Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 356

February 14, 2016: An atypical Valentine’s!

I celebrated Valentine’s Day today with an afternoon nap.  In all fairness, I’ve been feeling under the weather of late, so bad that I even elected to forego my weekly visit to The Silver Snail, our local comic shop.  Now THAT is pretty sick.  And it didn’t help that this weekend’s weather has been, well, kinda…Still, it’s nothing a couple of mugs of hot water, lemon, and manuka honey, a couple of advils, and a lot of doing absolutely nothing won’t fix.

The dogs enjoyed a special Valentine’s meal, compliments of Akemi:

Heart-shaped omelets, beef and celery.  A far cry from the crusty mushroom-walnut veggie patty I had for lunch (which, incidentally, was in the shape of a patty).

Think I’ll spend the rest of the evening resting, reading, and feeling guilty about the fact I should be working on that script rewrite.

You?

February 13, 2016: Deep freeze – and equally deep cuts!

Even though it’s the weekend and we’re not on our sets shooting (for a change), I still can’t quite escape the pull of Dark Matter.  I just spent the past two hours reviewing the director’s cut of Episode 204.  A very robust director’s cut of 204. I’ve made the easy trims but the next round of cuts are going to get just a little more painful.  There’s A LOT going on in this episode and it’ll be a challenge not to lose too many of my darlings.

Ah, just as well.  With the temperature plummeting to record lows for this winter season, I didn’t feel like going out anyway.  BUT that didn’t stop Akemi and I from meeting up with our friend Jeff – visiting from Chicago – and hitting the farmer’s market and a sausage-themed restaurant called WVRST for lunch where we sampled five delicious varieties.  Well, four delicious varieties plus the weird vegetarian option Akemi ordered.

My favorite was the barese for 2.  Just the right amount of char and Grana Padano cheesiness.

Jeff, as usual, came bearing gifts.  A couple of southern literary items (including an eater’s guide to Savannah) and these two lovely bottles.

Mead.

Interesting bottle design.

And another delightful bourbon to add to my ever-growing collection.

Akemi managed to find this fashionable hat for Bubba, just in time for the downturn in the weather.

Another review of Episode 204 tomorrow. But only after a trip to our fave Toronto comic shop The Silver Snail.  What’s on YOUR comic list?

February 12, 2016: Dark Matter season 2 – behind the scenes action and goodies!

Ooh la la.  A little something from the Hyperion-8 Jump Into Spring Collection.

The most popular producer on set!  Morning truffles (Early Grey and Bourbon) compliments of Akemi.

I’ll just leave this rock wall right here and pick it up later.

Marc Bendavid (ONE) snacks between set-ups.

So, uh, what’s behind the big rusty door?

The women of scifi.  Photo by Ron Murphy.

The Raza crew.  Photo by Anne Featherstone.

Overseeing the tunnel action.

And, to finish, a little something from 2nd Assistant Art Director Sumeet Vat:

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, Dark Matter Season 2

February 11, 2016: New episode title! A trip down Roxanne Borris memory lane!

As promised, here is the Episode 203 title chosen by YOU, the viewers and voters:

“Episode 15: I’ve Seen The Other Side Of You”.

So far, I’m 2 for 3 in the title game.  Prior to this one, I was secretly rooting for “Kill Them All”, the eventual winner in the last round.  Alas, “Most Noobs Try It” lost out to “Welcome To Your New Home” in the first episode-naming poll of the season – but I’m on a bit of a hot streak.  Let’s see if it continues next week when I once again ask you to Pick the Episode Title, this time for Episode 204!

Coming our way via 1st Assistant Art Director Roxanne Borris is this intriguing mystery logo.  But what could it mean?  Tune in to Dark Matter’s second season to find out.

Also by way of Roxanne, options on some soon-to-be-feature gun stalks. She prefers #1 which is a mix of both Pewter Metallic as well as Carbon Fibre vinyl.  What do you think?

A blast from the past – and a little something from the Roxanne Borris archives.  The original Cygni-4 crest featured in season 1.

Also the design for the pill labels currently on display in the Raza infirmary.

And this was the logo of the ISS Far Horizon, featured back in Episode 105.

She designed several different options for the Dwarf Star Technologies logo.  We eventually settled on #1.

She’s one hell of a talent, no?

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, Dark Matter Season 2, Roxanne Borris

February 10, 2016: Dark Matter behind the scenes!

Today, we were back in The Hammer for some interior run and gun…

This morning, I took no chances, opting for not two, not three, not four, not five, but SIX layers of clothing.  I felt like Ralphie’s little brother from A Christmas Story.

I left my place for Hamilton at 6:15 a.m.  The drive over was…what’s the word?…Oh, yeah.  Harrowing.  Rain, snow, and long stretches of sporadically lit highway.

Marc Bendavid (ONE) dressed for the weather.

The location was, I believe, a former serial killer hangout.  Could be wrong.  But probably not.

1st Assistant Director Brandon Tataryn dressed for that big jewel heist after wrap.

Setting up the big train ride shot.

Girl power!  Melanie Liburd (Nyx) and Melissa O’Neil (TWO) on the set of Dark Matter.

Girl Power 2!  Gun girls Nikki Moss and Lisa Amaral Wright.

BTW – We have an official title for episode 203!  But that’s an announcement for another blog entry…

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, Dark Matter Season 2

February 9, 2016: Shooting in the wilds! Dark Matter season 2!

Today, the cast and crew hit the wilds of Hamilton for a little main unit photography.

Some exclusive behind the scenes pics…

Gator alert!  Avoid the swamp!

Setting up the day’s first shot.  It was chilly, but not unbearably so.  That, I suspect, will change tomorrow.

Script Supervisor Matti Huhta, dressed for the weather.  For my part, I wore four layers – but I’m thinking of increasing to seven for our second Hamilton main unit day.

My best friend on this day: Heaty McWarmerson.

Melanie Liburd (Nyx) and Anthony Lemke (THREE) enjoy the fresh air.

Catching a ride back to base camp?

Boom Operator Drew Williams does a little dusting between set-ups.  Note his electric coat.

Drew and Consulting Producer Ivon Bartok upstaged by photobombing On Set Wardrobe Supervisor Jozie Conte.

On-Set Dresser and Snow Raker Jean Brophy in action.

Director Ron Murphy braving the elements.  Not pictured: his running shoes.

Director of Photography overseeing the action.  Or eating ortolans.

Stand-ins Alyssa Pawlak and Matt Purdy loving the outdoors.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, Dark Matter Season 2

February 8, 2016: Name another Dark Matter episode!

Yesterday, I watched the Superbowl with some of my co-workers: co-creator Paul Mullie, VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft Wilson, Line Producer Norman Denver, 1st Assistant Director Brandon Tataryn, and their respective families (almost all of who were rooting for the Broncos), and actor Anthony Lemke who, always the contrarian, was rooting for the Panthers.  We gathered at Norman’s favorite pub where we ate wings, mini yorkshire puddings, and sticky toffee puddings while watching approximately four hours of commercials interspersed with sporadic actual game play.

And then, today, it was back at it!  While Dark Matter co-creator Paul Mullie was prepping episode 206, and consulting producer Ivon Bartok was overseeing the action on set, I was working on the rewrite for episode 209.  I want to say there’s a shocking reveal in this episode but, really, that would be redundant because shocking reveals – well, they were the norm in Dark Matter’s first season and they look to be de rigueur this upcoming season as well.

So, who’s up for a little voting?  Yes, it’s time to call on all Dark Matter fandom to take the time to weigh in with your thoughts on a new episode title.  In this case, we’re looking to title our third episode of this young season.  And the nominees are…

Take Our Poll

The polls will be open for the next 24 hours!

Finally, let me leave you with a few behind-the-scenes Dark Matter goodies…

A little sketch compliments of costume designer Noreen Landry.

A little gadget compliments of props master Victoria Klein.

And a little glimpse of some on set action.  Any guesses as to what is going on here?

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, Dark Matter Season 2

February 7, 2016: The Dark Matter noodle bar!

Yesterday, after visiting the alley set, Dark Matter Executive Producer Vanessa Piazza, Akemi, and I stopped by a nearby noodle bar.  How nearby?  Well, try two sets over from that alley set.

Following through on that Blade Runner vibe.  Steam and neon!

The place was new.  How new?  Well, when we walked in, they were still painting the tabletops!

You’re all aware of the importance I place on ceilings and floors?  Well, note the scorch and splatter details overhead, the mark(s) of a great greasy fry place.

And signage is, of course, always key.  You have six menu items to choose from.

Our affable host: Production Designer Ian Brock.

Vanessa and I sample the ramen.

The magic of television!

VFX Supervisor/Head Chef Lawren Bancroft-Wilson argues with a Japanese customer placing her order.

BIG week ahead!  Starting a new script, rewriting another, locking episode 203, and reviewing the episode 204 director’s cut.  Production returns to our standing sets tomorrow, then shifting to Hamilton for three days before returning to shoot “in the bowels of the hideout”.

Also on tap for this week, YOU get to choose an episode title for the third episode of Dark Matter’s second season.  As my second grade teacher, Mrs. Vowels used to say: “Put on your thinking caps!”

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, Dark Matter Season 2

February 6, 2016: Dark Matter – behind the Saturday scenes!

Today saw a wrap on two different directors and their respective episodes – Steve Dimarco (Episode 203) and John Stead (Episode 204).  I dropped in for about an hour in the morning for the alley scene.  Two (more like three) outstanding scenes will find their way into the pre-existing director’s cut of 203, a dynamic episode that the diehard Dark Matter fans will appreciate.  Then, later this week, I’ll receive the director’s cut of our epic western, 204.  Much like Stargate, what I love about this show is the fact that we produce thirteen mini movies a year, each one unique and independent and yet, simultaneously, narratively linked to a greater arc that builds throughout the season.

I gave you all a look at the concept drawing in yesterday’s blog entry.  Today, here’s a glimpse at the set – prior to atmosphere and lighting…

Had a very Blade Runner-esque feel.  The blue screen off the back will allow VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson to work his magic.

A cleaner look.  Production Designer Ian Brock and his team have really wowed this year and, on this day, delivered three exceptional sets.  More on the other two in the coming days.

A couple of looks from the other side.

My camera doesn’t do it justice, but the other cameras that were capturing the action certainly will.

Setting up a stunt.

Production on Dark Matter’s second season is going fast.  In a few short weeks, we’ll be hitting the halfway mark of the schedule.  And we still have scripts to write!  And this blog to update with oodles of stuff, from on set pics to concept art, crew Q&A’s to live periscopes.

You are all in for a treat!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, Dark Matter Season 2

February 5, 2016: Dark Matter production full steam ahead!

Ah, finally, the weekend is upon us.  Time for rest, relaxation..and a special second unit Saturday shoot.  Though, in all honesty, these Saturday shoots are becoming less uncommon and, so, not particularly special.  Just saying, guys.

Not that I don’t enjoy my time with my co-workers.  If I was trapped on a space ship millions of light years from home, I couldn’t imagine a better bunch of crew mates.

But, alas, tomorrow we won’t be sailing through the distant stars.  We’ll, instead, be getting down an dirty in a certain alleyway.

By next week, I’m sure I’ll be looking forward to returning to dark alleys as we’ll be spending three glorious days in a row in The Hammer, shooting in the forest, then over to the hideout before heading underground.  I’ll be taking my heavy coat, boots, gloves and…what else?  What else should I be packing?

 Oh, right.  Melanie Liburd (Nyx) is prepared for the elements – and whatnot.

But first, a quick stopover.  Through the airlock to Balda-9.

Please don’t forget your intergalactic visitor passport!

Hey, check out the trailer for Mike Dopud’s new movie, Virtual Revolution:

http://youtu.be/ZoBAjQBBNIk

On a presumably unrelated note, Akemi and I had dinner with the actor who plays Arax Nero on this latest season of Dark Matter.  Great guy.  This will make five different shows I’ve cast him in (playing six different roles).  You’re going to love his character.  Or hate him.  Or love-hate him.  We’ll see how it goes.

Finally, here are the results to yesterday’s poll.  What is your preferred transfer transit destination.  Well, the clear winner was…

The city of Atlantis.  Okay.  Now all we have to do is either build a transfer transit system or convince MGM to green light a Stargate: Atlantis movie or (better yet!) sixth season.  Not sure which one will be easier…

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter