Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 348

June 16, 2016: Dark Matter premieres! Stargate concept art!

Holy smokes!  Approximately two weeks to the Dark Matter season 2 premiere – July 1st on Syfy and SpaceChannel.  But what if you don’t live in North America?  When will Dark Matter’s second season premiere in YOUR region?  Well, I’m glad you asked.  Please consult this handy chart that comes our way via the kind folks at SyfyInternational:

Please save and tweet/retweet.  Get the word out because you will NOT want to miss our first episode back.  Trust me when I say that if you miss it, or wait to watch, you are going to miss out on something BIG!

Today’s Dark Matter season 2 sneak peek screen shot of the day!

The writers’ room was back at it today.  Some of the highlight quotes of the day to give you a taste of our creative process:

“It’s very very very rare for time travel stories to make sense.”

“Snakes on a ship!”

“We have no tag.”

Further insight into our creative process, this time in photos capturing my response to some of the ideas thrown my way…

Dubious.

Go on, I’m listening…

Tomorrow, another big Dark Matter fan Q&A announcement!

Continuing our trip down Stargate memory lane with some gorgeous art department material from one of my favorite SG-1 episodes: Nightwalkers!

Spooky barn.

Partially built ship (drawn by James Robbins).

Ship build (sketched by James Robbins).

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, Stargate

June 16, 2016: Research, Spinning, and Posting!

Damnit, I knew this was going to happen.  52 pages into the new pilot and things have slowed to a standstill.  With the Dark Matter writers’ room in full swing, my attention is focused elsewhere, however I did manage to write a single new scene this morning.  At this rate, I’m going to have to revise my ETD (estimated time of delivery) to end of the month.  That’s when my “military advisors” (You know who you are!) can expect to see a first draft for vetting purposes.

Yes, it’s military SF.  In addition to input from the experts, I’m also doing a little research – by way of reading six books simultaneously to put me in the proper headspace.

By mid-July, all I’ll need is a proper series title and then it’ll be smoooooth sailing!

Not quite as smooth sailing on the DM third season story front, but progress is being made.  As I mentioned in previous blog instalments, I have all the pieces of the puzzle but just need to figure out a way to put them together.  Which is where Paul, Ivon, Alison, and Lawren come in.

Me, poised to write down one of Ivon’s brilliant ideas.

Like previous seasons, the goal is to pack as much story as possible into these 13 episodes because – who knows? – it could be the show’s (or my) last.  Ideally I’ll get to tell the full five season story I have planned, paying off all those clues (hidden and otherwise) and arcs we’ve set up over these first couple of years. If not, don’t worry – you’ll get your ending whether it’ll be in a movie, a comic book, or write here on this blog.

In preparation for the Dark Matter season 2 premiere comes this awesome –

Season 1 retrospect and season 2 look ahead

by Aimee Hicks over at SpoilerTV.com.

Hey, Aussie fans!  Dark Matter and Killjoys return to Syfy Australia July 2nd!

Today’s Dark Matter season 2 sneak peek screen shot.  Devastation!

More from the Stargate archives = Stargate: SG-1, “Redemption I and II”. Illustrations and designs by James Robbins…

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, Stargate

June 14, 2016: Dark Matter writers’ room day 3! Stargate!

Feast your eyes on this super-in-advance Dark Matter sneak teaser!  My longtime producing partner, Paul Mullie, did the honors on this one.  Pretty sleek, hunh?

Day 2 of the Dark Matter writers’ room comes to an end amid healthy debate, desperate ideas, and soul-crushing frustration.  In other words, about par for the course.  Also, it was really cold.  And rainy.  And Alison didn’t bring any donuts.

Today’s Dark Matter season 2 sneak peek screen shot!

Speaking of sneak peeks, check out this awesome shot of Melanie Liburd as Dark Matter’s Nyx Harper (photographed by Norman Wong).  As we tick down toward our July 1st season 2 premiere, the photos, interviews, articles and giveaways will be coming fast and furious!

Speaking of giveaways, have you entered for a chance to win a cast-signed copy of our season 2 premiere script (“Episode 14: Welcome To Your New Home) complete with notes and insights on every page from yours truly?  Head on over here to get the details on how to enter:

Win a cast-signed Dark Matter script!

Tonight’s the night I join the Geek Soul Brother podcast where I will talk about my dogs, my favorite herbs, and answer your questions about my opinion on such controversial topics as dance shows, hats, and restaurant brussel sprouts.

Fear not, Stargate-fans (most of you who are, no doubt, fans of Dark Matter as well)!

Redemption I and II: Weapon (artist James Robbins)

Redemption I and II: Troop ship (artist James Robbins)

Redemption I and II: Refugee camp (artist James Robbins)

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, Stargate

June 13, 2016: The Dark Matter writers’ room reconvenes!

As much as I liked the familiar confines of The Bridge Studio conference room, I much prefer the season 3 writers’ room with its impressive view (see above).

The most important thing when spinning, next to the stories (well, some would argue AS important) is lunch options.  Where’s good to eat?  Being right downtown by the water, we have plenty of options: Miku, Meat & Bread, La Taqueria.  At the end of these three weeks, even if we fail to break single story, the lunches we’ll enjoy will make it all worthwhile.

Hey, eagle-eyed Stargate fans, notice that yellow mass in the distant background?  Look familiar?  Maybe this will refresh your memories…

That giant pile of sulphur has been sitting there for some 20 years now (at least)!  Yes, giant pile of sulphur.  I imagine the cast and crew had a great time shooting in that particular location.

The Dark Matter season 3 writers’ room.  Pictured from left to right: Executive Producer Paul Mullie on the phone with agent planning his exit strategy, Supervising Producer Ivon Bartok resisting the donuts, Story Editor Alison Hepburn tapping her archival knowledge of the show’s first two seasons.  Not pictured: Supervising Producer Lawren Bancroft-Wilson (it was too early for him as this picture was taken at 11 am…in the morning!), and yours truly.

Today’s Dark Matter sneak peek screen shot – something a little…moody.

Oooh, check it out.  TVInsider has some sexy first look photos from Dark Matter’s second season, shot by uber-awesome photographer Norman Wong.

First Look Dark Matter Season 2

You like?

A little something for the Stargate fans – early puddle jumper designs by Peter Bodnarus…

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, Stargate

June 12, 2016: And so it begins…again! Dark Matter! Stargate!

Today marks my last free day before I get back at it.  Well, in truth, I’ve been back at it since production ended in early May, but there’s a difference between the leisurely comforts of freelancing from home and the more stringent demands of a daily writers’ room.  Having done a good amount of the leg work – story and character overviews and arcs for the show’s third season, story ideas, a breakdown of the season 3 premiere – I’m hoping it’ll be a fun, smooth experience free of the frustration and fury of every writers’ room that has ever convened.  We’ll see.

Today’s Dark Matter season 2 sneak peek screen shot comes courtesy of…THAT episode.  You know the one.

Hey, have you entered for a chance to win a cast-signed, annotated copy of the Dark Matter season 2 premiere script?  Check out this link for details:

Win a Dark Matter signed script!

Contest limited to residents of planet Earth.  Deadline July 1st.  Tell your friends!

Hey, Stargate fans!  Here are few interesting tidbits from each of the three shows:

Distant Ruined City – Stargate: Atlantis, Rising I – James Robbins, illustrator.

Blessed are the Ori prior staffs – Stargate: SG-1, Avalon – James Robbins

Control Interface Room – Stargate: Universe, Air I – Production Designer James Robbins.

Finally, a reminder that I’ll be a guest on GeekSoulBrother’s podcast this Tuesday night – 7 pm PST/10 pm EST.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

June 11, 2016: Win a cast-signed, annotated Dark Matter script!

Last year, the wardrobe department put up Dark Matter-themed dog pictures, each corresponding to a particular episode of the show’s first season.  For instance, this picture –

…corresponded to Episode 5, the one in which our anti-heroes run afoul of the mutated, zombie-like crew of The Far Horizon.  And this picture –

…was a tip of the hat to Episode 8 in which SIX uses clone tech (Transfer Transit) to travel to a distant space station.

See how it works?  Great!  Now all you have to do is correctly match up all 13 of the wardrobe department’s dog pics with their respective season 2 episodes.  And it aint as easy as it looks.

Winner will be whoever manages to guess correctly.  Or closest.  It the event of a tie, the winner will be chosen randomly from our top contestants.

Ready?  Okay.  Here are the Dark Matter season 2 episode titles:

“Episode 14: Welcome To Your New Home”

“Episode 15: Kill Them All”

“Episode 16: I’ve Seen The Other Side Of You”

“Episode 17: We Were Family”

“Episode 18: We Voted Not To Space You”

“Episode 19: We Should Have Seen This Coming”

“Episode 20: She’s One Of Them Now”

“Episode 21: Stuff to Steal, People to Kill”

“Episode 22: Going Out Fighting”

“Episode 23: Take The Shot”

“Episode 24: Wish I’d Spaced You When I Had The Chance”

“Episode 25: Sometimes In Life You Don’t Get To Choose”

“Episode 26: But First, We Save The Galaxy”

And here are the Dark Matter season 2 dogs:

#1.

#2.

#3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

A lot of clues and connections here, some obvious, others, admittedly, very tenuous.

Good luck!  Lucky winner will be announced the week of July 4th!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

June 10, 2016: Dark Matter contest to come!

Noooooooo!  My one week off is over.  Come Monday, I’m back at it, in the room with Paul, Ivon, and Alison, breaking stories for Dark Matter’s third season.  No, we haven’t been picked up.  Season 2 has yet to air (July 1st on Syfy and SpaceChannel!).  BUT, I’m feeling confident.  I mean, just wait until you see what season 2 has in store for you and you’ll know why I like our chances.  It would be nice to get an official green light sooner than later (later being sometime in September after the last episode has aired), but, hey, such is the business.

Pictured above: our sneak peek screen shot of the day.  As promised, the visual effects this season are going to be BIGGER and BETTER.  You asked for ship to ship battles, you’re getting ship to ship battles!

In the next few days, I’m going to announce a skill-testing contest for a chance to win a signed, annotated script for our season 2 premiere: “Episode 14: Welcome To Your New Home”.  What will you have to do for a chance to win it?  Well, it will be deceptively simple.  Details to come.  But here’s a hint.  Remember last year I noted how the wardrobe department had posted Dark Matter-themed dog pictures up on their walls, each corresponding to a specific episode?  To refresh your memories here’s a breakdown…

https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2015/08/23/august-23-2015-the-dog-days-of-dark-matter/

Well, they’ve done the same thing for the show’s second season.  If I posted these new pictures to the blog, do you think you’d be able to match them to their respective season 2 episodes?  Well, you’re going to have to for a chance to win.  Dog pics and details to come!

Over on reddit, my trip down Stargate memory lane continues with a few reminiscences, and plenty of pics from the Art Department archives like…

Khonsu’s planet – “The Other Guys” – artist, James Robbins.

Felger and Coombs at the control unit – “The Other Guys – artist, James Robbins.

3D Transport Ring – “The Other Guys – artist, James Robbins

And a little something from the playback department.

 

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, Stargate

June 9, 2016: Dark Matter expands its viewership!

Good news!  You don’t have to worry about missing Dark Matter the next time you travel to Qatar because NBCU will be partnering with OSN to launch Syfy across the Middle East and Africa!

NBCUniversal and OSN Set to Launch Syfy in Middle East

I am READY for my first Dark Matter con in Dubai!

Pictured above, our season 2 sneak peek screen shot of the day.  Looks a tad nefarious, no?

A little more productive today as I got some work done on the new pilot.  About 40 pages in, I have a feeling I’ll be doing multiple “tighten and trim” passes to get it down to a lean and mean length.  By the way, thanks for those who offered to lend their military expertise.  I’ll be in touch!

Uh oh.  The Dark Matter season 2 premiere is about three weeks away.  Are you all caught up?  If not, head on over to Netflix and binge the entire first season.  If you are, then head on over to Netflix and binge the entire first season for review purposes.  And then, just to be on the safe side, check out this handy character primer from the gang at Syfy:

The Six: What We Know

One of the first things I did upon my return to Vancouver was to hit my favorite bookstores.  This is my latest haul:

Hopefully, I’ll have the opportunity this summer as my Dark Matter duties have really eaten into my free time.  At present, the only reading I get in is about an hour before bedtime.  And I’ve been relying on two marvelous online sites for that pre-bedtime reading material…

comixology – allows you to instantly purchase and download endless comic titles, from classics to new releases.  Never again will you miss a back issue with this handy site.

Rocket Stank Rank – offers aggregate ratings of short stories, novelettes, and novellas along with – in many instances – links to the various works.

My journey through my immense Stargate archives continues with a subspace communicator design for the episode “Avalon” (by James Robbins) –

Control room layout, “The Other Guys” –

Felger and Coombs activate the control unit, “The Other Guys” (drawn by James Robbins).

Finally, look at who got new goggles today, just in time for summer swimming…

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, Stargate

June 8, 2016: ONE drops by!

Well, look who dropped by the house today to say hello to Lulu.  If it isn’t Dark Matter’s ONE/Jace Corso, Marc Bendavid.  In addition to coming up to visit with Lulu, he’s also in town shooting a movie.  Today was a rare day off from set, so we got together for lunch at Fable Kitchen (he got a double order of the chickpea fritters, I got my burger medium-rare), then…

Back to the house for some unbelievable sake (ginger and orange peel) ice cream we picked up from Tangram Creamery on Arbutus.  HIGHLY recommended.

Today’s season 2 sneak peek screen shot of the day.  A familiar piece of jewelry from season 1.

Approximately three weeks to the Dark Matter season 2 premiere!

Today was unproductive.  I’d love to chalk it up to distractions but, truth is, I just wasn’t in a writing mood.  Discussed some visual effects shots, gave notes on the blooper reel, and sent off my rough outline for episode 301.  I think I’ll spend the rest of the evening reading short stories, perusing comixology, and watching the new season on Chef’s Table.

A few BTS tidbits for the Stargate-minded among you…

Column control unit – “The Other Guys” (designed by James Robbins).

Wraith ultrasound handset – “Kindred II” (designed by James Robbins).

And a little something from playback.  F-302: Target locked!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, Stargate

June 7, 2016: Requesting military assistance! Dark Matter! Stargate!

Join me next week – Tuesday, June 14th at 10 pm EST/7 pm PST – as I guest on the GeekSoulBrother podcast.  Topics of discussions will include this, that, and much more!  Also, probably Dark Matter and Stargate.  So, swing on by!

Who is Geek Soul Brother and what’s his site all about?  Well, why don’t you check out here:

http://geeksoulbrother.com

And who is our affable host?  Well, I think it’s fairly self-evident, but Henry is a HUGE scifi fan.  Check out his list of 15 Sci Fi Shows That Shouldn’t Have Been Cancelled:

So, as I mentioned in yesterday’s blog entry, my new show pilot is military scifi – not unlike Stargate: SG-1.  Unlike Stargate: SG-1, however, I don’t have easy access to a military tech who I can ask questions, run stuff by, and generally vet my script.  Or do I?  Yes, that’s where you military vets come in.  Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines – make yourself known or remind me again and I’ll drop you an email.  Help me out.  I may ever name a character after you!

One aspect of the pilot I’m undecided about is who rules the space ways.  I could take a page out of Stargate’s playbook and put the Air Force in charge.  Or follow David Weber’s lead and give it to the Navy.  Then again, Space: Above and Beyond were on to something with those space Marines.  Or do we want to go Starship Troopers?  Or maybe create a future mix’n match version of all four? Let do this!

Hey!  Head on over to Syfy.com for some behind the scenes pics of Dark Matter season 2.

And while we’re on the topic of Dark Matter’s second season, here’s our Screen Shot of the Day:

Well, unlike yesterday’s instalment, today’s offering is a little more…discernible. Whaddya think?

Meanwhile, I continue to go through the Stargate archives and offer a few natsukashii tidbits from my time on the franchise.  Pictured above, onscreen playback elements for the Jaffa ship.

And a little onscreen playback elements from another familiar alien race.  Any guesses?

And, finally, a little Puddle Jumper playback…

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, Stargate