Scream of the Shalka (webcast): Difference between revisions
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'''Scream of the Shalka''' was a flash-animated serial based on ''[[Doctor Who]]'' with [[Richard E. Grant]] as the voice of | '''Scream of the Shalka''' was a flash-animated serial based on ''[[Doctor Who]]'' with [[Richard E. Grant]] as the voice of [[Alternative Ninth Doctor|the Doctor]]. Its animation was produced by [[Cosgrove Hall]]. | ||
==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 old 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 [[the Master (Shalka Master)|old enemy]] who has become an ally. | ||
==Production background== | ==Production background== | ||
''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. | ''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/cult/doctorwho/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'' [[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 [[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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | ||
A novelisation of ''Shalka'' was written by Paul Cornell and published in [[2004]], the first novelisation of a ''Doctor Who'' serial (the [[Doctor Who: The TV Movie|1996 television movie]] notwithstanding) in nearly a decade (ISBN 0563486198), and the last so far. As was the case with many of the novelisations of the classic series, ''Shalka'' was novelised by its own writer | A novelisation of ''Shalka'' was written by Paul Cornell and published in [[2004]], the first novelisation of a ''Doctor Who'' serial (the [[Doctor Who: The TV Movie|1996 television movie]] notwithstanding) in nearly a decade (ISBN 0563486198), and the last so far. As was the case with many of the novelisations of the classic series, ''Shalka'' was novelised by its own writer with supplementary "making of" features. | ||
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. | |||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
*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]] in the television series proper. 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. | *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]] in the television series proper. 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 Doctor on television. | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 16:55, 20 March 2007
Scream of the Shalka was a flash-animated serial based on Doctor Who with Richard E. Grant as the voice of the Doctor. Its animation was produced by Cosgrove Hall.
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 old enemy who has become an ally.
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.
A novelisation of Shalka was written by Paul Cornell and published in 2004, the first novelisation of a Doctor Who serial (the 1996 television movie notwithstanding) in nearly a decade (ISBN 0563486198), and the last so far. As was the case with many of the novelisations of the classic series, Shalka was novelised by its own writer with supplementary "making of" features.
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.
Trivia
- 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 in the television series proper. 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 Doctor on television.
