February 15, 2011: Pre-Production update on one show and post-production update on another! Some Lady of Mazes discussion!

Well, I've got a solid first draft that I'm ready to hand off (following the addition of a late fourth act action sequence) and Paul is about finished his script.  I expect we'll switch off sometime tomorrow and take a couple of days to criticize and revise before sending them off in turn to Rob and Alex for their input.  Right now, I'm feeling very good about what I have.  It's fast-paced and fun with a lot of nice character moments not only for our hero but for our supporting cast as well.  Sure, there may be a beat or two that will have the guys questioning my sanity (there's at least one in every script I write), but overall it's going to make for a kick-ass hour of television.

Once the scripts are done, I'll have to shift focus to the series bible.  In the early years of my career, I wrote a lot of them – pitchy sales documents, ubiquitous at the various MIP's and NATPE's, offering detailed series overviews, character breakdowns, and episode springboards in glorious, garish copy ("Buckle your seat belts and hold onto your hats because the Rescue Bears are back and looking for adventure!!!")  - and I hated every minute of it.  I've always felt that if a series pilot did what it was supposed to do (a.k.a. introduce the series), it would obviate the need for a bible.  But, sadly, I'm in the minority opinion on this one.

So it's looking more and more like I'll be calling Toronto home – for a while anyway.  As much as I'd enjoy the convenience of condo-living, I think that the dogs would be much happier in a house, so I've started looking.  Unfortunately, I am unfamiliar with the city (and its suburbs).  If you know the area, help me out.  I'm looking for a nice, quiet, crack and meth-free neighborhood reasonably close to downtown.  If that's at all possible.  Recommendations?

Long-time Stargate Exec Producer (and friend) Carl Binder heads back into town later this week.  This may well be the last time I see him.  In Vancouver.  For a while.  Kerry has given us the heads-up on the Stargate: Universe season 2 post schedule.  We'll be convening on Friday to watch the Day 1 mix of Epilogue, then again the following Tuesday for the Day 2 mix of The Hunt.  Over the course of those two trips to The Bridge, I'll attempt to clean out my office and clear off those last four bookshelves.  I've got my work cut out for me!

Some Lady of Mazes discussion:

Lisa R. writes: "I got the sense that Livia never wanted to be a leader that she felt forced into the role, but the only alternative, giving up, was just as foreign to her."

Answer: I agree.  She was an atypical heroine in that respect, and that was something I really liked about her.  She felt overwhelmed at times and I could really sympathize, but she possessed an inner strength that drove her to persevere – and that was something I respected.

Lisa R. writes: "The ability to tell what was real and what wasn't was also a focal part of the book, I thought, and at the end, the author leaves a mystery when the reader is not sure whether Livia is alive or not."

Answer: How did you interpret the ending?  I ask this question of you and everyone else who read the book.

GuyNoir writes: "Does anyone think Lady Ellis' proposed reinvention of science within Westerhaven would have ever been truly successful? Or would the tech locks (or rather the consequences of the tech locks) have inhibited any developments that were not within the set of technologies allowed in Westerhaven?"

Answer: Hmmmm.  Good question.  I suppose the question is what specific parameters had the tech locks established for Westerhaven?

Guy Noir also writes: "On the one hand a virtual program is doing what is 'best' for Ishani and enticing her to forget her troubles and questions."

Answer: And that opens up a host of interesting questions about what IS "best", not only Ishani but for anyone living within an A.I.-directed virtual reality.  Even if it isn't considered "true reality", in the end does it really matter if we can interact with it and are influenced by it to such a deep degree?

Alexander House writes: "It is definitely a good cover done by a very good artist, it clearly tells me that what the story is about and it sounds very interesting. I'd by this book on the cover alone as well."

Answer: Agreed.  The cover art is by Stephane Martiniere, one of my favorite artists working in SF today.  For more of his work, check out: Stephan Martiniere Concept Illustrator Beautiful, beautiful stuff.

anneteldy writes: "I found the idea that we may someday do away with government a bit unbelievable as was the lack of crime. Maybe I'm just too pessimistic about humanity's future?"

Answer: Maybe.  Or maybe you're having a hard time imagining to what extent humanity may be willing to let go of established systems (government) and actions (theft) if everything is provided for them by managing A.I.'s.  There wouldn't be a need for easy and that would, logically, do away with both.  In an ideal society of course.

anneteldy also writes: "I liked Livia and Qiingy but I was never able to connect to anyone which is a negative to me when reading books. Perhaps the premise was just too fantastical for me to imagine myself there?"

Answer: Actually, I can empathize.  Although I quite liked Livia, I thought the supporting characters (Aaron in particular) weren't as well-defined and that made it more difficult for me to emotionally invest in them.