Nebula-75
| Nebula-75 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Stephen La Rivière |
| Starring |
|
| Music by | Barry Gray |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 7 |
| Production | |
| Producer | Andrew T. Smith |
| Camera setup | Single-camera |
| Running time | 15 minutes |
| Production company | Century 21 Films |
| Original release | |
| Release | 25 April 2020 |
Nebula-75 is a 2020 Supermarionation web series created by Century 21 Films in the spirit of the early 1960s series by Gerry Anderson's AP Films.[1] The series follows the adventures of the crew of the spaceship Nebula-75, trapped in space "33 million miles from Earth". Commander Ray Neptune is joined by robot Circuit, scientist Doctor Asteroid and the mysterious "space maiden" Athena, who only communicates via telepathy.[2]
The series was created by Stephen La Rivière and Andrew T. Smith and their production team during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom - finding themselves unable to continue planned studio production work, the film-makers created the series in a flat with puppets, props and materials from earlier productions such as Filmed in Supermarionation, Thunderbirds: The Anniversary Episodes and the Endeavour episode "Apollo".[3][4]
Original 1960s-era music was licensed from the Barry Gray Archive, including a 1963 song "Robot Man" by Mary Jane with Barry Gray and his Spacemakers.[5] The authentic 1960s feel of the production was discussed by Samira Ahmed with La Rivière on BBC Radio 4's Front Row on 19th May.[6] Ahmed later lent her voice to a new reporter character, Juliette Destiny, for the 2020 Christmas episode.[7]
Episodes
| No. | Title | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Nebula-75" | 25 April 2020 | |
|
Stranded millions of miles from home by forces unknown, Commander Neptune and the crew of the Nebula-75 must come to terms with their new life amongst the stars. Their isolation is interrupted, however, by two alien visitors... | |||
| 2 | "The Storm Before The Calm" | 3 May 2020 | |
|
Commander Neptune wishes to know more about the mysterious Space Maiden who saved his ship. In learning more, he also finds out about the malevolent forces that lurk in the section of space the Nebula-75 now finds itself. | |||
| 3 | "Short Circuit" | 11 May 2020 | |
|
When the Nebula-75’s ramshackle robot Circuit suffers from one malfunction too many and the crew encounter an old eccentric in need of assistance, who will save the day? | |||
| 4 | "No One I Think Is In My Tree" | 30 May 2020 | |
|
A strange spatial distortion transports our heroes into an unknown realm. Separated from his crew and trapped in a mysterious void, Commander Neptune must resist the call of a sinister disembodied voice and find his way back to the ship before it is too late… | |||
| 5 | "Heist Society" | 16 June 2020 | |
|
A distress call summons Commander Neptune to the assistance of a pair of aristocrats. Once aboard, however, it becomes apparent that he is dealing less with “high society” than he is “heist society”. Hoodwinked and robbed of valuable systems the crew of the Nebula-75 face a race against time to put things right. | |||
| 6 | "Freighter Fright" | 31 October 2020 | |
|
Halloween Special. The Nebula-75 crew pick-up a distress call from an old freighter and set off to investigate. However, when they arrive it appears to have been abandoned for decades, so where did the call come from? | |||
| 7 | "The Grift of the Magi" | 24 December 2020 | |
|
Christmas Special. On Christmas Eve, the Nebula-75 crew tune into a broadcast from Earth by Juliette Destiny (guest voiced by Samira Ahmed). But some unwelcome faces soon threaten their dreams of a white Christmas. | |||
References
- ^ "Nebula-75". Century 21 Films. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
- ^ "Nebula-75". Filmed in Supermarionation. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
- ^ Braxton, Mark (27 April 2020). "Here's how a Gerry and Sylvia Anderson-inspired puppet show was created and filmed in lockdown". Radio Times.
- ^ The end credits refer to the series having been created in "Superisolation" and using the "Lo-Budget" sound recording system.
- ^ "Mary Jane With Barry Gray And His Spacemakers - Robot Man". 45 Cat. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
- ^ "Front Row: Stephen La Rivière, Nancy Kerr, Silas Marner". BBC Sounds. 19 May 2020.
- ^ @SamiraAhmedUK (4 December 2020). "The woman who haunted herself. In a FAB way" (Tweet) – via Twitter.