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Battlestar Galactica
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Kenneth A. Larson, AKA Ken Larson, was involved with Battlestar Galactica and Galactica 1980 as model maker starting with about the sixth episode. This is when Universal Hartland took over from MCA-57. Ken Larson was already working on Buck Rogers when Universal Hartland was established. Kenneth A. Larson is now a Set Designer who often designs CGI sets and well as Visual Effects models. Most of the first half of Kenneth Larson's three decades in the entertainment industry was spent designing and building models for Visual Effects. He worked on Battlestar Galactica concurrently with Buck Rogers in the 25th Century and Airport '79. In the Fall of 1979, work began on Galactica 1980 and Ken Larson worked concurrently on Buck Rogers and Galactica 1980. |
The ILM. MCA-57, Universal Hartland, Apogee Connection
| While not generally know to the fans of Battlestar Galactica, most of the Visual Effects for Battlestar Galactica and all of the Visual Effects for Galactica 1980 were done by Universal Hartland. Only the first few episodes and most of the primary models were by MCA-57 which consisted primarily of the ILM crew and equipment assembled for Star Wars. Universal Hartland then inherited the series and completed all of the Visual Effects for the majority of it's run. |
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MCA-57 Completed in entirety...
Saga of a Star World |
MCA-57 began and Universal Hartland completed...
The Long Patrol |
Universal Hartland did in entirety...
The Magnificent Warriors |
| Apogee did not work on Battlestar Galactica. Apogee was formed by those talented ILM people who started Battlestar Galactica and chose not to stay with ILM or with Battlestar Galactica once Battlestar Galactica moved to Universal Hartland. Apogee began as a company, with John Dykstra at the head, a few days after Battlestar Galactica moved to Universal Hartland. John Dykstra was not involved with Battlestar Galactica after the first week or so after the move. Originally, Universal planned for John Dykstra to head Universal Hartland, but he chose to start Apogee instead. |
The Move
| The Buck Rogers crew moved into Universal Hartland and started setting up. A few days later, the Battlestar Galactica models, equipment, and crew started moving in. As for the model shop, David Scott was completing the Bootlegger Shuttle. The Model-T Viper has lost during the move, so if I recall correctly, David Beasley built a new one. Both of these models were for the episode The Long Patrol. The models for The Gun on Ice Planet Zero were already complete and moved directly to the five Universal Hartland stages. All the main models, Galactica, Cylon Base Ship, Rag Tag Fleet were already complete and we built storage cases for them. I didn't get to know most of the model makers well before they left for Apogee. I do remember someone taking up a collection to get a ping-pong table for break time. Years later, I learned that Apogee got a lot of use out of that table. Within only a few days or maybe a week, most of the original Battlestar Galactica crew, including John Dykstra, had left to form Apogee. |
Post move
| We concurrently worked on Batlestar Galactica, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Airport '79, Cheach and Chong's Next Movie, and several other productions. |
The History of Universal Hartland and Behind the scenes.
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| At this point, some fans may remember more than I about episode names and such. Please feel free to send me an e-mail to correct any such errors. | E-mail Galactica Questions |
| Items for sale. I am often asked if I can sell props, models, or artwork. For the record, all I have are these photos. This is a not-for-profit web site and it's only purpose is to sell my design talents. However, I will accept donations if you like what you see. I do this as a service to our fans. Send an e-mail to the above link. |
| Note: Kenneth A. Larson is in no known way related to Producer Glen A. Larson. Ken Larson is a self made model maker (you can make anything with Bondo). |
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Kenneth Larson was recently interview and supplied photos for an article on the Battlestar Galactica 25th anniversary in the August/September issue of CFQ (Cinefantastique).
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Battlestar Galactica
 Agroship, Visual Effects model, Battlestar Galactica, First season, The Magnificent Warriors, 1979. This is the first episode that I worked on. |
War of the Gods Light Ship, Visual Effects model, Battlestar Galactica, First season, 1979. |
 Eastern Alliance Battle Cruiser, Visual Effects model, Battlestar Galactica, First season, 1979. |
 Pumpkin Shuttle, Visual Effects model, Battlestar Galactica, First season, Greetings from Earth. 1979. |
Galactica 1980
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The decision was made to begin work immediately on a new season of Galactica. This season was so different from the first, they even changed the name from Battlestar Galactica to Galactica 1980. The air time was pushed an hour earlier, into the "Family Hour." The FCC wanted the show to contain educational elements. The Battlestar Galactica and the Rag Tag Fleet finally arrived at Earth, only an earth far behind the Galactica technologically. They found 1980 Los Angeles. Unfortunately for Earth, the Cylons were right behind and blow a hole in the Cinerama Dome among other Hollywood landmarks. The Galactica people, now a generation older, were befriended by a young teacher which allowed educational points to be introduced in a somewhat justifiable manor. |
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Full size flying motorcycle for Galactica 1980, Second season, 1980. |
 Starbuck's Jalopy, last episode. Starbuck made this from a crashed Cylon fighter and his crashed Viper fighter. |
 Hand props for Galactica 1980, Second season, 1980. |
 Children size version of hand props for Galactica 1980, Second season, 1980. |
 DR. Z ship. |
 Bottom view of the DR. Z ship. |
 Battlestart Galactica 25th anniversary screening at Egyptian Theater. Photo includes former cast and crew. Ken Larson at right. 8-23-03. |
| Several of us participated in the 25th Anniversary GalactiCon in October of 2003. |
 Vance Frederick (VFX Model Maker), Pat McClung (VFX Model Maker), Kenneth Larson ( VFX Model Maker), Richard Bennett (Camera operator and machinist), Peter Berkos (Sound Engineer), Lee Stringer (CGI from new Galactica). |
 Lee Stringer, Pat McClung, Kenneth Larson, Vance Frederick, Richard Bennett . |
