Well, I finally did it. I finally started writing the season finale. Next to writing any of the first three and a half acts or doing the re-writes, actually starting the script is one of the hardest parts of the process. This morning, I decided to tackle the Tease (aka Teaser, aka Cold Open, aka…
July 14, 2009: Building the Gate Room
Back in mid-January, I visited Stage 4, what was to be the Destiny set, for the first time. Construction was well under way and the ship was taking shape: gate room, control interface room, observation deck, quarters, and corridors. My first reaction upon strolling through the work-in-progress was: “Wow!” And then, my second reaction was:…
July 1, 2009: Oh, Stuff and Such.
I haven't been getting much sleep of late. I blame my dogs who, for reasons unknown, have taken to waking up a full hour before my alarm. And if they're awake, you can be damn sure they want me awake. Rather than barking or biting however (Maximus is particularly adept at locating that fleshy area…
June 29, 2009: Counting Down To The Summer Hiatus! David Blue!
With three days to go before the official start of our summer hiatus, I was back in the office today, trying to figure out the beat sheet for the big SGU Season 1 finale (hint: the title rhymes with the name of the preceding episode). Lots going on in this one and this…
June 26, 2009: 20 Down And 0 To Go! Brian J. Smith!
Brian J. Smith (Lt. Matthew Scott) relaxes on the Icarus set. Brian takes a break between set-ups. Breaking a story can go either way. It can be a fast-paced and entertaining exchange of ideas in which all participants contribute to fashion a gripping, tightly plotted, detailed episode breakdown. Or, it can be a…
June 25, 2009: The Doctor Is In! Actor Paul McGillion Answers Your Questions.
Some of you know him as Ernest Littlefield. Most of you know him as Dr. Carson Beckett. Me? I know him as good ole Paul - talented actor, all-around good guy, and the most entertaining person to hang with at a con (as I discovered at the 2007 San Diego Comic Con). Ladies and gentlemen, I give you…
June 22, 2009: 19 Down And 1 To Go! Jamil Walker Smith!
Jamil Walker Smith (Sgt. Greer) Well, after several weeks of talking about it, we finally sat down and did it - the writers set aside their other work (editing, outlines, autobiographies) and their differences (the Binder-Gero feud is legendary) to gather and break Episode #19. And, in under two and a half hours, we were…
June 18, 2009: Golden Boy Gero Back in Town. No Topango Sightings Reported.
Hey, look who's back! Well, former Stargate: Atlantis Executive Producer Martin Gero finally made his triumphant return to The Bridge Studios. Yesterday. Unfortunately, I wasn’t around so I missed the parade and pizza lunch in his honor. I was, however, back in the office today and on hand to welcome him in proper fashion: with…
June 16, 2009: The Joys of Scriptwriting, Production Update, and Oodles of Pics.
Spoiler Alert! Brad's diagram explains the science behind an upcoming episode! Oh, and Carl. Special Features Producer Ivon Bartok loves to drop by the offices and just hang out - much to Paul's delight. Ivon shows off his People's Choice Award for Best DVD Extras. Coincidentally, MY People's Choice Award went missing today. Visual Effects…
June 4, 2009: New Episode Titles! -Ish! It’s Party Time! What Does The Future Hold? A Comic Book Series Perhaps.
Hey, everybody! It’s time to play “Guess the Upcoming Episode Names!” Episode #14 shares a title with a song by God Module. Episode #15 shares a title with a song by The Beastie Boys. Episode #16 shares a title with a song by Coldplay. Another round of clues tomorrow. In the meantime, knock yourselves…
May 29, 2009: Shifting From Dark and Dangerous to Moody and Mysterious. I Weigh In On The Big News Item. And – Some Mailbag.
Lock and load, baby! Julia Anderson (Vanessa James) takes a break from the action. Josh Blacker (Sgt. Spencer) tries to blend in. Director of Photography Jim Menard suddenly realizes he's standing in a puddle - much to Director Robert C. Cooper's delight. The quiet suspense of today’s shipboard mystery was in marked contrast…
May 22, 2009: Welcome to the Jungle…But Maybe You Might Want To Come Back Later When We’re Actually Rolling
Carl second-guesses Rob's directorial decision. Everyone laughs off Carl's suggestion. Chadwick, the birthday boy. Chadwick's birthday cake. Director Robert Cooper - prepared for any eventuality. Peter Kelamis (Adam Brody) and Patrick Gilmore (Dale Volker) Mark Burgess (Franklin) Jennifer Spence (Lisa Park) Nancy Ha (Costumes) all decked out for the inclement weather. Camo rain gear Goodies…
May 3, 2009: Transforming Stage 5 From Stargate Command to Icarus Base
Follow Carl down the new-look corridor on Stage 5. Hang a left, up the stairs, and you're in the control room. The stripped-down gate room. The former SGC gate becomes the gate on Icarus Base. Back in early February, Carl and I wandered down to Stage 5 to check out the work in progress.…
May 1, 2009: Projects Galore!
I’m well into the rewrite of Space, episode #11 of Stargate: Universe, and finally got it down to a full 46 pages from a robust 54 (and that’s down from its original 60!). Paring down the dialogue, stripping away some of the superfluous beats, but still maintaining a lot of the character beats that Rob…
April 29, 2009: Simul-posting, Stargate, and the SyFy Slant.
Several weeks ago, when SyFy (sic?) and MGM first approached me about becoming the official behind-the-scenes voice for the new Stargate: Universe series and simul-posting on SciFi.com (sic?) I was admittedly leery. As someone who has made it a point to post a daily entry going on 2+ years now, the last thing I need…