Stargate Atlantis: Tapping to timeshare between SGA and Sanctuary

[wraithfodder]

So, it looks like Carter will only be in 'several' episodes of Stargate Atlantis in season 5. Read the article below. No spoilers.

Web series "Sanctuary" gets slot on Sci Fi schedule

http://www.reuters.com/article/televisionNews/idUSN3145792620080131?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=10004&sp=true

LOS ANGELES/LAS VEGAS (Hollywood Reporter) - Sci Fi Channel has green-lighted "Sanctuary," the first television series to use live-action actors against virtual sets in the style of the features "300" and "Sin City."

Sci Fi has ordered a full 13-episode season of the new scripted drama series, which originated online as the first high-definition sci-fi Web series.

"Sanctuary" hails from the "Stargate SG-1" trio of star Amanda Tapping, writer-producer Damian Kindler and producer-director Martin Wood, who are executive producing the series with Sam Egan.

Tapping stars as the enigmatic Dr. Helen Magnus, who is on a quest with her young protege, Will Zimmerman (Robin Dunne), to track down, aid and protect strange creatures that walk the earth.

.....

Because of Sci Fi's ties with Tapping, Kindler and Wood through the "Stargate" franchise, the network's brass had discussed "Sanctuary" with them even before it launched as a Web series. Talks shifted into high gear when the trio came back with a DVD containing two one-hour blocks of webisodes.

.............

ABC's efforts with "Dinotopia." But "this is the first time the technology is mature enough and inexpensive enough to do it," Stern said.

"Sanctuary," which features 90 percent CGI sets, will be retooled for its transition to television, including the creation of a new two-hour premiere episode. Still, a lot of the footage from the Web series will be used, with some enhancement of the visual effects and the CGI background to play better on the TV screen.

The cast from the Web series will remain intact.

The series is slated to begin production in March. By most estimates, the writers' strike will be over by then, but that is not a factor for the show, whose production is strike-proof because it's based in Canada. Sci Fi's "Stargate Atlantis" is in a similar position and will begin filming its fifth season in a couple of weeks. Tapping, who co-starred on that series last season, will return for several episodes.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_inbetween_/]

I'm not reading because I don't want to know anything - except this, which maybe you can tell me, having read articles: how are TPTB justifying the absence of the head of mission, if they are?

[alyssa22.livejournal.com]

The less time the better, IMO.

And now there's some comment on JM's blog about a new recurring character called Alison Porter. WTH? Where did this one come from? I'm thinking this must be their extra female character he's hinting about, and it definitely won't be Elizabeth.

[tjackson.livejournal.com]

double post

[never-at-home.livejournal.com]

I think that the number of episodes will dwindle down to none, because being both an Executive Producer and Star of a series will most likely take up all of Tapping's time.

I could be wrong. Maybe they will be able to get her in a few scenes at the beginning, but I really doubt that "several" episodes are possible.

I listened to an interview with her done recently (German site?) and she seemed very enthused about what was happening with Sanctuary and seemed to really want to give that her full attention. It's partly her creation, after all.

[aqualegia.livejournal.com]

I've not liked the Carter character for a long time, so I hope that she isn't in too many more episodes.

That said, I have nothing against the actress, just with the way Carter was written, and I wish Amanda luck with the Sanctuary series.

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

I guess I'll be the positive light on this news which I think is perfect. Without getting into how they dealt with Tori---I've come to be fine with Carter on the show as long as she wasn't becoming focus of the show and she hasn't.

Carter's been there, almost in the background and has some nice scenes. With all the threats and wars, it made sense to have a military commander on board despite how they did it.

For me SGA is the Team....and thats Sheppard, Rodney, Ronon and Teyla. Keep to that and everyone else has always been a supporting character slot like its been and things will be fine for me.

[volaremn.livejournal.com]

I think I'll help kristen up the positivity by saying that, putting aside whatever repercussion this has on S5, this is fabulous for Tapping. She's at the point in her career where it's slim pickings for actresses and it's absolutely a wise move to gain some producing power. And in the limited way they write the role, it doesn't make much difference to me who fills the command position as long as the actor has minimum of competence.

And for anyone wondering about the female tech who may or may not be name Alison Porter, she's pretty much the female equivalent of Chuck--about the same age, about as good-looking, not model-like. And IMO, played by a more natural actor than Chuck Campbell.