Saga of a Crew was a low budget science fiction film by writer, producer, director Daniel R. Christopher.
Originally shot during a period from 1981 - 1984 the film remained in a near state of completion until
recently when in 2004 Christopher resurrected the project. During the next two years new actors were
filmed to replace missing plot elements, and many effects shots were re-done using the original effects
miniatures which had been retained from the 1980s shoot. Using some of the original costumes and
replicating others as needed allowed filming of the new sequences in the style of the original old footage.
Even some original set construction details can be seen in the recent footage! One actresses performance
was replaced since the original performer did not complete all the scenes the part required. This had
always left a gap in the storyline regarding the motivation of that character. The original story and
corresponding 1980s footage comprises about 90% of the completed feature. Old footage and new
footage combine to complete the film as it was originally intended. Running time of the feature is 1 hour -
9 minutes and is now made available on DVD for the first time ever. The original footage has been
digitally re-photographed but NOT restored, therefore variations in audio and visual quality are evident
due to the preexisting condition of the 1980s footage which shows the effects of wear and age. Color
retention of the old footage is still quite presentable. Actually this ability of being able to visually and
audibly distinguish between original and new footage makes for a unique viewing experience as well as
providing insight regarding the processes of editing as well as the determination of the production team
to finally complete an almost forgotten project. The storyline whisks us to the year 2187 and the Earth
3rd Expeditionary Task Force, a fleet of ships sent out in search of resources for a depleted Earth. We
soon learn that due to a mishap the fleet's supply of Tri-Malisite (a substance vital to the ships
generators) has been lost. The Fleet Admiral quickly dispatches a hastily assembled team on a desperate
"Tri-Malisite Retrieval Mission".The hardships these 3 men endure provide the main plot of our story.
Regarding the performances the characters range from an aged commanding officer to a respected space
pilot, from stone cold dialogue deliveries to credible performances. Effects shots are quite good for a low
budget 1980s production. Space craft designs are logical and quite convincing. A full scale mock up of
one craft was used for the production and drew the curiosity of pilots in the air flying from a small public
airfield several miles from the location shoot.
ABOUT THE NEW 2008 Special Edition DVD
A decision was made in 2007 to begin a total re-edit of Saga of a Crew for a variety of reasons as
outlined below.
SOUNDTRACK QUALITY
Removal of 1980s music track and replacement with newly composed music allowed corrections to be
made regarding original music portions which were over-recorded on the filmstrip, improving dialogue
clarity, and overall presentation. Other methods were applied which greatly reduced and in many
instances completely eliminated other earlier sound issues. Read more about sound improvement at
Ordering the DVD
MUSIC REVISIONS
Replacing the original music with a newly composed and recorded original motion picture score improved
the film in a dramatic sense, as well as expanding the feature's distribution potential by elimination of the
former music license restriction.
ADDITIONAL ORIGINAL SCENES
Scope of the film was enhanced greatly by revisiting the 1000s of feet of surplus film produced during
the 80s. Several lost gems were found and were re-incorporated including ; Sparrow return landing
sequence into landing bay - Markus trips or falls over flight deck drone in an attempted comic relief style
scene - Capron walks by in a daze, sits and shakes showing evidence of his deteriorating mental state -
and a few more.
ADDITIONAL NEW EFFECTS
Many new details were added to improve the scope of the film including: new opening credits sequence
showing far away approach of fleet - fueling procedure and departure of C-20 craft in exact miniature
replica of hanger bay used for 1980s Sparrow live action shoot - use of visual data displays - new sound
effects.
CAST CHANGE
A new actor assumes the role of the Fleet Admiral for the 2008 version. The only existing footage of the
original actor was for the opening scene. By replacing him with a new actor, the Admiral is able to
appear several times further along as the film progresses which benefits the story line. To insert the
new performer talking to the 1980s actors, he appears to be on a view screen speaking to them from his
office.
SCENE RE-EDITING
During the 2007 re-edit virtually every one of the several hundred 1980s filmstrip splice points were
re-edited (digitally) removing the corresponding occasional sound blips and rough image jumps
associated with those splice tape locations. This process also shortens a scene either side of the splice
which helps make dialogue exchanges snappier, improving the conversation flow.
Originally shot during a period from 1981 - 1984 the film remained in a near state of completion until
recently when in 2004 Christopher resurrected the project. During the next two years new actors were
filmed to replace missing plot elements, and many effects shots were re-done using the original effects
miniatures which had been retained from the 1980s shoot. Using some of the original costumes and
replicating others as needed allowed filming of the new sequences in the style of the original old footage.
Even some original set construction details can be seen in the recent footage! One actresses performance
was replaced since the original performer did not complete all the scenes the part required. This had
always left a gap in the storyline regarding the motivation of that character. The original story and
corresponding 1980s footage comprises about 90% of the completed feature. Old footage and new
footage combine to complete the film as it was originally intended. Running time of the feature is 1 hour -
9 minutes and is now made available on DVD for the first time ever. The original footage has been
digitally re-photographed but NOT restored, therefore variations in audio and visual quality are evident
due to the preexisting condition of the 1980s footage which shows the effects of wear and age. Color
retention of the old footage is still quite presentable. Actually this ability of being able to visually and
audibly distinguish between original and new footage makes for a unique viewing experience as well as
providing insight regarding the processes of editing as well as the determination of the production team
to finally complete an almost forgotten project. The storyline whisks us to the year 2187 and the Earth
3rd Expeditionary Task Force, a fleet of ships sent out in search of resources for a depleted Earth. We
soon learn that due to a mishap the fleet's supply of Tri-Malisite (a substance vital to the ships
generators) has been lost. The Fleet Admiral quickly dispatches a hastily assembled team on a desperate
"Tri-Malisite Retrieval Mission".The hardships these 3 men endure provide the main plot of our story.
Regarding the performances the characters range from an aged commanding officer to a respected space
pilot, from stone cold dialogue deliveries to credible performances. Effects shots are quite good for a low
budget 1980s production. Space craft designs are logical and quite convincing. A full scale mock up of
one craft was used for the production and drew the curiosity of pilots in the air flying from a small public
airfield several miles from the location shoot.
ABOUT THE NEW 2008 Special Edition DVD
A decision was made in 2007 to begin a total re-edit of Saga of a Crew for a variety of reasons as
outlined below.
SOUNDTRACK QUALITY
Removal of 1980s music track and replacement with newly composed music allowed corrections to be
made regarding original music portions which were over-recorded on the filmstrip, improving dialogue
clarity, and overall presentation. Other methods were applied which greatly reduced and in many
instances completely eliminated other earlier sound issues. Read more about sound improvement at
Ordering the DVD
MUSIC REVISIONS
Replacing the original music with a newly composed and recorded original motion picture score improved
the film in a dramatic sense, as well as expanding the feature's distribution potential by elimination of the
former music license restriction.
ADDITIONAL ORIGINAL SCENES
Scope of the film was enhanced greatly by revisiting the 1000s of feet of surplus film produced during
the 80s. Several lost gems were found and were re-incorporated including ; Sparrow return landing
sequence into landing bay - Markus trips or falls over flight deck drone in an attempted comic relief style
scene - Capron walks by in a daze, sits and shakes showing evidence of his deteriorating mental state -
and a few more.
ADDITIONAL NEW EFFECTS
Many new details were added to improve the scope of the film including: new opening credits sequence
showing far away approach of fleet - fueling procedure and departure of C-20 craft in exact miniature
replica of hanger bay used for 1980s Sparrow live action shoot - use of visual data displays - new sound
effects.
CAST CHANGE
A new actor assumes the role of the Fleet Admiral for the 2008 version. The only existing footage of the
original actor was for the opening scene. By replacing him with a new actor, the Admiral is able to
appear several times further along as the film progresses which benefits the story line. To insert the
new performer talking to the 1980s actors, he appears to be on a view screen speaking to them from his
office.
SCENE RE-EDITING
During the 2007 re-edit virtually every one of the several hundred 1980s filmstrip splice points were
re-edited (digitally) removing the corresponding occasional sound blips and rough image jumps
associated with those splice tape locations. This process also shortens a scene either side of the splice
which helps make dialogue exchanges snappier, improving the conversation flow.
ABOUT SAGA OF A CREW
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All photos copyright 2008 Daniel R. Christopher Productions
Richard Mahan as Alec Capron, C-20 Pilot
Judith Christopher as Nancy Becker
Paul D'amico as Engineer Erwin Hadley
Mellissa Massey (left) and Andrew Massey as the Launch Director
EARTH 3rd EXPEDITIONARY TASK FORCE
Sparrow Craft
C-20
Sparrow launch sequence
---------------CAST------------------
Markus Douglas Cranford
Hadley Paul D'amico
Capron Richard Mahan
Becker Judith Christopher
Admiral Mirel Calvin Christopher
Captain Doppler Daniel Christopher
Steerman Michael Christopher
Launch Director Andrew Massey
Line Launch Director Joyce Cranford
Technician Paul Schepis
Technician Wayne Wenzel
Crewman Mellissa Massey
Publicity still (not frame grab) Calvin
Christopher as Forward Observer Pilot
Christopher as Forward Observer Pilot
Silvership Control
Indigenous "SKULL CRAB" life form
| Some of the effects miniatures originally built around 1980 as they appear today. |
page
NEW
SEE THE STANDARD LENGTH TRAILER AT IMDb or YouTUBE |
A Brief History along with DVD Specifications and Photos