Drea writes: "Think we can do another mailbag soon?" Answer: Okay, let's do it! arcticgoddess writes: "By the way, it’s that time of year again. The time of year that you decide and let us know whether you will be visiting San Diego Comicon again. So, will you?" Answer: No. After my experience at last…
February 14, 2016: An atypical Valentine’s!
I celebrated Valentine's Day today with an afternoon nap. In all fairness, I've been feeling under the weather of late, so bad that I even elected to forego my weekly visit to The Silver Snail, our local comic shop. Now THAT is pretty sick. And it didn't help that this weekend's weather has been, well,…
February 13, 2016: Deep freeze – and equally deep cuts!
Even though it's the weekend and we're not on our sets shooting (for a change), I still can't quite escape the pull of Dark Matter. I just spent the past two hours reviewing the director's cut of Episode 204. A very robust director's cut of 204. I've made the easy trims but the next round of…
February 12, 2016: Dark Matter season 2 – behind the scenes action and goodies!
Ooh la la. A little something from the Hyperion-8 Jump Into Spring Collection. The most popular producer on set! Morning truffles (Early Grey and Bourbon) compliments of Akemi. I'll just leave this rock wall right here and pick it up later. Marc Bendavid (ONE) snacks between set-ups. So, uh, what's behind the big rusty door? The…
February 11, 2016: New episode title! A trip down Roxanne Borris memory lane!
As promised, here is the Episode 203 title chosen by YOU, the viewers and voters: "Episode 15: I've Seen The Other Side Of You". So far, I'm 2 for 3 in the title game. Prior to this one, I was secretly rooting for "Kill Them All", the eventual winner in the last round. Alas, "Most…
February 10, 2016: Dark Matter behind the scenes!
Today, we were back in The Hammer for some interior run and gun... This morning, I took no chances, opting for not two, not three, not four, not five, but SIX layers of clothing. I felt like Ralphie's little brother from A Christmas Story. I left my place for Hamilton at 6:15 a.m. The drive over…
February 9, 2016: Shooting in the wilds! Dark Matter season 2!
Today, the cast and crew hit the wilds of Hamilton for a little main unit photography. Some exclusive behind the scenes pics... Gator alert! Avoid the swamp! Setting up the day's first shot. It was chilly, but not unbearably so. That, I suspect, will change tomorrow. Script Supervisor Matti Huhta, dressed for the weather. For…
February 8, 2016: Name another Dark Matter episode!
Yesterday, I watched the Superbowl with some of my co-workers: co-creator Paul Mullie, VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft Wilson, Line Producer Norman Denver, 1st Assistant Director Brandon Tataryn, and their respective families (almost all of who were rooting for the Broncos), and actor Anthony Lemke who, always the contrarian, was rooting for the Panthers. We gathered…
February 7, 2016: The Dark Matter noodle bar!
Yesterday, after visiting the alley set, Dark Matter Executive Producer Vanessa Piazza, Akemi, and I stopped by a nearby noodle bar. How nearby? Well, try two sets over from that alley set. Following through on that Blade Runner vibe. Steam and neon! The place was new. How new? Well, when we walked in, they were still painting the tabletops! You're all…
February 6, 2016: Dark Matter – behind the Saturday scenes!
Today saw a wrap on two different directors and their respective episodes - Steve Dimarco (Episode 203) and John Stead (Episode 204). I dropped in for about an hour in the morning for the alley scene. Two (more like three) outstanding scenes will find their way into the pre-existing director's cut of 203, a dynamic…
February 5, 2016: Dark Matter production full steam ahead!
Ah, finally, the weekend is upon us. Time for rest, relaxation..and a special second unit Saturday shoot. Though, in all honesty, these Saturday shoots are becoming less uncommon and, so, not particularly special. Just saying, guys. Not that I don't enjoy my time with my co-workers. If I was trapped on a space ship millions…
February 4, 2016: Sushi! Demons! Transfer Transit Travel! And Dark Matter goodies!
Dating Akemi is always an adventure. Every text is a little treasure offering cultural insights into the land of the rising sun. Take yesterday, for instance, when I received THIS text: My reaction was "Hunh?". Oh, okay, because I was throwing the soy beans BEFORE seeing the demon. P.S. I going to assume the demon…
February 3, 2016: The day in Dark Matter!
Sometimes, when you're on set, you come across the strangest sights. Like today, for instance, when I happen across Executive Producer Vanessa Piazza in the midst of her workout. Her killer regimen involves cardio, eating right, and heavy HEAVY weights. Check her out... Then she concludes her routine by tossing anvils at parked cars.…
February 2, 2016: On the Dark Matter front…
Due to other production commitments (mainly prep, writing, and editing), I haven't spent as much time on set as I might have liked for this latest episode. Fortunately, my former Stargate cohort, Ivon Bartok, has done a bang-up job overseeing the action in my absence. So good, in fact, that I could probably stay in Vancouver next…
February 1, 2016: Dark Matter doings!
Spaaaaaaace neeeerd! Ahem. Now that I've got that out of my system... With Consulting Producer Ivon Bartok on set, I was able to sit in my office and blaze through seven glorious pages of my latest script (questions, silver ball, impending doom, threats, danger, explosion) bringing me to the top of P.51. I figure I'll…