Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 285

January 20, 2018: News of note!

Betty White Credits Her Long Life to Vodka and Hot Dogs

Honestly, who’re you going to believe?  A bunch of scientists with a life expectancy of about 77 years or a woman who just celebrated her 96th birthday?  For what it’s worth, my grandmother lived to 112 through, mostly I suspect, sheer force of will.  But SHE credited her life long span to the consumption of leafy greens and a daily glass of red vino.  She also warned us to steer clear of black pepper.

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Sorry Jaguars and Eagles fans.  Hope you didn’t have your hearts set on your teams winning this weekend.  The NFL has apparently already decided on this season’s Super Bowl participants and, according to their official facebook page (in a post that has since been deleted), it’ll be the New England Patriots vs. the Minnesota Vikings.  So you can just go ahead and skip tomorrow’s games, maybe put the time to better use.

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First it was chocolate-dipped potato chips.  Now, Japan Has Potato Chip-Covered Chocolate!

Between this and wasabi-flavored Kit Kats, what more reason do you need to move to Japan?

Most Frustrating Cliffhangers in Canceled TV Shows

Oh, I could add at least two more to that list.

Guys!  Guys!  You’ve been peeling your bananas all wrong!

Okay, back to watching that Korean drama.

January 19, 2018: Our Day at the Interior Design Show!

Akemi has been dying to check out the Interior Design Show here in Toronto so, this morning, we decided to take a walk down to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre to check out.  Understand, I have no interest in interior home design.  I mean, I can’t even tell London Gray Caesarstone from Carrara Pental Quartz if you can believe it.  But Akemi has been my patient companion through many a Comic Con, so I figured I could feign interest for a few hours (or, barring that, an hour after which I could just spend the rest of the time reading off my iBooks app).

Upon entering, we were handed two forms and directed to wait in line for tickets.  Unfortunately, neither of us had any writing instruments handy (and we weren’t provided any), so we patiently waited as the line inched along, the people at the front using the complimentary pencils at the ticket kiosk to fill out their respective forms.  Some twenty minutes later, we finally made our way to the front of the line where were waved forward.

“I’d like to buy to tickets,”I informed the woman, setting the forms down and reaching scanning the counter for a free pencil.

“You have to fill these forms out BEFORE you get into line,”she coldly informed me.

“Where?”

“There are dedicated tables with pens,”she informed me.

I stepped out of the lineup to locate those dedicated tables with pens.

PLOT TWIST!

There weren’t any dedicated tables with pens!

I walked over to the woman who had given us the initial instructions and told us she should do a better job of informing people coming in that they have to fill out the forms (with their invisible pens) BEFORE getting into line.

“You must have just slipped past me,”she said.

“Then how did we get the forms?”I asked.

But she had already moved on to dispense forms and dubious advice to other potential attendees.

And thus wrapped up our visit to the Toronto Interior Design Show.

I spent the rest of the day watching a Korean drama (for work.  Honest!).  It was infinitely more enjoyable.

January 19, 2018: Here to stay?

It’s hard to believe that five years ago I really hated Toronto.  Of course, back then, my circumstances were…different.  But Toronto – and I – have come a long way since then.  We’ve reached a mutual understanding of sorts.  For me, it was more of the sudden revelation that hit me the last time I returned to Vancouver that people in Toronto were nicer.  Oh sure, I’d had friends tell me as much, how Toronto gets a bad rap, how Vancouver cliquish mindset makes it nigh impossible to make new friends.  I’d suspected as much going on two years, toyed with the theory but refuse to fully accept it.  And then, last year, I put it to the test, using my dogs as a barometer.

You’re walking down the street and see a dog in an adorable outfit.  Who doesn’t stop chat, offer a passing comment, or even the briefest of smiles.  As it turns out, most Vancouverites.  Torontonians, on the other hand, can’t help themselves when they cross paths with a pug in a petticoat or frenchie in a fancy foulard.  In Toronto, we can go half a block without someone asking to take a picture or offer a pet.  In Vancouver, our dogs were lucky not to get stepped on.

It was altogether bizarre and totally upended my assumptions about the laidback west coast.

People ask me if I miss Vancouver and, to be honest, there are some things I do miss.  Things like the gang at Seafood City on Granville Island, or Denise and co. at The Book Warehouse on West Broadway.  In Toronto, the fish markets are not as good while most of the bookstores tend be managed by hipster douchebags.  And, while I do miss my home, I don’t really miss being a homeowner.  I enjoy being right downtown, steps away from shops, restaurants, museums, and chocolate shops.  Most importantly Akemi and the dogs are happier.

We are perfectly content.

Which is why I predict my next show will probably take me back to Vancouver.

January 17, 2018: Best Comic Book Covers of the Week!

My favorites…

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Giant vol. 2

Cover art by Mikael

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Ice Cream Man #1

Cover art by Frazer Irving, Martin Morazzo, Chris O’Halloran

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Punchline #4

Cover art by Matthew Weldon

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Strangers in Paradise XXV #1

Cover art by Terry Moore

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Super Sons #12

Cover art by Giuseppe Camuncoli, Jorge Jimenez, Adriano Lucas, Alejandro Sanchez

January 16, 2018: Dark Matter recognition!

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“Excuse me,”said our waiter in his thick Italian accent.  “May I ask you a question.”

“Sure,”said Anthony.

“You are an actor?”

“Yes.”

“You are Boone?!”

“Yes!”

“But after three seasons, it is finished already???”

Well, yes.  Long story but, in a nutshell, the decision makers at syfy were never fans of the show.

Still, I never tire of hearing from fans who have discovered the show for the first time.  Syfy may have dismissed us without a second thought, but Dark Matter fandom remains strong.  Thank you!

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Today, I had lunch with actor Anthony Lemke who drove all the way into town to sit down with me and discuss the gene manipulation, transhumanism, and perils of future tech over schiacciatas, zabaglione lattes, and a double order of baccala.

Boy, he would be perfect for at least three of the projections I’m currently developing.

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Finally, congratulations to Dark Matter’s Lynda McCormack for her Best Achievement in Makeup nomination (Episode 304, “All The Time In The World”) and  VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson and his team for their Best Visual Effects nomination (Episode 313, “Nowhere To Go”) at this year’s Canadian Screen Awards.    Good luck!

January 15, 2017: My kind of busy!

Alas, four months later, we’re no closer to finding our dream condo.  Or, more to the point, our dream condo that falls within our budget.  Not in Toronto or Montreal.  So far.  But construction on new condos continues apace and, with indications of a softening market, we’re hopeful…and in no hurry.  Also, I have no idea where my next show will take me so what’s the rush?

Great notes meeting today on Project A, the sci-fi series I’m developing with David Ray.  Solid, character-related input on the outline.  David and I will put our heads together in the coming days, come up with a game plan, and then follow up with a call next week.  If all goes well, I should start writing the pilot shortly.  A fairly challenging series this one, with double world building, complex character dynamics, and a constantly subverted status quo.

Conference call this Thursday for Project B, an adaptation of a forthcoming sci-fi novel.  We’ll be discussing my take on the prospective series after which, hopefully, I’ll be moving forward on development.  I have my fingers crossed for this one. It’s a hell of a lot of fun with a unique tech element at its core.  I’ve read one of the author’s other books and think he’s pretty damn brilliant.  Also, doesn’t hurt that he’s a fan of Dark Matter.

Projects C, E, F, and G are in a holding pattern.  I impatiently await word. Meanwhile…

I had a meeting late last week about Project D, that horror novel to small screen adaptation.  Now it’s less a matter of “if” but “when” the deal closes.  WHEN that happens, things will be move quickly.

Since my last update, another possibility, let’s call it Project H, has entered the mix.  Another horror-themed potential series, this one an original, I forwarded my vision for the show’s first season (and subsequent take on subsequent seasons) this morning.  Fingers crossed.

And tonight, I’m having dinner with Executive Producer Vanessa Piazza to discuss a few more potential collaborations: a couple of novels, a comic book, and three original ideas.

Now this is my kind of busy.  Busy, but not too busy.  Finally got around to watching that final episode of Stranger Things season 2, am four episodes in to the latest season of Black Mirror, and almost finished a terrific Icelandic mystery series called Trapped.  The series lead, Olafur Darri Olaffson, is magnificent.

 

January 6, 2018: Mailbag!

Answering your burning questions…

arcticgoddess writes: “This is a question I asked before regarding your travel to and from Montreal and Toronto. Since they are both so close together, do you prefer air, car or train?”

Answer: I prefer air for the simple fact we’re ten minutes away from the downtown airport and Montreal is only an hour flight away.  I can be door to door in two and a half hours.  Having said that, traveling with the dogs is always a challenge and Akemi is toying with the idea of going by train next time.

missmobius writes: “I’m deducing ur of Italian heritage. Have u ever been back to ur parents’ home towns?”

Answer: My father’s side of the family is from Naples.  I’ve been visited.  However, I have been to the Bari/Altamura area where my mother grew up – but I was three at the time.

cudaker writes: “Is your next show is accepted by a network already..and when we will know just a bit more what will it be like.. in a one sentence description ??”

Answer: I have various projects in development but still a ways from a green light.  I’ll hopefully be able to reveal more about a couple of them in the coming weeks.

maggiemayday writes: “Have you been to Hawaii? If so, do you have a favorite location? If not, which island destination do you find intriguing?”

Answer: I have been to Hawaii, once, ages ago.  I went to Waikiki and, while it was very nice, I think I’d check out Maui the next time I go.  Maybe one day we’ll do a stopover on our way to Tokyo.

Ponytail writes: “How many books do you think you could read in one year? Could you read one per day?”

Answer: My final tally for 2017 was 267 books read.  Six days into 2018, I’ve read twelve, putting me on pace to read 730 books on the year barring some unforeseen distractions like work and a social life.

Tam Dixon writes: “Why not buy a condo in two places? You could rent out one.”

Answer: We are considering that possibility.

“Does Suji require a room just for her wardrobe?”

Answer: No, but her wardrobe is roughly twice the size of Akemi’s.

“Are you involved with the Scalzi Netflix project?”

Answer: I’m not, but am definitely looking forward to Old Man’s War.

“Have you read any good new military Sci-fi books lately?”

Answer: The last good military sci-fi novel I read was the first book in Jack Campbell’s Lost Fleet series.

Captain555 writes: “So if you move away from TO, what will you miss the most ?”

Answer: Being right downtown.  Also, SOMA Chocolates.

MaggieL80 writes: “Good luck on the house/condo hunting! How does Japan figure in the odds?”

Answer: Long odds now, but they’ll get better after the Tokyo Olympics.

“—first book read in 2018?”

Answer: Ranger Games: A Story of Soldiers, Family, and an Inexplicable Crime.

Shaneac1 writes: “Question for mailbag Joe can you give us details on what was happening behind the scenes with the parties that were interested in saving dark matter.”

Answer: I can’t really offer much more than I’ve already detailed.  Suffice it to say we exhausted all avenues in attempting to find a new home for the show.

ceresis64 writes: “As you had quite a few scripts already written, before production began, which scenes did you decide on for all the actors who auditioned to be part of the Raza?”

Answer: For both ONE and THREE, it was the scene in episode 104 in which they awaken to find themselves tied up, back to back, and attempt to “shift” their way to an escape.  For TWO, it was the scene in Episode 102 where she lets ONE know, in no uncertain terms, who made her leader.  For FOUR, it was the scene in Episode 102 in which he coolly threatens the captive Ferrous Corp sergeant.  For FIVE, it was the scene in Episode 101 in which she casually informs SIX about the effectiveness of targeting the carotid artery as a kill stroke.  For SIX, it was the scene at the end of Episode 109 in which he admits to FIVE that, when the time comes when she will leave the Raza, he will miss her, he’ll miss her a lot.  And, for the Android, it was her heart to heart chat with FIVE at the beginning of Episode 102.

ceresis64 writes: “What was the very first scene shot in each Seasons?”

Answer: Season 1 was the very first shot of the first episode, that tracking shut down the corridor to find reveal ONE in his stasis pod.  Season 2 was the first scene of the first episode, the crew waking up and going through Hyperion-8’s decontamination process.  For season 3, it was one of the early scenes aboard the Vokov-Rusi ship where Truffault pays FIVE a visit.

Christian writes: “How long have you and Paul been writing partners?”

Answer: It’s hard to answer that question as, technically, we’re not really writing partners anymore.  We started writing together back in 1997 on a teen sitcom called Student Bodies before eventually landing on Stargate.  As the demands of the production grew, we started writing our scripts separately as of SG-1’s seventh season, but we continued to share credit because, while I was writing more originals, Paul was doing uncredited rewrites on other writers.

“How is Paul doing since you’re no longer writing partners?”

Answer: Great.  He’s working on his own projects.  If I get a show off the ground, he’ll be one of the first people I call and I’m sure he’d say the same thing about me.

“Have you already finished watching Stranger Things and what did you think about season 2?”

Answer: Hmmmm.   I binged season 2 up until the episode where Eleven goes to the city, but never watched the final episode.

Brad Apling writes: “Do you actually go to sleep or was DM’s Android based on you? Between writing, pitching, reading, eating, and business trips as well as your home life, how do you have time to keep up with all the teams?”

Answer: I really should sleep more.  And I watch a lot less television than the average person.

January 5, 2018: Your NFL Wildcard Weekend Preview and Predictions!

I’m back in Toronto, just in time to give you all my predictions for this weekend’s NFL post-season action!

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MATCH-UP

This game is remarkable for spotlighting two of the most unremarkable teams to make this year’s playoffs.  Sure, the Chiefs were great – for about five weeks at the beginning of the season, but like an underachieving remedial school slacker, they were terrible for a long stretch mid-season, then turned it on late to eke out a post-season appearance.  They have a formidable running back in Kareem Hunt and one of the league’s better offensive lines but a Jekyll and Hyde passing attack and a suspect defense.  Their opponents, the Tennessee Titans, made the playoffs by the skin of their teeth and while they boast some impressive weapons as well, they have suffered from the absence of star quarterback Marcus Mariota.  Yes, yes, I know that, technically, he has been starting.

WINNER

Chiefs on account of them being well-rested given that they’ve only shown up to play half the season.

FINAL SCORE

Chiefs 27 Titans 14

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MATCH-UP

Honestly, after last season’s epic Super Bowl meltdown, the Falcons should have done the honorable thing and just packed it in, dissolved the organization, and given up their position in the NFC South to younger, less embarrassing blood.  Sure, their run game is solid and quarterback Matt Ryan can work the occasional miracle, but what ever happened to Julio Jones?  The Rams, on the other hand, are a high-powered offense lead by Todd Gurley who single-handedly won 90% of this year’s fantasy football championships for his owners.  Critics are quick to point to quarterback Jared Goff’s post-season inexperience and, while that’s true, so what?  He powered them to an 11-5 regular season record. [Erratum: In an earlier version of this article, I referred to the Rams starting QB as Case Keenum who is, in fact, the Vikings’ starting QB although, to be honest, I’m not fully convinced they’re not the same guy].

WINNER

The Rams are the far better team.  Also, someone, please, put the Falcons out of my misery.

FINAL SCORE

Rams 34 Falcons 13

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MATCH-UP

As the best team in the AFC East not the Patriots, I want to root for the Bills.  They have an exciting young quarterback in Tyrod Taylor and a terrific running back in LeSean McCoy, but that late season trade for Kelvin Benjamin hasn’t exactly panned out and Tyrod’s favorite receiver, tight end Charles Clay, just hasn’t been the same since that mid-season knee injury.   The Jaguars lead by their fearsome defense while quarterback Blake Bortles, long the punchline of many a joke during the regular season, has suddenly turned it on.  He is on fire!

WINNER

Sacksonville is going to make Tyrod Taylor look like Nate Peterman.

FINAL SCORE

Jaguars 40 Bills 3

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MATCH-UP

This game has the distinction of being the sole wildcard match-up with two really good teams.  On the one hand, you have the Saints and their two-headed offensive beast in Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara, cool-under-pressure quarterback Drew Bees, and an under-appreciated defense.  On the other hand, you have a Panthers aerial attack that is nigh unstoppable when quarterback Cam Newton is in a groove.  That’s “when” he’s in a groove.

WINNER

Some could argue that the Saints have looked less than impressive of late, just doing enough to win – and not exactly succeeding half the time.  Still,  they’re playing at home, the Panthers D has looked suspect, and, really, I have to go river boat over showboat every time.

FINAL SCORE

Saints 37 Panthers 21

 

Tagged: Wildcard Weekend

January 4, 2018: Your Gaming Recommendations!

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Today on twitter, someone brought this article to my attention again:

Dark Matter is Basically a Mass Effect TV Show

I say again because I posted a link to the article when it first appeared back in July of 2016.  But rereading it got me to thinking.  I’ve never been a gamer only because I figure that once I start, I’ll be adding one more all-consuming hobby to my already jam-packed schedule.  As it stands, I don’t watch enough television (although I plan to rectify that with the following shows lined up on my Netflix queue: Dark, Trapped, The Five, Mindhunter, Trapped, Frozen Dead, and that British horror series about a Big Brother set overtaken by the zombie apocalypse), do I really want to add gaming to the mix?

The answer is yes!  But I need your input.  If you’re a gamer – and knowing me as well as you do – what game(s) would you recommend?  Let’s lean toward genre titles and give weight to those games that have yet to be adapted to the big or small screen.

Go!

January 3, 2018: Best Comic Book Covers of the Week!

These were my favorites…

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Arctica, vol. 4: Revelations (cover art by Manchu)

This one has a bit of a  Stargate vibe.  What do you think?

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Black Panther Adventures (cover art by ?)

These Black Panther covers have been consistently great.  Wish they were equally good at giving credit where credit is due.

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Vortex #3 (cover art by Tim Bradstreet)

This ultra cool cover makes me want to see the movie.  There IS a movie, isn’t there?

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Planet of the Apes: Ursus #1 (cover art by Paolo Rivera)

My favorite general gets his own comic book!  The birdcage helmet design is alternately silly and great.

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Copernius Jones: Robot Detective #2 (cover art by Kevin Warren)

Love the noir feel.  And, oh yeah, the fact that our protagonist is a robot detective!

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Druids vol. 6 (cover art by Jacques Lamontagne)

Gorgeous.