Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 359

January 15, 2015: Sleep ‘n schnitzel!

“Hey, Joe!”said Ivon.  “Pretend you’re sleeping.”

“Oh, no,”I said.  “I couldn’t.”

“Come on!”he said.

So I shut my eyes and pretended I was sleeping.

“No,”he said.  “Rock your head back and open your mouth like you’re in mid-snore.”

“Okay,”I said, rocking my head back and opening my mouth like I was in mid-snore.

“Goofier-looking,”he said.

I complied.

All this to say, this explains that photo (ex) Consulting Producer Ivon Bartok is circulating of me seemingly asleep on the van ride back from today’s tech survey.

On a totally unrelated note, there’s something about riding in the back of a car, bus, train, or van driving back from a tech survey that puts me right out.  I can only imagine my mom did a lot of traveling while pregnant with me.

On a related note, I went on a tech survey today for Episode 204.  For those not in the know, tech surveys – not to be confused with location scouts – are field trips on which we scout locations for upcoming episodes.  With my writing partner Paul on set on Episode 202 with director Steve DiMarco, I was fully expecting to spend the day writing…until I was reminded about our little outing.

All in all, I was glad I went.  It’s always a treat to tour parts of Ontario I’d probably miss out on if I wasn’t seeking out suitable seedy bars and dilapidated warehouses for my t.v. show.  And there was the added bonus-presence of stunt coordinator John Stead (who’ll be taking the director’s reins for 204).  But the highlight of the day had to be lunch…

The initial plan was to eat at a place that essentially turned out to be a drugstore cafeteria.  We elected to double back and check out THIS place we passed on the way.

Over a dozen varieties of schnitzels to choose from.  Ivon was quick to snap a pic of the menu and send it to our old Stargate (and schnitzel) buddy Carl Binder.

To quote an Austrian: “Schnitzel as big as a toilet seat!”

And for dessert…

January 14, 2016: Cat Shirt Thursday on the set of Dark Matter season 2!

Cat Shirt Thursdays!  The tradition continues…

Jayson Clute – B Camera Operator, Dark Matter

Matt Purdy – Stand in, Dark Matter

Chris Toudy – Key Grip, Dark Matter

Alyssa Pawlak – Stand in, Dark Matter

Kelly Anastasiou – B 2nd Assistant Camera, Dark Matter

Drew Williams – Boom Operator, Dark Matter

Nicola Moss – On Set Key Props, Dark Matter

Well, today marked our final day on Episode 202 and we were back on the Raza for a little trip down memory lane via some carefully orchestrated flashbacks.  It was home sweet home…for as long as it lasted.

Today’s blog entry is dedicated to “Cowboy” Bruce McDonald who did a hell of a job directing our most ambitious episode to date – while showing us all a hell of a good time!

Creative Consultant Ivon Bartok and Director Bruce McDonald on the set of Dark Matter season 2

Thanks, Bruce!  Until we meet again…

In about three weeks when you come back to direct Episode 206!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, #DarkMatterSeason2, Dark Matter

January 13, 2016: Director Bruce McDonald’s (space) salad days!

Director Bruce McDonald serves up madness, mayhem, and remaindered produce.

The crew on recycling duty.  One prisoner’s trash is another’s treasure.  You never know what you’re going to find…

Mr. Orange snap compliments of Matti Huhta

From the inside looking up.

A rare shot of yours truly in action compliments of Alyssa Pawlak.

A spooky walking tour of the Hyperion-8 set:

Today’s blog entry is dedicated to Tam Dixon and her Ruby.  Condolences.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

January 12, 2016: Dark Matter and doggy doings!

Anthony Lemke (THREE) and director Bruce McDonald discuss tattoos and such between set-ups.

Is it possible to have any more fun on set?

Bruce sets up his first shot of the day.

A meeting of the minds.

Meanwhile, back on the home front, the dogs express their delight for their winter wear…

He’s saying: “Noooooooooo!”

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

January 11, 2016: Mayhem! New sets! Flaccid chicken!

We tried out a new caterer today.  On the menu: flaccid boiled chicken, dressing-free salad, and fat slices of disquietingly gooey eggplant parm topped with cold cheese.  Mmmmm.  There were a lot of crew members ordering pizza this afternoon. In retrospect, I suppose it was apropos.  Prison food for our prison set…

Today, stunt coordinator John Stead and his crew were front and center for the BIG extended action sequence.  Fists and feet weren’t the only things flying on this day. John did a brilliant job choreographing the scene and director Bruce McDonald did an equally brilliant job capturing the on set mayhem.

Also today, we took a little walk-thru one of the new sets.  Some terrific work by Production Designer Ian Brock and both the Art and Construction departments.

Oh, you do NOT want to go in there.

Well, this is creepy.

Down and dirty.

Textures, colors, and filth!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

January 10, 2016: A rare rest day!

Today was the calm in the eye of the hurricane, that brief respite before the inevitable storm that will be tomorrow’s BIG extended action sequence.  When I said that this was our most ambitious episode to date, I was, for the most part, referring to THIS particular scene.  Can’t wait to see stunt coordinator John Stead’s masterpiece come together.

As I mentioned the other day, I’d like to offer fans a chance to get to know the talented people behind the scenes by bringing back the guest Q&A’s.  And I’d like to kick things off by announcing our first Dark Matter crew member Q&A with our key make-up artist, the lovely Linda McCormack.  When she’s not back at her trailer creating nasty-looking wounds like this one –

Or getting in at 5 a.m. to cover tattoos for that day’s shirtless scene, she’s usually on set discussing Italian dishes with yours truly.  Having worked on a scores of movies, mini-series, and shows (Dark Matter and Lost Girl among them), I’m sure she has plenty of interesting stories to tell.  Let’s find out!

Post your questions for Linda in the comments section.  I’ll gather them over the next few days and then send them her way at week’s end!

Some set pics you may have missed…

Why so bummed, THREE?  c/o Caitlin Brown.

Between set-ups, we seal our cast in individual cells to ensure they don’t wander off.  c/o Jodelle Ferland.

Dinner is served on Hyperion-8!  c/o Anthony Lemke.

Me practicing my fake smile.  c/o Ivon Bartok.

Double trouble!  c/0 Alex Mallari Jr.

In addition to being a rest day, today was – after a week of early morning work-outs and clean eating – CHEAT DAY!  I still worked out.  And I still ate a healthy lunch and dinner.  But I DID snack on these…

Astoundingly good eclairs from Nugateau, Toronto’s first eclair-only patisserie (717 Queen Street West).

https://www.instagram.com/nugateau/

The three varieties we sampled (dark chocolate, pistachio, and vanilla) were…well…unbelievably delicious.  The pistachio, in particular, was one of those bites the foodie in me will dream about for some time to come.

Or at least until next week’s Cheat Day!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, Nugateau

January 9, 2016: Saturday in space!

Wow.  I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather spend a Saturday than in outer space with the Dark Matter crew…

Up and at ’em!

Director Bruce McDonald contemplates an orange prior to blocking our first scene in Alicia Reynaud’s office.  Alicia who?  Check out Dark Matter season 2 (summer of 2016) and find out!

First shot of the day – 8:26 a.m.

Stand-ins Alicia and Matt in action.

Off-screen eyeline.

Script Supervisor Matti Huhta kicks back on set during a crew blocking.

We would have wrapped an hour earlier but we had to take some time to buy lottery tickets for tonight’s Powerball draw.  But don’t worry.  We’ve collectively decided that when we win the $900 million, we’ll still come in to work and finish out the season.

As threatened, at 1:45 p.m., I took the time out to do a Periscope, live streaming via subspace comms from Hyperion-8 on the very edge of colonized space!

https://t.co/yNR9EfCZPF

I’m going to try to do one of these once very 2-3 weeks – and include some of the crew and, dare I say it, cast members.  What do you think?

And another Saturday on set draws to a close.  Don’t forget to lock the airlock on your way out!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

January 8, 2016: Up and at ’em! Dark Matter in production!

In a perfect world, I’d be sleeping peacefully away like those two pictured above (Look at them!  They get to actually sleep on set instead of pretending they’re simply “deep in thought” which is MY go-to) , but until they finish fine-tuning that teleportation technology I’ve been anxiously awaiting (for going on thirty years now), it looks like early (early!) wake-ups will continue to be part of my daily routine.

Not only do you have to get in early enough for first blocking, but you really need to get in early enough to grab a parking spot otherwise you’re shuttling over from the production offices.

Mind the flashing light!  If it’s on, DO NOT ENTER at the risk of director Bruce McDonald throwing you in solitary.

Given the choice, I always choose “Lunch”.

I discover two other early birders: Boom Operator Drew Williams (left) and Director of Photography Craig Wright (right).  I assumed they came in early to beat traffic or simply misread the call sheet, but it turns out they were in Gen. Pop. lockdown overnight.

Speaking of Drew, I was watching some of the behind-the-scenes footage I’d shot last night with Akemi.  Her prevailing comment of sheer amazement?  “Amazing scene!”?  “Super cool set”?  No.  It was “He (Drew) should be careful or he’ll have back problems!”. Also in early early this morning – Matt Purdy who, between stand-in work on the show, is editing a short film AND a feature he just co-wrote, directed (and co-directed) during the hiatus.  Busy guy!

Once we got started, director Bruce McDonald positively blazed through the day, wrapping early so that we could all get a head start on the weekend!

I mean, get a good night’s sleep ahead of tomorrow’s special Saturday shoot!

P.S. Join me for my Periscope session tomorrow, live from the Dark Matter set!  Lunch has been pulled, so I’m aiming for 1:45 p.m. local time!  Check your world clock for the time in your area!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, #DarkMatterSeason2, Dark Matter

January 7, 2016: Dark Matter media day!

Selfie with Susanne Döpke (Geek Magazine), Marietta Steinhart (DIE ZEIT), and Mirsad Halilovic (NBCU) who flew in today to talk Dark Matter and take in the super secret on-set action.  Between set-ups, I got to sit down and talk season 2 plans, guest stars, and schnitzel!  I had a great time.  Miss you guys already!

Beware of co-workers bearing gifts.  Unless, of course, it’s whisky.  Or whiskey!

Script Coordinator Alison Hepburn surprises us with a bottle of Angel’s Envy bourbon.

Roger Cross (SIX) springs a bottle of Yamazaki 14 on us.

Not to be outdone, VFX Supervisor makes his own addition to our little club: Michter’s small batch bourbon.

And key hair magician Renee Chan makes her own contribution: a bottle of Balvenie 12.

Speaking of Renee, I was in the hair and make-up trailer today, meet-and-greeting one of our guest stars (a lovely Lost Girl alum who’ll be playing the role of the nefarious Alicia Reynaud), when the conversation turned to the blog.  I mentioned the Q&A’s I used to do with the various crew members while on Stargate and suggested that she, and key make-up magician Linda McCormack, would be perfect candidates for future Dark Matter-related fan Q&A’s.  What do you think?  I’m sure they have A LOT of great stories.  Give me a couple of days and I’ll make the official announcement, then open up this blog for questions.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I’ll be doing a Periscope this Saturday – a live stream from the set of the show.  Follow me on twitter (@BaronDestructo) to get the go-time, but it’s looking like 2:00 p.m. EST.  That’s 11:00 a.m. PST, 4 p.m. for fans in Latin America, 5 p.m. for fans in Brazil, 6 p.m. for fans in Australia, 7 p.m. for fans in Portugal, the UK, and 8 p.m. for fans in Germany and the Netherlands. Fans in Asia and Spain should check their world clocks!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

January 6, 2016: Dark Matter Season 2, Episode 202, Day 4!

Today was all about the Android.  Between set-ups, I finally got a chance to sit down with actress Zoie Palmer and take her through our plans for the Android in season 2.  We discussed the surprising encounter in Episode 204, the wildly atypical happenings in Episode 205, and those late-season developments and payoffs (plus much of the in-between).  Then, it was back to set – the tech room – for “Lights out!  Mayhem!”.

Tomorrow, Misaki Han, the new Commander of the Royal Guards of the Imperial House of Ishida hits Hyperion-8 while Chief Inspector Shaddick of the Galactic Authority’s Serious Crimes Division grills the crew.

It’s truly Double Jeopardy Day!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, #DarkMatterSeason2, Dark Matter