Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 535

July 9, 2011: Transporter production update!

The production train is about to leave the station!  All aboard who's coming aboard!  Everyone else get the f*ck out of the way.  Move or be REmoved!

We're now two days away from the start of main unit principal photography on Transporter and I feel like I'm in the heart of a maelstrom.  Time to dispense with the niceties and step up.  From here on in, all paths – creative, production, or otherwise – lead through us.  And by "us", I mean Alexander, Paul, and me.  It's been a whirlwind four months, but they'll be nothing compared to the five months that lie ahead.

Alexander – Episode timing and preliminary schedule in tow, starts his pass on episode #7.  Time to reconsider the B-story and streamline the narrative.  Once he's done with that, he's got to get moving on writing episode #8.

Paul – Up to his eyeballs in prep for episode #1 ("Pilot") alongside Stephen, the episode director.  We had the read-thru on Wednesday and now it's the final push of meetings, rehearsals, fight training, and stunt planning before this baby goes to camera on Tuesday.  Paul, as the episode's Supervising Producer, will be on set for its entirety.  Hope his laptop is charged up as he's still got the rewrite of episode #4 on his plate.

As for me – no sooner did I put out new drafts of episode #2 ("12 Hours") and #6 than I received another batch of notes.  Spent last night doing another pass on the former and am patiently awaiting feedback on the latter.  In the meantime, I'm about to start a rewrite on episode #5.  A pass on episode #3 also awaits.  As if that wasn't enough, prep fast approaches on that second episode which I'll be producing.  Yesterday, we got a jump on that by heading out on a preliminary location scout for "12 Hours" along with Bruce, the episode's director.

Plenty of fighting room = Check!

To be honest, it's not in the script. Still, an interesting location we can file away for future reference.

The first thing I do when I walk into a room is check out the potential fighting props: the tables, the rolling chairs, the shelves - even the exit sign. Our Frank is a resourceful combatant.

Who knows what lies beyond the yellow doors.

Okay. We do. It's a clean room. Love the lighting.

Potential way out or possible way in?

Not sure what happens when you go inside and lock the door. Unfortunately, Tim refused to be a good sport and allow us to test it on him.

Flammable or inflammable? Which is it?!!

Ah, the lurid reception area.

Yes, we're all very busy – but perhaps the busiest individual of all is series director Andy Mikita (who you may recognize from, oh, about every second or third episode of the Stargate franchise) who is overseeing style continuity for all aspects the production.  He's reading scripts, going over storyboards, reviewing second unit dailies from Europe, discussing schedules and timings, meeting with department heads, helping to prep the first two episodes, and addressing endless other issues.  And he won't be catching a breather any time soon.  In a few weeks, it'll be his turn to take the directing reins on not one but two episodes as we block shoot #4 and #5.

Finally, I would be remiss if I failed to mention the inexhaustible Susan Murdoch who has been juggling a dizzying array of schedules, timings, budgets, and availabilities.

And then there's everyone else in the production office: Sonia, Anna, Brenda, Mega, Trevor, Tim, Tim, Tim, Craig, Sarah, Patricia, Adrian, Ryan, Jeff, Doug, Patrick, Bruce, and the countless others who you'll eventually meet on this blog as things move along.

It's going to be a long, exhausting, but no doubt immensely satisfying rest-of-the-year and I know the finished product is going to kick ass.

Finally, on the heels of yet another broadcaster summit, I leave the final word (in picture) to M6 Executive Julien DeWolf -

All Systems Go!

Tagged: The Transporter, Transporter, Transporter: The Series

July 8, 2011: Questioning my manliness! Trevor does it again! Hurray for weekends!

So I was walking into the office the other day when someone made a comment about the the bag I was carrying, intimating it was somehow effeminate to be strolling around toting this -

Essentially, questioning my masculinity.  Well, I was able to set them straight by pointing out the only reason I carry the "girly" bag is because my Happy Panda bento box won't fit in my briefcase.

That's a happy panda, folks, not a dancing rabbit or a tiara-sporting unicorn.  If YOU'VE got a more manly lunch container, I'd like to see it.

Anyway, with any doubts about my masculinity put to rest, check out the contents of my Happy Panda compliments of Akemi…

Seriously!  Have you seen a more fearsome egg?  Also -

Individually wrapped oatmeal-peanut butter portions with his and hers kuma-chan stickers.  I think Russell Crowe's Japanese girlfriend makes him something similar.

A little more serious now as I turn the subject to our Exec. Producers' Assistant, Trevor.  In short, I'm not sure he's working out.  First, he has the nerve to point out mistakes I made in a recent script.  THEN, he starts having reservations when I inform him that I'm holding a contest to decide the name of his firstborn child (vote here!: ).  And now, he's proven himself incapable of performing the easiest of tasks – deciphering the simple handwritten notes I made on the casting breakdown for episode 2.

Check it out.  He's unable to read something as simple as:

"Scandinavian".  Or -

"A little more dignified than Bernhardt".

I mean – come on!  Next thing you know, he'll need me to chew his lunch for him like a mother bird.

For some reason, readers have been emailing me their questions for Jeff Lemire, writer/artist of the July Book of the Month Club pick: Sweet Tooth.  All good, but it would also be great if some of you could post your thoughts on the book – and questions for its creator – here () as it makes gathering them up a heck of a lot easier.  Speaking of which – you have until Sunday to get your questions in for Jeff, so post 'em if you got 'em!

Thanks to everyone who weighed in on the Akemi situation.  She was actually quite touched by the number of people who took the time to post about her.  So touched, in fact, that a couple of you actually made her cry.  Nice going!

Finally Friday!  Instead of sitting at a desk all day working on script rewrites, I can take a break and sit at a kitchen table all day, working on script rewrites.

Hurray for weekends!

July 7, 2011: Sooooothing doggy pics!

Oof!

What a day.

Let's leave it at that and, instead, concentrate on soothing doggy pics.

Soooooothing…

July 6, 2011: Gusto, Gorgonzola, and Ghosts!

Having wrapped work on the Saving Hope pilot, Michael Shanks (Stargate's Daniel Jackson) is westcoast-bound were he'll begin work on The Pastor's Wife opposite Rose McGowan.  But before jetting off, I managed to corral him for  a mini Stargate reunion of sorts last night.

Fab director Andy Mikita and his even fabber wife Candace.

Executive Producer Robert Cooper waits to be impressed.

Michael Shanks considers the agnolotti. And, ultimately, decides to tell a story instead.

We gathered at La Forchetta in Little Italy where we enjoyed a nice meal highlighted some tasty gnocchi, great smoked duck, and a tale of absolute bone-chilling terror compliments of Mr. Shanks.  Oh, this one had it all – a red-eyed demon, a boy in a closet, an Indian burial ground, self-immolation, protective wards, cleansings, inter-dimensional travel – and was almost an hour in the telling.  So engrossed was Michael in the based-on-a-true-story account that he didn't get around to his agnolotti until well after the whole demonic portal revelation…

The agnolotti had to wait until after the account of the exorcism.

Candace, Andy Mikita's wife, countered with a tale of her own involving a young girl left home alone, the spirit of a hunchbacked old man, a mysterious message, and a grisly farm accident.

Rob and I sat listening, rapt, trying to figure out how we could combine both tales into one glorious low-budget feature film that would gross tens of millions of dollars.

Michael pitches the bit about the non-arcing salt and the creepy imaginary friend.

Anyway, as far as ghost stories go – pretty hair-raising stuff.  Michael's in particular was filled with enough horrific shocks and startling surprises to make that actor who played the doctor in Signs green with envy.  Next time he guests at a con in your burg (MS not the doctor guy), get him to tell it again.  With the lights off…

Spooky!

Candace partakes in spirits of another kind.

Rob isn't sold on the late second act twist.

Andy was on the edge of his seat!

It was a great night – a lot of fun, a lot of laughs.  It's always nice to get the band back together.

Looks like Michael will be heading back to T.O. (family in tow) in August for the big Fan Expo.  Hopefully he'll come armed with an equally ghoulish sequel.

A toast to the ghosts! And the panna cotta!

 

July 5, 2011: Sad Rabbit

It was the subtlest of changes, a transition so slight as to be almost imperceptible.  If not for the fact that we've been together for over a year, I might not have even noticed.  At first, I wasn't sure but, as I began to suspect, and pay closer attention, it became obvious that something was up.  Akemi seemed a little distant, a little pensive – lately, a little less quick to laugh and more inclined to take time to herself.  Of course, when I asked her about it, she was quick to deny there was a problem.  I pressed and, in typical Japanese fashion, she begged off, hesitated, claimed it wasn't important, said she didn't want to bother me and then, ultimately, admitted there WAS something bothering her.

Her visa expires in three months.

Here I've been, so focused on work and enduring Toronto, looking ahead to finishing up the year and returning to Vancouver, that I failed to consider a very big part of my life for the past fifteen months will not be going back with me.  The next three months may not be ideal for me but for Akemi, they're all she has left in Canada.  It's heartbreaking to sense the struggle beneath that gentle, optimistic facade, doubly so because I know how much she loved Vancouver and how much happier these last three months would have been back home in more familiar surroundings.  It makes me sad to know we won't get the opportunity to do so many of the things we loved while we were together on the west coast, little things like grabbing an ice cream at Bella Gelateria, watching a movie in the theater room, or even sitting in the backyard with the dogs.

The dogs.  They'll all miss her, but Bubba especially.  Whenever Akemi is on the couch, he has to be up there with her.  Whenever Akemi goes upstairs, he has to bound up after her.  Whenever Akemi puts her shoes on to head out, he has to sit at her feet, gazing imploringly up at her, seemingly trying to convince her to take him along through sheer mental will.  So it shouldn't come as a surprise that Bubba was the first one to pick up on the change in Akemi, over the past few days snuggling alongside her a little closer, staying by her side a little longer.

For now, I'm going to try to concentrate on the present and not worry about the future.  Easier for me given the many distractions I have to contend with on a daily basis but not quite so simple for Akemi who has all day to think about it her impending departure.  And despite the fact that I finally got her to open up about what was bothering her, again in typical Japanese fashion, she remains reluctant to discuss, adopting a sunny smile and waving away my efforts.  The prospect of my worrying about her is apparently more distressing to her than her own personal distress.  And yet still, there are rare instances where the brave front falters and I catch a glimpse of the true emotions.  "I'll be okay,"she assured me last night, bright-eyed and spirited.  And then, a simple request: "Please don't forget about me."

Sigh.

Speaking of forgetting – don't forget to cast your vote in the Name Trevor's Baby contest (see past entries for details).  AND don't forget to post your questions and comments on Sweet Tooth!

Today's Bento Breakfast -

July 4, 2011: Sweet Tooth by Jeff Lemire

It's been years since Earth was struck by a mysterious plague.  Called The Affliction, it killed billions and gave rise to strange genetic mutations – the birth of countless human-animal hybrids.  Innocents, they are born into a hostile world where they are targeted by suspicious and fearful survivors.  Gus is one such off-spring, a naïve boy who has spent his entire life in isolation, under the protection of his God-fearing father.  But when his father dies, Gus is forced to venture out of the wooded environs he calls home.  It's a quest for food, for survival, that is made all the more difficult by Gus's curious abnormality: the conspicuous antlers sprouting from his head.

No sooner does he leave the safe confines of the deep forest than he is set upon by a group of hunters.  Fortunately, rescue comes in the form of a grizzled mystery man named Jepperd who dispatches the hunters in violent fashion and takes the frightened Gus under his wing.  The unlikely pair then set off on a journey to a fabled sanctuary, the "preserve", where hybrid children are reputedly free to thrive in the safety of a sheltered environment.

Along the way, the two bond over perilous encounters, campfire chats, and a Gus' love of candy bars (which earns him the nickname Sweet Tooth).  While it is clear that Jepperd is a man of many secrets, it isn't until volume 1's final pages that the depth and darkness of his prior life are revealed.  And it's this shocking revelation that turns the story on its head, ending the first book on a heart-breaking note and holding the promise of greater tragedy to come.

Writer/Artist Jeff Lemire paints a bleak picture (in both words and colors) of a grim dystopian world rife with death and danger – yet manages to counter-balance the prevailing darkness with brighter elements: the comical dream sequences, the colorful almost garish visuals of the book's more violent sequences and the touching friendship that develops between Gus and Jepperd.

I picked up this first volume of Sweet Tooth several months ago in a bid to expand my comicly horizons, figuring I would try something new.  Well, the fact that I ended up making it the July Book of the Month Club pick should give you some indication of how much I enjoyed it.  I was looking for something unique and that's exactly what I got in terms of narrative, visual style, and, most importantly, the characters of Gus and Jepperd who, though very different, prove equally likable.  Yes, I've read reviews that compare Sweet Tooth to McCormack's The Road and, while I agree there are similarities in their basic premise, I found Lemire's vision unique and arresting.  For the record, I didn't enjoy The Road because – ironically enough – I found it compared unfavorably to Octavia E. Butler's Parable of the Sower.

A terrific opening chapter to what (three volumes in) is shaping up to be an engaging and poignant series.

So, those are my initial thoughts on Sweet Tooth.  What did you all think?  Start posting your comments and questions for writer/artist Jeff Lemire!

A reminder to cast your vote in the Name Trevor's Baby Contest.  Click this link () then scroll down to choose from among the fabulous five finalists: Trouble, Orpah, Spearmint, Eufemia, and Muff.

Come on, Oprah!

Tagged: Jeff Lemire, Sweet Tooth

July 3, 2011: So much for the long weekend!

Pictured above: the chocolate souffle at MBCo in Yorkvile.  It's just one of the many things I'll miss about Toronto when I move back to Vancouver in December along with Scarpetta restaurant and, uh, the chocolate souffle at MBCo.

A somewhat relaxing long weekend.  I kicked back by making some major progress on the fourth issue of my comic book series, Dark Matter, hitting the 17 page mark before running out of steam (which puts me well ahead of schedule for my July 12th delivery date).  I also did the late network notes on episode #2, addressing all but one mini-major issue (not because I vehemently disagreed with it but because incorporating the note would raise some logic questions and several production concerns).

A very big week ahead on the Transporter: The Series prep and production front.  The broadcasters head back into town as the cast convenes for our very first read-thru.  My writing partner Paul finishes up prep as episode #1 (Pilot) goes to camera.  Meanwhile, I wade into a rising tide of script rewrites as prep on episode #2 looms.

Late today, series director Andy Mikita forwarded me the mood board Technicolor put together in a bid to get the ball rolling on the opening title sequence. Yeah, I didn't know what a mood board was either but, now that I know, I have to admit it's very cool.  Andy also sent me the sizzle reel David put together in advance of the big week ahead.  A lot of dynamic footage from the Europe shoot makes for a very exciting teaser.  Don't want to get ahead of myself (our first completed episode is a ways off) but everything I'm seeing suggests a pretty awesome show.

Maximus and Jelly make the most of their Sunday.

Dinner with Michael Shanks rescheduled to Tuesday night and it's looking like a mini Stargate reunion.  Again, he left it up to me to choose the restaurant.  Of course, I told him it would have to be somewhere special because, damnit, HE'S special!  Hey, what's that place where you can eat a medieval feast while knights do battle for your entertainment?

Finish up the last few pages of Sweet Tooth volume 1, you stragglers!  Discussion on the July Book of the Month Club begins tomorrow!

July 2, 2011: Crunch time and comics!

Boy oh boy, nothing keeps a television writer real and grounded like network notes two days AFTER a rewrite has been completed.  Just when they're regaining that old self-confidence, growing presumptuously organized and focused on the next script, the email fairy appears bearing tidings of discomfort and requests for a serious rethinking of the script's main villain.  And so, rather than moving on to my rewrite of episode #6, I'll be rewriting my rewrite of episode #2 instead.  Of course, as my writing partner Paul pointed out, we only have ourselves to blame.  Unlike countless disorganized productions that barely have a script beyond the season opener by the time they go to camera, with a week to go before main unit starts shooting, we have eight scripts out there in various stages of development. We're well ahead of the game which is great for the production as it gives us plenty of time to prep – and even greater for anyone inclined to give notes because there is PLENTY of time for that as well.

It's crunch time, ladies and gentlemen.  Paul is up to his eyeballs in prep on episode #1 and I've got a plethora of rewrites on tap (#2, #3, #5, #6, and #7) – with prep looming for my first episode as well.  The challenge, as always, is to address the concerns of the various players (and in the case of this production, I count a little over a half dozen) in way that satisfies their requests yet keeps the scripts tight and, most importantly, produceable given the established budgetary parameters.  No mean feat.

Today, I took a break from all the Transporter script work and relaxed by working on the fourth and final script (of the opening four-issue arc) of my upcoming comic book series, Dark Matter, an SF space opera that, at its thematic core, is all about revelations, redemption, and revenge.  My editor at Dark Horse, Patrick Thorpe has been keeping me updated on the developing artwork, forwarding me everything from rough layouts to pencils (to a color version of the first issue's awesome cover).  Artist Garry Brown continues to astound.  And no wonder. Just check out some of his past work…

Head on over and peruse the rest of Garry's gallery here: http://www.garrybrownart.com/

Dark Matter will be hitting the shelves January of 2012.

A little over 500 votes cast in the Name Trevor's Baby Contest and, sadly, my favorite choice – Oprah – trails badly with a paltry 32 votes.  It's neck and neck for the other four entries – Trouble, Spearmint, Eufemia, and Muff – as we head to the finish line.  Head on over to this entry () and cast your vote.  I'll be announcing the winning name later this week.  What I initially took for excitement on the part of the soon-to-be-dad, Trevor, our Executive Producer's Assistant, turned out to be apprehension and a smattering of fear at the prospect of how his wife will react.  Just in case he's having second thoughts, I had our legal department actually make the acceptance of the baby-naming a part of his job requirement.

Another reminder: Read volume #1 of Sweet Tooth by Jeff Lemire!  Discussion on the trade paperback begins Monday!

Finally, I would appreciate it if everyone took a moment to post their porn star name after following this simple formula: Simply take the name of your first pet and follow it with the name of the street you grew up on.  Smokey Bordeaux, at your service.

And finally-finally – no matter how many times I play the following video, Akemi is reduced to a puddle of tears.  I feel bad for the kid too.  I think she was expecting a bicycle…

July 1, 2011: Soma Chocolate!

I celebrated Canada Day by driving around town discovering everything was closed for Canada Day.  After not shopping for fresh produce and canned pumpkin puree for the dogs (It helps keep 'em regular!), we didn't enjoy a nice lunch and follow up by checking out a nice macaron place.  Instead, we had a craptacular meal, walked around aimlessly in an attempt to make the most of our two and a half hour parking, then hopped back in the car and headed home.  Hoping the day wouldn't be a total waste we set off on foot, just a few blocks down, to check out a chocolate shop I'd noticed in passing the other day (Welcome to SOMA chocolatemaker).  I'd heard good things about it – some from a few readers of this blog – and was looking forward to a theobromine hit, but fully expecting it to be closed.  Well, whaddya know?

We walked by two young ladies sitting out front.  I peered inside. "We're open!"one of them happily informed me, jumping up out of her seat.  Then, suddenly taking another look at me and hesitating. Briefly, I imagined she'd mistaken me for one of those sketch artist renditions of some perp spotlighted in the latest installment of Crime Stoppers.  Instead, her eyes narrowed, she pointed and said: "Are you the Stargate guy?"

Ho-Ly Crap!  This never happens to me.  Usually.  Once at the checkout of my local pharmacy (fortunately I hadn't purchased anything embarrassing), another in the dead of winter's night on a deserted corner in downtown Montreal, and now outside a chocolate shop in Toronto.  I enlightened her.  I was one of the Stargate guys…

Turns out she and her husband are huge fans of the franchise and regular readers of this blog.  Given my love of chocolate, they'd been expecting me for a while now…

Mai (who recognized me) and Diana. And an awesome purple shirt being worn by some guy.

No little chocolate shop. The place is huge! And well-stocked. Akemi peruses the chocolate-themed choices - bars to biscuits and everything in between.

We kick things off with two double shots of dense dark - one spicy, one not. Rich and intense!

The individual chocolate selections.

We followed with about a dozen chocolates. Akemi was partial to the olive oil chocolate. I liked the brown butter.

After which it was time for dessert. Two scoops of gelato: Thai coconut and pistachio. Akemi and I were both in agreement. Best gelato in Toronto.

Mai and Diana usher us out before we clean them out of stock.

But not before we picked up something for the road.

I can't believe this place is within walking distance of my place.  And open until 8:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday.

To echo Akemi: "Dangerous!"

June 30, 2011: Vote for one of the finalists in our Name Trevor's Baby Contest! And other stuff!

Our Executive Producers' Assistant, Trevor, is really looking forward to the birth of his first child AND the name you, my dear blog reader, will bestow upon said kidling.  Look at him (pictured above), excited beyond belief at the prospect that we'll be doing all the heavy lifting, generating options, considering, and, ultimately, deciding the name of his firstborn.

I've gone over all the entries and have narrowed the list down.  I originally wanted to settle on three names but I had a hard enough time trimming the list down from my final fave 10.  And so, here are the Final Five names in the Name Trevor's Baby Contest.  Vote for your favorite now!  The finalists are:

Trouble

Oprah

Spearmint

Eufemia

Muff

Start voting, either in the comments section or in the poll I'm going to (try to) upload here: View This Poll
online survey

P.S. It was a tough and highly competitive field.  Honorable mentions that didn't make the cut included Rovert, Adlehnburg, Nutella, Echymosis, and Dysphagia.

Speaking of happy co-workers, check out Steve and Alexander celebrating the completion of the episode 10 spin session…

It's going to be a great episode.  Macheterrific!

Today's Bento Breakfast…

Note the heart-shaped figs, my name in chocolate on top, and the oatmeal wink.  Totemo jozu as the Japanese would say!

Big long weekend ahead.  Two rewrites and the fourth and final issue of (the opening arc of) my comic book series, Dark Matter, to get to.  I'm also hoping to begin my quest for Toronto's best macaron.  I'll be starting with this preliminary guide forwarded to me by Stargate Special Features Producer Ivon Bartok: http://www.blogto.com/toronto/the_best_macarons_in_toronto/

Today's entry is dedicated to birthday (and belated birthday) regulars Tammy Dixon, profmadmax,Luvnjack and for the love of Beckett.