Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 265

What’s your story?

So, here’s my story…

My name is Joe but I my online handle is BaronDestructo.  I’m a television writer/producer with about 400 hours television to my credit, most of it in sci-fi, some of it in animation.  Over the course of my career, I’ve created, developed, written, story-edited, and produced.  No plans to direct.  I was born in Montreal, moved to Vancouver to work on a little show called Stargate, then moved to Toronto to work on my own little show called Dark Matter.  My varied interests include food, reading, and dogs (particularly of the snub-nose variety).  I’ve been with my girlfriend, Akemi, for almost nine years now after meeting her on one of my annual trips to Japan.

This is me in a nutshell – more or less.

Now, I want to hear about you.

Blog regulars have come and gone over the years, and I’ve gotten to know them (and you) as best I could, drawing from the various tidbits you drop in the comments you leave on these entries.  Lately, I’ve been reviewing and thinking – Wouldn’t it be nice to have a little refresher on who frequents this blog.

So, if you’re feeling up to it, have at it.

What’s your story?

Tokyo Delayed. Again!

There was a time when I would visit Japan once a year.  But, for the past two years, the fates have conspired against me.

First and foremost are the unfathomable delays we’ve faced in attempting to get Akemi’s permanent resident card renewed.  It’s been about ten months that we’ve spent, filling and re-filling and re-re-filling out those forms, sending them in, only to have them sent back for the most nitpicky of reasons.  We’re hoping Fifth Time’s the Charm.  The issue is that, while she can travel out of Canada with an expired card, she won’t be able to return and then who would those oven-roasted match stick Okinawan potatoes and remind me to put on sunscreen every morning?

The second obstacle to unfettered travel are our senior pugs, especially the adorable-in-photos-yet-extremely-cantankerous-in-real-life Suji.  They’re both high maintenance pooches and I feel badly leaving them to someone else’s care. Not badly for the dogs, mind you, but badly for the people who have to put up with their surly attitudes for two weeks while we’re away.

The third obstacle is work.  Between Dark Matter‘s cancellation and, oh, next week would’ve been the perfect time to go away as I juggled various development projects with mercurial often magical (in their ability to completely disappear like they never existed) schedules.  But it seems more likely than not that I will be signing on to showrun a new series soon.  How soon?  Well, the writers’ room starts in a little over a week and will run to early October after which I will need to complete the pilot script, then two more scripts while overseeing various re-writes and pre-production in the lead-up to the  mid-February commencement of principal photography.  I suppose I could carve out a week or so sometime in there provided things come together – but, honestly, what’s the last show you worked on where everything came together as planned?

To be honest, this blog entry was going to be a reminiscence of my Top 10 Most Memorable Tokyo Meals but I got carried away with the intro so I’ll save my reminiscing for a future blog.

I leave you today with this snapshot conversation I had with the skateboarding four year old I crossed paths with today at the dog park.

Kid: I like your dog.

Me: Thanks.

Kid: I have a dog too.

Me: Well, say hi to your dog for me.

Kid: I also have a cat.

Me: And hello to your cat, to a lesser extent.

Kid: I had another cat, but he died.

Me: You’re bumming me out, kid.

Who says I wouldn’t be a good parent?

Oh, right.  That was me.

The Suji Show!

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Quelle excitation!  A few days ago, Suji got a first page feature in a Japanese dog magazine.  The Aiken No Tomo profile offered insight into her past (rescued a little over a year and a half ago), ailments (some rear leg weakness), likes (treats and walks), dislikes (vacuum cleaners and loud noises), and her instagram page (newoldpugsuji).

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At the same time, she was being spotlighted as part of a dog rescue pop-up event in at one of the major Shinjuku department stores.

At this rate, she’s going to be bigger than Tommy Lee Jones!

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In a desire to strike while the iron is hot (and knowing how long these things take), I’m going to start pitching her as the star of her own show.  I figure we develop it for a year, have it green lit, then go into production summer of 2019 for an early 2020 premiere.  It turns five seasons and then we cap it off with a movie.

Anyway, here’s the sizzle reel:

 

Week’s Best Comic Book Covers!

Lots of great new titles (and covers) out this week.

These were my favorites…

[image error] Extermination #2 (cover art by Mark Brooks) [image error] Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Shattered Grid #1 (cover art by Jamal Campbell) [image error] Moon Knight #198 (cover art by Becky Cloonan) [image error] Star Wars: Poe Dameron Annual #2 (cover art by Rod Reis) [image error] Submerged #2 (cover art by Vita Ayala) [image error] Web of Venom: Ve’nam #1 (cover art by Ryan Stegman) [image error] X-23 #3 (cover art by Mike Choi)
Which were your favorites?

Which team in the SEC should I root for this season? YOU decide!

Well, the results of the Which NCAA Division 1-A Conference should I root for this season? poll are in and what a finish!  The Big Ten jumped out to an early, seemingly insurmountable lead, but the SEC came roaring back in the late-goings.  It was neck and neck with a mere 4 votes separating the winner from the first runner-up.  

The final tally…

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Which means that we now move on to the second of our polls.  Yesterday, you picked the conference.  Today, you choose Which SEC Team should I root for this season?  Will it be Tigers or Bulldogs?  And, if so, which ones?  Cast your vote!

Take Our Poll

Which SEC team should I root for this season?

Having trouble deciding?  Here are some highlights.

Alabama on defense…

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Arkansas on punt coverage…

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Auburn on offense…

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Florida punting…

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Georgia on defense…

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Kentucky on offense…

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LSU on offense…

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Mississippi State on offense…

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Mizzou on offense…

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Ole Miss on offense…

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South Carolina on offense…

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Tennessee on offense…

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Texas A&M on defense…

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Vanderbilt on defense…

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All terrific candidates.  It’s gonna be hard to choose!

My Snow Monkeys commence their quest for back to back titles!

 

So, yesterday was the day.  Draft Day for our League of Accommodations fantasy football league.  My Snow Monkeys, last year’s champions, are looking to repeat. And, after the final pick was made last night and all was said and done I can can say with utmost confidence… I don’t know…

THIS is my team =

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Hmmmm.  Immediately following the draft, I ran a league analysis and received the following results:

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According to their fantasy pros analysis, I’m the #2 team in our #12 team league. Not bad. Not bad at all.

Then I wake up this morning, to this analysis from NFL.com:

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I mean, WTF?  Who is to be believed?

I should point out that the two years I won my league championship were years where I lost my first round draft picks to early season injuries (OBJ last season and Peyton Manning a while back).  So I can deal with adversity.

Also, on the bright side and to hedge my bets, my Snow Monkeys are playing in a second league this season (A League Of Our Own), a splinter of the original league that will include the likes of The Landsharks, Chubbalub, and L’ Legit Team.

Can I go 2 for 2 this year?

Probably.

I need Your Help 

Hey, I need your help.  With the NCAA college football season fast approaching, I need a team to root for.  Oh, sure, I could root for some old favorites, but why allow my preferences to rule when I can just put it to a vote?  So, here’s the deal. Today, I need you to weigh in.  Which NCAA Division 1-A Conference should I root for this season?

Take Our Poll

Finally, today’s entry is dedicated to blog regular MaggieMayDay who is going through a very tough time.  A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help.  If you would like to contribute, please click on the link: https://www.gofundme.com/elderly-family-in-need-of-help

Thanks!

Night out with the guys and gals!

I love reunions!

So, a couple of weeks ago, Roger Cross (Dark Matter‘s SIX/Griffin Jones/Kal Varrick, and every other show’s everyone else) sent out a Toronto-wide text to let everyone know he’d be in town shooting one of his innumerable productions. Last night, we finally got together for a feast of steak, sides, steak, wine, steak, Yorkshire pudding, steak, dessert, and more steak!  In attendance, from left to right: Robbie, Stephanie, Akemi, Joe, Ivon, and Roger.

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On the menu:

8 oz Argentinian Angus tenderloin

10 oz Ontario Angus rib-eye

6 oz Kansas Angus tenderloin

8 oz Idaho Wagyu California cut

14 oz Hokkaido Wagyu rib-eye

And other stuff.

Surprisingly, the majority preferred the Snake River Farms wagyu hybrid, a nice balance of rich and meaty.  I chose the Hokkaido wagyu, while Akemi’s favorite was the pre-meal complimentary Yorkshire puddings.

For dessert, we split a slice of smores cheesecake and homemade ice cream (two scoops chocolate chip cookie dough and one scoop pralines and cream).  For a guy who said he didn’t want any dessert, Roger availed himself quite nicely.

[Jacob Steak House]

I didn’t get as much writing done this week as I had hoped, completing a whole two paragraphs of the two-page series overview I wanted to get done on that comic book adaptation.  Also, have run into some unforeseen obstacles on one of the other projects.  Hoping we can get this settled sooner than later because, as I learned on Stargate – and has been proven true through my experience on several proceeding productions – L.T.S.!

Okie-doke.  I’m off to prep for tonight’s fantasy football draft, the first step in my Snow Monkeys quest to win back to back championships.  My strategy going in is to lead with a dominant running back, wait on quarterbacks, and avoid any and all Patriots.

Finally – many of you are complaining that you have stopped receiving email updates from this site.  I’ve tweaked the settings.  Let me know if this works!

Oh, and to celebrate National Dog Day…

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Projects and Priorities!

So let’s take a look at my updated project slate:

THAT NEAR-FUTURE PLANETARY EXPLORATION SERIES

Series bible and pilot script delivered to the broadcaster.  So what’s next?  Well…

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And, yes, as much as I’d love to play Hungry Hungry Hippos instead, sadly, we don’t have the choice.  Here’s hoping I’m back in action with David, Erin, Sam, Tom, Rebecca, and Alex sooner than later.

THAT SUPERNATURAL SMALL TOWN MYSTERY SERIES

Series overview and pitch delivered to the production company.  If we get the thumbs up,  I’ll be heading to script.  I really hopes this one pans out, not only because I think it’s a terrific premise, but because I’ve really enjoyed working with the show’s co-creator and production point person.  Also, love the idea of shooting in this city, a place I’ve always wanted to visit.

THE UNTITLED AWESOME PROJECT

Had a preliminary meeting about the prospective series, it’s characters, and tone.  In the spirit of such Mallozzi-scripted episodes as (Window of Opportunity, Moebius I, The Ties That Bind, Ripple Effect, Point of No Return, Family Ties, Stuff To Steal People To Kill, All The Time in the World, and Isn’t That A Paradox? – whew), this one is going to be a blast to develop – and even more of a blast to produce if things work out.

THAT GOTHIC HORROR PROJECT

Option discussions underway with an eye to producing a series bible for the spring.  Interestingly, there’s talk of actually shooting this one just outside of my hometown.  I’d be able to meet sis for late night soft serve after wrap!

THE COMIC BOOK ADAPTATION

Love this comic book, and I’ve been a big fan of the writer for ages.  Work is presently underway on a series overview.  Would love to have a rough draft – for discussion purposes – by mid-September.  Broadcast execs talk about wanting “loud and noisy” shows.  Well, I can think of no louder or noisier than this one.

THE PROCEDURAL

Honestly, I never thought I could bring myself to work on a procedural (or medical or legal series), but the concept is unique and it offers opportunities for wonderful, character-driven humor.  The creator is a comic legend – very smart, very funny, and very pleasant to work with.  I’m hoping we can go out with the pitch in the coming months.

THE ADAPTATION OF THAT HORROR NOVEL

The deal is finally getting closed on the option – I believe – so I’ll soon be brainstorming with the author on a series overview.  We’ve already had some preliminary discussions on how we’d like the first season to play out.

THAT FAR FUTURE EARTH-BASED SCI-FI SERIES

Has been given the green light and I’m in the process of a closing a deal to show run.  The show’s creator already have a rough, ten-episode game plan for the first season and are eyeing a month-long (maybe longer?) writers’ room starting in early to mid-September.

All very important and very exciting — but first things first!  Priority #1 is my fantasy football league draft scheduled for tomorrow night.  My Snow Monkeys are defending champs and looking to build a dynasty and shock the world!

Or, at least, the guys in my league.

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Spotlight on the dogs!

Let’s celebrate a relaxing Friday evening with dog videos!

Lulu, up close and personal –

Getting Suji revved up for her walk –

Suji coming in for a landing –

Lulu will NOT tell you again!

Conversations with Suji…

There’s no reasoning with her!

Time for that corporeal upgrade!

Apparently, I have something called “frozen shoulder”.  How do I know?  Well, as of yesterday, the range of motion of my left shoulder has been extremely limited.  It’s weak, quite painful at night, and no longer capable of supporting my weight for my daily regimen.  My buddy Ivon gave me the diagnosis after reading my symptoms over the course of a text conversation.  Out of an abundance of caution, I sought a second opinion from Alexa who informed me that treatments vary from medication to surgery to being put under general anesthesia so a doctor can beat the shit out of that scar tissue.  On the bright side, according to wikipedia, the condition will eventually sort itself out… in approximately two years.

Since I’m no longer able to pursue my 100+ push-ups a day regimen, I’ve switched to a  100+ squats a day regimen which I can thankfully do because it seems I have fully healed from that groin pull/tear.

I am falling apart like my old Toyota corolla and feel there is no other recourse but to  transfer my consciousness to a younger clone body or android facsimile.  Whichever is cheaper.  I’m thinking probably the facsimile but I haven’t been keeping up on the latest technological advancements.  So, if someone can direct me to the proper website, I’d appreciate it.

Speaking of websites – as time wears on, I really begin to resent WordPress for forcing me to switch out of my old WordPress theme that while, yes, antiquated in many ways, was inarguably simple to use.  Today, I am fighting a losing battle against this blog’s insistence on being published under the My TV Productions category.  Also, what’s the deal with that purple podcast icon?  And why won’t it give me the choice of adjusting the size of my photo uploads?

Well, if you’re getting an oversized photo, it might as well be this one.  Suji on the bridge of The Raza –

[image error]I used to get to fly around in space until the bad man at syfy cancelled my dad’s show.

Finally, I want to dedicate today’s entry to a member of our extended blog family, MaggieMayDay, who is going through a very difficult time.  If you’d like to help out, follow the link:

https://www.gofundme.com/elderly-family-in-need-of-help