Upcoming UK DVD Cover Art

Monday, 4 April 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

2|Entertain have released the cover art for upcoming DVD releases in the United Kingdom: Mannequin Mania is due on the 9th May, with Frontios following on the 30th May; meanwhile, the first seven episodes that comprise the Spring season of Series Six are expected for 11th July on both DVD and Bluray formats.

Details for the features that accompany Mannequin Mania and Frontios were reported back in March; information on Series Six - Part One were released at the weekend.

FILTER: - Series 6/32 - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD

Torchwood: Miracle Day - "Death Is Not An Option"

Monday, 4 April 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The first poster for Torchwood: Miracle Day from BBC Worldwide has been revealed at the MIPTV event in Cannes, highlighted by a full page promotion in the event's electronic publication, MIPTV News.

Julie Gardner, production partner for the series with Russell T Davies, explained about the development of the series:

Season Three was transmitting on BBC1 around the time that I moved to Los Angeles to work at BBC Worldwide Productions. Russell T Davies had also moved there and was looking for new challenges and wanted to try for a US career. (Seeing how well it did in the US, we thought) maybe there was another chapter of Torchwood to be told. And very happily we were able to see the title to Starz.

Talking about the partnership with Starz, she said:

The pillars of the show are actually the same. But I think the difference is that because of the quality of the co-production partnership between Starz and the BBC, we have an opportunity to tell a big story over ten episodes. The fact that we are transmitting on a pay premium cable channel means that we have to compete production-value wise in that environment. We're filming at the moment and from what I have seen so far we are able to do that.

The full MIPTV News Issue 1, covering many of the shows on offer at the event, may be read at the MIPTV website.

Entertainment correspondant Richard Arnold is also at the event, where he will be interviewing John Barrowman and Bill Pullman, who are both there to promote Miracle Day. Barrowman's agent Gavin Barker is also at the event, where a Q&A took place with both actors and Julie Gardner

Richard Arnold with John Barrowman and Bill Pullman (via yfrog)	John Barrowman, Bill Pullman and Julie Gardner answer questions. Photo: Gavin Barker (via Twitpic)
John on the red carpet. Photo: Gavin Barker (via Twitpic)	John meets Captain Jack. Photo: Gavin Barker (via Twitpic)

Further photos "from the red carpet" may be seen via the MIP Blog.

FILTER: - Torchwood - Miracle Day (Series 4)

Torchwood: Week Twelve Production

Monday, 4 April 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Promotion for the series has begun in the United States, with Starz broadcasting a teaser trailer on their channel over this weekend; this coincides with the launch of their official Torchwood site. The teaser is also available on their website - however, this may only be viewed by those within the United States (though may be watched globally via io9).

Additionally, some clips from the series formed part of a promotional showreel for Starz shows.

The clips include Rex firing a machine gun from the back of a jeep on the beach in Wales, an explosion behind Gwen, Jack brandishing a gun, and Gwen holding a rocket launcher over her shoulder.

Since Starz announced the launch date in the United States for Friday 8th July, UKTV have now confirmed that they will bring the series to Australia immediately afterwards - this suggests the weekend 9th/10th July. The United Kingdom premier is also widely expected for that weekend, too, though BBC schedules are unlikely to be confirmed until around a fortnight before broadcast.

However, those subscribing to the streaming service Netflix are unlikely to be able to see the show immediately, as a change of policy by Starz that comes into operation today means that their output will be delayed for some ninety days before being made available (see the LA Times for more details).

Production-wise, filming this week included scenes for episode seven, with a return to the Willow Studios and surrounding areas, as well as on the Warner Bros lot. The series is being recorded in a way to enable it to be "printed" in an optimised form for transmission in any country it is sold to. Director of Photography Nathaniel Goodman explained: "We're shooting on the Arri Alexa, recording 4444 that will be broadcast Rec709 1080 HD.".

The BBC Production Office also reported on Thursday that the music for this series would be undertaken by Doctor Who's stalwart composer, Murray Gold - he wrote the original theme for the series, and contributed to a number of earlier episodes of the series.

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

Monday - Tuesday

Filming for the first couple of days wasn't clear, but indications were that preparations for episode seven were well under way to commence with a night shoot on Tuesday evening. This was also Cris D'Annunzio's first evening, who seemed quite taken with John Barrowman!

28 10:07 ST  Monday morning beautiful sunny day.
             All is peaceful as we shoot and continue to prep biggest ep yet!!!
28 10:24 ST  That could mean so many things...explosives? Very emotional? Special effects?
             All of the above? 
             Yes yes yes
28 13:28 CDA Costume fitting for Torchwood.
29 09:32 JE  Watching Torchwood dailies.  Oh my.  Oh my my my. 
29 16:45 CDA Night shoot on set of Torchwood where I will have it out with the
             talented and handsome, John Barrowman.
30 08:20 CDA Great first night on set of Torchwood. What a terrific group of people!
             And yes, John Barrowman is dreamy. 
30 11:02 CDA Seems I'm not alone in my warm feelings for Mr. Barrowman.
             Not Surprising. I'm upgrading him from dreamy to luscious. Uh-oh!!

Wednesday

Documentation for today indicated that a three-day shoot was planned at 1335 Willow Street, the address being home to the Willow Studios, which provide a number of pre-designed sets for the filming profession (bars, restaurants, apartments, etc.) - the studios had also played hot to a photo-shoot a few weeks before.

BBC Production Office (via img.mu)

The BBC Production Office praised costume designer Shawna Trpcic for her episode seven costumes by the BBC:

13:34 Costume Designer Shawna Trpcic, has yet again kicked ass
      as seen in her designs from EP7. You Go Girl!
13:36 You can't help but love her, trust us, the feeling
      doesn't go away.

Meanwhile, the weather in Los Angeles was keeping other members of the team happy!

16:02 KO  Oh my lord it's lovely in LA.
          The weather is outstanding.
          I'm having an iced tea! Could get used to this life.
16:12 BBC Kai Bring some tea to the office would ya?!
          Enjoy the day. 
21:23 KO  Tonights snack is good old fashioned Beef Jerky.
          I bought it from the farmers Market today, it immense,
          addictive as hell.
21:28 DE  First warm evening here in ages leads to gaudy sunset. 
          http://twitpic.com/4f6st9
22:01 KO  How's the family? did you bring the little one to the set?
          We're all great thank you, he's not been on set yet!! Maybe one day.

Another night shoot beckons ...

17:03 BBC We're going deep into the night this week... deep into the night.

Thursday

Thursday's shoot included filming somewhere close to the Dodger's Stadium, according to Cris D'Annunzio, whilst Allyson Floyd indicated somewhere dim, dank and cold underground - with multiple shoots in progress these could be completely different locations, of course!

The Wales Screen Commission also commented on filming: "Just heard from one of the Torchwood crew that's seen the first episode, and they say it looks AMAZING, like a tourist video for Wales!!!"

On the Torchwood set, by Cris D'Annunzio (via yfrog)

04:19 AF  OMG, calltime at 6:30 AM!  For some reason,
          I thought it was PM!  O_O  No sleep!  Gaaaaaaah! 
07:51 CDA I may be able to hear the game as our Torchwood set
          is on location today next to Dodger's Stadium.
          Or at least hear the crowd.
09:28 CDA It's always exciting working with John Barrowman,
          so I probably won't be thinking about the game at all! 
11:06 AF  Dim, dank and cold underground while
          the sun shines outside. Must... stay... awake.  >_<
12:54 CDA I will be seen in Torchwood: Miracle Day, episode 7.
          Will post more details later.  Thanks!
16:14 CDA Dodgers open in 45 min. and already signs of bonehead
          mngmt decisions.  Russell Martin?  Hello?
01:01 CDA Sure, Katie, I will pass along your love to John
01:17 CDA @Katie Just wrapped filming for tonight.
          Home to sleep! 
01:19 CDA @Katie - And JB appreciates your love & support.
          Me too! G'night!

Friday

Filming for Friday was documented as 590 South Santa Fe Avenue, which turned out to be a lot and warehouses just around the corner to the Willow Studios!

However, it was a production office 'tour' from Shawna Trpcic for today's TW-Spy!

What can you see in my photo?
Thats how we work so many hours :-)
(via Twitpic)

View from my desk beautiful California summer weather
(via Twitpic)

Weekend

Photo: Kai Owen
(via yfrog)

It would seem that Tom Price has arrived in L.A.!

01 20:20 KO  A cracking week! Now for a few beers and some Thai food.
             Big game for United this weekend, HAVE to win -
             no messing at all. 
03 09:50 TP  Reading TW scripts. AWESOME. Sadly no mention of what
             an immortal populace would do to the charity shop industry.
03 15:30 KO  Look who's in my house playing with my childs toy!!! 
03 18:37 TP  Jane, I am distracted from learning your writing
             by your tweets. How META am I?!

Key to initials: AF - Allyson Floyd (stand-in); BBC - BBC Torchwood (production office); CDA - Cris D'Annunzio; DE - Doris Egan; JE - Jane Espenson (writer); KO - Kai Owen (Rhys); ST - Shawna Trpcic (costume designer); TP - Tom Price (Andy)

Week Thirteen sees the publicity campaign begin in earnest, with BBC Worldwide promoting the series at the Cannes MIPTV 2011 event; the presentation will also include both John Barrowman and Bill Pullman there to promote the new series (see the press release for full details). It is expected that the publicity photos taken over the last few weeks will be released shortly after the event!

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

Doctor Who Magazine 433 - Four Collectible Covers

Monday, 4 April 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The new edition of Doctor Who Magazine is out this Thursday, and will feature four collectible covers. As the covers announce what can be considered a spoiler, click on Reveal to see them:

Steven Moffat tells DWM:

We're not lying, we're not cheating: one of those four people is going to die! When I came up with this heart-wrenching twist, I thought "We'll kill off one of the leads in the season opener." It lures you in.

This issue also confirms the widely expected date for the premier as being the 23rd April on BBC One.

FILTER: - DWM

Doctor Who at WonderCon roundup

Monday, 4 April 2011 - Reported by Harry Ward

BBC America have released a new episode of Insider; looking behind-the-scenes of the 2011 Series of Doctor Who. See the video below.

The video premiered at the Doctor Who panel during WonderCon where Toby Haynes, Mark Sheppard and Neil Gaiman were talking about the new series. Two clips from the new series were shown. The first clip was from The Impossible Astronaut. Charlie Jane Anders of io9.com was at the event and described both of these scenes:

Mark Sheppard's character, Delaware, is drinking in a bar when he gets recruited for a government mission. Delaware has left the FBI but President Nixon wants him for a secret mission. "You were my second choice for this mission," Nixon tells Delaware. "That's all right," Delaware replies. "You were my second choice for president." And meanwhile, in the TARDIS, River Song is telling the Doctor and friends about Delaware and his mission.

The second clip shown was from Gaiman's episode, The Doctor's Wife:

"The Doctor, Amy and Rory are on the spaceship graveyard planet, meeting a group of four or five people — including an Ood. Amy is alarmed by the Ood, but the Doctor tells her not to be scared. The Ood has a broken speech globe, but the Doctor repairs it — at which point, a babble of weird voices comes out until it shuts off. The Doctor is incredibly freaked out, and starts asking who else is there. Just The House, explains the older woman in the group of natives. They're inside the House and standing on it — the whole planet is The House. The Doctor can meet The House if he likes. The Doctor is very eager to do so — and Amy asks what those voices were. "Time Lords," the Doctor explains. Near here someplace, there are "lots and lots of Time Lords."

Gaiman explained the backstory of his episode:

It was going to be episode eleven of the last season. But I got a sad email as they started shooting the last season, when they got up to the point where they were going to be shooting my episode. It said, "We've run out of money, so we're going to be shooting The Lodger instead because we can shoot that in a flat around the corner. And we can't make your episode in the flat around the corner."

Doctor Who Insider, BBC America, via YouTube

BBC America have recently redesigned their Doctor Who website which can now be found at doctorwho.bbcamerica.com. They have also launched a new feature to their Anglophenia blog called Who's Days; "Who-related bits and bobs rounded up for you".

(with thanks to Alicia Cordova for her panel photo & io9 for the quotes)

FILTER: - USA - Series 6/32

Barrowman News

Sunday, 3 April 2011 - Reported by Harry Ward

John Barrowman will be having another busy year after recent announcements were made about his involvement in various projects.

He will be flying out with Bill Pullman to France for the MIPTV Media Market in Cannes on Monday 4th April 2011, where he will be promoting Torchwood: Miracle Day.

His show Tonight's The Night, which "combines show-stopping acts from world-class artists with once-in-a-lifetime performances that make people's dreams come true", has been recommissioned for a third series which will comprise of six studio-based episodes and two compilation shows. [See full BBC Press Release]

Other future TV appearances include being a guest judge on talent show, So You Think You Can Dance, 9 April 2011 at 6.30pm on BBC1. He'll also be giving his giving his expert opinion on Eurovision – Your Country Needs Blue. Date to be announced.

Barrowman will be playing the title role of Robinson Crusoe in the pantomime, Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates along with The Krankies at the SECC Clyde Auditorium in Scotland from Saturday, 17 December 2011 to Saturday, 7 January 2012. Michael Harrison, executive producer of the show said:

"John's showmanship together with the hilarious antics of Glasgow panto favourites The Krankies, combined with ground-breaking 3D, means that audiences are in for another spectacular SECC pantomime". Ben Goedegebuure, Director of Sales for SECC added: "The news that John Barrowman and the Krankies will once again be taking to the stage at the Clyde Auditorium is brilliant. [Press Release]

Finally; he will be releasing a CD, The Best Of John Barrowman, in September 2011, shortly before embarking on his concert tour. The CD will feature songs from his previous albums, Another Side, Music Music Music and John Barrowman.

FILTER: - Miracle Day (Series 4) - John Barrowman

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

Series 6: Part 1 - UK DVD release

Saturday, 2 April 2011 - Reported by Harry Ward

Though it has yet to be televised, the spring series of Doctor Who has already been made available for pre-order. The two-disc set (to be released in both DVD and Bluray formats) is due out on 11th July 2011.

The synopsis for the set is included, which reveals a little of what we might expect in the coming weeks, plus a version of the cover art. However, no special features have been listed at present, and existing details are subject to change as the release/content is finalised.

Series 6: Part 1
Release Date: 11th July 2011
RRP: £24.99

Starring Matt Smith as the Doctor, with Karen Gillan as Amy Pond and Arthur Darvill as Rory Williams
Written by Steven Moffat (episodes 1,2 & 7), Steve Thompson (3), Neil Gaiman (4) and Matthew Graham (5 & 6)
Directed by Toby Haynes (episodes 1 & 2), Jeremy Webb (3), Richard Clark (4), Julian Simpson (5 & 6) and Peter Hoar (7)

The Doctor returns, alongside newly weds Amy and Rory, to face monsters and mysteries and adventures all across time and space, in a thrilling new series of Doctor Who. Together they'll find themselves in sixties America, battling the invasion the world forgot, then journey on the high seas of 1696 aboard a pirate ship, to solve the mystery of the Siren.

In a bubble universe at the very edge of reality, the Doctor will meet an old friend with a new face, and in a monastery on a remote island in the near future, an industrial accident will take on a terrible human shape. And waiting for them, at the end of all this, is the battle of Demon's Run, and the Doctor's darkest hour. Can even the truth about River Song save the Time Lord's soul?

Only two things are certain. Silence will fall. And a good man is going to die...

Part One of Series Six is available to pre-order now in DVD and Blu-ray formats in our Amazon Shop.

FILTER: - Series 6/32 - Blu-ray/DVD

Australian premiere for The Impossible Astronaut confirmed

Saturday, 2 April 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Australia joins the list of countries that have now confirmed the broadcast date for Matt Smith's second series of Doctor Who. TV Tonight have reported that ABC1 will premier The Impossible Astronaut on Saturday 30th April at 7:30pm. The show will also be made available on the company's iView service (though there is no confirmation of if episodes will premier on the service like last year).

An ABC spokesperson told the site:

ABC TV has scheduled the new series of Doctor Who to screen Saturdays at 7.30pm on ABC1, which we believe is the best slot to reach the family audience. (We are) not able to broadcast Doctor Who until after it screens in the UK. So, in anticipation that the BBC will launch the new series over Easter in the UK, we have scheduled the series to start the following weekend.

The BBC have yet to reveal when The Impossible Astronaut will premier in the UK - this is likely to be confirmed in a week's time via the Press Office's Programme Information Page, if not sooner.

FILTER: - Series 6/32 - Australia

BBC America's extended 2011 Series trailer

Friday, 1 April 2011 - Reported by Harry Ward

BBC America have now made a 60 second version of the trailer available via their YouTube channel - this is an extended version of the 30 second trailer that has been broadcast by the channel.

The video is markedly different to the UK version, with alternative scenes and characters represented, and focusses on the two-part opening story - The Impossible Astronaut / Day of the Moon - which is set in the USA.

Doctor Who Trailer, BBC America, via YouTube

The Impossible Astronaut premiers on BBC America on Saturday April 23rd at 9/8c. According to their TV schedule, Part Two, Day of the Moon will broadcast on April 30th.

Promotion for the new series has begun in the States. BBC America have been posting photos of Doctor Who adverts; on the side of a New York City bus and on banners in San Francisco at WonderCon. A Doctor Who panel (Neil Gaiman, Mark Sheppard, and Toby Haynes) will take place at WonderCon on Sunday April 3rd from 11:30-12:15. More information here.

FILTER: - USA - BBC America - Series 6/32

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