Each episode this year now was to be pitched like a movie poster...
Each episode this year now has a movie poster.
So that's something else for GMs with Photoshop to try and replicate before sessions?
Thursday 30 August 2012
Tuesday 28 August 2012
Monday 27 August 2012
Saturday 25 August 2012
Asylum Of The Daleks
We were sworn to secrecy (well, more asked nicely not to drop big secrets - “London kept the secret, I would hate for Scotland to break the line!”) so I’ll just say...
He certainly kept one of his pre-series promises. I won’t say which one just yet.
OMG that happened!
Yes, changes to credits.
A certain new development (a) really quite creepy and (b) so going to be a cosplay thing.
More hands for “would still watch if the Doctor became a woman” that “wouldn’t” - prompted by someone asking in the Q&A, in case you were wondering.
And from the youngest Q&A questioner: “Do Cybermen get rusty in the rain? No, cos they’re made of plastic... Actually, they have to be well rainproofed in Wales. But then there was a rather rusty looking on in the Pandorica, and I wrote that, so get it right! Yes, they get rusty, but not quickly.”
He certainly kept one of his pre-series promises. I won’t say which one just yet.
OMG that happened!
Yes, changes to credits.
A certain new development (a) really quite creepy and (b) so going to be a cosplay thing.
More hands for “would still watch if the Doctor became a woman” that “wouldn’t” - prompted by someone asking in the Q&A, in case you were wondering.
And from the youngest Q&A questioner: “Do Cybermen get rusty in the rain? No, cos they’re made of plastic... Actually, they have to be well rainproofed in Wales. But then there was a rather rusty looking on in the Pandorica, and I wrote that, so get it right! Yes, they get rusty, but not quickly.”
Thursday 23 August 2012
The Sarah Jane Adventures: And the story goes on... forever.
Due to the sudden loss of Elisabeth Sladen, the final volume of DWM’s Sarah Jane Companion only has three televised stories to talk about, so it turns most of its pages over to what might have been, as well as the general interest of unmade episodes.
So for GMs looking for Whoniverse adventures that were almost made, what could we turn into adventures to dedicate to Ms Sladen?
So for GMs looking for Whoniverse adventures that were almost made, what could we turn into adventures to dedicate to Ms Sladen?
Wednesday 22 August 2012
deviantArt, visual sourcebook
Since that blatant dA self-promotion I’ve picked up three followers, some with familiar handles.
Well, while I’m on the subject, I do a “popular in the last 24 hours” search for Doctor Who every day, more or less, to see what’s relevant and impressive in the first couple pages.
And unscientifically looking back over the month or two I’ve been doing that, Ten is still the most popular subject. Then Eleven, unless he gets a boost because there’s a new episode on. Then Nine, then Whooves (the My Little Pony with an hourglass), then Sherlock, then Four, then Eight and down from there...
It’s also a good place to find variant sonic screwdrivers like these minimalist examples suitable for less flamboyant Time Lords.
Well, while I’m on the subject, I do a “popular in the last 24 hours” search for Doctor Who every day, more or less, to see what’s relevant and impressive in the first couple pages.
And unscientifically looking back over the month or two I’ve been doing that, Ten is still the most popular subject. Then Eleven, unless he gets a boost because there’s a new episode on. Then Nine, then Whooves (the My Little Pony with an hourglass), then Sherlock, then Four, then Eight and down from there...
It’s also a good place to find variant sonic screwdrivers like these minimalist examples suitable for less flamboyant Time Lords.
Tuesday 21 August 2012
Doctor Who And The Thing From Your Miniatures Collection
I belatedly got round to putting my photos of painted Dalek and not-Doctor-and-Amy miniatures on deviantArt, and got favourited by an admirer of miniatures in general.
And of course that got me thinking, that would be a way to come up with odd crossovers if you have a collection of unusual miniatures. Pick one and make it a major visual for an episode.
Not that I use miniatures, but every now and then bringing out a figure and going “you see this!” can be very effective.
And just looking at that list of favourites, I can easily see the Doctor meeting these guys or this chap or this fella...
And of course that got me thinking, that would be a way to come up with odd crossovers if you have a collection of unusual miniatures. Pick one and make it a major visual for an episode.
Not that I use miniatures, but every now and then bringing out a figure and going “you see this!” can be very effective.
And just looking at that list of favourites, I can easily see the Doctor meeting these guys or this chap or this fella...
Monday 20 August 2012
Sunday 19 August 2012
Come All You Monsters
The Doctor’s top ten villains according to the Observer.
Agree? Disagree? Think the Sontarans were robbed?
Nothing controversial to begin with - Daleks, Cybermen, the Master - then it shifts to the one-classic-appearance likes of Scaroth, the Zygons and the Beast.
I was particularly pleased to see the Time Lords being included considering how much trouble they’ve caused over the decades.
Agree? Disagree? Think the Sontarans were robbed?
Nothing controversial to begin with - Daleks, Cybermen, the Master - then it shifts to the one-classic-appearance likes of Scaroth, the Zygons and the Beast.
I was particularly pleased to see the Time Lords being included considering how much trouble they’ve caused over the decades.
Saturday 18 August 2012
TARDIS Systems Failure
One bit of discussion in Nathaniel Torson’s Time Traveller’s Companion chat was about TARDIS systems, what the Chameleon Circuit might get stuck on and the like.
But of course there are other systems that could also go wrong, temporarily or semi-permanently. This is covered in the TTC in detail, but here’s a random selection of adventure-friendly inconveniences...
But of course there are other systems that could also go wrong, temporarily or semi-permanently. This is covered in the TTC in detail, but here’s a random selection of adventure-friendly inconveniences...
That's a different look for you, isn't it?
How much is the Doctor’s look a “costume” and how much is it just an outfit?
Dark Eyes sees the Eighth Doctor’s new look previewed two years ago make the cover of a Big Finish audio series. Not as big a deal as him turning up wearing it on TV, but still of interest.
(In the event that the Eighth Doctor does turn up at some point in the 2013 anniversary celebrations, what style will he go for? I can imagine him not wanting to wear a wig again...)
Here it’s all bound up in the rough times he’s had, and hints at the style that the Ninth Doctor will adapt in years to come. A haircut and a new outfit shows character development. Like the Seventh Doctor trading in his cream jacket for a dark brown one so he looks that bit darker.
It’s not like the Tenth Doctor acquiring a blue suit, of the same cut as his brown one so his silhouette doesn’t change, or the Eleventh Doctor (like the Third) having a sizeable wardrobe of similar things and occasionally dressing up a bit for period adventures - something some Doctors and some companions go for more than others. Or the occasional wearing of formal attire, with or without bow ties and top hats.
What do your characters’ style choices say about them?
Dark Eyes sees the Eighth Doctor’s new look previewed two years ago make the cover of a Big Finish audio series. Not as big a deal as him turning up wearing it on TV, but still of interest.
(In the event that the Eighth Doctor does turn up at some point in the 2013 anniversary celebrations, what style will he go for? I can imagine him not wanting to wear a wig again...)
Here it’s all bound up in the rough times he’s had, and hints at the style that the Ninth Doctor will adapt in years to come. A haircut and a new outfit shows character development. Like the Seventh Doctor trading in his cream jacket for a dark brown one so he looks that bit darker.
It’s not like the Tenth Doctor acquiring a blue suit, of the same cut as his brown one so his silhouette doesn’t change, or the Eleventh Doctor (like the Third) having a sizeable wardrobe of similar things and occasionally dressing up a bit for period adventures - something some Doctors and some companions go for more than others. Or the occasional wearing of formal attire, with or without bow ties and top hats.
What do your characters’ style choices say about them?
Tuesday 14 August 2012
And in case you haven't been on the official Who site for a while: Ask The Execs
A slightly more structured approach to a regular online Q&A than bombarding Steven Moffat's Twitter. (We've all done it...)
A slightly more structured approach to a regular online Q&A than bombarding Steven Moffat's Twitter. (We've all done it...)
"Time travel changes the rules of everything!"
Steven Moffat on why he likes time travel as a story point
From the new BBCA special The Timey-Wimey Of Doctor Who which may possibly be the best name for a thing of any kind.
From the new BBCA special The Timey-Wimey Of Doctor Who which may possibly be the best name for a thing of any kind.
The Time Traveller's Companion, coming soon
The Nathaniel Torson chat transcript now posted by host Dan Davenport
(all of it, as I missed the start due to Internets)
but I'll just leave this bit here:
02:30: The TARDIS chapter is spread into three sections:
02:31: 1. TARDIS Navigation: rules for flying a TARDIS and the special manuevers it can pull off. And yes, it helps to have 6 pilots.
02:33: 2. The Systems and Rooms: Details of the console, the rooms and other misc. systems that a TARDIS has been shown to have/use in the history of the series and rules for every last one of them if you really want to know what advantage the Fault Locator room or the TARDIS toolkit gives you..
02:33: 3. Create a TARDIS: Exactly like it sounds - create your own custom TARDIS with its own little quirks and features.
02:34: I should point out that the console is completely customizable, as TARDISes are mathematical constructs that have no set physical form.
(all of it, as I missed the start due to Internets)
but I'll just leave this bit here:
02:30
02:31
02:33
02:33
02:34
Saturday 11 August 2012
Doctor Who: Adventures In Here And Now
Because I have this notion that someone might read this who doesn’t regularly visit the DWAITAS board, I thought I’d repost my response to this query:
"Got three adventures ready for my players: Two in Earth's past and one on a distant planet, but feel that I'm missing something for present-day Earth. Any ideas?"
--
Modern-day adventures often relate to modern-day PCs, acting as origin stories or jumping-off points, or grounding them with families and friends, so if you have no modern-day PCs they become less relevant. (That said, visitors from other parts of time and space will always have an interesting perspective on the present.)
They can also be fairly low-key, which can be harder to think up - although they don’t have to be, as seemingly world-changing events like first contact or Dalek invasions can still be shrugged off by the general populace or individual characters.
And they aren't necessary either - look how little time the Eleventh Doctor has spent in the present, just enough to pick Amy and Rory up and drop them off again, give or take an adventure set ten years ago or ten years ahead.
Personally, though, I like the juxtaposition of fantastical elements with the everyday world. Aliens marching around are more surprising in a service station than a space station. And you can play with modern concerns - The Sontaran Stratagem looks at pollution, global warming, space colonisation, and the thought most of us have had when using satnav, “what if it’s wrong?” exaggerated to “what if it’s lying?”
And if you’re really stumped, you can always use something very Doctor Who specific like being called in by UNIT, or adapt from a modern-ish horror game like Call Of Cthulhu.
"Got three adventures ready for my players: Two in Earth's past and one on a distant planet, but feel that I'm missing something for present-day Earth. Any ideas?"
--
Modern-day adventures often relate to modern-day PCs, acting as origin stories or jumping-off points, or grounding them with families and friends, so if you have no modern-day PCs they become less relevant. (That said, visitors from other parts of time and space will always have an interesting perspective on the present.)
They can also be fairly low-key, which can be harder to think up - although they don’t have to be, as seemingly world-changing events like first contact or Dalek invasions can still be shrugged off by the general populace or individual characters.
And they aren't necessary either - look how little time the Eleventh Doctor has spent in the present, just enough to pick Amy and Rory up and drop them off again, give or take an adventure set ten years ago or ten years ahead.
Personally, though, I like the juxtaposition of fantastical elements with the everyday world. Aliens marching around are more surprising in a service station than a space station. And you can play with modern concerns - The Sontaran Stratagem looks at pollution, global warming, space colonisation, and the thought most of us have had when using satnav, “what if it’s wrong?” exaggerated to “what if it’s lying?”
And if you’re really stumped, you can always use something very Doctor Who specific like being called in by UNIT, or adapt from a modern-ish horror game like Call Of Cthulhu.
Friday 10 August 2012
Who would win?
Random discovery via Twitter retweet to do with mentioning 2000AD: Emma from DWM's Time Team draws Doctor Who alien slamdowns for the Monster Invasion magazine.
Not sure I agree with some of these conclusions, though.
(Of course, in all cases the real answer is Batman.)
Not sure I agree with some of these conclusions, though.
(Of course, in all cases the real answer is Batman.)
Thursday 9 August 2012
RPGnet chat: Nathaniel Torson
At the RPGnet IRC room
Nathaniel Torson (Doctor Who) Monday the 13th, 7:00 pm CT. (That's... 1am Tuesday UK time?)
Nathaniel Torson (Doctor Who) Monday the 13th, 7:00 pm CT. (That's... 1am Tuesday UK time?)
Wednesday 8 August 2012
Why is this happening?
So our heroes are pulled in to the Space Olympics and soon realise they're doing better than they might expect. Why?
It's a setup!
Even the most peculiar plot point can come down to the simplest motivation.
It's a setup!
Even the most peculiar plot point can come down to the simplest motivation.
Sunday 5 August 2012
The Scarifyers
Now in comic format and taking on the M.R. James tradition of a Ghost Story For Christmas too.
Strange Highways
Kammerice pits the Doctor against the maniacal plots of DIO!
I'm always interested in how these turn out. (I just stuck my head above the parapet to do another one, see below...) In this case, many of the titles suggest classic fantasy adventures instead of something Whovian.
I'm always interested in how these turn out. (I just stuck my head above the parapet to do another one, see below...) In this case, many of the titles suggest classic fantasy adventures instead of something Whovian.
Saturday 4 August 2012
The Episode Titles Of Fatal Death
Two weeks after BOTIS’s idea of reusing evocative Who titles, here’s an SFX forum thread on the best titles of the era. Which suit the “Doctor Who And The - ” format and which don’t?
There’s also The Vortex Oracle which randomly generates Whovian titles cut up from existing ones, and plot points to boot, like so:
The God Madness
A disaster must be averted before it ever happens.
A disembodied brain crackling with psychokinetic force.
A ship on a mission.
Lovers, separated by a powerful force.
And of course I’ve done this kind of thing before once or twice.
So, anyone fancy dropping a dozen or so titles on me?
In the meantime, inspired by BOTIS’s post, here are a few quick wilful misreadings of some of the titles so far revealed. Cut for SPOILERS:
There’s also The Vortex Oracle which randomly generates Whovian titles cut up from existing ones, and plot points to boot, like so:
The God Madness
A disaster must be averted before it ever happens.
A disembodied brain crackling with psychokinetic force.
A ship on a mission.
Lovers, separated by a powerful force.
And of course I’ve done this kind of thing before once or twice.
So, anyone fancy dropping a dozen or so titles on me?
In the meantime, inspired by BOTIS’s post, here are a few quick wilful misreadings of some of the titles so far revealed. Cut for SPOILERS:
How time travel works?
In the runup to the return of Doctor Who, BBC America is pushing the boat out with new hour-long documentaries on the show, its characters, and science in the series. Before you wonder how long it takes to say "there isn't any really!" check out this clip with Steven Moffat talking wormholes alongside Michio Kaku Ph.D, Jim Al-Khalili Ph.D OBE, Maggie Aderin-Pocock Ph.D MBE, and Dallas Campbell from Bang Goes The Theory.
Thursday 2 August 2012
New trailer
SPOILERS!
Can Dinosaurs On A Spaceship possibly live up to the lineage of Snakes On A Plane? We shall see, but I love Snakes On A Plane...
Can Dinosaurs On A Spaceship possibly live up to the lineage of Snakes On A Plane? We shall see, but I love Snakes On A Plane...
Wednesday 1 August 2012
History Meets Geekery
Rebecca Pahle of The Mary Sue looks at Celebrity Historicals in various media, restricts herself to only one from Doctor Who, looks for suggestions, and wants an Arthur Conan Doyle episode.
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