David Carson (director)

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David Carson
Born
England
Occupation(s)Film and TV director

David Carson is a British director of television and film.

Contents

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 Livingston 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]

Personal life

In 1981, Carson married the actress Kim Braden. They have two children, Matthew and Mimi. [10]

Filmography

Film

TV movies

YearTitleDirectorCo-Producer
1993Shameful SecretsYesNo
1998Man MadeYesNo
2000 In His Life: The John Lennon Story YesYes
CelebrityYesNo
2002 Carrie YesYes
2007 Blue Smoke YesNo

TV series

YearTitleNotes
1981-1986 Coronation Street 21 episodes
1982 Crown Court 6 episodes
1983Studio4 episodes
1984-1985 The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes 2 episodes
1985Time for Murder2 episodes
1985-1987 Bulman 2 episodes
1986 The Return of Sherlock Holmes 2 episodes
Call Me Mister Episode "The Carve Up"
1988 Bergerac Episode "Crossed Swords"
Bust2 episodes
1989-1992 Star Trek: The Next Generation 4 episodes
1989-1990 Alien Nation 2 episodes
1989-1991 L.A. Law 4 episodes
1990 The Trials of Rosie O'Neill Episode "So Long Patrick"
1990-1991 Northern Exposure 3 episodes
1990-1993 Doogie Howser, M.D. 4 episodes
1991 WIOU Episode "Ode to Sizzling Sal"
Sons and Daughters Episode "Where's Poppa?"
Life Goes On Episode "Loaded Question"
1991-1992 Homefront 4 episodes
1992 Sisters Episode "Heart and Soul"
Beverly Hills, 90210 2 episodes
1993 Southbeach Episode "Diamond in the Rough"
1993-1994 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 4 episodes
1995 Strange Luck Episode "Soul Survivor"
1998 From the Earth to the Moon Episode "Galileo Was Right"
LA Doctors 2 episodes
Nash Bridges Episode "Imposters"
Martial Law Episode "Extreme Measures"
2000 The 10th Kingdom Miniseries
2002 Witchblade Episode "Destiny"
Odyssey 5 Episode "Pilot"
2002-2004 Smallville 3 episodes
2003 Birds of Prey Episode "Gladiatrix"
2003-2004 One Tree Hill 3 episodes
2004 Karen Sisco Episode "No One's Girl"
The Days Episode "Day 1,375"
2006 Runaway Episode "Mr. Radar Goes to Washington"
2007-2008 The Dresden Files 2 episodes (Also producer)

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References

  1. ↑ "Coronation Street (1960- )". BFI Screenonline. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "David Carson Revisits His Trek Days - Part 1". Star Trek.com. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "David Carson Revisits His Trek Days - Part 2". Star Trek.com. 12 May 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  4. ↑ Spelling, Ian (21 January 1996). "Frakes keeps generating adventures". The Washington Times. Retrieved 17 February 2013.(subscription required)
  5. ↑ "'10th Kingdom' Actors Fight Nasty Trolls, Homesickness". The Cincinnati Post. 24 February 2000. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2013.(subscription required)
  6. ↑ King, Susan (3 December 2000). "Making 'Lennon' the hard way Filmmakers overcame obstacles". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2013.(subscription required)
  7. ↑ Gallo, Phil (3 November 2002). "Carrie". Variety. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  8. ↑ Fries, Laura (21 June 2002). "Odyssey 5 (Television Review)". Daily Variety. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2013.(subscription required)
  9. ↑ "Coto, Manny". Star Trek.com. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  10. ↑ "Kim Braden", The Movie Database, accessed 28 September 2024
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