Saturday, February 16, 2008

Stargate Atlantis / SG-1 - SFX Online: Big Finish Audio Adventures

From SFX Online:

http://www.sfx.co.uk/page/sfx?entry=the_big_boss

(Please follow the link for the complete interview. Big Finish is publishing Stargate SG-1/Stargate Atlantis Audio Dramas. They are:



April 30 SG-1 Gift of the gods Sally Malcolm Read by Michael Shanks

http://www.bigfinish.com/SG-1-Gift-of-the-Gods



May 30 SGA Necessary evil Sharon Gosling read by Torri Higginson

http://www.bigfinish.com/Stargate-Atlantis-A-Necessary-Evil

June 30 SG-1 Shell game James Swallow read by Claudia Black and Michael Shanks

July 30 SGA Perchance to dream Sally Malcolm read by Paul McGillion

August 30 SG-1 Pathogen Sharon Gosling read by Teryl Rothery

September 20 SGA Zero Point James Swallow read by David Nykl)


Saturday February 16, 2008

The Big Boss


It’s a new era for Big Finish, as the company joins the download revolution and offers its audio adventures for instant access from its site at http://www.bigfinish.com. It’s the latest milestone from a company that has been turning out quality, original, BBC licensed Doctor Who product for nearly a decade now, using actors from the TV show as well a host of other big name stars. It’s been an amazing success story, and the man who’s been overseen the company from the start, Jason Haigh-Ellery, spoke to SFX recently about the incredible audio journey.

**snippage**

SFX: And Big Finish is obviously not just Doctor Who. You’re also doing original Sapphire and Steel stories and you’re just about to launch a range of Stargate audios.

"Stargate’s an interesting one. Not our first American licence. Dark Shadows was our first. That was an interesting for us, because it was our first time working in LA, our first time working with American actors, our first time dealing with an American organisation. And it was a good soft entry, actually, because it was a bit like Doctor Who. Dark Shadows hadn’t been made in Donkey’s years, far longer than Doctor Who actually. It keeps on getting revived; Johnny Depp’s bought the rights to do a version of it. It has a very similar fandom. We were able to launch over there and one in every four of all the people leaving the convention we launched at took a CD with them. They’ve been gagging for a second series which will be happening very soon.

"And then we went to MGM about Stargate. It took about a year to negotiate. We’re vey, very happy that we’re going to do something new. And something that is very well supported. The initial reaction has been very, very positive. We launch in April and we’re now able to launch on a download site.

"We are in negotiations over a couple of other properties. You’d probably be able to figure them out but I can't say. I can tell you who we’re not doing. We’re not doing Babylon 5. We tried. It just wasn’t possible. It’s a shame really, because it’s died off a bit now. Quite a lot, actually.

"And the big one, which I’d still like to do is James Bond. We pitched it. We wanted to do James Bond set in the ’50s and ’60s, doing the books verbatim, including the bits that aren’t as good as the other bits. The films' production company, Eon said - after they’d thought about it for six months - that it would impact on DVD sales. It was a great shame, because we had chosen our James Bond, even. Neil Roberts who is ridiculously good looking, but that doesn’t matter on audio. He has the right voice to be James Bond."

Stargate Atlantis - GateWorld: Full Coverage: Midway

From GateWorld:

http://gateworld.net/

FULL COVERAGE: Midway



Discussion

http://forum.gateworld.net/forumdisplay.php?f=113



Episode Guide

http://gateworld.net/atlantis/s4/417.shtml

Photos

http://gateworld.net/atlantis/s4/images/417_01.jpg.shtml

Transcript

http://gateworld.net/atlantis/s4/transcripts/417.shtml

Download (iTunes)

http://tinyurl.com/2hw2me

Download (Amazon)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00144WSIS/bonhoeffscell

Stargate Atlantis - Notes on Midway

Notes on the Stargate Atlantis episode, "Midway."

Spoilers ahead, so if you don't want to be spoiled, stop reading now.


McKay: "We've made a terrible mistake. We never should have revived Kavanagh!"


Regarding the "previously on" teaser for Midway from season three's episode, "The Return, Part 1," NEW Rodney dialogue is included. The line, "The program is completely secure, no need for a shield or an iris" was not in the broadcast episode of "The Return, Part 1," and if you listen closely, you can hear the drop-off in the sound that possibly indicates the dialogue was edited to include this line.

Somewhat similar to what happened in the fifth season Stargate SG-1 episode, "The Sentinel," where new video was filmed to show Grieves and Kershaw being taken prisoner at the end of season three's episode, "Shades of Grey."



I loved "Midway!" Many thanks to Carl Binder (and all the writers) for a wonderful script, and to Andy Mikita for marvelous direction.

Woo-hoo! Teal'c in Atlantis! I've been missing seeing Christopher Judge in a NEW performance, and the cockles of my heart were very warm from seeing Teal'c in "Midway." What a lovely post-Valentine Day's gift to the fans.

Loved McKay's performance in the Midway control room when he realized that in venting the atmosphere, he would more than likely kill Sheppard. And Dr. Lee placing his hand on Rodney's shoulder, as Rodney struggles with the decision he has to make. Two terrific, very understated, powerful performances.

And Bill Dow was excellent in this episode as Dr. Lee. Dr. Lee's character has picked up snark, a lot of confidence, and wiliness.


QUESTIONS

1) Why didn't the SF's at Midway take a defensive posture on an unscheduled Pegasus activation? ESPECIALLY as they have no shield or iris?

2) Atlantis submit's a DAILY status report? Micro-management much?

3) Why didn't Harriman raise the blast door when that Wraith weapon rolled in through the SGC gate? Granted, they had received the Midway IDIC, but that's not something you see every day (hopefully). Also, granted, it wouldn't have done any good, but why not at least make the effort?

4) The Wraith are also a tad too arrogant. Why didn't they set up a security detail at either of the Midway or SGC gate rooms? Tsk, tsk…


ADDED ELEMENTS

1) In Teal'c's and Ronon's quarters, the small commode built into the bulkhead -- right by the entrance. Charming.

2) Background actor Peter Kufluk (who had a line in SG1's "The Lost City, Part 2") was on-duty in the SGC control room. Nice touch of continuity.

3) Loved the Midway logo on the jumpsuits and on the walls of the Midway station.

Uniform Logo





4) In the scene where Sheppard joins McKay to watch the monitor and chat with the Wraith, I noticed the SF in the background (Hester?) signal to his men, and they stepped into intersecting hallways and took up defensive positions.

5) Shep orders Dr. Lee to drag the two unconscious SF into the Midway control room. Always concerned for his men.

6) As Shep leaves the Midway control room, he stops and gets some extra ammo from one of the unconscious SF's on the deck.

7) Loved how Teal'c broke the neck of one of the Wraith drones he was fighting. Go Teal'c!

8) Loved how Rodney, upon entering the puddle jumper, when immediately to the control console to prepare for flight.

9) Ronon holding his Earth weapon in his left hand, reaching down and grabbing his blaster with his right hand, and firing both in two different directions at the same time.

10) Rodney, before he steps in front of Dr. Lee on their way to the puddle jumper, pushes down Dr. Lee's hand holding the sidearm.

11) Ronon with a single hand wave greeting those inside the puddle jumper when the hatch opens.



DIALOGUE

I loved these exchanges:

Carter: "CARTER: …In the meantime it's important that we get through these interviews as smoothly as possible and not create any waves."

Shep: "SHEPPARD: Big waves – we're talking tsunamis."


Shep (to Ronon): "Be a good boy."

Ronon: "I hate you."


Sam (to Chuck): "Dial the bridge, Chuck."


Teal'c (to Ronon): "I would very much like to have a weapon such as this."

Ronon: "Get in line."



Ronon (to Teal`c): "You say that a lot." [Indeed]

Teal`c: "What?"

Ronon: "Indeed."

Teal`c: "Do I?"

Ronon: "Yeah."

Teal`c: "I had not noticed."


Ronon: "Yeah – they said they like me."

Sheppard: "Well, what's not to like?"



NODS TO PREVIOUS EPISODES

1) Mentioning Todd. Did he really actively participate in revealing the code? Or did the other Wraith allude to Todd's assistance in an effort to harm Todd's status with the Lanteans?

2) I thought the Ronon/Teal'c exchange:

Teal'c: "Do you not speak, Ronon Dex?"

Ronon: "Not when I've got nothing to say."

Was reminiscent of dialogue between Elizabeth Hoffman and Teal'c in Stargate SG-1's season one episode, "The Torment of Tantalus":

Cat: "You speak."

Teal'c: "When it is appropriate."


And Dr. Lee's dialogue:

Dr. Lee (to whoever is dialing in at Midway): "Welcome to Midway!" - Wraith arrive

Dr. Lee: "This couldn't get any worse." - Wraith start firing blasters at control room door.

Was reminiscent to Rodney's comments in "Adrift."

(Every time he'd comment on the situation, things would get worse.)


HANGING A LANTERN

When Teal'c and Ronon duck out of sight of some Wraith early on in the episode, I noticed the EVA suits hanging on the bulkhead behind them. Hmmm…wonder if they're going to be useful towards the end of the episode?

Stargate Atlantis / SG1 - NEW in US Syndication Weekend Feb 16/17th

Premiering this weekend in US Syndication the weekend of February 16/17th:



Stargate SG-1 tenth season episode, "Bounty,"



Stargate Atlantis third season episode, "The Game."


Please check your local listings for channel, date and time.

(Photos courtesy of GateWorld)

Stargate Atlantis - MGM Stargate: NEW Video: People's Choice Awards Q & A

From MGM Stargate:

http://stargate.mgm.com/video.php?id=110

People's Choice Q&A

3:36 11MB

Video is formatted in QuickTime 7



Questions asked:



Do we think we're going to beat SG1 on longest running?

David Hewlett



Is David more or less intimidating than his character in real life?

Does David look like a new dad?

Rachel Luttrell



Rachel, what's it like being a Mom for the first time?

What superpower do you wish you had in real life?

Joe Flanigan



Joe, is there an extreme sport you'd like to try that you haven't yet?



Joe, do you plan on writing any more episodes and do you want to
direct?

Jewel Staite



Jewel, did you ever want to a doctor in real life?

What do you love about sci-fi fans?

Stargate Atlantis - Video Interview with Joe Flanigan

From IESB:

http://www.iesb.net/index.php? option=com_content&task=view&id=4325&Itemid=99

IESB caught up to Joe Flanigan on the red carpet at the VES awards and chatted about his work on Stargate: Atlantis. Flannigan is about to begin production on Stargate Atlantis season five.

Video clip at:

http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_seyret&Itemid=227&task=videodirectlink&id=709

(Screenprints from the video)

Joe Flanigan and his wife Katherine