Mallozzi's Update for October 17, 2009
Mallozzi's Weblog Link
FROM ENTRY
Well, hoowee! I just checked my blog stats and discovered that my traffic has jumped by a whopping 40%. What gives? Strangely, nothing out of the ordinary in the referrers or incoming links. And then I noticed the 2800+ visitors who came to this blog via a search engine. And the search term used?
Stargate: Universe?
Nope.
Rosie the Riveter?
No, it only brought in a mere half dozen.
Julia Benson?
Correct! Julia, who plays the role of Second Lieutenant Vanessa James on Stargate: Universe, has obviously captured the attention of more than a few casual viewers. Great! She’s not only a wonderful actress, but a total sweetheart. And she’s apparently joined the ranks to the Twitterati, so if you want to get the latest updates on all-things Julia, head on over here: http://twitter.com/Julia_Benson
Hey, after Air I and II, we got the “Hey, why didn’t the kino push the buttons to seal the shuttle door?” questions and after Air III we got the “Hey, why didn’t the kino find and test for water?” questions, so I’m surprised that, after Darkness aired, we haven’t seen the expected “Hey, why didn’t the kino figure out the ship’s power issues?” questions. What gives?
MAILBAG
[NOTE: I grouped some of the Q&As around so that I could put them under one cut.]
Matt Boesch writes: “What Episodes are you guys on currently working and prepping for?”
Answer: We’re done prepping. We’re shooting Incursion I and II.
O6untouchable writes: “Just curious - is this another one of Ivon’s contributions to the franchise this year, or is it something that Brad and Rob cooked up?”
Answer: Those segments were shot by Andy Mikita as part of the opener.
Qsoaiein writes: “Do you know how the people that make Stargate decide how old a particular character is in the show? Like when they were born, because I’ve noticed it seems to differ from their actor’s age sometimes.”
Answer: No, we never assign an exact age or date of birth to the characters.
Joel413 writes: “The face shown in the sand, was that an ancient or was that the face of the priest that raised the Lt?”
Answer: That was the priest. See the video in yesterday’s entry.
MrsB writes: “ 1) Is anyone onboard the Destiny severely mentally unbalanced?
2)Will there be any surprising relationships formed this season?”
Answers: 1) Oh, the strain of being stranded so far from home will exact a psychological toll on many of the crewmembers.
2) I’m not sure what you would consider surprising.
Matt Tyler writes: “Also, where did you find Jamil? He’s absolutely amazing!”
Answer: That he is!
Sean writes: “Do you think the concept of the edge of the universe might eventually apply within the Stargate Universe series?”
Answer: It certainly sounds cool, but I don’t think there is an “edge of the universe”.
Hestia writes: “It’s a stupid question but we all are curious to know if SGU will have a song for it’s opening credit.”
Answer: Unfortunately, it won’t.
Jlgrand writes: “What is the best way to show my support for SGU?”
Answer: 1. Watch the show. 2. Tell everyone how much you’re enjoying the show.
Michael writes: “Can I ask who is the cg artist responsible for making the destiny ship for Stargate Universe and does he have a website.”
Answer: Production Designer James Robbins designed Destiny.
Mel writes: “Everyone is talking highly of the ratings, however, they aren’t that good, are they?”
Answer: They’re actually very good, especially when you consider SGU’s winning the night in key demos. Of course you can compare the show’s number to other shows, but you can also bring up the fact that we’re airing Friday nights (the least watched night on television) and in the Fall where we’re up against network competition.
Ytimyona writes: “ Any word yet on whether we can look forward to actor commentaries on SGU???”
Answer: Yes! The actors have been in and out of the production offices these past few weeks working on their commentaries. Coming soon to DVD!
Ravenfur writes: “Do TV networks take into account their online viewers when they consider how popular a series is?”
Answer: They might, but advertisers generally don’t.
Montrealer writes: “Who is the ranking officer after Colonel Young?”
Answer: In the event Colonel Young is unable to fulfill his duties, Lieutenant Scott will step in.
Quade1 writes: “Do the actor’s have to visualize the Kino or do you guys have like a green ball hanging from a rope on a stick?”
Answer: The kino is usually CG and for tracking purposes it is usually a “ball on a stick”.
Joshua Meyers extraordinary teenager writes: “ Are there any moments ahead where Telford challenges Youngs command or something, or anyone challenges his command(this question is limited to people stranded back on earth only)??”
Answer: It certainly looks like that’s where things may be headed.
AceNZ writes: “will the crew ever be able to explore the full extent of Destiny?”
Answer: Exploring Destiny will be a priority in the coming months.
Tim Gaffney writes: “I know you want to get LDP into these episodes, but it strains credability that he is the one who always is there when Young returns to the Pentagon.”
Answer: That goes to Telford’s determination and desire to get on Destiny.
Tim Gaffney also writes: “And come on, I can maybe buy that Sen. Armstrongs wife was informed of the situation. She could have high clearance. But Young’s wife?”
Answer: Over the course the many years the Stargate program has been in operation, more and more people have been informed of its existence. In the interest of ensuring the psychological well-being of the Destiny crew, many civilians WILL receive clearance so that they can visit with their loved ones.
Tim Gaffney also writes: “And if Telford reports that Young should be removed from command, who would possibly replace him. Rush just had a mental breakdown, Scott would be the only other possibility and he is only a Lt.”
Answer: Scary, no? Let’s hope Young is able to stay cool under pressure.
Df2506 writes: “Young goes to visit his ex-wife?”
Answer: Why not? Given the technology at their disposal, why deny these people the opportunity to visit with loved ones, allow them at least a glimmer of comfort and open an otherwise bleak situation?
Kevin writes: “At the beginning of the episode when they’re in the mess hall. Everyone is casually sitting around and having a conversation…but in the back of the room…there’s a soldier in full gear…carrying his rife at the ready.”
Answer: Given that that’s where much of the food is stored, it makes sense that there would be guards posted to ensure nobody tries to help themselves.
HBMC writes: “Will the characters we saw be developed further in this way (not necessarily via Kino diaries).
Take Lisa Park as an example - I think she’s adorable, and seems to be the kind’ve person who rambles a bit when given the chance. Is this present in her character further down the line, or just something done in this episode?”
Answer: We will develop our secondary cast of characters as well, in the episode and in the kino sequences that will be appearing online. Soon. And, yes, I’m a big fan of Jennifer Spence’s work as well. In the coming months, watch this blog for upcoming guest Q&A’s for the likes of Jennifer (Lisa Park), Patrick Gilmore (Dale Volker), Peter Kelamis (Adam Brody), Haig Sutherland (Sgt. Riley), Mark Burgess (Franklin), and Julia Benson (Lt. Vanessa James).
Aboleyn24 writes: “Why not have scientist that are experts on ancent tech swap with someone in board Destiny and try and solve some of these problems. They can’t expect Rush to do it all and its not like they don’t have access to capable people that might be able to assist them.”
Answer: Rush and Eli are certainly the best and brightest. Rush, in particular, would be in the best position to know what kind of help he would need. That said, the issue of using the stones in this regard will be addressed in an upcoming episode.
FROM ENTRY
Well, hoowee! I just checked my blog stats and discovered that my traffic has jumped by a whopping 40%. What gives? Strangely, nothing out of the ordinary in the referrers or incoming links. And then I noticed the 2800+ visitors who came to this blog via a search engine. And the search term used?
Stargate: Universe?
Nope.
Rosie the Riveter?
No, it only brought in a mere half dozen.
Julia Benson?
Correct! Julia, who plays the role of Second Lieutenant Vanessa James on Stargate: Universe, has obviously captured the attention of more than a few casual viewers. Great! She’s not only a wonderful actress, but a total sweetheart. And she’s apparently joined the ranks to the Twitterati, so if you want to get the latest updates on all-things Julia, head on over here: http://twitter.com/Julia_Benson
Hey, after Air I and II, we got the “Hey, why didn’t the kino push the buttons to seal the shuttle door?” questions and after Air III we got the “Hey, why didn’t the kino find and test for water?” questions, so I’m surprised that, after Darkness aired, we haven’t seen the expected “Hey, why didn’t the kino figure out the ship’s power issues?” questions. What gives?
MAILBAG
[NOTE: I grouped some of the Q&As around so that I could put them under one cut.]
Matt Boesch writes: “What Episodes are you guys on currently working and prepping for?”
Answer: We’re done prepping. We’re shooting Incursion I and II.
O6untouchable writes: “Just curious - is this another one of Ivon’s contributions to the franchise this year, or is it something that Brad and Rob cooked up?”
Answer: Those segments were shot by Andy Mikita as part of the opener.
Qsoaiein writes: “Do you know how the people that make Stargate decide how old a particular character is in the show? Like when they were born, because I’ve noticed it seems to differ from their actor’s age sometimes.”
Answer: No, we never assign an exact age or date of birth to the characters.
Joel413 writes: “The face shown in the sand, was that an ancient or was that the face of the priest that raised the Lt?”
Answer: That was the priest. See the video in yesterday’s entry.
MrsB writes: “ 1) Is anyone onboard the Destiny severely mentally unbalanced?
2)Will there be any surprising relationships formed this season?”
Answers: 1) Oh, the strain of being stranded so far from home will exact a psychological toll on many of the crewmembers.
2) I’m not sure what you would consider surprising.
Matt Tyler writes: “Also, where did you find Jamil? He’s absolutely amazing!”
Answer: That he is!
Sean writes: “Do you think the concept of the edge of the universe might eventually apply within the Stargate Universe series?”
Answer: It certainly sounds cool, but I don’t think there is an “edge of the universe”.
Hestia writes: “It’s a stupid question but we all are curious to know if SGU will have a song for it’s opening credit.”
Answer: Unfortunately, it won’t.
Jlgrand writes: “What is the best way to show my support for SGU?”
Answer: 1. Watch the show. 2. Tell everyone how much you’re enjoying the show.
Michael writes: “Can I ask who is the cg artist responsible for making the destiny ship for Stargate Universe and does he have a website.”
Answer: Production Designer James Robbins designed Destiny.
Mel writes: “Everyone is talking highly of the ratings, however, they aren’t that good, are they?”
Answer: They’re actually very good, especially when you consider SGU’s winning the night in key demos. Of course you can compare the show’s number to other shows, but you can also bring up the fact that we’re airing Friday nights (the least watched night on television) and in the Fall where we’re up against network competition.
Ytimyona writes: “ Any word yet on whether we can look forward to actor commentaries on SGU???”
Answer: Yes! The actors have been in and out of the production offices these past few weeks working on their commentaries. Coming soon to DVD!
Ravenfur writes: “Do TV networks take into account their online viewers when they consider how popular a series is?”
Answer: They might, but advertisers generally don’t.
Montrealer writes: “Who is the ranking officer after Colonel Young?”
Answer: In the event Colonel Young is unable to fulfill his duties, Lieutenant Scott will step in.
Quade1 writes: “Do the actor’s have to visualize the Kino or do you guys have like a green ball hanging from a rope on a stick?”
Answer: The kino is usually CG and for tracking purposes it is usually a “ball on a stick”.
Joshua Meyers extraordinary teenager writes: “ Are there any moments ahead where Telford challenges Youngs command or something, or anyone challenges his command(this question is limited to people stranded back on earth only)??”
Answer: It certainly looks like that’s where things may be headed.
AceNZ writes: “will the crew ever be able to explore the full extent of Destiny?”
Answer: Exploring Destiny will be a priority in the coming months.
Tim Gaffney writes: “I know you want to get LDP into these episodes, but it strains credability that he is the one who always is there when Young returns to the Pentagon.”
Answer: That goes to Telford’s determination and desire to get on Destiny.
Tim Gaffney also writes: “And come on, I can maybe buy that Sen. Armstrongs wife was informed of the situation. She could have high clearance. But Young’s wife?”
Answer: Over the course the many years the Stargate program has been in operation, more and more people have been informed of its existence. In the interest of ensuring the psychological well-being of the Destiny crew, many civilians WILL receive clearance so that they can visit with their loved ones.
Tim Gaffney also writes: “And if Telford reports that Young should be removed from command, who would possibly replace him. Rush just had a mental breakdown, Scott would be the only other possibility and he is only a Lt.”
Answer: Scary, no? Let’s hope Young is able to stay cool under pressure.
Df2506 writes: “Young goes to visit his ex-wife?”
Answer: Why not? Given the technology at their disposal, why deny these people the opportunity to visit with loved ones, allow them at least a glimmer of comfort and open an otherwise bleak situation?
Kevin writes: “At the beginning of the episode when they’re in the mess hall. Everyone is casually sitting around and having a conversation…but in the back of the room…there’s a soldier in full gear…carrying his rife at the ready.”
Answer: Given that that’s where much of the food is stored, it makes sense that there would be guards posted to ensure nobody tries to help themselves.
HBMC writes: “Will the characters we saw be developed further in this way (not necessarily via Kino diaries).
Take Lisa Park as an example - I think she’s adorable, and seems to be the kind’ve person who rambles a bit when given the chance. Is this present in her character further down the line, or just something done in this episode?”
Answer: We will develop our secondary cast of characters as well, in the episode and in the kino sequences that will be appearing online. Soon. And, yes, I’m a big fan of Jennifer Spence’s work as well. In the coming months, watch this blog for upcoming guest Q&A’s for the likes of Jennifer (Lisa Park), Patrick Gilmore (Dale Volker), Peter Kelamis (Adam Brody), Haig Sutherland (Sgt. Riley), Mark Burgess (Franklin), and Julia Benson (Lt. Vanessa James).
Aboleyn24 writes: “Why not have scientist that are experts on ancent tech swap with someone in board Destiny and try and solve some of these problems. They can’t expect Rush to do it all and its not like they don’t have access to capable people that might be able to assist them.”
Answer: Rush and Eli are certainly the best and brightest. Rush, in particular, would be in the best position to know what kind of help he would need. That said, the issue of using the stones in this regard will be addressed in an upcoming episode.