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October 5, 2009: Carl Gets Notes II! Robert Cooper’s Return Displaces the Peruvians!
Monday, October 5, 2009 by Joseph Mallozzi
Keep those comments coming! Like most producers, there’s nothing I enjoy more than a little constructive criticism be it from the viewers, the network, or members of our terrific cast. I’ve often referred to the “open door” policy at the production offices that invites actor input on anything from individual scripts to general character direction. Well, some of you may recall a candid little photo montage I posted last month that captured the magical process we try to foster between writer (in this case Carl Binder) and performer (in this case Jamil Walker Smith). [Refresh your memories here: http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2009/09/10/september-10-2009-i-coulda-been-a-reiki-master-glee-carl-receives-script-notes-mark-burgess/]. Well, I was on set the other day where I was once again fortunate enough to witness this wondrous creative give-and-take…
Actress Elyse Levesque reads the script.
It would appear she has some reservations about a particular scene (hint: the fiery red fury in her eyes is a dead giveaway).
She expresses her concerns to writer-producer Carl Binder who is delighted to accept her creative input and make the necessary changes to the script.
See? Mutual respect! That’s the key to a professional working relationship. Well, that and a stretchy sweatshirt that ensures they can’t choke you out.
Hey, Exec. Producer Robert Cooper was back at the studio today only one week after undergoing ankle surgery. On the one hand, it was great to have him there as he was genuinely missed. On the other hand, his early return meant that the Peruvian soccer team I was billeting had to move out of his office and down to wardrobe where Val immediately put them to work breaking down leathers and fashioning codpieces. After lunch, we all sat down (or rather remained seated) to watch a Day 1 Mix of Time (a Rob Cooper joint) complete with creepy as hell visual effects (kudos to Mark Savela and his team). How creepy? Well, there’s one point in the action that always sends Ashleigh scurrying off down the corridor in horror. Mission accomplished! Time has the look and feel of a big screen feature and stands as my favorite episode of the season. So far.
An ambulatory Bobby C. at the director's helm. Photo courtesy and copyright MGM Television.
And a little something from the vault for all the wraith lovers out there. Come on, I know who you are!
Photo courtesy and copyright MGM Television.
Photo courtesy and copyright MGM Television.
Writer/producer Joseph Mallozzi is the ultimate Stargate insider, having been a part of the franchise for almost ten years.
He joined the SG-1 production team in 2000, and would go on to pen numerous episodes of both that series and Stargate Atlantis.
He is currently serving as consulting producer and writer on the upcoming Stargate Universe.
