First thing I did when I got in this morning was pop my head into my writing partner's office and chime: "Who wants to go to a playback meeting?!" Paul sat back in his chair and looked skyward as if considering. A few seconds of not-so-serious contemplation and then: "No, I don't think so." "I…
April 6, 2010: SGU Production Update!
This was the first sight to greet me when I walked into the office this morning - Yes, that's Executive Producers' Assistant Ashleigh showing off the new jacket she bought with her winnings from the NCAA March Madness office pool. "Couldn't you find one with bigger buttons?"asked my writing partner Paul, dampening her moment of…
March 25, 2010: Culinary Creations! Justice Art Department Package! Dr. Rush needs your help!
As most of you know, I've been doing a fair amount of cooking of late, all thanks to Gordon Ramsay, the good people at America's Test Kitchen, and the fact that I've lost both of my go-to culinary wingpeople. A couple of recent at home meals... No cooking for me tonight. I'm off to enjoy…
March 24, 2010: Oh, a whole bunch o’ stuff including the return of the mailbag!
Hey! Look who dropped by the production offices today! Bugsy and Marilyn! And, oh yeah, Peter Kelamis (SGU's Adam Brody) who tagged along with his lovely wife Alannah. Also dropping by the office this afternoon... Today, we broke Linda's story (episode 13), which explores the relationship of two of my very favorite characters, and also…
March 23, 2010: Assorted SGU Tidbits! Feeling (King) Crabby! And Somewhat Pig-Headed!
This morning, I met the positively delightful actress who'll be playing the role of Ginn in season 2. Loved her in Mad Men. Apparently, she's already worked in Vancouver (most recently on Supernatural), loves the city, and already has plans to hit some of her favorite food spots. After her wardrobe fitting and a visit…
March 22, 2010: Annoying injuries and assistants! Presenting…Stewie! More goodies from the Stargate: Atlantis Art Department archives!
WTF? I am suddenly beset by a host of discomforting aches and pains - not enough to cause me major concern, mind you, but more than enough to really annoy the hell out of me. I can't remember awkwardly twisting it but my hand is certainly doing its best to remind me of the incident.…
March 20, 2010: Roooooooooaaaaaaaad Triiiiiiiiiiiiiip! Making Time!
I'm considering doing something a little different from the five star, fine dining culinary pilgrimage I take to Tokyo every year. No, I don't intend to replace my annual Japan trip, just supplement it with a more casual, down home excursion - perhaps a trek across the U.S. in search of the best American eats.…
March 19, 2010: A pitiful sight! Production goings-on! Brackets busted! And more from the Atlantis Art Department Archives!
The other day I was walking down the corridor when I happened upon a sight so depressing, so altogether heartbreaking, that I almost burst into tears on the spot. Almost. Instead, I pulled out my camera and took a picture of THIS... Ashleigh sitting alone in her office eating birthday cake. Fortunately, it wasn't her…
March 18, 2010: The mystery bag holds an unpleasant surprise! Peaceful Restaurant! Busy on the SGU front! With Great Power…
"You have to guess what it is,"said my dining companion as my hand probed the contents of the brown paper bag. Inspired by my recent blog posts about sampling new, exotic fruit, Denise had gone through the trouble of picking me up a couple of worthy candidates. I'd failed to guess the first one ,…
March 17, 2010: Production Update! New of Note! Art Department Package of SGU’s Earth!
Today, we spent the morning beating out Remi's script - episode 9. Alas, no title as of yet but I'm sure Remi will come up with something truly inspired in the next couple of days. We'll finish up by filling in the missing moments tomorrow after which I hope to receive notes on my outline…
March 16, 2010: I finally discover my true calling! Dinner with Erika! Atlantis Missing Memories! One More Episode Title!
Some are born with natural musical ability. Others are gifted with athletic prowess. Still others find their calling in subtler but no less fulfilling pursuits: science, mathematics, literature. Me? I'm really good at hiding shit. Really, really good. I hide things so well that no one can find them. Not even me! Several months ago,…
March 15, 2010: Let me help you with those March Madness brackets! Art Department Package of SGU’s Water! Guess the episode title!
Wow. Hammering out a full blue draft rewrite of a fairly intricate first draft script was challenging, but it was a cake walk compared to selecting my teams for our annual office March Madness pool. On the one hand, the Yellow Jackets are very talented and have the potential to play spoiler but, on the…
March 14, 2010: A fitful night’s sleep! Dipping back into the Atlantis archives!
Don't you hate it when you spend hours working out a very complicated script rewrite and head to bed satisfied with a job well done, only to wake up in the middle of the night with the horrible realization that the Volker character isn't where he's supposed to be, thereby throwing a wrench into the…
March 13, 2010: Foodly Adventures! The Art Department Package from Fire! Another Episode Title Revealed! The Return of the Mailbag!
I had stir-fried broccoli for lunch today, using the recipe from the latest issue of Cook's Illustrated as a guide. The first time I made the stri-fry, I used the stated amount of red pepper flakes. The second time out, I decided to go with jalapeno flakes instead. The third time, today, I decided to…
March 12, 2010: Spinning with Syfy! What we’re watching! Production update! Another episode title!
Yesterday, we received a visit from our friends at Syfy, Exec. VP of Original Programming Mark Stern and Director of Development Erika Kennair, who dropped by to talk travel, television and, oh yeah, Stargate: Universe. We spent the afternoon discussing the first five scripts of season two and beyond - character developments, story arcs, and…