Today, the cast and crew hit the wilds of Hamilton for a little main unit photography. Some exclusive behind the scenes pics... Gator alert! Avoid the swamp! Setting up the day's first shot. It was chilly, but not unbearably so. That, I suspect, will change tomorrow. Script Supervisor Matti Huhta, dressed for the weather. For…
February 8, 2016: Name another Dark Matter episode!
Yesterday, I watched the Superbowl with some of my co-workers: co-creator Paul Mullie, VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft Wilson, Line Producer Norman Denver, 1st Assistant Director Brandon Tataryn, and their respective families (almost all of who were rooting for the Broncos), and actor Anthony Lemke who, always the contrarian, was rooting for the Panthers. We gathered…
February 7, 2016: The Dark Matter noodle bar!
Yesterday, after visiting the alley set, Dark Matter Executive Producer Vanessa Piazza, Akemi, and I stopped by a nearby noodle bar. How nearby? Well, try two sets over from that alley set. Following through on that Blade Runner vibe. Steam and neon! The place was new. How new? Well, when we walked in, they were still painting the tabletops! You're all…
February 6, 2016: Dark Matter – behind the Saturday scenes!
Today saw a wrap on two different directors and their respective episodes - Steve Dimarco (Episode 203) and John Stead (Episode 204). I dropped in for about an hour in the morning for the alley scene. Two (more like three) outstanding scenes will find their way into the pre-existing director's cut of 203, a dynamic…
February 5, 2016: Dark Matter production full steam ahead!
Ah, finally, the weekend is upon us. Time for rest, relaxation..and a special second unit Saturday shoot. Though, in all honesty, these Saturday shoots are becoming less uncommon and, so, not particularly special. Just saying, guys. Not that I don't enjoy my time with my co-workers. If I was trapped on a space ship millions…
February 4, 2016: Sushi! Demons! Transfer Transit Travel! And Dark Matter goodies!
Dating Akemi is always an adventure. Every text is a little treasure offering cultural insights into the land of the rising sun. Take yesterday, for instance, when I received THIS text: My reaction was "Hunh?". Oh, okay, because I was throwing the soy beans BEFORE seeing the demon. P.S. I going to assume the demon…
February 1, 2016: Dark Matter doings!
Spaaaaaaace neeeerd! Ahem. Now that I've got that out of my system... With Consulting Producer Ivon Bartok on set, I was able to sit in my office and blaze through seven glorious pages of my latest script (questions, silver ball, impending doom, threats, danger, explosion) bringing me to the top of P.51. I figure I'll…
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 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 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 14, 2016: Cat Shirt Thursday on the set of Dark Matter season 2!
Cat Shirt Thursdays! The tradition continues... Jayson Clute - B Camera Operator, Dark Matter Matt Purdy - Stand in, Dark Matter Chris Toudy - Key Grip, Dark Matter Alyssa Pawlak - Stand in, Dark Matter Kelly Anastasiou - B 2nd Assistant Camera, Dark Matter Drew Williams - Boom Operator, Dark Matter Nicola Moss - On Set Key Props, Dark Matter Well, today…