David Carson (director)

David Carson
Born United Kingdom
Occupation Film and TV director

David Carson is an English director of television and film. 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

Television

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)

Film

Year Title Notes
1994 Star Trek Generations Director
1998 Letters from a Killer Director
2002 Carrie Director
2004 Unstoppable Director

References

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