Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 397

February 15, 2014: For the scifi fan who has everything! And yet another big casting announcement to come!

Well, how cool is this? ��I returned from my two days of location shooting in Hamilton to discover this sitting in my office. ��While in London, Jay picked me up this box of customized Dark Matter marshmallows:

Pretty cool, no? ��They’re so awesome, I can’t bring myself to eat them.

Of course I’m sure Akemi won’t have similar qualms.

In addition to the Dark Mallows, I found the following awaiting me as well:

This poster comes care of Elana Nova Zatzman, President and Creative Director of EZ Designs, who was attending Otakon in Vegas when she spotted it and thought of me. ��As many of you know, if I was to name one series that most influenced the creation and development of Dark Matter, it would be Cowboy Bebop. ��It’s ultra-cool SF fun and if you haven’t seen it, you should definitely check it out. ��You still have several months before our premiere.

Okay, as promised, I’ll be getting around to that mailbag – hopefully tomorrow.

And, looking ahead to his week – production continues on episode #104 with director Amanda Tapping, prep continues on episode #105 with director Lee Rose, and we’ll��be welcoming another familiar face to the Dark Matter recurring��roster. We closed the deal on Friday and, this week, comes the official announcement. Any guesses?

Tagged: Dark Matter, Dark Matter t.v.

February 14, 2015: Akemi and I take Jodelle on a foodly excursion!

“I ate like garbage box.”

– Akemi today after lunch, her way of letting me know she ate too much.

Pictured above: the chocolates I got Akemi for Valentine’s Day. ��Jean-Paul Hevin, shipped from Paris. ��They arrived three days ago and sat in the fridge because Akemi wanted to wait. ��A dried fruit and nut chocolate medley for her – and I surprised myself with a bunch of dark chocolate bars. ��I am SO thoughtful!

Today, Jodelle finally took us up on our offer and joined us for a morning and afternoon of food-oriented fun! ��First stop, the farmer’s market for an organic fix.

Well, well, well. ��Look who knitted herself a Whovian scarf.

Chocolate-covered strawberries all around at the St. Lawrence Market. ��Dark chocolate for Akemi. ��White chocolate and strawberry for Jodelle. ��But nothing for the clearly disappointed guy in the middle. ��He missed out.

Jodelle HAD to have this origami chopstick holder. ��Keeping with the Japanese theme, she also picked up some origami paper later in the day.

We return to the farmer’s market where Jodelle picks up a nice warm hat – to add to her growing collection. ��50 years from now, neighbors will refer to her as “the crazy hat lady”.

We followed up with a trip to Kensington Market where we checked out not one but TWO comic book shops. ��And then had lunch at King’s Cafe (http://www.kingscafe.com), a vegetarian restaurant that was – surprise surprise! – actually quite good. ��We enjoyed a variety of mostly Chinese dishes. ��Despite the fact that it was missing meat, the sticky rice purse was my favorite. ��Akemi loved the crispy king oyster mushrooms while Jodelle was all over the avocado melt. ��Apparently, next to hats, avocados are her favorite things.

From there, it was a short walk over to Don’t Call Me Cupcake (http://dontcallmecupcake.com) for my weekly rum cake fix. ��Actor Roger Cross asked me to pick some up for him and I did – but he has yet to respond to my text about dropping them off so I’m thinking he one or two may not make it to his apartment.

Clearly boozed up on rum cupcake, Jodelle spent an inordinate amount of time��swooning over some indie musician I’ve never heard of.

Once she’d sobered up, we headed over to Bakka Phoenix Books (http://www.bakkaphoenixbooks.com), purveyors of fine genre reads. ��There, I picked up the above-pictured books (Ted Chiang’s Stories of Your Life and Others��is one of my all-time favorite story collections – that I leant my writing partner years ago and he never returned). ��Jodelle got A Game of Thrones, adding it to the list of titles she doesn’t have time to read.

After dropping Jodelle off, Akemi and I had a nice, quiet dinner and then, for dessert…

She baked banana bread!

“It’s gluten free, sugar-free, and dairy free!”she informed me.

No problem.

Much-improved with the addition of 45% milk chocolate chunks, a couple of scoops of Breyer’s vanilla ice cream, and a dousing of salted caramel Stoli.

Ah, damnit! ��He swung by to pick up his rum cakes after all. :(

February 13, 2015: Back in familiar inertial dampened climate controlled faster than light territory!

Airlock entrance to space station Shaofu 2

It was nice to get back on the ship today after two days in Hamilton��on two distant space stations. ��Our travels to Cygni-4 and Shaofu 2 may be over, but we’ll always cherish the memories…

And these commemorative Shaofu 2 decals we picked up for our ships and shuttles.

Shooting in the mess, quarters, and corridors today. ��Here, director Amanda Tapping considers her next shot – and lunch options. ��Look at her zeroing in on that tuna melt!

Alex Mallari Jr. (FOUR) and Melissa O’Neil (TWO) enjoy some downtime between set-ups.

Downtime and green juice. ��Alex’s face says it all.

Jodelle Ferland (FIVE) tries to��get some reading in (appropriately enough, Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhker’s Guide to the Galaxy) while Anthony Lemke (THREE) distracts.

Meanwhile, prep continued for episode #105. ��Damn, a month ago, I was feeling relaxed with nine scripts under our belts. ��Now I’m feeling nervous. ��After five exhausting days on set, I look forward to enjoying some time off this weekend – working on my rewrite of episode #112.

Tagged: Dark Matter, Dark Matter t.v.

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.