Production: Angels in Manhattan!Bookmark and Share

Friday, 13 April 2012 - Reported by Chuck Foster
This week saw the cast and crew 'go west' as they travelled to New York to continue filming scenes for episode five in the new series of Doctor Who; during the course of the week, the Doctor, Amy and Rory were seen to visit a number of recognisable landmarks, such as Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Tudor City Plaza and Times Square.

The BBC have published some images of the cast and crew during the shoot:


Versions of the wallpapers are available to download in 16:9 and 4:3 format from the BBC Doctor Who website.


Talking about choosing the location for the episode to BBC America, Steven Moffat said:
It's just that it's a different backdrop for the story. Something about Weeping Angels in New York seems to make sense to me. It's not to appeal to an American audience, particularly - they don't come to Doctor Who to see themselves, they come to Doctor Who to see us.

We're not going to go there and film in the backstreets like we'd find in Cardiff, that would be a mistake!

A number of other photos of cast and crew on location were published on Twitter by Arthur Darvill (@rattyburvil), playing a "peg game" with his photographs! The week saw Karen Gillan finally join the social networking tool (@KarenGillan2) too, publishing her first photograph on location!








FILTER: - Steven Moffat - Production - Filming Reports - Series 7/33

BroaDWcast Cover Expands To AustraliaBookmark and Share

Thursday, 12 April 2012 - Reported by John Bowman
A profile and airdates guide to Australia has been added to BroaDWcast - the website documenting foreign screenings of 20th-century Doctor Who - helping to make the project nearly complete.

Jon Preddle, team member and brainchild behind the comprehensive and exhaustive project, said:
BroaDWcast was launched in February 2011. At the time, it was less than 80% complete.
Much work has been done on the site over the last 14 months, with many new country profiles and airdates tables added. The website is - dare we say it! - nearly 100% complete.

We are pleased to announce that the long-awaited profile and airdates guide to Australia has now been added. Another new addition is a guide to the major Doctor Who conventions held in the United States since 1979.

There are only a couple more country profiles to be added, unless we discover that El Doctor Misterio aired in more Central or South American countries than those we know about, and we are constantly updating and revising the existing information, so this will always be a "work in progress".

As always, we welcome feedback, comments, suggestions, and input to help make the site as complete and accurate as possible.




FILTER: - Classic Series - Broadcasting

People RoundupBookmark and Share

Thursday, 12 April 2012 - By Chuck Foster and John Bowman
By Chuck Foster and John Bowman
Matt Smith has talked about his approach to choosing roles. "Well, I guess I choose whatever the best role is but it's very hard to find a part like the Doctor. But I suppose I wouldn't go and play a really clever scientist who's mad next - unless it was a really dark one. I think acting's about variety, so you're constantly trying to find a variety of identities to explore because that's what makes it interesting." [Independent, 5 Apr 2012]

While we await his reappearance on TV as the Doctor, Smith can be seen in his first major film, Clone, when it gets its UK release on 4th May. In it, he plays a man who dies in a car accident but whose girlfriend gives birth to a genetic copy of him. Production on the film, which originally had the title Womb, started in March 2009. A special preview will take place on 1st May at the Sci-Fi-London Film Festival. [Digital Spy, 11 Apr 2012]

David Tennant has also spoken about taking on roles, this time for children and with regard to his voiceover for the CBeebies animated series Tree Fu Tom: "I haven't done anything for this age of children before, but they are formative years and it's really important we create television of a high quality for that audience. Generally speaking we don't have vivid memories from when we were pre-school age but the programmes you watch when you are that young, when you’re still learning about how the world works, are very important. Television, more than any other medium, is what influenced me as a child and formed my response to literature, storytelling and, therefore, the world around me." [Daily Mail, 6 Apr 2012]

Tennant's image is to turn up in a new comic, America's Got Powers, written by Jonathan Ross. The chat show host said: "He agreed to let us use his likeness in one of the characters and it looks great. His character is kind of the mastermind behind a brutal reality show where kids with super powers slug it out to join the only Government-sanctioned super team." [The Sun, 10 Apr 2012]

A tweet by Laurence Fox on 5th April announced to the world that wife Billie Piper had given birth to their second child that day. He wrote: "One born every minute. We had our minute today. Couldn't be happier. Beautiful boy. Everything fine." Yesterday, Fox tweeted that the baby, who is a brother to three-year-old Winston, had been named Eugene Pip.

Derek Jacobi is to have a long-held wish come true when he appears in Coronation Street - but viewers may not recognise him. The renowned actor will only be seen at the back of a Rovers Return shot, which was filmed during a private visit last week to the set of the Phil Collinson-produced soap. In an interview five years ago, Jacobi told how he had always wanted to be in the ITV programme. It is not known when the episode will air. [BBC News, 11 Apr 2012]

Robert Glenister has less-than-fond memories of his time on Doctor Who. The actor, who played Salateen in Peter Davison's swansong The Caves of Androzani, tells Radio Times: "I still get people outside the stage door with that picture of me looking about 12 and I am appalled at myself every time I see it. I looked like a complete berk and wish I never had to see it again." Ironically, Glenister says that his favourite television role was in the Davison-starring BBC1 comedy series Sink or Swim, which ran from 1980 to 1982 and gave him his TV break playing the younger brother of Davison's character. [Radio Times, 12 Apr 2012]

John de Lancie provides the voice of Professor Fitz Quadwrangle in a new video puzzle game, Quantum Conundrum, to be released for PSN, XBLA and Windows platforms. [The Sixth Axis, 4 Apr 2012]




FILTER: - People - Matt Smith - Billie Piper - David Tennant - Radio Times

Production RoundupBookmark and Share

Sunday, 8 April 2012 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Production:

The latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine has reported that the fourth episode of the series will be produced on its own as Block Three, to be directed by Douglas Mackinnon, who previously filmed The Sontaran Stratagem/The Poison Sky; the episode will also be the second script written by Chris Chibnall for this series.

This will then be followed by Block Four, due to commence production in May, and of course introduces us to a new traveller in the TARDIS in the form Jenna-Louise Coleman in the 2012 Christmas Special. This will also be the first story to be totally produced at the new BBC Roath Lock studios in Cardiff Bay.

Steven Moffat described the audition process for the new arrival: "I sat down and wrote a scene, from a pretend story, that I thought covered everything a Doctor Who co-star might have to do. And that one scene ended up being three scenes, and two of them I liked so much, they snuck themselves into real eposodes, and one I liked even better because during it we all realised Jenna was our one and only choice. We all sat and watched this - me, Caro Skinner, Marcus Wilson and Andy Pryor - and I'm sure you could hear our heart rates soaring. Because there it was, right in front of us, the new team and the new show." This scene is included in DWM Issue 446.

Casting director Andy Pryor described the process of short-listing for roles to DWM: "My original list was probably a couple of hundred names, which I whittled down to around fifty. Then I began auditioning in earnest - in the intake stages, I'll audition maybe twenty people at a time for a role like this - and showing the best of them to Steven, Caro and Marcus. For smaller roles and guest parts we usually audition somewhere between three and five people, but for such an enormous part it's a bigger deal. Between us we shortlisted further and recalled a small selection to read with Matt. We met some brilliant actresses for the part, but when Jenna auditioned with Matt, we all knew instantly that she was the one."

After photos with classic Daleks revealed by the BBC and Moffat last week, one owned by former head writer Russell T Davies has also been pressed into action! The arrival of 'her' at the studios were marked by brand manager Edward Russell: "Oh look. It's me and Caroline Skinner posing with Russell's Dalek on her way to the studio!« Daleks are female, right? It make so much sense. For one they have skirts....«". The executive producer herself said: "Russell's Dalek has arrived on set - I'm talking her through her part!«" Russell's partner Andrew saw it off: "Our Dalek on its way to TV stardom in Cardiff«", to which Steven Moffat replied: "We'll all look after it. Except for the Doctor, who'll probably blow it up. Sorry, he does that.«"


Photo: Edward Russell/Twitter


Photo: Caroline Skinner/Twitter


Photo: Andrew C Smith/Twitter

Filming from the current block indicates that Director of Photography for episodes one and five is Neville Kidd - previous credits include Lip Service, How To Grow A Planet and Case Histories, and he won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Photography (Factual) in 2009 for his work on A History of Scotland

Media:

Matt Smith on how things are progressing with filming: "It's really great. I think we've got some really exciting episodes. We did the read-throughs for episodes one and five and they are extremely extraordinary. Really, really pleased with them, so if we get them right, the Ponds' final hour could be incredible. We will be making some Doctor Who in New York which is incredibly exciting." [Independent, 5 Apr 2012]

Will a woman be taking over the role of the Doctor for the 50th Anniversary? According to the Express, she will, with their show insider saying: "The 50th anniversary series will end with a very big twist - the Doctor becoming a woman will give the show a new lease of life.". The newspaper cites Sherlock actress Lara Pulver as being one of the front-runners. [Express, 2 Apr 2012]

Filming Reports:

After a number of weeks hidden away in studio or abroad, the production team has finally been out and about on the public streets of Cardiff once more, with filming taking place across Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for both episodes one and five. The "Silver Cloak" were on hand to watch the exterior filming, and the following summaries of the shoots contain potential plot revelations - though the details have also been widely reported on Twitter, do not read further unless you don't mind knowing such details!





















Wednesday saw the exterior of Cardiff University's School of Physics and Astronomy pressed into service, and like with Day of the Moon in last year's series the area was dressed to look like a New York street, including a parking sign and a 'stunt' tree. Weeping angels were in attendance (including those seen at the Doctor Who Convention in March), with scenes being shot of two Angels on pedestals by the building entrance with Rory, then the Doctor and Amy seen to enter cautiously. Another actor, named "Rob" also filmed scenes outside the building, which was named "Winter Quay" for the story.

Brian Damage commented: "it probably doesn't sound like the most exciting scene (and there were no spoilers), but somehow those Angel statues are really quite disturbing. Even though they are the same statues which were on display in the BBC studios and at the convention, seeing them out in the real World is really unsettling!"

Simon Watkins also reported: "Inside the building, some other scenes had clearly been shot too. There were people milling around, and we saw later some other characters/extras emerging in period dress, including a small girl with a pink ribbon in her hair."

Filming continued to around 1:15am.


Further photos from the evening's shoot can be found by Alun Vega on Flickr and Laura Blakemore on Facebook. Some video footage from the evening is also available to view from Simon Watkins and "RabbitLights" (1, 2).

The evening's activities were also reported by WalesOnline.
The production team spent the early afternoon of Thursday filming outside the house nominated as Amy and Rory's in Bute Esplanade, plus the TARDIS sited in the park across the street (as usual!). A clapperboard indicated that one of the scenes was Episode 1 Scene 64, and activity involved Amy and Rory waving the TARDIS goodbye, and also an apparent row between the pair in the street. Filming wrapped around 3:00pm.


Further photos from the afternoon's shoot can be found by Lee Tucker on Flickr, Laura Blakemore on Facebook, and Whovians.net on ImageBam. Video footage from the afternoon is also available to view from "Cjllewey369".

The afternoon shoot was reported by the Daily Mail and The Sun.
A number of locations represented London and New York during Friday afternoon/evening, with filming taking place for both episodes one and five.

First up was the familiar sight of Mount Stuart Square, which has appeared a number of times in the series past, most notably as the streets of London during Rise of the Cybermen/Age of Steel and Doomsday. The square was once again substituted for those streets, with a prop a bus stop indicating Wimbledon Theatre and a "Number 23" bus to Liverpool Street present at the location. A clapperboard indicated that Episode 1 Scene 5 was in progress, and Ryan Farrell summarised proceedings: "Rory gets on a London bus, with "divorce papers", for him and Amelia Williams. Rory is the one filing for divorce. Let's remember that this could be a dream/nightmare sequence or alternate reality. Here's the interesting bit; the bus driver had, in his hand as Rory got on (not in all takes), a mini Dalek eyestalk! It seemed to be New Paradigm style, with the jagged edges rather than smooth, but it did have a blue glowing light and wires coming out of it."


Second location of the afternoon was based in the interior Custom House in Bute Street, a Victorian building that is being renovated as part of a redevelopment project. This might have been for either episode one or five, with Ryan reporting: "Matt, Karen, Arthur and a mystery black guy in the suit and posh hat were all in there."


Action then moved to Bay Chambers in West Bute Street. Ryan picks up the action: "'Winter Quay' from Wednesday's filming is actually a hotel, and the interiors were filmed here. Rory was in a cellar, and gets zapped by something (presumably an Angel) and appears in New York in the past. Arthur had to jump off a small box and look confused and shaken up. Then he looks up, at the Statue of Liberty. He was told to gaze at it as if there was something not quite right about it. He couldn't think what. Next, they filmed "Rob" (actor's name) getting out of a car. It was very odd. They only filmed his shoulders and head, and there was actually no car at all. He had to mime it by squatting and then standing up. He makes a comment about the Statue of Liberty too, and also looks confused, and walks on."

Brian Damage added: "At a guess I'd say that the street scene was not meant to be in quite the same geographical location: the interior of Winters Quay (glimpsed through the door tonight) was the same set up as the false wall which they used at the Physics lab, on Wednesday night. In other words, the Physics lab is the outside of the main entrance, whilst this building is the interior. From the action, it seems likely that this scene follows on from the filming at the previous location, making both scenes part of Episode 5 - which of course fits with the costume of the unidentified black actor spotted at the previous location."

Filming again wrapped around 1:15am.


Further photos from the day can be found by Lee Tucker on Flickr. Some video footage from the evening is also available to view from Lee and Ryan Farrell (afternoon, evening).
The fourth consecutive day of location filming moved out of Wales to nearby Bristol, utilising the architectural interiors of the University's School of Physics and the Institute for Advanced Studies. Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill were present, with scenes from both episode one and five believed to be taking place.

One fan said: "The angels were in the physics block - I think,they were letting anyone go and look lol. They're filming till 3am and it looks like no Matt. It was all inside and being that we got what we went for we left after they went inside."

Tiny Time Lord continued: "It was only Karen at Fort House - we got there at 22:30 and it was just Karen and two girls as Weeping Angels (we got their autographs as well) Arthur wasn't around. We're pretty sure Matts stunt double was there though. a guy in same jeans/boots and bow tie with his hair styled as Matt. Couldn't get near enough to ask him though! The Angels left at just gone midnight and Karen went back in to film some more. We left just before 00:30!"


Filming reports/photos thanks to: Brian Damage, Lee Tucker, Laura Blakemore, Penny Blakemore, Simon Watkins, Alun Vega, Ryan Farrell, Tiny Time Lord




FILTER: - Steven Moffat - Production - Matt Smith - Filming Reports - Jenna-Louise Coleman - Series 7/33

2012 Hugo NominationsBookmark and Share

Sunday, 8 April 2012 - Reported by Marcus
Hugo AwardsThree 2011 Doctor Who stories have been nominated for the 2012 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form.

The scripts for Neil Gaiman's The Doctor's Wife and Tom MacRae's The Girl Who Waited, will compete against showrunner Steven Moffat's A Good Man Goes to War to win the award which will be presented at Chicon 7 to be held in Chicago, Illinois, at the end of August.

Doctor Who has won five previous Hugo Awards, with Steven Moffat winning for The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances, The Girl in the Fireplace, Blink and The Pandorica Opens / The Big Bang, while Russell T Davies and Phil Ford won for The Waters of Mars. The awards are given every year for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories.

2012 Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form - Full Nominations
  • Doctor Who, The Doctor’s Wife, written by Neil Gaiman; directed by Richard Clark (BBC Wales)
  • The Drink Tank’s Hugo Acceptance Speech, Christopher J Garcia and James Bacon (Renovation)
  • Doctor Who, The Girl Who Waited, written by Tom MacRae; directed by Nick Hurran (BBC Wales)
  • Doctor Who, A Good Man Goes to War, written by Steven Moffat; directed by Peter Hoar (BBC Wales)
  • Community, Remedial Chaos Theory, written by Dan Harmon and Chris McKenna; directed by Jeff Melman (NBC)

Also nominated this year is Doctor Who writer Paul Cornell who has received two nominations. His book The Copenhagen Interpretation is nominated as Best Novelette while SF Squeecast in which he takes part is nominated for Best Fancast.




FILTER: - Steven Moffat - Series 6/32 - Awards/Nominations

Australian EventsBookmark and Share

Friday, 6 April 2012 - Reported by Marcus

Doctor Who Night 2012 – The Final Game:


The ABC Shop Rosny Park at Eastlands shopping centre in Tasmania, Australia is to host its fourth Doctor Who night on April 14th 2012.

The event will include a theatrical play (entitled "The Final Game" based on a classic Doctor and an even more classic villain), a quiz, giveaways, specials and prizes. Daleks will be in attendance, as will K-9 and the TARDIS.

Food outlets such as Gloria Jeans, Wendys and Kebab Empire will be open and Doctor Who shaped donuts will be available from Donut King!

The night runs between 7 and 9pm on April 14th and is free attendance for all!


WHO, ME.

Doctor Who is about to face his greatest challenge: his number one fan.

Rob Lloyd (The Hounds, The Mutant Way, A Study in Scarlet (A Study of...) and Fan Number One) is putting the Doctor on trial.*

Not just for Doctor Who fans, it’s a show about obsession and it’s many faces. What have you been obsessed with – a celebrity, a football team, a TV show? For Rob, it’s Doctor Who all the way.
After sell out shows for the Melbourne and Adelaide Fringe Festivals and a full house for Armageddon Expo 2011, Rob Lloyd will be bringing ‘WHO, ME’ back to Melbourne for this years Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Investigating whether Doctor Who (the television show) is guilty of inciting in him a debilitating obsession, or whether it has shaped him into a well-rounded, mentally-sound member of society.

Built up through improvisation and storytelling techniques, this one-man show is a personal and fitting tribute to a television icon.

The event takes place at St Ali Cafe, Yarra Place from April 10th-21st at 8pm. Tickets available from the Festival Website




FILTER: - Special Events - Australia

Doctor Who Magazine 446Bookmark and Share

Wednesday, 4 April 2012 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The new issue of Doctor Who Magazine is published on Thursday, and talks exclusively to the latest actress to enter the TARDIS, Jenna-Louise Coleman:
I know what my introduction is, and I have a general idea of where we're going to go. There's definitely a story arc. It sounds really interesting, really exciting. I don't think anything's been done like it before, but there are lots of secrets and intrigue, and I think it's going to throw and confuse a lot of people, and surprise a lot of people...

Also this issue:
  • Gonna Make You A Star - executive producer Steven Moffat gives DWM a peek behind the scenes at the auditioning process for the Doctor’s new companion – including his specially written Audition Script – in Production Notes!
  • First Lady - DWM catches up with executive producer Caroline Skinner in her first major interview, and discusses the plans for her first full season of Doctor Who, the casting of Jenna-Louise Coleman as the new companion, and working with the Daleks!
  • The Lost Boy - DWM interviews Mark Strickson, who played the Fifth Doctor’s not-entirely-trustworthy companion, Turlough, and looks back on his time in the TARDIS – and the extraordinary real-life adventures that he’s had since.
  • Double Trouble - the Sixth Doctor makes his début in an adventure that takes him from the desolate world of Titan III to the planet Jaconda which is in the slimy grip of the giant Gastropods. The Fact Of Fiction places 1984’s The Twin Dilemma under the microscope, pokes it with a stick and uncovers its secrets!
  • Funnily Enough - it was the season of Doctor Who which had Douglas Adams as its script editor – and it was one of the most controversial set of stories ever. Doctor Who heads reaches Series Seventeen as Countdown To 50 continues!
  • Somthing's Cooking - Amy prepares to impress the Doctor with her culinary skills, Rory has a strange encounter while late night shopping and the Doctor pursues an invisible graffiti artist. But who – or what is ‘Monos’? Find out in the first part of brand new comic strip adventure, Sticks & Stones, by Scott Gray and Martin Geraghty!
  • Less Is More? During Doctor Who’s original 26-year run, it would be the norm for stories to be told in episodic form over several weeks, but today the series usually presents a complete story in a single episode. But which format is best? Toby Hadoke and Johnny Candon lock horns once more over this thorny Doctor Who issue in A Battle Of Wits.
  • Tweet! Tweet! - Doctor Who celebs, both big and small, are all flocking to Twitter! DWM presents 30 More People Every Doctor Who Fan Should Follow on Twitter – including mini-interviews with author Tom MacRae, and companion actors Nicola Bryant and Arthur Darvill.
  • French Love Letters - love is in the air as Chris, Emma, Michael and Will steep themselves in French romance as The Time Team assemble to see the Tenth Doctor fall for Madame de Pompadour in the 2006 episode The Girl in the Fireplace – but what will the team make of this dangerous liaison?
  • A Proper Madame! DWM conducts an intimate interview with Madame de Pompadour herself, actress Sophia Myles, who reveals what it was like to wear Helen Mirren’s dress, snogging the stars and confronting clockwork robots in The Girl in the Fireplace!
  • Go Wild In The Country! The Watcher presents another five truths and a cheeky lie in The Six Faces of Delusion, but which is which? Another Supporting Artist of the Month is singled out, and A History of Doctor Who in 100 Objects takes a look at the many Doctor Who adventures that have all taken place within a few miles of each other in the English home counties. All this and more in Wotcha!
PLUS! All the latest official news, TV and merchandise reviews, previews, competitions, a prize-winning crossword, and more.





FILTER: - Magazines - DWM

Rediscovered episodes to be screened in CardiffBookmark and Share

Wednesday, 4 April 2012 - Reported by Chuck Foster
BAFTA Wales are to present a special event featuring the screening of the two recently rediscovered episodes, Galaxy 4: Air Lock and The Underwater Menace: Episode Two. The event will also feature a Q&A with stars Peter Purves, Anneke Wills and Frazer Hines, plus a guest from the current production.

The event is to take place at Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff on 9th May 2012, booking to open shortly.

(with thanks to Edward Russell)




FILTER: - Special Events - Classic Series

People RoundupBookmark and Share

Tuesday, 3 April 2012 - Reported by Chuck Foster
David Tennant is fronting a new advertising campaign for Virgin Media alongside Sir Richard Branson, highlighting the facilities available on Virgin's television services. The first advert shows Tennant exploring his own back catalogue on the Tivo service, with Branson tinkering with a time travel device ... [Virgin Media, 30 Mar 2012]

Tennant has also been confirmed to play the lead in a two-part adaptation of Alan Furst's novel Spies of Warsaw, a co-production between BBC Worldwide and ARTE France; he stars alongside Janet Montgomery (Merlin, Entourage). Richard Fell, executive producer for Fresh Pictures, said: "We are thrilled and delighted that David and Janet are going to be in Spies of Warsaw. They are both actors of such great range and quality they will light up the screen as the star crossed lovers Jean Francois and Anna." The cast also features Burn Gorman (Torchwood). [BBC Media Centre, 3 Apr 2012]

Alexander Armstrong is among the guest hosts when Have I Got News For You returns to BBC One for its 43rd series this month. The nine-episode series starts on Friday 13th April and Armstrong will be in the hot seat for episode five, scheduled to go out on 11th May - making a record-breaking 20th appearance as guest host when he does so. Extended repeats - Have I Got A Bit More News For You - are shown on BBC One and BBC One HD the following Sunday. [BBC Media Centre, 29 Mar 2012]

Director Graeme Harper became part of a world record when he drove a train full of teddy bears at the North Bay Railway; some 280 bears were aboard for the three-quarter mile ride which raised money for Raw Animal Rescue, Hope Animal Rescue and Veteran Horse. The record attempt was arranged by Ms Minty Steade, who said: "It is just pure harmless fun, people can have a laugh and help set a record. The children also received a certificate to say their bear has been on a train driver by Graeme Harper of Dr Who fame - you cannot get any better than that can you?" [Scarborough Evening News, 2 Apr 2012]

John Barrowman will be performing a number of concerts in the UK between 21st and 24th June. This kicks off at Scarborough's Open Air Theatre on the 21st, then to Glasgow Green on the 22nd, Blackpool's Picnic by the Seaside at the Tower Festival Headland on the 22nd, and finally appears in London at the Hampton Court Palace Festival on Sunday 24th June; the actor said of the latter venue: “I'm thrilled to be performing my summer concert at the favourite palace of so many kings and queens. I hope you'll come hold court with me for this special mid-summer celebration." [Scarborough Evening News, 31 Mar 2012] [UK Festival Guides, 2 Apr 2012] [Blackpool Gazette, 3 Apr 2012]




FILTER: - People - David Tennant - John Barrowman

The Quest For PedlerBookmark and Share

Monday, 2 April 2012 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Miwk Publishing have announced a biography of the life of Doctor Who writer and consultant, Dr. Christopher "Kit" Pedler, due to be published in March 2013.

The Quest For Pedler: The Life and Ideas of Dr Kit Pedler
By Michael Seely  pre-order

For many people, Kit Pedler is best remembered as the man who created the Cybermen for Doctor Who, a real-life scientist who was brought in to act as an advisor and bring some science to the fiction. The Cybermen were his ultimate scientific nightmare – Man’s very nature corrupted into a monster by his own genius for survival. Pedler had a gift for imagining the horrors of tomorrow.

With two doctorates to his name as well as being Head of Anatomy at the Institute of Ophthalmology, Dr Kit Pedler began to share the suspicions being voiced in the 1960s towards the role of the scientist in society who saw research as an end in itself, leaving the moral dilemmas to politicians in a world where the people were conditioned to accept an intolerable environment. He was at the beginnings of the 'soft' or 'alternative’ technology movement, which wanted to develop a sustainable science that would not deplete the world of its natural resources or poison the environment with its pollution.

Together with his friend and writing partner Gerry Davis, he created the hugely successful and controversial BBC1 drama series Doomwatch, which captured this fear and frightened the adults as much as the Cybermen scared the children.

The series changed his life and launched him as a prophet of doom whose stories uncannily predicted real-life ecological accidents and disasters, making him a much sought-after pundit in the press and on television.

Resigning from the institute, Pedler turned his back on the world he had spent his adult life working in and spent the rest of it campaigning for a real Doomwatch to stop the unnecessary and cruel practices on laboratory animals which he himself had performed in his earlier academic days, experiment in what we would now call eco-friendly housing and alternative technology, and began to change his own relationship to the world. This lead to his book The Quest For Gaia, published in 1979, where he envisaged how a Gaian lifestyle would work in the post-industrial age. He also designed and built a nuclear bomb in rural Kent.

Before his premature death in 1981 he had just finished a documentary series for ITV called Mind Over Matter, which was the first serious look at the world of the paranormal through the eyes of his enquiring and rational, but imaginative, mind.

With contributions from his family, friends, colleagues and critics, this book tells the story behind a fascinating, charismatic, complicated and demanding man – a natural teacher who didn't just pontificate about the problems facing the world in a television or radio studio, but actually wanted to do something practical about them.




FILTER: - Auto/Biography - Books