"Hey!"said one of the set P.A.'s. "There's a homeless woman eating a sandwich at the craft service table!" While other crew members angled to get a look at our unexpected guest, I alone approached, drawn by a mixture of pity and sadness. She looked so frail, her hair disheveled, bony fingers clutching what was probably…
January 31, 2015: Cheesing! Toronto’s best rum cakes! And a script update!
"You're cheesing me,"said Akemi. "Cheesing you?"I asked. "Yes, cheesing me." She elaborated: "Making fun of me." "You mean teasing me,"I corrected her. "Teasing. With a t." She frowned, brow furrowed, genuinely perplexed by the revelation. "But cheesing makes more sense." "It does?" "Yes because cheese is like a food bully, kind of aggressive, always going…
January 30, 2015: That’s a wrap on Dark Matter episodes #101-102!
That's it! 16 days up! 16 days down! Today, we completed production on the first two episodes of Dark Matter's first season. The dailies look great, the cast and crew have been terrific, and director T.J. Scott has been nothing short of awesome. Next up: editing! We'll get a director's cut of both episodes the week…
January 29, 2015: Torri in town! Writers Tears! Dark Matter Production Day #15!
Well, look who it is. Torri Higginson was on set today, kicking ass - as do most of the women on this show - as Commander Delaney Truffault. A quick visit from the former Toronto resident - but I have a feeling we'll be seeing her again in the not too distant future. Two units…
January 28, 2015: Detective Grant Boyle is on the case! Bourbon cookies get the shuttle shaking! Infirmary! Mess Hall! And dinner with Torri!
Introducing Grant Boyle - male model. Oh, and 3rd Assistant Director on Dark Matter. No doubt having grown tired of all the compliments I receive on my suits, Grant decided to go all out today - suit, tie AND cufflinks. Mighty suave, no? At one point, he flashed up on my monitor - standing in…
January 26, 2015: Behind the scenes on Dark Matter! Shhhh. Don’t tell anyone!
I spent much of the weekend going over the two week's worth of dailies we've amassed to date. For those not in the know, "dailies" refers to the collected footage from the previous day's shoot. It's always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the available material - especially when it comes time to do…
January 25, 2015: Somewhere between druidic and herbaceous!
"I really like Joe,"said our Assistant Production Manager Robbie David. "He's always so positive." "Positive?"asked my writer partner, Paul, instantly dubious. Having known me for well over twenty-five years, he'd be the first to tell you that "positive" would probably be well down on the list of adjectives used to paint a picture of yours…
January 23, 2015: Our Dark Matter Girls with Guns pictorial!
An early blog entry today as I'm in Waterloo for a day of fun out of the sun. Plenty of fireworks in store for us tonight as we shoot our explosive finish, so I've got my earplugs at the ready. I suppose it's only fitting then that I make today's instalment a Dark Matter Girls with Guns pictorial!…
January 22, 2015: Director Paolo Barzman preps! The production shifts to Waterloo! And I eat doughnuts!
Day #2 of prep on episode #103 with director Paolo Barzman who traveled all the way from Hong Kong to work on Dark Matter! I'd been hearing great things about the man for weeks and, after meeting I have to say - they weren't wrong. He's a foodie, a fearless eater, a chocolate aficionado - oh,…
January 21, 2015: Lulu’s big day! Prep on episode #103 begins!
I'm pleased to report that Lulu's eye surgery went swimmingly and she is now home and resting comfortably. According to the technician, the procedure involved abrading her cornea to remove the dead tissue after which the surgeon pierced her eye with several pin pricks. Now that I know the secret, I can save a little…
January 20, 2015: Hello! You still alive?
"I want you to do a favor for me,"said my mother. "Okay,"I said, assuming she wanted me to look up some old friend now that I was in Toronto. "I want you to call someone for me..." Knew it. "Phone [man's name] and find out if he's still alive." "What?" "I was his assistant many…
January 19, 2015: Shooting in sunny Hamilton! Let’s check the mailbag!
Shooting in Hamilton today and it's been c-c-c-cold! Although it could be colder I suppose. The problem with shooting in these warehouses is that it's actually chillier indoors. The last time we were here for a location scout, we encountered a delay and, instead of sticking around, we elected to wait outside...where it was warmer!…
January 17, 2015: Introducing 1st Assistant Director Brandon Tataryn! #FOURCLAN!
Sure, he has suspect taste in movies and, yeah, he's a Denver Broncos fan but, damnit, I can't help but really like 1st Assistant Director Brandon Tataryn - partly for his sense of humour, partly because he's a fellow foodie and fantasy football enthusiast, but mainly because he's the guy who makes sure WE get…
January 16, 2015: Dark Matter production! 6 down, 83 to go!
Today marked the conclusion of our first full week of production on Dark Matter - or, as the call sheet will tell you: "Day 6 of 89"! Today saw some sword slinging, cosmic cat and mouse, big reveals, and an FTL jump. In other words, just another day at the office. The ladies can't stop talking…
January 15, 2015: Dark Matter in production! Discoveries made! Secrets revealed! Burgers eaten!
Another awesome - and exhausting - day on set. We were in the ship's underbelly, the corridors, and personal quarters as our crew dealt with the aftermath of some surprising events and shocking revelations. Questions, questions and answers - which only beget more questions! Actor Alex Mallari Jr., Dark Matter's FOUR, is back with a…