AudioGO Spring Sale

Saturday, 26 February 2011 - Reported by Harry Ward

AudioGO, the home of BBC Audiobooks is having a spring sale, with 50% off the price of all downloads from their site. A huge range of Doctor Who audios are available at a discounted price until the end of the sale on 31st March 2011.

Doctor Who audiobook downloads are available in the following categories: TV Soundtrack, Classic Novel (includes recently released Doctor Who and the War Games), Audio Original, New Reading, and Broadcast. You can download the award winning Dead Air by James Goss and read by David Tennant for just £3.39.

Torchwood audiobooks (with Radio 4 plays: Lost Souls, Asylum, Golden Age, The Dead Line) and The Sarah Jane Adventures are also included in the sale.

AudioGO have announced that they are going to close their BBC Audiobooks Facebook page on 31 March and move to a new one with the AudioGo branding, and the promise of "exciting Doctor Who news".

FILTER: - Audio

Saturn Award Nomination 2011

Friday, 25 February 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Hot on the heels of the Nebula nomination this week, the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films have announced the nominations for their annual Saturn Awards.

This year, the 37th ceremony sees just one nomination for the Doctor Who franchise: A Christmas Carol, broadcast by BBC America, is listed in the Best Television Presentation. The episode, penned by Steven Moffat, is up against his other success of 2010 co-created with Mark Gatiss, Sherlock, which was broadcast on PBS.

Other nominees include NBC's Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special, AMC's The Walking Dead, and two series from new Torchwood co-producer Starz, The Pillars of the Earth and Spartacus: Gods of the Arena.

The Saturn Awards will take place this June in Burbank, California.

Last year, Torchwood: Children of Earth won the award for Best Presentation on Television, which beat fellow nominee Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead. Other nominations included David Tennant for Best Actor in Television, and Bernard Cribbins for Best Guest Starring Role in Television.

FILTER: - Awards/Nominations

Docteur Who: la prochaine fois sur France 4

Friday, 25 February 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

France 4 have released a new trailer for this Saturday's episodes, Le Seigneur des Rêves and La révolte des intra-terrestres (1+2); they will be broadcast from 8:35pm (local time).

Doctor who saison 5 tous les samedis à 20h35, via YouTube.

You can follow France 4 via their Facebook page and Twitter feed.

FILTER: - France - International Broadcasting - Europe - Series 5/31

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

Doctor Who Adventures 206

Friday, 25 February 2011 - Reported by Harry Ward

This week's issue of Doctor Who Adventures comes with a free Fez and four free posters!

Also in this issue:

Wow! Dress up like the Doctor with your free fez! There's a special treat for fans of cool headgear as well - a brilliant free fez. Stick it on and you'll look just like the Doctor!
Secrets of the Sontarans revealed! We've bagged an amazing interview with a Sontaran, where we ask him just why they have heads like baked spuds.
The Doctor answers your questions! The Doctor answers some truly monstrous questions, and reveals how you can get him to answer your queries about life, adventure and the Universe!
Winston Churchill battles the Daleks
Monster trouble for Brucie!
How to draw a Judoon
Alien Files The Vespiform takes flight!

Plus prizes, scares, puzzles and comics!

Issue 206 of Doctor Who Adventures magazine is out in the UK now.

FILTER: - Magazines - DWA

Doctor Who: Worlds in Time

Thursday, 24 February 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The BBC Press Office have announced a new, multi-player game is in development.

Entitled Doctor Who: Worlds in Time, the online game is being produced in partnership with games developer Three Rings, and is aimed to be "both highly engaging and fun, allowing players to socialize and foster genuine cooperation, building a global community where fans worldwide will now be able to experience first hand the exciting action and adventure synonymous with Doctor Who."

For the first time ever, players from around the world will be able to follow in the footsteps of the eccentric and brilliant Doctor by travelling through time and space, exploring new worlds and encountering many alien races, both friend and foe. The game allows players to enter the TARDIS and be set a challenge by the mysterious Time Lord to help him defend civilized culture against infamous Doctor Who enemies.

Robert Nashak, EVP Digital Entertainment at BBC Worldwide, said:

Doctor Who: Worlds in Time will be a free-to-play multiplayer online game that invites players to save the universe by using their wits to solve time-bending puzzles and pulse-pounding challenges. Three Rings is the ideal team for this groundbreaking creative partnership. Not only are they visionaries in the online gaming space, they are lifelong Doctor Who fans with a passion for delivering the level of quality that our players will expect and deserve.

Daniel James, CEO Three Rings, said:

Three Rings is delighted and honored to have the opportunity to create an online game based on Doctor Who. Our goal with 'Words in Time' is to capture the imaginative spirit and depth of the series, whilst being fun and easy to play for all ages.

The game is announced ahead of the San Francisco Game Developers Conference, and is expected to launch later in the year.

You can keep up-to-date with the latest news on Worlds in Time by following BBC Worldwide Games on Twitter.

FILTER: - Online - Games

DWA 'Design-a-Monster' competition

Wednesday, 23 February 2011 - Reported by Harry Ward

Doctor Who Adventures magazine has launched a 'Design a Monster' competition. The winner will see their creation battle the Doctor, Amy and Rory in a special comic strip in the magazine and be made into a model to go on display at the Doctor Who Experience in Olympia, London.

Comic artist John Ross offers the readers some great tips to help them create the perfect creature:

The great thing about Doctor Who monsters is that they can be scary but a bit funny, too. For example, a really scary face could be balanced out by something quite wacky, like a foot that's joined on backwards, or one arm that's much bigger than the other.

Things that tend to look good on monsters are wrinkles, extra eyes, fewer eyes, long tongues, tentacles, spots, stripes, spikes and funny-looking alien weapons/gadgets. Monsters based on animals are quite popular. For example, you could take the head of a rat and put it on the body of a chimpanzee and add tentacles.

Posture is always something you have to think about, too. If your monster is strong and confident, it should stand straight and tall. If it's a bit more nervous and unsure of itself, it could be hunched over, possibly with slumped shoulders. If it's just a jumbled mass of tentacles with a head, it's a bit trickier to give an idea of the creature's personality.

Your monster has to pose a threat to the Doctor, so will need some special powers or weapons. It could fire energy beams from its fingertips/tentacles, laser beams from its eyes or cannonballs from a hole in its belly - whatever you think is interesting. Weapons could be a giant device which could destroy the planet or a tiny alien flower which looks like a daisy but releases a scent which sends people to sleep.

It's also good to colour your monster nice and brightly so he stands out in a crowd.

How to enter

Download the PDF entry form by clicking on the button below, then print it out and draw your monster! Fill in the monster's details, along with your name, age, address and daytime telephone number. Put the page in an envelope and send it to: DWA DESIGN, PO Box 8951, Market Harborough LE16 0EF, or scan the page and email your design to design@dwacomps.co.uk

Download the pdf entry form

For full terms and conditions please visit www.dwamag.com/design-a-monster.

FILTER: - Comics - Magazines - Competitions - DWA

Nebula nomination for Vincent and the Doctor

Wednesday, 23 February 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The Doctor Who story Vincent and the Doctor has been nominated for the The Ray Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation in the 2010 Nebula Awards, an annual event held by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.

The episode, penned by writer Richard Curtis, is the only television episode in this category, and is up against the films Despicable Me, How To Train Your Dragon, Inception, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and Toy Story 3.

The winners are selected by members of the SWFA during March, with the results announced at the Nebula Awards Banquet, taking place at the Washington Hilton, Washington D.C. on 21st May.

Vincent and the Doctor had previously been nominated for a Mind Mental Health Media Award last year but lost out to Channel 4 drama Shameless.

Doctor Who has been nominated for a Nebula Award twice in the past: The Girl in the Fireplace lost out in the Best Script category to Howl's Moving Castle in the 2006 awards, and the following year saw Blink miss the award in favour of Pan's Labyrinth - both were penned by the current lead writer, Steven Moffat.

FILTER: - Awards/Nominations - Series 5/31

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

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 stars lend a hand to charity

Wednesday, 23 February 2011 - Reported by Harry Ward

Stars from Doctor Who have designed candle holders to be auctioned for the ILLUMINATE Campaign, an offshoot of The Cure Parkinson's Trust. The auction on eBay began yesterday and will finish at 7.00 pm on Friday 4th March 2011.

Peter Davison (the fifth Doctor and Bernard Cribbins (Wilfred Mott) have both designed an image to be used on a candle holder. Also in the auction are hand signed photos by Davison and Katherine Jenkins (Abigail Pettigrew, A Christmas Carol).

Other celebrities who have appeared in Doctor Who and have designed a candle holder for the auction are Harry Lloyd (Jeremy Baines / Son of Mine, Human Nature / The Family of Blood), Roy Hudd (Max Miller, Pier Pressure, Big Finish Audio), Louise Minchin (Newsreader, Torchwood: Children of Earth), Julia Sawalha (Emma, The Curse of Fatal Death, Red Nose Day parody episode), who has signed a photo, and Ricky Gervais, who appeared as a slug-like monster alongside David Tennant as the tenth Doctor in a scene in Extras - The Special.

Britain’s favourite celebrities have personally designed these 34 candle holders, which will be auctioned on eBay for 10 days starting 7pm on 22nd FEBRUARY 2011. Only one candle holder of each design has been made … making each of them truly unique.

These top quality, bone china candle holders, are made in Stoke on Trent and filled with 100 hour white wax. They are approximately 75mm in diameter and 92mm tall and come in a specially made presentation box. The design has been kiln-fired onto the candle holder, during the manufacturing process, to make it permanent. Remember - the items for auction here are truly unique - only one of each design exists.

Additionally we are auctioning 10 hand signed photographs sent to us by celebrities in response to our appeal for support. Included with every item is a Certificate of Authenticity signed by The Cure Parkinson’s Trust’s Managing Director.

If you decide not to bid for a candle holder, perhaps you might donate to The Cure Parkinson’s Trust instead? By donating to the Cure Parkinson’s Trust you are investing in the hope of a future without Parkinson’s.

FILTER: - Bernard Cribbins - Charities - Auctions - Peter Davison

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