Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 317

March 6, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 62 of 91!

Whoa!  Is that right?  Day 62 of 91?  We’re over two-thirds of the way through production on Dark Matter’s third season.  To quote Akemi: “How possible?”

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On-set action from a, uh, future episode.  Teku Fonsei (Andrew Moodie) calls the shots on the Ishida Cruiser.  Photo c/o D.G. Hagey

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A few screenshots from our season 3 premiere (“Being Better Is So Much Harder”) c/0 VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson.

Hey, to those of you wondering about our premiere date…join the club!  I’ve yet to hear official word but, if I were a betting man, I’d tell you to clear your June schedule.

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Another awesome concept design from the mind of Set Designer Karl Crosby. What’s (or who is) in the pod?

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

March 5, 2017: The crazy week ahead!

On the heels of his What does a producer do? blog entry, I’d like to start off today’s instalment by saying Thank You to Dark Matter Co-Executive Producer Ivon Bartok who, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, despite shitty weather and atmospheric stages, oversees on-set action when I can’t be there.  Like tomorrow, in the forests of Hamilton for 7:00 a.m. crew call (meaning he’ll have to wake up at 4:30 a.m. to get there in time) facing the prospect of rain, while I’m back in the office, putting out a new draft of Episode 31 and hammering out the story for our season finale.  As always, creatively, I know where I want to go.  It’s just a matter of figuring out a way to get there.  And we have to do it in a way that tops the shocking, surprise-filled Episode 312.  A tall order indeed.

Tomorrow, we’re in the forest and Tuesday we’re Hespler for a little walk around town.  Then, on Wednesday, the focus shifts back to our standing sets (the infirmary to be precise) as we wrap production on Episode 309 (Back to the Future meets Stranger Things) and start prep on Episode 310 (The episode in which the Android gets a name.  But will she keep it?).  Second unit will be finishing up Episode 307 (The episode in which a certain character makes a surprising discovery about their past). On Thursday, second unit will be in the underbelly where director John Stead will be overseeing an all-day throw down between two of The Raza’s fiercest warriors (The episode in which “old friends” are reunited).

A new week also brings a new Dark Matter episode title poll.  6 down, 13 to go!

Also, a return visit to the oncologist for Bubba to see if any of his myriad treatments (Palladia, Prednisone, super mushrooms, Chinese herbs, turmeric and black pepper, goat’s milk) have had any effect on his tumors.

[image error] Suji and Bubba catch a ride with doggy uber.

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Lulu, at the dog park, showing that stick who’s boss.

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And looking crazed alongside her friends at the recent frenchie meet-up.  At 9, she is by far the oldest french bulldog in the neighborhood.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

March 4, 2017: Finally, the weekend!

Akemi says that her single big regret about adopting Suji is not getting her earlier in her life.

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Bubba’s condition hasn’t really changed much.  His cough is unchanged and he has his good and bad days.  So, no discernible improvement but, on the other hand, no marked decline either.

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Lulu, meanwhile, continues to sport her cone of shame as her paw heals.

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She is miserable – and not at all shy about letting me know it.  Poor old gal.

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Whew!  I am exhausted today and feeling old.  I actually napped this afternoon like some retired senior – or my longtime writing/producing partner Paul Mullie.  A late night in Hamilton last night saw us wrap a little before 11 p.m.  We are now officially over halfway through (my plan for) our series!  Six weeks left in the shooting schedule for season 3 and then…who knows what the future holds?  (Photo courtesy of Anthony Lemke).

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Some impromptu purchases this afternoon.  Have heard about Few bourbon and have always wanted to sample.  Koval, hailing from Chicago, is one of my very favorites so when I saw it, I had to snap up a bottle – along with a bottle of the single barrel oat which I’ve yet to try.  And, finally, I elected to check out the Suntory Whisky Toki, a blend of grain and malt whiskies from Hakushu, Yamazaki, and Chita, because I have never had a Japanese whisky I didn’t like.  Could this one be the one to break tradition?!  Doubt it.

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I dedicated much of my weekend to sampling the local fare so that I can properly recommend standout items if any of YOU come to town.  After checking into your hotel, head down to Nadege on Queen Street West and order yourself a the Individual Donut (caramel chantilly, salted caramel cream, crisp praliné wafer and almond shortbread).

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Then swing by Nugateau Patisserie for some of the city’s best eclairs.  Today, I went pistachio (as is tradition) while Akemi tried the matcha-yuzu.

March 3, 2017: What does a producer do?

What does a producer do?

I get this question a lot and the truth is: it really depends.  A producer’s duties can range from almost everything to absolutely nothing.  The title can be a distinction that accurately reflects an individual’s contribution to a particular production, or it can be little more than a vanity credit offered to placate shiftless idiots.

Producer titles come in various shapes and sizes.  There are Producers and Associate Producers and Assistant Producers and Supervising Producers and Line Producers and Co-Executive Producers and Executive Producers.  And, perhaps some day, we’ll also see Accomplice Producers and Appendage Producers and Almighty Pansophical Omniscient Producers.

I can dedicate an entire blog entry to these various producers titles, but let’s keep it personal.  My name is Joseph Mallozzi.  I am an Executive Producer on Dark Matter as well as being the show’s creator and its Showrunner.  THIS is what I do –

Prior to the commencement of  prep, I will come up with a season-long story and individual character arcs in addition to as as many stories as possible for the upcoming season.  I will then convene and oversee a writers’ room in which we attempt to break 13 stories – each a teaser, five acts, a tag, and every scene and narrative beat.  On days when the room spins its wheels, unable to gain traction on a story, I will go home and work on it myself, returning the next morning with a fresh tack and, if I’m lucky/inspired, a complete beat sheet.  Along the way, I assign scripts  and, eventually, provide notes and direction when the writers deliver their outlines.  I also provide notes on all scripts.

I write 5 of 13 scripts every season.  My writing partner, Paul, writes 5 as well.  I will do passes on every script, and these will range from tweaks to uncredited complete rewrites.  As we go through prep, I will make adjustments to these scripts, incorporating notes from Executive Producer Jay Firestone, input from the cast, losing or amalgamating scenes to ensure we are able shoot the episode in our allotted time, adding scenes if the episode is timing short, making adjustments to scenes to address actor availability issues.

In short, I start writing once one season ends and stop writing – well, technically never, but for the purposes of a single season – long after we’re finishing shooting, occasionally scripting extra or alternate dialogue for ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) as needed.

The goal is to have as many scripts ready as possible by the time we go to camera on our first episode.  I like to aim for 9 of 13.  This gives our various departments time to prepare and also offsets the possibilities of nasty surprises or mad scrambles down the line.  This seems like common sense and yet…

So much time and money is wasted on productions that fly by the seat of their pants, with writers scrambling to write scenes to be shot the next morning or productions prepping off outlines.  Sadly, these aren’t the exceptions but the norm in this business.  Having even 5 episodes before shooting begins is a luxury most productions don’t have.  Why not?  Various reasons but I’d say the two biggest are: a) Ineptitude (hiring people who don’t know what they’re doing who hire people who don’t know what they’re doing), b) Not Giving a Shit (people assuming this is the norm and who cares anyway?).

Why is our production different?  Because Jay Firestone, the President of Prodigy Pictures, the company that produces Dark Matter, will actually risk the money to pay for a writers’ room and scripts before that elusive official pick-up, thereby ensuring that if the show does get the greenlight , we’re in a position to run an efficient production and make the most of our talent and resources.  The result is a happy work environment and a better-looking show because our money is spent on sets and visual effects instead of being frittered away on last minute scrambles.

At the beginning of every season, I will oversee early prep as the production gears up, go over our budget, and generally make certain we have all our ducks in a row before we actually start shooting.  I’ll interview directors, put together a list with Jay and our Line Producer Norman Denver, go over potential recurring guest stars with our casting director Lisa Parasyn, cast any recurring guest stars with Jay, answer any questions the various department heads may have, and interview replacements for anyone we lost during the hiatus.

Once we get into prep on the individual episodes, I will sit in on every meeting, starting with the concept meeting and  ending with the production meeting, but including every meeting in between (Art Department, Hair & Makeup, Wardrobe, Background Casting, Playback, Stunts, Special Effects, Visual Effects, and Props).  I don’t micromanage my team.  They are all incredibly talented, creative people and my job is to give them direction, not orders.  I trust them to deliver the goods and they do, time and time again.

In addition, I will tweak and sign off on casting breakdowns, cast our episodic guest stars, sit in on the cast read-thru, have a tone meeting with the director, and answer any questions anyone may have about the script.

Since we work on a staggered schedule that sees us prepping an episode while another is being shot, I entrust on-set supervision to Co-Executive Producer Ivon Bartok who is there from crew call to wrap, a 12 hour day that usually starts at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 7:30 p.m.  Occasionally, we start earlier.  All too often, we finish later.  I’ll usually come in early and set-sit until my first prep meeting, relinquishing my supervisory duties to Ivon who will deal with any issues or concerns that may crop up during the shoot.  If any do, I’m only a text away.

My days tend to consist of early mornings, prep meetings, writing, rewrites, countless approvals, and sporadic set visits.  As the season progresses, my duties may also include dealing with any network requests.

Once an episode has been completed, I will do my edit.  While many producers will go in and spend the day in the editing suite, I don’t have the time.  Instead, I will download the cut and watch it when I get home at night, once straight through, then a second time for notes.  I provide the editor with copious notes, anywhere from 25 to 100 and, once they’ve been addressed and a new cut is output (usually the following night) I will repeat the process, sending significantly fewer notes on my second pass.  The next day afternoon, I will go into editing and spend maybe 2-3 hours with my editor, completing my Producer’s Cut.

As post-production continues, other pieces of the puzzle are assembled: mixes (music and sound effects), color timing.  With VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson, Paul, and Jay, I will approve the visual effects through its various stages, from concept to finished product.

Of course, while all this is going on, I continue to prep, write, rewrite, edit, and approve.  From start to finish, almost six months.

And when the last episode has been shot and the final episode locked, I will switch gears and start thinking about next year, coming up with  a season-long story and individual character arcs as well as as many stories as possible for the upcoming season.

Oh, and in addition to all this, I try to get word out about Dark Matter, doing interviews, updating a daily blog with photos, videos, concept drawings, and insights.  Our fans get to choose episode titles, quiz our cast and crew, and are given access and insights unlike those offered on any other show.

My plan is to rest after Dark Matter‘s fifth and final season, then start all over again with a new series.

That’s what THIS Executive Producer does.

March 2, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 60 of 91!

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Adorable, no?

While the action continued and blueberry pie came into play in Fort Falls, Wisconsin, I was back at the office prepping Episode 310 with director Melanie Orr who has been a delight to work with.  Just ask Co-Executive Producer Robbie David –

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Pictured during today’s props meeting, Melanie makes a very good point.

Oh, hey!  We’ve got another episode title!  The votes have been tabulated and the winner is…

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“Episode 31: Give It Up, Princess”

5 episode titles down, 8 to go!

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From the mind of Set Designer Karl Crosby.

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Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

March 1, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 59 of 91!

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Set aside what you’re doing – taxes, homework, transplanting organs – and take a minute or two to cast your vote for another Dark Matter episode title.  Your choices:

Take Our Poll

You have 24 hours to weigh in!

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John Stead directs Andrew Moodie (aka Teku Fonsei) on the bridge of the Ishida cruiser.

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What, pray tell, is going on with all the black?

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New Look FIVE courtesy of Renee Chan and Jodelle Ferland!

To those of you asking for the hot sauce recipe I used last week, I direct you to this Jamie Oliver video which I used as a guide –

EXCEPT – I used habanero peppers over cayenne, brown sugar and a touch of honey over white sugar, organic apple cider and a spoonful of organic apple puree over apple juice, smoked merken pepper from chile over chili powder, and shallots over onions.  I also skin the tomatoes before including them in the mix.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

February 28, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 58 of 91!

Today, the crew of The Raza hit Fort Falls, Wisconsin…

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Android, dressed for the weather.

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Carmen, Matt, and Alyssa show off their cycling skills.

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Directing Craig David Wallace, popping and locking.

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Goth chick!

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Akemi preps for Thursday’s big blueberry pie scene.

While tomorrow…

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Today, Bubba attended his first acupuncture session:

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How’d he do?  Well, hard to tell but I’m going to guess he didn’t exactly enjoy himself.  I’ll be interested to see if there are any discernible results.

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Meanwhile, Akemi continues his love therapy.

Tomorrow: A new episode title poll!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

February 27, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 57 of 91!

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Girls night in

Production resumed today on Dark Matter’s third season with director Craig David Wallace (Slasher, Todd and the Book of Pure Evil) calling the shots on Episode 309.  We were on The Raza today, checking out Pollux and deathcore, but tomorrow we’re off to beautiful Fort Falls, Wisconsin for some skulking, pursuing, and awkward bike riding.  It’s going to be a challenging couple of weeks ahead as we are on location for the next eight days!

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A little something in the works in the costume department

So, you all up for deciding on a new episode title this week?  So far, we got…

“Episode 27: Being Better Is So Much Harder”

“Episode 28: It Doesn’t Have To Be Like This”

“Episode 29: Welcome To The Revolution”

“Episode 30: All The Time In The World”

“Episode 31: ???”

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

February 26, 2017: The Doggy Update! Hiatus winds down!

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Despite his dire prognosis (2-3 months), Bubba has seemed pretty good this past week.  Following a single morning when his appetite apparently deserted him, he’s been back to his old self – eager to eat, walk, and sit on our laps.  He has been unusually needy of late, following Akemi around the apartment whenever she threatens to walk out of visual range, but appears to be soldiering on.  His hacking cough still persists, but mainly at night.

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The other day, we took him to the East York Animal Clinic so that we could investigate some alternate homeopathic treatments (in conjunction with the Prednisone and Palladia he is already taking).  Of course, Suji was happy to come along for the ride.

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It’s surprising how attached she’s gotten to Bubba in such a relatively short period of time (It’s been a little over two months since we adopted her).  When we come back home from outings, or check the nest cam, we’ll often find her snuggled up beside him in their big doggy bed.

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The homeopathic vet prescribed mattock (mushroom) pills and suggested we bring him in for acupuncture.  I did a bit of research on mattock and it looks promising. In fact, a number of other mushrooms – shitake, reishi, lions mane, turkey tail, and cordyceps – are being studied as potential anti-cancer therapeutics and I’m thinking of widening his supplement range to cover them as well.  As for acupuncture, we saw positive results for Jelly after her treatments.  My mother, on the other hand, was less enthused with her experience when, after returning home from her first treatment to treat recurring migraines, she brushed her hair only to have two residual needles fall out.

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In the meantime, it’s been amazing to see the change in Suji.  When she came to us, she could barely stand, much less walk, propelling herself along by dragging her hind legs behind her.  Today, she’s walking – and quite quickly – without the use of her leg support, progressing from one to multiple blocks.  And she’s an incredibly happy dog, growing more excited and spirited every day.

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Poor Lulu is a tad more composed, especially given the recent paw injury that has her wearing a cone of shame 24/7.  Poor gal.  She’s slowing down, but her appetite for snacks remains healthy.

Well, that’s it.  Hiatus is over and production on Dark Matter’s third season resumes tomorrow with Day #1 of Episode 309, Craig David Wallace directing, while prep on Episode 310k with director Melanie Orr, begins.  An early 7 a.m. crew call sees us kicking things off on our standing sets –

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The rest of the week will be spent on location in, uh, Fort Falls, Wisconsin.  This episode is going to be a blast.  It’s being described as “Back to the Future” meets “Stranger Things”.  Lots of fun.  Just hope the weather holds!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

February 25, 2017: The Hiatus Culinary Highlights!

Those I remembered to photograph anyway…

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Banh Mi Boys: Crispy squid taco, fried chicken bao, pork belly bao, and tofu taco.

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Le Gourmand: Chocolate chip cookie.

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Yasu Sushi Bar: Katsuo nigiri

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Yasu Sushi Bar: Tuna trio (otoro, chutoro, akami)

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La Banane: Liver & Onions (chicken liver mousse, cippiloini onions, hen of the woods mushrooms).

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La Banane: European seabass en croute.

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Lamesa Filipino Kitchen: Ube leche flan.

P.S. Loved reading your input into yesterday’s blog question.  Very interesting.  Keep ’em coming!