Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 403

November 7, 2014: Outrage! The behind-the-scene pic they don’t want you to see! Dogs!

THIS is an outrage!  Look at this picture.  That’s powdered sugar on my shirt.  And how, pray tell, did it get on my shirt?  It got there because the sfogliatelle (Italian pastry) I was having for breakfast exploded when I bit into it, raining its dusted coating onto my lap and shirt front.  And who’s fault was that?!  Correct!  Alison and Trevor’s!  Had they had the foresight to blow the excess powdered sugar off my Italian pastry for me, this never would have happened.

I mean, seriously!  Do you think Shonda Rhimes puts up with this crap?

At part of my continuing efforts to offer you unique behind-the-scenes insights denied fans of other shows, I proudly present Wednesday’s Dark Matter lunch menu which included bean salad, stuffed supremes, and pies & cookies.

Back on the home front, Bubba is settling in nicely.  Just like Vancouver.  Different laundry basket, but same idea.

Lulu does her imitation of an anaconda swallowing a skunk.

Me and Jelly, hanging out.

November 6, 2014: Talking Dark Matter with WatchPlayRead! Construction continues apace!

My first Dark Matter (the t.v. series!) interview is in the books.  Head on over to WatchPlayRead.com for my chat with Ryan Thomason in which I discuss casting challenges, the various Stargate-Dark Matter connections, and the prospect of pug cameos: http://watchplayread.com/wpr-talks-joseph-mallozzi-creator-syfys-new-series-dark-matter/

“I’ve always found it difficult to draw side by side comparisons between shows. If anything, I’d say our series is reminiscent of a mixture of various SF shows of the past (Blake’s 7, Farscape, Firefly, and, of course, Stargate) and a couple of non-SF sources (The Dirty Dozen, The Magnificent Seven, The Thunderbolts comic book seris). But if I HAD to pick one show I’d draw the closest parallels to in terms of world and tone, it would be an animated series called Cowboy Bebop. Check it out if you haven’t already seen it. It’s awesome.”

Wow.  It’s unbelievable how quickly these sets are going up.  Hell, the gang in construction is so fast that they’ve taken to hanging around the Art Department in anticipation of the latest floor plans.

As the bridge goes up, so do the corridors.

Trevor considers the work-to-date.  Fortunately, he liked what he saw – which meant we didn’t have to tear it all down and start over again.

At this rate, we’ll have our sets up well before our target date – meaning construction will have plenty of time to build me that soap box racer!

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Tagged: Dark Matter

November 5, 2014: Dinner with my Toronto Arch-Nemesis, Tara Yelland!

Slowly but surely, I’m reconnecting with my former Toronto friends and/or acquaintances.  The other night, for instance, I got together with my long-distance nemesis and occasional script collaborator Tara Yelland for dinner at one of my very favorite restaurants: Buca!

Since Tara was working on a production, we ended up sitting down to dinner at a little after 9:00 p.m. – so late that I’m surprised they weren’t offering breakfast specials.  Okay, granted, many people eat at 9:00 p.m. EST…but they’re usually in a different time zone.  For her part, Tara (who clearly keeps all sorts of crazy hours) promised that, next time, we would eat earlier so that I could take advantage of the early bird specials.

We perused the menu and Tara informed me that pig’s ears and brains were out. Also pancetta and any of the offal dishes.  And all the meat dishes.

I completely forgot she was a vegetarian.  No wonder we’ve never gone to dinner before!

In the end, all of the plates we ordered were meatless – and excellent – among them…

This terrific mushroom pizza that Tara liked…except for the mushrooms which she picked off and left on her plate (Come on!!!).

The dinner conversation was our first extended communication that didn’t involve email.   Over the course of our two hour discussion, I found her endlessly entertaining – but, in the end, surprisingly enigmatic, like the first 50 minutes of an old episode of Murder She Wrote.

She decided to pass on dessert but I convinced her to have a taste of my tiramisu. Apparently, convinced her too well because she almost polished it off all on her own.

The tiramisu proves as hard to crack as my mysterious dining companion.

Despite the absence of meat, a very tasty meal.  And terrific night overall – until, I think, I partially separated my shoulder on the walk back to my place.  I’m not sure how she did it, but I do hold Tara responsible.

November 4, 2014: Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown – unless the Art Department meeting runs late in which case it rests just fine on the table while you take a little nappy!

Check out the cool slot box label outside my office door.  “Executive Producer” would have been fine, but they went ahead and included “Showrunner” – which is nice, but I would’ve preferred “The Commodore”.  In fact, that’s how I’d like to be referred to moving forward.

It wasn’t my first choice, but Natalie Cooper already snagged that.

Hey, check it out!  Revised versions of episodes #1 and #2, just in time for the Art Department meeting…which also included props, costumes, and construction.

2:00 p.m.  I arrived promptly, eager to get started.

2:10 p.m.  Who called this meeting?  Beginning to suspect I’m the victim of some elaborate practical joke.

2:27 p.m.  I’m overcome with concern for the other attendees.  Have they been kidnapped?  Accidentally locked themselves in the linen closet?  Worry gives way to panic and, ultimately, sleepiness.

2:43 p.m.  I doze off but eventually wake up feeling refreshed.  Only to discover it’s the next day.  And someone took my wallet.

Random point of discussion.  We’re going projectiles over lasers and blasters.  For the most part.

Our awesome Supervising Art Director, the amazing Kimberly Zaharko, generating these handy preliminary set lists for episodes 1-3.  Color-coded to boot!  Dark blue for VFX, light brown for Construction and Paint, dark green for Playback, light green for Graphics, grey for Props, white for Special Effects, and invisible ink for the Subliminal Message Department.

I came in this morning to discover that Alison and Trevor had redecorated, turning their desks around to face out toward the windows and daylight (and freedom) instead of facing the walls and dreary grey bulletin board.  Not sure how I feel about this.  I thought the scattering of lone thumbtacks was a nice touch, holding the promise of something more – an Art Department schematic, a colorful print, a Tiger Beat centrefold of Robby Benson – while simultaneously crushing their spirits. Also, this makes it much harder for me to sneak up on them whenever the mood strikes. :(

Tagged: Dark Matter

November 3, 2014: Well, look who it is! And weekend remnants!

Well look who started work at the Dark Matter production offices today.  It’s none other than Trevor Finn!  Blog regulars know that my working relationship with Trevor goes way back.  From his humble beginnings as Associate in Charge of Draining My Pet Baboon’s Anal Glands to Story Editor/Script Coordinator – he’s come a long way, baby.

Striking a pose from the cover of his breakout album, Straight Outta Scarborough

Trevor also wrote what will be episode #8 of Dark Matter’s first season.  I’ll be sure to subject him to fan Q&A (aka “a good ole fashioned coal-raking”) after it airs.

Oooh, check out the new cufflinks I picked up at TIFF Lightbox shop.  They had tie-fighters as well but they were just painted faces rather than actual sculpts.  This time next year, I’ll get a custom pair of our ship, The Raza.

SOMA Chocolate (443 King St W and 32 Tank House Ln) is offering this roasted white chocolate bar – something that is, apparently, all the rage in Japan.  Tastes like creme brûlée!

While out and about, Akemi encountered these adorable little girls who wanted to play with her for a REALLY long time.

Tagged: Dark Matter

November 2, 2014: Chef Rob Belcham in town! Special dinner at Porzia!

A couple of days before my departure for Toronto, I received an email from Chef Rob Belcham (formerly of Fuel and Refuel and Fat Dragon, presently of Campagnolo and Campagnolo Roma – all in Vancouver) informing me that he would be in town for a special one-night only dinner at Porzia Restaurant ( 1314 Queen St W.).  I immediately booked a table for two and last night was the night.

Chef Belcham (right) joined forces with three other chefs to create the evening’s special menu.

Chef Belcham was joined by three other chefs (his former cooks) to create the special six course menu…

Snacks: live scallop caviar & cream, soft egg and white soy, horse mortadella, and herring on toast.  The clear winner here was the scallop – and fresh and flavorful bite.  I’m not a fan of herring but Akemi is, and that particular entry was right up her alley.

Schmaltz Candle: Schmaltz (chicken fat) shaped into a candle and allowed to melt down and mix with what I believe was crisp, seasoned chicken skin (I’m guessing here because our waitress plunked the plates down in front of us without offering an explanation), served with dipping bread.  Damn tasty.  Akemi and I waited patiently for the candle to render down completely before really digging in – only to have our waitress whisk the plate away, leaving me clutching my unanointed bread.

Squash carpaccio with from age fraiche and smoked chestnut.  When I saw this on the menu, I was instantly dubious – but I was pleasantly surprised.  Very pleasantly surprised.  Believe it or not, this sweet and savory, multi-textured vegetarian entry was my favorite dish of the night.

Chef Rob’s albacore tuna with veal bone marrow, capers & parsley.  The tuna melted in our mouths.  Akemi’s sole quibble was the lack of rice which, she felt, would have made the dish perfect!

Dandelion agnolotti with ricotta & parmesan brodo.  Delicious, but quite over seasoned.

Veal sweetbreads with shaved shank, walnut tarator, spiced jus.  Akemi wasn’t a fan of the walnut mousse and I wasn’t sold on the shank, but the sweetbreads were perfectly prepared.

Brown butter crepe with pumping maple & mascarpone.  To be honest, this one felt like two different desserts – the crepe and the interior cream-stuffed tuile.  Both very tasty but a texturally bizarre combo.

 A fun outing – and it was great to see Rob.  Now, if we can only convince him to open a Campagnolo outpost here in Toronto…

November 1, 2014: Settling in!

Well, it’s been about two weeks since the move to Toronto and I’m pleased to report we have more or less settled in.  We’ve met quite a few very nice people in that short time – also, a number of weirdoes.  But I suppose that’s to be expected. Toronto is a bigger city.  Also, unlike Vancouver, Akemi and I can’t simply live as recluses.  Necessity forces us to go out, encounter others and, in some instances, interact with them.  The fact that I’ll strike up a conversation with just about anybody helps (or hurts depending on the relative sanity of my impromptu conversation partner).

Jelly and Lulu, best of buds.

The dogs have also settled into a nice little routine that includes four daily visits to the local dog park where Jelly leaves her stroller to get in her short walks, Bubba does his best to avoid contact with other dogs, and Lulu stubbornly refuses to return home until she has visited the dog run where she too ignores the other pooches in favor of begging their owners for attention.

Dressed for the weather – Jelly in her Anna Suit ensemble

I do miss Darlene and the gang at The Book Warehouse in Toronto.  I’ve checked out  a couple of the local book stores and have left underwhelmed.  The sole exception is Bakka-Phoenix Books (84 Harbord Street), a terrific shop specializing in genre fiction.  I spent a good half hour chatting with the staff while Akemi sat patiently by, endlessly perusing an illustrated Miyazaki book.

After you!

Even though I vowed to stick to digital versions while here in Toronto, I couldn’t help myself and picked up a selection made up of staff member Leah’s recommendations and some titles that caught my eye:

Familiar with any of the above books?

Presently reading Norman Lear’s Even This I Get to Experience.  Just finished – and loved – the first volume of Brian K. Vaughn’s Saga, recommended to me by Prodigy Pictures Development Wunderkind Nat Cooper.  I swung by The Silver Snail and picked up volumes 2 and 3 yesterday.  And also brought home a bunch of other comic books and graphic novels Natalie sent me home with on Friday, among them Buzzkill by Donny Cates that I thought was pretty darn terrific as well. Speaking of comic book, it looks like it’ll be trade paperbacks only moving forward as Marvel has apparently wrapped up (canceled?) the only two single issue series I was collecting: The Thunderbolts and the awesome Superior Foes of Spiderman.  :(

The eating, meanwhile, has been good.  WAY to good.  Some of the highlights -

The crispy prawn rice rolls at Luckee in the Soho Met.  I don’t even like rice rolls but thought these were great.  I’m not a huge fan of some of the entrees, but their dim sum menu items are uniformly great.

The sautéed sweetbreads at Le Neuf Cafe (9 Clarence Square) which, by the way, makes the best desserts in town – everything from salted caramel eclairs to their tiny chouquettes that Akemi has become addicted to and now picks up on almost a daily basis.

Wahlburgers (A Mark Wahlberg burger joint, 46 Blue Jays Way) opened her recently and I checked out their promising-sounding Thanksgiving Burger.  The patty was flavorful but the stuffing and roasted butternut squash were decidedly not.  The side of sweet potato tots (Actually made from yams.  For some reason, people in Toronto don’t know the difference between a yam and a sweet potato) was disquietingly sweet.  Everyone else in line ordered the signature Our Burger. Maybe I’ll order that next time.  Or just go Burger’s Priest which I’ve been meaning to do.

After stocking up at the St. Lawrence Market this morning, we returned home where I made myself a bacon sandwich using two types of bacon (back bacon and peameal), Bourgogne cheese, and micro greens.

Tonight, we head out to a special event dinner at a local Italian eatery that is hosting a special guest chef from Vancouver: none other than our buddy Chef Robert Belcham (Fuel, Refuel, Fat Dragon, Camapagnolo, Campagnolo Roma).  I will, of course, report back.

Tagged: Bakka-Phoenix Books, Buzzkill, Chef Rob Belcham, Comic Books, Comics, french bulldogs, Le Neuf Cafe, Luckee, pugs, Rob Belcham, Saga, sci fi, SF, SF books, St. Lawrence Market, Toronto, Wahlburger

October 31, 2014: Remembering Wray Douglas

I received word today of the passing of longtime Stargate Special Effects Supervisor Wray Douglas.  It’s shocking and sad when someone so young leaves us, but doubly so when it’s someone as gentle and even-keeled as Wray.  Despite the occasional onset chaos or the rigorous demands of his job, he was always the calm in the eye of the storm – precise, professional, and infallibly pleasant.  I remember finding it ironic that, even though he specialized in pyrotechnic displays and visual spectacle, Wray was actually a very calm, quiet and fairly shy guy. Whenever I’d see him on set, I’d have to engage him in conversation first but, once we started talking about what he had planned for a certain scene or shot, his eyes would positively light up, that big smile of his would appear, and he’d happily chat until he was called away – usually to blow something up.  He loved what he did and it showed in his work and his attitude.   If you needed something from him, he would deliver in a big, big way, consistently surpassing expectations.  He was, without a doubt, the very best at what he did.

One of my favorite Wray stories came via former Stargate Co-Executive Producer Damian Kindler who was on set one day to oversee production on one of his episodes.  That particular afternoon called for a fairly intricate series of explosions – again, Wray’s specialty.  The director yelled “Action!”, the scene played out, and the SPFX team triggered the charges.  The series of explosions were nothing short of astounding and left everyone in attendance absolutely stunned.  And, as cast and crew stared, dumbfounded, Damian glanced over and spotted Wray and his long-time partner in onscreen mayhem, SPFX Master Scott Stofer, standing off by themselves, giggling in delight.

And that’s what I’ll always remember most about Wray Douglas: that almost childlike delight and palpable love he had for his craft.

The last time I saw Wray was back in September of 2010.  He was as relaxed and happy as ever, looking forward to a new, more relaxed, less explosive charge-laden chapter in his life.  And in that day’s blog entry, I’d written:

“Today, we said goodbye to Special Efffects Wiz Wray Douglas who rides off into the sunset after a dozen+ years spent sparking, flaming, dropping, ratcheting, and generally blowing all manner of shit up here on Stargate. You’ll be missed, buddy.”

And he will.  Big time.

October 30, 2014: Introducing Kim Morrison! Construction continues! Building the bridge!

The enigmatic Kim

She’s like a shadow in the night – dark, mysterious, silent and stealthy.  One second she’s there, the next she’s gone.  Then, she’s sitting behind you, sipping her coffee!  I’ve never seen her come or go and yet, somehow, whenever I turn a corner, she’a there – appearing as if by magic.  Her name is Kim Morrison and her title is Executive Producer’s Assistant, that much I know – but little more.  She remains enticingly enigmatic, her past and predilections as elusive as a ninja panther in ballet slippers.

After almost two weeks, let’s review what I know about Kim: 1. She enjoys flavored coffees.  2. Her eyes are like two Infinity Mind Gems set in Silmarils.  3. She’s a writer!

Intriguing, no?

This begs further research.

Meanwhile, construction continues on our standing sets and I’m pleased to report that the bridge of our ship, The Raza, is taking shape.  Work has also started on the lower decks and the main section of our recurring space station set.  The latter will serve as a port of call for wary travellers, offering food, comfort, and occasional trouble.

Plans, plans, plans!

I plan to amass a library of EVERYTHING, from amazing Art Department designs to photos and video tours of the finished sets.   By the time we’re done, you’ll all have the know-how to design your own home spaceships!

The bridge taking shape.

Alison having a hard time deciding where she wants to put her Captain’s Assistant’s chair.

The space station concourse – presently exposed to the vacuum of space.

They’re moving quickly.  And noisily!

A final batch of auditions to review.  Tomorrow, we make our second round selects!

Oh, and I’ve got to finish up my pass on episodes #1 and #2.  I’ll be sitting down with the Art Department to discuss our two-part opener next week.

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Tagged: Dark Matter

October 29, 2014: Dark Matter Pre-Production! Set construction begins!

After a seemingly endless wait for the show to get green the light, we’re now charging full speed ahead toward our January production dates.  This week, construction began on our standing sets.  First up, our ship, The Raza, which will include the bridge, corridors, an infirmary, mess hall, training room, various corridors and airlocks.  The design work looks pretty awesome, and I fully intend to share the specs and pics with you in the coming days and weeks.  Also, our Set Designer Doug Slater has put together a terrific 3D walk-thru of our soon-to-bridge – which you’ll also get a chance to check out very soon.

Craig, our Head Carpenter, oversees the action

And so it begins!

Our set is raised to allow for stashing of loot and offer hiding places for the director. 

The layout for this stage

It’s all happening in the Hello Kitty Pavilion

Meanwhile, our first round of auditions is finally complete and, all told, we’ll have seen A LOT of very talented people.  Still a few redirects to come in (“re-do’s” that incorporate suggested adjustments) and then, by Friday, we’ll finally have our short list.  Well, shortER list.  The sides (scenes) for the second round have been chosen and are ready to go.

My wardrobe assistants

So last week, I helped myself to some carpets from the recently wrapped Lost Girl set (I had my heart set on a staff of righteousness or a twig of Zamora, but somebody – I suspect Nat Cooper – beat me to ‘em).  This week, I came to work to discover four shirts hanging in my office.  Apparently, Jay and Vanessa picked them out for me.  It was avery nice gesture and, when you think about it, unbelievably kind of them to take the time to go to wardrobe, peruse the selection, and pick out some shirts they thought would suit me.

Last night, had drinks with the Exec Producers of SyFy’s other new production, The Expanse.  Very nice group and their show sounds like it’s going to be awesome.

Lots of terrific SF to look forward to in 2015!

Tagged: Dark Matter, scifi television, SF television