Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 360

February 17, 2016: Dark Matter news and notes!

Spent my afternoon in editing with the lovely Wendy Hallam-Martin, working on the John Stead-directed Episode 204.  LOTS going on in this one.  An alternate title I was going to throw into the mix “Space Station Are Dangerous” didn’t make the cut because it literally did not make the cut.  Ah, well.  Still, a lot of great contenders to choose from (including Akemi’s favorite, “Hello, Titch”).

While director Bruce McDonald started shooting Episode 206 this morning, I was starting prep on Episode 207 with a new (to Dark Matter) director.  I know him for his work in front of the camera but have heard A LOT of great things about him both personally and professionally.  And, if today was any indication, we’ll probably have a slew of great stories to add once this episode wraps.

Uh oh.

We had a great visit from the gang at NBCUniversal yesterday.  They’ve been nothing but super supportive of Dark Matter and we GREATLY appreciate their genuine love for the show.  They’ve been instrumental in helping us break viewership records overseas and, I have no doubt, the best is yet to come.

A few Shadow variations, compliments of our regular supplier, Victoria Klein.  We opted for the darker green.

Should you be inclined to take a hit, you’re going to need one of these.

Prep continues tomorrow with back to back to back meetings: Art Department, Costumes, Graphics and Playback.  And, of course, more writing.

The writing never ends.

Tune in tomorrow for more Dark Matter goodies and the reveal of a brand new episode title.  And there’s still time to vote!

Take Our Poll

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

February 16, 2016: Choose a Dark Matter episode title!

Yep, it’s that time again.  Time for fandom to choose another title – this one for Episode 204.  As it turns out, I had a difficult time paring it down to three choices, so you have four to choose from in this round.

And the nominees are…

 


Take Our Poll

Cast your vote!  Tell your friends!  Contribute to t.v. history!

February 15, 2016: A mini mailbag!

Drea writes: “Think we can do another mailbag soon?”

Answer: Okay, let’s do it!

arcticgoddess writes: “By the way, it’s that time of year again. The time of year that you decide and let us know whether you will be visiting San Diego Comicon again. So, will you?”

Answer: No.  After my experience at last year’s SDCC, I’ve decided I won’t be going back.  In addition to a litany of annoyances, it was, ultimately, a giant waste of my time – time that would be better spent working on scripts for next season.

shinyhula writes: ” How was the mead, does it taste like you’re drinking honey? ”

Answer: Er, not quite.  More like a slightly turned dessert wine.

Drea writes: “How’d your final “pants in go Joe? And how is Lulu doing?”

Answer: May final “pants-in” is still a little over three weeks away, but the suit went from not fitting to barely fitting to fitting uncomfortably to fitting snugly.  Progress!  As for Lulu, all good although it would seem she’s gotten used to being hand-fed.

motownfilly writes: “Are you wearing a CRAVAT in that tunnel?!?”

Answer: Yep.  Suit and tie when I’m on set – unless it’s Hamilton in which case I’m in full winter gear.  A more relaxed ensemble (suit and no tie) when I’m in prep.

KathyC writes: “So the Raza gets a new crew member…and loses two? I can see Six not coming back to the crew, since he turned everyone in. But where is Five?”

Answer: Uh, good question.  Where IS FIVE?

Tam Dixon writes: “Bubba (Akemi’s dog) still healthy as a horse?”

Answer: Yep.  He’s so spry that some people at the park actually mistake him for a puppy.

Maggie L80 writes: “Where’s Alexander Rook gotten off too? And what about that creep old man with the funky breathing apparatus?”

Answer: Answers coming your way in season 2!

ceresis64 writes: “And speaking of official, when will the new cast members be announced?”

Answer: Well, you already known that Melanie Liburd will be playing the role of Nyx.  Casting announcements for the roles of Devon, Arax Nero, and Misaki Han coming soon.  Just waiting on the network…

Star_Climber writes: ” I like the sound of “I’ve Seen The Other Side Of You”. An episode revealing more about the dark past of the Raza crew, their darker side?”

Answer: Sure sounds like it.  I have a feeling this one’s going to be a fan favorite.

Drea writes: “Hey Joe? Did Ivon Bartok give up on his writing aspirations already??? How come you’re handling his script?”

Answer: Ivon wrote a great script for Episode 209 but Paul and I do rewrites on each and every script.

StellaByStargate writes: “Any word yet on when Season 2 airs?”

Answer: No official premiere date yet but I’d suggest you clear your summer schedule.

PekkaSteele writes: “So, Joe, Arax Nero is Mike Dopud?”

Answer: That’s a mighty fine educated guess.

jimfromjersey writes: “Tehya is gorgeous! Is she Melissa’s?”

Answer: That she is!

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