Today, Paul and I sat down with fellow Dark Matter Executive Producer (and President of Prodigy Pictures) Jay Firestone for a marathon notes session. Well, it was only three scripts, so not so much a marathon as it was, say, a 5k sustained jog through episodes #101 through #103. And, I'm pleased to report, a good time was…
November 17, 2014: Welcome to the gun (sword and miscellaneous weapons) show!
My writing partner, Paul, got in yesterday for what should be a big week. We've got budget meetings tomorrow, script meetings with Jay Tuesday and Wednesday, and a whirlwind trip to the SyFy offices in New York that will see us flying out early Friday morning and flying back later that night. Today, we sat…
November 14, 2014: Tomfoolery and horseplay on set!
It's all fun and games until an Executive Producer gets hurt. And that's what almost happened today when I was visiting set to check in on the construction of our bridge and corridor sets, and the walnut finish customized jacuzzi for my office. As usual, I was accompanied by Executive Producers' Assistant Alison Hepburn and…
November 11, 2014: Dark Matter prep continues! Ever closer on the casting! We’re scriptwriting machines! The ship is taking shape!
Two down, one to go. The Toronto and Vancouver second round casting sessions are in the books and only the L.A. session remains. Be Vanessa and I won't be able to attend, we're going to live stream it to the production offices. Theoretically anyway. I imagine it'll be sort of like those interactive video conferences…
November 10, 2014:
It seems I spoke to soon. It certainly looked like my Snow Monkeys were certain to go down in defeat to Ivon Bartok's team, The Running Dead. But then the Green Bay Packers took the field and, 100+ fantasy points later, my Snow Monkeys came roaring back to win the weekend! And so while, technically, Ivon…
November 9, 2014: Seeking actor/actress with own robot suit!
Well, no sooner do I make the grand announcement, letting the world know that my good friend Ivon Bartok had won the role of The Android on my new series, Dark Matter, than I have to recast the role - this the result of Ivon contravening the strict non-compete clause in his contract. The provision actually has…
November 8, 2014: Dark Matter casting!
I'm very close to losing my voice. That's what fifty phone conversation over two days gets you - fifty being the number of actors who took me up on my offer to get on the phone with them to discuss their character, the show, what we responded to in their first audition, and most importantly, help…
November 6, 2014: Talking Dark Matter with WatchPlayRead! Construction continues apace!
My first Dark Matter (the t.v. series!) interview is in the books. Head on over to WatchPlayRead.com for my chat with Ryan Thomason in which I discuss casting challenges, the various Stargate-Dark Matter connections, and the prospect of pug cameos: http://watchplayread.com/wpr-talks-joseph-mallozzi-creator-syfys-new-series-dark-matter/ "I’ve always found it difficult to draw side by side comparisons between shows. If anything, I’d say our series…
November 4, 2014: Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown – unless the Art Department meeting runs late in which case it rests just fine on the table while you take a little nappy!
Check out the cool slot box label outside my office door. "Executive Producer" would have been fine, but they went ahead and included "Showrunner" - which is nice, but I would've preferred "The Commodore". In fact, that's how I'd like to be referred to moving forward. It wasn't my first choice, but Natalie Cooper already…
November 3, 2014: Well, look who it is! And weekend remnants!
Well look who started work at the Dark Matter production offices today. It's none other than Trevor Finn! Blog regulars know that my working relationship with Trevor goes way back. From his humble beginnings as Associate in Charge of Draining My Pet Baboon's Anal Glands to Story Editor/Script Coordinator - he's come a long way, baby. Trevor…
October 30, 2014: Introducing Kim Morrison! Construction continues! Building the bridge!
She's like a shadow in the night - dark, mysterious, silent and stealthy. One second she's there, the next she's gone. Then, she's sitting behind you, sipping her coffee! I've never seen her come or go and yet, somehow, whenever I turn a corner, she'a there - appearing as if by magic. Her name is Kim…
October 29, 2014: Dark Matter Pre-Production! Set construction begins!
After a seemingly endless wait for the show to get green the light, we're now charging full speed ahead toward our January production dates. This week, construction began on our standing sets. First up, our ship, The Raza, which will include the bridge, corridors, an infirmary, mess hall, training room, various corridors and airlocks. The…
October 28, 2014: Introducing Caitlin Brown!
"So what does Caitlin do?"I asked as part of my first day bid to know absolutely everything about absolutely everyone. "She's Head of Business Affairs,"I was told. "No, really." "Really." Really? Caitlin Brown was one of the very first people I'd met. She'd come into my office and chatted about film, television, and books (she's…
October 27, 2014: Introducing Elliot Sokolsky!
Remember the character of Radar O'Reilly in M*A*S*H*? Not the later naive Iowa farm boy he turned into, but the astute and wily operator we're initially introduced to - the clever contriver who could always manage to get his hands on the most elusive of items: chocolates, meds, a jeep. If you needed something, Radar…
October 25, 2014: Casting Dark Matter!
The six-person crew of a derelict spaceship awakens from stasis in the farthest reaches of space. Their memories wiped clean, they have no recollection of who they are or how they go on board. The only clue to their identities is a cargo bay full of weaponry and a destination: a remote mining colony that…