Hey, look who’s back in town! It’s our former script coordinator Alex Levine. Alex, who is now working as a story editor on The Border presently in production in Toronto, dropped in to say hi – and coordinate the annual March Madness pool. Although I love college ball, I haven’t been paying close enough attention so I set aside a few hours yesterday to do some research and fill out my sheet. I’ve got Memphis taking down Gonzaga in the final. Baron Destructo, a pretty big college hoops fan himself, went significantly more conservative, picking Louisville over North Carolina in the big game. My writing partner Paul, meanwhile, couldn’t be bothered with doing his homework and elected to choose his teams by picking random numbers out of hat (part of a complicated selection process in which the odds are properly weighted in favor of the higher seeds). I’ll be interested to see how our sheets compare: expert analysis vs. dumb luck.
I was strolling down the corridor today when I happened across Kate from the art department who, if she is to be believed, is an occasional reader of my blog. I asked her when she was going to swing by and do a fan Q&A and she dismissed the notion, presuming no one would really care what the resident Stargate art department draftsman had to say. I assured her that fans would be VERY interested in her work and informed her that I’d start accepting questions for her today. So if you have questions for Kate (And I’m sorry, but asking her out doesn’t count as an appropriate question) post away. What does a draftsman do? What kind of drawings or plans has she produced? How did she land the gig? What’s it like working with Joseph Mallozzi? Informative stuff.
Hey, speaking of “Looks who’s back!” – Look who’s back! Why, it’s Director Peter DeLuise, heavy into prep on episode 4, Fire.
Let’s see, let’s see…what else might be of interest to you…
Well, I was down on set and got a sneak peek at the Universe trailer the network put together. Coming sooner than you think to a t.v. screen near you…
The first part of our mid-season two-parter is called Space…
Oh, and Paul has started writing the SGA movie and is about seven pages in.
In an effort to give everyone as much time as possible, I’m announcing the May book of the month clubs early. Yes, we still have the April books of the month club discussions forthcoming (Powers: Who Killed Retro Girl? – Discussion the week of April 6th with author Brian Michael Bendis; The Big Over Easy: A Nursery Crime – Discussion the week of April 13th with author Jasper Fforde; Poe: 19 New Tales Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe –
Discussion the week of April 20th with editor Ellen Datlow.) but, looking ahead to May…
In the SF category, it’ll be:
I Remember the Future: The Award-Nominated Stories of Michael A. Burstein, by Michael A. Burstein
From the publisher: “You don’t need a collection of antique spaceships or a carefully calibrated time machine to share the memories of the final Holocaust survivor. You don’t have to jump through the gate between universes in search of a lost friend. All you have to do is open your eyes. You’ll remember the future. The future remembers you.”
For those interested, Jason Sizemore over at Apex (http://www.apexbookcompany.com/uncategorized/2008/11/choose-your-apex-store/) has kindly created a discount code our club members can use to get 20% off the HC or the PB versions of the book. Just enter “MALLOZZITWENTY” on checkout and you’re done. In fact, it’s active for anything in the Apex store except pre-orders.
Book club discussion the week of May 18th with author Michael A. Burstein.
In the Fantasy category, it’ll be:
The Land of Laughs, by Jonathan Carroll
From the publisher: “ Have you ever loved a magical book above all others? Have you ever wished the magic were real? Welcome to The Land of Laughs. A novel about how terrifying that would be.
Schoolteacher Thomas Abbey, unsure son of a film star, doesn’t know who he is or what he wants–in life, in love, or in his relationship with the strange and intense Saxony Gardner. What he knows is that in his whole life nothing has touched him so deeply as the novels of Marshall France, a reclusive author of fabulous children’s tales who died at forty-four.
Now Thomas and Saxony have come to France’s hometown, the dreamy Midwestern town of Galen, Missouri, to write France’s biography. Warned in advance that France’s family may oppose them, they’re surprised to find France’s daughter warmly welcoming instead. But slowly they begin to see that something fantastic and horrible is happening. The magic of Marshall France has extended far beyond the printed page…leaving them with a terrifying task to undertake.”
Book club discussion the week of May 25th with author Jonathan Carroll.
Today’s entry is dedicated to birthday gal and blog regular Patricia Lee. Happy 50!
Great stuff!
Questions for Kate:
We are curious, and *very* interested in what you do! 🙂
This may seem a little silly, but what *does* a Draftsman do? Is it like drafting out the set-up of a scene or episode?
How much time do you put in for each one?
Thank You for answering our questions.
My money is on Paul’s dumb luck picks, no offense to yourself or Baron Destructo’attempts to scientifically, or at least logically, predict the March Madness outcome. I’ve enjoyed more than my fair share of success using Mr. Mullie’s technique. Enough so that unless I go out of my way to track down who’se running the pool this year, the guys avoid reminding me it’s that time again.
Great seeing familiar faces dropping by the studio, and even better that Mr. DeLuise is going to be directing another episode. As for the trailer, I suppose I’ll click onto Sci-Fi/Siffy/whatever they are long enough to view it on the web. As of this Friday night the last thing that I routinely watch on that network finishes its run, so I don’t expect to be viewing them until Sanctuary and Universe start airing.
Happy Birthday Patricia! I can’t tell you how much it cheers me up knowing someone else here is at least a little older than I am…
I will try to post some questions for Kate from the art department tomorrow. Thanks for the pics and the info.
Hi Joe,
what’s your favorite Sg-1 season? what about atlantis?
Hey, Joe, can you dedicate this Saturday’s blog to me? It’s gonna be my 22nd birthday. If you say yes, I’ll remind you on Friday and Saturday, if that’s okay.
Kate thanks for taking the time out to do this Q&A
Questions for Kate:
1. What is your favorite medium to use in your renderings?
Mind: colored pencils, charcoal, & oil pastels.
2. What Art School did you attend & major?
Mind: Columbus College of Art & Design – Major in Computer Graphics
3. Is your portfolio online and if yes what is the website?
We would loved to see your work.
4. Have you worked on other TV shows or films?
Hmmm. I may have to pick up “Who Killed Retro Girl?”. I’m a big comic book fan (ok, mostly DC) but the only issue of Powers I’ve read is the one where nasty stuff is done to Warren Ellis.
Also, is the second part of the mid-season two parter called “…The Final Frontier.”? No? Didn’t think so.
Looking forward to the Universe teaser. Very excited for this series. I haven’t been this excited about a new sci-fi show since Deep Space Nine (my favorite Trek) debuted back in 1993.
Yay on the SGA movie!
Did Peter DeLuise lose a lot of weight since that 200th SG1 episode/the odd appearance in the dvd extra’s for the early SGA seasons, or did he have the CGI department photoshop that picture? Lol.
Q’s for quest blogger Kate:
From what I gather, Art department does the design for decorations of sets and such… Right?
1. It seems like something someone with this profession might be into: Did you ever play the Sims, 1 or 2, and if you did, were you an avid player? Did you download a lot of objects, did you design your own? If you did, where might we find them?
2. Did you ever have any props, costume or other department make anything for your own home, or take anything home from any set that you had (partially) designed yourself? If yes, what was it?
3. Does your home look anything like any of the stargate sets? If yes, which set would that be?
4. Do you watch the shows you work on? If so, what’s your favourite episode or moment or storyline?
5. What was your favourite project, or most memorable, most difficult, most awesome, most anything?
I missed my chance to pick the custome guest blogger’s brain, so I’m taking my chance with this creative young lady. Joe, get more creative folks to answer questions. Tell them it’s in the small letters of their contract 😉 In invisible ink 😉
Question for Kate:
Can I have your job? Ok How can I get a job like yours? I am working on my A.A. in art and I know I need more education. What other qualifications does one need to even work in the art department for such a profession?
and
What is it like working with Joe Mallozzi?
Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.
Merry Festival of Bacchus/Happy Irish Day to everyone! 😀
Congrats to Anne Teldy! Hope you get sprung from the joint soon!
Peter’s back!! Yaaaay! 😀 Is he bummed about Kyle XY? I mean, he’d only directed three eps, but I was certainly upset that the show ended without much closure, thanks to the cancellation. Seriously, my fave shows are dropping like flies! ….
I just read an interview with Robert Carlyle, and he says SGU is much darker than its predecessors. When asked if it was influenced by the success of BSG, he says he “would hope so.” Please tell me it still has some great humour as well, as that’s one of my fave aspects of the SG franchise — and a big part of why I *didn’t* watch BSG very much. It was far too dark for my tastes, with very little humour at *all*. Don’t get me wrong, I love angst, but too much, like in BSG, without some happy breaks, can get wearying very quickly. :/
Qs for Kate:
What’s your artist background — self-taught or schooled, previous gigs, ect?
Did you specifically seek out your current career, or did you have something different in mind when you decided to be an artist?
If you can, describe your typical process, from start to finish. If you please, include what sorts of things you do to get your creative engine running — things like listening to music, going for walks, threatening people with swords, ect — and what sorts of media you typically use (acrylic paint, copic markers, photoshop).
What advice would you give someone who wants to work in an art department in the television/film industry?
What has turned out closest to what you imagined (be it set or prop or overall scene), and what has turned out least like what you expected?
On a slightly different note, what has been your favourite and least favourite things to work on?
Who are your inspirations in the world of art?
Hi Joe! What are the chances of Peter DeLuise doing a Q&A?
Hi Kate, so apparently we are not allow to ask you out for a date, so I move on to my next question, nope guest the asking for phone number is probably ban to, so my third choice questions are:
What drawings do you do for the show, artistic or technical.
what is your favourite bit of work that have you done for Stargate/Stargate Atlantis . Have you work on any other TV shows film. Have you got any example of your work that you could share with us. What would be your dream job.
It’s good to see Peter DeLuise back – his commentaries were definitely one of the highlights of the features on the SGA dvds for me. He’s a funny guy!
Okay. I’m curious. Questions for Kate:
How long have you worked for the Stargate franchise?
Art department draftsman? How “traditional” is your draftsman position? Do you use a computer or a drafting table or what? Are you the one who draws the pictures of the room layouts?
What pieces of work are you most proud of and why?
Where do you get your artistic ideas or inspiration?
What other department do you work the most closely with?
Do you do any artwork away from work? If so, what?
Do you have any interaction with the actors?
With your dark hair and eyes, you look like Joe Mallozzi’s daughaaaaaa-sister. (much,much,much younger sister!) Any relationship to Mr. Mallozzi? And next time you see him coming down the hall – RUN!!
Thank you Kate for your time and patience.
Question for Kate: How did you start out in the business?
My daughter is in Art School and loves science fiction so this would be like a dream job.
Thanks!
Hey Joe,
That’s all exciting news. Horray! \o/ Peter DeLuise is back! It’s great to see his smiling face again! 😀
So, my totally professional and appropriate questions for Kate (which wouldn’t ever include asking her out on a date 😛 ) :
Is Sci-Fi your favorite genre? If not, what is?
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve worked on? I’m guessing something having to do with the wraith.
How did you learn to do what you do? How much do you think is natural talent vs. stuff you can be taught?
What are you most proud of?
What has given you the most trouble?
When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up?
Thanks for stopping by to talk with us! 😀
@Deni B: If you want to feel better I can remind you of that that little thing I said a while back. Something about trading food storage places with Das. But I used a different word and everyone seemed to have read it without the *R*. 😳 Uh… that was nothing but sheer agony for me. 🙄 So… I hope you know what I’m talking about and that you now see that I’m such a goober. 😆
@Anne Teldy: 😀 😀 😀 That’s such great news! The luck of the Irish was with you today! *does happy dance* I hope you continue to get better and better!
Trish
Questions for Kate: What is your favorite media to work with? What kind of art do you enjoy on your own time? Pottery, photography, painting, etc.?? Thanks for all the visual candy you give us.
Hi Joe,
Today the 18th is my 45 Bday. Could you please dedicate the blog to me.
Thanks Jedi
First, I’m very glad to hear the Peter is back directing an episode. Any chance there will be a cameo like he used to do on SG1?
Second, I just finished The Orphan’s Tales: In the Cities of Coin and Spice, and OMG it was excellent, not that I would expect anything less after reading In the Night Garden. There were quite a few times I got lost (just like I did with the first story) but everything makes sense at the end. Trying to figure out the girl’s story amongst the seemingly never-ending tales was a lot of fun for me. In, my opinion, it deserves to be added to the BOTM list, just as the first was. Just when you think you have everything figured out, Catherynne M. Valente hits you with a OMG WTF moment and you begin the thinking process all over again. I love both books and I don’t think I can thank you enough for recommending the first last year. There is a quote at the end that hit me the most that can be said of any story:
“Perhaps there is always a moment when stories end, a moment when everything is blue and black and silent, and the teller does not want to believe it is over, and the listener does not, and so they both hold their breath and hope fervently as pilgrims that it is not over, that there are more tales to come, more and more, fitted together like a long chain coiled in the hand. They hold their breath; the trees hold theirs, the air and the ice and the wood and the Gate. But no breath can be held forever, and all tales end.”
Questions for Kate: Everyone already asked really good questions and I can’t think of any more, so I’ll just back and enjoy the answers.
Wow, the May entries for BotM club already? You really are planning ahead. And a discount to boot! Thanks, Joe.
@Narelle: the offer still stands. Let me know. (aren’t we mysterious? Mwah hah hah!)
Dang! That was supposed to say “… so I’ll just SIT back and enjoy the answers.” That’s what I get for typing after the Irish coffee.
I forgot to ask – how are the pugs feeling?
Have you heard about Freeze Frame? It’s the independent movie that we hope will star Ben Browder. We need to help raise money to make it happen though. Please anyone who can donate twenty dollars to Jonas McCord, the producer, do so. Look up the million pixel campaign. That’s how we’re gonna get Ben back on screen. Join in this important cause!
I went to Tennessee but was born in Memphis. I bleed orange, for sooth. Everything else is just picking up the vibes (akin to your “dumb luck” but much more self-importanticizing).
Everyone seems to have hit the important questions. Kate, who’s your second favorite Beatle?
@ Trish – I’d gladly exchange pantries with you any day! I just hope yours is able to accommodate extra large cans! 😉
@ Anne Teldy – Nice having you back among us, and glad you had some good news. 🙂
@ Joe – I just read some comments by RC about how dark SGU is going to be. Can you shed some light on this? I was hoping for a nice balance, but it sounds more like that gloomyass BSG, with death upon death, week after week. I was feeling really hopeful…but now…now I’m afraid to even start watching for fear I’ll connect with all the ‘red shirts’, like I did with SGA . And I will not go through that again (and wouldn’t want to put you through it again, either). 😛
das
Peter DeLuise is back, Hell Yeah! I don’t think that you’d previously mentioned he’d be doing any guest directing. Will he be staff for season 1 like Wil and Andy or is Peter just doing a guest stint? I was really bummed to see him go after SG1 ended. I guess everybody wants a break every now and then though.
Thanks for the pics!
Checking out the Apex store, I noticed a couple of Kurt Busiek’s ASTRO CITY graphic novels advertised on the sidebar. Now there’s some good graphic novel reading!
So where did the seminoles fall in your draft picks?
Started reading the blog last month,and this is one of the best ones out there.
Mr. M,
Thank you so much for the B-day greeting! Took the day off and went to the Space Needle in Seattle, for lunch with two dear friends. It was my first time there and I had a wonderful day all around! Not bad for 50 years…where does the time go!
@ Trish (aka whovian) & Thornyrose… Thanks for the B-day bump! You guys rock. I can’t wait for April 1st and my trip to Vancouver for the Creation Con. I am still hoping that Mr. Mallozzi will change his mind and come to the CON with Brad and Rob on that Sunday. I would be so cool to see him there! Come on gang…let’s encourage Mr. Mallozzi to come to the CON…even if it is just to wave and say hello!
@Anne Teldy, I am so glad to hear from you… keep up the positive thoughts, its surprising what your mind can do to help heal your body! I hope one day you will be sprung from your prison… er nursing home ! Laughter; truly is the best medicine.
Cheers All!
Patricia Lee
Thanks for bringing so many of the behind the scenes folks in for Q&A’s, Joe! Too many times, the folks behind the scenes are overlooked, despite the fact that the production just wouldn’t have the same high quality or happen at all without all of their hard work. I may not always ask questions, but I very much enjoy reading the answers other fans come up with.
Questions for Kate:
First off, thanks for all of the work that you’ve done on the Stargate franchise! I’ve greatly enjoyed both series and a large part of my enjoyment has been the basic artistic designs used, especially the Art Deco look of Atlantis.
What is your personal favorite artistic style?
Did you draft any of the major set motifs for Stargate Atlantis, or the city itself?
Of the Stargate sets and items that you’ve drafted, which is your favorite?
Kate thank you for the time do you actually work for Joe or MGM or Bridge studios?? Did you apply for the job or was it a stroke of luck to end up where you are now? If Stargate was to end production would you stay in the movie industry or move on???
@Patricia Lee-Happy Birthday!!! I’m glad you had a wonderful day.
I’m looking forward to the Convention also. I can’t wait to go on the studio tour….the main reason I bent over…erm I mean forked out all that money for a ticket. *evil grin*
Plus it will be great to see all my fellow Squirrels!
And Joe, if you would go to the con with BW and RC, I might actually have a reason to go to their panel. Ok..ok…I do like RC…it’s just BW with whom I have major issues….*managed not to end in the preposition I was headed for*
Thank you Joe for that mention of the Squirrels on your vid, “Goodbye Atlantis”…and for all the David love.
Like the others from yesterday though, I’m wondering why no mention of Joe Flanigan? There has to be something nice to say about him…lol….he’s a hard worker, gives a good performance, the ladies really love him…he has great hair? Somethin’? Nope? Really? *sigh*
I’ll say goodbye for now and probably head back to lurkerdom where I’ve been residing. And, after this post…you are probably thinking “YAY!” *wink*
Most Annoyingly,
Kimberly
Louisville for the win! You know that Paul will probably win the pool. All that research down the drain.
Nice to see Peter back in the director’s chair. I was wondering/hoping that he might direct.
Good luck to Paul on that first draft. Hurry. We’re waiting.
In all fairness to BSG, if you were decimated to a population of 50,000 or so people, chased by an enemy bent on your total destruction, ran into virtually no inhabitable or life-bearing planets, limited food supplies, and didn’t really know if Earth was a place that existed, I would think there wouldn’t be many bright spots in your world either. I was getting pretty depressed after 7 days without power after Hurricane Ike hit us in September and every minute was occupied about how we were going to get through this one day, especially tricky when you have a child with autism who can barely communicate and has obsessive-compulsive traits, like only drinking organic milk (no powdered milk for him), needing his daily dose of Winnie-the-Pooh DVD’s and you have no power. Thank goodness for neighbors going out looking for gas for their generators and getting us ice to keep his milk cold and our cars that were running still in our driveway to charge up his DVD player. I was just grateful we didn’t have 100+-degree heat on top of that. This year we are buying a generator. We are truly spoiled when you think about it.
I would have to think that being on the Destiny might be much of the same. With Voyager, you at least had replicators for food and power and ran into many planets where you could trade for other things you needed. They had a holodeck. It wasn’t so grim. Destiny probably isn’t stocked with food, the episode “Air” might mean that they have to deal with finding a way to have breathable oxygen on the ship. Food will be an issue. Water would be an issue. If they are being chased through the gate, it is likely they aren’t leaving the planet they are on with any personal items or stocked items from the base. No Asgard beaming technology. I’m thinking no medicines either. People could die from a simple infection just from that alone. I don’t know how you would write this without exploring the darker elements. Stargate has always been able to have a great sense of humor, so I’m sure when things get too heavy, we’ll get a nice dose of humor to lighten things up. There are always eternal optimists even in the most dire situations, the one that says, “Hey cheer up, at least you are still alive.”
DeLuise is back?! and we though you only employed professionals LOL.
Good to see he’s back – but is he on form? How much mayhem is he causing?
*waves at Kate* Don’t kid yourself that we’re not interested we’re FANS for crying out loud, we devour any inside info we can get our geeky little paws on LOL.
The only draughtsmen I know work on the building of warships and submarines so its obviously technical drawing. What subjects did you take to lead you into that side of things? what qualifications after school did you take? Our draughtsmen have to serve an apprenticeship, did you? and if so where? Have you done any other work in the genre? Is Joe really the tyrant he’s made out to be?
Thank you for taking the time to indulge our curiosity.
MACGYVER MOVIE?!?
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/film/story/2009/03/16/macgyver-film.html
Far too much of my youth is being turned into [bad- no wait, god awful] big screen features. You’d think someone would look into a big budget ‘Sigmund and the sea monsters’ or ‘H.R. Pufnstuf’; I gather the attempt at ‘Land of the Lost’ was enough.
Hi, Joe.
Stargate SG-1’s first season is available on HULU, however, the site is US geo-coded.
http://www.hulu.com/stargate-sg-1
Best wishes!
Welcome back Peter Deloise!!!!
Joe, although I haven’t heard anything about it yet, I assume that the amazing Joel Goldsmith will be bringing his vast talents to the score of SGU.
Am I right in this assumption?
Hey there Mr M!
Happy post-St Patrick’s Day… Yep, seemed like they had fun down at the White House. Unfortunately I missed the Simpsons ep. but am sure it was their usual excellent standard.
Re: SyFy….OK a couple of things. First when I heard this, I checked the calendar to see was it April 1st.
Also, I don’t work in television or Media Advertising, but I just get the feeling that a really expensive PR Account raked in gazzillions in concept meeting after concept meeting and trials etc to come up with this….. I am SOOO in the wrong job.
I think Rodney put it best when Shep and Sam did the whole “Colonels” thing….. “Seriously?”
And finally, it’s great to see Carl Binder here!!! Yay!! Any chance he might divulge any detail re: the SG1 Movie???? Any chance of a smart handsome Irish sy-fy fan making an unexpected though award-winning debut alongside the legends of SG1??
Ooops almost forgot:
Question for KATE!!!
Many thanks for taking the time to answer these questions:
What’s the significance of the heart on the wall (behind you in the photo)? SGU: Best gig yet? or are features more fun?
Best to all at the Bridge..
Oh and Mr M….re: entry a couple of days ago…. At least you didn’t mention XXXXXX who was definitely XXXXXX on Stage XXXXX!!
Phew!
Shirt’n’Tie
For Kate:
What style or period is your biggest influence, & can we see nuances of it in your designs?
Can you share your background/training & what prompted you to select this avenue?
Joe: thanks for arranging the discount!
Good to see Peter back!!!
@Das: ROFL!!! 😆 😆
Hey Pete!!
SGA movie yeah!!
DD
Questions for Kate:
-whats the hardest part of being a Draftsman for stargate?
-How are you able to convey what the writers want in your work?
-How much of your personal input is allowed in your stargate work?
-Where does your inspiration come from?
Hey is Peter DeLuise returning to direct just the one episode or will he be doing multiple episodes during SGU’s first season?
Joe, i like what you guys are doing with the one word titles like Air, Fire and Space. but after doing like 300,000 episodes, you could run out of titles and be forced to use words like LOL and ROTFL.
no matter i got a good title for your third SG-1 movie, call it Stargate: Heroes I know I know its cliche but it works.
Joe,
No night life in the Roppongi district for you this winter.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090318/ap_on_re_us/as_japan_us_alcohol
I doubt they’d put your wallet back once they realize you’re Canadian. =)
@Narelle: BotM alert!!! “I Remember the Future” has an ebook format available on the Apex website to which Joe provided a link!
How are the dogs going? Is Lulu still going ok and Jelly better?
One of the things I love about your Q&A’s is that you often have people that are part of the production team who we would never otherwise get the chance to ask questions of! Kate being one of them. So here are some questions for her:
1. How did you get into props work?
2. How much creativity do you get as a props draftsman (is “draftsman” non-gender-specific, by the way)?
3. When you were growing up, what did you want to be?
4. Who do you work closely with during production?
5. What do you like the most about your work?
And finally, thanks so much for doing the Q&A! Stargate (Atlantis, Universe) wouldn’t be the same without the hard work and amazing talent of people like you.
Amz/Amy
Bonjour joseph!
Vous allez bien? moi oui, il fait encore chaud et beau, j’ai trouver mon prochain stage,j’ai 4 jours de repos et mon cheri arrive demain =D
Yéé sa fait plaisir de revoir Peter & Alex^^!
Bonne journée, Kiss
Yes!!! the SGA movie is being scripted. I have waited for this moment for ages. Anyways, Mr. Questions strikes again
1. What is the budget for Air (all three parts)?
2. What will the budget for a normal one part Universe part be?
3. Will the Atlantis movie budget be 7 million dollars?
4. Will you help Paul write the Atlantis script?
Merci Beaucoup,
Major D. Davis
Ooops. sorry Mr M!!
Forgot to say:
@Anne Teldy : Congrats on good bloods!! Paddy’s Day for it eh?
@Patricia : *bows deeply* Happy Birthday, Birthday girl!
And finally, I too echo the chorus of “Peter the Great is Back!!”
…you know aside from “BIGGER” I also have a line in my head that I always think of…it refers to an audio commentary PDL did for SG1 way back in Season 4 or 5… he says something like (referring to the computer flashing light displays) “Yeah, gotta have those blinky-winkys…” A friend of mine (who is not an SG1 fan) loved that term so much, she called her dog “Blinky-Winky”. Anyway, great to see Peter the Great back….Can we expect the little cameo appearances (as of old) from him in SGU?
Best to all
Shirt’n’Tie
March Madness … I’ve heard picking winners by school colors is the way to go.
I can never think of good questions…. so, I will ask a bad one. For Kate: Any Burners in the art department? If you have no idea what I just asked, then this one will do: How do you feel about primitive, naive or outsider art in relation to the very technical skill of draftsmanship?
Yay Peter DeLuise! Welcome back! Does this mean that we will be regaled with more tales of Lantean weed? lol
Now if you can get him into a pair of short shorts and roller skates that would make for a photo! lol
Actually, if I ever met Kate on the street, I’d probable have just one question: OMG! You work on Stargate? Did you ever have lunch with Jason Momoa or go into his trailer? What is he really like? Come on girlfriend, tell me ALL about it!!
Hi Joe, just was wondering, after so much unsolicited advice (mine included), how are your dogs doing?
@das: We really could be pleasantly surprised with SGU, let’s give it a chance! NOTHING could be as bad as BSG.
@ Peter’s photo: Has he lost wait?
Questions for Kate:
Will you go out with me?
Which do you like better? Strawberries or Elderberries?
When you do go out with me, do you like French or Italian?
After the date, would you rather go dancing or back to my place to discuss world domination?
On the second date, can you try not to talk about Joe M. as much as you did on the first date?
Yes we all know he is a fantastics guy who is multi talented, but it kind of creeped me out, especially when you pulled out the locket that you had around your neck with his photo in it!?!
By “wait” I meant “weight”. That’ll teach me to type after just waking up!
Hey Joe,
Quick production question:
It seems to be my understanding that, while your primary job on Stargate is writing, you’re not writing ALL the time you’re at work. Since you’re an executive producer, I imagine you do, for lack of better words, “producerly things”. But what does someone like a “story editor”, or a lower-ranked producer/writer do when they’re not penning their own script?
Sorry if that’s confusing… I have a way with words (not the good way).
Thanks a bunch.
Questions for Kate.
(Stargate Atlantis)
Wraith. Stuff of nightmares, or happyness?
Also
Keep up the good work, we all care what you have to say!
You planning on tuning into the BSG finale? I know you don’t watch it but are you the least bit interested in how it will wrap up? Only about 40,000 humans alive in the galaxy, my money is on complete and utter genocide.
Thanks Joe for the code to receive the 20% discount from Apex books. I ordered I Remember the Future today through Apex and even with the cost of shipping, I saved a few dollars over Amazon with its cost of shipping. The collection of short stories look intriguing from what I read on Amazon’s site.
Are there any other Stargate crew people out there who think we fans don’t care about what they do?
Cuz if there are, I say *Bring it!* 😀 I’d love to hear about every job!
I’m guessing I’m not the only fan who thinks this. Just so you know, you Stargate people rule! Whether you are infront of or behind camera. Or trapped in a dusty office somewhere with no windows. I’m just sayin’…
Hi Joe!
Long time I no write-ee, sorry… er, I can assure you that I have been lurking and reading here however. A day without a Mallozzi blog read is just too hard to take.
I have adopted a feisty 1 year old female cat. She was a “first time I see her I need to take her home” kind of kitty. She’s named Basil, like the herb, not the Sherlock Holmes actor. I’m fond of saying, she is “filled with an abundance of youthful exuberance” because she keeps my over 50 self a-running to keep up. A very pretty multi-colored, longhair domestic calico. Why no one else wanted her from the shelter where she sat lingering for several months remains a mystery. Very loving and sweet, Basil now has a home for life. My other cat Scooter is reasonably tolerant of her (so far).
QUESTIONs for Kate Stargate Art Department Draftsman extraordinaire…
1 — Do you create the old fashioned way, using a drafting board & mechanical pencils or is there a software package you can recommend?
2 — Is a background in architectural drawing required or just a good thing to have?
3 — Can you provide Joe with some draft specs to post for us here on the blog? I’d love to see early efforts and then the final product.
4 — Do you prefer to design objects, such as props as opposed to sets and / or ship/creature models?
5 — What was your most challenging design assignment?
6 — Are you thrilled to be working on such a fabulous creation that is Stargate?
Thanks so much for participating Kate! Happy drafting! 😀
Carol Z in NJ
(happy to know the SGA movie script is underway…)
Hi Joe, not to be a pain in the ass, but whatever happened to Joel’s Q&A?
Just heard of Natasha Richardson’s death, such a sad thing. Makes you remember to count your blessings every day.
😀
Extreme sheep herding. I will say it was marginally more impressive than the running of the pugs.
Question for Kate:
Being you’re a part of the Art Department section of the Stargate crew I imagine you must deal with a lot of art designs for props and perhaps even film sets.
How does it feel to one day design something on paper and then eventually walk onto a live recreation of your design. Are you always happy with how it turned out or do you visit the set often and think “That could’ve been improved” or “I should’ve done that differently”
Also, I don’t know if you’ve been part of the crew on SG-1 and Atlantis days, But… If there was something you could’ve changed, And were allowed to do so… What would you have done differently?
Thanks for your time,
Angelus
HI to Kate, and thanks for answering questions from the curious bloggers.
–What kind of hours do you have to work to get all that great artwork done?
–Whats your favorite dessert at Bridge? (joe says they have good ones!)
–What kind of budget do you get to work with?
—thanks again for stopping by.. 🙂
Hey Joe,
Wanted to ask a question to Kate!
“How much time are you given to prep and finalize a typical episode? What is the most difficult aspect of your job?”
OH, loved the recent interview with Robert Calyle on io9! Look forward to seeing that SGU teaser!
Hey Joe,
If you’re watching the NCAA tourney, check out my U’s team…shock of a lifetime, we made it in and are playing Memphis tomorrow at 9am PST. Coming from a big 10 school to a school with little to no athletic program, I’m still in shock. One of my students had to tell me we were in, it was so much of an unexpected event.
Go Matadors!
Questions for Kate:
1) Do you always take on board somebody’s input if they look at your idea/something you’ve designed and say ‘that’s awful, you should do it this way?’
2) When you get stuck for ideas, what sort of things do you do to get extra stimulation/inspiration?
3) How often do you get to make something from scratch?
4) How often do you have to do exactly what someone else wants, because they say so?
5) How often has something fallen apart or somebody just happened to accidentally wreck it just after you’ve finished making it? (this has to have happened a few times right?)
6) When you make something that is meant to be broken during the show, do you feel sad afterward that after all that effort you put into it, it was just… broken?
7) If you were allowed to change anything about the art department, what would it be?
8) Is there ever a time when there are so many things going on in the department at the same time that there is no where left to work? What did you do then, if such a thing happened? (cos, to my imagination, that’t highly possible)
Thanks for answering all my questions! 😛 I actually have more, but these are the basic ones.
Hi Joseph and Kate,
Here’s some questions:
1. What’s the dominant color for SGU? SGA had lots of blue.
2. There’s lots of Egyptian styles in SG-1, while the Wraith had lots of organic style. What’s the main architectural style used as inspiration for SGU?
3. SG-1 had a gate with red chevrons, while SGA had blue. It looks like the ones on SGU will be more white. Does this mean that the Destiny was constructed between the time the Ancients built the gates in the Milky Way and when they built the gates in Pegasus, since white is between red and blue in the color spectrum?
I have two questions for Kate:
Roughly what is the average number of revisions a prop will go through in development before a final concept is made for the show?
Due to changes/removals in the script, has there ever been something made for an episode that becomes obsolete; making it unusable for other stories?