By Karen Moul

Syfy has partnered with online apparel retailer Her Universe to create a line of women's clothing, jewelry and other items based on Syfy properties. Syfy President Dave Howe announced the partnership this month at the Syfy digital press tour in Orlando. "From a brand perspective, it sends the right messages about what we want to stand for, which is a business that is for everyone with platforms that reach out to everybody. It's very exciting."

Ashley Eckstein, founder of Her Universe, is best known to fans as the voice of Ahsoka Tano on Star Wars: The Clone Wars. She launched the company this summer with the first line of Star Wars apparel designed specifically for women. "In the past," said Eckstein, "a lot of [science fiction-oriented] merchandise was created for women more as an afterthought. They just took an image, slapped it on a pink T-shirt, and said, "Oh, the girls will buy it." And that's not what we want. We want some of the same cool images, just put on a really flattering V-neck."

"Almost half of all Syfy fans are women." she continued, "and they weren't giving us anything to buy."

Currently, Her Universe aspparel is targeted to a broad age range, with sizes ranging from extra small up through plus sizes. "It's definitely not a junior's line. Our items are fashionable and fitted but pretty true to size." She plans several new Star Wars items for Christmas, including a set of Boba Fett underoos.

Syfy gear will be available in 2011 at conventions such as ComicCon. The line will be available in retail outlets in 2012. Plans call for apparel [to] highlight Syfy programs such as Caprica, Battlestar Galactica, Warehouse 13, Destination Truth, and Eureka.

The panel also discussed other aspects of Syfy Ventures, which are available in the previous article. Eckstein answered questions for journalists at the digital press tour, which can be read in the full transcript below. Please also read the press release at Her Universe.

By Karen Moul

At last week’s digital press tour, Syfy executives Dave Howe, Alan Seiffert, and Craig Engler discussed the network’s plans to diversify across multiple entertainment platforms. It’s all part of Syfy Ventures, the network's business development and enterprise unit that focuses on next generation brand extension, including both media and non-media properties.

In a panel with journalists, Howe described the Syfy's plans "to create 24/7 immersive, dynamic storytelling experiences so that we can create transmedia IP characters and stories that can live on any platform, not just the cable linear TV platform." What does that mean to Syfy fans? How about gaming, apparel, and even a new channel for kids?

Syfy’s gaming projects are already well underway, with a close eye on storytelling. “In the gaming space,” said Seiffert, “we've really focused on what possible stories are out there that can really satisfy the needs of our audience but also still offer content in a very unique way. And in a way that is very appropriate for Syfy.”

First up is a two-hour TV movie (and perhaps an eventual series) based on THQ's Red Faction, the popular first-person shooter set on Mars. "Red Faction was a great shoot-'em-up -- it's a really exciting console game,” said Sieffert. “What's unique about it is the movie and hopefully the series will actually live between the last game and the next game. So it becomes part of the overall mythology.”

Down the road, Syfy looks forward to an online browser game based on Battlestar Galactica, which is set to debut in December. Also in the works is a partnership with game developer Trion World to create an online game that would also become a Syfy TV series.

Future plans also call for Syfy to reach out to kids ages 8 to 12 across multiple platforms. "Kids aren't just watching TV," said Seiffert. "They're not just engaging in playing toys. And they're not just online. They're doing all of that. So…we're not going to approach it just as another television show. Absolutely, there will be TV...but there also will be gaming. There will be toys. There will be a pretty massive and exciting online world. The idea is let's bring these stories, let's bring these experiences in a meaningful way across platforms because that's where kids are."

Finally, the executives discussed Syfy's efforts to reach out to female fans through branded apparel, jewelry, and other gear. More information about that is available in the next article.

For more details on Syfy Ventures, read the complete panel transcript below.

As part of the Syfy Digital Press tour, Sci Fi Vision was given an exclusive early look at the Hollywood Treasure, which will air on October 27th starting at 10pm ET/PT. Here is the official press release.

Hollywood Treasure
Two back-to-back half hour episodes
Wednesdays (10:00 – 10:30 p.m. and 10:30 – 11:00 p.m. ET/PT) on Syfy
Starting October 27


Syfy’s new reality series, Hollywood Treasure, featuring Joe Maddalena, will premiere Wednesday, October 27 with two back-to-back half-hour episodes at 10:00pm and 10:30pm.

Hollywood Treasure is a weekly documentary-reality series that delves into the fast-paced world of collecting of showbiz and pop culture memorabilia, including science fiction and fantasy props and costumes. The series follows Joe Maddalena, owner of Profiles in History and the world’s largest auctioneer of original movie, television and pop culture collectibles.

Each episode follows Joe and his crew as they travel the globe searching for the most compelling, rare, and sought-after Hollywood memorabilia. Sometimes combing through basements and attics to uncover lost Hollywood treasure, and other times meeting with celebrities to view their personal keepsakes, Joe tracks leads and does whatever it takes to seal the deal for a piece of Hollywood history. From the Wicked Witch of the West hat to the vintage Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car to the Mary Poppins carpet bag, Maddalena will stop at nothing to hunt down some of Hollywood’s most legendary and mythical items. Episodes culminate with Joe presiding over a world-class auction, where all of the collectibles are sold to fans and collectors from around the world.

Hollywood Treasure is produced by Shevick*Zupon Entertainment. Jerry Shevick, Mark Zupon and Bruce Toms are Executive Producers, and Co-Executive Producer is Steve Longo.

Syfy's original series, Eureka, first premiered in the summer of 2006, and by the following year became Syfy's (at the time SCI FI) most watched series. The series focuses on the small town of geniuses called Eureka, where mayhem always ensues. Sheriff Jack Carter (Colin Ferguson) tries to keep the town together with the help of Deputy Jo Lupo (Erica Cerra), Dr. Allison Blake (Salli Richardson-Whitfield), Henry Deacon (Joe Morton), Douglas Fargo (Neil Grayston), and other members of the town. The fourth season centers around the fact that after traveling to 1946, the five characters, along with Dr. Trevor Grant (James Callis), return to find things completely different from when they left it, with Fargo now in charge of Global Dynamics.

Another original series, Warehouse 13, centers on a top-secret storage facility and the Secret Service agents, Pete Lattimer (Eddie McClintock) and Myka Bering (Joanne Kelly), and their friends that run it. Their job is to find artifacts that have supernatural (or sometimes mundane) powers and return them to the warehouse. They are led by their boss Artie Nielsen (Saul Rubinek), the warehouse caretaker, and joined by agent-in-training Claudia Donovan, played by Allison Scagliotti.

This season, Syfy's two most popular shows ran crossover episodes -- the first on Warehouse 13, when Fargo travels to the warehouse to assist with an update of their computer systems. Later, Claudia visits Eureka (where the "purple goo" used in the warehouse is manufactured) when objects from 1946 start appearing in the present.

Both series will be airing special Christmas themed episodes on Tuesday, December 7th. Eureka will air at 9pm ET/PT followed by Warehouse 13 at 10pm ET/PT. Official press releases for both Eureka and Warehouse 13 are available.

Neil Grayston has appeared on television in the past on various series such as Smallville and Supernatural. He had reoccuring roles in the series Edgemont and Wonderfalls, as well as starred in Godiva, for which he was nominated for a Leo Award (Canada). Besides playing the role of Fargo, Grayston also is the voice of S.A.R.A.H, the artificial intelligence that runs the sheriff's household, on Eureka.

Allison Scagliotti began acting at eleven with her role in the pilot America's Most Terrible Things. She has previously appeared in series such as ER, One Tree Hill, and CSI, but is probably best known for her work on Nickelodeon's Drake & Josh. Scagliotti also won an award at the BendFilm Festival for her work in Redemption Maddie (AFI). She will also be starring in the upcoming film Losers Take All, to be released next year.

Grayston and Scagliotti sat down to talk to the digital media about their series and the upcoming holiday episodes during a press tour in Orlando, Florida last Monday.

As part of the Syfy Digital Press tour, Sci Fi Vision was given an exclusive early look at the holiday episode of Warehouse 13, which will air on December 7th at 10pm ET/PT. Here is the official press release.

Warehouse 13 - Holiday Episode

Synopsis: On Warehouse 13, as the Warehouse team prepares to celebrate the holidays in snowy South Dakota, Pete (Eddie McClintock) and Myka (Joanne Kelly) are called upon to hunt down a malevolent Santa Claus. Meanwhile, in time for Hanukkah, Artie and his estranged father, Isadore Weisfelt reunite after 30 years. Award-winning actor Judd Hirsch returns to television guest starring as Artie’s father. Paul Blackthorne also guest stars as a harried work-a-holic who becomes terrorized by a strange series of robberies committed by a thief dressed as “jolly old Saint Nick!”

As part of the Syfy Digital Press tour, Sci Fi Vision was given an exclusive early look at the holiday episode of Eureka, which will air on December 7th at 9pm ET/PT. Here is the official press release.

Eureka - Holiday Episode
EPISODE #4010: O Little Town…
WRITTEN BY: Eric Tuchman
DIRECTED BY: Matt Hastings
PREMIERES: Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at 9:00PM ET/PT
GUEST STARS: Matt Frewer, Jordan Hinson and Chris Parnell


Logline: You’d better watch out: Christmas is just different in Eureka — and this year it’s totally out of proportion.

Synopsis: Carter’s (Colin Ferguson) plans to visit family for the holidays are thwarted when he, Zoe (Jordan Hinson) and the rest of the town are trapped in Eureka by a glitchy electromagnetic shield – during a very un-Christmassy heat wave. Undaunted, Allison (Salli Richardson-Whitfield) mega-decorates and Vincent (Christopher Gauthier) serves up fruitcake while a mysterious Secret Santa distributes stunningly perfect gifts. Fargo (Neil Grayston) obsesses over plans for the Global Dynamics company party, getting only a “Bah humbug” from Jo (Erica Cerra). She has her hands full with the partying GD staff, including Dr. Noah Drummer (Chris Parnell) who nearly absconds with a volatile experiment.

Even a runaway sleigh careening down Main Street fails to ignite Carter’s holiday spirit, especially since the low flying Santa turns out to be the eccentric Taggart (Matt Frewer), immersed in the study of “Santalogy” -- science that he insists will prove the existence of the elusive Claus.

The halls get seriously decked when Dr. Drummer’s experiment, an unstable hydrogen crystal, starts to grow at a frightening rate. Carter and Henry (Joe Morton) attempt to deal with the potentially explosive crystal, but before long the true scope of the problem is revealed, and it will take more than tinsel and carolers to save Christmas—and Eureka.

Syfy's original series Sanctuary returned this Friday, with the start of its all-new 20-episode season. The third season premiere continued where last season left off with the Sanctuary team trying to reach Kali and prevent catastrophe. The series stars Amanda Tapping as Dr. Helen Magnus, Robin Dunne as Dr. Will Zimmerman, Agam Darshi as Kate Freelander, Ryan Robbins as Henry Foss, and Christopher Heyerdahl as John Druitt and "Biggie." This season will also feature an episode arc with guest star Polly Walker (Caprica, Rome).

Sanctuary shoots almost entirely on green screen and has phenominal visual effects which were previously nominated for an Emmy Award in 2008.

Robin Dunne is known for previously appearing on television series such as Dawson's Creek, Dead Like Me, CSI: Miami, and NCIS. He has also been part of movies such as The Skulls II, American Psycho II, and Beyond Sherwood Forest.

Dunne as well as Syfy executives Erika Kennair and Mark Stern sat down with the media on Monday at the Syfy Digital Press Tour in Orlando, Florida to discuss this groundbreaking series.

As part of the Syfy Digital Press tour, Sci Fi Vision was given an exclusive early look at episode 112 of Caprica, which will air on October 19th at 10pm/9pm central. First, here is the official press release.

CAPRICA - EPISODE 112
“Things We Lock Away”
Written by Drew Z. Greenberg
Directed by Tim Hunter

LOGLINE: Tamara attacks Zoe in New Cap City, seeking revenge for the MagLev bombing that killed her. Daniel wins back his company but with unexpected consequences, while Clarice attempts to break Lacy.

SYNOPSIS: Zoe’s search for Tamara in New Cap City ends in the Arena, where Tamara attacks. Tamara rallies her followers in New Cap City to take revenge on Zoe for the MagLev bombing. In order to earn Tamara’s trust, Zoe must atone for her past sins and confront old demons.

Clarice and her family hold Lacy captive, looking for Zoe’s one-of-a-kind avatar program. The STO plans for Apotheosis hinge on it, and Clarice hopes to learn where it is from Lacy or to break her completely in the process.

Daniel thinks he has won back control of Graystone Industries cleanly, but Joseph and the Ha’La’Tha demand the death of Tomas Vergis.

Caprica Season 1.5 Premiered Tuesday, October 5 @ 10pm. Sci Fi Vision was sent a press release in conjunction with the event.

The second half of season one will transport viewers from stunningly vivid and twisted virtual realities to the fascinating outer worlds of the 12 Colonies. Along the way, revolutionary tensions rise, family power shifts and our characters grapple with the physical and emotional consequences of their questionable decisions. As the season races towards its stunning conclusion, each episode lays the groundwork for the inevitable (and brutal) clash between the new Cylon race and its human creators.

Caprica stars Eric Stoltz (Daniel Graystone), Paula Malcomson (Amanda Graystone), Esai Morales (Joseph Adama), Polly Walker (Sister Clarice Willow), Alessandra Torresani (Zoe Graystone), Magda Apanowicz (Lacy) and Sasha Roiz (Sam Adama). The series is from Universal Cable Productions and is executive produced by Ronald D. Moore and David Eick. Jonas Pate serves as co-executive producer and director.