Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog

May 20, 2014: Back to business!

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A gentle reminder that our Book of the Month Club reconvenes on June 2nd to Paul McCauley’s Evening’s Empires.  But you already knew that because the information is right there on this blog’s sidebar.

Also, since we’re on the subject, allow me to announce the winner of our July Book of the Month Club poll.  This one wasn’t even close.  The winner…

1WHITE FIRE by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Discussion kicks off Monday, July 7th.

I spent the morning fleshing out the 13-episode arc for “that scifi series” (You know the one).  It’s a routine I’ve gotten into.  Every night, I lie awake in bed for hours, running through each episode in my head, coming up with details here, twists and turns there, then wake up the following morning, thoroughly exhausted, and get it all down.  Rinse.  Repeat.  This way, when we convene to break the series – sometime in June – we’ll be able to make efficient use of our time.  The aim will be to beat out 10 of the 13 stories so that we can all go off, write for several months, and come back with finished scripts for the start of production…hopefully in October.

I spent a couple of hours this afternoon going over a preliminary budget.  With careful planning, having the right people in place, and by maximizing our resources, I have no doubt we’ll be able to produce a kick-ass show.  I’m hoping those final annoying/outstanding pieces fall into place before week’s end so that we can start making deals.  As I mentioned in a previous entry, I’ve spoken to some old friends to gauge their interest in getting the band back together, and there are several more I’d like to talk to once we get the official go.

So close.  I can almost taste the singular anxiety and frustration that only being in production can provoke.

Ah, to sit in a ship’s command chair once again.  Approve a final visual effects shot. Wake up while it’s still dark out and drive 45 minutes to a location where you spend the day huddled around a monitor,  eating lukewarm pigs-in-a-blanket, trying not to inadvertently amble through a shot on your way to the honey wagon…

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18 responses

  1. Joan001 Avatar
    Joan001

    Wishing you back in the groove again… Fingers crossed

    Reply
  2. Sparrow_hawk Avatar
    Sparrow_hawk

    oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!!!!

    Reply
  3. mike Avatar
    mike

    hopefully david hewlett can be involved?

    Reply
  4. Shane Calhoun Avatar
    Shane Calhoun

    Keeping my fingers tightly crossed with super glue hope this happens for you joe you deserve this to happen you’ve got a lot of talent thats going to waste not working an active production.

    Reply
  5. Duptiang Avatar
    Duptiang

    Will the series have some. shall I say, “Game of thrones” traits?

    Reply
  6. dasndanger Avatar
    dasndanger

    July 7th? Heh. (Inside joke that only I get)

    Tell ya what…you get that show made, and I’ll be sure to catch the second season. I’m a bit shell-shocked by all the first season cancellations of late. 😛

    das

    Reply
  7. jojo Avatar
    jojo

    I am really excited about the possibility of your getting a show up and running. Have you gotten some good ideas about casting? I sure hope to see some familiar faces in that regard.

    I have been to Savannah, GA many times. I think it would be a good place for you to visit because it is one of the most walkable cities, especially the historic district (city center/downtown). Lots of great restaurants there, grand hotels as well as rooms in historic mansions. right on the Tennessee river is a walking path to stroll by day or night. so pretty. then 30 minutes drive is tybee island which is right on the Atlanta ocean and a casual environment. Then 2 hours drive is Charleston, SC another walkable city with historic mansions, farmers markets and really good restaurants. You can rent a car and drive to these places and really get to see a lot in a few days. Also the airport has greatly improved so now major carriers fly there.

    Reply
  8. Anne B Avatar
    Anne B

    Yes Yes Yes! This is really exciting. I can’t wait for this new scifi series. Fingers crossed.

    Reply
  9. skua Avatar
    skua

    Yeah, sure, it’s terrible, horrible, almost like the Spanish Inquisition torture. You know, no one expects the Spanish Inquisition.

    Almost as bad to do just that, every day, to go to the office but no burritos, no vfx, no country walks outdoors, no canvas chairs with your name, no production assistants with mysterious cupcakes, no knife fights with your loved fencing club, sorry writers room …

    Temple of boredom
    Our compassion for you is astronomical, intergalactic I dare say.

    O tempora and mores

    Reply
  10. gforce Avatar
    gforce

    Joe, I’m really excited that everything seems to be falling into place! Here’s hoping for the best! That would be so cool to have so many of the old gang back together again.

    “Ah, to sit in a ship’s command chair once again. Approve a final visual effects shot. Wake up while it’s still dark out and drive 45 minutes to a location where you spend the day huddled around a monitor, eating lukewarm pigs-in-a-blanket, trying not to inadvertently amble through a shot on your way to the honey wagon…”

    Sounds like a dream job to me!

    I haven’t had a chance to read this month’s BOTM – I’ve been so busy with getting my house ready to put on the market that I’ve barely had time to breathe! What with all the painting, cleaning and decluttering though, I look around and think the place doesn’t look so bad!

    Reply
  11. Jen Draves Avatar
    Jen Draves

    Joe,

    Glad that everything is coming together for you! Can’t wait for you to eventually announce the name, whose in it, a synopsis of the show & characters, what network it is on, etc. I’m back today to putting out more resumes to schools. Graduation was Monday night and it was really nice talking to graduates from all the different departments at my school. It was fun to hear if they got job offers, if they were continuing their education, and what their plans were for the future. Most of them are just kids (20ish). The student response came from a mom like me, except she is a nurse.Her speech made me a bit teary eyed. It is a lot of work to go to school when you still have kids at home. Note to those young and in college, FINISH NOW!!! Have a great day all! If you get a chance, check out: http://www.gofundme.com/ServiceDog4BethanyDraves

    Bethany is my 15 year old daughter. Read her story. Share and give if u can. Joe, thanks for sharing and being an encouragement to hear on her posts on FB!!! 🙂

    Jen 🙂

    Reply
  12. Tam Dixon Avatar
    Tam Dixon

    I can almost taste the singular anxiety and frustration that only being in production can provoke. So would this be a good thing? Don’t get me wrong, I look forward to any of your upcoming projects and Jelly needs mula to maintain her lifestyle. Fingers crossed for ya!

    Sadly, I didn’t get the BOM this time. I’ll read the reviews and keep watching Amazon for a kindle version. I’m all in for July though!

    Beautiful day here, wish it could last. Have a g’day all!

    Reply
  13. shinyhula Avatar
    shinyhula

    I’m getting nervous just reading this! See, there is more excitement on this blog than on some TV shows.

    If you’re looking something good to watch I recommend How I Live Now; it’s a beautiful coming of age story set against World War III, the trailer makes it look all Hunger Gamesy but it’s more like The Killing Fields and Hotel Rwanada.

    http://youtu.be/RSaxm68PPT4

    Reply
  14. FagateOne Avatar
    FagateOne

    hummmmm! Your last post sounds good !

    Reply
  15. Tam Dixon Avatar
    Tam Dixon

    Das: I made a batch of those flourless peanut butter cookies. Pretty good! http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Flourless-Peanut-Butter-Cookies/

    Reply
  16. Randomness Avatar
    Randomness

    If there’s anyone who deserves a green light for anything, it’s you Joe. You’ve been sat with a red light for too long now. 🙂

    I’m going to be positive and bet you get at least a half dozen seasons from your show, you’ll get renewed year after year.

    Reply
  17. JeffW Avatar
    JeffW

    @Joe:

    Ships? Space? You are talking about THAT scifi series, right?

    Every night, I lie awake in bed for hours, running through each episode in my head, coming up with details here, twists and turns there, then wake up the following morning, thoroughly exhausted, and get it all down. Rinse. Repeat.

    That sounds like quite the creative angst! I bet it’ll make for some great story telling. I can’t wait to see how this goes; good luck as always and keep us informed.

    I’ll try to pick up White Fire in the next week or so. I missed the last BOTM book due to a case of “the mehs” and an insane work schedule that exploded on me over the last few weeks (Huntsville, Calgary, Detroit, Holland Michigan, and back to Huntsville tomorrow).

    I may be back to Vancouver in mid to late June. It’s not solid yet, so I’ll have to see how things go in the next week or so.

    @Sparrow_hawk:

    I just finished “Old Man’s War” and remembering your affection for the book it made me wonder if you got your nom de plume from the special forces ship of the same name. So was that where you got “Sparrow Hawk” from, or something else?

    Reply
  18. Mike from Canada Avatar
    Mike from Canada

    “Honey wagon”? What is a honey wagon?
    Local slang from people I know call septic pump trucks honey wagons. I just can’t see those being needed on a shoot for a SF show.

    Reply

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