Christian Cawley's Blog, page 306

Daleks’ Master Plan: 100 Copies Sold!

Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

It is, dear Kasterborites, time to update you on the progress of our Daleks’ Master Plan adaptation, a graphic novel by Rick Lundeen which has been produced for a short run to raise funds for Children in Need 2013…

First up, the good news: just over 100 copies have been pre-ordered so far. We passed the minimum order stage a couple of weeks ago, and the time since then has been spent configuring the files for our chosen print company.

The run will be for 200 copies, and given how quickly the first 100 went we think you would be well-advised to place your order as soon as possible.

Ideally we would have liked to be able to get copies shipped before Christmas 2013. Unfortunately – as with Ultimate Regeneration back in 2010 – this doesn’t appear to be likely, mainly thanks to some confusion at the post-submission proofing stage by Kasterborous editor Christian Cawley (me), and an inability to balance the project with the demands of our 50th anniversary news coverage.

Sorry about that, everyone.

The final transaction for the order should take place early this week. Following that, a proof copy will typically be received for final checks before the full run is produced. When delivery has been made, we’ll begin the dispatch process the same day.

From this point on expect regular progress updates…

 

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Capaldi Admits He Is “Too Young” To Play The Doctor

Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Well, let’s face it – he’s right, isn’t he? Watch the clip above as incoming Doctor Who star (we CANNOT wait) Peter Capaldi reveals that along with being a fan of all of his predecessors (remember kids, he’s one of us, moreso than Tennant) he’s given it quite a bit of thought and that at 55 he’s far too young to play a near-immortal Time Lord.

Can’t wait to see the CapaldiDoc? Well, you can expect to get a glimpse of him in The Time of the Doctor on Christmas Day, 7.30pm on BBC One and 8/9c on BBC America!

The post Capaldi Admits He Is “Too Young” To Play The Doctor appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

Journeys In The Astral Light With The Doctor

Jonathan Appleton is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Does the date of Doctor Who’s first broadcast give any clues to its longevity, astrologically speaking?

Astrologer David Coleman thinks it does, and has produced a ‘birth’ chart for the programme, and his lengthy accompanying essay explores how ‘the essential meaning of the astrology expressed by Doctor Who’ has manifested itself.

Whatever you make of his conclusions you certainly can’t accuse him of not being thorough, with the carefully drafted chart including information on stars and constellations, co-ordinates for the planets in the sky and other information which, in fairness, is likely to go over the heads of those unfamiliar with astrological terminology.

As far as what all of this means goes, Coleman reckons:

What immediately leaps out is this sense of pushing outwards, of being compelled to flee, to cast away, to reject convention and restriction and to adventure into the bizarre and the extraordinary.

Which is probably as good a one line description of the essence of the programme as any.

What do you think? Was Doctor Who’s success ‘in the air’ as Coleman concludes?

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WhovianNet Talks The Doctor & I

Philip Bates is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

In Doctor Who’s anniversary year, it’s the best possible time to look back on those cherished memories of everyone’s favourite show. But WhovianNet, the lovingly-crafted site that looks at all things Who, decided to take this one step further.

The Doctor & I perfectly captures the reason Doctor Who has such incredible staying power: that wonderful juxtaposition of very personal experiences, shared by a whole community of dedicated fans. The Doctor & I features over 80 memories that are both unique and relateable, written by the fans for the fans. It’s a wonderful achievement, topped off by an introduction from Vincent and the Doctor writer, Richard Curtis.

Kasterborous spoke to WhovianNet about their debut book.

Where did the idea first come from?

I always knew I wanted to do something original and unique to mark Doctor Who‘s momentous 50th anniversary. Thanks to WhovianNet I’m in the fortunate position to have a growing audience of Whovians at my fingertips (so to speak!) so I wanted to take advantage of that and create something as far-reaching and special as possible.

I started brainstorming ideas in late May/early June of this year and decided that a book full of Whovian memoirs would be the best way forward. After all, what better way to commemorate half a century of Doctor Who than in the form of a book about the fans themselves? So The Doctor & I is unique in the sense that it’s made by the fans FOR the fans. I was completely overwhelmed by the response it had and I couldn’t have asked for more enthusiasm and support.

How did you decide which entries made the cut?

This was definitely the most difficult part of the editing process. I obviously wanted to include as many of the entries as I could, however publishing a book is quite a costly process so I was limited in terms of the overall space and budget I had. My main priority was always to include entries that were as original and diverse as possible. A variety of different ages and geographical locations was important to create an overall picture of the worldwide Whovian fandom. I also wanted to include entries that people could relate to. If you’re not included in the book and you’re reading through the stories, I hope that at least one of them mirrors your own experience with Doctor Who. That was my intention, anyway!

And how did you tackle the weighty task of editing down people’s memories?

I didn’t include a word limit on submissions which of course meant I received some that could have easily filled up a whole book on their own! It was a case of reading through each essay and picking out the most original and interesting bits, the moments that were most personal to each fan and defined their own individual relationship with the series. Every story was unique and special so it was heart-warming and inspiring to read them. I must say I felt very privileged to read some of them.

How did you get the brilliant Richard Curtis to do a foreword – and did you have to edit anything out?

After I signed off the initial concept with the publisher, we began discussing the idea of having some sort of celebrity endorsement behind the book. I began asking around and emailing pitches to various faces related to Doctor Who and I was over the moon when Richard Curtis’ lovely agent replied to say he had been really excited by the invitation. I sent him over the general idea of what I was looking for and he got his contribution back to me a few days later, which was really kind of him. I didn’t have to edit anything out, no. I would never say I was in the position to edit a piece of writing by Richard Curtis!

How did you come up with the distinctly-Gallifreyan design?

The design of the book is all down to Garry Vaux at GJB Publishing. As a Doctor Who fan himself, he knew what would stand out to give it that distinct Doctor Who feel without breaking any of those indomitable copyright laws. He did a wonderful job!

Any favourite entries?

Tough question! I’ll remain diplomatic and say that I love them all. They’re all brilliant and special in their own way. I suppose I particularly enjoyed all the stories from the older fans who have been following the series since its inception. It was really interesting to get an insight into what it was like to be a Doctor Who fan back when it all began. They were Whovians before the term ‘Whovian’ was even invented!

What’s your The Doctor & I story?

My Doctor & I story isn’t as interesting or glamorous as some that are featured in the book. I stumbled upon that mysterious Time Lord by accident one Saturday night during David Tennant’s first series and I haven’t looked back since! It was the emotional turmoil of Doomsday that inspired me to create a Doctor Who website. I wanted to scream and shout about how much I loved the show and had no one to share it with. The obvious way around this, in my mind, was to create a website about it. The rest, as they say, is history!

How did you watch The Day of the Doctor?

I watched The Day of the Doctor in the cinema. It was fantastic to experience the episode in 3D and also to be surrounded by hundreds of Whovians. Some were dressed up and it’s always interesting to see how much care and detail goes into their costumes. I wonder what all of their Doctor & I stories are…?

What was it like, holding the finished book in your hands?

I certainly felt a genuine sense of pride and achievement. The process of creating it was generally an enjoyable experience but it was sometimes difficult to juggle it with my “real life” commitments. It was all worth it when I held the finished book in my hands, though. When I started WhovianNet back in 2007, I never imagined that it would become what it is today, so I definitely didn’t imagine that one day it would enable me to release a book! I suppose I’m just honoured and humbled to be in the position where I can contribute to my favourite series in such a unique and special way.

And finally, looking to the future… What would you like to see in the 100th anniversary special?!

Every single Doctor, companion and monster coming together for a huge timey-wimey, spacey-wacey extravaganzathon. That’s achievable, right?

Thanks, WhovianNet!

The Doctor & I is a real labour of love, filled with beautiful, funny and memorable experiences from that amazing creation we call ‘fandom.’

With an RRP of £8.99, you can pick the book up from Amazon UK for £8.86 (paperback) or £5.99 (eBook) or from Amazon.com for 2.592.3.29 (paperback) or as an eBook for $9.72. (Prices subject to change.)

The post WhovianNet Talks The Doctor & I appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

The Time of the Doctor Image Gallery

Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

The BBC has today released further images from The Time of the Doctor, Doctor Who‘s 2013 Christmas special and the episode that sees Matt Smith bow out from the show after nearly 4 years.

Featuring Daleks, Cybermen, Silents and Weeping Angels, you’ll also spot some possibly familiar-looking soldiers in the photos, not to mention Jenna Coleman as Clara and Orla Brady as Tasha Lem.

The gallery should have already started below; use the Show picture list button to view as a grid of images.

The Time of the Doctor airs in the UK on Christmas Day at 7.30pm, and on BBC America at 9/8c.

The post The Time of the Doctor Image Gallery appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

Watched Doctor Who’s Anniversary At Home? You Missed This! [VIDEO]

Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

How did you enjoy The Day of the Doctor? Did you snuggle up at home with convenience food and alcohol, or did you venture out into the cold to enjoy the Doctor Who 50th anniversary special at the cinema?

If you opted for the latter, you will have struck gold with these excellent warnings and guidance films in which Commander Strax and the Eleventh Doctor guide you (separately) on cinema etiquette and wearing Real 3D glasses.

(Yes, we know it’s a bit wonky. And subtitled too. Frankly, we weren’t expecting to have to share them like this. We’re sad these clips didn’t make it onto the new DVD or Blu-ray of The Day of the Doctor…)

The post Watched Doctor Who’s Anniversary At Home? You Missed This! [VIDEO] appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

A podKast with a Kerb Krawl

Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

It’s probably fair to say that this has been one of the podKast (with a “K”)’s oddest weeks.

Disrupted by deadlines on the original recording date of Monday, Christian was unable to take part. “No problem,” thought he, “my colleagues James and Brian are more than able to cope with the technicalities of recording a Skype call and uploading it to Google Drive.”

That, listener, was his first mistake.

So we opted to record live on Thursday evening instead, using Google Hangouts. Although a podKast was “recorded” on Monday, it wasn’t actually recorded, something that James and Brian were naturally somewhat unhappy about. So this second attempt was a way for them to try and recall the best bits with Christian also offering his own thoughts and experiences of the week of Doctor Who.

Which brings us to the other odd moment, the one that can only be accurately related by you clicking play and watching or listening to this week’s podKast, where we learn that mild-mannered Kasterborous editor Christian Cawley was mistaken for someone “looking for a good time” outside the BBC Tees building in Middlesbrough.

(Thanks to DocWhom for inspiration with this week’s title and image…)

Click play above to watch. If you prefer the audio version it is available via the player below:

Kasterborous PodKast Series 3 Episode 44 Shownotes

Barry Jackson 1938-2013
The Time of the Doctor spoiler warning
The Day of the Doctor worldwide reaction, BBC iPlayer figures
The Light at the End

 

Listen to the PodKast

There are several ways to listen. In addition to the usual player above, we’re pleased to announce that you can also stream the podKast using Stitcher, an award-winning, free mobile app available for Android and iPhone/iPad. This pretty much means that you can listen to us anywhere without downloading – pretty neat, we think you’ll agree! (Note that it can take a few hours after a new podKast is published to “catch up”.)

What’s more, you can now listen and subscribe to the podKast via our Audioboo channel! Head to http://audioboo.fm/channel/doctorwhopodkast and click play to start listening. You can also comment and record your own boos in response to our discussions!

Meanwhile you can use the player below to listen through Audioboo:

You haven’t clicked play yet?! What are you waiting for? As well as our new Stitcher and Audioboo presence you can also use one of these amazingly convenient ways to download and enjoy this week’s podKast.

Use the player in the top right of the Kasterborous home page, or visit the podKast menu link.
Listen with the “pop out” player above, which also allows you to download the podKast to your computer.
You can also take advantage of the RSS feed to subscribe to the podKast for your media player, and even find us on iTunes!

Incidentally, if you are listening on iTunes, please take the time to leave a rating and review and help us to bring in new listeners to the podKast!

The post A podKast with a Kerb Krawl appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

New Companion For Twelve?

Rebecca Crockett is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

With The Time of the Doctor quickly approaching, the rumor mill is quickly ramping up it’s output of possibilities and speculations for the future of the Doctor, his companions, and the show in general.

One persistent new rumor is about the possibility of the Doctor gaining a new companion in his journeys through time and space. That companion? A Coal Hill teacher named Tom, who gave Clara the message about the Doctor in the 50th anniversary special.

Twitter user @phesantjumpers asked the actor that played Tom, Tristan Beint, about seeing Tom in the TARDIS, possibly as a love interest for Clara. Beint did nothing to dissuade the speculation, even going along with the “Tomwald” moniker for the possible pairing.

Phesantjumpers also posted to Tumblr, noting that Tom was such a minor character in the episode yet was given a name, and when the message came for Clara from her “doctor,” Tom was concerned for her.

Beint responded to the Tumblr post.

However, in a more recent Twitter post, Beint has tried to downplay the rumors, saying he doesn’t know anything about another appearance for Tom on the show.

Of course, this is all speculation and now what seems an attempt at some misdirection, all of which are common in the Doctor Who fandom universe. But the thought of another companion in the TARDIS, especially a male companion, is an interesting one. After all, there is precedent for the Doctor’s companions being a pair of teachers from the Coal Hill school! Not only that, but his hair style and shirt, tie and blazer colour scheme look very familiar…

(via io9)

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2013′s Most-Watched Drama: The Day of the Doctor!

Alex Skerratt is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Doctor Who fans may have thought the 50th anniversary special was merely the most-watched drama in their household, but the bug appears to have spread nationwide!

With viewing figures that even Michael Grade would have appreciated, the subsequent iPlayer requests beat last year’s Olympic Opening Ceremony, whilst the Twitterverse looked set to implode whilst the episode was on the air.

BBC Drama Controller Ben Stephenson said:

The Doctor Who 50th was a hugely ambitious event on the BBC and it’s only fitting that it has taken the top spot as the highest rating drama across all channels this year. It’s a fantastic tribute to both Steven Moffat and the creativity of all those involved in the show throughout its history. Next stop, the regeneration at Christmas!

The Day of the Doctor also went on to secure a Guinness World Record for the largest ever simulcast of a TV drama, (a feat that has been reported ad infinitum in the online press, but it’s so nice to type!) What an accomplishment for a show that grew from humble beginnings in Lime Grove’s Studio D.

And who knows, with the DVD release now upon us, maybe The Day of the Doctor will be the most-watched drama of 2014 as well…

(Via Digital Spy.)

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PodKast Live: Watch and Interact This Evening!

Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

This week’s Kasterborous podKast (with a “K”) has had a troubling gestation. Originally “recorded” on Monday by James McLean and Brian Terranova, the hour-plus chat about various topics including The Light at the End (Big Finish’s Doctor Who anniversary story) somehow didn’t actually find itself stored in any meaningful way.

We were without a podKast.

So, we decided to try again, this time with the full team and on Google Hangouts. We’ll be broadcasting online from 11.15pm GMT (6.15pm EST) tonight, so if you’re interested in offering us your thoughts about the various topics to be discussed (including, briefly, The Light at the End) then feel free to message us through Hangouts, YouTube or on Twitter.

For updates about the broadcast, keep @kasterborousdw open between now and then!

The post PodKast Live: Watch and Interact This Evening! appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.