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:
Doctor Who: Piers WengerPiers 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

Lynda Baron returns to Doctor Who?

Sunday, 6 March 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The Wales on Sunday have reported an actress previously appearing in Doctor Who in the 1980s will be returning to the show, during a summary of cast seen filming last week alongside James Corden in the episode currently being shot by Steve Hughes:
Corden was joined on set in Cardiff by well-known British actress Lynda Baron, Karen Gillan, who plays assistant Amy Pond, and Arthur Darvill, who plays Rory Williams, plus two bus loads of shoppers and a baby.
Lynda Baron appeared in the Fifth Doctor story Enlightenment (1983) playing Captain Wrack, and also sang "The Ballad of the Last Chance Saloon" that featured throughout the First Doctor story The Gunfighters (1966). Outside of Doctor Who she is probably best remembered as nurse Gladys Emmanuel in the Ronnie Barker sitcom Open All Hours.

Update 9th March: No official confirmation of Baron's casting has been made at present, but the actress has been seen on location.




FILTER: - Series 6/32 - Production

New Doctor Who Director

Friday, 4 March 2011 - Reported by Marcus
iplayerSteve Hughes has confirmed via his twitter account that he is directing the latest episode of Doctor Who to go before the cameras.

Hughes, who is new to the series, has previously been been lead director on the BBC One drama Land Girls. He has also directed nearly 50 episodes of BBC One's daytime drama, Doctors, as well as episodes of Holby City and and Sky One’s Dream Team.

Filming on the story commenced last night back at the location featured during the first week of production of the revived series, at Howell's Department Store in Cardiff!




FILTER: - Series 6/32 - Production

Torchwood: Who you gonna call?

Tuesday, 1 March 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Ernie HudsonThe actor Ernie Hudson has today been reported as having a role in Torchwood: Miracle Day:
Michael Colbert: The one and only Ernie Hudson is guest starring on this ep.

The actor has had a prolific career in films and television, having recently appeared in recent television series like Transformers Prime (voice of Agent Fowler), The Secret Life of an American Teenager (Dr Field), Law and Order (Frank Gibson), and Desperate Housewives (Detective Ridley). His sci-fi credentials include appearances in Heroes, Stargate SG-1, as Sergeant Albrecht in The Crow, and Washington in the film Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone.

But he will always be best known as Winston Zeddemore, the fourth member of the team in the extremely successful Ghostbusters, and its followup Ghostbusters II. (A third film has been mooted for production shortly!)
 

Ernie HudsonThe casting follows on from the announcement at the weekend that Christopher Thomas Howell would also be appearing in the series. The actor reported that he would be filming during an interview with SouthLATVFans.

Another actor rising to fame in the 1980s, Howell is best known for his portrayal of Ponytail Curtis in The Outsiders; he also appeared Tyler in E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, and other films like The Hitcher, Red Dawn and Soul Man. Notable television roles include Kindred: The Embraced (Det. Frank Kohanek), Amazon (Dr. Alex Kennedy), 24 (Barry Landes), and most recently as Officer Dewey Dudek in Southland. He also has a role in the currently filming The Amazing Spider-Man.




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

Torchwood: Week Seven Production

Monday, 28 February 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
A shorter week for the Torchwood production, with Presidents Day being a public holiday in the States on Monday.

Cast name-checked during the week included John Barrowman, Eve Myles, and Mekhi Phifer, though of course many others were involved during filming! Also, Christopher Thomas Howell (The Outsiders, Criminal Minds, Southland, The Amazing Spider Man) mentioned in an interview with SouthLAndTVFans that he would shortly be joining the production.


The weekend before saw the GallifreyOne convention take place in Los Angeles, during which there was a panel involving writers Jane Espenson and Doris Egan who discussed their involvement with the new series; this included dealing with the nuances between UK/Welsh and US modes of speech and the cultural differences in the meaning of words like 'vest', a discussion on the differences that seems to exist between the US and UK approach to scripting a series - especially in terms of the freedom that UK writers have (though with more re-writes), and how the enthusiasm of Russell T Davies 'infects' their own approach to writing! Episodes-wise, it was clarified that the last three episodes are still being prepared, with episode eight in third draft, nine nearly finished, and ten about to be written by Russell. The two writers also admitted that they'd already bandied about ideas for future stories, though no futher series of Torchwood have been commissioned (yet!)

Video by TDrury, via YouTube


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


Tuesday


Photo: Jane Espenson, via Twitpic
Back to Warner Bros for another long day's shoot. Filming continued on episode three, with John Barrowman, Eve Myles and Mekhi Phifer shooting scenes.

Writer Jane Espsenson reported that there would be a production meeting for episode four that lunch time; she also clarified that the final three episodes were still in the process of being tweaked.

Meanwhile, Shawna Trpcic also explained that no date had been set as yet for the release of the publicity photos.

Jane also provided the first "TW-Spy!" photo of the week, giving us a glimpse of how studio backdrop looks on-set!

Twitter gossip for the day included:
07:34 MC  6am call. Sick as a dog. God I want to sleep for 12 hours straight.  
07:52 MP Just got on set of Torchwood.. Cold LA morning and I am going shirtless!!
Not complaining though, just need some ideas on how to stay warm??
09:06 JE Just got good morning hugs from John and Eve on set. Love this cast!
09:08 ST Hello faux Monday. Had an amazing fitting with eve at 630 am and
she was still amazing :-)
09:51 KO Back to LA tomorrow for a few days filming. |
12:47 JE Tour group of UK tourists just spotted John Barrowman on lot.
Apparently there was much excitement! |
14:48 MP having a great time working on Torchwood...
great cast and great people to work with. lots of action/intensity

Wednesday


Photo: Alana Stone, via Twitpic
Today's "TW-Spy!" is from Alana Stone, who teased us with this shot of a set interior. This evoked a number of ideas, including: "ooohhh...is this at the new Hub?", "Now I really want to know what's behind the door.", "could the 'June 45' be significant?".

The day also saw Kai Owen setting out to return to Los Angeles for some more filming; his time at Heathrow awaiting the flight turned out to be quite a 'happy hour'! (UK time)
14:10 Having a very large vodka tonic at Heathrow,
Los Angeles beware!!
a drunk Welshman will be arriving shortly.
14:54 @JaneEspenson I just hope they let me on the plane!!
theses 'Large' vodkas are getting Larger by
the minute!!! Cant wait to see you x
14:56 Thats's it I'm starting to do typos!1
i'm drumk and have too bored this plain!!
see you on the other side peeple xx
05:48 Hello Los Angeles!!!!!

Other Twitter chat included:
10:51 JE  In scene that shot yesterday.  Gwen: "I got you this."
10:51 AS In awe! That's all.
12:03 AF They are filming at WB, but I'm not there today.
Maybe tomorrow! It is very day-to-day for me. ^_^ |
15:02 AF Torchwood tomorrow! It is confirmed. ^_^ |
15:10 MP on set on the Warner bros lot in between shots watching short films on
thirdREEL.com. Definitely a cure for boredom!! Check it out!

The Doctor Who News report on Torchwood last week also seemed to generate a bit of interest!
16:19 AF  @doctor_who_news It's strange to see stuff I worked on posted as "news"!
16:21 ST Wow great reporting! @alanastone u should read - lots of fun
RT @doctor_who_news: Torchwood: Week Six... last week.

Thursday


Photo: Michael Colbert, via Twitpic
Torchwood takes to the roads today! However, in reality this was to actually remain on-set at Warner Bros rather than out and about on the streets of Los Angeles! Whether there would be some "low-loader" shots later in filming is unclear, though scenes were filmed this way back in the UK along the M4.

This was to be a late-nighter for filming in the (cold) studio, eventually wrapping around 3:00am.

Meanwhile production meetings continued, with Jane Espenson heard to say: "Where does the reality end?", whilst the production office reported that prepping for episodes five and six were about to start as filming for episodes three and four continued.

13:21 MC  Back at work FYI I did sleep for almost 20 hours straight. Feel better.
15:18 MC Complicated multiple-department car gag happening right now
15:28 MC Light car gag http://twitpic.com/43dnu7
16:20 AF Driving shots. To simulate motion, rotate fake streetlights on
a contraption resembling a ceiling fan. :-)
15:42 JE Just uttered at Torchwood production meeting: "Where does the reality end?"
Work stops as we ponder.
16:32 ST @JaneEspenson Should b a tshirt
21:05 AF Torchwood night shoot later tonight. Freezing outside.
Did not bring furry boots. My toes will be sad indeed. T_T
23:11 BBC Getting wild tonight with the #Torchwood nocturnal crew! Stay warm everyone.
Also, @KaiKaiOwen we're not going to let you leave...
23:13 BBC Tomorrow, prepping for EP 5&6 while shooting EP3&4.
Perhaps a second coffee maker is in order. Go team go!!
00:52 AF Non-stop for 2 days: commercial -> DJ gig ->
chilly #Torchwood night shoot ->
no sleep and on to an 8AM calltime at The Bachelor. Oy. T_T
01:31 AF I was just fantasizing about the bananas foster-flavored coffee
I'm going to make when we're wrapped at #Torchwood. :-)
03:03 MC Just past 3 am and finally Martini is called.

Friday

Back out on location for today, with scenes for episode four involving Kai Owen taking place in a hospital - this may have been a return to the Linda Vista Hospital where they filmed previously (a well-used film location), but wasn't confirmed. Another location mentioned by Michael Colbert was described being the "Lethal Weapon House"! The day was interrupted by rain (though fortunately not the snow that beset Los Angeles at the weekend!).

Meanwhile, amidst concerns on Twitter about possible alterations to Jack's character, Jane Espenson reassured: "Not all 'straightening' Jack! Jack is very much still Jack! Fans will be pleased."

04:06 KO  Damn! I'm wide awake, wide awake!! It's 4am here. I'm on set all day.
Espresso's all day I reckon! Have a good Friday everyone. X
06:45 KO I'm shooting at a hospital today. Scenes from Ep 4.
08:05 ST Early call on first unit late call on second unit
we are taking over LA units everywhere :-)
16:57 MC Ugly rainy night with super cold (for southern Cal) temps.
All outside and goin till probably 5 in the morning.
This is what we do for you.
17:00 KO There's no official wrap time here, so it could be anything really,
you finish when you finish. Longest for me so far 15 hours.
17:05 MC Sitting in the lethal weapon house.
Can smell still smell Joe Pechi even with the rain.
17:30 KO It raining in LA!!
18:50 AS I'm such a geek. Hehe
20:58 AF Looks like it'll be several days before I'm back working on #Torchwood.
On the flip side, I'm working on #Glee on Monday!
21:09 KO Back at the bar!! Great crew on #Torchwood. It's gonna be one helm of a show.
Back to blighty tomorrow.
21:18 KO One HELL of a show, not one Helm of a show!!
21:21 AF My job on TW isn't quite as exciting as you think tho!
I'm just standing in for now; hopefully more jobs with lines to come.
21:37 MC Were WAY past suck tonight already and still have hours to go.
07:34 BBC We're not going to let a torrential downpour stop us from
shooting all night. Bring it.
Also, @KaiKaiOwen safe travels back see you soon!
00:50 ST @KaiKaiOwen gave Kai a welcome kiss so glad to have him here feels right
05:54 MC Finally going home 16 hours later

As usual no filming took place at the weekend, though this doesn't apply to writers, as Jane Espenson observed on Sunday:
14:12 Working hard today on #Torchwood episode 8. How much can I get done before #Oscars? 
14:27 Russell is incredibly positive! I've been lucky to work with a number of
visionaries and he's up with best of 'em!

Key to initials: AF - Allyson Floyd (stand-in); AS - Alana Stone (fashion designer); BBC - BBC Torchwood (production office); JE - Jane Espenson (writer); KO - Kai Owen (Rhys); MC - Michael Colbert (electrician); MP - Mekhi Phifer (Rex Matheson); ST - Shawna Trpcic (costume designer)


Kai Owen is due back to L.A. for three months of filming from the 12th March, and tweets intimated that he'll be joined by Tom Price too!
23 14:53(UK) Im back on Sunday, Then on the 12th March we all head out for three months!!
26 14:41(LA) Tom, Where are you? I'm sitting in the lounge at LAX,
don't let me come here alone again.

Week Eight sees the production back into the heart of Los Angeles, with filming scheduled on Tuesday at the US Tower Building (also known as the Library Building) - a tall skyscraper at 633 West 5th Street - between 7:00am and 10:00pm; another unit is also active on the same day in a parking garage at 524 South Flower Street, between 6:00am and 2:00pm.

Week 8 of Torchwood aka 80s revival week!
 




FILTER: - Torchwood - Production - Filming Reports

Craig Owens returns to Doctor Who

Friday, 25 February 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The BBC have officially confirmed today that the actor James Corden will be reprising his role as Craig Owens - the Doctor's landlord from last year's episode The Lodger.

Though unconfirmed, this is believed to be for a forthcoming episode to be filmed that has been written by Gareth Roberts, who also penned Craig's previous appearance in the series. Roberts was a guest at last weekend's Gallifrey One convention, and during a live commentary for The Lodger was reported as saying that his new episode would begin filming "in a week" (i.e. from next week).
"I work in a shop, now."


The news comes after a tweet was posted yesterday unofficially revealing that Corden would be coming back to Doctor Who: "They're filming Doctor Who with James Corden the whole 2nd week of March on my street. Just saying."





FILTER: - Series 6/32 - Production

Torchwood: Week Six Filming

Wednesday, 23 February 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
After the excitement of the previous fortnight, last week was a relatively quiet week for the Torchwood cast and crew.

Eve Myles rejoined the team in Los Angeles, with John Barrowman, Mekhi Phifer, Dichen Lachman, and Bill Pullman all involved with filming during the course of the week.

Filming was away in private throughout this week, with Monday kicking off at the Orlando International Airport. No other exterior locations were reported last week, with other work taking place back at the Warner Brothers Studios lot. As usual, followers were able to pick up little pieces of gossip from cast and crew via Twitter.

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

Monday

Monday saw the Torchwood team at another airport, this time the Ontario International Airport in Los Angeles (filming took place at Cardiff International Airport three weeks previously). Mekhi Phifer and Dichen Lachman were reported to be on location. Meanwhile, Jane Espenson clarified some differences between the UK and US film schedules.

07:25 AS  Had to be at work at 4:12am in Ontario. I have my Valentine, 
Dichen Lachman, with me tho so that makes things a little better.
08:33 MC Had 5 am call at Ontario airport. Run slight risk of $11,000 fines
and it's cold as hell. This business is great!
11:52 BBC Big day at the Airport location today. We're Also beginning prep for
a 2nd Unit tomorrow = DOUBLE the #Torchwood fun. Happy Valentine's day
13:24 JE I think they shoot on Saturdays in the UK,
but have shorter working days. We def. have Sat/Sun off. Yay weekends!
19:00 ST Past the 2000 mark for followers. Welcome all - hope to keep u entertained
with stories of costume life on the set of torchwood :-) Peace
06:12 MP Could use a few more hours of sleep.
On the phone for 2hrs with moms last night...
If I just had half her strength!

Tuesday

Eve Myles returned to production in the US, which sounded to be another 'bloody' affair according to Mekhi Phifer. Scenes today were back on the Warner Bros lot. As previously reported, whilst exteriors may have been filmed in Wales, the respective interiors have been shot back in the States, something Jane Espenson reports as meeting the Welsh cast's approval!

10:55 ST  Beautiful Eve back with us today. Even slimmer after all the action
and -10 weather. Glad to have her back on set.
13:20 BBC Going to have an exciting reunion with wonderfully effervescent Eve Myles
this afternoon. Lets see what she's up to...
15:54 MP Shooting Torchwood and I'm all bloodied up right now!
Rain machines, green screen, u name it, we got it!! Dope ass show!
16:25 JE The Welsh people haven't objected to the interiors,
so I think they must be good!
16:38 JE The current thiller / arc / connected-story feel of TW is working
really well and is best done in shorter runs.
18:24 BBC "I'm terrified of Twitter because computers hate me, but
(Cowgirl Voice) Howdy Partners I'm having a blast on set today" - Eve Myles

Wednesday


Shawna Trpic, via Twitpic

 Got to visit this set today thanks to Shawna (Kim Evey)
BBC Torchwood, via Yfrog

 Got to visit this set today thanks to Shawna (Kim Evey)
Kim Evey, via ImgMu
After a few days absence, a welcome return to "TW-Spy!" today as we get to see the inside of the costume truck (Captain Jack, Simpsons-style!), Russell T Davies with a (very!) large cheese, and a set visit by actress/producer Kim Evey.

Kai Owen also revealed that he'll be heading back to L.A. next week, which indicates that the return to the UK for filming wasn't to happen after all.

07:43 ST  One of the walls in the costume truck :-)
that's our set crew!
10:07 MC Barrowman is a tighty whitey man.
11:50 KO Nate: Hey mate! What's happening?
Just having a glass of red and thinking of you!!
Nice to be home? I'm back with you next Wednesday.
Looking forward to have a burger with you!! Kai x
12:46 DL Mekhi Phifer has just been showing me his website
called 'thirdreel' on the torchwood set.
Check it out.
14:47 BBC Russell stands proud with the mystery cheese sent
to us from the UK. Who's the culprit???
15:42 KE Got to visit this set today thanks to Shawna
15:51 Sarann: Are you doing exciting costume
related things on the Torchwood set today?

ST Always :-)
19:04 MC Eve Miles is about the nicest person I've met in awhile -
charming, friendly, energetic. Super cool.
20:25 DE Just back from the Torchwood set, where I forced
John Barrowman and Eve Myles to look at pictures
of my dogs.

Thursday

Michael Colbert revealed more plane antics for the cast and crew, though this is was on a set rather than a inside a real plane. He also noted that a number of the production crew were unaware that they were working on a series with quite a legacy!

Michael Colbert, via Twitpic
09:31 ST  Eve Myles told Kim Evey that she is the voice of one of
the characters on the DragonAge II game. Small world
10:54 MC 10 am call spending the whole day in
an airplane set on 27
11:01 ST Forgot to wear my hearing aid today
Driving my crew crazy. Huh?
11:36 AS I'm on a plane!
14:32 MC Strangely enough a large portion of the crew have
no idea that this is season 4.
16:49 NG Kai: can't wait to see ya. Give the baba a kiss fer me.
23:11 MC I have met Barrowman he's a really sweet and
hella funny guy. Big Captain America fan
(if you didn't know)
23:25 MC Wrap!
00:16 DL LOVE Torchwood peeps. Having so much fun.

Friday


BBC Torchwood, via ImgMu
Another day on set, and more mysterious items that may or may not be what they seem! With conventions and holidays on the way nobody wanted another late night Friday, though Bill Pullman continued to keep everybody entertained as production completed for another week.

13:42 BBC It seems the line between salad dressing and
chocolate custard is little hazy today.
You only live once!
22:47 ST The rain makes me tired well that, prepping 3 episodes
while shooting two, cleaning house, feeding the kids..
Time for a meeting & chocolate
17:30 AS Is it really Friday?
18:44 ST Alana: should not be a fraterday I hope :-)
22:19 BBC We're coming to set, Shawna, Alana,
its dark and lonely over here.
22:25 AS BBC_Torchwood: yay!!! Can't wait for your visit!
Bill is being awesome as usual.

Speaking of Bill Pullman, his fan site published a photo of him with John Barrowman in their Jack/Oswald mode!

Saturday

Friday brought an end to filming for the week, and an extended weekend was due with a holiday on Monday for Presidents Day, not to mention Jane Espenson and Doris Egan attending the GallifreyOne convention over the weekend too!

However, it wasn't a complete halt to proceedings:

01:20 BBC We're location scouting in a couple of hours!
That's right we work Saturday's in the US too!
(But let's be honest not a full days work)

Director of Photography Nate Goodman also commented on Torchwood so far ...

19:26 NG  One week back from Wales. Saw some of Ep 1 cut together. Epic.
Not your mother's Torchwood...

Key to initials: AS - Alana Stone (fashion designer); BBC - BBC Torchwood (production office); DE - Doris Egan (writer); DL - Dichen Lachman; JE - Jane Espenson (writer); KE - Kim Evey (visitor); MC - Michael Colbert (electrician); MP - Mekhi Phifer (Rex Matheson); NG - Nate Goodman (director of photography); ST - Shawna Trpcic (costume designer)


With a short break for Presidents Day, production resumes Tuesday, though with Kai Owen confirming that he is flying out to Los Angeles on Wednesday it seems that the anticipated return to the Welsh shores for filming is not to be this week, after all!




FILTER: - Torchwood - Production - Filming Reports

Doctor Who: production roundup

Saturday, 19 February 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Back at the beginning of the month, David Walliams revealed that he would be appearing in an episode of the next series of Doctor Who; more details have now been released regarding his role by the BBC and other media outlets:
It's been confirmed that David Walliams will appear in the new series. He'll feature in a spooky episode playing a character called Gibbis.

Walliams said, "I am a huge fan of Doctor Who and am so looking forward to working with Matt Smith and running up and down some corridors with him."

His episode has been written by Toby Whithouse, whose previous contributions include The Vampires of Venice and School Reunion.
 
Further casting details for episodes have been revealed through agencies over the course of February.

Spotlight lists a number of guest stars under the direction of Peter Hoar. Actress Frances Barber plays a character named Kovarian; recent roles include Elizabeth in the BBC Christmas Tale Nativity, and Janice in ITV's The Fattest Man in Britain. Christina Chong plays Lorna Bucket - she will feature as an Interpreter in the forthcoming film sequel, Johnny English Reborn. Meanwhile, Joshua Hayes takes on his first television role as a character named Lucas.
 
Actor Geoffrey Burton has been listed as "Nasa Man" - though no director has been listed, this credit would seem to tie in with the American-themed opening two-parter for the series written by Steven Moffat and directed by Toby Haynes. Burton is better known for stage roles, but has appeared in Law and Order and Family Affairs.

Michael Begley has been listed as appearing as Mulligan in the just finished episode three written by Steve Thompson and directed by Jeremy Webb (coverage below); the actor has recently featured as Mark the hospital chaplain in Being Human, and as Orson in the revived Minder.
 
Mark Jermin Management has also listed two child actors to appear in roles this series.

Edmond Moulton appeared in the two-part story written by Matthew Graham and directed by Julian Simpson, playing a character named Adam.

Oscar Lloyd's character has yet to be revealed; he appeared in the BBC's Lark Rise to Candleford as the original Sidney, and has since been prominent as Will Wylde in ITV's Emmerdale.



In Production

After the media-intensive, public-friendly filming for Doctor Who in Charlestown at the beginning of the month, February has since seen the production crew retreat from sight back into studio and other private locations to continue work on the Steve Thompson-penned episode three.

Though 'over the horizon', Hugh Bonneville continued to regale us with tweets on the 'high seas' during the course of his filming schedule:
07 19:07 Skulduggery on the high seas was knackering today.
Talk about poop-decked. Well done crew.
08 12:00 *gallops up hill on charger, grabs fluttering flag, brandishes it aloft*
BRING BACK #JustWilliam #BBC !
08 12:08 I get about *gallops off towards Tardis, horse gets wedged in Police Box door,
hat falls off*
08 17:58 Am having a fab time running around the Tardis at the mo.
Congrats on the wonderful body of work. Hx
08 22:47 me gunwales have been awash with them pirates. And none of them rinse.
08 22:53 My buckle has never felt so swashed. Having fabblass time thanks.
It's Dr Who - what's not to love?!
09 07:40 I'm here all weak, folks.
09 09:56 Today is a load of old bilge water. In a good way.
12 13:54 Thanks to Steven Moffat & the brilliant #DrWho crew for a fantastic fortnight
on the high seas. #BeardGone #ColdFace
12 14:51 Steven Moffat: What, you've shaved ALREADY?? What if we've forgotten a bit??
12 15:01 Hugh Bonneville: Too bad, land-lubber! Mwahahaha *sets sail for horizon*
12 15:03 Hugh Bonneville: Some pirates are extremely fast. I'm one of them.
I came top in my class at Pirate Academy.
12 15:35 Steven Moffat: That's not the horizon, shipmate.
That's the CONVENTION CIRCUIT.
12 15:38 Hugh Bonneville: yikes!
Work on the episode continued until Tuesday last week, as reported by Director of Photography Dale McCready:
13 22:46 last two days shooting on this show, it's been a nice short blast. 
15 20:18 Wrapped tonight on a fun show with a lovely crew.
Start tomorrow planning and scheming for Merlin IV |


Next Time ...

Production on the next block is now under way, with a base being set up in Porthcawl this weekend in readiness for filming.





FILTER: - Series 6/32 - Production - Filming Reports

Fanzines & Archives

Friday, 18 February 2011 - Reported by Harry Ward
The Third Zone

In this issue:
  • Reviews; We have reviews both by myself [Andrew Weston] and by my esteemed colleague Mr Joe Ford, covering all the latest releases in the worlds of DVD and audio.
  • The Evelyn Escapades; A look at the Big Finish audios in the manner of ‘The Time Team’, taking one character at a time. No prizes for guessing who’s first up!
  • Fiction; There’s fiction in the form of The Shadow Makers, part 1 of a 3 part tale, this month featuring the First Doctor and written by yours truly.
  • A Matter of Perspective offers a new look at the world of Who in print, as I quiz Joe this month about Steve LyonsThe Witch Hunters.
  • Interviews; We have not one but two exclusive interviews this month with Big Finish producer David Richardson, and Bernice Summerfield actress and director of Big Finish audios Lisa Bowerman.
  • Debate The Seventh Doctor’s era comes under the spotlight in our debate section this month.
  • Who Online takes a look at ‘The History of the Doctor’.
  • Non-Who Opinion; as both mine and Joe’s other half watch a Doctor Who story and share their thoughts. Be warned, there may be some colourful language!
  • Essay Last, but by no means least, Joe has written an essay on the joys of the Hartnell historicals – and if that doesn’t convert you, nothing will!
We hope you enjoy reading issue 1 as much as we enjoyed putting it together. Any comments can be added on the site or be sent to thethirdzone@hotmail.co.uk, and we’ll post some next issue.



Rassilon's Rod: Issue 3

  • Christmas Carol assessed
  • The Third Doctor
  • Delgado
  • Matrix Data ****; your queries answered by Salateen and Chellak
  • Opening Nights; what makes a good first episode
  • Reconstructed; fan recons and The Web Of Fear
  • The Krotons part 3
  • Philip Hinchcliffe's Production Notes
Plus toons and daft gubbins.

20 pages, A4

UK - 'Gift' £1.50 by paypal to davidmacgowan@hotmail.com

REST OF WORLD - 'Gift' £3 by paypal to davidmacgowan@hotmail.com



Fish Fingers and Custard: Issue 4


In this latest Issue:
  • Reviews of A Christmas Carol
  • The Third Doctor
  • RTD: Genius or Mad Man?
  • An In Depth Look At Dalek Empire
  • The Secret Diary Of A Whovian
  • Hots and Nots - The Doctor Who Fandom Style Guide
  • An Unearthly Child: 2010AD
And Much More!

As always, please paypal the payment which applies to you as a gift to: fishcustardfanzine@googlemail.com

UK: £2.00
Worldwide: £3.00



Doctor Who Appreciation Society's Celestial Archive: Voices from the Past

Having started in 1976 the Society has accumulated over the years a huge library of material, and in this part of the website we will make the best parts available for you to view, with a new theme added each month.

Wherever possible we have presented the selected articles in their original format, to give a true flavour of what those old publications were like. In the coming months we will present a selection of items drawn from Society publications - Celestial Toyroom, TARDIS, Cosmic Masque, STINFOs and more, including correspondence and photographs you may not have seen.

Although we have an almost complete set of DWAS publications much of what has been printed over the years was 'of it's time' and is unlikely to be of general interest today. Therefore, in order to present the best of what is available we have selected articles, features and interviews based around specific themes and will bring them together here in different categories. There are also a small number of Society publications that we can present in their entirety and some will also be available to view online in due course.

  • Ian Scoones Interviewed - Ian Scoones (1940-2010) contributed Visual Effects to many Doctor Who stories inclusing City of Death, Curse of Peladon and The Invisible Enemy.
  • Interview - Gerry Davis - Gerry Davis (23 February 1930 - 31 August 1991) was a British television writer, best known for his contributions to the science-fiction genre. He also wrote for the soap operas Coronation Street and United! From 1966 until the following year he was the script editor on Doctor Who, for which he co-created the popular cybernetic monsters the Cybermen.
  • Interview - Verity Lambert - Verity Ann Lambert, OBE (27 November 1935 – 22 November 2007) was an English television and film producer. She is best known as the founding producer of Doctor Who and for her many credits including Adam Adamant Lives!, The Naked Civil Servant, Rock Follies, Minder, Widows, G.B.H., Jonathan Creek and Love Soup.
  • Michael Craze - Ben Jackson - Michael Craze (29 November 1942 – 8 December 1998) was a British actor noted for his role of Ben Jackson, a companion of the Doctor, in the long-running BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who. He played the part from 1966 to 1967 alongside both William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton.
  • The Direction - Peter Moffatt - To tie in with the 20th Anniversary special The Five Doctors the DWAS produced a large format commemorative booklet called The Making of the Five Doctors. This is an interview with director Peter Moffat about taken from that publication.
  • The John Wiles Interview - Part 1 - John Wiles (20 September 1925-5 April 1999) was a television writer and producer, now best known for being the second producer of Doctor Who, succeeding Verity Lambert. He was credited as producer on four serials between 1965 and 1966, namely The Myth Makers, The Daleks' Master Plan (which lasted for twelve episodes), The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve, and The Ark.
  • The John Wiles Interview - Part 2


Oxford University Doctor Who Society - Tides of Time archive: First Doctor special

The Tides of Time started publishing in 1990, just as BBC Video turned their attention towards releasing more Doctor Who on VHS and also increased the proportion of black and white serials in their schedule. This context, combined with fannish curiosity about the early years of the programme and a scholarly drive to seek the essence of Doctor Who in the origins of the series, meant that Tides has never neglected the first Doctor. I’ve now uploaded some fiction featuring the first Doctor published over the years, as well as a few story reviews and our tribute to Sydney Newman.

All the articles are scans from the original photocopied or inkjet-printed fanzines, except for the reviews of The Aztecs and The Dalek Invasion of Earth where the quality of the originals was too poor. These have been reset.

All the articles remain the copyright of the contributors.

Fiction
Reviews
Other




FILTER: - Fan Productions