Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 371

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!

October 29, 2015: Beware bacon and sunlight!

Some disconcerting news hit the web yesterday:

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/oct/26/bacon-ham-sausages-processed-meats-cancer-risk-smoking-says-who

Yep.  According to the World Health Organization, bacon and other processed meats (hell, red meat in general!) are very, VERY bad for you. They’ve been classified as a Group 1 Carcinogen along with asbestos and tobacco.  Apparently, daily consumption (of the meats, not the asbestos or the tobacco as those numbers may vary) increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 18%!  18%!  What does that mean?!!  I have no idea.  Does it mean you have an 18% increased risk of developing colorectal cancer if you eat processed meat EVERY DAY?  Or does it mean that that slice of bacon you had for breakfast last Tuesday has increased your chance of getting cancer by 18%?  If the latter, what if you have bacon two days running?  By week’s end, you’d be dead!

Then, today, I came across this article that helped put things in perspective:

http://www.wired.com/2015/10/who-does-bacon-cause-cancer-sort-of-but-not-really/

“Here’s the deal: The WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer weighs the strength of the scientific evidence that some food, drink, pesticide, smokable plant, whatever is a carcinogen. What it does not do is consider how much that substance actually increases your risk for actually getting cancer—even if it differs by magnitudes of 100.”

Hang on a second.  So eating a smokie ISN’T as bad for you as working as a drywall taper on long-condemned buildings?  Well, this IS news!

Curious, I decided to check out what other items make the WHO’s list of Group 1 Carcinogens and put together the following rundown for your edification.  Please avoid the following as they may be hazardous to your health…

Cyanide

Coal tar

Oral contraceptives

Alcoholic beverages

Tobacco

Mustard gas

City air

Salted fish

Processed meats

Sunlight

Didn’t see heroin on the list.  All the same, I’d recommend limiting your dosage out of an abundance of caution.

October 28, 2015: The Dark Matter crew gift! Help me decide!

Pictured above, the card from the cast that accompanied their gifts for the Dark Matter crew as season one neared wrap.  Their gift was this handy customized Dark Matter phone charger:

The production, meanwhile, gave out these cosy micro-fleece jackets at the beginning of the season:

And gave out these caps at the end”

Direct Message?  Death Match?  Dungeon Master?  Not sure.

Anyway, now the production has to think up a clever crew guest for season 2.  I honestly don’t know how we did it back on Stargate with some 15 years of crew gifts to give out.  I recall jackets, coats, dvd players, iPods, t-shirts, watches and, of course, endless hats.  I remember when Paul and I assumed the showrunning duties on Atlantis, I pitched a brilliant idea for a crew gift: Paul and Joe-themed ice cream bowls.  My thinking was every time you’d have a bowl of ice cream, you’d finish the final scoop to reveal our faces smiling up at you.  For some reason, no one else would go for it.

Anyway, I’ve got my thinking cap on (which, coincidentally, looks remarkably similar to the cap pictured above) as I try to think up some great ideas for the Dark Matter season 2 crew gift.

Ideas so far: weekday tickets to the Museum of Ceramic Arts, rubbers embossed with the Dark Matter logo (rubber overshoes – let’s be clear), unicycle, magic kit, puppies, reiki session, vintage packets of Orange Tang, psychic reading, karate lesson, alpaca tea cosy, curling iron, novelty toothpastes, neti pot, ionic bracelet, Joseph Mallozzi signature ice cream bowls!

So, whaddya think?  Go with one of these or do you have some great suggestions to add?

October 27, 2015: Akemi’s fall doggy couture collection!

Uh oh!  The weather is getting colder and Akemi has free time on her hands!  Time for the dogs to run and hide!

Too late!

Wizard of Waggerdly Place?

It’s going to be a loooong winter for these guys.

October 26, 2015: Walking the quiet set! Construction begins!

Today, I took a walk through our existing standing sets – the infirmary, the mess, the corridors, bridge, and underbelly.  Boy, the place sure looks different during the hiatus.  Without the lights, set dressing, cast and crew, it looks like the set of a horror movie…

Construction has begun, full throttle, on the new standing sets for Dark Matter’s second season.  Those of you who have been following this blog have already gotten a sneak peek of what’s in the works.  Plenty more on the way. While much of the work is happening on our other (new) stage, I did glimpse the beginning of our hero cell going up in the breezeway…

Prett basic right now, but we’re aiming for something like this – more or less:

Hey, look at who I ran into.  It’s on set carpenter Jesse Partin –

In addition to the obvious, his job is to keep people like me from wandering around set and inadvertently locking ourselves in crew quarters.  Good thing he was there!

Also, came across these –

On their way out or on their way in?  Only the Art Department knows for sure.

Casting tomorrow after which I’m going to try to make some headway on a very tricky second act.  These types of episodes can be rather…challenging.  Look no further than SG-1’s Ripple Effect.  Ah, I’m sure that once I’m through Act II, it’ll be smoooooooooth sailing!

Who’s with me?!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

October 25, 2015: But wait! There’s more!

In addition to those mentioned in yesterday’s entry, we’ve got a bunch of great directors taking the helm in Dark Matter’s second season.  Take this familiar face…

John Stead: In his first major directing gig, Dark Matter stunt coordinator and second unit director John Stead delivered one of my very favorite episodes of the show’s first season, Episode 110 in which our crew must team up with a group of suspect mercenaries.  He did such a bang-up job that there was no doubt he’d be getting another episode in season 2.

Another round of auditions tomorrow which Vanessa and I will be personally attending (so that I can try out for the part of Arax Nero!).  Meanwhile, construction begins on our new sets.  What, pray tell, will they building?  Oh, come on!  Haven’t you been paying attention?

Okay, here are a few more sneak peek treats 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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Can I just say how much love and appreciation I have for our illustrator, Sanford, and the rest of the Art Department?  No half-ass sketches or concept work here. These are downright gorgeous.

Thoughts?

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

October 24, 2015: Behind the camera on Dark Matter’s second season!

Assembling the directors’ roster for Dark Matter’s second season was challenging for several reasons: scheduling, availability, and a desire to include some capable candidates we didn’t get a chance to work with our first time out.  In the end, we didn’t get everyone we wanted due to the limited slots (a mere 13 episodes!), but I’m looking forward to working with some new (to me!) talent – and excited to be reuniting with some familiar faces.

Falling into the latter category…

Amanda Tapping: She directed Episode 104 for us last season, delivering a fun and fast-paced episode chock full o’ twinning and humor.  The cast and crew LOVED her, so it’s clear I’m not the only one who’ll be looking forward to her return this season.

Bruce McDonald: He directed fan fave Episode 107 (guest-starring Ruby Rose as Wendy the Android) last season and he returns for another kick-ass episode in season 2.  I always have a blast working Bruce.

Robert C. Cooper: While on Stargate, Rob directed some of the franchise’s greatest episodes: SG-1’s Heroes, Unending, SGA’s Vegas, SGU’s Malice and Time. Can’t wait to see him work his magic on Dark Matter.

Ron Murphy: One of Toronto’s busiest directors, I’m pleased to announce Ron will be back on board for the show’s second season.  He can always be counted on for great on-set energy, inspired visuals, and a fantastic final product.  For proof, check out Episodes 106 and 109!

Peter DeLuise: “BIGGER!” was his buzzword on Stargate: SG-1’s Wormhole X-Treme and I’m expecting BIG things from my old Stargate cohort, the brilliant and brilliantly funny Peter DeLuise.  This one’s a reunion five years in the making!

Mairzee Almas: Last year, we were two ships passing in the night.  This year, we finally connected and Mairzee (12 Monkeys, Shadowhunters, The 100, Lost Girl, Defiance, Beauty and the Beast, Ascension, iZombie, Haven, Being Human, Alphas, Smallville, Sanctuary – phew!) will be behind the camera on Dark Matter‘s second season.

Will Waring: Some of my fondest memories of Stargate were from the days I spent on set with Will Waring, so when Dark Matter got the green light, he was one of the first people I contacted.  Alas, not quickly enough because he was fully booked through the show’s first season – but I’m pleased to report he WILL be joining us this year!

But wait, there’s more!  A couple more familiar faces will be making their return – while some new directors will be sitting in the director’s chair this upcoming season as well.  More on them in the coming days!