Chevrons and Centons

Awkward

2007-06-21T11:17:00.001-06:00

I hate this hallway.

Hi, everyone! I realize it's been ungodly long since I wrote, and I do apologize for that, but my life has been inside a shake-and-bake bag for the past six months. Becoming a part of the team bringing Stargate Worlds to life has been a huge dream come true for me. I realized I hadn't written in a while, so I thought I'd drop in and illustrate something that has been bothering me of late -- miniscule as it is.

My point still stands, though. I hate this hallway. Cheyenne's HR lady, Susan, has called it a corridor out of "The Shining." At its midpoint, to the left, is my office. Now, please don't misunderstand -- I love the Baseline Center. It's pretty, it's air conditioned, and the bathrooms are always very clean. But this hallway is just so irritating.

Why? Well ... it's so long! And that's the thing. It's simply an awkward space. Because when you're walking down one end of it and someone else comes down the other end, I feel the urge to make eye contact, but the 15 seconds that it takes to cross it can make that uncomfortable, so you feel the urge to look down, or look away.

And it's worse if it's someone you know, because it's inappropriate to shout out a "Hey there!" to them, as there are many shirts behind these doors. So even if you know them, you have to "find a place to stow your eyes" for that time period. You have to look to the floor, or glimpse through windows you can briefly see inside as you pass by. Then, when you're about five meters from them, you can say something.

This all came about the other night when I was watching the TNG episode "Starship Mine." Great show. Picard gets stuck on the Enterprise during a baryon sweep. In the turbolift, Data attempts to pass a silent moment with smalltalk -- rather effectively, if you take into account copying other human qualities like humor.

But it got me thinking. And now every time I walk down that bloody hallway and someone else approaches from the opposite direction, it trips me.

Oh well.

The finale of SG-1 airs tomorrow night, and I'm going to be attending a local party. It should be fun!

Forward

2006-12-31T21:39:00.000-07:00

Well, the blog is almost a year old now, and it's my hope that it has been entertaining and enjoyable to those who have been kind enough to pop in now and again. 2007 is shaping up very quickly for me -- and for Stargate -- and I hope to be able to write far more often than I have this past year.

It has become an annual family tradition to spend the last week of the year in Destin, Florida. My parents own a place down there, and because GateWorld sucks up all of my travel time from the radio station it is the one time in the year that I get what I refer to as a "genuine vacation." Conventions, though a gas, don't count. I'm kept busy and keyed up, and I prefer it that way. My home along the beach is my fortress of solitude.

Destin in December is warm yet pleasant, and cosmopolitan yet peaceful. It is a 12-hour drive from St. Louis, but this is good because I often get a great deal of GateWorld work done both ways. This trip home, not so much. As I type we are passing through Tennessee. I just finished my first viewing of the new "Superman Returns," and then wrote a quick email to the Stargate production office. I only have the upstairs hide-a-bed to blame for sleeping away half the trip this morning (needless to say I'm looking forward to my own bed tonight), and I felt compelled to help with some of the driving this afternoon.

One of the comments I make to Darren almost every year is the fact that I cannot believe how much GateWorld has prospered when I look back over the past 12 months. Then I always add, "Imagine what we'll be doing a year from now." GateWorld has been blessed in 2006. I cannot deny it. We have been privileged, honored, granted more than we can ever repay. The best we can do is to continue to do our jobs well, to hold our news writing to the most honest standard, and to keep delivering what our readers demand: more features, more exclusives, and more of the news you need to know.

In 2006 I released some of my all-time favorite interviews. Ronny Cox, though interviewed in 2005, was released this past year. The man was a phenomenal delight. One of the most insightful and rewarding face-to-face discussions I have ever had. The man is amazing.

Don S. Davis, an up-front and gracious human being, was another milestone for me. Don and I have been trying to have a dialogue for a couple of years now, but when I was in Los Angeles he would be in Vancouver, and vise versa.

Garwin Sanford was never what I expected. I haven't laughed so hard in an interview in a long time. He has done so much, yet the interviews concerning him are few and far between. I hope you had a chance to watch this one.

Andee Frizzell was one of the most fascinating actresses I have ever had the privilege of talking with. She was so lovely and so kind. When I learned that she'll be attending 2007's Creation Vancouver Convention I almost leaped out of my seat.

And Beau Bridges. The man is a giant. He has been so gracious to us with his time. Twice this past year he found a few moments for us, and I cannot wait to talk with him again one of these days. I could go on, needless to say. David Hewlett, my most recent catch, was fantastic, and I cannot express my gratitude for the amount of time he and others like him have given us.

I hope your Holidays were as blessed as mine. So often at this time of the year we reflect and find ourselves thinking about what we've missed. What we could have done differently. What we wish we chanced, or risked. Instead, I suggest you look to the future. A brand new year is about to dawn, and with it will come opportunities fresh and new, and blessings that you may not foresee.

My best to you in 2007. See you then.

9:03

2006-10-29T11:34:00.000-07:00

This is something I wrote and produced for a class project a few weeks ago. The perspective of the story is entirely within a tape recorder. That's all I'm going to say.

Download 9:03 in MP3 Format

Updates

2006-09-24T07:04:00.000-06:00

Well, GateWorld 2.0 has been live for over a month now, and we've received both positive and negative feedback. Very largely it's been positive, fortunately, because there's no way we'll be reverting to the old look. We've spent far too much time on the new design -- not to mention the new system -- to do otherwise. And with Darren now at Princeton, and me soon to be starting my Master's, well ... let's just say we're both thankful to have a Content Management System under our butts.

Above all modifications to the site, I must say that the CMS has allowed me to maximize my time the most effectively. I am now kicking out one interview per week. Big ones, small ones, it doesn't matter. Clicking them out is not a problem, despite the fact that my Bachelor's degree is coming at me like a pair of headlights. One or two persistent folks have been complaining about how old the interviews are, but pretty soon we'll be in completely fresh territory. I just did two phone interviews this week. One was with Kate Hewlett. The other is a 10th anniversary piece with a lovely, lovely woman whom I will discuss when the time comes closer.

To all you people who are bitching that the Omnipedia has not been updated. Bless you. And keep bitching, because it is genuine motivation for me, so it will be happening soon. Midterm exams are this week and afterward that will free up some time to get a lump of entries thrown out. These video interviews take, at a minimum, 20 hours to develop. I know that that sounds insane -- well, it is -- but on the weekends my work schedule at my radio station permits it. Video interviews with Andee Frizzell, Garwin Sandford and others will be heading your way soon.

Three days after 2.0 went to the world we reported on SG-1's cancellation. What a sour moment for us. It could have easily been that Friday that the world could've discovered the truth, so I'm glad they decided to hold off. (A new site and a funeral for said site's original show? Oy ...) I actually saw "200" for the first time with full knowledge of Stargate's cancellation. Boy, was that hard. Especially the ending sequence with the "stars" of X-Treme! echoing the longevity of SG-1. What a genuine shame. I cannot put to words my feelings, though I am comforted knowing that another bit of news about SG-1 is coming down the pipe. When it will reach ours and our readers' eyes is an entirely different matter, so I'm just not worrying about it.

I've recently spent some time talking with writer/co-producer Martin Gero, and he's been kind enough to hint about what is to come for Atlantis. Though he is aware that I prefer to be spoiler-free, he has simply told me that such shows like "The Return" and "Sunday" are ones that we fans cannot miss. I believe him. I believe him because he is a straight-shooter who is not afraid to say if one of his shows were not up to the quality he wanted it. What I like most is that he won't up the ante on an unreleased episode if he knows it will stink. So if he says that "McKay and Mrs. Miller" will be a good one, we can be confident that, chances are, it will be. Parts One and Two of my informal interview with him are already posted, and expect Part Three, dealing with "Sunday," to be out soon.

As to SG-1, I have mixed feelings. I do feel it's a shame that the show's been cancelled. The new incarnation was just getting into its stride. So either SG-1 will go to a mini-series format, or DVD releases, or the much-hoped-for silver screen, is anyone's guess that this point. I'm still hoping that lightning will strike twice, and the show will get picked up by a third network, though this is unlikely. I'd love to not have to watch the show on cable.

Battlestar Galactica ... ... Battlestar Galactica ... I have never looked forward to a season premiere so much in my life. The webisodes are airing on scifi.com. I watched the first two, but I'm going to wait until the night before October 6th to watch the other eight. The "two minutes here and two minutes there" stuff was killing me, and I'm a big boy so I can wait to see the other segments.

I just picked up Season 2.5 yesterday and watched the extended "Pegasus," and "Resurrection Ship," episodes, so they are satiating me. I hope I have time for "Epiphanies" tonight, but, again, the midterm is soon.

Adria

2006-07-20T21:05:00.000-06:00

Beware discussion for 1001: "Flesh and Blood."

Well, we're now back into the thick of things again this year. Between breaks of working on GateWorld 2.0 and DJing at the radio station I've had a chance to watch both Stargate premieres twice -- and the Adria scenes more than that.

This is a terrific new villainess. Our first major villainess on SG-1, I think. I applaud Coop, and really look forward to seeing this creation mature, pardon the pun. Darren recently did a very special interview with Claudia Black which explores that new dynamic in Vala's life. I hope you enjoy it.

My only fear is that because of Adria, we won't have any need to see the Doci. That is an exceedingly cool character. He stared down Daniel like a snake watching a bird in "Origin." Despite the fact that Mr. Sands must be flown up from LA, I really do think that character has potential, as I will be suggesting in my S10/3 wish list a blog or two from now.

Now with Vala joining SG-1, I think it was a stroke of genius to make the arch villain her spawn. If all else fails, it gives us a reason for keeping Vala around. And it's unlikely that all else will fail. If Adria is the key, and Vala is the only person she resonates with, then it's a shoe-in.

The scene with Adria #2 is probably my favorite from "Flesh and Blood." The child goes on this propaganda diatribe, denouncing all that Orlin has said. Vala gets down to her level with "Do you really believe that -- or are you just hoping I will?"

You can see Adria's reaction. 'She's got me. Switch to Plan B.'

I never saw Firefly, but I did see "Serenity" at the 2-dollar movie theatre with my cousins in LA. Frankly, I don't really recall Morena Baccarin, but I will trust that the producers did a good job at filling Adria's fresh, adult shoes with an actress that can deliver.

So where will Adria take us? Well, I haven't read any spoilers, but let me pull out my crystal globe and see what I can see for the ultimate fate of this character.

If we are to believe Orlin, then we know the Ori do not ascend mortals.
Adria is a mortal.

On top of that, "She knows the score." I believe the ultimate outcome for this character will be -- after playing with her for a season or so -- a combination of Vala reaching through to her, plus Adria's realization that she is rooting for a side that will ultimately smite her in the end. Now, you may argue that she is almost Ori, and that because of this they may grant her a special Get Into Ascension Free card.

But she isn't an Ori. And we have established that they are extremely covetous of their limited energy field. And, again, Adria probably knows this. (She may not -- it's not necessary for her to to carry out her mission -- but probably). If Vala can make her realize that her daughter's life after death is just as empty as any nonbeliever (or any believer for that matter), I think we'll have a really, really cool villain-turned-ally.

That is if she can keep herself from going up in flames.

I'm going to open up the floor to this one. What do you think? Do you like this character? How do you think she'll turn out?

5.
If I hear "et cetera" pronounced with a "K" in it one more time,
I will go postal.

GateWorld 2.0

2006-07-05T16:11:00.000-06:00

It is simply the biggest project I have ever attempted. And that's saying a great deal, because I've attempted a lot. And I am very pleased to say that it is nearing completion. We launch soon.

Fans of GateWorld have been wondering when 2.0 is going to be released. Darren and I were hopeful to launch when the shows return, but at this point that seems unlikely. What is more likely is nearer to the end of the month, but we'll have to see. One thing is certain: We don't wish to short-change Stargate (and GW) fans by releasing something that isn't completely ready for them.

I know there are a few among you who are not pleased we're getting rid of the present interface. But when StarGuide became GateWorld I think everyone realized the benefits of moving forward. I sincerely believe that Web sites which do not change, die. This new interface is slick. It is mean. It is cool. And it is clever. Not to mention, it is entirely CMS-driven. We will no longer have to hand-code everything. This will cut down on time immensly, and will allow us to generate material at (sometimes) 3x the capacity that it is being churned out now.

I, for one, cannot wait to have complete control of my own interviews and (almost) complete control of their release dates. It's something I've wanted to do from Day One, and now I'll finally have that ability. With Darren going back into school, it will become a necessity. We both feel I've become proficient enough in the development phases that this will not be a problem. What does this mean for GateWorlders? More interviews more often. In some ways, more features more often. And we're talking good stuff on the way.

It is extremely exciting.

Aside from additional sections which I am not willing to spill just yet, current sections have been upgraded [in the new site] and are now busting at the seams. Content we didn't even know was produced long ago has been added, and a lot of it you'll have access to without going to eBay and buying yourself (which you may be inclined to do after the sample, anyway). As for exclusive content currently available on the Web site, I will say that we're changing file types around a little bit to types that are more reliable. We're also looking forward to giving the user more of a voice in the say of what's to come by utilizing more polls that they can vote with.

But what about the interface itself? Well, I will tell you something we've already spilled on the Forum. We're switching from a 3-column layout to 2-column. The left column will be slightly larger (horizontally) than the right one. As one may be able to tell by the little thumbnail, we're keeping with a blue theme, but we're going with multiple shades. We're also making the drop-down menu more compact and sleek. It already handles better than the one on the current site.

One of the big things we wanted to change was the main page. When you visit, we want it to deliver something completely different to you every time you click on it. Several elements will be installed to make your experience as unique as possible.

I think that's all I'm going to say for now. I'm glad I finally had time to drop in and write a new blog, but I really must get back at it. 2.0 won't be released by itself, after all. Fortunately, computers still need us.

Set Diary, Part 4

2006-05-14T08:04:00.000-06:00

Friday, March 24, 2006 (Con't)
The catering at Stargate is everything you've heard. I know the crew has discussed it from end to end, but I feel it deserves mentioning here. We wait until the cast and crew have had a chance to get their lunch, and then Darren, Carole and I dig in. The caterers are in enormous trailers that are nothing but kitchens. Little windows are open for you to request what you want from a dry erase board menu, looking up at a person four feet above you. Their chefs are the nicest folks. I always make a point when I'm done eating to return to the trailer and thank them.

Today I order cuttings of tender beef, corn, beans and a slice of hot apple pie. It really doesn't get better than this. And I'm a picky eater. There's just something about their food that hits the spot no matter what your taste buds prefer.

There are two types of food service at The Bridge: catering and craft service. Both are run by completely different people. While the catering manages complete meals, the craft service tents are set up near the action and are there for anyone who wants a light snack. These tents have everything. Muffins, coffee, every kind of milk, boiling hot water for tea -- sometimes to the extent of melting Styrofoam. Even a microwave, if I recall correctly.

I meet the lady who is managing the craft service tents. It is her job to keep them stocked the entire day. She even makes custom-made items for the crew. My particular favorite is the peanut butter, jelly and sliced banana on half a sub sandwich bun. Delicious. All of these things are individually wrapped. This gal does an amazing job. I'm not sure if I could do the same in all of the pouring rain, regardless the tent.

Aah, David Hewlett. Now this man is an amazing character. I don't know why he's not working on a big-time sitcom, but we're lucky to have him on Stargate. The first question out of my mouth when I enter his trailer is "You didn't get rid of Mars, did you?"

David quickly confirms that he still has him. And then I put it together. David's just finished working on "A Dog's Breakfast." "Mars is the dog," David says.

It clicks.

I met Mars last year. He's mostly German Shepherd, my favorite breed, but like many of the Shepherds who are old he has a lower back problem and can't get around too well. Last year David was debating whether or not to keep him. I can't remember where he got him. Either way, Mars is a wonderful animal, and I am more excited than ever now to be seeing "A Dog's Breakfast" knowing that his pooch is the title character.

"When we did "Hot Zone" where [McKay] confesses that he has a sister, it had originally been written as a brother," Hewlett reveals to us. "And I said, 'Look, just on the off chance, I've got a lot of sisters and one of them happens to be an actress. I'm not saying you have to cast her, but just on the off chance, can I say 'sister?'' And they said, 'Oh, that's a good idea. That's fine.

"I've just worked with Kate, because we just did this film together in January," he says. "And she's fantastic. And that's me saying it -- I'm usually tougher than anybody on that kind of stuff. And one of the producers actually saw a couple of things she did recently, as well, and said she's good. So we'll see. I've got my fingers crossed."

We return to the village set to watch the filming of an expository sequence taking place. I believe this scene marks the first moment ever for the franchise when a character besides Daniel has intentionally sneezed in a scene. A moment of profound significance, to be sure ...

Following the filming of this scene we meet Joe Flanigan in the portion of the village set that had been the bar last year. Right now it's being used to store flowers. We chat with him for probably ten minutes before he is called back to the set.

Paul McGillion is soon entering the village. He has scenes later in the day and didn't have to come in until the mid-afternoon. Though I did have a brief telephone conversation with him about a year ago, this was my first time meeting Paul face to face. Another great guy. I'm very pleased he's been added as a regular cast member. As David DeLuise put it, "He's just one of the guys."

It's beginning to rain again, and the sun is starting to disappear. We walk out to Paul's trailer, flanked by Jason Momoa, to do a double chat with these fine men. Unfortunately Jason can't see the interview to its completion -- he is called back to set -- but we carry on with Paul for quite some time.

"The direction the character's going in right now, I'm very pleased with it," says McGillion. "So far I've had some great stuff to do in the first few episodes we've had [in Season Three] and hopefully it will continue."

It is an extremely fulfilling interview, one I can't wait for people to hear.

After we wrap with Paul we head back over to Stage 5 to catch a few minutes with Amanda Tapping. The scene is set for Carter's laboratory and everyone, minus Michael Shanks (who won't be in "Insiders") is in this sequence. Even Beau.

During breaks Amanda manages to come out into the corridor to sit and chat with Darren for a few minutes. It is then that the passage of time is starting to get to me. It is going on 6 p.m. and I have to get back to the hotel to host at a party I planned. Amanda has an assistant call us a taxi and promises to continue our discussion at the convention in a couple of days.

My lovely pal Bonnie is escorted back to the front gates by Martin Wood. We all take the taxi back to the hotel together, share a spoiler or two, then hurry over to TGI Fridays for a kick-ass dinner party.

Well, that's that. My second year at The Bridge Studios, not in a nutshell. If you are a big fan of the show I'm sure you've entertained the possibility of visitng the sets through Creation. Star Trek and other sci fi genres were notorious for not letting you do that, so in the scheme of things this really is unprecedented.

If you get a chance to visit the sets, take it. If you have the money to spend on it, spend it. Notice I emphasized the word *have*. Don't be an idiot. Nothing is worth starving yourself, or worse, your children, for the months afterward, and I've just about seen certain wild fans do this to themselves. Just take this word of warning: Some of the magic will forever be laid to rest.

There are many certainties in my life. Here is Number 4:

If Jamie ONeal is still trying to find Atlantis,
she obviously doesn't get the SCI FI Channel.

Set Diary, Part 3

2006-05-09T17:32:00.000-06:00

Friday, March 24, 2006
As much a gift as it is for a fan to get to see the inner workings of his favorite television show there is definitely a down side. I know, some of you have got to be saying 'Down side?? You brat!' But picture it this way: You're a cult fan of a magician, and he becomes aware of your interest and independent promotion. In exchange for your continued support he offers to show you around backstage. Simultaneously, he will unveil all of his tricks.

Spoils it, doesn't it? Well in terms of Stargate the spoiling isn't that great a magnitude. You know that Atlantis isn't in the Pegasus Galaxy. You know that the settings for both Cheyenne Mountain Complex and the Ancient city are just feet away from each other. Still, it unravels some of the magic when you look at S.G.C.'s Level 27 elevator and can say to yourself, 'I know what's on the outside of that portion of the set -- Jan Newman's makeup stand.' Or to look into the ceiling of the Atlantis Gatrium and not find a portal into the bay of the Puddle Jumpers, but rather the high ceiling of Stage 6 and a plethora of lights.

Listen to me. I'm complaining.

Like last year, Friday is not as productive for GateWorld as Thursday. I'm not quite sure what it is about Fridays at The Bridge. It's almost like it's crunch time for the entire crew. It's 10 a.m. and already both shows are in full swing. SG-1 is dealing with [a familiar nemesis] in the briefing room, and Atlantis is shooting the teaser for "Irresistible" at the village stage.

Carole takes us over to see the teaser filmed. The village has been reconfigured since we saw it last year. The overpass is gone and almost every section of the entire set appears ready to represent an entirely different planet from the other. Brick houses, stone houses, wooden houses. It's even more spectacular than last year. Today it's a marketplace, and the Atlantis crew has just arrived. Extras, all adults minus one young man, have shown up in full force. Let's just say that Howard Stern would be very pleased with this cast.

Carole finds us a corner to stand and wait while they set up the shot. David Hewlett and Joe Flanigan are the first of the actors on set. Both are wearing their mission uniforms. David comes over and says hello, eager to catch up with us later in the day. Joe eventually comes over to great us as well. "We were just discussing polygamy," he says, stepping away from director Martin Wood.

Soon the Atlantis expedition will be meeting Richard Kind's character, an individual that sounds a little like a nasal Gilbert Gottfried -- completely unlike Dr. Gary Meyers. Eventually Richard himself emerges onto the set. Kind is a much bigger man than I thought he would be. He is very tall, and looks as though he could clobber Darren.

The teaser is a pretty straightforward sequence, but even so -- when you add rehearsals and the various camera angles -- it takes about an hour to get just right. Martin Wood is extremely picky, and as far as I am concerned it is terrific that he is intent on getting it just the way he wants it.

After filming the teaser we are allowed a quick word with Mr. Wood. We take seats in a cafe area to discuss what he's up to. "It's a wonderfully comic episode," Wood says about "Irresistible." "I did "Avenger 2.0" and "The Other Guys." You do so much of the drama of science fiction that it's nice to be able to do the comedy episodes, too, and I have a really good time with it. It's nice to say 'cut' and have everyone laughing behind the camera."

After Martin we return to Stage 5. It is the funniest thing for me when we get upstairs and look into the monitors: Beau and Peter are coming out of the elevator -- finally! It's very funny. The shot takes Landry and Barrett into the briefing room, where a full wall of monitors have been set up. It's like nothing we've seen in the briefing room before. Quite impressive.

While waiting in the wings of the stage I reintroduce myself to makeup artist Jan Newman. I first met Jan at Gatecon 2004, sitting next to her in the front row during Amanda, Michael and Chris's panel. Lovely woman. I made a point to run into her last year, and she remembered me then, but I'm not sure if she knows who I am now.

Others sure do, however. During a break in the action Amanda, Ben, Claudia and Beau emerge from the stage. We say our hellos to Beau, who is eager to unsnap his tie and take a break. Amanda goes over and grabs herself some chicken soup from a portable stand. Darren and I are on the opposite side of the room, but I eventually make my way over and wait until she gets done talking with a crew member.

Amanda Tapping has the best memory of any actor I have ever encountered. She knows and remembers her fans. She sees me and there isn't even a hello. She takes me into her arms and gives me a long hug. After a brief chat she goes over and does the same to Darren. We catch up with her and Ben for probably five minutes before they are called back into the scene. Same sequence, different angle. We remain for a few more minutes to watch.

Yesterday Rob Cooper finally finished directing "Sateda." He was out on-location shooting, but now we finally get some time with him. Rob's office is a lot like Brad's. He has a couple of absolutely gorgeous and comfortable black couches, and the room is adorned with all sorts of Stargate stuff. (You might have caught it in the first SCI FI Lowdown -- Amanda was playing put-put golf in there.)

"I'm having a great time," Rob says in response to Darren's question of whether or not the executive is still having fun. "The directing has certainly been a great, invigorating aspect of my creative energies. But I still like writing the show. I still love the characters and I want to see it -- it's like reading a book, and why would you put it down before the end? In some ways I want to help tell the end of the story."

After more than a half hour with Rob we leave for lunch.Stargate lunch ... It doesn't get much better than this.

To Be Continued ...

There are many certainties in my life. Here is Number 3:

The only person who doesn't say Thank You when I hold a door open for them is aways, regrettably, the most beautiful woman I will encounter that day.

Set Diary, Part 2

2006-05-06T20:02:00.000-06:00

Thursday, March 23, 2006 (Con't)
Carole places Darren and me in a holding pattern in front of the office workers, a team of script coordinators and writer/producer facilitators who are buzzing around the room like bees. I hear the word "Goldsmith" mentioned, indicating someone may be on the phone with Joel or his assistant.

Before we know it, Ben Browder comes around the corner. We stand to greet him and are very happy to have a chance to chat with him again. Unfortunately we won't get the chance to interview Browder during the week, but we will get to chat more with him tomorrow.

Next up, the man himself, Mr. Brad Wright. I have never been inside Brad's office. It's about the same size as Rob's, and is full of neat things, from an enormous HDTV to a row of the loveliest panoramas from various sets from over the years (including the Beliskner from "Nemesis," and I believe Togar's laboratory from "Urgo."). Brad gives us a huge portion of his time. Sitting with him really is like a kid sitting in a candy store. Eating candy.

"I do know that on our show for the last couple of years we've had to renegotiate every year, and that is very difficult from our perspective," Wright says. "We don't know: a) whether we're going to get a network pick-up; b) how much money we're going to get to make the show. And all of those things are contingent on the cast deals that we make. Which comes first, right? So it's been difficult the last couple of years."

Next stop, Stage 5. Stargate Command. The lights are set on Beau Bridges and Peter Flemming (Agent Malcolm Barrett), who are entering an elevator in the tunnel corridor. Darren and I wait with Carole in the control room and get a chance to thoroughly look over the equipment. While examining the star map it occurs to me to write all of the addresses down for later inclusion in the Omnipedia, but I remind myself that it can't be so unless it's specifically been seen in the view of the camera.

"Can I go out there," I ask Carole, pointing to the Gate room. She nods, and Darren follows me out the right stairway.

If you've been to the sets, I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say that the Stargate is bigger than you think it is. Well, have you seen it when the only light in the room is a green screen from behind? It's bigger. I somehow get it in my head that after the inner track there is no more Stargate. In fact there's a two to three inch rim that marks the inside of it, and this makes the Gate look much, much fatter when you're only seeing its silhouette. Even thicker than the shot from "Singularity."

Two long floor mats have been placed on the ramp, for reasons which still elude me (perhaps for the cameras), and as I said before, a green screen has replaced the back wall of the Gate room. This is the first time we've been around the object when it hasn't been near some form of action, so we are really allowed to take in the moment, albeit in mostly blackness. Darren and I go from one end of the ramp to the other for a good five minutes, relishing in the experience of being with the ultimate symbol of the franchise once again. One of us, I won't say which one, reenacts Daniel's first experience with the event horizon.

Soon Beau has a spare minute, and he sets himself down in his own chair in the control room. Peter Flemming sits near by, listening to his iPod, while Bridges and I chat. Now here is a man who could potentially say certain things to me that would make me wet my bridges -- I mean britches.

Beau Bridges has an aura about him. While I ask him my questions his eyes remain locked on mine. His expression doesn't change. I feel like his hands are reaching behind my eyeballs and into the back of my head, pulling me toward him. I cannot imagine what it would be like to act in a scene with him. Dylan Bridges is my age, so I can't help but think that he's looking at me like he would anyone his son's age. But when he speaks, he's unexpectedly gentle and treats me like I know my stuff.

"It's [a familiar nemesis] again," Beau says about the episode currently filming. "Insiders" features the return of a wonderful enemy. "He's giving us a bad time. In fact, there's more than just one of him. And I also have the N.I.D. to deal with. Barrett is back again, giving me a problem, like he always does. He's lurking very close to me right now, as we speak." Beau and I stare at Peter Flemming, who continues to bob his head while in his own little world, and he eventually sees we're watching him. It's quite funny.

We spend some time waiting for Beau's breaks, and the afternoon wanes. But we make our way out into the trailers for some time with Rachel Lutrell. A lot of folks, as I did, put the emphasis on the TRELL. But it's actually the LUT that gets the emphasis.

Back to the scene. Inside Rachel's trailer her dog, Nala, naps in her bed underneath Rachel's table. Darren leads this particular interview. He is quite taken with her, as I first was in my telephone interview with her. I notice a portable shoe rack, suspended in the corner, holding pairs of both Rachel and Teyla's shoes.

"I was taking the time to visit with my family and my friends," Rachel says about her hiatus time, "because I'm up in Vancouver alone. Obviously I have new family but I don't get an opportunity to really be with my family. And they, like Teyla, are a huge part of my life and who I am. So yeah, I did a lot of traveling and spent a lot of time with loved ones. Yeah, that was pretty much my focus."

Rachel gives us both hugs before we depart for the production office. We're about to have a chance to sit down for our first full interview with Miss Claudia Black.

Not being a Farscape watcher I cannot appreciate the experience like Darren does. As far as my experience with Claudia, I've known her as Vala and as Shazza in "Pitch Black," one of my all-time favorite monster movies. "Why did Shazza have to die so early," I complain to Claudia.

She replies flatly. "I know, she didn't stay down."

If you saw it, you get it.

"I would never expect anyone to be a fan of anything I've done," she says. "And the fact that people have crossed over and started to [tune] in to Stargate is fantastic. And I really appreciate the fact that, from what I've heard from people, that they recognize how different the characters are. And I'm glad I'm able to do something different for them."

Not only is Darren a huge Farscape fan, but he's a huge Claudia fan. It was amusing to watch him. I think he lit up for her like no other interviewee ... Well, maybe Amanda Tapping ...and Andee Frizzell.

Another of GateWorld's buddies, stunt coordinator James Bamford, is putsing outside the room we have taken over. We say goodbye to Martin Wood and his family and chat with BAMBAM for a few minutes. He is getting ready to practice for the following evening's stunt performance at Creation's convention. We see Ben Browder pass through again before Carole escorts us to the front gate. We grab a taxi and head back to the hotel for the convention's early registration.

To Be Continued ...

There are many certainties in my life. Here is Number 2:

When I travel to Vancouver, Don S. Davis will be in LA.
When I travel to LA, Don S. Davis will be in Vancouver.

Set Diary, Part 1

2006-05-03T09:13:00.000-06:00

"Just take it easy," says Mitchell.
"We mean you no harm," Daniel adds.

Several seconds pass as Cam Chai, playing Azdak, gives his lines off-screen. Vala comes around from the corner, dressed in a beautiful garment. The camera moves toward her. "Then you are foolish," says Vala. "I would not abandon you. I am your God."

She looks over at Daniel and smiles.

"And cut," says director Will Waring. I turn to Darren, nod my head, and think to myself, I sure hope they decide to use the take of Claudia smiling at Michael.

If you've seen "The Powers That Be," this is not the take they used. It was gold, and I am indeed disappointed. But life goes on. Such is the excitement of standing behind the cameras at the home of Stargate.

I will not pretend that this is a cohesive recollection of my days at The Bridge Studios in Vancouver. I will also not pretend that it is completely void of information for the upcoming episodes "Insiders" and "Irresistible." In order to give what follows proper context and flavor, I have added my observations, none of which I would consider to be "spoilery." No on-camera dialogue is divulged, and certainly no plot points are revealed.

Having said that, in order to keep it interesting you will get the sense of the scenes that were being filmed as GateWorld watched from the sidelines. A small snippet from almost all of our interviews has also been included. If you want utterly no knowledge about "Insiders" and "Irresistible," I suggest you stop reading now.

Thursday, March 23, 2006
It's been a year since my first visit to The Bridge. I remember last year I went to bed as early as was reasonable to get as much sleep as I could. I didn't know if I'd ever get to go back so I absolutely had to absorb every detail I could take in. Visiting the sets was a true childhood goal of mine.

For me, it's not just the privilege of watching scenes that you will be seeing on your television set in four months. Rather it's things that no other fan will ever get to see. Last year Darren and I were privileged to watch a beautiful exchange between Landry and Mitchell which explored Dr. Lam's back-story, and it was sadly deleted from the final cut. Unless MGM/Sony change their attitudes about deleted scenes from episodes before Season 10 (their policy may be changing this year), this footage will be forever lost.

Returning to the studios this year was very-much a wonderful thing for me. It had established that our trip last year was not a one-off, but that our work was still being read, and often liked, by the folks that make our favorite shows. To visit the sets of SG-1 and Atlantis is a treat a fan cannot describe. To have David Hewlett light up with recognition when you turn the corner is, well, inestimable.

Our contact at Bridge asked us to meet her at the studios at 10 a.m. We arrive two or three minutes early. While Darren and I are standing under the awning of the security office David Nykl rides up in his car. "Hey guys," he says, putting his pass card into the box, raising the guard stick. He was flying out to Amsterdam that weekend and couldn't make it to the con, so he made a special trip just so we wouldn't miss him.

The wonderful Carole Appleby of Stargate Publicity escorted us from the main entrance. Carole is a young woman who has been working for Stargate since the start of SG-1 Season Nine and Atlantis Season Two". We met her last year. When she speaks, Carole is as Vancouverite as they come. Being a student of voice for many years, this is something I always pick up on.

Two years ago when Darren came by himself he got to sit down and chat with Martin Wood and Michael Greenburg in the S.G.C. briefing room. I've always been jealous of him for this. So when we decide where to sit down with David for our chat, I immediately chime in. "The Atlantis conference room!"

We enter Stage 6, the sound stage for the central spire of Atlantis. In minutes we are facing the grand staircase. To my surprise, the Stargate is missing. Actually, it's under the floor. The platform of the Gatrium is being revamped for Atlantis's cafeteria. This set was designed to appear to be a number of different places, from a commissary to a dark hallway where Teyla fights Sora.

Air conditioning is very much active upstairs in the conference room. Above, suspended by cables, is the swaying globe that gives the room most of its light. But the panels of the tables are also lit by fluorescent bulbs on the inside. I sit down across from David while we do our interview in this room.

My first question to David is about the episode he is shooting this week, as Darren and I are not aware of this show's title. "'Irresistible' is the name of the episode," says Nykl, "featuring Richard Kind. And Zelenka is doing much what Zelenka does quite frequently, which is in the control room with Weir. But, let's just say that there's been a remarkable effect on the Atlantis crew that has changed their behavior and Zelenka is susceptible to that." After a few pleasantries we say our goodbyes.

Carole takes us through the effects stage where portions of the "Blade" set have been converted into Atlantis. You'd recognize it as everything from the wide shots of Atlantis stair wells (usually used when Atlantis personnel are searching for something) as well as the catwalk that has been seen a handful of times. Right now Martin Wood is setting up a scene in McKay's lab. After a few moments we get a word with him, and he agrees to have some time with us during our visit.

Next on our list, the Stargate production office. Approximately 20 feet (through walls) from the S.G.C. Stargate itself, the production office is integrated into the same building as Stargate Command and Atlantis Base. The office is about as exciting as any of the sound stages. You never know who you're going to see while you're up there. Last year Tony Amendola passed through.

Martin Gero is my favorite writer. There, it's out. We've talked a great deal since I met him a year ago. I walk in front of his office and see him inside. His noise-canceling headset is over his ears and he is typing away. When he looks up and sees me, the image of Jack O'Neill smooching the glass of General Hammond's back window goes through my head, but I don't repeat the gesture -- don't want to get scolded.

Martin is on a roll and can't be stopped for a chat (I suspect he was writing "McKay and Mrs. Miller"), but he promises me an interview later.

I've never met Carl Binder, though I'm a fan of his work. He's probably best known for Dr. Quinn, and referenced the show at least once during our interview with him. Carl is one of the oldest writers in the Stargate production office, but is a real gentleman. We speak with him next.

"Going off to think of a new idea, you're constantly going, 'Oh, wait a minute, they've done that. They've done that,'" Carl says. "'OK, They've done that, but is there a fresh, new way?' Ultimately there's only a certain -- very few story types, and in science fiction. They're always saying 'That's this kind of story' or 'that kind of story.'"

We say goodbye to Carl and make our way a couple of offices back down to Gero. Martin welcomes us in. Instantly I remember the space from last year. The wall to the right of his desk is filled with drawings from seasons one and two of Atlantis. One of the shelves in his bookshelf to his left are filled with, you couldn't guess it if you tried, Muppet characters.

Martin is a huge Muppet fan. Toys of almost every character are everywhere, though, disappointed, I could not find Pepe. We sit down and start off by catching up with Martin, showing pictures of babies and discussing school. But eventually we dig in to the meaty stuff. Martin's second episode of SG-1 is "200," an episode penned by just about all of the writers. It is only logical to bring it up with him.

"I'm not going to say anything about the 200th episode," Gero says. "I really feel like the [less] we say about this episode the better. The one thing that has gotten out is it is a fun episode in the vein of a 'Wormhole X-Treme!' That's really, I think, all that anybody needs to know. Sorry." Frankly, I can't agree with him more. We hear more about the show from higher-ups later on, and he is right.

To Be Continued ...

There are many certainties in my life. Here is Number 1:

No matter when you buy your airplane ticket, the time you didn't buy will always have the better pricetag.

Computers

2006-04-25T12:06:00.000-06:00

Ever wonder where all of Stargate's computers come from? If you take a close look you'll see that most of the computers in the franchise, almost all in the recent years, have been DELLs.

But have you wondered why?

It's quite simple, as one of my sources inside The Bridge explained to me. Stargate will take computers from whoever will offer them. In exchange for providing the machines, the logos get screen time.

The computer sitting in front of Rodney and Radek is a DELL Inspiron 9200. As far as I know this model's debut on Atlantis was during the same show, "The Siege, Part 3." I got myself one in late 2004 when it was initially issued and still own it. It's a great computer, and is only now starting to break down. It was quite funny to see it appear in Atlantis, even before Daedalus' arrival -- a computer that wasn't even available when Weir pioneered an expedition into Pegasus.

Nitpicks.
I digress.

So ... the sets are filled with free, working computers provided by Dell. But what about the production offices? Not the same deal. Dell will only provide computers that will appear on-screen. Alas, our boys upstairs don't get shiny new ones. It makes sense, really, but it would still be nice if Dell would throw them a few each year. If you really look you see their logo absolutely everywhere.

I've always been very pleased with Dell. My first computer was a Compaq and I ended up very nearly throwing it into the lake in my back yard after about four months. Like I said, I've owned the 9200 for 17 months and it's still working relatively well. Every once in a while I'll run into someone who has a problem with the Dell brand, but it's not often. I'm glad they are represented on my favorite shows.

What if Dell stopped providing computers for Stargate? Well, production would switch to someone else willing to offer free goods. I think it's a pretty sweet deal. A 1,500 dollar machine in exchange for a potential season (or two's) worth of screen time on a hit television series.

An update on my Set Diary: I'm almost through with it, but it's nine pages long, single spaced. I intend to break it into four parts, and will likely be debuting Part 1 here very soon. I hope you enjoy it.

One

2006-04-05T13:28:00.000-06:00

My full report from Vancouver (set and con) will be coming in a few days. But for now, I intend to address a point that gnaws at me every once in a while when I read on-line Stargate opinion. The ones that say "the big bad GateWorld is going to enter your homes and steal your first born children -- and your livestock -- and sacrifice them to the Ori." Signal a Prior, sweep off the Ara, it's time to have a friendly neighborhood bonfire.

Translation: GateWorld is trying to slap down every other Stargate Web site that attempts to challenge it.

Please.

I do not understand this. I examine my work and try to determine how it constitutes this imperial menace that I occasionally get wind of. How is my journalism for the Web site preventing others from doing work just as good, or perhaps work that kicks my butt? What is preventing other people from getting off their rear ends, getting on the phone and making a call to a talent agent requesting an interview?

Nothing. It's laziness. Pure and simple. Either that or the talent agent checks out their site, sees it as a cesspool for hatred, and won't let their client touch it with a five foot staff weapon.

When I joined GateWorld a couple of years ago (it should be noted why I joined: because I was a fan of the site) I started thinking about its untapped potential. The equation was simple to me: Do what no one else does. I looked into other Stargate Web sites and saw what none of them had: exclusive multimedia content. Sure, I'd see text interviews, but nothing that turned my head. I wanted to be able to hear, and perhaps see the celebrity.

So I subscribed to a news service and made a phone call to Amanda Tapping's agent. A week later, voila, a two-part audio interview. And we were off. The rest is history.

Now we're doing more than ever. I cannot believe the amount of exclusive content we rolled in this past trip. Managing it has become a full-blown task in itself, but I think we figured it out. Many of these folks have noticed our work and are commenting on it when we meet them. I cannot tell them enough how much I appreciate that.

Anyone can become as popular as we've become. If you're a hard worker who appreciates your audience -- and doesn't ridicule them right to their faces -- then you can't lose.

Darren and I aren't geniuses -- it's not that complicated. All I did was sit down, make some phone calls for interviews and news stories, and when someone didn't reply to me, I persevered. If I still couldn't get them to respond, I moved to something else. I didn't give up. Not then. Not today.

I am delighted that we have been able to share GateWorld's traffic spoils with other fan sites we have felt were well-designed and fiercely unique. Stargate Horizon is a wonderful example. In the year or so that it has been around numerous clones have risen to challenge it. It was the first to be introduced into the GateWorld Network -- Web sites which have agreed to apply a little box on their page to share the traffic a bit. It's working wonderfully.

What frustrates me more than anything else is to read that we are only as popular as we have become because we get access to goodies from MGM and Sony. This is the biggest crock of bull. We have poured our sweat and tears into this Web site, and if we've grabbed their attention (and the attention of those at The Bridge) now and again, then it is a wonderful plus. I cannot remember when someone has offered me something I did not have to fight for to begin with. Anyone who reads this and still thinks otherwise is just petty.

Not everyone is this way, though. Occasionally I get the odd email from another site asking for a celebrity's agent and management information. Provided I am not bound by confidentiality to disclose that data, I am happy to oblige. (But this doesn't mean I'm going to become a request line)

Exclusive Stargate content on the Web, no matter who is producing it, can only benefit the fan base. I won't deny that I want GateWorld to be the best -- I would want my own child to be the best -- but certainly we should not be the only ones. In the long run I can see how that would become detrimental. You should always have an option. There are perfectly good resources on the Web that release similar content, and most are doing a bang-up job. This is wonderful for fandom.

I don't intend to have anything change with this entry. Anything popular takes heat from others longing for that popularity. Darren and I realize this, and at the end of the day we turn to our traffic numbers and realize we're doing something right. If something smells funny, we want to figure out what it is and make it better.

Here's something I've learned from this industry, and this group of people. If you're wondering why you can't get responses from the Stargate switchboard, you may want to take a look at the general attitude emanating from your site. If you are ruthlessly criticizing the Stargate production administration they are not going to touch you. I've been there enough to realize that, inside the studio or out, they will not trouble themselves with people who nastily refuse to play fair and treat others with respect.

Anyone can have exclusive content. It's only a $12 subscription, and a phone call, away. Let's see what you got. Until then, here is a wonderful example of a sister Stargate site I have come to appreciate as a competitor of the Omnipedia's content: Stargate Handbook.

Thor

2006-04-01T16:34:00.000-07:00

We did a lot of interviews while we were in Vancouver this past week. But one of my absolute favorites was a video interview with the one and only Supreme Commander of the Asgard himself, Thor.

Enjoy!

Thanks to Brigitte for going through all the trouble to arrange our interview with him, and to Creation for giving us the rare chance to chat. Be looking back to this space for additional rundowns from GateWorld's trip -- as soon as I can get my school life back together!

Vancouver

2006-03-22T21:47:00.000-07:00

35 hours into mission.

Boy, we hit the jackpot with exclusive content today. Darren, Sarah (Kiwigater) and I collected almost 100 minutes of interview footage today -- a sizeable portion -- with four exclusive interviews including Garwin Sanford (Narim, Simon Wallace), Gary Chalk (Chekov) and Kavan Smith (Lorne). There is an additional interview that I am unwilling to disclose at this point. You're just going to have to bear with me (though I will say that it's one I've been looking forward to for over a year).

Kiwigater took the Sky Train down to the hotel, and we took a cab over to The Character's Talent Agency. I spent a good 45 minutes tearing down their conference room to accommodate our cameras. I borrowed lamps from inquisitive office workers and a fern from an office worker who wasn't so inquisitive (Maybe because she was on maternity leave).

We then shot three interviews in a single room, but the environment was different enough that I could shoot in different locations inside and manage to pull it off. I am extremely pleased with the results. As I type this Garwin is being encoded.

Garwin Sanford. What an absolute treat this man was. Out of the four we shot today, he and Kavan were absolutely the most photogenic, and were prepared to perform in front of the lens. When you see this video you will be struck with his sense of humor. I sure was.

I also learned a great deal about him that I didn't know before. One of our moderators graciously informed me (before we left) that he works with his hands a lot in all sorts of mediums. He takes a good portion of the last few minutes discussing how he brought Goth masks to life. Very interesting stuff.

Gary Chalk. Charisma backed by an excellent sense of humor. We got less time with Gary than I would have liked, but he told us about his Russian coaching (how it was actually one of the other cast members from "The Tomb"), his disappointment that a huge portion of Russian dialogue he had prepared for was cut in one of the episodes, and his pure delight to do what he did in "Camelot."

Kavan Smith. All I can say is I am SO glad we decided to contact this guy. He has such a presence and is so funny. You will be delighted with this interview. A portion of it is already up as a feature, where he addresses his fans in particular. He showed up looking all stylish, so we had to put him right in front of a beautiful piece of art. I am very pleased with how this one turned out as well.

After some fun and games with a couple of Taxis we finally got back to the hotel at around 5 PM, and (after verifying footage and photos) went out for Thai. Dissatisfied, I returned to the hotel by way of a McDonald's and grabbed a shower.

We are expected at The Bridge Studios tomorrow morning at 10, and will likely stay until five or six. With the rain we've been getting the good news is that the crews will likely not be doing any off-site shooting, but even if they were there'd be loads of folks in the production offices to cover.

More soon.

Motherload

2006-03-19T17:18:00.000-07:00

I love how Darren said that this coming week is the equivalent of a Stargate "Super Bowl" for GateWorld.

I think I'm going to steal it.

This coming week is the equivalent of a Stargate "Super Bowl" for GateWorld! No, it really is. The last time we did this we barely managed to make it home with all the footage, which collected in our hard drives for almost an entire year. It changed the very nature of our workload until Christmas. I am pleased to say that this year is going to be bigger and badder than ever. I am also glad to report that there is no way some of this year's footage will be in there for ten months. There's just no way. GateWorld loyalists, breathe a sigh of relief. I know I did.

In addition to spending two full days at The Bridge Studios (gathering interviews, news bits and a spoiler or two) while Stargate films, Darren and I are scheduling numerous off-site interviews with a few names I've been looking to add to our interview archive for some time now. Oh yeah, I think there is a convention in there somewhere!

THE PLAN
TUESDAY
7:30AM departure. Drive to Nashville, TN to meet up with Darren and fly to Dallas, then to Vancouver, all the way bickering over details and hammering out some kick-ass questions. Arrive early enough to get a very good night's sleep.

WEDNESDAY
Taxi to Granville Island for video interviews. Currently three are scheduled: An interview with a fatherly figure, a potentially fresh dead guy, and a stale dead guy.

THURSDAY & FRIDAY
Meet Stargate's lovely, lovely publicist either at The Bridge or at their off-site set for a full day of filming SG1 1004 and ATL 304, interviews, and if we're lucky like we were last year, some of Jack's catering. We'll be dividing our time between the trailers, the sets, and the production office itself. I cannot wait.

For interviews this year around, our priorities are folks from the cast and crews we've never spoken with. If you're aware of the contents of our interview archive, you should have a pretty good idea.

FRIDAY EVE
The place is TGI Fridays, and it's going to be the Stargate party of the year. Eighty GateWorld readers will converge for a night of dinner, laughs, meet-and-greets with a special guest or two, and great prize giveaways. I've been planning this one for several months now, and I expect a resounding success.

God help me next year.

SATURDAY
Conventioning! While Darren combs the back-and-forth chatter in the main convention hall for newsworthy information I'm going to be continuing the filming of Phenomenon with anyone who wants to stop and talk about Stargate, as well as stealing some interview time from various stars in the dealer's room. (I'm also looking forward to buying a nice gift or two for myself this year)

SUNDAY
Trivia! By the grace of our good buddies at Creation Entertainment GateWorld has been invited to the stage for a half hour of Stump the Experts: A trivia challenge! I've been writing Omnipedia entries for months, so give it your best shot. The rules are simple. If you ask us a question, and we can answer, you don't get a prize. If you stump us, you win yourself a gift, courtesy Creation. We're planning on upping the ante and making it more difficult for us to guess correctly.

MONDAY
Real life is going to start knocking. Darren and I have a rise time of about 6:30 AM. He's worried we're going to oversleep. Fat chance. Back to Nashville by around 7 or 8, and then the drive home, by way of a gas station, a pee and a McDonald's.

GateWorld will be covering the event live! Look for a drastic transformation to the main page. Won't say more on that now. Even though it's a two-hour time difference for me, I'm usually very tired by the time I get back into my room that night, so I won't promise blogging while I'm over there. Too much to do. But certainly I'm going to break everything down for you here when I get back.

For those who are going, please, please have a safe trip. I'm looking forward to seeing you. For those who can't, as always, keep your chevrons locked on GateWorld. Who knows what we'll uncover this year.

Um ...

2006-02-26T09:18:00.000-07:00

This month marks two years that I've been doing interviews for GateWorld. Well, that's not actually true. In January of '04 I debuted my interview series with Jacqueline Samuda, but it was text-only. Amanda Tapping launched our ongoing audio interview series, and I am proud to say that it this series a major contributor to our popularity today. GateWorld Interviews has allowed me to meet people I never imagined I would have otherwise, and two years later I can say I have made a handful of good friends.

However, with 30 published interviews under my belt, there are still a handful of things I am not pleased with. When I was in High School I took a speech class, taught by a radio personality I now work with. Dee ingrained a very simple phrase into my head: "No fillers!" She was referring to anything that would occupy space between the point you were trying to make and your audience. You know? Uh, so ... yeah, anyway, like ...

Reviewing my last six or eight published pieces, I discovered several months back that I have a recurring filler in my interviews. More often than not, I start a question off with "Um." Shame on me.

I like to go back and review my interview material on a semi-regular basis. Not to pat myself on the back, but to view it technically to make improvements with intros and outtros, and to try my darndest to generate my own distinct style. This is to make it separate from other Web sites, and even other interviewers on GateWorld -- especially Darren. I think that's important.

I also watch for handicap questions. "What is your most poignant memory" is one example of this, which I am boxing and replacing with different words. The answer delivered by the interviewee, I think, is an interesting one (and so it will stay -- in various forms). It's just important not to get in such ruts with language and delivery.

It is not my intention (necessarily) to parade my faults in this blog. I'm mainly doing this to stick them out to ensure that I have legitimate reason to try and narrow the chances of them occurring. There are some audio samples that are live which may not necessarily be up to par with the Web site's quality, but thank God for transcripts -- and my inestimable assistant Dustin Giffin -- for helping me to clean them up.

Occasionally I will receive a message from a reader who is irritated because I have an agenda in my interviews. "Agenda," I honestly ask. One example of this is in my most recent interview with Ben Browder. Ben discusses the changes made in Season Six, harkening back to my previous interview with him when he said how Jonas Quinn was a breath of fresh air for the series. "Which you liked," was one of my replies to Ben this time around. The reader interpreted this as a nudge of support for Jonas, and perhaps Corin Nemec, and took offense. In reality, it was another filler to keep Ben running with the question before I moved on to the next one.

For the record, I think Jonas is a fine character. Is he a particular favorite of mine? No.

However, I will admit to the only agenda I can think of out of my entire body of interview work. In my most recent interview with Amanda Tapping, I plugged a question regarding her hopeful return to directing. I did this for two reasons. One, because it was a moment in her career that was very ... poignant ... and Two, because I'm frustrated with the fact that she hasn't had a chance to direct again. An episode like "Prometheus Unbound" would have been perfect for her.

But I digress. I just sit here in a little room in Southern Illinois getting ready to launch the next interview, chuckling at the fact that Bob in Iowa may be interpreting my comments in this next piece as a way of trying to hook up with a hot chick. Bob, this one is for you:

Um ...

Everyone Loses

2006-02-08T10:11:00.000-07:00

I don't enjoy being disappointed. Who does?

When I first found out that Stargate SG-1 would be coming out with a video game I was both excited and hesitant. What will it be about? Who will be designing it? Will it include the voices of the stars? Will the production offices fully support it? Maybe you went through something similar.

"Stargate SG-1: The Alliance" was intended to be a rump through late Season Seven of the series, taking us back to destinations such as Langara, Tartarus, and exposing us to a few new worlds as well. With encounters from Replicators, Re'tu, the naggingly ever-present Goa'uld, and a remarkable new foe, I just about could not be more thrilled.

But this little voice sat in the back of my head, on an empty beach, under a big umbrella soaking on an iced tea with lemon. "You just wait," the little voice said.

"What do you mean," I replied to myself.
"Juust wait."

Aside from the DVDs, the little Stargate merchandise that has been released to date hasn't really broken records. I haven't heard about the comic books outside of our Stargate circles and Creation cons. I can't go to Wal-Mart and pick up the SG-1 board game ("... they made a board game?"). Heck, even my Barnes & Noble has ceased stocking Stargate SG-1/Atlantis Magazine -- something which warrants swift severing of genetalia.

So who was to say "The Alliance" would be any different? Well, that little voice in the back of my head was right. Months back GateWorld reported that JoWooD was unhappy with Perception's progress on the series. Yet Perception's staff diligently continued their work, not concerned with the consequences. Already a year's effort had been poured into the product, so I would imagine I may have done the same.

Then, recently, MGM finally pulled the plug. Funding had stopped, and there was nothing to continue forward. So they quit. And, yet again, fans were pushed out of the wagon, their asses sore and their boots dusty.

Now we have no game.
And the sad thing is, I'm not surprised.

One of the things I've never enjoyed about Jack is his prickly pessimism. I guess that's because it's a trait he and I occasionally share. I anticipated this would happen. When MGM signed on a company that no one had ever heard of, that had released next to no titles, to design and complete the first game for one of the greatest science fiction genres to exist in the early 21st century, that little voice on the beach said quietly, "Oh, boy. This is almost the recipe for disaster."

But I must give Perception credit where credit is due. The images and footage that they released have nothing short of knocked me out of my chair with excitement. Their work was exceptional -- nothing less. I was so looking forward to playing this game. I'd get to walk down the corridors of S.G.C., something I recently had the privilege of doing in real life. Not only would I get to play the game itself, but they may have included little bonus levels, such as the Foxtrot Alpha Six simulation.

Who is really to blame? Is it MGM? Were they not responsible enough to put care into selecting someone for the job -- someone with a proven track record -- if even costing them a bit more cash to ensure it? Was it JoWooD? Were they not paying close-enough attention to the pace in the game's development? Was it the job of Perception, a company in its infancy which may have been simply unprepared for the demands of a game of this caliber?

Or was it the fault of the fans, whose demands of the designers to remain so ridiculously true to established canon were so high that these demands, in fact, broke the game's back before it ever had a chance?

Such arguments are academic. We've all lost. Game director Peter DeLuise, the actors, the guest cast, the fans.

Let's face it. MGM may have been trying for the ump-hundredth time to save cash by banking its bucks on a company from a continent that, in my opinion, doesn't get nearly enough attention as it deserves from us northerners (I am of course talking about Australia). They could've been safe going with someone like Activision, a company that has released astounding products with the record of getting things done.

Oh, but no. In a very amusing irony, MGM's penny-pinching lost them their entire investment anyway. Years of work. Thousands of man hours.

I hope someone has learned something.
Have a good sigh. I know I did.

Origins

2006-02-03T09:26:00.000-07:00

September, 1998.

I'm fifteen, and am enjoying a nice evening off. Haven't started work yet, so it's a pretty typical night for me, writing and watching a little television. Canadian programming has been a regular item in my life for some time now. Poltergeist: The Legacy, Earth: Final Conflict and The Outer Limits are shows I regularly tune in to on Channel 3 late night. They may be using it to fill their air time before the station signs off, but I love it.

News 3 ends, and thus begins the show. A crane shot in a vacant military base, with a quartet of officers playing a card game. A few moments later a large metal ring is swirling. First thought that runs through my head: "That had to be an awfully expensive prop ..." Eventually the teaser ends, and the opening title "Richard Dean Anderson -- Stargate SG-1" commences.

Not my Outer Limits.
I am not a happy camper.

I can't tell you why, but I never turned the show off. I made it through the first hour, but when I realized it wasn't quitting I had this feeling of endlessness, so I popped a tape into the recorder, hit REC and went to bed. I woke up the next morning and finished, what I would soon realize, was the pilot to SG-1.

Interestingly, "Stargate" aired on network television the following night. I got into it late with my Dad, but we watched the rest of it. Later that week I rented the movie and watched it from start to finish. By the time "The Enemy Within" aired in syndication, all bets were off. I was hooked.

I've read comments on our forum about people's first tastes of the series, and I must admit. I'm surprised at how little diversity there is. Most people saw the film and started to watch the series immediately. Others just stumped onto the series by chance - like me - and, like me, it just happened to be the pilot episode too. So prove me wrong. How did you find SG-1?

Resolutions

2006-01-17T18:51:00.000-07:00

Starting a blog was something I didn't really imagine doing, but Darren's offer to kick off a series of fan blogs on GateWorld interested me. So, here I am. This is one New Years resolution I am hoping to keep.

My name's David Read. If you've been visiting GateWorld for a while, whether or not you've realized it, you've probably come across my work. I've been a member of GateWorld's staff since early 2003. My first task was the development and deployment of the Stargate Omnipedia, now the Web's largest encyclopedia for Stargate (and I say that proudly). This was all I did for almost a year, until around January of 2004 when I realized GateWorld's notoriety gave us the opportunity to start going in more directions Darren had not originally considered. I made it my job to take us to some of those places.

Not only do I plan on sharing my opinions of various new episodes as they air, but I also want to give you some of the inside scoop that was shared with me in interviews and discussions with cast and crew members -- at least as much as I can without compromising my journalistic integrity. Hopefully this will help you discover, even more than before, how wonderful many of these people are and how devoted they are to bringing you the very best entertainment.

I won't always be discussing Stargate, either. If you stick around you'll learn pretty quickly that I have a life beyond GateWorld as well. I'm a disc jockey, dog lover, cat hater (their dander sneezes me out of a room) and pizza eater. I have just started my final year of college, and afterward I'm on God's good humor. This is a great time to be alive, and a great time to be a fan of science fiction.

I actually have Amanda Tapping to thank for really getting things going. An interview with this fine woman took my responsibilities on GateWorld into hyperspace. I am now responsible for tasks of various importances, from reviews of new products to interviews and news bytes with the most influential people in Stargate. Whether I'm color-correcting a spoilery picture from an upcoming episode or on the phone with Adam Malin at Creation Entertainment, I'm spending my free time immersing myself in this great franchise.

GateWorld has brought me great gifts that I never could have imagined. You know you're a geek when you see Teyla and Ronon return from planet Belkan with a load of flax seed and say, to your next of kin, "I'm behind that wall!"

But most importantly, I've managed to accomplish things in myself I never thought I could. GateWorld (Darren) and Stargate have helped bring me to this point, and I am grateful beyond words. It's my hope that this blog makes that abundantly clear.

And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to encode our next interview for your enjoyment.