Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 321

January 27, 2016: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 41 of 91!

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1st Assistant Director Grant Boyle and his buddy, the surprisingly elusive George, were in the production offices, prepping episode 307.

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The Art Department design for my new office nap bed.

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My new belt buckle, compliments of 1st Assistant Art Director Roxanne Borris.

Hey, Mikkei, what’s in the box?  Only (1st Assistant Art Director) Sumeet Vats and (2nd Assistant Art Director) Victor Mare know for sure.

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I got 6 tickets for tonight’s on set 50/50 draw.  If I win, I’m quitting, skipping tomorrow’s Saturday shoot, and moving to Tokyo!

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The Hungry Suji-pillar!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

January 26, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 40 of 91!

It would appear as though we’re creeping up to the halfway mark of the production schedule.  The great thing about that is it puts as ever closer to the premiere.  The bad thing about that, is that it puts as ever closer to the premiere – meaning we really need to hustle and get those scripts written, and those episodes shot, produced and delivered.

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We took yet another step toward that today by diving into prep on Episode 307 and moving up prep on Episode 308 (to tomorrow!).  So, while we’re double-prepping, director Gail Harvey was shooting Episode 306…

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Meanwhile, over at the other studio, SPFX Coordinator Dylan Hankinson was running a little airlock-venting test:

In retrospect, I should have availed myself of the ear protection.

To those of you wondering – Nope, no one has correctly guessed the identities of the three speakers.  Feel free to guess away but you’ll have a chance to incorrectly guess a trio of new dialogue snippets next week when I reveal the potential titles for Episode 302!

Also, if you have questions for Dark Matter Costume Designer Noreen Landry, post them in the comments section.  I know she’d love to hear from you!

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Usually, the Raza mess hall triptych is adorned with various nature scenes, from wheat fields to winter landscapes to swimming fish.  Occasionally, Playback Operator Greg Whiteside will regale us with a surprise morning triptych, like Family Guy Star Wars, 2001, or the original Star Trek.  The other day, I asked if he took requests.  And, apparently, he does.  One of my personal faves!

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A closer looks at the amazing concept art of Henry Fong.  Who is pictured and what is going on?  Guesses?

January 25, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 39 of 91!

Tonight’s TO DO list:

Review Episode 301 Prod Cut

Review Episode 302 Prod Cut

Watch Episode 303 Prod Cut

Rewrite scene for Episode 306

Watch auditions and make casting selections for Episode 307

Generate new scene ideas for the Episode 307 script

Think about next scene for the Episode 309 script

Do a pass on the Episode 311 script

Think about Android thru-line for the Episode 312 script

Taxes

Sample Akemi’s latest bath of bourbon cookies

Blog entry

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Ferrous Corp shipyard concept design by artist Henry Fong.  Click on the pic for the full size glorious details.

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The Ishida Research Station and Raza scaling c/o Craig Van Den Biggelaar

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Suji, the bionic pug!

Okay.  1 down, 11 to go!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

January 24, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 38 of 91!

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Let’s get another Dark Matter fan Q&A rolling!  Today, and for the rest of this week, I invited you to post comments for the awesome Noreen Landry, Dark Matter Costume Designer.  She and her team have been responsible for outfits like these…

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January 23, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 37 of 91!

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“She’s an emotional pooper,”said Akemi, by way of explaining Suji’s knack for, uh, dropping pebbles whenever she gets worked up and barksome.  

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I’m not a coffee guy but I’m thinking Suji might have the right idea here.  I may need to take up the habit if I’m going to make it to the end of the season.

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Sujiko’s instagram (NewOldPugSuji) is blowing up.  She’ll probably hit 1000 followers by tomorrow and should eclipse my modest follower count by hiatus.

Now what did I intend to blog about today?  I know it wasn’t dogs.

Oh, yeah!  Dark Matter!

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We took our show on the road today, deep into the wilds of the Dundas Valley Conservation Area for a little shooting, a little double-crossing, and a little heartbreaking.  Not necessarily in that order.

To those of you asking – Nope, no one guessed correctly.  The marvelous grand mystery prize is still up for grabs.  To win, all you have to do is identify who utters the following dialogue in Dark Matter Episode 27:

“Being better is so much harder”

“The costs are always personal”

“Welcome home”

Behind the scenes:

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Hmmm.  SOMEONE is getting a new outfit – which would suggest we’ll be keeping this individual around a little longer…

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Assistant Makeup Dorota Mitoraj and Xena.

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B Dolly Grip Phil Calambakas and B Camera Operator Dave T. Sheridan.

Tomorrow, prep meetings in the morning, editing in the afternoon, and writing at night.  It’s going to be a mad push to the hiatus!

January 22, 2017: No, Sunday! Don’t go!!!

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“The chef weighs like five hundred pounds and he loves it,”said our waitress in regard to The Brunch Burger which eschewed the boring old bun in favor of a powdered donut.  I wasn’t sure whether her comment was meant as a recommendation or a warning, but I decided to place the order anyway.  In the end, the burger patty was tasteless and the donut more savory than sweet.  So much wasted potential.  Akemi, meanwhile, opted for the fruit salad, the seemingly healthier option, that tasted “off” and, she is now convinced, upset her stomach.

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Suji impatiently awaits her walky.

Links!

Check out podcasts and interviews featuring the likes of Star Trek, Star Wars, Alien, Doctor Strange and, er, yours truly: Kneel Before Blog

Firefly: 15 Similar Shows, Movies, And Comics You Should Check Out

The Morning Show interview with Anthony Lemke

January 21, 2017: That other 40%!

During the weekdays, I’d estimate that roughly 90% of my day is spent focused on Dark Matter.  On the weekend, it’s more like 75% – hopefully dropping down to a much more manageable 60% once the season finale has been written.  I’d like to say that remaining 40% is R&R but, in truth, a big chunk of it is spent running errands, dealing with taxes, and trying to set up other projects.  Yes, other projects.  The plan is for Dark Matter to run five glorious seasons after which I will transition onto my next show.  Perhaps that Military SF.  Or the cable drama.  Or maybe, just maybe, it’ll be the adaptation I’ve been mulling over of late.  It took me all of a day to blaze through the novel and I think it’ll make an unbelievable series.  My partner on this one, a certain German from way back, agrees and we are set to have a chat with the author later this week to convince him we’re the right guys for the job.  It’s a brilliant book and I’ll tell you all about it – once we’ve acquired the film & television rights. [image error]The other, oh, 12% of my free time is spent winding down, hanging with the dogs, or going out with friends.  For instance, tonight, Akemi and I had dinner with two of our very favorite people, Adam and Ellen.  Ellen (aka Dark Matter’s Misaki Han) is in town shooting…something.  Well, okay.  It’s Dark Matter.  I was watching her scenes on my laptop yesterday and Akemi, watching over my shoulders, declared: “I’m scared of Ellen!”.  Well, you would be too when you see these scenes – but that really depends on what camp you’re in.  Are you Team Misaki or are you Team Teku?

The rest of the weekend = these guys…

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January 20, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 36 of 91!

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All hail Director J.B. Sugar, Emperor of Zairon!

Late wrap tonight means a late blog entry!

(Playback by Sumeet Vats and Victor Mare):

Welcome to Taliphus-8

Airlock Alert:

Traugott Command Center:

I leave you with Bubb and Suji…

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Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

January 19, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 35 of 91!

Today, while all the action was happening back at the palace, I was juggling writes and rewrites on four different scripts.  Between that, the edits, approvals, and prep, I’m feeling a little…anxious.  And somewhat exhausted.  In fact, the other day, I went to bed at 8 p.m. and slept for 11 hours straight.  But the finish line is within reach.  And by finish line, I’m not talking about the last day of post, or the final day of production.  I’m talking about the day I deliver my final script of the season – and I mean MY final script of the season, not THE final script of the season.  I’ll still have to do the rewrites and meetings and cuts, but having that last original off my plate will be a huge relief.

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Key card for the Ishida research station designed by Roxanne Borris.  Use this card to access the facility…IF you can find it!

The mid-season hiatus fast approaches and when it arrives, that final script will be far behind me.  I’ll have one glorious week to check out Netflix and catch up on the top horror movies of 2016 I missed (Train To Busan put me in the mood).  I’ve heard good things about The Witch, The Invitation, and The Wailing.  Anyone else have some good recommendations?

So, it looks like we’ve intercepted a missile shipment.  But who sent them and where was their intended destination?  Find out when Episode 306 airs.  In the meantime, consider these missile designs c/o the Dark Matter art department’s Victor Mare:

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Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

January 18, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 34 of 91!

Fandom has spoken!  Here are the results of our Name Dark Matter Episode 301 poll.

Over 600 votes were cast and the winner is…

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“Being Better Is So Much Harder”

Now the next thing I’m going to need you to do is identify which character said each of the aforementioned lines.  First one to guess all three correctly gets…something!

So, the Canadian Screen Awards nominees were announced yesterday and, for the second year in a row, Dark Matter failed to receive a nomination.  Here’s why I found this totally baffling (make sure to watch in HD):

Suji’s instagram account is blowing up!  Head on over and invest in Sujiko Co.

https://www.instagram.com/newoldpugsuji/

Don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity!

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She’s dressed as Rerun from What’s Happening!

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Contemplating life.  And the toy.

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Playtime is exhausting.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, pug, pugs, senior dogs, senior pug, senior pugs, VFX, Visual Effects