Showing posts with label andy mikita. Show all posts
Showing posts with label andy mikita. Show all posts

Friday, May 28, 2010

Stargate Universe - MGM Stargate: Andy Mikita Interview - Stargate Magazine #34

At MGM Stargate:

(Please follow the link for the complete interview excerpt.)

Andy Mikita Interview - Stargate Magazine #34

Stargate Magazine, May 28th, 2010

An interview with Andy Mikita featured in issue #34 of The Official Stargate SG-1/Atlantis/SGU Magazine.

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Director Andy Mikita - photo courtesy of Joseph Mallozzi's blog

Andy Mikita started his Stargate voyage as a first assistant director on Stargate SG-1’s pilot Children of the Gods, over a decade ago. He’s come a long way since then, working his way up through second unit director and production manager before he made his directorial debut with Stargate SG-1’s season three adventure Foothold. Mikita then went on to direct and produce dozens of Stargate SG-1 episodes as well as instalments of Stargate Atlantis, and he is now heavily involved with the show’s current incarnation as a director and co-producer on Stargate Universe.

With all his experience and involvement on Stargate, it came as no surprise that he was given the honor of directing Universe’s three-hour opener Air. However, unlike his previous adventures through the Stargate, this one started out a little differently.

A brief excerpt (of the larger excerpt):
“Although our official prep date for Universe was still way off, as soon as I knew I’d be directing Air, I wanted to be involved as early as possible, which was terrific,” says the director. “That allowed me the opportunity to be here when they were designing and building the set. Normally, a director isn’t around for that sort of thing, so I had the luxury of being able to throw out the odd suggestion or idea to James Robbins (production designer) and Scott Wellenbrink (construction coordinator).

“I also got to fly down to Los Angeles in December (2008) for all the cast callbacks. I had never been a part of that process before. I got to sit in the room where all the final decisions were being made. Typically, that’s the domain of the executive producers. I’m sure for a pilot director that’s normal, but having never directed a pilot, that was new to me...”

To subscribe to Stargate Magazine, CLICK HERE.

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Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Stargate - Stargate Official Magazine Issue 34 - Louis Ferreira, David Blue, Andy Mikita Interviews

At Titan Magazines:

Stargate Magazine Issue 34

News

STARGATE MAGAZINE #34 OUT NOW!

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The Official Stargate Magazine is out now on a newsstand near you! The latest issue features a wealth of commentaries and conversations with the stars of Stargate Universe, including co-producer and director Andy Mikita, exclusive concept art, and the latest news from the set. Read on for all the details!

CARLYLE DIRECTS!

Work has already started on season two of Stargate Universe with the opening episode, Intervention, being directed by none other than the series star, Robert Carlyle! The titles for the next four episodes have also been revealed: Aftermath, Awakening, Pathogen, and Cloverdale. You can read the whole story and check out all the latest from the whole Stargate franchise in the latest issue's 'Advanced Telemetry' news section.

Features

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COLONEL YOUNG – LOUIS FERREIRA
“[In Young and Rush] you have two people who absolutely need and rely on one another and who can’t get back home without each other. That’s obviously creating great friction and conflict.” – Louis Ferreira

Playing Colonel Everett Young is no easy task, and in the latest issue of The Official Stargate Magazine, actor Louis Ferreria reveals the reasons behind his character’s conflict with scientist Nicholas Rush, the life Young had before his time aboard the Destiny, and why he wants to be like Sonny Crockett in Miami Vice.

EXPANDING THE UNIVERSE – ANDY MIKITA
“I’m the luckiest guy in the world; I’ve been given the opportunity to shoot the pilot and finish the season as well.” – Andy Mikita

Andy Mikita has been in the Stargate business for over a decade, having started as a first assistant director on Stargate SG-1’s Children of the Gods. Mikita is now director and co-producer of Stargate Universe, and in an exclusive interview with The Official Stargate Magazine, he tells us about shooting his episodes, from the Vancouver soundstages to the deserts of Mexico, and everything else in-between.

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LT. VANESSA JAMES – JULIA BENSON
“We did some amazing training at the start, including with firearms. I had never fired a gun before or even held one. It was intense and I loved it.” – Julia Benson

After a guest spot on Stargate Atlantis, Julia Benson jumped at the chance to play series regular Lt. Vanessa James on Stargate Universe. We sit down and chat with Benson about what it’s like to play the tough Lieutenant with a softer side, shooting the “epic” season opener Air, and the physical attraction between her character and Lt. Matthew Scott.

Issue Spotlight

ST-ART-GATE!

Production Designer James Robbins and VFX Supervisor Mark Savela showcase some exclusive concept art from behind the scenes of Stargate Universe, with commentary from the creators themselves. From Darkness and Light, to Space and Divided, we take a look at some of the original artwork that led to the creation of some of Stargate Universe’s stunning sets.


Exlusive Extras:

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STARGAZING: DAVID BLUE

David Blue tells us about playing Stargate Universe’s MIT drop-out-turned-reluctant-space-explorer, Eli Wallace.

SPINNING THE GATE: GARY JONES


The actor who’s been “spinning” the gate for the last 10 years talks about his Stargate experience.

PLOT THREADS

Costume designer Val Haverson takes us behind the scenes of Stargate’s wardrobe.

LICENSED TO THRILL!


We take a look at stunt co-ordinator James Bamford’s involvement in the Stargate series.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Stargate Universe - Joseph Mallozzi's Blog Update - NEW SGU Behind the Scenes Photos!

At Joseph Mallozzi's blog update for May 1, 2009:

(Please follow the link for the complete blog update and to view the NEW behind-the-scenes photos of Stargate Universe, including another photo with Michael Shanks, in their original format.)

May 1, 2009: Projects Galore!

I'm well into the rewrite of Space, episode #11 of Stargate: Universe, and finally got it down to a full 46 pages from a robust 54 (and that's down from its original 60!). Paring down the dialogue, stripping away some of the superfluous beats, but still maintaining a lot of the character beats that Rob and Co. responded to in the original version (the Boone scene, the James beats, that thing with the sock). Hope to have a nice, tight, revised draft for when everyone comes back in about a week.

Yes, that`s right. About a week. Things are going to be very quiet at The Bridge for a while as production of the show shifts to New Mexico. Andy Mikita, who`s already there, sent some great pics of the location gate at White Sands.
Hopefully, him and the rest of the gang won't suffer a repeat of the location scout scenario that saw their truck give out on them in the middle of nowhere, causing them to weigh the option of hiking the twelve miles back to civilization before eventually being rescued (Thank you, OnStar!). And, hopefully, I'll be able to share those location gate pics with you in time - but, in the meantime, here's a behind-the-scenes snap from the two-hour premiere, Air I and II - actors David Blue and Chris McDonald on the Icarus set, Stage 5.



... So, looking ahead to next week, I have the comic book pitch, those Atlantis scenes to write, the revised draft of Space to go over and, oh yeah, that short story to finish up. I've only been working on it for seven months now and it's almost done. Also genre-specific, but not the genre you're thinking of. I've got the next seven days to go over it, send it Kellie's way, get some feedback, another couple of weeks to do the rewrite, and then it's in my editors hands. And, if he likes it, I plan to join him and the rest of the writers of the anthology for a San Diego Comic Con appearance - in 2010.

Of course, I'd love to make an appearance at this year's Comic Con, partly so I can say hi to all of you in person, and partly to track down those two Bowen supervillain statues (Juggernaut and The Scorpion) I missed out on when they first came out. They'll grace my office shelves alongside the likes of Darkseid, Magneto, Apocalypse, Doctor Doom, and, perhaps, this lovely piece of artwork actor Michael Shanks seems very attached to -



Mailbag returns tomorrow with, hopefully, that long overdue visit to the Icarus set.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Stargate: Universe - Joseph Mallozzi's Blog - Production Updates Apr 23 '09

From Joseph Mallozzi's blog update for April 23, 2009:

(Please follow the link for the complete blog update.)



April 23, 2009: It’s Like That Episode Of SG-1 Where The Team Has To Introduce A Foreign Element Into the Sun Of Another Planet In Order To Save The World’s Inhabitants Except That Instead Of “The Team” It’s “Me” And Instead of “Introducing A Foreign Element Into A Sun” It’s “Making This Entry” And Instead Of “Save The World’s Inhabitants” It’s “Entertain The Readers Of This Blog”. Oh, And A Production Update.

... Will Waring is directing Brian J. Smith (Lt. Scott) and Justin Louis (Col. Young) over on Stage 2 (set codename: Hoth).

Director Andy Mikita is over on Stage 4 taking a wandering camera tour of the Destiny set.

Robert Cooper is working on his producer’s cut of Earth and is awaiting notes on his brilliant script for Time as his prep week approaches.

Brad Wright shifts gears after putting out both Darkness and Light, looking to hammer down the story for episode 13.

My writing partner Paul [Mullie] continues work on Divided. According to him, there’s a lot of story and he fears the script may go long. Which would be par for the course.

Carl Binder will be assuming revision duties on Faith, episode 12.

Oh, and I found the time to do another pass on that Atlantis movie script. I wanted to have another go at the Beckett-Teyla scene but was sidetracked by a new script, an impromptu writer’s meeting, lunch (priorities, yes?), and an all new, all tight producer’s cut of Air I and II. That Destiny is a mighty cool-looking ship.

Finally, a reminder to Producer John G. Lenic, who has been with the franchise since The Children of the Gods pilot, will be taking your questions, so if you want to ask him anything about his 10 years on SG-1, 5 years on Atlantis, 2 SG-1 movies, or his time on Universe, start posting…

Friday, April 3, 2009

Stargate Universe - Joseph Mallozzi's Blog: Questions for Director Peter De Luise?

From Joseph Mallozzi's blog update for April 2, 2009:

(Please follow the link for the complete blog update.)



Peter De Luise and Shy One (Alex Zahara) from Stargate SG-1's 'Beast of Burden.'


April 2, 2009: Waiting for the Other Vengeful Shoe to Drop, Peter DeLuise Wants to Hear From You

... Today, we screened Ivon Bartok’s directorial debut. The first batch of kino scenes were a lot fun, featuring Eli and Chloe, Spencer and Brody, Scott, Young, and a peeved James (played by the lovely Julia Anderson. What a sweetheart!).

As for the actual episodes: Ernest Dickerson continues to do a bang-up job directing Earth, Peter DeLuise is in the editing room working on Fire, and Andy Mikita is putting the finishing touches on Air I, II, and III, promising us a cut by late tomorrow.

Oh, speaking of Peter DeLuise - if you have questions for the walking Stargate omnipedia, start posting. He’s agreed to come by and do a Q&A. Once he’s completed his director’s cut of course.

Today’s pics: Last night’s dinner at Modern Burger. They had to kick us out.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Stargate: Universe - Filming In New Mexico April - May '09

From the New Mexico Film Office site:



Title: Stargate: Universe

Date: 03-11-2009

Information:

Shoot dates: April - May 2009

Location: Alamogordo

Cast: Robert Carlyle, Lou Diamond Philips

Production Company: MGM/Sci Fi Channel

Direct: Andy Mikita

Monday, February 23, 2009

Stargate: Universe - Joseph Mallozzi's Blog Update Feb 23 '09

From Joseph Mallozzi's blog update for February 23, 2009:

(Please follow the link for the complete blog update.)



February 23, 2009: Infoquake, by David Louis Edelman


**snippage**

What a day! We were on Icarus Base shooting a couple of HUGE scenes featuring Rush, Young, Scott, Chloe, Eli, Telford, Senator Armstrong, Dr. Damji, Lt. James, Sgt. Riley, Park, Brody, and Franklin. The set is spectacular, I'm loving the new gate set-up, and, surprise surprise, really loving those Icarus military uniforms. Stylin'! Chatted with David (Blue) and Brian (J. Smith), told them how terrific they were in the dailies we watched over lunch, then promised to say a special hello from them to their folks who have apparently dropped by the blog (specifically, Brian's mom and David's dad). So hi to Mrs. Smith and Mr. Blue. Your kids are lovely and wonderfully talented. We're taking great care of them and promise to return them in approximately a decade or so, whenever the show has run its course.

Andy Mikita, directing the three-parter, is running a tight ship - but everyone is enjoying themselves immensely. I got some nice behind-the-scenes pics of Bobby and Justin along with "the actor playing Telford" (not sure if his identity has been announced yet but I have to say - and did say - I've enjoyed his work, especially his performance in my very favorite Mark Wahlberg movie. And, no, it's not the movie you're thinking of. Or the next one. Or the one after that.).

Speaking of announcements, apparently TPTB are just getting their ducks in a row in preparation for the big announcement that should be coming ... very soon.

A truly phenomenal cast!

~~**~~**

Stargate: Universe is tentatively scheduled to premiere October 2, 2009 on the SciFi Channel (US).

Monday, February 9, 2009

Stargate Atlantis / SG1 - GateWorld: Andy Mikita Audio Interview Part 2

At GateWorld:



PICTURE MOVER

GateWorld talks with Andy Mikita

In the second half of GateWorld's interview with Andy Mikita, we focus on the director's episodes from the fifth season, including "The Daedalus Variations," "The Shrine" and "Enemy at the Gate." We talk about the challenges of shooting out-of-doors, the character of the Stargate team, and the ongoing quality of the franchise!

Part Two of GateWorld's interview with Andy runs over 20 minutes. Listen online at your leisure, download it to your MP3 player, or subscribe now to the iTunes podcast. The interview is also transcribed [at the link above]!

View Part One here!


A brief excerpt:

GW: You directed the finale for the show. What can you tell us about how you directed that differently or how you approached that from while it was in production?
AM: First of all I was thrilled to be given the opportunity. It was pretty cool to be given the assignment of the final episode. I was very honored. When I read the script I didn't know what to expect, quite frankly. I didn't know if it was going to be the tongue-in-cheek like the SG-1 milestone episodes were. I didn't think it was going to be but I wasn't quite sure.

I was pleasantly surprised, I have to say, that it was a good, classic team episode that had a lot of large components to it. We had Amanda Tapping back on the show which was fantastic. Colin Cunningham was back. Great having those guys, obviously.

It was a big-scale show which was really cool. That was what I was hoping that it would be. Mind you, at the same time Rob [Cooper] was shooting another huge-scale show with "Vegas" and there was some overlapping going on. There was a little bit of sharing of the resources, as it were, on everybody's part.

Again that was part and parcel of the whole year where we were shooting multiple shows. That continued right through to the end. Not that attention was diverted from it but that was something that we had to be conscious of. We were still dealing with two very, very big episodes to finish the year and we had to pay attention to each of them equally. But it was a fantastic experience.

It was a wonderful, bittersweet episode for me to be a part of, obviously. We were saying our goodbyes in the middle of it all when David was wrapped for the season and when Rachel and Jason -- everyone was wrapped out at a different time. We were having these big goodbyes throughout the course of shooting.

Of course we all knew the show was cancelled. There was that feeling of not throwing in the towel, I won't say that, because we'd already come to terms that it's all over now anyway.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Stargate - GateWorld: Andy Mikita Audio Interview - Part One

At GateWorld:



PICTURE MOVER

GateWorld talks with Andy Mikita

The Stargate franchise is at a critical crossroads. Atlantis is now in full-swing for its first movie, with promises for SG-1 movies to continue, and a brand new TV series is on the horizon. GateWorld felt it was high time to get the thoughts and opinions of staple Stargate director Andy Mikita!

His time with the franchise going all the way back to "Children of the Gods," Andy is moving full speed ahead with plans to direct the first Atlantis movie, and hopes to participate in Stargate Universe as well. In the first segment of this extra-long interview, we talk at length about his decade-long journey through the series, discuss favorite episodes like the "Heroes" two-parter, director gags, and more!

Part One of GateWorld's interview with Andy runs over over 25 minutes. Listen online at your leisure, download it to your MP3 player, or subscribe now to the iTunes podcast. The interview is also transcribed [at the link above]!



A brief excerpt:

GW: ...All the way back to "Foothold," I think "Foothold" was your first episode. What kind of got you roped in with these guys to become a mainstay in terms of your involvement with the shows?
AM: Well I don't know if you're aware, but I've been part of the franchise right from day one. I was the first assistant director on "Children of the Gods" with Mario Azzopardi. So I've been part of the group right since its inception. It was actually Jonathan Glassner who was the person directly responsible for having me come on board. I'd worked with him in the past. I had worked as an assistant director on a TV series called 21 Jump Street, which of course Mr. Peter DeLuise was a big part of.

It was Jonathan who made the initial contact with me. From there I worked as a First [Assistant Director] for the first season and then worked as a production manager and second unit director after that. I was doing so much second unit work that basically everybody supported the notion of having me direct an entire episode and felt that I was ready to do so. So "Foothold" was that first opportunity for me.

It worked out really well. I thought it was a pretty strong episode, and it certainly led to other opportunities for me within the franchise, which was great. That was what really got the ball rolling for me, doing the second unit work as I was working as a production manager on the show. I was just spending so much time on set. That was kind of my comfort zone anyway. I was never really good at the numbers part of things as much as I was with the daily operations out on the set. That was more where I grew up.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Stargate Atlantis - GateWorld: Podcast: Episode #25

At GateWorld:



GateWorld Podcast: Episode #25

Tuesday, January 13 (FEATURES)

Darren and David discuss the final episode of Stargate Atlantis. PLUS: Preview our interview with Andy Mikita.


Visit the GateWorld Podcast page for more about the show!

The series finale of Stargate Atlantis has arrived, and Darren and David talk all about “Enemy At the Gate” in this week’s podcast! This episode had to wear three different hats: the 100th episode, the season finale, and the series finale. Does it satisfy on all fronts?

We also have this week’s news from the Stargate universe to talk about (including some new details on Stargate Universe), and we’ll give you a preview of our upcoming two-part interview with Stargate director Andy Mikita. We’ll also run down the latest new additions to GateWorld. And in the Listener Mail segment, Stargate fans sound off on the Atlantis finale.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Stargate Atlantis - MGM Stargate - Behind the Scenes Photos - 'Enemy at the Gate'

At MGM Stargate:

(Please follow the link to view all the photos in their original format.)

28 behind-the-scenes from the Stargate Atlantis series finale episode, 'Enemy at the Gate,' which airs Friday, January 9 '09 at 9pm on the SciFi Channel (US).



Director Andy Mikita, Amanda Tapping (Col. Sam Carter) and Executive Producer Joseph Mallozzi



Joe Flanigan (Lt. Col. John Sheppard), Camera Operator Will Waring, and Christopher Heyerdahl (Todd)



1st AD Alex Pappas, Kavan Smith (Maj. Evan Lorne) and Director Andy Mikita



Rachel Luttrell (Teyla Emmagan) and Joe Flanigan




Robert Picardo (Richard Woolsey) and Jason Momoa (Ronon Dex)



Joe, Rachel, Jason, Chuck Campbell (Chuck the Technician), David Hewlett (Dr. Rodney McKay) and Robert



Jason, Andy, Alex, Rachel, Robert, David and Joe



David

Monday, December 22, 2008

Stargate Atlantis - MGM Stargate: Behind-The-Scenes: Infection

At MGM Stargate:

(Please follow the link for the complete article.)



Director Andy Mikita

Behind-The-Scenes: Infection

December 22, 2008 (Episodes)

As Stargate Atlantis’ fifth and final season begins to wind up, director Andy Mikita takes us behind the scenes on ‘Infection’.


A brief excerpt:

Infection’ saw the crew of Stargate Atlantis facing one of their most challenging disasters to date as they found themselves trapped on a diseased and disintegrating Wraith Hive.
“We didn’t want to tip the hat straight away, we wanted to discover that along the course of the episode,” explains director Andy Mikita, of the ship’s condition. “So we tried to keep it fairly ambiguous in terms of the look of the ship – we did a couple of subtle things just in-camera. We played with gamma levels a little bit just to give it a little bit less color, and so from a visual cue for the audience that was probably the only thing that we did just to provide a little bit of something doesn’t seem exactly like every other Wraith ship.”


Monday, December 1, 2008

Stargate Atlantis - Alex Levine Blog Update Dec 1 '08 for 'Infection'

At SciFi.com, Alex Levine's blog update for December 1, 2008:

(Please follow the link for the complete blog update.)



December 1, 2008

Ideas and Infection

... The episode you'll see this week, "Infection", is yet another episode that continues an existing story line. We needed to tell a story that wraps up the Queen/gene therapy story line and also revisits our favorite Wraith, Todd. Alan [McCullough] came up with an interesting tease, so the other writers told him to run with it. There is a lot of prosthetic work in this one, as it's heavy on Wraith. Alan also told me they went back to the same Wraith set that we used in the Queen, and it was a challenge for Andy Mikita to find new and interesting angles to shoot. But our directors are very crafty and can make familiar sets seem completely different. For example, did you know that the SG-1 cafeteria is also the Gate Room? Well it's true. And the Infirmary doubles as any particular character's quarters. The chair room is the observation room. And the list goes on. Ah, the magic of television.

Enjoy this week's episode!

Posted by Alex Levine at December 1, 2008 11:55 PM

Stargate Atlantis - MGM Stargate: NEW Behind the Scenes Photos - 'Infection'

At MGM Stargate:

(Please follow the link to view all the photos in their original format.)

8 new behind the scenes photos from 'Infection,' airing Friday, December 5 '08 at 9pm on the SciFi Channel (US). Guest starring Christopher Heyerdahl as Todd and Kavan Smith as Maj. Evan Lorne.



Rachel Luttrell as Teyla Emmagan



Director Andy Mikita



Jason Momoa (Ronon Dex)



David Hewlett (back to camera - Rodney McKay), Joe Flanigan (Lt. Col. John Sheppard), Jason Momoa, Kavan Smith (Maj. Evan Lorne), Rachel Luttrell

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Stargate Atlantis - NEW Behind The Scenes Photos - 'Enemy at the Gate'

From Joseph Mallozzi's blog update for November 5, 2008:

(Please follow the link for the complete blog update and to view the NEW photos from Stargate Atlantis season five production in their original format.)

November 5, 2008: Your Emails in My Spam Folder

... Hey, I came across some pics from the last days of production. Check `em out.





Sharon Taylor as Technician Amelia Banks



Director Andy Mikita, Joe Flanigan (John Sheppard), Robert Picardo (Richard Woolsey), Kavan Smith (Evan Lorne)



Kavan, Joe and Robert



'Enemy at the Gate' 100th episode artwork




Writer/Producer/Director Martin Gero with his Stargate Atlantis 100 episodes T-Shirt





Gary Jones (CMSGT Walter Harriman)



Producers/Writers Carl Binder and Alan McCullough

Monday, November 3, 2008

Stargate Atlantis - MGM Stargate: The Prodigal - 12 Behind the Scenes Photos

Stargate Atlantis' 'The Prodigal' airs Friday, November 7 '08 at 9pm on the SciFi Channel (US). Guest stars include Connor Trinneer as Michael and Kavan Smith as Maj. Evan Lorne.

At MGM Stargate:

(Please follow the link to view all the photos in their original format.)

12 NEW behind the scenes photos from The Prodigal.



The Atlantis 500 - Gentlemen, start your engines!



Far left, Director Andy Mikita




Center, Stunt Coordinator James 'Bam Bam' Bamford and Jason Momoa (Ronon Dex) on the right



Puddle jumper in the Atlantis gateroom




Joe "Crash" Flanigan (Lt. Col. Sheppard) and David "Flags" Hewlett (Dr. Rodney McKay)



Rachel Luttrell (Teyla Emmagan) and friend

Friday, October 31, 2008

Stargate Atlantis - MGM Stargate: Video: David Nykl interviews Director Andy Mikita

At MGM Stargate:

(Please follow the link to view the video in its original format.)



David Nykl Interviews Director Andy Mikita
2:40
7.32MB

Includes behind the scenes filming from 'The Lost Tribe.'

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Stargate Atlantis - MGM Stargate: 11 NEW Behind the Scenes Stills - 'The Lost Tribe'

At MGM Stargate:

(Please follow the link to view all 11 photos in their original format.)

11 NEW behind the scenes stills from 'The Lost Tribe.'



David Hewlett (Dr. Rodney McKay) and Director Andy Mikita



David Hewlett, Michael Shanks (Daniel Jackson) and writer/producer Martin Gero



Martin Gero and Michael Shanks




Jason Momoa (Ronon Dex) and stunt coordinator James Bamford



Jason Momoa, Andy Mikita and Jewel Staite (Dr. Jennifer Keller)