"The X Files" The Goldberg Variation (1999)

Director:

Thomas J. Wright

Writers:

Chris Carter (creator)
Jeffrey Bell (written by)

TV Series:

"The X Files" (1993)

Original Air Date:

12 December 1999 (Season 7, Episode 6)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Plot:

A man is tossed off the top of a 29 story building by gangsters. Amazingly, he gets up and walks away unscathed...

Plot Keywords:

Cause And Effect | Rube Goldberg | Fall From Height | FBI | FBI Agent

Cast

David Duchovny	...	Fox Mulder
Gillian Anderson	...	Dana Scully
Willie Garson	...	Henry Weems
Alyson Reed	...	Maggie Lupone
Ramy Zada	...	Joe Cutrona
Tony Longo	...	Dominic
Shia LaBeouf	...	Richie Lupone (as Shia La Beouf)
Nicholas Worth	...	Mr. Haas
Dom Magwili	...	Mr. Ng
Marshall Manesh	...	Mr. Jank
Ernie Lee Banks	...	Maurice Albert
Chris Fogleman	...	Billy (as Chip Fogleman)

Directed by
Thomas J. Wright

Writing credits
Chris Carter		(creator)
Jeffrey Bell		(written by)

Produced by
David Amann	....	co-producer
Chris Carter	....	executive producer
Bernadette Caulfield	....	producer
Vince Gilligan	....	co-executive producer
Kim Manners	....	supervising producer
Paul Rabwin	....	producer
Daniel Sackheim	....	consulting producer
John Shiban	....	supervising producer
Frank Spotnitz	....	executive producer
Michael W. Watkins	....	co-executive producer (as Michael Watkins)

Original Music by
Mark Snow

Cinematography by
Bill Roe		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Lynne Willingham

Casting by
Rick Millikan

Art Direction by
Phil Dagort
Sandy Getzler

Set Decoration by
Timothy Stepeck		(as Tim Stepeck)

Makeup Department
Laverne Basham	....	hair stylist: Mr. Duchovny and Ms. Anderson
Laverne Basham	....	makeup artist: Mr. Duchovny and Ms. Anderson
Dena Green	....	hair department head
Cheri Montesanto-Medcalf	....	makeup department head
Gary Yee	....	moldshop supervisor

Production Management
Harry V. Bring	....	unit production manager
Gina Lamar	....	post-production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Julie Herrin	....	second assistant director
Robert D. Nellans	....	first assistant director: second unit (as Robert Dillon Nellans)
Rick Tunell	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Dawn Ascher-Trevino	....	art department coordinator (as Dawn Ascher)
Tom Day	....	property master
John French	....	paint foreman
Lisa Goldsmith	....	buyer
Erik Grasteit	....	set master
Duke Tomasick	....	construction coordinator
David Napoli	....	leadman (uncredited)

Sound Department
Harry Andronis	....	sound re-recording mixer
Steve Cantamessa	....	sound mixer
Thierry J. Couturier	....	supervising sound editor
Ray O'Reilly	....	sound re-recording mixer
David John West	....	sound designer

Special Effects by
Kelly Kerby	....	special effects
David Peterson	....	special effects coordinator
Scott D. Mattson	....	special effects office coordinator (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Deena Burkett	....	visual effects supervisor
Monique Klauer	....	visual effects coordinator
Bill Millar	....	visual effects producer
Jason Bond	....	lead color compositor: Cerulean Fx (uncredited)

Stunts
Danny Weselis	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Brian Cwiakala	....	lighting technician: second unit
Tom Doherty	....	key grip
Kenneth Estes	....	computer and video playback operator
James Etheridge	....	camera operator (as Jim Etheridge)
James Jermyn	....	film loader
Jono Kouzouyan	....	gaffer
Robert LaBonge	....	director of photography: second unit
Richard J. Lee Jr.	....	assistant chief lighting technician: second unit
David Luckenbach	....	Steadicam operator (as Dave Lückenbach)
Rob Lueker	....	electrician

Casting Department
Kimberly Nordlinger	....	casting associate: Los Angeles

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Nancy Collini	....	costumer: Mr. Duchovny and Ms. Anderson
Tony Velasco	....	costume supervisor

Editorial Department
Jeff Cahn	....	assistant editor
Marilyn Moore	....	assistant editor (as Marilyn R. Moore)
Anthony R. Smith	....	colorist: DaVinci

Music Department
Jeff Charbonneau	....	music editor
Larold Rebhun	....	score mixer

Transportation Department
Howard Bachrach	....	transportation captain
Steve Duncan	....	transportation coordinator
Chris Ferrence	....	dispatcher
Tim Sisson	....	transportation co-captain

Other crew
Mary Astadourian	....	vice president: Ten Thirteen
Amir Attaie	....	assistant to producers
Carol Banker	....	script supervisor
Kimberley Barnhart	....	production assistant
Jeffrey Bell	....	story editor
Katrina Cabrera	....	researcher
James Castle	....	title designer
Michele Clark	....	assistant to producers (as Michele-Nicole Clark)
Nanci Etchells	....	production accountant
Alison Gallant	....	assistant to producers
Elizabeth Harrison	....	assistant to producers
Paul Harrison	....	key assistant location manager
Ilt Jones	....	location manager
Michelle Latham	....	assistant location manager
Daniel Mosley	....	assistant to producer
Barbara Nance	....	script coordinator
Leslie Perlow	....	production coordinator (as Leslie Perlow Burakoff)
Annette Encinas	....	payroll accountant (uncredited)

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Chris Carter		creator

Original Music by
Ken Tamplin

Film Editing by
Christopher Cooke

Set Decoration by
Hamish Purdy

Costume Design by
Jenni Gullett		(1995-1998)

Makeup Department
Mark Alfrey	....	special makeup effects artist
Jane Aull	....	makeup artist
Ken Culver	....	foam technician
Fionagh Cush	....	makeup artist
Gabriel De Cunto	....	special makeup effects artist
Mike Fields	....	assistant special makeup effects artist
Kevin Haney	....	makeup artist
Camille Henderson	....	makeup artist
Glenn Hetrick	....	special makeup effects artist
Matthew Jorgensen	....	sculptor/painter: Tech Optic Nerve
Steve LaPorte	....	makeup artist
Norma Lee	....	hair stylist
Shauna Magrath	....	assistant makeup artist
Shauna Magrath	....	special makeup effects artist
Rodd Matsui	....	special makeup effects artist
Robert Maverick	....	special makeup effects artist
Ryan Nicholson	....	special makeup effects artist
Thomas Opitz	....	additional hair stylist
Leanne Rae Podavin	....	special makeup effects artist: multiple episodes seasons 4 & 5
Craig Reardon	....	makeup artist
Mark Shostrom	....	makeup artist
Perri Sorel	....	makeup artist
Rick Stratton	....	makeup artist
Bill Terezakis	....	flukeman designer
Julie Travis-Socash	....	makeup artist (as Julie Socash)
Jeanne Van Phue	....	makeup artist
Patricia Vecchio	....	assistant hair stylist
Patricia Vecchio	....	hair stylist
John Wheaton	....	makeup artist
Kim M. Ferry	....	hair stylist (uncredited)
Frederick London	....	assistant hair stylist (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Velvet Andrews-Smith	....	dga trainee (1999)
Tom Braidwood	....	first assistant director (episode "Gethsemany") (episode "Post-Mortem Prometheus, The")
Lynn K. D'Angona	....	first assistant director (final season)
Suzan Derkson	....	third assistant director
Pierre Henry	....	first assistant director: second unit
Alexis Hinde	....	trainee assistant director: second unit (1996-1998)
Jeffrey Hunt	....	dga trainee
Bill Millar	....	second unit director
Kevin Parks	....	first assistant director: second unit (season 5)
Canyon Prince	....	first assistant director: splinter unit (as Ryan Prince)
Brent Stanton	....	second second assistant director (day player)
Patrick Stark	....	trainee assistant director (season 5)
Dan Tohill	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Vaughan V. Baker	....	signwriter
David L. Bell	....	set dresser
Oana Bogdan	....	set designer
Chris Brewster	....	set dresser
Lisa A. Corbin	....	on-set dresser (seasons 6-9)
Marsha Daniels	....	set decoration office coordinator (season 9)
Michael Diner	....	assistant art director
Lori Gillis	....	set dresser
Alex Hill	....	storyboard artist
Sally Hudson	....	graphic artist (as Sally Hudson-Lawrence)
G. Andrew Hussey	....	set dresser
Kathleen Kasinger	....	assistant property master
Drew Kinney	....	set designer
Michael Kocurek	....	carpenter
Geoffrey Mandel	....	graphic artist
Karl J. Martin	....	set designer
Marta McLaughlin	....	assistant property master
Martin L. Mercer	....	concept artist
John Naehrlich	....	lead man
James Philpott	....	assistant art director
Kimberley Regent	....	property buyer: 1993
Mark Sakamoto	....	set dresser
Norm Spence	....	scenic artist
Tammy Troglin	....	art department assistant (season 9)
Neil Turkington	....	assistant props master
Alek Vila	....	graphic designer
Ross Walshe	....	scenic carpenter
Stacy Weddington	....	buyer (1999-2003)
Rick Willoughby	....	carpenter
Sean Will	....	paint laborer

Sound Department
Gregg Barbanell	....	foley artist
Alek Bromke	....	adr assistant: Toronto
Charles Bruce	....	sound effects editor (pilot)
Stephen Cheung	....	adr mixer (various episodes)
Mark DeSimone	....	adr mixer (various episodes)
Brent Ellingwood	....	utility sound
Gabrielle Gilbert Reeves	....	sound editor (as Gabrielle Reeves)
Mike Goodman	....	sound editor (as Michael Goodman)
Jeff Hamon	....	adr mixer: Vancouver
Jeff Hook	....	adr recordist (multiple episodes)
David Horner	....	adr mixer
Jerry Jacobson	....	sound effects editor
Scott C. Kolden	....	sound designer
Ira Leslie	....	sound editor
Eva Madden	....	sound assistant
Maciek Malish	....	sound editor
Kitty Malone	....	foley artist
Gary Marullo	....	foley artist
Peggy McAffee	....	sound effects editor (5 episodes)
Michael Miller	....	adr mixer
Roger Morris	....	adr mixer
Iain Pattison	....	adr mixer: Vancouver
James L. Pearson	....	sound editor
Yvonne Preble	....	foley artist
Christopher B. Reeves	....	adr editor
Christopher B. Reeves	....	dialogue editor
Joseph T. Sabella	....	foley artist (as Joe Sabella)
Marty Stein	....	dialogue editor
Cherie Tamai	....	assistant sound editor
Douglas A. Turner	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Doug Turner)
David F. Van Slyke	....	sound effects editor (as David Van Slyke)
Matthew West	....	sound effects editor (as Matt West)

Special Effects by
Chad Baalbergen	....	special effects
Adam Behr	....	animatronic puppeteer
Joel P. Blanchard	....	special effects technician
Thomas R. Burman	....	special effects makeup
Steve Fink	....	prosthetics technician (multiple episodes)
Joseph Hahn	....	special effects
Jeremy Hays	....	special effects
Barry Hebein	....	special effects assistant: Vancouver,B.C.
Chris Jones	....	special effects technician
Matthew Jorgensen	....	special effects makeup
G. Peter King	....	special effects
Jonathan Kombrinck	....	special effects technician
Daniel P. Murphy	....	special effects technician (1998-2001)
Richard Redlefsen	....	lab technician
Richard Redlefsen	....	sculptor
Fred Richards	....	special effects assistant: electronic effects 1995-1998
Ken Rudell	....	special effects technician
Steve Shines	....	special effects foreman (seasons 6-9)
Martin Simon	....	special effects technician (season 7 and 8)
Joseph Quinn Simpkins	....	special effects technician
Eric Vrba	....	special effects assistant (1995-1996)
Rich Knight	....	special effects properties (uncredited)
Robert Wesley Knight	....	special effects properties (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Brian Bell	....	digital artist
Christian Boudman	....	digital compositor
Steward Burris	....	computer graphic artist: North West Imaging & FX
Jennifer Champagne	....	digital artist (episode "Syncrony")
Christopher Chen	....	digital effects producer (season 3)
John Decker	....	digital artist
Roger Dorney	....	visual effects supervisor
Larry Ewing	....	visual effects producer: View Studios
Simon Holden	....	digital compositor
Jeremy Hunt	....	digital effects artist: The Sixth Extinction
Mark Kochinski	....	3D artist
Craig Kuehne	....	visual effects
Al Magliochetti	....	visual effects
Todd Perry	....	digital artist (episode "Syncrony")
Christine Petrov	....	compositor
Paul Patrick Quinn	....	visual effects producer
Tom Raycove	....	visual effects
Steven Joseph Rogers	....	digital artist: The Sixth Extinction
Thomas Schelesny	....	computer graphics artist
Scott Shields	....	visual effects coordinator
Siouxsie Stewart	....	visual effects coordinator: Encore Visual Effects
Michael Vaglienty	....	Flame artist
Martin Wells	....	colourist (season 3)
Bob Williamson	....	digital compositor
Niel Wray	....	digital effects artist
Bernice Kenton	....	visual effects vendor producer (uncredited)
Jim O'Hagan	....	digital artist: Editel (uncredited)

Stunts
James Bamford	....	stunt double: David Duchovny
Brett Bell	....	stunt double: David Duchovny
Joey Box	....	utility stunts
Nick Brett	....	stunts (2002)
Marla Casey	....	stunts
Mark Chadwick	....	stunts
Michelle Chaldu	....	stunt double
Lauro Chartrand	....	stunts
Bruce Comtois	....	stunts
Alex Daniels	....	stunts
Alex Daniels	....	utility stunts
Mike Desabrais	....	stunts
Joe Doserro	....	stunts
Bill Edwards	....	stunts
Tom Elliott	....	stunts
Jon H. Epstein	....	stunt coordinator
Jon H. Epstein	....	stunt double
Delaina-Lu Gamblin	....	stunt double
Andy Gill	....	stunts
Jes Hellwege	....	stunts
Toby Holguin	....	stunts
Terry James	....	stunts
John Koyama	....	stunts
Michael Langlois	....	stunts
Kortney Manns	....	stunts
Tom McComas	....	stunt performer
Jovan Nenadic	....	stunt double
J.J. Perry	....	stunts
Denney Pierce	....	stunts
Tim Rigby	....	stunts
Jimmy N. Roberts	....	stunts
Pat Romano	....	stunt rigger
Jacob Rupp	....	stunts
Felipe Savahge	....	stunts
Felipe Savahge	....	utility stunts
Rick Sawaya	....	stunt double
Kelly Sells	....	stunt double
Tim Sitarz	....	stunts
Lori Stewart	....	stunts
Justin Sundquist	....	stunts
Ronn Surels	....	stunts
Rob Wilton	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Gregory Beard	....	best boy grip
Mark Cohen	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera
David Deever	....	video assist operator
Michael Derbas	....	camera operator
Jean-Luc Dinsdale	....	second assistant camera
Geoffrey James Dixon	....	electrician
Damon Doherty	....	key rigging grip
Brian Dzyak	....	second assistant camera: second unit
David Gray	....	still photographer
Stuart Haggerty	....	lamp operator
Dean Hannas	....	camera trainee
Brad Heiner	....	grip (2000)
Joe Hill	....	grip
David Hutton	....	second dolly grip
Jeffrey A. Johnson	....	best boy grip: second unit
Jordan Klein Sr.	....	underwater camera operator
Jill MacLauchlan	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Brandon Margulies	....	film loader: second unit
Todd McMullen	....	camera operator
Saubrie Mohamed	....	rigging gaffer (season 2)
Brett Peterson	....	grip
Canyon Prince	....	still photographer (as Ryan Prince)
Isabelle Rioux	....	second assistant camera: second unit
Mike Saad	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera, second unit (season 8)
James Salberg	....	dolly grip: "b" camera unit (seasons 4 and 5)
Claude Savard	....	camera trainee
Nick Shuster	....	assistant camera: second unit
A.J. Vesak	....	aerial director of photography
A.J. Vesak	....	director of photography: second unit
Larry Watson	....	still photographer
Peter Wilke	....	dolly grip (season 5)

Casting Department
Andy Henry	....	casting assistant (1998)
Kit Mallet	....	extras casting assistant
Scott Muller	....	casting assistant: Los Angeles (2000-)
Patrick Stark	....	extras casting assistant (season 1)
Camille St. Cyr	....	casting assistant (1998)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Vanessa Anderson	....	assistant dresser (as Vanessa Oepkes)
Candace Cruikshank	....	costume set supervisor: second unit
Sam Greenmun	....	promotional alien costume fabricator
Philip Maldonado	....	costumer
Gail L. Smith	....	set costumer (1993-1994)
Lee Sollenberger	....	set costumer

Editorial Department
Louis Eske	....	assistant editor: title sequence
Shannon Leigh Olds	....	assistant editor
Robert P. Schneider	....	on-line editor: opening sequence

Music Department
Lolita Ritmanis	....	orchestrator
John Rodd	....	orchestral scoring recordist
Jonathan Sacks	....	orchestrator

Transportation Department
Michael Avallon	....	driver
Barry Shelton	....	driver

Other crew
Scott Aguilar	....	location nurse
Michael Anthony	....	location scout
Alex Apple	....	location scout
Glen Barwise	....	photo double
Gary Bechtel	....	key assistant location manager
Sean Benbow	....	office production assistant
Stephen Benoit	....	production assistant
Darren Lynn Bousman	....	honey wagon attendant
Kai Bowe	....	wga trainee
Stephen Bridgewater	....	drama coach
Jaap Broeker	....	stand-in: David Duchovny
Bruce Bryant	....	title designer
Eamon Buehning	....	payroll accountant
Jim Castle	....	title designer
Michelle Chaldu	....	stand-in: Gillian Anderson
Rob Chalmers	....	personal assistant: Gillian Anderson
Marco Daxton	....	set supervisor
Byron Drinkle	....	playback coordinator (1992-1996)
Dana Dubé	....	animal trainer
Maggie Evans	....	assistant to producer
Danielle Faith Friedman	....	office production assistant (1993-1996)
Tom Gastall	....	production assistant
Jason Gibb	....	production assistant
Paul Giordano	....	key production assistant (season 5)
Rob Gomes	....	production assistant
Danny Ho	....	computer playback operator
Laura Irvine	....	production assistant
Jasper Jan	....	location intern
JoAnn Fregalette Jansen	....	choreographer
Carol Johnsen	....	title designer
Jacqueline V. Johnson	....	craft service
Jacqueline V. Johnson	....	first aid
Bonnie Judd	....	trainer
Timothy S. Kane	....	production assistant
Bridgette Kelley	....	script supervisor: Los Angeles
Cindy Kerber	....	researcher
Rich Knight	....	property maker: RK Industries
Steve Korkis	....	production assistant
David Kurvers	....	production assistant (1996-1997)
Lance Lanfear	....	additional extras background coordinator
Derek Lebrero	....	photo double
April D. Matthews	....	assistant accountant (as April Larsen)
Rob McCabe	....	utility stand-in (1999-2000)
Kathy McCurdy	....	assistant location manager
France Myung Metz	....	key assistant location manager (season 6)
Doug Meyer	....	additional production assistant
Daniela Nobili	....	voice director: Italian
Trent Othick	....	assistant to director
Joshua Owen	....	production secretary
Joseph Kelly Padovich	....	mechanic (last four seasons)
Allyn Partin	....	dialect coach
Lance Peverley	....	production assistant (season 5)
Jeff 'Doc' Porter	....	construction medic
Canyon Prince	....	production assistant (as Ryan Prince)
Canyon Prince	....	script supervisor: splinter unit (as Ryan Prince)
Lisa Ripley-Becker	....	assistant production coordinator
Darren Robertson	....	playback coordinator (1992-1996)
Jennifer Rosenbluth	....	production secretary
Caryn Shuken	....	location liaison
Alan A. Spence	....	set wireman (season 2)
Patrick Stark	....	production assistant (season 4)
Regan Steele	....	key production assistant (season 5)
Lynn Struiksma	....	set production assistant: second unit (season 7)
Rachel Swenson	....	assistant location manager
Rachael Taylor	....	production assistant (season 3 and 4)
James Thompson	....	production assistant
Marc J. Ventimiglia	....	key assistant location manager
Arlene Warren	....	stand-in: Gillian Anderson
Troy Waters	....	marine coordinator
Tim Weske	....	sword master
Lisa Womble	....	production assistant
Oorala J. Yamada	....	additional set production assistant (season 8)

Production Companies

• 20th Century Fox Television
• Ten Thirteen Productions

Distributors

• DeAgostini Japan (2006) (Japan) (DVD)
• Fox Network (1999) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Pro 7 (2000) (Germany) (TV)

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Argentina:13

Company:

20th Century Fox Television

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Mulder and Scully enter the basement about seven and a half minutes in, Mulder says the line: "No technically falling 300 hundred feet and surviving isn't a crime", and his mouth is clearly seen closed, not moving.

Quotes:

Scully: Mulder, are you all right?
Mulder: No, it's OK. My ass broke the fall.

Movie Connections:

References The Sting (1973)

My a** broke the fall

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

The Goldberg Variation is about a very large a complex "Golberg" machine of life. I think its interesting how much thought and double meaning goes into the titles of some of these episodes and I think that understanding the titles help us to really see what the author was trying to get across. The obvious connection here is to Rube Goldberg who created the "Mouse Trap" type machines to represent cause and effect. All kinds of seemingly random individual acts come together so that we can see the chain of events. When I think of goldberg machines I always think of the giant one that is all over the ceiling of my local planetarium and takes forever to carry out its full course. The other reference in the title is to The Golberg Variations written by Bach as a means of teaching his students how to play the piano. I'm not sure what the connection is but I believe there is one intended.

The main character in this episode is a man who seems to have tapped into dumb luck. No matter what happens, the universe seems to be conspiring in his favor. He wins amazingly at poker with a straight flush and survives being tossed off a 30 story building by falling into a laundry crate. His luck appears to be taking its toll on those around him however as the balance issues cause very unfortunate things to happen to those around him whenever he takes advantage of his ability. This is seen with the kid who gets hit by the truck after stealing the lotto ticket, his neighbor played by Shia LeBeouf having liver disease and such a rare blood type that the chances of finding a donor are nil, and overall in the demise of the mobster and his gang. It is fun to watch how the events of the episode all conspire together and eventually lead to the death of the mobster who just happens to have a perfect match of liver for the sick boy.

A couple personal things I liked about the episode. I enjoy some of the humor of the episode and Mulder and Scully's playful nature. I like when Mulder falls through the floor and says his a** broke the fall. I think its great that Shia LeBeouf shows up in this episode which was way back before anyone knew who he was. Sometimes when I watch The X-Files now years after the episodes aired its almost like watching "Before They Were Stars" or something. So many actors did their earliest work on this show. Also, I can't quite pin it down but for some reason the mom in this episode reminds me of my own mom and for this reason I feel a very close personal attachment to her character and every time I see her get kidnapped it affects me emotionally probably a lot more than it should. For those of you who are familiar with the show Freaks and Geeks, I tend to have the same kind of emotional attachment to the mother on that show. I don't know what it is about them. Anyway, this is definitely one of the better episodes from season 7 in my opinion although not one of the better ones of the series. I enjoy this one every time I see it so I will give it an 8 out of 10.