Today... 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.: On set for Episode 307. 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: Location Scout for Episode 309 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Notes session 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Lunch 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Dealing with VISA who put a block on my credit card after Akemi tried to purchase…
February 6, 2017: Dark Matter season 3 – Day 47 of 91!
Guys, you've got to help me. I think I may have sort of, uh, inadvertently torn a hole in the fabric of spacetime. It was an accident! Honest. Yesterday, I took a quick trip to the future in order to pre-screen the Superbowl and then, after watching the Falcons demolish the Patriots, returned home. Or so…
February 3, 2017: Dark Matter season 3 – Day 46 of 91!
Holy crap! We're over the halfway mark of the season 3 production schedule! Do you know what this means?! DO YOU?!!! Uh, yes. That's correct. It means we're a little over halfway done shooting Dark Matter's third season! I await director J.B. Sugar's cut of Episode 305 while director Gail Harvey heads into editing to work on…
January 29, 2017: Waiting for smoooooth sailing!
Suji eats peanut butter. And loves it! I've managed all 0 pages in the last 24 hours, putting me on pace to complete this script...never. Which kind of puts a damper on things as the episode is scheduled to prep in a little over a week and I just know everyone else on the production…
January 23, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 37 of 91!
"She's an emotional pooper,"said Akemi, by way of explaining Suji's knack for, uh, dropping pebbles whenever she gets worked up and barksome. I'm not a coffee guy but I'm thinking Suji might have the right idea here. I may need to take up the habit if I'm going to make it to the end…
January 22, 2017: No, Sunday! Don’t go!!!
"The chef weighs like five hundred pounds and he loves it,"said our waitress in regard to The Brunch Burger which eschewed the boring old bun in favor of a powdered donut. I wasn't sure whether her comment was meant as a recommendation or a warning, but I decided to place the order anyway. In the end,…
January 21, 2017: That other 40%!
During the weekdays, I'd estimate that roughly 90% of my day is spent focused on Dark Matter. On the weekend, it's more like 75% - hopefully dropping down to a much more manageable 60% once the season finale has been written. I'd like to say that remaining 40% is R&R but, in truth, a big…
January 14, 2017: It’s Complicated!
I received the following email this afternoon from a returning guest star: "Okay am I supposed to have any idea what is going on in episode 306 because I do NOT. Are there any kind of Coles Notes on season 3 I can read? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Can't wait to be back."…
January 9, 2017: A day off! Let’s hit the mailbag!
My single day off this weekend happened to be the coldest day of the this winter so far. Time to break out the big coat, scarf and, dare I say it, hat! A BIG week ahead on the Dark Matter front. Production continues on Episode 303 with director Steve DiMarco calling the shots while prep also continues…
December 31, 2016: Farewell to 2016!
Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out! My 2017 resolutions... 1) Learn to say no more. 2) Learn to say yes more. 3) Don't let any of it get to me. 4) Make Dark Matter's third season the best one yet, then make Dark Matter's fourth season even better. 5) Simplify and downsize.…
December 30, 2016: I’m Sorry I Make Fun Of My Girlfriend Falling Down!
"That poor man,"said an elderly woman. Her tone suggested pity but also a hint of relief, sort of a sympathy base with a dash of "There but for the Grace of God go I.". In truth, in that instant, it was my pride that hurt most of all. In fairness though, the middle finger of…
December 29, 2016: On Curveballs and Canines!
A previous blog entry saw me use some baseball terminology to make a point about some of the challenges I was facing. Specifically: "but then there are the unexpected curveballs that come at you from people who really should know fucking better". curveball: a pitch thrown with a strong downward spin, causing the ball to drop…
December 28, 2016: Reading and Writing!
Upon further consideration, I've elected to leave Montreal a day earlier than our planned Monday departure. This will give me a full day to decompress before the start of our 7-day work week. Yes, your math is correct. A 7 day work week starting on Tuesday because Line Producer Norman Denver and Production Manager Brandon…
December 26, 2016: Dad Stories!
Whenever the holidays roll around, our thoughts inevitably turn to my late father, a man with a great sense of humor, a love of animals, and a passion for food. Late in life, once he started experiencing health issues, the family doctor put him on a special diet. No fried foods. No sweets. Just lean…
December 25, 2016: Merry Christmas!
This year, my Christmas haul was comprised of edibles and socks. But mostly socks... Sis got that roomba she wanted - Mom got underwear - While Suji got this fashionable new outfit - And some Peanuts chewies compliments of sis - Lulu immediately laid claim to Snoopy. The gifts I ordered Akemi arrived just in…