
Whichever you choose, take the airport shuttle to your hotel. They leave every fifteen minutes or so and are super convenient – and much cheaper than a taxi.
GETTING AROUND
DO NOT take taxis in Tokyo unless you absolutely have to. Half the time, the taxi drivers don’t know where they’re going. The metro/subway is SUPER convenient. You can pick up a fare card (PASSMO or SUICA) at any station. There are self-serve machines that have English options. Just pick how much you want to put on your card, slide your money in, and get your card. Every time you head in through the turnstile, just touch the screen with your card and it automatically takes the payment. Don’t forget to tap the screen on your way out of the station. IN and OUT.
If you’re a foreigner, JR (which covers parts of the metro, various trains and, most importantly, the Shinkansen – bullet train) offers great deals. You’re going to want to take the Shinkansen if you’re traveling around Japan. Again, super fast and super convenient: http://www.jrpass.com/?gclid=CjwKEAjwla2tBRDY7YK9uKXe8R8SJAAhG6LG4Zmz2C27034-1Jqb8VXDrfqPBsOgsH81bc5Ha-6dJhoCGcnw_wcB
EXPLORING
On your first morning, wake up nice and early and head down to the Tsukiji Market for a sushi breakfast. There are a lot of popular places with waiting lines of 1-3 hours. If you’d rather not wait, you’ll find equally great places all around the market. Try to find a spot with a menu that clearly depict all of the variety of sushi. This is your opportunity to sample a variety of tuna. I highly recommend the chu-toro (medium fatty) and o-toro (fattier belly). Although the actual fish market has moved to Toyosu, there’s really not much to do there yet (unless you want to get for 4 am and watch the actual auction).
On Sundays (maybe even Saturdays), Ginza shuts down Ginza-dori (a major street) and opens it up to pedestrians. It’s a nice stroll, especially around that time of year.
Star Bar: I discovered this place one night with my buddy Ivon and it ended up becoming our nightly hangout. A small, dark, classic bar set-up run by the accomplished Kishi-san who takes his drinks VERY seriously, serving up some delicious classic cocktails in addition to some highly recommended seasonal cocktails using fresh Japanese pears (with gin), or persimmons. Their Moscow Mule is the best. A great place to cap the night. They have just opened up a sister restaurant a 5 minute walk away.
Or you can check out the equally terrific Bar Goya owned and operated by Kishi-san’s former protege, the ever-genial Yamazaki-san.
Namco Namja Town in the Sunshine City Mall: You can check out the aquarium, then head on over to Namco Namja town which is a foodie theme park. Inside, you’ll find Gyoza Stadium, an area that has been transformed into a 1920’s Shanghai setting, offering 20-30 different varieties of gyoza.
Head down to Roppongi and check out the latest exhibits at the Mori Art Museum. They often have a lot of very cool, contemporary showings. From there, take a walk over to Tokyo Midtown and check out the Jean-Paul Hevin chocolate desserts and, just around the corner on the same floor, a sake-ya offering some truly amazing sakes.
Take the metro to Akihabara (Electric Town) and peruse the digital offerings. If you’re interested, also check out the enormous, multi-level buildings dedicated to everything anime, from DVD’s and manga to costumes and xxx collector statues. While you’e inside the metro (sub-level) look for the Hattendo cream bun stand and order yourself up a couple. I love ’em.
Also be sure to check out the Omotesando area, especially on the weekends when the gals dress up in Harajuku. While you’re in the area, check out Pierre-Hermes for the best macarons anywhere. They do seasonal flavors: white and black truffle, and foie gras!
Maybe take a side trip to beautiful Yokohama (a 30 minute metro ride away) and check out their famed Chinatown.
Https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2012/11/01/november-2-2012-tokyo-day-5-actually-yokohama-day-1/
The Robot Restaurant: Featured in Bourdain’s show (on CNN), this is a crazy Vegas-Anime mash-up with gorgeous performers, crazy costumes, pyrothetnics, and dancing robots. The greatest show on Earth! The complimentary meal is terrible so make sure to eat before you go.
DINING
Have the hotel concierge call and book your lunches and dinners well in advance if you’re planning to hit any of the high end places. Even some of the more popular cheaper places can get busy.
Butagumi: Located in a little house on a side street in Nishi-Azabu (you’ll recognize it by the pig paraphenalia out front), this place offers up a variety of tonkatsu (crispy pork cutlets) from all over. Order up a sampler plate to try the different varieties, served with dipping sauces and cabbage. Also, there’s a “sanmi” pork appetizer that is outrageously addictive.
I strongly urge you to check out an unagi-ya as well if you like unagi (which is miles beyond what you find here in North America). I suggest Nodaiwa in Ginza which is located right next door to Sushiya Jiro (Jiro Dreams of Sushi) and Birdland (a terrific yakitori place). Again, reservations are a must.
Https://epicures.wordpress.com/2014/01/28/nodaiwa-ginza-tokyo/
My favorite pizza can be found a Pizza Seirinkan! You get two choices Margherita or Marinara. The dough is magnificent. Featured on Netflix’s Ugly Delicious as one of Chef David Chang’s favorite pizzas worldwide.
Https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2016/09/19/september-20-2016-tokyo-day-6/
High End Sushi…$$$! Be warned! But if you’d like to splurge…
SUSHI SAWADA – I’ve taken three different people to this place and all three declared it the best meal they’ve ever head. The place is small, only seats about 12, but it’s one of the greatest sushi experience ever. Served omakase style. Let Sawada-san feed you an incredible variety, from Hokkaido sea urchin to seared toro. Unbelievable.
5 Chome – 9-19 MC Bldg 3F Tokyo, Chuo, Ginza +81 3-3571-4711 Hours: Mon 5:30pm-11pm; Mon-Tues noon-3pm; Tues 6pm-10:30pm; Wed-Sun noon-2:30pm; 5:30pm-10:30pm
SUSHISO MASA 4-1-15 Nishi-Azabu Tokyo, Japan 106-0031 +81 (0)20 7629 8886 Hours: Mon 5:30pm-11pm; Mon-Tues noon-3pm; Tues 6pm-10:30pm; Wed-Sun noon-2:30pm; 5:30pm-10:30pm Akemi and I had an outrageously good meal here. About 40 different small bites of an incredible assortment of seafood, all skillfully prepared and individually unique. Have your hotel book an early seating (6:00 p.m.) and let them know you want to go “all out” when they make the reservation. Chef Masa speaks a little English but is very friendly and keeps a well-worn sushi encyclopedia handy to show you what, exactly, you’re eating if you’re curious.
SUSHI TSU (or SUSHITSU) [You’ll have to ask your hotel to find you the address because I can’t find it online but I know it’s in the Roppongi Nishia-Azabu neighborhood right around Sushiso Masa.]. We went for lunch. The sushi was excellent. The chef talked about his philosophy and his application of science to sushi preparation in his bid to perfect the individual bites. Certain fish taste better aged for a certain number of days or treated with certain applications (ie. marinade or brushed with a certain sauce or served with a certain seasoning, etc.). It was damn impressive and he told us that lunch was NOTHING compared to what he serves up at dinner.
HIGH END OTHERS…
L’Effervesence: Inspired cuisine that occasionally strays into modernist at this place whose chef worked for Michel Bras and Heston Blumenthal.
Les Creations de Narisawa/Aronia de Takazawa: Two different places. Choose one. Both offer mind-blowing modernist menus.
https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2009/11/26/november-26-2009/
If you’re looking to splurge on French cuisine, might I recommend either Chateau Joel Robuchon (located within an actual chateau in Ebisu), L’Osier (one of Japan’s highest-rated French restaurants that recently reopened following a lengthy reno), or Quintessence (exquisite and a whole lot of fun).
Esquisse: Chef Lionel Baccarat, formerly of Michel Troisgros at the Conrad, offers creative modern French cuisine using top quality Japanese ingredients. Akemi’s all-time favorite French restaurant.
Awesome italian at Teatrino da Salo. IL TEATRINO DA SALONE, Minato – Akasaka / Roppongi – Restaurant …
If you’re looking to try more classic Japan fare, I would suggest either Ryugin or Ishikawa for a nice kaiseki meal.
February 1, 2012: Tokyo Day #5! Catching up with my old friends Joel Robuchon and Ishikawa-san
I would also suggest… Sushi Taichi
Over the Top at Sushi Kanesaka | Call Me a Food Lover…
Daisan Harumizushi – Shinbashi, Shiodome/Sushi [Tabelog]
Harutaka, Chuo – Ginza / Tokyo Nihonbashi – Restaurant Reviews …
Have fun!
April 5, 2019
April 5, 2019: Hellmouth 2019!
Yes. It went down today. Twelve of us entered The Hellmouth. But only one walked away victorious!
I wasn’t the only one who dressed up for the event. 1st Assistant Director Grant Boyle puts on a show. But nothing beats my chili socks.
Our twelve contestants included Sudz “Suicide Sauce” Sutherland, Drew “The Extinguisher” Cohoe, and, last and least…
Who was the only contestant not to reach the fifth and final round.
Our grand prize = the coveted Hellmouth 2019 championship belt!
Two FIERCE competitors: Mackenzie “Mall Day, March 29, 2019” Lawrence, and Nancy “I’m New, Nice To Meet You” Asiamah-Yeboah (Who I was convinced was a ringer because she just happened to start on the production the day after the competition was announced.).
ROUND 1 = The Spicy Chips!
I’ve had these ghost pepper paqui chips before and, while spicy, they’re not overwhelmingly so. The tricky part was chewing and swallowing all three in the 30 seconds allotted. Note Drew (above) using tongs to extract them from the package.
ROUND 2 = The Spicy Pickle!
Not all that spicy at first…but it delivered some residual habanero heat. Note Robbie David feeling the pain and ultimately tapping out.
ROUND 3 = VINDALOO!
Not too bad. Before starting the countdown, Block 2 Director Sudz Sutherland asked whether we would be required to lick our plates clean. Hellmouth Warden Naomi Ward unwisely put it out to the spectators who, of course, sadistically chanted back: “Lick the plate! Lick the plate!” Check out Nancy with the attitude after scoring multiple first place finishes.
ROUND 4 = HOT WINGS!
These were pretty hot. First up: Naomi distributing the wings. Bottom two: VFX Supervisor Greg “Twisted Firestarter” Behranes and Locations’ Alan “It’s Dark and Hell is Hot” Cosby.
THE PUNISHMENT: 1 teaspoon of Blair’s Mega-Death hot sauce
Last place finisher in Round 4 had to consume 1 teaspoon of Blair’s Mega-Death before moving on to the final round. That, sadly (?), turned out to be Mackenzie.
FINAL ROUND: SPICY RAMEN!
Spicy and, to be honest, pretty horrible-tasting. Still, check out the fierce determination. Nancy (pictured slurping above) had the inside track and a clever strategy – that one of her fellow contestants ended up co-opting for the win. Note Grant feeling the burn.
Drew and Naomi present Pete (center) with the championship belt – before he retired to the bathroom at basecamp for the rest of the afternoon.
Fortunately, our on-set medic, Basset, was on hand to dispense zantac to those in need.
I made a point of lining my stomach before the big event, consuming: a grilled ham and cheese sandwich with sriracha, a bowl of steel cut oatmeal, some dark chocolate, half a protein shake, a cheeseburger with jalapeño bottle caps, and a side of fries. In retrospect, I think it was actually a little too much lining as when it came time for the contest, I was STUFFED.
Finally, I think I figured out the key to winning next year = Eat faster!
Photos courtesy of Sam Godfrey, Ivon Bartok, and yours truly.
I leave you with Akemi’s rendition of Bubba trying the merciless pepper of Quetzalacatenango – grown deep in the jungle primeval by the inmates of a Guatemalan insane asylum.
P.S. Thanks to Naomi Ward and her team for organizing the event!
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