David Mitton facts for kids

David Nelson Godfrey Mitton (born July 13, 1938 – died May 16, 2008) was a talented British creator. He was a writer, director, producer, and model maker for television. He is best known for his amazing work on the children's TV shows Thomas & Friends and Tugs. In the 1960s, he also helped create special effects for famous puppet shows like Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons.

Early Life and Military Service

David Mitton was born in Preston, Scotland. He went to school at The Strathallan School in Perthshire. After school, he briefly studied art.

Then, he joined the Royal Air Force (RAF). He served in different places, including Christmas Island and Honolulu. He also worked with the air-sea rescue service in Cyprus. Mitton left the RAF in 1962.

Building a Career in TV

After leaving the RAF, David Mitton started working in children's television. He began as a special effects technician. He worked on shows created by Gerry Anderson's AP Films. These shows used a special puppet technology called supermarionation.

Mitton was part of the team led by visual effects director Derek Meddings. He was very good at setting up electronics. This skill helped him make buildings explode at just the right moment. He did this for shows like Thunderbirds (1965–1966) and Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons (1967–1968). He also worked on Joe 90 (1968) and UFO (1970–1971).

Starting Clearwater Films

As Gerry Anderson moved away from puppet shows, Mitton became a freelance worker. He worked as an assistant director for Ridley Scott. He helped with the famous Hovis bread commercials in the UK. Soon, he began directing animated TV commercials himself.

In the mid-1970s, he started a company called Clearwater Films. Later, it became Clearwater Features. He founded it with former Thunderbirds director Ken Turner and producer Robert D. Cardona. Their company became known for its creative stop-motion animated commercials. Clearwater won awards for commercials for Hovis and PG Tips tea bags.

Creating Thomas & Friends

A commercial for "Prize Guys” yogurt caught the eye of TV producer Britt Allcroft. She had bought the rights to The Railway Series books. These books were written by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry. Allcroft asked Mitton to help create a TV show based on the books.

Together, their companies made Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends. This show was produced between 1984 and 2003. In 1991, Clearwater Features joined The Britt Allcroft Company. Later, in 2002, HiT Entertainment bought the company. The show was then renamed Thomas & Friends.

Directing Thomas's Adventures

Mitton directed 180 out of 182 episodes of Thomas & Friends. He also wrote scripts once the original stories were filmed. He had a clever way to make the engines' eyes move in real time. He used radio control linked to a motor behind their faces. Different sculpted masks could be changed for various expressions.

Famous narrators brought the stories to life. Ringo Starr narrated the first two series in the UK. He also narrated the first series in the United States. Later, Michael Angelis narrated in the UK. George Carlin took over in the US.

Thomas's Global Success

Thomas & Friends quickly became a huge hit on British television. In 1989, Britt Allcroft helped create Shining Time Station in the United States. This show introduced Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends stories to American audiences. It became very popular.

Merchandise for Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends existed before the TV show. But the show turned it into a massive industry. It became a global phenomenon, seen in 145 countries.

Other Projects and Later Career

In 1989, inspired by Thomas & Friends, Mitton created a new show. His company, Clearwater Features, produced Tugs. This children's TV series had thirteen episodes.

Thomas & Friends also inspired the 2000 movie Thomas and the Magic Railroad. Alec Baldwin starred as Mr. Conductor. Mitton was a creative consultant for the models used in the film.

Mitton left Thomas & Friends after Series 7. Another crew member, Steve Asquith, took over as director. In 2006, Mitton started a new company. It was called Pineapple Squared Entertainment. He started it with director David Lane. Mitton and Lane had worked together on Thunderbirds earlier.

Before Mitton's death, he and Lane were working on new projects. One was a computer-animated TV series called Adventures on Orsum Island.

Personal Life and Passing

David Mitton was married twice and had two sons.

Mitton passed away on May 16, 2008. He was 69 years old. His death was announced later, on May 28.

Awards and Recognition

David Mitton was recognized for his work:

• BAFTA Awards
  • 1985: Nominated for Best Animated Film for Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends (shared with Britt Allcroft and Robert D. Cardona)
  • 1987: Nominated for Best Animated Film for Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends (shared with Robert D. Cardona)