As a lifelong fan of Gerry Anderson’s iconic shows, I can wholeheartedly relate to the sentiments expressed by author Stephen Gallagher. Like him, I find the constraints of working within established universes not restrictive but invigorating. It’s akin to being handed a box of LEGO bricks and being asked to build something extraordinary. The challenge lies in pushing the boundaries while remaining true to the essence of the characters and stories we all love.
As a devoted connoisseur of sci-fi, I’m thrilled to announce that the captivating tales from Moonbase Alpha and SHADO are poised for an exciting revival, as they delve deeper into the rich universes of Space: 1999 and UFO. This promises a fresh wave of stories within the realms of these timeless television classics.
As a devoted fan of sci-fi classics, I’ve had the privilege to pen two captivating novellas: “Space: 1999 – The Armageddon Engine” and “UFO – Shadow Play,” both nestled within the rich tapestry of storytelling created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. These works are extensions of beloved shows, bringing fresh adventures to cherished characters.
After a serendipitous encounter with Jamie Anderson, who took over his father’s firm, Anderson Entertainment, following Gerry’s demise, and having a shared representative, Swallow seized the moment to meet Jamie, showcasing his admiration for Gerry’s creations.
As a dedicated film enthusiast, I found myself steering our discussion towards an exciting prospect: reimagining tales within the chronology of my cherished shows from the ’70s, specifically UFO and Space: 1999. These series left such a profound mark on me in my early years that I can’t help but be drawn to their captivating worlds and narratives.
Later on, Jamie returned and proposed, “Why don’t we try our hands on some novellas? Would you be interested?” I eagerly accepted the offer.
I’ve found immense joy in this endeavor – It’s granted me an excellent pretext to revisit those shows, immerse myself once more in their universe. I’ve been meticulously striving to pen these new tales with the same flair as the early ’70s sci-fi style.
To create an authentic vintage ambiance, I strove to design it as if these two works had been hidden away in a box since 1972. Consequently, fans of this series can enjoy the television program followed by reading the corresponding book, resulting in a harmonious and uninterrupted experience.
Originally aired between 1970 and 1971, “UFO” was a live-action series created by the Andersons after their success with Supermarionation shows like Thunderbirds and Stingray. This show focused on SHADO, a top-secret military agency tasked with thwarting an extraterrestrial invasion of Earth.
Despite no second season being produced, ideas for additional episodes eventually evolved as a foundation for the following series: Space: 1999 (aired from 1975-1977) depicted the moon, along with its 311 inhabitants at Moonbase Alpha, being propelled out of Earth’s orbit into the perils of outer space.
Swallow’s latest endeavors aim to align seamlessly with the original content, creating an experience as if you’re diving into an unproduced episode of a popular TV series.
He explains that he aimed to go beyond what might be feasible on television shows by incorporating certain aspects into his books. These elements would have exceeded the production budget if they were part of a TV episode. However, he has the most significant budget available, which is the limitless power of his readers’ imagination.
Space: 1999 – The Armageddon Engine presents Commander John Koenig, portrayed by Martin Landau on TV, and the inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha grappling with an ominous predicament as a destructive extraterrestrial device within a menacing cosmic cloud alters their drifting moon’s course towards a perilous path. In contrast, UFO – Shadowplay unfolds as SHADO commander-in-chief Ed Straker, played by series regular Ed Bishop, emerges from a coma with memory gaps and disconcerting hallucinations that jeopardize his hold on sanity.
When Swallow narrated these tales, he was given permission to “mess around with someone else’s belongings,” but understood he shouldn’t “leave smudges or marks on them” – and recognized that the consistency of the TV series placed some restrictions on him.
In relation to staying true to the traditional aspects, I believe that’s an essential aspect when you accept any role like this. (First person perspective)
The implication here is rephrasing as: “It won’t be damaged. You’ll stay within the boundaries. Some people have questioned whether this approach constrains me, or if it’s a form of creative stifling. In reality, I believe it allows for more freedom and creativity rather than less.
Working within a confined space proves difficult for me; my initial instinct is to find ways to expand the boundaries of this space. Essentially, I want to adhere to the established guidelines yet bring forth novel aspects about the characters and offer fresh interpretations that resonate with the fundamental content.
Might these two books serve as the start of many more exciting journeys into the realms of Gerry Anderson’s creativity? Swallow expresses optimism, implying that other writers share this enthusiasm for exploring the universes crafted by Anderson.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself while completing this task – it’s not uncommon for similar assignments to become tedious, especially when collaborating with someone who meticulously checks every minor aspect. However, in this case, there was an abundance of creative autonomy, and the team was delightful and entertaining to work alongside.
“I’m keen to repeat the experience, and I’ve overheard fellow authors express interest too. They say, ‘What a fantastic series! We’d be thrilled to contribute.’ Given this enthusiasm, it seems there is a demand for more stories in this franchise, an audience eager to engage, and a shared affection for these tales, so we could potentially expand the narrative.
As a passionate film buff, I’ve always been intrigued by the connection between UFO and Space: 1999. Though these two series share an underlying continuity that was never officially established on TV, could we one day see a crossover storyline unfold in future productions? The possibilities are truly out of this world!
Swallow expresses that he’s often felt as though these two TV series share a common universe. “If you consider the chronology,” he notes, “Ed Straker was leading SHADO in 1980, while Moonbase Alpha was set in 1999… Could it be possible that they were acquainted?
I find it intriguing to ponder about a method to link them together, as the UFO saga was left unresolved. You remember the Cold War narrative with extraterrestrial invaders, right? The show concluded after just one season, leaving us hanging… did they win? What transpired? Then we have Space: 1999, set a decade later…
Hey, it seems like there’s a gap in the storyline at that point. It could make for an interesting continuation, don’t you think?
Despite occasional talks about reviving both shows for quite some time – such as a UFO movie featuring Joshua Jackson and a reboot series of Space: 1999 – no concrete developments have taken place. However, Swallow suggests that both series, much like they were in the 1970s, retain their original strength and potential.
If provided the chance, he’d infuse “a touch of X-Files-style intrigue” into a fresh UFO series. “I believe this approach could be captivating, as it allows for the blending of conspiracy theories and action-adventure elements. I think it would be successful indeed. You could bring it up to date without making drastic alterations.
Regarding Space: 1999, despite acknowledging that some scientific aspects might have been shaky within the series – specifically, a nuclear explosion causing the moon to leave Earth’s orbit – he still appreciates the core concept. This concept involves a group of individuals stuck aboard a satellite traveling through space, with no control over their destination and encountering danger while meeting new people and figuring out how to survive once more. This idea is captivating.
Space: 1999’s “The Armageddon Engine” and “UFO’s” “Shadow Play” novellas can be purchased directly from gerryanderson.com.
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2024-09-13 17:35