Director Steve DiMarco charges into his final days of production on Episode 303. Director of Photography Craig Wright mans the heavy machinery. Addressing the troops. Daenerys Riley Well, look who was in town on business - but took some time out for a little eating pleasure. If it isn't our old Stargate fellow writer-producer Carl Binder. In…
January 9, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 27 of 91! And dogs!
I think I'll take a little time while I'm waiting for my Episode 301 Producer's Cut WIP (Work In Progress) to land in my inbox to just go ahead and upload today's blog entry. I spent the day at the munitions factory with director Steve DiMarco, the cast, the crew, and my laptop. While they…
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…
January 7, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 26 of 91!
Finally, the weekend is upon us! After consecutive grueling days on set shooting Episode 305, we got together Saturday and shot another day of same episode. And while I was at the munitions factory with director Steve DiMarco and co., the dogs were back home enjoying bath time (or in Suji's case, sink time). Behind…
January 6, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 25 of 91!
Today was long and late. I started off with first blocking in the munitions factory, then headed over to the production offices for a trifecta of meetings - art department, props, and background. Following a quick lunch, I jumped on two rewrites and completed the tease of my (second to last?) script of the season.…
January 5, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 24 of 91!
That 3D printer was one of the best investments the production ever made (not counting the 100k we sunk into tinder for dogs app). The latest creation was this Lenari Death Mask. Total build time: 21 hours. Chrome-finish version upcoming! As always, it's the little things...like these set accents designed by 1st Assistant Art Director…
January 4, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 23 of 91!
Wow! I can't believe how quickly this first week is going by. Only two more days of work and then it's the weekend! And one more day of work since we'll be shooting this Saturday as well. While Co-Executive Producer Ivon Bartok was braving chilly Hamilton with director Steve DiMarco, I was in the relatively…
January 3, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 22 of 91!
Production resumed today on Dark Matter's third season, Episode 303, with director Steve DiMarco at the helm. Steve directed one of my favorite episodes last season, "I've Seen The Other Side Of You" (aka The one where TWO, THREE, and FOUR get their memories back and chase FIVE through The Raza), a taut, suspenseful, ship-centered outing with…
January 2, 2017: Best Comic Book Reads of 2016 – Series and Graphic Novels!
A mix of 2016 and prior releases, here are my favorite comic book reads of this past year in no particular order... MY FAVORITE GRAPHIC NOVELS OF 2016... Replica (vol. 1) written by Paul Jenkins, art by Andy Clarke - Aftershock Comics Meet Trevor Churchill, an Earth-born peacekeeping agent on the intergalactic hub known as The Transfer.…
January 1, 2017: Best Reads of 2016!
Of the some eighty or so books I read in 2016, these were my favorites. In no particular order... *** News of the World by Paulette Jiles (October 4, 2016) In the aftermath of the American Civil War, an aging itinerant news reader agrees to transport a young captive of the Kiowa back to her people…
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 27, 2016: Home for the Holidogs!
Following yesterday's ice storm that created traffic chaos throughout the city and forced us to reschedule our planned outing, we elected to take things easy today. We dropped by a local coffee shop for some hot chocolate, interneting and, in Akemi's case, so coloring, then took the dogs out for the slipperiest of walks. Akemi…