The Production GuideScript To Screen: The Metamorph
by Martin Willey
The Production GuideThe first episode of Space 1999's second series, The Metamorph, went through three drafts scripts before the final shooting script was written.
Johnny Byrne's first draft script The Biological Soul was written in September 1975. In December, as Fred Freiberger managed preparations for the second series of Space 1999, a revised draft was written to introduce the alien Maya. The new script, dated 22 December 1975, was called The Biological Computer.
Above are the title page and the first two pages of the script, the first an opening narration for the titles. This version of the script has no scene numbers. Below is the third page of the script. Note that the location is still Main Mission, but there is no mention of Bergman, Morrow, Kano or Carter.
3
CONTD.
FRASER is a young, strongly built pilot in his early
thirties. TORENS is about ten years younger.
FRASER
We have visual contact with the
planet.
INT. MAIN MISSION
FAVOR KOENIG. He is seated in his command chair staring
at the screen.
FAVOR SIMON HAYS. He too is staring intently at
the screen.
FAVOR HELENA. She is standing in front of her medical
screen which bears the names of FRASER and TORENS, data
as to their mental and physical description being
recorded. In the b.g. CHIEF EAGLE PILOT,
MARK MACINLOCK is seen at this station, his attention
also on the screen.
FAVOR SANDRA BENES. She is at her communications console,
staring at the screen. In the b.g. a very attractive
girl, ANTONIA FRASER, a technician, stands in front of
the rear consoles, but her attention too is riveted
to the screen.
THE SCREEN
The deeply glowing image of the planet is seen, ominous,
threatening.
Below the screen, FRASER's face is on a T.V. monitor.
FAVOR PICARD
His computer screen indicates the following:
CARBON - NINE POINT TWO
HYDROGEN - FOUR POINT TWO
NITROGEN - EIGHT POINT SEVEN
PICARD
The atmosphere's breathable.
But the surface temperature is
way up, Commander - a hundred
and eighty degrees
FAVOR KOENIG.
KOENIG
Fraser, any signs of life?
Copyright Martin Willey