It was nice to get back on the ship today after two days in Hamilton on two distant space stations. Our travels to Cygni-4 and Shaofu 2 may be over, but we'll always cherish the memories... And these commemorative Shaofu 2 decals we picked up for our ships and shuttles. Shooting in the mess, quarters, and…
February 12, 2015: Space Travels with Amanda Tapping!
We've taken a break from our shipboard routine, journeying to the far flung corners of colonized space for a little R&R. Our first stop was S-CYGNI-4, a remote way station renown for its sketchy entertainment district and signature cosmic croissants. Then it was off to check out the scene at space station Shaofu 2. A little…
February 11, 2015: Introducing Dark Matter Editor Wendy Hallam Martin! Amanda Tapping takes the directing reins!
Yesterday, I was working with editing wizard Paul Day on episode #101; today, I worked with editing wizardess (I think that's what they call 'em) Wendy Hallam Martin on episode #102. We enjoyed a delightful afternoon, taking the episode apart and reassembling it like a jigsaw puzzle in a frustrating attempt to ensure none of…
February 10, 2015: Introducing Dark Matter Editor Paul Day!
There's an old saying in the business: "We'll fix it in post". In other words, when everyone else gets through screwing things up, it falls on the editor to work his/her magic and save the day. Oh, you think I'm kidding but you'd be surprised how many adequate movies have been transformed into truly great films by the…
February 9, 2015: Introducing Dark Matter VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson!
Well, well, well. If it isn't former Stargate script coordinator, fellow fantasy football enthusiast, and self-styled Thai food expert Lawren Bancroft-Wilson who joins us - all the way from comparatively warmer Vancouver, B.C. - to take on the role of Visual Effects Supervisor for Dark Matter's first season. Lawren will be acting as the on…
February 8, 2015: Reading! Watching! And, oh yeah, producing!
"My hair is hauntedly long." - Akemi today, presumably comparing her hair to Ringu's creepy crawling Sadako. I spent much of the weekend going over the director's cut of episode #101 (directed by T.J. Scott, edited by Paul Day). It's pretty awesome - and will be awesomer still once they've addressed my persnickety notes ("add/trim…
February 7, 2015: My all doggy blog post!
Honestly, my weekends are actually more jam-packed busy than my 12 hour days on set! Errands to run, documents to gather, and a director's cut of episode #101 to watch and give notes on. Oh, and also squeezed in a Skype call from our old friend Alexander Ruemelin who ranks right up there with Carl…
February 6, 2015: Enraged actors thirst for writer-producer blood!
Yesterday, I released the script for episode #110. When I told Paul, he called me cruel for doing so without putting out #111 as well. The script went out at 8:00 p.m. last night and, between set-ups, the actors were huddled around their cell phones, reading. By the time I got home an hour later,…
February 5, 2015: Dark Matter swag! Space Hair! And a Zoie Palmer exclusive!
Hey, check it out. It's my new cell phone case compliments of actor Alex Mallari Jr. (Dark Matter's FOUR) who evidently grew tired of me going without. I repaid the favor today by bringing him the vegan no bake peanut butter chocolate squares Akemi made for him. Continuing the visual roll-out of our Android,…
February 4, 2015: Space beer! Cosmic tonic! And out of this world girlfriends!
My last view of my home (away from home) before boarding the elevator that will whisk me to my car. Despite the fact that I'm out the door at 6:00 a.m., Akemi and Bubba always get up to see me off. And, hopefully, get a parting treat and belly rub. Or, in Bubba's case, just…
February 3, 2015: Cars elves! Production! Prep! And our Walking Dead crossover!
"Somebody stole my car!"was my first thought as I stared out at the desolate lot. A single automobile sat out there, occupying the spot formerly occupied by my Durango. A Durango too, but cleaner, shinier, and less salt-encrusted. Yes, as with yesterday's incident involving that homeless woman who turned out not to be homeless at…
February 2, 2015: An unexpected encounter! Paolo Barzman at the helm! Amanda Tapping on deck!
"Hey!"said one of the set P.A.'s. "There's a homeless woman eating a sandwich at the craft service table!" While other crew members angled to get a look at our unexpected guest, I alone approached, drawn by a mixture of pity and sadness. She looked so frail, her hair disheveled, bony fingers clutching what was probably…
February 1, 2015: Psycho Vegan Superbowl!
"I'm psycho!"Akemi happily informed me. "Hunh?"was my response. "I'm psycho!"she repeated. "I asked about when Jeff was coming back to Toronto yesterday and, today, you got an email from him saying he's coming back! I'm psycho!" "PsyCHIC,"I corrected her. "Psychic." "Not psycho?" Disappointed. "I don't know. Maybe psycho too. She redirected her attention back to…