David Weddle
Encyclopedia
David Weddle is an American television producer
and writer, best known for episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
(1996–1999), The Twilight Zone
(2002–2003), Battlestar Galactica
(2004–2009), and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
(2009-2011) with writing partner Bradley Thompson
. They also wrote for the short-lived series Ghost Stories (1997) and The Fearing Mind (2000). Weddle and Thompson are currently writing and producing for the TNT
series Falling Skies
.
and saw action during the Guadalcanal campaign
and the Battle of Peleliu
.
Weddle graduated from the USC School of Cinema, as did writing partner Bradley Thompson, whom he first met in an acting class.
A fan of Sam Peckinpah
, Weddle met the director
on several occasions. Weddle and his parents knew Fern Lea Peter, Peckinpah's sister, and her family. He was able to watch Peckinpah direct what would be his last film, The Osterman Weekend
.
After Peckinpah's death in 1984, Weddle used Peckinpah's production files and correspondence that had been given to the library of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
to write a biography
of the director. This biography, If They Move . . . Kill 'Em!: The Life and Times of Sam Peckinpah was released in 1994.
It was the biography that brought Weddle to Deep Space Nine and later to Battlestar Galactica. Ira Steven Behr
, a fan of Peckinpah, invited Weddle to Paramount Pictures
. This enabled Weddle and Thompson to pitch stories to the show. The two joined the writing staff for DS9's final seasons. They also met and worked with producer Ronald D. Moore
on the show.
Weddle and Thompson wrote twelve episodes of Deep Space Nine. Weddle can be seen in the background of the scene set at Vic Fontaine's Lounge in the final episode, "What You Leave Behind". He later wrote a DS9 novel
set after the series with Jeffrey Lang. Entitled "Abyss
", it focused on Section 31
, the Federation's
secretive intelligence service.
Weddle considers "Inquisition
" to be the best Star Trek
episode he and Bradley Thompson wrote, for showing "that the Federation
, as perfect as it seemed, had to resort to unsavory tactics and work black bag operations
to keep their world safe and pristine".
Weddle and Thompson were invited by Ron Moore to work on the reimagined Battlestar Galactica. They served as story editors on the first season of the show and became co-producers in the second season. Their responsibilities as producers increased during the third season, and they achieved supervising producer status for the fourth season.
In 2008, Weddle and Thompson joined the staff of CSI: Las Vegas mid-way through Season 9 as writers and supervising producers. As of Season 10, they became co-executive producers. An episode they wrote for the 11th season, "Fracked," won the Environmental Media Association
's 21st Annual Environmental Media Award
for Television Episodic Drama.
Weddle has dined and chatted at length with Jerry Lewis
on his private yacht in Southern California. He appreciates Jerry Lewis as an "auteur" and wrote an article about the director and actor that appeared in the Los Angeles Times Sunday magazine section suggesting that Lewis be awarded an honorary Academy Award. Lewis won this award on February 22, 2009, though for his humanitarian achievements rather than his work in the cinema.
In 2011, Weddle and Thompson joined the second season of the Steven Spielberg
alien invasion drama Falling Skies
as writers and producers.
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
and writer, best known for episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
(1996–1999), The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone (2002 TV series)
The Twilight Zone is a 2002 revival of Rod Serling's acclaimed 1950/60s television series, The Twilight Zone. It aired for one season on the UPN network, with actor Forest Whitaker assuming Serling's role as narrator and on-screen host....
(2002–2003), Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica (2004 TV series)
Battlestar Galactica is an American military science fiction television series, and part of the Battlestar Galactica franchise. The show was developed by Ronald D. Moore as a re-imagining of the 1978 Battlestar Galactica television series created by Glen A. Larson...
(2004–2009), and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is an American crime drama television series, which premiered on CBS on October 6, 2000. The show was created by Anthony E. Zuiker and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer...
(2009-2011) with writing partner Bradley Thompson
Bradley Thompson
Bradley Thompson is an American television producer and writer, best known for episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine , The Twilight Zone , Battlestar Galactica , and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation with writing partner David Weddle...
. They also wrote for the short-lived series Ghost Stories (1997) and The Fearing Mind (2000). Weddle and Thompson are currently writing and producing for the TNT
TNT
TNT is the chemical explosive trinitrotoluene.TNT or T.N.T. may also refer to:-Television:* TNT , American cable television channel and its international offshoots* TNT , a television station in Launceston, Australia...
series Falling Skies
Falling Skies
Falling Skies is an American science fiction dramatic television series created by Robert Rodat and produced by Steven Spielberg. The series picks up six months into a world devastated by an alien invasion...
.
Biography
Weddle's father fought in World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and saw action during the Guadalcanal campaign
Guadalcanal campaign
The Guadalcanal Campaign, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal and codenamed Operation Watchtower by Allied forces, was a military campaign fought between August 7, 1942 and February 9, 1943 on and around the island of Guadalcanal in the Pacific theatre of World War II...
and the Battle of Peleliu
Battle of Peleliu
The Battle of Peleliu, codenamed Operation Stalemate II, was fought between the United States and the Empire of Japan in the Pacific Theater of World War II, from September–November 1944 on the island of Peleliu, present-day Palau. U.S...
.
Weddle graduated from the USC School of Cinema, as did writing partner Bradley Thompson, whom he first met in an acting class.
A fan of Sam Peckinpah
Sam Peckinpah
David Samuel "Sam" Peckinpah was an American filmmaker and screenwriter who achieved prominence following the release of the Western epic The Wild Bunch...
, Weddle met the director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
on several occasions. Weddle and his parents knew Fern Lea Peter, Peckinpah's sister, and her family. He was able to watch Peckinpah direct what would be his last film, The Osterman Weekend
The Osterman Weekend (film)
The Osterman Weekend is a 1983 suspense thriller film directed by Sam Peckinpah, based on the novel of the same name by Robert Ludlum. The film stars Rutger Hauer, John Hurt, Burt Lancaster, Dennis Hopper, Meg Foster and Craig T. Nelson...
.
After Peckinpah's death in 1984, Weddle used Peckinpah's production files and correspondence that had been given to the library of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a professional honorary organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of motion pictures...
to write a biography
Biography
A biography is a detailed description or account of someone's life. More than a list of basic facts , biography also portrays the subject's experience of those events...
of the director. This biography, If They Move . . . Kill 'Em!: The Life and Times of Sam Peckinpah was released in 1994.
It was the biography that brought Weddle to Deep Space Nine and later to Battlestar Galactica. Ira Steven Behr
Ira Steven Behr
Ira Steven Behr born 23 October 1953, in New York City, New York, USA is an American television producer and screenwriter, most known for his work on Star Trek, especially Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, on which he served as showrunner and executive producer...
, a fan of Peckinpah, invited Weddle to Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
. This enabled Weddle and Thompson to pitch stories to the show. The two joined the writing staff for DS9's final seasons. They also met and worked with producer Ronald D. Moore
Ronald D. Moore
Ronald Dowl Moore is an American screenwriter and television producer best known for his work on Star Trek and the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica miniseries and television series, for which he won a Peabody Award for creative excellence in 2005 and an Emmy Award in 2008.-Early life and...
on the show.
Weddle and Thompson wrote twelve episodes of Deep Space Nine. Weddle can be seen in the background of the scene set at Vic Fontaine's Lounge in the final episode, "What You Leave Behind". He later wrote a DS9 novel
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine relaunch
The Star Trek: Deep Space Nine relaunch is an unofficial name for a series of non-canon novels released since 2000 detailing events involving the characters, species and settings portrayed in the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine....
set after the series with Jeffrey Lang. Entitled "Abyss
Abyss (Star Trek)
Abyss is a Star Trek: Section 31 novel written by David Weddle and Jeffrey Lang-Synopsis:Shortly after the Deep Space Nine series finale, Dr. Julian Bashir is once again confronted by Section 31. The group is Starfleet's 'black ops', answerable to no one...
", it focused on Section 31
Section 31
In the Star Trek fictional universe, Section 31 is an autonomous intelligence and defense organization. It is presented as a special security operation, manned by Federation citizens, that is not subject to the normal constraints of Starfleet ethical protocols...
, the Federation's
United Federation of Planets
The United Federation of Planets, also known as "The Federation" is a fictional interplanetary federal republic depicted in the Star Trek television series and motion pictures...
secretive intelligence service.
Weddle considers "Inquisition
Inquisition (DS9 episode)
"Inquisition" is a season six episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.-Plot:Dr. Bashir, scheduled to leave for a conference the next day, tends to Chief O'Brien, who has dislocated his shoulder while kayaking in a holosuite. Bashir wakes up the next morning feeling tired, and is summoned to a meeting...
" to be the best Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
episode he and Bradley Thompson wrote, for showing "that the Federation
United Federation of Planets
The United Federation of Planets, also known as "The Federation" is a fictional interplanetary federal republic depicted in the Star Trek television series and motion pictures...
, as perfect as it seemed, had to resort to unsavory tactics and work black bag operations
Black Bag Operations
Black bag operations are covert or clandestine surreptitious entries into structures to obtain information for human intelligence operations. This usually entails breaking and entering into denied areas...
to keep their world safe and pristine".
Weddle and Thompson were invited by Ron Moore to work on the reimagined Battlestar Galactica. They served as story editors on the first season of the show and became co-producers in the second season. Their responsibilities as producers increased during the third season, and they achieved supervising producer status for the fourth season.
In 2008, Weddle and Thompson joined the staff of CSI: Las Vegas mid-way through Season 9 as writers and supervising producers. As of Season 10, they became co-executive producers. An episode they wrote for the 11th season, "Fracked," won the Environmental Media Association
Environmental Media Association
The Environmental Media Association is a non-profit organization which was founded in 1989 by Cindy and Alan Horn and Lyn and Norman Lear. EMA works with the entertainment industry to encourage green production and raise the public's environmental awareness. The group provides a "Green Seal" to...
's 21st Annual Environmental Media Award
Environmental Media Awards
The Environmental Media Awards have been awarded by the Environmental Media Association since 1991 to the best television episode or film with an environmental message....
for Television Episodic Drama.
Weddle has dined and chatted at length with Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis is an American comedian, actor, singer, film producer, screenwriter and film director. He is best known for his slapstick humor in film, television, stage and radio. He was originally paired up with Dean Martin in 1946, forming the famed comedy team of Martin and Lewis...
on his private yacht in Southern California. He appreciates Jerry Lewis as an "auteur" and wrote an article about the director and actor that appeared in the Los Angeles Times Sunday magazine section suggesting that Lewis be awarded an honorary Academy Award. Lewis won this award on February 22, 2009, though for his humanitarian achievements rather than his work in the cinema.
In 2011, Weddle and Thompson joined the second season of the Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg
Steven Allan Spielberg KBE is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, video game designer, and studio entrepreneur. In a career of more than four decades, Spielberg's films have covered many themes and genres. Spielberg's early science-fiction and adventure films were seen as an...
alien invasion drama Falling Skies
Falling Skies
Falling Skies is an American science fiction dramatic television series created by Robert Rodat and produced by Steven Spielberg. The series picks up six months into a world devastated by an alien invasion...
as writers and producers.
Deep Space Nine
- "Rules of EngagementRules of Engagement (DS9 episode)"Rules of Engagement" is an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the seventeenth episode of the fourth season.-Plot:Worf is put on trial after the Defiant destroys a Klingon civilian transport. One by one, Worf's friends are forced to testify, either bolstering Worf's defense or damaging it...
" - "The AssignmentThe Assignment (DS9 episode)"The Assignment" is an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the fifth episode of the fifth season. It has an average fan rating of 4.7/5 on the official Star Trek website.-Quick Overview:...
" - "Business as UsualBusiness as Usual (DS9 episode)"Business as Usual" is an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the eighteenth episode of the fifth season. It has an average fan rating of 4/5 on the official Star Trek website as of September, 2009.-Plot:...
" - "Sons and DaughtersSons and Daughters (DS9 episode)"Sons and Daughters" is the third episode in the sixth-season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.-Plot:While on General Martok's ship, Worf is reunited with his estranged son, Alexander. The young man is now a trained starship crewman, though the crew originally does not accept him...
" - "One Little Ship"
- "InquisitionInquisition (DS9 episode)"Inquisition" is a season six episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.-Plot:Dr. Bashir, scheduled to leave for a conference the next day, tends to Chief O'Brien, who has dislocated his shoulder while kayaking in a holosuite. Bashir wakes up the next morning feeling tired, and is summoned to a meeting...
" - "The ReckoningThe Reckoning (DS9 episode)"The Reckoning" is a sixth-season episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, first broadcast on April 29, 1998. It has an average fan rating of 4.2/5 on the official Star Trek website as of September, 2009....
" - "Time's Orphan"
- "Treachery, Faith, and the Great River"
- "Prodigal Daughter"
- "'Til Death Do Us Part'Til Death Do Us Part (DS9 episode)"Til Death Do Us Part" aka "Umbra", is an episode from the seventh season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the second of the ten final chapters...
" - "Extreme MeasuresExtreme Measures (DS9 episode)"Extreme Measures" is an episode from the seventh season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the seventh of the ten final chapters. The episode was well received, and has an average rating of 4/5 on the official Star Trek website ....
"
Ghost Stories
The Fearing Mind
- "Upgrades"
- "Call of the Wild"
- "Maximum Security" (originally unaired)
- "On the Road" (originally unaired)
The Twilight Zone
- "Harsh MistressHarsh Mistress"Harsh Mistress" is the thirteenth episode of the science fiction television series 2002 revival of The Twilight Zone. The episode aired October 30, 2002 on UPN.-Opening Narration:-Plot summary:...
" - "Fair WarningFair Warning (The Twilight Zone)"Fair Warning" is the twenty-sixth episode of the science fiction television series 2002 revival of The Twilight Zone. The episode aired January 8, 2003 on UPN.-Opening Narration:-Plot summary:...
" - "HomecomingHomecoming (The Twilight Zone)"Homecoming" is the forty-second episode of the science fiction television series 2002 revival of The Twilight Zone. The episode aired May 7, 2003 on UPN.- Opening Narration :- Synopsis :...
"
Battlestar Galactica
- "Act of ContritionAct of Contrition (Battlestar Galactica)"Act of Contrition" is the fourth episode of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica television series.-Plot:After a fatal accident on the hangar deck in which thirteen pilots are killed by an accidentally launched recon drone, Starbuck is assigned to quickly train replacements...
" - "The Hand of GodThe Hand of God (2004 Battlestar Galactica)"The Hand of God" is the tenth episode of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica television series. It shares its title with the last episode of the original series....
" - "ScatteredScattered (Battlestar Galactica)"Scattered" is the first episode of the second season of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica television series. It aired originally on the Sci Fi Channel on July 15, 2005....
" - "Valley of Darkness"
- "Flight of the PhoenixFlight of the Phoenix (Battlestar Galactica)"Flight of the Phoenix" is the ninth episode of the second season of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica television series. It aired originally on the Sci Fi Channel on September 16, 2005....
" - "ScarScar (Battlestar Galactica)"Scar" is the fifteenth episode of the second season of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica television series. It aired originally on the Sci Fi Channel on February 3, 2006....
" - "DownloadedDownloaded (Battlestar Galactica)"Downloaded" is the eighteenth episode of the second season of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica television series. It aired originally on the Sci Fi Channel on February 24, 2006....
" - "ExodusExodus (Battlestar Galactica)"Exodus" are the third and fourth episodes of the third season from the science fiction television series, Battlestar Galactica. The episodes originally aired on the Sci Fi Channel on October 16 and 23, 2006....
" - "RaptureRapture (Battlestar Galactica)"Rapture" is the twelfth episode of the third season from the science fiction television series Battlestar Galactica. Aired on January 21, 2007, this episode marks the return of regular broadcasting after the Christmas mid-season hiatus.-Plot:...
" - "MaelstromMaelstrom (Battlestar Galactica)"Maelstrom" is the seventeenth episode of the third season from the science fiction television series, Battlestar Galactica.-Plot:Survivor Count: 41,400...
" - "He That Believeth in MeHe That Believeth in Me"He That Believeth in Me" is the third episode in the fourth season of the reimagined science fiction television series Battlestar Galactica...
" - "RevelationsRevelations (Battlestar Galactica)"Revelations" is the tenth episode in the fourth season of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica. It first aired on television in the United States on June 13, 2008. The episode serves as the mid-season finale of the fourth season, with the concluding episodes of the series airing after a hiatus...
" - "Sometimes a Great NotionSometimes a Great Notion (Battlestar Galactica)"Sometimes a Great Notion" is the thirteenth episode in the fourth season of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica. It aired on television on SCI FI and Space in the United States and Canada respectively on January 16, 2009 and on Sky One in the United Kingdom on January 20, 2009...
" - "Someone to Watch Over MeSomeone to Watch Over Me (Battlestar Galactica)"Someone to Watch Over Me" is the seventeenth episode in the fourth season of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica. It aired on television in the United States and Canada on February 27, 2009. The survivor count shown in the title sequence is 39,556....
"
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
- "The Grave Shift"
- "Kill Me If You Can"
- "A Space Oddity"
- "Family Affair"
- "The Lost Girls"
- "Irradiator"
- "Shock WavesCSI: Crime Scene Investigation (season 11)The eleventh season of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation premiered on CBS on September 23, 2010 and ended May 12, 2011.-Notable cast members:-Episodes:- U.S. Nielsen Ratings :-External links:...
" - "FrackedCSI: Crime Scene Investigation (season 11)The eleventh season of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation premiered on CBS on September 23, 2010 and ended May 12, 2011.-Notable cast members:-Episodes:- U.S. Nielsen Ratings :-External links:...
" - "Targets of ObsessionCSI: Crime Scene Investigation (season 11)The eleventh season of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation premiered on CBS on September 23, 2010 and ended May 12, 2011.-Notable cast members:-Episodes:- U.S. Nielsen Ratings :-External links:...
"
Nonfiction
- If They Move... Kill 'Em!": The Life and Times of Sam Peckinpah, a biography of noted film director Sam PeckinpahSam PeckinpahDavid Samuel "Sam" Peckinpah was an American filmmaker and screenwriter who achieved prominence following the release of the Western epic The Wild Bunch...