On the heels of his What does a producer do? blog entry, I’d like to start off today’s instalment by saying Thank You to Dark Matter Co-Executive Producer Ivon Bartok who, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, despite shitty weather and atmospheric stages, oversees on-set action when I can’t be there. Like tomorrow, in the forests of Hamilton for 7:00 a.m. crew call (meaning he’ll have to wake up at 4:30 a.m. to get there in time) facing the prospect of rain, while I’m back in the office, putting out a new draft of Episode 31 and hammering out the story for our season finale. As always, creatively, I know where I want to go. It’s just a matter of figuring out a way to get there. And we have to do it in a way that tops the shocking, surprise-filled Episode 312. A tall order indeed.
Tomorrow, we’re in the forest and Tuesday we’re Hespler for a little walk around town. Then, on Wednesday, the focus shifts back to our standing sets (the infirmary to be precise) as we wrap production on Episode 309 (Back to the Future meets Stranger Things) and start prep on Episode 310 (The episode in which the Android gets a name. But will she keep it?). Second unit will be finishing up Episode 307 (The episode in which a certain character makes a surprising discovery about their past). On Thursday, second unit will be in the underbelly where director John Stead will be overseeing an all-day throw down between two of The Raza’s fiercest warriors (The episode in which “old friends” are reunited).
A new week also brings a new Dark Matter episode title poll. 6 down, 13 to go!
Also, a return visit to the oncologist for Bubba to see if any of his myriad treatments (Palladia, Prednisone, super mushrooms, Chinese herbs, turmeric and black pepper, goat’s milk) have had any effect on his tumors.
Suji and Bubba catch a ride with doggy uber.
Lulu, at the dog park, showing that stick who’s boss.
And looking crazed alongside her friends at the recent frenchie meet-up. At 9, she is by far the oldest french bulldog in the neighborhood.
Indeed, Ivon is a stalwart worker and clearly, a great friend. You are lucky to have him.
A walk in the forest sounds like a great day to me, early or not! I have to admit I’m not sure what Hespler around town is, but it sounds like it might be fun. 🙂
The pups are actually all looking pretty spry, and has Lulu finally gotten rid of her coney necklace?! Nine years old or not, it seems you can’t keep her down!
I love the little hints you toss in to tease the things to come in season 3. Always fun to obsess over.
Busy busy busy!! Glad you got some time in with the pups today. Pretty cold here in NJ; hope it’s not too bad up North.
Delighted to see Lulu out and about, looking much happier
without her cone of shame and Suji
being so irresistably sweet, as always,
with her new older sib.
Hopes and prayers
for some good news from the oncologist this week.
Meanwhile, mine was a sunday of
pleonastic provocation,
cognizantly spiced with hints of
impetuous disgruntlement and tart vexation.
Yep. The could’ve, would’ve, should’ves
were out in full swing
as I reluctantly bowed to my visiting co-worker Bob.
The days all too jubilatory
scrabble game king.
.. Fortunately I managed to console my wounded pride
with the tastiness of snowball treats discovered at the local corner store.
Did you take Lulu’s cone off just so she would not be embarrassed in front of her friends?
I have a bad cold or something…cough, runny nose, sore throat. I went to my parents house on Saturday and took them a big lunch that I bought. Usually on Sunday I cook a big meal at their house and it makes leftovers for the week. I did not go today, did not want to expose them to me.
So what did my Dad eat today in my absence? For breakfast he had peach cobbler with whip cream and milk. For lunch he had an ice cream drumstick. For supper he had cookies and milk. I think he took advantage of the situation.
@PBmom {{{Hugs}}} Hang in there beautiful. You’ll get thru the week.
Received some more links on PDT from Di. Will do some more reading next weekend and let ya know if it proves more fruitful than the last batch of articles I perused.
She the boss she said! She can looked crazed if she wants to.
Poor Ivan. I can easily stay up til 4:30 am (it’s 3:26 here now)… but GET UP at that time? Yeah, I don’t think so. Hope you have a treat for him when he gets back… something warm and chocolate!
Your dogs are adorable! I hope you got some good news about the tumor. What a sweetheart.
Ponytail: Your dad is so funny! Thanks for the story. In his defense, studies show that people in their 90’s need more calories. 😉 Hope you shake this cold soon!
Ivon rocks! You’ve built a great crew for the show. Enjoy!
Thanks for those pictures. I’m glad the cone is off of Lulu and Bubba still looks good! (silent prayer of thanks)
An early morning walk in the woods sounds just the ticket. I wake up super early anyway, thanks menopause and prior Navy service.
Love the puppers. I love seeing their happy furry faces! Best wishes to Bubba.
Kudos to Ivon for getting up at dark o’clock!
@ Thogar My thoughts precisely, always love the teasers..
…..’the episode where “old friends” are reunited’ is a prime example!
@PBMom {{extra hugs}}
So glad to see Lulu free of the cone and destroying sticks with her buddies.
@Drea I don’t think I would want to play Scrabble with you. You’d put me to shame. That sounds great about the PDT. PDT for PDB. Kind of funny in my tired brain.
@Ponytail That is so funny about your dad. I’d likely do the same if someone was telling me what to eat all the time and I suddenly had no constraints. Like a teenager when their parents leave them alone for the first time. LOL. I’m sorry to hear though you are ill. Hope by now (Wednesday) you are feeling a bit better.
@ceresis64 Thank you!
I really liked the episode of Dark Matter he wrote. I hope he’ll get to direct something soon. He did a great job with those SGU Kino shorts. And kudos to him for getting up at 4:30 in the morning to get to the set on time I’ve gotten up at 4:30 in the morning to be out of the house by 5 to pet sit during holidays and not getting home until 10:30-11:00 pm (with short breaks between shifts) and those are tough, tough days but I’m much older than Ivon. I wouldn’t be able to keep that pace for more than 4-5 days tops; the lack of sleep alone would start wreaking havoc on my body.
I hope you’ve gotten news that at least things are stable (I’ll keep reading to find out). You must tell us what happened to Lulu’s paw that it is all bandaged up like that. Lick granuloma?