Unofficial Battlestar Galactica Blog

Soundtrack.net exclusive look at season two score

Mike Brennan of Soundtrack.net scored an exclusive listen to the Battlestar Galactica: Season Two soundtrack. Head over to the site to read the listening notes and hear some samples!

1. Colonial Anthem ("Theme from Battlestar Galactica" from 'Final Cut') (4:03)
This track opens the album with a very different sound than we are used to for the series because it contains music from the original "Battlestar Galactica" by Stu Phillips and Glen A. Larson, arranged by Bear McCreary. This cue sounds a bit more "Star Treky" than the sound Gibbs and McCreary have developed for the new series, but it is a nice glance back to the show's origins. Some nice brass and percussion is featured in this upbeat cue and it is a great opener for the album.

2. Baltar's Dream (from 'Valley of Darkness') (2:46)
An electric violin starts off this cue with an eerie tone before some metallic percussion takes over. Baltar is one of the show's most unpredictable characters and I find that this odd sound fits his character's downward spiral perfectly.

3. Escape from the Farm (from 'The Farm') (3:12)
More heavy percussion and eerie sounds continue in this cue. We also get a hint of one of the main motifs for the show, the pulsating violin chords. After a brief hint at it, the low strings and percussion push it away, joined this time by Middle Eastern woodwinds for this action cue.

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Man that is going to be a fun CD. Just what we all need in the down time between season to get excited about the show again! There is some really different stuff in here... stuff I don't remember hearing!

I really like the preview tracks for Escape from the Farm, Something Dark is Coming, Scar, Roslin and Adama, and Worthy of Survival. I am sure my favorites will change once I can hear the whole track, but base don the thirty second snips, that is mine. What are yours?

BSG Seminar in New York

The Museum of Radio and Television is hosting a panel discussion with the cast of BSG!

BSG in HD at MT&R
Friday, June 2, 2006
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

A radical reimagining of ABC's 1970s show of the same name, the Sci Fi Channel's Battlestar Galactica has wowed critics and fans alike with sophisticated social commentary, nuanced character drama, and rip-roaring action. Even the Peabody Award judges were impressed, citing the series for revitalizing sci-fi television "with its parallax considerations of politics, religion, sex, and even what it means to be 'human.'"

The Museum will screen an episode of the series, followed by Q&A with the cast and creative team.

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Anyone going to hit that? I am a few thousand miles away from being able to attend.

Battlestar Galactica: Resistance

It looks like the title of the web-only series is going to be called "Resistance". Brett J. emailed the information in with a link over to IGN:

The most exciting news on this front involved Battlestar Galactica, which airs on the NBC Universal owned Sci Fi Channel. Debuting later this year will be a Web series spin-off for the acclaimed series called Battlestar Galactica: The Resistance. Lasting ten episodes, The Resistance will fill in the gap between season two and the upcoming season three.

If it is filling the gap between season two and three, I wonder how much time we are talking here... It is going to be one crazy year for BSG.

Source: IGN

...honestly I am still sitting here trying to figure out what the hell just happened on Lost... so my head really isn't in the game on these news items... :)

Battlestar Galactica: The Concert

Long time reader Aragorn emailed this link in. I am more than happy to post it!

Announcing the Official Battlestar Galactica: Season Two Soundtrack Album Release Show! To celebrate the release of the highly-anticipated Battlestar Galactica: Season Two soundtrack album, series composer Bear McCreary will reunite the remarkable musicians who bring his music to vibrant life every week for the first live performance of Battlestar Galactica's score. The ensemble includes Oingo Boingo alums Steve Bartek (guitar), John Avila (bass) and Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez (drums).

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You LA BSG fans are a bunch of lucky frakkers! If anyone out there in reader land goes to this and takes pictures, send them to me! Or at least link me to a Flickr stream!

BSG Emmy consideration page

Check out the special promo page over at SciFi:

Battlestar Galactica Emmy consideration

They are promoting the show and cast for these main categories:

• Outstanding Drama Series
• Supporting Actors Jamie Bamber, James Callis and Michael Hogan
• Lead Actor, Edward James-Olmos
• Supporting Actresses, Tricia Helfer, Grace Park and Katee Sackhoff
• Lead Actress, Mary McDonnell
• Guest Actor in a series, Michelle Forbes, Lucy Lawless and Dean Stockwell

They are also promoting it for a host of other secondary categories. Hit the site to see them all.

Good luck BSG!

Source: Tahmoh Penikett Blog

Preview pages of the BSG comic Issue #0

Interested to see what the new BSG comics will look like? Check out Greg Pak's blog:

At long last, Dynamite Entertainment has released colored, lettered preview pages of interior art from "Battlestar Galactica" #0, written by Greg Pak with pencils by Nigel Raynor. Click on the links below to view the pages in a new window.

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Now, I am not a big comic reader, but the art seems ok to me. I have seen the comments from some saying it is poor... and like I say, I am not a connoisseur, but saying it sucks might be going a bit far. Am I crazy for liking it? I don't know about most of you... but am pretty excited for these comics.

Get your season 2 soundtrack autographed!

If you want an autographed copy of the Season two soundtrack, head over to La-la-land records and type in your credit card digits.

PRE-ORDER “BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: SEASON 2” NOW and get your cd autographed by composer Bear McCreary at no additional charge.  For a limited time. SHIPPING JUNE 13th

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There is also an awesome selection of sound clips from the CD. This is going to be a great disc!

Battlestar Galactica comic hits in July

Get your comic reading skills ready... July is right around the corner! Comic Book Resources has the news:

Following the top selling introductory Issue #0 (selling in excess of 175,000 copies!), Dynamite Entertainment has released images and information concerning the release of the first issue of the ongoing series focusing on SCI FI Channel’s hit original series Battlestar Galactica. The comic books are developed through a licensing agreement with Universal Studios Consumer Products Group.

“First off, we would like to thank retailers and fans for their support! Issue #0 exceeded our wildest expectations, and we have high hopes for the equally strong debut of issue #1,” commented Dynamite Spokesperson J. Allen. “Greg Pak and Nigel Raynor have knocked it out of this Galaxy and with the end of Issue #0 leading right into the opening of Issue #1, fans will not want to miss out of the first issue!”

Concerning the integration of the comic and the show, comic writer Greg Pak explained: “We’re 100 percent tied into the continuity of the television show — our storyline takes place in the middle of the second season, right after the return from Kobol and before the arrival of the Pegasus.”

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I am waiting to just pick them all up at once on eBay. I did something similar for the Firefly (Serenity) comics and it worked out great. I can be lazy like that. :)

But that is not all... head out tomorrow and track down a TV Guide. Inside the May 22nd issue is an exclusive look at Issue #0 of the comic:

In cooperation with SCIFI, Universal and TV Guide, Dynamite’s Battlestar Galactica #0 will be featured in the May 22nd issue, with subscriptions begin being mailed on May 15, 2006. The exposure of the comic is expected to reach millions of TV Guides weekly readers, and through it the fans of SCI-FI’s hit TV series, Battlestar Galactica. An interview with series writer Greg Pak will be included to bring awareness of the comic to the potential untapped readers that TV Guide has to offer.

“We’ve been working on this for the past several months and could not say anything until now. TV Guide wanted an exclusive sneak peak of the interior pages, and were willing to work with us to promote the comics industry as part of the package, which to us is a key component. In our quest to help promote the comics industry, TV Guide is also promoting the 800 Comic Shop Locator Service (1-888-COMIC BOOK in the article. We ask that comics fans and retailers support TV Guide by picking up and carrying this issue. We’re thrilled it all came together!,” explained Dynamite Spokesperson J. Allen. “From Army of Darkness to Red Sonja, we’ve been working with top sellers, and Battlestar Galactica has the ability to bring the most attention to the comics market. The opportunity here for us, the fans, retailers and the industry is once-in-a-lifetime as millions of readers will be able to find out about the comic (of the hit SCI FI TV Show), and use that opportunity to pick up the first issue, available for just a quarter! Frak Yeah!”

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New BSG collectibles deal announced

Diamond Select Toys has announced the following:

DST is proud to announce a partnership with Art Asylum and Universal Studios Consumer Products Group to manufacture products based on the SCI FI hit original series Battlestar Galactica. In the recent agreement, Art Asylum will handle development of the resin collectibles and Minimate block figures for both the groundbreaking classic show and the immensely popular modernized series, and has granted DST the marketing and sales of the new line.

With designs already well underway, DST and Art Asylum plan to release several resin busts featuring key characters from both series as well as a miniaturized line of Minimate block figures.  The first series of Minimates will be released later this year and will feature a variety of characters from the hit new series, including the deadly Cylons themselves!

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If you follow the link, there is a wallpaper that gives a sneak-peek of the art style... which is rather unique. If you go into the product archive, you can browse around and see some of the past toys they have created. Examples of "Minimates" can be seen under the Marvel toys. I would link you, but the site is flash, so I can't give a direct URL.

Toys, toys, toys!!

Season two soundtrack, June 20th

Look at what I just found available for pre-order on Amazon.com:

Battlestar Galactica Season Two Soundtrack
$16.98 Pre-order now!

Get 'em while they are hot! It is a small price to pay for Bear McCreary's genius!

BSG Webisodes on the way

Gateword is reporting some interesting news... exclusive web-only episodes of Galactica:

Battlestar Galactica jumps to the digital world with a series of original webisodes, now in production. SCI FI will debut the series as part of its new "SCI FI Pulse" online broadband network.

GateWorld has learned that an early webisode will be titled "Crossroads." It is not yet known whether this is the first episode, nor how many installments will be produced.

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Well this is getting interesting. First a spin-off, then mini-episodes? If you haven't checked out Scifi Pulse yet, head over to SciFi.com and give it a try.

I think this is a great move. Little things like this will help flesh out the show... it is very equivalent to the Clone Wars cartoons for Star Wars... or the Animatrix shorts for the Matrix... maybe BSG will even go animated with a few of them? That could be fun.

It seems like this third season is going be pretty crazy... not only do we have an extremely compelling story shaping up, but all sorts of cross-platform-muli-media goodness to keep us inundated with more BSG than we will know what to do with. All that needs to happen now is for them to announce a new video game and my life will be complete!

Playful Park and Happy Helfer

Yeah I know... the puns were way too easy on that one. Head over to the Tahmoh Penikett blog for a funny picture of Grace and Tricia. You can't help but smile.

Park and Helfer at NBC Universal Summer Press Day

Springfield and BSG collide, again!

Previously, I came across some great pictures of Six and Giaus as Simpson characters... it looks like the author put up a whole new set:

Dylan Meconis has been creating a menagerie of BSG cast members re-imagined as Matt Groening characters, and here are a few more...

See the pictures

The Dualla, Lee and Billy one is awesome.

Thanks to Paul for writing in!

Stunning BSG art print for sale

Head over to Jason Pamer's site and feast your eyes on the polished print of Battlestar Galactica characters. Here is how it is described:

Giclee done on textured art paper. Print measures 17x22, with white margin around the image. Mats are designed to fit in a standard 18x24 frame. Backboard is included.

See it now!

What is a "Giclee" you might ask?

$85 and it can be yours

Source: BSG Blog

BSG wins three Saturn awards

Our little show picked up three Saturn Awards:

Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series

Best Supporting Actor on Television
JAMES CALLIS

Best Supporting Actress on Television
KATEE SACKHOFF

See the full list

Congrats to the show! I am glad James Callis got some recognition for his efforts.

Galactica cast clueless about spin-off

The Caprica Report, a new blog about the upcoming BSG spin-off has an interesting report. The last paragraph has some stuff about Season three that might be considered spoilery in a few subtle way:

It appears that the high level of secrecy surrounding the new Caprica series even involved the cast of Battlestar Galactica. In a preview to a MediaBLvd Magazine interview with Grace Park, the actor admits that she did not know of the spinoff until the press release.

"Grace Park says that the cast of Battlestar Galactica didn't know that the spinoff prequel Caprica was in the works until Wednesday, the same day the rest of the world first heard about it. She received a call from her manager, who read about it in Variety. Trish Helfer also sent an email out to the cast, which was the first that most of the rest heard about the show being developed.

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That seems a bit strange... I just can't imagine that as a cast member you wouldn't hear ANYTHING about it! I wonder what the reason was for that?

BSG action figures now possible?

Will emailed in this awesome rumor/scoop about licensing for the BSG regular-sized action figures. Check it out:

Chris Huisman, JoyRide Studio's senior graphic designer and Project manager, stated earlier today that JoyRide has not renewed their license to produce regular-sized action figures based on the 1978 Battlestar Galactica series.

From: "Chris" <removed>
To: "Will" <removed>
Subject: Re: Battlestar Galactica: SciFi Channel version action figures?

Date: Mon, 1 May 2006 14:46:49 -0500

Hi Will,
JoyRide Studios no longer has a contract with Universal regarding any BattleStar Galactica figures.

Thanks!
-Chris

Of interest to fans of the new SciFi Channel version of Battlestar Galactica is the possibility that Joyride may also have been the mystery company known to have been ineffectively holding the license to produce regular-sized action figures from the new series.

If so, it could mean that both licenses (for old and new) may again be available for bids from other action figure companies.

(Please note the the license to produce regular-sized action figures is a different license than the license to produce 12" dolls; the 12" doll license is of course held by Majestic Studios).

If you are a fan of action figures, this might mean good news could be around the corner! If a new line of action figures is announced for the new series, who would you like to see in the first run?

Thanks for the great information Will!

Even the ducks are freaked out...

This is just random enough to be funny:

Trust no one

Free the BSG Mini-series

Dave Rogers sent an email to the SciFi Channel via their feedback form. He asked the following:

I rather hope someone actually reads these things.

Saw Ron Moore's interview in the Seattle Times and his answer to the question about whether or not BSG could appeal to a "mainstream audience" rang true to me.

I'm a fan, and I've managed to convince a few of my friends, who otherwise would not watch a science fiction program, let alone a remake of Battlestar Galactica, to watch the show and they've become fans.

You need to lower the barrier to entry represented by the series' name "Battlestar Galactica." The way to do that is not to change the name, but to make it easier for people to give it a chance, to take a risk that their time and attention won't be wasted.

As I'm sure you're (whoever "you" are) aware, this is not a series you can really just start watching at the beginning of the new season. It really demands that you begin at the beginning, and that means the mini-series.

Why not make the mini-series a free download at the iTunes Music Store?

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So what do you think of Dave's idea? He wanted this to go viral, so I am posting it to help out the cause. Why not make the mini-series free online at this point?

I question it though... Is making it available for free on iTunes really count as mass market? Doesn't a well placed DVD in a Blockbuster reach more people? The people who will sit and watch a science fiction mini-series on their computer monitor aren't really the same people who download Jack Johnson singles onto their iPod... i mean sure there might be some over lap there but I am betting not much.

BSG art collection

J.J. Tores saw my post about the BSG sketches and wrote in to provide a few more links to some great Battlestar Galactica fan art. Check out the works of

• Mark Harrison
• Tommy Lee Edwards
• and of course Grant Gould (who we link to all the time)

There is some non-BSG art mixed in there, but I am sure you can find what I am talking about.

Thanks for the links Tores!