David Carson (director)
| David Carson | |
|---|---|
| Born | United Kingdom |
| Occupation | Film and TV director |
David Carson is a British television director. He has directed episodes of many TV series, including Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also directed the film Star Trek Generations.
Career
Carson's first work in directing was in the British theatre scene and on British television. He directed an episode of the British soap opera Coronation Street.[1] Carson sought to move to the United States in order to work in the American film scene, and prior to travelling, his agent arranged an interview for him with the producers of Star Trek: The Next Generation. However, he had never heard of Star Trek,[2] and at his agent's suggestion, he rented some videos in order to conduct research. Once in the United States, he met with Rick Berman and David Livingstone and was hired to direct the episode "The Enemy".[2]
The producers liked the different British style of directing and scene blocking that Carson brought to the set, as it was a style that the show hadn't previously used. He was subsequently brought back for another episode, but when he arrived for the first of eight days of preparation he was told that Whoopi Goldberg was available, and so they would like him to direct one of the scripts that she appeared in. This turned out to be "Yesterday's Enterprise", which was developed from an outline to script during the eight days of preparation prior to shooting.[2] His other episodes of TNG included "The Next Phase" and the second part of "Redemption".[2] He was approached by Rick Berman to direct the opening episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, "Emissary". He later explained that there was some apprehension prior to the launch of the series because it was the first without Gene Roddenberry, the producer. Carson had to ensure that he stayed within the pilot's budget, and to deal with the differences between TNG and DS9 while ensuring that it appealed to the fans.[3] His other Deep Space Nine episodes included "Dax", "Move Along Home" and "The Alternate".[3]
Carson's final work for Star Trek was his first feature film, and the first film in which the TNG characters appeared, Star Trek Generations.[3] During the making of the film, he fought for the death of James T. Kirk to be changed from the original scripted version as he felt that it was "ignominious".[3] Following the poor scores the scene received at public test screenings, the ending was re-written and Carson led the re-filming at the original location.[3] His directing work on Generations inspired cast member Jonathan Frakes to seek to direct the following Star Trek movie, Star Trek: First Contact.[4]
After his work on the Star Trek franchise, he worked on the miniseries The 10th Kingdom, as well as shows such as Smallville and One Tree Hill.[3] Whilst on The 10th Kingdom, he worked alongside fellow director Herbert Wise as the series was filmed for six days a week for six months.[5] He returned to his homeland in 2000, to film In His Life: The John Lennon Story.[6] In 2002, he directed an adaptation of Stephen King's novel Carrie.[7] During the same year, he was also executive producer for the pilot of Odyssey 5, which had been written by Manny Coto,[8] former showrunner of Star Trek: Enterprise.[9]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Coronation Street | Director "Episode #1.2129" |
| 1982 | Crown Court | Director (2 episodes) |
| 1983 | Studio | Director |
| 1984-1985 | The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes | Director (2 episodes) |
| 1985 | The Lightning Always Strikes Twice (TV movie) | Director |
| 1985 | Bright Smiler (TV movie) | Director |
| 1985-1987 | Bulman | Director (2 episodes) |
| 1986 | The Return of Sherlock Holmes | Director (2 episodes) |
| 1986 | Call Me Mister | Director "The Carve Up" |
| 1988 | Bergerac | Director "Crossed Swords" |
| 1988 | Bust | Director (2 episodes) |
| 1989-1992 | Star Trek: The Next Generation | Director (4 episodes) |
| 1989-1990 | Alien Nation | Director (2 episodes) |
| 1989-1991 | L.A. Law | Director (4 episodes) |
| 1990 | The Trials of Rosie O'Neill | Director "So Long Patrick" |
| 1990-1991 | Northern Exposure | Director (3 episodes) |
| 1990-1993 | Doogie Howser, M.D. | Director (4 episodes) |
| 1991 | WIOU | Director "Ode to Sizzling Sal" |
| 1991 | Sons and Daughters | Director |
| 1991 | Life Goes On | Director |
| 1991-1992 | Homefront | Director (4 episodes) |
| 1992 | Sisters | Director "Heart and Soul" |
| 1992 | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Director (2 episodes) |
| 1993 | Southbeach | Director |
| 1993 | Shameful Secrets (TV movie) | Director |
| 1993-1994 | Star Trek: Deep Space Nine | Director (4 episodes) |
| 1994 | Star Trek Generations | Director (theatrical release) |
| 1995 | Strange Luck | Director "Soul Survivor" |
| 1998 | Man Made (TV movie) | Director |
| 1998 | From the Earth to the Moon | Director "Galileo Was Right" |
| 1998 | Letters from a Killer (TV movie) | Director |
| 1998 | LA Doctors | Director |
| 1998 | Nash Bridges | Director "Imposters" |
| 1998 | Martial Law | Director "Extreme Measures" |
| 2000 | The 10th Kingdom | Director (3 episodes) |
| 2000 | In His Life: The John Lennon Story (TV movie) | Director |
| 2002 | Witchblade | Director "Destiny" |
| 2002 | Odyssey 5 | Director "Pilot" |
| 2002 | Carrie (TV movie) | Director |
| 2002-2004 | Smallville | Director (3 episodes) |
| 2003 | Birds of Prey | Director "Gladiatrix" |
| 2003-2004 | One Tree Hill | Director (3 episodes) |
| 2004 | Karen Sisco | Director "No One's Girl" |
| 2004 | Unstoppable | Director |
| 2006 | Runaway | Director "Mr. Radar Goes to Washington" |
| 2007 | Blue Smoke (TV movie) | Director |
| 2007-2008 | The Dresden Files | Director (2 episodes) |
References
- ↑ "Coronation Street (1960- )". BFI Screenonline. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 "David Carson Revisits His Trek Days - Part 1". Star Trek.com. May 11, 2011. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "David Carson Revisits His Trek Days - Part 2". Star Trek.com. May 12, 2011. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
- ↑ Spelling, Ian (January 21, 1996). "Frakes keeps generating adventures". The Washington Times. Retrieved February 17, 2013. (subscription required)
- ↑ "'10th Kingdom' Actors Fight Nasty Trolls, Homesickness". The Cincinnati Post. February 24, 2000. Retrieved February 17, 2013. (subscription required)
- ↑ King, Susan (December 3, 2000). "Making `Lennon' the hard way Filmmakers overcame obstacles". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved February 17, 2013. (subscription required)
- ↑ Gallo, Phil (November 3, 2002). "Carrie". Variety. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
- ↑ Fries, Laura (June 21, 2002). "Odyssey 5 (Television Review)". Daily Variety. Retrieved February 17, 2013. (subscription required)
- ↑ "Coto, Manny". Star Trek.com. Retrieved February 17, 2013.