Monster Files: Difference between revisions

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Initially, the series was presented as ''Captain Jack's Monster Files'', in which [[John Barrowman]], as [[Jack Harkness]], narrates a brief history of various creatures and races encountered by [[the Doctor]]. The clips and videos are often depicted as being information acquired by the [[Torchwood Institute]] over the years, and live-action footage of Barrowman as Harkness is incorporated into the clips.
Initially, the series was presented as ''Captain Jack's Monster Files'', in which [[John Barrowman]], as [[Jack Harkness]], narrates a brief history of various creatures and races encountered by [[the Doctor]]. The clips and videos are often depicted as being information acquired by the [[Torchwood Institute]] over the years, and live-action footage of Barrowman as Harkness is incorporated into the clips.


Although Files installments usually correspond with the episode being shown that week, during some two-parters extra Files about old monsters are released for the first part. The [[Slitheen]] were used for the Files broadcast in conjunction with [[DW]]: ''[[The Sontaran Stratagem]]'', for example, and the [[Judoon]] were used for ''[[Silence in the Library]]''. A [[Christmas]]-themed Files episode was also created, in which Jack talks about the [[Sycorax]], the ''[[Titanic (spaceship)|Titanic]]'', the [[Empress of the Racnoss]], the [[Roboform]]s, the [[Roboform Christmas Tree]]s, the [[Graske]] and the [[Changeling]]s.
Although Files instalments usually correspond with the episode being shown that week, during some two-parters extra Files about old monsters are released for the first part. The [[Slitheen]] were used for the Files broadcast in conjunction with [[DW]]: ''[[The Sontaran Stratagem]]'', for example, and the [[Judoon]] were used for ''[[Silence in the Library]]''. A [[Christmas]]-themed Files episode was also created, in which Jack talks about the [[Sycorax]], the ''[[Titanic (spaceship)|Titanic]]'', the [[Empress of the Racnoss]], the [[Roboform]]s, the [[Roboform Christmas Tree]]s, the [[Graske]] and the [[Changeling]]s.


===Installments===
===Instalments===
*''[[Partners in Crime]]'': [[Adipose]] [http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/episodes/S4_01?episode=S4_01&character=&action=videostream&playlist=/doctorwho/playlists/s4_01/video/s4_01_v_01.xml&video=1&date Monster File]
*''[[Partners in Crime]]'': [[Adipose]] [http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/episodes/S4_01?episode=S4_01&character=&action=videostream&playlist=/doctorwho/playlists/s4_01/video/s4_01_v_01.xml&video=1&date Monster File]


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==2009 Adventure Calendar==
==2009 Adventure Calendar==


For the 2009 ''Doctor Who Adventure Calendar'', a webisode focusing on the [[Weeping Angel]]s entitled ''[[A Ghost Story for Christmas]]'' was produced. Unlike previous installments, it is not identified as being part of the ''Monster Files'' series, and also tells a brief story as opposed to being a straight documentary. Barrowman returned to narrate the piece as Captain Jack, however.
For the 2009 ''Doctor Who Adventure Calendar'', a webisode focusing on the [[Weeping Angel]]s entitled ''[[A Ghost Story for Christmas]]'' was produced. Unlike previous instalments, it is not identified as being part of the ''Monster Files'' series, and also tells a brief story as opposed to being a straight documentary. Barrowman returned to narrate the piece as Captain Jack, however.


*2009 Adventure Calendar: [[Weeping Angel]]s [http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/features/videos/adventure_091224] - see ''[[A Ghost Story for Christmas]]''
*2009 Adventure Calendar: [[Weeping Angel]]s [http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/features/videos/adventure_091224] - see ''[[A Ghost Story for Christmas]]''
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The ''Monster Files'' series resumed during [[Series 5 (Doctor Who)|Series 5]]. Now narrated by [[Alex Kingston]] as [[River Song]], and featuring specially shot introduction footage, the files now take the form of information taken from Song's diary. Like at the end of Harkness' videos, she has survival tips, in this case called 'Useful Spoilers'.
The ''Monster Files'' series resumed during [[Series 5 (Doctor Who)|Series 5]]. Now narrated by [[Alex Kingston]] as [[River Song]], and featuring specially shot introduction footage, the files now take the form of information taken from Song's diary. Like at the end of Harkness' videos, she has survival tips, in this case called 'Useful Spoilers'.


===Installments===
===Instalments===


*[[Flesh and Stone]]: [[Weeping Angel]]s [http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/dw/episodes/b00s971z/videos/p007njk0 Monster File]
*[[Flesh and Stone]]: [[Weeping Angel]]s [http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/dw/episodes/b00s971z/videos/p007njk0 Monster File]
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==Behind the scenes==
==Behind the scenes==
===Installments===
===Instalments===
*[[Dalek|The Daleks]]
*[[Dalek|The Daleks]]
*[[Weeping Angel]]s
*[[Weeping Angel]]s

Revision as of 04:05, 31 October 2011

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Monster Files is an ongoing series of webisodes created by the BBC for its official Doctor Who website beginning as a tie-in with Series 4 in 2008. These short films profile various monsters and alien races featured on Doctor Who.

Captain Jack's Monster Files

Initially, the series was presented as Captain Jack's Monster Files, in which John Barrowman, as Jack Harkness, narrates a brief history of various creatures and races encountered by the Doctor. The clips and videos are often depicted as being information acquired by the Torchwood Institute over the years, and live-action footage of Barrowman as Harkness is incorporated into the clips.

Although Files instalments usually correspond with the episode being shown that week, during some two-parters extra Files about old monsters are released for the first part. The Slitheen were used for the Files broadcast in conjunction with DW: The Sontaran Stratagem, for example, and the Judoon were used for Silence in the Library. A Christmas-themed Files episode was also created, in which Jack talks about the Sycorax, the Titanic, the Empress of the Racnoss, the Roboforms, the Roboform Christmas Trees, the Graske and the Changelings.

Instalments

2009 Adventure Calendar

For the 2009 Doctor Who Adventure Calendar, a webisode focusing on the Weeping Angels entitled A Ghost Story for Christmas was produced. Unlike previous instalments, it is not identified as being part of the Monster Files series, and also tells a brief story as opposed to being a straight documentary. Barrowman returned to narrate the piece as Captain Jack, however.

River Song's Monster Files

The Monster Files series resumed during Series 5. Now narrated by Alex Kingston as River Song, and featuring specially shot introduction footage, the files now take the form of information taken from Song's diary. Like at the end of Harkness' videos, she has survival tips, in this case called 'Useful Spoilers'.

Instalments

The Weeping Angels are the only creatures so far to be featured twice.

Behind the scenes

Instalments

Credits

These films were produced and directed by Ian Smith [2] in BBC Wales and written by Justin Richards [3].

Availability

The videos are streamed via the BBC's official Doctor Who website. Virtually all videos on the site are "geofenced" due to licensing and are technically not allowed to be viewed outside of the UK, though they are widely circulated anyway. None of these clips have been released on DVD or as any other form of media.