While I was back in the office, working on this latest script, production on season 3 continued at the Ishida Palace in Kitchener, Ontario Zairon. In tribute to Dark Matter's latest biggest bad, here are some family portraits c/o the spectacular Roxanne Borris, 1st Assistant Art Director/Graphics... Emperor Ishida Tetsuya Empress Ishida (Li Na) Katsumi Emperor Ishida Hiro…
December 5, 2016: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 12 of 91!
Commander Delaney Truffault means business! The Raza's spooky underbelly. Media day with Tanavi Patel and Yael Tygiel. The costumes department has something in the works for the Ishida court. Liz celebrates her birthday with red velvet cupcakes and overtime! Check out this gorgeous render of the Ishida research station. Back home, Lulu has apparently really…
December 1, 2016: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 10 of 91!
We are wrapped(ish!) on Episode 304 and have started production on Episode 301. By the time New Year's rolls around, we'll have three episodes in the can(ish!). Today, we were shooting in the bridge and the infirmary - while prep continued on Episode 302. AND we got a pizza truck! While I was outside perusing the…
November 30, 2016: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 9 of 91!
Day 9 of 91! Holy crap! We're practically 10% done on Dark Matter's third season. And I'm not yet 50% done on its scripts. Help me, Obi-Wan. You're my only hope! When I'm not writing scripts (or eating or sleeping), I'm in prep meetings for Episode 302 with director Bruce Mcdonald et al. Today, we enjoyed the…
November 25, 2016: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 6 of 91!
One week down, eighteen to go! We are blazing through production on Dark Matter's third season - which is both exhilarating and terrifying considering there are still plenty of scripts still to be written. Thank goodness for weekends, the Christmas holidays and, later this season when we're up against it, the hours between 10 p.m. and 5…
November 23, 2016: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 4 of 91!
PRODUCTION BEGINS ON DARK MATTER’S THIRD SEASON Following the season 2 finale that saw the crew of The Raza scattered and presumed dead, Dark Matter’s third season opens a compelling new chapter of the spellbinding series. Joining the cast this season are Ayisha Issa (12 Monkeys) as Solara Shockley, Mishka Thébaud (Bitten) as Adrian Maro…
November 22, 2016: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 3 of 91!
Yes! As many of you pointed out in the comment section, yesterday's post marked the 10 year anniversary of this blog. As I wrote on that very first day back on November 21st of 2007: "Here I sit, watching the battery recharge on my new HD camera (less than an hour to go!), making final…
November 18, 2016: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 1 of 91!
Our brilliant Production Designer, Ian Brock, gives today's sets (3 in all!) a last look-through before heading off to oversee construction of several more sets! Have to convince him to do a fan Q&A this season. The "guest quarters" on the Volkov-Rusi ship. Check out the attention to detail, the small touches... The Art Department…
November 17, 2016: Are you kidding me?!
Allow me to paint a picture if I may... You're asked to put on a show. Say, a juggling demonstration. You pick out four tennis balls and practice until you've got it down pat. Then, on the day, you discover that one of your tennis balls is missing. But the show must go on and…
November 14, 2016: Building those early sets – Dark Matter!
In season 1, our big builds were The Raza (bridge, infirmary, mess/training room, quarters, corridors) and The Marauder. In season 2, it was the Hyperion-8 Galactic Prison (gen pop, warden's office, tech room, interrogation room, laundry room, recycling room and incinerator, corridors). In season 3 - well, here's a peek at some of the concept…
November 11, 2016: More Season 3 Dark Matter Concept Art!
Concept art for "the clock" which, frankly, isn't a clock but kinda looks like one. To be featured in Episode 304. The other day, Production Manager Brandon Tataryn asked me when I expected to have episode titles. I told him "When the fans decide." Aint democracy wonderful? More concept awesomeness from the desk of artist…
November 10, 2016: If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try, try, try again!
In season 1, we had 12 of 13 scripts written by the time we went to camera. In season 2, we had 9 of 13 scripts written by the time we went to camera. As we head into season 3, it looks like we'll probably have 8 of 13 scripts written by the time we…
November 8, 2016: Dark Matter behind the scenes goodies!
Great news! For me. I pushed through that pesky hitherto unyielding scene and made it to the top of Act II. Along the way, I finally got to write that pre-mindwipe Raza crew flashback scene. Oh, that's a keeper. The final look of "the chair", compliments of Lee Fitzgerald at North Front Studio. Now, all…
November 7, 2016: Dark Matter season 3 concept art! What lies ahead!
Okay. Seriously. I've been spinning my wheels on this same damn scene for days. I think, tonight, I'm just going to have to break open the sake and power through. I get this done, segue into the flashback to the pre-mindwipe crew, end the act and, after that, it'l be smooooooth sailing. A little somethings…
November 4, 2016: Dark Matter Props and Stunts!
Props Master Victoria Klein lays out a veritable smorgasbord of goodies for the Episode 301/304 block props meeting. Director Ron Murphy must be dissuaded from bringing his own "props" from home. Arming our new merc, Ash. Solara Shockley selects. Commander Delaney Truffault sees some season 3 action. Identify the prop from a previous episode.…