Day of the Daleks: Special Edition preview event

Wednesday, 22 June 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The Doctor Who Appreciation Society are organising a special launch day to tie in with the release on DVD of Pertwee tale Day of the Daleks.

Taking place at Riverside Studios on the 4th September, the event will see the new, CGI-enhanced version shown on the big screen, plus guest panels with both members of the original cast and those working on this new version of the story. There is also the chance to buy the DVD and have its sleeve signed by those present during autograph sessions.

This event is being presented by permission of 2|Entertain, and tickets are free to anybody wishing to apply - full details on how to get tickets and more information about the afternoon may be found via the DWAS website. Please note that guests will be announced nearer the event.


The Day of the Daleks special edition was originally announced by 2|Entertain at last year's DWAS event, Time and Space.

Update 27th June: the event is now full - all applications received up to today are being processed, but no others can be accepted.





FILTER: - Special Events - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD

Torchwood: Miracle Day - Welsh Preview

Wednesday, 22 June 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
After the blaze of publicity in London for Monday's preview of episode one of Torchwood: Miracle Day, another, lower key preview took place in Wales last night as cast and crew gathered to watch in Swansea, where UK filming took place earlier in the year.

The preview took place at the Branwyn Hall (seen itself in the previous series, Children of Earth), and as with London the principal cast and crew were available to speak to the press, with an emphasis upon the show's Welsh roots.

Russell T Davies, who was born in the city, told the South Wales Evening Post:
I don't come as often as I should, but it is lovely to be back. Torchwood has such a Welsh heritage, we wanted to bring it here to show it off and repay the city really.

One of the first scenes in the first episode is at the (white National Trust) house in Rhossili. I spent my life wondering what it was like inside and I never thought we would get it, but lo and behold we managed it. It was a joy to film there and it looks epic and huge.

It is an exciting adventure to be in Los Angeles and America at my age (48) but you will always come home to Swansea.
Speaking to the Western Mail, he added:
There is a fair bit of swagger in Miracle Day. We go to Dallas, Los Angeles, Washington as well as Wales. Of course, being in America meant more money, more production value, bigger explosions, but it was also very important to recognise Wales. If we had just shot it out there it would not have been believable.

It is a Welsh show with Welsh characters, that is very important and is part of the reason why it works. The story starts in Wales, the middle is in America and it ends in Wales.

Eve Myles said:
We had the premiere in London on Monday, which was lovely, but this is the one I am really excited about.

It was unbelievable to film at Rhossili, it was wonderful. I had always wanted to live at that house and the beach is where I walk my dog, so it was unbelievable to blow it up!

It is one of the most important things on the whole show, a huge element of it is Welsh, the show will always have a link to Wales."

BBC Wales have released a video with Bill Pullman at the event, talking about his character.

Russell T Davies also featured on BBC Radio 4's Front Row last night, chatting to presenter Mark Lawson about taking Torchwood from the UK into the US, The Sarah Jane Adventures, and on other topics like the austerity measures within the BBC, the importance of the watershed, and his enthusiasm for his next writing project.

Having talked about what would happen with The Sarah Jane Adventures, discussion then turned towards the audience that would watch Torchwood, and that though it isn't aimed for children some would still watch it through its Doctor Who/Captain Jack connection. Davies commented:
You have to be quite careful with it, more careful than you'd normally would be, because now obviously Torchwood goes out at 9 o'clock, and we've got it coming up on BBC1 now, but we've never had Captain Jack swear because he's loved by children, and children will come to watch it. So we don't tone Torchwood down as such, there's still strong meat and there's some great visuals and some great gore in this show - and, you know, Captain Jack freely has an open and honest and wonderful sex life, but that's fine - it's just the harsher elements, the swearing and his actions as well - I don't think you're ever going to see Captain Jack stab someone brutally or something like that because he's a children's hero.
Talking about the co-production deal, he said:
The move to America partly coincided with the success of the last series of Torchwood which has allowed us to get co-production money. This new series of Torchwood is in conjunction with Starz, who are a premium cable network over there, so they brought a level of funding that we wouldn't have got from the BBC. I have to say if we hadn't, we could still have made this series. But you know, this co-production stuff is nothing new, you haven't seen a Dickens drama made for about 25 years that didn't have money from Boston in it or something, so this is the way of the world now, co-production money is natural.





FILTER: - Torchwood - Special Events - UK - Radio - Miracle Day (Series 4)

Torchwood: Miracle Day - UK Preview

Tuesday, 21 June 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Last night saw the first episode of Torchwood: Miracle Day - The New World - receive its UK premiere at the British Film Institute; cast and crew were in attendance for the screening in front of both press and fans.

The screening was followed by an Q&A with its stars John Barrowman, Eve Myles, and Bill Pullman, and writer/executive producer Russell T Davies; other members of the cast and crew were present in the audience, including Kai Owen, Tom Price, executive producer Julie Gardner and director of episode one, Bharat Nalluri.



Avoiding spoilers for what comes up later in the series, the guests focused upon their many anecdotes from the shoot, with Barrowman and Myles discussing the excitement of making the show at Warner Bros - not to mention the pranks the former likes to pull! - and Pullman commenting on what it was like to work with his Welsh co-stars on the project. When asked about if the show could become fully "American" in later (potential!) series, Davies indicated that he'd want Torchwood to remain Welsh at its heart.

Highlights from the Q&A are expected to be available to watch on the BFI website from next week.


Prior to the screening, the press were able to chat to the stars about the show, and the BBC have published an article including a video interview featuring Barrowman, Myles, Pullman and Davies discussing their thoughts on making a new, co-funded series in America.


"There's no time to breath, it slams you in the face with action, with drama and with the best narrative we've ever told."


"Jack's a hero, but he's been a bad guy in his times, so there's more depth and I think the audience love that - they like to see their characters portrayed a little flawed."


"In amongst all that, you have great big Torchwood chases, stunts and thrills, and jokes, and tragedies as well - so it's the same old Torchwood world."


"This character is almost like the impossible scenario - can you survive this? - which is to be clearly fingered as the worst person anyone has ever meet ... given this chance at immortality."


Bill Pullman appeared on BBC's Breakfast this morning, discussing the development (and name!) of his character, and also on what he thought of Russell T Davies:
I wasn't expecting - I'm thinking prototypical Welsh like Anthony Hopkins or Richard Burton, dark, moody - but he's bright, just such a passion, he is such a generous spirit, and very special to everybody that works with him. He has really, now, quite a following in the States - he and Julie Gardner run a very professional operation.
 

Davies himself can be heard discussing how he took the show from Wales to Los Angeles tonight on Front Row (BBC Radio 4) from 7:15pm.





FILTER: - Torchwood - Special Events - UK - Miracle Day (Series 4)

Torchwood infiltrates SDCC2011

Thursday, 16 June 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Starz have announced that the cast of Torchwood: Miracle Day will appear at the annual Comic Con taking place at the San Diego Convention Center on 22nd July 2011.

A panel for the show is scheduled for 10:00am at the event, with Starz naming the following to appear for the Q&A session: John Barrowman (Captain Jack Harkness), Eve Myles (Gwen Cooper), Bill Pullman (Oswald Danes), Mekhi Phifer (Rex Matheson), Alexa Havins (Esther Drummand), Lauren Ambrose (Jilly Kitzinger) and series writer Jane Espenson.

The event will also present a special advanced screening of the third episode of the series, Dead Of Night, on the 21st at 9:30pm - the evening before its official broadcast date.


The San Diego Comic Con is no stranger to Torchwood: back in 2009, John Barrowman appeared on a panel alongside Russell T Davies, Julie Gardner and Euros Lyn to promote Torchwood: Children of Earth.








FILTER: - Torchwood - Special Events - USA - Miracle Day (Series 4)

Alt.Fiction Literature Festival 2011

Thursday, 16 June 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
This year's Alt.Fiction Literary Festival takes place at the QUAD, Derby on 25th-26th June, and is to feature a many writers from the worlds of Doctor Who and Torchwood.

The event's co-Guest of Honour is Dan Abnett, author of Border Princes and of some 40+ comics/novels in his career; he will be making a keynote address on the Saturday, as well as panels, readings and podcasts.

Long-term Doctor Who writers and modern series contributors Paul Cornell (Father's Day, Human Nature/Family of Blood) and Rob Shearman (Dalek) are also at the event, alongside a number of other BBC Books writers including
Guy Adams, Paul Finch, James Goss, Una McCormack, Mark Morris, Sarah Pinborough and books editor Steve Tribe.

Tribe says:
We’re really pleased to be bringing the authors of our latest Doctor Who and Torchwood books to Alt.Fiction 2011. Last year’s event was a highlight of the year – a great opportunity to talk to readers and authors, and perhaps to meet some potential future writers for our ranges.
Alt.Fiction Coordinator Alex Davis says:
It's hugely exciting to be working with BBC Books on this year's event, and I'm delighted to have authors and screenwriters of this calibre taking part. Our BBC Books panel is bound to be a highlight, with no less than nine people participating!

As well as the Doctor Who guests, the Festival will some 50+ authors, agents and editors participating, covering the worlds of science fiction, fantasy and horror. For full details visit the Alt.Fiction website.

(with thanks to Aaron Gilling, Writing East Midlands)




FILTER: - Special Events - Books

The Crash of the Elysium

Tuesday, 7 June 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Immersive theatre producers Punchdrunk are to create a new interactive experience for the Manchester International Festival based upon Doctor Who.

Aimed for children between the ages of six and twelve, The Crash of the Elysium is based around the wreck of the steamship and an exploration inside the remains. There are two tie-in websites that provide more 'background' to the adventure, the Northwest Historical Society's coverage of the crash, and a blog by salvage diver Daryl Christofi and his plans to visit the wreck.

The experience is written by Felix Barrett, creative director for Punchdrunk, and Tom MacRae - who wrote Rise of the Cybermen/Age of Steel for the 2006 series of Doctor Who - and the story is based on an original idea by series head writer Steven Moffat.

As with a number of associated projects in recent years, there's an introductory video on the site from the Doctor himself (see below for more on this)


Message from the Doctor, BBC/Punchdrunk, via YouTube


The performances will take place at the BBC's new MediaCity UK building at Salford Quays as part of this year's festival, running from 30th June to 17th July.

The production is around an hour in length, and the audience walk throughout the performance. The show is restricted to children in the age range 6-12, with a version just for them and another which is aimed for younger children of 6-8 accompanied by a parent. Full details including booking information can be found on the festival event page.


Punchdrunk are known for their projects to convert old buildings into theatrical experiences, and as their site explains:
We focus as much on the audience and the performance space as on the performers and narrative. Our designers occupy deserted buildings and apply a cinematic level of detail to immerse the audience in the world of the show.


The video above has also appeared on the BBC website itself as part of a 'hidden messages' game played over the first few episodes of the last series.
The hidden messages seen on the BBC website were found by looking for words in italics in the Fourth Dimension section, and revealed the following:

The Impossible Astronaut: All the secrets you seek can be found here on the Webb.
Day of the Moon: We found your message! You're alive! But what secrets do you mean my friend?
The Curse of the Black Spot: I mean I glimpsed him! And may the gods help him or perhaps you can.
The Doctor's Wife: To see what I saw click on the spot beyond the Doctor's home planet.
The Rebel Flesh: Message interrupted.
 
The messages led to the full stop after "Gallifrey" linking to the video, entitled "Analysis Lessons"; this is turn is an anagram of a possible adversary: Lonely Assassins.






FILTER: - Doctor Who - Special Events - Theatre

Frazer Hines in New York

Friday, 3 June 2011 - Reported by Josiah Rowe
Frazer HinesFrazer Hines, who played the Second Doctor's companion Jamie McCrimmon from 1966 to 1969, will be performing his one-man show "The Time Traveling Scot" in New York City on Friday, July 8. The performance will be held at The Producers Club Theatre on West 44th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues in Manhattan. The evening will also feature autograph signing and a short Q&A hosted by Ken Deep of Doctor Who Podshock.

The event is hosted by Who York; tickets are available via the Who York website for $25 in advance, and will be $30 at the door.




FILTER: - People - Special Events - USA

Comic Con France to premiere Series Six

Tuesday, 31 May 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The third annual French Comic Con takes place at the Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center between the 30th June and 3rd July, during which the two opening episodes of Series Six, The Impossible Astronaut and Day of the Moon, will make their French debut.

The two episodes form part of a series of events taking place around special Guest of Honour, Doctor Who's head writer Steven Moffat; timings have yet to be confirmed, but include:
  • a public Masterclass on his work as a scriptwriter
  • a public meeting on Doctor Who
  • a signing session
  • the screening of the French premiere of the first two episodes of Series Six
  • a screening of A Study In Pink, the first episode of Moffat's other creation, Sherlock

Moffat appears courtesy of a partnership with BBC Worldwide, France 4 and France Television Distribution.

(with thanks to Aurélie Demonchaux/Beans on Toast)




FILTER: - Special Events - France - Series 6/32 - International Broadcasting - Europe

Torchwood: Miracle Day - UK Preview Screening

Thursday, 19 May 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The British Film Institute have announced that there will be a special preview screening of the first episode of Torchwood: Miracle Day. The screening will take place at the BFI on 20th June 2011, with the sixty minute episode followed by a panel discussion and Q&A session with John Barrowman (Jack), Eve Myles (Gwen), and Russell T Davies (writer/executive producer) (Appearances are subject to work commitments).

Back in 2009, the BFI hosted a special preview for Torchwood: Children of Earth - Day One, and most recently held a preview screening for A Christmas Carol.

The event was seen to sell out within a couple of hours of its announcement.




FILTER: - Torchwood - Special Events - UK - Miracle Day (Series 4)

Doctor Who Experience: Royal Wedding Offer

Thursday, 28 April 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The Doctor Who Experience have made a special offer on tickets available in celebration of the Royal Wedding taking place tomorrow - for Friday 29th April only, tickets can be purchased for just £4.29 (plus fees)!


Tickets may booked from the Experience website, and are subject to availability.


 




FILTER: - Special Events