Well, I finally did it. I finally started writing the season finale. Next to writing any of the first three and a half acts or doing the re-writes, actually starting the script is one of the hardest parts of the process. This morning, I decided to tackle the Tease (aka Teaser, aka Cold Open, aka…
July 9, 2009: Get Your Stargate Fix! Finally, A Decent Meal! And News Of Note!
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past couple of days or staying at your mother’s place in Montreal without proper internet access, you probably already know about the new, revamped, ultra-cool and informative dedicated Stargate site at MGM.com. It’s a terrific-looking site, easy to navigate, with tons of goodies on all things…
July 2, 2009: Oh, This and That.
Arlighty. I’m almost packed and almost ready to go. I’m going to Montreal for a week and, since I’m traveling alone, I’m going to try to minimize my TWA (Time Waiting Around) by foregoing checked luggage in favor of squeezing everything into my carry-on bags. So, just the bare essentials: socks, shirts, underwear, toiletries, laptop,…
July 1, 2009: Oh, Stuff and Such.
I haven't been getting much sleep of late. I blame my dogs who, for reasons unknown, have taken to waking up a full hour before my alarm. And if they're awake, you can be damn sure they want me awake. Rather than barking or biting however (Maximus is particularly adept at locating that fleshy area…
June 29, 2009: Counting Down To The Summer Hiatus! David Blue!
With three days to go before the official start of our summer hiatus, I was back in the office today, trying to figure out the beat sheet for the big SGU Season 1 finale (hint: the title rhymes with the name of the preceding episode). Lots going on in this one and this…
June 26, 2009: 20 Down And 0 To Go! Brian J. Smith!
Brian J. Smith (Lt. Matthew Scott) relaxes on the Icarus set. Brian takes a break between set-ups. Breaking a story can go either way. It can be a fast-paced and entertaining exchange of ideas in which all participants contribute to fashion a gripping, tightly plotted, detailed episode breakdown. Or, it can be a…
June 25, 2009: The Doctor Is In! Actor Paul McGillion Answers Your Questions.
Some of you know him as Ernest Littlefield. Most of you know him as Dr. Carson Beckett. Me? I know him as good ole Paul - talented actor, all-around good guy, and the most entertaining person to hang with at a con (as I discovered at the 2007 San Diego Comic Con). Ladies and gentlemen, I give you…
June 22, 2009: 19 Down And 1 To Go! Jamil Walker Smith!
Jamil Walker Smith (Sgt. Greer) Well, after several weeks of talking about it, we finally sat down and did it - the writers set aside their other work (editing, outlines, autobiographies) and their differences (the Binder-Gero feud is legendary) to gather and break Episode #19. And, in under two and a half hours, we were…
June 18, 2009: Golden Boy Gero Back in Town. No Topango Sightings Reported.
Hey, look who's back! Well, former Stargate: Atlantis Executive Producer Martin Gero finally made his triumphant return to The Bridge Studios. Yesterday. Unfortunately, I wasn’t around so I missed the parade and pizza lunch in his honor. I was, however, back in the office today and on hand to welcome him in proper fashion: with…
June 16, 2009: The Joys of Scriptwriting, Production Update, and Oodles of Pics.
Spoiler Alert! Brad's diagram explains the science behind an upcoming episode! Oh, and Carl. Special Features Producer Ivon Bartok loves to drop by the offices and just hang out - much to Paul's delight. Ivon shows off his People's Choice Award for Best DVD Extras. Coincidentally, MY People's Choice Award went missing today. Visual Effects…
June 12, 2009: My Four Dads, Cracking Casting, Star Runners, and Mailbag.
Kerry and Kerry Qu'est ce que c'est ce prop? Good question. Military presence. Sharing the spotlight with the delightfully delightful Jennifer Spence. Rock on! We were standing in the hallway, making plans for that night’s outing, when I threw a glance to Ashleigh and asked whether she’d be joining us. No, she explained,…
June 10, 2009: Spoiler Alert! Carl Binder Takes Us Through the Big Shuttle Sequence. How NOT To Reset Your Sprinkler System. Time – The Director’s Cut. Looking For a Montreal Prostitute Map? Well, Apparently You’ve Come to the Right Place. And – Some Elric Discussion.
Carl runs us through the upcoming shuttle sequence. "Okay, um, first, you have the shuttle..." "and...uh...it's going like this..." "...and then this comes around this way but that keeps going that way..." "...eventually ending in something that looks like this." "And...that's all I got. Yep. That's it." "Please, stop that." This is a warning to…
June 7, 2009: I Approach Schnitzel Brink. Foie Gras Protesters Sell More Foie Gras. Patrick Gilmore and Mark Burgess Check Out the New Script. Madwelshboy Gets Knighted. And the Mailbag.
Patrick Gilmore (Volker) checks out the latest script. His incredulous reaction draws the attention of a passing Mark Burgess (Franklin). Oh no they di'int! Oh, yeah, they - uh - di'id. Mark assures Patrick he'll make a wonderful alien drag queen. On the outside, Patrick is smiling. On the inside, he's already calling his agent.…
June 4, 2009: New Episode Titles! -Ish! It’s Party Time! What Does The Future Hold? A Comic Book Series Perhaps.
Hey, everybody! It’s time to play “Guess the Upcoming Episode Names!” Episode #14 shares a title with a song by God Module. Episode #15 shares a title with a song by The Beastie Boys. Episode #16 shares a title with a song by Coldplay. Another round of clues tomorrow. In the meantime, knock yourselves…
May 29, 2009: Shifting From Dark and Dangerous to Moody and Mysterious. I Weigh In On The Big News Item. And – Some Mailbag.
Lock and load, baby! Julia Anderson (Vanessa James) takes a break from the action. Josh Blacker (Sgt. Spencer) tries to blend in. Director of Photography Jim Menard suddenly realizes he's standing in a puddle - much to Director Robert C. Cooper's delight. The quiet suspense of today’s shipboard mystery was in marked contrast…