Hey, check out what was delivered to Brad’s office yesterday afternoon…
Chotto cool, n’est ce pas? I plan to head back to Brad’s office Monday morning while he’s away on a scout and shatter the glass case so I can take some better pictures.
Hey, I spoke to Golden Boy Martin Gero today. He says hi. He seems very busy and very happy – but I can’t help but think that happiness is tinged with a touch of melancholy at the memories of his good times on Stargate. That boy will bury us all. Not because he’s ambitious or necessarily destined for success but because he’s got that crazy look in his eyes that makes me think he would literally like to bury us which is why, when he was at Stargate, we made sure he got the office next to Carl’s.
After watching the second hour of Wednesday’s MasterChef (hamburger battle) episode (Uh, is that Joe Bastianich supposed to come off as a smug jerk?), we decided to fuel up after our morning work-out with – what else? – hamburgers. We headed over to Romer’s Burger Bar –
http://romersburgerbar.com/menu/burgers/
On our way home, we came across this little guy.
Later this afternoon, Akemi drew on her Pierre Marcolini Cafe experience to make truffles…
Needless to say, they were delicious. Tomorrow, when she makes another batch, I plan to join in and start experimenting. Any requests? Das?
Today’s blog is dedicated to everyone. Well, everyone reading this. Those of you unaware of the dedication are out of luck.
Mailbag:
dasNdanger writes: “You’re a good man, Joe…even if you never send me any chocolate.”
Answer: I’ve been reading about a looming chocolate shortage and have started hoarding. I could send you a package of Good & Plenty instead.
DP writes: “Ashleigh is swinging her cell phone in her sweater pocket and not ordering custom-fit frames for your wall hangings.”
Answer: Correct on both counts!
asms writes: “Let us know who you get.”
Answer: Hmmm. I was unable to attend my NFL fantasy draft so the program selected for me. Starting line-up = QB Matt Schaub (Texans), RB’s Shonn Greene (Jets), Frank Gore (49ers), WR’s Brandon Marshall (Dolphins), Percy Harvin (Vikings), TE Jason Witten (Cowboys), and W/R Arian Foster (Texans), K Rob Bironas (Titans), DEF (Baltimore Ravens). The bench = RB’s Willis McGahee (Ravens), Michael Bush (Raiders), Toby Gerhart (Vikings), WR’s Dez Bryant (Cowboys), Nate Burleson (Lions), Davone Bess (Dolphins). I’m thinking of making changes.
Bailey writes: “Ashleigh is right there in front of you! Go for eeet!”
Answer: Should I ask her boyfriend’s permission first or simply assume he’d be cool with it?
Phil writes: “Its been established that Stargates (or Milky Way ones at least) provide correlative updates to tell each other where they are. Will it be explained how this applies to Destiny? It’s constantly moving so wouldn’t it have to start the update process every time it enters a new galaxy?”
Answer: It won’t be explained in-story but one can assume that Destiny simply detects gates in range.
StuartB writes: “How come you never go get Mexican or post photos of Mexican food? Vancouver has got to have some good hole in the wall locations…”
Answer: Really? Where?
Gravy writes: “What sort of precautions are taken against wildlife (eg. bears) when you’re shooting on location?”
Answer: Whenever we shoot in wilderrness settings, one of the onset P.A.’s is covered in bacon and made to roam the periphery of the location, drawing away potential carnivores (ie. bears, cougars, hungry crew members, etc.).
Kymm writes: “If someone were to ask you specifics about a book that you had read in the past, say 5 years ago or longer, would you remember?”
Answer: It really depends on the book.
PattyO writes: “Question: how is it decided who will direct each episode? Does it just rotate, or do some directors only direct some particular writers? Is there a rhyme or reason to it or completely random?”
Answer: We set a rotation, shifting slots to accommodate guest directors or potential scheduling conflicts.
TBA writes: “What is the current status of the Lucian Alliance? Is it now a loose coalition of warlords, or is there another big leader?”
Answer: More of a loose coalition with a hierarchical structure similar to that of contemporary criminal organizations.
Shawn Cassidy writes: “I have a story idea (don’t worry, it’s not a pitch), and I’ve always wanted to sit down and hammer it out. If I was to actually put it down on paper (digital media now), to shop around to a potential agent or publisher, what method would you recommend? Write it up as a novel, script, notes? What software is typically used to write scripts? Is it just done in MS WORD?”
Answer: Hate to be the bearer of bad news but unless you’re Aaron Sorkin or David E. Kelley, you’re going to need a lot more than a great idea. You’re going to need a script to go along with that great idea and you’ll have to write it in either Final Draft of Movie Magic Screenwriter.
Craig writes: “…will we see any other new rooms/parts of Destiny uncovered?”
Answer: Yes.
Nathan writes: “Are there going to be any encounters in season 2 with the race that created that planet in “Faith”?”
Answer: In a matter of speaking, yes…
Becky writes: “Can you say, does an MFA increase one’s chances of getting anywhere? Are studios/agents more inclined to consider a script from someone who has a degree than someone who doesn’t?”
Answer: An MFA is more likely to help you study and hone your craft than it would land you a staff position. And the end of the day, it all comes down to your writing ability – as demonstrated in whatever spec script you happen to submit.
Jadeski writes: “Also, Joe, could you ask Ashleigh where she got her top? And if I can get it in Australia?”
Anwer: According to Ashleigh, she got it in China. Closer to you than us.
Meshakhad writes: “1. Are there any Jaffa among the ranks of the Lucian Alliance forces on Destiny? Are there any women apart from Commander Kiva? And on a related note, is Rush the only non-American of the original crew?”
Answers: No Jaffa. Yes, women. And – that we know of.
“2. Have there been any Jews on Stargate? General Hammond did use a Yiddish expression (“From your mouth to G-d’s ears”) in the Season Two premiere of SG-1, which my mom took as evidence that he is Jewish. Also, Eli seems like he might be Jewish.”
Answer: I don’t recall, but I’m sure there were.
“3. Is Eli’s new love interest a) a member of Destiny’s original crew; b) a member of the Lucian Alliance, or c) none of the above?”
Answer: What love interest?
“4. Where do the various crew families live on Earth?”
Answer: All over the country.
“And while we’re on the subject of Earth, how are the people from Destiny getting around? Are we not seeing the several hours they spend in commercial airliners or military jets? Do they use beaming or other alien technology? Or am I wrong about this and all the crew families live within driving distance of D.C.?”
Answer: The military escorts them to meet with their loves ones. And, yes, we’re leaving those hours of air travel to your imagination.
Jennifer G. writes: “Do you make your own pasta?”
Answer: I don’t. I know, I know. Shameful.
Chris Anderson writes: “Any helpful suggestions on where he should be looking in Vancouver as well any little known facts about working and obtaining a job in Canada?”
Answer: Hmmm. I’ll have to get back to you on this one.
MarieWynn writes: “1) You obviously enjoyed writing for the character of Vala (and as a Vala fan I thank you). Assuming the Lucian Alliance storyline continues, has there been any talk of bringing in her character on SGU since she has experience with them?”
Answer: Alas, although there were instances where we glimpsed her more serious side, Vala’s broad sense of humor makes her a difficult fit on SGU. Still, I love the character and I’m holding out hope for that Vala/McKay/Ronon/Woolsey dream team spin-off.
2) There’s been a lot of talk concerning whether or not Vala will be in the SG-1 movie since Brad Wright said that there isn’t a place for her in it and Claudia Black has said that she has yet to be approached. Assuming you have read the script, are there any hints you can give us as to why there won’t be a place for her, even as a brief appearance? Any chance you might be willing to borrow her character for Atlantis?
Answer: Sorry, can’t say much about the SG-1 script, Stargate: Revolution, mainly because I read an early first draft and much can still change…
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