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EXPANSE Debut

December 14, 2015 at 4:06 pm
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Just a reminder… THE EXPANSE premieres tonight on the SyFy channel.

For those who came in late, this is the big new space series based on a terrific series of novels by James S.A. Corey, who is really my friends Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck in disguise.

I’ve seen the first two episodes, and they’re terrific.

But don’t take my word for it.

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If you like episode one tonight, you won’t have to wait long for episode two. SyFy plans to broadcast that one tomorrow night. Then you’ll be all caught up on what the fans at the Jean Cocteau Cinema saw December 3 at the Official Red Carpet Premiere (how could you miss it?)

Pinto Vortando says, “This is a very brave show. Pinto will be watching, and you should too.”

P.S> If you like the show, you will like the novels even better. And you can order signed copies of all five from the Jean Cocteau at http://www.jeancocteaubooks.com/

Out in the Belt

December 4, 2015 at 3:44 pm
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We had a great time at the Jean Cocteau yesterday. Our world premiere of THE EXPANSE was terrific fun for all concerned, I think. We screened the first two episodes of the series (joined seamlessly into one long two-hour film), once for the cast, crew, and VIPs, and once for the general public… and my, but the show looked great on our big medium-sized screen. We also had a signing and Q&A with Jimmy Corey, aka Ty Franck and Daniel Abraham, followed by a kickass party.

Everyone seemed to have a swell time… especially those, like me, who had not seen the show before (though of course I have read all the books). Terrific performances and fine writing. This is the show that fandom has been waiting for since FIREFLY and BATTLESTAR GALACTICA left the air… a real kickass spaceship show, done right.

Admittedly, a December debut is a little late in the year for awards buzz, but if the word gets around fast enough, I think you can add THE EXPANSE to the list of shows that could (and in this case, should) compete for a Hugo nomination in Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form.

My thanks to Ty and Daniel and the good folks at Alcon Television for making this happen, and to David Sidebottom, Jenni Higginbotham, Jon Bowman, and the rest of my amazing JCC staff for making the event such a smashing success.

For all of you who could not make it… be sure to catch THE EXPANSE when it debuts on December 14.

‘The Expanse’ Premiere and Book Signing with James S.A. Corey

November 30, 2015 at 7:05 pm
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[Ogre Jenni here! This Thursday Jean Cocteau Cinema will celebrate the release of Syfy's newest show, The Expanse, based on the hit sci-fi series by James S.A. Corey.

At 4:00 p.m. Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, the authors who make up the pseudonymous James S.A. Corey, will sign books from their New York Times bestselling series, The Expanse. The author event is only $10, and we will have all of the books from The Expanse series available for purchase.

Later on at 8:30 p.m., Alcon Television Group and the Cocteau will present a free sneak peek of the first two episodes of Syfy’s new television series based on the books. The first fifty patrons who attend the book signing will be given priority seating at the public premiere!

ABOUT THE SHOW (FROM ALCON TELEVISION GROUP):

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Set 200 years in the future, The Expanse follows the case of a missing young woman that brings a hardened detective (Thomas     Jane, Hung) and a rogue ship’s captain (Steven Strait, Magic City) together in a race across the solar system that will expose the greatest conspiracy in human history. Emmy® winner and Oscar nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo (House of Saddam, House of Sand and Fog) also stars as Chrisjen Avasarala. Rounding out the cast are Dominique Tipper (Vampire Academy), Cas Anvar (Olympus), ­Wes Chatham (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay) and Florence Faivre (The Following). Paulo Costanzo (Royal Pains), Chad Coleman (The Walking Dead) and Jay Hernandez (Suicide Squad) will appear as guest stars throughout the series’ first season.

Academy Award-nominated screenwriting duo Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby (Alfonso Cuaron’s Children of Men, Iron Man) wrote the pilot and serve as writers as well as executive producers. Executive producer Naren Shankar (CSI, Farscape) joins Fergus and Ostby as showrunners. Award-winning director Terry McDonough (Breaking Bad, Suits, Better Call Saul) directed the first two episodes of the series.

JUST FOR FUN:

If you haven't watched this interview by Geek & Sundry: Sword and Laser with James S.A. Corey, you should check it out. They get   into the nitty gritty of working as a duo, and they answer a number of fan questions from the Geek & Sundry Goodreads Forum. The extended interview with James S.A. Corey is also a fun listen. They tackle the important literary issues—like why there aren't space cats in The Expanse. Enjoy!

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