The Production GuideScript To Screen: Dorzak
by Martin Willey
The Production Guide
Maya revives Dorzak, while in Medical Yesta blames Sahala before dying.
Alan takes a capsule found in Yesta's head to the Tech Lab. Ed Malcolm recognises it as a device to block telepathic instructions.
On the 3rd November blue pages, Tony takes Alan's lines, otherwise unchanged. During filming (on Tuesday 9th November), Tony calls Ed Malcolm "Sam", although he is still credited as "Ed" on the end credits.
The next scene takes place in Dorzak's quarters, and was filmed on 3rd November. The scene was originally much longer; the early part when she brings him food is cut entirely. In the final cut, we cannot see the table at all, and the scene starts with him asking about her powers of molecular transformation. The transformations are changed too: originally a mouse with zebra stripes and a gorilla (man in suit). By the time of filming they swapped the zebra mouse to a guinea pig with spots. The gorilla was filmed but cut (the Year 2 gorilla suits, in The Exiles and The Lambda Factor, are not impressive). The removal of the gorilla leaves Maya in the wrong position. We see her sit on a seat, then she stands up and the camera zooms into her eye. We then see the guinea pig on the seat. Dorzak is still looking up at where she stood, not down at the seat where she was earlier.
This shot, of her standing before the eye-zoom, was intended to be after she had transformed into the guinea pig, in preparation for turning into the gorilla. The reverse shot of Dorzak was supposed to be him looking up at the gorilla, not at the guinea pig.
43.
47 CONTD. 2 (47)
ED
Exactly.
ALAN points at the electrical impulses on the monitor.
ALAN
Did our sensors pick up any
such organic psycho-waves
transmitted today?
ED
Yes, they did.
48 INT. DORZAK'S QUARTERS. LEVEL D 48
CLOSE SHOT DORZAK
He is concentrating intensely.
MAYA enters with a tray of food. Intense concentration
in his face fades and he relaxes in an open smile as
MAYA puts the tray on the table.
MAYA
Some of the gastronomic delights of
Alpha.
(he looks at it quizically)
To begin with: piments doux en
salade. Red and green peppers,
black olives and a little parsley,
seasoned with salt, olive oil and
a little chopped garlic.
(a beat)
It's all re-constituted protein
really, but they are tireless in
their pursuit of the textures and
flavours of the foods of Planet
Earth.
She serves a plate of hors d'oeuvres to DORZAK, who looks
at it with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.
MAYA
(encouragingly)
It's really very tasty. Anyway,
when in Rome, you have to do as
the Romans...
She looks up and sees his face blank and uncomprehending.
MAYA (contd.)
Sorry, that's an expression that
means...
44.
48 CONTD. (48)
DORZAK
You have become very Earthly, Maya.
MAYA
I know.
DORZAK sits at the table.
DORZAK
You must tell me more about the
technique of molecular trans-
formation, You have mastered it?
MAYA is proud to have excelled her old teacher in this
area at least.
MAYA
I have ... of course with my
father's help.
DORZAK
What about your friends on Alpha?
Have you taught them the technique?
MAYA
Only Psychons have the unique
molecular structure which
permits the transformation.
DORZAK
(smiles)
Then you must teach me.
MAYA smiles.
CAMERA moves in. STANDARD TRANSFORMATION.
She transforms into a mouse.
(NOTE: WHITE MOUSE TO BE PAINTED WITH ZEBRA STRIPES.)
CLOSE SHOT DORZAK
He smiles.
DORZAK
(amazed, smiling)
Well, well, well. What else,
Maya?
FAVOR MAYA
CONTINUED:
45.
48 CONTD. 2 (48)
She is herself again.
CAMERA ZOOMS INTO HER EYES. STANDARD TRANSFORMATION.
She transforms into a GORILLA.
CLOSE SHOT DORZAK, still amazed.
MAYA (V.O.)
You are so brilliant about
everything. I enjoy being
able to do something you
cannot.
FULL SHOT
MAYA is herself again.
She laughs.
DORZAK
Yes. You must teach me the
principle.
A buzz sounds in the quarters. TONY's face appears on
the monitor.
TONY
Maya, report to medical
center, please.
MAYA
I'll be right there, Tony.
TONY's image fades from the monitor.
MAYA
(playfully)
Exercise your famous brain
with the problem of finding
my Alphan friends a habitable
planet and I will teach you
molecular transformation when
I get back.
She smiles and goes out.
The forced smile fades instantly from DORZAK's face as he
watches the closing door.
Copyright Martin Willey