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Battlestar Galactica ‘Blood & Chrome’ May Not Premiere Until 2013

9 Jan

No one has heard so much as a peep from Syfy on the shot pilot for the “Battlestar Galactica” spinoff series “Blood & Chrome,” but a decision on when fans will get a chance to see the episode is coming soon.

But even if Syfy does pick the show up for series, don’t expect a premiere until at least 2013.

“What I love about ['Blood & Chrome'] is we’re applying this idea of virtual sets on a whole new level,” Syfy original programming president Mark Stern recently told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “We took photos and digitized all of the ‘Battlestar Galactica’ sets before we struck them. So when you see two actors walking down a hallway, they’re [really] walking down a green hallway. And then we put photo-real shots of hallways and CIC and all the sets we had behind them.”

Although the process seems similar to the pioneering efforts of another Syfy show, “Sanctuary,” it seems “Blood & Chrome” is requiring much more work in post-production. For instance, even though the pilot for B&C was filmed months ago, Syfy executives only got to see a first cut of the pilot in November, Stern said.

“We’re trying to figure out the economics right now,” he said. “I love it, but we’re trying to put various things together to see how we’re going to get it made. My hope is we get it figured out.”

“Blood & Chrome” takes place before the “Battlestar Galactica” series but after the BSG prequel series “Caprica,” which lasted just a single season. “Caprica” did utilize a lot more CGI background work, but not until late in the series.

The new show, which features a young William Adama on a sleek new Battlestar Galactica, was a tricky prospect because the sets for BSG are long gone (that show ended in 2009). But knowing there could be potential franchise built around the first reimagined series, production crews took extensive photos of the sets so that they could be used in backgrounds in future projects.

B&C was originally produced as a Web-based miniseries, but last year was graduated to full-fledged pilot just before “Caprica” was cancelled by Syfy. Although the Battlestar telemovie “Razor” featured flashbacks of a young Adama first aboard the Galactica at the end of the first Cylon War, this series will take place well before that. It stars Luke Pasqualino as Adama, replacing Nico Cortez who portrayed Adama from that time period in “Razor.”

Because of how quiet Syfy has been about B&C, many believed the project to be dead. In fact, reports surfaced late last year that the Battlestar spinoff would actually return to being a Web series again. And that is still possible — according to Stern, no decision has been made on the fate of the pilot, let alone a series.

“Now that we’re back from the holidays, I’m just waiting to get some foreign [financial] numbers in because we’re both the studio and network on this,” Stern said. “I’m hoping to make a decision [on a series order] in the next month or so.”

The “Blood & Chrome” pilot was written by Michael Taylor and directed by Jonas Pate. Taylor — a prolific writer of “Battlestar Galactica,” “The Dead Zone” and both “Star Trek: Voyager” and “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” — has worked on a series with heavy virtual sets before. He was an executive producer and teleplay writer for the Fox broken pilot “Virtuality” in 2009, allowing him to work with BSG’s Ronald D. Moore once again.

Moore does not appear to be a part of “Blood & Chrome,” but his producing partner David Eick is.

Battlestar Galactica : Concept Art part 2/4

13 Nov

click to enlarge:

Battlestar Galactica – ‘Blood & Chrome’ Might not be Shown On Syfy

2 Sep

The one consolation Battlestar Galactica fans had following the cancellation of the prequel “Caprica” was that an originally proposed Web series was going to come to television instead.

But now there’s a possibility it’s heading right back to the Web.

AOL TV is reporting that “Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome” may not end up on the boob tube anytime soon. Or even at all. Syfy president of original programming Mark Stern hinted during San Diego Comic-Con last month that no decision had been made on the ultimate fate of “Blood & Chrome,” and there’s a good chance it could be shown through the same medium you’re reading this story.

Filming on the pilot is complete, but a good portion of the special effects are not, Stern told the site last month. Because of that, there is no immediate plans to give the show an air date, and if it does come to television, it almost definitely won’t be in 2011.

The idea could be to try out “Blood & Chrome” as a backdoor pilot, similar to what Syfy did with “Battlestar Galactica” back in 2003. However, the difference here is that “Battlestar” was a four-hour miniseries, while “Blood & Chrome” will simply be a two-hour movie.

And while “Battlestar” had to face tough comparisons with the classic 1978 series, “Blood & Chrome” not only would have to live up to the hype that follows “Battlestar,” but also pick up the pieces of the franchise broken when Syfy unceremoniously pulled the plug on the reincarnation bath of “Caprica.” Syfy not only cancelled that show, but inexplicably pulled the remaining five episodes off the schedule and released them on DVD before showing them in a marathon.

Airlock Alpha has reached out to Stern for comment on the story, but he has yet to respond.

“Blood & Chrome” takes place, timeline wise, between “Caprica” and “Battlestar Galactica.” Taking place a short time before flashback scenes used in the telemovie “Razor” with a young William Adama first coming aboard the Battlestar Galactica during the first Cylon War. It was written by “Battlestar” alum Michael Taylor.

The series will have some twists and turns, if the pilot script is of any clue, and will feature never-before-seen versions of the Cylons, all meant to lead into the Peabody-winning series that helped put Syfy on the creative map.

The “Blood & Chrome” pilot stars Luke Pasqualino as William Adama, Ben Cotton as Coker Fasjovik, Lili Bordan as Dr. Becca Kelly, and Brian Markinson as Silas Nash.

Syfy has made no official announcements about the fate of “Blood & Chrome,” so any speculation of its fate should be treated as any rumor would.

Visual Timeline of the Battlestar Galactica Universe

8 Mar

Brilliant !

Click to enlarge:

Filming begins on Battlestar: Blood & Chrome

11 Feb

We’re one step closer to finding out how the world of Battlestar Galactica was born—filming has begun in Vancouver on Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome, the two-hour pilot that will focus on the adventures of a young William Adama during the 10th year of the first Cylon war.

Check out Syfy’s official press release, which includes a new synopsis:

SYFY’S BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: BLOOD & CHROME LAUNCHES
2-Hour Pilot Chronicles Young William Adama’s Adventures in First Cylon War

Lili Bordan Joins Luke Pasqualino and Ben Cotton in the Cast

NEW YORK – February 10, 2011 – Production has begun in Vancouver on Syfy’s highly anticipated 2-hour pilot, Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome, the all-new chapter in the Battlestar Galactica saga. Universal Cable Productions will produce the event with Syfy utilizing cutting edge CGI and virtual technology.

Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome takes place in the 10th year of the first Cylon war. As the battle between humans and their creation, the sentient robotic Cylons, rages across the 12 colonial worlds, a young, talented fighter pilot, William Adama (Luke Pasqualino), finds himself assigned to one of the most powerful Battlestars in the Colonial fleet: the Galactica. Full of ambition and in pursuit of the intense action that the Cylon war promises, Adama quickly find himself at odds with Coker (Ben Cotton), the battle-weary officer to whom he reports. With 47 days left in his tour of duty, Coker desires an end to battle just as much as Adama craves the start of it. Though they clash at first, the two men forge an unlikely bond when a routine mission turns dangerous and becomes a pivotal one for the desperate fleet.

Joining Pasqualino and Cotton in the cast is Lili Bordan, who will play Dr. Beka Kelly, a Ph.D. who worked for Graystone Industries that created the Cylon robots. Currently assigned to a secret military mission, Beka and Adama quickly establish a rapport.

From the award-winning producers of Battlestar Galactica, this new action-packed chapter of the BSG canon was written by Michael Taylor form a story by David Eick, Taylor and Bradley Thompson & David Weddle and directed by Jonas Pate. David Eick, Jonas Pate and Michael Taylor will serve as executive producers.

Detailed Map Of Battlestar Galactica’s Twelve Colonies

24 Jan

SOURCE:I09.COM

Here’s your exclusive first look at a new star-map of Battlestar Galactica’s Twelve Colonies, designed by writer Jane Espenson and science advisor Kevin Grazier? And Espenson and Grazier explained to us how twelve colonies can fit in one star system.
CLICK TO ENLARGE:

Not only is this map a thing of great beauty, but it’s totally official — Grazier was science advisor for Battlestar Galactica from the very beginning, and helped to define a lot of the show’s concepts. And Espenson, as the original showrunner for the prequel series Caprica, had to do a lot of thinking about exactly how the Twelve Colonies were laid out. This info comes straight from the creators — and from the showrunner’s bible for BSG and Caprica. And Grazier, who works at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, verifies that the info in this map is “scientifically plausible.”

We’re excited to present an exclusive high-res image of the map, which sells for $14.95 from Quantum Mechanix and measures 27″ by 39″. This is one item that should definitely be on your Dradis.

Eric Stoltz: ‘Fans didn’t want Caprica’

9 Jan

Caprica star Eric Stoltz has suggested that Battlestar Galactica fans were not happy with the show.

The actor, who played Daniel Graystone in the recently axed spinoff, told Den of Geek that the association with Battlestar hurt the series.

“I don’t think [the show] was what the majority of Battlestar fans wanted,” he claimed. “It probably would’ve served us all better to have not even been connected to it.”

Stoltz admitted that he had been anticipating the show’s cancellation prior to Syfy’s October announcement.

“The fear of cancellation was always hanging over us like the sword of Damacles,” he said. “We’d gotten used to it. In a way it sort of fuelled us on.”

He added: “I’m blisfully unaware of any [fan] reaction at all, but I’m always a little afraid for the future of anything out of the ordinary.”

Stoltz also revealed that there are elements from the series that he would have liked to have changed.

“It’s rare for a show to find itself in the first season,” he suggested. “I’m sure we were off balance at times, and I’m sure I would change a few things if I had that power, but I’ve moved on.”

Caprica: Part One is out on DVD now.

‘Caprica’ exec David Eick’unsurprised by axe’

29 Oct


Caprica’s executive producer David Eick has admitted that he was not surprised when the show was cancelled.

Earlier this week, Syfy announced that the series had been axed and revealed that the remaining episodes will not air until 2011.

“It was unfortunate – though not surprising – to learn of Caprica’s cancellation,” Eick told Entertainment Weekly.

“What was a surprise was the fact that the remaining episodes won’t air until next year. Having spent some time at this network as an executive, I understand that these are rarely simple decisions and I know the current leadership at Syfy genuinely loved the show and were hellbent on protecting it and seeing it succeed.”

Eick suggested that he will now focus on his upcoming Battlestar Galactica prequel, saying: “Hopefully with Blood & Chrome we can carry on the legacy of Battlestar Galactica in a fresh and exciting way, but Caprica was an extremely smart, unique show and it’ll take quite some time for me to get used to the idea that it’s really gone.”

Syfy says ‘NO’ to season 2 of Caprica

28 Oct

Syfy announced it won’t be picking up a second season of Caprica, the TV prequel that told how the Cylons of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica were born, and that the final five episodes of the series have been rescheduled for 2011.

Syfy released the following statement yesterday:

The remaining first run episodes of Caprica—airing Tuesdays at 10/9c—will be removed from the schedule as of next Tuesday, November 2. These final five episodes of the season will be re-scheduled to air at a to be announced time in the first quarter of 2011, and will conclude the run of the series.
“We appreciate all the support that fans have shown for Caprica and are very proud of the producers, cast, writers and the rest of the amazing team that has been committed to this fine series,” said Mark Stern, Executive Vice President of Original Programming, Syfy and Co-Head of Content for Universal Cable Productions. “Unfortunately, despite its obvious quality, Caprica has not been able to build the audience necessary to justify a second season.”

‘Blood & Chrome’ Greenlight Means ‘Caprica’ Could Be Over

23 Oct

Battlestar Galactica universe looks to continue on Syfy using the ‘Sanctuary’ route

by MICHAEL HINMAN,
Source: Airlock Alpha

Technology is what might help the Cylons win, but it also is bringing those dastardly robots back bigger and badder than ever.

Syfy has given the thumbs up to “Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome” for a two-hour backdoor pilot movie spearheaded by “Battlestar Galactica” executive producer David Eick, and marking the return of popular BSG writers Bradley Thompson, David Weddle and Michael Taylor to the franchise.

The show was originally designed to be a 10-episode, 10-minute length web series. However, it has since evolved into a television project, which takes place 40 years before “Battlestar Galactica,” and features the first Cylon War. It will be shot completely with virtual sets and backdrops, much like “Sanctuary” is now for Syfy. The crew will use scans of the “Battlestar” set made just before the sets were dismantled a couple years ago in Vancouver.

Having more “Battlestar Galactica” is great. However, it may actually be bad news for “Caprica” fans. That show, the first “Battlestar” prequel, has struggled in the ratings from the start. The idea to push forward with “Blood & Chrome” first came to light earlier this year, which some believed was a reaction by Syfy to how non-action sequences found in “Caprica” was just not drawing the audience the network had hoped.

If that is true, then it’s likely Syfy may be trying to continue the franchise in a different way — one that is telling backstory, but at the same time, adding action and special effects again. That means “Caprica” would be on its way out.

There had been tremendous hope that Syfy would allow “Caprica” time to grow and evolve, while looking to bring in new viewers. However, the back half of Season 1 has been frustrating for the network, especially as it loses a large portion of its “Stargate: Universe” lead-in — a show itself struggling in the ratings.

But not all hope is lost. It is possible for Syfy to maintain both series at the same time, although it may create some viewer confusion in terms of timelines and the such. And both shows will have to make every effort to make sure they don’t step on each other, especially in terms of continuity. Those two factors alone support the belief that “Blood & Chrome” will replace “Caprica” on the schedule even more.

Jane Espenson, an executive producer of “Caprica” who was the showrunner for the first 10 episodes, praised the “Blood & Chrome” pickup.

“Syfy picking up [the] BSG prequel ‘Blood & Chrome’ is a very good thing,” Espenson said on her Twitter account. “The parts of the franchise ['Caprica' and 'Blood & Chrome'] bolster each other.”

The show will feature Ensign William Adama, a recent academy graduate, who gets assigned to the Galactica. It’s not clear if Syfy is looking to bring back Nico Cortez, who played the younger Adama in the “Battlestar Galactica” telemovie “Razor.” Cortez has since appeared in NBC’s “Chuck” and is set to appear as “Jo’s Dad” in the Syfy series “Eureka,” so it does seem like he’s available.

The greenlight of a pilot doesn’t necessarily mean there will be a series. Ratings, of course, will dictate if fans will get to see more of “Blood & Chrome,” or if it will just be a short chapter in the overall experience.

“While maintaining the themes of politics, social propaganda, and the timeless question, What does it mean to be human? ‘Blood & Chrome’ will also return us to the authentic, relentless depiction of combat and the agony and ecstasy of human-Cylon war, which was the hallmark of ‘Battlestar Galactica’s’ early seasons,” Eick said in a release.

Ronald D. Moore, the showrunner and developed of the modern “Battlestar Galactica” concept, will not have a direct role in the new series.

Syfy is expected to also make a decision about the fate of “Caprica” in the next two weeks.

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