"Earth: Final Conflict" (1997)TV series 1997-2002

Creator:

Gene Roddenberry
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

6 October 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi

Plot:

When an alien species comes to Earth bearing boons to Humanity, a few suspicious humans seek to learn and resist the newcomers' true designs.

Plot Keywords:

Androgyny | Alien | Conspiracy | Implant | Police

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 3 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

Von Flores	...	Ronald Sandoval (110 episodes, 1997-2002)
Leni Parker	...	Da'an (88 episodes, 1997-2001)
Anita LaSelva	...	Zo'or (78 episodes, 1997-2002)
Richard Chevolleau	...	Marcus 'Augur' Deveraux (70 episodes, 1997-2001)
Robert Leeshock	...	Liam Kincaid (67 episodes, 1998-2002)
David Hemblen	...	Jonathan Doors (67 episodes, 1997-2000)
Jayne Heitmeyer	...	Renee Palmer (66 episodes, 1999-2002)
Lisa Howard	...	Lili Marquette (49 episodes, 1997-2000)

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Series Directed by
Brenton Spencer		(13 episodes, 1999-2002)
Andrew Potter		(11 episodes, 2000-2002)
Ross Clyde		(10 episodes, 1998-2000)
Will Dixon		(7 episodes, 2000-2002)
David Winning		(7 episodes, 2001-2002)
Milan Cheylov		(5 episodes, 1997-1999)
James Head		(5 episodes, 1998-1999)
David Warry-Smith		(4 episodes, 1997-1998)
Neill Fearnley		(4 episodes, 1998)
Michael Robison		(4 episodes, 2000-2001)
John Stead		(4 episodes, 2000)
Martin Wood		(4 episodes, 2001-2002)
Allan Kroeker		(3 episodes, 1998-1999)
Vincenzo Natali		(3 episodes, 1998-1999)
Terry Ingram		(3 episodes, 1999-2000)
William Gereghty		(3 episodes, 1999)
Allan Eastman		(2 episodes, 1997)
Ken Girotti		(2 episodes, 1997)
Jeff Woolnough		(2 episodes, 1997)
Tibor Takács		(2 episodes, 1998)
Rod Pridy		(2 episodes, 2000-2001)
Bruce Pittman		(2 episodes, 2001-2002)

Series Writing credits
Paul Gertz		(23 episodes, 1997-2002)
John Whelpley		(13 episodes, 2000-2002)
George Geiger		(11 episodes, 1999-2001)
Cory Tynan		(7 episodes, 1999-2000)
Howard Chaykin		(6 episodes, 1999-2000)
Malcolm MacRury		(5 episodes, 1997-1998)
Robin Bernheim		(5 episodes, 2000-2001)
Brad Falchuk		(5 episodes, 2001-2002)
Julie Beers		(3 episodes, 1998-1999)
Brian Nelson		(3 episodes, 1998)
Ethlie Ann Vare		(3 episodes, 1999-2000)
Lisa Klink		(3 episodes, 1999)
Gabrielle G. Stanton		(3 episodes, 1999)
Harry Werksman		(3 episodes, 1999)
Stephan Roloff		(3 episodes, 2000-2002)
Mark Amato		(3 episodes, 2001-2002)
David Ransil		(3 episodes, 2001-2002)
Raymond Hartung		(2 episodes, 1997-1998)
Richard C. Okie		(2 episodes, 1997)
Michael Berlin		(2 episodes, 1998)
J.M. DeMatteis		(2 episodes, 1998)
Jonas McCord		(2 episodes, 1998)
Richard Maxwell		(2 episodes, 1999)
Marcus Miller		(2 episodes, 2000)
Harold Apter		(2 episodes, 2001)
Gene Roddenberry		(1 episode, 1997)
Mike Goldberg		(unknown episodes)
Gene O'Neill		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Majel Barrett	....	executive producer (unknown episodes, 1997-2001)
John Calvert	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Carleton Eastlake	....	executive producer (unknown episodes)
Paul Gertz	....	co-executive producer / executive producer (unknown episodes)
David Kirschner	....	executive producer (unknown episodes)
Harry 'Doc' Kloor	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Jonas McCord	....	executive producer (unknown episodes)
Seaton McLean	....	executive producer (unknown episodes)
Richard C. Okie	....	executive producer (unknown episodes)
Stephen Roloff	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Sherri Saito	....	line producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Micky Erbe		(unknown episodes)
Maribeth Solomon		(unknown episodes)

Series Cinematography by
Michael McMurray		(unknown episodes, 1997-1998)
Tom Durnan		(unknown episodes)
David Moxness		(unknown episodes)
Yuri Yakubiw		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
Geoff Craigen		(unknown episodes)
Dave Goard		(unknown episodes)

Series Casting by
Jon Comerford		(unknown episodes)

Series Production Design by
Stephen Roloff		(unknown episodes)

Series Art Direction by
Rob Ballantyne		(unknown episodes)
William Cheng		(unknown episodes)

Series Costume Design by
Madeleine Stewart		(unknown episodes)

Series Makeup Department
Alessondra Bastianoni	....	assistant makeup artist (66 episodes, 1999-2002)
Graham Chivers	....	special makeup effects technician (6 episodes, 1997)
Allan Cooke	....	prosthetics supervisor / special makeup effects artist (unknown episodes, 1997-2002)
Matthew Galliford	....	special makeup effects artist: animatronics (unknown episodes)
Paul Jones	....	makeup effects supervisor (unknown episodes)
Frederick London	....	assistant hair stylist (unknown episodes)
David Scott	....	prosthetic sculptor (unknown episodes)
Adina Shore	....	assistant hair stylist (unknown episodes)
Amanda Terry	....	assistant makeup artist (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
John Kerns	....	post-production supervisor (22 episodes, 1997-1998)
Anne Marie Cormier	....	production manager (unknown episodes)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
James Rait	....	second unit director (52 episodes, 2000-2002)
John Stead	....	second unit director (44 episodes, 1998-2000)
Olly Jasen	....	second assistant director: second unit (2 episodes, 1999)
Mike Crain	....	first assistant director (unknown episodes)
Trevor Fischer	....	third assistant director (unknown episodes)
Rico Gerussi	....	first assistant director (unknown episodes)
Gabe Juszel	....	assistant director (unknown episodes)
Steve Lucescu	....	second unit director (unknown episodes)
David C. Malcolm	....	third assistant director (unknown episodes)
Ben Marrello	....	third assistant director (unknown episodes)
Eric J. Robertson	....	first assistant director: second unit (unknown episodes)
Graham Tallman	....	assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Matthew Lammerich	....	key scenic artist (110 episodes, 1997-2002)
Toni Wong	....	assistant property master (22 episodes, 2000-2001)
David Best	....	assistant art director (unknown episodes)
Carlos Caneca	....	assistant property master (unknown episodes)
William Cheng	....	assistant art director (unknown episodes)
David G. Fremlin	....	first assistant art director (unknown episodes)
Joanna Tracey Heaton	....	props daily (unknown episodes)
Dwight Hendrickson	....	property designer (unknown episodes)
Chris Pellegrini	....	property master (unknown episodes)
Geoffrey Smith	....	property master (unknown episodes)
Donald Vandewater	....	construction coordinator (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Dustin Harris	....	assistant sound (35 episodes, 2000-2002)
Tom Bjelic	....	sound editor (unknown episodes)
Erik Culp	....	foley mixer (unknown episodes)
Daniel Fontaine-Bégin	....	adr recordist (unknown episodes)
David K. Grant	....	sound: second unit (unknown episodes)
Ian Hendry	....	sound recordist (unknown episodes)
Martin Lee	....	sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes)
Panou	....	adr artist (unknown episodes)
David Rose	....	sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes)
Paul Shikata	....	sound effects editor (unknown episodes)
John Douglas Smith	....	supervising sound editor (unknown episodes)
Randy Wilson	....	adr mixer / foley recordist (unknown episodes)

Series Special Effects by
David Reaume	....	special effects technician / special effects assistant (8 episodes, 1999-2000)
Jim McGillivary	....	special effects coordinator (unknown episodes, 1997-2000)
Jon Davis	....	special effects boiler operator (unknown episodes)
Mike Kavanagh	....	special effects key (unknown episodes)
Tony Kenny	....	special effects key (unknown episodes)
David Loveday	....	property builder (unknown episodes)
Laird McMurray	....	special effects coordinator (unknown episodes)
Troy Rundle	....	key special effects (unknown episodes)

Series Visual Effects by
Noel Hooper	....	lead digital compositor (44 episodes, 1997-1999)
Thomas McDermott	....	playback graphics, morphs, compositing (44 episodes, 2000-2002)
Mary Holding	....	digital compositor (24 episodes, 2001-2002)
Mark Fordham	....	lead matte painter (22 episodes, 1997-1998)
Larry Adlon	....	digital effects artist (unknown episodes, 1997-2000)
Terry Bradley	....	3D animator: C.O.R.E. Digital Pictures (unknown episodes)
Ian Britton	....	digital compositor: Nerve F/X (unknown episodes)
Jeff Campbell	....	compositor (unknown episodes)
Mark Chong	....	visual effects animator (unknown episodes)
Graham Cunningham	....	animator / digital artist: Calibre Digital Pictures (unknown episodes)
Peter Denomme	....	visual effects producer: Calibre Digital Pictures (unknown episodes)
Alex Gatsis	....	visual effects animator (unknown episodes)
Jonathan Gibson	....	visual effects supervisor: Toybox: opening titles supervision & animation sequence supervision (unknown episodes)
Darryl Gold	....	visual effects animator (unknown episodes)
Ariel Joson	....	visual effects animator (unknown episodes)
Derek Lang	....	visual effects animator / visual effects supervisor (unknown episodes)
Ricky Lim	....	visual effects animator (unknown episodes)
Brian Lui	....	digital compositor / motion graphics: computer displays (unknown episodes)
Andrew Nuygen	....	visual effects animator (unknown episodes)
Anthony Paterson	....	visual effects supervisor (unknown episodes)
Mike Pieczonka	....	senior animator (unknown episodes)
Rainy Venne	....	Flame artist (unknown episodes)
Dean Warren	....	CG animator (unknown episodes)
Neil Williamson	....	visual effects designer (unknown episodes)
Steve Wittmann	....	3D animator: Calibre Digital Pictures (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
John Stead	....	stunt coordinator / stunt performer (44 episodes, 1998-2000)
John Stoneham Jr.	....	utility stunts (3 episodes, 1998-2002)
Louis Paquette	....	stunt actor (1 episode, 2001)
John MacDonald	....	stunts (1 episode, 2002)
Nick Alachiotis	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Roy T. Anderson	....	utility stunts (unknown episodes)
Brittney Banks	....	stunt performer (unknown episodes)
Matt Birman	....	stunt performer (unknown episodes)
Eric Bryson	....	utility stunts (unknown episodes)
Derek Bujalski	....	stunt performer (unknown episodes)
Randy Butcher	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Tommy Chang	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Hakan Coskuner	....	utility stunts (unknown episodes)
Maxine Dumont	....	stunt double (unknown episodes)
C.J. Fidler	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Gerry Fiorini	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Henry Korhonen	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Steve Lucescu	....	stunt coordinator / utility stunts (unknown episodes)
Darren Marsman	....	utility stunts: rigging and safety (unknown episodes)
Christopher McGuire	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Duncan McLeod	....	stunt double (unknown episodes)
Layton Morrison	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Edward A. Queffelec	....	utility stunts (unknown episodes)
Cheryl Quiacos	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Robert Racki	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Kevin Rushton	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Todd Schroeder	....	stunt double (unknown episodes)
David Stinson	....	stunt double / stunts (unknown episodes)
Dave Van Zeyl	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Ron Webber	....	stunts (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Cudah Andarawewa	....	camera operator: "b" camera / first assistant camera / ... (110 episodes, 1997-2002)
Andrew Potter	....	camera operator (69 episodes, 1997-2001)
François Balcaen	....	key grip (44 episodes, 2000-2002)
Kevin Barnes	....	best boy electric (18 episodes, 2001-2002)
Gary Deneault	....	gaffer (6 episodes, 1998)
Tim Sauder	....	key grip (unknown episodes, 1997-1998)
Rocky Brown	....	crane grip (unknown episodes)
Paul Collins	....	camera trainee (unknown episodes)
Duane Gullison	....	gaffer / gaffer: second unit (unknown episodes)
Dianne L. Haggarty	....	key grip: second unit (unknown episodes)
Chris Howell	....	second assistant camera (unknown episodes)
John Medland	....	still photographer (unknown episodes)
Roman M. Neubacher	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera (unknown episodes)
Brooke Palmer	....	still photographer (unknown episodes)
Sara Pickett	....	second assistant camera (unknown episodes)
Brian Rowe	....	video assistant (unknown episodes)
James Tamblyn	....	video playback operator (unknown episodes)
Richard Wilmot	....	camera operator: "b" camera / steadicam operator (unknown episodes)

Series Animation Department
Lon Molnar	....	animator (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Sara Cuthbert	....	extras casting (unknown episodes)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Carol Wong	....	costume buyer (49 episodes, 1997-1999)
Patricia Cowmeadow	....	costume supervisor (unknown episodes)
Ahmad Zargaran	....	tailor (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Kevin Slater	....	post-production coordinator (66 episodes, 1999-2002)
Ed Ham	....	on-line editor (unknown episodes)
Chris Mayo	....	video conform editor (unknown episodes)
Amanda Powell	....	post-production coordinator (unknown episodes)

Series Music Department
Brian Nevin	....	music mixer / music recordist (5 episodes, 1998-2002)
Ron Korb	....	musician: various flutes (unknown episodes)

Series Transportation Department
Nick Sweetman	....	transportation coordinator (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Lisa Klink	....	executive story editor (22 episodes, 1998-1999)
Jeff Smith	....	production assistant (22 episodes, 1999-2000)
James Jackman	....	production coordinator (12 episodes, 2001-2002)
Michael Leder	....	production assistant (4 episodes, 1998)
Steve Kolodziej	....	computer playback coordinator / computer playback operator (unknown episodes, 1997-2000)
Elayne Alexander	....	truck supervisor (unknown episodes)
Vint Cerf	....	science advisor (unknown episodes)
Paul Gertz	....	executive story consultant (unknown episodes)
Sabine Graham	....	production coordinator (unknown episodes)
Pamela Hackwell	....	contact lens technician (unknown episodes)
Raymond Hartung	....	executive story consultant (unknown episodes)
Sean Jara	....	production coordinator (unknown episodes)
Rami Kviatkovsky	....	production office manager (unknown episodes)
Ronald A. Levinson	....	for Tribune (unknown episodes)
Malcolm MacRury	....	executive story consultant (unknown episodes)
Marie A. Nazar	....	publicist (unknown episodes)
Jonathan Pencharz	....	assistant production coordinator (unknown episodes)
Cody Robertson	....	production assistant / production secretary (unknown episodes)
Rod Roddenberry	....	for Kirschner/Roddenberry Productions (unknown episodes)
Stefan Steen	....	production coordinator (unknown episodes)
Alan Sutton	....	fire protection & safety (unknown episodes)
Gordon Yang	....	location manager (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Alliance Atlantis Communications
• Atlantis Films Limited (1997-1998)
• Baton Broadcasting Incorporated (BBS) (1997-1998)
• Canadian Television (CTV) (1998-1999)
• Chum Television (1999-2002)
• Polygram Filmed Entertainment
• Roddenberry/Kirschner Productions
• Tele-München (TMG)
• Tribune Entertainment

Distributors

• Baton Broadcasting Incorporated (BBS) (1997-1998)
• Canadian Television (CTV) (1998-1999)
• Chum Television (1999-2002)

Special Effects

• C.O.R.E. Digital Pictures
• Calibre Digital Pictures
• Laird McMurray Film Service
• LairdFX
• Nerve Effects Inc.
• Paul Jones Effects Studio

Other Companies

• 1st Unit Fire & Safety Inc.  fire protection
• 1st Unit Fire & Safety Inc.  safety
• Casablanca Sound and Picture  post-production services
• Clare Walker Casting  casting
• Darlene Kaplan Casting  additional casting
• Hand Prop  props supplied by
• Toronto Film Studios  movie studio

Also Known As:

EFC (USA) (promotional abbreviation)
Gene Roddenberry's Battleground Earth (USA) (working title)
Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict (USA) (complete title)
Invasion planète Terre (Canada: French title)
Mission Erde: Sie sind unter uns (Germany)

Runtime:

Canada:60 min (110 episodes) | UK:41 min | USA:60 min

Country:

USA | Canada | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:PG | USA:TV-PG

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Alliance Atlantis Communications

Trivia:

Paul Gertz, one of the head writers on the show has said that the extent of Gene Roddenberry's involvement in the creation of the show was a premise written on a napkin in a lockbox full of obscure notes written on things like receipts, scraps of paper. Out of that small note, they created they show.

Quotes:

Agent Ronald Sandoval: Some things are best left unsaid, or unseen.
Major Liam Kincaid: Thanks for the advice, but this is one memory I'd like to keep.
Agent Ronald Sandoval: The problem with memories, Major, is that once you have them in your mind, it's very difficult to get rid of them.

Great Sci-Fi TV

There is no doubt Gene Roddenberry is a genius. Earth Final Conflict deserves to be measured in the same greatness as Star Trek. Equally superb vision and equally enjoyable.

What set EFC apart was it's amazing realism. The producers went to great lengths to fuse Taelon technology into earth's daily lives. The atmosphere alone is awesome. The characters are very human, even the Taelons. Despite their tranquil and sedated movements, they have their good and evil sides just like the rest of us. It is amazing how Gene Roddenberry was able to conceive that in a believable alien context. In the show, the Resistance is fighting as much against the Taelons as against humans. Every episode was filled with suspense. EFC is the prove that good story can win without huge SFX budgets. Mr. Roddenberry, YOU'RE THE BEST!

The consistent cast changes did hurt the show. But every thing was still in order: the Taelons with their hidden agendas, the humans still mixed with conflicting thoughts about their alien visitors. It's sad to see characters come and go, but the spirits were not lost. It is a little sad to see such a good show on a slow downward spiral. The realism is slowly taken over with special effects. Open land is replaced with Taelon-styled interiors, our heros' pistols are replaced with energy weapons, etc. But all were still in order......until the Atavus arrived.

That spelt the end of EFC (much like the marriage killed the Lois & Clark show). It took away a large part of what made the show interesting. The Taelons are gone, the humans no longer seem human, and the plot gets slower and slower by the episode. All the original characters are gone except Palmer. And the intelligence that was seen in earlier seasons are gone. I'm not going to get into details of why people didn't like season 5. It held together only long enough to give EFC a decent ending. I guess Mr. Roddenberry's notes were all used up by season 4. I bet this show would have excelled if he himself were here to steer it as it goes.

Despite its evident failure in season 5, EFC remained one of my favourites. It's a look into humans, and what we would have done if aliens do come. ("aliens" here refering to higher intelligence, not every other race of destructive monsters seen in other shows and movies)