It started early that morning - whispered conversations, furtive looks amongst the members of the Prodigy Pictures production staff. "Is this about me?"I wondered. And then, when I saw them sneak the balloons, pizza, and cake into the conference room I concluded: "This IS about me!". THIS, of course, being the totally unexpected "Welcome Back…
October 30, 2015: Dinner with Tabor and Rodney!
"I'm at the back sitting under the Hades mural!" said the message. I quickened my pace. I had, in fact, arrived twelve minutes early for dinner. And as I rolled by a parking spot about a block from the restaurant I thought to myself "Maybe I can find something a little closer." Fifteen minutes later,…
October 29, 2015: Beware bacon and sunlight!
Some disconcerting news hit the web yesterday: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/oct/26/bacon-ham-sausages-processed-meats-cancer-risk-smoking-says-who Yep. According to the World Health Organization, bacon and other processed meats (hell, red meat in general!) are very, VERY bad for you. They've been classified as a Group 1 Carcinogen along with asbestos and tobacco. Apparently, daily consumption (of the meats, not the asbestos or the tobacco…
October 28, 2015: The Dark Matter crew gift! Help me decide!
Pictured above, the card from the cast that accompanied their gifts for the Dark Matter crew as season one neared wrap. Their gift was this handy customized Dark Matter phone charger: The production, meanwhile, gave out these cosy micro-fleece jackets at the beginning of the season: And gave out these caps at the end" Direct Message? Death Match? Dungeon…
October 27, 2015: Akemi’s fall doggy couture collection!
Uh oh! The weather is getting colder and Akemi has free time on her hands! Time for the dogs to run and hide! Too late! It's going to be a loooong winter for these guys.
October 26, 2015: Walking the quiet set! Construction begins!
Today, I took a walk through our existing standing sets - the infirmary, the mess, the corridors, bridge, and underbelly. Boy, the place sure looks different during the hiatus. Without the lights, set dressing, cast and crew, it looks like the set of a horror movie... Construction has begun, full throttle, on the new standing…
October 25, 2015: But wait! There’s more!
In addition to those mentioned in yesterday's entry, we've got a bunch of great directors taking the helm in Dark Matter's second season. Take this familiar face... John Stead: In his first major directing gig, Dark Matter stunt coordinator and second unit director John Stead delivered one of my very favorite episodes of the show's first season, Episode 110…
October 24, 2015: Behind the camera on Dark Matter’s second season!
Assembling the directors' roster for Dark Matter's second season was challenging for several reasons: scheduling, availability, and a desire to include some capable candidates we didn't get a chance to work with our first time out. In the end, we didn't get everyone we wanted due to the limited slots (a mere 13 episodes!), but I'm looking…
October 23, 2015: On the move!
Today, I went out for a late night dessert after coming home from dinner and dessert. It was the type of gloriously irresponsible indulgence I could only dream of when I was twelve. But I'm an adult now. And, for good measure, on my way out, I picked up a pistachio macaron to go that…
October 22, 2015: Dark Matter season 2 sneak peeks!
Work progresses on Dark Matter season 2. Today brought a fresh round of auditions - and a handful of very strong candidates. Casting the part of Nyx is going to be especially challenging because our casting director, Lisa Parasyn, and her team have assembled some truly terrific talent. Some great choices among the candidates who auditioned for…
October 21, 2015: Alex Mallari Jr. – Dark Matter’s FOUR – answers YOUR questions!
When we were first casting the part of FOUR in Dark Matter, we cast a wide net - opening the role up to all genders and auditioning actors across North America. One candidate stood out for me in that early round: Alex Mallari Jr. Unlike most of the other candidates who delivered colorfully threatening, often over-the-top…
October 20, 2015: Gearing up for Dark Matter season 2!
I was back in the production offices today for my first full half-day of work! Well, more like third-of-a-day's work, lunch inclusive. And that also counts the roughly half hour I spent sorting through the various items I stored away in my office during my five month hiatus. Akemi needed her knitting needles and yarn.…
October 19, 2015: The Snow Monkeys’ Miracle Win! Let’s celebrate with some exclusive Dark Matter season 2 concept art!
There was the 1980 Miracle on Ice that saw a team of gutsy American amateurs best a powerful team from the USSR/ There was the Boston Red Sox 2004 defying seemingly impossible odds to rally from down 0-3 in a series to beat the heavily favored Yankees. And now, it's the 2015 Snow Monkeys who…
October 18, 2015: Let’s hit the mailbag!
Answering your burning questions... mannas7mom writes: "Whaddya mean??? Dark Matter got a second season, and presumably you did, too, or you wouldn’t be heading to Toronto. If you got a 2nd season, why can’t you move to Toronto? What was it that didn’t work out? And is that why you were shopping for an agent…
October 17, 2015: Fan hello’s! Dark Matter Season 1 DVD Reviews!
First off, a little something I received today from Zoie Palmer (Dark Matter's Android) who is at Dallas Comic Con meeting her fans - some of who, it turns out, are Stargate AND Dark Matter fans AND read the blog! Thanks for the hello's. Wish I could've been there! Next time you see Jason Momoa, ask him to…