Overcoming obstacles to guarantee the future is worth living for, while also not passively accepting defeat in the present, is an inspirational narrative that society needs to see in the media in modern society. But that message is even more gratifying as it’s being presented in the latest installment of the celebrated sci-fi adventure series, ‘Space Command.’

The franchise is honoring its long-standing philosophy of preserving the future’s integrity through empathy and compassion in its latest film entry, ‘Space Command: The Great Solar War.’ The project’s creator, Marc Zicree, is also continuing his commitment to interweaving inclusivity into the series by featuring performers of all genders, races and acting background in the new movie’s ensemble cast.

Film Factual was generously offered the opportunity to participate in a set visit at Space Command Studios in Los Angeles in August to view the filming of ‘The Great Solar War.’ During the second day of the two-day set visit, several of the actors generously took the time to sit down for exclusive interviews while the crew rearranged the set design of the space ships for the next scene.

During the set visit, Marc and his wife and creative partner, Elaine Zicree, who also wrote, produced and directed the movie, were in full supervision of the project’s production. But as the actors all mentioned during their interviews, the Zicrees also encouraged their cast and crew to offer suggestions about the production’s shoot.

The ‘Space Command’ franchise takes audiences on an unforgettable journey across the cosmos. It follows the epic journey of Captain Jack Kemmer (Ethan McDowell), who sets in motion a revolution that changes galactic history.

‘The Great Solar War’ follows the series’ first two film entries, ‘Forgiveness’ and ‘Redemption.’ The lattter installment debuted on Tubi, such VOD platforms as Amazon Prime Video and Google Play, and physical media this past spring. The movie was released via Space Command Studios, the Zicrees’ independent production company, which was launched via a highly successful Kickstarter campaign.

Among the actors who generously participated in interviews during the set visit’s second day were Aungelique Scott, who plays Lt. Delany Chilton; McDowell; and Victor Manso, who portrays Cpt. Jorge Borges. The trio discussed their time starring in the franchise during their interviews.

Scott, who was the first performer to sit down for an interview for the day, initially shared her experience of being cast in the series. “I was actually working with Marc and Elaine on the production side of things. I was a line producer and executive coordinator for both ‘Redemption’ and ‘Forgiveness,’” she noted.

“I was also a member of their table group, which allows various creatives to come together and support each another. One day during one of the group’s meetings, I had the opportunity to talk to Marc and Elaine, and they asked me to send over my acting reel, and I did. Then Marc wrote a role for me, of Lt. Delany Chilton, who would be in ‘The Great Solar War,’” the actress continued.

“This was back in 2017, and I’m still a part of the franchise now in 2024. I’m so thankful to be filming this character in ‘The Great Solar War.’ Working with the entire cast and crew has been so amazing,” Scott added.

McDowell, who took the time to sit down for his interview after Scott, also shared his casting process in the franchise. “The creators of the show, Marc and Elaine Zicree, had a worldwide talent search. So it was kind of a luck of the draw as an actor. I submitted an audition tape, crossed my fingers and tried to forget about it, but couldn’t because of the opportunity. They then shook my hand and said, ‘You’re the guy for the job of Cpt. Jack Kemmer.’”

The actor added that he liked the character because “He’s a hero. He’s someone who’s trying to make the world a better place. But he also has his own things to work through, like we all do. So he’s very human and grounded, while also being heroic.”

The last interview of the day was with Manso, who initially revealed how he became attached to play Cpt. Jorge Borges in the series. “When I first began this, it was the prospect of getting to do a sci-fi project that appealed to me. At the time, I hadn’t done anything in this genre, and I loved the idea of this intergalactic community and space fleet. It’s kind of reminiscent of ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Star Trek,’ and that was something that really drew me to be a part of this project and team,” he revealed.

Further speaking about the Zicrees later in her interview, Scott praised the filmmakers for their enthusiasm for the series on the project’s set. “My experience working with Marc and Elaine has been phenomenal. They have a passion as writers, producers and directors, particularly in making sure that when everyone else comes to set, they feel welcomed. It’s really a family environment here that they have created,” she divulged.

“They’re really big on positivity and working with people here to get the job done. So my experience working with them has really been great,” the actress added.

McDowell agreed with Scott about how much he enjoys collaborating with the Zicrees on the franchise. “I think working with them is amazing. Since they’re a duo, they have different visions of what the series should be, but they also fall into one line. So it automatically feels welcoming on set and like we’re a family,” he revealed.

The actor also described the experience of shooting the series as “interesting. We’re on our third film…and since we’ve been at it for so long, it really feels like we’re a tight-knit group of people who are almost like family, and we’re guided by these two space filmmakers.”

McDowell further praised the Zicrees by saying “It’s great to work with them because they have the universe all in their brains. So if you have a question for them, they can easily say, ‘This is this and that is that.’ So it’s a fun dynamic to be a part of,” he added.

Working for the filmmakers has also “been a great experience” for Manso, he revealed. “They are very supportive and welcoming. They’re very open to working with us and hearing our ideas when we’re on set. There’s definitely something to be said about their eagerness to get things done and working with us,” he shared.

“Creating that community, which has formed after all these years working together, has been a lot of fun. Every time that we get a new call time on set, I’m happy because that means I’ll be with the ‘Space Command’ family again. It’s always a joy and puts a smile on my face whenever I get to be on set and get to see familiar faces that I’ve known for years,” the actor added.

Besides working with Marc and Elaine, Scott has also embraced his experience working with her co-stars on the project. “Yesterday was the first day on set, and we had a wonderful time. We had a great rehearsal together while we were here on the set, which was awesome. We laughed and joked around, and it was great!,” she recalled with a laugh. “I see my co-star, Bryan (McClure) next to us smiling. We all get along wonderfully!”

McDowell also shared his enthusiasm for working with the rest of the cast on the series’ latest entry. “Working with the cast definitely feels like a family dynamic. I’ve known these actors for so long that I know how they all work, as well as their personalities and lives.

“So all of that informs the characters…who I feel grow together. Mistakes they make will come back to haunt them in later episodes. Then every character is affected by that, in a way,” the actor revealed.

“When new characters are introduced, I hope that they come to realize that everyone gets along behind the scenes. Then in the scenes, we’re all here to tell the best stories we can,” McDowell added.

Manso further shared his praise for his co-stars on the franchise. “It’s great because it’s almost as if our personalities as actors overlap with our characters’ personalities. That has helped all of us actors work together to create the defining characteristics of our characters,” he revealed.

“Getting to work with Ethan, for example, has been amazing. He was the first person I got to work with in the beginning. It was such a great experience because he’s such an amazing, generous performer and person,” the actor divulged.

“So every time I get the opportunity to be with him and work with him on set, I really cherish our time together. We get to talk about the little things, and potentially get to add little things, even if it’s subtle things that add to the growth of our characters getting closer to each other,” Manso continued.

“The character of Bradbury and my character became like this odd couple of sorts. A lot of the time, the quirkiness we have on set happens because of those two characters, which results from Bryan and I being on set together,” the actor admitted with a hint of a laugh. “You can’t leave us alone for too long! Otherwise, we’ll get ourselves into shenanigans.”

Scott also shared her excitement about being able to finally shoot scenes in person at the Space Command Studios. “The experience has been absolutely surreal. Since I have also been on the production side of things, hearing about what the sets were going to look like during the meetings for years created an anticipation. Now that we’re physically here on the set and working with everyone, it’s really surreal. But it’s also really a blessing.”

McDowell also expressed his appreciation of being able to film at the Space Command Studios. “For me, I feel like a kid again. Like right now, we’re sitting on a spaceship. I grew up loving movies, particularly in the sci-fi genre. Now I also get to act tough and be the captain, but on the inside, I’m loving every moment of it!”

The experience of shooting the project at the Space Command Studios lot was also one that Manso cherished throughout the production. “It’s always fascinating because sometimes I’ll have long gaps between filming. We’ll shoot a scene and then come ack sometime later and see the next wonderful thing that they’ve done, which is completely different,” he shared.

“That’s the beauty of seeing how much can be done in a small space, and that’s always an inspiration and very exciting. You arrive on set and never know what you’re going to find,” the actor continued.

“Like this time around, one of the spaceships that we have here on set looks amazing. I know it’s something that Marc has been putting together with pieces he has been accumulating throughout the years. You can tell his dedication pays off when you get to see what he’s built. That’s amazing as a performer because you’re standing aboard the ship,” Manso noted.

Another aspect of the sci-fi genre that Scott revealed she cherishes is the stunt work that she’s able to create for each project. “I haven’t gotten to the stunt work yet for this film; I’m actually going to be doing that a little bit later today. But my beloved has been helping me stretch for those scenes!,” she shared with a laugh as she gestured to her boyfriend, who was sitting next to her during the interview and on set with her during the shoot.

“So that has been really fun and great. I enjoy doing stunts and being creative as I bring this character to life in the fullest capacity,” the actress concluded.

McDowell also shared his enthusiasm for creating the physicality for the series’ latest movie. “Since the characters are kind of military, we kind of have to keep everything in tight quarters and uniformed. So our stunt coordinator, Steve Huff, is a weapons specialist, so he knows exactly what he’s doing. So if we have any questions about how a situation would work, like how we would clear a room, there are different militaristic tactics he teaches us,” he concluded.

While discussing the topic of creating the physicality for ‘The Great Solar War,’ Manso divulged that he feels “It’s been very fun. One of the first few things I got to try through ‘Space Command’ was fight choreography. Through that experience, I was able to meet one of my closest friends, our stunt coordinator, Steve Huff. He has done all the fight choreography for ‘Space Command,’ and is now working full-time here,” he shared.

“So anytime I have the opportunity to do something physical, I love it…It’s always a good exploration of how we can figure out the best way to explore how we can enhance the story through movement,” Manso added, which added an extra sense of appreciation over the production as the second – and last – day of the ‘The Great Solar War’ set visit came to a close.