Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 355

April 7, 2016: Editor/Director Paul Day in action!

I’ve often drawn parallels between my experience working on Stargate and my experience here, working on Dark Matter – the production, the people, and the overall positive vibe.  When Paul and I joined Stargate at the beginning of SG-1’s fourth season, we started off as co-producers but, thanks to the support of people like executive producers Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper, we learned, took on more responsibilities, and developed as both writers and producers, gaining valuable experience on set, in prep, and in the editing room.  Some eight years later, we were show runners.

And so it was with many of our fellow crew members who started small but dreamt big and, over time, were given the opportunities and support to develop their talents as writers, producers, and directors.  And, I’m pleased to say, that the same supportive atmosphere and opportunities exist here on Dark Matter as well.

Paul Day has been a longtime editor; fantastic at his job.  And, over the past couple of weeks, he was afforded the opportunity to step up, assume the directing reins, and start on the road to a whole other career in production.  The reviews have been great – from my fellow producers, from the crew, and from Wendy Hallam-Martin, the editor cutting his episode.

Paul, directing in comfort.

Breaking down his shots in The Raza.

The Dolly Dance.

He’s a good guy and I’m very happy for him.  I look forward to his director’s cut of episode 210.  And more to come in time.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

April 6, 2016: Goodies from the Dark Matter art department!

Well, I’m pleased to report we are in majority agreement.  Presenting our choice for the Ishida cruiser:

Thanks to everyone who weighed in with their votes and opinions.  And thanks to artist Jon Hrubesch for gorgeous design.

After Stargate ended, I would receive all sorts of request from fans for the onscreen graphics used at Stargate Command or the Destiny.  Sadly, I never had the files so the best I could do was offer videos of the onscreen playback.  I’ve sought to rectify that oversight on Dark Matter by uploading and spotlighting all of the amazing work being done by our own playback team led by 1st Assistant Art Director Kelly Diamond.  A lot of these are simple non-featured background elements, but they add so much visual texturing to scenes and the amount of detail that goes into them is incredible…

(Graphics: Victor Mare)

(Graphics: Sumeet Vat)

 

(Graphics: Kelly Diamond)

 Meanwhile, the props department has been hard at work, transforming this –

Into this –

Mighty impressive, no?

 Meanwhile over on The Raza: Paula MacNeil and Laura Miyata take a break from the on-set action.  These two need their own sitcom.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

April 5, 2016: Done and (almost) done!

A little something from the Dark Matter wardrobe department.  Costume Designer Noreen Landry’s sketch of an Ishida Royal Guard.

Done and (almost) done!  Today, I completed the preliminary first draft of our season finale, episode 213 (which you’ll be naming at some point in May).  All I can say is: “Holy smokes!”.  The script is now in Paul’s hands.  He’ll do his final pass,pitch it back to me for my final final pass, then back to him for HIS final final final pass.  And then, we’re officially done!

Until we receive notes from Jay.  And we need to make changes during prep.  But, come on.  Don’t be so negative.  Let’s celebrate this small victory with this intriguing but potentially disquieting piece of playback courtesy of Dark Matter 1st Assistant Art Director Kelly Diamond:

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

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