Michael Hinman of the respected Airlock Alpha sci fi news site has published this article about how MGM’s financial woes might affect production of its franchise, Stargate Universe. MGM announced earlier this week that it’s suspending production of the next James Bond movie due to the studio’s massive debt and the fact it hasn’t yet found a buyer, at least not one willing to offer a “fair” price.
Regarding the possible impact on Stargate, Hinman spoke to someone in SGU production:
“You try to keep your chin up, but it’s hard, it’s really hard right now,” a source involved in the Vancouver production of Syfy’s “Stargate: Universe” told Airlock Alpha this week. “We come in, do the best job we can, but in the end, we could be out of work tomorrow simply because of something that’s totally out of our control.”
Those involved with Stargate are banking on the franchise’s long history of profitability to make it an attractive property, even if MGM is forced to sell off its assets in bankruptcy. One question of course is whether a hard-nosed business analysis would favor investing more in continued production, or relying on the DVD library already on its shelves for easy income. For the sake of everyone involved in making Stargate, we wish the best for MGM!
SGU’s co-creator Brad Wright and star Robert Carlyle explain the function and history of the device in this video from MGM by way of IESB:
[spoiler intro=”More on the Neural Interface Chair in future storylines”]We’ll be seeing the chair this Friday, April 23, in the episode “Human” when “Dr. Rush defies orders to interface with the Destiny’s computer in a bid to control the ship’s flight path, which puts Col. Young in a difficult position.” (From TV Guide)[/spoiler]
Stargate Universe TIME (MGM)The Canadian Press has just released this “breaking news” report:
The Canadian Press – ONLINE EDITION
‘Trotsky,’ ‘Stargate Universe,’ ‘Less Than Kind’ win writers guild awards
By: THE CANADIAN PRESS
19/04/2010 9:02 PM
TORONTO – Writers who penned episodes for the TV shows “Stargate Universe” and “Less Than Kind” – and the script for the upcoming movie “The Trotsky” – were celebrated Monday at the 14th Writers Guild of Canada Screenwriting Awards.
The “Stargate Universe” episode “Time,” written by Robert C. Cooper, won for best one-hour TV show, while “Less Than Kind”‘s “The Daters,” written by Garry Campbell, won for best half-hour series.
[…]
“Time” is one of the most popular episodes of the first season of Stargate Universe and has many elements that give it a classic Stargate feel. The episode is full of character development and wormholes bent by solar flares, all tightly put together by one of the most popular Stargate writers. Congratulations, Mr. Cooper!
You might be interested in these news tidbits and announcements that have been noted on this editor’s calendar and notebook for this week. If you’ve got more to add, please don’t hesitate to announce them in the comment section below.
Calendar
Monday, April 19
Tuesday, April 20
Stargate Universe“Divided” on the UK’s Sky One at 8:00 PM.
Wednesday, April 21
Thursday, April 22
Friday, April 23
Stargate Universe“Faith” on Australia’s Sci Fi Channel at 8:30 PM.
Stargate Universe“Human” on Syfy at 9 PM ET and on Space at 10 PM ET. This episode sees the return of Michael Shanks as Dr. Daniel Jackson (sort of).
Michael Shanks and his wife Lexa Doig are putting on their walking shoes for the MS Society of Canada. Visit their Team Shanks webpage to find ways that you can support their fundraising efforts.
News Notes
Ben Browder‘s newest project, The CW’s pilot Hellcats, began filming on April 13 in Vancouver (and is slated to wrap on April 19). So far, no images of him in his new role are available, but there have been lots of them for the ensemble’s lead stars Ashley Tisdale and Aly Michalka as they donned their cheerleading attire for this hour-long dramedy that is said to be a sure thing for pickup by the network for the fall.
Reminders
For news as it happens, make sure to visit the Stargate Twitter Superfeed for tidbits directly from the Stargate stars and production crew. And don’t forget our new feature Beyond the Event Horizon, which consists of “home pages” with dynamic feeds from our LJ and Blog for the stars of SG-1 and Atlantis.
Our LJ Companion has news bites, polls, and glimpses into the lives of the actors that we don’t necessarily cover here in our more formal news blog. Make sure to visit the LJ’s feed on our front page or visit the site directly to see its mostly fun little tidbits.
For the latest in convention appearances, which are subject to change, make sure to visit Stargate Actor Appearances.
Lt. Tamara Johansen is featured in FAITH (MGM)Stargate Universe episode “Faith”, written by freelancer Denis McGrath and directed by William Waring, premieres tonight (April 16) on Syfy at 9 PM ET and on Space at 10 PM ET!
“We recently wrapped an episode called Faith and I thought it played very well, and the location we worked at was breathtaking,” actor Brian J. Smith offered in Joseph Mallozzi’s weblog back in October 2009. That location was Widgen Park, and Mallozzi took a trip down memory lane when he talked about producer Carl Binder’s and director Will Waring’s location scouting trip there: “This will mark our first return to Widgen since Atlantis’s fourth season when we shot Harmony there. I was on hand for most of the festivities on that one – also, coincidentally, with Will. It’s about an hour’s drive there and another hour’s drive back, through winding back country roads surrounded by dense forest. ‘Yep,’ I remember telling Larry, my driver, ‘this is great corpse-dumping territory.’ I believe that was the same day a bear meandered across our path, oblivious to us, before disappearing into the trees. Come to think of it, years earlier, when SG-1 shot in the same location, a bear sighting kept actor Chris Judgeholed-up in his trailer, much to the delight of his fellow castmates.”
Not only did the cast and crew appreciate the episode for its filming location, but Mallozzi also praised it for its story and acting. “A lot of wonderful Tamara moments throughout the back half, but Faith, episode 13, is the episode that fans of the character (and fans of actress Alaina Huffman in particular) should really look forward to.” He later added, “Faith, episode 13, in particular offers us a better understanding of [Lt. Matthew Scott’s] selflessness and willingness to self-sacrifice for the greater good.”
Will Scott have to make the decision to sacrifice himself for the greater good after Destiny has stopped at a planet that appears to be so breathtakingly beautiful and perfect? You’ll have to tune in to find out!
NOTE: Viewers in Australia will be getting “Faith” on the Sci Fi Channel on Friday, April 23, at 8:30 PM, and the UK’s Sky One viewers will see it Tuesday, April 27, at 8:00 PM.
[spoiler intro=”Official Episode Summary”]Dwindling supplies, tedious routines, and low morale, continue to plague the crew of the Destiny, when suddenly, the ship drops out of FTL and enters the orbit of an uncharted star with only one planet in its solar system. But, for the first time, the countdown clock doesn’t activate.
Dr. Rush struggles to determine why Destiny has no record of this star system while Col. Young directs Lt. Scott and a small team to shuttle down to the planet’s surface on a fact finding mission. Upon landing, everyone is amazed to discover that the atmosphere and terrain are idyllic. Relishing the sunshine, fresh air, clean water and abundance of food, many are reluctant to return to the ship, believing that providence has intervened.
Stargate Universe has been nominated in two categories in this year’s Constellation Awards, “Canada’s annual science fiction awards focused on rewarding excellence in science fiction film and television. Now in its fourth year, The Constellation Awards celebrate and honour the actors, writers, and technical artists behind the best of today’s science fiction film and TV works – with an added focus on Canadian contributions to science fiction film and television.” The Canadian viewing public gets to select the nominees and winners in all categories.
The two categories in which SGU has nominations:
Best Science Fiction Television Series of 2009: Competing against Being Erica, Defying Gravity, Doctor Who, FlashForward, Sanctuary, and Supernatural.
Best Overall 2009 Science Fiction Film or Television Script: For Robert C. Cooper’s “Time”. Going up against Being Erica “Leo” (Jana Sinyor), Defying Gravity “Kiss” (James Parriott), District 9 (Neill Blomkamp & Terri Tatchell), FlashForward “No More Good Days” (David S. Goyer & Brannon Braga), and Torchwood “Children Of Earth: Day 1” (Russell T. Davies).
Additionally, Amanda Tapping has been nominated for Outstanding Canadian Contribution to Science Fiction Film or Television in 2009 for her roles as executive producer and actor in Sanctuary. She’s up against Stargate alum Damian Kindler, who is also a producer and writer for Sanctuary. Tapping has also been nominated for Best Female Performance in a 2009 Science Fiction Television Episode for the Sanctuary episode “Veritas”, while her co-star (and also Stargate alum) Agam Darshi has been nominated for her performance in “Penance” (as a sidenote, “Penance” was the episode in which Michael Shanks guest starred and with whom Darshi shared the majority of her scenes).
Make sure to visit The Constellation Awards for the complete list of nominees. The 2010 Constellation Awards ceremony will be held at Polaris 24 on July 17, 2010. SGU’s Alaina Huffman is also scheduled to appear there.
There are some news tidbits and announcements that have been noted on this editor’s calendar and notebook that maybe you’d be interested in for this week. If you’ve got more to add, please don’t hesitate to announce them in the comment section below.
Calendar
Monday, April 12
Tuesday, April 13
Stargate Universe returns to the UK’s Sky One at 8:00 PM with “Space”.
Jewel Staite will be appearing at the Anaheim Comic Con, which starts today and ends on April 18. Several actors who appeared in supporting roles will also be in attendance.
Unfortunately, Corin Nemec‘s web series Star-ving did not win the Audience Choice Award for which it had been nominated in the Second Annual Streamy Awards. The award went to Agents of Cracked. You can see a list of all of the nominees and winners at Mashable.com.
Stargate SG-1 character-focused comic books are being developed by Dynamite. Stargate: Vala Mal Doran is written by Brandon Jerwa and involves Vala in an “Ocean’s Eleven” type heist. It’s supposed to be released in May. Stargate: Daniel Jackson, written by Doug Murray, focuses on Jackson’s “voice of reason” and intellect while going on a classic SG-1 adventure.
For news as it happens, make sure to visit the Stargate Twitter Superfeed for tidbits directly from the Stargate stars and production crew. And don’t forget our new feature Beyond the Event Horizon, which consists of “home pages” with dynamic feeds from our LJ and Blog for the stars of SG-1 and Atlantis.
Our LJ Companion has news bites, polls, and glimpses into the lives of the actors that we don’t necessarily cover here in our more formal news blog. Make sure to visit the LJ’s feed on our front page or visit the site directly to see its mostly fun little tidbits.
For the latest in convention appearances, which are subject to change, make sure to visit Stargate Actor Appearances.
Who will side with Camile Wray in DIVIDED? (MGM)Stargate Universe episode “Divided” premieres tonight (April 9) on Syfy at 9 PM ET and on Space at 10 PM ET!
“The thing is, the military has been in charge by virtue of the fact they’re military. However, the civilians on board didn’t sign up for this and are now asking themselves, ‘Why am I taking orders from these people? They’re making life and death decisions and some of us are not surviving their decisions. Why don’t we get a say? This should be a democracy.’
“Then, of course, there’s the other side of the argument, the quasi-military way of looking at things, which says, ‘You need a strong leader and you need someone who can make fast decisions without having to consult with everyone, each and every time.’
“Those two philosophies are clashing and become the dividing line—literally.
“The civilians seal off one section of the ship to protect themselves from the military, because they have the guns. Once you’ve been away from Earth, or even the Stargate network—which has roots in Earth with its military and political organizations—for enough time, you’re just a bunch of people, right? You look at the guy next to you and rank and position start to mean less and less. When you see he has a gun on his hip, you’re asking yourself, ‘Why do I have to do what he says, just because he’s armed?’ So there’s going to be a straight-out fight between people on the ship, and that’s the idea behind this episode.”
Director Felix Alcala made his Stargate debut with tonight’s episode. His IMDb profile lists an impressive assortment of television shows, from Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles to Criminal Minds. Executive producer Joseph Mallozzi admired Alcala’s work, declaring in his weblog that he “hits a home run, directing a riveting and incredibly compelling episode … Tense, thrilling, occasionally surprising, with some wonderful moments for all of our cast members.”
Mallozzi wrote “Space”, the episode that leads into tonight’s, and during co-creator Robert C. Cooper’s pass on his script, the executive producer made “a dialogue tweak” to the much-talked-about final scene between Wray and Rush. It “had me raising an eyebrow in stunned silence,” Mallozzi shared. “I love both of these characters, and this little revelation raises the stakes, offering a beautiful segue into the next episode, Divided. Nothing is quite as it seems? Try – No one is quite as they seem. Furtive moves, shifting alliances, and hidden agendas guarantee a dysfunctional and disquieting galaxy-hopping community.”
How long will the dysfunction last? How many people will be harmed before they decide to work together for a common goal? Alaina Huffman offered the answer in an interview with Blast Magazine, but what she said is a biggy in the spoiler department, so if you want to know, visit the episode guide in our Stargate Wiki, but better yet, tune in tonight to see if there are any hints as to what is to come!
NOTE: Viewers in Australia will be getting “Divided” on the Sci Fi Channel on Friday, April 16, at 8:30 PM, and the UK’s Sky One viewers will see it Tuesday, April 20, at 8:00 PM.
Michael Hinman of the respected Airlock Alpha sci fi news site has published this article about how MGM’s financial woes might affect production of its franchise, Stargate Universe. MGM announced earlier this week that it’s suspending production of the next James Bond movie due to the studio’s massive debt and the fact it hasn’t yet found a buyer, at least not one willing to offer a “fair” price.
