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References in Caprica

From Battlestar Wiki, the free, open content Battlestar Galactica encyclopedia and episode guide
Part of the series on

References in

References to


This article details the various references, allusions, and homages made in Caprica.

Pilot

Mythology and Religion

  • The central conflict between the polytheistic society of the Twelve Colonies and the monotheistic beliefs of the Soldiers of the One is a major theme. Director Jeffrey Reiner notes that an actor's conviction in delivering lines about this religious struggle was crucial to making the scenes work.[1]
  • The original concept for the V-Club was much darker, centering on a "stylized and heavily ritualized human sacrifice" to underscore the societal decay and the allure of the monotheist cult.[2]

Pop Culture

  • The flash-frame editing style used in the V-Club sequences was directly inspired by the subliminal demonic faces in the film The Exorcist.[3]
  • The visual aesthetic for the show's vehicles and overall design drew inspiration from the film Gattaca.[4]
  • A shot of a character looking through large glasses was a direct homage to the character Dr. Eldon Tyrell from Blade Runner. David Eick notes that Blade Runner is a frequent reference point for him.[5]
  • Director Jeffrey Reiner mentions that a specific camera shot is an homage to the film Taxi Driver.[6]
  • The in-camera "Hollywood switch" technique used to show Zoe Graystone and her avatar on screen together is described as an old-fashioned method dating back to the era of Charlie Chaplin.[7]
  • Jeffrey Reiner compares the idealism of the young characters to the works of writer Jack Kerouac.[8]
  • In Ben Stark's room, a poster of the X-Men character Storm can be seen on his wall.[9]
  • The line "By your command," spoken by the Cylon prototype, is a direct callback to the Cylons in the Original Series.[10]

Science and Technology

  • The character of Daniel Graystone was intentionally modeled after real-world tech industry titans like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates.[11]
  • The concept of the paper-thin computers originated from a conversation Ronald D. Moore had nearly 20 years prior with his college friend Naren Shankar (also a writer, producer, and show-runner, more recently known for his work on The Expanse), who has a PhD in physics.[12]
  • The idea that a perfect avatar could be created from a person's "digital footprint" is a core concept. The show posits that aggregating enough data—from medical records and synaptic scans to shopping habits—could perfectly replicate an individual.[13]

People and Production

  • The production team for Caprica included many crew members from Battlestar Galactica, including the art department, prop department, and costume designer Glenne Campbell.[14]
  • Director Jeffrey Reiner frequently used three cameras at once while filming, a technique he honed on the TV series Friday Night Lights. This allowed for faster shooting days, which the producers joked was convenient during the NBA playoffs.[15]

References

  1. Podcast for Caprica pilot, timestamp 00:35:48
  2. Podcast for Caprica pilot, timestamp 00:02:35
  3. Podcast for Caprica pilot, timestamp 00:04:17
  4. Podcast for Caprica pilot, timestamp 00:09:51
  5. Podcast for Caprica pilot, timestamp 01:02:52
  6. Podcast for Caprica pilot, timestamp 00:18:55
  7. Podcast for Caprica pilot, timestamp 00:07:57
  8. Podcast for Caprica pilot, timestamp 00:41:04
  9. Podcast for Caprica pilot, timestamp 01:19:07
  10. Podcast for Caprica pilot, timestamp 01:22:02
  11. Podcast for Caprica pilot, timestamp 00:20:36
  12. Podcast for Caprica pilot, timestamp 00:21:25
  13. Podcast for Caprica pilot, timestamp 00:43:39
  14. Podcast for Caprica pilot, timestamp 01:13:09
  15. Podcast for Caprica pilot, timestamp 00:53:02