Fans in the U.K., Germany, Spain and Portugal just joined the Dark Matter family and fans in the Netherlands and France are about to follow suit.  So welcome, wilkommen, bienvenida, bem-vindo, welkom, and soyez les bienvenus!  The best is yet to come!

And welcome to my little blog which, over the course of the Dark Matter’s first season, will be offering up plenty of behind the scenes photos, videos, and insights – as well as a surprise or two.

Speaking of two – in case you hadn’t seen them, a few sneak peek pics of our second episode (#102) have popped up online…

http://www.spoilertv.com/2015/06/dark-matter-episode-102-sneak-peek.html

And there’s also this Season 1 preview from the gang at SyFy:

Now, let’s talk about Episode #101.  Those of you who read the Dark Matter comic, edited by the awesome Patrick Thorpe, illustrated by the brilliant Garry Brown, colored by the awesome Ryan Hill, and published by Dark Horse Comics (https://digital.darkhorse.com/browse/brand/52/) will note that the first episode was word for world, almost shot for shot, the first two issues.  However, there were occasions where we veered away from the source material.

THE TEASE

1) Drifting through the corridors…

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This was our first shot of Day #1.  T.J. Scott always liked to have a little background music playing (his mixtape) to help foster a relaxed on set atmosphere.  We discussed options with our Director of Photography, Craig Wright, and ultimately decided to go with the lurid red lighting which always made me think “The Shining in space!”.

2) The stasis pods…

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While I loved the idea of the amniotic fluid spewing out as the stasis pod disgorges its occupant, we opted for something a little more production-friendly that wouldn’t require our actors to spend much of the early scenes sopping wet.  The mist effect replaced the liquid while the pod itself (upright, like in the comic book) was recessed in the corridor for a more visual reveal.

3) The bridge…

Production Designer Ian Brock pitched out a bridge design that was unlike anything I’d ever seen: rowed windows out front and in the ceiling as well, offering plenty of opportunities for interactive lights – especially when traveling through FTL.  Stunt Coordinator John Stead did a terrific job choreographing this first encounter between ONE and TWO.

4) THREE’s entry…

Enter the ship’s resident bad-ass.  You’ll note that, unlike the others, he is armed – which would suggest he actually went into stasis WITH his guns…which says a lot about the guy.

5) The Opening Titles…

As much as I love a nice lengthy opening title sequence, they’re becoming increasingly rare nowadays so we opted for this abbreviated version pioneered by shows like Lost.  Executive Producer Jay Firestone suggested we use our streaking FTL effect which gives it a nice, dynamic feel.  The Dark Matter clanking into place are reminiscent of our hero ship.  We went back and forth on the crew – yes or no – and eventually decided on having them fade up and be partially obscured.  Finally, we decided to go with this musical accompaniment because, as Jay pointed out, it would alert people in the next room that “Dark Matter is on!”.

6) Everyone awakens from stasis…

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In the comic book, we fast forward to the character of SIX awakening from stasis to discover the rest of the crew already up and around.  Director T.J. Scott was adamant that he wanted to see the moment where the rest of the crew wake up – which, in retrospect, was a brilliant idea: a bewildered FOUR followed by a composed FIVE and ending on a confused SIX.

7) Designations and discovery…

Our amnesiac crew members name each other numerically, discover clothes, comms, and a weapons cache.  Curious.  My writing partner, Paul Mullie, suggested the little bit of business with FIVE and SIX switching outfits – which is the first interaction between the two and hints at the friendship to come.  In fact, this episode is full of little hints about our characters.  Note the way TWO takes charge and the others quickly fall into line.  Also not the glint in THREE’s eyes as he swings that big gun around…”Expecting trouble?”, “Hopin’!”

8) Splitting up and searching…

TWO and FIVE head for the bridge, ONE and FOUR find the training room, and THREE and SIX discover the shuttle (The Phantom Class Marauder).  All begin to display certain abilities suggestive of their respective pasts.  I’ve spoken at length about how anime (the swords in space motif) heavily influenced Dark Matter and nowhere is this more evident than in the character of FOUR.  Alex Mallari Jr. was supremely dedicated to his training, waking up at 3 a.m. every day so that he could get a workout in prior to heading in for his early call and stunt rehearsals. He got pretty good with those katanas.  So good that he ended up running the table on the various weapons in that room.

But seriously.  What’s with the space sword?  Stay tuned!

9) The Android’s greeting…

Our first elaborate stunt sequence, choreographed by stunt coordinator John Stead, directed by T. J. Scott.  This one took all day!  Some nice little touches including the beat where the Android disarms SIX of his weapons, snatching the last one out of his holster and tossing it aside before he can react.  Zobot lays a beatdown on the boys. Luckily, TWO saves the day.

10) Bringing the Android back online…

The show is full of parallel themes and tracks.  Take the Android for instance who has her memory stories wiped by the reboot.  Still, her neural link to the ship allows her instant access to the ship’s systems – and the realization that the data has been wiped.  Now why would someone do that?  Just add it to the growing list of questions.

By the way, my favorite beat in this scene is the moment the Android suddenly sits up.  Everyone else is startled, reacts anxiously by pointing or clutching their weapons.  FIVE, on the other hand, scooches forward, intrigued.

That’s all for today.  Let’s pick up tomorrow.  For now, a couple of links to check out…

Another review:

http://www.douxreviews.com/2015/06/dark-matter-pilot-part-1.html

Travel via clone.  I discuss Transfer Transit, the fastest way to get around in the Dark Matter universe:

Chatting with Starburst Magazine:

http://www.starburstmagazine.com/features/interviews/12270-joseph-mallozzi-dark-matter-interview