First edition cover
Filmed in Supermarionation is a series of books written by Stephen La Rivière, aiming to, for the first time, comprehensively document the Supermarionation years of AP Films / Century 21, the film production company headed by Gerry Anderson. According to the book's introduction, it sole purpose is to "examine the history and development of Supermarionation on television and at the cinema, and tell the story from the studio floor, both the good times and the bad". The first edition was published in 2009.
In 2014, the book served as inspiration for the documentary of the same name, also directed by La Rivere.
Two further editions of the book have been published. The second, released in 2014 to coincide with the documentary, featured additional rare behind-the-scenes images. The third edition was a significant rewrite on the original, based on the recovery of original studio paperwork and interviews that had been previously conducted on the condition that they were not to be published during the interviewees' lifetime.
History[]
Daniel Herman, founder of Hermes Press, met Anthony Taylor and Stephen La Riviere during the 2004 San Diego Comic Con while they were running a Gerry and Sylvia Anderson themed merchandise store, and offered to publish a history of the shows. La Rivere took on the project while Taylor produced The Future Was F.A.B. (2006), detailing the career of Mike Trim, with Hermes also publishing one of Sylvia Anderson's auto-biographies during that time (My FAB Years, 2007). Taylor would later go on to write Thunderbirds fiction in the form of Arctic Adventure!.
The book was published in March 2009, almost five years later.
First Edition[]
- Author: La Riviére, Stephen
- Publisher: Hermes Press
- ISBN/EAN: 1932563237 / 9781932563238
- Format: Paperback
- Pagination: 208 pages
- Dimensions: 292 x 229 mm, 839 grams
- Country of Pub.: United States
- Pub Date: 29/03/2009
- Original RRP: $39.99 / £29.99
"For the first time, a complete history of the Gerry and Sylvia Anderson television productions which pioneered science-fiction special effects. Film historian Steven La Rivière, whose documentary about Supercar was the final word on the series, takes you behind-the-scenes and covers every aspect of the creation and production of such television shows as Supercar, Fireball XL5, Stingray, Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Secret Service, and Joe 90. The book also covers the Anderson's efforts from the beginning including Torchy and Four Feather Falls. This full-color art book is packed with hundreds of never-before-seen production photos, artwork, and illustrations making this the definitive book on the subject."