Oh no! They're changing the BBC Classic Doctor Who DVDs
A rather long post from Outpost Gallifrey
Quote:
Originally Posted by Omega's chicken
Don't know if this has been mentioned anywhere, but I've noticed over on Roobarbs that apparently there are changes planned with the way the classic series is marketed. Anyway, apologies if I've got any of this wrong, but as I understand it the new approach is as follows.
2Entertain seem to want to make the classic releases appeal to fans of the new series more; the commissioning of the extras is now under 2Entertain's purview, although the RT will still be working on some of the features. This possibly boils down to a less "serious" approach and more interactivity (whatever that means).
Lots of interesting questions there. Several of which have been replied to in the Zeta Minor thread (edited it to the more pertinent points raised by Oc):
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Roberts
The bloke in charge is Daniel Hall, our commissioning editor. He's now taken on all the commissioning duties that the RT used to undertake, although he's commissioning features from basically the same group of people plus a couple of new ones. Whereas the contents of a disc were previously completely planned and commissioned from within the RT, from April or thereabouts you'll see a changeover to discs that are planned and commissioned by Dan. It will be interesting to see if people notice a difference... Dan's very keen that the classic series releases should be able to appeal to the new series audience, so I suspect we'll be seeing discs which are a little less earnest, more interactive and more "fun" than those that us old gits in the RT produce.
We're still looking after episode restoration and ensuring that all the disc assets are delivered to the technical standards that we always aspire to.
Dan Hall isn't really a "new broom", he's been our commissioning editor for the last year. However, he's the first CE we've worked to who is actually a Doctor Who fan. Previously we've worked to CE's who have basically given us a budget and told us when to deliver - and in most cases haven't even bothered to watch any of the material that was being put out under their responsibility. Dan is a lovely bloke and very pro-active - and quite rightly has taken the stance that as CE he's ultimately responsible for what goes out. He is, in fact, merely doing the job he's being paid to do rather than let a load of freelancers dictate the package contents. He's a big fan of the work we've done and has gone out of his way to support us and to fight our corner for us. Quite rightly though, he has his own feelings about the direction he feels the discs should be taking. Remember, the classic series releases sell a tiny fraction of the new series releases, so anything that Dan can do to make them more accessible will ultimately be of benefit to everyone.
I think there will be changes, but I'm convinced that the standards will remain as high as ever. Everyone involved is aware that our discs are considered the benchmark that all archive TV releases are measured against and nobody is interested in changing that!
I have every confidence in Dan and the featurette producers to ensure that the hiqh quality of the releases will be upheld. I think we *will* see changes in the overall content of the discs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stradling, Ed
Other than the decision not to tell us when stories are coming out, which I suppose may cause one or two minor problems, there are no discouraging developments really.
The only real differences between the old regime and the new, is that previous commissioners at 2|entertain were not Dr Who fans, so they relied entirely on the RT for guidance as regards what stories should be released, and what features etc. should be commissioned for each release. Daniel is a fan and knows the subject, so although he is still given guidance by the team, the final decision is now his.
The principal personnel dealing with the picture and sound restoration have not changed, probably because it's very specialized and there is likely nobody who could do the job to the same standard. That's not true of feature production, so there will be some new people getting involved in the next year or so.
Oh no! The BBC Doctor Who DVDs are, without a doubt, the best archive TV releases on the market anywhere in the world today. See my post above this one for reasons why. I hope this doesn't result in "dumbing down" after all, the extras on the New Series Boxsets pale into insignificance compared to the Classic Who releases (and of course the vanilla discs of the new series which "sell so well" don't even have any extras!).
I think its a mistake to try and make Classic Who appeal to an audience who only know the New Series - to use a Disney metaphor, its like getting kids who only like The Lion King to watch and appreciate Walt's Alice cartoons. The Classic series is fundermentally different in tone, style, pace and of course effects.
To end this post on a more cheerful note I have the following brief previews of the Christmas specials from this month's Doctor Who Magazine:
Doctor Who: The Runaway Bride
Monday 25th December BBC1
In a Nutshell:
"Mr and Mrs Geoff Noble request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter, Donna to Mr Lance Bennett at St Mary's Church, Chiswick on 24 December 2007..." And then the impossible happens: the bride vanishes. An ancient evil from the Dark Times has awoken and it is hungry. Unless the Doctor can get Donna to the church on time, the people of Earth will be Christmas lunch...
Quote, Unquote:
Donna: Thanks for nothing Mr Spaceman! I'll see you in court!
The Sarah Jane Adventures: Special
Christmas Fortnight BBC1 (strongly rumoured to be New Year's Day 4:50pm)
In a Nutshell:
When her parents divorce, Maria Jackson moves in with her dad, across the street from the "local lunatic", who - rumour has it - talks to crystals in the park, and hangs out with monsters from outer space! Is Sarah Jane Smith as bonkers as she seems? Why does the sinister Mrs Wormwood want her dead? And what exactly is "Bane", the secret ingredient in the new Bubble Shock energy drink that sweeping the nation?
Quote, Unquote:
Sarah Jane: The people I fight have plans, and weapons, but I don't. It's what makes me different.
I've only have a quick scan through the new Doctor Who Magazine, but it seems to be a cracking issue again. (Jackie makes her comic strip debut! - But next issue is the 10th Doctor and... The Brigadier in the comic strip!)
Finally
www.doctorwhonews.com is back up and running, and has far more news and information than I can ever post on this thread.
You know me too well, netty. Lucky David!
