I took some time off from the rewrite today to take in not one but two terrific meals. The first was brunch with the lovely Jane McLean (Charisse in The Time Traveler's Wife, Tammy Okama on Dexter, Jane Richards on Terminal City, and - soon - Fiona Rivers on The Transporter) at Mildred's Temple Kitchen…
July 30, 2011: Dinner with Mike!
I spent much of the day working on that damn rewrite of Payback, taking a break only to check out the lame Caribana Fest that offered up eight-dollar jerk chicken sandwiches and corn on the cob as a presumed "taste of islands". So much for the oxtail, curried goat, and plantain I was expected. Screw…
July 29, 2011: The Transporter – Episode #2 – 12 Hours – Day #3!
We were back at TIFF today for the third day of production on episode #102: 12 Hours. The usual cast of characters were in attendance... Eventually, we head down to the parking garage for the final sequence of the night... The weekend is upon us and, finally, I can relax. Just as soon as I…
July 28, 2011: The Transporter – Episode #2 – 12 Hours – Day Two!
Let's kick off today's entry with a (sort of) pic of Tara Yelland - actress, entertainer, stupendous stand-in, and princess (For real!)... We started the morning with the reception area so that we could shoot out Francois Berleand who heads back to France today. Another great Tarconi scene. Apparently, before leaving, Francois let it be…
July 27, 2011: The Transporter – Episode #2 – 12 Hours – Day One!
Up at 5:30 a.m. this morning to walk the dogs and get in for the first blocking. It was Day #1 of Episode #102, 12 Hours, and I wanted to make sure I was there on time: a) for my director, Bruce McDonald, b) for my cast, c) for my crew, and, most importantly, d)…
July 26, 2011: The Maximus Update! A Chocolate Surprise! One Final Field Trip! Prep Ends and Production Begins on 12 Hours!
Thanks to those who sent their well-wishes and expressions of concern for Maximus. He went in for his emergency dental surgery yesterday during which he had two teeth and a tumor(!) removed. I'm happy to report he is on the mend, on meds, and back to his typical gluttonous, voracious, mud-eating, food-slurping self. See? Much…
July 25, 2011: The Transporter Tech Suvey (Episode #102: 12 Hours)!
Can I just say how much I like the people I'm working with on this production. All very nice, very creative, very hardworking individuals. Today, we all went on a bit of a group field trip to take in some of the locations we'll be visiting for episode #102, 12 Hours...
July 24, 2011: Night Market!
Yesterday, we hit the Toronto version of the Chinese Night Market. And I happened to have my camera with me... So how did the Toronto Night Market compare to the Vancouver version? Pros: Offered several food items not available back in Van, like the Caribbean fare and deep-fried Mars Bars. Cons: Not as big, food…
July 23, 2011: Working on The Transporter 24/7! Cyril Raffaelli and Mohammed “Momo” Elachi! Maximus on the mend?
Great. I'm working on The Transporter at the office. I'm working on The Transporter at home. Now, I'm working on The Transporter in my dreams. Last night, I dreamt I was on set, producing episode #102 (12 Hours) when we ran into a mini emergency of sorts. One of the actors playing the part of…
July 22, 2011: Poor Maximus! Akemi and Mega gift exchange!
My boy Maximus (above) has been feeling under the weather. At first, I assumed it was summer heat-related (thus the cold compress Akemi applied - again, above) but as time has worn on, it's become pretty clear that there's more to it. Sure, he's been a little more low-key, a little slower than usual, but…
July 21, 2011: Oatmeal Teal’c! Again with the meetings! Surprise guest star – Martin Gero! Mailbag!
Hey, check it out! Look at what was in my Happy Panda bento box the other day: oatmeal Teal'c! Rolling along on production and prep. Shooting at the airport today and apparently the footage looks amazing. Meanwhile, meetings for me... Akemi and I were just about to head out to dinner tonight when I got…
July 20, 2011: Voting Irregularities (Just sayin’)! Bubba’s Beach Bod! Transporter Production Update! Mailbag!
So today I found out that I was nominated for a Constellation Award in the category of "Outstanding Canadian Contribution to Science Fiction Film or Television in 2010". Also today, I found out that I ended up losing the award two weeks ago to these guys - Teddy Wilson and Ajay Fry, hosts of the…
July 19, 2011: Another Transporter production update!
Whoa! It's a pretty crazy idea. As far as crazy ideas go, it's certainly not the craziest I've had - but it does rank up there with the very craziest. But more on that in a second. Okay, so I'm full into prep on episode #102 (Carl Binder's 12 Hours). Today, I spent the early…
July 18, 2011: My Akemi pictorial!
Another exhausting day. Got in at 8:00 this morning, made some more tweaks to episode 102, attended the costume meeting for the episode, then headed off to lovely Hamilton for a location scout, got back late this afternoon, worked on the rewrites of episodes 104 and 105, attended a way-too-long props meeting, rushed to pick…
July 17, 2011: The Transporter – another Stargate connection! Dog pics! Catching up with the mailbag!
As many of you know, the new show I'm working on - The Transporter - has a few Stargate connections. In addition to Paul and I who are show running the series (alongside Alexander M. Ruemelin), there's Executive Producer Robert Cooper and series director Andy Mikita. And now, another tenuous connection of sorts. The director…