Last night was the Dark Matter season 3 cast dinner and, as I predicted, we didn't eat until after 9:00 pm. And, yes, I did eat. Again. But only to be polite. Since I'd already had supper, I limited myself to the corn soup appetizer, the lamb ribs, and a spoonful of Zoie Palmer's chocolate-orange pudding dessert.…
November 15, 2016: The Dark Matter Cast Dinner – Spanish Style!
Tonight is the Dark Matter season 3 cast dinner. In preparation, I just had supper. I realize that might seem a little counter-intuitive, but our restaurant reservations are for 8:00 p.m. which means that, by the time everyone arrives and settles in, the kitchen won't be getting our orders until 8:30 p.m., which means that we won't…
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 12, 2016: Celebrating 10 years of blogging with some blog friends!
Over the course of these 10 years of daily blogging, I've gotten to know quite a few of you, mostly here on this blog but, some of you, in person. There's Gary (aka gforce) who has dropped by Vancouver on his innumerable nature hikes, Jeff W. who has kindly helped transport my dogs on their…
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 9, 2016: My wholly unscientific opinion survey gives Dark Matter season 3 a 93.67% chance of starting production November 18th!
Guys! Guys! Come on! I had one simple request. Couldn't you have saved public discussion on the subject until Monday? Well, I can honestly say that last night's season finale of Election 2016 was surprising, but not shocking. Surprising because almost ALL of the polls were wrong. Not shocking because polls (which, oh by the way,…
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.…
November 3, 2016: Checking in with the Dark Matter wardrobe department!
Birthday festivities were in full swing today in the Dark Matter wardrobe department! Birthday gal, Costume Designer Noreen Landry, enjoys champagne. And because today was her birthday, she did it with cake! Assistant Costume Designer Anna Dal Farra provided the cake - and has already started sourcing the Dark Matter dog pics of season 3! Oooh, she's got some…
November 2, 2016: Nails it!
Well, look who it is! Dark Matter Director of Photography Craig Wright was in the office today, fresh off his whirlwind working tour of Vancouver. Now, back in the familiar environs of The Raza, he's ready to LIGHT IT UP! The base model for "the clock" that isn't REALLY a clock, certainly not after Production Designer…
November 1, 2016: More Dark Matter concept art!
Art Department meeting today to discuss the builds for Episodes 301 and 304. Production Designer Ian Brock, as always, has a creative vision - and everything is under control. Today's secret keywords were: "drone", "the clock", and "Volkov-Rusi". A little break, and then we rolled into a rare prosthetics meeting. Yep, Episode 304 is going…
October 31, 2016: Prep officially begins on Dark Matter’s third season!
I wanted to look my best for the first day of prep, so I decided to go with this black, grey, and burgundy ensemble. Note the turtle cuffs (a present from Akemi) and the cat socks (another gift from Akemi). Akemi marked the occasion by baking up a bunch of home made chocolate oatmeal with…
October 30, 2016: Here we go! Again!
Tomorrow, IT BEGINS! Again. For the third time. 11:00 - 12:00 - Concept Meeting Episode 301 13:00 - 14:30 - Concept Meeting Episode 304 *To Follow - Studio Walk-Through Before, after, and possibly during, I'll be working on those rewrites. I'm back on the treadmill! Of course, I'm not the only one. Check out this…