Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 331

December 1, 2016: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 10 of 91!

We are wrapped(ish!) on Episode 304 and have started production on Episode 301. By the time New Year’s rolls around, we’ll have three episodes in the can(ish!).

Today, we were shooting in the bridge and the infirmary – while prep continued on Episode 302. AND we got a pizza truck!  While I was outside perusing the selections (Buffalo chicken = winner!) Liz from costumes approached me about something that was really bugging her.  Were we ever going to address that thing that happened at the end of Episode 304?  Puleeze!  It’s all part of the masterplan. When I told her about Episode 308, she was positively giddy.

Jozie models some kitchenware.  No.  Really.

Director Bruce McDonald powers up in his office.

The playback meeting.  Lots of onscreen graphics in this one.  Overriding note: “Let’s take down the purple!”.

Sketch from the costume department.  There’s a new sheriff in town.

Another costume department sketch.  The white glove treatment.

In case you were wondering – this end up!

A HUGE thank you to Drea and everyone who organized my 10th Anniversary gift. I am overwhelmed with gratitude.  It will take me until this weekend to digest. Stay tuned!

Guess who’s flying in tomorrow?

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

November 30, 2016: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 9 of 91!

Day 9 of 91!  Holy crap!  We’re practically 10% done on Dark Matter’s third season.  And I’m not yet 50% done on its scripts.  Help me, Obi-Wan.  You’re my only hope!

When I’m not writing scripts (or eating or sleeping), I’m in prep meetings for Episode 302 with director Bruce Mcdonald et al.

Today, we enjoyed the Stunts & Special Effects/Visual Effects/Art Department trifecta!  Topics of discussion included, but were not limited to: holo-tablets, drones, green power bars, explosions, and tasty tasty candy glass.

Discussing those early sets and location builds.  Looks like we’ll be headed to lovely Kitchener.  Road trip!

The neural link device, last seen in Episode 211.

The Blink Drive and adapter – last seen being whisked away in Episode 213.

Concept art for the mag-lev.  See the real thing in action in Episode 302.

VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson shows off an early prototype of the holo-tablet.

Another little something from the art department and their new 3D printer.  Once it’s painted and complete, you won’t even recognize it!  Note Props Master Victor Klein’s futile attempt to duck out of camera range in the BG.

Meanwhile, today, on set…

Hey!  It’s snowing!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

November 29, 2016: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 8 of 91!

What does an Executive Producer do?  Well, in the case of Jay Firestone, he sells a show, puts together the financing, then helps craft the creative.

Director Ron Murphy getting it done in the infirmary.

Jesse stands in for the upright stand and monitors.

Temperature control in the containment chamber.

Inoculation tool of the future.  Cool salt shaker of the present.

Ishida research station – textures and color.

Mebbe.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

November 28, 2016: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 7 of 91!

Today, we started prep on Episode 302!

Director Bruce McDonald is back in the saddle – flanked by desperadoes Chris Binney and Robbie David.

Production Designer Ian Brock gives us a guided tour of the new sets-in-progress.

Bruce hangs out in the tech room (and possible future cargo hold?).

You shall not pass!!!

Our “heavenly” room is coming along nicely.

VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson checks out the new digs.

Good news!  Work is almost complete on the alien toilet!

Matt and Chris make an addition to the Dark Matter Whiky/ey Club.

And my contribution to the lunch room.

Ivon picked me up a container of golden turmeric which he swears by.  He says it goes great with a morning shake.  You know what it doesn’t go great with?  The greek yogurt and granola Akemi made me for snack.

Akemi sent me this photo of the new outfit she bought Bubba.  After seeing it, Ivon threatened to report us.

November 27, 2016: Sunday monkeys, pugs, and ghostly images!

Holy Macaroni!  Is this possible?  Could this be?  The faintest glimmer of hope on my fantasy football horizon?  Could my cellar-dwelling Snow Monkeys actually win this week and, alongside Ivon Bartok’s Running Dead, be in a position to sneak into the playoffs next week with a win (coupled with a win by the Running Dead, and losses by the Landsharks, Clueless, and Desean’s Dedouche)?  Let’s stay positive people!!!

Today, Akemi and I hit Kensington Market for lunch at Rasta Pasta.  Last week, it was the jerk chicken panini.  This week, it was the oxtail with broadbeans and cole slaw.   Then, we came across a tiny coffee shop – Little Pebbles – where we sat down to lattes and matcha-themed desserts.

This afternoon, we packed up our two dogs and our one Jodelle and headed over to Trinity Bellwood Park for the monthly pug meet-up.  Lulu spent most of her time sucking up to the various dog owners and lagging three feet behind any dog with a ball while Bubba simply wandered about, bewildered, until Akemi picked him up.

Whoa, spooky!  Jodelle sent me this old 1970’s-circa photo of a girl and her dog who look exactly like Akemi and Bubba!

November 26, 2016: Scripts! Saturday! A New You (and by You I mean Me)!

What a difference a script makes.  I practically wrote Episode 304 over the course of a weekend, blazing through an astounding 32 pages in a single day!  Compare this to the script I’m presently writing which has progressed at a somewhat less blistering rate of a page a day.  In all fairness though, Episode 304 was pretty bonkers bananas looney toons whereas this episode focuses on some pretty heavy reveals – among them, the surprising link in the origins of two of our crew members.  I’ve had the beats in my head for a loooong time and, now, it’s a matter of finding a way to do deliver this story in a cool, captivating, comprehensible narrative.  THIS is the one many of you have been clamoring for, so I want to make sure I don’t disappoint!

I was up well into the wee hours last night, staring up at the ceiling, hammering out the little surprises I have in store for this particular tale, finally falling asleep way past bedtime – only to have Lulu (and her upset tummy) wake me up twice! But, this morning, I was up at the crack of dawn (ish) so that we could meet up with Jodelle (aka FIVE) for our weekly trip to the local farmer’s market. Fish and veggies for Akemi and I while J2 picked up some chocolate milk, potato soup, and a way too small jar of maple butter.  Following a veggie (ish) lunch for our veggie gal, we stopped by Soma for a chocolate medley.

We dropped by the dog park, just long enough for one of the big dogs to jump up one Akemi and soil her new coat with his muddy (well, I hope it was mud!) paws.

And back to our place for some down doggy time.  While I know Jodelle has some pretty big fans, I really can’t imagine any bigger than Bubba and Lulu.

So, hey, I’m thinking of going with a whole new look for 2017.  Renee Chan, Dark Matter’s Key Hair, gave me a few makeovers to choose from.  What do you think? Cast your vote below!

So youthful!

So distinguished!

So evil!

Cast your vote!

Take Our Poll

November 25, 2016: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 6 of 91!

One week down, eighteen to go!  We are blazing through production on Dark Matter’s third season – which is both exhilarating and terrifying considering there are still plenty of scripts still to be written.  Thank goodness for weekends, the Christmas holidays and, later this season when we’re up against it, the hours between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.!

Director Ron Murphy holds court in the Raza mess.  I don’t think these guys went home last night.

Hey, check it out!  New triptych image for the mess.  A little touch of home.

Qu’est-ce que c’est?  Why, yes, it IS a space ukulele.  And it was designed by Juan Carlos Noguera Cardoza.  Check it out his amazing work here.

Today’s wacky on-set highlights: Song! Dance! Spoons! Booze! French! The not-clock!

Straight down the barrel!  The incredible Michael Reventar is Ash.

Building the robotic arm (Episode 302).  Plans, 3D printing, parts, and assembly.

Which reminds me – Production Designer Ian Brock has suggested we upload the NEW, ultra-detailed 3D specs of the Raza so that fans can build their own at home.

Our Art Department 3D printer is getting a pretty good workout so far this season. So much so that Co-Executive Producer Ivon Bartok suggested that the next 3D build should be a bigger 3D printer.

For the final instalment of Joe’s fashion feature, I decided to go FULL TARTAN!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

November 24, 2016: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 5 of 91!

This entry marks ten straight years of uninterrupted daily blogging.  I celebrated today by going in to work!

The only thing Akemi loves more than baking is baking for the Dark Matter crew.  This morning, it was breakfast rum cake with butter rum glaze.

First blocking!

Our finished “not clock”.

 An moment of reflection before the ass kicking.

After wrap, I walk the empty set to pick up all the cool stuff the cast and crew leave behind.  Today, I found a three dollars in change, a slightly used pair of size 8 Puma’s, and this futuristic albeit counter-intuitive can opener.

The evolution of the Research Station.

My second to last instalment of Joe’s fashion corner.  Deep blue – and french bulldog socks!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

November 23, 2016: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 4 of 91!

PRODUCTION BEGINS ON DARK MATTER’S THIRD SEASON

Following the season 2 finale that saw the crew of The Raza scattered and presumed dead, Dark Matter’s third season opens a compelling new chapter of the spellbinding series. Joining the cast this season are Ayisha Issa (12 Monkeys) as Solara Shockley, Mishka Thébaud (Bitten) as Adrian Maro and Andrew Moodie (Trust No One) as Teku Feonsei.

Ayisha Issa as Solara Shockley.  Follow her on twitter here

Mishka Thebaud as Adrian Maro.  Follow him on twitter here

Andrew Moodie as Teku Fonsei.  Follow him on twitter here

Today, we were shooting in The Raza training room.  A little bo staff.  A little sword play.  Some weird multi point sunbursty thing…

Yeah, that’s it.

Little somethings meticulously constructed by On Set Key Props Lisa Amaral Wright for…a future episode.

Concept art from the desk Henry Fong.

His work is pretty damn spectacular.

Hey, speaking of spectacular, check out today’s ensemble.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

November 22, 2016: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 3 of 91!

Yes!  As many of you pointed out in the comment section, yesterday’s post marked the 10 year anniversary of this blog.  As I wrote on that very first day back on November 21st of 2007:

“Here I sit, watching the battery recharge on my new HD camera (less than an hour to go!), making final preparations for my trip to Hong Kong and Tokyo. For the purposes of keeping a travel diary of sorts – and keeping you all entertained, natch – I’m attempting my second foray into the wonderful world of blogging. Unlike the last blog which focused on the show and its various behind-the-scenes happenings, this one will adopt a more scattershot approach, covering a variety of topics in a half-ass manner, ensuring that anyone checking it out in search of any one thing will come away feeling wholly dissatisfied or, at the very least, somewhat disappointed.”

And I truly feel that, over these 10+ years, I have succeeded in consistently dissatisfying and disappointing.  But I couldn’t have done it without you all.  So – a huge thanks to all of you, my extended blog family.

While yesterday marked a full decade since my very first blog entry, this Thursday is pretty special as well as it marks 10 full years of uninterrupted daily blogging.

Big stunts day today. We spent most of the afternoon shooting the Ash beatdown and kill shot. This morning, meanwhile, marked our first day [the actress who plays] Solara Shockley graced our set.  More on her and our [actor who plays] Adrian Maro tomorrow after the official press release.  THEN, feel free to follow them on twitter!

Michael Reventar as Ash.

Currently on  the triptych in The Raza mess.

Hey, remember this concept drawing?  Well, here’s the almost-finished product minus some lights and finishing details…

Get your questions in for actor Roger Cross!

You have until midnight tonight to post your queries for Canada’s busiest actor!

Today’s ensemble…

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter