December 5, 2014: Introducing Locations Manager Zachary Beckwith! And our first official Dark Matter locations scout!

Remember that guy back in the day?  The one with all the connections?  The one who could get you and your friends in anywhere, no matter how popular or exclusive the place?  Well, that guy now works on Dark Matter.  His name is Zachary Beckwith and he is our Locations Manager.  If you’re looking for somewhere to shoot that alley gun battle or forest sword fight or palace betrayal, he can get you in!

We had our first official Dark Matter locations scout the other day, lead by Zach who scheduled a grand tour of not one, not two, but three locations (plus a fourth the following day) in addition to arranging transport and snacks!  Pictured above, Exec Producer’s Bodyguard Alison Hepburn and Assistant Production Manager Robbie David prepare for departure.

One of the most important attributes of a successful writer-producer is flexibility.  Sometimes, that wild west town you scripted for your original comic book is unfeasible – or simply way too expensive for single, even double episode use – so you have to start considering alternate settings.  If you were shooting, say, in Vancouver, you could go with a tent village or quonset huts – but if you’re shooting in the Toronto area, it’s far smarter to take advantage of what the area has to offer.  In this case, a stones throw from T.O. (assuming Superman threw the stone) is Hamilton, home to a plethora of industrial settings.

With the right builds and set dec, an area like this can be transformed into a part of a mining community or even a space station.

Animal prints suggest a local wildlife that will add character to any futuristic set.  Space raccoons?

These walk-thrus also offer much in the way of potential props.  I could see things thingamajig sitting in our cargo hold.

Love the look of this place with its catwalks and ladders, offering great multi-level scope for shootouts.

A bit of a fixer-upper.  Would take a while to clear.

I quite like this look for the final battleground.

Heading outside to check out the exteriors.

It would look quite different once we were done with it, but this alleyway offers a great look for our crew’s encounter with Captain Salehi and co.

A lot of these places offer tons of character in the way of unfathomable equipment.

Another great look.

Thinking ahead to the salvage op on the abandoned freighter in episode #105.  Looking for low ceilings, cramped corridors – and this place has it in spades.

Again, loving the multi-level gun stations.  A possible reactor room?

Decisions, decisions…

Tagged: Dark Matter