Ambassadors Delayed

Wednesday, 26 January 2011 - Reported by Marcus

2|Entertain have announced that the DVD release of the Third Doctor story The Ambassadors of Death has been delayed due to ongoing restoration issues.

It was hoped that the story would be out later this year and it was due to be released along with the 1977 story The Sun Makers. However the company confirmed via their twitter account that the story will not now be released this year.

The story only existed in the BBC Archives in a mixture of formats. Although the original Transmission Master of Episode One exists, the rest of the story was only kept as 16mm black and white film. A second generation colour copy exists as an off air recording from WNED Channel 17 in Buffalo, and this was used to restore episodes five and six to colour for the 2002 Video release. However the quality of the colour recording was not good enough to allow for the restoration of the rest of the story.

Earlier this year it was reported that the remaining episodes were being restored to colour using the same technique applied to Episode Three of the 1973 story Planet of the Daleks. However it appears this process has run into problems and the release date has been delayed to give the restoration team more time to work on the project.

FILTER: - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD

Elisabeth Sladen Autobiography

Wednesday, 26 January 2011 - Reported by Marcus

Who's That Girl? the autobiography of Elisabeth Sladen is due to be published in the UK later this year.

Originally planned for release in April the book is now expected in the Summer or Autumn.

The 320 page hardback book will tell the story of the woman behind one of Doctor Who's most enduring characters, Sarah Jane Smith. Elisabeth Sladen first took on the role of in 1973, playing opposite Third Doctor Jon Pertwee, a role she is still playing today in the hugely successful Sarah Jane Adventures. The book tells the story of her remarkable career: giving a unique, insiderâ€™s view of the worldâ€™s longest-running science fiction series; and of British television yesterday and today.

The book is published by Aurum Press Ltd on 25 April 2011 and will be priced Â£16.99

WHOâ€™S THAT GIRL? - The Autobiography of Elisabeth Sladen

When Elisabeth Sladen debuted as journalist Sarah Jane Smith in the Doctor Who story â€˜The Time Warriorâ€™, she had no idea the character would become one of the most enduring and popular in the seriesâ€™ history. The coming years would see Elisabeth traverse time and space alongside classic doctors Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker, whilst a generation of children crouched behind the sofa, terrified but transfixed as their tea-time heroine found herself menaced by Daleks, dinosaurs, Cybermen, Sontarans, Egyptian mummies and even the Loch Ness Monster.

Her decision to quit the TARDIS made front-page news, but it wasnâ€™t the end of Sarah Jane. Elisabeth has reprised the role many times, toured the weird, wonderful world of Doctor Who fandom and regularly tops polls of fansâ€™ favourite companions. Now Elisabeth Sladen tells the story of her remarkable career: a unique, insiderâ€™s view of the worldâ€™s longest-running science fiction series; and of British television yesterday and today.

Elisabeth Sladen plays companion Sarah Jane Smith in Doctor Who and The Sarah Jane Adventures. She has also appeared in Coronation Street, Some Mothers Do â€™Ave â€™Em and Z-Cars.

Publishers Aurum have also announced that their biography of Terry Nation, The Man Who Invented the Daleks, will be published in May.

The book, which was first reported last July, looks at the life of the man behind Blake's 7, The Survivors and The Daleks.

THE MAN WHO INVENTED THE DALEKS - The Strange Worlds of Terry Nation by Alwyn W. Turner

Terry Nation was one of the most successful and prolific writers for television and radio that Britain ever produced. His vision of a post-apocalyptic England, Survivors, has been re-made thirty years on, Blakeâ€™s 7 endures as a cult sci-fi classic, and his most famous creations, the Daleks, ensured, and at times eclipsed, the success of Doctor Who.

But while those alien â€˜pepperpotsâ€™ remain at the core of his appeal, Nation also had a role to play in the early days of radio and television comedy â€“ as part of the legendary Associated London Scripts, he wrote for Spike Milligan, Tony Hancock and Frankie Howerd â€“ and he became a key figure in the internationally successful adventure series of the 1960s: The Avengers, The Saint and The Persuaders!

This is the first serious, mainstream account of Terry Nationâ€™s life and contribution to British television and will shed light on a fascinating melting pot of ambitious young writers, producers and performers without whom British culture today would look very different.

Alwyn W. Turner is the author of Crisis? What Crisis?: Britain in the 1970s, Rejoice! Rejoice!: Britain in the 1980s, and The Biba Experience

FILTER: - People - Auto/Biography - Classic Series - Elisabeth Sladen

Torchwood: Week Two Filming

Saturday, 22 January 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Filming for Torchwood: Miracle Day continued this week in Los Angeles, California.

The week saw the main cast joined by Bill Pullman (Oswald Danes), Arlene Tur (Doctor Vera Jaurez), and original cast member Tom Price (Andy Davidson), with scenes filmed within an old prison, a "haunted" hospital, and Los Angeles City Hall!

As with last week, filming details are compiled from the tantalising tidbits revealed by the cast and crew on Twitter, plus the official production office feed, BBC Torchwood.

A more detailed breakdown of developments during the week follows below; times have been quoted for the local Californian timezone.

Monday

A new week, but no rest for the 'wicked'!

10:40 AS  A 30 hour weekend was not enough to prepare me for the week.
          Womens prisons, haunted hospitals... And btw those rn't storylines.
14:32 BBC After a long great week of work we're at it again.
          Eve, Mekhi, & Kai all day today.
          They say hello and tell everyone you know to follow us!

The shoot was summed up by Kai Owen:

21:06 KO  Cracking day. Cracking Day. Eve gorgeous, Mekhi awesome.

No confirmation on where filming took place, but apparently popular vampire series True Blood was shooting next to the Torchwood production; as BBC_Torchwood put it: "Stealth mission #1: sneak Russell onto the set. Oops Ryan K, how did we get into your trailer?"

Tuesday

A busy day, with a production meeting for episodes two and three in the morning:

07:47 JE  Meeting John Barrowman RIGHT NOW. He's RIGHT THERE.
08:52 BBC They're having a table read for EP#2 upstairs.
          Bill Pullman is on location today. Great stuff.
11:43 TP  Just done read of eps 2&3. Woooo. It's really good.
          I played several roles, including Man#2 which I think
          has awoken LA to my arrival well.
13:01 BBC Family style lunch with everyone.
          We're all going to have Welsh accents by the end of this show.
          It'll be wonderful.
13:58 KO  The read through was epic! Amazing scripts. Great cast. Brilliant.

First "TW-Spy" for this week comes from Tom Price:

(posted via yfrog)

Actual filming for the day was at the Sybil Brand Institute, a former women's prison which closed in 1997 and has since been used for a variety of films and television, including Gangland, 24 and The X Files. No time off for the crew though, with another early morning start:

00:22 AS  is going to prison at 6:42am. 
          I'll check in via FB and twitter once I'm situated haha
07:01 ST  Big scenes today dressing 86 background head to toe.
15:11 AS  Laying on a cold hard floor...

23:56 GB  a very long day with an 8am script read for episodes 2+3,
          then long location shoot at an old prison - 
          we love Arlene Tur a lot....

Wednesday

Another day, another location, this time the Linda Vista Hospital which since closure in 1991 has been the focus of a number of paranormal investigations as it is allegedly haunted! Unsurprisingly, it is another popular site for productions, playing host to Outbreak, Pearl Harbour, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and the original hospital for the pilot for E.R.! Today, however, it's the turn of Torchwood and first day in front of the camera for both Bill Pullman and Tom Price

(This was of course assuming that Tom and Kai had recovered from a previous day's excitement at Universal City! As Tom surmised: "Off to do some work soon. Not sure I'm ready. Can't I just keep going on roller coasters?")

10:36 KO  Off in to work. It's gonna be emotional, and very HOT!!!
12:26 AS  Oh my gosh. Bill Pullman = brilliant!
          So frighteningly good it's hard to watch.

"TW-Spy" continues as Alana, Kai and Tom go on a ghost hunt in-between filming:

(posted via Twitpic)

Thursday

A night shoot, with Los Angeles City Hall being the focus of attention.

09:30 AS  Oh boy... couldn't sleep in this morning but I have to work all night,
          outside, in the cold... this might not be good.
14:20 BBC The action never stops, tonight is a big night for John and Alexa
          on location in LA. We working hard on trying to release teasers :-)
14:24 BBC Tomorrow is a super big travel day for cast and crew. 
          Goodbye LA, hello Wales. :-)
          Don't worry, we'll be tweeting from both locations.
14:31 BBC We will miss everyone here until you return, wishing you safe travel.
          Now its time for the highly anticipated day 9 explosion. FUN.
18:53 BBC EP 2 and 3 production meeting then off to set to visit John and Alexa -
          we hear its really exciting over there.

A number of fans were able to watch some of the filming outside the Hall during the evening:

I heard online that there was going to be an on location shoot for Torchwood in downtown LA, specifically at City Hall. Knowing how rare an opportunity to see John Barrowman is, living in the US, I decided I had to at least try or I would regret it. My friends and I arrived when they were still setting up, this was around 5pm. We saw the film crew and loads of prop vans and trailers. But alas no Barrowman, nor did we glimpse Alexa Havens who we heard would be there and I am a fan of from her soap opera days.

We DID however get friendly with a number of the folks working on the shoot a prop guy, a few security guards, some lighting technicians, everyone was very nice and didn't mind that fans were around so long as we were quiet for rolling and didn't pummel the talent. We also ran into 2 other BarrowFans and we teamed up for the night.

After the first part of filming, where we were not at an angle to SEE JB or Alexa they moved to a different part of the building. We walked to the new set up and we could plainly see the rehearsing and filming which was such a treat. We were pretty content just getting to see Jack in action but then John Barrowman went above and beyond and acknowledged us!

He was filming then he made his way towards a van and he yelled over to us that he was going to get done up and I yelled back that he looked fabulous to which he responded thank you and that he would come visit us later, bless, what a GEM of a man he is.

He was gone for quite a while actually and when he returned he went back to filming at which point we got chummy with some of the extras, one of which I gladly educated about the phenomenal John Barrowman. Needless to say I saw quite a bit of what was going on a few tidbits about the scenes and effects going into the new series BUT they specifically asked me not to take photos and I got the impression that gossip about details would be frowned upon so for now I'll keep to myself with the promise I will re-blog once the show has aired, sound fair?? I hope you understand I just don't want to step on any toes.

So, after some more filming and minutes after my jaw had a random attack of pain, maybe from smiling too much, we see John and Alexa walking towards us. Which, we were pretty far actually so as to not be in the shot. They came over and greeted us with thanks and hugs. And let me just say, John Barrowman smells 51st century for sure. He hugged me and apologized for getting me wet cause they filmed a wet scene, mind out of the gutters people! He also was kind enough to stay and chat for a few minutes. He signed papers and what we had for everyone and he did so with a Sharpie I produced from my chest, thank you *takes a bow*, best pocket EVER. He did also slip in some kind words about my chest when I produced a small piece of paper I prepared for him out of my bra. I just gave him information about Barrowman Day, you know me ALWAYS at the ready! We didn't get a picture because he wasn't allowed to while it wardrobe but he promised to next time I meet him, should I be so lucky.

(with thanks to Dana Shukartsi from Barrowman Day - read her full blog entry on-site)

Dana was also able to visit the South Spring Street shoot last Friday - you can read her report in the Week One Summary.

(with thanks to Kristine Keller)

(with thanks to Tony Arranaga)

Last word goes to Director of Photography Nathaniel Goodman for this week: "US shooting finished on high note Ep 1 Torchwood. Cool stunt - Capt. Jack and newby Esther great. Pullman kills as usual. Off to Wales!"

Key to initials: AS - Alana Stone (fashion designer); BBC - BBC Torchwood (production office); GB - Gavin Barker (John Barrowman's agent); JE - Jane Espenson (writer); KO - Kai Owen (Rhys); ST - Shawna Trpcic (costume designer); TP - Tom Price (Andy)

Next week sees the shoot move across the Atlantic back to Torchwood's homeland, South Wales; costume designer Shawna Trpcic reported on Tuesday that costumes had been sent over (and that Gwen's new costume had been well received!), and confirmed on Thursday that UK-series veteran Lindsay Bonaccorsi would be handling the UK-side.

It also appears to be an extended shoot to the originally expected fortnight mentioned by Eve Myles last year. The Gallifrey One convention in Los Angeles takes place on 18-20th February, and organiser Shaun Lyon has reported:

It's with great sadness that we must announce that Kai Owen and Tom Price will not be able to be with us at Gallifrey 2011. Tenth Planet Events (who was sponsoring them) just informed us that their UK filming schedule on the next series of Torchwood, which starts next week, has been extended, and regrettably, what they both expected would be a quick trip back to LA for the convention has to be cancelled.

The only known location for the UK shoot at the time of writing is at the Coal Exchange in Cardiff Bay on the 1st February, the interior of which last appeared in the series representing the offices of Permanent Secretary to the Home Office and Torchwood liaison John Frobisher in Torchwood: Children of Earth.

Torchwood filming at the Coal Exchange in Cardiff all day 1st February. Locals have been asked not to park in the car park area just outside as building is to be used as "a Victorian hospital" apparently.

(with thanks to Paul Mount)

FILTER: - Torchwood - Filming Reports - Miracle Day (Series 4)

Doctor Who: Casting Update

Tuesday, 18 January 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Back in December we reported that director Peter Hoar had been listed by the Curtis Brown Literary and Talent Agency as working on an episode of Doctor Who for 2011.

Since then, two cast members have now been confirmed for this episode, forming what seems like another duo in the series.

The episode itself is currently unknown in the running order for the series.

CHARLIE BAKER

DAN JOHNSTON

According to Vic Murray Talent, Dan Johnston will feature as a character named Thin Man; the actor has previously appeared as regular Jonty in Sold, a journalist in Hotel Babylon, and featured in two pilots for Thames Television, Team UK and Navelgazing: 4Tissimo.

Debi Allen Associates lists stand-up comedian Charlie Baker as Fat Man. Baker's television credits include being a panellist on Channel 4's Beer and Pizza Club and BBC2's Never Mind the Buzzcocks, and appearing in The IT Crowd; he also featured as a band singer in the film The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

FRANCES ENCELL

FERN DEACON

Two artists have been credited for another unknown story; Spotlight lists child actresses Fern Duncan and Frances Encell as providing voice overs for Doctor Who (filmed in 2010).

Fern has had roles on television in Poirot and in the film Gulliver's Travels, and has appeared on stage in The King and I and Annie Get Your Gun. Meanwhile, Frances has appeared on television in Emmerdale and The Royal, and on stage in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Sound of Music.

Both actresses are enrolled at the Sylvia Young Agency and Theatre School.

FILTER: - Series 6/32 - Production

iPlayer 2010 Totals

Tuesday, 18 January 2011 - Reported by Marcus

Figures released by the BBC Press Office show that the Doctor Who Christmas Special: A Christmas Carol, was accessed over 700,000 times on the BBC iPlayer in the week after transmission.

The episode was the 8th most accessed programme in December, dispite only being available for the last week of the month. Overall December was a record month for the iPlayer with 89.7 million requests for TV Programmes.

Jana Bennett, BBC Director of Vision, said

Large numbers of viewers watched the BBC's channels this Christmas but at the same time a record number were also using BBC iPlayer. This shows how complementary and essential BBC iPlayer is as part of today's viewing.

Matt Smith's first full story as The Doctor, The Eleventh Hour, still holds the record for the most accessed programme ever on iPlayer, with 2.24 million requests, way ahead of the second placed Top Gear. Every single episode of Smith's first series was in the top thirty accessed programmes of the year, with Doctor Who taking seven of the top ten places. David Tennant's Swan-song, The End of Time: Part Two came in at number 33, with just over a million requests. A Christmas Carol was the 73rd most requested programme in 2010, but was also available for the first week of 2011.

In terms of overall programme totals, Doctor Who Series Five had 19.5 million requests. The most requested programme was EastEnders, with over 100 million requests, although spread over a much larger number of episodes.

Other series of Doctor Who faired well with repeats of Series 4 being requested over 2 million times. The most requested Doctor Who item on BBC Radio was the Radio Seven transmission of the reading of Doctor Who and The Giant Robot, which was requested over 200,000 times. In total there were over 32 million requests for Doctor Who connected programmes.

FILTER: - Doctor Who - Ratings - Series 5/31

Fleetwood Mac included on Spearhead

Tuesday, 18 January 2011 - Reported by Marcus

It has been confirmed that the upcoming DVD re-release of the Third Doctor's first story, Spearhead from Space, will include the previously missing Fleetwood Mac track, Oh Well Part One.

Steve Roberts of the Doctor Who Restoration Team posted on Gallifrey Base that the track will be included on the soundtrack of the story due for release around the world later this year.

The music was present on the original transmission, during scenes of dolls being manufactured at Auto Plastics. Because of rights issues the track was removed from the 1988 BBC Video release and the 2001 DVD Release. The track is now covered by the PPL agreement, the same agreement which allowed the missing Beatles music to be included on the UK release of The Chase.

However, unlike the release of The Chase, the Fleetwood Mac track is covered internationally and so will be included on all versions of the story.

FILTER: - Jon Pertwee - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD

Doctor Who: filming roundup

Monday, 17 January 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

2011 has seen filming continue on Doctor Who, with work being completed on Matthew Graham's two-parter during the first week of January. Filming took place at Atlantic College in Welsh St. Donats, picking up from filming that needed to be completed from an earlier visit during December. This was followed in the middle of the week by pick-ups back at Cardiff Castle, and then finally at the end of the week at the Senedd at Cardiff Bay.

Graham commented on the 4th about the impending completion of his episodes, via Twitter:

16:20 So wished I could've spent more time on set. Lovely team. 
      Very friendly and very Up. Oh and very, very cold.
20:34 My DW 2-parter finishes shooting end of this week.
      They will be glad to come in out of the perishing cold. Poor dears.

Ryan Farrell, 3rd January: Followed the signs to St Donats, where they've resumed today. Went round the back of the castle to the beach, then walked back towards the castle and heard a familiar Highlands accent before seeing Karen being escorted into the castle. Nothing to add to that, other than trailer 3, which I think is Arthur (he says which number trailer he uses on his video diary).

Ryan Farrell, 5th January: Filming was back at Cardiff Castle today. Saw an actress with Cleo-style black hair with a straight fringe, 100% Sarah Smart. There was also a "Mark" and I googled Mark Bonnar who's down to be in this story and that's also 100% him. Finally, there was a "Leon" and that was Leon Vickers. The only new bit of info is that I think Leon or Mark (who we don't have names for yet) is called Timmy/Jimmy/something similar.

Alun Vega, 8th January: Seems it was a night shoot at the Senedd. Spotted Karen and several smart-suited supporting artists leaving. Base packing up.

Last week saw production begin on Block 4, concentrating on the spring series climax episode seven and the new episode three from Steve Thompson. Steven Moffat commented on the 13th:

13:59 Okay. Episode 7 of the new series, is the 777th episode of Doctor Who.
14:01 Oh, and we just started shooting it.

Filming took place at Lafarge Aberthaw Cement Works on the 11th January, during which an old adversary of the Doctor's was spotted! With Moffat's comments above, it isn't clear whether this filming is for the new Block 4, or the final batch of filming for Block 3. However, the 13th certainly did see episode seven filming taking place at a (currently unknown) power station.

There was a day's set-up on the 10th at the works, before filming itself took place on the 11th. The interior of one of the buildings was dressed to represent what looks like a makeshift military medical centre, in somewhat disarray. Alien writing could be seen on trolleys, and throughout the set were a stylised cross that looked a little like those of the Knights Templar!

Outside, the TARDIS was set up, which appeared to be menaced by a Sontaran trooper!

Power station filming on the 13th, reported by Paul Hebbard the following day on Twitter:

08:34 Doctor Who filmed at power station overnight.
       Loads of trucks and weird looking monks
20:53 Re doctor Who, all I can say is monk aliens and teleporters.
       16 hours set up and 9 hours filming, all done and gone Thursday

FILTER: - Series 6/32 - Filming Reports

Torchwood: Week One Filming

Sunday, 16 January 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Filming for Torchwood: Miracle Day commenced this week, filming in Los Angeles, California.

The week saw the main cast assembling together for filming, with "US lead" CIA agent Mekhi Phifer kicking off proceedings, joined on Wednesday by John Barrowman, and from Thursday Eve Myles (Gwen) and Kai Owen (Rhys). Alexa Havins (Esther Katusi) was also present.

Though fan access to shooting is very restrictive (certainly in comparison to UK filming!), tantalising filming details have slowly trickled through via various members of cast and crew on Twitter, including Director of Photography Nathaniel Goodman, Fashion Designer Alana Stone and Costume Designer Shawna Trpcic - plus a commentary of tidbits from the official production office feed, BBC Torchwood!

A more detailed breakdown of developments during the week follows below; times have been quoted for the local Californian timezone.

Monday

Filming kicks off without a hitch, though for some it is an early start to the shoot!

21:14 Alana Stone:   Day one of Torchwood filming starts at 4:42am Monday morning... 
                     Here we go.
21:57 Jane Espenson: I have to be up early for Torchwood shenanigans in the morning.
                     So g'night, Twitter!
07:34 Jane Espenson: we start shooting new episodes today!
09:57 BBC Torchwood: Day 1. First shot 8:01am. Coffee pots are bottomless today.
12:32 Alana Stone:   Wow day 1= crazy good team work but crazy none the less!
17:24 Nate Goodman:  Great first day of shooting Torchwood done! 
                     But the really fun stuff yet to come..
09:18 BBC Torchwood: Day 1, smooth sailing, we're so lucky to have such a great crew.

Meanwhile, Kai Owen (Rhys) confirmed he'd start shooting from Thursday, alongside on-screen wife Eve Myles (Gwen):

Well my bags are packed! I fly to LA tomorrow and am on set with Eve on Thursday!!
Torchwood - Miracle Day is coming. I'm buzzing.

Tuesday

via Twitpic

Tuesday saw a report that Mekhi Phifer (CIA agent Rex Matheson) was filming scenes in a hospital.

Meanwhile, Captain Jack himself John Barrowman arrived for his costume-fitting, something that BBC Torchwood described as "a sweet new wardrobe", with the fitting being "revealing". As one might expect, the coat is back, "a beautiful new design that we all want to own. It's stylish and absolutely brilliant."

Alana Stone also provided us with the first of what might well be the US production team's version of "WhoSpy", showing one of the chairs that are in use for the cast/crew during the shoot.

Wednesday

John Barrowman returns as Captain Jack Harkness, kicking off in style for a Los Angeles night shoot. As BBC Torchwood put it:

17:07 Night shoots all action packed and it's John's first day of work.
      Really exciting night.
17:21 STUNTS! STUNTS! So many STUNTS!

Thursday

It's Eve Myles and Kai Owen's turn to be welcomed to the new production, another night shoot that this time takes place in CIA Headquarters.

07:10 Kai Owen:      Good morning from LA! 
                     I start work on Torchwood - Miracle Day. Tonight!!!
20:01 BBC Torchwood: She's here tonight everyone, the Eve Myles. 
                     Tonight we've got almost a full cast.
                     John, Alexa, Kai. Bill and Russell are meeting as well.
23:58 Alana Stone:   Day four... All night in CIA headquarters.

"TW-Spy" continues with a couple of shots of office boards and cast trailers from Shawna Trpcic and Alana Stone; the trailers seem to have an iconic image for each character:

(via Plixi)

(via Twitpic)

Meanwhile, Tom Price, the erstwhile former police colleague of Gwen, Andy Davidson, reported that he too would be joining the Torchwood crew:

Off to LA next week! That's about it really!

Friday

Filming for another night shoot took place at No 650 South Spring Street, an old bank building that has seen use in a number of film productions over the years, including Spider Man 2, Ghost, and The Mask.

20:12 BBC Torchwood: John and Alexa have an exciting scene to shoot tonight.
                     We're all taking turns to visit location. 
                     We love our Torchwood Crew!
22:08 Alana Stone:   Day/night 5... No rest for the wicked. 
                     Poor Alexa is running in 5 inch heels. Girl is a trooper!
01:26 Shawna Trpcic: Crew will shoot til 6 or 7 am time for me to sign off. Blessings.

The production vehicles were spotted by fan Timothy Cerjan:

Capt. Jack Harkness is shooting new Torchwood by my office.
The 21st Century is when it all changes. [pic]: http://4sq.com/g1Eibs

Had my first shot at running into John Barrowman this past week (to no avail) when I stopped by an on location shoot for Torchwood. They were filming at a building in downtown Los Angeles which was, as you'd expect, not open to the public. The security guards were all very nice though and they did confirm that Torchwood was filming there. I got a number of responses regarding what time they would start filming so I didn't end up seeing anyone. However, I did get a glimpse inside the building. The set up looked like a bank with a giant vault. I've heard that other films and shows have been shot there but I am unable to confirm that. It looked really great and while they wouldn't let me in to snap any pictures they were kind enough to let me shoot the backside of the vault...through a scratched up window. I know it's not much but I thought I would post it anyhow.

(with thanks to Dana Shukartsi from Barrowman Day - read her full reports on-site)

Next week sees the shoot continue in Los Angeles for another four days or so, with filming on Thursday to take place at City Hall. Directory of Photography Nate Goodman then reported that they fly out to the United Kingdom, where filming will continue in Wales the following fortnight (as reported in an interview with Eve Myles last year).

FILTER: - Torchwood - Filming Reports - Miracle Day (Series 4)

Lauren Ambrose in Torchwood: Miracle Day

Saturday, 15 January 2011 - Reported by Josiah Rowe

Entertainment Weekly has reported that Lauren Ambrose has been cast in the role of Jilly Kitzinger in Torchwood: Miracle Day. Ambrose is best known for her role as the sullen Claire Fisher in the HBO drama Six Feet Under. EW describes her Torchwood character as "a sweet-talking PR genius with a heart of stone whoâ€™s just cornered the most important client of her career â€¦ and maybe of all time."

Ambrose joins Torchwood stars John Barrowman, Eve Myles and Kai Owen, as well as previously announced actors Mekhi Phifer as CIA analyst Rex Matheson, Alexa Havins as field agent Esther Drummond, Bill Pullman as convicted murderer Oswald Danes, and Arlene Tur as Dr. Vera Juarez. Dichen Lachman has also been reported as having a role in the series, but her casting has not been confirmed by official sources.

Torchwood: Miracle Day is currently filming in Los Angeles, and will air on BBC1 and Starz beginning in July.

FILTER: - Torchwood - Production - Miracle Day (Series 4)

Norman Taylor

Saturday, 15 January 2011 - Reported by Marcus

Norman Taylor, one of the men behind the original iconic Doctor Who title sequence, has died.

Norman Taylor was a BBC Technical Operations Manager on Crew 9 based at Lime Grove in London. He was the man who, while experimenting with a camera looking at a monitor showing its own picture, made the serendipitous discovery of "visual howlaround" - the effect that was subsequently used for Doctor Who's original title sequence.

I got the usual effect of diminishing images of the monitor disappearing into limbo, when suddenly some stray light hit the monitor screen and the whole picture went mobile with swirling patterns of black and white. Later I repeated the experiment but fed a black and white caption mixed with the camera output to the monitor, and very soon got the Dr Who effect.

The original titles for Doctor Who are believed to have been recorded in August 1963 in an empty TC5 at Television Centre. Bernard Lodge, who was credited for the sequence, was in the gallery and Norman Taylor lighting matches to trigger the howl-round. Hugh Sheppard was on the camera at the time.

Taylor was later given a Technical Suggestion award of Â£25.00 for his howl-round idea which featured in various forms in the title sequence until 1980, when it was replaced by the star-field effect.

You can read more about his contribution to the series on the Tech-Ops History site.

FILTER: - Obituary - Classic Series

Previous 10 Stories

Ambassadors Delayed

Elisabeth Sladen Autobiography

Torchwood: Week Two Filming

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Doctor Who: Casting Update

CHARLIE BAKER

DAN JOHNSTON

FRANCES ENCELL

FERN DEACON

iPlayer 2010 Totals

Fleetwood Mac included on Spearhead

Doctor Who: filming roundup

Torchwood: Week One Filming

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Lauren Ambrose in Torchwood: Miracle Day

Norman Taylor

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