Saturday, August 23, 2008

Stargate Atlantis - NEW Behind the Scenes Photos From 'Identity'

From Joseph Mallozzi's blog update for August 23, 2008:

(Please follow the link for the complete blog update and to view the ten NEW Stargate Atlantis season five behind the scenes photos with the guest star from "Identity," Dawn Olivieri, and Jason Momoa, in their original format!)



Jason serenades our guest star...

August 23, 2008: Questions, Answers, Guests, and Pics!

Well, not surprisingly, you guys have more than a few queries concerning recent developments. I've received about 650 comments over the past two days and, while I can't address them all, rest assured I have read them. Still, many of you bring up some very interesting questions that I'm going to try to respond to in this entry.

I'd like to start off by recognizing your anger and disappointment. Hey, many of us wish it could have gone another way too, but that doesn't mean we're going to give up on the franchise. Like SG-1, Atlantis will love on in a different format. Now, at present, a lot of you aren't exactly feeling charitable toward the forthcoming spin-off, Stargate: Universe, and I understand. But the premiere is a long way off and I'm hoping that, when the time comes, you'll at least consider giving the series a shot.



..while Dawn feigns interest in the script.

There's been a fair amount of talk about SGU being little more than a shallow space romp based on the preliminary buzz. Well, given that the series has been created by Brad Wright and Robert Cooper who will assume co-show running duties once SGU goes into prep, one can expect a certain level of quality. After all, these are the guys who, between them, have written such episodes as Sateda, Beachhead, Unending, Abyss, Meridian, 2010, Torment of Tantalus, and, most recently, The Shrine. They are adept at crafting stories that are fast-paced and entertaining yet resonate with the humanity and spirit of the characters at their core. A better example of their talents can be found in Stargate: Atlantis, a series they created and helped build
over the past five years. There's no doubt in my mind that SGU is in infinitely capable hands and that viewers who tune in to check out the latest Stargate incarnation will not be disappointed.

Also, keep in mind that most of the people who worked hard to bring you Atlantis will be working equally hard to bring you the new series (and, if we can steal some of them away - the Atlantis movie). That includes the directors, most of the staff and crew, in addition to our kick-ass VFX team who were kind enough to post a much-appreciated thank you note in yesterday`s comment section that I have copied and
pasted for anyone who might have missed it...



It's a good old-fashioned Stargate sing-along

...Well, as promised, here are some of the fun photos I took on set the other day. Guest star Dawn Olivieri is, to use Costume Designer Val Halverson's words, "a hoot"! The native Floridian and former Deal or No Deal Model #14 is possessed of a quick wit and sharp tongue. Oh, and she also happens to be doing a kick-ass job as Identity's Neeva. Don't mess with Dawn! A couple of our actors learned the hard way.

To those of you asking - the Book of the Month Club guests and discussions will continue as planned. Catherynne M. Valente will be dropping by and we begin discussion of Stephen Dobyns' The Church of Dead Girls on Monday.

We'll also be moving ahead with actress Sharon Taylor's Q&A. Thanks to all those who submitted questions for Sharon. I hope to hear back from her this week. Next up in our continuing line of special guest bloggers will be Stargate Atlantis props master "Evil" Kenny Gibbs. If you have any questions for Evil, start posting them.

Today's pics: Blowing off steam on set!



Is she for real?!!

Mailbag:

DasNdanger writes: " Wait…you're not moving over to SGU… Are any of the writers?"
Answer: It's still to early to say who will be involved and in what capacity.




Actors are encouraged to criticize each other in an open and constructive manner.

Missy writes: "Just a quick question, Are you planning on wrapping up the wraith story line between now and the movie, or are you gonna save them for other movies?"
Answer: Some storylines will be wrapped up by series end, but the wraith will continue to be a presence beyond our 100th episode.




Of course, if there's a lesson to be learned here, it's "Don't mess with Momoa!"


Thornyrose writes: "I'm really looking forward to your Stargate version of a horrror story, not to mention seeing Mr. McGillion back on the show."
Answer: It's a fun little episode. More edge-of-your-seat popcorn fare than last night's character-driven drama, but that's what I love about the show, its ability to tell wildly different stories. I'll be posting more behind-the-scenes Whispers pics in the lead-up to its airing...

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