November 30, 2014: Videos of note!

Robot Dance Japan: Wanderers - a short film by Erik Wernquist: <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/108650530">Wanderers - a short film by Erik Wernquist</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user13714879">Erik Wernquist</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> Best Snow News Bloopers Ever: Black Friday shoppers, take note!  This is how to line up in an orderly fashion: This reminds me that I've got to start…

November 29, 2014: Things I miss about Vancouver!

1. My Home Gym I'm not the most motivated guy when it comes to working out and yet, when I was living in Vancouver, I would schedule two-a-days: a 45 minute run in the morning and a 45 minute weight workout at night.  How did I manage to pull off such an ambitious routine?  Well,…

November 28, 2014: Operation Wine & Cheese!

"This five dollar bill has blood on it,"said Caitlin from the back seat, examining the keepsake from a recent road trip to Buffalo. "Maybe it's Buffalo wing sauce,"suggested Alison seated beside her. "Except we didn't have any wings while we were there." An awkward silence finally broken by Natalie, our navigator, who advised me to…

November 27, 2014: The Uninvited Dinner Guest!

Today, Akemi made a roasted pistachio-crusted lamb shoulder.  She spent over a half an hour toiling away, de-shelling the pistachios and de-skinning them.  Her arduous work finally complete, she stepped away to use the bathroom and, when she returned not a moment later, discovered Lulu up on the table, enjoying the fruits of her labor.  She…

November 26, 2014: Welcome to the Gun Show – Part II!

Prep continues on Dark Matter!  The other day, we had our follow-up gun meeting as we move toward arming our kick-ass crew.  It's a dangerous galaxy out there! The inspiration for the weapon of choice the Ferrous Corp soldiers (corporate guards) will be carrying.  Each corporation (Ferrous Corp, The Mikkei Combine, Traugott, Volkov-Rusi) will have a…

November 25, 2014: Akemi opining, Snow Monkeys winning, doggies relaxing!

"Tastes like old man who likes pachinko." - Akemi on the smoked trout I picked up last weekend. Well look at which team is sitting in second place in our fantasy football League of Accommodation.  Yep, my Snow Monkeys, on the strength of a close-shave two-point victory this past weekend, wrapped up a playoff spot…

November 24, 2014: Introducing Dark Matter Set Designer Doug Slater!

I love working with talented people.  Pleasant talented people?  Even better.  Pleasant talented people who also happen to be scifi fans?  Best of all!  Such is the case with Dark Matter Set Designer Doug Slater.  He's a good guy, great at what he does, AND loves SF.  And his love for the genre is clearly evident in his…

November 23, 2014: News of Note!

Why do Japanese people hate root beer?  http://en.rocketnews24.com/2014/11/21/why-almost-all-japanese-people-hate-root-beer/ But, on the other hand, they do seem to LOVE their tomato/cherry and carrot/orange ice creams:  http://www.tsunagujapan.com/40-haagen-dazs-flavors-only-sold-in-japan/ Polish lawmakers take stand against pantsless "hermaphrodite" I used to spend time all the time in my younger years: http://www.vanityfair.com/vf-hollywood/2014/11/winnie-the-pooh-hermaphrodite 13 character posters for the upcoming live-action Attack on Titan movie: http://www.toplessrobot.com/2014/11/13_character_posters_for_live-action_attack_on_tit.php Mmmmm.  21…

November 22, 2014: Akemi’s inspired creations!

"This tea tastes like the bitter sweat from a salaryman's collar." - Akemi, the other day, on the green tea she was served at a hotel restaurant. So it's come to this.  Bubba is now an unwitting model for Akemi's inspired creations.  Here a simple towel transforms him into a cross-special Princess Leia. Keeping with…

November 19, 2014: Introducing Dark Matter Art Director Kim Zaharko!

One of the most notoriously elusive member of the Dark Matter production team is Kim Zaharko.  For days, rumors abounded of a supremely talented Art Director frequenting the lower offices, coordinating the design and construction of our awesome sets.  There had been sightings but no visual confirmations.  Intrigued, I set out to get photographic proof…

November 19, 2014: Introducing Dark Matter Production Designer Ian Brock!

The first time I'd ever heard about Production Designer Ian Brock was several months ago when I was having dinner with a fellow producer.  We were discussing production challenges and the benefits of hiring talented people capable of making efficient use of often limited resources when my dining companion suddenly sat back and informed me:…

November 18, 2014: Notes! Notes! And notes!

Today, Paul and I sat down with fellow Dark Matter Executive Producer (and President of Prodigy Pictures) Jay Firestone for a marathon notes session.  Well, it was only three scripts, so not so much a marathon as it was, say, a 5k sustained jog through episodes #101 through #103.  And, I'm pleased to report, a good time was…

November 17, 2014: Welcome to the gun (sword and miscellaneous weapons) show!

My writing partner, Paul, got in yesterday for what should be a big week.  We've got budget meetings tomorrow, script meetings with Jay Tuesday and Wednesday, and a whirlwind trip to the SyFy offices in New York that will see us flying out early Friday morning and flying back later that night.  Today, we sat…

November 16, 2014: Life in Toronto in Pictures!

The return of my bento box breakfast.  Peanut butter oatmeal with cherries and burnt white chocolate for dessert. My every-chilly girlfriend. Almost 16-year old Jelly, already in the Christmas spirit. Jelly sleeps off her walkies. Akemi's latest passion = popcorn! And, apparently, knitting! Well, at least her ears are warm. Getting together with the gang…