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Joseph Mallozzi's Blog! (SPOILERS For All SG Shows and Dark Matter)

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    http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/...-little-nappy/

    November 4, 2014

    Photos: Office labels, Dark Matter script, Art Department meeting, concept art, preliminary set lists, Alison Hepburn, Trevor Finn


    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 snagged that.

    Hey, check it out! Revised versions of episodes #1 and #2, just in time for the Art Department meeting…which also included props, costumes, and construction.

    2:00 p.m. I arrived promptly, eager to get started.

    2:10 p.m. Who called this meeting? Beginning to suspect I’m the victim of some elaborate practical joke.

    2:27 p.m. I’m overcome with concern for the other attendees. Have they been kidnapped? Accidentally locked themselves in the linen closet? Worry gives way to panic and, ultimately, sleepiness.

    2:43 p.m. I doze off but eventually wake up feeling refreshed. Only to discover it’s the next day. And someone took my wallet.

    Random point of discussion. We’re going projectiles over lasers and blasters. For the most part.

    Our awesome Supervising Art Director, the amazing Kimberly Zaharko, generating these handy preliminary set lists for episodes 1-3. Color-coded to boot! Dark blue for VFX, light brown for Construction and Paint, dark green for Playback, light green for Graphics, grey for Props, white for Special Effects, and invisible ink for the Subliminal Message Department.

    I came in this morning to discover that Alison and Trevor had redecorated, turning their desks around to face out toward the windows and daylight (and freedom) instead of facing the walls and dreary grey bulletin board. Not sure how I feel about this. I thought the scattering of lone thumbtacks was a nice touch, holding the promise of something more – an Art Department schematic, a colorful print, a Tiger Beat centrefold of Robby Benson – while simultaneously crushing their spirits. Also, this makes it much harder for me to sneak up on them whenever the mood strikes.
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      http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/...-tara-yelland/

      November 5, 2014

      Photos: Tara Yelland, dinner at Buca


      Slowly but surely, I’m reconnecting with my former Toronto friends and/or acquaintances. The other night, for instance, I got together with my long-distance nemesis and occasional script collaborator Tara Yelland for dinner at one of my very favorite restaurants: Buca!

      Since Tara was working on a production, we ended up sitting down to dinner at a little after 9:00 p.m. – so late that I’m surprised they weren’t offering breakfast specials. Okay, granted, many people eat at 9:00 p.m. EST…but they’re usually in a different time zone. For her part, Tara (who clearly keeps all sorts of crazy hours) promised that, next time, we would eat earlier so that I could take advantage of the early bird specials.

      We perused the menu and Tara informed me that pig’s ears and brains were out. Also pancetta and any of the offal dishes. And all the meat dishes.

      I completely forgot she was a vegetarian. No wonder we’ve never gone to dinner before!

      In the end, all of the plates we ordered were meatless – and excellent – among them...

      This terrific mushroom pizza that Tara liked…except for the mushrooms which she picked off and left on her plate (Come on!!!).

      The dinner conversation was our first extended communication that didn’t involve email. Over the course of our two hour discussion, I found her endlessly entertaining – but, in the end, surprisingly enigmatic, like the first 50 minutes of an old episode of Murder She Wrote.

      She decided to pass on dessert but I convinced her to have a taste of my tiramisu. Apparently, convinced her too well because she almost polished it off all on her own.

      The tiramisu proves as hard to crack as my mysterious dining companion.

      Despite the absence of meat, a very tasty meal. And terrific night overall – until, I think, I partially separated my shoulder on the walk back to my place. I’m not sure how she did it, but I do hold Tara responsible.
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        http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/...ntinues-apace/

        November 6, 2014

        Photos: Dark Matter set construction, Trevor Finn


        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-j...s-dark-matter/

        “I’ve always found it difficult to draw side by side comparisons between shows. If anything, I’d say our series is reminiscent of a mixture of various SF shows of the past (Blake’s 7, Farscape, Firefly, and, of course, Stargate) and a couple of non-SF sources (The Dirty Dozen, The Magnificent Seven, The Thunderbolts comic book seris). But if I HAD to pick one show I’d draw the closest parallels to in terms of world and tone, it would be an animated series called Cowboy Bebop. Check it out if you haven’t already seen it. It’s awesome.”

        Wow. It’s unbelievable how quickly these sets are going up. Hell, the gang in construction is so fast that they’ve taken to hanging around the Art Department in anticipation of the latest floor plans.

        As the bridge goes up, so do the corridors.

        Trevor considers the work-to-date. Fortunately, he liked what he saw – which meant we didn’t have to tear it all down and start over again.

        At this rate, we’ll have our sets up well before our target date – meaning construction will have plenty of time to build me that soap box racer!

        https://twitter.com/dark_matterTV

        https://www.facebook.com/darkmatterseries?ref=br_tf
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          http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/...u-to-see-dogs/

          November 7, 2014

          Photos: Joe Mallozzi, lunch menu, Bubba, Lulu, Jelly


          THIS is an outrage! Look at this picture. That’s powdered sugar on my shirt. And how, pray tell, did it get on my shirt? It got there because the sfogliatelle (Italian pastry) I was having for breakfast exploded when I bit into it, raining its dusted coating onto my lap and shirt front. And who’s fault was that?! Correct! Alison and Trevor’s! Had they had the foresight to blow the excess powdered sugar off my Italian pastry for me, this never would have happened.

          I mean, seriously! Do you think Shonda Rhimes puts up with this crap?

          At part of my continuing efforts to offer you unique behind-the-scenes insights denied fans of other shows, I proudly present Wednesday’s Dark Matter lunch menu which included bean salad, stuffed supremes, and pies & cookies.

          Back on the home front, Bubba is settling in nicely. Just like Vancouver. Different laundry basket, but same idea.

          Lulu does her imitation of an anaconda swallowing a skunk.

          Me and Jelly, hanging out.
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            http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/...atter-casting/

            November 8, 2014

            Photos: Ivon Bartok


            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 put these new scenes in context in advance of their second round auditions. BIG casting week on the horizon!

            But, of course, one role has already been filled! The part of The Android on Dark Matter will be played by my long-time buddy Ivon Bartok who you may remember from such roles as Blinky Cadet in the Stargate: SG-1 episode “Prodigy”.

            Anyway, here he is at Friday’s costume fitting…

            He’s sort of a cross between R2D2, Oscar the Grouch, and raver Gazoo.

            Well, if you weren’t excited about the show before, I’m sure you are now with this HUGE casting announcement!
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              http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/...wn-robot-suit/

              November 9, 2014

              Photos: Robot suits


              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 nothing to do with our actors getting jobs on other shows but specifically prohibits them from being competitive against me in my fantasy football league. This weekend, Ivon and his team, The Running Dead, were in breach of contract when they beat my Snow Monkeys, dropping them to .500.

              As a result, we’re recasting the role of The Android. Although acting ability is important, preference will be given to candidates who already have their own robot costume since the production already blew its Android wardrobe budget on Ivon’s outfit -

              Which he apparently took home with him along with the lemon squares from tomorrow’s catered lunch and Roxanne, one of our set PA’s.

              Since word got out that we were recasting the role, we’ve had many great performers throw their (spring-loaded boots and motorized) hats into the ring:

              Mandy Patinkin!

              *

              Annette Benning!

              *

              Javier Bardem!

              *

              Anne Hathaway!

              *

              Daniel Day-Lewis!

              *

              Morgan Freeman!

              *

              Dame Judi Dench!

              *

              So many great possibilities. And the actors to go with them!
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                http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/...ember-10-2014/

                November 10, 2014

                Photos: Robot suit, Akemi, dog food


                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 WAS in breach of the non-compete clause in his contract by virtue of the fact that he was, in fact, VERY competitive this weekend in fantasy football league play, he ultimately wasn’t competitive enough to beat me and so...

                Boop bop meep!

                Daniel Day-Lewis is out and Ivon is back in!

                Second round call-backs today in Toronto and Vancouver, L.A. on Wednesday. We draw ever closer to our final cast. And you’ll be the first to know!

                Meanwhile, Akemi seems to be making the most of her time here in Toronto…

                And finding a creative outlet in feeding the dogs…
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                  http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/...-taking-shape/

                  November 11, 2014

                  Photos: Dark Matter set construction


                  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 that look so cool in the movies but never quite work out the way you want them to in real life, with participants dropping out, losing audio, losing video, the whole punctuated by the background caterwaul of children or dogs in desperate need of feeding. Still, we’re going to give it the ole college try (let’s say more Devry than Harvard). Festivities get underway at noon PST, which means we’ll be watching well into the twilight hours. Guess we’ll be ordering pizza!

                  The plan is to have our selects, Top 3 for each of the seven roles, by early next week. And that’s when the decision-making will get REALLY tough…

                  Paul delivered his first draft of episode #10, the first part of our late season two-parter. He promises to have #11 to us before his weekend arrival – which means I’ll be able to do my pass on #12 (already written) have that out by early next week. Leaving us with…only the grand (season one) finale to write. Or, rather, finish since I’m already 15 pages in.

                  Meanwhile, no rest for our awesome construction crew who have been working their little tool belts off -

                  Hey! We’re on instagram! http://instagram.com/dark_mattertv

                  And facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darkmatterseries

                  And twitter: https://twitter.com/dark_matterTV

                  Tell your friends!
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                    http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/...i-popcorn-fun/

                    November 12, 2014

                    Video: Akemi popcorn fun


                    I’ll be in a casting session for most of the day so, today, I hand things over to Akemi and her very first popcorn-making experience…
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                      http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/...-c-c-c-c-cold/

                      November 13, 2014

                      Photo: Earth


                      I woke up this morning and it was snowing.

                      Snowing!!!

                      And the temperature has dropped about 20 degrees in a day.

                      It’s so cold that Akemi refuses to go out. She has vowed to never leave our apartment until spring.

                      I feel terribly, for her and for the dogs, especially Lulu and her super-sensitive paws. As much as it pains me to do so, I think we’re going to have to pick up doggy boots. Yes, we’ve become THOSE people.

                      So, hey, we did that live stream Skype audition session the other day and, as expected, it went poorly. As Trevor pointed out, for an application software that specializes in video chats, Skype video quality is surprisingly…um, what’s the word? Oh, yeah. ****. And I feel “****” is really too kind a description of the picture and audio quality we had to sit through – this despite upping to unlimited bandwidth. The video was so choppy I felt like I was playing Mario Bros. on my Commodore 64. If any of you have stock in Skype, I advise you to sell now. We ended up switching to FaceTime and things went much more smoothly after that. So, to break down the pros of each application:

                      Facetime: Better video and audio quality, easier to use.

                      Skype: Only one syllable and perhaps easier to pronounce.

                      Our trusty Story Editor/Script Coordinator/Annoying Noisy Lunch Chewer Trevor Finn alerted me to the following big news story:

                      http://www.theonion.com/articles/ast...rth-wit,37437/

                      Amazing, no?

                      In other science-related news, I’m sure you’re all aware by now that the Philae probe scored a bullseye landing. At some point, I suspect, they will trigger the charge that will disport the asteroid’s earth-bound trajectory, saving our planet from certain doom.
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                        http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/...seplay-on-set/

                        November 14, 2014

                        Photos: Alison Hepburn, Dark Matter set, Vanessa Piazza, Joe Mallozzi


                        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 Story Editor/Script Coordinator Trevor Finn who are always on hand in case of public emergencies (ie. fending off the undead and giving me the opportunity to flee in the event of a zombie attack; double-anchoring me should a tornado set down in the neighbourhood, etc.). I mean, sure, they’ve got their “official job descriptions”, but my safety and well-being is at the top of their priority list. So imagine my surprise this afternoon when I was strolling through set and I slipped on a patch of sawdust. As I felt my feet slide out from underneath me, I fully expected to feel the reassuring/supportive hands of Alison Hepburn at my back, averting certain disaster. But it turned out I had to avert my own disaster. No, instead of Alison sweeping in to the rescue, I had to windmill my arms as my right foot streaked forward like I was sliding into second base, capturing my weight on my shaky left foot. I glanced back to see how close Alison had come to missing me – only to discover she hadn’t kept the requisite two paces behind me. Instead, I found her thus -

                        Happily snapping away, totally oblivious to the catastrophe forestalled. I mean, seriously! I had to catch myself! What’s next? Will I have to hole-punch my own photocopies? Throw out my own recyclables? Be expected to chew my own lunch?!!

                        Anyway, I consulted the hidden camera I had placed on set to catch construction personnel taking unauthorized bathroom breaks and came across these snaps:

                        I mean, honestly. This is a place of work, not tomfoolery and horseplay. While they’re running around set, drilling holes in load-bearing hat stands and generally not catching me, fellow Executive Producer Vanessa Piazza and I are hard at work prepping the show and testing the structural integrity of a four can high-rise -

                        Which may seem like tomfoolery and horseplay but is actual important research for an upcoming episode of the show.

                        I mean – come on!

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                          http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/...ite-favorites/

                          November 15, 2014

                          Photos: Joe's Top 12 Hong Kong Movie Nite Favorites


                          Way back when I was living in Montreal, I would attend something called Hong Kong Movie Nite. It was a weekly tradition, hosted by my buddy Nigel, that saw us gather at his place for wings, Jamaican takeout, Jack Daniels, occasional cigars, and screenings of some of the most bad-ass and weirdly wonderful offerings from the Hong Kong film industry. This was before Hollywood discovered John Woo and Jet Li, before Chow Yun-Fat had become a global star, before Quentin Tarantino had “borrowed” elements of Ringo Lam’s City on Fire for his first modest kick at the cinematic bucket, a movie called Reservoir Dogs. Paul and I would swing by from work and take in double, sometimes triple features with the likes of Supa, Champion, Flipski, and Sushiman – big boys, mostly of Carribbean descent, who were as fun and furious as the movies themselves.

                          I miss the Movie Nite Crew. And all those testosterone-fueled action flicks that have, in time, become classics of Asian cinema.

                          Reflecting back over the countless films we watched, I’d have to say that these were my Top 12 favorites...

                          12. LOVE ON DELIVERY

                          This delightfully ludicrous romantic comedy was my introduction to funny man Stephen Chow – who makes several appearances on this list.

                          11. NAKED KILLER

                          A gloriously over-the-top entry in the Girls with Guns sub-genre that became an instant cult classic.

                          10. A BETTER TOMORROW

                          The movie that made uber-cool Chow Yun-Fat a superstar.

                          9. RIKI-OH: THE STORY OF RICKY

                          Cartoon ultra-violence reigns supreme in this near future actioner, probably the craziest movie I’ve ever seen.

                          8. THE BRIDE WITH WHITE HAIR

                          Romance, tragedy, fantasy, and plenty of swordplay. A beautiful film.

                          7. KUNG FU HUSTLE

                          Nobody mixes action and comedy like Stephen Chow.

                          6. FROM BEIJING WITH LOVE

                          And here he takes a turn as the Hong Kong’s 007 in this James Bond spoof with a definitive Asian twist.

                          5. INFERNAL AFFAIRS

                          Adapted by Hollywood, practically scene for scene, as the Oscar-winning The Departed.

                          4. FIST OF LEGEND

                          Jet Li at his bad-ass best.

                          3. HARDBOILED

                          One of my very first forays into Asian cinema, this one remains one of my very favorites. The action sequences are so exquisitely choreographed that my brain was buzzing for hours after our initial screening.

                          2. SHAOLIN SOCCER

                          Stephen Chow is at the top of his game here, playing a master of kung-fu who enlists the help of his fellow Shoalin monks to form a soccer team, one that incorporates martial arts into the beautiful game – with hilarious results. One of my very favorite comedies ever.

                          1. THE KILLER

                          A ruthless assassin attempts to make amends for a past mistake in this cinematic classic.
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                            http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/...o-in-pictures/

                            November 16, 2014

                            Photos: Bento box breakfast, Akemi, Jelly, Trevor Finn, Robert C. Cooper, Alex Levine, snow monkey


                            The return of my bento box breakfast. Peanut butter oatmeal with cherries and burnt white chocolate for dessert.

                            My every-chilly girlfriend.

                            Almost 16-year old Jelly, already in the Christmas spirit.

                            Jelly sleeps off her walkies.

                            Akemi’s latest passion = popcorn!

                            And, apparently, knitting!

                            Well, at least her ears are warm.

                            Getting together with the gang for some Sunday football over some wings and nachos: Trevor Finn, Robert C. Cooper, and Alex Levine.

                            Oh, my. My Snow Monkeys are about to move on to a 7-4 record, and 2nd place in our Fantasy Football League. I smell championship!
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                              http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/...-weapons-show/

                              November 17, 2014

                              Photos: Guns and swords, Property Master Victoria Klein, Trevor Finn, Alison Hepburn, Props Buyer Susan Woorts, Joe Mallozzi


                              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 down with (well, actually, we all stood but you know what I mean) the Art Department, Costumes, and Props. In the case of the latter, it was all about the guns, guns, guns! And some swords and miscellaneous weaponry…

                              So we’re looking to use replicas of established guns as the base models for the futuristic sidearms and ordnance our crew – and everyone from Galactic Authority officers to Corporate Guards – will be packing. Both Three and Six will wield big-ass guns and carry chunky holstered handgun variants (something along the lines of what you see bottom left). One, Two and Four will go with sleeker shooters. Holster options range from hip and leg to shoulder and back.

                              Apparently the longer swords are your go-to blades if you’re looking to decapitate someone – but you already knew that. Four, our resident swordsman, would be adept with all four sheathed varieties – so we’ll keep all four in his quarters so that he can always have a choice.

                              The ship’s training room will house a variety of weapons, from simple training staffs to more exotic blades. Here, Property Master Victoria Klein shows off a little something from her personal collection.

                              Trevor gets mouthy with Alison. She responds in kind.

                              Our Props Buyer's (Susan Woorts) shopping list will include: milk, eggs, cheese, and a half dozen fresh Berettas.

                              Testing Alison’s reflexes. Her rubber training sword is no match for my steel!

                              And you thought today was fun! I can’t wait for tomorrow’s two hour script note session!
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                                http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/...tes-and-notes/

                                November 18, 2014

                                Photo: Jay Firestone


                                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 had by all. Oh, sure, there were a few disagreements. A couple of impassioned arguments. And, at one point, (apparently) I almost jumped out of my seat. But, in the end, it was a productive meeting and I have no doubt that all three scripts will be the better for it. Jay flagged some murky moments in need of clarification, had some great suggestions related to character motivations, relationships, and arcs, and even offered up some pretty good dialogue tweaks. No absurd requests or annoyingly illogical proposals or demands for reams of exposition to ensure that even a trained chimp can follow the story.

                                If all of our future notes sessions go this smoothly, I may actually look forward to attending them – instead of hiding under my desk and hoping people will simply lose interest and move on to more pressing matters.

                                Tomorrow = round #2 (eposes #104 to #106)!
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