Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 351

April 4, 2016: Weigh in on the Ishida Cruiser design!

Let’s get the ball rolling on this totally awesome blog entry with these totally awesome Ishida cruiser designs by the totally awesome Jon Hrubesch.  A LOT of wonderful variety to choose from here.  We’re leaning a certain way, but would love to hear your thoughts.

If I can refresh your memories, THIS was the Ishida shuttle design you chose not too long ago:

Dark Matter co-creator, Paul Mullie, bowed out on taco dinners Saturday so that he could devote his entire weekend to episode 213, the BIG season finale.  This morning, he delivered an impressive 35 pages – three acts and a bit.  I took over today and got us to the top of page 45 and the beginning of Act V.  I figure I’ll finish a draft by tomorrow, maybe Wednesday at the latest, and then pitch it back to Paul for the polish and finish.  By next week, our finale will go wide…and people’s minds are gonna melt!

While Paul was slaving away over a hot laptop this past weekend, I was out and about, making the most of my two days off in advance of next Saturday’s 11 hour shoot day in the wilds of Hamilton.  I met up with VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson for those aforementioned tacos, swung by my favorite comic shop, and even met up with blog regular ceresis64 who was visiting all the way from Wales.

We grabbed some soft serve and chocolate and, of course, some snaps for the blog…

No spoilers were revealed – even though she did gift me with some Penderyn, a Welsh whisky (and the latest addition to the Dark Matter Whisky-ey Club!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

April 3, 2016: I want one! I can’t have one! Rook-Wheaton spotted!

Holy smokes!  I was checking out my Facebook feed this morning when I came across a link to this over at thinkgeek.com:

It includes the ambient sounds from five different Enterprises plus sounds from engineering, two warp cores, and a Red Alert sound for the alarm function.  AND it projects a moving star field on your ceiling.

AND it was just an April Fool’s gag.

I had showed it to Akemi and even SHE was excited about the prospect of getting one.

I am genuinely bummed.

Speaking of Star Trek, look who I happened across in the production offices the other day.  Why, it’s none other than Dwarf Star Technology CEO, author, actor, and blogger Alexander Rook/Wil Wheaton.  In a tie no less.  AND sporting some killer kicks –

So WHAT was Rookie-Wheaton doing in our neck of the woods?  And what does his presence hold in store for TWO?  And what WAS the deal with that decrepit old man who was talking to Rook-Wheaton at the end of episode 12?

Well, guess we’ll never know.

Or will we…?

Yeah, we’ll know.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, #StarTrek, Dark Matter, Star Trek

April 2, 2016: Dog Day Afternoon!

Oh, damn.  Today, was our first early pre-flight weigh-in.  Bubba tipped the scales at a negotiable 20.4 lbs.  Lulu, however, was a robust 22.4 lbs!  They both have to trim down to an even 20 lbs before they can fly.  Fortunately for us, they have roughly two and a half months to get into shape!

Forget prep, production, and post – THE most stressful part of working on this show is transporting the dogs to B.C. and back.  And we only have two!

A few of you have asked, so I’ll be honest with you.  The day I adopt that third pug is the day I’ve decided to stay put in Vancouver.

Tagged: french bulldog, pug, pugs

April 1, 2016: New Dark Matter episode title! And graphics!

Hurrah!  The results are in and the fans have spoken.  We have a brand new Dark Matter episode title:

“Episode 21: Stuff To Steal; People To Kill”.

I was just in editing on this one and I have a feeling it’s going to be a fan favorite.

I can’t believe we have a little over a month to go before we wrap production on Dark Matter’s second season.  It’s gone by way too quickly – especially considering Paul and I still have to deliver the script for the season finale.  The consensus response on the happenings in our penultimate episode, #212, was – if I may paraphrase – “Holy S#%t!!”.  Well, if they thought that was big, they better be sitting down to read #213.

Goodies from 1st Assistant Art Director Kelly Diamond and the gang in playback:

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March 31, 2016: The RPG-420!

I come downstairs for the Episode 211 props meeting and discover THIS prototype awaiting me.  The art department has been relentless in its efforts to get these space bongs on the show.  In the past, they’ve attempted to sneak them by as set dressing.  Recently though, their efforts have grown more inspired, as I’m sure you’ll agree.

Dark Matter Production Designer Ian Brock demonstrates proper safety and handling of the RPG-420.

Just want to make sure the safety’s on…

Part of our SciFi Guys with Guns pictorial.

Meanwhile, upstairs, Stunt Coordinator John Stead demonstrates a less expensive approach to subduing the enemy – in this case, Production Manager Robbie David.

Less than three hours to cast your vote for a new episode title.  If you only cast your ballot once this year, make sure it’s on this very important issue: What are we calling Dark Matter Episode 208?

Take Our Poll

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

March 30, 2016: Name an episode of Dark Matter!

This year, we’re doing something special for the fans.  Well, let’s say “extra special” because, in truth, we’re always doing something “special”.  This season, YOU get to pick Dark Matter’s episode titles.  No, really.  To date, you’ve named seven episodes:

“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”

And today, YOU get to pick another one – the title for Episode 208.  Choose wisely!

Take Our Poll

Polls close in 24 hours!

Speaking of which… The deadline for Hugo nominations is Friday, March 31st.  If you read something you loved, take the time nominate it (and its author).  I offered up a list of my favorite considerations in the running for the Best Short Story:

https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2016/03/27/march-27-2016-my-top-13-genre-short-stories-of-2016/

Did you get a chance to read any of them?  If so, which were YOUR favorites?

Well, talk about old times.  This latest episode has reunited me with fabulous director Peter DeLuise.  It’s been six years since we last worked together.  In the case of today’s guest star, Ross Hull, it’s been eight years since we last did THIS together –

And it’s been 18 years since we worked together on THIS –

We shot in an abandoned high school.  Paul and I worked out of a carpeted classroom where we occasionally played air hockey with the cast members during their down time.  We ended up writing about 25 of the show’s 65 episode run – and had an awesome time doing it.  Great cast, great crew, and a great trio of creator-producers (Michael Klinghoffer, Judy Spencer, and Alan Silberberg).

Who’s up for a Student Bodies marathon?!  Yeaaaaah!!!    

Me on set yesterday.  Yeah, those are safety glasses.  No, I’m not wearing them for any particular reason.  I just think they look nice.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, Student Bodies

March 29, 2016: My darkest Dark Matter post yet!

Listen to them—the children of the night. What music they make!

Something wicked this way comes.

The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing –

There are mysteries which men can only guess at, which age by age they may solve only in part.

(Graphics by artist Victor Mare)

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

March 28, 2016: In the mood for season 2?

Hey, check out this awesome Dark Matter video from the gang at Syfy.com:

So, are you in the mood for season 2?

How about now?

Now?

Stop me when you’re getting close!

(Station schematics by 1st Assistant Art Director Kelly Diamond)

(Dwarf Star Technologies space station design by artist Jon Hrubesch)

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

March 27, 2016: My Top 13 Genre Short Stories of 2015!

With the deadline for the 2016 Hugo Awards nominations fast approaching (Thursday, March 31st), I thought I’d help out prospective voters by generating a list of recommended reads to guide them through the myriad titles released in 2015.

In the past, I could have put together a rundown of potential Best Novels but, alas, the past year kept me very busy, much too busy for extensive reading, and I realized that the list I’d offer up would be woefully incomplete.

Being a voracious and fairly quick reader, I thought of tackling the Best Novella or Best Novelette categories but, again, my show running duties on Dark Matter made that impossible.  And so, after careful consideration, I decided instead to take on the Best Short Story category reasoning there was plenty of opportunity in the downtime between set-ups, scripts, and sleep.  As it turned out, I was right and, in the preceding month, I’ve read A LOT of shorts stories – more than I’ve read in any given month.

Yes, even though I read a lot, I’m well aware that I covered but a tiny fraction of all of the eligible short stories out there.  I tried to be as sweeping as possible, selecting titles from varied publications, drawing on suggestions from all over, choosing writers irrespective of politics or personality.

What follows is a list of MY Favorite Genre Short Stories of 2015.  If any of these make the short list for the Hugos, I’ll be giving them a re-read and ranking.  I’ll do the same for any other nominees I may have missed.  And then, I’ll vote for what I consider the Best Short Story of 2015.  If the best short story I read is among the five nominees, then I’ll vote for that.  If what I consider the Best Short story doesn’t make the list, I’ll be voting No Award.  Fair?  I think so.

Well, here you go, for those interested.  My Top 13 Short Stories of 2015:

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“A Murmuration” by Alastair Reynolds (Interzone)

An isolated scientist’s research into the flocking behavior of birds yields surprising results.

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“Calved” by Sam J. Miller (Asimov’s)

Amidst the backdrop of a world altered by ecological disaster, a father makes a desperate bid to reconnect with his son.

Read it here: http://samjmiller.com/publications/calved/

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“Dialed-Up” by Tom Maughan (Terraform)

In the near, performance-enhancing drugs give office workers the edge they need to compete.

Read it here: http://motherboard.vice.com/read/dialed-up

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“Re-Homing” by Debbie Urbanski (Terraform)

A couple looking to adopt find the perfect match in a remaindered child.

Read it here: http://motherboard.vice.com/read/re-homing

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“Re: re: Microwave in the break room doing weird things to fabric of spacetime” by Charles Yu (Terraform)

An unattended burrito instigates a cosmological crisis.

Read it here: http://motherboard.vice.com/read/re-re-microwave-in-the-break-room-doing-weird-things-to-fabric-of-spacetime

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“Some Gods of El-Paso” by Maria Dahvana Headley (Tor)

In future Texas, two outlaws deal in the currencies of sex and emotions.

Read it here: http://www.tor.com/2015/10/28/some-gods-of-el-paso-maria-dahvana-headley/

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“The Ninth Seduction” by Sean Mcmullen (Lightspeed)

A goblin crafts weapons and other technological marvels in advance of a coming battle.

Read it here: http://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/the-ninth-seduction/

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“The Sixth Day” by Sylvia Anna Hivén (Beneath Ceaseless Skies)

A young girl, gifted with the ability to grow corn, receives a dire prediction from her older sister, gifted with the ability of prophecy.

Read it here: http://www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/stories/the-sixth-day/

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“So Much Cooking” by Naomi Kritzer (Clarkesworld)

The bird flu apocalypse as related through perky Natalie’s food blog.

Read it here: http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/kritzer_11_15/

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“The Ticket Taker of Cenote Zaci” by Benjamin Parzybok (Strange Horizons)

Eduardo, a ticket taker at a popular tourist attraction, begins to suspect that the Cenote Zaci may be claiming some of its visitors.

Read it here: http://www.strangehorizons.com/2015/20150202/cenote-f.shtml

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“The Way Home” by Linda Nagata (Lightspeed)

A squad of U.S. Soldiers must fight their way out of Hell.

Read it here: http://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/the-way-home/

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“Things You Can Buy For A Penny” by Will Kaufman (Lightspeed Magazine)

According to legend, the wet gentleman that resides at the bottom of a mysterious well will grant you a wish for a penny…

Read it here: http://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/things-can-buy-penny/

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“Today I Am Paul” by Martin L. Shoemaker (Clarkesworld)

An android caregiver to an Alzheimer’s patient mimics the personalities of her prospective visiting relatives.

Read it here: http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/shoemaker_08_15/

If you have time, give them a read – and then report back.  Would love to hear your thoughts.

Tagged: #HugoAwards, #Hugos, #shortstories, Alastair Reynolds, Asimov's, Benjamin Parzybok, Charles Yu, Clarkesworld, Debbie Urbanski, Interzone, Lightspeed Magazine, Linda Nagata, Maria Dahvana Headley, Martin L. Shoemaker, Naomi Kritzer, Sam J. Miller, short stories, Strange Horizons, Terraform, Tom Maughan, Tor, Will Kaufman

March 26, 2016: The crew of The Raza and their anime counterparts!

ONE (Dark Matter) = Rokuro “Rock” Okajima (Black Lagoon)

Like ONE, Rock comes from a well-to-do upbringing, having lived a sheltered, moneyed existence prior to the events that landed him among decidedly colorful company.  From white collar careers to running with mercenaries, these two share similar fish-out-of-water experiences that force them to toughen up and mature if they are to survive.

TWO (Dark Matter) = Motoko Kusanagi (Ghost in the Shell)

Kick-ass, strong-willed, and smart, both women demonstrate a confidence and decisiveness that commands the respect of their peers.  Natural leaders, their physical abilities – strength, speed, agility – are far superior to the average human’s owing to technological enhancements.

THREE (Dark Matter) = Sakata Gintoki (Gintama)

Obnoxious and self-centered, they’re always looking out for number one but, when the chips are down, they can be counted on to come through for the team – quipping and complaining all the way.

FOUR (Dark Matter) = Lelouch V Britannia (Code Geass)

Natural blue bloods, deadly masters of the blade, they share an affinity for carnage – and a dark streak that may cause even their closest of allies to take pause.

FIVE (Dark Matter) = Radical Edward (Cowboy Bebop)

As the tech-savvy mascots of both The Raza and the Bebop, FIVE and Ed are kooky, lovable, and oh-so-dependable.

SIX (Dark Matter) = Jet Black (Cowboy Bebop)

The classic big guys with the hearts of gold, they come from similar backgrounds in law enforcement but now find themselves playing parental roles to some of their ships’ more “immature” crew members.

Android (Dark Matter) = Astro Boy (Astro Boy)

Far-future Pinocchio’s with shockingly similar do’s.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Anime, animeDark Matter, Dark Matter