But for those who really don’t want ANY hints - I’ve put it under a spoiler tag!
Asylum Of The Daleks -
TEN SPOILER-FREE TEASERS
TEN SPOILER-FREE TEASERS
Thursday, 16 August 2012
Asylum Of The Daleks - spoiler-free teasers!
I’ve see a few other reviews do a list of spoiler-free teasers, so I thought I’d have a go too!
But for those who really don’t want ANY hints - I’ve put it under a spoiler tag!
But for those who really don’t want ANY hints - I’ve put it under a spoiler tag!
Wednesday, 15 August 2012
Asylum Of The Daleks - BFI Q&A session
As if having the chance to see an amazing preview of Asylum Of The Daleks, we also got to see a question and answer session with matt Smith, Karen Gillian, Arthur Darvill, Steven Moffat and Caro Skinner!
It was hosted by Richard Bacon - an ex Blue Peter presenter who now has an afternoon show on Radio 2.
Earlier the same day he had Steven Moffat in his studio chatting about the new series as a prelude to tonights screening.
The first things he did was reprimand Steven for lying to him about certain details of the season opener! He had categorically stated one thing - which when you see the episode is totally untrue!
Here is a selection of photos I took from our near front row, but far left position.
It was hosted by Richard Bacon - an ex Blue Peter presenter who now has an afternoon show on Radio 2.
Earlier the same day he had Steven Moffat in his studio chatting about the new series as a prelude to tonights screening.
The first things he did was reprimand Steven for lying to him about certain details of the season opener! He had categorically stated one thing - which when you see the episode is totally untrue!
Here is a selection of photos I took from our near front row, but far left position.
Asylum Of The Daleks - BFI preview
Last night was pretty bonkers - almost as bonkers as the Daleks in the Asylum itself!
When I heard they were holding a preview of the episode, I HAD to get along to see it.
The box office opened back in July and was initially for BFI members only. Knowing it would sell out in a matter of hours, I renewed my membership and decided I would go and buy my tickets in person.
I got there for when the BFI opened that morning and then queued for over two and a half hours before they finally started taking books.
It was touch and go, as their computer system seemed to crash as soon as it was online and when it was up and running the four seats I choose were sold before the button could be pressed to buy them! Luckily an alternative set were found and I had my prize!
Tonight was the night we had been waiting for and I met up with Matt Elliott and his girlfriend outside the BFI before going in.
While waiting I was approached by a couple of people who recognised me from Cardiff. I had minded their bags in the Blue Box Cafe before seeing the TARDIS set, and they were still grateful for my gesture, which was sweet.
After an age hanging round, it was time to go in. It was allocated seating, and our seats were over to the far left. Pretty quickly the auditorium filled up.
Projected on the screen was a spoof poster for the episode, in the style of a feature film. Nice.
I realised the front dozen rows at the centre had been reserved for the press, as this was technically a press preview. Behind them remained an empty couple of rows.
It wasn’t long before we found out why - a door down the front opened and Matt Smith, Karen Gillian, Arthur Darvill, Steven Moffat and a whole entourage of people paraded to the the warm welcome of everyone present, and they took their seats - right in the middle of the audience!
We later found out there was a large contingent of Doctor Who crew in attendance, plus Nicola Bryan, who played Peri alongside Colin Baker!
After an extended trailer for upcoming BBC drama programmes (excluding Doctor Who) it was finally time to see Asylum Of The Daleks!
I really want to keep this spoiler free - for reasons you’ll understand later and when you get see it for yourself on or after the 1st September.
But trust me - it’s a corker of an opening episode!
By the way - are those more NEW braces The Doctor is wearing ...?
When I heard they were holding a preview of the episode, I HAD to get along to see it.
The box office opened back in July and was initially for BFI members only. Knowing it would sell out in a matter of hours, I renewed my membership and decided I would go and buy my tickets in person.
It was touch and go, as their computer system seemed to crash as soon as it was online and when it was up and running the four seats I choose were sold before the button could be pressed to buy them! Luckily an alternative set were found and I had my prize!
While waiting I was approached by a couple of people who recognised me from Cardiff. I had minded their bags in the Blue Box Cafe before seeing the TARDIS set, and they were still grateful for my gesture, which was sweet.
Projected on the screen was a spoof poster for the episode, in the style of a feature film. Nice.
We later found out there was a large contingent of Doctor Who crew in attendance, plus Nicola Bryan, who played Peri alongside Colin Baker!
The screening was presented by the controller of BBC1, who laid praise and plaudits on The Moffat and Matt Smith, making them sound like the saviours of British television.
I really want to keep this spoiler free - for reasons you’ll understand later and when you get see it for yourself on or after the 1st September.
But trust me - it’s a corker of an opening episode!
By the way - are those more NEW braces The Doctor is wearing ...?
Tuesday, 14 August 2012
Destination: SKARO!
So, I’m off out tonight - to the National Film Theatre on London’s South Bank to see the special preview screening of Asylum Of The Daleks.
To say I’m excited is an understatement!!!
Sunday, 12 August 2012
Bow ties are cool (blue)
The problem is that early on in series five Matt’s bow ties were hand made from specially sourced silks, so finding one off the shelf made in the exact fabric is impossible, though there are some similar ones out there.
Series six proved to be even more of a challenge with the introduction of a couple of blue ties in very unique woven fabrics.
It has raised I shapes in blue, against a black background.
One of my readers recently sent me a link to a website which has a bow tie that is not dissimilar to the aztec key design, having a parquet pattern (like the wooden flooring) instead.
It’s by no means perfect, but it is the closest thing I’ve seen for a long time.
As usual I would include the link here, but it appears to have been a limited item and is now already discontinued.
Typical!
Saturday, 11 August 2012
This is getting silly
 |
| Photo © Ryan Farrell |
The Doctor Who crew have been out filming on location again this week, and despite having already shot two adventures with the new companion, this time it’s for her debut adventure, the Christmas special.
So far he has been dressed in a stylish new purple-colours cashmere frock coat; and then a fetching three-piece brown tartan number.
 |
| Photo © Ryan Farrell |
This time it’s the weirdest one yet, making him look like the Mad Hatter from Alice In Wonderland.
The smoking jacket is reminiscent of something Jon Pertwee would have worn, and that coupled with a frock coat of the same cut (but not style) as Peter Davison, has me wondering if these are a hinted reference to the long history of Doctor Who as it enters its 50th anniversary.
As ever with The Doctor - TIME WILL TELL!
 |
| Photo © Ryan Farrell |
Thursday, 2 August 2012
Series seven preview
The new series is getting closer and closer, with it likely to premiere before the end of the month.
I’ve got my tickets for the BFI preview of Asylum Of The Daleks on the 14th August, and today we got the first full-on BBC publicity for the new series - both photographic and video.
Overnight a fantastic promotional image from Asylum Of The Daleks was released, showing an injured Doctor carrying an unconscious Amy Pond, surrounded by seven Daleks.
The image has been created by Lee Binding, who has done a number of the covers for the classic series DVD releases.
You can find him on Facebook under Tea-Lady Design, where today he posted about doing the image.
I don’t know bout you, but I can’t wait!
I’ve got my tickets for the BFI preview of Asylum Of The Daleks on the 14th August, and today we got the first full-on BBC publicity for the new series - both photographic and video.
Overnight a fantastic promotional image from Asylum Of The Daleks was released, showing an injured Doctor carrying an unconscious Amy Pond, surrounded by seven Daleks.
The image has been created by Lee Binding, who has done a number of the covers for the classic series DVD releases.
You can find him on Facebook under Tea-Lady Design, where today he posted about doing the image.
So proud to have done this. Huge thanks to Edward Russell for his brilliant guidance - and nipping down to the Cardiff basement to photograph the Special Weapons Dalek when we ran short of pictures. We like to think that the SW Dalek has been trundling around various BBC corridors since 1963. Photoshop users may like to know the final file was over a thousand layers, and 4.9gig in size. Phew!If I’m right, the Daleks on show originate from (left to right) Planet Of The Daleks (1973); Remembrance Of The Daleks (1988); Victory of The Daleks (2010); Dalek (2005); The Daleks (1963); and The Stolen Earth (2008).
As if that wasn’t enough, the new trailer for series seven was also launched today. It’s a 90 second roller-coaster ride of action adventure!
I don’t know bout you, but I can’t wait!
Sunday, 22 July 2012
All Saints Layer Boots - BACK IN STOCK*
* sort of
The new boots are currently ONLY available through the US site.
All Saints US
Cropped Layer Boot
Don’t get too excited though. Firstly don’t forget Matt wore replicas of the boots; and these ones are called Cropped Layer Boots as they are one eyelet shorter at the top.
Here is a comparison between my own Layer Boots, and the new Cropped Layer Boots.
If you want to be picky, the soles are now a tan leather rather than black, but if you can overlook these couple of slight differences, they are probably worth getting.
Saturday, 21 July 2012
Doctor Who Experience: Cardiff -
THE GROUND FLOOR
A few days ago I went to the re-opening of the Doctor Who Experience at its new home in Cardiff.
There are two parts to the Experience: an interactive walk-through show; followed by an extensive exhibition space displaying all manner of costumes and props from almost the entire run of the series from 1963.
The interactive show, bar the addition of updating a clip compilation right at the start, everything is exactly the same, down to the layout of the rooms and corridors you walk through.
Photography isn’t permitted in this part of visit, so there’s not much to show.
I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t been, but I will say when you enter the first room take advantage before the lights are dimmed to look around the room and see all the various artefacts representing nearly five decades of Doctor Who.
The exhibition part of the Experience is now expanded and covers two floors - more than can be covered in one posting.
Here is the first half of my review.
As per the Olympia version of the experience, once you’re out of the interactive parts you then move into the exhibition stage of the event.
With little exception (which I’ll come on to later) most of the exhibits are exactly the same as before, but now it is in a two floor purpose-built venue, they are laid out much better.
For example, if you find the right vantage point it is now possible to see all three Police Boxes at once, where they were previous in separate areas.
The exhibition comprises of both classic and new series displays, often sitting along side each other, with equal prominence. The new series displays do have an obvious Eleventh Doctor bias.
Photography isn’t permitted in this part of visit, so there’s not much to show.
The exhibition part of the Experience is now expanded and covers two floors - more than can be covered in one posting.
Here is the first half of my review.
Doctor Who Exhibition -
The Ground Floor
As per the Olympia version of the experience, once you’re out of the interactive parts you then move into the exhibition stage of the event.With little exception (which I’ll come on to later) most of the exhibits are exactly the same as before, but now it is in a two floor purpose-built venue, they are laid out much better.
For example, if you find the right vantage point it is now possible to see all three Police Boxes at once, where they were previous in separate areas.
Friday, 20 July 2012
Doctor Who Experience: Cardiff -
THE OPENING
After a six month absence, the Doctor Who Experience reopens today at its new purpose-built venue in Cardiff bay, barely a stones throw from the new BBC studios where the series is now shot.
I booked my ticket last month as soon as they were available, plus a return train trip so I was all prepared well in advance.
It meant an early start, but it would be worth the effort - or so I thought.
Trains to Cardiff depart from Paddington station in London, and I got there in plenty of time to discover someone had been hit by a train on the line and all departures were cancelled for the foreseeable future. Great.
The station was packed with disgruntled passengers looking disbelievingly at the departure boards of doom.
My planned train was listed as delayed, but this was soon revised to cancelled, dashing my hopes of departing on time.
Signed up to the air of despair, I sat waiting and listening to the endless repeating announcements and I started to wonder if I was gonna get there in time.
The next train I could get was flashing delayed too, but then suddenly switched to boarding, prompting a mass stampede towards platform 9! Swept along in the rush, I managed to sprint to the front of the trains and a near empty carriage, bagging a table seat in the process. The train quickly filled, with standing room only, and after a bit of a delay we set off - only 45 minutes later than planned.
So after a shaky start and wondering if I was going to miss the whole thing, I finally arrive in Cardiff, with time to spare.
The ticket barriers at Cardiff Central station were decked out with Doctor Who Experience branding, which was cool.
Having visited the area twice before, I know the walk from the station to the bay quite well, and it was a nice day so I took my time. As it happened I passed a billboard poster for the Experience, which I might have missed otherwise.
It wasn’t long before I was passing the Millennium Centre, for me still full of happy memories from the Official Convention and our Girl Who STILL Waited photoshoot. Coming around the bay there was a bit of a buzz, with people in front of me heading in the same direction, many wearing Who-related t-shirts.
I had visited the site of the new home to The Experience in March, so I knew where I was heading, and by the queue so did everyone else!
There were a LOT of people queued up waiting for the noon opening.
To entertain the crowd, a Dalek, Cyberman, Silence and Silurian were on patrol for photo-ops, with some concerned looking kids keeping their distance with their parents for protection.
As the queue slowly moved closer to the entrance, I was approached by a couple of Who fans I had seen at Chicago TARDIS last November! They had come over specially for the opening. That’s dedication for you.
In the lobby I was surprised to see Bessie, Jon Pertwee’s trusty car. It was cool to see, but I did wonder if any of the kids coming today even knew what it was.
Around the walls of the lobby are a series of graphics depicting monsters from the new series, and strangely an image of an Ice Warrior dating back to the Patrick Troughton era. I wonder if that’s a clue of what’s to come in series seven?
Ticket checked, I was finally inside the building and in the queue to see the Experience part of my visit. My ticket is for a one hour entry slot, which is a bit flexible, and you enter in groups of around 20 to 25 people. As you move through the stages of the interactive show, the next group is entering behind you unseen, so I guess around three or four groups are at various stages at any one time.
Check back soon and I’ll tell you what to expect to see beyond those entry doors . . .
I booked my ticket last month as soon as they were available, plus a return train trip so I was all prepared well in advance.
It meant an early start, but it would be worth the effort - or so I thought.
Trains to Cardiff depart from Paddington station in London, and I got there in plenty of time to discover someone had been hit by a train on the line and all departures were cancelled for the foreseeable future. Great.The station was packed with disgruntled passengers looking disbelievingly at the departure boards of doom.
My planned train was listed as delayed, but this was soon revised to cancelled, dashing my hopes of departing on time.
Signed up to the air of despair, I sat waiting and listening to the endless repeating announcements and I started to wonder if I was gonna get there in time.
The next train I could get was flashing delayed too, but then suddenly switched to boarding, prompting a mass stampede towards platform 9! Swept along in the rush, I managed to sprint to the front of the trains and a near empty carriage, bagging a table seat in the process. The train quickly filled, with standing room only, and after a bit of a delay we set off - only 45 minutes later than planned.
The ticket barriers at Cardiff Central station were decked out with Doctor Who Experience branding, which was cool.
It wasn’t long before I was passing the Millennium Centre, for me still full of happy memories from the Official Convention and our Girl Who STILL Waited photoshoot. Coming around the bay there was a bit of a buzz, with people in front of me heading in the same direction, many wearing Who-related t-shirts.
Around the walls of the lobby are a series of graphics depicting monsters from the new series, and strangely an image of an Ice Warrior dating back to the Patrick Troughton era. I wonder if that’s a clue of what’s to come in series seven?
Check back soon and I’ll tell you what to expect to see beyond those entry doors . . .
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
A Summer Of Tours
Thank heavens June is over!
It’s been the busiest month since I left full time employment, and my most productive by far.
I work very hard as a tailor and set myself a target of dispatching one garment a week, wether that be a Utah Shirt or a more complex Tennant Coat or or Greatcoat.
Well this month I hit nine items, over half of which were in the upper end category - a personal best to date!
But as well as chaining myself to the trusty treadle-mounted Singer, I’ve also been out and about doing the BritTours guided tours of London Doctor Who locations - and that’s been the busiest ever too! I’ve done almost a dozen tours this year - peaking this month at a little over one a week.
Although the route and content is the same, each tour turns out slightly different to the previous depending on the memeber of the tour party and the conversation we have between stops.
A little while back I did a tour where we arrived at John Adam Street, only to discover it was dressed as Downing Street, just the same way it had been for Aliens Of London back in 2005. That was the highlight of the tour that day.
As a group it was funny how excited they all got over seeing the man-hole cover seen in The Invasion! We also had a protracted discussion about how The Doctor’s Daughter (Georgina Moffat - both I screen character and real life) was now The Doctor’s Wife (as in married to David Tennant - not to be confused with Idris).
Here’s a look at my diary of the summer, with the highlights of the tours I have done.
They had done the Harry Potter tour a few days prior, so were now enjoying a tour of Doctor Who locations as well.
A highlight of this tour was having crossed Tower Bridge, we looked back from Butlers Wharf to see the bridge rising. Awesome sight.
Against my better judgement I also had a tour the following day - but at least the next would be a bus tour instead.
We all met up at the designated spot and I was looking out for a boy of 8 or 12, with the intention of making it his special day. The birthday boy ended up to be a bit over 40 - and he had a very fun time seeing the classic series locations, many of which he recognised from first viewing all those years go.
This was one of the nice tours in a mini bus.
Due to the Olympics, we aren’t doing any tours during mid-July or August, so that’s me now until September.
It’s been the busiest month since I left full time employment, and my most productive by far.
I work very hard as a tailor and set myself a target of dispatching one garment a week, wether that be a Utah Shirt or a more complex Tennant Coat or or Greatcoat.
Well this month I hit nine items, over half of which were in the upper end category - a personal best to date!
But as well as chaining myself to the trusty treadle-mounted Singer, I’ve also been out and about doing the BritTours guided tours of London Doctor Who locations - and that’s been the busiest ever too! I’ve done almost a dozen tours this year - peaking this month at a little over one a week.Although the route and content is the same, each tour turns out slightly different to the previous depending on the memeber of the tour party and the conversation we have between stops.
A little while back I did a tour where we arrived at John Adam Street, only to discover it was dressed as Downing Street, just the same way it had been for Aliens Of London back in 2005. That was the highlight of the tour that day.
As a group it was funny how excited they all got over seeing the man-hole cover seen in The Invasion! We also had a protracted discussion about how The Doctor’s Daughter (Georgina Moffat - both I screen character and real life) was now The Doctor’s Wife (as in married to David Tennant - not to be confused with Idris).
Here’s a look at my diary of the summer, with the highlights of the tours I have done.
21st MarchThis time I took a private tour for a family who’s son was a big Who fan. We had discussed many thing on our way around, and Mark Gatiss’s name came up a few times - only to then bump into him in person at Forbidden Planet at the end of the tour!
15th JuneMy next tour was a private walking tour for a father and his two daughters.
They had done the Harry Potter tour a few days prior, so were now enjoying a tour of Doctor Who locations as well.
A highlight of this tour was having crossed Tower Bridge, we looked back from Butlers Wharf to see the bridge rising. Awesome sight.
Against my better judgement I also had a tour the following day - but at least the next would be a bus tour instead.
16th JuneI was then asked to do a private tour which was a birthday present for someone who was a huge Doctor Who fan.
We all met up at the designated spot and I was looking out for a boy of 8 or 12, with the intention of making it his special day. The birthday boy ended up to be a bit over 40 - and he had a very fun time seeing the classic series locations, many of which he recognised from first viewing all those years go.
24th JuneThen, after weeks of doing these tours, I had my first public tour with not one but two people in cosplay! FINALLY I didn’t feel alone being the only one in costume. We had an English guy dressed as Matt Smith, and an American girl with a Forth Doctor scarf in a pastel colour scheme.
30th JuneNext up was another nice family from the US, doing the European tour, stopping off in the UK for a few days, and taking in a tour of London while here.
This was one of the nice tours in a mini bus.
8th JulyThen it was back to the public walking tours. This time the day after I attended the London Film And Comic Convention at Olympia. I had planned to go on to the second day of the convention on the Sunday following the tour, but having been on my feet all of Saturday then walking for three hours the next day - I decided to give it a miss! Can you blame me?
16th JulyMy final tour of the main season was a private tour for a family of three from Canada. Another walking tour, it was a pleasant end to my summer of Doctor Who Tours.
Due to the Olympics, we aren’t doing any tours during mid-July or August, so that’s me now until September.
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