The X-Files - The Futon Critic: Frank Spotnitz Interview

From The Futon Critic:

(Please follow the link for the complete interview.)



On the Futon With... "The X-Files: I Want to Believe" Co-Writer/Producer Frank Spotnitz

If you ask Frank Spotnitz if he ever could have dreamed that "The X-Files" would still be a part of his life in 2008, he shakes his head, smiles and simply says, "No." Spotnitz joined the Fox series in it's second season and stayed with the show through the ninth (and final) season, as well as co-writing the first feature, "The X-Files: Fight The Future," in 1998. Six years after the series went off the air, Spotnitz sat down with Futon Critic's Jim Halterman to talk about the past, present and future with "The X-Files," the dynamic duo of Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) and how exciting it was to write another chapter in the popular franchise.


A brief excerpt:

JH: I'm intrigued! So, getting back to the series, with shows like "Battlestar Galactica" and "Star Trek" having reinvented themselves and/or created spin-off after spin-off... I guess "Stargate" is another one... do you think that could be down the road for "The X-Files?" A next generation or an alternate version of the show?

FS: It's not really my decision. It would be the studio's and I assume they'd want Chris's blessing but I'd be very reluctant especially right now. It feels like there's still a lot of life in the original concept. David and Gillian are still relatively young and they look great. My hope would be that if this movie has an audience, we keep doing these [movies] and that would be enough "X-Files" to me.

Stargate / Sanctuary - SciFi Stream: Exclusive: Interview with Amanda Tapping

From SciFi Stream:

(Please follow the link for the complete SciFi Stream article.)



Exclusive: Interview with Amanda Tapping

July 24, 2008 11:29 pm SciFi Stream Stargate

Actress Amanda Tapping made a name for herself playing Samantha Carter for 11 years on Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis. In 2008, she jumps to Sanctuary, the new SCI FI Channel fantasy series in which she will star, and which she is serving as an executive producer.

GateWorld’s Denise caught up with Amanda at Gabit Events‘ AT3 convention in London this past May. Since the interview is mostly about Sanctuary, we’re proud to present it in its entirety here at SciFi Stream! Thanks to Amanda and Denise for sharing, and to Gabit Events.

In the interview, Amanda talks about the great risk she took in leaving the Stargate franchise for a new project, her many roles in the Sanctuary office, and the tonal changes being made to bring Sanctuary from the Internet to television. She also hints a bit at what is to come in the show’s 13-episode first season.



Amanda Tapping at the TCA Sanctuary panel (please click on the photo for a larger size)

Stargate: Continuum - GateWorld: Video: Continuum and the Arctic

From GateWorld:

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

Video: Continuum and the Arctic

SG-1 cast and crew members describe their excitement for filming in the Arctic's frigid environment.

[Ben Browder and Amanda Tapping have mini-interviews, behind-the-scenes filming clips with Director Martin Wood and Director of Photography Peter Woeste. Personal photos courtesy of Amanda Tapping.]

Stargate Atlantis - Video: Amanda Tapping Q & A Part 2

Courtesy of the SciFi Channel and HULU, from last season, Amanda Tapping's video Q & A Part Two.

Amanda Tapping Q&A - Part 2

Stargate Atlantis

Web Exclusive |04:25

Stargate: Continuum - SF Signal: Continuum DVD Contest - US & Canada Only

From SF Signal:

GIVEAWAY: Stargate - Continuum



The latest Stargate movie, Stargate - Continuum is releasing on July 29th. And now, 3 lucky SF Signal readers can win their very own copies of the DVD! Just follow the simple rules below to win:


1. The contest runs from today, July 24 through July 31st (11:59pm CT).

2. Send an email to: contest [at] sfsignal [dot] com

3. In the subject line please put 'Stargate' so we can keep track.

4. Only one email per person. US/Canada only again.

5. Please include your snail mail address so we can pass them on for the winners.

I know there are many Stargate fans out there so get to emailing!



The evil Goa'uld System Lord Ba'al (Cliff Simon)

Stargate Atlantis - Visual Effects Supervisor Mark Savela Answers Questions - PLUS Videos & Photos!

From Joseph Mallozzi's blog update for July 24, 2008:

(Please follow the link for the complete blog update, and to view the NEW behind-the-scenes videos and photos [in their original full-size and high-resolution formats] from Stargate Atlantis production at the site.)



Carter at the Midway Station - BEFORE

July 24, 2008: Stargate Atlantis Visual Effects Supervisor Mark Savela answers your questions. And he brought treats!



Carter at the Midway Station - AFTER

Well, as promised, Stargate Atlantis Visual Effects Supervisor Mark Savela is joining us - and he's come bearing gifts. In addition to fielding your questions, he has included some pics and videos of various VFX shots, from temp to finished versions. I'm sure you'll agree that both his write-up and accompanying visuals offer a very
interesting peek at the VFX-making process.

(Please follow the link for Mark Savela's q&a's. There are a ton of them!)



Adrift

**snippage**

Mailbag:

Note: I'm working my way backwards, so if you posted a question over the past few days, I'll get around to it. Well, I'll get around to re-reading it anyway.

Muddypiddypop writes: "If an actor wants to go a certain way with a line or how he or she presents themselves in a scene, and it is not how the director sees it, how is that worked out."

Answer: We try to be as accommodating as possible and will discuss any concerns anyone may have with the script. Just recently, Bob Picardo phoned me up and asked if he could make three slight alterations to some Woolsey scenes. He pitched them out and I thought they were great. It's very rare that we arrive at a situation where there is strong disagreement. If someone wants something changed for a good reason, there's no reason why he/she couldn't make the change. If, on the other hand, there is a good reason why the change shouldn't be made, the producer or director will explain why. Hopefully, at the end of the day, reason prevails.



Adrift

**snippage**

Trish writes: "Allie really wants to know a) when will Whispers air? and b) Will it be up there with Stephen King type suspence?"

Answer: Sorry, I don't have a schedule handy, but I believe it will be airing sometime in mid-August. As for whether it will be up there with Stephen King - Hey, I don't think anyone gets close to the master of suspense. That's why he's the King.

**snippage**



The Last Man

Jess writes: "Just wondering, who's idea was it to put a photo of Daniel in Sam and Jack's "imaginary" wedding in Sam's office in Atlantis? Because I'm just thinking, how can you have a picture from a wedding that never took place?"

Answer: Presumably Daniel wore that tux to at least one other event in his life. That photo was snapped at that event.

The Dresden Files - Video: 'Bad Blood'

Courtesy of HULU, The Dresden Files' 'Bad Blood,' starring Paul Blackthorne, Terrence Mann, Conrad Coates, Joanne Kelly and Jane McLean. Guest stars include Lyriq Bent, Michael Copeman and Laura Vandervoort.

Bianca, the most beautiful–and most dangerous—vampire in Chicago, hires Dresden. Someone is trying to kill her, and she needs Dresden to find out who, and why.

Heroes - The SciFi Guys: Contest for Heroes DVDs Seasons 1 & 2

From The SciFi Guys:



THE SUMMER OF SCI FI: WIN HEROES SEASON 1 & 2 DVD!!

As the month of July draws to a close, The Summer Of Sci FI continues to get hotter on DTRN as this week in association with the kind folks at Universal Playback, DTRN and The Sci Fi Guys are giving you the chance to win Heroes Season 1 and Two on DVD!!

Released on Monday 28th July, courtesy of Universal Playback, the second season set contains all 11 exhilarating episodes and a host of incredible extras that includes an alternate ending to the season, and a sneak peek preview of Season 3, making this set a must have for Heroes fans!

To win this exclusive box set that also contains Season 1 and is worth a £70, all you have to do is email competitions [at] dtrn.co.uk and tell us what you would write to happen in Heroes Season 3 If you worked on the show. The chosen winner will then be announced live on The Sci Fi Guys Show on Wednesday 30th July from 8pm BST.

So to recap, to enter just email your Season 3 ideas to competitions [at] dtrn.co.uk and then tune into The Sci Fi Guys on www.dtrn.co.uk this Wednesday from 8BST to see if you have won! So get thinking and we look forward to receiving your entries !!

David Boreanaz - Angel - Video: 'The Prodigal'

Courtesy of HULU, Angel's, 'The Prodigal,' starring David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, Alexis Denisof and Elisabeth Röhm. Guest stars include Julie Benz and John Mahon.

Angel seeks to solve a mystery involving Lockley's father and a normally peaceful demon who attacked a delivery man.

Stargate Atlantis - MGM Stargate: Behind the Scenes: The Seed

From MGM Stargate:

(Please follow the link for the complete MGM Stargate article.)




Photo courtesy of MGM Stargate

Behind the Scenes: The Seed

July 24, 2008 (Episodes)

As Stargate Atlantis’ fifth season gets underway, Dr. Keller finds herself in a life-or-death situation!

A brief excerpt:

Actress Jewel Staite is no stranger to the odd things that a performer can be asked to do as part of a science fiction television program. After all, she not only starred in Firefly, but her first introduction to the Pegasus galaxy was as a young Wraith. For the episode ‘The Seed’, however, she found herself in an even stranger environment, as Jennifer Keller finds herself infected with an alien organism. “I knew there was going to be prosthetics involved, which made me nervous, because that means a lot of early mornings!” says the actress with a laugh, remembering her initial reaction to the script. “But they assured me it wasn’t going to be too bad. And I actually really liked the fact that I was able to go to a dark place. That was fun – I haven’t had to do that too much with Keller yet, and that was exciting for me.”

The X-Files - Video: X Files: I Want to Believe Junket

Courtesy of TV Guide's Hollywood 411 and HULU, X Files: I Want to Believe Junket.

Celebrity Interviews

Interview |01:57 |

THE X FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE sequel is finally here! Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny sit down with Marc Istook and Gillian dishes on things about Duchovny that are weirder than Scully and Mulder's scifi adventures.

Battlestar Galactica - Bear McCreary Concert at San Diego Comic Con

From Bear McCreary's blog:

SEE YOU AT COMIC CON

Going to San Diego Comic Con '08? If so...

"stick around until Sunday night, July 27th. I will perform at an exclusive double-bill concert, featuring the Singers of Battlestar Galactica. I’m playing with Raya Yarbrough and Brendan McCreary, in two sets of their own original material. These artists frequently sing on my scores, but you can’t truly appreciate their talent until you’ve heard them perform their original songs (although, I wouldn’t be surprised if a few Galactica songs popped up in there as well… perhaps a Dylan cover?). Other Galactica musicians, such as violin maestro Paul Cartwright and guitarist Steve Bartek will also share the stage. And we’ll have some surprise Galactica guests as well!

The venue is Anthology, at 1337 India Street, about 10 blocks NW of the convention center. Show starts at 7:30pm sharp! It has a great atmosphere and is perfect for dinner. It would also be the ideal opportunity to meet some of you loyal blog-readers face to face, so I hope you can check it out. See you then!

So Say We All,

-Bear"

Battlestar Galactica - SciFi Wire: Battlestar Props Auctioned

From SciFi Wire:

(Please follow the link for the complete article.)

12:00 AM, 24-JULY-08

Battlestar Props Auctioned

More than 3,000 props, costumes, memorabilia and other items from SCI FI Channel's original series Battlestar Galactica will be auctioned off as the fourth and final season draws to a close.

The auction, sponsored by NBC Universal Television, DVD, Music and Consumer Products Group and Propworx, will include such items as the uniform worn by Adm. William Adama (Edward James Olmos) and a life-sized Cylon Centurion costume.

**snippage**

Stargate Atlantis - NEW Episode, 'Broken Ties,' Friday July 25 at 10pm

The SciFi Channel's SciFi Friday line up for July 25 '08:

5:00P STARGATE ATLANTIS HIDE AND SEEK



6:00P STARGATE SG-1 SACRIFICES



7:00P STARGATE SG-1 THE TIES THAT BIND



8:00P JOAN OF ARCADIA TOUCH MOVE



9:00P DOCTOR WHO (SEASON 4) THE STOLEN EARTH





10:00P STARGATE ATLANTIS (SEASON 5) BROKEN TIES - NEW Episode! Mark Dacascos guest stars as Tyre.



11:00P DOCTOR WHO (SEASON 4) THE STOLEN EARTH



12:00A STARGATE ATLANTIS (SEASON 5) BROKEN TIES



01:00A STARGATE SG-1 OUT OF MIND



02:00A STARGATE SG-1 INTO THE FIRE



Stargate photos courtesy of GateWorld

Star Trek: The Next Generation - SciFi Channel: Viewer's Choice Poll

From SciFi Channel's Star Trek: The Next Generation site:



VIEWER'S CHOICE POLLS

Cast your votes now for your six favorite episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation. The episodes that receive the most votes from our viewers will be aired in our Star Trek: The Next Generation Viewers' Choice Marathon, on Monday, September 1!

Select your top six (or fewer) episodes from the list below by checking the box next to the title. To read a synopsis of an episode, click its title. When you've selected your episodes, click the submit button at the bottom of the page.

The poll opens Monday, July 21, and runs through Monday, August 18, at 11:59 PM EST. Vote now, and tune in on Monday, September 1 to see if any of your favorites made the cut!