Are There People at Stargate/MGM that Want Atlantis Back?

[zzbeach]

There must have been a few people at Stargate who didn't think SGU was going to work out and didn't want Atlantis cancelled. With the success of Ark of Truth and Continuum, there must be somebody saying, "Let's give an SG1 movie a go." There has got to be some adults in this group. We all know Wright, Cooper and Mallozzi are to blame for the SGU debacle. But aren't there people we can support at MGM for SG1 and Atlantis projects? Is there somebody we can support or did they all drink the SGU and sci-fi soap Kool-Aid?

 

[Mr. A]

If none of the producers (BW & RCC) want to do a movie, MGM can give it all the "go" they want and nothing will happen...

 

[EvilSpaceAlien]

As long as they can make money of it, MGM would make a show consisting of nothing but loop of a squirrel falling down from a tree over and over again, for a full 45 minutes. Obviously the entire thing would be set to Benny Hill music.

Anyway, the answer is that MGM will make it if they believe it will be profitable. Now the big question is really if the producers would be willing to do it too.

 

[stclare]

As long as they can make money of it, MGM would make a show consisting of nothing but loop of a squirrel falling down from a tree over and over again, for a full 45 minutes. Obviously the entire thing would be set to Benny Hill music.

Anyway, the answer is that MGM will make it if they believe it will be profitable. Now the big question is really if the producers would be willing to do it too.

Maybe BW will use SGA to get his poop deck show a movie too. That could be the two pronged approach. Give syfy the SGA movie they were promised an BW & MGM get the movie they want. My luck it will be an sgpoop & sg1 movie!

 

[Nani]

If none of the producers (BW & RCC) want to do a movie, MGM can give it all the "go" they want and nothing will happen...

It seems that RCC has moved on from Stargate and that BW is stuck on SGU. Hence...

 

[Inara]

If none of the producers (BW & RCC) want to do a movie, MGM can give it all the "go" they want and nothing will happen...

Producers can be replaced if they don't want to do what their boss tells them to do.

I think that will be the only future for Stargate. The current crew has poisoned fandom, but even more importantly, made a show that no one watched, after MGM had a successful franchise for 15 years. They've got to be looking at "why" and may decide a reboot is the best way to get the money flowing again.

 

[geijin]

I would say it's a safe bet that someone in the decision making chain had doubts about SGU and/or wanted SG1/SGA. The real question is why didn't they pay enough attention and stop it. Hind sight being 20/20, every one of them will say that they thought it was a "bad idea from the start, but (insert excuse or explanation here)". It's the whole "cover your own ass" mentality, and none of them will admit to being the one that pushed it through. All that matters now, though, is what will it take to get them to fix the mistake and bring back/reboot Stargate in a decent way.

 

[bikerwriter]

Producers can be replaced. There were other show runners. My questions are: can MGM Studios make a new series cheaply enough in Canada (stupid worthless dollar) for it to be profitable, and does Syfy even want another series?

 

[Mr. A]

Producers can be replaced. There were other show runners. My questions are: can MGM Studios make a new series cheaply enough in Canada (stupid worthless dollar) for it to be profitable, and does Syfy even want another series?

Why not? They were doing it very well with SGA even with a dud running the show! The show was turning in a good profit...

 

[zzbeach]

Is There Nobody?

So what you're all saying is that nobody employed at Stargate/MGM wants to get back to do any SG1 or Atlantis projects? There's nobody we can support? There's nobody making waves for SG1 or Atlantis? Does Stargate/MGM really have to fire the whole production team and get fresh blood?

 

[stclare]

So what you're all saying is that nobody employed at Stargate/MGM wants to get back to do any SG1 or Atlantis projects? There's nobody we can support? There's nobody making waves for SG1 or Atlantis? Does Stargate/MGM really have to fire the whole production team and get fresh blood?

If there is anyone fighting in sga/sg1's corner they are not being vocal about it. JM was asked in one of his q&a blog posts who was fighting for sga and the response was, BW didnt write the sga movie. BW did however write the sg1 movie, so..

That q&A should be in the mallozi thread might be worth digging it out for the resource thread?

 

[DeepCoverOp]

Just a quick fact check... for the last few weeks the Canadian Dollar has been at par with, or worth just slightly more than the US Greenback. The advantage of the Canadian Dollar vs. the US Dollar has been largely irrelivant the last 2-3 years. FWIW...

 

[Lilith]

I would say it's a safe bet that someone in the decision making chain had doubts about SGU and/or wanted SG1/SGA. The real question is why didn't they pay enough attention and stop it. Hind sight being 20/20, every one of them will say that they thought it was a "bad idea from the start, but (insert excuse or explanation here)". It's the whole "cover your own ass" mentality, and none of them will admit to being the one that pushed it through. All that matters now, though, is what will it take to get them to fix the mistake and bring back/reboot Stargate in a decent way.

MGM was hanging by a thread and in all honesty BW had been a money making machine for them. Why would they doubt his vision for future revenue since he always delivered. They may even be willing to forgive this failure and let him head up the next project with alot more supervision.

 

[Robbie_Rocket_Pants]

MGM was hanging by a thread and in all honesty BW had been a money making machine for them. Why would they doubt his vision for future revenue since he always delivered. They may even be willing to forgive this failure and let him head up the next project with alot more supervision.

I bloody well hope not........... not if it has Stargate anywhere in the title anyway.

 

[Mr. A]

Just a quick fact check... for the last few weeks the Canadian Dollar has been at par with, or worth just slightly more than the US Greenback. The advantage of the Canadian Dollar vs. the US Dollar has been largely irrelivant the last 2-3 years. FWIW...

So what are you saying - that since a few weeks no more profitable show can be filmed in Canada anymore? And even if it were the case, why does anything have to be filmed in Vancouver for that matter?

 

[DeepCoverOp]

Hey Mr. Anderson

I was clarifying a point with regards to a comment by Bikerwriter regarding the "stupid worthless dollar". I was saying nothing beyond that. But, to happily answer your questions...

For the last 2-3 years, with the dollar near or at par, the dollar difference has ceased to be an incentive for film companies to come to Vancouver. Vancouver now competes on an even footing with all other jurisdictions in North America as far as currency considerations go.

Nothing has to be filmed in Vancouver. Vancouver is a popular film location for the following reasons, among others:

Large pool of highly experienced crews
Very well established purpose built studio facilities
Very well established post production facilities
Excellent availability of production equipment
Climate - very mild, very little if any snow (bucket loads of @#$^^# rain however...)
Availability of many different types of locations within a short distance of the city (ocean, mountain, city, country, or any combination of the above...)
Same time zone as LA
Short travel time to LA
A prevailing indifference to the stars... they are able to travel the city, dine out etc. largely accosted
Most locations have not been 'burned'. Filming is welcomed (ok, tollerated...) in most areas still
Competitive tax credits

There are many compelling reasons for film companies to film in many different cities, states, countries. Currency rates can definately play a role, but in Vancouvers case, production numbers have stayed very good despite having lost that advantage. The savings created by filming in one location over another do not generally play a significant difference in profits, it does however maximize the value for the production dollars spent.

Cheers!!

DCO

 

[zzbeach]

Taxes and Unions

I thought the main reason cable tv shows film in Canada was more to do with union rules, taxes and affordability. The cost of living in LA is outrageous. The taxes in California are extreme as well as the punitive regulations. Just a word of warning to our friends in the Great White North. Some shows are now being filmed here in South Carolina and North Carolina. The weather is very nice and the beaches resemble the ones in California and the taxes are very low. I live 4 blocks from the beach in a resort town and my property taxes are less than $400! Also South Carolina has had a lot of base closings in the past 20 years which means a lot of property with huge buildings. Hey you never know if the Atlantis movie may be filmed nearby. I'll hold a sign saying "SGU Sucks!" if I get cast as an extra.

 

[Lexa]

Also, another reason to film in Canada is this...

Canada prides themselves in their film industry. If the majority of your crew/staff are Canadian (I think it's like 80%) then you get bonus money from the government to make your film or television show. This is to help promote Canada film. I firmly believe that Stargate did get this bonus money because JM has made reference to needing Canadian crew when foreigners have asked to apply.

 

[DeepCoverOp]

ZZBeach - you live in a beautiful area, traveled there a few years ago, very nice. As for your comments, very valid, if not new. Realistically, film and tv production has occurred around the world for many years. No one area has a monopoly. Each area offers different strengths, and weaknesses. Vancouver has a large and established industry. It attracts certain types and sizes of shows. Other areas get the same, others totally different kinds of shows. Vancouver has a finite capacity for production, and we have consistently run close to that capacity. I am pleased that an area with base closings and economic issues is getting some of the business. There is more than enough work to go around, and I hope that your area is able to build up it's industry over time!

Lexa - you are correct. Primarily the support is tax credits. This applies in particular to productions for studios that are based out of country. If a project is deemed to be Canadian under a complex and slightly confusing set of rules, then it may qualify for part funding from the (usually) Federal Govt. This doesn't apply to any of the SG productions, as it is a US production, so it just benefits from the tax credits.

 

[julie1927]

They better find a way to do the movies. If they do not, the fans won't forgive them. They know the fans want Sheppard paired with Todd.