Scream of the Shalka (webcast): Difference between revisions
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==Synopsis== | ==Synopsis== | ||
The [[TARDIS]] materialises in the village of Lannet in [[Lancashire]], disgorging an annoyed Doctor, who has apparently been transported here against his will. He discovers the village silent, its inhabitants all living in fear except for a barmaid, [[Alison Cheney]]. An alien race calling themselves the [[Shalka]] have taken up residence beneath Lannet in preparation for a wider invasion. Despite his initial reluctance, the Doctor finds himself having to save the world again, aided by Alison and an enemy who has become an ally. | The [[TARDIS]] materialises in the village of Lannet in [[Lancashire]], disgorging an annoyed Doctor, who has apparently been transported here against his will. He discovers the village silent, its inhabitants all living in fear except for a barmaid, [[Alison Cheney]]. An alien race calling themselves the [[Shalka]] have taken up residence beneath Lannet in preparation for a wider invasion. Despite his initial reluctance, the Doctor finds himself having to save the world again, aided by Alison and an enemy who has become an ally. | ||
==Plot== | |||
''to be added'' | |||
==Cast & Characters== | ==Cast & Characters== | ||
| Line 35: | Line 38: | ||
*Caretaker — [[David Tennant]] | *Caretaker — [[David Tennant]] | ||
==Original Website Release/Broadcast== | ==References== | ||
*An android version of [[the Master]] is within [[the Doctor's TARDIS]]. | |||
*The Doctor uses his [[sonic screwdriver]] to turn his [[mobile phone]] into a door into the TARDIS. | |||
*The Doctor is thrown towards a [[black hole]]. | |||
*It appears the Doctor is working for the [[Time Lord]]s. | |||
==Story Notes== | |||
*When first broadcast this Doctor was advertised by the BBC as the 'Ninth Doctor'. | |||
*Appearing in a cameo role in the serial was actor and ''Doctor Who'' fan [[David Tennant]], who in April [[2005]] was announced as the [[Tenth Doctor]]. He was not originally cast in the production, but Tennant happened to be recording a radio play in a neighbouring studio, and when he discovered what was being recorded next door managed to convince the director to give him a small role. Tennant would have several roles in ''Doctor Who'' productions by [[Big Finish]] (though not as the Doctor) before he was cast as the [[Tenth Doctor]] on television. | |||
===Production background=== | |||
''Scream of the Shalka'' was produced to coincide with the 40th Anniversary of ''Doctor Who''. It was originally posted in six weekly parts from [[13th November]] to [[18th December]] [[2003]] on BBCi's ''Doctor Who'' [http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/webcasts/shalka/ website]. Although it was intended to be an "official" continuation of the television series that had ended in [[1989]], the revival of the programme in [[2005]] relegated it, and the Richard E. Grant's Ninth Doctor to non-[[canon]]ical status. | |||
Previous ''Doctor Who'' [[webcast]]s had had limited animation which was little more than a series of illustrations. This story was the first-ever officially licensed animated ''Doctor Who'' story. ''Doctor Who'' had suspended production in [[1989]], and aside from charity specials, had only resurfaced as an American-funded [[Doctor Who: The TV Movie|television movie]] in [[1996]], which did not garner enough ratings to go to a regular series. When ''Shalka'' was announced in July, [[2003]] for planned broadcast in November, the possibility of ''Doctor Who'' returning to television screens still seemed remote and BBC Worldwide were continuing to shop around for another possible movie deal. As a result, BBCi announced, with BBC approval, that the Doctor appearing in ''Shalka'' would be the "official" Ninth Doctor. However, events rapidly overtook this. | |||
In September, [[Lorraine Heggessey]], the Controller of BBC One managed to persuade BBC Worldwide that as their plans for a ''Doctor Who'' film were nowhere near fruition, BBC television should be allowed to make a new series. A deal with [[Russell T. Davies]] to produce the new series was quickly struck, and on September 26, the BBC announced that ''Doctor Who'' would be returning to BBC One in [[2005]], produced by BBC Wales. | |||
As a result, the "official" nature of the ''Shalka'' web cast was in doubt from even before it was web cast. After the web cast, in February [[2004]], plans for sequels were indefinitely shelved. For a period, it was unclear if the new television Doctor would be the Ninth or Tenth Doctor, but this was ultimately settled in April [[2004]] when in an interview with ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'', Davies announced that the new television Doctor (played by [[Christopher Eccleston]]), would be ''the'' [[Ninth Doctor]], relegating the Richard E. Grant Doctor to unofficial status. | |||
Grant's incarnation of the [[Time Lord]] (often referred to as the "REG Doctor" or the "Shalka Doctor" by fans) has since appeared in an online short story, ''The Feast of the Stone'' by [[Cavan Scott]] and [[Mark Wright]], although no further stories seem planned. | |||
===Original Website Release/Broadcast=== | |||
*Episode 1 - 13th November, 2003 | *Episode 1 - 13th November, 2003 | ||
*Episode 2 - 20st November, 2003 | *Episode 2 - 20st November, 2003 | ||
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*Episode 5 - 11th December, 2003 | *Episode 5 - 11th December, 2003 | ||
*Episode 6 - 18th December, 2003 | *Episode 6 - 18th December, 2003 | ||
===Myths=== | ===Myths=== | ||
| Line 61: | Line 76: | ||
*Derek Jacobi appears in [[Utopia (TV story)|Utopia]], again playing the Master, however the Master depicted in this serial actually resembles the [[Roger Delgado]] incarnation of the 1970s. | *Derek Jacobi appears in [[Utopia (TV story)|Utopia]], again playing the Master, however the Master depicted in this serial actually resembles the [[Roger Delgado]] incarnation of the 1970s. | ||
*The Grant version of the Ninth Doctor has some similarities to [[Christopher Eccleston]]'s version of the character. Both Doctors are depicted as loners and emotionally damaged due to some unrevealed event in their (possibly recent) past. Both, however, ultimately realize they need a companion. In the Grant Doctor's case, it is hinted that he is reluctant to take on a new companion, possibly due to the (recent?) loss of one -- a theme later followed by [[David Tennant]]'s [[Tenth Doctor]] after the loss of [[Rose Tyler]]. | *The Grant version of the Ninth Doctor has some similarities to [[Christopher Eccleston]]'s version of the character. Both Doctors are depicted as loners and emotionally damaged due to some unrevealed event in their (possibly recent) past. Both, however, ultimately realize they need a companion. In the Grant Doctor's case, it is hinted that he is reluctant to take on a new companion, possibly due to the (recent?) loss of one -- a theme later followed by [[David Tennant]]'s [[Tenth Doctor]] after the loss of [[Rose Tyler]]. | ||
*In [[EDA]]: ''[[The Gallifrey Chronicles]]'' Marnal notes that the Eighth Doctor has three ninth possible next regenerations, the Richard E Grant version, the Christopher Eccleston version and another version (quite possibly the one portrayed by Rowan Atkinson in ''[[The Curse of the Fatal Death]]''). | |||
==DVD, Video and Other Releases== | ==DVD, Video and Other Releases== | ||
*Although there has been no official announcement from the BBC, the British Board of Film Classification has cleared all six episodes of the serial for release on DVD. | |||
* A DVD release of the story was planned, but the release was cancelled in the wake of the BBC announcing the pending return of ''Doctor Who'' as a live-action TV series and the relegating of Grant's Ninth Doctor to unofficial status. | * A DVD release of the story was planned, but the release was cancelled in the wake of the BBC announcing the pending return of ''Doctor Who'' as a live-action TV series and the relegating of Grant's Ninth Doctor to unofficial status. | ||
| Line 84: | Line 86: | ||
[[Paul Cornell]] wrote a novelisation of ''Scream of the Shalka'', which was published by [[BBC Books]]. This marked the first publication of a novelisation under the BBC Books paperback line since ''[[Doctor Who: The TV Movie]]'' was so adapted in [[1996]], and the first novelisation of a non-televised story since ''[[The Pescatons (novelisation)|Doctor Who - The Pescatons]]'' in [[1991]]. The book was augmented with a section chronicling the making of the webcast. | [[Paul Cornell]] wrote a novelisation of ''Scream of the Shalka'', which was published by [[BBC Books]]. This marked the first publication of a novelisation under the BBC Books paperback line since ''[[Doctor Who: The TV Movie]]'' was so adapted in [[1996]], and the first novelisation of a non-televised story since ''[[The Pescatons (novelisation)|Doctor Who - The Pescatons]]'' in [[1991]]. The book was augmented with a section chronicling the making of the webcast. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| Line 92: | Line 91: | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/webcasts/shalka/ ''Scream of the Shalka'', on the BBC website] | * [http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/webcasts/shalka/ '''Scream of the Shalka''', on the BBC website] | ||
* [http://www.drwhoguide.com/bbci_04.htm Doctor Who Reference Guide - '''Scream of the Shalka Webcast'''] | * [http://www.drwhoguide.com/bbci_04.htm Doctor Who Reference Guide - '''Scream of the Shalka Webcast'''] | ||
* [http://www.drwhoguide.com/mp3/shalka.mp3 ''Scream of the Shalka'' theme music (mp3)] | * [http://www.drwhoguide.com/mp3/shalka.mp3 '''Scream of the Shalka''' theme music (mp3)] | ||
{{Wikipedia|Scream of the Shalka}} | {{Wikipedia|Scream of the Shalka}} | ||
Revision as of 14:26, 5 June 2008
Scream of the Shalka was a flash-animated serial based on Doctor Who with Richard E. Grant as the voice of an Alternative Ninth Doctor. Its animation was produced by Cosgrove Hall. The serial was webcast by the BBC's official Doctor Who website in November and December of 2003.
Synopsis
The TARDIS materialises in the village of Lannet in Lancashire, disgorging an annoyed Doctor, who has apparently been transported here against his will. He discovers the village silent, its inhabitants all living in fear except for a barmaid, Alison Cheney. An alien race calling themselves the Shalka have taken up residence beneath Lannet in preparation for a wider invasion. Despite his initial reluctance, the Doctor finds himself having to save the world again, aided by Alison and an enemy who has become an ally.
Plot
to be added
Cast & Characters
- Alternative Ninth Doctor - Richard E. Grant
- Alison Cheney — Sophie Okonedo
- Dawson/ Greaves — Conor Moloney
- Max — Andrew Dunn
- Joe — Craig Kelly
- Mathilda Pierce — Anna Calder-Marshall
- The Master — Derek Jacobi
- Prime — Diana Quick
- Major Kennet — Jim Norton
- Caretaker — David Tennant
References
- An android version of the Master is within the Doctor's TARDIS.
- The Doctor uses his sonic screwdriver to turn his mobile phone into a door into the TARDIS.
- The Doctor is thrown towards a black hole.
- It appears the Doctor is working for the Time Lords.
Story Notes
- When first broadcast this Doctor was advertised by the BBC as the 'Ninth Doctor'.
- Appearing in a cameo role in the serial was actor and Doctor Who fan David Tennant, who in April 2005 was announced as the Tenth Doctor. He was not originally cast in the production, but Tennant happened to be recording a radio play in a neighbouring studio, and when he discovered what was being recorded next door managed to convince the director to give him a small role. Tennant would have several roles in Doctor Who productions by Big Finish (though not as the Doctor) before he was cast as the Tenth Doctor on television.
Production background
Scream of the Shalka was produced to coincide with the 40th Anniversary of Doctor Who. It was originally posted in six weekly parts from 13th November to 18th December 2003 on BBCi's Doctor Who website. Although it was intended to be an "official" continuation of the television series that had ended in 1989, the revival of the programme in 2005 relegated it, and the Richard E. Grant's Ninth Doctor to non-canonical status.
Previous Doctor Who webcasts had had limited animation which was little more than a series of illustrations. This story was the first-ever officially licensed animated Doctor Who story. Doctor Who had suspended production in 1989, and aside from charity specials, had only resurfaced as an American-funded television movie in 1996, which did not garner enough ratings to go to a regular series. When Shalka was announced in July, 2003 for planned broadcast in November, the possibility of Doctor Who returning to television screens still seemed remote and BBC Worldwide were continuing to shop around for another possible movie deal. As a result, BBCi announced, with BBC approval, that the Doctor appearing in Shalka would be the "official" Ninth Doctor. However, events rapidly overtook this.
In September, Lorraine Heggessey, the Controller of BBC One managed to persuade BBC Worldwide that as their plans for a Doctor Who film were nowhere near fruition, BBC television should be allowed to make a new series. A deal with Russell T. Davies to produce the new series was quickly struck, and on September 26, the BBC announced that Doctor Who would be returning to BBC One in 2005, produced by BBC Wales.
As a result, the "official" nature of the Shalka web cast was in doubt from even before it was web cast. After the web cast, in February 2004, plans for sequels were indefinitely shelved. For a period, it was unclear if the new television Doctor would be the Ninth or Tenth Doctor, but this was ultimately settled in April 2004 when in an interview with Doctor Who Magazine, Davies announced that the new television Doctor (played by Christopher Eccleston), would be the Ninth Doctor, relegating the Richard E. Grant Doctor to unofficial status.
Grant's incarnation of the Time Lord (often referred to as the "REG Doctor" or the "Shalka Doctor" by fans) has since appeared in an online short story, The Feast of the Stone by Cavan Scott and Mark Wright, although no further stories seem planned.
Original Website Release/Broadcast
- Episode 1 - 13th November, 2003
- Episode 2 - 20st November, 2003
- Episode 3 - 27th November, 2003
- Episode 4 - 4th December, 2003
- Episode 5 - 11th December, 2003
- Episode 6 - 18th December, 2003
Myths
to be added
Discontinuity, Plot Holes, Errors
to be added
Continuity
- Derek Jacobi appears in Utopia, again playing the Master, however the Master depicted in this serial actually resembles the Roger Delgado incarnation of the 1970s.
- The Grant version of the Ninth Doctor has some similarities to Christopher Eccleston's version of the character. Both Doctors are depicted as loners and emotionally damaged due to some unrevealed event in their (possibly recent) past. Both, however, ultimately realize they need a companion. In the Grant Doctor's case, it is hinted that he is reluctant to take on a new companion, possibly due to the (recent?) loss of one -- a theme later followed by David Tennant's Tenth Doctor after the loss of Rose Tyler.
- In EDA: The Gallifrey Chronicles Marnal notes that the Eighth Doctor has three ninth possible next regenerations, the Richard E Grant version, the Christopher Eccleston version and another version (quite possibly the one portrayed by Rowan Atkinson in The Curse of the Fatal Death).
DVD, Video and Other Releases
- Although there has been no official announcement from the BBC, the British Board of Film Classification has cleared all six episodes of the serial for release on DVD.
- A DVD release of the story was planned, but the release was cancelled in the wake of the BBC announcing the pending return of Doctor Who as a live-action TV series and the relegating of Grant's Ninth Doctor to unofficial status.
Novelisation
Paul Cornell wrote a novelisation of Scream of the Shalka, which was published by BBC Books. This marked the first publication of a novelisation under the BBC Books paperback line since Doctor Who: The TV Movie was so adapted in 1996, and the first novelisation of a non-televised story since Doctor Who - The Pescatons in 1991. The book was augmented with a section chronicling the making of the webcast.
See also
- The Infinite Quest, a short Doctor Who animated series for Totally Doctor Who, also animated by Cosgrove Hall.
