Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 353

March 15, 2016: Dark Matter day 62 of 101!

It’s hard to believe that we just started production three months ago.  Even harder to believe that we’ve only shot 60% of Dark Matter’s second season.  Only 60%! I mean, honestly, it feels like the finish line is within sight based solely on my anxiety levels.  I delivered the script for 211 yesterday which now means the pressure is ON for me to complete the script for 212 in timely fashion.  Like every season of every show I’ve ever worked on, I tell myself that once I complete my last script, it’ll be smoooooth sailing.  I’ll be able to relax, enjoy my free time, resume my reading and t.v.-watching ways, and, best of all, NOT have to think about scripts.  But, deep down, I know the reality will be that the moment I finish that last script, I’ll start making plans for the next one, the next season, the next show.

Shooting on the rooftop.

Or are we?

That was a rhetorical question.  No.  We’re not.

Probably the most nefarious-looking wall vents on television.

Episode 209’s mystery vials.  Come on.  Guess their contents!

Uh oh.  Man (?) down!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

March 14, 2016: Dark Matter Day 61 of 101!

And, specifically, Day #5 of Episode 208.  Andy Mikita directing.  I have a feeling that Dark Matter fans are going to love this one as much as the cast!

What awaits our crew down this long, dark corridor?  Oh, you don’t want to know.   

A homecoming of sorts for our stupendous swordsman.

Corporate Interests #1: The Mikkei Combine’s Commander Truffault.

Corporate Interests #2: Ferrous Corp’s Commander Nieman.

A little something from our playback department.

Jodelle Ferland kills time on set in typical Jodelle fashion.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

March 13, 2016: Things that have landed on my patio but, thankfully, not my head. Yet.

The view from my patio of the neighboring construction positively looming overhead.

Last year, when we lived in this apartment, Akemi would joke that the construction on neighboring building was so close that she could play catch with the construction workers.  Well, we returned to the same apartment this year to find the construction had inched just a tad closer.  How close?  Well, THIS close –

I mean, forget about catch.  She can just hand the ball over the one foot gap separating our patio and theirs.

If you’re wondering about that impromptu safety tarp that covers roughly one eighth of the balcony – well, you’re not the only one.  It seems a bit of a half-hearted gesture considering the wide array of interesting items I discover every time I step outside in the morning.

For instance, over the last month, the following have landed on my patio from the towering construction site next door:

Styrofoam chunks!

Random plastics!

Rusty nails!

A hunk of wood!

Pieces of concrete!

A discarded take-out coffee cup!

Whatever these are!

A long piece of wood…

With several nails sticking it out of it!

And last, but certainly not least: This post-it note reminder to google search the 4 steps of “Worker Awareness”.  I suspect they’re missing a few.

March 12, 2016: Yet another Saturday blog entry!

First off, thanks to everyone who expressed outrage, disappointment, and general apathy toward the revelation that I have been shadowbanned on reddit.  I had hoped that cross-posting my blog entries on other sites would offer up access to behind the scenes pics, vids, and insights to those who may not be aware of the blog, opening up opportunities for discussion on other venues like twitter, Facebook, reddit, and, of course, The National Weather Service.  Apparently, reddit’s admins frown on heavy cross-promotion which, I suppose, is understandable.  While I’d love to be a more active redditor, the truth is, with all of the demands of prep, production, and post-production, I have little time for much else net-related outside of this blog.  And so, while the notion of being shadowboxed is somewhat annoying. at the end of the day, it’s really neither here nor there.  On the upside, a couple of the moderators have been kind enough to approve my posts and comments, thus ensuring that not all of my inane ramblings are lost to history.

Pictured above: Akemi models her new dress.

Pictured above: Lulu in her post-walk sprawl.

Hard to believe we have less than two months to go on Dark Matter’s second season.  Production continues on Episode 208 with director Andy Mikita while prep resumes on Episode 209 with director Peter DeLuise.  Jason Priestley starts work on his director’s cut of Episode 207, while Episodes 201 through 206 are LOCKED! Paul puts out his revised writer’s draft of Episode 210 on Monday while I deliver my writer’s draft of Episode 211 that same day.  I’m 32 pages into Episode 212 and, by the time I’ve completed a first draft, my writing partner Paul will be back in town to talk about the BIG season finale.

Ooooh.  We have guests!

Tagged: Dark Matter

March 11, 2016: Shadowbanned! Overdressed kale salad! And I have the best smelling eyeball on set!

I had a bad feeling about today early on.  Call it sixth sense.  Or a premonition.  Or the fiery sting of my Jack Black cologne that I inadvertently sprayed directly into my right eye this morning after getting dressed.  I just knew.  And, sure enough, today, a few on-set snafus were followed by a rare “second set o’ notes” on episode 209, capped by an overdressed kale salad for lunch.  But I really shouldn’t complain. It’s all part of the job.  Except, of course, for the overdressed kale salad. And, arguably, the cologne in the eye.  Anyway –

This afternoon, I discovered I’d been shadow-banned on reddit.  It sounds positively nefarious (SHADOWBANNED!)  and I said as much in a comment when someone posted the news on this thread:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Stargate/comments/49ya9v/is_there_a_way_to_contact_joseph_mallozzi_i/

But, of course, no one replied because my comment is not visible to readers since, well, I’ve been shadowbanned. I guess it’s sort of like “ghosting” someone, that practice of totally cutting a former partner out of your life except that my  relationship was with reddit and I’ve obviously done something to offend.  Did I post too many links to my daily behind-the-scenes updates on the show?  Was it bad form to upvote nice reader comments on my own thread?  Should I have made more of an effort to post comments on other threads, like that video of the dancing bus driver or that picture of a 12 year old Matt Damon?  Or was it simply a matter of not being expressive enough of my appreciation for all the love and support?  I assume I’ll never know.

Well, there goes that AMA I was planning for June.  Guess we’ll have to do it here.

Today, let me leave you with a little pic from the bridge of The Raza.

Hey!  What’s HE doing here?!

Also, this adorable pic of my dogs –

Wait! The dog pics!  Is reddit anti-brachycephalic breed?  Hmmmm.

March 10, 2016: Dark Matter news! Pics! Designs! And graphics!

Breaking News!  Ish.

The cast of Dark Matter will be appearing at next weekend’s Toronto Comic Con. Catch their panel at 3 p.m., Saturday March 19th!  Room 801!

I’ll also be there to support the show – in spirit, by walking the floor and checking out the comic book-related merchandise.  Come find me!  I’ll be the guy buying Iron Man arc reactor cufflinks on Saturday afternoon.

Oh crap!  I was strolling by set recently and came across THIS sight –

To quote a certain gangly grey guest star from an episode of Stargate: Atlantis: “Crap, indeed!”

Since you all had a hand in selecting the model, click on the above image for a full-size high-rez peek at artist Jon Hrubesch’s awesome design for Alicia Reynaud’s ship.  After considering the input on this blog, twitter, Facebook, and a couple of other sites, we elected to incorporate elements from two of the choices (#4 and #6) to create this sleek and sexy battle vessel.

Thanks for the input!

Tonight marks an end to two back-to-back double unit (and double Stargate: Atlantis veteran) days.  While Andy Mikita was shooting the on-ship mayhem, Jason Priestley was capturing the on-station chaos.  We should be seeing a director’s cut of 207 sometime next week, meaning you’ll all get the chance to vote on a brand new episode title soon!

Finally, I can’t think of a better way to conclude this entry than with this gem from 1st Assistant Art Director Kelly Diamond:

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

March 9, 2016: New Dark Matter Episode Title!

Today, on set, I came across this –

And I was like: “Damn.”  And moments later, I happened by this –

And I was like: “DAMN!”.  And then, later in the day, I saw this –

And I was like: “OH, COME ON!!!”

P.S. My fruit and greek yogurt were delicious.

Congratulations!  We have a winner!  The fans have spoken and we have a new episode title…

“Episode 19: We Should Have Seen This Coming”

Well, I am now 3-3 on my picks.  Anyone out there 6-0?

Today, I leave you with this pic of our lovable Android getting a tune-up:

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

March 8, 2016: Dark Matter season 2 production report!

Oh sure, making a t.v. show is very impressive but, every so often, something comes along that makes you stop and really put things in perspective – an article, a news story, or, in this case, a video that forces you to re-evaluate and re-think your place in the grand scheme of things.  I mean, yes, what we do on Dark Matter is very cool and I appreciate the contributions we make through our modest production but this…THIS is truly amazing work:

Wow.

Anyway, this morning we kicked things off – quite literally – with a 6+ hour stunt and action sequence.  And breakfast burritos.

Bad to the bone: Marc Bendavid and Melissa O’Neil.  Or, to be more specific, the characters they play.

A little something from Roxanne Borris in the Art Department.  The Ferrous Corp logo in advance of that press conference scene.

Director Peter DeLuise becomes the latest member of the Dark Matter Whisky/ey Club.

A little something via playback artist Seth Molson.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

March 7, 2016: Dogs! Dark Matter! And YOU get to choose a new episode title!

Today’s work day started with a dog and, appropriately enough, ended with one as well.  I rolled onto set for the 7:30 a.m. call and the first thing I did was meet Key Grip Chris Toudy’s new addition to his extended family, an adorable Mexican street dog named Oslo –

Ah, this takes me back to the good old days on Stargate when dogs roamed the production offices, sitting in on story meetings, racing through the corridors and, occasionally, stealing Michael Shanks’ tuna sandwiches.

Everyone has done such a terrific job this season, but I want to make special mention of the Art Department (lead by Production Designer Ian Brock and Art Director Russell Moore) and everyone from construction and paints who worked doubly, often triply hard this year to bring these impressive sets to life.

Meanwhile Costume Designer Noreen Landry and her team in wardrobe are working their butts off as well, creating some eye-popping designs including someone’s new work-in-progress coat.

As I mentioned in yesterday’s entry, today you have the chance to vote on an all-new episode title.  You have chosen all five Dark Matter season 2 episode titles to date.  A little refresher…

“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”

And now it’s time to cast your ballot for the Episode 206 title.  Your choices are…

Take Our Poll

Poll closes in 24 hours!  Tell your friends!

Finally, like I said at the top of this entry, my day started with a dog and ended with one as well.  From set, I headed back to the office for the production meeting, the notes meeting on Episode 209 with Jay, then back to set for the cast read-thru of Episode 208, then back to the office to put out some blue pages, then over to editing where I completed my producer’s cut of Episode 205 and went over 206. On my way out, I dropped in on fabulous Wendy Hallam Martin who had her dog, Coal, in for the day, assisting with the editor on Episode 207.

Waah.  No sooner do I complete this entry than I receive the updated work-in-progress producer’s editor of Episode 206.  Well, you all know what I’ll be doing tonight!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

March 6, 2016: The calm before the #DarkMatter storm!

As I told Paul yesterday: “Between the scriptwriting, notes, rewrites, prep, onset production, post, and seemingly interminable email and dropbox approvals, I’m dangerously close to hitting critical mass” – which is why the weekends are so important.  They give me a chance to set Dark Matter aside, however so briefly, and decompress.  Granted, with scripts and cut notes still looming,  the prospect of a totally Dark Matter-less weekend is unlikely for about another month an half, but I’ll take what I can get.

In the case of this particular weekend, it was quality time with Akemi and the dogs –

Bubba visits the dog park, observing the action for the relative safety of the other side of the fence.

A little local shopping –

Comic books, purple dress shoes, and these ray run cufflinks. I’m not on the hunt four some Flintstone cuffs.

A little online shopping –

Got a bunch of these Juanita Nakamura originals

(here: http://www.zazzle.com/angelicalcradle/products?sr=250430484475676180&prsnl=False&pg=1&sd=desc&st=date_created)

A nice Saturday dinner at Parcae –

Squid ink risotto with sturgeon marrow.

A lot of walking –

The weekend would not be complete without a visit to my friend, Tova, at Don’t Call Me Cupcake in Kensington Market.

https://www.facebook.com/DCMCbakery/

And dim sum with VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson and director Jason Priestley who offered a very spirited argument for why I should keep my house in Vancouver despite the prospect that I may spend a good chunk of the next three years here in Toronto, shooting Dark Matter.

Tonight, it’s Walking Dead night with Roger Cross, Jodelle Ferland, and a whack o’ eclairs at which point the respite will be over and I’ll be back at it.

Looking ahead to this week:

MONDAY:

Director Jason Priestley’s final day of main unit on Episode 207 concludes with some infiltration, a discovery, and a rooftop render-vous.

Our last day of prep on Episode 208 with director Andy Mikita.  While John Stead oversees the stunt rehearsal with some surprising guest stars, I’ll be in morning meetings (a timeline review, a tone meeting, the 208 production meeting), and taking a walk-thru the newly built “systems control room”, before sitting down to the cast read-thru.

In the afternoon, once the dust has settled, I’ll make my way over to post where I’ll review the recently completed Android scenes for Episode 205, and the Episode 206 “producer’s cut in progress”.

Notes meeting on the script for Episode 209!

Script work continues on Episode 212!

And, if I remember, I’ll post the poll for our next Episode Title Vote, this one for Episode 206!

TUESDAY:

Prep begins on Episode 209 (written by the lovely Ivon Bartok) with fab director Peter DeLuise!  Location scout.  Set walk-thru.  And another Stargate alum who we haven’t seen since – oh – Episode 14: Kill Them All makes a triumphant return to Toronto.

Production begins on Episode 208 with director Andy Mikita at the helm.  Things get downright messy on the bridge of The Raza.

And I’ll still be working my way through the script for Episode 212.

WEDNESDAY:

Prep continues on Episode 209.  Concept meeting.  Stunts/Special FX meeting.  VFX meeting.  I suspect I’ll also be putting out new script pages to reflect anymore necessary changes.

Production continues on Episode 208 and we’re back on the bridge for some desperate diplomacy before shifting over to the as-yet-unseen Systems Control Room.  Meanwhile…

Jason Priestley returns to direct second unit for his episode, a little bit bar scene and some Marauder in-flight action.

Episode 212?  That script aint gonna write itself.

THURSDAY:

The Episode 209 Art Department meeting will be followed by the Props meeting before we move on to the Costumes meeting and conclude the day’s festivities with  the Graphics/Playback meeting.

Day 3 of production on Episode 208 continues on our standing sets while the final day of second unit photography on Episode 207 takes place over at Tabor’s swanky bachelor pad.

I’m hoping to be well into the third act of Episode 212 by this point.

FRIDAY:

Off the top of my head, I’m not sure – but I suspect it’ll be Dark Matter-related.

Haven’t been keeping up on the blog?  Pressed for time?  Well check out Tom Gardiner’s Dark Matter digest for the rundown:

http://www.threeifbyspace.net/2016/03/dark-matter-digest-mar-06-smoke/#.Vty-fcdllAY

Finally, the weekend wasn’t all fun.  We learned today that the little pug Akemi had her heart set on adopting (she’d wanted to name her Konatsu), passed away last night.  So, today’s blog entry is dedicated to little Konatsu’s (aka Rodgie’s) memory:

https://www.gofundme.com/Rodgie

http://www.pacificpugrescue.org

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter