Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 352

March 25, 2016: DVD’s! Space stations! Peter DeLuise!

Mark the date – June 4th – because that’s when Funimation releases the first season of Dark Matter on dvd and Blu-ray. (tweaked image c/o Alex Mallari Jr.)

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Dark-Matter-Season-1/22117

Just in time for your review in advance of this summer’s season 2 premiere.

Speaking of the season 2 premiere, I hear we’ll be receiving an official announcement on a premiere date soon.  Stay tuned!

Artist Jon Hrubesch continues his awesome concept design artistry with these six different versions of the prospective Dwarf Star Tech space station.  I’m partial to the detail of 3A, but think that any of the B alternates could make a great EOS-7. What do you all think?

A big congratulations to THIS guy, Peter DeLuise, who received a Daytime Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Directing Special Class for his work on Monsterville.   Well done, my friend.  Now get back to work!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

March 24, 2016: Dark Matter production day 69 of 101!

Character moments.  Character arcs.  Set ups and payoffs.  They’re the heart of Dark Matter.  Each and every one is carefully planned, scripted, and filmed.  And, at the end of the day, non-negotiable.  I’m not precious about “my words”, always open to input that will improve the series, but I will not sacrifice those all-important character beats.  When I write a script, I do have a plan.  That seemingly inconsequential line of dialogue from the Android, for instance, may seem like a throwaway but, considered in the grand scheme of things, it’s a crucial step in her character’s development, growth in her personality, and progression in her standing as a crew member.  The same applies for every character on the show.  As I’ve said from day one, I’ve plotted out this series, these character backstories, their respective journeys, and the day I start giving up on them is the day I pack up my laptop and finally take that long-awaited year long Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives road trip through the southern U.S.

Fists of Curry was closed…

So we took out from House of Frying Daggers instead.

Why would you even think about it?

Producer perks.

Rocket maaaan!  I think it’s gonna be a long long time.  But hopefully not past 7:30 p.m.

The house we’re shooting in house with metal shutters.  Perfect for the zombie apocalypse.

The Art Department is getting more inspired in their subtle bong placements.

Director Peter DeLuise makes use of his handy Artemis app.

Cat Shirt Thursday!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

March 23, 2016: YOUR reading recommendations!

Well, with the script for Episode 212 complete, a little free time has opened up (outside of the rewrites, prep, production, on-set duties, editing, VFX approvals, upcoming mixes and occasional sleeps), allowing me to get in some major reading in advance of this year’s Hugo nominations deadline (March 31st).  2015 wasn’t a strong reading year for me as I barely managed 88 books, and the number of titles that actually wowed me were surprisingly few.  Still, I do have a few worthy candidates to nominate in the Best Novel and Best Novella categories, and, by end of next week, I should have a number of candidates for the Best Short Story category as well.  After cross-referencing several recommended lists, I’ve been on a veritable tear, blazing through some forty short stories, with at least twice as many to go before I complete my extensive research.

Before I make my selections, however, I’d love to hear from all you voracious readers out there.  Were there any books or stories, published in 2015, that you read and truly loved? Please let me know.  I have eight days to read them!

Check out TWO in her new look.

P.S. She’s not the only one who’ll be getting a fashion makeover this season.

P.P.S. Galactic Authority onscreen logo courtesy of 2nd Assistant Art Director Sumeet Vat.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

March 22, 2016: This season puts the dark in Dark Matter!

The stuff of nightmares – from the Dark Matter costume department.

Peter DeLuise directs.

Devious goings-on.

Infiltration and Corruption – by artist Victor Mare.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

March 21, 2016: Kaboom! 2/3 of the way through production on Dark Matter season 2!

Kaboom! We have now completed two-thirds of the shooting schedule for season 2 of Dark Matter.  Granted, in comparison, we’ve finished only a little over half the edits, less than 15% of the visual effects, hardly any of the mixes – but still, the heavy lifting has been done.  And, late last week, I completed a first draft of Episode 212, an episode that, I suspect, will raise more than a few eyebrows on set.  #OhdaaaamnThatdidNOTjusthappen!

(Kaboom graphic by artist Victor Mare)

Whoa whoa whoa.  Not so fast, guys.  Not so fast.

Ivon and I were rewarded for all of our work (him for writing Episode 209, me for just being me) by longtime blog reader Maryanne who sent us a treat pack chock full o’ Aussie goodies and assorted pug paraphernalia.  Thanks!

Good news!  Reddit and I are friends again thanks to the timely intervention of some helpful moderators.  I’ve been fielding some Stargate-related queries there (most of which involve me breaking the bad news that MGM holds the rights to the franchise and is clearly in no rush to bring back our beloved shows) over the past few days and will continue to survey the sub-reddits for Stargate and Dark Matter questions and comments, intriguing SF conversations, and hilarious marching band gifs.

Well look who’s in town.  If it isn’t Dark Matter co-creator Paul Mullie and Dark Matter actor (Sorry, scratch that.  I’m not supposed to say anything until the official announcement) Mike Dopud.  Note the crazed look in Paul’s eye, symptomatic of a guy who has spent way too much time on set.

Hey, look!  It’s Spiderman!  Ha ha!  Just kidding.

On the other hand…

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

March 20, 2016: More Akemi-isms!

Akemi’s English has vastly improved over the 6+ years (!) we’ve been together. Nevertheless, she’s still prone to the occasional Akemi-isms, those odd turns of phrase uniquely hers.  I’ve covered them in past blog entries, everything from terms like “punching sweet” (super sweet) to descriptives like “tastes like old man’s pillow” (her take on the flavor of truffles) to words of wisdom like “Tokyo crows are very smart. They eat McDonald’s garbage and their brains get bigger!” (on the superior intelligence of Tokyo crows).

Here are a few more to add to the list:

brinkle: to blink

porkupintus: appendicitis

Something’s coming down with me!: I’m coming down with something!

You’re shrinking like a balloon ten days after birthday party!: You’ve lost weight!

grandma eyes: poor eyesight

miss and hit: hit and miss (If you attempt to correct her, she’ll always reply: “Same thing.”)

mooshy-mushy: squishy, semi-solid state usually used to describe the texture of those nut and syrup mash-ups vegan cafes attempt to pass off as “cookies”.

bricklyn style: architecturally, any building with a prevailing brick work structure

 

March 19, 2016: Comic Con!

Akemi and I had walked two block past the convention center and one block down when I realized that the cosplayer we were following was actually a garishly dressed homeless man.  We doubled back, found the correct entrance and we were at Comic Con!

A quick visual rundown of the 37 minutes I spent there…

I pass Jabba the Hutt on my way to the coat check.  I think he misplaced his car keys.

Caught these two guys smoking outside the coat check.  They quickly butted out when they saw me.

The extended Spiderman family argue over directions to the bathroom.

I think they were some kind of forest royalty.  Princesses Loosestrife and Sapodilla.

I never watched Sailor Moon growing up so I can’t be sure, but I thought Sailor Moon was blond.

And slightly less hirsute.

Toronto’s Open carry law is limited to large bladed weapons.

Even Batman’s a fanboy.

Batman can’t believe the roaming charges.

Spock gets an elf’s phone number.  The guy is smooth!

It wasn’t until they returned home that John and Sara discovered their purse and wallet were missing.

I don’t tend to give money to drifters but this guy was unusually persistent.

I thought the pink feather boa was a tad O.T.T.

On our way out, we stopped by the entrance to Room 801 a half hour before the Dark Matter panel.  Looked like a pretty impressive early turnout.

Celebrity spotting at the panel!  Director Peter DeLuise!

Who went?  How was it?  Spoilers? 

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

March 18, 2016: Brand new season 2 episode title!

It’s been a lot of fun working with director Peter DeLuise again.  The last time we were together on set was, oh, five years ago on a little Stargate: Universe episode called “Deliverance”.  Remember…

THIS?!

Ah, good times.  Good times.

And some pretty damn good times on the set of Dark Matter.

Today, we were at the headquarters of Alexander Rook’s Dwarf Star Technologies for the episode in which our crew bring in their air conditioning unit to get repaired.  Riveting stuff!

We also shut down production so that Peter and I could do an interview for the Brampton Film Office.  While we were chatting, an extra strayed out of his pen and wound up accidentally locking himself in the men’s bathroom for most of the afternoon.

Hey!  The people have spoken.  YOU have chosen a brand new episode title for Dark Matter’s second season.  Again.  To date, these are the titles YOU’VE chosen so far…

“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”

I agreed with 3 of your choices; disagreed on 3.  After today’s results, my overall record is 3-4.  But that’s the great thing about democracy – the fact that even the most promising options, facing even the longest of odds, can be thoroughly crushed by the will of the masses.

And the Episode 207 winner is…

“Episode 20: She’s One Of Them Now”

Discuss.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

March 18, 2016: Vote on a new episode title!

Why should primary voters have all the fun?

Cast your ballot for your favorite Episode 207 title.  But be quick!  Polls close in 24 hours!

Take Our Poll

 Today’s entry is dedicated to blog regular PBMom!

March 16, 2016: Dark Matter day 63 of 101!

As much as I agonize over these scripts, I have a feeling that, once I’ve completed the last one for this season, I’ll feel as wistful as my frenchie, Lulu, on a rainy Wednesday morning.

THREE’s new “shades”.

  Eyewear of another kind, compliments of props.

Director Andy Mikita plots his next move.

Space food!  I highly recommend the blue biscotti.

And a little something from our 1st Assistant Art Director Kelly Diamond:

Make sure you sign in with reception!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter