One third of the crowd stopping to listen while the other two-thirds parties on loudly in the back (Martin’s intro was particularly memorable: “Hey, guys. I’d really appreciate if you just continue to talk over me. That’s right. Just continue talking amongst yourselves like I’m not even here and I’ll just keep going.” They were more than happy to comply.) and me trying to make out the teeny tiny notes I’d scribbled down on the back of the two receipts. A lesson in proper microphone handling would have probably served me well since the suggestion that “It’s a really good mic so you don’t have to hold it right up to your mouth.” was a bald-faced lie. Anyway, I launched into my speech. Many couldn’t here me. To my left, Carl laughed once. I had wanted to thank everyone but decided to speed things up, jumping to the end of my speech to wrap things up – and skipping several thank you’s including those intended for the cast. Fortunately, Rob and Lawren were front and center to remind me. Once my infernal yammering was done, I turned the stage over to Marty G. who introduced the touching series video tribute he and Ryan had put together. Unfortunately, the screens were too small, the sound too low, and, like I said, two-thirds of the attendees barely noticed. Lawren, however, was quick to notice that, ironically, a hush did fall over the huge ballroom for the raffle draw.
In any case, Martin is going to work at making sure the video tribute finds its way onto the season 5 box set. As for my speech – well, as I worked the room and thanked the various crew members, I was surprised by how many actually follow the blog. So, in case they missed it, this is what I said (more or less):
Whenever I’m asked to comment on Atlantis, I’ll often refer to the production as a well-oiled machine. And that says a lot about the people who work on the show, individual who are so damn good at what they do. Individuals like –
Krista who’ll come into my office, show me a matte painting and ask: “What do you think?” And I’ll say: “Great!” To which she’ll say: “Yeah, but I want to work on it a little longer. The buildings are too close together.” or “The houses are too far apart. But I’ll make the changes and bring it back tomorrow.”.
Mark Savela our fantastic in-house department and, frankly, everyone who has ever contributed to the show’s incredible VFX, people who can do everything from create a 3 minute long space battle sequence to make a snickers bar disappear
Ray and Scott and the SPFX crew who are so good at blowing shit up – sometimes when we haven’t even asked them to.
Andy shooting in the latex jungle.
Will trying to figure out where to hide his pineapples.
Alex Pappas who, besides running a tight ship, also goes out of his way to harass any on-set guests.
Krista who’ll stop by my office to show me the changes she’s made to her matte painting and ask me for my thoughts. “I think it’s great!”I’ll tell her. To which she’ll respond: “Yeah, but I still want to make a few more adjustments. I need to move the trees a little forward” or “I have to move the bushes a little further back. I’ll make the changes and bring it back tomorrow.”
Jim Menard, Terry Murray, and Bill Mizel who always take the time to really nitpick the scripts and call us out on seeming inconsistencies during the concept meetings. Thanks for continuing to challenge us.
Val and Koreen and the rest of the costumes department for making my dream of “no more aliens in funny hats” a reality.
Bev, Nancy, and Barry making sure not only the actors but everyone on set is neat and relatively lint-free.
James Robbins and the rest of the art department who design everything from ancient ships to ancient bath tubs.
The construction department that builds everything from ancient ships to ancient bathtubs.
The gals in accounting who are not only good with numbers but great with timing because whenever I go down for lunch they’re always the first ones standing in line at truck.
Steve, Anthea and the rest of the catering crew who were directly responsible for me putting on 15 pounds my first year on Stargate.
Jen and Kerry from post who, whenever they’re in the production offices, always make it a point to drop by and pester us about the mixes and cuts we’ve yet to get around to.
Esther and co. for keeping out the riffraff.
Krista who’ll swing by my office to show me the changes she’s made to a matte painting. And I’ll say: “Great! It’s perfect.” To which she’ll reply: “Not yet. I’m not totally happy with the texture of the chimneys. I’m just going to make some minor adjustments and bring it back tomorrow.”
The cast who, over the course of the series run, have had to brave freezing cold, blazing heat, driving rain, and babies.
John Smith and John Lenic who oversee the production schedules and budget, making sure we spend our money wisely and don’t blow it all on lottery tickets.
Glen who can not only make a great veggie sandwich, but also dress a head wound in the unlikely event a producer walks into the upraised trunk of his car.
Larry, Doug, and Graeme and the rest of the gang in transport who made sure I got to Widgen Park and back safely, ensuring I didn’t drive myself into the woods, get lost, and have to eat my own shoes to survive.
MGM and SciFi. Without their support, we’d probably be celebrating the five year run of Stargate Alantis, the radio play series.
Brad Wright and Robert Cooper who created the show, set it up, then stepped back and let Paul and I take it around the block. Twice.
My fellow writer/producers – Carl, Martin, Alan, and Paul. If it wasn’t for them, I’d probably be home, still working on Broken Ties.
Todd Masters and co and the gang in prosthetics.
Mike Blundell, Paul Trudel, Ryan, Fox, Johnny Z., Bruno B., Grizz, Ted, and Ashcroft who, worse than the fog, had to put up with me for the entire Whispers shoot.
Krista who’ll walk into my office to show me her revised matte painting. And I’ll say: “Love it! It’s approved!” To which she’ll reply: “It’s almost there. I just want to straighten a couple of the grass blades – “ To which I’ll reply: “No! Stop it! It’s fantastic! Move on!”
Joel Goldsmith, BamBam, Evil Kenny Gibbs and the gang at props, Tanja, Nathan, and David in the front office, Lawren, Alex Levine, Ivon Bartok, Sean, Vince, Tristan, Brigitte, casting, locations, greens, sound, our grips, the lightning department, set dec, playback, hair and make-up and anyone else I may have missed or failed to mention only because I ran out of room on the back of these dry cleaning receipt. I should have dropped off my shirts as well.
Thank you for five wonderful years.
And thanks to you, the fans, for five wonderful years of support.
Well, the party may have ended at the Sheraton but festivities continue here on this blog. I’m collecting questions for Stargate: Atlantis (and much, much more) composer Joel Goldsmith. If you have questions for the maestro, let’s see ’em.
Finish up The Black Company. If you have questions for author Glen Cook, let’s see them as well. I’ll be weighing in with my thoughts on the book in tomorrow’s entry.
I have been waiting all day for this… I was having a tough time trying to remember the night (last night). Well, except for your speech… it brought tears to my eyes.
How’s the head feeling and did you feel the need to philosophise with any of your backyard flora this time?
Joe, Where was Rachael, Joe F., David Hewlett?? Any pictures of them? And YES, I WANT MORE! Did I wine enough? Did you do video? And Yes , Thank You for the above pictures!!Did you win anything? What were the staff gifts?OK, I am taking a breath now. Tell us about the food. Tell us EVERYTHING!! Man, I am sooo sad now! Maybe you can tell us the rest tomorrow? PLEASEEE! Bye sweetie, Sheryl
Also where was Amanda Tapping?
wonderful blog entry, joe, especially your daily visits with krista. :p
i have a question for joel: what’s your favorite score that your father did?
sally 😀
Thanks for all the terrific pics. Really good seeing everyone smiling and having fun. It is literally the least MGM could have done for you folks for a job well done, and I hope you all ate and drank enough to float the national debt(American, not Canadian). I’ll work on the questions for both Mr. Cook and Mr. Goldsmith and hope to find time to post them at work tomorrow. Yes, I know, I should quit procrastinating. But I’ll take inspiration from your own preplanning of your speech. Enjoy a few days of sleeping in, then please get to work teasing us with the upcoming movie!.
Everyone looks very spiffy/pritty respectivley in their party gear but Joe were is the pic of you in a swanky suite?
I am very pleased to hear you will continue blogging… with all the goodbyes I did wonder if there might have been one coming from you too, so thanks for continuing, as I am sure you already know the blog is accessed and appreciated by many. 🙂
Wow, all that fit on two receipts? I can’t believe not everyone was paying attention to you. I did have two Grande Margaritas last night in honor of the big party and everyone I was with knew it (all they do is laugh).
For Joel: What gives you your inspiration for a particular use of music? I love your stuff. My daughter is a dancer and I always tell her to listen to your music for her lyrical performances.
Ivon! where in Nottinghamshire are you from? Do you still call people me duck? 😉 🙂
To any cast/crew reading the comments:
THANK YOU!!!!!
Wow, it’s really over now 🙁
Fantastic Joe. Thank you for sharing your speech and the wonderful pics from the wrap party. Indeed it was 5 glorious years, and should have been 6, but we won’t go there.
The Atlantis cake was beautiful. Did you really eat it? If not, what happened to it? You could put it in stasis and bring it back for the 25th anniversary
For Joel Goldsmith.
Will you continue to compose the music for Stargate?
Thanks for the great wrap party pictures Joe. It looks like everyone had a wonderful time.
To Sulienn concerning your post yesterday. Interesting that you would see Sheppard as jealous of McKay’s “women”. I thought the same exact thing about McKay being jealous of Sheppard’s women. Surely you’ve seen Sanctuary? 🙂
Love the picture of Paul with the cake.
Um Joe…..pics of the rest of the cast?? I know you didn’t promise but…I was so sure you would come though for us!! I know you’re not done posting…. correct?
Side note…sometime when SGA is long done, I would really like to know what your true feelings are/were about the cancellation. I can’t believe you are going quietly into the night. I also know that the ‘team’ concept, franchise politics, and career moves dictate many comments.
To all cast and crew and certain management, thanks for the memories and great entertainment for the past 13 plus years. I know you’ll do right be the SGA team with the new movies….I’m being optimistic.
Thank you to all of the writers, creators/producers, cast, and crew for a wonderful five years. Unfortunately, I did not discover Atlantis until season three, but it’s been wonderful watching such an incredibly entertaining and beautifully done show! I wish it could go on for another five years! Thanks so much!
Questions for Joel:
What is your favorite instrument to compose music for?
I personally love the deep, beautiful sound of the bass clarinet, though I’m biased, having played it from 8th grade through freshman year at Capital University.
Do you have any advice for those majoring in music that may wish to go into composing music for film or television?
My fiance actually proposed to me with the Stargate music playing in the background. It was very beautiful. My sister, who is majoring in music, has volunteered to transpose any song to any instrument that we want to use for the wedding processional and recessional. (I believe this is her attempt to save the wedding from using Pachelbel’s Cannon *laugh*).
Given the fact that Stargate is what helped to bring us together, can we use some of the music from Atlantis for her friend to play as I walk down the aisle next August? 🙂
I really want to thank you for always composing truly beautiful scores for the show. You help to breathe life into the wonderfully written stories with elegant music. Thank you for all your hard work!
What if when it comes time to do the movies the cast already have other jobs?
Great pictures! Thank you for sharing these. Where’s the one of you all dressed up?
For Joel Goldsmith: How much input do the directors have when you are putting music to episode? What episode of SGA, or which series has been the hardest to put music to?
Wow, that sounds like an amazing wrap party! MGM sure went out of their way to make a great party, heck, even with Blackjack. Did you play any?
Excellent photos as well, especially that chocolate Atlantis. Now that is a work of art!
Although Atlantis may be over (well, production-wise), we still have the movies to look forward to. Keep up the great work, you and all. 🙂
– Enzo Aquarius
yeah, you should have dropped of those shirts, then the model shop might not have been forgotten, like it always seems to be 😉
Forgot to ask the first time, and Maria already did. So, where is the picture of you in your finest Mr. Mallozzi?
Looks like a great party, but my heart is sore. *sobs*
Thanks Joe,
Loved the recap! But I echo the previous posted…where are all the other pictures and stories about the food, fun and most importantly, the one of you and Fondy?
More please!
Thanks
Patricia Lee
When your head is a little clearer Joe, may want to edit the title of today’s blog. I wasn’t going to say anything because I figured 45 other people would, and I think you’re doing a damn good job to be able to type today.
Alexandria has already asked one of my questions for Joel about which instrument.
I was wondering if Joel could give a brief rundown of how the entire process works for an episode?
Many people may already know the answer to these, but I’m interested to know:
– How much re-work you do with existing motif’s (ie: this is the battle music we always use between Atlantis and the Wraith, this is the music we use when a loss is felt amongst the team)?
– What percentage of your music is using real musicians/orchestra vs synthesised?
As a retired professional dancer I give big smoochies to composers and musicians. Without your passion and talent we could not perform ours.
For Joel Goldsmith:
First–A big thanks for utilizing the middle voices and brass frequently. I played French horn from 6th grade through college, though that has now been a while ago, and I think I shall always prefer a score that highlights these instruments, whether original source or synthesized.
Second–Can you tell us about your proudest or most challenging yet successful times while composing for Stargate?
Thanks, and I’ll be ‘listening’ forward to your reply.
Joe,
I’m so sad right now I don’t know what to say. Thank you and everyone involved with SGA for 5 great years!!!!
Joe,
Thanks for posting those great pics! And I’m glad that the video tribute will be on the Season 5 DVD’s. I know everyone here will be anxious to see it.
Thanks to all the cast and crew for a wonderful five years.
To Joel: Just wanted to say that I love your scores. You do a perfect job of either setting the mood with the music or providing a wonderful background to what is going on on the screen. My particular favorite is the Sam and Orlin music – breaks my heart every time I hear it…
Oh and I forgot to comment on how much I loved Tracker last Friday – been sick in bed and not online since Wednesday. Great episode!
Saw David fighting giant snakes in some sci-fi movie today – didn’t watch it, just was flipping through….
Question for Joel: Do you know if there are any plans for a Stargate SG-1 soundtrack with some of the scores from various episodes over the years? How about Atlantis?
Thanks!
Sounds like a blast. I’d love to have it on the DVD set, absolutely.
For Joel–Thanks for 12 years of wonderful Stargate music. I especially liked the music in Arc of Truth and Continuum. Will you be doing the music for Stargate Universe?
Nice post, Joe, and nice photos. I second the call for a shot of you in your finery!
Hey Joe,
Nice speech! Nice cake! Sounds like the party was great!
For Joel Goldsmith:
When you score an episode, how much is “stock” and how much is original? Do you try to give characters a theme – for example, I’ve noticed the Wraith theme whenever a Hive shows up on screen. Also, do you record a separate score for the act break transitions for the broadcast version of an episode versus the seamless version that goes on the DVD? Or does that transition get smoothed over by editing? Thanks for taking the time to answer questions, and best of luck with your next projects – do you know yet if you will be working on the SGA movie or SGU?
Jean
Thank you for sharing pics of the wrap party, Joe! It sounds like everyone had a great time and that chocolate sculpture of Atlantis was absolutely beautiful. It’s probably a good thing I wasn’t there though, because I would probably have been crying in my drink. I hope the TV movie of Atlantis does well enough to warrant one or, preferably, more direct to DVD releases. I really love the characters in this series and their stories are not even close to being told yet!
Also, thank you for taking questions for Mr. Joel Goldsmith! I love music, including film music, and he is one of my favorites.
Mr. Goldsmith, please forgive me if I’m a bit exhuberant here, I’m doing my best not to fangirl you completely! I absolutely love your work, especially what you’ve written for the Stargate franchise. In particular, I love the Atlantis main theme and the leitmotif you use for the city, it is every bit as beautiful as Atlantis herself. I also really enjoy the deep, resonant choral music you’ve used for the Ancient ships and the music from the scene in “Travellers” when the ancient ship comes into view beneath COL Sheppard’s feet sends chills down my spine. Okay, before I go completely overboard here, I’m just going to ask a few questions that I hope you will answer.
There is a lot of truly beautiful choral music in your work. Is there a classical composer whose cantatas and other choral works have especially inspired you?
Will we ever get an “Extended Soundtrack” of the rest of the Stargate Atlantis series, with the various leitmotifs representing each character and race? I hope so, because I would love to be able to buy it! There are just so many wonderful pieces scattered throughout various episodes that I would love to be able to listen to without dialog or sound effects overriding them.
Have you written any non-film-related pieces? If so, will we be able to buy CDs of them soon?
What is your favorite piece you have written for the Stargate franchise? Your favorite piece that you’ve written? What is your personal favorite piece of music ever (or pieces, if you can’t pick just one)?
Besides your father, who is your personal favorite film composer? Favorite composer otherwise?
Lastly, thank you from the bottom of my heart for writing the music that gives so much breadth and depth to Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis. It’s my personal opinion that your scores are the soul of both series and, as wonderful as they are otherwise, neither would be nearly as good without them.
Wow, if Bam Bam and his wife have children they will be freakishly beautiful. Thanks for sharing the pics and the speech – it was terrific to see all the behind the scenes folks enjoying themselves. I’m assuming that the cast were suitably maudlin and inebriated? I’m also assuming that you did serious damage to the beautiful white chocolate Atlantis.
Thanks for 5 great years, and I’m looking forward to more!
Hey, blondie Staite – you should reassign her on Stargate Voyager – if she isn’t too old *g*
Thanks to all for a great series. I enjoyed it more than I ever have any TV series, scifi or otherwise. As a collaborative enterprise, it was stellar in my opinion.
I look forward to the final episodes and will be very sad when it’s over. But, hey, there’s always Stargate Universe and the movies to be made, yes?
Looks like a great party!
THE BLACK COMPANY QUESTIONS:
1. It was stated throughout that the ages of the company were rather long (eg. some members were hundreds of years old). How is that possible? Was it a side affect of being in the comnpany, or did I misinterpret and it’s simply because men of that time were long lived?
2. I really connected with Croaker. Absolutely loved the guy. BUT … did I miss something about his past? Why was he with the company when all the other characters clearly had a bad past (Raven was a murderer, etc)?
3. Why does the Lady take such an interest in Croaker? I was always so afraid for him when she called him to do her bidding.
I’ll have some more tomorrow, Joe. I’m actually reading the second book in the series now. LOL … I’m so curious about the White Rose, etc.
Trish in Texas
You are making me sad…Losing too many things this year. No more SGA, until the movies, and I’m watching the last game in Yankee Stadium as I type this.
Tracker was fantastic. Besides Broken Ties, its the epi I’ve been waiting for. And I loved it. I love that you guys introduced a bit of a love triangle this epi. the last scene with Ronon and McKay was fantastic. You were right when you talked about this epi months ago when you said that Ronon and McKay make a great team. There’s tons of little characters moments that were fantastic.
Those little moments are always the ones that I usually remember. I really can’t wait to meet David and Jason in November at the Burbank Convention..
Any behind the scenes funny stories that I could ask them about??
Holy heck Jewel Staite looks teh hotness with full blonde hair.
Great pics Joe!
Please pardon my second post Joe, I just wanted to chime back in and say that I agree with Gracey, the leitmotif/tag for Orlin and Sam is beautiful and heartbreaking! I would dearly love to see that on any of the Stargate CDs Mr. Goldsmith may produce in future. 😀
Thank you, Joe for the pics and recap of the party. Like others I’m wondering if Rachel, David H and Joe F were there, and if you got pics of them? Jason is one heck of a good looking man. Humina!
Thank you to the cast, production staff and crew for five fantastic years. I didn’t want to say that because it’s the same as goodbye…
Hey Joe.
Thanks for the photos. Here’s to 5 great and amazing years of Stargate Atlantis, as well as 10 years of SG1, as well as 2 great, and hopefully many more to come, Stargate DVDs.
Thanks Joe!
Hi Joe!
I’m glad the party was a success – mixed emotions for everyone I’m sure! I’m sure with the prospect of movies everyone must have felt a little better about leaving… not quite a goodbye but more of a see you soon?
Has the process begun to sign everyone for the DVD movies yet?
Nika
WOW. Apparently it’s not just the cast who’s ‘really, really, ridiculously good-looking'(I’m watching Zoolander, can you tell? I paraphrased a bit), it’s most of the crew as well!
Looks like a great party! Thanks for sharing with us!
Wow, the wrap party looks like it was fun! I’m glad I wasn’t there though, I probably would have yelled at the talkers to shut up and listen to you and Martin, and then I would’ve been glared at to the point of tears. -grins- I’m a loudmouth, I know.
Hey Joe,
Thanks for everything! I love the Stargate universe dearly but what really amazes me is that I love Atlantis and SG-1 individually not just as a part of the overall Stargate whole.
Atlantis did what, in my opinion, TNG, DS9, Voyager, and certainly Enterprise never did. You manage to be completely integrated and completely seperate at the same time. It’s actually magical.
You guys all rock! 🙂
Thanks for 5 years and the promise of movies to come!
John
Thanks for the pics and thanks (in advance) for including the video from the wrap party on the Season 5 DVD set.
But mostly thanks for 5 terrific years. In some ways, I feel like you were just getting started. I look forward to the movie(s).
PS Please continue with your blog!
After 5 incredible years, we need to adopt the Hawaiian way to describe the timing. We do not say good bye, but rather Alooooha to all of the cast, crew – all who made SGA a reality for us. This is not good bye, but, a wave at all until we meet again. Perhaps the next production, perhaps the miracle of reinstating SGA for another season, perhaps other productions. We have love and great regard for ALL OF YOU.
Mahalo and Aloooooha!
Thanks for sharing the lovely pics. It’s great to see so many who have helped make SGA such a fun and wonderful show to watch!
Looks like it was a fun time! You guys all deserve it!
Look forward to the movie!
for Joel Goldsmith-
not so much a question as a compliment. at the end of the episode “Broken Ties” is one of the most beautiful emotional pieces of music i’ve heard in some time. I d/loaded the epi, as i do for all of them from amazon as i havent cable, and i have watched that one episode over 10x. well, actually, i have watched the epi three times, all the rest i just jumped to 40 min and 57 sec to listen to the little snippet of music. please tell me that it is part of a larger piece that you intend to release at some later date? this one piece stands out for a few reasons. one of course is that it is so very moving. another is that there is no dialogue and your music carries all that is not said and can’t be said. and it leaves such a lasting impression/emotion for the ending.
i would like to say that i have noticed your music in all the other episodes, but i would be lying and i dont mean this to sound like some sort of criticism. i havent made special notice of the music very often and i actually think thats a compliment because i think that when an episode comes together and succeeds, one shouldnt notice one particular part of the whole while watching it. if all the parts come together, music, directing, cast , photography, acting,effects and such, and all i see is one great story while i am watching and am completely enthralled by that story, then this is an episode at its best. its like watching a movie and thinking, “Brad Pitt’s character does this, and then Brad Pitt’s character does that”. Did i notice the star, or did i watch this great story and it had this interesting character, and, oh, Brad Pitt played this guy really well. you play your part seamlessly, it fits snugly and makes everything else look (and sound) great. thanks.
Wow! Thanks for all the pics… and your speech made me laugh and cry…
But where are David H, Joe F, Rachel and Amanda? Is there going to be a part 2?
Thanks for 5 spectacular years of Atlantis!!
Thank you for 5 years of the best sci-fi on TV. I’ve been a fan since the 1st episode, and have only grown fonder of the show each season. To say I will miss it is an understatement and MGM and Sci-Fi have gotten my wrath in numerous letters.
Hi Joe:
Just saw Tracker on the Movie Channel. Please tell Carl Binder and his co teleplay writer, “Thanks for the Fort MacMurray Beavers.” All the fine folks from Fort Mac, Alberta will be thrilled.
So, does that mean that McKay’s family are from an Oil Town? Or did you use the name for another reason?
Patricia (AG)
Joe – thank you for your great posts and your thorough coverage of one of the greatest SciFi franchises ever to air on television. Here’s to hoping Stargate: Universe is just as incredible!
As for questions for Mr. Goldsmith…where to begin?
I am a composition student who is studying to work in film & telvevision music. Was there any particular time during your education that helped you decide A) your chosen career and B) how you’d go about getting started?
Your orchestrations for SGA & SG-1 are always quite well done as well – your use of choir textures, metallic percussion, and clarinet in particular always are fascinating to study. How much of the scores, when you’re writing them, do you have orchestrated in your head when you are composing – and how much do you end up having to orchestrate after you sketch out a cue?
And finally, is there any particular place of inspiration that new themes, new letimotifs, etc. spring from while working on a show? I know you have established themes – it seems like quite a challenge to compose new themes while still utilizing the previous ones.
Your work on these shows has been nothing but brilliant – from “Children of the Gods” all the way to Friday night’s episode of SGA. As a composer and a student, it is an honor to get the chance to hear from you. Keep up your magnificent work!
Joel Goldsmith:
The SGA theme tune is amazing – how did you come up with it and what were your concerns when writing it?
Hi Joe – sad to see all the final farewells for Atlantis recently. Question: will you have any pics from others for the Vegas shoot even though you won’t be there?
Questions for Joel Goldsmith! –
“Hey Mr.Goldsmith, I’m a classical piano major at the Manhattan School of Music. I’ve always loved what you’ve done on Stargate, especially the music of the last few years.
-When writing, do you think orchestrally (in terms of full orchestration) for your particular sound, or thematically (basing what you do on a theme you have in mind)?
-How would you describe the experience of working with full orchestra and chorus for ‘Ark of Truth’ and ‘Continuum’? How much preperation for the movies did you do?
-Could you describe your ideal working conditions? What time of day do you like to compose? Are there any habits/order of construction you prefer to use during composition?
-How far away is your studio from the production offices?
-What do you enjoy listening to for motivation? Are there any particular artists/composers you find particularly exciting?
-How often are you asked to revise your score for a particular episode? OR, how often do you find yourself recomposing sections of an episode after you’ve listened to the episode including your music?
-Have you been approached about writing the Stargate Universe theme? If yes, have you done any work on that yet?
Thanks much Mr.Goldsmith and Joe Mallozzi for taking the time to make this Q&A happen. Keep up the great work!
Joe, everyone looks dashing in their finery, but a few standout. Matt looks like Pierce Brosnan in his pic. Barry is so stylin’ I can hardly stand it. The Reservoir Dogs are on it. And Evil Kenny stopped my heart, he’s rockin’ it so hardcore.
The chocolate Atlantis is impressive. Truly amazing.
And, your speech was lovely, Joe.
But to echo a few other commenters here…where’s the pic of you in your dapper duds? 🙂
Love the pictures!
For Mr. Goldsmith:
Is their any particular reason for using “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” by Credence Clearwater Revival in the last episode of SG-1 (besides the fact that that scene is amazing w/ that song)?
I loved the music for “Ghost in the Machine!” That’s my favorite Stargate score to date…particularly the cue when they first find out that its Weir. Its so ethereal and sad. Absolutely amazing! Hoping to see you onboard for the SGA movie(s), and thank you for… wow… a ton of music between SG-1, the SG-1 movies, and SGA!
Joe, thanks for the memories. Thank you for the pics and all the updates as SGA comes to an end for now. Hope you had a wonderful time at the wrap party/100th episode celebration. It looks like fun was had by all. Loved the chocolate Atlantis. Yum!
For Mr. Goldsmith:
First, just a word to let you know how much I enjoy your scores. I recently purchased Continuum and play it continuousy whenever I am in my car. I just purchased Ark of Truth and Kull. Can’t wait for them to arrive. Also wanted to add a thanks for signing my copy of Continuum. It made my day. Babbled about it to all my friends.
Now for the questions: What has influenced and inspired you the most during your career? Was there a defining moment? What was your second career choice? Did you always want to compose? Who are your favorite composers? Favorite pieces? I love the musical scores of Conan the Barbarian and The Cowboys. Some of the first music I ever purchased. Glory was my first purchased CD. I’m a sucker for musical scores. I’ve come a long way from when I was 9, sitting in front of the TV with my little GE recorder, taping music and dialogue. I’d fall asleep to John Wayne almost every night. Now we have iTunes, Amazon and FreeClyde. Music at our fingertips. Thank goodness. By the way, who is Clyde? I’ve missed something.
Thank you for the music.
Joe,
Thanks for the info on the wrap party. If you did that well on the speech with the little preparation you had, imagine what it could have been like had you actually spent time writing it well in advance. 🙂
Questions/comments for Joel: When do you begin composing the music for an episode? How long do you have to compose the music for an episode before it needs to go back as a final mix? I’m sure as a composer that you are never completely satisfied with a piece, but is there any theme or piece of music that you would do over if given the chance? I really love and enjoy all the music that you have written for the Stargate franchise. I have the Atlantis soundtrack and the Ark of Truth soundtrack and will get the Continuum soundtrack as soon as my finances allow. Thank you for your contribution to the best science fiction franchise around, and thank you for taking time to answer all of our many and sometimes longwinded questions. 🙂
Joe, thank you.
Upon looking at the Atlantis in chocolate, I start to think, blue jello? Was it?
I wish you well on the luck of trying to find another show to write for after you pen the SGA movie. (And, perhaps if you can, try put in some of the references in that were edited out, perhaps the Michelle and Jeffrey turtles and maybe something even more.
I can’t wait for the SGA S5 boxset special features, was anyone else filming the Wrap Party?
(P.S. I might be replying under this name, or the familiar Eugene From Aus, since now I have my very own WordPress blog!)
Hi Joe,
*sigh*
If only it were just the Season 5 and not the series wrap party…sorry, but I continue to mourn.
Mourn…but perservere… 😉
It was great to see Amanda back again…could you clarify, please…you did say Sam’s *new* command, didn’t you? As in not something she’s done before? It’s a long way until January…some hint…please?!?
And a few questions for Joel Goldsmith:
First of all, I was honored to get one of your autographed Continuum albums…so I thank you very, very much! It’s one of my Stargate treasures!
Second…is it my imagination, or do I catch just a hint of a very minor key version of the Sam/Jack theme in “The Last of the System Lords” just at the point where Jack dies? Oh…and can I just say…”New Identities”…heart breaking!
Third…speaking of the Sam/Jack theme…are there any plans to release further collections of Stargate SG-1 music, and if so would you please consider including their theme? More SGA albums too!!! There’s 15 years of music we need to hear!
Finally, I can’t say how much I enjoy your music for both SG-1 and SGA…I’ve listened to the opening themes too many times to even count and yet I still get that excited tingle down my spine every single time. Brilliant. More, please!!!!!!
/fangurl
SBS
I thought your speech was beautiful! ^^
Wow, thank you for sharing. My mom has asked me to let you know that she’s very sorry you have lost your current job. Here’s to hoping you find plenty of enjoyable work in the near future!
And hey — if your party was today (the 21st), it was on my birthday!
I can’t get over how much the Telus TV cameraman looks like my dad!
Hope you’re well!
Thank you for a truly great scifi series!
Oh, fer the love of Beckett! Don’t they always tell ya ta be careful what ya say ’cause ya might have ta take it back? Aye, weel, I’ve gone and puit my foot in it now. Here I went prattling on as how I’d likely “forget myself” were I ever to meet the loverly Mr. McGillion — and he’s got himself a beautiful girl who is the love of his life. You can see it on their faces plain as day. The pair of them are lit up on the inside.
Am humbly beggin’ your pardon, ma’am! We lasses who love Beckett promise to ‘glow’ from afar, and watch everything he’s in, so he can bring home a good paycheck.
And sir, get off the dime, mon. You’ve been blessed and life is short… T’is all I’m sayin.’
Sigh… Here’s to hoping that one fine day someone will look at me like I’m their Christmas morning. And that we all find what they have…
I have tissues littered across my bed… not from crying you see, it would appear I have a cold.
Lovely pictures! And lovely speech. It’s really nice to be able to see everyone happy! And with their partners, who are as beautiful as they are =]
I love that the first comment is from Ivon. I’ve always managed to miss or glaze over comments by your fellow crew members before. Now I can proudly say, I spotted one! SEE! 😀
Hi, Joe.
Thank you for all the lovely photos.
Thank YOU and everyone at Stargate for all their hard work, and for all the terrific entertainment!
Looking forward to MORE entertainment, Stargate style!
Best wishes to everyone on your future endeavors.
Morjana
Happy to see the wrap party was a celebration of the show. Still sad though.
I have a few of questions for Joel Goldsmith:
I have collected soundtracks since the ‘60’s, and have many of your father’s works, which I dearly love. What I find astounding with your music is how much emotion you can create for such short scenes. How much did your father’s work influence you? How is the challenge for you different from TV to film? Will you be putting out a physical cd collection of your scores?
Joe, having been wraithed at work (doubled workload is sucking the life out of me), I haven’t been to keep up with all the great Q&A’s. But I did finally get to read Mika McKinnon’s comments. I had no idea she is studying geophysics, otherwise I would have had a bunch of questions. Anyway, it was terrific to read about how much fun she has on the show, and her love for science.
And I was glad to see her recommendation of John Clague’s book “Vancouver, City on the Edge”. He’s great at explaining the how’s and why’s of Vancouver geology. And hopefully everyone who reads it will take his warnings to heart.
Just to say THANK YOU Mr M for the smashing picture of Jason!hugsx
Aww. It’s so nice to be able to see everyone’s significant others: the ones who put up with the craziness so that their loved ones can give us a great show.
And a lovely speech. I hope Krista is able to overcome her OCD, someday….
Mornin’, Joe..
And it looks as if you all had a ball over the weekend. Was that Bob in a hat? I’m not gonna ask if he wore that of his own free will, or if someone got Jason to sit on him whilst it was nailed in situ.. That’d take all the fun out’ve my wildly racing imagination.
I’m presuming that Joe F couldn’t make it cos of the ‘Vegas’ shoot this coming week. But what about Rachel and David H? T’was a pity not to see them.. And it didn’t go unnoticed that you seem to have developed an oversensitivity to cameras too.
We wants piccies, Precious. We wants them
Soo… who got first dibs on the chocolate Atlantis? And *which* hungry muffin ate the Control Tower and Stargate?
Question for Joel too, whilst i’m flinging them around:
Joel, the scores for both Stargate: SG1 and Stargate: Atlantis are iconic within the scifi genre. When you sit down to compose something like that from scratch, where on earth do you start from? Is it a long sit-in with the Writers/Producers to get the whole ‘vibe’ they’re looking for, or do you look at other similar shows and listen to the feel of their scores before putting ink to paper?
Dear Joe,
Please Please answer these questions:
1. We found out in season 1 that there were 60 Hive ships or more in the Pegasus galaxy, now with so much that has transpired ( Our team taking out a few, the wraith civil war, the asuran-wraith war) approximately how much do you think are still out there and will it be adressed in one the season 5 episodes?
2. The season 4 episode harmony makay said that hes been looking for that place for months because it was where the ancients first developed drone technology. Well since the ancients didint go to the pegasus galaxy untill the whole plague thing that would mean that when they left earth, the outpost didint have any drones there and they didn’t develop drone technology until they got to Pegasus. Well if that is indeed true, then why would the ancients make thousands of drones when they got back?
3.What ever happened to the other three planets from Weir’s list in the episode Before I slept containing ZPMs?
thnxs in advance
Hi again Mr M!!
Wow, looks like you guys had a great time at the Wrap Party!! Who was responsible for the Chocolate Atltanis? FAB!!
Everyone was really turned out in their finery!! Thank you very much for sharing with us what is essentially an “inhouse” party.
Question for Mr Goldsmith:
Thank you so much for such terrific music!! I have always thought of you as the 5th member of SG1. Can you handle a P90? Seriously though, my question is this: Is any of the beautiful music you write available in sheet form (particularly for piano)? I presume that you are writing for SGU? Can we expect variations on a theme or will you start from scratch?
Thank you!
Shirt’n’Tie
Lovely speech Joe. Just imagine what you could have said had you had a third dry cleaning receipt?!
Thank you for the pics, and the write up, and for bringing us 5 great years of Atlantis.
“Tracker” was freaking great! The entire Ronon/Rodney exchange was just awesome. And it was good to see Jewel kick a little ass.
And I’ve got to say it O’Neill style: Jewel…what’s with the hair?
Sleeping in today Joe?
Question for Mr. Goldsmith: I absolutely love “Beyond the Night”. Were you asked to write the lyrics & compose the music, or were you give the lyrics and told to run with it? Did you write it knowing that Rachael L. was going to sing it or was that decided later? And lastly, is there anyway to purchase the sheet music for it? Thanks for all the beautiful music on SG1 & SGA. Without it, the shows would be, well, they just wouldn’t be the same.
Thanks for the pics of the party, very nice
Question(s) for Joel: Whenever I rewatch early episodes (not just of Stargate but also of other series) the music seems quite overpowering and “in your face”, like the composer was asked to make sure that the important points were emphasised. In later series the music is much more subtle. Is this a general direction from above? and something you have noticed for other series? How do you see that your method has changed over the years composing for Stargate?
Thanks
Rich
Thanks for all the great pictures. I’ll take anything that can be added to make the s5 DVD set better. Including that Joe F profile.
Tracker = The R&R Show in full flight! I like those 2 together because they are so opposite and have so much to learn from each other, all their scenes were great! Especially the final. Individually great too. Pretty cool episode because of the runner Kirk, er, KIRYK, liked him a whole lot. Loved the action and transporter doohickey he had. Would like to see him again but I guess that’s impossible now. Keller, glad to see her finally be competent, hope this characterization continues, if so I may not mind her so much. Felt sorry for the kid- abandoned twice. And Rodney strikes out with another kid haha. Since he’s the one good with kids I’m sure Sheppard stepped in further til she went to her new home. Liked this ep better than I thought I would, mostly because Keller didn’t drag it down.
The next two episodes are MOST ANTICIPATED cause here comes Jackson!!! Before SGA Daniel was my fave, because of him Atlantis was found.
DD
Hi Joseph – it was suggested by one of my readers that I get in touch with you. Can’t find a way to do it other than this! Please could you let me know how to reach you? This particular reader believes you may enjoy my books. Hope to hear back from you sometime. Thanks! Kit
Thanks so much for the pics of the party! Where were the rest of the F.A.R.T.? Camera shy? Didn’t you have anyone take a pic of you? Would love to see more photos if you have them! & thanks for including your speech too 🙂 I hope Krista was listening!
Hi Mr M.,
thank you so much for the wonderful photos. It looks like it was one hell of a party. 🙂 Hope you enjoyed it after the duty-speech part was over.
I know you’ve heard and read it numerous times by now – but some things can’t be said too often:
Thank you everyone involved, for 5 great years!
For Mr Goldsmith: I’ll just add my comments to what’s already been said: You gave us some incredible musical scores without which SGA would have been so much poorer ( I was one of those who saw the season 4 eps without music etc…..*G* It was funny, in every sense of the word.) Thank you very much for always finding exactly the right sound to complement what was being played out on screen.
My question is (another repeat, I know *sigh* I can’t be original today, it seems. :)): Will we, please, get another SGA CD which includes that absolutely wonderful, heartbreaking score from the end of Broken Ties? Please?
Thanks again.
Bruni
Time to hand out a few awards:
The GQ Award goes to…..Alan ‘Toby’ McCullough – ah, a nice pin stripe……hmmmmm
The Honorary Aussie Award goes to Mark Savela – I swear that shot could be taken in any pub here.
The I Spent Hours To Get My Hair Like Joe Flanigan Award goes to Matt – awesome attempt man
The I Can Make A Simple White Shirt Look Hot Award goes to Mr Kavan Smith – Wow! If only you could have gotten a photo of Kavan and Jason together. Maybe arm wrestling.
The Nutrasweet Cutest Couple Award goes to Ivon and Kate – **sighs**
The Most in Need of Acknowledgement of Supreme Awesomeness Award is a tie between The Model Shop and Joe Flanigan, David Hewlett, Rachel Luttrell and Jason Momoa. You all rock!
The Invisible Man Award goes to Joseph Mallozzi. What, no mug shots or anything? How do we know you didn’t turn up in jeans and a t-shirt?
Now the serious bit:
Thanks to every single person that spent countless hours at work so I could park myself on the couch and laugh, cry, and get swept up in the action and intelligent stories. It’s not just the best SciFi show, Stargate Atlantis is THE best thing on TV.
Cheers, Chev
Joe,
Thanks for the pics, it looks like everyone had a great time.
Question for Mr. Goldsmith,
When you are putting together a piece of music, do you get with the writers who explain what will happen in a scene or do you see the film be fore composing? I, like many others think you are brilliant and stargate wouldn’t be the same without your talent. Thank you for your time and you talent
Hi Joe – Thanks for the commentary and all of the great photographs. Like previous comments, would love to see any pics you have of Rachel, Amanda, David and Joe F. – did they attend? Where are you in this montage?
Thank you for 5 great years. I feel worse about SGA ending than the billions my company lost last year (subprime mortgage lending).
My thanks to a wonderful cast – you were all brilliant and deserve an individual Emmy. To the crew and staff – without your dedication and professionalism, this would still be a concept on paper. To the writers – you made fantasy into reality. To the producers and directors – you’re awesome
If I forgot anyone – thank you – thank you – thank you – for 5 entertaining, thoughtful and fun years.
To SciFi and MGM – I believe you all need intensive psychiatric therapy and a course in customer service (e.g. trusting your customers and giving the customer what they want).
Thanks Joe – It was a great run that still had years and stories to go!
Comment for Mr. Goldsmith – You use music to create images in the same way the great masters used their paint brushes! Many, many thanks.
…. and there’s cake!
Wonderful shots, thank you.
Hi Mr. Mallozzi, thanks for the pics, but where are Messrs. Hewlett and Flanigan? Love the cake!
To Mr. Goldsmith: Will you be composing the music for SGU? The theme to Atlantis is really amazing, and I’ve wondered for a while where you got your inspiration for it. It gives me the chills and make me think of what I would have felt had I seen Atlantis. I was initially hooked on Atlantis by the scenery and music in the opening of Rising Part 1. Thank you so much for all of it!
Deni B.
Thanks for all the great shots!!!
Were David, Joe and Rachel being Camera Shy? That is understandable. David said on his Twitter that he had quite the hangover. ; )
In case any of you are job hunting here is the perfect opportunity. Are you sure you didn’t post it? LOL!!!!!
http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/ldn/783766933.html
Hi Joe,
the Atlantis cake looked so awesome!!!! I would love to order something like that for my big 100th ep/last episode party that i will be hosting at my home.
i have a question or two for the wonderful joel goldsmith
Mr. Goldsmith, thank you so much for all the wonderful music that you add to all the shows. Thanks also for finding away to get Ark of Truth and Continuum soundtracks out on CD’s. They are absolutely awesome! I love Endless Horizons and New Identities!
I was wondering, since both shows have wrapped up, is there anyway of releasing some of the old music on a soundtrack or mp3 download???? I think you have produced some of the most beautiful music ever for a tv series.
keep up the great work, and hopefully looking forward to seeing your involvement in Stargate Universe!!!!
BN
Coucou Joseph!
Ahhhhhhh O_O Trop bien ces photos! Merci beaucoup, beaucoup!
Alalal une page ce tourne, heureusement qu’il y’a encore le film et jespert que vous ferez partie de l’aventure SGU.
S’il vous plait donner moi une adresse où je puisse vous écrire???!!
Bisou Bisou, je vous adore!
I still haven’t seen “The Queen” or “Tracker” thanks to family visits, and it’s driving me crazy! I have to work the next three nights in a row, so we’ve laid down the law. Thursday night, no matter what, it’s Atlantis night! I’ve got to catch up before someone starts telling me what happened!
On a positive note, however, my sister and I have discovered that our future selves have already been portrayed on film! We ARE “the aunts” from Practical Magic, right down to the Midnight Margaritas! Unlike Fran and Jet, though, we do have men in our lives–who hide in the other room when we get in THAT frame of mind. They seem to think we’re a little crazy…
For those of you concerned, yes DH and JF were there.
For a very short time there were photos up on someones livejournal with those two, including Jason, Paul(s), and others, mostly several sheets to the wind…
They were quickly taken down, as for some reason the poster didn’t realize that if you put something like that out publicly on the ‘net, others who were never intended to see them do – and spread them around!
Warning to would-be photo posters.
WOW!!! One hundred episodes of SGA. Quite the milestone! Wish there could have been 100 more, but life, and production goes on. Can’t wait for the movies! Best to you…Susie
It’s hard to believe that it is all over. Thank you for giving us five years of amazing stories and bringing them to life.
And it looks like it was quite a cake! “Thanks for the memories…” I’ve enjoyed all 5 seasons of SGA and look forward to as many movies as you can make for us the viewing public! Now it’s off with the cast to find new shows for us to see them in and to enjoy again. And off with you and Paul to writing the first movie for us to watch in 2009 (hopefully not too late in 09).
On a bit of a down note, SciFi has taken Atlantis off in the afternoons now and replaced it with Enterprise (yes, I like it too but it’s not SGA). Just feels like they are taking it away in as many places as possible right now.:-(
Thanks for showing us the photos Joe. Love them.
Looks like a great party, some looking more wasted than others. 🙂
Kavan’s looking drop dead gorgeous as usual.
I refuse to mourn as I have another 15 episodes to go of Season 5. Then there’s the movie. Right?
Wow, it’s over. It’s really over. I’m glad we still have the rest of the season to watch, and then hopefully more than one movie. I know the cast will move on to other gigs and I’ll look forward to seeing them all in whatever they do, but I’m really really gonna miss the Team. I’m mourning John Sheppard, Rodney McKay, Ronon Dex and Teyla Emmagan. It just won’t be the same not seeing them all together.
I also want to say thanks for the set tours – I had the pleasure of visiting the set in June 2007 and meeting Joe, David, Jason and Rachel, as well as Martin G, Carl Binder and Andy Mikita. I’m glad I’ll always have those memories to go with my DVD collection 🙂
Thanks for keeping us all posted and including the fans in your world!
Marla
Joe- Thanks for all the pictures and the re-cap of your speech, it was great!!!
For Mr. Goldsmith:
When you don’t have a budget for a full orchestra what instruments do you have available? Or is it all synthesized? Thanks! (Sorry if this has already been asked).
Bethella
Hey Mr. Mallozzi,
So sad to see it go, but looks like you guys all had a great time. Did the chocolate Atlantis taste as good as it looked?
Finally, an blog with Mr. Goldsmith! Here’s my questions and compliments…
1) Rather surprised someone hasn’t made an unofficial site for you. Personally, I enjoy your work on the show, and can think of about ten scenes off the top of my head where the music helps to make or break a scene.
2) Was there ever any scene where you really struggled to get the synchronization right? And do often find yourself adding or cutting pieces in order to fit the time limit?
3)I know you use the Apogee Symphony System, but what DAW application do you use ?
4) What do you see as the major difference between your work on SG-1 and your work on Atlantis?
5) What was your inspiration for the piece Teyla sang in “Critical Mass”?
looks like you where all having a great time. Although i thought you would have had more pics of the cast to show us… are you holding out on us by chance…..??
*whispers* Morning Joe.
I tried to be brief yesterday, but filed, so I wont promise that again today.
Re: photos of DH & JF – as above (altho we shouldn’t be so surprised about no pics of JF, as you haven’t posted any all year, as per his request)
Re: photos posted: thanks
Many, many thanks and {{{{HUGS}}}} to all the cast and crew. Atlantis is the ONLY series that I have LOVED every episode (altho some more than others), and the only show stay home for and that I turn down invitations for ANYTHING.
On the bright side – well for me anyway – is that I am still deep in Season 4; due to programming on our TV channels and so I still have 1 season to go. YAY me!!!
Marian
AngelB said: They (the photos) were quickly taken down, as for some reason the poster didn’t realize that if you put something like that out publicly on the ‘net, others who were never intended to see them do – and spread them around!
ROTFLMAO!! now there’s a Homer Simpson moment!! Doh! How could anyone forget that!!!
Random inappropriate question:
Way back when the network made you change the title of Red Shirt Diaries – was that because it’s similarity to Red Shoe Diaries?
I like the way it plays on different levels. Red Shirt Diaries in geekdom probably implies it’s a story focused on the lower tier officers; something like Lower Decks in TNG.
But the title’s semblance to the film series of David Duchovny’s would add a whole different element to the plot which, if intentional, could be playful fun for a writer and at the same time would be uncomfortable to a network’s marketing team. so, I was just curious.
I’m very sad to see the show leaving it’s current incarnation.
Hello Joe!
Many thanks for the party pics! It’s lovely to see everyone together, having fun after all the hard work, sad about the occasion. Bittersweet.
Love Bob Picardo and the hat! It makes me wish I could wolf whistle. Although since it is 22.30 on Monday night here it would be way too late! Where is the time travelling stargate when you need it?
I’d like to say a great huge thank you to Joel Goldsmith for the wonder that is his music. SGA would be diminished without it. Truly, because you add context and subtext and another dimension to each scene. My favourite is the piece I call “Carter’s Last Stand” in Last Man, where she takes out a couple of hives in her final battle. It amazes me how that bit of music says more than words could say and says it better. It haunts me. In a good way. In a hair-rising-in-the-back-of-the-neck way! Would you please ever consider making a compilation CD of all the themes you created for the show over the 5 years? Maybe a couple of CDs then? Or even a boxset? Please? Please with chocolate on top?
I’ll swim across the Atlantic with a crate of chocolate!
Thanks Joel for taking the time to answer our questions and I wish you the very best in your future (It’s all very selfish, because I want to keep listening to your music!)
Charlie loves Stargate. The pup has only been in my house 4 days and he’s already fascinated with the sight of the whooshing stargate on the tv screen! Now we really need a 6th season. No one would be so hard hearted as to deprive a puppy, would they?
Instead of sending lemons, I’m going to send pics of my crying puppy.
Thanks Joe!
Hi, Joe, we, SJ shippers, were discussing the use of the Arthurian myths in S9-10 especially in “The Quest” in which Merlin says Cam was Percival, Sam Guinevere, Baa’l Mordred, Daniel Galahad, and we were wondering where does Jack git in this? Any suggestions since you wrote “The Quest”? Also any news on the SG-1 movie: is it still on?
Cheers!
Hi Joe, sorry for the double post, but I forgot my question for Joel Goldsmith.
Mr Goldsmith, what training have you under taken in your career in music??
I ask because my Dad was a musician in the Army. Me?? I can only read 5 notes!! But I played a mean descant recorder at school – but not well enough to have been chosen for the school orchestra, so auditioned for the school choir and won a place. Our music teacher said that as far as she was concerned the voice was an instrument too. Quite a bold statement to make in 1968!!
Mr. Goldsmith,
Thank you so much for the beautiful music. You’ve added so much to our enjoyment of this fantastic series. My question: Would you please tell us what words the choir sings in the theme song?
Anne Teldy
I know David Hewlett was there did you not get any pictures of him?
Congrats on 100 episodes!
(would write more but a little wraith is trying to blast it’s way out of my skull atm …ow)
Looks like you guys totally had a blast. Its good that SGA was recognised by the studio for its contribution.
Now in regards to the SGU thing, i thought i would reflect a, probably small per cent of the thoughts of us over in blighty about what we believe it may be. Now i have to say that most of the comments i made in the forum were before i read your thoughts on the upcoming series, so even though i have a little more faith in it, i can not ignore that you mentioned that you and Paul may only have limited involvement has worried me slightly. Anyway, i dont know if this will pass the mediators, but just thought i would palce the link incase you were interested about the concerns we have on this side of the pond.
http://forum.sfx.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=1222365#1222365
Why no piccys of David Hewlett or Joe F? *pouts*
everyone looks so..oceans eleven!!!!
please say you wore a cape and had a silver topped walking stick.!!!
Note to self:
If I ever hold a TV-series wrap party, I will INSIST that the sponsoring studio hire pro or semi-pro scifi convention organizers (Dragon*Con/DCI, Inc., Gatecon LLC, Creation Entertainment).
The scifi con planners seem to get the equipment right, oh, 90% of the time.
They also know better than to plan alternate, major-draw activities during the speechifying…*heeheehee*
QUOTE:
One third of the crowd stopping to listen while the other two-thirds parties on loudly in the back
(…)
A lesson in proper microphone handling would have probably served me well since the suggestion that “It’s a really good mic so you don’t have to hold it right up to your mouth.” was a bald-faced lie.
(…)
I turned the stage over to Marty G. who introduced the touching series video tribute he and Ryan had put together. Unfortunately, the screens were too small, the sound too low, and, like I said, two-thirds of the attendees barely noticed.
END QUOTE
Just FYI – I noticed the Amazon download of Tracker came with the normal intro instead of the shortened one aired on SciFi. I expect the DVDs will come out with the full intro as well.
Thanks for the pictures Joe. Glad to see that you were all having a great time. Good luck to your future.
Are you still excepting questions for Carl Binder? If so here are mine.
Carl Binder: First, thanks for all your wonderful stories on SG1 and SGA. Out of all your stories Tracker is my favorite.
I just realized that you were Executive Producer and Writer for Mysterious Ways and Dr.Quinn Medicine Woman. How different was it for you to go from writing a time period piece like Dr.Quinn to something like SG1 and SGA that takes place in Space?
My husband and I watched Mysterious Ways all the time. I also watched Dr.Quinn. I also noticed you wrote some of the episodes of Friday 13th: The Series as well. And yes believe or not I watched Friday 13th: The Series. Yes, I am admitting that. So the five series you either wrote or were executive producer that is listed on IMDB I watched.
Joe Flanigan
David Hewlett
Jason Momoa
Rachel Lutterl
Paul McGillion
Torri Higgison
Jewel Staite
Robert Picardo
Amanda Tapping
Katie Hewlett
Chris Heydrehl
Kavan Smith
David Nykll
Joe Mallozzi
Paul Mullie
Carl Binder
Martin Gero
Alan Mc
Chuck Campbell
Sharon Taylor
Andy Mikita
Will Warring
Joel Goldsmith
Opening Credits actually aired
Crew and Cast not mentioned
Another Season
To keep fans loyal: PRICELESS!
Will the Atlantis movie wrap up the wraith storyline?When will the members of the production who were at Vegas be finished with their filming?I hope that you will answer my questions and thank you for great work on this blog.
Dear Joe,
I’m sure you’re getting hundreds of questions about SGU (I missed the big casting announcement due to the great midwestern hurricane that knocked out power for a week!).
In any case, do ou know if Skeet Ulrich’s name is in the running for the lead? Some of us were discussing casting possibilities on GW and his name came up. I thought he did a wonderful job on “Jericho”.
You probably are not allowed to even hint at that sort of thing yet, but I hope we hear something soon. There is some apprehension, to say the least, over at GW (understandably it does seem quite different) but I’m very optimistic. The SG world does need a little shake up, I just hope it doesn’t lose that classic action/family show type feel.
Grittier, darker shows are fine (such as BSG), but I always liked seeing something dif in SG-1. Do you know if SGU will continue in that vein at all?
Thanks so much for answering,
Royal
Well, that is one fine looking group of people you’ve got there. And talented, as well. What are the odds? Seriously, you all rock so hard.
Joe, thank you and everyone else for a great show!
For Mr. Goldsmith–
Hello! To be quite honest, you are a bit of an idol of mine. I’m a music composition major at Missouri State University, and a secret little part of me has always fancied myself your successor in the Stargate franchise! Your work, and your dads, are my primary inspiration. I haven’t quite gotten to orchestral arrangements yet, but I’ve done small ensemble pieces.
I don’t have a specific question; I was just wondering what advice you have for a comp student? Thanks a bunch! If you ever see a poster on your FreeClyde message boards called Furling Hornist, that’s me.
Thanks for the pictures. Everyone looks so shiny! 😀
For the incredible Joel Goldsmith:
Once upon a time, I used to think that the opening credits to SG-1 couldn’t be outdone. Then, of course, you had to score the SGA credits which, combined with the visuals of a rising city, get to me Every. Single. Time. The only good thing about that is I don’t have to feel I’m being unfaithful to one composer over another, lol.
What amazes me is how quickly (ONLY two notes) you can establish emotional impact: my faves are heroic McKay on the steps in Doppelganger, S4x04; Sheppard’s conflicted “I’m sorry” in Miller’s Crossing, S4x09. I also loved the piece you wrote for the ending of Broken Ties, S5x03; it’s not often we get to hear intentional music, rather than a soundtrack. And, yes, please, a CD of SGA themes would be a wonderful memory of five fantastic years in conjunction with your expressive and impressive contribution to the series.
My question to you is about your particular method of scoring each episode. Do you have a set deadline for each episode and are they all the same? How long does it take on average to score one episode? Do you compose in a linear fashion following the action on the screen or do you do it out of order, with all the scenes as discrete segments?
Again, my thanks and utmost respect.
Looks like a schwankin’ party! I’m sure lots of excellent food, fine wine, congratulations etc. And a great way to end off a fabulous five years. Though, like pictures of people you don’t know or recognize (I think there were a handful of people from the cast I recognized) one tends to think: “great party…. 🙂 🙂 (a tiny polite shrug)”
I remember a few months back you were talking about “the pulse of the fans” (or I think Das brought that up) I think I said (if my memory serves me correctly, and am too lazy to go back and look)” ‘sample’ audiences are not necessarily an accurate reflection of the ‘fans’ of a particular show.” I think you thought that made sense. Any you hoo, the gals and I had a chat at the WDC, which I think you might find useful. We tend to be a rather vocal bunch, but I’m sure if WE think “the following” there’s probably plenty more SGA fans that do as well.
I think you’ll find it an interesting discussion; it was primarily between me, Das and Laura Dove.
And the topic is….guess:
The Wraith Oooooo
Oh, to let you know, this is a bit of a long discussion so I’ll post it in several sections. obviously, you might find it too much for this blog in terms of space (or perhaps content). But I’m posting it because I thought you might find it helpful.
Part I
DAS Posts:
Originally Posted by Wraith Cake
Quote: WK
I just watched Tracker
I kind of enjoyed it. I liked the wraith being vicious. I think I would have preferred fewer of them and that they were stronger and little more difficult to kill. You don’t want your bad guys to be too one dimensional, it takes away from the thrill of the chase. Also, (I know this sounds vicious) but I would have liked to have seen the child really threatened by them, and they got distracted rather than coming in curious and Keller stick-pinning one. Rather dull. If the wraith are to be brutal, make them brutal–bring it on! Imply raping the villagers, physically eating them while they’re being fed on, ripping their limbs off. So far, they just look like goolie Marilyn Mason drones with a touchy-touchy, feely-feely tendency. Make them vicious, blades for nails.
End Quote.
Das: *blinks*
Okay – are you being facetious? If not, I’m gonna disagree here somewhat. I would have liked to see the Wraith more vicious, harder to kill – yes. But not with the raping and eating the flesh of their victims – that’s Resident Evil zombies, not Wraith. And I wouldn’t have liked to see the child really threatened, either, simply because I do NOT want the Wraith reduced to monsters…not now. If they were going to go that route, then they should have done it in S1 – left the Wraith silent and brutal, and never introduced Steve or Shawn or Michael or Todd, and never let us feel sympathy towards them or get attached in any way. But they didn’t, and they have shown us a different side to the Wraith, and they have made us love them.
I could not love flesh-eating, child-raping, body-dismembering zombie-Wraith. But I can absolutely ADORE hungry bugs storing up food for winter. One is done out of sheer blood-lust, the other out of a need to survive. The latter has been established, and I don’t want that changed.
WK Quote:
Me, I’m not up for the “I’m gonna look dangerous with my snarl and my tattoos and my scars and my piercings and my large biceps and, and, and. But really I drop like a fly when a child hits me.” I would like to see them as we’ve seen them, attractive but vicious.
End Quote
Das:
LOL…well, when you put it like that…
Thing is, they are vicious – I think that translates well onto the screen – it’s their vulnerability that I have a problem with. They’re vicious, but they’re only a real threat if you can’t kill them so easily. The two need to be combined, but without making them mindless.
See – I saw the Wraith in this episode as vicious – swarming in to kill their prey. However, they came across as a bit unskilled in their hunting tactics, which just should NOT be – they should not be so easily ambushed – and that made them look a tad stupid. They also were too easily taken down, which – no matter how vicious they were – didn’t make them a real threat.
BTW – who was the first one – the one who chased Rodney? He looked familiar – was it Bam Bam, Jeff, or someone else? It’s really bugging me. He was really hot, too. ops:
das
Part II My(WK) Response
Quote:
Das writes
BTW – who was the first one – the one who chased Rodney? He looked familiar – was it Bam Bam, Jeff, or someone else? It’s really bugging me. He was really hot, too. ops:
das
End Quote.
WK
Quote:
That’s a good question. I don’t know who that was. Hmmmm. gonna “bug” me too.
End Quote.
Quote:
Das writes
LOL…well, when you put it like that…
Thing is, they are vicious – I think that translates well onto the screen – it’s their vulnerability that I have a problem with. They’re vicious… but without making them mindless.
See – I saw the Wraith in this episode as vicious – …NOT be – they should not be so easily ambushed – and that made them look a tad stupid… didn’t make them a real threat.
End Quote.
WK Quote:
Exactly,
aren’t they suppose to be as good at tracking runners as runners are at running? Duh! They were portrayed as a little hapless. Not really frightening.
Quote:
Das writes
Okay – are you being facetious? If not, I’m gonna disagree here somewhat. I would have liked to see the Wraith more vicious, harder to kill – yes. But not with the raping and eating the flesh of their victims – that’s Resident Evil zombies, not Wraith. And I wouldn’t have liked to see the child really threatened, either, simply because I do NOT want the Wraith reduced to monsters…not now.
End Quote.
Quote:
WK
Well…
they ARE monsters. This fits in with my world view of them, and I think where we’ve always agreed to disagree. As you know, I’ve always seen them as people with buggy benefits: thinking, talking, walking, complex beings who have a cultural belief in brutality–it’s not inherent i.e. Elia. And think of what Todd said, “our culture is not like your culture”. It’s not innate. Lions, Tigers, Great White Sharks are fierce but they’re not mysterious–we know what they’re about, and keep a healthy respect for them. In other words, they’re not evil. A being with “Person hood”, on the other hand, has the ability to stare into the abyss with conscious choice. The wraith will always be mysterious because they, as a culture, embrace evil–they believe it is powerful, otherwise why have such rigid short term thinking? And evil is always incomprehensible to a certain extent: because essentially It Is chaos–disorder, anarchy. So, if they are the messengers of chaos, then this is exactly what they need to be. I want to see the reason why they are so feared, and not simply because they feed on people. This is why it is so beautiful and so sweet, when they “choose” not to be. Think: the vikings were exactly like this (brutal, brutal) and there is a great deal of history looking back at them romantically.
End Quote.
Quote:
Das Writes
If they were going to go that route, then they should have done it in S1 – left the Wraith silent and brutal, and never introduced Steve or Shawn or Michael or Todd, and never let us feel sympathy towards them or get attached in any way. But they didn’t, and they have shown us a different side to the Wraith, and they have made us love them.
End Quote.
Quote: WK.
Nahhhh… I don’t love them because I believe they are ruled by their instincts and therefore cannot help what they do!–nah. They’re not ruled by their instinct any more than people are “ruled” by instincts. Sure they have them, but they’re not slaves to their compulsions–they’re in COMPLETE control, and this is exactly how they like it. At times it may be difficult (like with those who go on hunger strikes), and like Todd who resisted feeding on Sheppard many times, even when he stood nothing to gain. No, the wraith are conscience aware, sentient “people” who are in complete control of their choices. And therefore, are completely responsible for the choices they make.
End Quote.
Quote: Das
I could not love flesh-eating, child-raping, body-dismembering zombie-Wraith. But I can absolutely ADORE hungry bugs storing up food for winter. One is done out of sheer blood-lust, the other out of a need to survive. The latter has been established, and I don’t want that changed.
End Quote.
Quote: WK
You don’t think the wraith have blood lust? They have blood lust. A great deal of blood lust. Why would the “conscience” driven Lantians, i.e. Tayla say in the Queen “The wraith may not be worth our consideration…” If they were “victims” e.g. not in control of their choices? To take away their control of choice is to take away their “power” to make those choices. It is to make them victims. And the only victims I see for the wraith, are the wraith themselves–their brutal culture will destroy them. Which it’s already doing.
The beauty I see is not in their brutality, obviously. Though, I’ve always found that struggle within any people fascinating: the struggle for the conscience to over come the culture. There are many examples in our own societies. Those who went against society, though certain culturally sanctioned acts of brutality were the norm.
So, if the wraith are going to be evil, let’s seem them evil, brutally, reprehensibly, despicably evil–void of all reason, evil. Yes bring this on.
WK
End Quote.
Part II
Das Responds:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wraith Cake View Post
Well…
they ARE monsters. This fits in with my world view of them, and I think where we’ve always agreed to disagree….
So, if the wraith are going to be evil, let’s seem them evil, brutally, reprehensibly, despicably evil–void of all reason, evil. Yes bring this on.
WK End Quote.
Quote:
Das writes:
Yes, we will have to agree to disagree. I accept what the show has revealed – that they are controlled by their instincts, like animals. True, they can make certain choices (which is nice), but both Micheal and Ellia were used to show that the Wraith are driven by an instinctive NEED to feed.
Can they find another way? Perhaps. Right now – this is the way they know, and accept because it is of most benefit to them, just as we choose to eat foods that are of most benefit to us. And I do not see them as ’embracing evil’, or evil in any way (though an individual my prove to be evil, but not their society as a whole). But then again, I see them as bugs who have taken on human characteristics, not the other way around, as you do. Bugs governed by a different moral and social code. Bugs with different rules. I thought The Queen made that quite clear – it has nothing to do with choosing to be ‘evil’, but by having a different view of life, based on their biology and heritage.
Again – I see them as closer to animals/insects in their instincts and their social structure. This is the way things are for them – always have been for them. It’s not evil, because it’s not based on human morality. Todd is just learning about human morality…it’s new to him. Perhaps it will make him different, who knows. But much of what humans are about is so very foreign to the Wraith, it will take time. Just because they haven’t embraced human morality doesn’t make them evil – they are not human, as is evident by their disdainful use of the word at times.
They are not unlike Klingons, who – though a brutal society – were not evil. They were also not human, despite having human characteristics. They were – like the Wraith – a culture ruled by a different code of honor and morality, just like the Wraith. Not evil – not vicious for the sake of being vicious – but different, based on their society.
I prefer not to compare the Wraith to past human cultures, since – again – they are not human. It makes more sense to me to compare them to animals or insects, since that is where they came from. Bugs – big, beautiful bugs that, through natural selection, took on the best physical attributes humans had to offer. But MENTALLY, they are still bugs.
And bugs, even spiders *shudder*, are not evil.
So, yeah – we will have to agree to disagree on this one.
das
__________________
Part IV
Laura Dove
Quote:
Originally Posted by dasNdanger View Post
Yes, we will have to agree to disagree. I accept what the show has revealed – that they are controlled by their instincts, like animals. True, they can make certain choices (which is nice), but both Micheal and Ellia were used to show that the Wraith are driven by an instinctive NEED to feed.
[…] End Quote.
Quote: Das
I prefer not to compare the Wraith to past human cultures, since – again – they are not human. It makes more sense to me to compare them to animals or insects, since that is where they came from. Bugs – big, beautiful bugs that, through natural selection, took on the best physical attributes humans had to offer. But MENTALLY, they are still bugs.End Quote.
Quote: LD
My vision is closer to Wraith Cake’s: To me, it’s rather obvious that Wraith are as animal as we humans are — no more, no less. Ellia proved that they are not controlled by their instincts, or she would have fed on her father and killed him long before HE had to tell her to do it. Todd, while starving, was able to stop feeding on Sheppard, not once, but twice.
Yes, wraith do feel the urge, the instinct to feed, which seems stronger than a human hunger. And yet, even humans resort to killing and eating each other when faced with starvation. Although we fantasise being “pure” and detached from our instincts, the truth is we are not. It’s just that we live in a comfortable enough environment for us not to feel them too badly, and that the ones that we submit to are socially accepted. Just like the wraith among their kind.
I would compare wraith hunger with drug addiction. Are drug addicts less human than people who are not? To me, the answer is no; it’s just that their need is stronger than what we usually face in a normal life. Similarly, if you force someone to choose between killing a stranger and suffering an unbearable torture, do you seriously believe most humans would choose torture? People are killed every day for much, much less…
However, I have to disagree with Wraith Cake about wraith evilness. They do not embrace evil, because in their opinion, what they do is not evil. Their morality is different from ours, but they do have a morality. While Earth civilisations change fast enough for us to now consider slavery a bad thing, wraith barely evolve, because of their unlimited lifespans. Moreover, their hive mentality make them even more gregarious than humans, which in turn means that even fewer of them will rebel against the established order. Those who do are likely to be killed anyway?
Human civilisations on Earth are destroyed by external intrusions when they reach the point when they become unable to evolve. It’s the confrontation with something external that brings down civilisations; but wraith never faced an external intervention in 10,000 years. And now, within a few years, their civilisation is collapsing because of a handful of humans. But this absence of interaction with anything outside their own explains why their ways didn’t evolve: They would have needed an external interaction for that. You can’t really change a civilisation from the inside.
So no, I don’t see wraith as mindless killing machines (which is fortunate to me: I don’t find mindless killing machine any interesting), but I don’t see them as willingly embracing evil either. They are simply people with a different morality who force us to reconsider our own, and that’s what I love in them.
End Quote.
Part V
I (WK) respond to Das with:
Quote:
Originally Posted by dasNdanger View Post
Yes, we will have to agree to disagree. I accept what the show has revealed – that they are controlled by their instincts, like animals….
But MENTALLY, they are still bugs.
And bugs, even spiders *shudder*, are not evil.
So, yeah – we will have to agree to disagree on this one.
das
End Quote.
Quote:
WK
This is going to be a long one, so I’ll put it in spoilers quotations.
I’m trying to respond to this interesting discussion and my kitties (who are getting bigger and have found a way to jump high) are either playing jump rope one the computer cords (I’ll have to kick them out of this room for the moment) or have found every tassel on the end of every book mark stuck in my books in the bookshelf facing this computer. On top of the issue of them using me as a jungle gym!!
Anyhow (*sigh*) Okay, how where to begin?
one,
Quote:
Das writes:
I accept what the show has revealed – that they are controlled by their instincts, like animalsTrue, they can make certain choices (which is nice), but both Micheal and Ellia were used to show that the Wraith are driven by an instinctive NEED to feed. End Quote.
Quote:
WK
How do you account for the several examples of when various wraith have controlled their instincts? I’ll use humans as an example, simply because humans are the closest in terms of their intellectual complexity in the Pegasus Galaxy (intelligent, complex etc.).
A) All creatures great and small, that live in social structures overcome their individual instinct for survival. Think of carpenter ants; they will commit suicide so that their bodies form a bridge for the rest of their co-colonists to survive the crossing of a stream. Japanese fighter pilots did the same in world WWII for the sake of the emperor and the sake of Japan. (There are a plethora of examples of this type of behaviour in colony based creatures, humans and otherwise) I think anyone would agree this is a basic “over-coming” of the absolute imperative of survival. Anyone who lives in a city overcomes their basic day to day “instincts”, hopefully. That is why we are able to get to work without pulling out our rolled up newspaper and swatting everyone out of the way on route to the subway train door. If you watch two-year olds, they will do this (bam, bam, bam, bam–then laugh while he/she has left a trail of tears in their wake). On a daily basis, the wraith must overcome their instincts or they would not live in a hive ship. To get along, you have to put aside your incivility and be gracious.
B) There are also many examples of the wraith censuring their strongest instincts. For instance, Elia would not spend time with the other wraith who was wandering the forest, she did not kill her foster father (and she probably didn’t know about reverse feeding), but merely aged him slightly. She ate rarely, and far away from her home with her father–this is censoring. She was definitely not taking as much as she could.
Todd did the same, many many examples in Common Ground, and in Miller’s Crossing. Dogs and cats, and wild cats and wolves, for instance, will forgo food when they are grieving. There may not be anything wrong with them physically, but the stress of having their partner, or mate removed from them or killed stops them from the basic need to eat.
C) The only creatures that generally do not censor their instincts (I mean instinct to eat) are creatures that are not “social” i.e. larger predatory sharks, and reptiles/amphibians that do not have a complex organ (a brain) between their ears, so to speak. However, even these types of creatures will forgo eating if they are spawning. Alligators will not eat for six weeks while they wait for their eggs to hatch. So this overcoming of instinct is not a rare localized thing. The more intellectually complex a creature is the more they will stave off instinct for a greater reward later. I’ve just disciplined one of my kitties for crawling up my leg. He is sulking in the corner and the mood in the room has become a little sullen. However, if he wants to have a good relationship with mummy (which he does), he will put off his immediate desire to be “up” and be content to wait until mummy lets him up. Just like with children, we help them to organise their impulses. Think of the episode The Queen. When Todd was training Tayla she said “it is understandable [that I am nervous]…” and Todd said “it may be understandable, but it is not acceptable! Again!!!” Until she learned to overcome her apprehension with being on the throne.
2)
Quote: Das writes
Can they find another way? Perhaps. Right now – this is the way they know, and accept because it is of most benefit to them, just as we choose to eat foods that are of most benefit to us. And I do not see them as ’embracing evil’, or evil in any way (though an individual my prove to be evil, but not their society as a whole). But then again, I see them as bugs who have taken on human characteristics, not the other way around, as you do. Bugs governed by a different moral and social code. Bugs with different rules. I thought The Queen made that quite clear – it has nothing to do with choosing to be ‘evil’, but by having a different view of life, based on their biology and heritage.
Das End Quote.
Quote:
WK
I have to say, in The Queen, there was no mention of this life style not being a “choice”. And it did not clarify this in anyway shape or form. Todd was merely saying that his culture was different from the Lantian culture. Therefore, because “they” govern themselves differently than the Lantians, one (Tayla) cannot take a small part of the culture i.e. killing the queen the way he did to gain power, and say the system does not “work” as a whole. Obviously wraith society works, or it would not exist. And what were Tayla’s concerns? Her safety, the safety of the mission. At that immediate instance, was she making a moral judgment of Todd? We already know how she feels about the wraith. She said to him, are you crazy–this is a reckless plan” (in other words a plan that would get them all killed) Tayla cares little for the wraith and has already made her moral judgment of them. If they all kill each other, for her, it would not be soon enough.
A) They do quite obviously have a different moral and social code, but as Todd said it is ‘cultural’ not inherent. All people manage to have a culture, this seems to be a phenomenon of “people” but how that culture “looks” i.e. the rules that govern that culture, ultimately determine how long it will survive.
B) It appears most find the words “good, evil, morality” difficult judgments to embrace. Perhaps other descriptors such as “brutal”, “inflexible”, “rigid”, “destructive”, “disregard for the sanctity of life” are precise definitions used to describe societies that clearly behave this way.
I’ll continue in the next post.
WK
__________________
Part V b)
C) I also want to clarify the distinction between having a “corrupt culture and society” from the basic make-up of individuals. It is quite clear, like people, the wraith are not “born” to evil. Its society that shapes individuals and the choices those individuals make within that society.
Does Canada have systemic racism–of course it does. Is there a divide here between the “haves” and the “have-nots”? Yes.
Does the US have systemic racism–yes. And is this evil? Of course it is.
Thankfully, like most western nations, there is a method for dealing with such injustices. There is an impassioned public that supports this system.
However, what of countries that neither have a method in place, nor have a public that supports one. Recently, it was reported that two women in Islamabad Pakisan wanted the option of marrying the man of their choice. http://www.newkerala.com/topstory-fullnews-17630.html
They were stoned then thrown unconscious into a shallow pit and buried alive. Is this evil? I think most would agree that this act is evil. The fact that the MP for that town in Pakistan supported it and the people of the town supported it points to a large “cultural” problem. There is a systemic brutality that is culturally accepted. I might be going out on a limb here, but I would say a large part of that culture is “evil”. Are the people of that culture inherently evil–of course not! Is the system evil, mmmm yes.
3)
Quote:
Again – I see them as closer to animals/insects in their instincts and their social structure.
End Quote.
Quote:
WK
At the end of the day, whether we call them human, humanoid, humanoid/insectoid ect. all living things, unless we’re talking plants have very similar ways of behaving. We eat, sleep, poop, breed and defend our home. It doesn’t matter whether the being in question is complex or simple. Also, the way in which we choose to do the things we do, and the reasons for why we do them are pretty much the same. Human beings are animals. We are part of the animals system. We organise ourselves on a slightly larger scale, but really not that differently than other organisms. What did I read just recently?…other than humans, the one creature that has had the largest impact on the ecosystem of forests and waterways is the beaver. So there you go.
So, we’ll probably never agree on how or why we love the wraith. But I do hope that I have clarified how I see them, and for all intents and purposes how I process their behaviour and society. Obviously, they are brutal and monsters, this is why they are considered the black hats in the show; the reason Martin Grear has no problem “killing wraith”. They are suppose to be evil, I think that’s the writers’ intentions, and their prerogative. However, good writers will also make us “think” and reflect back on our own society; make us consider the nature of evil.
WK
Part VI
Picked up by Laura Dove:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wraith Cake View Post
Obviously, they are brutal and monsters, this is why they are considered the black hats in the show
WK End Quote.
Quote: LD
[WK, y]ou are contradicting yourself: Just like the Pakistanis you mentioned, wraith are not monsters, it’s their society that is monstrous. However, I’d like to point out that even though WE consider that stoning and burying women alive is evil, in their own minds, it’s a woman who asks for the choice to marry whomever she wants who is evil. Similarly, wraith do not commit evil things in their own standard; their evilness only in our own eyes.
End Quote.
Part VII
I responded to what Laura Dove wrote previously:
Re: Wraith’ Defenders Club
Quote:
Originally Posted by Laura Dove View Post
My vision is closer to Wraith Cake’s: …
However, I have to disagree with Wraith Cake about wraith evilness. They do not embrace evil, because in their opinion, what they do is not evil…. They are simply people with a different morality who force us to reconsider our own, and that’s what I love in them.
End Quote.
Quote:
WK
Actually, I don’t think I could have said this better. I like to watch the political debates in Canada and two (three?) years ago there was Gilles Duceppe from Que. Jack Layton NDP, Paul Martin The Liberals and Steven Harper The Conservatives. When Layton laid out all of his platform, Duceppe was asked to respond, you know start the debate, but it was amusing because he completely agreed with every thing Layton said. He said in a heavy French accent “Um…a…well…I agREE wid evryting he say…um…ya…der is nuting I dishagree wid.” So, there wasn’t much of a debate. It was funny.
Anyhoo, I want to clarify that seeing the wraith as killing machines would essentially mean they are driven by instinct without choice in the matter. Obviously, because I am a proponent of their sentience i.e. their ability to choose they cannot therefore be machine–which aren’t very attractive anyway.
And I also have to agree with your phrasing “evolved society”. I used the phrase “Adaptation” and lack of ability to do so i.e. rigid. And it is true, that their entire society is falling apart because of a handful of humans. Clearly, this is not a culture that adapts to change very well, which ultimately is what causes many animals “naturally” to become extinct in the wild. (I have to explain, extinction is a natural process; what has happened in the last fifty years is an unnatural process of an accelerate extinction which is obviously quite bad.)
I do have to disagree that a society cannot involve from within, if this were the case then America herself would still be lynching and Canada would still be segregating the Japanese. The civil rights movement would not have happened, the abolitionist movement would not have happened and Malroney in the 80s would not have given the Japanese Canadians an apology followed by money (albeit following the American’s example). Granted, there are numerous societies that do not evolve from within and need an external pressure to force change. The ancient Israeli society was like this when the Romans conquered them. They were the most resilient to adaptation and change, and they lost the temple as a result.
Quote: LD
However, I have to disagree with Wraith Cake about wraith evilness. They do not embrace evil, because in their opinion, what they do is not evil. Their morality is different from ours, but they do have a morality….which in turn means that even fewer of them will rebel against the established order. Those who do are likely to be killed anyway? End Quote.
Quote: WK
Saying something is evil, is obviously a moral judgment of one individual or society upon another. I believe, personally there are many, many, MANY grey areas in life, but there are a few that are black and white. Child prostitution, for one I would consider evil, as yes, aside from “barbaric”, “socially destructive” etc. I would concretely say it is evil. Michele Landsberg (reporter for the Globe and Mail) in her essay “West Must Confront Anonymous Misery of the World’s Children” speaks of example after example of children in awful conditions globally as a response to the “West’s” need for luxury. For instance, girls as young as eight in Bagladesh have numbers pinned to their dresses and they are chosen by westerners to have sexual relations with. The man who runs this brothel is an upstanding member of his community and often gives to charity. Being a pedophile historically was not always considered evil either. Japanese samurai had cadamites as per course in their culture. Can and should we “judge their culture”? If we didn’t we’d still be practicing and embracing similar “atrocities” in the west. So, in other words, there must be some room albeit a tight space, to place “moral judgments” on certain laws and behaviours of society, otherwise how else would society evolve, and not just merely adapt?
WK
End Quote.
Part VII
I respond to Laura Dove’s second comment.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Laura Dove View Post
You are contradicting yourself: Just like the Pakistanis you mentioned, wraith are not monsters, it’s their society that is monstrous. However, I’d like to point out that even though WE consider that stoning and burying women alive is evil, in their own minds, it’s a woman who asks for the choice to marry whomever she wants who is evil. Similarly, wraith do not commit evil things in their own standard; their evilness only in our own eyes. End Quote.
Quote: WK
I’m being rhetorical, using exaggeration when I say they are “monsters”. Obviously, we can’t classify everyone in a society as “monsters” that’s what all the negative stereotypes are about–over generalizations. Think of the spirit of what I mean. I love the wraith, deeply.
However, I have to say that in areas of ethics and morality there are always sticky discussions. On one hand we want to embrace everyone without being critical, yet if we do not make appropriate judgments, negative behaviour never changes. I have to say that there are some behaviours that are evil. And those who practice those behaviours will ALWAYS have a “good” reason to uphold and defend their actions. I mean isn’t that what we’re good at? Justifying our actions. Anyhoo, I have to run the man is calling.
Love ya,
WK
End Quote.
Whew! The End.
Joe, I also wanted to say, that the opinions expressed are part of a larger on-going conversation. The comments may seem a little curt and brusque taken in isolation. However it’s all in the spirit of articulating aspects of a show that has aroused our passion.
😀
WK
I hope everyone had a lot of fun. Wow, in only two days I learn the show has been cancelled and there’s been a wrap-up party. It’s so hard knowing there are only so many episodes left. I do have one question, and I appreciate the time you spend on writing these blogs and taking pictures.
Do you have any idea if Joe Flanigan or Jewel Staite will make appearances on Stargate Universe? Thank you.
The Stargate is a good sci-fi.
(I’m from Hungary 🙂
More Atlantis!!!!!!
5 season? pff
Dear JM!
I’m from Hungary. I love that series. Now I had to understand the Stargate and the Atlantis was these end.
It is very very hard to me. I don’t wanna it. I love it.
Love these guys who saved the Earth, the galaxy, Atlantis many many times.
But this does not enough for me. This is my and the other fans problem.
So I wait the episodes until the end. And the DVD movie too.
but a question: Do you know when come the dvd movies to Hungary, because I can’t buy in my country :((.
P.S.: I hope the new series will be good.
P.P.S.: Nice party, Nice Chocolat Atlantis, nice souvenir :))
Bring BACK ATLANTIS.
Tsk tsk. I will not watch SGU. That sounds like a dumbed down version for the mainstream, and all the characters are too young. Like I’m supposed to believe a senator’s daughter is a party girl who somehow gets caught up in space. Yeah right.
Stargate Atlantis was quality, and I want it back!
This one is for Joel Goldsmith. I love the score to SG1 and SGA, is there any chance of getting sheet music published? I’d love to be able to use my limited piano skills to plink something out that sounds a lot like the Atlantis theme. Again the music is awesome I love how you’ve built on the themes from both series. Can’t wait to see what you’ll be working on next.
– Carrie
Hello Joseph, I´m from germany.
You have a nice blog and the pictures from Stargate are wonderful …
I´m a big Stargate Atlantis Fan 🙂
I have a question about the pictures…
Is this realy Paul McGillions girlfriend at the picture?
Or is he single again ?
Ps. wonderful greetings from Germany
Hello Joseph…
Greetings from a music-collector – and Stargate-geek (okay, was “out of commission” for a while but… hey! Whatever it takes!).
This is about the music of Stargate (again ^^;)…
I am a music student, and I really would like to find some sheet music to all this wonderful Stargate music… Heck, I would pay for being able to play it!
Godspeed
Jamila
P.S.: nice Weblog.
BRING BACK STARGATE & MORE AMELIA BANKS!!! Sharon Taylor is stunning and we want to see more of her!