The Production GuideScript To Screen: War Games
by Martin Willey
The Production GuideAt the end of the previous day, they should have filmed all the shots of Koenig and Carter floating in space, the last shots of the episode. Evidently they didn't get much done, as the same scene shots reappear for the second unit the following day ("complete"). Episode director Charles Crichton is in charge of these shots, with Martin Landau present in the morning. We also have a few insert shots for War Games, and even a reshoot of a close-up from an older episode, Guardian Of Piri.
Carter is dead, his helmet visor cracked. While Nick Tate was present for the previous day, he was required for the first day of filming The Last Enemy (which started with Eagle command module scenes; Martin Landau could be present, as they would only move to Main Mission in the afternoon). Therefore we don't see Carter's face at all in these shots. It's always stuntman Tim Condren in the spacesuit.
The UK specialist for Kirby wire work for film was Derek Botell, who would later work on Superman (1978) and Flash Gordon (1980).
During the main unit's lunch break, the crew grab a few quick insert shots of pressing buttons. None of the cast was present.
Back on day 3, they had filmed the Main Mission desk hatch for two previous episodes. They had obviously liked the shots, and wanted another one for War Games
Next was some close-ups of the screens flashing "Red Alert".
The third shot was Alan Carter pressing the "Laser" button. This panel is on the pilot's left, over the forward console, and the gloved hand comes from the left, so presumably Carter is lying on top of the console instead of his seat. Or they just used the section of console without the rest of the set.
Finally, another close-up insert, from Guardian Of Piri.
The original sequence was filmed on Friday 17th May and Monday 20th. The original version of this close-up was filmed much later, on Monday 15th July during filming day 6 of Alpha Child. For some reason, it was decided to do a replacement shot.
This was the 15th July version of the shot (from Martin Landau's tapes)
| GROUP THREE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED | "SPACE 1999" TELEVISION SERIES | |
| "WAR GAMES" - EPISODE 17 "GUARDIAN OF PIRI" - EPISODE 8 |
CALL SHEET NO: 12
| DIRECTOR: | CHARLES CRICHTON | STAGE: | 'M' & 'L' |
| DATE: | FRIDAY,8TH.NOVEMBER,1974 | UNIT CALL | 8.30.AM. |
| ARTISTE | CHARACTER | D/R | MAKE-UP CALL | SET CALL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPISODE 17 - "WAR GAMES" - EXT.SPACE.SC.NOS: COMPLETE SHOTS FROM THE FOLLOWING:- 139, 142, 150, 151, 152, 159, 162, 164 'M' STAGE |
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| MARTIN LANDAU | KOENIG | 321 | 8.30 a.m. | 9.30 a.m. |
| STUNT ARRANGER: | ALF JOINT | - | 7.45 a.m. at studio. | |
| EDDIE STACEY | DBL FOR MR. LANDAU | Caravan 3 | 8.00 a.m. | 8.30 a.m. |
| TIM CONDREN | DBL FOR MR. TATE | Caravan 4 | 8.00 a.m. | 8.30 a.m. |
| PROPS | Mattresses and cardboard boxes. Space packs and helmets. Debris for floating |
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| ART DEPT | Cracked visor for Carter's helmet. Labels for helmets. | |||
| SFX | Flywire equipment. Derek Botell to stand-by. Debris to float. | |||
| CAMERA | High speed S.35. Wild Arriflex. Sea Head. | |||
| MEDICAL | Nurse to stand-by from 8.30 a.m. | |||
| EDITORIAL | Silent head moviola required (For general use). | |||
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(NOTE: THE FOLLOWING TO BE SHOT FROM 1.00.PM - 2.00.PM - DURING MAIN UNIT'S LUNCH BREAK) (2) EPISODE 17 - "WAR GAMES" - INT. MAIN MISSION. SC.NOS: 2pt. (Insert: Koenig's hand pushing Red Alert button).(Insert: "Red Alert" signs by monitors). INT.EAGLE COMMAND MODULE. SC.NO: 50pt (Insert: Carter's hand pushing laser button). |
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| A.N. OTHER For Mr. Landau | - | FROM MAIN UNIT | ||
| A.N. OTHER For Mr. Tate | - | FROM MAIN UNIT | ||
| ART DEPT | Practical buttons for Main Mission and Command Module. Button signs. "Alarm","Red Alert","Laser" (as discussed). |
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| ELECTRICAL | Practical button lights. | |||
| ELECTRONIC | Live monitors with pictures (as discussed). For Sc.2pt. either side of "Red Alert" panel in Main Mission. |
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| CAMERA | Please Note: Main Unit's sync Arri will be required for Sc.2., insert - (Red Alert signs) |
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| EDITORIAL | Clips required from the above sequence. | |||
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(3) EPISODE 8 - "GUARDIAN OF PIRI" - INT. DIAGNOSTIC UNIT. SC.NOS:43pt.(Insert of cable being plugged into "Kano's Head"). 'M' STAGE |
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| PROPS/MAKE-UP | "Kano's" dummy head on stand. | |||
| ART DEPT | Cable and magnetic socket. | |||
| EDITORIAL | Clips required from the above sequence. | |||
| CATERING | AM and PM break for 50 people required on 'M' Stage. | |||
| UNIT NOTE | Please note: - Lunch hour 12.00.noon - 1.00 p.m. | |||
| TRANSPORT | Studio car to collect Mr. Landau at 7.45 a.m. | |||
Colin Lord,
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Copyright Martin Willey.