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David Mitton (13 July 1938 - 16 May 2008) was a Scottish-English director, producer, writer, model maker, and special effects, technician. He was the writer, producer, and director of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends and the co-creator of TUGS.
He worked on the show from 1984–2003.
Career
He first worked as a special effects technican on Gerry Anderson shows such as "Joe 90", "Captain Scarlet", and "Thunderbirds" before founding Clearwater Features with Robert D. Cardona in 1983.
Mitton wrote six episodes of "TUGS" and directed nine of them. When Clearwater Features closed down in 1990, he joined the Britt Allcroft Company.
Although some episodes were based on Railway Series books, some of the script had been written down by him and Britt Allcroft. After the death of the Reverend W. Awdry in 1997, Mitton and Allcroft decided to create stories of their own. He provided stories for episodes of the sixth and seventh seasons. His last episode as writer was Toby's Windmill, but he continued as director until Three Cheers for Thomas before retiring. Steve Asquith replaced him as director from then on. David also worked as model unit creative consultant for Thomas and the Magic Railroad.
He was working with Gerry Anderson producer David Lane with their own company "Pineapple Squared Entertainment", which was due to launch a new CGI Animation series "Adventures On Orsum Island". Only a few episodes of "Orsum" were semi-completed before his death.
David Mitton suffered a heart attack and died on 16 May 2008, at the age of 69. His death was not announced until 28 May 2008.
Episodes Written
Season 1
- Thomas' Christmas Party (co-written with Britt Allcroft)
Season 2
- Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree (co-written with Britt Allcroft)
Season 3
Both episodes were co-written with Britt Allcroft.
Season 4
- Rusty to the Rescue (co-written with Britt Allcroft)
Season 5
All episodes are co-written with Britt Allcroft and nine episodes were co-written with Allcroft and David Maidment.
- Cranky Bugs
- Horrid Lorry
- A Better View for Gordon (with Allcroft and Maidment)
- Lady Hatt's Birthday Party (with Allcroft and Maidment)
- James and the Trouble with Trees (with Allcroft and Maidment)
- Gordon and the Gremlin (with Allcroft and Maidment)
- Bye George!
- Baa! (with Allcroft and Maidment)
- Put Upon Percy
- Toby and the Flood
- Haunted Henry (with Allcroft and Maidment)
- Double Teething Troubles (with Allcroft and Maidment)
- Stepney Gets Lost
- Toby's Discovery
- Something in the Air
- Thomas, Percy and Old Slowcoach
- Oliver's Find
- Happy Ever After
- Sir Topham Hatt's Holiday
- A Surprise for Percy
- Make Someone Happy
- Busy Going Backwards (with Allcroft and Maidment)
- Duncan Gets Spooked (with Allcroft and Maidment)
- Rusty and the Boulder
- Snow
Season 6
- A Bad Day for Harold the Helicopter (story by; with Simon Nicholson)
- The Fogman (story by; with Jonathan Trueman)
- It's Only Snow (story by; with James Mason)
- The World's Strongest Engine (story by; with Paul Larson)
- Scaredy Engines (story by; with Robin Kingsland)
- Percy and the Haunted Mine (story by; with Robyn Charteris)
- Middle Engine (story by; with Brian Trueman)
- James and the Red Balloon (story by; with Jenny McDade)
- Jack Frost (story by; with Paul Larson)
- Gordon Takes a Tumble (story by; with Robin Kingsland)
- Percy's Chocolate Crunch (story by; with Brian Trueman)
- Thomas, Percy and the Squeak (story by; with Jenny McDade)
- Thomas the Jet Engine (story by; with Ross Hastings)
- Edward the Very Useful Engine
- Rusty Saves the Day (story by; with Paul Larson)
- Faulty Whistles (story by; with Ross Hastings)
Season 7
- Toby's Windmill (story by; with Jan Page)
Director
Seasons
Producer
Seasons
Awards and nominations
- Nominated - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Animated Film for "Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends", 1985, shared with Britt Allcroft and Robert D. Cardona; 1987 shared with Robert D. Cardona
Trivia
- David Mitton worked on the original "Thunderbirds" TV series. There have also been several other people that have worked on other parts of the Thunderbirds franchise:
- Rasmus Hardiker, David Menkin, Teresa Gallagher, William Hope, Bob Golding, Togo Igawa, Nick Ostler, Dave Peacock, Mark Huckerby, Gilan Shachaf, Saar Badishi, and Yehonatan Magon (the 2015 TV revival)
- Philip Reeves (the 2004 film)
- Martin Sherman worked as a voice actor on David's unfinished "Adventures on Orsum Island". Miranda Larson was to become head writer, Robert Gauld-Galliers worked as a Production Designer, and Philip Reeves worked as a model maker on this series.