Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 390

March 14, 2015: The end draws near! That’s my final Dark Matter first draft!

Holy crap! ��Just finished my first draft of episode #113, the big season finale. ��It comes in at a robust 57 pages and it is tremendous fun! ��Twist after turn after surprise leading to the final shocker that will positively blow your minds. ��Back when I first started developing the show, the show evolved around two colossal bombshell moments: the first being the final scene of episode #101, and the last being the final scene of episode #113. ��Lots of mini-bombshells along the way but these particular reveals are going to stun and stagger, not only our main characters, but the cast – and, hopefully, you viewers who come along for what promises to be a wild and very enjoyable the ride.

Coincidentally, as I was in the midst of scripting #113, I received some surprise gifts from a couple of cast members:

Whisky marmalade from the notoriously camera-shy Melissa O’Neil.

And these delightfully decadent brownies from Alex Mallari Jr.

Wonder what Anthony Lemke is going to get me? ��I bet it’s going to be amazing. ��I can’t wait!

I’ll do another pass on #113 this week, then send it Paul’s way so he can do his pass. ��After that, it’s in Jay’s hands and, after we implement his notes, the script will finally go out. ��And I’ll be able to breathe a sigh of relief and focus on other things: editing, prepping, producing, rewriting…and plotting out season 2. ��Fear not! ��I know exactly where we’re headed!

Feeling very good. ��Off to prep some potatoes for tonight’s dinner and, time permitting, maybe even get some reading in. ��These are titles I’ve been dying to get around to…

So, whatcha reading?

In the case of our cast and crew, it’ll be #113 very soon…

Tagged: Dark Matter, Dark Matter t.v.

March 13, 2015: Seething…working…entertaining…celebrating!

Ever get one of those morning phone calls that annoys you so thoroughly that is sours your mood for the rest of the day? ��I received one of those this a.m. and it irritated me to no end. ��BUT then, happily, I got distracted with work – a visual effects spotting session, a second unit production meeting, green page revisions on four different scripts (!), the first day of episode #107 (a Bruce Mcdonald joint!), and continued work on my first draft of episode 13, the grand finale (a tease and four acts done, an act and a tag to go!). ��I’m busy. ��Crazy busy. ��I liken it to juggling while having someone constantly throw extra balls into your routine. ��Yes, it’s exhausting – but also incredibly satisfying. I’ve seen cuts of our first five episodes and they’re all great. ��Yes, the episodes are great, the cast, crew and directors are great, and my fellow Executive Producers (Jay Firestone and Vanessa Piazza) have been great. ��And I have no doubt that when the show premieres this summer, you’ll all discover how great it is. ��And I can’t wait.

On the brighter side of this Friday the 13th…

Well look who dropped by the Dark Matter��studios today��. ��Stargate SG-1/Atlantis/Universe creator, Executive Producer, Showrunner Brad Wright was in town on unrelated business and I guess he had a hankering for some intergalactic adventuring – and I was only too happy to oblige. ��Great to see him, and equally great to hear about the various projects he’s got in development (a few of them, yes, of an SF nature). ��Here’s hoping he’s soon in production on his new show – to coincide with season 2 of Dark Matter!

There’s no telling what kind of unfathomable��treasures our space-faring crew will unearth. ��Particle accelerators, anti-grav boots, even a couple of ancient books from Earth’s rich literary history…

Some possible candidates for our Book of the Month Club reboot?

Hey, hey! ��Unit Manager Robbie David celebrated a birthday today in fine style – with balloons, fogged up glasses, and a personalized birthday cake.

Okay. ��Going to bed to sleep it off. ��And finish up my first draft of episode #113. The cast is going to flip!

Tagged: Dark Matter, Dark Matter t.v., Dark Matter t.v. series

March 12, 2015: Dark Matter second unit madness! We visit Eridani 6!

Today was a torrid writing day. ��Not so coincidentally, it was a day that saw me driving around a lot and, as many of you know, I do some of my best writing while driving, showering, or whenever someone I’m having dinner with is talking to me. ��The day saw me blow through 11+ pages, taking me into the top of Act IV. ��It’s a pretty damn exciting script if I do say so myself. ��They’re gonna go nuts.

The gang on main unit was wrapping up their 7th and final day on episode #106. Director Ron Murphy – who has done a tremendous job – surprised the cast and crew with these:

What a guy!

Meanwhile, over on the other side of town, John Stead was calling the shots on Eridani 6…

Today was, of course, cat t-shirt Thursday. ��Tanya Lemke (Daily Props) shows off her kitty-themed entry.

Meanwhile, Nikki Moss (On-Set Key Props) rocks the ewok.

Grant Boyle (2nd Unit 1st Assistant Director) leaves set for his second job as a blackjack dealer.

Krista Lee stands in for the dealer!

Tomorrow, Day #1 of episode #107 with Director Bruce McDonald! ��And VFX spotting for episodes #101 and #102 with VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson! And editing episode #105 with editor Wendy Hallam-Martin! ��And the second unit production meeting for scenes from episodes #106 and #109! ��And last, but not least, I continue work on the script for our grand season finale!

Tagged: Dark Matter, Dark Matter t.v.

March 11, 2015: Intergalactic pet shipping, CG skin and Hong Kong dust!

Ship your pet via Intergalactic Express! ��Planet to Planet service! ��(video compliments of Kelly Diamond)

While Consulting Producer Ivon Bartok and VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson were on set with Director Ron Murphy and the rest of the gang, shooting in the Palace and eating breakfast lasagna, I was back on the home front (and by that I mean my home front away from home – the production offices) working on the script for episode #113 (halfway there!) and prepping episode #107 with Director Bruce McDonald and co.

Bruce powers up for a full slate of meetings!

The episode #107 production meeting is underway with 1st Assistant Director Christopher Binney (flanked by Director Bruce McDonald) overseeing the action. Topics for discussion on this day included snow, retractable knives, CG skin, and Hong Kong Dust. ��Yes, it’s a thing!

We also managed to squeeze in an Art Department meeting as we prepare to shoot #107 – and parts of #106 and #109. ��What’s in the fancy box? ��You’ll find out this summer!

Hey, I’m thinking of doing another mailbag. ��If you have any questions, fire away!

Tagged: Dark Matter, Dark Matter t.v.

March 10, 2015: To Do! Introducing A Camera Dolly Grip Joe Strazzeri!

Pictured above: my growing To Do list.

It’s always great having a fellow foodie on set. ��Even better if that fellow foodie is also an accomplished cook just brimming with awesome recipes and culinary secrets. ��Such is the case with the indomnitable Joe Strazzeri – bon vivant, culinary composer, and, oh yeah!, A Camera Dolly Grip on Dark Matter. ��A super guy, great at what he does, and a real pleasure to work with.

And as if waking up at 4 a.m. and working twelve hour days isn’t enough, Joe keeps fit by hauling sandbags around set!

Last week, Joe surprised me with a jar of his home made chili oil. ��I didn’t get a chance to try it right away – but Akemi did. ��The next day, while I was at work, she sent me the following text:

And moments later:

I think that if this whole Dolly Grip thing doesn’t pan out, Joe has a promising career in the luxury food industry.

Tagged: Dark Matter, Dark Matter t.v.

March 9, 2015: Kitchen requests! Ron on a roll! And introducing Matti “Two Guns” Huhta!

The Dark Matter production office kitchen is fairly well-stocked, offering everything from iced tea and mini cinnamon rolls to boxes of seaweed chips. Sadly, the one thing they didn’t have today was the one thing I was looking for – club soda. ��And so, I went to the big whiteboard to write in my ask. ��Pictured above, the requests as of this late afternoon. ��The last two are mine, entered after I had to go all the way back to my office to grab a green marker.

(Wait! ��Which crew member is that lying on the infirmary bed?! ��Tune in this summer to find out!)

Director Ron Murphy continues to get it done on set, wrapping an enormous two-day infirmary marathon before shifting gears to our resplendent palace setting…in Kitchener, Ontario. ��His dailies look great and on-set producer Ivon Bartok has nothing but great things to say about the man and his work. ��I can safely say that episode #106 won’t be the last we’ll see of him!

I can say that because he’s contractually obligated to director episode #109 for us as well.

Well, hey, if it isn’t Script Supervisor Matti Huhta who, clearly bummed at missing out on my recent Dark Matter��“Girls with Guns” pictorial decided to make the most of an opportunity the other day, holding up production so that I could get the following blogworthy snaps. ��When Matti’s not posing with weaponry, she’s also keeping track of script continuity, timing my episodes short, and casually remarking how long it has been since Akemi last made cookies for the crew.

Tagged: Dark Matter, Dark Matter t.v.

March 8, 2015: A familiar face checks in! And introducing Dark Matter Director of Photography Craig Wright!

Well, look who it is. ��Yes, that’s director Andy Mikita (you may know him from such shows as��Stargate: SG-1,��Stargate: Atlantis, and��Stargate: Universe) flashing the Dark Matter��trade paperback. ��What’s the deal? ��A little recreational reading? Perhaps some professional research in advance of an upcoming gig? ��Well, I suppose we’ll all find out soon enough.

A member of the Dark Matter crew who needs no introduction – but I’m going to introduce him anyway, just in case – is our incredible Director of Photography, Craig Wright.

Back when we were assembling the��Dark Matter��production team, I met with several possible candidates��regarding the DOP position on the show. Craig seemed like a good guy in his interview and there was no denying his work looked great, but I was undecided – only because I really didn’t really know him. ��But Jay and Vanessa did know him, quite well in fact, as he’d been working on��Lost Girl��for them these last few years. ��I, ultimately, trusted their opinion and, in turn, placed my trust in Craig. ��And I’m happy to report that the production has been rewarded with a richly talented Director of Photography, a positive and dedicated member of the crew, and – my first instincts were correct! – a wonderful guy to work alongside.

Tagged: Dark Matter, Dark Matter t.v.

March 7, 2015: Dark Matter EPK Day!

From now on, whenever someone requests a photo of me to accompany an interview or some newspaper article (“Local Producer Unwittingly Consumes Ornamental Headdress”) THIS is the one they’re getting. ��Akemi snapped it during today’s EPK (Electronic Press Kit) Day. ��Director T.J. Scott, his photographer, and the gang from SyFy were on hand to photograph and interview the actors, the sets, and Jay Firestone and me in the ramp up to the Dark Matter summer season premiere!

Overseeing the action on the day was Executive Producer Vanessa Piazza who drew assists from VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson (drafted for monitor duty on the gallery shoot) and Consulting Producer Ivon Bartok (who helped with both the Q and A portions of the Q&A sessions).

Joining me on this rare Saturday foray into work was Akemi who – finally! – got to see the sets in person. ��And she loved them, snapping innumerable pics for her instagram…to be uploaded at a later date.

Backstage, on my way to my interview.

Snapping the cast.

Jay Firestone and I discuss the interview questions beforehand. ��But not really. ��Sure, we could’ve actually prepared, but that would’ve meant losing the improvisational aspect of being interviewed, something we don’t do so well….

Executive Producer Jay Firestone and I prepare to talk��Dark Matter.

We had a pretty good time. ��Eventually. ��We got off to a rocky start (I’ll admit I do some of my better work BEHIND the camera) and, about ten minutes into the interview, were informed we would have to start over. ��As it turned out, it couldn’t have worked out better. ��Second time around we were focused, more relaxed and we even made sense!

Akemi hangs with Bubba.

After we were done, Jay escorted Akemi over to wardrobe and had her make a few selections. ��Pictured below, two of the three new gorgeous leather jackets she added to her closet. ��She was extremely grateful to Jay-san and is already preparing the next batch of Thank You cookies.

Very exciting stuff. ��We follow the EPK and gallery shoot with a conference call later this week to discuss marketing strategy. ��As I’ve already made clear, I don’t want to wait until AFTER we��air to start showing you some of the show’s amazing visuals. ��Once we’ve all signed off, I’d like to start rolling out photos of the cast, the sets, and especially all of the amazing concept art and design work that’s been produced to date: ships, shuttles, wacky tech and weaponry! ��All coming your way soon – along with that long overdue guest casting announcement!

Tagged: Dark Matter, Dark Matter t.v.

March 6, 2015: Akemi’s Most Dezastro Day! The Dark Matter episode #107 props meeting is in the books!

I received the following text message from Akemi today:

“Why?”I asked. �� She replied with the following photo:

Then this one:

And, finally, THIS one:

Why is Jelly sitting in her water bowl?

The episode #107 props meeting happened today. ��Check out all the goodies.

Director Bruce McDonald takes Bubba for a spin.

This is his way of requesting that extra visual effects shot.

Bubba and 1st Assistant Director Christopher Binney get acquainted.

Oh, damn. ��Fun’s over.

Production Designer Ian Brock shows off the thingy from the place.

Closet serial killer Trevor Finn shows off his choice of weapon.

Props Master Victoria Klein gives us “the look”.

On-set props,��Lisa Amaral Wright, comes in from the cold. ��And probably wishes she hadn’t.

The Dark Matter Whisky Club is in session!

Tagged: Dark Matter, Dark Matter t.v.

March 5, 2015: Farmhouse scouting in the deep freeze!

While newly minted Consulting Producer Ivon Bartok was staying cosy on our nice warm sets, I was trekking to the frosty hinterlands of Hamilton to scout farmhouse locations for our upcoming episodes. ��Given the fact that I’d be braving the wilderness, I dressed in what I thought was appropriate fashion – jeans, sweater, winter boots and coat – so that I could be prepared for any and all eventualities (ie.��wolves, renegade steers, crazed locals, etc.). ��Unfortunately, I clearly didn’t think things through properly and it was only when I disembarked from the van into the chilly -12 air that I realized I’d forgotten my hat. ��And warm gloves.

As a result, I tried to hurry things along – especially when it became apparent that none of the farmhouses we’d been scheduled to visit were heated. ��“This one’s great!”I enthused as we walked into the first farmhouse. ��“Perfect!”

“Let’s check out another one,”suggested line producer Norman Denver who, coincidentally, had remembered to bring HIS hat and warm gloves.

“Fantastic!”I said as we entered the second farmhouse, my fingers already numb from cold. ��“I love this!”

And I was equally enthusiastic about the next one. ��And the one after that.

Finally, we were done. ��I was relieved. ��I could almost feel my ears defrosting. �� It was time to go!

Go check out the forest that is!

Hey, what interesting hanging cauldrons. ��I’ll just walk over here and take a picture – and warm my hands in the steam coming off them.

Director Bruce McDonald, in his signature cowboy hat, surveys the scene while production designer Ian Brock snaps away.

Wow. ��Creepy children’s toys sure have come a long way!

After trekking through the forest, we headed back toward the van. ��“Thanks so much,”I said to the woman who’d been showing us around.

“Oh, we’re not done yet,”she informed me. ��“We still have to see the field.”

Just because we were heading back in the direction of the van didn’t mean we were actually going back. ��Instead, we climbed over a snowbank and checked out the field. ��“What do you think?”asked director Bruce McDonald. ��“We could find her here with maybe some mountains and a twin sun in the sky.”

“Sure!”I said. ��“Sounds great!” ��At that point, I would’ve agreed to anything. ��“Flying robot monkeys? ��Absolutely!”

We returned to the van (I was the first one inside) and got back to the production offices in time for lunch – and a two hour stunts, SFX, VFX, and Playback meeting. What? ��We couldn’t squeeze in hair, make-up, props, and costumes?

On set, Cat t-shirt Thursday was in full swing. ��Check out Andy from Electric -

Oh, and amid all the Cat t-shirt Thursday celebrations, the cast and crew also worked on Day #2 of episode #107. ��Director Ron Murphy completed 10 pages today!

Tomorrow, he’ll attempt to break that record!

Tagged: Dark Matter, Dark Matter t.v.