The Production GuideScript To Screen: The Lambda Factor
by Martin Willey
The Production Guide
A few days after the final day, and while the rest of the crew is on day 3 of The Seance Spectre, editor Dave Lane and a second unit films the caterpillar scenes. None of the original cast are present, and we are not even on the actual Command Center set.
The original scene had been shot on Thursday 30th September, and they had expected to film the caterpillar. Instead, all shots of the actors are framed to not include the caterpillar, which we only see in separate close-ups. It is possible the original caterpillar wasn't photogenic enough, or one was not available on the day.
This is not a caterpillar. This is a sawfly larva, with a characteristic bright green body.
In close-up, we see Carolyn's boot over the caterpillar, and her hand placing the plastic box over it. We also see Tony's hand remove the box. Neither Deborah Fallender or Tony Anholt were present. Instead, the hands are those of two extras, both of whom appear as Command Center operatives in the episode: Beverley Keys and Stuart Myers.
The other sequences were for The Bringers of Wonder part 1.
This is the original scene in Medical Center, filmed on Wednesday 25th August with Martin Landau and Earl Robinson. During editing of the episode, they had decided that more close-ups of pressing buttons were required.
These are the additional shots filmed on 20th October, showing the dials of the brain wave machine being turned by the hands of Charlie Price. Price was another extra who had appeared as an Alphan named "Darren" as well as Mantor in The Exiles.
The scenes in the Records Lab were filmed on Thursday 16th September. With loads of extras, fire and stunts, they didn't try to film the sequence with Maya turning into an insect and being helped through the air vent.
The close-ups of the insect (a Madagascar hissing cockroach) were filmed on 20th October. Stuart Myers lifts the insect and puts it in the air vent. The hissing cockroach is actually an excellent climber and would have no trouble by itself.
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"GERRY ANDERSON PRODUCTIONS LTD |
"SPACE 1999" - SERIES II |
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CALL SHEET No.1 (2nd Unit) |
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EPISODE: "THE BRINGERS OF WONDER" |
DATE: Wednesday, 20th Oct. 1976 |
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DIRECTOR: DAVE LANE |
STAGE: 'M' UNIT CALL: 8:30 a.m. |
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ARTISTE |
CHARACTER |
D/R |
M/UP |
ON SET |
"BRINGERS OF WONDER"
INT. MEDICAL CENTER. SCENE 71 (INSERTS)
(HEART MACHINE)
DOUBLE FOR SANDSTROM - CHARLIE PRICE 8.00 a.m.
EXT. CORRIDOR. SCENE 86 (INSERTS)
(AIR VENT)
1 Beetle 8.30 a.m.
DOUBLE FOR TONY - STUART MYERS 8.30 a.m.
"THE LAMBDA FACTOR"
INT. COMMAND CENTER. SCENE 64 (INSERTS)
CATERPILLER SHOTS)
1 Caterpiller 8.30 a.m
1 Plastic Box
1 Grey flat
1 DOUBLE FOR CAROLYN - BEVERLY KEYS 8.30 a.m.
1 DOUBLE FOR TONY - STUART MYERS - From above
REQUIREMENTS - Wild Arriflex + 10-1 zoom from Main Unit
UNIT
Tony White (Cameraman)
George Watts (Focus)
Jo Abey (Loader)
1 Prop
1 Grip
1 Practical Spark
EDITING DEPT:
Editing Moviola and matching material.
CATERING A.M. & P.M. breaks as per First Unit on 'L' Stage.
JOHN M. DOWNES
Asst. Director.
(Acting)
Copyright Martin Willey.