Author: 1266 Nick Williams

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.

Fantastic Expect the Unexpected prize raffle

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Expect the Unexpected

Have you ever dreamt of picking up Atlanta Shore at a party or owning a Terrorfish? Well, two lucky attendees at Fanderson’s Terrahawks 30th anniversary event in October will get the chance to do just that…

As part of the programme for Expect the Unexpected, Fanderson will be holding a raffle where the top prizes are special limited edition figurines from Stingray, courtesy of Robert Harrop.

photo (11) Atlanta Shore - Robert Harrop figurineStrictly limited to just 250, the Robert Harrop Atlanta Shore and Titan Terrorfish figurines have been produced in beautifully hand painted ceramic, are individually numbered and come with their own special presentation box.

So, don’t miss out on the Expect the Unexpected prize raffle !

Just to illustrate what an amazing prize this is, it’s worth pointing out that limited edition figurines of Brains and Parker that were sold at Fanderson’s TV21 convention in 2010 are now reaching up to £700 on Ebay!

Other raffle prizes include a funky  ‘I’ve got Brains’ sweatshirt and baseball shirt and a special prize connected with the new TV21 reprint book, scheduled for release by Egmont this autumn.

Have you booked your ticket yet?

If not – don’t delay! There’s still time to register for Expect the Unexpected. The event be held at the Holiday Inn Maidenhead on Saturday 12th October. Tickets are available for both club members and non-members and cost £65 per person. Your ticket will include an evening meal and give you the chance to rub shoulders with the cast and crew from the series!

News from Expect the Unexpected

New Gerry Anderson convention announced for 2014

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Andercon logoGerry Anderson Convention alert! Anderson Entertainment has announced it will hold its first ever Gerry Anderson convention in April 2014.

Hosted by Anderson Entertainment and produced by Basestar Limited, AnderCon will celebrate the life and legacy of British television’s most celebrated Science Fiction producer, and creator of telefantasy classics including Thunderbirds, Space 1999, Joe 90, Captain Scarlet, UFO and Stingray.

There will be guest appearances from many of the actors and voice artists from across the series, including Zienia Merton, Prentis Hancock and Pam Rose (Space 1999); David Quilter and Richard James (Space Precinct); David Graham, Matt Zimmerman and Shane Rimmer (Thunderbirds).

Andercon banner

Production personnel attending currently include Mike Trim, Steve Begg, Kevin Davies, Crispin Merrell, Terry Adlam and Phil Ford.

In what promises to be a first for a Gerry Anderson convention, the event also aims to bring to life the creativity and ingenuity of those early studio days through displays of production drawings, together with recreations of actual sets used in the filming of classic shows such as Thunderbirds and Stingray!

Andercon will be held across the weekend of Saturday 19th – 20th 2014, at the Park Inn Hotel, Heathrow Airport, London.

Watch out for:

  • Brains’s Laboratory
  • an explosive Refinery
  • the Rolling Road beloved of many an action sequence
  • Stingray’s “underwater” tank, complete with fish alongside some of the surviving full-sized vehicles that appeared in Anderson’s productions.

There will be an impressive display of reproduction props and models courtesy of fan collectors and prop builders, providing some great photo opportunities for fans.

More information on the event can be found on the event website: www.andercon.co.uk with additional guests and event attractions to be announced in the coming months!

 

Terrahawks in high definition

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

See Terrahawks as you’ve never seen it before: Terrahawks in high definition!

Fanderson has revealed screen grabs of the new high definition (HD) prints it has made of Terrahawks episodes to be screened at the club’s Expect the Unexpected event in October.

Remastered exclusively at BBC Resources from Fanderson’s own prints, Expect the Unexpected will see the world premiere of Terrahawks in high definition!

To compare the new and improved picture quality of the HD prints with the original standard definition, click on the thumbnails below!

Expect The Unexpected will be held at the Holiday Inn Maidenhead on Saturday 12th October. Tickets are available for both club members and non-members and cost £65 per person. Your ticket will include an evening meal and give you the chance to rub shoulders with the cast and crew from the series, including James Bond special visual effects guru Steven Begg.

Find out more about Expect the Unexpected and book your ticket!
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Thunderbirds movie FAB 1 prototype up for sale

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

A prototype model of the FAB 1 car used in the 2004 Thunderbirds movie directed by Johnathan Frakes has been put up for sale on www.propstore.com.

FAB 1 prototype model

Made from fibre glass and plywood, the model was created in the early stages of production to illustrate the concept for the redesign of Lady Penelope’s car FAB 1.

The model was used as a visual aid for the design of the vehicle’s new body shape, radically different from that of the design used in the original series. The main body of the vehicle has been painted baby pink with the passenger area painted black. The wheels are made of plastic and wood and are hot glued in place, painted black and silver.

The FAB 1 prototype can be yours for the sum of £1495.00 ($1939.00) and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

View the model’s listing on www.propstore.com

Joe 90 theme and Brains get remixed

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

“Music in the modern idiom is too repetitive for my taste. But I must admit that the rhythm has a certain hypnotic effect.”

– Brains, Ricochet

As you can see from the accompanying video, a new remix of the Joe 90 theme featuring Brains’s immortal words about modern music has been released for digital download! Brains 90 is the first track from the Me/Lp v.1 album by drummer/producer Mike Ellis.

The original Joe 90 theme by Barry Gray has been augmented by a new catchy drum track performed  by Ellis and edited and mixed by Chris Taylor of Bluebarn Mixing.

The Me/Lp v.1 album is planned for release later in 2013 on Hot Foot CDs & Records and will include not only ‘Brains90’, but a longer tribute to the work of Barry Gray featuring some of his most memorable themes from the 1960s and 1970s.

Download ‘Brains90’!

Fanderson releases Supercar soundtrack CD

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Supercar soundtrack CDAs readers of FAB will already be aware, Fanderson has announced that the music of Supercar will finally receive its own dedicated CD release, in an expanded and updated collection of Barry Gray’s original music for the series.

The bold and exciting music composed by Barry Gray for Supercar set a template for all the puppet series that were to follow. Many themes originally composed for Supercar were also re-used in later Anderson productions, including the iconic Thunderbirds.

The release expands on the material originally released in Fanderson’s very first soundtrack CD from 1998 – a combined ‘Supercar and Fireball XL5′ album’.

The CD is scheduled for release on 20th August and can be pre-ordered by club members online through Fanderson Sales now!

Inside the disc…

The disc offers great value for money for all Anderson fans, with a total running time of nearly 80 minutes and a 20-page colour booklet containing detailed track notes of listing musicians, original recording session dates and alternative track versions.

Supercar soundtrack CD booklet

As has become traditional with Fanderson soundtrack releases, the music is arranged in episodic suites:

  • Amazonian Adventure
  • Calling Charie Queen
  • The Day That Time Stood Still
  • Hi-Jack
  • Jail Break
  • King Cool
  • Operation Super Stork
  • Precious Cargo
  • Rescue
  • The Runaway Train
  • Space For Mitch
  • The Talisman of Sargon
  • What Goes Up

The sleeve notes also contain the full lyrics to all the songs that were recorded for the series, including the opening theme songs for Seasons 1 and 2 (yes, there is a difference!).

Supercar soundtrack CD booklet

So what are you waiting for? Order your copy of the Supercar soundtrack CD!

Fanderson’s merchandise is available exclusively to club members. Find out out how you can join Fanderson.

Steven Begg to attend Fanderson Terrahawks event

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Terrahawks crew - Expect the UnexpectedBritain’s foremost visual effects artist Steven Begg is to attend Expect the Unexpected, a special event to mark the 30th anniversary of Terrahawks.

Steven Begg is perhaps best known for his work on the James Bond franchise with Casino Royale and Skyfall, for which he received BAFTA nominations, as well as other Hollywood smash-hits such as Batman Begins. However, Terrahawks also played an important role in the early stages of his career, where he worked on all 39 episodes as special effects director from 1983 – 86.

Other confirmed guests include:

  • John Lee – Terrahawks modelmaker
  • Judy Preece – Terrahawks puppeteer
  • Steven Woodcock – Terrahawks modelmaker

Expect the Unexpected will also showcase specially remastered Terrahawks episodes in high definition (HD). The event will be held at The Holiday Inn Maidenhead, will start at 10:00 on Saturday 12th October and  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

Fanderson has 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. You must quote “Fanderson” when you 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.

Find out more about the event and book your ticket!

Terrahawks was Gerry Anderson’s first television series of the 1980s, and employed a style of puppetry called ‘Supermacromation’ . View our production index to find our more about the series.

Stay on this channel for further guest announcements and updates!