The Production Guide
Script To Screen: Earthbound
by Martin Willey

Filming starts with some scenes that are late in story order, before moving to earlier shots. These shots of Simmonds entering the casket at the end of the episode were started on Tuesday, and mostly finish today.

The first scene (83) has Simmonds holding his stun gun at the Kaldorians as they climb into the caskets, before he enters. Additional shots for this scene were also completed on 22nd March.

In scene 89, Simmonds wakes up in the casket, with the Kaldorians still asleep. He calls Earth on his commlock.

In scene 92, he sees the lunar time of his commlock, and bangs the perspex walls in desperation.

Scene 37 is a long scene, and took up the rest of the day, longer than was anticipated. It starts by showing the Alphans monitoring Parker's life signs - there are none. Helena takes her drill.

Director Charles Crichton demonstrates the drill to Barbara Bain, on Wednesday 20th March.

After the commercial break, we are in scene 42. Zantor touches the ashes. Helena tries to apologise. They all gather round the casket of ashes in a strange ceremony. Although scheduled for today, this was filmed on Thursday 21st March, and the following scenes were shot on 22nd March.

Suzanne Heimer lies in the casket, standing in for Barbara Bain. From left to right, Barry Morse, lighting cameraman Frank Watts, Martin Landau, continuity Gladys Goldsmith, Christopher Lee, director Charles Crichton, cameraman Neil Binney, stand-in for Landau Alan Meacham(mostly hidden by Binney), stand-in for Morse Tony Allen, stand-in for Roy Dotrice Mike Stevens (partially hidden), and the back of first assistant director Ken Baker.

In scene 53, Zantor explains they must continue their journey, and offers a place to an Alphan. This was listed as the final scene of the day, although it is chronologically before Helena was in the casket. Again, this was shot on Friday 22nd March.