Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 398

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.

February 2, 2015: An unexpected encounter! Paolo Barzman at the helm! Amanda Tapping on deck!

“Hey!”said one of the set P.A.’s. ��“There’s a homeless woman eating a sandwich at the craft service table!”

While other crew members angled to get a look at our unexpected guest, I alone approached, drawn by a mixture of pity and sadness. ��She looked so frail, her hair disheveled, bony fingers clutching what was probably the last solid meal she’d enjoyed in days and, as I drew close, she seemed to start, pulling the food possessively close to her chest, and she stared up at me, her eyes a myriad of conflicting emotions: fear, contempt, despair, and defiance. ��She was in such a lamentable state that I immediately reached for my wallet, prepared to give her whatever cash I had on hand.

It was then, upon closer scrutiny, that I realized the homeless woman wasn’t eating a sandwich. ��She was nibbling a banana scone. ��And she wasn’t a homeless woman at all. ��It was actually my good friend Tara Yelland!

Her pockets are stuffed full of fruit bars and packaged crackers!

It turns out Tara had dropped by for a second costume fitting (You know the old drill: Send in false measurements and then come in, discover your wardrobe doesn’t fit, then make an appointment to come in for a second fitting thereby seizing the opportunity for a double raid on the production catering.).

Anyway, after escorting her off the premises (Last time, I merely walked her as far as the front desk��only to discover, hours later, she’d set up camp in our infirmary set), I returned to video village for Paolo Barzman’s first day directing episode #103.

Paolo getting it done!

Many of you have asked: “What does an executive producer do?”. ��The answer: We just sit around mostly, watching television:

Occasionally, we may voice a request (ie. “Could you hold the prop higher?” or “Can we get Game of Thrones on this t.v.?”), but really, for the most part, it’s just sitting around watching people make a television show.

Hey, if you hadn’t heard, or figured it out, our episode #104 director is a former Stargate colleague – none other than the lovely Amanda Tapping (https://twitter.com/amandatapping). ��We kicked off prep on her episode today and she has already made a bunch of fans in the production offices.

Too much fun!

February 1, 2015: Psycho Vegan Superbowl!

“I’m psycho!”Akemi happily informed me.

“Hunh?”was my response.

“I’m psycho!”she repeated. ��“I asked about when Jeff was coming back to Toronto yesterday and, today, you got an email from him saying he’s coming back! ��I’m psycho!”

“PsyCHIC,”I corrected her. ��“Psychic.”

“Not psycho?” ��Disappointed.

“I don’t know. ��Maybe psycho too.

She redirected her attention back to cleaning her favorite mug. ��I’d advised using a mixture of boiling water, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar to remove the coffee stains but she was leery, fearful of creating some sort of dangerous chemical reaction. ��I assured her that it was perfectly safe but she seemed unconvinced, sighting the example of a vengeful woman in Japan who mixed hair remover with her husband’s shampoo only to have the concoction explode in her hands. ��Noting the horrified look on my face, she suddenly brightened and shouted: “Be careful Japanese wife!”

Uh, yeah. ��So hopefully NOT psycho.

*

Hey, we went to a vegetarian restaurant today for lunch. ��I ate this -

The Drunken Stupor: Canadian bacon and double smoked bacon strips, a cracked egg, whiskey BBQ sauce topped with beer battered onion rings.

Wait. ��Oh. �� I see why you’re confused. ��Yes, Akemi wanted to check out a vegetarian restaurant in Kensington Market for lunch. ��While she enjoyed her salad, I definitely DID NOT��enjoy my sad and soggy apple-brie crepe and watery soup and matcha latte. ��And so, on the way back home, I stopped by a place called Bacon Nation and ordered the above-pictured sandwich. ��Better.

I’d agreed to the veggie foray��as research for tonight since I would be hosting not one but TWO vegetarians – AND a couple of vegans. ��Outside of the doggy dental strips and the bottle of sriracha sitting in my refrigerator, my place is decidedly un-vegan friendly. ��And by that I mean my dogs have been trained to attack vegans (only because Jelly, Bubba, and Lulu find the food crumbs they drop during the course of a meal sooo disappointing).

Anyway, I covered my vegetarian and vegan bases by also ordering up a bunch of tofu sandwiches, weird earthy salads, and a couple of desserts. ��For everyone else, it was sandwiches from Banh Mi Boys, rum cakes, and brownies. ��Also the samosas and beef patties Alex and Allie brought over. ��I made sure to set aside one brownie for actress Zoie Palmer who texted me, and I quote: “If I don’t get a brownie, I’ll be making up my own lines on Monday…just saying'”.

��“You’re having a Super Bowl party!”said actress Melissa O’Neil on Friday. ��The fact that it was less a question and more a statement of fact was hardly surprising given that actor Roger Cross had informed me, only days earlier, that he was coming over to watch the game and then apparently interpreted my silence as an official Super Bowl party announcement. ��In all fairness, we should have all gone to actress Jodelle Ferland’s place to watch the game since she is rumored to have a t.v. twice the size of both Roger’s and mine combined – but it was a pleasantly cosy get-together nevertheless.

The gang minus late arrival Anthony Lemke.

Tomorrow, back at it!

January 31, 2015: Cheesing! Toronto’s best rum cakes! And a script update!

“You’re cheesing me,”said Akemi.

“Cheesing you?”I asked.

“Yes, cheesing me.” ��She elaborated: “Making fun of me.”

“You mean teasing me,”I corrected her. ��“Teasing. ��With a t.”

She frowned, brow furrowed, genuinely perplexed by the revelation. ��“But cheesing makes more sense.”

“It does?”

“Yes because cheese is like a food bully, kind of aggressive, always going around covering other things. ��Also, cheese has a lot of other meanings like That’s so cheesy!”

Good point.

Akemi and I have our weekend routine. ��We sleep in, visit the farmer’s market, drop by Loblaws, swing by my favorite comic book shop (The Comic Pile:��http://www.thecomicpile.com��where I pick up the few titles I’m still reading: The Walking Dead, Saga, and Alex + Ada), then stop at THE spot for Toronto’s tastiest rum cakes: Don’t Call Me Cupcake (https://www.facebook.com/DCMCbakery��and��http://dontcallmecupcake.com). ��Owner Tova (pictured above) opened the shop a couple of years ago and has been baking up all sorts of delicious treats – cupcakes, cookies, cheesecakes, brownies and lemon squares – but my favorite are her bite-size rum cakes that are, apparently, a slightly tweaked version of her grandmother’s rum cake recipe. Today, my timing was near impeccable as I arrived while a fresh batch was cooling. ��I waited patiently, killing time by chatting with Tova – and eating one of her sweet and crispy chocolate chip cookies – until the rum cakes were cool enough to ice. ��And then…

Moist, creamy, and slightly boozy. ��It makes my list of Top 10 Things to Eat in Toronto!

I’m pleased to report that while prep and production on��Dark Matter��continues to motor along, script work on our thirteen episode first season is almost complete. Yesterday, we sat down to a ��note session with Executive Producer Jay Firestone and discussed episodes #110, #111, and #112. ��Amazingly, the typical pre-note session angst I’d grown accustomed to over my many years as a television writer has disappeared. ��It’s nice to sit down with someone and not have to fight for your vision of a script or argue over seemingly trifling expository additions that will weigh down or sink a scene. ��Never, over the course of these 12 script meetings with Jay, have we been asked to dumb down��explain or clarify or make so absolutely clear that even a trained chimpanzee could follow along. ��With Jay, it’s all about the characters and their respective relationships – which is, ultimately, what this show is about. ��The input has been really good, really positive, and I have yet to flip a desk, throw a script, or kick a script coordinator. ��Yet.

Jay checking the set for design flaws. From here, it’s a short walk over to wardrobe to weigh in on the costumes. You think I’m kidding?

Monday, we start production on episode #103 with director Paolo Barzman. ��I’ve only known the guy less than two weeks and I’m already a big fan. ��I really appreciate his passion and positive energy. ��Also, the great photos he took of Lulu the last time I brought her into the office:

Also on Monday, prep begins on episode #104 with a certain fan favorite assuming the directing reins. ��Who, pray tell, could I be talking about? ��Well, let’s just say it’ll be a Stargate reunion of sorts.

Tagged: best rum cake in Toronto, Dark Matter, Dark Matter t.v., Don't Call Me Cupcake, rum cakes, The Comic Pile

January 30, 2015: That’s a wrap on Dark Matter episodes #101-102!

That’s it! ��16 days up! ��16 days down! ��Today, we completed production on the first two episodes of��Dark Matter’s first season. ��The dailies look great, the cast and crew have been terrific, and director T.J. Scott has been nothing short of awesome. Next up: editing! ��We’ll get a director’s cut of both episodes the week after next, then Jay and I do our producer’s cut and then it’s smooth sailing! ��After we complete the mix, color correct, the visual effects, and whatever else I’ve forgotten to include which I’ll hopefully remember before we deliver the final version in June.

Paying us a visit on this special day was my arch-nemesis (and occasional co-writer) Tara Yelland who we ended up casting for a super special/super secret role on the show. ��She swung by to commemorate our final day, do her costume fitting, and eat the craft service offerings.

Tara attempting to kickstart her couch model career.

With Natalie Cooper away, I assumed we’d miss out on our sock of the day instalment. ��Fortunately Tara wore a truly hideous pair to her fitting today and I was able to get a snap. ��Don’t stare at them too long or you’ll get dizzy?

And – check it out – it’s the formerly suited Grant Boyle (being photo bombed by Mackenzie “Happy” Lawrence). ��An interesting contrast to his “parole board hearing” outfit of a few days ago.

How great is this cast? ��Well, so great they got the crew several boxes of Polish (?) donuts. ��You know, the kind actor Anthony Lemke was talking about last week at lunch time. ��Assorted flavors included raspberry, custard (Yes, please!), and plum!

Full time actress and part time hand model Zoie Palmer (who WOWED us with her expert hand inserts tonight. ��Her fingers were just dancing over the computer screen!) suggested I do a slow roll-out of her android look.

I’m starting at the bottom and working my way up! ��Our first instalment:

And, finally, director T.J. Scott calls it a day/double-episode:

Thanks for an amazing two-episode experience, T.J.! ��See you next month!

2 episodes down; 11 to go. ��I have a feeling these next few months are going to fly!

January 29, 2015: Torri in town! Writers Tears! Dark Matter Production Day #15!

Well, look who it is. ��Torri Higginson was on set today, kicking ass – as do most of the women on this show – as Commander Delaney Truffault. ��A quick visit from the former Toronto resident – but I have a feeling we’ll be seeing her again in the not too distant future.

Two units filming today. ��While main unit was in the mess and infirmary shooting the argument, the confrontation, the fall, and that weird kid moment – second unit was shooting at the airlock (for the unwelcome welcome), in the corridor (Zoie Palmer, as the Android, delivers one of stunt coordinator/2nd unit director John Stead’s favorite lines of the episode) and some of the quarters…

Guess who’s room we shot in today?

A cam operator��Dino Laurenza lines up a mess hall shot.

Patient Zero and 1st AD Brandon Tataryn relaxes in the infirmary between set-ups.

In what has become a post- lunch tradition, we partake in a little pre-set whisky tipple. ��Today’s sampling – and antique Hungarian shot glasses! – came compliments of Line Producer Norman Denver: the delightfully named Writers Tears Irish Whisky.

Hey! ��Sets Buyer Robert Steele celebrated his 50th birthday today – and we celebrated along with him with an Art Department birthday bash that included wine, cheese, cake, and really spicy sausage!

Today’s screen grab of the day:

What do you think? ��Guesses?

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

January 28, 2015: Detective Grant Boyle is on the case! Bourbon cookies get the shuttle shaking! Infirmary! Mess Hall! And dinner with Torri!

Introducing Grant Boyle – male model. ��Oh, and 3rd Assistant Director on Dark Matter. ��No doubt having grown tired of all the compliments I receive on my suits, Grant decided to go all out today – suit, tie AND cufflinks. ��Mighty suave, no? ��At one point, he flashed up on my monitor – standing in front of the camera, eating a burrito and, for a brief few seconds, I thought I was watching a cop show. Detective Grant Boyle: homicide! ��What do you think, ladies? ��Should he get his own show?

I left set in such a rush last night that I left my scarf behind. ��Fortunately, EP assistant Alison Hepburn was on the ball and returned it to me this morning. ��I rewarded her by not forcing her to stay late just in case I forgot my scarf again. BUT, if I do forget it again, there’ll be hell to pay!

How awesome is my girlfriend? ��Yesterday morning, she sent me off with a platter of brown butter bourbon cookies for the crew. ��They were a huge hit. ��Self-described full-time cookie aficionado (and occasional actor) Anthony Lemke hailed them as the best cookies he’s ever eaten!

The sugar and bourbon gave the crew the energy they needed to rock the gimballed shuttle set for those inflight scenes. ��Perhaps a little too much sugar and bourbon as director T.J. Scott had to keep telling them to ease up. ��Had I brought seconds, they probably would have rolled the damn thing.

I strolled in at 8:55 a.m. this morning to discover our infirmary set a hive of activity. ��Things being moved, assembled, fixed. ��It was downright heartening – if not for the fact that we were 5 minutes away from main unit call. ��BUT, in a flash, it was done. ��And we were finally ready to shoot in our infirmary set – for the very first time! ��Above: Rocky, part of the Art Department team, makes the magic happen.

We also shot in the mess hall for the first time. ��Check out the spice rack!

Meanwhile, prep continues on episode #103. ��We had our space suit helmet meeting today and reflected on reflections. ��The bad kind that screw up a shot because they show up in face shields.

The screen grab of the day:

And our sock of the day!

Went to dinner last night with our Commander Truffault, the lovely Torri Higginson. We talked dogs, food, cons, and scifi over wine, bourbon, and a crazy assortment of dishes. ��Tomorrow, she drops in to lower the boom on Ferrous Corp!

Tagged: Dark Matter, Dark Matter t.v.