Fan Productions roundup

Saturday, 2 April 2011 - Reported by Harry Ward

This week's roundup inlcudes a new Panic Moon fanzine, a call to amateur musicians for an ambitious project, a Faction Paradox short stories book and an interview with Toby Hadoke.

Panic Moon - April 2011

In this issue:

Nicholas Courtney tribute
Review of the Comic Relief episode and the series six prelude
Moffat vs. Davies - Steven Moffat’s version of Doctor Who pitched against Russell T Davies’s
A look at October 1966's other Cyberman debut story
Introducing a young child to the series
The most unsuitable story ideas ever commissioned
An exploration of the character of the other ninth Doctor
Thoughts on gods in Doctor Who
A look at American documentary The Making of Silver Nemesis;
Nomenclature for the new and old series
Big Finish and fanzine reviews
Fresh perspectives on The Beast Below, The Seeds of Death, Carnival of Monsters, Resurrection of the Daleks, Kinda and Snakedance.

It's the biggest issue yet at 40 A6 pages and is fully illustrated. Prices, inc P&P:

UK: £1.20
Elsewhere in Europe: £2.00
Outside Europe: £2.50

Visit the website for more information or email panicmoonfanzine@googlemail.com

Doctor Who Fan Orchestra

Stephen Willis is calling on fans of Murray Gold's Doctor Who music to take part in an ambitious project. He explains in this video and on the Galiifrey Base Forum:

The idea is to put together a “Doctor Who fan orchestra” comprised of musicians who are fans of Doctor Who (and, more importantly, Murray Gold’s scores). This would happen as an online collaboration, whereby each person would record their own part separately (with the aid of a click-track etc.), for it to be mixed afterwards.

So I am calling now for any musicians, of any level, who would be interested in using this as an expression of their appreciation of Murray Gold’s music. You need to be able to play any one (or more) of the instruments in the list below, and have a reasonable-quality microphone to record your part. Don’t worry if you think you’re not good enough – I want the essence of the project to be that it doesn’t matter how good it sounds, it should just be about fans coming together to celebrate the music of Doctor Who.

I have produced an arrangement of “I Am The Doctor” for the following instruments:

• Flute
• Oboe
• Clarinet in Bb
• Bassoon
• Horn in F (1st and 2nd parts)
• Trumpet in Bb
• Trombone
• Tuba
• Drum kit
• Violin (1st and 2nd parts)
• Viola
• Cello
• Double bass

The arrangement also includes timpani and cymbals, which will probably have to be added in electronically, and a piano part which I will be able to do.

If you play an instrument which isn’t listed here, but which could play the same part as one listed, then by all means put yourself forward, e.g. if you play the cornet you could do the trumpet part, or a saxophone doubling the clarinet.
I will also need singers – again, it doesn’t hugely matter how good you are at singing, but there is a choral element to the arrangement, so the more voices the better. If you take part as an instrumentalist, you can also take part as a singer.

So please, if you are interested in taking part, you can post here, or send me a PM, with the following details:
• Your name
• The instrument(s) you play
• To what level, e.g. graded exams, if applicable (this won’t make any difference, I’d just find it useful to know)
• A contact email address, so I can send you the resources, e.g. sheet music and audio files

Also, if you have any questions or comments, you can post here or send me a message.
Depending on how successful this is, we may then do more pieces in the future.

Faction Paradox: A Romance in Twelve Parts

Faction Paradox: A Romance in Twelve Parts, is first ever collection of FP short stories which will be released in hardback on 31 May 2011.

Faction Paradox: A Romance in Twelve Parts is edited by Stuart Douglas and Lawrence Miles, with cover art by Lawrence Burton and design by Cody Schell.

Alchemy - James Milton
Holding Pattern - Scott Harrison
Storyteller - Matt Kimpton
Gramps - Jon Dennis
Mightier than the Sword - Jay Eales
The Story of the Peace - Ian Potter
Print the Legend - Daniel O'Mahony
Nothing Lasts Forever - David N Smith and Violet Addison
Library Pictures - Stuart Douglas
There or there abouts - Blair Bidmead
Tonton Macoute - Dave Hoskin
A Hundred Words from a Civil War - Philip Purser-Hallard

You can pre-order the book from the Obverse website and all good retailers.

Faction Paradox is a fictional time travelling cult/rebel group/organized crime syndicate, originally created by the author Lawrence Miles. The Faction's belief-system as portrayed has some similarities to voodoo, and is sometimes described as such. The family/organization were originally featured as recurring antagonists in the BBC Doctor Who Eighth Doctor Adventures novels, but have since featured in their own continuing tales. Although the Faction Paradox stories outside of the BBC Books share situations and characters in common with the Doctor Who universe, the two continuities are presented as similar but distinct. [Wikipedia]

The Peverett Phile - Pheaturing Toby Hadoke

Today's guest is the author of Running Through Corridors: Rob and Toby's Marathon Watch of Doctor Who, which the 14th book to be pheatured in the Peverett Phile Book Club, and is an English actor, writer and stand-up comedian, who is known for his one man show Moths Ate My Doctor Who Scarf, was a critical and popular success at The 2006 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Please welcome to the Phile, the one and only... Toby Hadoke.

Head over to The Peverett Phile website for the full interview.

If you would like us to cover your fan production, you can email us: submissions@doctorwhonews.net

FILTER: - Fan Productions

Murray Gold returns to Torchwood

Thursday, 31 March 2011 - Reported by Harry Ward

The BBC Torchwood Twitter account has announced that the current composer for Doctor Who, Murray Gold, will be returning to the series to compose music for Torchwood: Miracle Day.

The announcement was made via Twitter at 9:41pm BST on 31st March:

THIS JUST IN: The 'Doctor Who' veteran Murray Gold will be composing Torchwood: Miracle Day. BRILLIANT.

Gold co-wrote music with Ben Foster for the first two series of Torchwood with the music being performed by the National Orchestra of Wales. He has also composed music for the computer-animated film, Hoodwinked Too! Hood VS. Evil which is due for release on April 29, 2011.

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

Torchwood: Week Ten/Eleven Production

Tuesday, 29 March 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

A quieter fortnight in terms of news filtering out from the ongoing production of Miracle Day - at this point, principle photography was taking place on episode five, with production meetings taking place for episodes seven and eight. However, public announcements over the course of the two weeks more than made up for quieter set reporting!

Last week saw the first official poster released by Starz for Miracle Day, announcing the launch date in the United States for Friday 8th July 2011, with a press release indicating the time as 10pm ET/PT. The United Kingdom broadcast date is yet to be confirmed, but is widely expected to be close to the the same date.

However, publicity photos have yet to be released for the series, though shoots for these took place in Swansea (28th January) and in Los Angeles (5th March). It seems likely that the publicity engine will kick into full gear at the MIPTV Media Market in Cannes on Monday 4th April; as previously reported, the show is one of several being showcased at the event, with principle stars John Barrowman and Bill Pullman there to help with promotion, alongside executive producer Julie Gardner.

The press release for this event also indicates that the series will consist of ten 50 minute episodes.

The principle cast have all been busy this fortnight, with John Barrowman, Mekhi Phifer and Alexa Havins seen on location, and Kai Owen tweeting prominently from the sets! As production has progressed, of course, more of the supporting cast and extras have come to light. The following is a list of those previously unreported, compiled from various casting agencies, resumes, and IMDB listings: Cris D'Annunzio; Richard Augustine (George Sayer); Brad Bell; Amy Benedict (Bridget Howe); Marina Benedict (Charlotte Willis); Candace Brown (Sarah Drummond); Ron Butler; Antonio D. Charity (Airport Security Guard); Tug Coker (Geoff Reed); Ewan Chung (Yu-King So); Jonathan Dane ("handsome man"); Joseph Eid (Man #1); Chrissie Fit (Assistant); Andrew Fowler (immortal patient); Laura Gardner; Brittnee Garza; Lauri Hendler (Angry Nurse); Paul James (Noah Vickers); Liz Jenkins ("Recurring"); Ronobir Lahiri (Simran Baidwan); Shaun Lucas ("patient"); Don Luce (Gate Guard); Jessica Matthews (News Anchor); Nick Salter; Jeffery Self (James Percey); Jonathan Spencer (Tony); A.J. Tannen (Government Clerk); Brian Treitler (Dr. Murphy); Randa Walker (Candace Perlmutter); Maurice Webster (Cop); Luke White (Emt); David Youse (Dr. Rosenbloom).

Another name associated with the new series is Olivia Hallinan; listed on IMDB as playing "Emma / Kate Dysart", the actress has appeared in Torchwood before in the Series One episode Out of Time, where she played Emma-Louise Cowell, the only time traveller from that story to continue her life in the present day. However, there has been no official confirmation of the actress's casting, or if "Emma" is indeed the same character.

Production-wise, the BBC Production Office reported that special effects and makeup supervisor Greg Nicotero had joined the production team; previous television projects include The Walking Dead, The Pacific and Deadwood, and films like Predators, Surrogates, Sin City and Kill Bill Vols 1+2.

Times cited within reports below are in Los Angeles local time.

Monday 14th March

Back to the beach! The production returned to Venice Beach for further filming during the day, this time along Westminster Avenue; scenes involved John Barrowman, Mekhi Phifer and Alexa Havins, with action including Rex being taken away in the back of an ambulance.

Jeremy Burleson was visiting the beach that day and saw some of the activity, even ending up in the background for a shot!

14:56 At this movie shoot on Venice Beach!!!!!!!! Wow 
14:57 Literally at a Movie shoot right now. 
15:01 They bout to start filmin. 
15:11 Mann!! We get to be In the Background of this movie.. 
15:16 Torch 1..
16:31 Naww its a Tv Show
17:16 haha naww it was some white actors.. We was in the background tho 
21:21 I still can't believe we got to be in the Background of this TV show
      they was filming in LA today.

At this TV shoot in Los Angeles (via TwitVid)
(note: some browsers may need to right-click, "reload frame" to see video)

Other filming-related tweets include:

14:11 CF  Walking down Venice and ran into the #Torchwood team filming
          a scene there! So random and cool :)
15:18 SBA I just went to get coffee on westminster in venicebeach venice beach
          #losangeles and walking into the torchwood Scifi set filming today lol
16:55 BBC We're having our first spotting session for Episode #1 RIGHT NOW!
          While the crew films at the beach. Here's to great Mondays. 
17:09 AS  Life's a beach. http://twitpic.com/49kgv3

Photos from the shoot were also published of the cast members by the Visual Press Agency, and may be seen via Padabee.

Tuesday 15th March - Friday 18th March

Documentation reported that filming would be taking place at Angels Gate Park at San Pedro for the rest of the week, though little was to be heard of the crew whilst there, Kai Owen also indicated further work at Venice Beach on Wednesday, though of course he could just have visited as a tourist!

Jane Espenson revealed on Tuesday that Brad Bell, aka "Cheeks", would be guesting on the show; an artist who experiments in the world of music, art and the media, he has become a popular icon on the Internet. This will be one of his first television roles.

On Wednesday the BBC Production Office reported that Greg Nicotero was on board to build an alien for the show - the first indication that there is more to the mysterious 'immortality' that pervades the 'Miracle Day' than meets the eye!

Tweets over the next couple of days:

15 18:17 KO  Beautiful LA evening off out for a burger and beers with @natiejay.
16 10:32 WK  Finished Shooting Torchwood in L.A. and its a buuuuzzz. I feel this is my
             best role since Nedry. Your in for a treat folks! watch this space
16 12:02 NS  Working background on Torchwood today.
             But we talk about Doctor Who, not Torchwood.
16 16:03 AF  Torchwood tomorrow!
17 01:03 AF  Ah, but you shall not see me for I be but a stand-in. :)
16 18:50 KO  Been down Venice Beach today! Crazy place.
16 20:11 ST  Crazy busy day Started on location two hours away
             Raced back to WB for fitting with JB,new ep to break down, budget meetings
             I <3 my job :-)
16 20:13 ST  Late call tomorrow so I get to drive my kids to school. Bonus :-)
16 20:52 BBC Looks like tomorrow is the start of our late night shooting. 
             Team Torchwood, nocturnal entertainment like you've never seen before...

Back in Week Five, Shawna Trpcic posted this photo via Twitpic of a 'mystery man' posing alongside herself and John Barrowman. Filming on the day (11th February) had revolved around a bar, with the storyline reported of Jack picking up a barman for the evening. The man of mystery has now been revealed as actor Dillon Casey, who talked about his experiences with Torchwood and John Barrowman in his blogging video:

Living in LA With Dillon Casey! Episode 7: Gay Day! (via Funny or Die)

As reported above, night shoots were on the way, with schedules indicating long production days of 09:00-04:00 (17th) and 09:00-05:00 (18th), the final evening this week assuming its usual 'Fraturday' designation!

17 21:45 ST  Moulin rouge inspiration 
17 22:48 ST  A visiting DP asked us to cover red soles of shoes huh...
             Any one know why NOT!
17 23:25 JE  Production meeting in the morning.  So it's time to put what's left
             of the pies back in the fridge and close my eyes.  Z! 
18 09:43 ST  Concept meeting with @JaneEspenson and the dept heads
             for episode 8. This show is amazing!! 
18 12:01 AS  Tree trimming outside my hotel room at 8am (on the morning
             I get to sleep in) makes me not a very happy camper. Happy Friday!

After late nights, it's early calls for next week!

19 07:37 ST  Monday call for 3 of my crew is 4:30am @ location 2 hours away
             rest of us in at 6:42am we r shooting in rain possibly laced w/ radiation :-/
19 07:37 ST  Love my job though. :-)

Monday 21st March

Monday saw filming return (according to schedules) to Angels Gate Park, with Brad Bell filming his first scene and rumours of Greg Nicotero's creation being on set too!


"Arriving at location.  So pretty!" - Jane Espenson, via Twitpic
06:08 BB  Long drive. Rain. Aliens.
06:28 JE  Arriving at location. So pretty!
06:41 JE  Luckily, California is not playing
          the role of Wales today.
07:47 JE  Rumors of more rain on the way.
          But right now, #torchwood set is dry
          and dramatic. And cheeky.
09:07 JE  Torchwood shooting going so well.
          Ep 5 hits hard. 
10:06 JE  Pouring rain can't dampen
          our torchthusiasm! 
10:39 AS  Omfg... Seriously, miserable does not
          begin to describe this.
11:08 BB  The set is incredible! ...and drenched.
          Shot my scene with @Mekhi_Phifer. 
          Awesomely nice dude.
          Chatting w/ Alexa Havins.
          Trying to stay dry. 
11:13 BB  You're gonna DIE for the new season!
          It's unreal!
          So excited for the fans & as a fan,
          I'm quite excited to see it myself!
11:26 BB  Already asked what I could share.
          "The fans are gonna wanna know!" 
          Answer: Top Secret.
          Gotta wait til summer...
13:06 ST  Wow @JaneEspenson LOVE!! The rewrites on episode 7. Really really love it. 
          Wow. Powerful stuff!
13:12 JE  Thank you much @Trpcic !  The last polish was the work of RTD,
          and it put the frosting on it.  I'm so proud of it!

Tuesday 22nd March

Tuesday was another quiet day, believed again to be the park; meanwhile, plans for the next photoshoot for Captain Jack were also unveiled ...

10:29 KO  Just been for a run around the park. Great way to start the day. 
16:43 BBC We can't say who yet but we're prepping for some serious publicity for
          tomorrow's shoot. We're finally all back on the lot!
18:07 JE  We are sharing the writing credit on episode ten.
          It's still very much his baby-- he'll do all the final writing on it.
18:10 ST  One crew working 5am to 5pm one crew working 3pm to 3am.
          And a promo shoot with Captain Jack headed for a TV near you. Busy costume dept :-)

Wednesday 23rd March

Today it was reported that filming would be taking place at the Alexandria Hotel, though the famous iconic site may have been used for the Captain Jack promotional shoot mentioned on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Jane Espenson further elaborated on Russell T Davies's importance to the show:

12:46 Torchwood does not require prepping with Doctor Who. 
13:37 Jane Espenson: It's Russell's show.  I'm just riding on top and enjoying the breeze! 
14:14 Worry not.  Original producers with hands firmly on wheel. Feels like same show.

And of course, todsy was when Starz unveiled the launch date for Miracle Day for the United States - 107 days and counting!

Thursday 24th - Friday 25th March

Production Meeting, BBC, via img.mu

Back to the backlot it seems, and at least Kai Owen sounded happy: "On set today with some fine WELSH talent."

Meanwhile, production meetings continued apace:

13:35 BBC Production meeting for Episode 7
          happening upstairs! @JaneEspenson it
          sounds fun up there what's happening??
13:54 JE  @BBC_Torchwood it IS fun! Ironing out
          all the production details
          for eps 7 and 8.
14:16 BBC A look inside our production meeting!
          #Torchwood. Going to set, will
          report with more news soon.

Plenty of faces to recognise around that table!

Onto Friday, and two views from Torchwoodland, courtesy of Shawna Trpcic:

View outside torchwood offices misty California morning.
Photo: Shawna Trpcic, via Twitpic

Sunset near the Torchwood set.
Photo: Shawna Trpcic, via Twitpic

08:08 All TW offices are in "houses" that are used on lot as sets. 
14:06 Wow running like wild today, 2 units costumes in every one. 
      Background as well as actors all new. My cutter/fitter is going crazy Sew sew sew 
21:18 1st and 2nd units still shooting. Been here since 6:30 I'm starting to drag :-)
      waiting to move on to next big scene to establish new looks
00:18 JB is awesome!!
00:21 Still going @Team_Barrowman just encouraged the crew got applause

And after a long night, Kai Owen sums up:

23:12 Good night/morning. X

Key to initials: AF - Allyson Floyd (stand-in); AS - Alana Stone (fashion designer); BB - Brad Bell; BBC - BBC Torchwood (production office); CF - Chrissie Fit; JE - Jane Espenson (writer); KO - Kai Owen (Rhys); NS - Nick Salter; SBA - SB Arts TV; ST - Shawna Trpcic (costume designer); WK - Wayne Knight

For Week 12, Cris D'Annunzio reported that he would have a guest role on the series. And Kai Owen has suggested that next week he'll be joined by his 'partner in crime', Tom Price:

18:55 @pricetom looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday mate.

And finally, to whet our appetites:
"Monday morning beautiful sunny day. All is peaceful as we shoot and continue to prep biggest ep yet ..."

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

Title of Episode 4 revealed

Monday, 28 March 2011 - Reported by Harry Ward

Doctor Who Magazine have confirmed the title of Neil Gaiman's Doctor Who episode. Episode 4 of the new series, which guest stars Suranne Jones (Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa's Revenge) as Idris and Michael Sheen, will now be called The Doctor's Wife.

There had been speculation of the title on a number of fan sites and this evening SFX was given permission by the BBC to reveal the title.

Speculation began yesterday when Steven Moffat Tweeted to Gaiman:

Ohh, just watched your one again! It's really good, isn't it? And look who it is! LOOK WHO IT IS!!!

Today, Gaiman told his Twitter followers:

Yes, Doctor Who Ep 4's title has made it onto the internet. Because the title is a spoiler, I will let you find it yourself.

Edward Russell, Senior Brand Executive for Doctor Who Tweeted in reply to Gaiman:

in retrospect, we should have hung on until Friday [April] 1st... Then no one would have believed us!"

Director of the episode, Richard Clark was surprised to have learned that the episode title had been released so soon:

Ep4 title is out there. How is that possible? [adding] The title was only signed off a couple days ago. Anyone know what date Ep4 is transmitted?

Gaiman told Doctor Who Magazine:

Idris is someone who is beautiful, and who bites, and who might just turn out to be an old acquaintance with a new face... [adding] it starts in void-space, with something – or someone – we have not seen since The War Games, and a knock on the TARDIS door...

Steven Moffat described the episode as:

a beautiful poem of an episode" and says that Suranne Jones "will change the way you see Doctor Who forever forever – and that’s a hand-on-heart promise.

The Doctor's Wife was originally used as a fake title by John Nathan-Turner to discover possible leaks in the production office back in the 1980s.

FILTER: - Series 6/32 - Production

Fan Productions roundup

Thursday, 24 March 2011 - Reported by Harry Ward

A roundup of recent fan productions includes new issues of fanzines and a request for submissions to a new book!

Whotopia - Issue 20

In this issue:

The Tennant Legacy - Ian Wheeler considers what Doctor number ten has given to the series
Ten Again Thomas - Willam Spychalski take us on an overview of the Doctor's tenth persona
Tennant's Ladies - Emily Jones reflects upon the Tenth Doctor's female companions
Martha Jones: Is She The Worst Companion Ever? - A fresh critique of the Tenth Doctor's lovelorn companion by Steve Tomporowski
The Perfect Tennant - Kenny Smith investigates whether the Tenth Doctor was the perfect Doctor
Romance In Doctor Who - Grant Bull tackles one of the series' more contentious aspects
How The Mighty Fall - A look at the apparent end of the Time Lords by Matthew Kresal
The Stephen Wyatt Interview - Jez Strickley keeps an eye out for lethal cleaners and sinister circuses as he chats with the writer behind Paradise Towers and Greatest Show In The Galaxy.
Target Trawl - A mammoth installment in Nick Mellish's reading marathon.
Screwdrivers, Scaries and Scarves: Regeneration - Jez Strickley offers some thoughts on this unique sci-fi creation.
The Better The Devil You Know - Richard Farrell looks back the Tenth Doctor's face-off with an ancient evil as he reassess The Impossible Planet / The Satan Pit.
Dalek's Advocate: Love and Monsters - Jez Strickley takes up the Skarosians case for this much debated adventure.
The Memory of Darkness: Part Four - The concluding installment of our original fiction story by Julio Angel Ortiz.

Plus all our regular columns: Screwdrivers, Scaries & Scarves/ Target Trawl/ Parallel Lines, features and more!

The Third Zone - Issue 2

In this issue:

Merchandise reviewed From Big Finish we have The Feast of Axos, The Perpetual Bond and Andy has tackled both The Mutants and The Ark on DVD. Note – we were going to include the latest eighth Doctor audio Lucie Miller but we have decided to review the two-part storyline as a whole.
Matter of Perspective - Steve Lyons' popular New Adventure, Conundrum come under the limelight. Reversing our roles from last month, Andy has been reading away and has a good grilling by yours truly.
The Evelyn Escapades seems to have been one of the most popular elements on the site with the most hits (the reviews excepted) and this month we have completed The Spectre of Lanyon Moor.
Charlotte and Simon, our non-fan cohorts have been watching the William Hartnell classic, Planet of Giants.
Amy Pond, heavenly or floozy? Andy stands in defence of the Doctor’s latest companion whilst I try and convince you that she doesn’t quite work.
Interviews with two of Big Finish’s most exciting writers, Jacqueline Rayner (Wolfsbane, Dr Who & the Pirates) and Simon Guerrier (The Perpetual Bond). They share their thoughts on their latest work.
Who Online this month praises the Big Finish review and voting site, The Time Scales.
I look back at Nicholas Courtney's contributions to Doctor Who and include my top five favourite Brigadier stories.

All this plus part two of our exciting three part fiction piece, The Shadows Makers written by Joe Ford and an essay looking at the delightful Big Finish spin off The Companion Chronicles Seasons 1-3

Issue three will be released April 15th.

The Hub - Issue One

One of the first of its kind The Hub promises to bring content from all era’s of Torchwood- from Season One to the upcoming fourth season Miracle Day. Each issue is packed with nearly thirty pages of content, offering opportunities to any article and fan fiction writers.

In the debut Issue, we bring you...

We look at Torchwood Through Time
Brand new action packed fiction The Five Jacks begins
The Fandom Zone features a review of popular online spoof show Doothcrow.
The Torchwood Debate discusses which is the better season format.
We see if Gwen Cooper is either a “Hore” or “Heroin”.
All the latest from the set of Miracle Day.
All the Latest News in the Torchwood Universe.
A preview of forthcoming Torchwood anthology: Time for Change.
And two free posters!

All this is free to download this now!

The Best Doctor Who Poems in the Universe

It’s June 2011 and Series 6 is in its mid-season break and a unique new Doctor Who book has been published - but it needs your contributions NOW otherwise it will never happen and could cause no end of wibbly wobbly timey wimey problems!

Just like the Tenth Doctor and Shakespeare used the power of words to defeat the Carrionites, this book needs you to use the power of words to create poems about Doctor Who. They can be about the Doctor, his companions, his enemies or even what Doctor Who means to you and is open to everyone.

For example:

Daleks, Daleks, everywhere
On the ground, and in the air.
You hear their voice and you know your fate
Because they are only here to exterminate!

But I’m sure you can do a lot better than that!! There will also be a special mention to anyone who can rhyme Raxacoricofallapatorius!

Please email your entries to: drwhopoems@GJBpublishing.co.uk

• Include your name, age (if you want!) and location.
• Open to any age
• Poems can be a maximum of 30 lines in length.Maximum of two per person.
• All work should be your own and not previously published.
• Winning contributors will retain copyright of their work.
• The top 100 poems will be selected. The editor’s decision is final.

We also are looking for budding Vincent Van Gogh’s to send in your
Doctor Who line drawings to decorate the book. (Your name will be credited alongside your work).

Pictures to be sent via email, and need to be 300dpi jpegs and under 10MB
You can submit a maximum of two.

Deadline for entries: 14th May 2011

The Tides of Time archive

The eighth Doctor can be dismissed merely an embodiment of lost hopes and promises unfulfilled or broken. However, he was salvaged by the fans of Doctor Who and has enjoyed innumerable adventures across a fractured multiverse of print, audio and comic strip. Coverage of the books and audios will feature in later releases, but for now here are some responses to his one television appearance, in the 1996 TV Movie, as well as some original fiction with different takes on the eighth Doctor’s fate. These articles were published in The Tides of Time between 1996 and 2002, except for one which though dealing with the Oxford Doctor Who Society’s viewing of the TV Movie in 1996 was published in the last (to date) issue of Skaro in 1997. All the PDFs bar Independence Day (which has been reset for this release) are scans from the original photocopies or printouts of Tides, and reflect the technology used to make the originals.

Reportage

West Coast Story. An optimistic outlook on Doctor Who‘s prospects written shortly before the broadcast of the TV Movie, misreading some of the auguries, by Matthew Kilburn. Published in Tides 19 (1996)
Independence Day. An account of the society’s reception of the TV Movie’s broadcast, by Matthew Kilburn. Published in Skaro [vol. 5 no.] 13 (1997)

Fiction

An End to Things by David Bickley. A new psychologist at the Institute is drawn to patient number eight. Published in Tides 25 (2000)
Have We No Workhouses? by Derek Haywood. The eighth Doctor enjoys a post-TVM career as a media executive in the age of Cool Britannia, while his previous selves suffer. Published in Tides 27 (2001)
Reliquary Man, part one by Alexandra Cameron. The Doctor and his goddaughter Chandra meet Alexis de Tocqueville – but what are Polaroids and automatic weapons doing in mid-nineteenth century France? Published in Tides 28 (2002)
Reliquary Man, part two by Alexandra Cameron. An old foe waits for the Doctor. Published in Tides 28 (2002)

Retrospective

I can’t make your dream come true forever… The strengths of the TV Movie, by Saraquazel. Published in Tides 28 (2002)
…but I can make it come true tonight. The TV Movie as missed opportunity and catalogue of errors, by John Amos. Published in Tides 28 (2002)

Eighth Doctor fiction by Alex Cameron can also be found in Tides 30 (2005), Tides 31 (2005) and Tides 32 (2006), all of which can be downloaded in full as PDFs.

FILTER: - Fan Productions

Michael Sheen in Doctor Who

Monday, 21 March 2011 - Reported by Marcus

Film star Michael Sheen is to voice a character in the fourth episode of the upcoming series of Doctor Who.

Sheen revealed his involvement during a talk to students at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, and this was confirmed later by writer Neil Gaiman who penned the story that will feature the vocal talents of the actor.

Sheen is best known for his movie portrayals of well-known public figures. He played former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in The Queen, TV interviewer David Frost in Frost/Nixon and former Football manager Brian Clough in The Damned United.

Sheen was born in Newport in Wales in 1969. He was a member of the West Glamorgan Youth theatre, where he was a contemporary of former showrunner Russell T Davies.

FILTER: - Doctor Who - Production

Fan claims ownership of Davros

Sunday, 20 March 2011 - Reported by Marcus

A Doctor Who fan is suing the BBC for breach of copyright, claiming that he invented the character Davros first seen in the series in 1975.

According to the Daily Mail, Steven Clark claims that he came up with the idea for the character when he was just 13 and entered a drawing competition run by TV Action magazine in 1972. Clark claims that he invented the name Davros and sent in a drawing of the character along with a handwritten essay called The Genesis Of The Daleks: The Creation Of Davros.

Clark has launched High Court proceedings to try to prove that the BBC has been using the character without his permission for nearly four decades and claiming damages, or a sum equivalent to the profits generated from the character over the years.

His competition entry was a pencil sketch coloured in with felt pens which he claims shows a ‘half-man half-Dalek’ with an additional eye in the centre of his forehead, a headset, epaulettes, a withered left hand and finger-like switchgear on the Dalek base.

The original competition was run independently of the BBC, but the judges included the then producer Barry Letts, script editor, Terrance Dicks, and the current Doctor, Jon Pertwee. Clark did not win the prize of a Colour Television and claims he was shocked when he saw his creation in the 1975 story Genesis of the Daleks.

He said he considered legal action at the time, but had lost his copies of the competition entry. However he claims the entries turned up 20 years later, when he found them hidden in a set of family encyclopaedias.

Clark said: 'The money aspect of it is not my primary motivation. I am proud of the character I created and I just want my work to be recognised. It would be nice to be finally linked to the character after all this time.' His lawyer Richard Kempner said: 'If they used the drawing, it’s only fair that they acknowledge it.'

Davros is one of the most popular Doctor Who villains, who has appeared regularly in the series since his first appearance in Genesis of the Daleks. Four actors have played the character which was brought into the revived series in 2008 in the story The Stolen Earth.

The character was always thought to have been invented by Dalek creator Terry Nation. Nation died in 1997 but agent for the estate, Tim Hancock, said he was aware of the claims and is to meet Nation’s widow Kate to search the family archives. BBC Worldwide have said 'We have received a claim from Mr Clark relating to matters from the Seventies.'

FILTER: - Doctor Who - Production - Classic Series - Press

Torchwood: Week Nine Production

Sunday, 13 March 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

It's week nine in the production of Torchwood, and the end of the second month of the shoot! However, there's still some three months of filming left to go so no time to wind down for the production team - as usual there was filming in progress by two or more units over the course of the week, both around Los Angeles (with scenes taking place at places like the beach and an old stadium) and on the Warner Bros studio backlot. Plus, a rather important birthday to celebrate ...

Cast highlighted this week included John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Mekhi Phifer, Ernie Hudson, Dichen Lachman and Alexa Havins - not to mention of course the silent majority of supporting actors, extras and stand-ins working on the production!

The BBC Production Office reported that this week would see filming commence on Jane Espenson's episode five. Two new directors were also revealed as working on the production, Gwyneth Horder-Payton and Guy Ferland. Horder-Payton's credits include Battlestar Galactica, Fringe, The Walking Dead, Sons of Anarchy and The Shield; Ferland has also directed for the latter three shows, with other credits including The Mentalist, Human Target - IMDB reports him as working on John Shiban's episode six of Torchwood: Miracle Day.

It was also reported elsewhere that John Wells is one of the producers for Torchwood; his credits include Southland, Shameless, E.R. and The West Wing.

Times cited within reports below are in Los Angeles local time, except where indicated

Monday

Torchwood hits the beach! It was one of those rare occasions when the production was in an open place, with members of the public appearing in the background if they so wished (as long as they agreed to the conditions laid out on the notices!).

Eve Myles and Mekhi Phifer were on location today, with filming taking place by the DogTown skate park on Venice Beach. Tweets from Dichen Lachman suggested she was enjoying the beach, too!

16:00 AF  After thinking it was going to rain all weekend,
          the sun today feels SO good.  :)
11:03 AF  Hard at work! http://t.co/yTJcP8P 
11:08 AF  http://t.co/LVMiLg7
11:18 MP  shooting on venice beach right now...
          was supposed to rain but we been blessed with sunshine.
11:45 AF  The sun is warm and lovely, but wind is a bit chilly. :) 
14:53 AF  GAH!  Sandstorm!  O_O
14:55 AF  Pre-sandstorm! http://t.co/fgdTHQB 
17:52 AS  Cold, sun and wind burnt. Still its so beautiful. Yay for the beach.
18:37 AF  I miraculously managed to get thru it without any kamikaze grains
          going for my contact lenses! :D 
18:47 AF  I think this is my favorite photo I took of Venice Beach while down
          at the #Torchwood shoot today. ALIEN SEAGULLS!  :-) http://t.co/sxZMt3r

Paul Sauser was also on hand to see some of the action at the skate park, including Eve Myles apparently being filmed as Gwen on her mobile. Additional photos of her were published by Caught on Set.

Allyson Floyd, via Twitpic	Allyson Floyd, via Twitpic	Allyson Floyd, via Twitpic	Paul Sauser, via YFrog
Paul Sauser, via YFrog	Paul Sauser, via YFrog	Paul Sauser, via YFrog	Paul Sauser, via YFrog
Paul Sauser, via YFrog	Paul Sauser, via YFrog	Paul Sauser, via YFrog	Paul Sauser, via YFrog
Paul Sauser, via YFrog	Dichen Lachman, via YFrog	Dichen Lachman, via YFrog	Dichen Lachman, via YFrog

Tuesday - Wednesday

Chazz Sutton, via Plixi

After such a public location on Monday, the production disappeared into relative obscurity once more. However, it was possible to infer that one of the units was present at the Inglewood Forum based on snatches of conversation on Twitter:

07 20:48 CS  Working a show for Starz called Torchwood
             tomorrow in Inglewood. I just Google searched
             it... seems very intriguing
             *scratches fake goatee* 
08 18:01 CS  I just shook Lonestar's hand #Winning
08 20:13 CS  The end to a long ass day which I so needed.
             It's good to be paid.
             So grateful to be called back for tomorrow.
08 23:11 CS  Yeah 14 hours on set was no joke.
             So exhausting but was awesome to be part of
             somethin so hush hush. 
             Also met great new peeps. Recall baby! 
09 13:07 CS  Adventures in extras holding. So exciting.

Allyson Floyd chatted a little bit about the life of a stand-in:

08 14:53 AF  I spent more time wrangling with UPS today than I spent on set! :P  Oy.
08 23:07 AF  I'm literally not there at all, lol!  Stand-ins are only used to set up
             camera angles and lighting!
08 23:19 AF  I've done kind of a ridiculous amount of extra work though... 
             if you knew where to look, you'd see the back of my head everywhere!
08 23:20 AF  And a few places where I'm pretty recognizable, but it would be
             too tedious to look up all the episode #'s and movies.
11 01:15 AF  I generally stand in for one of the main cast, so that usually puts me
             there several days a week.

Meanwhile, the BBC Production Office were prepping for two kinds of activity later in the week ...

08 14:45 BBC We have a birthday coming up soon, 3 days to be exact.
             Mission #3 get JB the perfect gift. Are surprises still classy?
             Oh the possibilities!
09 18:38 BBC Wonderfully productive day! RTD is typing away and we're prepping two units.
             Phones are ringing! Carpal tunnel arising! Action galore.

Thursday

Matthew Arnold, via YFrog

Two locations were listed for activity Thursday, the James Oviatt Building (home to the Cicada Restaurant), and possibly the Yard, a kick-boxing club - however this address is also listed for the Willow Studios so their resources might have been in use instead! Reports also indicated other locations were visited throughout the day, with at least two units operating! Matthew Arnold reported that filming was taking place on a street at his uncle's, and this unit included Alexa Havins.

Meanwhile, another unit had to contend with a minor disaster on set:

09 17:18 AF  Then it's back to work on the set of
             #Torchwood: MD tomorrow!
10 09:56 AS  Another early morning. Yawn!
             But I have my honey with me today. :) 
10 12:22 AS  A water main just broken now there's a river
             running thru set. Too bad the waters nasty or
             I would run thru it like the 10 yr old I am. LOL 
11 13:00 BBC A water main broke at our 2nd Unit location,
             a cool looking salvage yard. Awesome location
11 13:04 BBC The water leak had nothing to do with us!!
             It was just a crazy random event.
11 14:27 AF  I missed out on that!  I had a later calltime.  ^_^

BBC, via img.mu

Alana Stone, via Facebook

Shawna Trpcic, via Plixi

BBC, via Twitpic

Another location in use turned out to be the Los Angeles City Hall again, with John Barrowman and Ernie Hudson present; John was later to receive two big cakes for his birthday on Friday (celebrated UK time!)

10 17:43 ST  A bit quiet here shooting a 6 page scene. 
             Amazing actor with John today.
             Both are intense. Really great writing too.
             Beautiful location too.
10 19:01 ST  Entire crew just sang @Team_Barrowman happy birthday
             and presented him a cake with candles.
             Lots of joy and laughter. Now we r on the move.
10 19:16 ST  A glimpse of vintage LA I love this city :-) 
10 20:00 ST  I can't say where til tomorrow when we r gone :-)
12 08:00 ST  LA City Hall

10 23:02 BBC Mission #3 SUCCESS! A surprise TWO cakes
             and we gave John the day off tomorrow.
             Happy Birthday!
10 23:54 JB  Hello from LA 
10 23:55 JB  Thanks for all the birthday wishes..
             6 more minutes till the actual bday
10 23:57 JB  Going to bed then of to Palm Springs tomorrow
             for celebrations with Mom and dad and family.
10 23:59 JB  been very busy filming and feel bad 
             I have not tweeted. hope to rectify that.
11 00:00 JB  Dont ask Torchwood questions as I cant answer...
             DUH!!!
             But get to Comic con if you can..

Friday

Daryl Crittenden, via YFrog

As mentioned above, Friday was a day off for John Barrowman as it was his birthday, but work continued for the rest of the cast and crew as usual.

10:32 ST  Concept meeting for episode 7.
          Creativity is not only coming up with a brilliant story
          it's bringing it to life on a budget. Oye!!
14:28 DC  Heading to set on #Torchwood today....
          time to make the doughnuts!
17:08 ST  Hint pink flamingo 
18:50 DC  This is a light post. Only a lightpost. #Torchwood
18:51 DC  Ps had a blueberry doughnut yum. #Torchwood

Filming also continued around the Willow Street facilities, as observed by Dina Kampmeyer:

11 19:01 Okay, trying not freak out, but torchwood is filming 20 feet away from me.
         If my bf can get me on set, i may just freak. 
12 14:45 I was having a drink at Villains & they were filming next door. 
         They were packing up, but I was there! 
12 14:47 The set was all dark & dank. Looks like maybe a basement or tunnels
         where creepy aliens would hide.

Finally, we're pleased to include a special report on life as an extra, courtesy of Maria Zambrana:

I worked on the second unit of "Torchwood: Miracle Day" last night, (Ep5, I believe?), as one of about 150 people for the night shoot. We didn't have to sign a confidentiality agreement like I did in Episode 1 (two months ago), but common sense dictates that it'd be wise not to go into extreme detail, no?

We were shooting on "French Street" on the Warner Bros. lot (that's a street name not the location setting!), and our holding was this empty building on the corner. The room filled up pretty quickly so, despite it being a bit chilly, others took their folding chairs and lined up along the sidewalks. I found that the "store" next to this one was empty, so I simply went in there and had the place to myself. A props cart was set up right outside the door where we picked up a few items.

There were some background people there that performed two or three different roles and got there around 3pm or so, and another lump of people brought in just for the one scene (7:45pm., 8pm., etc.). We were ostensibly broken up into groups (Group A, Group B, etc.) but that's just a basic early-stage organizational thing; by the time filming takes place, you're just swept up en masse into the action. The only thing that matters is your call time... as in, the 3pm. call time allowed the earlier people to be dismissed earlier. Also, they got lunch - we didn't get any food on set, save for some people who scavenged their leftovers before catering threw them away (this food-raid done at the encouragement of one of the A.D.s, incidentally, who was rather put off by the fact that catering was not available to everyone).

(This is why I always make sure to eat before I go to a set, and to bring my own water. You can't rely on a production to take care of you. I was on the set of final episode of "24" and the entire building ran out of toilet paper. Guess who the only extra was that brought their own roll that day?)

Eve Myles was the only main cast member on our part of the lot; there were two units, ours and another over at Warner Ranch, but I've no idea what they were shooting or who with. At one point, upon finding out that one of our number was a big "Doctor Who" and "Torchwood" fan, she took a few minutes to pose with and take photos with the guy, which put him on Cloud 9! So sweet of her to do that.

All in all, though, the shoot went well. We all did one rehearsal walking around the block, past our holding area, and back to our starting positions. Then we made three or four more circles, wearing and carrying our props (aw, c'mon, why should I spoil what they were?). And we were done! Check-in to sign-out was about six hours, and a good four of those hours was wasted at wardrobe and holding.

Key to initials: AF - Allyson Floyd (stand-in); AS - Alana Stone (fashion designer); BBC - BBC Torchwood (production office); CS - Chazz Sutton (extra); DC - Daryl Crittenden; JB - John Barrowman (Jack); JE - Jane Espenson (writer); MP - Mekhi Phifer (Rex); ST - Shawna Trpcic (costume designer)

Next week sees the return of Kai Owen to filming ...

11 09:17(UK) Well our suitcases are packed, we're off to Los Angeles tomorrow for 3 months!! Crazy!
11 19:47(UK) Thank you all for your good luck messages, I'll try and keep you updated
             from the mad bad world that is #torchwoodmircaleday
12 19:12(US) Los Angeles beware!! We have arrived.

Just a quick note that clocks go forward in Los Angeles this weekend, meaning that for the next fortnight Torchwood activity is just seven hours behind the UK!

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

Torchwood: Week Eight production

Tuesday, 8 March 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The eighth week of production on Torchwood saw a couple of new guest stars join the show, which was mainly based at the Warner Brothers sets for the week, though the cast did get out and about at airy heights of the US Bank Tower and the subterranean depths of a ... parking garage! The end of the week also saw a publicity shoot for the show take place.

Cast name-checked this week included John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Bill Pullman, and Lauren Ambrose, though others of course worked throughout the week, including guest stars Christopher Thomas Howell (The Outsiders, Criminal Minds, Southland, The Amazing Spider Man) and Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters, Desperate Housewives, Transformers Prime).

Writer John Fay was interviewed by the Liverpool Daily Post on Wednesday, during which he answered a number of questions about the new series:

How many eps? Just the one. Episode Nine of ten.
I can tell you a lot of my ep is set in Wales, and has already been shot.
Russell and Julie Gardner remain in charge, so I think it'll still have the same basic tone. There are more American characters in it, so obviously it'll probably feel more American.
(on Russell as a re-writer) Ep 2 of COE is all mine I think. He moved a bit of his ep 5 onto the back of my Ep 4, and wrote an extra scene between the PM and his adviser, but that was pretty much it. I can't speak for the new series yet because I haven't seen it. With RTD it's not a problem. Apart from anything else, he's a great writer and he's the boss. I have been re-written by some lesser writers in the past though. And that does piss you off!
Russell's been putting the arm on me to represent Torchwood at something called Kapow! in London. In ongoing discussions with Mrs Fay......
I keep getting a "what's your favourite Torchwood character box" flashing up on my screen and poor old Rhys is in last place on 0%! For the record - he's my favourite! So that breaks his duck!

We're also very pleased to be able to include one of Bill Pullman's own photos, taken during production on the new series.

This features both him and John Barrowman in costume as Oswald Danes and Captain Jack respectively, and has been provided to us courtesy of BillPullman.org.

Finally, another member of the cast who filmed earlier in the schedule was named by the After Elton website; actor Dillon Casey (pictured right with John Barrowman courtesy of Shawna Trpcic back in Week Five filming) is playing the character of Brad. Casey has recently been seen as Noah in The Vampire Diaries.

Times cited within reports below are in Los Angeles local time, except where indicated

Monday

Another week and another early start, for costume designer Shawna Trpcic, who later on discussed aspects of Captain Jack's new jacket:

06:20 Torchwood at 4:12 am. Funny thing is I woke up before my alarm. :-)
      now I'm yawning and eating too much trying to stay alert. :-)
06:23 what is CJ coat Y u chose fabric?
      Wool w/ tiny bit of cashmere to keep it soft with goodBody.
11:29 Thought JB was allergic to wool?
      Old Coat was cotton - the wool im using is thin and
      super soft no allergic reactions.
12:41 costume was made of moleskin to simulate wool as JB allergic
      does it qualify as cotton?
      i suppose might b an UK/US word thing
19:59 Can't wait to see our captain in NEW hero coat!
      I wonder if he wears the silver aeroplane cufflinks this series too?
      Yes!

Other Twitter-chat for the day included:

07:54 ST Ice cold but sunny & clear beautiful
         rained for 10hours during fri night shoot :-/
09:02 AS Week 8 of Torchwood aka 80s revival week! 
19:13 MC Abby singer! For those of you who don't know that means the
         second to the last shot is up.
19:19 MC Wrap
21:21 AS @trpcic lol Ralph? DWtS!!! That's amazing! Watching fo sho!
         80s revival week rules! I'm so rocking legwarmers this week.

Tuesday

Back out and about, filming at two locations; a parking garage at 524 South Flower St, just around the corner from the major shoot at the US Bank Tower - the tallest building in Los Angeles! - and several photos from Shawna Trpcic and Michael Colbert showed off its views across the city!

Michael Colbert
(via Twitpic)
The view today. "Heroes" fans might note Kirby plaza where the orange thing is.

Michael Colbert
(via Twitpic)
Another view

Shawna Trpcic
(via Twitpic)
Never seen LA like this :-)

Shawna Trpcic
(via Twitpic)
Top of historic mens club in downtown

Shawna Trpcic, via Plixi

Michael Colbert, via Twitpic

"TW-Spy!" today reveals John and Eve's comfy chairs, and an intriguing logo that promises "from better to best"! Meanwhile, the cast and crew go wobbly at the knees with guest star Ernie Hudson filming scenes alongside John Barrowman!

09:08 ST  TV crews work sooooo hard we have units all over this
          morning have not stopped running and my crew
          are literary out of breath!!
09:47 MC  Poop on a stick!  It's only 9:45!
15:26 ST  Publicity photos for Torchwood on the way 
          Shooting this weekend with 7 members of the cast :-)
15:37 ST  John said his undercover pants were a bit tight but
          he likes them. I told him Im famous for 
          "Captain Tight Pants" gotta keep up tradition

Wednesday - Friday

Wednesday saw filming continue with two units, though it wasn't clear if this was back at the US Bank Tower or elsewhere; production was to return to the Warner Brothers lot for the rest of the week, though it would seem that adjacent activities would cause quite some excitement!

02 23:58 DC  Shooting #y&r and #torchwood next week.... Busy busy. 
02 21:58 AF  Shooting #Torchwood back at good 'ol WB tomorrow.  ^_^ | 
02 22:28 ST  I am soooo exhausted but gotta tell you working on torchwood is such a
             luv fest I am very happy two units today shopping and early fit in am
03 13:05 AF  Having now read the latest script, I take that back! :D
03 15:41 AS  Note: This is not Torchwood but J. Edgar is shooting on the lot near us. 
             Looking for Leo! http://twitpic.com/45t09j
03 16:09 BBC Just spent a lovely afternoon with some of our fellow UK crew.
             We're also still floating on the Ernie Hudson cloud, the rumors are true. 
03 17:15 JE  It is almost all written, yes! All episodes but last one are in
             the pipeline at some stage.  No word on next season yet.
03 17:56 ST  Clint Eastwood and Leo dicaprio r here -
             squeeeel in amazing Hoover era costumes 
03 21:01 ST  Don't jump ship on us from Torchwood to a fancy movie set, please!
             Never! I have never giggled & blushed so much! Like teenage luv
04 16:08 AF  More "Torchwood" (@ Warner Bros. Pictures)
04 17:39 BBC Eve Myles wants everyone to make her a promise,
             HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND! That seems manageable right?
04 17:39 AF  Conan O'Brien and Leo DiCaprio are somewhere on this lot.
             When am I going to conveniently happen across them?? ;D
04 17:46 AF  I realized that one of the two main Torchwood stages is right
             next door to Two and a Half Men. Ground 0 for recent Hollywood drama! :P
04 17:48 BBC Also, we're prepping for a photo shoot this Saturday.
             Publicity stills, can't wait!
04 19:51 ST  All packed & prepared for first PR shoot w/ the cast. Yay!!
             Crew shooting into the weeee hours then up for Morning shoot.
             Pray all sleep well
04 23:17 BBC We've got Bill and Lauren on this late night of shooting.
             The lot is empty... Mission #2 - Private Party on the 
             "Two and A Half Men" set!
05 01:25 BBC Mission #2, FAIL. We're having too much fun on our own set.
             Such a great cast and crew. Good Morning Everyone!
05 01:35 AF  Yet another Happy Fraturday to all! ;)

Key to initials: AF - Allyson Floyd (stand-in); AS - Alana Stone (fashion designer); BBC - BBC Torchwood (production office); DC - Daryl Crittenden; JE - Jane Espenson (writer); MC - Michael Colbert (electrician); ST - Shawna Trpcic (costume designer)

Saturday saw press and publicity shots being taken for the show; this is believed to have taken place at the Willow Studios, which provide a number of standing sets (bars, restaurants, apartments) suitable for filming and photo-shoots! As Shawna Trpcic reports:

As soon as I'm allowed I'll link u to the photos. 
You all will be very happy they are the most SEXY PR photos I've seen.
Torchwood ROCKS!!!

Week Nine kicks off with the cast and crew off to the seaside!

"Under the boardwalk, down by the sea, yeah
On a blanket with my Torchwood is where I'll be" ...

FILTER: - Torchwood - Production

Piers Wenger steps down as Head of Drama, BBC Wales

Monday, 7 March 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

A BBC Press release today has revealed that Piers Wenger, one of the excutive producers and creative influences of the Eleventh Doctor's era of Doctor Who, is stepping down as Head of Drama at BBC Wales. His successor in the role will be Faith Penhale, creative manager and executive producer at Kudus Film and Television (Spooks).

The release goes on to explain:

Piers Wenger, who joined BBC Wales in 2007 and, with Stephen Moffat and Beth Willis masterminded the latest regeneration of Doctor Who with Matt Smith, will continue in his role as creative leader of a range of key shows including the Doctor.

Wenger was responsible for the highly successful relaunch of Upstairs Downstairs as well as the extraordinary Eric And Ernie, which was the most successful drama on BBC Two for more than a decade. Having previously held the post as Head of Drama, he now wishes to focus more exclusively on the running of his existing slate of in-house shows as well as the creative development of individual projects, including Sir Tom Stoppard's forthcoming five-part adaptation of the Ford Madox Ford novel Parade's End for BBC Two.

Wenger went on to say:

I am absolutely thrilled for Wales that it has someone as brilliant and experienced as Faith to bring in the next generation of shows. The department has blazed a trail across a wide portfolio of in-house and indie shows in the last few years and it’s exciting for us all to have someone with Faith’s huge talent to build on their success.

FILTER: - People - Doctor Who - Production

Previous 10 Stories

Fan Productions roundup

Murray Gold returns to Torchwood

Torchwood: Week Ten/Eleven Production

Monday 14th March

Tuesday 15th March - Friday 18th March

Monday 21st March

Tuesday 22nd March

Wednesday 23rd March

Thursday 24th - Friday 25th March

Title of Episode 4 revealed

Fan Productions roundup

Michael Sheen in Doctor Who

Fan claims ownership of Davros

Torchwood: Week Nine Production

Monday

Tuesday - Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Torchwood: Week Eight production

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday - Friday

Piers Wenger steps down as Head of Drama, BBC Wales

Amazon Associate paid Link. Doctor Who News is supported by qualifying purchases.

This Week in Doctor Who

ARCHIVE

FILTER