Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 320

February 5, 2017: Hello from the future! A reading recommendation! And dueling directors!

[image error]

I jumped ahead in time to watch today’s Superbowl, then jumped back in time to write this blog entry so that I can watch the actual game with friends without having to worry about it.  And so, if you’re planning to watch, please ignore the above newspaper article from the future as the headline and article as it contains spoilers.

[image error]

My last great read was the latest release from my favorite horror writer, Nick Cutter (aka award-winning author Craig Davidson) whose works in the genre include the equally terrific The Troop and The Deep.

Here’s the thing – his horror fiction is unnerving, at times deeply unsettling, but always thoroughly engrossing because it’s so damn well written.  I recall The Troop a couple of years ago and, some thirty pages in, remarking: “This book has no business being this good.  Who IS this guy?”.  His stuff is the Yamazaki 18 year old whiskey of the genre, not just because his prose sings or his stories are scary as hell, but because his characters are so damn memorable.

Little Heaven

“From electrifying horror author Nick Cutter comes a haunting new novel, reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian and Stephen King’s It, in which a trio of mismatched mercenaries is hired by a young woman for a deceptively simple task: check in on her nephew, who may have been taken against his will to a remote New Mexico backwoods settlement called Little Heaven. Shortly after they arrive, things begin to turn ominous. Stirrings in the woods and over the treetops—the brooding shape of a monolith known as the Black Rock casts its terrible pall. Paranoia and distrust grips the settlement. The escape routes are gradually cut off as events spiral towards madness. Hell—or the closest thing to it—invades Little Heaven. The remaining occupants are forced to take a stand and fight back, but whatever has cast its dark eye on Little Heaven is now marshaling its powers…and it wants them all.”

Well, back at it tomorrow as production on Episode 307 resumes with director Paul Day at the helm and prep on Episode 308 continues with director John Stead overseeing the action…

[image error]

Paul Day sits down for a casual chat about the next scene.

[image error]

While John Stead prefers a different approach.

Tagged: Little Heaven, Nick Cutter

February 4, 2017: Vote for a new Dark Matter episode title!

I’ve always hated coming up with episode titles, but this little exercise in fan democracy has turned out to be all sorts of fun.  Once again, you’ll have the opportunity to choose from among three possible candidates.  So far, this season, we have –

“Episode 27: Being Better Is So Much Harder”

What’s next?  You decide…

Take Our Poll

As promised, the answer to last episode’s Who Said It?

“Welcome Back” – The Android

“The Costs Are Always Personal” – Commander Truffault

“Being Better Is So Much Harder” – TWO

[image error]

So this blast-from-the-past pic adorned the triptych of The Raza mess the other morning, compliments of playback operator Greg Whiteside.  Ah, this takes me back.  There were rumors a few years ago of a planned a reimagining, tentatively titled Space 2099, but I haven’t heard anything since.  Hey, ITV Studios America, get in touch!

Hey, someone asked me about that military SF series I mentioned a few months back.  Well, there have been some very interesting developments on that front. Way too soon to early anything as these things have a way of doing a fast dissolve, but there are flickers of interest from some heavy hitters.

I am cautiously optimistic, reminiscent of my mood five years ago when I was trying to set up another project.  Remember? https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/december-14-2011-dark-matter-developments/

Suji in “Kisses Coming Your Way”

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

February 3, 2017: Dark Matter season 3 – Day 46 of 91!

Holy crap!  We’re over the halfway mark of the season 3 production schedule!  Do you know what this means?!

DO YOU?!!!

Uh, yes.  That’s correct.  It means we’re a little over halfway done shooting Dark Matter’s third season!

I await director J.B. Sugar’s cut of Episode 305 while director Gail Harvey heads into editing to work on her Episode 306 while director Paul Day oversees the action on Episode 307 while director John Stead preps Episode 308 while Paul and I scramble to get the script for Episode 309 written.

Tomorrow, YOU all get to vote on an new episode title!  Tentatively titled Episode 302, you’ll have the chance to select an official episode title from three glorious choices (and actual lines of dialogue from the episode in question).  This is going to be a tough one – for me as I have six pretty memorable lines that I’ll have to whittle down to three for the poll.  Wish me luck!

[image error]

Your first glimpse at the structure for the Ferrous Corp lab.  And concept…

[image error]

Would just like to say Production Designer Ian Brock and the Dark Matter Art and Construction departments have been delivering some truly amazing sets this season.  This has been their best year yet and there’s still more to come!

[image error]

Super premium Dark Matter Android action figure in mint condition.  $1,955.99 (photo by Grant Boyle)

[image error]

Slightly used Dark Matter Chris Toudy with Kung Fu (Key) Grip action figure in fair condition.  Best offer (photo by Grant Boyle)

Raza bridge spark test with SPFX Coordinator Dylan Hankinson

[image error]

Suji carries her treats back from the dog shop in her backpack.

The Superbowl is only days away.  Weigh in with your prediction!

Take Our Poll

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

February 2, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 45 of 91!

[image error]

So, who can identify this gorgeous piece of architecture?

[image error]

Zoie Palmer as The Android.

[image error]

The medical table design.

[image error]

Mikkei Combine office supplies.

[image error]

Missile delivery!

[image error]

What the hey?  Suji is an instagram star.  Today, she eclipsed my follower count! And it took her less than two months to do it!

[image error]

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

February 1, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 44 of 91!

Small spark test with SPFX Coordinator Dylan Hankinson

Medium spark test with SPFX Coordinator Dylan Hankinson

Big spark test with SPFX Coordinator Dylan Hankinson

 

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

February 1, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 45 of 91!

Small spark test with SPFX Coordinator Dylan Hankinson

Medium spark test with SPFX Coordinator Dylan Hankinson

Big spark test with SPFX Coordinator Dylan Hankinson

 

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

January 31, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 43 of 91!

I like to keep an open line of communication with my cast.  I want them to know that they can come to me with any issues they have, creative or otherwise.  I’m always here for them, willing to lend a sympathetic ear and, in some cases, equally sympathetic keyboard should the need ever arise for a little dialogue tweak or character adjustment.

Of course, I assume this is a two-way street, and nowhere is this more evident than in my professional relationship with actress Zoie Palmer (the Android).  I probably exchange more texts with Zoie than I do anyone, including my girlfriend, which is great because – as I said – it’s important to keep those lines of communications open whether it be to discuss a line change, a scene request, or that really weird dream I had the other night where Zoie jumped into a frozen lake…

[image error]

[image error]

[image error]

[image error]

[image error]

[image error]

[image error]

[image error]

Pretty amazing insight into the magic of the creative process, amiright?

Ah, showbiz!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

January 30, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 42 of 91!

[image error]

While I was sequestered in the Production Offices writing, sitting in on the VFX and Playback meeting, and trying to figure out a way to fit  a square peg (Episode 308) in a round hole (the Episode 308 production schedule) Alison, Ivon, and Elliot were back at the other studio having a blast.  Trust me.  Behind those dust masks are the HUGEST smiles.  Picture courtesy of Jozie Conte.

After yesterday’s kvetching, I’m pleased to report significant progress on the script front.  Special thanks once again go out to Alison Hepburn who offered up a terrific visual idea – inspiring me to tear through 5 full script pages so that I could finally get to it.  She’s got some pretty funny ideas – both “haha” and strange.

[image error]

Director of Photography Craig Wright finds his light.

[image error]

Director Gail Harvey calls the shots.

[image error]

Reminds me of the summer camp I went to when I was a kid.  The kid who slept in the bunk above me was nicknamed Monkey and ate styrofoam cups on a  dare.  Ah, the follies of youth.

[image error]

Amy Matysio as Lieutenant Vara.

[image error]

Lara Arabia, Amber Goldfarb, Michael Rhoades and other passengers bound for parts unknown.

[image error]

Suji in her oversized earmuffs.

I have a feeling tomorrow’s going to be a BIG writing day.  If I can power through this fourth act, it’ll be smoooooth sailing.

As soon as I figure out what’s going to happen in the fifth act.

[image error]

In case you were thinking about it, this was not good.  Note the mother chortling away at the thought of her kid eating it.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

January 29, 2017: Waiting for smoooooth sailing!

Suji eats peanut butter.  And loves it!

I’ve managed all 0 pages in the last 24 hours, putting me on pace to complete this script…never.  Which kind of puts  a damper on things as the episode is scheduled to prep in a little over a week and I just know everyone else on the production was kind of looking forward to it.   As I was telling my buddy (and Dark Matter Co-Executive Producer Ivon Bartok), I kind of feel like I’m performing a high-wire juggling act without a net.  I pulled it off on Episode 304, sitting down to a script with the loosest of outlines and having it all come together in my head over the course of day that saw me produce an astounding 32 pages!  I embraced the premise of this latest script because it’s tonally similar to 304, assuming I’d catch creative fire at some point but, alas, it hasn’t happened yet.  And as I pass the halfway mark and head into Act 4 where all those set-ups are supposed to start paying off, I’m still scrambling.

Every time I sit down to write a script, it never fails.  There’ll come a point in the script where I’ll grind to a halt and think “This is the one, the one where the solution won’t strike me out of the blue like some religious epiphany.  What will I do then?!!

My gut tells me that the key to the puzzle, the heart of the story, lies in the kid’s thru-line.  But what’s the missing link?

Incidentally, if you have any idea, just post it in the comments section and save me the aggravation.

Once this script is done, I can look forward to a hard-earned hiatus – and that penultimate episode that sees a spillage of not one, not two, not three, not four, but FIVE sensational secrets.  Thought you knew everything there was to know about our crew?  Well, prepare to be surprised.

Okay, back to the script.  Maybe, if I can power through this third act tonight, it will all come together tomorrow morning.  And, after that, dare I say it?  Smoooooooth sailing?

January 28, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 42 of 91!

[image error]

No, seriously.  I realize today was Saturday, but we were on set anyway, shooting 2nd unit Day #1 of our latest episode under the direction of the wonderful Gail Harvey.  Anthony Lemke (THREE) made it all worthwhile by surprising us with three boxes of donuts!

[image error]

Jodelle Ferland (FIVE) was gunning for trouble on a day that featured not one but two surprise take-downs, some emotional farewells, and a surprising kiss.

[image error]

Jodelle with director Gail Harvey.

[image error]

Inside the Actors 1st Assistant Director’s Studio with your host Josh Gray.

[image error]

Zoie Palmer has director Gail Harvey in a headlock.  It’s Zoie’s signature move, second only to her finishing move: The Dragon Screw Neck Whip.

Huzzah!  I finally broke through that top-of-third-act writer’s block thanks to: 1) Script Coordinator Alison Hepburn’s input and 2) The news that Paul wouldn’t be able to take over and the script preps in a little over a week.  If we’re describing Episode 304 as “bananas”, then I suppose this one can be termed “coconuts”.

Tomorrow = A day off! I’ll spend it running errands, writing that script, and trying to figure out how to pay this tax instalment.

Meanwhile, back on the home front…

[image error]

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter