BEHIND THE STORY...
It was the late 1990s, and studios were beginning to look for shows with lower costs. They were also starting to mine their libraries for new ideas. I thought a series that utilized pre-existing shows would help keep the bottom line low. My idea was to put together a mix of new productions based on books and previous ideas with animated shows from around the world and then wrap them all up with a live action host who was known in the world of science fiction.
I thought a likely source for the foreign material would be Japanese animation. At the time, anime was just barely starting to come into the mainstream. It was already popular with fans. And thanks to the video market, especially DVDs, was building.
For the “new” material, I listed films from the studio’s library that could be the basis for new productions. These new productions could actually be considered pilots for possible series on their own. I also listed a number of books either in the public domain (free) or with cult followings (rights would be less than a bestseller).
Due to the fact that I needed to take into account a particular studio’s film library, I varied the pitch for each studio. For example, the pitch for Warner Bros. Featured films from their library (WB and MGM) while the pitch for Fox had Fox films and Disney’s pitch had Disney movies. All three studios seemed interested in the idea, but felt an anthology would not work with children. For brevity, I have combined all elements from each pitch into one list.
And now my pitch...
Alien Tales
A Fantastic Anthology Series of Incredible Science Fiction Tales
Animated TV series proposal by John Cawley
THE SHOW
An anthology series focusing on the best ideas in Science Fiction, ALIEN TALES will feature single and multipart adaptations of some of the greatest stories in science fiction as well as original adventures. The series will be hosted by a noted science fiction/fantasy personality (perhaps Mark Hamill) who will introduce each story and offer scientific and creative background on the presented tale. Episodes will utilize various producers and creators to generate original material for the series as well as partake of classic and past animation offering it to a whole new audience. New episodes could even become potential pilots for future series.
Episodes will include...
Updated versions of some of the greatest Science Fiction films of all time!
New adaptations of Science Fiction books and graphic novels (aka comics)!
Presentations of great science fiction animation from around the world!
Suggestions for the first season...
in alphabetical order
THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN OF THE HIMALAYAS - Scientists in search of the Yeti finally find them... but who are the real monsters? Based on the classic FOX feature.
ANT-MAN - A scientist discovers a substance that allows him to shrink to less than an inch in height. At first he utilizes his power to fight crime then discovers he can shrink small enough to visit beings that live on atoms as if they were solar systems. Based on the Marvel Comics character of the Sixties. [pilot?]
ATLANTIS, THE LOST CONTINENT - Based on legend and the classic Warner Brothers feature, this tells the tale of the futuristic city that sank hundreds of years of ago.
BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS - Based on the classic Warner Brothers feature, a sea creature from the past is re-awakened in modern times and attacks the Northeast.
BEASTS - Based on the book of a future when man’s genetically designed half-human/half-animal slaves revolt against humanity.
BLACK SCORPION - Based on the Warner Brothers feature, a giant scorpion terrorizes a city in South America.
BOAT OF A MILLION YEARS - A series of tales of Earthlings who suddenly become immortal and how they handle their new fate. [pilot?]
THE CAT FROM OUTER SPACE - A super intelligent feline crash lands on Earth and tries to fix his craft and get away without arousing the local authorities. Based on the Disney live-action feature. [pilot?]
THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL - An alien with his all-powerful robot comes to judge Earth’s ability to function in a peaceful universe. Based on the classic Fox feature.
DOORWAYS IN THE SAND - Earth finally makes contact with an alien race. The first meeting is an exchange of gifts. When their gift, the Star Stone, is stolen, a young man who had the stone pass briefly (and illegally) through his hands becomes the focus of Earthlings and Aliens. Based on the novel by Roger Zelazny.
FORBIDDEN PLANET - On a distant planet, a rescue ship discovers surviving colonists threatened by a mysterious monster. Based on the classic MGM feature.
THE FLY - An experiment in transportation becomes a nightmare for the inventor. Based on the classic Fox features.
GORGO - A captured sea monster turns out to be only a child. Based on the classic MGM feature.
HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY - An Earthman is given a trip through the galaxy when a disaster strikes Earth. Based on the popular book by Douglas Adams. [pilot?]
INVADERS FROM MARS - A young boy sees a spaceship crash. His attempts to alert the public are met with strangers posing as people he knows! Based on the classic FOX feature.
JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH - Jules Verne’s classic tale of discovery.
LILY C.A.T. - Strange things are happening aboard a spaceship heading towards earth. As the crew searches for a possible alien stowaway, the ship’s cat begins acting strange. Edited from a made-for-video Anime production.
THE LOST WORLD - From the Arthur Conan Doyle’s tale of a bombastic professor who leads an expedition to a legendary land where Dinosaurs still rule. Based on the classic FOX feature.
PHOENIX 2772 - In a future world where energy is the most valued substance, a young boy is raised for the purpose of locating the source of all energy... the Phoenix. [Japanese animated feature]
PLANET OF THE APES - Based on the book, which became a classic FOX feature of Earth’s future. [pilot?]
RED PLANET MARS - What men discover on their trips to Mars. Repeat of the FOX mini-series.
REPLAY - A man dies... but wakes up 25 years earlier. Should he warn people of impending disasters or profit from his knowledge? He later dies, only to wake up another 25 years earlier! Based on the book by Ken Grimwood. [pilot?]
ROCKET RACCOON - An anthropomorphic raccoon from another dimension gives Earth a hand in battling crime. Based on the Marvel Comics character. [pilot?]
SPACE ARK - An animal universe features Captain Stone, the loose cannon of space protection, as he leads a group of astro-rejects in an attempt to save the world... and make a buck if possible. Based on the independent comic book. [pilot?]
THEM - Based on the classic Warner Brothers feature, it tells the tale of giant ants created by atomic testing.
TIME MACHINE - H.G. Wells’s tale of a man who visits the future. Based on the classic MGM feature.
TIME MASTERS - A young survivor of a spaceship disaster travels the universe and time to discover he will be the cause of that disaster. Presentation of a classic 1980s French feature from the creators of the cult hit FANTASTIC PLANET.
TIME TUNNEL - Scientists and the Military race to complete a time travel device that will alter the fate of the world. Based on the FOX TV series.
TRON - Trapped inside a computer, a programmer fights for his life in hopes of returning to the real world. Based on the Disney live-action/computer animated feature. [pilot?]
VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED - After a meteor shower, the children in the village begin to show amazing powers. Based on the classic MGM feature.
VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA - When disaster strikes the Earth, only the futuristic submarine Seaview has a chance to save humanity. Based on the classic FOX feature and TV series.
WAY STATION - A Civil War veteran continues to take his nightly stroll for years, when a government organization suddenly notices the number of years this has been occurring. An investigation of his family plot finds an extra grave... containing an alien. Based on the novel by Clifford Simak - one the Internet’s Top 10 Science Fiction Books.
text, image and format © John Cawley
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