Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 366

November 8, 2015: Embarrassing But True!

Embarrassing things most people don’t know about me but I’m telling you now because, well, you’re my friends.  Also, I’m not sure what else to write about for today’s blog entry.

I sing to my dogs.  A lot.  I have a whole repertoire of original compositions including such favorites as The Apple Dumpling Gang (“The Apple Dumpling Gang! The Apple Dumpling Gang!  Who’s a member of the Apple Dumpling Gang?!” – sung while giving them their apple dumpling-flavored treats), Eat Time (“Eat time! Eat time!  Who are the dogs who’ll come for eat time?  Eat time!  Eat time!  Etc.” – sung when breakfast or dinner is served), and The PooPoo PeePee Song (which really needs no explanation).  I would, on occasion, serenade my late pug Jelly with Let Me Call You Sweetheart while rubbing her ears, a rare foray into non-original material.

I played the clarinet.  Badly.  In high school.  I was third clarinet which means the back-up to the back-up.  Should some horrible fate had befallen the first clarinet on the day of our recital, I would have been called upon to be on standby lest the second clarinet was unable to perform his or her duties.  That never happened. After a while, our music teacher, Doc, decided it might be best if I tried my hand (and lips) at the french horn.  This was a clear step down from the trumpet, which is the instrument I originally played before being demoted to clarinet.  I was reluctant, mainly because the clarinet was so much easier to lug around.  “I’m actually better when I’m playing with the others,”was my defense.  “No,”whispered Doc, gently disabusing me of the notion that I’d be taking the clarinet home with me that night. “You’re not good.”  And so I switched to the french horn.  For two weeks.  And then switched to shop class.

I’ve watched every episode of Sex and the City – and enjoyed it.  My ex and Akemi are huge fans of the show and would watch the dvd’s constantly.  Whenever I was in the kitchen, they’d be on in the background, playing in what felt like constant background loops.  At first it was annoying, then ignorable, eventually interesting and, finally, great!  I still can’t believe Carrie would choose Big over Aiden!

Once, when I was a kid at summer camp, I ate five ice cream sandwiches in one sitting, got violently ill, and didn’t eat another ice cream sandwich for years.

Once, when I was an adult at a dinner party I was hosting, I sampled thirteen different flavors of the home made ice cream I made, got violently ill, and didn’t make ice cream again for years.

Also, there’s this picture:

November 7, 2015: Memories of Dark Matter’s first season!

These take me back…

Line Producer Norman Denver at the controls.  As usual.

The initial version of the Corporate Guard uniforms.  Deemed a little too colorful.

We ended up going with basic black.  Always stylishly nefarious.

The Android’s severed hand was a realer than real-looking synthetic duplicate of actress Zoie Palmer’s actual hand, painted, textured and weighted to perfection. Alternately amazing and creepy.

Alex Mallari Jr. runs through his very first sword choreography with second unit director John Stead.

I went shopping with Akemi today.  At one point, she stepped out of the changing room and modeled a potential new purpose.  “Love the top,”I said, “but don’t like the pants.  They’re a little too big and frumpy.”

She frowned.  “They’re my pants.”

Oh.  Upon further consideration, they looked great!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

November 6, 2015: Behind the scenes on Dark Matter season 1 – and a sneak peek at what’s to come!

Check out Warden Treihan’s sweet office courtesy of concept illustrator Sanford Kong and production designer Ian Brock.  Talk about a room with a view!

Hey, here’s another director that will be making a return appearance in the show’s second year…

Andy Mikita: The last time I worked with Andy, he directed two of Dark Matter’s most talked-about episodes: 112 (featuring TWO’s backstory) and 113 (our shocking season finale). How’s he going to outdo that duo? Well, I’m looking forward to finding out!

Dark Matter season one memories…

Executive Producer Jay Firestone, 1st Assistant A.D. Brandon Tataryn (who had a disease named after him in Episode #107), and Executive Producer Paul Mullie walk the set one final time before the Christmas break.

The “big metal doors” go up!

Director of Photography Craig Wright and VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson check out the in-progress bridge of The Raza.

The “big metal doors” looking significantly more metal.

Production Designer Ian Brock surveys the work on one our stasis pods.

The “big metal doors”, camera-ready.

The bridge of The Raza – coming along.

The etching on Ryo Ishida’s/FOUR’s sword and scabbard.

Visual Effects Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson prepares to drive his point home.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

November 5, 2015: Monstress! The Cornell Collective! Snow Monkeys! Hyperion-8!

My Recommended Read of the Week: Monstress #1 by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda.  An amazing book, beautifully illustrated by Sana Takeda, and beautifully written by New York Times bestselling author Marjorie Liu (who also happens to be a Lost Girl fan, Lost Girl fans!).

Hey, check out the latest podcast of The Cornell Collective (https://t.co/PHhaZh7ocD).  Artist Emma Vieceli, authors Paul Cornell, Lou Anders, and yours truly discuss everything from inspirations, origin stories, and embarrassing professional faux-pas.

This is no doubt old news to you, but my Snow Monkeys have moved into second place following last week’s trouncing of Dark Matter Consulting Producer Ivon Bartok’s Running Dead.  This week, we’ll be laying a licking on Robert Cooper’s cellar-dwelling Moprah WinFree!

Today, I leave you with the revised Hyperion-8 lunar base, compliments of Concept Illustrator Sanford Kong, Production Designer Ian Brock, and the rest of the Art Department gang.

Tagged: Dark Matter, Monstress, The Cornell Collective

November 4, 2015: Dark Matter season 2 prep! The gang at work!

You know what I enjoy doing while working on a new script?  Anything BUT writing. I’ll go for a stroll, research, check out the kitchen, re-watch auditions and, occasionally, head downstairs and see what the gang is up to…

Dark Matter Production Designer Ian Brock considers space toilets.  It’s the little things…

Research is key!  Prop Master Victoria Klein tests the prison food (and cutlery!) on Props Buyer Susan Woorts.

The individual cells are coming along.  Doesn’t that bunk look comfy?

Back on Stargate, Executive Producer Robert Cooper would always stress the importance of ceilings and floor.   It’s something that has always stayed with me and that I’ve carried through into Dark Matter.  Pictured above, some options courtesy of the Art Department.  I think we all prefer the Modern Masters Pewter (lower left) for our Super Max.

Hey!  It’s Set Designer Doug Slater, MacGyvering a quick treatment for a severed ear.  No time for hospitals.  Staples and super glue work just fine.  Now back to work, Doug!

Hey, it’s The Raza – minus a gun turret (a casualty of San Diego Comic con).

See, THIS is why that 3D printer was such a great investment.  First a model of Dark Matter’s badass ship, next –

Your very own Joseph Mallozzi action figure in its original stasis pod packaging.  Mint condition!  What’s my first bid?

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

November 3, 2015: Dark Matter season 2 sneak peek! Moon Base Hyperion-8!

In addition to the Art Department, our crack VFX crew is going to have their hands full as well heading into prep on Dark Matter’s second season.  I’ve already offered up sneak peeks at some of our Maximum Security Detention Facility Hyperion-8 interiors.  Today, I offer you a sneak peek at Hyperion-8’s exterior.

It’s an escape-proof prison not only because of the way it was designed, and the security measures in place, but because of it’s location.  In the unlikely event prisoners actually manage to escape the grounds, they won’t be getting very far.  Not without a spacesuit.

And a lift.

Early concept art compliments of the Art Department gang.  They spoil us!

The only thing missing here is the City of Atlantis (http://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/scifi/stargate-atlantis-sixth-season-included-moon-base-time-travel.html).

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

November 2, 2015: Welcome to Hyperion-8! Pod-shopping!

Welcome to Hyperion Eight, Maximum Security Galactic Detention Facility.

Logo compliments of 1st Assistant Art Director Roxanne Borris.

In the market for some new-look pods this upcoming season.

Check out this varied selection.

I’m leaning toward the sleeker models – 5, 6, and 7.

What do you think?

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

November 1, 2015: More sneak peeks of Dark Matter season 2!

Notes session tomorrow with Jay during which we’ll be covering Episodes 201 and 202.  We reconvene on Tuesday for a discussion on the merits of Episodes 203 and 204.  Meanwhile, concept art and actual construction continues on our new sets. We’ll look to nail down Nyx, Misaki, Devon, and Arax this week – and, hopefully, Treihan and Shaddick.

Guys!  I think this is really happening!

Don’t believe it?  Neither did I until I saw more concept work and designs compliments of the Dark Matter Art Department: Production Designer Ian Brock, Art Director Russell Moore, Set Designer Doug Slater, and Concept Illustrator Sanford Kong:

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Variations –

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And, the view…

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Pretty amazing, no?

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

October 31, 2015: Jay’s Birthday Bash!

It started early that morning – whispered conversations, furtive looks amongst the members of the Prodigy Pictures production staff.  “Is this about me?”I wondered. And then, when I saw them sneak the balloons, pizza, and cake into the conference room I concluded: “This IS about me!”.  THIS, of course, being the totally unexpected “Welcome Back to Toronto, Joe!” surprise party they’d no doubt been planning for quite some time.  They’d done their darkest to keep it under wraps but I was onto them.  All the same, I wasn’t about to spoil it for them.  I’d play dumb, I decided.  Act wholly shocked when the time came.

“We’re gathering in the conference room,”I was told, an hour later.  I pretended to finish up something on my laptop so that everyone had a chance to get in there before I showed, then got up and strolled in.

The first thing I noticed were the balloons.  And then, everyone started singing: Happy Birthday to yooooou!

I couldn’t believe.  Two weeks late, but they were going to do a belated birthday/welcome to Toronto party!

Happy Birthday to yooooooou!

I supposed I’d be asked to make a speech – but I hadn’t prepared!

Happy Birthday, dear –

I guess I’d just have to wing it.

Jaaaaaay!   Happy Birthday to yoooooou!

Wait!  What?!

Well, as it turned out, we were actually celebrating the birthday of our partner in crime and television production, Prodigy Pictures President and Dark Matter Executive Producer Jay Firestone!

Amazing, Jay – who spends more time traveling than the average airline pilot – happened to actually be in town for the celebration.  His birthday is actually October 31st (today), but we celebrated yesterday because we assumed he’d already have plans with his family on his special day.  Also, it would have meant coming into the office on a Saturday.

Anyway, Jay celebrated with the three things he loves most: pizza, wings, and, apparently, celery sticks (which, for some reason, were left behind after the festivities so I dropped them off in his office).  He also celebrated by reading and preparing script notes for Episodes 201-204!

Throughout the day, he’d swing by to let me know if he had an issue with the script – but then helpfully provide a potential fix or alternate take.  And that’s one of the nice things about working with Jay which is, frankly, a rarity in this business.  Most executives will tell you what doesn’t work for them and then leave you to figure out a solution.  Jay will tell you what doesn’t work for him, but always brings ideas to the table as well.  It’s been a great working relationship that yielded terrific results throughout the show’s first season.  Whether big or small (and whether I agree with them or not), they’re always smart and come from a desire to seize dramatic opportunities – or find moments for the characters.  For instance, one example from last year that comes to mind was his suggestion of adding the hug between FIVE and the Android in Episode 108.  It wasn’t in the script and seemed like such a little addition and yet, in retrospect, it turned into such a beautiful beat between the two.

So that was Jay’s pre-birthday: pizza, wings, celery, a surprisingly delicious white birthday cake, and script notes!

No surprise party for me on this day, but that’s okay.  It’ll make it even MORE surprising when they spring one on me NEXT week!

Tagged: Dark Matter, Jay Firestone

October 30, 2015: Dinner with Tabor and Rodney!

“I’m at the back sitting under the Hades mural!” said the message.  I quickened my pace.

I had, in fact, arrived twelve minutes early for dinner.  And as I rolled by a parking spot about a block from the restaurant I thought to myself “Maybe I can find something a little closer.”  Fifteen minutes later, after parking A LOT farther, I finally arrived, fashionably late-ish, meeting Tabor Calchek Rodney McKay David Hewlett (as instructed) beneath the mural of Hades who seemed to be contemplating something.  Maybe the dinner options?

We perused the menu, picked a few plates, then deferred to our waiter – an older Greek man with his pants hiked up past his belly button.  Well, his fashion sense may have been questionable, but his recommendations were spot on!

Saganaki!  The flaming cheese, presumably laced with ouzo to trigger its blazing entrance, was still bubbling when it hit the table.  Seriously.  It’s fried cheese. What’s not to love?

A medley of unidentifiable yet no less delicious dips including a tzatziki so strong I had to brush twice before bedtime.

Delicious octopus – tender and chargrilled.  Wait!  Is that a lemon wedge on the plate?!

Lamb chops so good, they’d no doubt receive my mom’s seal of approval.

In addition to all the eating, we did manage to get some conversation in.  Topics included: Dark Matter, Debug, dogs, family, conventions, Toronto, L.A., England, agents and managers, and, of course, lots and lots of Stargate.  It was a really great time because, even though we’ve talked since Stargate: Atlantis ended, we’ve never had the chance to REALLY TALK.  But we finally did last night and it was a truly great evening.

Next time, it’s 10 oz $300 dollar A5 Black Tajima-Miyazami steaks on him!