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 3, 2016: The day in Dark Matter!
Sometimes, when you're on set, you come across the strangest sights. Like today, for instance, when I happen across Executive Producer Vanessa Piazza in the midst of her workout. Her killer regimen involves cardio, eating right, and heavy HEAVY weights. Check her out... Then she concludes her routine by tossing anvils at parked cars.…
February 2, 2016: On the Dark Matter front…
Due to other production commitments (mainly prep, writing, and editing), I haven't spent as much time on set as I might have liked for this latest episode. Fortunately, my former Stargate cohort, Ivon Bartok, has done a bang-up job overseeing the action in my absence. So good, in fact, that I could probably stay in Vancouver next…
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 30, 2016: Dark Matter season 2 teaser!
Most shows are fairly secretive about production. Sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes tidbits are rare because TPTB fear the release of the dreaded "spoiler". And what, exactly, constitutes a spoiler? Well, opinions vary but shows tend to err on the side of caution, preferring to keep most things under wraps. That means no set photos, script hints, or…
January 29, 2016: Space spaghetti and sweaters!
Check it out! The pasta of the future! Chef Mallozzi Spaghetti & Meatballs! Perfect for those nights you don't feel like taking the transport shuttle to the moon base market for a supply run. Thanks to 1st Assistant Art Director and Graphics Maestro Roxanne Borris for immortalizing me in Dark Matter art department lore (since this…
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 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 20, 2016: Best Visual Effects!
VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson and his team at Atmosphere and Dark Room Digital Effects did some truly incredible work on Dark Matter's first season I'm sure we can all agree (unless, of course, you've never watched the show - It's on Netflix!). Just in case you missed it, here's a highlight reel of some of their greatest…