David Wise (writer)
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David Wise (February 1, 1955 - March 3, 2020) was an American television and animation writer, tutored by writers such as
Ursula K. Le Guin Ursula Kroeber Le Guin (; October 21, 1929 – January 22, 2018) was an American author best known for her works of speculative fiction, including science fiction works set in her Hainish universe, and the '' Earthsea'' fantasy series. She was ...
,
Frank Herbert Franklin Patrick Herbert Jr. (October 8, 1920February 11, 1986) was an American science fiction author best known for the 1965 novel '' Dune'' and its five sequels. Though he became famous for his novels, he also wrote short stories and worked a ...
,
Harlan Ellison Harlan Jay Ellison (May 27, 1934 – June 28, 2018) was an American writer, known for his prolific and influential work in New Wave speculative fiction and for his outspoken, combative personality. Robert Bloch, the author of '' Psycho'' ...
and
Theodore Sturgeon Theodore Sturgeon (; born Edward Hamilton Waldo, February 26, 1918 – May 8, 1985) was an American fiction author of primarily fantasy, science fiction and horror, as well as a critic. He wrote approximately 400 reviews and more than 120 sh ...
whilst attending the
Clarion Workshop Clarion is a six-week workshop for aspiring science fiction and fantasy writers. Originally an outgrowth of Damon Knight's and Kate Wilhelm's Milford Writers' Conference, held at their home in Milford, Pennsylvania, United States, it was founded i ...
. He wrote several episodes for television series like '' Star Trek: The Animated Series'', the 1984 Transformers cartoon and the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon.


Early life

David Wise was born on February 1, 1955 to
Electronic Arts Intermix Electronic Arts Intermix (EAI) is a nonprofit arts organization that is a resource for video and media art. An advocate of media art and artists since 1971, EAI's core program is the distribution and preservation of a collection of over 3,500 new ...
founder Howard Wise and his wife, Barbara. Wise began experimenting with animation and live-action film at the age of seven, under the tutelage of several artists and experimental filmmakers, including
Len Lye Leonard Charles Huia Lye (; 5 July 1901 – 15 May 1980) was a New Zealand artist known primarily for his experimental films and kinetic sculpture. His films are held in archives including the New Zealand Film Archive, British Film Institute, Mu ...
and
Stan VanDerBeek Stan VanDerBeek (January 6, 1927 – September 19, 1984) was an American experimental filmmaker known for his collage works. Life VanDerBeek studied art and architecture at Manhattan's Cooper Union before transferring to Black Mountain Colleg ...
. Wise created dozens of brief animations using cut-outs, scratch-on-film techniques, as well as conventional cel animation. In 1963, at the age of eight, Wise released a compilation of his experiments, titled "Short Circuit". Distributed by the Filmmakers' Cooperative, "Short Circuit" was shown throughout the world, won several awards, and was the U.S. entry in the "Child & the World" festival in Czechoslovakia. Writing in the Village Voice, filmmaker and critic
Jonas Mekas Jonas Mekas (; December 24, 1922 – January 23, 2019) was a Lithuanian-American filmmaker, poet, and artist who has been called "the godfather of American avant-garde cinema". Mekas' work has been exhibited in museums and at festivals worldwi ...
called Wise "the Mozart of Cinema". By the time he was nine, he was lecturing on filmmaking at universities and film societies (including Washington & Lee and the
University of Maryland at Baltimore The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) is a public university in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 1807, it comprises some of the oldest professional schools of dentistry, law, medicine, pharmacy, social work and nursing in the United States ...
), and appeared on numerous television shows, including ''
I've Got a Secret ''I've Got a Secret'' is an American panel game show produced by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman for CBS television. Created by comedy writers Allan Sherman and Howard Merrill, it was a derivative of Goodson-Todman's own panel show, ''What's My Line ...
'' with
Steve Allen Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen (December 26, 1921 – October 30, 2000) was an American television personality, radio personality, musician, composer, actor, comedian, and writer. In 1954, he achieved national fame as the co-cre ...
as host.


Career


''Star Trek: The Animated Series''

At the age of sixteen, Wise abandoned film-making for writing, determined to become a professional science fiction writer. The following year Wise sold several SF short stories to various anthologies. This led directly to his first television writing job, an episode of
Filmation Filmation Associates was an American production company that produced animation and live-action programming for television from 1963 until 1989. Located in Reseda, California, the animation studio was founded in 1962. Filmation's founders and pr ...
's animated ''
Star Trek ''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the eponymous 1960s television series and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon. The franchise has expanded into vari ...
'' series entitled "How Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth," written in collaboration with Russell L. Bates. The series as a whole won the only Emmy any ''Star Trek'' series has won in a non-technical category, for best children's production.


''Buck Rogers'', ''Wonder Woman'', ''He-Man'' and ''Mighty Orbots''

After a successful stint of live action work, writing for Glen A. Larson's ''Buck Rogers'' (the "Space Vampire" episode) and the
Lynda Carter Lynda Jean Cordova Carter (born July 24, 1951) is an American actress, singer, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss World USA 1972 and finished in the top 15 at the Miss World 1972 pageant. Carter is best known as the star of th ...
series ''
Wonder Woman Wonder Woman is a superhero created by the American psychologist and writer William Moulton Marston (pen name: Charles Moulton), and artist Harry G. Peter. Marston's wife, Elizabeth Holloway Marston, Elizabeth, and their life partner, Olive Byr ...
'', Wise returned to animation in the 1980s, collaborating on many of the animated endeavours of that period such as ''
He-Man He-Man is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the sword and planet ''Masters of the Universe'' franchise, which includes a toy line, several animated television series, comic books and a feature film. He-Man is characterized by h ...
'' and ''
Mighty Orbots is a 1984 Super robot animated series created in a joint collaboration of TMS Entertainment and Intermedia Entertainment in association with MGM/UA Television. It was directed by veteran anime director Osamu Dezaki and features character desi ...
''.


''Transformers''

Wise also wrote ''Transformers'' episodes during the second and fourth seasons, including the
Optimus Prime Optimus Prime, , is a fictional Character (arts), character in the ''Transformers'' franchise. The Transformers characters were developed for an American market after Hasbro representatives visited the 1983 Tokyo Toy Show. The characters were ...
origin story "War Dawn", the comedy chase format of "Kremzeek", and the final three episodes of the original G1 series "The Rebirth", which Wise was forced to edit from five parts to three due to diminishing popularity of the franchise. During this period Wise also wrote scripts for '' Jem'' and ''
My Little Pony ''My Little Pony'' (''MLP'') is a toy line and media franchise developed by American toy company Hasbro. The first toys were developed by Bonnie Zacherle, Charles Muenchinger, and Steve D'Aguanno, and were produced in 1981. The ponies feature c ...
''.


''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles''

In 1987, Wise was given the call to develop and write a five-part animated television pilot based on an independent comic, ''
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' is an American media franchise created by the comic book artists Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. It follows Leonardo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Leonardo, Michelangelo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Miche ...
''. Wise helped change the darker toned black and white
Mirage A mirage is a naturally-occurring optical phenomenon in which light rays bend via refraction to produce a displaced image of distant objects or the sky. The word comes to English via the French ''(se) mirer'', from the Latin ''mirari'', meanin ...
title into a fun, bright, cheerful animated show. Wise left after the ninth season, writing and story editing over 100 episodes.


Disney and ''Batman: The Animated Series''

Wise next worked on
Disney The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney (), is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios complex in Burbank, California. Disney was originally founded on October ...
's '' Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers'', and '' Mighty Ducks'' cartoons, and also wrote three episodes for '' Batman: The Animated Series'', " The Clock King," " The Strange Secret of Bruce Wayne" (based on
Steve Englehart Steve Englehart (; born April 22, 1947) is an American writer of comic books and novels. He is best known for his work at Marvel Comics and DC Comics in the 1970s and 1980s. His pseudonyms have included John Harkness and Cliff Garnett. Early li ...
's comic book story), and the origin story of
The Riddler The Riddler (Edward Nigma, later Edward Nygma or Edward Nashton) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by Bill Finger and Dick Sprang, and debuted in ''Detective Comics'' #140 in O ...
, " If You're So Smart, Why Aren't you Rich?".


Other animated series and live-action projects

He wrote the ''
Battletoads ''Battletoads'' is a video game media franchise by Rare that began with the original beat 'em up game ''Battletoads'' in 1991. Starring three anthropomorphic toads named after skin conditions, Rash, Zitz, and Pimple, the series was created to ...
'' animated pilot episode, as well as the two-part pilot for
C.O.P.S. ''COPS'' (''Central Organization of Police Specialists'') is a 1988 animated television series released by DIC Animation City, and distributed by Claster Television. The series focuses on a team of highly trained police officers tasked with pro ...
, "The Case of C.O.P.S. File 1." He wrote some episodes of Defenders of The Earth. He wrote and story-edited such comic-based series as '' Cadillacs and Dinosaurs'' and ''Jim Lee's WildC.A.T.S.'' He also developed, story-edited, and wrote most of the 26 episodes of Disney TV's '' Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series''. During this period he also wrote and produced the live-action film '' Beastmaster III: The Eye of Braxus'', and was the first writer/story-editor on an animated interpretation of
Zorro Zorro (Spanish language, Spanish for 'fox') is a fictional character created in 1919 by American pulp magazine, pulp writer Johnston McCulley, appearing in works set in the Pueblo of Los Angeles in Alta California. He is typically portrayed a ...
.


Go! Media Entertainment

He was CEO of the multi-media company Go! Media Entertainment from 2005 to 2010. Go! Media Entertainment consisted of the publishing imprint Go! Comi, and the digital entertainment division oPlay.


Other work

He wrote the final episode of the fourth series of the
Doctor Who ''Doctor Who'' is a British science fiction television series broadcast by the BBC since 1963. The series depicts the adventures of a Time Lord called the Doctor, an extraterrestrial being who appears to be human. The Doctor explores the u ...
-related ''Gallifrey'' audio drama series for UK-based
Big Finish Productions Big Finish Productions is a British company that produces books and audio plays (released straight to compact disc and for download in MP3 and m4b format) based, primarily, on cult science fiction properties. These include ''Doctor Who'', the ...
. In 2019, David was announced as part of the team developing a television series based on the life of decorated dog hero
Sergeant Stubby Sergeant Stubby (1916 – March 16, 1926) was a dog and the unofficial mascot of the 102nd Infantry Regiment (United States) and was assigned to the 26th (Yankee) Division in World War I. He served for 18 months and participated in 17 battles o ...
, serving as a prequel to the 2018 animated feature film '' Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero''.


Screenwriting credits


Television

* series head writer denoted in bold *'' Star Trek: The Animated Series'' (1974) *''
The Secrets of Isis ''The Secrets of Isis'', originally broadcast as ''Isis'', is an American live-action superhero television series produced by Filmation from 1975 to 1976 for CBS's Saturday morning lineup. The series was renamed ''The Secrets of Isis'' in syndic ...
'' (1975) *''
Space Sentinels ''Space Sentinels'' (originally titled ''Young Sentinels'' and renamed midway through its only season) is a Saturday morning animated series produced by Filmation which debuted on the American NBC network on September 10, 1977 and ran for thirtee ...
'' (1977) *''
The New Archie and Sabrina Hour ''The New Archie and Sabrina Hour'' (advertised as ''The Archie-Sabrina Show'') is the seventh and final animated series featuring Archie Comics characters under the Filmation banner. The series premiered on NBC in September 1977, rebroadcasting ...
'' (1977) *''
Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle ''Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle'' is an American animated series created by the Filmation studio for Saturday mornings on CBS, starting in 1976. This was the first animated series about the jungle hero. There are 36 episodes produced over four seas ...
'' (1978) *''
Web Woman ''Web Woman'' is a television series that originally aired as part of ''Tarzan and the Super 7'' by Filmation. Web Woman is the alias of Kelly Webster. Web Woman's voice was provided by actress Linda Gary. Series format Kelly is a NASA scientist ...
'' (1978) *''
Wonder Woman Wonder Woman is a superhero created by the American psychologist and writer William Moulton Marston (pen name: Charles Moulton), and artist Harry G. Peter. Marston's wife, Elizabeth Holloway Marston, Elizabeth, and their life partner, Olive Byr ...
'' (1978) *''
Godzilla is a fictional monster, or '' kaiju'', originating from a series of Japanese films. The character first appeared in the 1954 film ''Godzilla'' and became a worldwide pop culture icon, appearing in various media, including 32 films produc ...
'' (1979) *'' Buck Rogers in the 25th Century'' (1980) *''
Space Stars ''Space Stars'' is a 60-minute Saturday morning animated program block produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions and broadcast on NBC from September 12, 1981, to January 8, 1982. ''Space Stars'' was narrated by Keene Curtis and featured five carto ...
'' (1981) *''
The Biskitts ''The Biskitts'' is an American animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions from 1983 to 1984 and aired on CBS. The series lasted for only one season; only 13 episodes were produced. ''Shirt Tales'' replaced the show in its t ...
'' (1983) *''
The Smurfs ''The Smurfs'' (french: Les Schtroumpfs; nl, De Smurfen) is a Belgian comic franchise centered on a fictional colony of small, blue, humanoid creatures who live in mushroom-shaped houses in the forest. ''The Smurfs'' was first created and in ...
'' (1983) *''
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe ''He-Man and the Masters of the Universe'' is an American animated television series produced by Filmation based on Mattel's toy line ''Masters of the Universe''. The show, often referred to as simply ''He-Man'', was one of the most popular anima ...
'' (1983) *''
Mighty Orbots is a 1984 Super robot animated series created in a joint collaboration of TMS Entertainment and Intermedia Entertainment in association with MGM/UA Television. It was directed by veteran anime director Osamu Dezaki and features character desi ...
'' (1984) *'' The Transformers'' (1985–1987) *''
Defenders of the Earth ''Defenders of the Earth'' is an American animated television series produced in 1986, featuring characters from three comic strips distributed by King Features Syndicate—Flash Gordon, The Phantom, Mandrake the Magician, and Mandrake's assista ...
'' (1986) *''
Kissyfur ''Kissyfur'' is an American animated children's television series which aired on NBC. It was produced by Jean Chalopin and Andy Heyward and created by Phil Mendez for DIC Animation City. The series was based on a half-hour NBC special called ' ...
'' (1986) *''
My Little Pony ''My Little Pony'' (''MLP'') is a toy line and media franchise developed by American toy company Hasbro. The first toys were developed by Bonnie Zacherle, Charles Muenchinger, and Steve D'Aguanno, and were produced in 1981. The ponies feature c ...
'' (1986) *''
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' is an American media franchise created by the comic book artists Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. It follows Leonardo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Leonardo, Michelangelo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Miche ...
'' (1987–1996) *''
Dinosaucers ''Dinosaucers'' is a 1987 animated television series co-produced in the United States and Canada, produced by DIC Animation City and distributed in syndication in the US by Coca-Cola Telecommunications. The show was created by producer Michael ...
'' (1987) *'' Jem'' (1987) *''
Spiral Zone ''Spiral Zone'' is a 1987 American science-fiction animated series produced by Atlantic/ Kushner-Locke. Spiral Zone was animated by Japanese studio Visual 80 as well as South Korean studio AKOM. Based in part from a toy line made by Japanese compa ...
'' (1987) *'' Starcom: The U.S. Space Force'' (1987) *'' COPS'' (1988) *'' Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers'' (1989) *''
James Bond Jr. ''James Bond Jr.'' is an American animated television series based on Ian Fleming's ''James Bond'' franchise. It follows the adventures of James Bond's nephew, James Bond Jr. The series debuted in September 1991 and ran for 65 episodes bef ...
'' (1991) *'' Batman: The Animated Series'' (1992) *''
Battletoads ''Battletoads'' is a video game media franchise by Rare that began with the original beat 'em up game ''Battletoads'' in 1991. Starring three anthropomorphic toads named after skin conditions, Rash, Zitz, and Pimple, the series was created to ...
'' (1992) *'' Cadillacs and Dinosaurs'' (1993) *''
The New Adventures of Speed Racer ''The New Adventures of Speed Racer'' is a 1993 update of the ''Speed Racer'' animated series. This new Americanized version was designed as a single 13-episode season (the first episode was entitled “The Mach 5’s First Trial”), with the int ...
'' (1993) *'' Transformers: Generation 2'' (1993) *''
Conan and the Young Warriors ''Conan and the Young Warriors'' is a 1994 American television animated series produced by Sunbow Entertainment and aired by CBS as a sequel to the animated series ''Conan the Adventurer'', but featuring a different set of characters (besides Cona ...
'' (1994) *'' Wild C.A.T.s'' (1994) *'' Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series'' (1996) *'' The New Adventures of Zorro'' (1997)


Film

*'' Beastmaster III: The Eye of Braxus'' (1996)


Personal Life

Wise had been married to writer Audry Taylor, who he collaborated with on various projects.


Death

Wise died on March 3, 2020, after a brief battle with lung cancer.


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Wise, David Year of birth unknown 2020 deaths Place of birth missing Place of death missing American television writers Emmy Award winners American male screenwriters Collegiate School (New York) alumni American male television writers Screenwriters from New York (state) Deaths from lung cancer Deaths from cancer in the United States