We've taken a break from our shipboard routine, journeying to the far flung corners of colonized space for a little R&R. Our first stop was S-CYGNI-4, a remote way station renown for its sketchy entertainment district and signature cosmic croissants. Then it was off to check out the scene at space station Shaofu 2. A little…
February 11, 2015: Introducing Dark Matter Editor Wendy Hallam Martin! Amanda Tapping takes the directing reins!
Yesterday, I was working with editing wizard Paul Day on episode #101; today, I worked with editing wizardess (I think that's what they call 'em) Wendy Hallam Martin on episode #102. We enjoyed a delightful afternoon, taking the episode apart and reassembling it like a jigsaw puzzle in a frustrating attempt to ensure none of…
February 10, 2015: Introducing Dark Matter Editor Paul Day!
There's an old saying in the business: "We'll fix it in post". In other words, when everyone else gets through screwing things up, it falls on the editor to work his/her magic and save the day. Oh, you think I'm kidding but you'd be surprised how many adequate movies have been transformed into truly great films by the…
February 9, 2015: Introducing Dark Matter VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson!
Well, well, well. If it isn't former Stargate script coordinator, fellow fantasy football enthusiast, and self-styled Thai food expert Lawren Bancroft-Wilson who joins us - all the way from comparatively warmer Vancouver, B.C. - to take on the role of Visual Effects Supervisor for Dark Matter's first season. Lawren will be acting as the on…
February 6, 2015: Enraged actors thirst for writer-producer blood!
Yesterday, I released the script for episode #110. When I told Paul, he called me cruel for doing so without putting out #111 as well. The script went out at 8:00 p.m. last night and, between set-ups, the actors were huddled around their cell phones, reading. By the time I got home an hour later,…
February 5, 2015: Dark Matter swag! Space Hair! And a Zoie Palmer exclusive!
Hey, check it out. It's my new cell phone case compliments of actor Alex Mallari Jr. (Dark Matter's FOUR) who evidently grew tired of me going without. I repaid the favor today by bringing him the vegan no bake peanut butter chocolate squares Akemi made for him. Continuing the visual roll-out of our Android,…
February 4, 2015: Space beer! Cosmic tonic! And out of this world girlfriends!
My last view of my home (away from home) before boarding the elevator that will whisk me to my car. Despite the fact that I'm out the door at 6:00 a.m., Akemi and Bubba always get up to see me off. And, hopefully, get a parting treat and belly rub. Or, in Bubba's case, just…
February 3, 2015: Cars elves! Production! Prep! And our Walking Dead crossover!
"Somebody stole my car!"was my first thought as I stared out at the desolate lot. A single automobile sat out there, occupying the spot formerly occupied by my Durango. A Durango too, but cleaner, shinier, and less salt-encrusted. Yes, as with yesterday's incident involving that homeless woman who turned out not to be homeless at…
January 31, 2015: Cheesing! Toronto’s best rum cakes! And a script update!
"You're cheesing me,"said Akemi. "Cheesing you?"I asked. "Yes, cheesing me." She elaborated: "Making fun of me." "You mean teasing me,"I corrected her. "Teasing. With a t." She frowned, brow furrowed, genuinely perplexed by the revelation. "But cheesing makes more sense." "It does?" "Yes because cheese is like a food bully, kind of aggressive, always going…
January 29, 2015: Torri in town! Writers Tears! Dark Matter Production Day #15!
Well, look who it is. Torri Higginson was on set today, kicking ass - as do most of the women on this show - as Commander Delaney Truffault. A quick visit from the former Toronto resident - but I have a feeling we'll be seeing her again in the not too distant future. Two units…
January 28, 2015: Detective Grant Boyle is on the case! Bourbon cookies get the shuttle shaking! Infirmary! Mess Hall! And dinner with Torri!
Introducing Grant Boyle - male model. Oh, and 3rd Assistant Director on Dark Matter. No doubt having grown tired of all the compliments I receive on my suits, Grant decided to go all out today - suit, tie AND cufflinks. Mighty suave, no? At one point, he flashed up on my monitor - standing in…
January 26, 2015: Behind the scenes on Dark Matter! Shhhh. Don’t tell anyone!
I spent much of the weekend going over the two week's worth of dailies we've amassed to date. For those not in the know, "dailies" refers to the collected footage from the previous day's shoot. It's always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the available material - especially when it comes time to do…
January 25, 2015: Somewhere between druidic and herbaceous!
"I really like Joe,"said our Assistant Production Manager Robbie David. "He's always so positive." "Positive?"asked my writer partner, Paul, instantly dubious. Having known me for well over twenty-five years, he'd be the first to tell you that "positive" would probably be well down on the list of adjectives used to paint a picture of yours…
January 23, 2015: Our Dark Matter Girls with Guns pictorial!
An early blog entry today as I'm in Waterloo for a day of fun out of the sun. Plenty of fireworks in store for us tonight as we shoot our explosive finish, so I've got my earplugs at the ready. I suppose it's only fitting then that I make today's instalment a Dark Matter Girls with Guns pictorial!…
January 22, 2015: Director Paolo Barzman preps! The production shifts to Waterloo! And I eat doughnuts!
Day #2 of prep on episode #103 with director Paolo Barzman who traveled all the way from Hong Kong to work on Dark Matter! I'd been hearing great things about the man for weeks and, after meeting I have to say - they weren't wrong. He's a foodie, a fearless eater, a chocolate aficionado - oh,…