Mallozzi: All Atlantis Writers Going To Universe

[Barbados Slim]

Gateworld

"Brad and Rob did a terrific job of kicking things off in thrilling fashion," Mallozzi said of the premiere episode's script. "The script is fast-paced and fun; its characters unique and engaging. My favorite: Dr. David Rush. Oh, he's going to be a handful. Originally planned as a two-parter, Brad and Robert quickly discovered that there was simply too much story for such a tight frame, so the series opener is now looking like a three-parter."

The complete writing staff from Stargate Atlantis is back to kick off the new series, including showrunners Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper, plus Carl Binder, Martin Gero, Alan McCullough, Paul Mullie, and Mallozzi himself. (While Wright previously expressed an interest in bringing in new writers, there is no news yet on whether that will happen.)

About the storytelling:

The team has left episode nine temporarily on the shelf to discuss episodes 10 and 11, which would typically be a mid-season two-parter for a Stargate series. But "I hesitate to call it a two-parter because, the way these episodes have developed so far, there are a threads that run through all the stories, in essence making this season one big 20-parter," Mallozzi said.

Set on board an Ancient vessel called the Destiny, Universe follows Colonel Everett Young and a team of young and largely untested men and women. Stargate Universe will be more of a character-based show with more deliberate story arcs, as opposed to the more stand-alone, action-based nature of Atlantis and even SG-1.

"Stargate Universe is a series that draws on established mythology yet blazes a bold, new path for the franchise," Mallozzi told fans. "It's definitely more character-centered and intimate in its exploration of the interpersonal dynamics that will drive a lot of the shipboard developments (and, no, I'm not talking about romance). The premise of this ship hurtling through uncharted territories offers up unbounded story possibilities, yet also forces us to adopt a very different approach toward alien encounters and planetary investigation. Twin themes mentioned over the course of today's conversations: survival and sacrifice."

"The premise of SGU is ... more intimate -- a limited group of people trapped aboard a space ship hurtling through distant space -- and therefore necessitates a more intimate form of storytelling."

I thought they should hire new writers, mostly because I've been extremely disappointed with Atlantis for the last couple of seasons.

 

[Broccoli]

Hmm...sounds like the show will be different in form. Hopefully this will turn out to be true.

I was also hoping for some new writers as well, but at least Binder and Gero are returning. I typically like their episodes. Maybe new writers will be added in later. It would be easier to bring the oldies in first as they are already there before bringing in newbies.

As for the poll...there should be a third option: Having a mix of old and new.

 

[Jax]

^ I agree the poll needs a 3rd option. If I am MGM, see how the first season goes down before bringing in or axing writers.

 

[The Wormhole]

It does seem as though they are trying to do things a bit different. A different approach is needed, the state of Atlantis shows the current Stargate format is getting stale. If Universe's approach is the right one remains to be seen however.

 

[Jax]

New writers are being auditioned for freelance scripts and possible staff positions

From WIKI...

Also Universe is supposed to have a 3 hour opening then the weekly airing begin in the summer so are we getting a 3 hour type mini series followed by 20 episodes or this 3 hour followed by 17 episodes in the summer ?

 

[DWF]

I think they should have a mixure of old and new writers, some new directors and a new production designer and Joel Goldsmith needs some rest at times at composing the music.

 

[Broccoli]

New writers are being auditioned for freelance scripts and possible staff positions

From WIKI...

Eh, to be honest, I'll buy a word from a staff member before I buy something from Wikipedia. It could be right, but I would want to hear something official on that.

Also Universe is supposed to have a 3 hour opening then the weekly airing begin in the summer so are we getting a 3 hour type mini series followed by 20 episodes or this 3 hour followed by 17 episodes in the summer ?

My guess would be the latter. It would be a better way to save money for probably expensive start-up costs.

 

[Brent]

Well, don't know if this is a good idea or not considering how Atlantis turned out.

 

[Shurik]

So, how long will it take the brave crew to meet another hidden faction of Replicators?

 

[Kpnuts]

As if anyone expected anything else. It was so obvious they'd stick with the exact same writers and creative team, who've pretty much killed Atlantis by churning out the same crap for years.

10 episodes by Mallozi. Wonderful - and yet he'll still have time to write 19 thousand word novels on his blog about cooking and his dog every. single. day.

So, how long will it take the brave crew to meet another hidden faction of Replicators?

I give it till the mid season two parter.

 

[Jax]

As if anyone expected anything else. It was so obvious they'd stick with the exact same writers and creative team, who've pretty much killed Atlantis by churning out the same crap for years.

10 episodes by Mallozi. Wonderful - and yet he'll still have time to write 19 thousand word novels on his blog about cooking and his dog every. single. day.

So, how long will it take the brave crew to meet another hidden faction of Replicators?

I give it till the mid season two parter.

If its no change when will you stop watching it ?

Assuming it doesn't have the stink level of SPOOKS CODE 9 (last show I turned off) then it will get a full season from me.

 

[cylkoth]

As if anyone expected anything else. It was so obvious they'd stick with the exact same writers and creative team, who've pretty much killed Atlantis by churning out the same crap for years.

Hey, don't bash us for holding out hope they would learn from Trek's failings, and bring in new people instead of keeping the old tired band together....

10 episodes by Mallozi. Wonderful - and yet he'll still have time to write 19 thousand word novels on his blog about cooking and his dog every. single. day.

That's ep 10, and not 10 episodes. You scared me for a moment...

 

[Kpnuts]

If its no change when will you stop watching it ?

I'll give it a season as well.

That's ep 10, and not 10 episodes. You scared me for a moment...

Phew sorry at first glance I read Mallozi was writing 10 episodes.

 

[The Habs Fan]

As if anyone expected anything else. It was so obvious they'd stick with the exact same writers and creative team, who've pretty much killed Atlantis by churning out the same crap for years.

Hey, don't bash us for holding out hope they would learn from Trek's failings, and bring in new people instead of keeping the old tired band together....

Star Trek did bring in new writers. They had many different writers each season and on each show and during the TNG, DS9, and VOY series accepted spec scripts.

SG1 and Atlantis on the other hand used the exact same writers for both shows.

 

[Brent]

So, how long will it take the brave crew to meet another hidden faction of Replicators?

or Asgard

 

[cylkoth]

habs fan said
Star Trek did bring in new writers. They had many different writers each season and on each show and during the TNG, DS9, and VOY series accepted spec scripts.

^^ I was thinking more about ENT, and the lack of new leadership in the power positions of head writer/story editor, and showrunner. Until s3 and 4, which was 3 seasons too late.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Gurgh, well so much for SG:U. But would a staff of new writers even make a difference? Stargate keeps its budget down by doing everything on the cheap (with only 2M viewers, they can't afford a "real" TV show budget), and good writers wouldn't be cheap to hire so they'd end up with bad ones anyway, just new bad ones.

 

[DWF]

Gurgh, well so much for SG:U. But would a staff of new writers even make a difference? Stargate keeps its budget down by doing everything on the cheap (with only 2M viewers, they can't afford a "real" TV show budget), and good writers wouldn't be cheap to hire so they'd end up with bad ones anyway, just new bad ones.

Just what do think their budget is anyway? Part of the reason why SG1 was cancelled is because it's budget was too high for the ratings it was getting.

 

[witchie]

Thanks for posting this. Now, I know not to bother.

 

[Barbados Slim]

Gurgh, well so much for SG:U. But would a staff of new writers even make a difference? Stargate keeps its budget down by doing everything on the cheap (with only 2M viewers, they can't afford a "real" TV show budget), and good writers wouldn't be cheap to hire so they'd end up with bad ones anyway, just new bad ones.

That's not necessarily true. They can get fresh, new writers and pay them scale. Everyone has to start somewhere and "good" writers can be an undiscovered talent who aren't going to command big salaries. It's not like Tim Minear, Jane Espenson or JMS would ever write for such a franchise and those are the types of writers that would be too expensive.