| For anyone wanting to stalk... er... find me at Comic Con |
[Jul. 9th, 2009|05:52 pm] |
Thursday
11:15-12:15 The Middleman Cast Reunion and Lost Episode Table Read— Creator Javier Grillo-Marxuach (Lost) and the complete cast—including Matt Keeslar, Natalie Morales, Brit Morgan, Mary Pat Gleason, Jake Smollett, Mark Sheppard, Brendan Hines, Sarah Watson, Jordan Rosenberg, Margaret Dunlap, and Andy Reaser—reunite to celebrate the DVD release of The Middleman: The Complete Series from Shout! Factory, with an exclusive table read of the lost 13th episode, The Doomsday Armageddon Apocalypse, which was never produced for television but is now available as a graphic novel from Viper Comics. Room 6A |
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| I am withough words... |
[Jan. 7th, 2009|07:26 pm] |
So I will just say this:
Thank you everyone for your voting and election day stories that you shared for my birthday this year!
I celebrated my birthday the day after moving across the country. I spent that day hauling all of my worldly goods that I could bring with me on the plane (an overloaded backpack and a rolling suitcase) on public transportation from Long Island to Central New Jersey before picking my mother up at the airport and collapsing to watch election returns. It was - shall we say - not my most festive birthday ever. I had voted by absentee ballot, but on a night when so much of the country was celebrating, I felt pretty disconnected.
But thanks to you, and your friends, and your random family members, and especially ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) ellinor, applejack_12 and sagaslices, I get to participate in all of your election days, and that makes me extraordinarily happy.
Thank you so much, and happy New Year everyone. |
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| Fundamentally Flawed |
[Oct. 14th, 2008|07:01 pm] |
My cousin sent me a link to this blog, a blog that takes the words of those who are in favor of California Proposition 8 (and thus, against marriage equity), and shows how ridiculous and/or bigoted they are.
From Fundamentally Flawed:
“My children should not have to be taught that marriage is between two people who love each other and are committed to each other. Marriage is between a man and a woman.”
(the blogger's snarky commentary follows.)
Check it out, and if you can, donate to No On Prop 8.org. |
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| Brief Thoughts on The Middleman Season Finale |
[Sep. 2nd, 2008|03:03 pm] |
It was both wonderful and a little sad, getting together to watch The Palindrome Reversal Palindrome last night.
( Read more... )
ETA: My mother just called to say that The Middleman got a mention on All Things Considered tonight, during a story about the Bechdel Test, including an interview with Natalie Morales. Go Natalie! |
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| Seven Years in L.A. |
[Aug. 15th, 2008|06:42 pm] |
As of yesterday, which I realized coming out of the mix for my episode of The Middleman.
I'm very excited about the show (airs August 25th, mark your calendars!), but at the same time it was also a little sad, since that mix effectively means my part of any finishes touches is over. Which is good, that it's done, but makes me wistful that it's over. If that makes any sense.
When I told people on set that I had come to Los Angeles in 2001 the response was frequently, "Ooo! A newbie!"
I will grant that assessment has a bit of truth in it, (I don't argue with people who have been in the business since I've been alive, or who have worked or are working up the P.A./2nd 2nd AD/Key 2nd AD/1st AD ladder), but I also add the caveat that seven years from new transplant to episode writer only seems short in retrospect.
It's my first episode. (You never know. It might be my last.) I am unbelievably proud of this series, and I couldn't ask for a better start.
In summation:
Yesterday, the mix.
Today, applied for unemployment.
Overall, quite pleased with life. And there you have it. |
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| Olympic Thoughts |
[Aug. 11th, 2008|02:23 pm] |
Does it bother anyone else that the "Water Cube" is clearly a rectangular prism, and not a cube?
It's just me, isn't it? |
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| Tonight's Middleman: The Obselescent Cryogenic Meltdown |
[Aug. 11th, 2008|12:31 pm] |
It's the week orichalcum has been waiting for for months. The on screen debut of her latin translation of The Middleman motto: Fighting evil, so you don't have to.
If you've been meaning to watch The Middleman, or if you've been meaning to tie your friends who haven't watched The Middleman to a chair so that they'll have to watch The Middleman, this is the week to do it.
It's got guest stars:
It's been widely publicized that Kevin Sorbo guest stars tonight as a Middleman from 1969 who had himself frozen with instructions to be thawed should his arch nemesis "The Candle" ever return. However, also watch our for appearances by Erick "Chandra Suresh" Avari and Natalija "Vice Admiral Nechayev" Nogulich.
You can also:
Witness one of Mary Pat Gleason's hidden talents.
Find out where that submarine door in Ops leads to.
See one of my favorite chyron location gags.
Oh, and...
Wendy Watson wears the catsuit from the opening credits outside of the opening credits.
(I'm just saying. Some people seem to be excited about that.)
In all seriousness, this is one of my favorite episodes we've done all season. It has some of the most hardcore wackiness of the series, but combines it with a really great character story, wish a few sweet moments that I absolutely love.
Watch it. Download it. Tell your friends. And then, tell ABC Family.
ETA: I take neither credit nor responsibility for the name of Noser's roommate. It just happened, I swear. |
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| Tonight's Middleman |
[Aug. 4th, 2008|04:30 pm] |
Hard to believe we're up to episode eight already. I'd say that it's hard to believe I haven't written one of these little updates for more than a month, but actually, I find that entirely credible.
Episode eight is The Ectoplasmic Panhellenic Investigation, written by Sarah Watson. I want to be Sarah Watson when I grow up. Except that I'm afraid that would involve a lot of time spent exercising and being outdoors, and I'm not sure I could handle that. But in the context of being a writer, I am totally going All About Eve on her.
Anyway, I remember that this was the episode where I got into the habit of going down to the set every night after the writers' room had shut down and just hanging out for a half-hour or so, getting the feel for what was going on and asking people on the crew questions between set-ups. Part of the reason I want to be Sarah is that she went out of her way to show me as much as possible about what her job was as the writer on set.
Nothing terribly spoilery follows, but I'll but it behind a cut just in case.
( Read more... )
Today is also the last day of shooting for season 1, and my last day of official employment. Still waiting for word on a second season. (In case any of you aren't reading The Middle-blog, Javi has posted about where we stand and what fans might do about it).
But whether you're sending candies to Burbank or not, the most important thing you can do is to watch the show, tell other people about the show, and get them to watch the show. It's my feeling that ABC Family would like to pick us up, they just need to find a reason to. That reason is more viewers. |
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| A post unrelated to The Middleman |
[Aug. 2nd, 2008|12:26 pm] |
Took my car in this morning to fix an oil leak. The shop thought it had two sources and estimated the repair cost at $430 and a time of four hours.
Not ideal, but I can afford it, and the car is more than 10 years old at this point, and it's a hell of a lot cheaper than replacing an engine that burned out because it didn't have any oil.
However, they discovered once they fixed one of the leaks that the second leak wasn't actually leaking. And the part that wasn't leaking, was the more expensive one.
Total repair cost: $105.45
Oh yeah. Winning at auto repair. |
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| Wow, felt that one |
[Jul. 29th, 2008|11:55 am] |
For those of you who might have seen the news about the 5.8 magnitude quake that just hit southern California: yes, we felt it here in L.A., largest I can remember from the last few years. But effects here at the Middle-offices were reduced to some door-rattling, and we're all okay.
Sending folks out on a set-check soon (filming is out on location today, they felt it too), but we didn't hear any massive crashing nosies, so that's a good sign. |
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| Comic Con - Saturday Itinerary |
[Jul. 26th, 2008|08:54 am] |
Heading out to the Con sometime between 9 and 10 this morning with cousin G.
Plans of the day:
Stop by the ABC Family booth sometime between 4 and 5 when Natalie is signing autographs.
Go to the TV Guide Panel at 6 pm (room 6B), where Javi and Natalie will be on the panel. I think Ron Moore is too, which is awesome, but I hope that a) I will be able to get in and b) there is time for some Middle-love between the Battlestar squee.
Next Gen Femmes lunch is at 1 pm. On the one hand, I'd like to go. On the other hand, I'm afraid I won't know anyone else going and will spend lunch wishing I was somewhere else.
Other goals include getting my hands on a Mark Sheppard pin from the BSG booth, meeting up with Sarah and company, and also the Leverage folks.
Yesterday was a good day. I was on my own for the morning, which eventually got old, but then met up with the Leverage gang and saw the showrunner's panel, which was middling (what are you supposed to talk about with a panel of five people running six different shows, in front of an audience that really just wants to know what's going to happen next season on Lost, already), and the Boom! Studios panel with the same folks, plus Sarah and her entourage, which was quite good (smaller room, smaller panel, tighter focus). Got to reintroduce myself to Ross Ritchie and Johanna Stokes who I had not seen since they guest starred in the Halmae ages ago.
Also, thought I might have spotted Mistwell from EN World, but was unable to confirm.
Hung out with Sarah and company in the con suite for a while after Boom!, then went to the genre TV writers panel where Sarah was subbing in for Javi. Large group of panelists, but I was very impressed by moderator Mark A. Altman (when reading his Star Trek articles all those years ago, never thought I would actually SEE the guy). He kept the room going and made sure that everyone was getting a chance to answer questions.
Even the audience questions were good (score another point for Comic Con over Sundance right there). Sarah gets the special innovations award for finding a slightly different and classy way to say "Please watch our show" whenever she spoke.
(By the way, please watch our show.)
After that panel I found (or was found by) rhi_silverflame and her partner (whose lj name, if she has one, I can't seem to find) and we went out for really good Indian food with cousin G.
And after that, I was ready to go home. |
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| Comic Con |
[Jul. 25th, 2008|09:11 am] |
Production days 5-7 are coming, but I just wanted to quickly post that after 7 HOURS on the road yesterday I finally made it to Comic Con.
Am totally bummed that I missed The Middleman panel, and everyone who I blithely said I would meet at The Middleman panel. Sigh. I am told it was a great success however, which is great to hear.
Heading out for day 2 right now. If anyone is looking for me, I think you have my cell number, or I'll be at the Genre TV writing panel at 6:30 pm in room 5AB, supporting panelist and co-worker, Sarah Watson.
I'll have my iPod with me and am told there is WiFi available, so email is also a possible way to reach me during the day, or drop a comment. |
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| I have never posted on this exact date before. |
[Jul. 3rd, 2008|01:22 pm] |
This week in 2005, I was writing a lot about the people in my neighborhood.
Around this time in 2006, my computer crashed, and needed a new hard drive.
In July 2007, I was very busy. When things calmed down, I wasn't quite sure what to do.
Today, my script went out to production, and we officially begin director's prep.
Didn't sleep too well last night, but today is a good day. |
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| Done! Said the Good Fairy. (Until it isn't.) |
[Jun. 28th, 2008|04:01 pm] |
At 2:30 Today I emailed my showrunner my script for Episode 11 of The Middleman, Season 1.
I imagine the feeling is much like being high.
Went to the grocery store. Bought sushi, beer, and ice-cream.
I have eaten the sushi, am half-way through a beer, and the ice-cream is waiting for me in the freezer.
That's all I've got for the moment. I'm looking forward to a bath, a party I'm going to tonight, and having nothing I have to do tomorrow. I think I'll cook, and go to Trader Joe's.
Yippee! |
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| If you're watching tonight's Middleman "The Accidental Occidental Conception" |
[Jun. 23rd, 2008|09:47 am] |
Here are some things to keep an eye out for:
Watch for the wall of pictures in the Chinese Restaurant. All of the people with their picture taken with the terracotta warrior are members of the crew.
The blond woman in the green and white shirt is the writer of the episode, Sarah Watson.
The guy giving a thumbs up who you can see beside The Middleman's head in the close-up is our Script Coordinator, TV's Neil Levin.
If you hit the right freeze frame and look really carefully, you might be able to see the picture that has me and Javi's assistant in it. We're holding our arms up. I'm wearing my blue Simon's Rock T-shirt, and the ubiquitous black hoodie.
All of the incidental place and character names have a common theme, see if you can spot it. :)
There's a funny line late in the episode that gets even funnier if you remember that the writer of the episode has the same last name as the main character.
And of course, if you are given to scrutinize the end titles, this is the first episode where my name appears in the credits. It's towards the end, at the bottom of the block labeled "Production Staff" (or "Production Team" or something like that). |
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| Today is Middle-day! |
[Jun. 16th, 2008|07:26 am] |
Yes, in case you haven't nabbed it on iTunes or Xbox Live, today is the cable TV premiere of The Middleman. Please watch and spread the word!
Since the pilot was filmed before I was brought aboard, I don't have a lot of inside scoop on this particular episode. However, I can say that if you've been wanting to catch a glimpse of the creative genius behind The Middleman (chaodai), you can see him teaching a gorilla how to read in Dr. Gibbs's lab. It's about 22 minutes into the iTunes file, a bit later in the broadcast, due to commercials.
Thank you to everyone for the enthusiasm and good wishes! I'm very excited! |
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| I think they're actually going to put this on TV. |
[Jun. 10th, 2008|10:23 am] |
Very exciting times here at the Middleoffice.
The Pilot is available for free (FREE!) download on iTunes.
Wendy and The Middleman are advising ABC Family viewers of the dangers of probes and vampire cows.
WE'RE BREAKING MY EPISODE!
One of my coworkers observed today that he didn't think it had quite hit me that I was writing for television. Personally, I think a little bit of disbelief in regards to that particular fact might be all that stands between me and insanity. |
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| Oh, frak |
[May. 6th, 2008|06:22 pm] |
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I haven't been tracking the SAG AMPTP negotiations as closely as I did the ones with the WGA, mostly because new job leaves less time for web-surfing than old job. But apparently it's different players, same old song. |
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| My Day |
[May. 6th, 2008|05:39 pm] |
Little break from work this evening, but haven't yet been released to go home. This hasn't happened in a while, so I figured I'd take advantage of the time to pitch before I settled down to doing some puzzling for my own episode, which we'll be breaking soon.
See how I slipped that in there? My episode! It's been approved by the network, and I am officially on the board to write episode 11 of this season, or in our production numbering system 1011.
We finished the board break for episode 1009 this afternoon. Tomorrow, Javi will call the network executives and pitch it to them over the phone. Hopefully, they'll give their notes and approval and then we'll send the writer for that episode off to write her outline. Meanwhile, we're filming 1004, and prepping for 1005 which will start filming as soon as 1004 is in the can (Javi and the writer of the episode are in casting as I write this). A couple of hours ago, we had another call with the network, getting their notes on the script for 1006. So the writer of that episode is off making some changes to address those. The writer of 1007 will probably turn in a script in the next couple of days. And this morning, we submitted the outline for 1008 to the network. Tomorrow, we start the break for 1010. And it all keeps going until we hit the end of the season, or we get picked up for a back nine.
Before I worked on a show I kind of intellectually understood that it was a beast that ate scripts. Now, I really *get* it in a way I didn't before. As Javi says, the line between comfortable cushion and totally screwed, very fine indeed. |
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