Another day down, another story done. That makes 8 out of our 13 first season episodes broken in less than three weeks. I feared today's episode would prove tricky, but I got in early this morning and hashed out a rough outline. My writing partner, Paul (aka Captain Logic) had surprisingly few problems in the…
July 8, 2014: And so it begins! Pitching, spinning, breaking, and snacking on familiar ground!
Well, this takes me back. On Monday, we kicked off the writers' room for my new scifi series. Even though the show will be produced in Toronto, most (if not all) of the pitching, spinning, breaking, outlining, writing, and rewriting will be done here in Vancouver. And I couldn't think of a better place for…
June 26, 2014: Our Star Trek TOS re-watch continues with Charlie X!
Let's continue our Star Trek (Not Stargate! I keep making that mistake!): The Original Series re-watch. Today, Cookie Monster and I discuss Charlie X... Me: A very strong episode this one, reminiscent of The Twilight Zone's equally creepy "It's A Good Life", based on the short story by Jerome Bixby. It stands the test of…
June 25, 2014: Let’s kick off our Star Trek TOS re-watch with The Man Trap!
Hello and welcome to our Star Trek: The Original Series re-watch. Cookie Monster and I will be your co-hosts. We'll open the casual discussion on the show's first five episodes, then ask you to weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section. THE MAN TRAP Me: A rocky start for the Enterprise and its…
February 14, 2014: The Hot Chocolate Festival Top 5! Plus 1 for good luck! Our Stargate: Atlantis rewatch continues with…The Eye!
Alas, it was a herculean task and despite my best efforts, I came up short. In the end, I sampled only 47 of the some 60 varieties of hot chocolate offered for this year's Hot Chocolate Festival. Still, 47 hot chocolates in 24 days aint bad, especially considering I took those four days off to…
February 11, 2014: Perusing my spam folder! Our April Book of the Month Club winner! The Stargate: Atlantis rewatch continues!
Every so often, I check out my spam folder for erroneously misdirected reader comments. Last night, amid the 535 quarantined messages, I came across the following: "Brazil shemales" "Star ladyboys" "Big ass shemales" "Trilby hat sales" - I find this offensive, embarrassing and downright disturbing. How dare they presume I'd wear a trilby hat! Hey,…
December 28, 2013: Stargate Universe 1.5! The Japanese Girlfriend Edition!
Akemi and I finished watching the second half of Stargate: Universe's first season today. It's been interesting to see her develop a genuine passion for the series. "I love Stargate!"she declared this morning. "Please call me, geeku-chan!" Like any fan, Geeku-chan had her favorite characters, her favorite episodes. Robert Cooper's Time is still tops in…
December 14, 2013: Planning the Fan Campaign! And next year’s Group Holiday!
Okay. Pursuant to yesterday's blog entry, some careful strategy is required. I think that, rather than striking out now as everyone - especially those in a position to make the decisions - prepares for the holidays or, in some cases, is already off on holidays, the campaign should hold off in order to maximize its…
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 16, 2013: Dark Matter developments! Mailbag! My dog eating kale chips!
First things first! My french bulldog, Lulu, eating kale chips. Please raise volume to maximum before viewing: One of the worst kept secrets on this blog has been the identity of that scifi series Paul and I have been trying to set up. As many of you know, back when we were working on Stargate,…
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 26, 2013: You asked for it! Atlantis floor plans! The Control Room! The ZPM Room! Weir’s Office! The Adrift & Lifeline Art Department Package!
This week feels like the calm before the storm. Of course, I could be wrong and it may actually be the calm before the calm before the storm. Or, worse, the calm before the storm that never comes. Paul and I are closing on several writing assignments (an action feature, an SF pilot, another SF…
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…