Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 362
December 17, 2015
December 17, 2015: Dark Matter production! And the return of Cat T-Shirt Thursday!
The onscreen greeting awaiting us in Warden Treihan’s office on Hyperion-8!
Playback mayhem courtesy of this man, Dark Matter playback operator Patch Whiteside.
Cat T-Shirt Thursday returns! Best Boy Andy Gondek partakes in the grand tradition.
As does 1st Assistant Camera Marcel Janisse.
And stand-in Alyssa Pawlak.
10 Shows to Binge Watch Over the Holidays. Check out #7:
Finally, let me leave you with this sneak peek of some Hyperion-8 infirmary playback, courtesy of 1st Assistant Art Director Kelly Diamond.
Keep those questions coming! I’m aiming to do a mailbag before I head for Montreal on Monday!
Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, Dark Matter Season 2
December 16, 2015
December 16, 2015: Dark Matter season 2 is going to be epic!
Only two more days to go on Amanda Tapping’s directing tour-de-force and I miss her already. She’s is going to deliver one hell of a second season premiere episode and, quite frankly, it’s bittersweet. Sweet because it’s sooooo damn good and will cause many heads to explode. Bitter because you’ll have to wait until summer of 2016 to experience that cranial rupture.
And, hot on Amanda’s heals, is another favorite of mine, Bruce McDonald who will be sitting in the director’s chair for the EPIC Episode 202. You are all in for such a treat. If you thought season 1 was bingeworthy, just you wait. In the next thirteen, the effects will be bigger, the stories more compelling, and the twists and turns a hell of a lot more shocking. I CAN NOT WAIT…on your behalf.
That guy sitting on the infirmary bed? He was admitted after hearing everything we have planned for the show’s second season.
So, have any questions you’d like answered? Post them in the comments section and I’ll try my best to respond in the coming days!
Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, Dark Matter Season 2
December 15, 2015
December 15, 2015: Dark Matter Episode 201! Production continues!
It’s hard to believe, but we’re looking at only three more days of production on Episode 201 before we break for holiday hiatus. Director Amanda Tapping has been all-systems-go and is set to deliver one hell of a season premiere. With an assist from stunt coordinator John Stead, today’s on-set action was simply…Wow!
Tomorrow, it’s the infirmary, a production meeting, and the cast read-thru for Episode 2o2.
A few behind-the-scenes glimpses of my day…
Looks like my private pool is coming along nicely.
The techno-crane in action.
Stand-ins Matt Purdy and Alyssa Pawlak, also in action.
Joe Strazzeri drops by for a set visit – and comes bearing (spicy) gifts. I miss this guy.
1st Assistant Director Chris Binney burns the midnight oil.
Finally, Akemi and I ended our night in fine company. Sushi with Dark Matter’s ONE, Marc Bendavid.
Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, Dark Matter Season 2
December 14, 2015
December 14, 2015: The script elves have forsaken me!
“Well, it’s Christmas. They’re a little busy.” – Dark Matter script coordinator Alison Hepburn.
So…fine. I’ll just write the script myself. After I hammer out this outline. Which is taking a little longer than I was hoping. As it turns out, I have learned from experience that I do some of my best writing while:
I’m driving.
In the shower.
My significant other is talking to me over dinner.
And I find it VERY difficult to write while:
I’m on set.
I’m sure that fifth act will work itself out. They inevitably do. I just hope it does so in a timely fashion.
Back in Gen. Pop. today with the new girl! And a few of our Raza regulars. Plenty on display today including a skirmish, other prisoners, and the delicious Hyperion-8 cuisine:
And while director Amanda Tapping shoots Episode 201, director Bruce McDonald preps Episode 202. This afternoon, we sat down to go over our second episode script with all of its clues, callbacks, and layers upon layers upon layers.
New hat for Bubba.
Right. Where was I? Oh yeah, tomorrow on set, it’s Code Black! While, back at the office, I’ll be sitting down with X to talk about the show and his character, Devon. And then, it’s sushi dinner with Akemi and Maku-chan (aka Marc Bendavid).
Okay, back to that outline…
Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter
December 13, 2015
December 13, 2015: It’s BEEginning to look a lot like Christmas!
“He loves to dress up!” – Akemi on Bubba and his silly festive outfits.
I was somewhat dubious but have to admit that he does seem to enjoy all of the attention/sympathy he receives when he’s out for his walks.
Lulu, on the other hand, prefers to go au naturel, running and hiding under the coffee table at the first sight of her winter jacket.
Akemi has been feeling unusually “knitty” of late but has apparently hit a roadblock after forgetting how to knit a hat. Pictured above: her frustrated look.
My girls.
We wrap production on Episode 201 this Friday and, after a weekend of R&R, and – hopefully – a win from my Snow Monkeys in their first playoff game, we’ll be off to Montreal to spend Christmas with mom and sis. Like last year, I’ve loaded up on my podcasts for the 6 hour drive. Ivon recommended Criminal while Jodelle suggested Welcome to Nightvale. Both sound promising. Any other podcasts I should be considering?
Tomorrow, I’m back on Hyperion-8 with the rest of the convicts – and unusually detained. 
Gen. Pop. was almost complete last time I snuck a peek. They were installing the forcefield generators on Saturday.
The cell beds were sourced from a local penitentiary while the blankets were shipped in from Altair-7 for that added depth of realism.
A shout-out to a couple of Dark Matter supporters on twitter:
@GeekSoulBrother and @The7thMatrix
We appreciate the love.
And, like I said last night, Season 2 is going to be crazy!
Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter
December 12, 2015
December 12, 2015: Dark Matter Episode 201 Day 4! Yes, on a Saturday!
Finally, the weekend is here! For most of us. But, for director Amanda Tapping and the Dark Matter crew, it was…not quite! Their weekend doesn’t begin until tomorrow because, today, they were back on set shooting Day#4 of Episode #201.
Executive Producer Paul Mullie and Director Amanda Tapping all smiles. What better way to spend a Saturday?
What, exactly, are we looking at here?
Crew blocking, scene 21.
Today was the first day/episode for THIS Stargate alum who I’d been wanting to cast since early last season. In retrospect, it turned out for the best because I can’t imagine anyone else playing this character. In fact, when I created the character, I did so with THIS performer in mind. Who am I talking about? Well, you’ll have to wait for the press release coming your way next week.
Hey! Look at who dropped by today to say hi to the dogs!
Bubba and Jodelle reconnect.
And Jodelle came bearing gifts: a pug ornament for Akemi…
And a donut toy Lulu laid claim to. Four hours later, and she’s still playing with it.
Inspired by FIVE – Akemi’s hair.
December 11, 2015
December 11, 2015: Dark Matter Episode 201 – Production Day 3!
Got your pass key? Great! Welcome to Hyperion-8 Galactic Detention Facility. Please leave your cell phones at the door.
The blue screen view out the hotel room.
Quarters for two of our, uh, “guests”.
An interesting set of doors. Can’t wait to see them in action.
LBW captures Professor Bartok’s lecture on me mechanics of blue screen magic.
The cells are all lit up and ready to welcome their new occupants.
Modest digs. The roof service aint much better.
The domed chamber is coming along nicely, but we might need to widen it a little.
Rolling!
Tagged: #DarkMatter, #DarkMatterSeason2, Dark Matter
December 10, 2015
December 10, 2015: Dark Matter Episode 201 – Production Day #2!
Today, we were back on Hyperion-8, shooting Day 2 of Episode #201.
Moon-base! Mooooooon-base! First scene up called for some major reinforcement of the corridor wall to withstand the, uh, “actor action”. But director Amanda Tapping had it all figured out.
We’re heading this way in the coming days. Please observe the regulations and mind the lights.
Stand-in Alyssa Pawlak steps in (and up) for…someone a little taller.
We lock up director Bruce McDonald in solitary to give him a real feel for prison life.
The geodesic half-dome forms the upper structure of THIS scary structure. Please answer in the form of a question.
“The Pen”. Mind your toes and fingers!
A little something for…someone.
Misaki Han wardrobe.
Anthony Lemke drops by the office for his monthly reprimand.
The Episode #202 stunts and SPFX meeting. This one’s going to be huge. We’re talking a half-dozen extended action sequences in addition to about a dozen smaller ones.
Stunt coordinator John Stead is going to have his hands full with this episode.
Finally, check out the hair evolution – transforming dark-haired Jodelle into bright-haired FIVE!
Finally finally – Melanie Liburd, Dark Matter’s newest crew-member, Nyx, arrived in Toronto today for her very first costume fitting. She is LOVELY!
Tagged: #DarkMatter, #DarkMatterSeason2, Dark Matter
December 9, 2015
December 9, 2015: Production begins on Dark Matter season 2!
I’d set my alarm for 6 a.m. but actually got up a half an hour earlier at 5:30 a.m. Technically, I’d been awake even earlier if you counted the numerous times I woke up to anxiously check my alarm clock between 3 and 4 a.m. Even earlier still if you counted that 2:00 a.m. text message from Blindspot creator/showrunner Martin Gero wishing me all the best on Dark Matter’s second season.
Because, yes, today was Day #1 of Episode #201 – and, more importantly, the first day of main unit on Dark Matter season 2!
Nope. Not me driving home late last night. This was me driving IN early this morning.
I assume this is the place.
Director Amanda Tapping gifts the Dark Matter Whiskey/y Club with a bottle of Hibiki Japanese Harmony.
Not to be confused with the Mallozzi special reserve.
Welcome to the Hyperion-8 Galactic Detention Facility. Enjoy your stay!
Let’s get this show on the road!
All dressed and ready to go.
Jodelle enjoys a break from prison. A prison break.
Sound recordist Rachelle is optimistically looking forward to a nice blanket of sound-buffering snow.
Rachelle, Jozie, Nikki, and Deano.
Horseplay on set!
The corridors were quiet today because all the action was in the quarters.
A fantastic first day. We were all thrilled to have Amanda back in the director’s chair. Tomorrow: “the confrontation” scene, a hotel room visit, and someone has laundry duty!
Tagged: #DarkMatter, #DarkMatterSeason2, Dark Matter
December 8, 2015
December 8, 2015: Last day of prep on Dark Matter Episode 201! Snow Monkeys!
Pictured above, director Amanda Tapping and 1st Assistant Director Brandon Tataryn oversee this morning’s production meeting for Episode 201. Today was the last day of prep for our season 2 premiere as principal photography is scheduled to commence bright and EARLY tomorrow morning in the:
INTERIOR – HYPERION 8 – MINIMUM SECURITY – QUARTERS
While the action unfolds on one side of the stage, director Bruce McDonald will be doing a walkabout of the other sets (10:00 – 11:00) before tomorrow afternoon’s Episode 202 concept meeting. This may well be our most ambitious episode to date and every department head – and yours truly – will have to bring their A+ game (because, let’s face it, we always bring our A game). Stunts! Extras! Dazzling visual effects!
These sets…
…brought to you in part by…
Dark Matter Head Carpenter Craig Tovell.
Check out the final score. It was actually A LOT closer than that. I needed a measly 5 yards from McFadden to secure victory on the final day of the fantasy football regular season. First carry – fumble! Minus 2 points! Despair. He runs for 20 yards so, by halftime, my deficit was back to a mere 5 yards. Hope! He carries early in the second half. Fumble! Another 2 points! And possible concussion! Deep despair. But then they announce he is putting his helmet back on. Hope! But back-up Robert Turbin assumes RB duties on the next drive. Despair. But then McFadden comes back in on the next series, the Cowboys drive it down to the goal line, and McFadden gets two consecutive carries. Hope! Only to get stuffed and have the Cowboys throw a TD to someone else. Despair. On what looks to be their final drive, the Cowboys are forced to kick. Double despair. And then Desean Jackson fumbles! Hope! McFadden rushes – and scores the TD with less than a minute to go, securing the win and a first round bye.
All this to say, this weekend’s first round playoff schedule looks like this:
VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson’s Gainfully-Employed Hyphens (for now) and my Snow Monkeys get the first-round bye and weekend off, leaving Consulting Producer Ivon Bartok’s Running Dead, Orphan Black writer-Supervising Producer Alex Levine’s This Ones For John, Beats by Ray and whalleyBallrz to duke it out for the right to battle us in the semi-finals.
Exciting, no?
Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter
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