Fan Projects

Wednesday, 31 October 2012 - Reported by Marcus
A fan-written biography on First Doctor William Hartnell is now available as an e-book.

The 6,500-word booklet, first available last year, looks at Hartnell's earliest years and those of his ancestors, going right back to the 1500s. There are a few surprises and a lot of interesting personal and social history throughout the journey. The PDF file is available via eBay.
The first issue of Fan Fiction Illustrated, the 'zine that will give fan writers and artists a place to showcase their comic strips, etc, is now accepting pre-orders via Indiegogo.com.

Former Doctor Who script editor Andrew Cartmel is writer and script editor of the 'zine, and will be producing new stories based on his masterplan for Doctor Who for the first time in comic strip form. The first issue will feature 4 stories:
  • Andrew Cartmel's 7th Doctor & Ace adventure "Phantom Freight"; art by Emerson Dimaya
  • Paul Cooke's "The Cabe" - a prequel to Terror of the Zygons; art by Adrian Salmon
  • Mike Dwyer's 5th Doctor & Peri adventure "Phantom of the Space Opera"; art by Flavio Bezerra
  • Plus a Ducktor Who adventure authored by "Lord Aylesbury Mallard" and illustrated by "Vincent Van Duck"

A new blog, The Doctor Who Book Project, reviews all of the Doctor Who books published in the Wilderness Years, by one fan who's intimately familiar with them and another who really only got into the series when it came back in 2005.




FILTER: - Fan Productions - William Hartnell

The Doctor Who Project

Tuesday, 16 October 2012 - Reported by Marcus
The Doctor Who Project, the multiple award-winning Canadian Doctor Who fan fiction series, has just released the latest series of stories.

Season 38 is the latest in the continuing adventures of an alternate Doctor and his companions. Stories are published as part of an overall season that concentrates on delivering a collection of short stories that sees the Doctor facing new and original situations in time and space.

In the series the Tenth Doctor, and his companions Val Rossi and Tom Brooker, travel to pre-World War II Venice and discover an ancient mask that holds the key to a global holocaust; find adventure while investigating Cold War secrets in a lost vault hidden deep in the bowels of Mother Russia; are pitched into an encounter with an old foe from that vile cult, Section 13; visit the world of Proteus in a special two-part story from fan favourite John Gordon; and get a taste of the bizarre world of the paranormal when they visit Quarr Manor in a sleepy little backwater British village; and then everything comes to an end when they have to advert a catastrophe of global proportion.

Released over the next seven weeks, TDWP is available to readers from the TDWP Website in a PDF format with each featuring an original cover by some of Doctor Who fandom's most acclaimed artists.

THE MASK OF ANHUR by Robert Mammone
The discovery of a mask in an ancient burial tomb in western Asia unleashes an alien force that could engulf pre-WW2 Europe and the world in a genocidal holocaust. When the Doctor, Val and Tom arrive in Venice in 1938, they stumble across the surviving members of the archaeological team that unearthed the mask. Soon, they are caught up in a wild chase as darkness spreads across the city. Can they survive a night that promises to spread its terrible darkness across the world?

THE VAULT by Miles Reid-Lobotto
The Vault - a secret Russian installation, dating back to the Second World War. A research facility built deep into a mountain, dedicated to the collection and study of extra-terrestrial technology that crashes behind the Iron Curtain. Even to the Russian Government, it doesn't exist. Its existence covered up since all contact was lost back in the 1970s. On behalf of an old friend, the Doctor, Tom and Val accompany a U.N.I.T research team to find the Vault and explore it. What they find, deep underground are the remnants of some of the darkest days of the Cold War. Secrets are revealed, crimes are uncovered. Deep in the Vault, there is no way out and they are not alone and not all of their team are to be trusted. Deep in the Vault, something is waking up.

SECOND LIFE by Kyle Bastian
The Doctor thought he had everything under control. The cell was constructed to his design: quartz-sapphire laser bars, stasis field, time loop – all set up within in a reconstructed sector of the Time Lord's notorious prison planet of Shada. He thought that would hold her. But he was wrong – Bramahl has escaped and is out for blood. Along with Tom and Val, the Doctor must track down Bramahl, and their only clue is her successor from Section 13 – Tamara Scott. But her life as a companion was erased... wasn't it? An old friend's timely return may hold the key.

RED SHIFT by John Swogger
On the jungle world of Proteus, at the far edge of the galaxy, an archaeological expedition from the Hamilton Institute investigates an ancient tomb complex and its strange crystalline monument. But the Doctor, Tom and Val discover that there are more secrets on Proteus than those buried in the ground. What are the strange creatures that stalk the jungle after dark? Why have seven members of the expedition gone missing? And why can no one can remember them? As a devastating energy field begins to change the very world around them, Val and Tom become strangers to each other, and the Doctor uncovers a plot to steal the greatest prize of all.

BLUE SHIFT by John Swogger
On the ocean world of Proteus, at the far edge of the galaxy, an archaeological expedition from the Hamilton Institute investigates an ancient tomb complex and its strange crystalline monument. But the Doctor, Tom and Val discover that there are more secrets on Proteus than those buried in the ground. What are the creatures that stalk the shoreline after dark? Why have seven members of the expedition gone missing? And why can't the Doctor shake off the strange feeling that he's done all this before? It seems that on this ancient world, the past has not been properly buried - and when his own starts to catch up with him, the Doctor begins to suspect that it's all a question of memory...

SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION by Jez Strickley
Travelling back to a quiet English backwater at the turn of the twentieth century, the Doctor decides to give Val and Tom a taste of the paranormal when they visit Quarr Manor, the location of a mysterious fire which saw the Georgian mansion burnt to the ground with not a trace of a survivor to be found. With just hours before the infamous fire is due to take place, the time travellers discover a sinister case of spontaneous human combustion in Quarr’s rooftop observatory, sparking fears that a supernatural force is at work. Soon a terrible dilemma faces the trio, as the Doctor begins to realise that Quarr’s fiery visitant is just one of the dreadful effects of a terrible space accident, which threatens to unleash a firestorm across the whole of the British Isles. Battling an anonymous threat which strikes without warning, the Doctor soon discovers that sometimes there is no good decision, as he faces the awful choice of sacrificing the few to save the many.

After a short 4 week break, TDWP will round the year off with the 2012 Christmas Special.

THE SNOW MAIDEN by Matthew James
"There is something in the atmosphere above Earth. You can’t see it or feel it, but it is waiting, counting the days, the hours… waiting for Christmas…" Professor Ruby Tranter was a senior scientist working for the government finding new ways for mankind to survive in the 29th century. Now they’ve retired her. She feels cheated and bitter. Her big regret is never having a child to love and which would inherit her work. Snow is falling inside the TARDIS. The Doctor realises someone is tampering with nature and sets off to stop them. Using illegal government research Ruby sets about making the perfect child in her laboratory and uses the snow to gather her data. Next day the snowmen built by the local children come to life and envelop them. The Doctor, Tom and Val must make Ruby stop her experiment so the real children can be freed. But there is a further consequence to Ruby's experiment even the Doctor did not expect.




FILTER: - Canada - Fan Productions

Final Part Of Power Of The Daleks Fan Film Released

Monday, 8 October 2012 - Reported by John Bowman
The third and final part of the fan reimagining of Power Of The Daleks has been released online.

The film is an adaptation of the Second Doctor's debut adventure, which has been reworked and directed by Nick Scovell, who stars as the Doctor in this version. Also in the cast are Nicholas Briggs, Lisa Bowerman, and Barnaby Edwards.


As previously reported, the film will be shown in full and in high definition at the Doctor Who Appreciation Society's Riverside Reflections convention in London on Sunday 21st October, where it is now hoped the man behind the iconic Dalek design, Raymond Cusick, will join the original director of Power of the Daleks - Christopher Barry - and actress Anneke Wills, who played companion Polly in the TV version, among the guests.

The film has been made by the people behind the acclaimed Portsmouth stage productions of The Web of Fear, Fury From The Deep, The Evil of the Daleks, and The Dalek Masterplan (the latter having been renamed from the original 12-parter).




FILTER: - Special Events - Fan Productions - UK - Online

Australian MP wants Doctor Who filmed down under

Thursday, 4 October 2012 - Reported by Adam Kirk
An Australian politician has started a campaign for Doctor Who to film an episode in Australia.  Federal Nationals Party MP George Christensen has launched a campaign to bring the program to Australia in 2015 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who's first Australian screening in 1965. The Queensland-based MP wants the program filmed in his coastal electorate and suggests that bringing the show down under could help stimulate Australia's film and tourism industry.

"As an avid Doctor Who fan, I would love to see the TARDIS materialise in Australia and, most importantly, it would be a tremendous boost to tourism in Bowen and the Whitsundays, as well as to the local economy," Mr Christensen said.

In a letter to Steven Moffat, he said Doctor Who was inextricably linked to Australia because the very first episode, An Unearthly Child, was written by Australian Anthony Coburn. He also pointed out that two of the Doctor's former companions, Tegan Jovanka and Jo Grant, were played by Australians Janet Fielding and Katy Manning (born in the UK, but later an Australian citizen).

Mr Christensen has started an online petition, as well as establishing Facebook, Twitter and YouTube campaigns.






FILTER: - Production - Press - Australia

Whotopia: Issue 24

Tuesday, 2 October 2012 - Reported by John Bowman
The free Canadian fan magazine Whotopia pays tribute to Caroline John and Mary Tamm among the many features in its latest issue.

Edited by Jez Strickley, issue 24 also has a number of interviews plus a competition to win a copy of the Death To The Daleks Region 1 DVD (closing date 10th October 2012).

  • Out Of Time: Doctor Who without time travel? Ian Wheeler explores the consequences
  • From Doom To Death - Doctor Who and the End of The World: Gary Phillips considers locales at the edge of time and space
  • Travel, Time, Dangerous Job, Writer, for a: Michael S Collins plays with non-linear writing with literal results
  • The Janet Fielding Interview: Bob Furnell asks the questions in this exclusive interview
  • An Old Wives' Tale: Matthew Kresal spotlights the TARDIS and its human aspirations
  • The RTD Debate: Good, bad, or undecided? Michael S Collins and Jon Arnold battle it out
  • A Tribute to Caroline John: Ian Wheeler pays tribute
  • The Incomparable Liz Shaw: Gary Phillips takes an in-depth look back at this popular companion
  • The Noel Clarke Interview: Paula Hammond talks to the actor, director, and screenwriter about life after Doctor Who
  • A Tribute to Mary Tamm: Gary Phillips and Michael S Collins pay tribute
  • Great Actors No One Talks About: Unsung actors are given their due by Michael S Collins
  • Target Trawl: Nick Mellish gets a double helping of Leela in his on-going review of Target books
  • Dalek's Advocate - In Defence of Timelash: Season 22's least favourite story is given a fresh look by Jez Strickley
  • The Memoirs of Two Whovian Gentlemen: Bob Furnell chats to Nick Mellish and Will Brooks, the authors of Memoirs of an Edwardian Adventurer
  • Screwdrivers, Scaries, and Scarves - Cliff-hangers: Jez Strickley examines the concept of the cliff-hanger
  • The Fanzine Corner: Bob Furnell goes back in time to the world of Doctor Who Bulletin
 

The 56-page magazine can be downloaded here, as can issues 1 to 23 plus the 2008 Spring Special.




FILTER: - Canada - Fan Productions

The Finished Product: Issue 11

Sunday, 30 September 2012 - Reported by John Bowman
The latest edition of The Finished Product - the unofficial companion to the Big Finish audio adventures - is available now.

Issue 11 covers the second season of adventures featuring the Eighth Doctor and Lucie Miller.

It has all-new, exclusive interviews with the cast and crew, including executive producer Nicholas Briggs on remixing the theme, writers Pat Mills, Jonathan Morris, Jonathan Clements, Marc Platt, Eddie Robson, and Paul Magrs, as well as guest actors Harry Potter star Sean Biggerstaff and Colin Spaull, plus composer Timothy Sutton on writing the song Falling Star.

It also features previously-unseen and exclusive cover sketches by Grant Kempster.
 

To order the magazine, contact editor Kenny Smith via thefinishedproduct@hotmail.co.uk




FILTER: - Merchandise - Fan Productions - Big Finish

Power Of The Daleks Fan Film: Final Trailer Released

Saturday, 29 September 2012 - Reported by John Bowman
A teaser trailer for the third and final instalment of the fan film Power of the Daleks has been released online.

The reimagining of the Second Doctor's debut adventure stars Nick Scovell as the Doctor and also features Nicholas Briggs, Lisa Bowerman, and Barnaby Edwards. Scovell has directed the fan film, having adapted the original script by David Whitaker.


The third part will go online in full on Saturday 6th October at 7pm.

A screening of the entire film in HD will take place at the Riverside Reflections convention being held by the DWAS in London on Sunday 21st October, where the story's original director, Christopher Barry, and actress Anneke Wills, who played companion Polly in the TV version, will be among the guests.

The film has been made by the people behind the acclaimed Portsmouth stage productions of The Web of Fear, Fury From The Deep, The Evil of the Daleks, and The Dalek Masterplan (the latter having been renamed from the original).




FILTER: - Special Events - Fan Productions - UK - Online

Fan Productions roundup

Wednesday, 29 August 2012 - Reported by Harry Ward
Fish Fingers and Custard - Issue 11
  • Tributes to Caroline John and Mary Tamm
  • The Boy Who Kicked Pigs: LIVE! - a review of Tom Baker's book, performed on stage
  • Meet The Fanziners - we chat to a couple of fanzine editors about the state of fanzines and fandom in general
  • The Krotons - Is it as bad as it looks?
  • Is the TV Movie better than the RTD era?
  • Plus, much, much more
Ian Levine, Doctor Who Script Consultant (1980-1986), gave a rare interview to the DWO WhoCast. [Part 1, Part 2].

The Minute Doctor Who Podcast recreated a scene from The Five Doctors.

Aeronaut Productions designed a TARDIS console for their friend's son. The full story of how they made it can be read here.

YouTube user "livefortodaydiaries" has recorded a metal guitar version of Owen's Theme from Torchwood.




FILTER: - Fan Productions

Asylum Screening For Convention Attendees

Sunday, 26 August 2012 - Reported by John Bowman
With just under a week to go to the Power: Reimagined convention in Fareham and with the event date unfortunately clashing with Asylum of the Daleks, attendees - and potential attendees - will be relieved to know that they won't miss out on seeing the Series 7 opening episode.

The convention is being held on Saturday 1st September to celebrate the fan film Power of the Daleks, based on Patrick Troughton's inaugural story as the Doctor, and the event was, of course, arranged long before the BBC decided when to show Asylum of the Daleks.

The convention organisers won't be screening the episode but event attendee Jeremy Bentham has - independently and with the organisers' blessing - found a nearby pub with two 53-inch plasma screens on which the manager has said he is happy to show Doctor Who that evening.

The pub is The Lord Arthur Lee, in West Street, Fareham, which is just a short walk away from where the convention is being held, at Ferneham Hall in Osborn Road.

Please note that the screening of the episode is not connected with the convention, nor is it a launch party as held by Bentham in London in the past, so there is not exclusive use of the pub. It is simply an informal arrangement to ensure that those attending the convention who also want to see the episode "live" that evening can do so.

The first two parts of the fan film, which stars Nick Scovell as the Doctor and features Lisa Bowerman, Nicholas Briggs, and Barnaby Edwards in the cast, have been released via YouTube, with the third and final part due to be webcast at some point next month. The charity convention will see the first showing of the fan reimagining in full on the big screen and in high definition.

Guests at the convention will include Christopher Barry, who directed the original story, and Anneke Wills, who played companion Polly in the six-part adventure. Michael Troughton - son of Patrick and younger brother of David - was also to have been a guest but has had to pull out, citing personal reasons and commitments, say the organisers.

Money raised by the convention will go to Children In Need and Cancer Research UK.





FILTER: - Special Events - Fan Productions - UK - Conventions - Charities

An Adventure in Space and Time

Thursday, 9 August 2012 - Reported by Chuck Foster


The BBC have confirmed that a special ninety minute drama has been commissioned to mark the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who. An Adventure in Space and Time will explore the creation of the series in 1963, looking at all aspects of the process and the variety of personalities involved in bringing the longest running science fiction show to life.

It has been written by Mark Gatiss, who said:
This is the story of how an unlikely set of brilliant people created a true Television original. And how an actor - William Hartnell - stereotyped in hard-man roles became a hero to millions of children. I've wanted to tell this story this for more years than I can remember! To make it happen for 'Doctor Who's 50th birthday is quite simply a dream come true.

The show was commissioned for BBC Two by its Controller Janice Hadlow, and the the Contoller of Drama, Ben Stephenson; the role of producer has yet to be announced, but was advertised in July. Executive producers for the drama are Caroline Skinner and Steven Moffat, who added:
The story of Doctor Who is the story of television - so it's fitting in the anniversary year that we make our most important journey back in time to see how the TARDIS was launched.

Details about the programme, its casting and transmission will be confirmed next year.


You can follow our own articles on Doctor Who's inception in The Story of Doctor Who.




FILTER: - Steven Moffat - Specials - Production - WHO50