The final half-dozen scripts are in play and we’ve been busy writing, revising, reading, and critiquing. Once again, Carl wrote an incredibly tight script. Looks like Pain will require minimal changes. Brad did his pass on Sabotage and, Carl and I agree, it’s a much better script. Martin sent in his revised draft of Lost. Heh. Love the ending. Paul’s first draft of Subversion is very good and beautifully sets up the last two episodes. As for those last two episodes – Carl read ’em and liked them. He had some notes, specifically dealing with an element of the story that I was having trouble with myself, but offered up a great idea for the fix. Brad and Paul have only read the first script but responded positively. All well and good but I think I’ll hold off on breathing that sigh of relief until they’ve read the second script AND Rob (who’s been off directing Human) weighs in with his opinion. They’re all tough critics and one bad review is enough to thoroughly upend a draft. The guest casting on these final three should be a lot of fun.
Hey, check out the Destiny mess –
I’ve given myself a Saturday deadline to finalize my restaurant list for my Tokyo trip later this year. I’ve been reviewing, rearranging, trying to slot my choices in terms of rank, location, and (lunch or dinner) dining opportunities. It’s been both fun and extremely frustrating. I figure this must be what those guys who select the 64 March Madness tourney teams go through. #1 seeds include Aronia de Takazawa, Quintessence, and Les Creations de Narisawa. Automatic bids have been won by the likes of Ryugin, Sawada, and Ristorante Aso. Some of those on bubble: Sushi Saito, Ginza La Tour, and Gordon Ramsay.
Let’s hit the mailbag:
JJ writes: “Did SGU webisode get a name yet? Like Battlestar’s The Resistance. And how long is each of webisode?”
Answer: No names for the kino segments. Their run time is approximately a couple of minutes each.
Enviropony writes: “Yes, and it contained the *exact* same line that upset so many of us in the first place: “…happens to be quadriplegic.”
and
Arctic Goddess writes: “One personal comment, however. When writing the way that a person with a disability is described, remember that the person with a disability is a person first. “
Answer: Which is, I believe, why the statement was worded the way it was. It was intended to make this very point.
Quade1 writes: “Sorry I should have elaborated, I meant how did the production team get the Puddle Jumper from sound stage to sound stage? It’s pretty big and doesn’t look like it can be disassembled, can it?”
Answer: We had two jumpers actually – one was the regular size version we kept in Stage 2 (if I remember correctly) while the other was the smaller, portable version we would haul out to location shoots. We used the latter. And, yes, it could be disassembled.
Fuschia writes: “Do you have a projector or a big screen tv? Lazy boys or sofas? We are always curious about what other people have!!!”
Answer: 107 inch screen, DLP projector, lazy boys, and the entire room is painted black.
AnneTeldy writes: “Am I confusing two characters? I thought Rush’s name is Zachary???”
Answer: Rush’s first name is Nicholas. Telford’s first name was Zak – but it didn’t clear so we had to come up with an alternate.
Luis writes: “Joe have you ever had Poutine????what is it exactly????”
Answer: French fries topped with cheese curds and hot gravy. Au Pied de Cochon does a particularly tasty version with foie gras.
Phil writes: “As someone behind the scenes, do you feel that TV shows (not specifically Stargate, but as a whole) are doing a good enough job with focussing on other aspects of sexuality and how race/gender play a part in this?”
Answer: I think that, in general, more can be done to reflect society’s diverse make-up. I also think we have to be mindful that, in so doing, the goal should be to create real characters – and by real, I mean realistic rather than idealized. Being real, they’ll be flawed, make mistakes, occasionally do bad things, and occasionally have bad things happen to them. In the case of the latter, look no further than the recent uproar surrounding Torchwood, one of the most progressive shows in this respect. A lot of the accusations leveled against the show’s creative seems downright baffling given their impressive track record on these very issues.
Eric.Stewart writes: “I’ll be frank with you, I am still trying to understand why it was so important for this Stargate to include a female gay character and why does she has to be a visible minority (Asian).”
Answer: See above for the first part of your question. As for why she’s a visible minority – when we were casting the role, we weren’t looking to cast the role of “the lesbian character”. We were looking to cast the role of Camile Wray. Ming was hired because she’s an incredible actress and her audition blew us away.
Drldeboer writes: “October BOTMC, I’d like to recommend The Seeds of Change anthology edited by John Joseph Adams”
Answer: It looks like a great book, however I believe it’s a hardcover (I prefer to stick with paperback editions to keep the cost down for those interested in taking part) and we’ve already had fab editor John Joseph Adams join us for The Living Dead anthology.
Sparrow_Hawk writes: “Hey, Joe! Did you ever go to any D&D conventions back in your younger days?”
Answer: A few. Me and my 14th level goblin thief alter ego with a charisma of 18, Delfoss Draco.
AvatarIII writes: “is there any technological relationship between the Kino and Goa’uld communication spheres?”
Answer: Nope.
RebeccaH writes: “I’ve just finished Iain M. Banks’ “Inversions”. JM, didn’t you do a short review of that book some time back?”
Answer: I don’t recall if I wrote a review, but I did read it. And enjoyed it immensely.
AnneTeldy writes: “Mark Dacascos, the chairman of Kitchen Stadium on Iron Chef America since 2005 and who played Tyre in two episodes of Stargate Atlantis is among the 16 competitors on Dancing With the Stars, ABC announced Monday morning on Good Morning America.”
Answer: I dropped Mark a note to let him know that Stargate fandom was in his corner.
Rraarr123 writes: “So now, as is my nature, I am curious. Do you support Sea Shepherds and/or Green Peace? What about other similar groups?”
Answer: I certainly do support organizations that actually put the welfare of animals before their own egos.
Rraarr123 also writes: “Are you for the philosophies of these groups, but against the actions?”
Answer: I object to ridiculous philosophies and actions that choose to dictate rather than educate.
DasNdanger writes: “Joe, tell me you did NOT dress your dogs up in costumes. I was just seeing things, right??”
Answer: Read ‘em and weep.
- Jelly, the princess, IS a Princess.
- Maximus metes out wild west justice.
- Bubba is off to Hogwarts.
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