I was planning to rant today but, after a morning spent writing and an afternoon in editing, I am too exhausted to snark. And so, instead, I've decided to leave you with a little something... A photo of director Bruce McDonald and our favorite Android in action. A little something from 1st Assistant Art Director Kelly…
January 18, 2016: A Monday night meander down Dark Matter memory lane!
Yesterday, I featured an old Stargate prep schedule on this blog, breaking it down for you and offering insights into the pre-production process. Today, I'd like to follow up with something a little more recent by giving you all a peek at a call sheet from last year's final day of main unit shooting on Dark Matter - Production…
January 17, 2016: A Sunday afternoon stroll down Stargate memory lane!
I was cleaning out my inbox today when I happened across a bunch of old prep schedules and call sheets. For those of you who are wondering, "prep" is, of course, short for "preparation" and "prepping" an episode involves (in my t.v. producing experience) a little over a week of meetings with director and departments…
January 14, 2016: Cat Shirt Thursday on the set of Dark Matter season 2!
Cat Shirt Thursdays! The tradition continues... Jayson Clute - B Camera Operator, Dark Matter Matt Purdy - Stand in, Dark Matter Chris Toudy - Key Grip, Dark Matter Alyssa Pawlak - Stand in, Dark Matter Kelly Anastasiou - B 2nd Assistant Camera, Dark Matter Drew Williams - Boom Operator, Dark Matter Nicola Moss - On Set Key Props, Dark Matter Well, today…
January 12, 2016: Dark Matter and doggy doings!
Anthony Lemke (THREE) and director Bruce McDonald discuss tattoos and such between set-ups. Is it possible to have any more fun on set? Bruce sets up his first shot of the day. A meeting of the minds. Meanwhile, back on the home front, the dogs express their delight for their winter wear... He's saying: "Noooooooooo!"
January 11, 2016: Mayhem! New sets! Flaccid chicken!
We tried out a new caterer today. On the menu: flaccid boiled chicken, dressing-free salad, and fat slices of disquietingly gooey eggplant parm topped with cold cheese. Mmmmm. There were a lot of crew members ordering pizza this afternoon. In retrospect, I suppose it was apropos. Prison food for our prison set... Today, stunt coordinator…
January 10, 2016: A rare rest day!
Today was the calm in the eye of the hurricane, that brief respite before the inevitable storm that will be tomorrow's BIG extended action sequence. When I said that this was our most ambitious episode to date, I was, for the most part, referring to THIS particular scene. Can't wait to see stunt coordinator John…
January 9, 2016: Saturday in space!
Wow. I can't think of anywhere I'd rather spend a Saturday than in outer space with the Dark Matter crew... Up and at 'em! Director Bruce McDonald contemplates an orange prior to blocking our first scene in Alicia Reynaud's office. Alicia who? Check out Dark Matter season 2 (summer of 2016) and find out! First shot of the…
January 8, 2016: Up and at ’em! Dark Matter in production!
In a perfect world, I'd be sleeping peacefully away like those two pictured above (Look at them! They get to actually sleep on set instead of pretending they're simply "deep in thought" which is MY go-to) , but until they finish fine-tuning that teleportation technology I've been anxiously awaiting (for going on thirty years now),…
January 7, 2016: Dark Matter media day!
Selfie with Susanne Döpke (Geek Magazine), Marietta Steinhart (DIE ZEIT), and Mirsad Halilovic (NBCU) who flew in today to talk Dark Matter and take in the super secret on-set action. Between set-ups, I got to sit down and talk season 2 plans, guest stars, and schnitzel! I had a great time. Miss you guys already! Beware of co-workers…
January 6, 2016: Dark Matter Season 2, Episode 202, Day 4!
Today was all about the Android. Between set-ups, I finally got a chance to sit down with actress Zoie Palmer and take her through our plans for the Android in season 2. We discussed the surprising encounter in Episode 204, the wildly atypical happenings in Episode 205, and those late-season developments and payoffs (plus much…
January 5, 2016: Dark Matter season 2! Episode 202! Day 3!
Today, we were back on Hyperion-8 for our third day of main unit. On the docket: Inserts owing of the "flash" The lipstick acquisition A deal is struck/A plan is hatched A complication leads to an improvisation (that will, in turn, lead to another complication - which will, again, lead to another improvisation) The ladies…
January 4, 2016: Back on set! Dark Matter Season 2!
We were back on set today for Day #2 of Dark Matter Episode 202. Normally, a 5:20 a.m. wake-up compounded by a thirty minute work-out would have had me nice and tired and ready for bed - at around 2:00 p.m. Luckily, consulting producer Ivon Bartok was packing his GreensPlus. A single shot was enough natural caffeine…
December 18, 2015: Dark Matter! Last day of production – for 2015!
And...that's a wrap on Dark Matter 2015! Just in time too as I simply cannot spare another Saturday what with the holidays on deck. I have banking to do, presents to pick up, and dog harnesses to buy before our Monday morning road trip to Montreal. It's hard to believe that, same time last year, I was…
December 17, 2015: Dark Matter production! And the return of Cat T-Shirt Thursday!
The onscreen greeting awaiting us in Warden Treihan's office on Hyperion-8! Playback mayhem courtesy of this man, Dark Matter playback operator Patch Whiteside. Cat T-Shirt Thursday returns! Best Boy Andy Gondek partakes in the grand tradition. As does 1st Assistant Camera Marcel Janisse. And stand-in Alyssa Pawlak. 10 Shows to Binge Watch Over the Holidays. Check out #7:…