Alan Shubrook

Alan Shubrook is a British model-maker and a member of the special effects team for AP Films and Century 21 Film Studios, who joined the company in 1966. He worked on 'Thunderbirds',Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, Joe 90, Thunderbird 6' (Feature Film)', The Secret Service, 'Doppleganger' (feature film) and UFO.

Early life

At only 15 years of age Alan had his own band, playing at various functions every weekend. He played the clarinet, which he learned whist still at school.

At the age of only 18 Alan became the official photographer for the West Ham United Football team back in the early 60's. He travelled with the team who included Bobby More, Geoff Hurst, and Martin Peters, to every away game, capturing all the action for various newspaper groups and the official West Ham match programmes.

Shubrook made models in his spare time at the age of nineteen, and when he noticed that Century 21 Studios had a vacancy for a scenic artist, he rang and asked for an interview, despite not knowing what a scenic artist was. Having been told that only somebody with previous experience in the film industry would be considered, Shubrook did not get an interview. The following day, he rang the studio again to no avail. Ultimately, on the third day of trying, Shubrook was given an appointment.

A few days later, Shubrook arrived at the Century 21 Films studio and brought examples of his model-making work. After being taken on a tour of the studio, he was shown a large canvas backdrop designed to hang behind miniature sets. Shubrook was asked if he was capable of matching the storm sky that was painted to cover its entire length; unfortunately, this was not one of his skills. Afterwards, Shubrook was taken to a small room to await being escorted from the building. It was here that storyboard artist, model-maker and designer Mike Trim entered and asked if there was anything for him to have a look at. Suspecting Trim felt sorry for him, Shubrook went out to his car to get a model of a house and some illustrations. Trim scrutinized Shubrook's work and left the room. When he returned, Derek Meddings came with him, and it was revealed that Shubrook would start as a model-maker.^[1]

Alan worked on over 100 episode on various television series, including Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, Joe 90, Secret Service and UFO. He also worked on the Thunderbirds feature film and Doppleganger film. When the studios closed at the end of 1969 Alan was offered a position as senior graphic artist to a London-based newspaper group.It was while he was working there that he was offered the position of special effects assistant on a new science fiction television series being produced at Pinewood Studion. Alan declined the job and went on to open his own advertising agency in Essex. The company employed over 20 people at its hight and Alan was managing director for the next twenty years.

During this time he met his wife Bridget and together they had two sons, Martin (1976) and Paul (1979) They lived in Epping for a twenty-year period. Later Alan and Bridget were to open photographic businesses in Essex, including one in a massive new Asda superstore, as well a high street shop. Alan and Bridget retired when the shop leases expired and moved to a new family home in Chipping Ongar.

Alan's two sons published a book on the work that he had undertaken at the Century 21 Studios, back in the mid 1960s.

This book sold out very quickly and copies were sent all around the globe. It was reprinted 10 years later to meet the demand from fans Worldwide. Alan also produced a follow up book in 2016 which covered the final days of the studio buildings before they were finally demolished in 2017.

References