{"id":4217,"date":"2009-11-23T16:48:45","date_gmt":"2009-11-23T20:48:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wormholeriders.com\/blog\/?p=4217"},"modified":"2018-01-11T07:28:21","modified_gmt":"2018-01-11T15:28:21","slug":"martin-gero-on-stargate-universe-one-of-tptb-for-you-and-me","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wormholeriders.net\/stargate\/2009\/11\/23\/martin-gero-on-stargate-universe-one-of-tptb-for-you-and-me\/","title":{"rendered":"Martin Gero on Stargate Universe – One of TPTB for You and Me!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"LA-09-button\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Click<\/a>Martin Gero<\/a> appeared late in the day Saturday November 7, 2009 at Creation Entertainments<\/a> Los Angeles Stargate SG-1 Atlantis convention<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Known as a writer, a director, and as an Executive Producer of Stargate Atlantis, Martin Gero is cu<\/span><\/span>rrently best know by Stargate Franchise f<\/span><\/span>ans as a script writer and as a consulting producer for the new SyFy hit series, Stargate Universe. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Our report on Martin\u2019s panel appearance will be as accurate as possible considering notes, photos, and crowd noise. We did our best though and trust you will enjoy reading about Martin Gero!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

WormholeRiders had hoped that Creation Entertainment would schedule at least one of TPTB from Stargate \"LA-Stargate2009-MartinGero-001c\"<\/a>Universe. We were not disappointed with Creation when Mr. Gero appeared on the schedule a short time before the convention commenced. I for one was eagerly looking forward to Mr. Gero\u2019s stage appearance. I deliberately planned to skip dinner in order to catch every word about his Atlantis work and of course, writing and \u00a0co-producing for the new Stargate Universe series.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately Martin was scheduled late in the day at approximately 5:45 PM and the panel started about 15 minutes late. Also one of our reporters experienced a camera failure which meant I was in the Farscape convention taking pictures and missed the first three minutes or so during his introduction. Fortunately another Martin Gero fan shared what was discussed with me for inclusion in this report. On the way into the auditorium, I noticed that many convention attendees seemed to be heading for dinner. I said to several that Martin Gero was on now! Several said they getting ready and dressing up for one of the evenings biggest events, the Creation Entertainment Cocktail Dessert Party! Oh well, I tried, but they were about to miss something special!
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Mr. Gero therefore played to approximately a 50% to 60% full audience by the end of his 35 or so minutes on stage. In fact a friend, who was also taking notes, had not arrived yet from the Farscape side of the convention as that panel had gone over as well, so for the first few minutes I scrambled!
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Reviewing my notes after the fact, the crowd was actually larger than previously reported, about 75% to \"LA-Stargate2009-MartinGero-004c\"<\/a>80% full at the beginning of Martin Gero\u2019s appearance and tapered off to about 55% to 60% capacity by the end.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For Stargate Franchise fans we can report that Mr. Gero\u2019s work, both\u00a0 on Stargate Universe and the pending Stargate Atlantis movie \u201cExtinction\u201d immediately became \u201cfront and center\u201d during the Q&A period.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Discussed briefly earlier in the day by Paul McGillion and Joe Flanigan <\/span><\/span>of Stargate Atlantis, the very first question after his introduction, was about the pending Stargate Atlantis movie, termed \u2018Extinction\u2019.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The first fan question was: \u201cWhen could we expect the new SGA movie?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Paraphrasing Martin\u2019s response, he was forthright: \u201cThe Stargate Atlantis movie is approved for production. Unfortunately, production funding is proving difficult to secure in the current economic conditions. As soon as production funding is located, the movie will enter production\u201d.\u00a0 I believe he said late 2010 was the target, about a year from now, I but did not catch his exact wording in that regard because the Atlantis fans present let out a huge round of applause.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

What happened next was most interesting. Once confirmed by one of The Powers That Be [TPTB] of what was happening with the Stargate Atlantis movie, a number of convention guests began to leave the auditorium until about 60-70% remained. I did not do an exact head count, but it was apparent that once<\/span><\/span>\"LA-Stargate2009-MartinGero-003c\"<\/span><\/span><\/a> Stargate Atlantis fans received a confirmation to their question with Martin\u2019s answer, some, a minority of fans did not stay to discuss Stargate Universe. Frankly, we found this to be a little bit rude. After all Mr. Gero is a long time creative talent for the Stargate Franchise. Martin was not ultimately responsible for the non renewal of Atlantis, and has been an important contributor to Stargate. We think he is a<\/span><\/span> person who is deserving of the respect that he has certainly earned.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As previously reported, some fans never forgave Martin for killing the \u201creal\u201d Dr. Carson Beckett. For what it is worth; I think the Atlantis plot twist was deliberately written into the Atlantis time-line to create a fan ground swell of support. Just my opinion, but the \u201cSave Carson Beckett\u201d campaign was one of the most intriguing developments in Stargate Atlantis. The ultimate return of Carson Beckett was as big of an event as was the return of Dr. Daniel Jackson in Stargate SG-1.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The audience that did stay obviously was very interested in Stargate Universe and mostly in support of the new Stargate, but the<\/span><\/span>\"SGU-Logo-02\"<\/span><\/span><\/a>re were and are skeptics. We disagree with the skeptics, but respect their opinions. Those that left missed a real treat. Martin was comfortable and enjoyably animated on stage. Both supporters of Stargate Universe like this reporter, as well as few skeptics of the new series were answered by Mr. Gero directly and honestly. Several guests of Creation Entertainment as<\/span><\/span>ked tough questions that we will transcribe as accurately as is possible.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A few \u2018questions\u2019 were actually more of direct comments in that \u2018I\u2019 had not \u2018gotten\u2019 into Stargate Universe \u2018yet\u2019.\u00a0 Martin began what can only be described as a genuinely vigorous defense of Stargate Universe. Martin discussed where SGU was coming from and where SGU was going in terms of the Stargate Franchise without revealing too many spoilers. Martin did a very good job on both accounts.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As mentioned, the Q&A began almost immediately. After the questions about Atlantis, the topic turned to one of great interest; that of Michael Shanks reprising his role as Dr. Daniel Jackson in the instructional videos. Of great interest was what role will Michael play in Stargate Universe?\u00a0 By having this question asked right off the bat, Martin had an opportunity to lead with a strong topic.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"SGU-S1x01-DanielJackson-01-c\"<\/a>Martin Gero replied: \u201cIn that story, guest starring is the very handsome Michael Shanks! But ummm so …\u201d Martin was referring to Michaels appearance in SGU episodes outside of the instructional back story videos produced on MGM Studios web site.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

At this point the crowd erupted and went wild with cheers, screams, and squeals. This reporter as well, I mean my goodness, what is Stargate without a Dr. Daniel Jackson!?! \u00a0A general release of \u201cwoots\u201d and cheers from the audience continued regarding Michael Shanks future appearances in Stargate Universe! This group was every bit as vocal in their support for Mr. Gero\u2019s\u2019 discussion of Michael Shanks role in the first season of Stargate Universe as any previous panel. The unspoken message? Cameo appearances by favorite Stargate characters like Daniel Jackson would be quite welcomed. Based on the pleasant expression on Martin\u2019s face, the message was well received.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Cheering as loudly as any other convention panel, this group were Star\u2019Gaters through and through. That is \"syfy-logo11\"<\/a>not to say these fans were better or more devoted to SyFy’s and MGM’s new Stargate Universe more than SG-1 or Atlantis fans. Quite the \"SGU-Wrap-Party-Oct2409-JGLenic-c\"<\/a>contrary; It was just that for those who remained it was clear that for them TPTB have brought back their favorite franchise. After all Stargate is Stargate especially with the ongoing cameos of Richard Dean Anderson Michael Shanks and others yet to be revealed, a vast majority of the fans we \"MGM-Lion\"<\/a>have observed and spoken with are pleased with the new content in Stargate Universe. Even skeptics I spoke with about Stargate Universe are willing to give the new series their full attention every week.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero reiterated: \u201cThere is a spectacular episode appearing in the second half of the SGU season that has a lot of back story with the very handsome Michel Shanks\u201d The crowd erupted once again to Martins delight!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

After the melee about MS, It took some time before Martin could continue speaking!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Obviously comfortable in front of an audience, Martin now clearly had the audience\u2019s attention. He continued: \u201cYou know, I think what we are trying to do with the show [SGU] is there are no bad guys and no good guys. There are going to be times when Rush is the bad guy and there will be times when Everett is the bad guy, there will be times when Telford is the bad guy. We try to move it around and keep everybody under duress. Does that make sense? Stick with it \u2026 I think\u2026 \u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The questioner nodded in the affirmative and continued with a follow-on question: \u00a0\u201cThey really seem to direct well and even if I didn\u2019t care about the characters\u2026 with the sequence of the music, the dire straits they were in during the Stargate back story, the way it was done\u2026 It was very poignant\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"LA-Stargate2009-MartinGero-002c\"<\/a>Martin Gero: \u201cWhat we are ultimately doing \u2026 what we brought in with the photography \u2026 from the deal he [unintelligible] tried to enlighten, he really gave the show an amazing look I think \u2026 Him and Robert [Cooper] and Brad [Wright] worked with that. Some of the best work of their lives! So the network is like really making a score. You know it kind of (feels) like Blade Runner\u2026. It\u2019s a feel I really, really like \u2026.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner: \u201cThe scripts are really cool!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cPlus the visual effects [unintelligible] \u2026 I can\u2019t wait for you all to see these next few shows \u2026 They really like \u2026 are extraordinary \u201c<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner: \u201cYou said you like you have 20 episodes already in the can?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cYeah, we have 20 episodes shot.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner: \u201cOk, so in those 20 episodes do we find out about what that little thing that flew off in the beginning? Does that come back in the 20 episodes?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cYes.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner: \u201cWho the heck was in that thing?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cWell, I can\u2019t tell you that! You just have to watch and find out \u2026\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner: \u201cI totally almost forgot about that \u2026 Did you you write that?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cI did not write that, no sorry.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner: \u201cYeah I was really curious if you wrote it or knew the answer\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cIt will be answered in its place \u2026 the answer about the little ship is pretty awesome\u2026 Yeah you guys want to shut down?” Martin asked the question in response to some folks who were leaving.
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Audience in Unison warming up to Martin: \u201cNo!\u201d
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero Smiling: \u201cOk!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Fan Questioner: \u201cWe want more Daniel Jackson instructional videos. I thought those were excellent\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Crowd cheers.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero laughs enjoying the feedback: \u201dThank you. Thank you. That was actually my small contribution to the pilot. I thought that for people who had not watched the Stargate SG-1 or Atlantis shows that there was a lot of technical detail taken for granted \u2026 an instructional video, like a little Stargate how to. And they very wisely got Michael Shanks to do it.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner: \u201cActually my friends and I on Facebook follow all about Michael Shanks!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cHe\u2019s handsome! Don\u2019t you find him very handsome? [Asking the fan a question]\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner: \u201cOf course!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero Gestures: \u201cMichael Shanks! I get lost in his eyes! He is arguably one of the larger people \u2026. \"MichaelShanks-BlueEyes-01c\"<\/a>I just get lost in his eyes! [Crowd laughs]. Ask him about it tomorrow when Michael Shanks appears. I want you too specifically to ask him about his eyes tomorrow!\u201d [Crowd erupts in laughter].<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner: \u201cAhhhhh \u2026 Well, I don\u2019t know. I think I am making enough trouble here already.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero gives the fan a break, gestures to continue: \u201cOk, Ok\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner: \u201cMaybe I might make trouble. I don\u2019t know! Brad Wright, also another handsome man, he did a fine delivery in that 3 and \u00bd minute summary on SyFy, that\u2019 it! Hey, this will explain everything in the show [Very sarcastically]!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cOh really?\u201d [Nods]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner: \u201cAnd so SyFy Channel pops that up, I said here you go friends, cause I had all these people, I\u2019ve seen this all through, never heard of it! But that\u2019s the reaction I get, who is that? Anyway, yeah \u2026 I suspect, and I don\u2019t know if you can comment, but the strange craft leaving the ship had a red glow when it left there, that usually is a bad sign\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cRed is bad! That\u2019s our universal thing we do on Stargate, a red light, that usually means trouble. Turns out that way \u2026 I realize that \u2026 but yeah it had a red glow and yeah it does mean trouble.”<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner: \u201cWell, I am going to look for more answers and summaries, maybe you can tell us on Facebook?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Twitter-badge-01\"<\/a>Martin Gero: \u201cOk. Thanks very much. I\u2019m on Twitter, follow me on Twitter. Turns to, and asks the next questioner in line [me]; \u201cHi, how\u2019s it going? Are you on the phone right now or?\u201d [Crowd laughs].<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Like an idiot, I had totally forgotten that I left the blue tooth cell phone adapter on my ear! With the blue LED blinking every few seconds, I was an immediate target for Martin and he quickly took advantage of my plight!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cOk. I appreciate \u2026 I didn\u2019t know \u2026 If you\u2019re talking \u2026 don\u2019t want to interrupt or anything?\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Crowd laughs hysterically!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

WR_Systems: No, I would not do that, let me take it off. Sorry, if I am on the phone I may not get my question answered!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cYou will get your question answered regardless sir. “<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Mighty nice of Martin considering my predicament!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

WR_Systems: \u201cThank you. You are<\/em><\/strong> on Twitter, I\u2019m from WormholeRiders. We really like the fact that the \"Logo4\"<\/a>cast, producers and the creators are on Twitter. John Lenic and some of the others have indicated, that we know, that the \u2018stones\u2019 are going to play an important role as the series goes forward. And without revealing spoilers or exactly when, can the fans expect to see some of their other favorite Stargate stars maybe helping the folks on the Destiny in the future? That\u2019s my question.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero animated: \u201cUhh \u2026. Yeah!\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Crowd laughs at short answer!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

WR_Systems: \u201cCool. That\u2019s all we wanted was a yes<\/em>.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cOk \u2026 Yes!\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Crowd laughs again.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

WR_Sytems: \u201cThank you Martin, thank you very much\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cYou are very welcome!\u201d Turns to next questioner; \u201cHi!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Fan Questioner: \u201cWhy did you not do a show like with \u2026 my question to you \u2026 will Sheppard ever get a lover?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cI think Sheppard would definitely be in for a lover. So I\u2019m going to say \u2026. Let\u2019s see Sheppard \u2026 a nerd? [Crowd agrees] What do they [women] say about this? What do they say though? What do you think they [women] say about nerds?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner: \u201cI\u2019m married to one of them!\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The crowd simply erupted in laughter!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cOk! So what they say is true then?”<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner: \u201cYes!\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

More laughter as the fan played along with Martin’s humorous tendencies.
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cAlright! Well then … Thank you\u2026 [Nods to fan] \u201c [Pauses] \u201cIt\u2019s taken a weird turn guys. I realize it\u2019s my fault, but I\u2019ve led it there, it\u2019s ok \u2026 let\u2019s just go with it!\u201d [More laughter. Turns to next questioner] \u201cHey!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Fan Questioner: \u201cHi, I\u2019m an amateur writer and Director \u2026\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero cuts off the questioner and feigns looking worried: \u201cOk. Please stop! I need to keep my job!\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The crowd once again erupts in laughter. Martin is very quick on his feet and is quite delightful on stage!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner: \u201cWell, can you expand on your writing process, what you go through, how you develop the script, you know, the ideas?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero turns instantly professional and serious: \u201cUh, sure. How it works on Stargate that would probably you know \u2026 be the most interesting and on topic at least.\u00a0 Well I what I would come up with, or you know our own ideas, or there is an idea floating around, or for instance a show like \u2018Brainstorm\u2019 for instance. You know we need to do a show about the environment and a show about the Earth show at some point.\u00a0 I had this set we wanted to use \u2026 So you know you have these things running around, we had this set already built.\u00a0 Well, that\u2019s something to consider alright \u2026 The ideas? So I don\u2019t know \u2026 they are usually part and parcel of the ether and you just pick them up with the guys if it sounds like that fits the season or the show that we are trying to do, I write a beat sheet or an outline, or we have a big whiteboard we\u2019ll sit in a room and talk for a long time and beat it out. And then you know I just like to write! I find it mostly in the writing, although outlining is increasingly more useful \u2026 You know. It\u2019s where you separate the two types of thinking you do. Outline is very structure based. If you nail your outline you can improvise dialogue, just go right to dialogue, I am a very quick typist, talk it out, and then type write it out.”<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner: \u201cand it works better in the community or are you [unintelligible \u2013 a solitary?] writer?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cI don\u2019t like sit down and write the actual scripts with people in the community, but is incredibly helpful for like coming up with stories and stuff like that that to have a bunch of them in the room to get what the show is. But when it comes to actually writing the script I think we all prefer to do that alone. And then just shop it around with the other guys \u2026 They say \u2018like this is terrible\u2019 [tongue in cheek], Ok, you tried and then they make it better, but you still get credit for it!\u00a0 It\u2019s the way to go! All my best lines in writing have been done by other people!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The lively crowd once again erupted in laughter at this remark, but from looking around the room and recognizing a few writers, it was clear the audience enjoyed the answer. The next questioner was extremely difficult to hear.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Fan Questioner: \u201c\u2026. About the Atlantis episodes with the Wraith and the extra commentaries included on the DVD\u2019s. Were you forced to do them or did you enjoy doing them?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cActually weird thing, they held it over my head \u2026 It\u2019s got to do with Michael Shanks again!\u201d [Making a TPTB joke, the crowd laughed]. No actually I really liked doing them cause as a fan I liked to listen to them. And although I had to do one of them alone recently, and that turned into bit of a car crash! There wasn\u2019t someone else you could kind of play off of. But I \u2026. They are really lots of fun.\u00a0 Before I got into the business I was voracious in listening to commentaries. Because you know they are insightful. Unfortunately, I don\u2019t think what I have to say is useful or very insightful, so I just try to make them fun.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner: \u201cWill you<\/em><\/strong> do any commentaries in Stargate Universe?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cI don\u2019t know really. Probably. Maybe. I\u2019d know I\u2019d like to! Thank you!\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Turns to next fan at microphone.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Fan Questioner: \u201cI was just wondering how did you get started with your writing career?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cOh\u2026 That\u2019s all? No problem!\u201d [laughing as some in the crowd chuckled] \u201cI am not good at anything else. I wanted to be an actor for a while, and then decided that was not for me. Then I decided I wanted to be a film Director, but I didn\u2019t have a film to Direct, so I started writing hoping to \u2018Direct\u2019 someday.\u00a0 And uh \u2026 it turned out I was ok at writing\u00a0 Just got hired and there was a momentum to it.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner: \u201cWhat was your first job?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cMy first was on a talent show. I didn\u2019t get to go to those places; I just plagiarized whatever was on those cities web sites. It was good money and I needed things like food and clothes! The Stargate job I got, was asked if I wanted a job on Stargate and if I had watched the show? I said no I never had and was kind of a jerk that way. And then I watched and it was super fun. I was thinking of writing mini-series, cause they are so easy to sell, they read and liked the mini-series a lot as well, it went well and I went on from there. They asked me to \u2018pitch\u2019 [be a Producer] which sounded like fun. It would be a long and boring story, cutting out all the good parts because it would be boring. They offered me the job and it\u2019s an amazing place to work because there is none of that competitiveness, you know when you have been with the show that long there is no \u2018that\u2019s my territory\u2019. They were really just thankful for new blood and looking for people to do stuff. It was a really great way to learn how to do TV things. It was an amazing opportunity for me!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner: \u201cDid you do much improvisation of the shows?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cNo. We rarely did improvisation. Yeah they rarely did improv. Everything is scripted. The show did not lend itself to improv. We are shooting one side of a scene at a time. You lock it into place, it\u2019s really hard \u2026 you just don\u2019t dangle it around.\u00a0 Thanks so much.\u201d [Nods to questioner] \u201cHey this side of the room is dropping balls guys!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The crowd laughed hard as Martin points to the opposite side of the room where no one was in line to ask a question. Martin turned back to our microphone where I had joined the line again and said.\u00a0 \u201cHey!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Fan Questioner: \u201cI kind of have two questions or one and one about commentaries. I think commentaries are [unintelligible] but I like to watch them first\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cYou watch the shows first or do the commentaries first before watching the episodes?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner: \u201cYes. I watched the commentary versions first before watching\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cWow. Amazing. Ok, Go ahead\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner: \u201cIn your experience what do you \u2026 what do you read \u2026 what literature do you read that has influenced your writing?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cMy [unintelligible] in literature is not that strong as I would like to be. I really liked, as far as Stargate goes\u2026 I feel like Michael Creighton when I was very young.\u00a0 I used to read a lot of Michael Creighton. I feel that Stargate is in the same genre like science fact \/ fiction. I just read \u2018The Road\u2019 which is amazing. There! Here\u2019s the truth, I am functionally literate. Joe (Mallozzi) would put me to shame because Joe has a voracious appetite to \u2026. Reads lots of science fiction and that influences at lot on his blog site. Did that answer your question?\u201d [Fan nods] \u201cThanks so much!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By this time the side of the room Martin had teased earlier about not having any questioners had risen to the task. Martin was quick witted in his response to being flanked with fan questions from two microphones!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cHey! Hey this [other] side of the room! Nice work everyone! How\u2019s it going?\u201d
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner: \u201cWhen you were talking about dialogue before, did you ever struggle with what the SGU characters would say?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cUm. No you get to the point where \u2026. you get to the point where in that first season you get to know what they sound like, what they talk like, what they think about things. Crazy thing about it is they start to become three dimensional and real to you, you know like with Rodney McKay, you know them quite well and there is part of you in each of them. Certainly and it became very easy. It was a lot of fun. For Universe, I had to turn all of that Atlantis off. It was hard not to turn Eli into Rodney McKay and have him be his own discrete character. We are very sensitive of that obviously. Everyone is quick to tell me if it\u2019s too much like Rodney or John Sheppard. But it\u2019s tough though because of memory and writing about those other guys. You just know what McKay would think about that and also you can turn it on its side. [Unintelligible]\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner continues: \u201cI know what you mean. I\u2019ve watched and see they all reside in you. It\u2019s very interesting.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cYeah. I feel a great connection to all those characters. Actually to write them on the show, it was a lot of fun, It was really sad for me when the Atlantis show began to wind down. Weird voices in my head sometimes they just go [unintelligible] with what talk about future episodes, makes you go on to deal with modern events. The characters were also the fun thing about the Stargate SG-1 movies. \u201c<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Same Fan Questioner: \u201cI\u2019ve got another question about \u2026\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cSorry you have had too many questions!\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Crowd breaks out in laughter!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Same Fan Questioner: \u201cErrrrr\u2026.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cJust kidding!\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The audience chuckled at Martin’s ease with humor.
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Same Fan Questioner: \u201cIn terms of the science, did you have to do a lot of research or did you already know a lot?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cNo. I am pretty much a science idiot, my brother is a great biologist but I really liked science in school but never could figure out what to do with that field. You know it\u2019s been super fun \u2026 It\u2019s one of the best things to come out of Stargate. Brad and Paul are physics geniuses. They are very good at explaining the facts about science. It\u2019s not that something is real, but it is fact based. They have great ideas about science! Next!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

New Fan Questioner: \u201cI have a question about the Atlantis DVD commentary, on one of the extras; you did that whole thing about wanting an ending episode\u2026Was that your idea ?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cYes. That whole thing was very painful to me. I didn\u2019t want to see the end of the shows. I mean we had done 15 box sets. At the end what could we do that was entertaining other than me sitting in a chair, so we always worked hard to do something extraordinary. By end of season one we had a format down. Yeah. I know. It\u2019s like an extra hour of the show.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner: \u201cIt\u2019s nice to see the featurettes and extras. The commentaries were great. Are they going to let you do them for Stargate Universe?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero Turns<\/span><\/span>: \u201cI don\u2019t know yet. I\u2019ll try! Hey How\u2019s it going?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Fan Questioner: \u201cI have a question about Stargate Universe. I just can\u2019t get into Stargate Universe. The thing I always like about the Stargate(s) was the humor and the action. I am not finding a whole lot of that in SGU yet. Is that going to pick up?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cYeah. I talked about that same point backstage earlier today, but to expand, you will notice from this point on it will be much more like the Stargate you know. A more recognizable Stargate. That was something I missed in the first episodes. But in the first few episodes with everyone on board Destiny about to die how much fun could they really have?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

With this statement, the tension in the crowd that had been hovering since Martin took the stage broke! With a wave of sighs of relief and semi nervous chuckles across the room, everything changed in an instant!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

And so here it is the question in many minds about Stargate Universe. My analogy about SGU being a four act play with the first acted just completed, and the second act yet to come! Our Stargate with humor and with more action was just around the corner of the first act. As we know now with episodes such as \u2018Time\u2019, \u2018Life\u2019 and \u2018Earth\u2019, SGU is indeed much more like the Stargate fans grew to love over the 15 episodic years of both Stargate series. Looking around the room, there were many pleased faces applauding Martin at this point.
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner continued knowing she was on a roll: \u201cI liked Eli the genius kid with the answer to the games thing. It was familiar\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cLike in \u2018The Last Star Fighter\u2019?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner enthusiastically: \u201cYes. It is why I kept going back to watch the Eli (David Blue) character<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cThat\u2019s great. Thank you! He\u2019ll love to hear that. Be happy to Twitter him. I\u2019ll make sure to tell him! Next! Hey, how\u2019s it going?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

At this point the \u2018time keeper handler\u2019 appeared in front of the stage and gestured as if to a watch. This meant we had perhaps five or six more minutes with Martin. He nodded<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Fan Questioner quickly \u201cDo you read Joe Mallozzi\u2019s blog often?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero to the crowd laughter: \u201cNot as often as Joe Mallozzi would like! [Tongue in cheek]. I do check-in from time to time to see what those guys are up too and see what kind of foods they are eating. So what\u2019s up with the blog?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner referring to Joe Mallozzi: \u201cDid you send him the picture of you in the plaid suit?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cYes. Yes I did! Did you like the suit?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner: \u201cWell, it would have looked better as a table cloth!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

At which point the ice was totally broken with Martin as everyone in the house roared with laughter!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero vigorously defending his plaid suit: \u201cReally surprised! I like that plaid suit! I sure didn\u2019t think it would become the subject of an Internet poll though! So I find (by reading) that I had pulled the drapes off, sewed up that suit myself, the one that you say looked like a table cloth! I liked that suit! Ok, well, thank you so much for that!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

More raucous laughter. I myself was busting up at how well Martin rolled with the punches. He was obviously enjoying his time on stage just as were we enjoying interacting with him.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Fan Questioner: \u201cHi. I\u2019m on Twitter and I follow you and John Lenic. You said you sliced your hand. I was wondering how it is?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cWell, thank you very much. It\u2019s down to a manageable band-aid, I may have opened it up again the other day, but I cut my hand pretty bad. Somewhere in my wisdom I decided to share that with the world until I realized what I had done on Twitter the following week!”<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Even more raucous laughter from the audience, so much so it was hard to hear what was said next.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero continued: \u201cWell actually sure I had put it out there and a lot of people were nurses or doctors following me. They gave me great advice, had one tell me to stitch it myself, it was kind of really fun project! So then I sat down with the stitches and a nice bottle of wine \u2026 So far so good! I got a sexy thumb! I was a guy who lives on the edge! Actually I glad it\u2019s much better thank you for asking. Next!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner asking about SGU: \u201cColonel Telford is really mucking up the Destiny. Is he going to get back in there?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cWell Telford\u2019s got a beef, he really wants to stay in there and after the events \u2026 I don\u2019t know if you have seen the episode or not \u2018Earth\u2019, he certainly is going to have a minimized role on the ship now because he \u2026 Well, I don\u2019t want to spoil it for people who haven\u2019t seen it.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner continues: \u201cWell, it\u2019s on right after this\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cWell, tune in and find out. Thank you\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Fan Questioner: \u201cI sneaked over from the Farscape side of the convention.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero to roaring laughter: \u201cPlease leave immediately!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The audience crowd roared at Martin’s well timed humor!
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner undaunted and serious: \u201cLoved all of the Stargate and I go to all the Stargate conventions and already talked to Amanda Tapping at Chicago about Stargate Universe. I\u2019m one of the ones that really didn\u2019t think I would like it\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero Sincerely: \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fan Questioner: \u201cBecause I thought it would be along the lines of too depressing, too much like BattleStar Galactica. Well that\u2019s what I thought. Amanda Tapping said \u2018these people, the producers, the creators, are working hard, just give it a chance. So I watched it on Amanda\u2019s recommendation and I loved it!\u00a0 \u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero (referring to Amanda\u2019s compliment): \u201cWell, the reality is that Stargate people take care of Stargate people. The reality is that the show is dark, but I think it has a great cast to it. No offense to cast of the past, I only mean how deep the cast is, but we have like 15 main actors all the way down to Paul G, some with only two lines, that are so extraordinary! That is such a gift for the writers because it really triangulates a true great giant ensemble show. I\u2019m just really excited about it with those guys \u2026”<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin Gero: \u201cBut I too mourn the loss of Atlantis when it went down, and was kind of bitter that the Atlantis franchise would fold, but you know SGU is a really, really, good and as a good show, it\u2019s a fun show.\u00a0 I am really excited about it. Thank you!”<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Martin turned to me just as I was back at the front of the line for another question, however at this point the \u2018time keeper handler\u2019 re-appeared in front of the stage and gestured. I looked over at the master of ceremonies hoping for a reprieve, but he gestured that time was up.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Although disappointed, I knew that I would see Martin at the autograph sessio<\/span><\/span>\"LA-Stargate2009-MartinGero-WR_Systems-001\"<\/a><\/span><\/span>n, when as previously reported Martin was gracious enough to pose in a picture with me and sign our SGU Press Kit as a memento.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

After chatting with Martin about SGU during the autograph and hearing him agree that so much familiar was to come, I knew that in a short time Stargate Universe was what many, including what I have believed and defended since the new Stargate burst upon the world; That the Stargate is back! Based on the dedication of people with the qualities of Martin Gero\u2019s in this world, Stargate Universe is liable to be around for many years to come!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In summary: During my stay in Los Angeles I enjoyed every Creation Entertainment <\/span><\/span>Stargate (and Farscape) panel I attended. They were all most excellent. However to hear one of TPTB who is so intimately connected with the Stargate franchise like Martin Gero was more than outstanding. Martin spoke eloquently and passionately about his love for Stargate both old and new. When the day was over it was nice to know that \u201cOur Stargate\u201d was in good hands!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I for one would be looking forward to next year in Los Angeles hoping that Creation Entertainment would schedule Martin again for a review of how Stargate Universe is doing after it starts it’s second episodic year. Yes. I know I’m optimistic! But we fully expect many more seasons to come!
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Click<\/a>Thank you for reading my review and for visiting WormholeRiders News Agency<\/a>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Please feel free to leave a comment here or if you prefer, click the social media icons below to share this news article. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Or as many of our readers and visitors often do, visit WHR on Twitter<\/a>, <\/span><\/span>WHR on Facebook<\/a> or visit me on Twitter by clicking the text links or images avatars in this news story. I and the WHR team look forward to will Seeing You on The Other Side<\/a>“! <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you. \"Click<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Best Regards, <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Kenn <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Martin Gero appeared late in the day Saturday November 7, 2009 at Creation Entertainments Los Angeles Stargate SG-1 Atlantis convention Known as a writer, a director, and as an Executive Producer of Stargate Atlantis, Martin Gero is currently best know by Stargate Franchise fans as a script writer and as a consulting producer for the…<\/p>\n

Read More “Martin Gero on Stargate Universe – One of TPTB for You and Me!”<\/span> »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[172,177,80,3],"tags":[13,68,69,4,210,53,5,6,147,211,186,196,188,189,20,21,16,18,212,9,1849,1860,213,214],"class_list":["post-4217","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-creation-entertainment-creators","category-los-angeles-stargate-2009-convention-coverage-in-2009-by-wormholeriders","category-martin-gero-creators","category-stargate","tag-brad-wright","tag-colonel-telford","tag-daniel-jackson","tag-david-blue","tag-david-hewlett","tag-destiny","tag-dr-nicolas-rush","tag-eli-wallace","tag-joe-flanigan","tag-joe-mallozzi","tag-john-sheppard","tag-los-angeles-farscape-2009","tag-los-angeles-stargate-2009","tag-martin-gero","tag-mgm","tag-mgm-studios","tag-michael-shanks","tag-robert-cooper","tag-rodney-mckay","tag-sgu","tag-stargate","tag-stargate-atlantis","tag-stargate-sg-1-movies","tag-tptb"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wormholeriders.net\/stargate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4217","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wormholeriders.net\/stargate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wormholeriders.net\/stargate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wormholeriders.net\/stargate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wormholeriders.net\/stargate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4217"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/wormholeriders.net\/stargate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4217\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28541,"href":"https:\/\/wormholeriders.net\/stargate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4217\/revisions\/28541"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wormholeriders.net\/stargate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4217"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wormholeriders.net\/stargate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4217"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wormholeriders.net\/stargate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4217"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}