2003 Archive 
This page contains information about the 5 minute "pilot" or test show for a Captain Scarlet CGI show made in 1999.
In 1999, Gerry Anderson made a 5 minute TV pilot for a proposed CGI (Computer Generated Image) show based on the 1967 TV series Captain Scarlet. The pilot featured some of the original voices from the original series. Additionally, the characters looked very similar to the puppet originals. The vehicles too had a strong resemblance to the original, but had been revamped for this new version.
The major difference this time was that Gerry Anderson was not working with puppets and models, so the production team was free from the limitations of the past. If well executed, this could be the start of a whole new era of CGI versions for the much-loved Supermarionation shows. If poorly executed, it would flicker out of existence forever, along with any hopes for resurrecting other shows.
Of interest is the fact that the original execution of this pilot was poorly received early on and as a result, the work switched to another company who completed the job. History buffs can see screenshots from the original version on the Captain Scarlet CGI page (related links to left).
The "new" pilot was completed in 1999 and subsequently shown at various Fanderson events including the superb Century 21 Fanderson event in 2000. Text description of what I saw on the pilot can be seen on this page.
Andrew Dawson, previously seen onstage doing the Thunderbirds FAB show and as "guest" aliens in Space Precinct helped on the production. He was wired up and performed the actions for the motion capture equipment. By using motion capture, the production team was able to get far away from one of the primary issues with the original series, namely the very static character movements.
As the new show was made over 30 years after the original it is hardly surprising that some of the original cast and crew were not available to assist this time round. Notably lacking were the staccato beats of Barry Gray's music, replaced instead by an electronic music score. The good news is that the original voice artists for Captain Scarlet and Captain Blue, Francis Matthews and Ed Bishop, were available and it certainly makes all the difference.
The usual hardware was present, with updated versions of Cloudbase, the SPV and SPC appearaing along with a new Angel Interceptor. All new designs were done by fan and professional artist Steve Kyte.
Although the pilot was only 5 minutes long, it was very well received and certainly opened people's minds to the potential for CGI-based TV shows.
It seemed like a long wait from the viewings at Fanderson to hear whether Carlton had picked up the show. Although they ultimately passed on it, another party has decided this was worth doing and a whole series is currently in production. This new series will differ from the pilot in terms of look, but all the same, I can't wait.
Want to see a bit of the 1999 CGI pilot? Select '3D Reel' in your chosen format (Quicktime, Real Player or Windows Media) & amongst the collage of their current work are random shots from the
Captain Scarlet CGI Pilot!