I caused a bit of a fuss, with a twitter I sent out the other day about the subject, and thought I had better clarify.... I haven’t heard anything from anyone about an Atlantis film. I mean, I hear/read what you do (what, I can't be a nerd too!?) but nobody has approached me or talked specifics, either confirming or denying the possibility of a movie. When Atlantis
was first canceled, an SGA movie was talked about like it was a sure thing. That in not the case now. Knowing that, I’ve got to think that it’s not going to happen. Hopefully I will be proven wrong!
The cancellation of a television series is always a bit messy. I often end up feeling a bit bruised and sore during the process, and Atlantis is no exception. I'm finding that it's even harder with Stargate, as it's a franchise that dares to continue without me! (crazy I know!) I had such an amazing time on that show, so I'm very envious of other people experiencing it all for the first time, working in the same studios, spouting the same techno-babble and eating my donuts (see what I mean!) Having been so invested in a project and in such a fantastic role for so long, it's not easy going cold turkey! McKay Detox is a drag!...in fact I'm not sure I ever want to get rid of the guy entirely!
I have never denied that I am unhappy and sad that Atlantis is over. I hate not being able to play Rodney McKay anymore. But that's the life you lead as an actor. You ride into a show, you play your part, and then you're off again, looking for another show in need of a new character to cause trouble and screw it all up for everybody...my hope is that it will be the one I'm working on right now!
I’m very eager for this to work out. I've been developing a number of things since A Dog's Breakfast
but I am dying to get back, both behind, and in front of the camera (difficult to do simultaneously I'd have to say!) and be back as part of your regularly scheduled television programming. So please keep your fingers crossed and know that you'll be the first to know when I know something or know something is going to happen (if you know what I mean, you know?)...and certainly send word if there's something that you can help make happen!
I’m currently developing a show with MGM that is (very loosely) an earth-based science fiction Midnight Run with aliens. I’m calling it “Judas Run” for the moment...though the contract has it down under the catchy little number “The Untitled David Hewlett Sci Fi Project” (so maybe I should stick with that!) I am currently writing the script for the DVD/TV movie that I would star in. If it does well, the movie would serve as a pilot for an on-going series in which I would star and executive produce. That said, after months of negotiations and pages of legal weasel speak, we’re ready to go! That is, I’ve been told that official commencement is a mere few days away and that I’ll be given to go-ahead to actually start writing the script...something I’m not supposed to have started yet...but I have, of course...so don’t tell anyone!
Welcome to a nice chunky new dGeek update...(pardon the grammar, spelling and the like...just wanted to free the information)
First off, thanks to Silverwolf for reducing all of the many New dGeek comments and suggestions into one highly useful and readable form...big karma for that work, thanks! I'll be gnawing my way through that as fast as I can!
I've contacted a couple of people about giving me a hand with the site. I weeded them out from the hundreds of kind offers (some too kind...or the wrong kind of kind I'd have to say...but appreciated none the less!) that came in as a result of my plea for help with moderating and administrating the site. That's not to say the positions are filled! If this works the way I'd like it to, I'm hoping to have many more people involved, each looking after their favourite sections and working on the things that they like doing the best.
One of the things that I've been talking to them about, as part of our recent plan of action, was a way to get the squirrels more involved. Especially in an official capacity, on the forums. A squirrel kingdom of your own where you can play your squirrel games and run things the way you'd like. Perhaps the squirrels could knock their heads together and come up with a few moderators that they all feel comfortable with? I don't want to cause any strife, but I think it's best if the hard working squirrels get their say in how these people are picked as well as who they are. Let me know if you need anything from me, of course! Here's what the forum is going to need...some of which I'm sure can be culled from past postings and the like:
A Squirrel FAQ
Rules for squirrel posting and conduct etc.
Squirrel Marketing stories and suggestions (How squirrels have promoted the film, what's worked and the like.... I have a partial article that could be reworked and updated that covers some of this and which I used to help Martouf on his fabulous A Dog's Breakfast promotions for France (Martouf was so fantastic about that and he has some great sites that you should all be supporting if you're clever enough to speak French!)
Does that sound like something you nuts are up for? ;-)
Just so everyone is in the loop, here's a recap of what I've discussed with the new adminis..,.
I've told them to feel free to make changes, experiment, try stuff out and screw up if necessary! If there's a problem or we're worried about something, we'll let them know about it! That said they are big on backups so...unlike other people who will remain nameless (I'll just look in the mirror and whistle, shall I?) it seems less likely that we'll have the cataclysmic events of the past!
Like many posts on the forum they have reiterated the fact that the time I spend hacking around with administration is time spent away from me communicating with you all! While I do have a script deadline looming and plenty of Baz to keep me busy, I need to become a more active member of this site. I feel really badly that it has been ignored for so long. I had hoped that Twitter would fill the gap, but it's obvious that more is needed, especially if we want this place to thrive...It also stops me from deleting whole countries of users by accident (I like to call it Ronan style administration) ;-0
"Digg"ing for dGeek
I think that we're going to need some kind of a "digg.com" approach to feedback and such on the site. We're looking into Joomla modules or extensions that could allow people to vote up, or down articles, comments, hopefully even forum posts suggestions as they're read? Something t help us all streamline the brainstorming process and make it easier for everyone (me especially) to see what the hot topics, what's important to the community and what people are looking for. Using the forum and comment posts to achieve this is ridiculously time consuming...and another reason Silverwolf is my best friend now! There's just SO much to get through...let me know if there's anything you like the look of for this.
Front Page
The home page needs to change on a regular basis...I've never liked polls for the sake of polls, but it was something that came up which might add some activity. I had been trying to add the FBLatest module to the front page so that the most recent Fireboard posts showed on the homepage...it was giving me trouble so I'd let it go. The wise ones are going to have a look and see what they can make of it...Along with more regular blog entries from me, I think this accomplishes a little of what we're looking for in regards to a more dynamic front page....feel free to weigh in on this too!
I have added a rough welcome, history, bio thing... just want something friendly and informative as an introduction to newletts visiting the site...not sure I'm there yet, but at least it's a start! I've also moved off the free Hulu A Dog's Breakfast. I'm just so proud of A Dog's Breakfastbeing up there and doing so well! But I understand how frustrating it must be all of those who can't see it due to their location.
The Forums of doom
Before we go crazy trying to archive and reorganize ...should we decide on whether to upgrade or replace what we've got? If we're going with a new platform then perhaps it would be better to just archive what we've got and start with a clean slate? Personally,I love the look and functionality of vBulletin (I can practically hear Emerald01 typing "I told him so!")... it seems perfect for us but then again it is also $150. I don't mind spending the money if we think it's going to integrate properly and import what we've got and make everyone feel warm and fuzzy and gateworld-like. That said, might it be better to archive the existing site and start again on a new platform? Don't get me wrong, I don't want to change if we don't have to, but vBulletin seems to be the only software that has all the features that people are looking for (like spoiler hiding etc.)
That said...I've told them to go ahead with the archiving and whatever organizing if they feel up to if they so choose. I'm going to work on a welcome to the forum and see about some guidelines (still hate the idea of rues per se! (great! more writing!)
Conventions & appearances etc.
I shall try to keep you informed as to what I'm working on in the way of conventions and such...often I book these things kind of last minute. I never know where I'm going to need to be or when and I hate the idea of announcing that I'll be at one of these things and then not being able to attend! That said I'm planning on DragonCon next year and quite possibly Vancouver Creation in April. I'm pretty sure there are a few applications that can keep everyone posted as to what of my stuff is playing on TV as well. I'll also see if I can compile a list of movies and the like that are available on DVD...and if they're worth watching!
Advertising
I hate more than a couple of ads on a site. I was just thinking that it would be nice maybe cover the hosting and some of the paid IT I've had to resort to. I consider it part of doing business as an actor combined with a nerd hobby so I don't really begrudge the money. But how great would it be if we could come up with even just enough for a token compensation for people like those helping me out?! Maybe even something for prizes or giveaways...that kind of thing? For the time being however, I'm going to just use Amazon affiliate links within articles as they come up (things I like, movies I buy etc..) I don't like google adwords (or whatever it's called) it's too random and I don't know what product or service is going to come up. I do like the idea ofA Dog's Breakfast (see, there I go!) banners and the like...I definitely want to look into some "official" dGeek merchandise or that sort of thing. I'm a huge fan of Criz's work and she's got a number of things available at her Squee4d.com website that you should all have a look at!
and my involvement in a possible movie and the new show, and that sort of thing, so here's the latest...
I'm sad to say.
but I am dying to get back, both behind, and in front of the camera (difficult to do simultaneously I'd have to say!) and be back as part of your regularly scheduled television programming. So please keep your fingers crossed and know that you'll be the first to know when I know something or know something is going to happen (if you know what I mean, you know?)...and certainly send word if there's something that you can help make happen!
with aliens. I’m calling it “Judas Run” for the moment...though the contract has it down under the catchy little number “The Untitled David Hewlett Sci Fi Project” (so maybe I should stick with that!) I am currently writing the script for the DVD/TV movie that I would star in. If it does well, the movie would serve as a pilot for an on-going series in which I would star and executive produce. That said, after months of negotiations and pages of legal weasel speak, we’re ready to go! That is, I’ve been told that official commencement is a mere few days away and that I’ll be given to go-ahead to actually start writing the script...something I’m not supposed to have started yet...but I have, of course...so don’t tell anyone!