Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 297

September 16, 2017: Dark Matter fandom lights up The Raza – and twitter!

Well, that was fun.  And hugely successful.  Again and as always, thanks to YOU ALL.  We trended and held in the U.S., hit #1 in Canada, and once again lit up twitter with our #LightTheRaza hashtag.  Joining our ranks and making their voices heard were, once again, friends and supporters from the realms of television, music, books, and comic books.  Thanks as always to our Dark Matter allies like Ming-Na Wen, Lexa Doig, Michael Shanks, Amanda Tapping, Martin Gero, Phil Plait, Cherie Priest, Sass Jordan, Jann Arden, Gail Simone, John Scalzi, Nick Cutter, Robert Picardo, Mark Dacascos, Ed the Sock, Scott Lynch, Jonathon Hickman, Kris Holden-Reid, Paul Amos, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Jean Yoon, Adam Korson, Ellen Wong, Kate Drummond, Corin Nemec, Jason M. Hough, Melanie Liburd, Mike Dopud, Torri Higginson, Mishka Thebaud, Ayisha Issa, Ennis Esmer, Matthew Rosenberg, Cas Anvar, Tamsen McDonough, Ryan Robbins, Natalie Brown, Kaare Andrews, Jessica Sipos and many more!

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In order to maximize our reach in the U.S., we had to schedule our FTL Friday tweet storms at times that proved…inconvenient for many of our international fans. We apologize for that but, again, this was really a result of a need to LOUDLY target a potential new U.S. home for the show (since we already have nice comfy homes overseas and in Canada).  Still, many international fans stayed up into the wee hours to tweet along with us.

Today, in appreciation for THEIR commitment to the campaign, we’ll be doing another FTL Drive more accommodating to them. We kick off at 4 pm EDT/1 pm PDT which is 9 pm UK/10 pm France.

Please follow @DarkMatterFTL for all the latest, including the reveal of the secret hashtag just before the tweet storm launch!

I’m holding onto about a dozen blooper segments.  Once we start trending, I’ll post the first.  And then, depending on the number of retweets I get for the first set of bloopers, I’ll retreat the next batch, and so on.

The reddit AMA was a rousing success.  A little over 1350 comments in the thread…and counting.  Check out the Q&A here:

Dark Matter AMA from DarkMatter

In the coming days, I’m going to wade through the unanswered questions and attempt to field as many as I can!

Hey, tonight I’m a guest on AfroNerd Radio’s The Grindhouse at 6 pm EDT/ 3 pm PDT.  If you’re free, call in and let’s chat.

Yesterday, Melissa O’Neil, Anthony Lemke, and I were guest on Ed the Sock’s new podcast.

And before that, I visited The Barbershop podcast.

The Dark Matter fan campaign has been getting a lot of fantastic coverage, including this great article:

Art Imitates Life: Dark Matter Fans, Cast & Crew Battle the Corporations

I offered the following when asked about my unusually passionate focus on finding a new home for the show:

“Dark Matter is my baby and it’s frustrating to think I won’t be able to finish telling my story. The cast and crew have become like family to me and, as I wrote in my blog, I have to do right by them.”

And I have to do right by all of you, from the members of the Dark Matter Council to everyone who has taken to the internet to do battle for Dark Matter.  Thank you.

September 15, 2017: Reddit AMA! Tweetstorm! Dark Matter fandom storms the castle!

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Dark Matter fans unite!  And prepare to shake the internet!

First, join us on reddit at 7 pm EDT/4 pm PDT for an AMA (Ask Me Anything) with the cast and yours truly!

PSA: Joseph Mallozzi and several cast members will do an AMA in /r/DarkMatter this Friday! Get your questions ready! from DarkMatter

Then prepare to tweet the lights out at 9 pm EDT/6 pm PDT with the Dark Matter cast, crew, and fellow fans.  And – who knows? – maybe even a surprise tweeter or two!  Follow @DarkMatterFTL for the latest…and the secret #hashtag!

As I said in yesterday’s blog, the moment we start trending, I’ll start posting bloopers.  And, for every 15 minutes we continue to trend, I’ll post another.  And another.  And another!  How’s that for incentive?  Here’s a taste of what’s to come…

A few campaign links from our many supporters:

https://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/dark-matter-creators-seek-fan-support-to-get-show-back-on-air-with-ama-and-tweetstorm/

http://www.scifipulse.net/a-call-to-arms-to-help-save-dark-matter/

http://screenrant.com/dark-matter-season-4-fan-campaign/

https://www.threeifbyspace.net/2017/09/dark-matter-ftl-drives-hit-warp-speed/

https://www.purefandom.com/2017/09/08/fandom-spoken-operation-save-dark-matter-full-effect/

https://www.tvovermind.com/dark-matter/can-fan-influence-get-dark-matter-back-air

http://thathashtagshow.com/2017/09/save-dark-matter/

https://thenerdrecites.com/saving-dark-matter-the-week-in-fun-hashtags-7652/

https://thenerdrecites.com/how-you-can-help-to-save-dark-matter-7564/

http://scifivision.com/286-tv-news/4876-dark-matter-cast-ep-participating-in-ama-tonight-plus-join-the-twitter-storm-to-help-save-the-show

 

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

September 14, 2017: We can do this!

In fact, we ARE doing it.  All that online passion – the tweets, retweets, tagging and hash tagging – is having an effect. It’s impressing some, concerning others, but surprising all.  It’s thanks to you that we are where we are, with three potential new partners in deep discussion.  As I’ve been saying all along, pulling this off is still a longshot, but you’ve gone above and beyond the call in raising awareness and letting everyone out there know exactly how much Dark Matter means to you.  And now we need you to pour it on for the big finish.

TOMORROW – at 9 pm EDT/6 pm PDT Dark Matter is taking twitter by storm.  Follow @DarkMatterFTL for the secret hashtag of the night, and the SLAM twitter at the appointed time.  

Last week saw us hit 210 000 tweets for the event, trending #4 in the U.S., #2 in Canada and Los Angeles, #1 in New York.  Tomorrow, we’re going to shatter that record.  Like last week, we’ve got some surprise guests joining the tweet storm.  And, to make things even more interesting, I’ve got something for you all…

Bloopers!  And lots of them.

I’ve been sitting on about 30 minutes of outtakes from Dark Matter’s second and third season.  Akemi has spent the whole day editing them down to 1:30 – 2:00 segments (sitting on the couch, doing a lot of laughing).  The second we start trending tomorrow night, I will release the first blooper segment on twitter.  And then, one every fifteen minutes for as long as we trend.

Here’s a taste –

Before the tweet storm, at 7 pm EDT, 4 pm PDT, join me and the rest of the Dark Matter cast for a reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything).  Just register here and show up at the appointed time with your questions: https://www.reddit.com/r/DarkMatter/

I’m also trying to organize some Facebook living with a couple of cast members.  Stay tuned for news on that!

I left the following message on the Dark Matter subreddit and wanted to give it a wider audience:

Like I said, this is harder than it appears at first. On top of finding a home, there are a bunch of contractual issues to contend with, AND we have to make sure we can get enough money to make the show. All of this before we lose our set, our cast, and our crew.

The odds are against us, but we’re all in. I’ve been at 11 since hitting Toronto and finding out about the show’s official cancellation – online, on the phone, messaging, emailing – doing absolutely everything I can to get this done. If we succeed, then it will have all been worth it. If I fail, I’ll have known I did right by my cast, crew, and fandom. 

Some fandom art…

@mhysatweets with the DM movie posters!

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@Nick23371162 with this beautiful painting of The Raza in orbit.

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Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

September 13, 2017: Reddit AMA! Tweet storm! Facebook live! And more!

Alright, let’s lead with this announcement…

PSA: Joseph Mallozzi and several cast members will do an AMA in /r/DarkMatter this Friday! Get your questions ready! from DarkMatter

Yes.  This Friday night at 7 pm EDT/4 pm PDT, I will be joining Melissa O’Neil, Anthony Lemke, Alex Mallari Jr., Jodelle Ferland, and Zoie Palmer for a reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything).  Roger Cross, the hardest working man in showbusiness, is busy…working!…but promised to do his damnedest to stop by.  So head on over to the Dark Matter subreddit, register, and get ready to let the questions fly!

What exactly is a reddit AMA?

Then, at 9 pm EDT/6 pm PDT, prepare to tweet and retweet your hearts out as we prepare to deluge twitter with a second Dark Matter tweet storm.  Last week saw us trending in the U.S. for about four hours, hit #2 in Canada and L.A., #1 in New York, with over 210 ooo tweets.  This week, I’m thinking we’re going to do even better.

And admit the AMA and the tweet storm, we’ll see what we can do about getting a little Facebook live action going with the cast.

So, who’s in?  Mark your calendars and follows @DarkMatterFTL for all the latest on the Dark Matter Fan Initiative.

A couple of articles on the campaign –

Hell Hath No Fury…Like Dark Matter Fans

Can Fan Influence Get Dark Matter Back On The Air?

The TV, Eh? podcast discusses the campaign (29 minute mark)

Well, we that conference call went swimmingly today.  Love this group and really hope it works out but there are so many pieces in play that the timeline becomes our biggest foe here.  We talked through a number of different scenarios, all of which will require different approaches and sign-offs – which mean a definitive answer on this one isn’t in the cards this week.  HOWEVER, there have been a flurry of discussions – and an end of week target – for an answer on the other two fronts.

The odds are still, as one of our prospective partners put it, “medium to long”, but we’re not giving up!  And need you fans more than ever.  Rest up because we are going to SLAM TWITTER this Friday night!

P.S. Check out the #DarkMatterMoments hashtag on twitter and post your favorite #DarkMatterMoments

Some fan art…

@tingyi_yang with some love for our resident gak geek, FIVE –

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@Michele6784 dabbles in oils…and mercenaries –

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Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

September 12, 2017: The Dark Matter latest!

Quick!  Go take this multiple choice quiz to find out if saving the galaxy Dark Matter is right for you!

Several Good Reasons to Save the Galaxy – or At Least Dark Matter [image error]

Hey, looking to join the Dark Matter Fan Initiative?  Wondering what those Friday tweet storms are all about?  Read here for all the details:

Dark Matter FTL Drives – Those Rules Explained

Damn, that petition is really growing.  It’s now aiming for 50k signatures.  Take a moment to let ’em know you’re one of the many fans who want to see a season 4:

We Want Dark Matter Season 4

I dropped by the Production offices today and decided to do a little impromptu stage walk-thru.  Yes, it’s plenty dark – so prepare to tweet your hearts out this Friday night and help turn the lights back on The Raza!

https://www.pscp.tv/BaronDestructo/1BdGYWAoDgNxX?t=1m29s

https://www.pscp.tv/BaronDestructo/1nAKEezQbqVKL?t=1s

Alas, that conference call scheduled for today was pushed to tomorrow.  But some parallel discussions planned for tomorrow were pulled up to today.  Some very positive rumblings but, again, I caution all to temper their expectations.  I will say this however – my outlook has improved to “not so negative”.

BTW – We have a bunch of fun events planned for this Friday.  Can’t say too much at the moment, but prepare for a major good time.

I leave you with some Dark Matter fan love…

@bannister01 with some killer designs.  Wouldn’t they look great on a t-shirt? Hey, teefury, just saying…

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@tarrahlayne graces us with more words and wonder…

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@ItsLovelyLeigh with a gorgeous piece… 

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 @Ashen_pain with much love for Melissa O’Neil’s TWO…

 

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Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

September 11, 2017: Top 10 Most Devastating Cancellations!

Since we’re on the subject, I thought I’d list my personal Top 10 Most Devastating Cancellations…

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10. Deadwood

To many, it was an acquired taste, but David Milch’s anti-western was unlike another.  Although I wasn’t totally won over at first, the show gradually became tops of my viewing list.  There was talk of some follow-up movies…that never came to be.

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9. Quantum Leap

This one was particularly cruel because the series finale was actually scripted as a season finale given the fact the show’s producers were told they’d be coming back for another season.  They didn’t.  And that downbeat final reveal of Sam Beckett’s fate was tagged on by the network.

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8. Firefly

Of course, this one will make most every scifi fan’s list.  It’s amazing how much love and support this series has generated given it aired only a single season.

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7. SOAP

Series creator Susan Harris apparently had a five year plan for the show.  Sound familiar?  This one stands out for me because it was my first experience of a show going out on a cliffhanger.  Was Jessica actually executed by firing squad??? Sixteen year old me was livid!

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6. Twin Peaks

Pete and Audrey caught in the bank explosion!  Ben Horne bloodied and left for dead!  Agent Cooper possessed by evil Bob!  Well, finally, after 25 years, we have answers.

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5. Farscape

Much love for this show.  So much love that, after its premature cancellation, I lobbied to get series leads Ben Browder and Claudia Black on Stargate.

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4. Stargate: SG-1

Yes, ten seasons is a magnificent ride, but there were still stories to tell.

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3. Stargate: Atlantis

This cancellation came so out of left field and seemed so illogical.  What a great opportunity to have a fan favorite series pass the torch to a new spinoff with an amazing Friday Stargate double-bill!  Nope, it was not to be.

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2. Stargate Universe

This one hurt as the series was really gathering steam in its second season – only to hit the cancellation wall.  Somewhere, out there, Destiny’s crew is still in stasis, crossing the vast void between galaxies.

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1. Dark Matter

Did you have any doubt what would take the #1 spot?  This one is especially frustrating for the fact that I had a five year plan going in.  I have all the answers! Now, it would seem, the rest of the story will go untold.

Update on the DM front: It’s crunch time.  Conference call tomorrow!

September 10, 2017: Dark Matter Fandom Full Steam Ahead!

Alright, Team Raza, we are heading into perhaps the most important week in Dark Matter history.  On the docket are not one, not TWO, but THREE  Dark Matter-related “events” that could turn things around for our little show.

People constantly ask me “What are the chances?” and I demur, not wishing to set expectations, but I can tell you this…things are looking quite a bit better following Friday’s staggering fan-driven tweet storm, and a hell of a lot better than two weeks ago when news of the cancellation first broke.

While we work the inside, you keep working the outside.  The louder you are online, the more ammunition you give us to get this one.  Join the Fan Initiative by following @DarkMatterFTL and keeping updated on their campaigns.  Rest up and prepare for another rally, because this week will be BIG!!!

There’s still an enormous challenge ahead of us, but face it with confidence knowing you have our back!

I leave you today with more of your amazing art… Click to see them in their full-size glory!

@Ashen_pain gives us a glimpse of that unglimpsed scene from the end of Episod 205, “We Were Family”…

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@bannister01 nicely sums up what Dark Matter is all about…

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@ceresis64 has provided us with a promotional poster for season 4…

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@jsheaisaninja spotlights the ladies…

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@tarrahlayne composes a heartfelt rumination on a beloved crew member…

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Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

September 9, 2017: Dark Matter fans Rock the Raza…and twitter!

In a word: Wow!  Going into last night’s scheduled tweetfest, I was hoping we could double the numbers of the preceding dry-runs that tallied somewhere in the area of 29k-30k tweets.  Well, Dark Matter fans stepped up enmasse and did better.  MUCH better.  We didn’t just double those numbers.  Hell, we didn’t even triple those numbers.  Here were the results when I checked this morning –

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Over 124k tweets!  And that number has climbed to over 140k in the last six hours.

We trended for over four hours in the U.S., held at #2 in Canada and L.A., and hit #1 New York!

Joining Dark Matter fans in our #RockTheRaza campaign were influencers from television, music, media, comics, and books.  It was amazing to see so many friends, new and old, throwing their support behind our little show.  So thanks to them, thanks to our incredible cast, and an extra big thanks to all of you. Especially those of you spent time in twitter jail.  Fear not.  Anthony Lemke has offered to bail you all out!

I gathered the aforementioned data and sent it along.  Confident it will go a long way toward impressing interested parties of the strength and scope of the Dark Matter fanbase (and hopefully showing “no longer interested parties” exactly what they’re missing).  We have a follow-up call on Tuesday and this enormous fan showing will no doubt be a hot topic of conversation.

As promised, I’ll keep you updated on this blog (Hell, it’s the least I could do for your incredible support!).

To get the latest on the campaign, follow @DarkMatterFTL  on twitter and also check out TeamRazaTV

Finally, let me leave you with just one of the amazing Dark Matter-related art works that made their debut during last night’s tweet storm, this one c/o Jonathan McFerran –

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I’ll be featuring more in the days to come.

You did great.  Now rest up until the next battle, but please continue keep #DarkMatter alive on social media!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, #RockTheRaza, Dark Matter

September 8, 2017: Dark Matter fans having an impact and making a difference!

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Here’s the update: We’re talking to some very interested parties.  They really like the show, but really LOVE its passionate, pre-established fanbase.  It’s a double bonus for them: getting an awesome series that comes with its own fervent following.

Yes, Dark Matter’s fate may rest on financial numbers and contractual clauses, but fan metrics will play an even more crucial motivational role.  As internal discussions ramp up, I’ve been asked to forward social media links (articles, petitions, fan reaction and responses) and statistics on the show’s online presence. So I cannot stress enough the importance of tonight’s planned tweet fest.  Yes, Dark Matter fans can directly influence the decision makers by participating.

YOU can make an impact!

YOU can make a difference!

Tonight at 9 pm EST/6 pm PST we STORM THE CASTLE!

Here what you need to know!

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Follow @DarkMatterFTL .  They’ll reveal the secret hashtag just prior to start.

Only use that one hashtag, but make sure to reference the show, “Dark Matter”, in your tweet!

Enlisting the help of some heavy hitters for tonight’s event, so be sure to be there. No telling who you’ll see!

September 7, 2017: Family, Friendship, and Fandom!

So I’ve been taking meetings with various production companies, looking ahead to my next project (hopefully not for another two years) and when the conversation turns to Dark Matter, the response from those I’ve met has been bewilderment and sympathy.  Solid ratings, a strong creative and modest licensing fee should have translated to a pickup and yet…

It’s strangely comforting to know that news of Dark Matter’s cancellation has left even industry insiders perplexed.

Upon further reflection, I think one of the issues may have been the rebranding. As I’ve already mentioned, the new slate of shows the network announced run to darker, more paranormal fare which is the opposite of our fun-focused SF series. Also, at the end of the day, beyond the action, adventure, shootouts and dazzling visual effects, Dark Matter is, at its heart, really about one thing: family.  It was the theme at the core of every Stargate series I worked on and something I strove to recapture on Dark Matter, this notion of “us against the universe”, the bonds of friendship. It’s no accident that so many of the show’s key discussions take place in the mess hall, with the crew gathered, talking over food and drink like a family at a dinner table.  And no accident either that, as the Android eventually gained acceptance as an equal, she came to take a seat at that table and join them.

I’ve always felt that when Stargate fans tuned in, it was, in some ways for them, like connecting with a second family, whether it was SG-1, the Atlantis Expedition, or the Destiny crew. And I feel just as strongly that it’s the same way with Dark Matter.  The crew became as much a part of your family as you, our fans, became a part of ours.  I don’t know.  I suppose that, to certain decision makers, these notions of camaraderie and kinhip might seem old-fashioned or off-brand, but I firmly believe friendship and family are two things that will never go out of style.

And, hey, speaking of friendship and family – thank you, fans, for making our second tweet storm dry run an even bigger success than the first!  Monday’s test tweet storm saw #DunkinTheCosmicDonut actually out-tweeting and out-retweeting many of the trending topics.  A few adjustments to the fan initiative’s approach resulted in #ItsBubbaTime hitting the top spot in Canada –

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Ready to give it one more go before Friday night’s official tweet storm?  Follow @DarkMatterFTL for the latest updates on the campaign – and for tonight’s secret Dark Matter hashtag which will be released at 9 pm EST/6 pm PST.  Then – storm the castle!

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Oh, hey.  What’s popular on Netflix?

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Might be nice to @Netflix them tonight, let them know they’re loved – and would be loved even more if they picked up Dark Matter for a fourth season.

Meanwhile, THIS, is coming along nicely –

Dark Matter petition

How many of these 30k+ signatories would get a Netflix subscription if it was the exclusive U.S. home of Dark Matter’s fourth season?  I wonder…

An update!  Discussions continue on finding our little show a new home.  Still a long shot but I’m heartened by the interest from a few industry heavyweights who recognize the show’s worth, its potential, and its passionate fanbase.

Finally, I leave you with a little something from the Dark Matter costume department’s Anna Dal Farra who, in addition to her duties as assistant costume designer, pulled double duty as our Dark Matter dog graphic specialist.  Here’s her latest…

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As always, your continued commitment to Dark Matter is immensely appreciated by everyone involved in the production.  Stay loud online.  If we manage to pull off this miracle, it will have been thanks to you and your unwavering support!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter