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, we started developing our own SF series in the hopes of rolling right into production with the same crew if and when Stargate ever ended. The only problem at the time was that there was no end in sight. Every time we thought Stargate would close up shop, the show would get picked up for another season. It was a classy problem that allowed us to really flesh out the concept and characters of this prospective new show.
Unfortunately, when Stargate did end, the timing proved difficult. Instead of taking advantage of our terrific Stargate crew, we ended up having to put our project on hold while we took a job in Toronto. But rather than relegate it to the back burner, we thought of an interesting way to go – and a great way to help sell the show. We hooked up with Dark Horse Comics and launched the series idea as a comic book.
The first four issues of Dark Matter garnered great reviews and, when the trade paperback came out in October, we used it as a calling card. Having worked in development, I was aware of, and wanted to draw on, the added appeal of an established property. Also, half the battle of pitching is to help a potential buyer imagine the project you have created – and I could think of no better pitch document than that trade paperback.
We went out with a story backed by some fantastic visuals compliments of artist Garry Brown and colorist Ryan Hill. The response was incredibly positive. Even more so after Paul and I delivered the pilot script. Still, my concern was the budget, making sure we had enough money to do it properly (visual effects don’t come cheap after all!), so I was heartened by word from our producing partner today that the response in Europe has been equally great.
Now all that remains is for that final piece of the puzzle to fall into place. Yes, we’ve been waiting a while but all indications are we’ll be receiving word soon. If it’s positive, then things are going to get very busy very quickly. If it’s not, then we’ll have to go elsewhere for that final piece – which will, of course, delay things.
But hopefully it all comes together as expected. And, once it does, dare I say it…
No, better not.
Mailbag:
shinyhula writes: “And why no zombies on this list? Night of the Living Dead, 28 Weeks Later, Zombieland; what have the unliving done to deserve your scorn?”
Answer: I was listing Scariest Endings and, off the top of my head, none of the zombie entries came to mind. Well, now that I think of it, maybe the original Night of the Living Dead would have been a good candidate.
ancuetas writes: “Is that you know what music is there at the beginning of the video.”
Answer: This piece of music, from SG-1′s Demons, was before my time (I joined the show in its fourth season), but it’s safe to assume that it was composed by the late, great Joel Goldsmith.
dasndanger writes: “Also, this whole thing with the shutting down of cell towers in cases like this? That’s why I still have a corded old timey landline tele-o-phone.”
Answer: Hmmm. Good point. I haven’t had a landline in four years.
RLAVILLA writes: “Recently there have been two new Stargate games for Android and iPhone, and I think that will be the new product line, which has been selected by MGM for Stargate franchise. How about converting “Stargate Extinction” in a game for these new platforms?”
Answer: Not my call. That would be for the studio to decide.
Jen writes: “A tad random, but I went in on my birthday to have this done but the artist was booked up so I had it done yesterday.”
Answer: Great. But I insist you draw the line at one of those Jaffa forehead tattoos.
baterista9 writes: “Just saw Cookie on Saturday at Sea World of Texas.”
Answer: Yes, he was there for his cousin Esmerelda’s wedding.
fsmn36 writes: “But the entire movie plays off the alcoholic!Tony arc from the comics and the Rhodey scene makes 20x more sense when you consider Tony is basically planning on suicide/knows he’s going to die. What seems a tacky action scene becomes a heart breaking fight between friends while Tony desperately gives everything he loves away to the few people that matter to him.”
Answer: Sounds terrific. Unfortunately, none of that came across onscreen.
gforce writes: “Did you ever take Akemi up to Whistler yet? You should take her out to a nice dinner or even a weekend up there!”
Answer: I retired my krazy karpet years ago.
Seth writes: “How hard would it be to get the cast on board for a Kickstarter for the series or movies? Looks as if Veronica Mars just got 5.5 million in Kickstarter funds from fans!”
Answer: 5.5 million may seem like a lot, but consider that the previous SG-1 movies cost 7+ million each to produce – and those productions made use of existing sets and production personnel.
Tam Dixon writes: “Did you try one of the dog cookies for quality control? You did, didn’t you?”
Answer: I didn’t, but someone I know (hint: she’s Japanese) DOES taste test for quality control.
Tam Dixon also writes: “Anyways, what about another trip? New York, L.A. or maybe even go down South. I wouldn’t recommend Memphis, unless you bring a gun but what about New Orleans or Savannah, GA?”
Answer: Akemi definitely wants to go to New York and, after reading Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, I’ve wanted to check out Savannah. That said, both L.A. and Vegas are closer and more likely short trip destinations. This, of course, is entirely dependent on our finding a dog sitter.
astrumporta writes: “I think you should bring Akemi to San Francisco for her b-day!”
Answer: It’s also on the list. Good eatin’! How goes, Michelle?
pennlynn writes: “You’re brave man Joe! I like having a nice drink but other than the whiskey I’m not sure I would try that haul of liquor!”
Answer: I tried the Nikka whiskey with Lawren last night when he came over for the American Horror Story marathon. It was damn good, and much better straight up than on the rocks. How went the t.v. interview?
