November 18, 2010: The Final Day of Main Unit Photography on SGU's Second Season!

Well, here we are – the last day of main unit principal photography on Stargate: Universe's second season.    And I say again: "Wow!  That was fast!".

I walked into my office to find THIS sitting on my desk…

And check out what was inside…

Cool, no?  And perfect for my upcoming trip.  So it should come as no surprise that the individual who got me the kindle was none other than my Tokyo travel wingman, and Stargate: Universe Special Features Producer, Ivon Bartok.  It was his way of thanking me for getting him the plane ticket – which sounds a lot more impressive than it really was since I used air miles to book both of our flights.  His gift is much appreciated and I look forward to the many hours I'll spend enroute, ignoring him while I read the latest issue of Salmon Monthly.

Also much appreciated – this being our last main unit day and all – is the hard work of our catering crew (led by Steve on mains and Anthea on desserts) who served up a true feast for lunch today.

 

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A point of interest - compare my modest portion of cheesecake (left) with Ashleigh's softball-sized portion. Now I'm not saying anything. Just...noticing.

Prime rib, prawn, spanapaktawhatchamajobs, red pepper soup, cheesecake, and sundry etceteras!

We watched Carl's producer's cut of #218, Epilogue this afternoon.  This one gets a 3-hanky alert.  You've been warned!

Hey, Canadian Stargate fans – make sure to tune in to the post-SGU wrap-up show, Innerspace, this Friday night when the show will be co-hosted by none other than SGU/SGA co-creator/co-show runner/Executive Producer/Writer and Occasional Director Robert C. Cooper.  Rumor also has it that he's in the running to replace Don Cherry on Hockey Night in Canada.

Mailbag:

Gilder writes: "Joe, are you going to check mail at Bridge for a few more weeks?"

Answer: The production office will be open for another two weeks as the producers come in to watch the various cuts and mixes.  I believe December 3rd is my last day before my Tokyo trip.

detanfy writes: "1) Is it possible that Destiny and not the Stargates is actually the ancients most important invention?"

Answer: I suppose it's a matter of opinion.

"2) hows the anime going? Did you finally finish or at least watch Eureka 7? I remember you having some trouble getting into it, besides the slow start it picks up and really is an amazing series"

Answer: Alas, haven't watched Eureka 7 past the first couple of episodes.  Haven't watched any anime in a while.  Thinking of checking out Baccano.

"3) when are we going to see more Destiny specific tech? like the repair drone for example"

Answer: Coming soon…

"4) Is "Ursini" the official name of the Awakening aliens? if so what compelled you to reveal it on here?"

Answer: It is the official name and I was compelled to reveal it here because someone asked me.

"5) is your comic project going to be Marvel/DC or Image?"

Answer: One more guess.

"6) I really enjoy the supporting characters, Brody, Volkner, James, park and co. Please tell me you are keeping them around and they won't suffer the same fate as Riley

also will we be seeing more of them? not centric episodes, just more awesomeness in general and learning more about them"

Answer: We all love the supporting characters as well – but no promises as to their respective fates.

"7) Does Destiny have any secrets you aren't telling us tech-wise, specifically in the weapons department, maybe version 1 drone weapons?"

Answer: In all probability, yes.

Jordan writes: "When you started in the entertainment business, obviously you probably wanted to get any job you could but creatively did you want to work on a certain genre? Like science fiction, or drama, or comedy? I know any job you could get you had to do but did you start writing to work on something specific?"

Answer: I've always enjoyed writing humor so, ideally, that's the type of show I want to end up working on.

Brian M. White: "I just have a quick question: where do you find these locations?"

Answer: This is a question for the lovely Heather who heads up our locations department.  This season, she's been able to find us locations we didn't even know existed!

Holloway writes: "Last of all as for Ms. Kennair's remarks doesn't that simply confirm in part what I was saying last season in that Greer was underdeveloped compared to most (or all) of the main cast?"

Answer: I don't think so.  The same comment could have applied to any of our characters had they received similar back half focus.

Aussuu writes: "So if/when SGU is picked up for a 3rd season do you see it possible to come back to Utah for an episode?"

Answer: It's certainly possible.  Rob Cooper and the cast had a terrific time on their last visit.

melnjohn writes: "Did you know in advance that Ginn would be such a fan favorite? In other words, did you create her to be so well liked, or did Julie Mcniven just come off that good in the character?"

Answer: I'm not surprised because Julie McNiven is a wonderful and very charismatic actress.  You can attribute to popularity of Ginn to two things – the character on the page and Julie's ability to interpret that character in a way that resonates with viewers.

nate writes: "1.) How much time had past between The greater good and Malice? Was it just a few minutes or hours?"

Answer: The action is continuous.  Think of it as one, long episode.

"2.) Are there any episodes coming up that reveal new areas of Destiny? You mentioned the dome room being repaired at some point…"

Answer: Yes and yes!

"3.) I may be mistaken, but didn't you imply in a recent mailbag that Ginn isn't really dead? Was that just to keep us in suspense or is there more to come from Ginn in the form of a vision for Eli, like Rush and his wife?"

Answer: Did I imply she wasn't really dead or did I imply we'd see her again?  I don't recall.

"4.) Why has no one thought about going back to the seed ship for Telford, since they can plot a new course and control destiny?"

Answer: Given the circumstances in which they left him and the time and distance that has passed, it would seem unlikely to many that he'd still be there.

"5.) So, is everyone on board with the mission of Destiny now?"

Answer: Sure looks that way.

Paddy writes: "Are we ever gonna get Camille on an offworld mission… every one has to chip in right??!"

Answer: Yes and yes.

Ben42 writes: "Do those bison/velociraptor hybrids have a name?"

Answer: Lenny, Phil, Margie, Loretta, and Maurice – those were the ones I can remember off the top of my head.

PJR writeS: "On the comic project were you given a strict pagination per issue, and so per story (whether told in one issue or across a few)? Hence, the structural breakdown to page-turns and frames per pages, etc.. Oh, and have you sorted an artist yet?"

Answer: We were given a script guide that covered formatting and general structure.  We're operating under the standard 22 page/issue format.  The first story arc, which encompasses the potential two-part series premiere, will be comprised of four issues.  I'll be doing one more pass on it tonight, then sending it my editor's way in the morning. Hopefully, I'll hear word on potential artists next week.

dioxholster writes: "You said North Americans have similar tastes but clearly not, I think someone had a point when they said SGU feels too Canadian. I think its valid, and it became very apparent with how you guys approached the sex storylines."

Answer: Sorry, haven't a clue what you're talking about.  Are you suggesting that Americans are more prudish when it comes to sex on television?  Really?

Audrey writes: "So what's up with Varro lying to Young and co., when he says he knows nothing of the attack on Earth? In Pathogen we see him have a talk with Simeon, and its sorta implied that they all know about it."

Answer: No, I think it's pretty clear in that scene that he and other Lucian Alliance members are offering Homeworld Command information while Simeon is offering disinformation.  The Alliance, as the name implies, is made up of various factions.  Simeon and Ginn belonged to the same faction, the group planning the rumored attack on Earth.

Viv writes: "Most network shows wrap in late March early April for shows that will air in May."

Answer: And we're about to wrap up in late November on a show that already started airing in late September.  It really depends on the series.  Shows like ours, that include significant VFX, will require more lead time.

Viv also writes: "But, your doubt aside, what sort of feedback would cause creative shifting for Season 3, or do you feel that it already is what it is?"

Answer: At the end of every season, we'll look back and take stock, discuss what worked and what didn't from a creative standpoint, consider what the fans responded to and what didn't work for them, receive input from the studio and network, and move forward.  Suffice it to say that provided we get that third season pick up, season 3 will see some shocking, monumental developments.