Fireball XL5: The Vault

6 - Production Crew/Plant Man From Space

Filming of the series began in February/March 1962 and ran until March 1963. With a large number of episodes projected to meet an October 1962 airdate, episodes were filmed in pairs, meaning that two directors of photography were needed; John Read alternating episodes with Ian Struthers, who was promoted from director of photography and lighting cameraman on Supercar. The ingenious technique of using closed circuit TV monitoring for the puppeteers and lip sync artists to work from originated with Fireball XL5. The editorial team was beefed up from two to three directors, who worked on alternate episodes in order to cut the footage produced at the Ipswich Road studios into their own finished format. The editors were Gordon Davie, Eric Pask, and David Lane, who later replaced Bill Harris who directed episodes of the series. In order to produce two episodes at the same time to meet broadcast demands, one team of crew worked on the sets that would be seen in every episode (e/g Fireball XL5 cockpit, Space City) and the other would work on the sets needed for the specific story. Meanwhile, Derek Meddings would direct the model unit on a separate stage. Directors not working on the puppet stages would be preparing their work for the next episode or be in the editing suite with the three editors. This was an incredibly effective team of filmmakers that allowed one episode per week to be shot and sent for editing. As well as creating the model of Fireball XL5, Reg Hill was the series' associate producer and would later go onto produce episodes of Thunderbirds. Paddy Seale was employed as special effects cameraman, and would later become a lighting cameraman for Stingray and work with the Andersons throughout the SUPERMARIONATION productions. Toothbrush tops, real sets of tape, and pieces of LEGO were cleverly utilised to create the iconic superficial element of the SUPERMARIONATION series. Most notably, in the cockpit of Fireball XL5, we see the control buttons and switches to be made from toothpaste tops!

PLANT MAN FROM SPACE;

Written by Anthony Marriott

Directed by John Kelly

Original UK Airdate: 18th November 1962 (ATV London, Scottish, Westward, Anglia and Channel)

Additional Voice Cast:

Howard Rootes Paul Maxwell The Chlorophon David Graham Ken Ross John Bluthal Jock Campbell John Bluthal Alarm Service Sylvia Anderson

Fireball XL1 makes its first appearance in the series. The Chlorophon is undoubtedly one of the most memorable villains in the series for its unearthly appearance and disturbing voice. He is ruthlessly vicious, and in his first scene is quite frightening when he declares to destroy Steve Zodiac and the whole of Space City. Barry Gray's music is once again excellent, and we are presented to many high stakes in the episode. The sinister Dr. Rootes is another memorable character, and when Fireball XL5 lands on Hedera, we see the power and strength of the plants and the Chlorophon creature, threatening to inject his DNA into the crew of the XL5 in order to turn them into another Clorophon. Clearly influenced by The Day Of The Triffids, Plant Man From Space is a well regarded and famous episode from the series.