Hmmm. For some reason, I’ve been having trouble sleeping of late. I’ll be in bed by 10:00 p.m., read for three hours, eventually nod off – then wake up at around 3:00 a.m. and just lie there, my mind racing with thoughts of missed opportunities, looming responsibilities, and elaborate revenge scenarios against all those who have wronged me in the past. That’ll take me to about 4:30 a.m. to 5: 00 a.m. when I’ll finally fall asleep – only to have the dogs wake me up again at 8:00 a.m. Either I start doing Nyquil shots before turning in or I’m going to have to find more boring reading material.
Went into the office today and watched the producer’s cut of Enemy at the Gate. A fitting end to a terrific series, and one that’ll segue nicely into the movie – which Paul and I continue to spin. To those of you asking, it will ideally include all the familiar faces – and then some.
Rob Cooper was back from the Vegas shoot looking very tired but very satisfied. What I’ve seen of the episode looks fantastic (a true big screen quality production) and I look forward to watching the finished product. Special Features Producer Ivon Bartok was also on location with them, and he came back with tons of behind-the-scenes footage. And speaking of behind-the-scenes footage, Lawren Bancroft-Wilson was on hand as well to snap some great pics of the shoot – great pics that he has promised to share along with a personal account of the Vegas adventure whenever he finds the time.
Speaking of finding the time – Brad was dropping none too subtle hints about his impending Q&A here on this blog. Essentially, he said that he’d waited so long for me to get around to it that, in the interim, he had to ask and answer his own questions. Well then, let’s not let him wait any longer. If you have questions for Brad Wright, the creator and executive producer of Stargate: SG-1, Stargate: Atlantis, and the forthcoming Stargate: Universe, let’s see ‘em.
Oh, and while I was in the office today, I helped myself to a few more books from my bookshelf because, of course, the last thing I want is to run out of books this winter. Hopefully, the to-read pile I assembled (see above) will tide me over until January.
Tomorrow, Paul and I are taking a meeting on a non-Stargate-related project. Should be interesting.
Today’s entry is dedicated to MeLorne-Super-Fan and Amy.
Today’s video: Way back in the early days of SG-1, any shot that showed the active gate was always a visual effect. Eventually, the production created a practical puddle that would obviate the need to call in the VFX team or re-use existing shots. The practical puddle has come a long way from its early, not-wholly-convincing, incarnation. Today, after much fine-tuning, it looks incredibly convincing – even when shot by a non-professional on his SONY handycam. Check it out at the bottom of this entry.
Today’s mailbag:
Annie from Freemantle writes: “I’m curious about the pilots too that you’ve got in mind… but what’s a ‘blue comedy’???”
Answer: A comedy that would be better suited to HBO or Showtime rather than any of the four big networks.
Arctic Goddess writes: “Did you guys have to do anything special for Jewel Stait to get nominated for an Emmy?”
Answer: Nope. She was one of many individuals we put forth for nomination. The Gemini committee chose to recognize Jewel’s terrific performance in Missing.
Jeff Ford writes: “Thanks for your interest in the books, Joe. Glad you liked The Shadow Year. If you’re into Banks, have you read The Wasp Factory?”
Answer: Hey, Jeff. Looking forward to the November 4th release of The Drowned Life. With regard to The Wasp Factory – well, to be honest, while I did admire Banks’ storytelling skills, I didn’t love the book.
Delynn writes: “Another question: So you’re in the midst of SGU discussions… does this mean you will be involved in the final casting and crewing? Or are the discussions more storyline/character development based?”
Answer: Brad and Rob, the show’s creators, are overseeing all aspects of pre-production, from casting to the look of the show. Once the pilot script has been completed, we’ll weigh in on the established creative.
Jill E. writes: “ I guess I’ll just have to continue reading your blog and imagining how truly fabulous you would be if we met somewhere in person.”
Answer: I don’t know about fabulous. Imagine somewhere between encountering Ghandi and the kid who played Meego.
Christle writes: “Now that I sound like a complete psycho…got any good fantasy recommendations?”
Answer: Sure. Joe Abercrombie’s First Law series, K.J. Bishop’s The Etched City, Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, Jeffrey Ford’s The Empire of Ice Cream and The Fantasy Writer’s Assistant, William Goldman’s The Princess Bride, Scott Lynch’s The Lies of Locke Lamorra, George R. R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire series, Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, and Catherynne M. Valente’s In the Night Garden: The Orphan’s Tales – to name a few.
Tombstone writes: “I just watched First Contact again, very closely. I have to say, based on plot, dialog, acting, viz effects, and ultimately the edge-of-my-seat sense of big things happening, it’s the best episode of SGA ever (although Shrine is right up there for pure emotional appeal). I hope Marty and everyone did it again for part 2!”
Answer: You and me both.
Halo Luver writes: “What is the Department of Homeworld Security?”
Answer: It’s essentially a planetary version of Homeland Security which seeks to safeguard Earth from extraterrestrial threats.
Candace writes: “The Book of Joby by Mark J Ferrari. Check it out next time you’re at a bookstore.”
Answer: Or standing by my bookshelf where it sits along with hundreds of other books I really need to get around to.
Sandra writes: “Have you read “Time Traveller’s Wife” by Audrey Niffenegger?”
Answer: Yes.
http://josephmallozzi.com/2008/01/08/january-8-2008-swag-champagne-celebration-and-the-time-travelers-wife/Narelle from Aus writes: “Do you have moping pooches with Fondy away so much of late?”
Answer: Well, Maximus (pictured above in the banner) tends to linger downstairs at bedtime and hang around the front door a lot more. He’s the sensitive one.
Maggiemayday writes: “Oh man, I love Philippino food! What, no lumpia and pancit?”
Answer: Also available, but I didn’t order them. Come on! How much can one guy eat?!
MysteryMadchen writes: “You eat some, let’s say, interesting food. Did you grow up eating hamburgers and fries or something a little more exotic like the pictures you show?”
Answer: When I was growing up, my parents used to split the cooking duties. Weekends, my mother would prepare her Italian specialties while, weekdays, my father would offer up more North American fare occasionally spiced with more unusual entries like pork hocks and duck a l’orange.
DasNDanger writes: “First, I believe Joe was just having a bit of fun, but even if he was serious, then Wraith wearing human skin would be no different from humans wearing cow, pig or deerskin. There is just no comparison to nazis.”
Answer: Agreed.
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