Thursday 31 May 2012

Wednesday 30 May 2012

Set Photos - 30 May 2012 - *SPOILERS*

A couple of pictures have emerged from today's filming at Margam Country Park.

Supposedly, this is episode 11 and the pictures - together with apparently Jenna-Louise Coleman's character name - are under the cut:

Tuesday 29 May 2012

Video - Roath Lock - Behind the Scenes Studio Tour

The BBC have released a short video called "Step into the Home of Doctor Who" which includes a tour of the new Roath Lock Studios. The video features Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill.

Courtesy of doctorwhotv.co.uk

Monday 28 May 2012

Matt's Message to the Fans


The Official BBC Doctor Who site has a message from Matt to the fans which reads as follows:

We caught up with Matt Smith on Saturday morning, minutes before he was handed the iconic Olympic Torch. He told us how grateful he was to everyone who made it to Cardiff Bay and also to the many people who had expressed their support for his run either by replying to the Official Doctor Who Twitter feed or via this website. ‘They [the fans] have been brilliant – as always,’ Matt said. ‘I just want to say, thanks, guys. Cheers! It’s great to get that level of support.’

Matt then asked us if we could pass on his thanks to everyone who voted for him and Doctor Who in the National Television Awards and the Spike Awards. We replied we’d be glad to relay the message below:

‘Thank you so much for voting in the Spike Awards and the NTAs. I’ve never had the chance to say thank you… and it means a great deal that you took the time to vote and support the show and me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you.’

Matt was referring to the 2011 Spike TV Scream Awards where he won Best Science Fiction Actor and the National Television Awards where earlier this year he triumphed in the category of Best Male, Drama Performance for his role as the Doctor.

Sunday 27 May 2012

Video - Matt and Benedict Cumberbatch present the Moff with his Special BAFTA


Here it is - Matt Smith and Benedict Cumberbatch present Steven Moffat with his Special BAFTA Award. Note how Benedict was all precise whereas Matt was all over the place and talking with his hands...bless him. And wow...those socks.



Congratulations Moff!

Video - Steven Moffat - Red Carpet interview at the BAFTA's

Steven Moffat will be receiving his Special Award at the BAFTA's from Benedict Cumberbatch and Matt Smith. However, first of all, here's the red carpet arrival interview:

More video of Matt with the Olympic Torch


Well, the BBC may have let us down, but "Doctor Who" fans and people of Cardiff definitely didn't. More amateur video has been uploaded showing Matt actually running with the Torch - and it's better than the 5 seconds glimpse we got from the BBC:

Courtesy of GearsAgain, this shows Matt at the beginning, whilst running and at the end:



Courtesy of ninfilms



Courtesy of Alexwho11



Thanks to those who uploaded these. You have wonder if the full "footage" from the BBC will ever emerge.

Saturday 26 May 2012

Matt Smith - Olympic Torch Photo Galleries


Some photo galleries of Matt with the Torch have emerged - links are below:

Thanks to mugim0e for the following gallery of pictures of Matt Smith at today's Olympic Torch relay in Cardiff:

Olympic Torch Relay - Cardiff - Flickr

The BBC also have a slideshow of pictures:

BBC Matt Smith Olympic Photo Gallery

BBC News add "footage of Matt's run" to their news video

As the BBC say, the video now contains footage of Matt holding and carrying the torch. No word on whether we'll get more footage or whether this is our lot.

The BBC have finally uploaded their report to youtube:



Or you can watch it on the BBC News website:

"From Timelord to Torchbearer - Matt Smith Carries the Olympic Flame

Video - Matt Smith lights the Olympic Torch

Not the BBC footage yet but some pretty cool video nonetheless. Matt lights the Torch, chats with the crowd and poses for photos:

Video courtesy of hbyrnes09

BBC News interview Matt prior to his Torch run

Well, one video has emerged - no running but a good interview with Matt prior to his Torch run. He does look a bit tired - poor guy:

Courtesy of The Doctor Who Media

More pics of Matt with the Olympic Torch

Hundreds turned up to watch Matt carry the Torch and Matt himself had this to say:

“It’s a great privilege to be involved. I can’t quite believe people have actually turned up, I thought I would be just be carrying it around, waving to the ducks.”

Whilst we're still waiting for the video from the BBC there are a few more pics below.

Courtesy of Ben Stevens:



Courtesy of Wales Screen:



Courtesy of BBC_Fangirl:



Courtesy of hairymaclary87:

Matt runs with the Olympic Torch - BBC don't show it live


So, we all get up early - 6am - to watch Matt carry the Olympic Torch on the BBC live torchcam. The feed clicks in with runner 3. Matt was runner 1. So, what happened? Well, apparently Matt's run was through a pedestrian zone that the media vehicle can't get to. Okay - but surely they knew that? They KNEW their vehicle couldn't get there - so why tell the world they could watch Matt live when that was so obviously not true? Not good, BBC. Not good. The BBC have stated that the run WAS filmed - and a link will be up later. I will post it here when it emerges but in the meantime, have some pictures:

Courtesy of Official Doctor Who Twitter feed:




The following pictures of courtesy of Alun Vega who you can also follow on Twitter:




Friday 25 May 2012

Full details of Matt's Torch Relay leg


The BBC Doctor Who website have published details of Matt's run with the Olympic Torch. Matt is the lead runner and is the first to carry the Torch on Saturday.

Matt’s run will begin at approximately 6.20am by the Norwegian Church Arts Centre in Cardiff (Harbour Drive, Cardiff Bay, CF10 4PA). He will wear the official Torch Bearer uniform and carry the Flame for a short leg of the journey before handing it to the next runner on the steps of the Senedd, often known as the Welsh Assembly Building.

You can watch Matt's leg of the journey live on the BBC Live Torch Relay site.

Matt Smith to carry the Olympic Torch in Cardiff



The BBC Doctor Who Twitter feed announced this evening that Matt Smith would be starting the Olympic Torch relay in Cardiff on Saturday. The schedule at the moment states a 6.29am start but we will update with details as soon as we know more.

Matt commented: “To carry the Torch is an honour, one I thought I'd never get, I'm very excited!”

Congratulations Matt!

Thursday 24 May 2012

"Good as Gold" - Full script to screen segment


For those who missed it - or those overseas - here's the full Script to Screen segment from "Blue Peter".

This features the full mini episode together with interviews with Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, Marcus Wilson etc.



Enjoy!

New "Script to Screen" episode to air tonight on "Blue Peter"


The BBC have finally confirmed that the new "Script to Screen" episode will air during "Blue Peter" on CBBC tonight between 17.45 and 18.20. The episode is titled "Good as Gold" and the press release reads:

A special one-off standalone episode of Doctor Who will air exclusively on CBBC today, as the winners of the BBC’s Script to Screen competition are revealed.

The new mini-episode marks the return one of the Doctor’s most feared monsters, the Weeping Angels and was created by three talented pupils from Ashdene Primary School in Wilmslow. The Angels made their first appearance in the 2007 episode Blink and will be back in the BBC One series this autumn.

Starring Matt Smith as the Doctor and Karen Gillan as Amelia Pond, today’s episode was filmed at BBC Wales Roath Lock studios in Cardiff and is inspired by the Olympics. It will be shown on Blue Peter at 5.45pm on CBBC.

Year 6 teacher, Irene Spawton from Ashdene Primary School said the pupils involved were thrilled and surprised to have won the competition: “It’s unbelievable. I couldn’t believe it when I got the call to say that the children’s script had been chosen as the winner. They worked so hard and came up with some brilliant ideas. I’m so proud of them all and meeting the Doctor and Amy Pond was a fantastic experience for the girls, their parents and me.”

The three-minute winning script was chosen by Steven Moffat, lead writer and executive producer of Doctor Who, Katy Jones BBC Learning executive producer and Caroline Skinner, executive producer of Doctor Who.

Caroline Skinner praised the quality of the scripts, saying: “We loved reading all of the scripts from schools across the UK and the standard of entries was truly outstanding. It was a difficult, but a tremendously fun task to choose a winner and it was just brilliant to see so many children being creative in developing an adventure for the Doctor. We hope all fans enjoy this special one-off mini episode!”

This is the second time BBC Learning has run the Doctor Who Script to Screen competition, which challenges upper Primary pupils* to develop a short script that takes the Time Lord on a quest travelling through time and space.

Katy Jones, executive producer for BBC Learning, said: “This competition aimed to inspire and capture the imagination of storytellers of the future and we’re thrilled that so many schools have engaged with it. Pupils have described the competition as the highlight of their school year. There was so much real talent displayed in the entries we received and the final film is a real testament to the hard work the school put into their entry.”

Wednesday 23 May 2012

Merchandise Review - 11th Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver Keychain Torch


I always liked the Sonic Screwdriver - but I never really loved it. Until 11's came along. It really is a thing of utter beauty. Obviously, I bought the full size version but now there's a small "keychain torch" version. And it's wonderful.

It's very detailed - and, being a torch, it does light up (and being 11's Sonic, it lights up green). The light isn't powerful enough for you to find your way home but it's certainly able to light up your lock so you can get your key in. But you're not going to buy it for the torch. You'll buy it because it's a bit of Doctor Who kit, it's a Sonic...and it's a little bit different.

This should give you some idea of just how wee this "baby" Sonic is:



As to durability? I really don't know. I got it today - it's still in one piece. At £7.99 though, I'm not going to be overly concerned. This isn't something I've seen widely available but you can buy them online from "The Who Shop" priced only £7.99. Telephone orders are accepted on 0208 471 2356 or you can visit the shop at 39-41 Barking Road, Upton Park, London E6 1PY.

Tuesday 22 May 2012

Fantastic Target Book Offer from "The Who Shop"


If you're a New Who fan looking for some Classic Who to read or a Classic Who fan looking to complete a collection, then this is for you. "The Who Shop" have a fantastic Target "Doctor Who" book offer at the moment. Choose 5 out of the 10 titles listed below for only £10 plus £4 postage and packing. This offer is ONLY available to telephone orders. The available titles are:

Robots of Death (personally, I love this one)
Full Circle
Vengeance on Varos
The Time Monster
Deadly Assassin (another favourite)
The Ultimate Foe
The Three Doctors
Planet of the Spiders
Earthshock
Time and the Rani

As mentioned above, this is only available via telephone and whilst stocks last. To order yours, please ring "The Who Shop" on 0208 471 2356. They are open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5.30pm.

You'd better not delay too much - this is going to be one very popular offer.

Monday 21 May 2012

Video - "The Eternity Clock" Diary - Making an Interactive Episode

The latest video diary from the makers of the upcoming game "The Eternity Clock" features Matt Smith as you've never seen him before...



They certainly went to a lot of trouble and effort to make this game - and it looks well worth it.

Sunday 20 May 2012

The Eleventh Doctor - I'm a puppet now...puppets are cool.



A very talented animation artist called Ailsa Stern has created a fantastic puppet of the Eleventh Doctor.

The Doctor Puppet travels to various places and chronicles his adventures on a tumblr blog called, obviously, The Doctor Puppet. He's had fun recently in Central Park, Manhatten and the Hudson River. The Doctor Puppet even has his own introductory video:



Here are a few photos from his adventures - but please go and give The Doctor Puppet blog a follow because he is seriously one of the cutest things you'll ever see:




"The Doctor's Wife" Wins Bradbury Award



As tweeted by Neil Gaiman today, "The Doctor's Wife" has won the "Ray Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation". This award is presented by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and previous winners include "Inception" and "District 9". "The Doctor's Wife" beat fellow nominees "Captain America", "The Adjustment Bureau", "Attack the Block", "Hugo", "Midnight in Paris" and "Source Code".

The Award itself looks like this:

Neil Gaiman on WhoSay

Obviously, there are a number of tweets about the win including:

Richard Clark who directed the episode, tweeted: Perfect start to Sunday - kids stayed in bed till 6.30, sun is shinning and The Doctor's Wife just won The Hugh Bradbury award.

Steven Moffat tweeted: @neilhimself @rclarkie Hey, you two! FANTASTIC news. Doctor Who has never bagged one of those, tho' we've tried. Clearly we needed YOU.

Congratulations to everyone involved in "The Doctor's Wife" - extremely well deserved.

Saturday 19 May 2012

Steven Moffat to Receive Special BAFTA



BAFTA have announced that Steven Moffat will receive the 2012 Television Special Award in recognition of his outstanding creative writing contribution to television. The full press release reads:

Steven Moffat, television writer & producer of both Sherlock & Doctor Who will be presented with the 2012 Television Special Award.

The Award will be presented to Steven Moffat in recognition of his outstanding creative writing contribution to television. From his first scripted drama Press Gang in 1989, for which he won his first BAFTA, Moffat’s vast body of work includes titles such as Stay Lucky, Joking Apart, Murder Most Horrid, Chalk, Jekyll and Coupling.

In 2008, it was announced that he would become head writer and executive producer of Doctor Who and was instrumental in the casting of the 11th Doctor, Matt Smith.

In collaboration with Mark Gatiss in 2009, he created Sherlock, following Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson's adventures in 21st century London. The episode entitled “A Scandal In Belgravia” from the second series earned Steven a Television Craft Award for Writer at the 2012 ceremony as well as picking up BAFTAs in two other categories. (See: Sherlock Wins Three BAFTAs at the 2012 Television Craft Awards )

Tim Corrie, Chairman of BAFTA, said: “Steven has had an outstanding year with Doctor Who and Sherlock, not to mention the feature film The Adventures of Tintin, and we are delighted to honour his contribution to television and the arts at the BAFTA ceremony on 27 May. He is one of the finest exponents of his craft and his Award, presented in honour of the late, great Dennis Potter, is very well deserved indeed.”

On being recognised, Steven Moffat said: “Blimey! A Special Award! I didn't even know I was ill! So thrilled by this – especially after two years of Sherlock and Doctor Who, my two favourite shows ever. Of course the work, and the people I get to work with, has always been all the reward I need – a fact I'm very glad that BAFTA has disregarded.”

Congratulations Mr Moffat. Very, very, very well deserved!

Friday 18 May 2012

Michael Troughton Signing at "The Who Shop"


On Saturday 7th July 2012, Michael Troughton will be at "The Who Shop" signing Limited Edition Hardback versions of his biography of his father, Patrick Troughton. This signing co-incides with previously announced "The Krotons" DVD signing.

As with most "Who Shop" signings, if you are unable to make it there on the day you can pre-order. Simply visit The Who Shop website or telephone them on 0208 471 2356. The Who Shop are based at 39-41 Barking Road, Upton Park, London E6 1PY.

Wednesday 16 May 2012

Two DVD Signings Announced by "The Who Shop"


Two separate DVD signings have been announced by "The Who Shop". First, actor Gilbert Wynne who played Thara in "The Krotons" is in store on Saturday 7 July 2012 between 12-3pm signing copies of the DVD.



Then, on Saturday 4 August 2012 between 12-3pm, Sophie Aldred will be in store signing copies of the above DVD.

The Who Shop are based at 39-41 Barking Road, Upton Park, London E6 1PY. Directions on how to get to the shop are on their website and their telephone number is 0208 471 2356.

Monday 14 May 2012

Doctor Who Experience to open 20 July 2012 in Cardiff



BBC Worldwide have issued the following press release regarding the opening of the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff:

BBC Worldwide today announced the official opening date for their multi-award winning attraction the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff, the home of the BBC One show. Doors will open to the public on the 20th July with tickets going on sale at 10am on the 14th June. Paula Al-Lach, Head of Exhibitions and Events at BBC Worldwide formally accepted the keys to the Experience’s distinctive new home in Cardiff Bay this afternoon and the first exhibits are already being moved in.

Philip Murphy, Managing Director of BBC Worldwide Live Events said: “The Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff is going to be just minutes away from where the BBC Wales television series is made which I’m incredibly excited about. The Experience sets out to engage visitors’ imaginations from the outset immersing them in the world of Doctor Who and what better place to do this than in Cardiff the home of the show.”

The Doctor Who Experience is the first ever interactive Doctor Who exhibition that invites visitors to star in their very own Doctor Who adventure. Arriving at the venue they will step through a crack in time to become the Doctor’s companion, taking on the challenge of reuniting the Doctor with the TARDIS whilst fending off threats from some of his most fearsome foes - entering a Dalek spaceship and finding a way through a maze of Weeping Angels. Featuring a replica of the Eleventh Doctor’s TARDIS which visitors get to fly themselves the interactive walk-through culminates in a stunning 3D finale that sets the scene for fans entering the exhibition.

The exhibition presents fans with the world’s most extensive collection of original Doctor Who costumes and artefacts stretching back almost 50 years to the very first series of Doctor Who.

The content of the exhibition is updated constantly with new items from the television series to ensure it is ever changing offering fans the chance to get up close to the incredible sets, costumes and props that feature in their favourite show. New items to be shown to the public for the first time in Cardiff include the Doctor’s cradle seen in A Good Man Goes to War; the Silence spaceship and Matt Smith’s sonic cane from Let’s Kill Hitler with many more items being kept under wraps until the doors open on 20th July.


Excellent news - I can't wait to go!

Doctor Who Experience handed keys to new Cardiff home



The BBC have confirmed that the "Doctor Who Experience" in Cardiff are to be handed the keys to their new home:

The Doctor Who Experience is to be officially handed the keys to its new exhibition space in Cardiff.

The attraction, which features sets, props and memorabilia from the BBC series, closed in London in February to make way for its move to Cardiff Bay.

The new 3,000 sq m building is at Porth Teigr, next door to the BBC's Roath Lock studios, where Doctor Who, Casualty and Pobol y Cwm are produced.

The exhibition is expected to attract up to 250,000 visitors a year.

The internal fitting of the building will take place over the coming weeks.

Paula Al-Lach, head of exhibitions and events at new tenants BBC Worldwide, said: "I'm thrilled to be formally accepting the keys to the building on Monday and can't wait to start moving in.

"We've worked hard to create an outstanding visitor attraction with the Doctor Who Experience.

"It's the first ever interactive Doctor Who exhibition and for our Cardiff opening we have some exciting new exhibits to be displayed in public for the very first time."

Ken Poole, Cardiff council's head of economic development, said: "Doctor Who is a global brand and is something that has really helped boost the profile of Cardiff internationally.

"This attraction will bring millions of pounds into the economy and the benefits to Cardiff will be immense in terms of tourism."


Summer 2012 has long been mooted as an opening time and it looks as though they are on schedule.

Friday 11 May 2012

Screencaps - Special Feature - "Inside Clone"



Matt Smith's film "Clone" - formerly known as "Womb" - has finally been released on DVD in the UK. The DVD can be ordered via amazon.co.uk for £7.46. There is a documentary feature called "Inside Clone" on the dvd which looks at the making of the film and features interviews with Matt Smith and Eva Green. Below are some screencaps of Matt from the interview (as usual, feel free to take them):