You know you’re up early when the dogs don’t even bother following you downstairs for breakfast. It was about 5:30 a.m. when I got up, brushed my teeth, threw on some clothes, and beckoned the dogs. No go. I tried the usually reliable “Poopoo Peepee!” and, when that didn’t work, went with the can’t fail “Who’s hungry?!” All four of them remained sprawled out on the bed, fast asleep. “TreatTreat?!!” Lulu snarfled and opened one eye, throwing me a look as if to say “Seriously, dude. It’s freakin’ five thirty!”
I rolled into work just as they were about to block the first scene up: a six character extravaganza that, between the master and the coverage, took about four hours to shoot. I pointed out that once the second scene (the catacomb walk and talk) had been completed, they would have a whopping 2/8th pages in the can. That’s 2/8th pages and not ¼ page. The schedules break the scenes down into 1/8th pages, so a glance at today’s schedule will yield something like this:
“62 INT. CATACOMBS Day (They hear distant scampering) 4/8 pages”
Again, not ½ page, but 4/8 pages. Interesting, huh? No, didn’t think so either.
No fog effects today so, after checking in, I headed upstairs to the office where I read Martin’s first draft of “The Lost Tribe”, applied some eye drops, and then opened up a shipment from Kansas chocolatier Christopher Elbow (http://www.elbowchocolates.com/chocolates) that arrived too late for my chocolate party but in plenty of time for lunch. A striking collection highlighted by the Caramel with Fleur de Sel.
Next to thinking up with episode titles, coming up with names for aliens and off-world villagers is one of the most challenging aspects of this job. In preparation for an upcoming script, we recently set aside time to brainstorm some terrific names. So far, we’ve got: Philip Seymour Hoffan, Felicity Hoffan, Carey the story’s pariah (aka Pariah Carey), and, my favorite, David Hassel the Hoffan (aka David Hassel Hoffan). An entire afternoon well spent.
Big day tomorrow as we fog up the FX Stage for Day 6 of Whispers. Beckett on the run, Teldy’s grim encounter, and the higher ground takedown.
Thanks to Evie for the Dagoba shipment!
Today’s pics: A little something from the Art Department – and awesome Chocolate Party spillover photography compliments of Lawren Bancroft-Wilson.
Mailbag:
Loserexresol writes: “What was the wackiest combination of the night?”
Answer: Probably the extra virgin olive oil and dried kalamata olive white chocolate truffle from Vosges.
Thornyrose writes: “If the eye is still bothering you, perhaps you should tear yourself away from the filming to get checked out?”
Answer: I was going to get it checked out today, but it seems to be improving so I’ve decided to wait and (hopefully) see.
Hleigh writes: “Any particular reason you don’t mix fruit and dessert?”
Answer: For the most part, I consider fruit a necessary evil.
Deeinsouthafrica writes: “I know that most chocolate places refuse to ship unless its by courier, but did you have any problems getting things in?”
Answer: My biggest problem was convincing some of these chocolatiers to ship to Canada. Most did. Some (Kee’s in New York and Recchiuti in San Francisco) did not. But I encountered no problems with customs.
Montrealer writes: “I see the girls from the Whisper episode got invited to the chocolate orgy (ahem) fest. Let’s hope Christina and Janina didn’t binge on too many calorie. Did the girls get to attend the chocolate fest as a fringe benefit?”
Answer: Since they were flying solo in Vancouver for the weekend, I thought it would be nice to extend the invitation. Nicole wasn’t able to attend, but Christina and Janina did bring her a doggy bag.
Cathie writes: “Is there going to be any episodes in season that will have Teal’c or any of the SG1 characters in it?”
Answer: Daniel Jackson will be putting in an appearance in our mid-season two-parter (First Contact and The Lost Tribe).
Cathie also writes: “Also! Is there going to be any back stories on Zelenka? For example family etc…? Same with Beckett?”
Answer: No on the former. I’d say no on the latter as well, but there is a little conversation in Whispers that does shed some light on his Carson’s post-return home life.
Cathie also writes: “Also! Is there going to be more human replicators?”
Answer: Stay tuned.
shiningwit writes: “I must admit to being very unadventurous with chocolate, I’m a ‘give it to me straight’ kinda chap. What would you suggest as a good kick off point with regards to different varieties/combinations?”
Answer: If you’re unadventurous but want to sample some fine chocolate, check out the Michel Cluizel line of chocolate bars. Their 45% milk chocolate bar is my wife’s favorite.
Anais33 a ecrit: “1)A force de manger du chocolat, vous n’avez jamais été malade?
2)Vous n’avez jamais pensée qu’un wraith pourrait faire l’ascension?”
Reponses: 1) Oui. Aussi récemment que dimanche matin. 2) Non.
Translation: 1) I have made myself sick eating chocolate. As recently as Sunday morning. 2) I don’t think a wraith can ascend.
Sis writes: “Uhm… could the leftovers be shipped to your dear mother and appreciative sister within the next couple of days?”
Answer: You missed your chance. Now you’ll have to wait until next year. Lots of gristly leftovers that Aspen and Roxy would’ve enjoyed.
Danielforever writes: “Since this is the week of the 28th, do you know yet which day Rob will be stopping by your blog?”
Answer: Not yet. I’ll make an announcement in the next few days.
Joesmom writes: “Only 5 episodes of Carson? How many times will we be brutally subjected to Keller’s boring, whiney nonsense?”
Answer: Because you asked so nicely…15.
Hope writes: “I would like to know whether Teyla will be more involved with the different storylines in the coming Season 5?”
Answer: We’ll certainly see more of Teyla than we did in season four. As a fan of the character, you’ll no doubt love Search and Rescue, Broken Ties, and The Queen, and no doubt enjoy The Daedalus Variations, Ghost in the Machine, and The Shrine.
The first lily writes: “Any pics of Mr. Flanigan, please?”
Answer: Alas, no. Sorry.
David writes: “Do you guys have anything to do with Stargate Infinity? If not, have you ever watched it?”
Answers: Nope and nope.
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