Something weird's been up with Lulu lately, and I'm not referring to her fashion sense. She's been up at all hours of the night, drinking a lot (water only as I keep the whisky bottles out of reach), and seems to have lost a lot of the bulldogly exuberance that made her alternately adorable and…
January 30, 2016: Dark Matter season 2 teaser!
Most shows are fairly secretive about production. Sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes tidbits are rare because TPTB fear the release of the dreaded "spoiler". And what, exactly, constitutes a spoiler? Well, opinions vary but shows tend to err on the side of caution, preferring to keep most things under wraps. That means no set photos, script hints, or…
January 29, 2016: Space spaghetti and sweaters!
Check it out! The pasta of the future! Chef Mallozzi Spaghetti & Meatballs! Perfect for those nights you don't feel like taking the transport shuttle to the moon base market for a supply run. Thanks to 1st Assistant Art Director and Graphics Maestro Roxanne Borris for immortalizing me in Dark Matter art department lore (since this…
January 28, 2016: Deadlines, distractions, and dogs!
This latest script is slooooooow going. Incredibly, excruciatingly slow going. In fact, I think it's taken me longer to write this script than any one hour script I've ever written. Or, at least it feels that way. Usually, I'll reach a point in a script where things come together, even briefly, allowing me to tear…
January 27, 2016: Dark Matter Episode 202 title revealed!
Huzzah! We (and I do mean the collective "we" as YOU all helped choose them!) have another episode title for Dark Matter's second season. Last week, you all voted and the winner was: "Episode 14: Welcome To Your New Home". This week, you voted again and while the results were much closer, there was a clear winner…
January 26, 2016: A walk (descent, jump, and climb) in the woods!
"Just a little further!". Line Producer, Norman Denver, forged ahead, his constitution fortified by boxing and scotch. "Almost there!" I scanned the trees to either side, then the winding pathway that dipped up ahead before curving and disappearing behind the dense brush. "Watch your step!"warned Brandon Tataryn, skirting a deadly patch of ice and then scurrying…
January 25, 2016: Help me name another episode! Dark Matter Episode 201!
Last week, you all helped select a name for our season premiere (now titled Episode 14: Welcome To Your New Home). Today, the voting begins for our second episode title of the young season. Your choices are... So, what's it going to be? Cast your vote! Leave your mark on television history! Blue screen blues.…
January 24, 2016: Dark Matter season 2 lexicon! (incomplete)
Alexander Rook Anders Android Arax Nero Bubba Clones Corelactic Industries Corporate War Danny Bones Darius Derrick Moss Devon Dwarf Star Technologies Earth Emily Kolburn Empress Ferrous Corp Five Four Galactic Authority Hiro Ishida Jace Corso Kal Varrick key card Kierkan League of Autonomous Worlds Marauder Maynad Hansmeed Mikkei Combine Milo Misaki neural imprint Nieman Nyx…
January 23, 2016: A former guest star returns for a surprise visit!
Having been in "the biz" for going on 25 years, I rarely ever get star struck. And yet, it happened yesterday when a former guest star visited the sit. Pictured above, alongside Executive Producer Paul Mullie, is Boxy who you'll no doubt remember from our big first season two-parter (Episodes 110 and 111). Pictured above:…
January 22, 2016: Dark Matter props! Another fan Q&A!
While we await the responses from our previously announced guests, I thought I'd get the ball rolling on one more Dark Matter crew member Q&A. Victoria Klein, pictured above, is the show's props master. She and her team are our resident MacGyvers, crafting futuristic weapons and otherworldly tech using anything from electric toothbrushes to paper clips. Over the…
January 21, 2016: Dark Matter! Behind the scenes on season 2! Episode #201 title revealed!
A sit-down with prison boss Arax Nero. Who IS this mystery man? An intriguing shot. Mysterious, no? What's HE looking at? I was on a creative tear today, finishing a new scene for one episode and rewriting multiple scenes for two more - all while I was stuck in traffic this morning. As I've always…
January 20, 2016: Best Visual Effects!
VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson and his team at Atmosphere and Dark Room Digital Effects did some truly incredible work on Dark Matter's first season I'm sure we can all agree (unless, of course, you've never watched the show - It's on Netflix!). Just in case you missed it, here's a highlight reel of some of their greatest…
January 19, 2016: Pick our Episode 201 title!
I was planning to rant today but, after a morning spent writing and an afternoon in editing, I am too exhausted to snark. And so, instead, I've decided to leave you with a little something... A photo of director Bruce McDonald and our favorite Android in action. A little something from 1st Assistant Art Director Kelly…
January 18, 2016: A Monday night meander down Dark Matter memory lane!
Yesterday, I featured an old Stargate prep schedule on this blog, breaking it down for you and offering insights into the pre-production process. Today, I'd like to follow up with something a little more recent by giving you all a peek at a call sheet from last year's final day of main unit shooting on Dark Matter - Production…
January 17, 2016: A Sunday afternoon stroll down Stargate memory lane!
I was cleaning out my inbox today when I happened across a bunch of old prep schedules and call sheets. For those of you who are wondering, "prep" is, of course, short for "preparation" and "prepping" an episode involves (in my t.v. producing experience) a little over a week of meetings with director and departments…