One of the many, many things we're looking to accomplish in Dark Matter's second season is to introduce cool new futuristic energy-based weapons along the lines of THREE's Bubba - Well, we've got a lot of terrific concepts in the pipeline - a couple of which have already advanced to the design stage. This afternoon, Props Master Victoria…
November 12, 2015: Scripts are out! Props are primed! And Lulu is bummed!
Two down(ish); eleven to go! If all goes as planned, Jodelle and co. should have two more scripts (Episodes #203 and #204) to curl up with next weekend. Victoria came by this morning for her regular 10 a.m. props show-and-tell. We discussed variations of these... ...and these... Trust me, when the episode airs, you won't…
November 11, 2015: Costumes and Canines!
Last year, whenever I went down to the costume department, I'd notice the dog pictures lining the far wall - funny photos of pooches dressed up as samurai or miners, running a science experiment or playing cards. A new one would go up, roughly once a week, and I didn't think anything of it until I…
November 10, 2015: Let’s get this show on the road! Eventually, when we go out to shoot on location.
Huzzah! Looks like we're making a t.v. show after all! Today, after a morning spent writing and perusing potential casting options, I attended my very first concept meeting of this young season. Well, okay, it was more of a pre-concept meeting. In attendance were all of the department heads, line producer Norman Denver, Executive Producer…
November 9, 2015: Official prep begins on Dark Matter season 2!
Uh oh. Actual real bonafide official prep on Dark Matter's second season kicks off tomorrow with not one, not two, but THREE big meetings! First up is our pre-concept meeting during which all the department heads will gather to discuss what they did on hiatus. And then talk about what's needed for our first couple of episodes…
November 7, 2015: Memories of Dark Matter’s first season!
These take me back... Line Producer Norman Denver at the controls. As usual. The initial version of the Corporate Guard uniforms. Deemed a little too colorful. We ended up going with basic black. Always stylishly nefarious. The Android's severed hand was a realer than real-looking synthetic duplicate of actress Zoie Palmer's actual hand, painted, textured…
November 6, 2015: Behind the scenes on Dark Matter season 1 – and a sneak peek at what’s to come!
Check out Warden Treihan's sweet office courtesy of concept illustrator Sanford Kong and production designer Ian Brock. Talk about a room with a view! Hey, here's another director that will be making a return appearance in the show's second year... Andy Mikita: The last time I worked with Andy, he directed two of Dark Matter's…
November 4, 2015: Dark Matter season 2 prep! The gang at work!
You know what I enjoy doing while working on a new script? Anything BUT writing. I'll go for a stroll, research, check out the kitchen, re-watch auditions and, occasionally, head downstairs and see what the gang is up to... Dark Matter Production Designer Ian Brock considers space toilets. It's the little things... Research is key! Prop…
November 3, 2015: Dark Matter season 2 sneak peek! Moon Base Hyperion-8!
In addition to the Art Department, our crack VFX crew is going to have their hands full as well heading into prep on Dark Matter's second season. I've already offered up sneak peeks at some of our Maximum Security Detention Facility Hyperion-8 interiors. Today, I offer you a sneak peek at Hyperion-8's exterior. It's an escape-proof prison…
November 2, 2015: Welcome to Hyperion-8! Pod-shopping!
Welcome to Hyperion Eight, Maximum Security Galactic Detention Facility. Logo compliments of 1st Assistant Art Director Roxanne Borris. In the market for some new-look pods this upcoming season. Check out this varied selection. I'm leaning toward the sleeker models - 5, 6, and 7. What do you think?
November 1, 2015: More sneak peeks of Dark Matter season 2!
Notes session tomorrow with Jay during which we'll be covering Episodes 201 and 202. We reconvene on Tuesday for a discussion on the merits of Episodes 203 and 204. Meanwhile, concept art and actual construction continues on our new sets. We'll look to nail down Nyx, Misaki, Devon, and Arax this week - and, hopefully,…
October 26, 2015: Walking the quiet set! Construction begins!
Today, I took a walk through our existing standing sets - the infirmary, the mess, the corridors, bridge, and underbelly. Boy, the place sure looks different during the hiatus. Without the lights, set dressing, cast and crew, it looks like the set of a horror movie... Construction has begun, full throttle, on the new standing…
October 25, 2015: But wait! There’s more!
In addition to those mentioned in yesterday's entry, we've got a bunch of great directors taking the helm in Dark Matter's second season. Take this familiar face... John Stead: In his first major directing gig, Dark Matter stunt coordinator and second unit director John Stead delivered one of my very favorite episodes of the show's first season, Episode 110…
October 22, 2015: Dark Matter season 2 sneak peeks!
Work progresses on Dark Matter season 2. Today brought a fresh round of auditions - and a handful of very strong candidates. Casting the part of Nyx is going to be especially challenging because our casting director, Lisa Parasyn, and her team have assembled some truly terrific talent. Some great choices among the candidates who auditioned for…
October 21, 2015: Alex Mallari Jr. – Dark Matter’s FOUR – answers YOUR questions!
When we were first casting the part of FOUR in Dark Matter, we cast a wide net - opening the role up to all genders and auditioning actors across North America. One candidate stood out for me in that early round: Alex Mallari Jr. Unlike most of the other candidates who delivered colorfully threatening, often over-the-top…