Month: September 2013

David Graham returns as Parker in Thunderbirds Are Go!

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

David Graham will play Aloysius Parker in Thunderbirds are Go!

Credit: ITV News

  • Thunderbirds Are Go! Voice Cast Revealed
  • David Graham reprises the role Parker
  • Rosamund Pike to play Lady Penelope

Fans of Gerry Anderson’s original Thunderbirds series got their dearest  wish today, as ITV Global announced that David Graham would reprise the role for which he is most fondly remembered. Almost 50 years have passed since his last appearance, but the voice artist will once again be playing the much-loved chauffeur and reformed crook, Aloysius Parker in ITV Global’s Thunderbirds are Go! Rosamund Pike (The World’s End, Gone Girl, Die Another Day) will play his aristocratic employer and International Rescue Agent, Lady Penelope.

Other cast members to be announced include:

  • Brains – Kayvan Novak (Fonejacker, Facejacker)
  • Alan and Scott Tracy – Rasmus Hardiker (Saxondale, Lead Balloon)
  • Virgil Tracy – David Menkin
  • Gordon and John Tracy – Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Love Actually,Game of Thrones)
  • Grandma Tracy – Sandra Dickinson (Amazing World of Gumball, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy)
  • The Hood – Andres Williams (M.I. High, Foyle’s War).

It appears that no announcement has yet been made as to the role of Jeff Tracy, the head of the Tracy family. However it has been confirmed that Thunderbirds Are Go! will also feature a range of brand new characters. Kayo – the Tracy brothers’ friend and fellow island resident – will be played by Angel Coulby (Merlin, Dancing on the Edge) and Colonel Casey voiced by Adjoa Andoh (Invictus, Doctor Who).

Giles Ridge, Executive Producer of Thunderbirds Are Go! said: “Each member of the cast has brought a brilliantly fresh and unique approach to these wonderful characters. I can’t think of anyone better than Rosamund to bring back to life the fabulous Lady Penelope and we are honoured that David Graham has joined the cast to revisit his role as Parker.”

Rosamund Pike commented: “I’m very excited to bring Lady Penelope’s wry wit and taste for adventure to a new generation. Exploring the scenes with David Graham has been an absolute delight. The scripts are very modern, very fresh and very funny. We’re all eagerly anticipating our next stint in the recording studio!”

David Graham, playing Parker, added: “I am triple chuffed to be on board the new series of Thunderbirds Are Go! and reprising my role of dear old Parker with such a distinguished cast. My driving skills are in good nick and I am delighted to be behind the wheel again with M’Lady. Cheerio!”

The series features an innovative mix of CGI animation and live-action miniature sets and is due to debut in 2015. Thunderbirds Are Go! is produced by ITV Studios and New Zealand-based Pukeko Pictures, with world-famous Weta Workshop (Avatar, King Kong, The Lord of the Rings) designing the series and producing the miniatures. The 26 x 30’ major new children’s series will debut on ITV and UK’s CITV Channel in 2015.

So, who would believe it? David Graham returns as Parker in Thunderbirds Are Go! What do you think about the casting decisions? Let us know on the Fanderson Facebook Group and Fanderson Forum.

Want to celebrate the exciting news with an episode of the original, ‘classic’ Thunderbirds? Check out our Thunderbirds episode guide and choose your viewing pleasure!

Day Pass Tickets Available for Terrahawks Event

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Terrahawks: Expect the Unexpected

Fans can still book their place at Expect the Unexpected, Fanderson’s 30th anniversary event for Terrahawks. Full registrations are available until 30th September, and the club has now issued a ‘day pass’ ticket at the reduced rate of £40.

The day pass gives fans access to the event but does not include the evening meal. The event is open to both members and non-members.

Terrahawks in HD, rare screenings and guest interviews

Expect the Unexpected will see the first-ever screening of Terrahawks episodes in high definition (HD), rare clips and archive footage, a model and puppet display and the chance to enjoy interviews with special guests involved in the making of the show. Our guest line up includes:

  • Terry Adlam – Terrahawks Special Effects Technician
  • Mary Anderson – Production Executive
  • Steven Begg – Special Effects Director
  • John Lee – Terrahawks Modelmaker
  • Judy Preece – Terrahawks Puppeteer
  • Gary Tomkins – Terrahawks Art Director
  • Steven Woodcock – Terrahawks Modelmaker
  • Mark Woollard – New Captain Scarlet Director
  • Jamie Anderson – Anderson Entertainment Executive

Remember that as well as our guest interviews, if you have a burning question for Steven Begg or any of our guests you can always ask it over a drink at the bar!

The evening will include an Eighties-themed TV quiz to be played in teams for some fun prizes. There will also be some great prizes up for grabs in our raffles.

Expect The Unexpected starts at 10:00am on Saturday 12th October and will run into the evening. Day passes cost £40 per person, and are available to both Fanderson members and non-members. The day pass does not include an evening meal.

Accommodation

For fans wishing to stay the night, we have arranged a special rate for double/twin rooms at the Holiday Inn on either Friday 11th or Saturday 12th October of just £65 bed and breakfast. To book your room at Fanderson’s special rate please call house reservations on 01628 506070 between 9am to 5pm, Monday – Friday. Attendees must quote “Fanderson” when they book to receive the discount. For more information about the hotel visit www.himaidenheadhotel.co.uk.

Important Terms And Conditions of Registration

I understand that full payment must be received at the registrations address (24 Bluebell Rise, Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Somerset, BA3 2RR) by 11th October 2013. I understand that once my registration has been confirmed, all payments are non-refundable. I understand that once my registration has been confirmed, it is my responsibility to pay the hotel bill for my room and any associated costs upon checkout, or to pay any cancellation costs due to my failure to attend the event. I understand that the Fanderson committee and/or the hotel reserve the right to decline registration for any reason whatsoever, and that should my application for registration be declined, any registration fees that I have paid will be refunded in full.  I understand that any children in my party are my sole responsibility for the duration of the event, and that the organisers will not make any special arrangements for children of any age. I understand that the event is not suitable for children under 5 years of age. I understand that the organisers will make every effort to provide attendees with the contents of the programme of events as described, but that changes to the programme may be implemented at the organisers’ discretion due to unforeseen circumstances that may arise nearer the date of the event.

Andersonic issue 16 is out!

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Andersonic issue 16

Issue 16 of the Andersonic fanzine is now available to purchase online! With cover art by Rob Caswell, there’s a wealth of material for Gerry Anderson fans to feast on, including:

Tony Stacey interview – a new interview with APF & Century 21’s Chief Projectionist from Stingray up to UFO. Tony talks about his time at the studio and his escapades with Stanley Unwin, alligators, James Bond, Superswish curtain track and filming with John Read.

Gerry Haylock Interview – Countdown’s comic strip artist who drew UFO and Doctor Who for the comic, as well as Land of the Giants for Joe 90: Top Secret and even a few Protectors covers for TV Action. Gerry talks about his work and techniques he used on the comic strips.

Space:1999/ The Exiles – a look at the shooting script of this early Year 2 episode with comparisons to the finished episode. Find out what happened when Koenig decided to open fire on a guest and what links Space:1999 and Hawkwind.

Let’s Get Metaphysical – Amidst all the rumours of remakes and reboots, Robert E Wood takes a look at the heart and soul of Space: 1999 and addresses that old chestnut of scientific plausibility.

UFO/Conflict – we take a look at an underrated UFO episode and find there’s more to it than a load of space junk.

Space: 1999/ War Games – Mark Braxton looks at this well-regarded episode and finds a lot of Hawks but a total lack of Doves.

Strip Story – we look at an individual comic strip story to see what makes it tick. This issue – Countdown’s epic Thunderbirds strip ‘UN Rescue Ltd’.

To order your copy of Andersonic issue 16 online or by post check out andersonic.co.uk

 

Gerry Anderson’s Gemini Force One launched on Kickstarter

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Gemini Force One logoFans of Gerry Anderson have been given a  exciting rallying call to support a fundraising campaign for one of his unfinished creative projects.

Launched on 5th September, Gemini Force One (or GF1 for short) is a series of books that follows the story of a secret organisation involved in rescues and averting disasters and terrorist events. While the initial aim is for GF1 is to publish the book series, the ultimate goal is to adapt the concept into a film or television.

Jamie Anderson has enlisted best-selling author MG Harris, who penned The Joshua Files to complete the first book in the way that his father would have wanted. She is a huge sci-fi buff and a lifelong Gerry Anderson fan. Of all the authors that Jamie spoke to about this project, she is the one who most understood what Gerry Anderson concepts were all about, and how to keep it as close to possible to the original idea.

The money needed to self-publish the book is being raised through the crowd funding platform Kickstarter. The money raised will be used to:

  • Have a first run
  • Fulfill backer rewards
  • Pay MG Harris (The Anderson Estate’s author of choice) to complete the book
  • Pay a cover designer
  • Record an audio version
  • Pay for marketing and advertising to make people aware of the book’s existence

Gerry began writing GF1 in 2008, but was unable to complete the first book due to rapidly worsening Alzheimer’s Disease, which stopped him working before his untimely death in 2012. MG Harris will be using his notes and audio recordings to complete the book in the way Gerry wanted.

The first GF1 book will be released to Kickstarter backers in April 2014, with a full launch in August 2014 – to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Anderson’s iconic Thunderbirds TV series, which entered production in August 1964.

Jamie also has a number of longer-term goals in mind, which will allow for things like translation of the book into other languages; vehicles to be designed by Andrew Probert (Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica) and Dominic Lavery (New Captain Scarlet, James Bond, Event Horizon); and the beginning of serious development towards a film or TV series.

Why is this project important?

Jamie believes strongly that there are many thousands of fans who will enjoy this fantastic new Anderson creation, and that a successful Kickstarter funding campaign will enable them to make GF1 a brilliant and fitting tribute to his father’s memory.

Already, amazing progress has been made!

At the time of writing there are:

  • 202 backers
  • £8,198 pledged of £24,350 goal
  • 28 days to go!

You can make any kind of donation  from as little as £1. Go on – play your part in realising one of Gerry’s unfinished projects!

You can find out more about the story and the characters and how to make a donation here: www.kickstarter.com /GF1

More guests confirmed for Expect the Unexpected

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Terrahawks - Expect the UnexpectedIt has been announced that a further three special guests will attend Fanderson’s 30th anniversary event for Terrahahawks – Expect the Unexpected. They are:

  • Gary Tomkins – Terrahawks Art Director
  • Terry Adlam – Terrahawks Special Effects Technician
  • Mark Woollard – New Captain Scarlet Director

Also confirmed are John Lee and Steven Woodcock (Terrahawks Modelmakers), Judy Preece (Puppeteer) and the legendary Steven Begg (Special Effects Director).

Fans will have the chance to ask questions and socialise with all the guests as we celebrate the 30th birthday of one of Gerry Anderson’s most quirky and fondly remembered series.

It’s not too late to book…

…However time is running out – if you plan to attend we must receive your payment by no later than 12th September.

Expect the Unexpected is open to both club members and non-members. Read the terms and conditions of registration below and then:

Expect The Unexpected starts at 10:00 on Saturday 12th October and will run into the evening. Tickets cost £65 per person and will include your evening meal.  This event is open to non members at the same price.

Accommodation

For person wishing to stay the night, we have arranged a special rate for double/twin rooms at the Holiday Inn on either Friday 11th or Saturday 12th October of just £65 bed and breakfast. Attendees must quote “Fanderson” when they book to receive the discount. For more information about the hotel visit www.himaidenheadhotel.co.uk.

To book your room at Fanderson’s special rate please call house reservations on 01628 506070 between 9am to 5pm, Monday – Friday.

Important Terms And Conditions of Registration

I understand that full payment must be received at the registrations address (24 Bluebell Rise, Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Somerset, BA3 2RR) by 12th September 2013.

I understand that once my registration has been confirmed, all payments are non-refundable.

I understand that once my registration has been confirmed, it is my responsibility to pay the hotel bill for my room and any associated costs upon checkout, or to pay any cancellation costs due to my failure to attend the event.

I understand that the Fanderson committee and/or the hotel reserve the right to decline registration for any reason whatsoever, and that should my application for registration be declined, any registration fees that I have paid will be refunded in full.  I understand that any children in my party are my sole responsibility for the duration of the event, and that the organisers will not make any special arrangements for children of any age. I understand that the event is not suitable for children under 5 years of age.

I understand that the organisers will make every effort to provide attendees with the contents of the programme of events as described, but that changes to the programme may be implemented at the organisers’ discretion due to unforeseen circumstances that may arise nearer the date of the event.