From: FResler169@aol44.com Date: Fri, 3 Jan 1997 00:23:56 -0500 Subj: Questions About Breakaway Does anyone know where the Lunar Commission scenes came from in the compilation Alien Attack? Were they originally filmed with Breakaway (seems unlikely they way they twisted the plot) or were they filmed for the compilation. Also, who is the woman with the shoulder length hair who is always on the Alpha view screens? Floyd
From: "Robert Ashley Ruiz" (espresso@dnai44.com) Date: Thu, 2 Jan 1997 22:32:46 -0700 Subj: Re: Questions About Breakaway The scenes were not filmed with Breakaway. They were added years later, supposedly to help the plot for non-1999 fans. In these scenes it is stated that Commissioner Simmonds died during Breakaway (from one of the last transmissions Earth could receive from Alpha before it was out of range), but of course in the series he survives until Earthfall, and then what a way to go. These "new" scenes are generally very poorly acted, lit, etc., and the only thing tying them to 1999 is a model Eagle on a conference table. The woman on the screen could be anybody. Alpha News Service perhaps (as seen in one episode), or a data specialist, as Sandra pops up in much the same way when Paul asks her to check the past ten days on the waste dump, then she comes into Main Mission shortly thereafter. These were probably touches for the first episode by Lee Katzin, Breakaway's director. Lee did wonderful things with having people come into frame on the viewscreens instead of just being against a plain background (and generally casting a shadow!), waiting to deliver their lines as in later episodes. Katzin made it seem like people were actually busy when people called them, and that an entire moonbase was humming outside the room. And how about that gray button on the comm post. It's miraculous. They press one button and it always takes them to who they want to talk to--Paul Morrow, or whoever. Somehow it just knows. Robert
From: Ian Wheeler (ian@ianjames.demon44.co.uk) Date: Sat, 4 Jan 1997 10:55:55 +0000 Subj: Alpha News Service Anchorwoman She actually reminds me of Lilo Wenders, a host on a rather risque German late night TV show! The woman on the screen looks exactly like her! Still, who knows? Any ideas, anyone?
From: Claudia Coles (ccoles@netcom44.com) Date: Sun, 5 Jan 1997 16:57:52 -0800 (PST) Subj: RE: That Mysterious "Flesh Tone" Woman Actually, the little glimpse that I have seen of her reminds me of the TV "flesh tone woman". She is a model used for calibrating flesh tone hues for TV cameras and pro VTRs w/TBCs, (and film projectors, if I am not mistaken). In the ol' tv days, when you calibrated your cameras, you would use a picture of this woman at the end to make sure your cameras were setup and calibrated properly. If you saw a "natural" looking picture, with realistic skin tones, you were on the mark. If she appeared greenish or let's say purplish, AND your scopes agreed with this, then you know something went wrong during setup/calibration/white balance/etc. At least that's how it was with TV production in the 70s. I haven't used this method in ages however. As far as film goes, you usually find a picture of this woman at the lead of a film reel (near the count down). Though I believe it was also used for double-checking flesh tone within the film processing itself [ you film people, please correct me on this :) ], when it was put on the actual screening copies that were viewed by the public, I think seeing this person worked more as an attention-getter than anything else. And I see it must have worked, because it seems to have gotten some of your attentions :). Perhaps the producers thought that the viewers may drift away from the show at certain intervals, so the producers stuck this mysterious woman in at strategic points to keep the viewer guessing and glued. :) Just a silly thought. [ Hey, I'm getting over the flu - cut me at least *some* slack. :) ] Well that's all for now. Have a great week! :) TTFN your recuperating and fellow Alphan, Claudia Chief Communications Liaison (CCSAS) MBA Contractor - 16a
From: Michael Decker (mdecker@dialnet44.net) Date: Sun, 05 Jan 1997 22:33:30 -0800 Subj: Re: That Mysterious "Flesh Tone" Woman I think the mysterious woman is on the screen just for show. I mean, she looks a heck of a lot better than that Indian chief test pattern they used to put up, right? Michael
From: "Anthony J. Ritz" (105477.1012@compuserve44.com) Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 14:53:43 -0500 Subj: Re: That Mysterious "Flesh Tone" Woman The "indian chief test pattern" that Roberto so skillfully recreated is located in the Cyber Museum. I have it as my wallpaper on my desktop. The woman is the Alpha News Service as seen in Black Sun. The video displays in the travel tube have her talking about the times heavy duty clothing is skeduled to be released to different sections enlight of the decreasing temperatures on alpha. She is also seen later the same episode, on the commpost in Koenig's office stating: "Due to the present emergency, Alpha News Service including Alpha Base communications, is suspended, until further notice." Her presence, including the presence of Alpha News Service, is only seen in the first few Space: 1999 episodes filmed. Anthony Ritz Alpha Fire Chief