Thunderbirds Cars are Go at Andercon!

Posted on 20th January 2014 by 1266 Nick Williams

Straker's car from UFO

FAB1 and a host of other cars from the series of Gerry Anderson will be on show at the launch of Andercon – the first official convention for fans of the legendary TV and film producer.

The convention will take place between 19th-20th April 2014 at the Park Inn Heathrow hotel, and will feature over 40 guests from the cast and crew of every single Gerry Anderson production.

In addition to FAB1 there should be a number of famous vehicles from other Anderson productions, including the Model T Ford ‘Gabriel’ from the Secret Service, a replica of Straker’s car from UFO (subject to completion on time), a surviving moon buggy from Space: 1999 and Rolls Royce’s specially built ‘FAB1Million’ Ghost (awaiting confirmation).

Andercon looks set to attract Gerry Anderson fans from all over the world. Jamie Anderson, Managing Director of Anderson Entertainment said: “It’s a great chance to meet the cast and crew in person and to see the original props up close. We’ll have exclusive screenings, panels and workshops, Q&A sessions and quizzes and costume competitions with super prizes. We’ll also be showing never-before-seen set reconstructions showing how the Anderson magic happened. Unfortunately, the venue has had to limit the number of people allowed, so I advise anyone who’s interested to secure tickets now while they’re still available.”

Tickets cost £45 per day and are available from www.andercon.co.uk

Fanderson members get half-price tickets at Autographica 2014

Posted on 14th January 2014 by 1266 Nick Williams

Autographica, the world’s largest autograph event, is once again paying tribute to the works of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson.

And this year Fanderson club members can buy day tickets for Autographica 2014 at half the normal price if they quote their membership number when they order! This extremely generous offer is due to the special relationship that has been built between the club and the event in recent years.

What to expect at Autographica 2014

This year’s event is taking place on the 21st – 23rd March 2014 at the Radisson Edwardian, Heathrow, London. This popular event is proving to be an absolute must for Gerry Anderson fans, featuring no less than five guests from different Anderson shows.

Heading the guest list is Sylvia Anderson herself – the other half the creative team behind most of the Anderson shows, and the voice of Lady Penelope. The next big name is Barbara Bain, who played Dr. Helena Russell throughout Space:1999. Bernard Kay, who played the Humanoid in the second season episode New Adam New Eve, will also be attending. Other guests at the event who will be of interest to Anderson fans include:

Christopher Neame (The Protectors – Blockbuster)
Adrienne Corri (UFO – The Square Triangle, and the 1954 film Devil Girl From Mars, which was recently released by Network Video)

The show also has a packed guest list also contains James Bond girls plus other actors and actresses from Dr Who and other TV shows and films; you can even get to meet a real-life astronaut.

To book your tickets go to www.autographica.co.uk or phone the ticket line on 01959 573792, open 9.00am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday

Fans Celebrate at Terrahawks 30th Birthday Event

Posted on 15th October 2013 by 1266 Nick Williams

Fans and guests came together to celebrate 30 years of Terrahawks on Saturday 12th October, at the Holiday Inn, Maidenhead.

Although smaller in scale than previous conventions, Expect the Unexpected nevertheless contained all the much-loved elements of a Fanderson convention – fascinating interviews, unique screenings, great merchandise, top models and props on display and a wonderful chance for fans to socialise and talk to guests.

Expect the Unexpected definitely lived up to its title thanks to the last-minute appearance of three guests who kindly volunteered to attend the event. Floor puppeteer Judy Preece and Art Director Gary Tomkins were joined by Driver Julian Bell and Director Tony Bell. Later in the day, Visual Effects Director Steven Begg, Visual Effects Technician Terry Adlam and Director Mark Woollard were joined by Props Buyer Kaye Moss. There was also an interview and slideshow with modelmakers John Lee and Steven Woodcock, with a second slideshow from Terry Adlam. Handled by FAB magazine co-editor Ian Fryer, the interviews evoked fond memories of the making of the series and conveyed a real sense of a family atmosphere within the production team.

During the packed schedule, fans also managed to fit in time to check out an amazing collection of replica and original models, including an original Kate Kestrel puppet head and Zelda’s ‘Rhino’ ship! Fanderson Sales was also present with not one but two sales items for fans to purchase for the first time. Those who didn’t attend will have to wait a little longer!

There were screenings of Fanderson’s specially-commissioned episodes in HD, remastered by BBC Resources and Kindred Productions. The first of these was the compilation episode Ma’s Monsters, followed by Two for the Price of One, which marks the introduction of Cy-Star’s schizophrenic child, It-Star.

Zelda's cubes at Expect the Unexpected

The day’s interviews were rounded off with Jamie Anderson updating everyone on the progress of various Anderson legacy projects and the latest on the hugely successful Gemini Force One Kickstarter campaign.

The evening’s entertainment focused on a TV Dinners quiz that stretched fans’ knowledge of classic TV all the way. The quiz was deftly compered by Fanderson chairman Nick Williams, and accompanied by a hot ‘take-away-style’ buffet. The winners were rewarded by Zelda’s Cubes, full of 80s treats to bring Earth to its knees!

The winning team from the TV Dinners quiz collect their prizes!

All in all, it was a relaxed and friendly event that gave fans the chance to celebrate a series anniversary in a unique way. Happy Birthday, Terrahawks!

Photos courtesy of Mark Simpson Wedge

Day Pass Tickets Available for Terrahawks Event

Posted on 27th September 2013 by 1266 Nick Williams

Fans can still book their place at Expect the Unexpected, Fanderson’s 30^th anniversary event for Terrahawks. Full registrations are available until 30^th 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.

More guests confirmed for Expect the Unexpected

Posted on 3rd September 2013 by 1266 Nick Williams

It 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:

Purchase your ticket online here

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 31st August 2013 by 1266 Nick Williams

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.

Strictly 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 21st August 2013 by 1266 Nick Williams

Andercon logo Gerry 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).

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 13th August 2013 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!

Steven Begg to attend Fanderson Terrahawks event

Posted on 30th July 2013 by 1266 Nick Williams

Terrahawks crew - Expect the Unexpected Britain’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!

Space:1999 stars at Autographica

Posted on 27th June 2013 by 1266 Nick Williams

Autographica, the world’s largest autograph event, is yet again paying tribute to Gerry Anderson’s Space:1999, which is taking place on the 21st-22nd of September 2013 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, NEC. This popular event is proving to be an absolute must for Space:1999 fans, featuring no less than eight guests from the series.

Heading the guest list is the Moonbase Alpha Eagle Pilot himself, Nick Tate, while the roster also contains Year One Main mission operative Lee Oswald played by Loftus Burton and a Technician played by Robert Atiko. They are joined by Year Two starring guests Peter Duncan who played Cantar in the episode The Exiles, John Standing (was Pasc in The Mark of the Archanon), Sarah Douglas (“B” in The AB Chrysalis), Greg De Polnay (Peter Garforth in The Lambda Factor) and Nick Hobbs (a Security Guard in Space Warp).

Another guest at the event who will be of interest to Anderson fans is actor George Little who had a small part in the Gerry Anderson series The Protectors. A packed guest list also contains James Bond girls plus other actors and actresses from Dr Who and other TV shows and films. You can even get to meet a real-life astronaut!

To book your tickets go to www.autographica.co.uk or phone the ticketline on 01959 573792, open 9.00am to 9.00 pm seven days a week.