I have a plan. I’ve had one from the day we started production on Dark Matter’s first episode, a plan that spans five 13-episode seasons and includes character and story arcs with beginnings, middles, and endings. I know exactly where we’re going and knowing in advance allows us the all-too-rare opportunity to sprinkle our narrative with clues, little hints of what’s to come that will pay off along the way. Small adjustments are inevitable, but the big picture story and pay-offs remain in play. And it hasn’t always been easy. Sure, there are the expected production demands – the writing, the prepping, the editing, the various other duties, and the long, long hours, but then there are the unexpected curveballs that come at you from people who really should know fucking better, those square peg in round hole annoyances that crop up every so often and leave a lot of people shaking their heads in dismay. I mean, really?
On the bright side, series co-creator Paul Mullie delivered a great pass on the latest script. We are flying! Episode 305 already preps when we get back on January 3rd!
No time to stop the production train for lollygaggers. If you can’t keep up, catch a flight and we’ll meet you at the next station!
Meanwhile…
Lunch with sis and mom at Smoked Meat Pete.
Every time I visit, I always make it a point to hit Pete’s for the best smoked meat in town. Their fries aint too shabby either.
And, while we ate sandwiches, Lulu had lobster…
Today’s entry is dedicated to blog regular Debra.
What scares me is how many wonderful tv series have had such great plans and were then shot down prematurely. I love Dark Matter and really want to see your vision in its entirety 😀
Lulu is moving very well! Maybe the counterweight of her lobster helped?
Yay – episode 305 is ready to shoot.
Remember I last posted I was at work – not working? Boss surprised us few and said okay to leave early! Woo-hoo… so I left. Got some last minute shopping done and am destressing.
And I agree with Greg, I want to experience your entire vision for Dark Matter.
Lulu’s booties are adorable!
I hope this isn’t the same square peg you’ve mentioned before.
Please don’t get forced to wander from yours and Paul’s original story. Stay strong. I’m sure you guys can make it work.
Mama is looking good!!!
@Debra – So sorry about your Samoyed. Thoughts are with you.
No lollygagging here, no sir!
Thank you Joe. I appreciate the dedication.
I am hoping you get the 5, and then your brain forms a brilliant spinoff that appeals to you far more than retirement .. and another 5 yrs is set.
Thank you to everyone for the condolences. We went in expecting to be told time limited, not that even taking him home would be unkind.
He was the sweetest boy.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f203/DebraDownSth/Cara%20and%20Merlin%202016%20on/Merlin%20paws%20Possum.jpg
Hmm, I have no idea what happened but I’m sorry you ran into some road blocks. DM has a lot of fans out this way. Just last week someone in my karate class was saying how much they liked DM. Netflix is exposing more people to the show.
Your sis and mom looks wonderful!
Thanks for the Lulu video!
Sending more {{{Hugs}}} Debra! I lost three furbabies last year. It was….. rough. Most of us here understand your grief. 🙁
A big weather change is coming through. So, of course I woke up with a massive migraine. All my plans for the day went out the door. Maybe, tomorrow will be more productive.
G’night All!
Are those two flying saucers outside the window behind your mom and sister? How do aliens keep finding you?
Have a great Christmas.
Lulu is walking better on ice than I do. Lunch looked delicious!
Stay true to your vision! Don’t let those square pegs derail you. Get on the train or get off! I also agree with everyone else, my Christmas wish besides World Peace & Good Health To All, is to see your vision for Dark Matter reach 5 yrs and beyond.
@Debra: so saddened to hear of your loss!
Safe travels to all, near and far!
Ugh whomever is bugging you needs to stop. Or send him/her our way; we’ll put a stop to it! 😀
Love how Lulu took her lobster for a walk in the snow. She looks like she’s walking pretty well; how’s she doing post-surgery?
Debra, I am so sorry about the loss of your Sammy boy! :'( Your sweet baby lamb… How devastating. Even when it is the last, best thing for them, it is still the worst thing for us. My condolences…
Joe, is it me, or do they wait till you are out of town, at the end of the week, to communicate news like this? Did another coworker contact you with, “Got an e-mail. You’re not gonna like it.”? Jeepers. Show business is not for sissies! You’d have to have the hide of a rhinoceros to put up with it, and the patience of Job. We’re glad that you do, most days. Crossing fingers for a good outcome.
It’s good to see Mom and Sis! Can’t wait to see pix of the rellies, the Christmas Eve spread, the parade of family dogs, and board game?/card game you all play.
If I don’t make it back here this weekend, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, everyone!
Merry Christmas, Mallozzi Family!
Yet another great post. Thank you for sharing. Someone who dresses as sharp as you do everyday shouldn’t have the people stuff to deal with; Insert scene with “The Devil wears Prada- Miranda Priestly” meeting with staff. The People stuff is the drama that makes for the most interesting story. All the special effects, the plot, the plan, the budget… all of it is to figure out how to convey the deepest truth in such away that the viewer believes they have discovered it. The best “reveal” is a masterpiece the creators never planned for and couldn’t foresee. The moment we realize we channel something more wonderful than ourselves, that the proverbial pen is not ours to direct, nor the inky chaos that stains canvas ours to manipulate, and the curtain that pulls back reminds us we are on a stage acting out a life, is the moment we wish it was not over.
Oh shoots! Did I just try to quote Shakespeare? Okay… my point is if Dark Matter is about Dark Matter then it’s about something that writes itself, the ultimate AI. It’s the thing that existed before “let there be light” was possible. It is the intelligence behind what we are or conversing with the puppet master of what we are… to quote two: it’s complicated.