2008 news archive
23 December 2008
Merry Christmas from DeviousMerry Christmas from Devious
Well, another year gone. Next year will be fun. We promise! Ashley's got a great set of tools for his modelworking for Christmas we overhear, and the editing is nearly done. We're also apparently up for being in another magazine it seems, albeit just a column. So we'll dig out some unseen images for that. Thanks for everyone who emailed us about the Starburst piece.
And there's more.... (but you'll have to wait). We'll say no more for now.
SIX O'CLOCK BBC 1 CHRISTMAS DAY will be the tv event of the winter. Set your recorders, sky pluses, freeview thingies. Or if you don't have recording equipment then take loads of photos or sketch very quickly. Or simply forget trying to record, to collect to obsess and just enjoy what promises to be a great story.
And the second great tv event of the winter could well be our very own Richard Kingshott (who plays one of the rescue party in episodes of Devious) appearing on the Terry Wogan quiz show. Apparently this is being filmed around now and should be on in January sometime. We'll let you know when it's on - the quiz has individual contestants answering general knowledge questions. Richard tells us that it is to be filmed at Pinewood. Good luck Richard! (here he is below preparing for the great day).
Have a great holiday - from Stephen, Ashley and David !
01 December 2008
Starburst Devious article finally out!Starburst Devious article finally out! - updated
If we've ever had any doubts they're all dispersed now! Starburst - the best magazine ever. Most concise. Has the best taste! Best design. Best articles*.
* - page 34 especially.
Actually we're more modest and humble than that. Really. We're not trumpet blowers. Honestly. Well, Ashley's ego is a little suspect and Stephen's been known to sing on the radio (David sings listening to the radio); so I guess this is a time to be temporarily excused all social protocols and niceties and go out and sing "we're in the papers" again! Well when it's happened before it's always been a very welcome thing and something to be celebrated. We celebrate this appearance in the mainstream sci-fi magazine press like we did when we were in DWM - with excitement and gratitude. And with a great big nod and acknowledgement to all other fans and fan/amateur projects out there too. Especially to Nick and Rob. It's other projects that have spurred us on to complete this epic. It's other people's interest that saved us from ditching the whole thing a few years back. Really. The website has kept people informed of how we're progressing, and hopefully you will have realised by now that the story of Devious is perhaps more of a tale than 'Devious' itself. Certainly the magazine article by the esteemed Charles Norton has managed to give an insight in the space allowed of how the project came together and kept going over the years.
We will attempt to keep the story going on the website so you can see how things turn out. This very odd art project, this homage to Doctor Who, with all it's strange, wonderful and welcome spin-offs is the real story to tell and we will improve the website in the next few weeks to better reflect the journey we've taken**. The tribute band that is "The Devious Project" keeps on playing. Just. Articles such as in Starburst's Doctor Who Special number 87*** (and DWM before in 1999) give us the enthusiasm and lift us. Let's enjoy it and, more importantly, enjoy being fans of the best sci-fi programme in the world - DOCTOR WHO.
If you've found this website for the first time - please stay with us! We'll have more to tell!
** - if we get time of course - this whole thing is part time!
*** - as before we note that the magazine article mentiuons the Battered Suitcase Company rather then Interalia Theatre. Our friend and colleague Nick Scovell is aware of this error - just one of those things - there were some other typos as well but that's normal we guess. And anyway, you should really go out and get the next Big Finish audio on CD or download - it has been partly written by a certain Nick Scovell - see DWM no 402 for details!
and in other news, the excellent "The Ten Doctors" comic blog has just featured the 2.5 Doctor again! Take a look at http://comics.shipsinker.com/2008/11/26/the-10-doctors-page-148/ to see the Interim in action! Fantastic! Or maybe we should say "marvelous" - which is Tony's equivalent catchphrase!
14 October 2008
Starburst (again!)Starburst Magazine
Here we go again! Yesterday we've seen copies of Starburst Magazine on the racks in the newsagents. So if the regular edition is out does that mean the Starburst Doctor Who Special no 87 is out there somewhere???? If you see a copy anywhere please let us know via the Say Hello part of the site!
And in other news Ashley has been beavering away (last week and this) making new model props for the effects scenes. When he has some ready we're sure he'll give us some photos for the site!
And in other other news, here's a totally unrelated picture showing Chris sorting out the lighting.
23 September 2008
Masterplan up for Awards & Starburst notThe Dalek Masterplan play is up for awards!!!!!
Avid readers (such as us) of the Gallifrey One website would have been delighted to read that the play has been nominated for some awards! More details at the GallifreyOne site news section, and there are links also to an excellent blog...
As we've always said, Devious were proud to have been a part of this production and we wish everyone the best of luck. Now where's the link to the voting??? (here)
Starburst - the Kiss of Death?
And in other news, it seems the Starburst (and TV Zone) magazines have gone bust. The visimag download copy of the Doctor Who Special no 87 is actually still available (here) (so that's hopeful) and if you want to read about Devious (as well as good articles/interviews with Peter Davison and Louise Jameson and loads of other content) you'll have get the download as the print version has still not appeared.
Our journalist contact assures us that it had been printed but if the money's not there then we imagine it won't get distributed until they get things sorted. Other sources have hinted it could still appear, or that the articles could be recycled into other publications.
So does that mean Devious are the kiss of death on things? Probably. Jon Pertwee died only a year after appearing with us. Hugh Lloyd died a month or two ago and Peter Tuddenham the year before. I died myself only last week and I am propped up in my chair with my assistant moving my hands - mind that, oh, another finger has snapped off...
Rich's ComixBlog - The Ten Doctors
And in much better news here's a link to Rich's ComixBlog. We were alerted to this by some emails to the site (the say hello section) where people have been telling us about this excellent comic strip blog. It seems an interim Doctor - betweennumbers 2 and 3 has just been created. This is an excellent creation and we are delighted and honoured to be namechecked! Read on...
28 August 2008
Starburst Special no 87 due 1 Sep + download now!Starburst Special no 87 almost out!
Apparently we're told it's out on 1st of September. If you go to visimag.com you can order a download pdf of the magazine. Being a bunch of old has-beens we're opting for the print version. Apparently (and that's 2 "apparently's" now - damn that's 3 now) there's an article featuring the three of us in Devious. It also mentions our proud involvement in the 2 dalek-themed plays by Interalia at Portsmouth in 2006 and 2007. The BBC Pinewood Studios Comic Relief sketch and the Jon Pertwee scenes all get a mention we think!Anyway here's hoping it comes across as an affectionate look at a "Doctor Who Tribute Band" as we guess we are really. Doubtless we'll be seen as a bunch of nutters but we don't mind if it all helps to promote the Doctor Who phenomenon.
Here's hoping...
Please note...one of our number who shall remain nameless but his initials are DVC downloaded the (excellent) article and has informed us that Interalia Theatre (the Portsmouth group who produced the excellent Evil of the Daleks and Masterplan plays) have been wrongly namechecked as "Battered Suitcase" which is definitely not their name. This correction had been flagged up earlier this year when the proof article was inspected and passed back to the magazine staff but somewhere along the line the correction was omitted...
21 August 2008
Hugh Lloyd - a friend rememberedHugh Lloyd
It was with sadness that the Devious team learnt about the death of legend and cameo cast member Hugh Lloyd, who died on the 14th July 2008.
Hugh and his wife Shan had been long term friends of (Devious team member) Stephen, having been introduced via JNT in the early 90's. As well as being regular attendees to social functions at Cranford Towers, we were delighted when Hugh agreed to appear alongside Peter Tuddenham to play one of the Timelords in the dramatic finale to Devious. Stephen recalls the filming of that sequence....
"Hugh was amazing... Despite the fact that we made cue cards for both of them, Hugh made a point of learning his script, and was witty and sharp as a button during the recording. He and Peter were a fabulous double act.. and some of the improvised comedy Hugh came out with still makes me smile even though I must have seen it countless times.
We shall remember you for all time Hugh, and I still think of you every time I hear the word 'scenario'. "
Hugh Lloyd - photo taken during filming of 'Devious'
22 July 2008
Hugh LloydHugh Lloyd
With sadness and affection we mourn the passing of our friend Hugh Lloyd, who died last week. He was of course well known for his trademark comedy characterisation which evolved from his association with Tony Hancock and then Terry Scott. His many television, stage and film roles made him a firm favourite of the nation. His most recent television appearance was in a repeat of ITV's Doc Martin only the day after he died. We are proud to have known him; Stephen will be adding a few words soon in tribute.A great man.
21 July 2008
Starburst OUT 15 AUGUST & Nilan infoStarburst Dr Who Special no 87 - UPDATED
... is now due out on July 23rdAUGUST 15th we are told. We were interviewed earlier in the year and didn't think anything would come of it so if there is something in the magazine then 'eek' and 'ohmigod' etc etc. There should be a photo or two although Ashley can't remember which ones were sent so we're all in the dark on this one. Still it will provide some interest and a few laughs we think (should be tongue in cheek) and it's all good publicity for Doctor Who in general! We'll let you know if we see it!Cast Info - Nilan
We've also added some long overdue info about Richard Kingshott's character Nilan. Richard also has a website well worth a visit - link here soon.
25 June 2008
Stephen interviews Nick Briggs and Starburst (?)Nick Briggs: Season Finale interview and Devious in Starburst???
Hi there peeps
Stephen rang me (Ashley) just a short while ago and said he'd just interviewed a certain Nick Briggs about the forthcoming Dr Who series 4 finale. The interview was between Neil Pringle (who's show it was), Stephen and Nick and was recorded earlier today for radio broadcast tomorrow (Thursday) between 8.30 and 9am. Set your dials, warm up the valve set, that's Southern Counties Radio broadcasting for Sussex and Surrey. The interview was conducted with the aid of two Ring Modulators - one was Nick's (obviously) and the other was Devious's's's's one brought in specially by Stephen. Sounds fun - can't wait to hear it! And thanks Nick for reaffirming the settings for Stephen!!! We have to say we (collectively) can't wait for the final episodes!!
Stephen Cranford is brought to you by BBC Southern Counties Radio. (And into work by Sedan Chair)
And in other news - we've been told that a recent interview we did (well, several months ago) is to appear in the Starburst Doctor Who Special (no 87) - due out on June 23rd. We haven't got a copy in yet so we don't know if we've made it to the issue. If we see a copy we'll let you know. Or if you see it you can let us know?? (we can't get a copy here in deepest Sussex) Should be fun - quite a tongue in cheek approach - and all serves to promote Doctor Who!
We've just heard that the issue will be a couple of weeks late, so look out for it the beginning of July????
And in other other news, the Tardis console now has a new home! After being stored outside (albeit wrapped in 4 layers of plastic) and in disparate locations the whole console is now on long term loan to a friend of ours who lives in Worthing no less. We'll have some pics soon to show you how it is being well looked after (at last).
cheers more soon
16 May 2008
lighting testssets and lights
We've been having some fun with some of Ashley's sets. Here's a couple of images of the lighting rig which sits above the Main Control Room. It seems the lights can flash in sequence or randomly. An ability to dim is also predicted but Ashley forgot to wire that up before we took these shots. Combined with some smoke (stage smoke/dry-ice equivalent and not Chris puffing away down a tube) it doesn't look too bad and should be right for the short time it is seen. Ashley is still working on other bits and pieces but we thought you'd like these few images to prove we haven't all died (again). There are (obviously) no daleks or the silver panel backdrops in the shots as we just wanted to check how the smoke looked. A bit of fun. Well we enjoyed it. But then we don't get out much.
We'll have some more pictures soon with luck. (Sorry the one below is a bit dodgy - forgot to take the video effect off)
speak soon
31 March 2008
modelworkModelwork is progressing!
Well we know you all think we're not doing anything at the moment. Well, we're trying to get some footage together and hope to be test filming next week. Some of Ashley's modelwork is nearly ready for the test shots. The models will be filmed to see how accurate they are in relation to the full sized sets so that they may be intercut when necessary. Various cgi elements will be added to the models just like the full sized footage. We just felt that models had to be added to the mix - we couldn't just rely on the normal footage plus cgi - just like the real series in fact! Anyway we are eagerly awaiting the results of the tests. Of course if we show too many pics on the site you'll all know which is modelwork and which is real - and we're trying to merge the two. Still - here's a few low res images with dummy (incomplete and very old) model daleks in situ.
On the left you can see the emperor and it's surround which is exactly the same as the full sized props although not lit on this occasion. A couple of dozen lightbulbs ordered online from Jersey (of all places) means that this rig can be tested again soon (the original lighting was too bright to look real and so Ashley trawled the net for some more acceptable bulbs). Of course the emperor in these shots does not have the cabling attached as we did with the full-sized one; getting the right sized tubing with the right weight is proving tricky!
Here we have another view (right) albeit very very small as Ashley doesn't want to show the detail just yet we imagine! At least he's taken some photos at last! And here is a lovely picture of a Doctor Who fan.
The photo was taken with a measure so that the scale version could be built - and here it is on the set - again a blurred and small image...
When this particular model is finished we're sure we can persuade Ashley to part with a few images. At least you know we're all still busy!
05 February 2008
What does the future hold?What does the future hold?
A good question indeed. Well obviously we'd like to finish Devious. Another year has started and it's not yet done. Doubtless there's a news item like this each year. Still, Ashley has started his next lot of modelwork now (ie he's worked out what he's doing and he's sized up the materials) and David is looking at the edits trying to look for the main effects areas and Stephen has the audio work in hand.
So we move forward with a goal to complete this year or at least to have some sizeable watchable material up and ready. And we start this year with hope and belief that this year is the year.
But what of the props and sets? Storage is becoming an increasingly difficult thing for us - the daleks are always a problem to house and we're always eternally grateful for our current and projected future temporary 'hosts'. Ashley has ever more grandious schemes for storage of part daleks in kit form around his sheds and ways of keeping them ever ready for... well, what? We've had the plays these last two years and so we've kept a core number of 5 daleks close to hand but it'll be a while before that happens again we imagine. We're grateful and proud to have been a part of all that and will always support our friends in Portsmouth in future schemes whether we lend them props or not. So the daleks go back into storage with occasional periods in shop windows or in school libraries. And we're happy with that -as always our daleks are lent out only to people we know and trust and for no money exchange. If they can help in aiding childrens' reading or promote the cause of Doctor Who (the official one) then we're happy.
The TARDIS external prop has recently been refurbished (a new roof and internal strengthening) and seems likely to lead a useful life for the foreseeable future. As always it is well looked after by Stephen. We are however a bit worried that dure to storage limitations in the near future the internal TARDIS console may become a problem for us. Despite all the time and trouble in the build it may become too awkward to store. The console base already has animpending storage problem and we may have to look for a new home - already Ashley has been been made an offer of a new home (for the console base, not Ashley himself!) and so this will be discussed no doubt. It would be a shame to wave goodbye to the console that travelled to Pinewood and appeared with Jon Pertwee but we have to tell ourselves we had the best of it - maybe a new owner could be found who would let us visit it or film with it!!!!
Anyway, all these future prop considerations are just discussions at the moment with the Devious Trio - we'd be interested to know your opinions (you can make some suggestions at "info AT doctorwho-devious.com" (change this to an email address obviously!) and also depending on whether Ashley has hooked up the email address properly).
Jokingly we always say we need the props for the sequel - but then we really should edit the first one.
