Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 393

February 12, 2015: Space Travels with Amanda Tapping!

We’ve taken a break from our shipboard routine, journeying to the far flung corners of colonized space for a little R&R. ��Our first stop was S-CYGNI-4, a remote way station��renown for its sketchy entertainment district and signature cosmic croissants.

Then it was off to check out the scene at space station Shaofu 2. ��A little shopping, a little drinking, and maybe a little gambling. ��What’s your game? ��Fizzbin? ��Dabo? Sabacc? ��Pazaak? ��Tall Card? ��Triad?

Or perhaps you prefer the 700 year old game of Blackjack? ��If it’s the latter, then Matt Purdy, stand-in extraordinaire, is your man. ��Today, Matt gave us all a lesson in card counting. ��But, before we could put what he’d taught us to use, the Galactic Authority was alerted and we had to scramble.

Our fearless leader, director Amanda Tapping, ensured that everyone returned to the ship before making good our escape.

Tagged: Dark Matter, Dark Matter t.v.

February 11, 2015: Introducing Dark Matter Editor Wendy Hallam Martin! Amanda Tapping takes the directing reins!

Yesterday, I was working with editing wizard Paul Day on episode #101; today, I worked with editing wizardess (I think that’s what they call ‘em) Wendy Hallam Martin on episode #102. ��We enjoyed a delightful afternoon, taking the episode apart and reassembling it like a jigsaw puzzle in a frustrating attempt to ensure none of our act breaks were short. ��Regardless, Wendy was positively lovely company. ��Oh, and she cut a super kick-ass second episode of Dark Matter.

While I was cutting #102 with Wendy, Exec Producer Jay Firestone was working on ��#101, finessing the fight scenes, building the character moments, and bringing the episode down to time. ��Looking forward to watching his prod cut tomorrow. And counting up those extra visual effects shots.

My morning actually started bright and early in Hamilton where Amanda Tapping was directing her very first day on Dark Matter. ��What fun! ��Over the course of the five hours I was there, I had three crew members come up and tell me how awesome she is. ��“I know,”I said. ��“I worked with her for eight years!”

A belated Sock of the Day for all you SuperMario Bros fans.

Finally – a fellow fan has started a gofundme page to help raise money��an operation to save her dog’s sight. ��Spread the word if you could:��http://www.gofundme.com/lmlcec

Tagged: Dark Matter, Dark Matter t.v.

February 10, 2015: Introducing Dark Matter Editor Paul Day!

There’s an old saying in the business: “We’ll fix it in post”. ��In other words, when everyone else��gets through screwing things up, it��falls on��the editor to work his/her magic and save the day. ��Oh, you think I’m kidding but you’d be surprised how many adequate movies have been transformed into truly great films by the clicks and sweeps of a skillful editor.

Yes, editing is one of the most crucial – and under-appreciated – elements of the production process and its always a genuine pleasure to work with the best. ��As is and will be the case on Dark Matter‘s first season. ��Way back in pre-production, we were given a list of names to choose from. ��All came highly recommended but, at the end of the day, one individual’s opinion trumped all others – that of former Stargate ace editor: Mike Banas, P.I. ��The two names at the top of his list were Paul Day (pictured above), who cut episode #101, and Wendy Hallam Martin (who I’ll be introducing you tomorrow), who cut episode #102.

Had a great time today working with Paul,��finishing up my edit of #101 – just in time for Jay Firestone who comes in to do his prod cut tomorrow. ��And, while Jay is working on #101, I’ll be doing my passion #102. ��Just watched the T.J. Scott’s director’s cut tonight. ��It’s pretty spectacular.

As I mentioned yesterday, I have a hankering to do another mailbag. ��So, if you’ve got some questions, post away!

Tagged: Dark Matter, Dark Matter t.v.

February 9, 2015: Introducing Dark Matter VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson!

Well, well, well. ��If it isn’t former Stargate script coordinator, fellow fantasy football enthusiast, and self-styled Thai food expert Lawren Bancroft-Wilson who joins us – all the way from comparatively warmer Vancouver, B.C. – to take on the role of Visual Effects Supervisor for Dark Matter‘s first season.

Lawren will be acting as the on set middle man between the production and the gang at Atmosphere VFX ��(among them, our former Stargate VFX Supervisor Mark Savela) who will be providing us with all of our spectacular visual effects shots and sequences: space battles, FTL jumps, pulse blasts and mass cellular decay (Oh, sorry. ��Spoiler alert!)

Silver balls! ��Silver balls! ��It’s space ship time the city!

It’s always fun to work with familiar faces. ��In the months ahead, in addition to Lawren, Mark, and Atmosphere VFX, I’ll be reuniting with Amanda Tapping (Stargate: SG-1‘s Samantha Carter), Torri Higginson (Stargate: Atlantis‘s Dr. Elizabeth Weir) and at least two more Stargate veterans. ��And there are a couple of familiar faces I’d like to add to the mix as well. ��Stay tuned!

Hey, I think it’s time for another mailbag. ��Have some questions? ��Post ‘em if you got ‘em!

Tagged: Dark Matter, Dark Matter t.v.

February 8, 2015: Reading! Watching! And, oh yeah, producing!

“My hair is hauntedly long.”

– Akemi today, presumably comparing her hair to Ringu’s creepy crawling Sadako.

I spent much of the weekend going over the director’s cut of episode #101 (directed by T.J. Scott, edited by Paul Day). ��It’s pretty awesome – and will be awesomer still once they’ve addressed my persnickety notes (“add/trim head/tail”, “swap the wide for a closer shot”, “swap the close up for a wide shot”, “slug for insert”, “More ship!”). ��I’m in for main unit call tomorrow so I can catch as much of the corridor/airlock sequences as possible and do the production meeting before heading over to editing.

Today, I showed Akemi Alex Mallari Jr’s bo staff sequence. ��Her first response was: “Kung Fu Panda!” ��Her second response was: “Very cool!”

This afternoon, I visited The Comic Pile in Kensington Market and picked up the above-pictured titles. ��It’s been a while. ��Following the conclusion of the under appreciated The Superior Foes of Spiderman,��and Miles Morales’s recruitment by SHIELD, I rarely ever pick up single issues anymore. ��The big event crossovers are just too damn tiresome.����Only a few trade paperbacks make the list: The Walking Dead, Saga, Alex + Ada, and, surprisingly,��Afterlife with Archie. ��Is there something I’m missing?

Not that I’ll necessarily have time to check them out. ��The production has seriously cut into my reading time. ��I definitely won’t be getting close to the 180 books I read in 2014 (check out my top titles of the year in this blog entry: https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2014/12/31/december-2014-top-books-of-2014/). ��But that won’t stop be from trying. ��I’m presently reading The Rosie Effect on set between set-ups and picked up the above-pictured books today.

I have little time to read and even less time to watch television, so the shows I actually check out are few and far between. ��There’s Game of Thrones (premiering April 12th), and there’s The Walking Dead premiering – Hey, whaddya know! – tonight at 9:00 p.m. on AMC.

What are on your watch lists? ��Besides Dark Matter of course.

February 7, 2015: My all doggy blog post!

Honestly, my weekends are actually more jam-packed busy than my 12 hour days on set! ��Errands to run, documents to gather, and a director’s cut of episode #101 to watch and give notes on. ��Oh, and also squeezed in a Skype call from our old friend Alexander Ruemelin who ranks right up there with Carl Binder on the list of My Favorite Germans.

But more on that – and the show – in the days ahead. ��For now, enjoy some doggy videos…

My cranky gal, Jelly, on the move. ��Not bad for a 16 year old!

Meanwhile, back on the home front, Lulu continues her bed-stealing ways. ��Note the force-out on poor Bubba.

Renee’s dancing dogs entertain us during those loooooong hair and makeup meetings.

February 6, 2015: Enraged actors thirst for writer-producer blood!

Yesterday, I released the script for episode #110. ��When I told Paul, he called me cruel for doing so without putting out #111 as well. ��The script went out at 8:00 p.m. last night and, between set-ups, the actors were huddled around their cell phones, reading. ��By the time I got home an hour later, there were a bunch of text messages awaiting me:

“YOU GIVE US 10 TO LEAVE US HANGING?!?!” (Alex Mallari Jr.)

“JoE!!!!!! ��What the hell!!!!!!” (Melissa)

“Aaaaaahhhhh” (Jodelle)

Wait ’til they read #111. ��And #112! ��Or – holy crap – 113! ��My life may be in danger after #113!

Episode #104 prep meeting with Linda and Renee and Renee’s dogs. ��Executive Producer’s Assistant, Alison Hepburn, keeps us all in line.

Today, I delivered another round of treats to set from Akemi:

I corrected her this morning, pointing out it’s “peanut butter” not “peanuts butter”. ��She countered by referring to the ingredients on the jar’s label: “peanutS”. ��“More than one peanut,”she helpfully explained.

Yeah, but… ��Okay, round one goes to her.

The decorative white chocolate icing undermines their vegan-ness.

People are always asking: “Joe, how come we never see pictures of you on the blog?” ��The answer to that is simple. ��I’m way too busy. ��Taking picture of everyone else. ��As it so happened, yesterday, a couple of cast members managed to catch me in action…

I contemplate a script with actor Roger Cross (photo compliments of Zoie Palmer).

I contemplate an Art Department design with Production Designer Ian Brock (photo compliments of Alex Mallari Jr.).

I contemplate a bowl of chocolate covered almonds with story editor Trevor Finn (photo compliments of Emily Drake).

Today, our unit manager, Robbie David (the guy who introduced me to Burgers Priest) introduced me to Centre Street Deli smoked meat. ��I had every intention of taking a photo – honestly – but through some strange, unexpected happenstance, ended up devouring it before I got the chance. ��Anyway, this is more or less what it looked like:

Tagged: Dark Matter, Dark Matter t.v.

February 5, 2015: Dark Matter swag! Space Hair! And a Zoie Palmer exclusive!

Hey, check it out. ��It’s my new cell phone case compliments of actor Alex Mallari Jr. (Dark Matter‘s FOUR) who evidently grew tired of me going without. �� I repaid the favor today by bringing him the vegan no bake peanut butter chocolate squares Akemi made for him.

Continuing the visual roll-out of our Android, played by the lovely Zoie Palmer, here is another super exclusive spoilerific pic:

Two units running today. ��While Paolo Barzman was directing our cast over on main unit (infirmary, mess hall scenes) John Stead was directing second unit on our neighbouring stage (transfer transit, class four android advertisement, and the GNN news reports). ��Our very own Tara Yelland had her big day…

Her Big Space Hair Day. ��She looks like someone from the 20’s. ��The 2320’s of course.

Tomorrow, we shoot in the corridors and airlock!

The Sock of the Day:

Scooter socks!

And finally – Hey, check out my Dark Matter interview with Maximus Prime over at Geeks of Doom:

http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2015/02/04/interview-joseph-mallozzi

Tagged: Dark Matter, Dark Matter t.v.

February 4, 2015: Space beer! Cosmic tonic! And out of this world girlfriends!

My last view of my home (away from home) before boarding the elevator that will whisk me to my car. ��Despite the fact that I’m out the door at 6:00 a.m., Akemi and Bubba always get up to see me off. ��And, hopefully, get a parting treat and belly rub. ��Or, in Bubba’s case, just the parting treat.

Speaking of treats, Akemi followed up those brown butter bourbon cookies with two types of hand made truffles for the cast and crew…

Dark chocolate Earl Grey tea truffles and…

White chocolate and cream cheese truffles. ��To call them a hit would be to understate. ��Akemi’s popularity was sky high. ��Said Renee Chan, our key hair person after tasting a truffle: “If you don’t marry her, I will!”

Another crazy-busy – but no less awesome day – as prep and production on Dark Matter‘s first season continues. ��On set, director Paolo Barzman continues to work his magic on an incredibly challenging episode. ��If you’re a fan of “team” stories, you’re going to love this one. ��Meanwhile, Amanda Tapping continues to helm our meetings in advance of the episode #104 shoot. ��Today, we got together with costumes, visual effects, playback, and props…

The ole shell game!

Space beer and cosmic tonic.

1st A.D. Brandon Tataryn tests out the hero chair.

Whoa! ��Look out!

The Sock of the Day…

Bacon and eggs!

Tagged: Dark Matter, Dark Matter t.v.

February 3, 2015: Cars elves! Production! Prep! And our Walking Dead crossover!

“Somebody stole my car!”was my first thought as I stared out at the desolate lot. ��A single automobile sat out there, occupying the spot formerly occupied by my Durango. ��A Durango too, but cleaner, shinier, and less salt-encrusted.

Yes, as with yesterday’s incident involving that homeless woman who turned out not to be homeless at all but actually my friend Tara, I discovered that appearances can be deceiving. ��In this case, the guys in our Transport department had whisked my car away, washed it, filled the gas tank, and then returned it. They’re like shoe elves – but for cars!

THESE GUYS –

Transport Coordinator Tony Bifano and…

…Transport Captain Tom Chapman.

They’re the best! ��I predict another batch of bourbon cookies in their near future!

HUGE day on the bridge today. ��Our biggest yet! ��Director Paolo Barzman was in the thick of it all, orchestrating the action like a maestro of mayhem.

Prep continued today on episode #104 with director Amanda Tapping. ��Today, we discussed stunts, locations, and art department builds. ��It’s been a treat watching Amanda in action on the other side of the camera. ��That upbeat attitude and professionalism I remember so well��from��Stargate typifies her approach to directing. ��She’s inclusive and collaborative but percolating with great ideas.

Today, I was telling her about the time I brought my aunt to the set of SG-1. ��We watched a take and, the second the director yelled “Cut!”, Amanda walked right over and introduced herself. ��She chatted with us for a few minutes, then went back to work. ��My aunt still recalls that meeting with fondness and, to this day, always asks: “How’s Amanda?”

Vince and Rocky are on the wrong show. ��They look like they just walked off the set of��The Walking Dead.

Hey, it’s time for another round of “Guess Who’s Quarters?”:

Thoughts?

To those of you asking: The dogs are great. ��Lulu and Jelly are on the mend. ��And Bubba is still crazy.

Enjoy this short video of Lulu eating kale chips.

And let’s finish off with our our semi-regular Sock of the Day instalment:

Tagged: Dark Matter, Dark Matter t.v.