Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 362

January 29, 2016: Space spaghetti and sweaters!

Check it out!  The pasta of the future!  Chef Mallozzi Spaghetti & Meatballs!  Perfect for those nights you don’t feel like taking the transport shuttle to the moon base market for a supply run.  Thanks to 1st Assistant Art Director and Graphics Maestro Roxanne Borris for immortalizing me in  Dark Matter art department lore (since this particular label will never actually make it into an episode).

Speaking of food – I’m pleased to report I’ve made significant progress on my new get fit program for 2016.  A combination of early morning workouts, protein shake breakfasts, sensible lunches and dinners (punctuated by the occasional cheat meal) have yielded impressive results.  Four weeks ago, when I tried on that suit I had made in Hong Kong back in 2004, I couldn’t close the outside clasp, much less the button on the pants.  Three weeks ago, I was able to close the clasp – but the button was still a no go.  Two weeks ago, I was able to close both button and clasp in highly uncomfortable fashion.  One week ago, the pants were a snug fit. Monday is the final “pants-in”.  I feel like one of those contestants on that reality show where people lose all that weight, take part in challenges, and avoid getting voted out in a bid to win the big cash prize.  It think it’s called Survivor.

Check out our snazzy-looking 1st Assistant Director, Brandon Tataryn (named after the disease from Episode 1o7.  Or maybe the disease was named after him.  I don’t recall.).  Today, during our Playback meeting, VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson accused him of wearing a Christmas sweater in January.  Brandon claimed it was, in fact, a space-themed sweater and the design is a totally apropos depiction of dark matter.  Then, about an hour later, he claimed it was a star field.  I mean, what’s next?  Asteroid belt?

What do you think?  Please cast your vote below…

Take Our Poll

Tagged: #DarkMatter, #DarkMatterSeason2, Dark Matter

January 28, 2016: Deadlines, distractions, and dogs!

Can anyone identify the artist?

This latest script is slooooooow going.  Incredibly, excruciatingly slow going.  In fact, I think it’s taken me longer to write this script than any one hour script I’ve ever written.  Or, at least it feels that way.  Usually, I’ll reach a point in a script where things come together, even briefly, allowing me to tear off a nice little run of 5, 10, sometimes 15 pages in a sitting.  That has yet to happen with this one and I suspect that my conservative ETD (Estimated Time of Delivery) of “End of January” was overly optimistic.

It happens.  Never to this extent, but it does.  And in situations like these, there’s only one recourse: distraction!  Read, eat, surf the net.  The latter is a particularly fine option as it allows you to easily switch up, from script to amusing Star Wars meme, with a single keystroke.

During a recent mini writer’s block (more of an annoying impediment than a block), I happened across a short documentary called Girl’s Best Friend, about a woman and her elderly pug.  We’re introduced to Doreen and Spanky on a beautiful day in the park and we learn that Spanky is 16.  We also learn that the poor old boy suffers from a laundry list of ailments including mobility issues that restrict him to a stroller for his daily outings.  As I watched, I couldn’t help but note parallels between Doreen’s experience with Spanky and my experience with my pugs, Maximus and Jelly.   Whereas some viewers may have thought “So much trouble for a dog!”, I was thinking: “What a great dog mom!”.  At one point, we see Doreen taking the subway with Spanky, struggling to pull the stroller up, step by step, and I thought if I’d been there, I not only would’ve lent a hand but paid for a cab ride home as well.

The parallels to my experience didn’t end there and, inevitably, Doreen makes the hard decision I too had to face twice before.  It was a gut-wrenching watch but empathetically familiar and, ultimately, very touching.  If you’ve got your hankies handy, and want to take a break from YOUR scripts, you can check it out here:

https://youtu.be/Z2nsfSIvbDM

On a somewhat related note, I came across an article that touched on the most common regrets people have at the end of their lives.

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-23024/the-9-most-common-regrets-people-have-at-the-end-of-life.html

Among the nine in-retrospect wishes: “I wish I had not spent so much time working.”, “I wish I had taken more risks.”, and “I wish I had lived my own dream.”, I’d probably add: “I wish I’d adopted more senior pugs.”.  Which I won’t have to because I’m determined to adopt a couple on my return to Vancouver this summer.

Okay.  Going back to my script now.

Maximus

Jelly

 

Tagged: pugs

January 27, 2016: Dark Matter Episode 202 title revealed!

Huzzah!  We (and I do mean the collective “we” as YOU all helped choose them!) have another episode title for Dark Matter’s second season.  Last week, you all voted and the winner was:

“Episode 14: Welcome To Your New Home”.

This week, you voted again and while the results were much closer, there was a clear winner despite a late rally by the “Hello, Pumpkin” contingent…

“Episode 15: Kill Them All”

Thanks for taking part and making t.v. history.  Stay tuned to this blog for our Episode 203 title poll.

Hey, check it out!  I invested in a nest cam.  Now, I can keep tabs on both the dogs AND the prisoners on Hyperion-8!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, #DarkMatterSeason2, Dark Matter

January 26, 2016: A walk (descent, jump, and climb) in the woods!

“Just a little further!”.  Line Producer, Norman Denver, forged ahead, his constitution fortified by boxing and scotch.  “Almost there!”

I scanned the trees to either side, then the winding pathway that dipped up ahead before curving and disappearing behind the dense brush.

“Watch your step!”warned Brandon Tataryn, skirting a deadly patch of ice and then scurrying to keep up.

I gave the frosted path a wide berth, then threw a look back at our two stragglers, Executive Producer’s Assistant Elliot Sokolsky and Director Ron Murphy, both of who seemed to be having second thoughts about this whole forest venture.

It was approximately 3 p.m., the temperature was dropping, and the lunch we’d enjoyed at Hamilton’s premiere Indian restaurant was not sitting pretty.  We’d spent the morning scouting locations for Episode 204, three different warehouses, when Norman suggested we squeeze in a forest stopover.  It seemed like a good idea at the time and when, after a cursory stroll through one area, Ron had suggested we check out another area “just a short walk down”, I’d thought “Why not?”.  In retrospect: “Because it’s cold and dangerous, you fool!”

Norman, our fearless leader, stepped off the path and pointed off in the distance. “There’s the parking lot.”  Sure enough, there it was, our final destination, less than fifty yards away.  And the only thing standing between us and sweet, sweet heat was a treacherously steep forty foot mud-covered slope down, an equally treacherous, equally steep forty foot mud-covered slope up – and the frozen river in between.

“We can always go back,”Ron offered, almost plaintively.  Elliot seemed to be in full support, throwing me a look that said: “Please?”  I turned to gauge Norman but, by way of a response, the wiry Englishman was already heading down the slope, crouched low, like a seasoned wrestler poised for battle .  Brandon, like any good 1st AD, was blindly following his line producer’s lead, arms stretched out for extra balance – or, presumably, to help break his inevitable fall.

I watched their descent, fully prepared to turn and run back the way we came for medical assistance the second one of them toppled – but when they reached the halfway point, I was forced to reconsider.  I glanced back at Ron and Elliot who were, clearly, not convinced, then decided “What the hell” and followed.  Arms out for balance, keeping my center of gravity low, I negotiated the slippery moss-covered rocks and followed them down, ever so thankful I’d decided to switch over to my winter boots that morning.

It was touch and go, but – amazingly – we all made it to the bottom without losing our footing.  Then, we crossed the frozen river.  Norman sat on a fallen tree and sort of scooched his way along to the other side,  Brandon, Elliot, and I jumped for our lives –

Yours truly in mid-flight (photo courtesy of Ron Murphy)

While Ron walked an impromptu bridge.

Careful…(courtesy of Elliot Sokolsky)

Careful!!! (courtesy of Elliot Sokolosky)

After down and over, there was nowhere to go but up!

I like to call this a Deliverance selfie (courtesy of Norman Denver)

The ascent was only slightly less perilous thanks to the handy saplings lining the slope, perfect for support and balance –

So long, suckers! (courtesy of Brandon Tataryn)

– but hazardous when they become uprooted while using them to pull yourself up…as was Norman’s experience.

I’m happy to report we all made it back to the parking lot – and, subsequently, back from our first location scout uninjured.  Hard to believe.

So as not to tempt fate, I think I’ll skip tomorrow’s “seedy bar” tech survey.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

January 25, 2016: Help me name another episode! Dark Matter Episode 201!

Last week, you all helped select a name for our season premiere (now titled Episode 14: Welcome To Your New Home).

Today, the voting begins for our second episode title of the young season.  Your choices are…

Take Our Poll

So, what’s it going to be?  Cast your vote!  Leave your mark on television history!

Blue screen blues.

Sample battered metal for…oh…something.

Design plan for an upcoming build.

Oh, hey!  Welcome to Janah-12!  Let 1st Assistant Art Director Kelly Diamond be your guide!

Or just use this handy directory…

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

January 24, 2016: Dark Matter season 2 lexicon! (incomplete)

Alexander Rook

Anders

Android

Arax Nero

Bubba

Clones

Corelactic Industries

Corporate War

Danny Bones

Darius

Derrick Moss

Devon

Dwarf Star Technologies

Earth

Emily Kolburn

Empress

Ferrous Corp

Five

Four

Galactic Authority

Hiro

Ishida

Jace Corso

Kal Varrick

key card

Kierkan

League of Autonomous Worlds

Marauder

Maynad Hansmeed

Mikkei Combine

Milo

Misaki

neural imprint

Nieman

Nyx

One

Republic of Pyr

Randroid

Raza

Reynaud

shadow

Shaddick

Six

Tabor Calchek

Three

Titch

transfer transit

Traugott Corp

Truffault

Two

Victor

Volkov-Rusi

Warden Treihan

Zairon

 

Tagged: #DarkMatter, #DarkMatterSeason2, Dark Matter

January 23, 2016: A former guest star returns for a surprise visit!

Having been in “the biz” for going on 25 years, I rarely ever get star struck.  And yet, it happened yesterday when a former guest star visited the sit.  Pictured above, alongside Executive Producer Paul Mullie, is Boxy who you’ll no doubt remember from our big first season two-parter (Episodes 110 and 111).

Pictured above: Boxy patiently awaits his scene (Dark Matter Episode 110).

Boxy was a delight to work with – prompt, professional, and incredibly focused.  He never missed his mark; never questioned or flubbed a line.  And then, once he’d finished filming his scene, he’d quietly trundle off, presumably back to his trailer. He was effortless, a calming presence, one of those celebrities who you just couldn’t help but feel good to be around.

A sample of Boxy’s work (around the 5 second mark):

On his last day, I remember thanking him for doing the show and pointing out that, since we didn’t kill him off, there was a possibility his character could come back.  I got the sense that he really enjoyed his time with us and that, if the right script came along, he would be back.  Yesterday’s visit seemed to hint as much.  It was his unspoken way of gently reminding us that, hey, despite his busy schedule (I hear he just booked a six episode arc on The Good Wife), he’s missed us.  And, I think I speak for the entire crew when I say the feeling is mutual.

And we’re not the only ones.  The last time I checked, the Bring Boxy Back petition had already garnered over two thousand votes!  Who wants more Boxy?!  Let us know!

Paul and I hanging out on set with Boxy, May 2015.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

January 22, 2016: Dark Matter props! Another fan Q&A!

While we await the responses from our previously announced guests, I thought I’d get the ball rolling on one more Dark Matter crew member Q&A.  Victoria Klein, pictured above, is the show’s props master.  She and her team are our resident MacGyvers, crafting futuristic weapons and otherworldly tech using anything from electric toothbrushes to paper clips.  Over the course of the Dark Matter’s first season – and well into its second – they have created some truly inspired gadgets, guns, gak and who-knows-whats.

Today, I start taking questions for Victoria.  Let’s delve into the workings of her devious mind.  Post your queries in the comments section.  I’ll gather them up over the course of the weekend and then send them her way Monday morning!

While we’re on the subject, here’s a little something Victoria and co. came up with for a future episode.  What is it?  As always, I don’t ask because, like you, I don’t like to be spoiled.  But it does like mighty cool…

My first guess was hat, but I’ve been told that was incorrect.

Top view suggests more at work here.

The symbols on the side are giving me Stargate flashbacks.

Flick the switches, press the buttons and it lights and…does what?

Even though we’ll never feature the bottom of the device, the props department still goes that extra step in fashioning this beautiful underside.  They clearly take pride in their work!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Behind the scenes, Dark Matter, Dark Matter Season 2, props, scifi props

January 21, 2016: Dark Matter! Behind the scenes on season 2! Episode #201 title revealed!

A sit-down with prison boss Arax Nero.  Who IS this mystery man?

An intriguing shot.  Mysterious, no?

What’s HE looking at?

I was on a creative tear today, finishing a new scene for one episode and rewriting multiple scenes for two more – all while I was stuck in traffic this morning.  As I’ve always said, I do some of my best writing when I’m driving, in the shower, or when my ex used to talk to me over dinner!  As soon as I got into the office, I shut the door and spent the next hour and a half getting it all on the page.

The rest of the day was spent in and out of meetings as prep has begun on Episode 204, to be directed by Dark Matter stunt coordinator John Stead.  

John Stead and furry fan at the costume department meet and greet.

Looks like we’ll be finally leaving the relatively warmer environs of the studio for the chill of The Hammer as location work begins next week.  Space station, forest, and cabins offer insights into one characters dark dark past.

The results are in and we have a title for Episode 201!  YOU voted and chose…

Episode 14: Welcome To Your New Home

The breakdown…

Next week, you’ll be voting on an title for Episode 202!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Behind the scenes, Dark Matter, science fiction, SF television

January 20, 2016: Best Visual Effects!

VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson and his team at Atmosphere and Dark Room Digital Effects did some truly incredible work on Dark Matter’s first season I’m sure we can all agree (unless, of course, you’ve never watched the show – It’s on Netflix!).

Just in case you missed it, here’s a highlight reel of some of their greatest hits –

(Music = Adagio in D Minor by John Murphy)

Hard to beat.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, Visual Effects