It was just the boys today, Anthony Lemke (THREE) and Marc Bendavid (ONE), in for some anti-gravity fun and stunts. Later, at the craft service table, they both had a special request: more Zero-G sequences! I'll see what we can do for them. While we were chatting, I couldn't help but notice Anthony playing with…
January 8, 2015: Last day of prep! There’s no turning back now!
Well, as a result of the injury I sustained yesterday (see last entry for all the gory details), I was unable to turn or put any pressure on my side and had to spend the entire night lying flat on my back. I also can't twist, jump, run, or perform aerial gymnastics (the latter is…
January 6, 2014: Three days to the start of production!
We're three days out from the start of production on Dark Matter - and things seem to be moving along quite nicely. I mean, it's still very early and I'm sure we'll encounter a few bumps along the way but, right now, everyone is feeling really good about where things stand and what lies ahead.…
January 4, 2015: Introducing…Director T.J. Scott!
One of the most important decisions we had to make early in process was the selection of our first director. Whoever we chose would be shooting our first two episodes and, as such, would not only be responsible for setting the tone for the series, but would be charged with the task of "working out"…
December 20, 2014: The Dark Matter pre-holiday wrap-up! Alex Mallari Jr. in action! THE katana!
One of the last things we did before packing it in for the holidays was go on a walk-thru of our standing sets. Of course, not all of them are quite yet standing (ie. the shuttle, parts of the space station) and those that are still have a ways to go, but our Art Department…
December 17, 2014: Akemi scrooged! Everything is coming up Dark Matter!
So much for the Christmas spirit. Today, Akemi did something she rarely ever does. She actually bought herself something. The girl hardly ever spends on herself but, this afternoon, she made an exception when she came across a cup emblazoned with the letter A at a local shop. Being a big tea drinker - and…
December 10, 2014: The shuttle!
We're heavy into prep on episodes #101-102 and, with the commencement of principal photography about a month away, sets are coming together nicely. Our ship, The Raza, has come a long way in the past couple of weeks. The corridors have been textured with faux-grate flooring, pipes, vents, and grills, its walls painted in metallic…
November 26, 2014: Welcome to the Gun Show – Part II!
Prep continues on Dark Matter! The other day, we had our follow-up gun meeting as we move toward arming our kick-ass crew. It's a dangerous galaxy out there! The inspiration for the weapon of choice the Ferrous Corp soldiers (corporate guards) will be carrying. Each corporation (Ferrous Corp, The Mikkei Combine, Traugott, Volkov-Rusi) will have a…
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 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…
September 21, 2013: Now what?! Stargate: Atlantis! The Remnants Art Department Package!
Seriously. No sooner do I recover from my pulled solar plexus (see previous issues, ed.) than I am now battling a lower back "thing". Specifically, a lower right hip ache that flares up whenever I shift my weight a certain way - or not. I don't remember doing anything that could have caused it -…
September 12, 2013: Whither Stargate?
With the recent news that Roland Emmerich would like to make a second, big screen, Stargate movie, questions surrounding the future of the franchise have again started popping up throughout fandom. It's been three years since Stargate: Universe was cancelled and fans want to know: What's next? Whither Stargate? Well in my humble and somewhat…
April 6, 2013: Design your own Destiny! Let the Resurgence Art Department package be your guide!
In advance of my official Days of Stargate Universe Past trip down memory, how about a little something to whet your appetite? Ah, this takes me back! The Resurgence Art Department package accompanied by visuals from various points in Stargate: Universe's two-year run... The Gate Room... The control interface room... The apple core... In his…
March 31, 2013: Days of Stargate Atlantis past concludes! Stargate: Extinction! And beyond!
Looking back over my 11+ years with the Stargate franchise, I have one giant regret - the missed opportunity of bringing you that Atlantis movie. We came close...so close... Late in Atlantis's fifth year, when we were working on the final few scripts of the season, we had no way of knowing what the future…
March 22, 2013: The Destiny Bridge!
In Stargate: Universe's second season, the crew finally discovers Destiny's bridge. From a creative standpoint, holding off the discovery until then allowed for some great drama: Rush's attempts to hide it from the rest of the crew, the subsequent attempts to control the ship, etc. Also, waiting until season two permitted us to give it…