06.Nov.09
Posted in Press Watch at 8:51 pm by DeeKayP
Amanda Tapping and Damian Kindler, both formerly of Stargate, joined with Jill Bodie to launch the new charity Sanctuary for Kids this week.
SCI FI WIRE has reprinted their official announcement and we’ve included it below:
Vancouver, BC – Television Actor and Executive Producer Amanda Tapping announced today the launch of a new not-for-profit foundation, Sanctuary for Kids (S4K) that will support local and international charities providing vital aid to children and youth in crisis.
Sanctuary for Kids was inspired by the sci-fi TV series Sanctuary, for which Amanda Tapping is Executive Producer and the series lead actor. The foundation will harness the tremendous and supportive sci-fi community and provide access to rare and experience-based online auction items from Sanctuary to raise funds for children’s charities. The first auction will take place November 12 – 22, 2009.
S4K was founded by Tapping, Jill Bodie (B.ED., M.S.W.) and Damian Kindler (Executive Producer and Creator of Sanctuary) through their mutual association with the television series. All three serve as Directors for Sanctuary for Kids. In order to enable 100% of the funds raised to go to the children’s charities, Bodie is donating all of her time and resource costs as administrator for the foundation and Tapping and Kindler are personally covering all administrative and start-up costs.
“We all feel very lucky and honoured to be able to do jobs we love with people we love in this industry,” explains Amanda Tapping. “Jill, Damian and I all felt a very strong desire and real responsibility to do something with the reach and audience we have through Sanctuary and the sci-fi community. We didn’t want to waste the influence that the series has, or the meaningful connections we personally have made with so many people around the world.”
“This is an initiative that is based on relationships and working as a community at large,” continues Jill Bodie, Director, Sanctuary for Kids. “It’s about doing something very real and tangible for children and youth who desperately need protection. Sci-fi fans are so connected and loyal – we will be relying on their connectivity and passion to help spread the word about the work we are doing.”
Adds Damian Kindler, Executive Producer/Creator, Sanctuary, “Ultimately, we want to set an example and make charitable giving and outreach a standard practice in the television and entertainment industry. We all feel that it would be irresponsible to ignore that influence.”
Sanctuary for Kids will host three auctions throughout the year selling “priceless” items as well as meet and greet opportunities with Sanctuary actors and producers. The first auction will take place November 12 – 22, 2009 with such items as a behind the scenes set tour and lunch with Amanda Tapping, a personal Skype chat with Executive Producers Amanda Tapping, Damian Kindler and Martin Wood, a well known prop used in the series (”Sonic Stunner”), as well as an opportunity to name a new character in the show.
Sanctuary for Kids has chosen the Nepal Orphans Home and Watari’s TTIP (Transitioning to Independence Program) and TIPPY (Transitioning to Independence Program for Parenting Youth) Programs to launch the foundation. The Nepal Orphans Home (www.nepalorphanshome.org) attends to the welfare of children in Nepal who are orphaned, abandoned or not supported by their parents. Watari’s Programs (www.watari.org) work with the homeless youth population in Vancouver to help stabilize single, pregnant and parenting youth in safe, affordable housing and encourages commitment to their treatment plans.
For more information on Sanctuary for Kids and upcoming auctions, visit www.sanctuaryforkids.org
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Posted in News, Press Watch, Universe at 7:42 am by DeeKayP
Colonel Telford wants command of Destiny
Producer John G. Lenic warns that tonight’s episode of Stargate Universe “might cause some (more) controversy online…” And creative consultant Joe Mallozzi seems to agree: “Friday night’s installment of Stargate: Universe has yet to air, but already the boards are abuzz.” Returning guest star Lou Diamond Phillips also said something in a recent interview (spoilers!) that makes one wonder what all this buzz is about: “I think people will be surprised at how far the creators are willing to go in this series.”
What could they possibly be talking about? Certainly the return of Richard Dean Anderson as Lt. Gen. Jack O’Neill, who wants Col. Everett Young to consider risking everyone’s lives for a chance at getting the intended team aboard the Destiny, wouldn’t create a controversy at the magnitude that they seem to be implying. And the first appearance of Carlo Rota as IOA supervisor Carl Strom, who wants Camile Wray to take command of the Destiny so that the international group can have control and an eye on what’s happening with their incredible discovery, couldn’t possibly make people turn to their keyboards in such a fashion. Neither could the mini-concert provided by the talented Janelle Monáe at the club that Eli and Chloe go to in other people’s bodies be all that bad to warrant such reactions.
Maybe it’s the way Colonel Telford finally gets the chance to make his move to take over the Destiny while he’s in the body of the man he’s trying to replace, Colonel Young. And what is Young doing while Telford’s making his move? Why, he’s making moves of his own.
You’ll have to watch the episode to find out how far the creators are indeed willing to go and which of these storylines could just very well be the one that Lenic, Mallozzi, and even Phillips believe will set the Internet on fire and shake the show’s already slightly unstable foundation.
“Earth” will be shown tonight, November 6, on the Syfy Channel (US) and Space (Canada) at 9 PM ET and 10 PM ET, respectively. The episode will be broadcast by Sky One (UK) on Tuesday, November 10, at 8 PM, and finally, on Friday, November 13, on the Sci Fi Channel (Australia) at 8:30 PM.
After viewing, you’re invited to return to the site to vote in the episode poll on the main page and discuss the episode here (in the comments), in our on-site forum, or at our LiveJournal Companion.
Guides to the Season One episodes can be found in our Stargate Wiki. And don’t forget the episode chatter that’s bound to take place from the actors, writers, producers, and the press that you can read from our Stargate Twitter Superfeed.
Last Week’s “Water” Ratings
The ratings for Stargate Universe seem to be settling down some after the first five weeks on the air. “Water”, last week’s episode, “took 544k (2.3%) for Sky1,” according to Digital Spy. This is down from 677k (3%) for “Light” from the week before.
Instead of reporting weekly ratings, SCI FI WIRE chose to publish “TV ratings: Every fall sci-fi show compared by number of viewers” that includes network and cable sci-fi shows. Stargate Universe was 10th in the list of 12 shows, based on its second week’s ratings (its highest). “Stargate Universe has been beating Fox’s Dollhouse in the ratings some weeks, and they’re not shy about saying so. The time-shift numbers are excellent, too, and Syfy considers this new Stargate one of its hits. However, the series is headed toward a big hiatus after episode 10, and it won’t return until spring.”
Four more episodes, including tonight’s “Earth”, will be aired this year and then the show will return during Syfy’s second quarter in 2010. We should hear whether or not the show gets a second season before 2009 comes to an end.
[Images from MGM.]
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04.Nov.09
Posted in Merchandise, News, Press Watch, Universe at 12:22 pm by DeeKayP
James Swallow was interviewed by Unreality SF about several of his projects, including the upcoming release of his novelization of “Air”, the three-part premiere of Stargate Universe written by Brad Wright and Robert. C. Cooper.
Swallow isn’t a stranger to Stargate, having written several of the Big Finish Audio Dramas for both Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis. He’s recently joined their staff as a story editor to work on the next set, or season, of plays.
From the Stargate portion of the interview:
His next Stargate project is a novel, though: James’ novelisation of Air, the opening episodes of the new Stargate series Universe, will be published in November. There are always horror stories floating around about how secretive some production studios can be when it comes to providing the authors of novelisations with information, so how much access did James have to inside information about the series while writing the book? “I was working directly from the three episodic scripts that made up the pilot storyline, along with a few scripts from later episodes, photos, story synopses and character notes,” he explains. “Early on, I had to work from out-of-date versions of the scripts where many details were still in flux – names and ranks, order of scenes, that kind of thing – but later I got access to the final drafts, thanks to the help of John Scalzi, the show’s creative consultant, and used a combination of all the elements to build the novel.”
Some studios demand very strict novelisations of their episodes/movies, with little to no added material, but that wasn’t the case with Air. “I got to add a fair bit of new stuff,” James reveals. “Mostly what I did was expand and ‘open out’ existing scenes from the scripts with added dialogue and more narrative depth, but there are a couple of places where I wrote some totally new scenes. I was lucky in that I had a pretty free hand.”
By now, the episodes have aired, and James has been able to compare his novelisation with the final episodes. “It’s fascinating to see how scenes were actually shot compared to how I had visualised them,” he ruminates. “I guess in a way, the novelisation is the way I would have ‘directed’ it. There’s not a lot of differences between the two on a gross level, but on a smaller scale there are variations – for example, Air has a lot of quick, choppy flashbacks in it, and while that works well on TV, it’s not so good for a novel, so I wrote a strictly chronological version of the events. There’s also a couple of scenes that were moved to later episodes of the TV show that appear in the novel, and some that were scripted and shot but cut for time.” He admits that there are “some things I would have written differently if I had seen the episodes first, but I kinda like the fact that the book and screen versions don’t exactly marry up – it means that fans who watch the show and then read the novel get to experience two versions of the same narrative.”
With the novelisation of Air, James has written for all three TV incarnations of Stargate. What does Universe brings to the table to stand out against the two previous series, in his opinion? “You can see from the outset that SGU is a very different show, in terms of look and texture. I think this series has the potential to be Stargate’s equivalent of Deep Space Nine, with a darker take on familiar tropes. I imagine that, like DS9, SGU will be the red-headed stepchild of its franchise,” he laughs. Asked if there will be original Universe novels following his novelisation James reveals that “there are indeed plans in the works for Fandemonium Books to produce original Stargate Universe tie-ins in the future, adding to the existing line of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis novels.” Another James Swallow book in the Universe line could be a while off, though. “I certainly wouldn’t rule out writing an original SGU novel myself – but I think I’ll wait until the first season is complete to get a better handle on the show’s direction before considering it.”
Make sure to visit Unreality SF for the rest of the interview, which discusses many of Swallow’s other projects. Stargate Universe: Air will be out this month, according to this article, and is already available for pre-order at Amazon.com.
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31.Oct.09
Posted in Press Watch, Universe at 8:34 pm by michelle
We tweeted this already, but for those who don’t follow us there (shame on you!), Michael Shanks was interviewed this week about his playing superhero Hawkman on an upcoming two-parter of Smallville. In an attached blog post, the journalist, Jenna Busch, also spoke with Michael about his role on Sanctuary, and his views of Stargate Universe so far. Michael had very interesting things to say on all the topics! Here are a few excerpts, but we recommend you read the article and blog post too, since there is lots more to enjoy.
On the creation of Hawkman’s winged costume:
I have done five fittings. Yup! Yesterday was my fifth. I do believe there will be more. I have yet to shoot a frame of film on this episode. This is what I’ve been doing the most of, is going for fittings and you know, talking to the producers about the character and discussing the elements of the voices. But mostly it’s been focused on the costume and the logistics of the costume. Again, it’s a necessary thing. I really appreciate the reverence that these guys have. [...] I said to James Marshall yesterday, ‘I want to take this home for the weekend. Just to get used to it.’ [laughs] Yeah, the character will fly and the logistics of that are pending. How we’re going to make that work without looking too silly.
Regarding his view of Stargate Universe so far:
It is different. I mean, it’s a completely different taste palate than the previous Stargate incarnations. It’s more realistic. The characters are much more dimensionalized. The visual of it is far more aesthetically pleasing and stunning. The camera work is more interesting. The visual effects are amazing. [...] I just had a little…I just watched the first three episodes, and I just had a little issue with some of the drama. [...] When I watch it, I’m really transported to the world that they’ve created. It’s really three-dimensionalized. I’m just not quite buying all of the mistrust elements and the tension elements just yet. But I think they’re one strong story from hooking me and turning the corner on that.
The strange thing about his career and the Letter “S”:
My speech therapist…we had a little sit down and he told me that, in order to get past my fear of the letter “S” I may only appear on shows that start with the letter “S” so I can build up my resistance to it. So yes. Smallville, Stargate, Sanctuary. I’m looking for some others. If you can reccomend any other shows that start with “S” that I could pitch myself out to that would be great.
On the likelihood of him joining “Twitter”:
Oh, uh, never. That’s that one. Let’s get that out of the way. Michael Shanks twittering is not going to happen. Let’s just go down that road. [Laughs] Although apparently I might. I made a bet with my wife and she had to choose what I would have to do if I lost the bet. She said, because she knows how much I don’t like the notion of twittering, if I lose, I have to twitter for a week. So that will be probably be the only way you will catch me twittering. I’m just not that guy.
Let’s hope Michael loses the bet with Lexa and has to tweet for a week! Read the article and blog.
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30.Oct.09
Posted in News, Press Watch, Universe at 5:04 am by DeeKayP
Young and Scott search for “Water”
“The episode ‘Water’ takes place on an ice planet as they are looking for water,” executive producer and co-creator Robert C. Cooper told SFX Magazine (reprinted by Sci Fi Pulse). Sounds simple, right? But you’ve got to know by now, nothing is that simple when it comes to Stargate.
What complicates things more than the severe environment of the planet “Hoth” (pop culture reference of the icy planet from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back) is that, according to TV Guide, “the crew attempts to snare an intruder,” too! See, it’s never that simple!
“Water” will be shown tonight, October 30, on the Syfy Channel (US) and Space (Canada) at 9 PM ET and 10 PM ET, respectively. The episode will be broadcast by Sky One (UK) on Tuesday, November 3, at 8 PM, and finally, on Friday, November 6, on the Sci Fi Channel (Australia) at 8:30 PM.
After viewing, you’re invited to return to the site to vote in the episode poll on the main page and discuss the episode here (in the comments), in our on-site forum, or at our LiveJournal Companion.
Guides to the Season One episodes can be found in our Stargate Wiki. And don’t forget the episode chatter that’s bound to take place from the actors, writers, producers, and the press that you can read from our Stargate Twitter Superfeed.
Last Week’s “Light” Ratings
“Though this episode ["Light"] was down,” reported TV By The Numbers, “it was the same as the Live+SD ratings for the series finale of SGA in January.” The episode ranked third for Syfy’s week of broadcasts, with 2.015 million viewers, down from 2.099 million from the previous week’s episode, “Darkness”.
On Sky One in the UK, Digital Spy reported, “The latest instalment of Stargate Universe pulled in 677k (3%) during the 8pm hour for Sky1 last night, according to early viewing figures. The Robert Carlyle-fronted sci-fi series was up slightly on last week’s episode, which drew 635k (2.9%) over the same period.”
Even though word on an official renewal “could be as late as December,” creative consultant Joseph Mallozzi has reported in his weblog that the writers are already spinning stories and assigning scripts. He wrote, “More spinning today in the writers’ room and more headway made on those first ten episodes. We ended up discussing the details of episode 1 (Paul will be doing the honors on this one), talking about the what’s and wherefore’s and, most importantly, answering Brad’s burning question: “How the hell are we going to get out of this one?!”. Carl has requested Episode 5 while I’ve cast my lot with Episode 2. Brad’s idea falls in the four slot, so he’ll take that one, which means Rob will be jumping on 3. What fun! One more day of broadstroking stories and arcs and then we get to breaking. If all goes as planned, we’ll each have a story in hand by the end of next week, meaning we won’t have to come back to the office in December…”
[Images from MGM.]
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27.Oct.09
Posted in Merchandise at 8:40 pm by michelle
The Official Stargate Magazine, produced by Titan Publishing in the UK, is offering a special edition of the magazine as a free download:
FREE! Stargate Magazine: Special Download Edition
Get a taste of the official Stargate Magazine with an exclusive free download edition. Check out our guide to the new show, go inside the writers’ room, read interviews with stars Robert Carlyle and Louis Ferriera, and much more! Either print it out or browse on screen.
To download this Stargate Magazine: Special Download Edition, visit:
http://www.titanmagazines.com/stargate
The special edition is 23 double-width pages long, PDF format, in full color, with many photographs from all three series. It includes interviews with Michael Shanks and Ben Browder, which are not new, and interviews with Robert Carlyle and Louis Ferreira.
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Posted in Press Watch, Universe at 3:02 pm by michelle
Stargate Universe is wrapping up principal photography of its first season of production this week. Numerous tweets reveal the actors who are wrapping each day, packing up their trailers, and heading to wherever they call home. Here are a few relevant tweets from the past 2 days (follow them all here!)
AmandAlexander last week of shooting, slowly we are saying goodbye to some of our actors as they finish shooting
MingNa Well, I’m wrapped! What a truly remarkable & talented group! I want 2 thank every person who’s contributed 2 #SGU ‘09! All ROCKSTARS! xoxo
LouDPhillips Bittersweet. Finished my last day on #SGU 4 this season. Will miss this cast & crew terribly. Keep watching! We need YOU to get to Season 2!
alainahuffman Cleaning out my trailer today 
BOO!
AmandAlexander so today we said goodbye to Robert Carlyle and Louis Ferreira, and as a treat Louis served the crew lunch today….surf and turf
Of course post-production will continue for months on the second half of the season to edit, score, and add effects to the episodes. The first half is “in the can” according to John Lenic, who tweeted on Oct 23: “JGLenic All 10 episodes in the first half of Season 1 are now finished and on their way to @Syfy.” The airing date for the second half of the season has not yet been announced, but expect a break after the first ten have completed.
As for a Season 2 of SGU, the prospects seem good based on the overall ratings performance of the show, including the “+7″ numbers, meaning inclusion of those who play back the show on their DVRs within 7 days of original airing. Joe Mallozzi said the writing team would start spinning Season 2 this week. Also, Syfy has had a great October according to this press release:
New York, NY – October 27, 2009 – Extending its summer ratings surge into fall, Syfy smashed yet another viewership record with its most watched October prime in history among total viewers (1,452,000), Adults 18-34 (308,000), Adults 18-49 (733,000), Adults 25-54 (797,000), Women 18-34 (141,000), Women 18-49 (356,000) and Women 25-54 (378,000).
Syfy jumped to #3 in A25-54 and #4 among A18-49 versus all basic cable entertainment networks – its second best monthly ranking ever in these demos behind December 2002 when Steven Spielberg’s record-setting Taken premiered.
The record October performance was fueled by strong ratings from Stargate Universe and Sanctuary — which both premiered this month – Ghost Hunters and Destination Truth, the two highest-rated paranormal investigative series on television, along with the annual 31 Days of Halloween spook-a-thon.
Syfy also reported that in the Third Quarter, $75K+ A18-49 delivery increased by +21% vs. 3Q ‘08.
October Syfy Ratings Highlights (includes full viewing data)
- The current 5th season of Ghost Hunters is shaping up to be its best ever in key demos and marks the best season ever for any Syfy original series in A18-49.
- Ghost Hunters is averaging a 2.1 HH Rating, 3.0 million total viewers, 861,000 A18-34, 1.86 million A18-49 and 2.0 million A25-54.
- The first season of Stargate Universe is averaging a 2.1 HH rating, 2.85 million total viewers, 1.5 million A18-49, and 1.7 million A25-54. Compared to the last season of Stargate Atlantis, SGU is up +59% in A18-34, +41% in A18-49, +33% in A25-54 and +36% in total viewers.
- Destination Truth is also on track for its best season ever. Season three thus far is averaging a 1.7 HH Rating, 2.2 million total viewers, 684,000 A18-34, 1.35 million A18-49 and 1.4 million A25-54.
- The second season premiere of Sanctuary delivered a 1.8 HH rating, 2.4 million total viewers, 493,000 A18-34, 1.25 million A18-49 and 1.5 million A25-54. This marks a series high performance in A18-34.
- The Fall 2009 season of Scare Tactics is averaging a 1.1 HH rating, 410,000 A18-34, 818,000 A18-49, 825,000 A25-54 and 1.56 million total viewers. Compared to the Fall 2008 season, Scare Tactics is up by +29% in A18-34, +37% in A18-49, +33% in A25-54, and +42% in total viewers.
- The original movie premiere of Megafault on October 10 delivered 2.6 million total viewers, Syfy’s best original movie premiere in over two years (April 2007).
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26.Oct.09
Posted in News, Press Watch, Universe at 10:35 am by DeeKayP
TV By The Numbers has published a new press release that states that Stargate Universe’s Live+7 numbers boost the ratings for “Air Part 3″, which were the show’s highest thus far, to reflect nearly 3 million total viewers!
SYFY’s STARGATE UNIVERSE REACHES NEW SERIES HIGH WITH LIVE +7 DATA
Episode Two Audience Grows To Three Million Total Viewers and Continues as Most Watched Stargate In More Than Four Years
New York, NY – October 26, 2009 – The second episode of Syfy’s Stargate Universe on Friday, October 9, reflecting full Live +7 DVR data, became the most watched Stargate since March 2005 when its reached three million total viewers (2.99 million), along with a 2.1 HH Rating, 1.7 million Adults 18-49 and 1.85 million Adults 25-54.
Among Adults 25-54, it is the best performance for the franchise since July 2005 and is the best performance for a Stargate telecast in Adults 18-49 since July 2004. The episode also drew the most total viewers for any Stargate since March 2005.
The preliminary ratings for “Air Part 3″ were reported by Sci Fi Wire as “just shy of 2.5 million.” The show also continues to do well in Canada, the UK, and Australia.
The next new episode to air on Syfy is “Water” on Friday, October 30, at 9 PM ET. Check your local listings for airings in your area.
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23.Oct.09
Posted in News, Press Watch, Universe at 5:57 am by DeeKayP
The stranded attend a lottery (image from MGM)
“Light”, picks up where last week’s “Darkness” left off: with the Destiny apparently on a collision course with a star. There were three planets nearby that the stranded crew thought might be inhabitable, but without power, they’ll have to rely on the Ancient shuttle to reach one, rather than use the power-hogging Stargate.
But this solution presents a very serious problem: the shuttle can only accommodate a certain number of people. Who chooses?
According to TV Guide, the one to select the crew will be Chance: “With the Destiny on a collision course with a star, the crew considers abandoning the ship. A grim lottery is held to choose 17 passengers to escape in the Destiny’s only working shuttle.”
If things were pretty bad among the fractured crew before…
“Light” will be shown tonight, October 23, on the Syfy Channel (US) and Space (Canada) at 9 PM ET and 10 PM ET, respectively. The episode will be broadcast by Sky One (UK) on Tuesday, October 27, at 8 PM, and finally, on Friday, October 30, on the Sci Fi Channel (Australia) at 8:30 PM.
After viewing, you’re invited to return to the site to vote in the episode poll on the main page and discuss the episode here (in the comments), in our on-site forum, or at our LiveJournal Companion.
Guides to the Season One episodes can be found in our Stargate Wiki. And don’t forget the episode chatter that’s bound to take place from the actors, writers, producers, and the press that you can read from our Stargate Twitter Superfeed.
Last Week’s “Darkness” Ratings
Last week’s episode, “Darkness”, showed a slight decrease in the ratings from the week before, but still managed to be Syfy’s second-watched show of the week, according to TV By The Numbers. The episode’s “Live + SD” (Live Plus Same Day) number was 2.099 million, which was down from 2.447 million from the week before.
SGU actor Brian J. Smith commented on his Twitter, “Wow, a 1.6 on a baseball friday? 2nd place ratings slot for SyFy? It’s awesome, you guys. Sorry, can’t put a negative spin on it folks.”
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21.Oct.09
Posted in Atlantis, News at 4:22 pm by DeeKayP
Congratulations to Brad Wright for his 2009 Gemini Award for “Best Writing in a Dramatic Series” for his Stargate Atlantis episode “The Shrine” and to Todd Masters, Leah Ehman, Holland Miller, Brad Proctor and Kyla Rose Tremblay for the “Best Achievement in Make-Up” award for the episode “Vegas”!
Visit the Official MGM Stargate website for more details.
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