Jeremy Wilkin joins the guest list!

Posted on 29th September 2015 by 1266 Nick Williams

Fanderson is excited to announce that actor and voice artist Jeremy Wilkin has agreed to join the party at The Future is Fantastic!

Jeremy voiced Virgil Tracy in the second season of Thunderbirds and both Thunderbirds feature films, and will be joining his fellow voice artists Shane Rimmer, David Graham and Matt Zimmerman on stage to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the series this weekend.

Jeremy also voiced a host of characters in Captain Scarlet, Joe 90 and the The Secret Services, and played Lt. Gordon Maxwell in UFO.

The full guest is list is now as follows:

Sylvia Anderson (co-creator of the Anderson series and voice artist)
Matt Zimmerman (voice of Alan Tracy – Thunderbirds)
David Graham (voice of Parker, Brains, Gordon Tracy – Thunderbirds)
Shane Rimmer (voice of Scott Tracy – Thunderbirds) and Sheila Rimmer
Jeremy Wilkin (voice of Virgil Tracy – Thunderbirds)
Brian Johnson (visual effects designer)
Alan Shubrook (Century 21 modelmaker)
Peter Hitchcock (Century 21 effects)
Keith Shackleton (Head of Merchandising)
Mike Noble (TV21/Look-In comic artist)
Mike Trim (Century 21 modelmaker)
Mary Turner (Century 21 puppeteer and puppet designer)
Roy Scammell (actor – Space:1999)
Christopher Penfold (writer and story consultant – Space:1999)
John Lee (modelmaker – Terrahawks)
Judy Preece (puppeteer – Terrahawks)
Nicholas Parsons (voice of Tex Tucker – Four Feather Falls)
Terry Adlam (creator/director – Dick Spanner)

If you haven’t yet registered for The Future is Fantastic! – don’t worry! There’s still time to register online for the whole or part of the weekend. Find out more here.

WHERE CAN I FIND THE CONVENTION PROGRAMME?

We’ve had lots of questions from fans asking about the weekend’s programme. We are holding back on this for the moment because almost all items are subject to change throughout the weekend due to guest availability and we don’t want fans planning their days in minute detail only be disappointed later when things change! However, delegates will get a full programme in the convention package when they arrive.

In the meantime, here is the essential information you need to help you start to plan your weekend at The Future is Fantastic!:

Friday 2nd October, from about 15:00 – registrations, Fanderson Sales, meeting up with old friends, screenings as soon as the room is set-up (and certainly by 18:00)
Saturday 3rd October, from 08:00 – registrations, opening ceremony (09:30), Fanderson Sales, exhibitions, workshops, screenings, interviews, presentations, merchandise dealers, meeting up with old friends
Saturday 3rd October, from 19:30 – evening entertainment including dinner for those with full weekend tickets, drinks in the bar with old friends, and making new ones
Sunday 4th October, from 08:00 – registrations, re-opening ceremony, Fanderson Sales, exhibitions, workshops, more screenings, more interviews, more presentations, merchandise dealers, closing ceremony at 17:00, saying cheerio to friends both old and new from about 17:30

Breaking guest news: Brian Johnson is coming to The Future is Fantastic!

Posted on 22nd September 2015 by 1266 Nick Williams

Fanderson are excited to announce visual effects designer Brian Johnson as the latest guest to sign up for The Future is Fantastic!

As well as working on Supercar, Fireball XL5, Stingray and Thunderbirds, Brian contributed to many famous film productions, including 2001: A Space Odyssey, Alien, and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. From that trio alone, it’s no surprise that he was also responsible for the special effects on Space 1999, and designing the now iconic Eagle Transporter.

Now fans will have the chance to meet and listen to him, alongside a wide range of special guests over the weekend from across the Anderson canon:

Sylvia Anderson (co-creator of the Anderson series and voice artist)
Matt Zimmerman (voice of Alan Tracy – Thunderbirds)
David Graham (voice of Parker, Brains, Gordon Tracy – Thunderbirds)
Shane Rimmer (voice of Scott Tracy – Thunderbirds) and Sheila Rimmer
Alan Shubrook (Century 21 modelmaker)
Peter Hitchcock (Century 21 effects)
Keith Shackleton ( Head of Merchandising)
Mike Noble (TV21/Look-In comic artist)
Mike Trim (Century 21 modelmaker)
Mary Turner (Century 21 puppeteer and puppet designer)
Roy Scammell (actor – Space:1999)
Christopher Penfold (writer and story consultant – Space:1999)
John Lee (modelmaker – Terrahawks)
Judy Preece (puppeteer – Terrahawks)
Nicholas Parsons (voice of Tex Tucker – Four Feather Falls)
Terry Adlam (creator/director – Dick Spanner)

If you haven’t yet registered for The Future is Fantastic! – don’t worry! There’s still time to register online for the whole or part of the weekend. Find out more here.

Keith Shackleton to attend The Future is Fantastic!

Posted on 19th September 2015 by 1266 Nick Williams

Fanderson are thrilled to confirm that Keith Shackleton will be attending The Future is Fantastic! As Head of Merchandising at first AP Films and then Century 21, Keith presided over one of the greatest British merchandising operations of the 1960s.

Now fans will have the chance to listen to his stories as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Century 21’s greatest achievement – Thunderbirds. We will also be welcoming the following special guests over the weekend:

Sylvia Anderson (co-creator of the Anderson series and voice artist)
Matt Zimmerman (voice of Alan Tracy – Thunderbirds)
David Graham (voice of Parker, Brains, Gordon Tracy – Thunderbirds)
Shane Rimmer (voice of Scott Tracy – Thunderbirds) and Sheila Rimmer
Alan Shubrook (Century 21 modelmaker)
Peter Hitchcock (Century 21 effects)
Keith Shackleton ( Head of Merchandising)
Mike Noble (TV21/Look-In comic artist)
Mike Trim (Century 21 modelmaker)
Mary Turner (Century 21 puppeteer and puppet designer)
Roy Scammell (actor – Space:1999)
Christopher Penfold (writer and story consultant – Space:1999)
John Lee (modelmaker – Terrahawks)
Judy Preece (puppeteer – Terrahawks)
Nicholas Parsons (voice of Tex Tucker – Four Feather Falls)
Terry Adlam (creator/director – Dick Spanner)

If you haven’t yet registered for The Future is Fantastic! – don’t worry! There’s still time to register online for the whole or part of the weekend. Find out more here.

Space:1999’s Roy Scammell to attend The Future is Fantastic!

Posted on 6th September 2015 by 1266 Nick Williams

Space:1999 fans will be pleased to know that actor and stunt artist Roy Scammell will be attending The Future is Fantastic on Saturday 3rd October.

Roy appeared as Jim Nordstrom in Space:1999’s opening episode, Breakaway, and went on to play monsters in the two Year Two episodes, The Bringers of Wonder Part 1 and The Dorcons.

There’s still time for you to register your tickets for the convention – Fanderson’s first full-weekend event in five years…. Will you be there?

Ticket Prices

Tickets to The Future Is Fantastic! are just £65 per person for one day, or £110 for the whole weekend. We’ve managed to keep the ticket price the same as our TV21 convention in 2010 because we’re a fan club and no-one is taking a salary from it. Note that Saturday or Sunday-only tickets do not include any refreshments that are included in the weekend ticket.

Trial Memberships

If you’re not already a Fanderson member you must apply for a trial membership with your ticket to The Future Is Fantastic! at a special trial price of just £10. The trial membership will start when you arrive at the convention and run until 31st December 2015. This will get you the latest issue of the club’s FAB magazine, membership badge, enable you to buy our merchandise at the convention at special prices, access to our full range of merchandise online, access to the members’ area of the Fanderson Forum.

Members

£110 full weekend Member includes some refreshments click here
£65 Saturday only Member click here
£65 Sunday only Member click here

…and if you have already paid a deposit:
£60 as final payment of £90 – full weekend Member click here *
£25 as final payment of £55 – Saturday only Member click here *
£25 as final payment of £55 – Sunday only Member click here *

Trial Members

£120 full weekend Trial Member includes some refreshments click here
£75 Saturday only Trial Member click here
£75 Sunday only Trial Member click here

…and if you have already paid a deposit:
£70 as final payment of £100 – full weekend Trial Member click here *
£35 as final payment of £65 – Saturday only Trial Member click here *
£35 as final payment of £65 – Sunday only Trial Member click here *

* Final payments for fans who have already paid a deposit for the early bird prices. Early bird prices have now closed. If you have yet to purchase your ticket or to pay a deposit, you must pay the full price.

You can find out more about what to expect at The Future is Fantastic! here.

What would you like to watch at The Future is Fantastic!?

Posted on 5th August 2015 by 1266 Nick Williams

As Fanderson’s first full-weekend convention in five years draws closer, we’d love to know what you would like to see screened during the event.

We have received a few requests for a confirmed programme of events, but we know from past experience that attendees like to be surprised!

Things may change right up to and during the weekend, as more people decide to join us, participate, and offer things to be displayed and give interviews.

Let us know

So there’s still time for you to let us know what you would like to see in the programme (both Anderson and Anderson-related) that we might have in the club archive.
If there’s a particular TV interview, rare foreign edit of a episode or other such ephemera that you’d really like to revisit, let us know at fabmail@fanderson.org.uk and you may just see it on a big screen at The Future is Fantastic!

Judith Shutt obituary to appear in FAB

Posted on 11th July 2015 by 1266 Nick Williams

An obituary covering the work of AP Films and Century 21 puppeteer Judith Shutt will appear in the next issue of Fanderson’s FAB magazine, to be be released at the end of July. Judith passed away at the age of 74 in May.

From the early days of AP Films at Islet Park, through the move to Ipswich Road and AP Film’s transition to Century 21, Judith Shutt was an essential part of the sculpting and puppeteering team on shows like Fireball XL5, Stingray and Thunderbirds.

Mike Trim to attend The Future is Fantastic!

Posted on 26th June 2015 by 1266 Nick Williams

Fanderson is excited to announce that Mike Trim will be attending The Future is Fantastic! in October.

A popular figure with fans at conventions, Mike began working for Gerry and Sylvia Anderson as a modelmaker and designer in the final days of Stingray. He then went on to work on Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, Joe 90, The Secret Service, and UFO, as well as the Thunderbirds and Doppelganger feature films.

Having worked closely with Derek Meddings for many years, Mike will be able to offer an invaluable insight into how the Century 21 series were produced. He joins a great list of special guests for what will be Fanderson’s first full-weekend convention in five years.

We accept walk-ins!

Not sure yet if you can make it to TFIF!? Never fear. Fans should note that we will be accepting walk-ins over the course of the weekend. However, if you wish to book a room at our venue – the Holiday Inn Maidenhead – we strongly advise that this is done in advance, as rooms are in limited supply.

Parker and Light Fingered Fred figurines to launch at The Future is Fantastic!

Posted on 18th June 2015 by 1266 Nick Williams

22/07/15: Update! Here’s the latest photo of Robert Harrop’s new Parker and Light Fingered Fred figurines. Initially these will be exclusive to attendees at Fanderson’s upcoming convention – The Future is Fantastic!

Fanderson, in association with Robert Harrop, is delighted to announce that these beautiful limited edition Parker and Light Fingered Fred figurines will premiere at Fanderson’s upcoming convention, The Future Is Fantastic.

The early pre-sculpt versions pictured above show the characters in memorable poses from the classic Thunderbirds episode “Vault of Death”, with Parker polishing a boot and Fred complete with fag in mouth.

Sculpted by Anthony Halls, these two figurines will initially be exclusive to attendees at the event, and on sale at a special convention price.

Stock of these fabulous figures will also be available from Robert Harrop after the event through the normal channels…

Another very a very good reason to join us in October!

The Future is Fantastic! So, have you booked your ticket?

The Future is Fantastic! will take place over the weekend of 2nd to the 4th October 2015 at the Holiday Inn Maidenhead.

As well as a wonderful array of special guest panels and interviews, Fanderson’s first full-weekend convention in five years will also feature rare screenings;model, puppet and artwork displays, interactive workshops and games…

…plus a few other surprises!

Sylvia Anderson to appear at The Future is Fantastic!

Posted on 6th April 2015 by 1266 Nick Williams

sylvia-anderson-crew

Fanderson is thrilled to announce that Sylvia Anderson has agreed to appear in her first-ever Fanderson convention this October. Sylvia has expressed the view that she thinks The Future is Fantastic! will be ‘very special’, and now leads a formidable list of guests who will be appearing at the event.

Producer, writer and voice actress, Sylvia Anderson worked with her husband Gerry in the 1960s and 1970s to co-create most of the series and films that Fanderson celebrates today. She is famous for developing the characterisation and costumes of these productions – particularly in Thunderbirds, where she both voiced and designed the look of Lady Penelope. Fittingly, she is set to return to the new Thunderbirds Are Go as Lady Penelope’s Great Aunt Sylvia this year. She has also recently been developing a new animated series called the The Last Station in collaboration with her daughter, Dee.

So far, the full list of guests announced for The Future is Fantastic! is:

sylvia-anderson-space-1999

The most up to date guest list can be found here

PLEASE NOTE:

Ticket prices for The Future is Fantastic will be increasing in April, so this is your last chance to buy your tickets at the full discounted price!

The Future is Fantastic! will take place over the weekend of 2nd to the 4th October 2015 at the Holiday Inn Maidenhead.

As well as a wonderful array of special guest panels and interviews, Fanderson’s first full-weekend convention in five years will also feature:

rare screenings
displays of models, puppets and artwork
exclusive merchandise
interactive workshops
games…

…plus a few other surprises!

In the meantime, you can…

What do you think of the exciting news about Sylvia’s involvement at the convention? Let us know below by posting your comment below!

Mary Turner to appear at The Future is Fantastic!

Posted on 2nd April 2015 by 1266 Nick Williams

Fanderson is excited to announce that Mary Turner has agreed to appear at The Future is Fantastic! Mary, a puppeteer and puppet designer who worked on Supercar through to The Secret Service, was responsible for sculpting some of the most iconic Supermarionation characters, including Steve Zodiac, Troy Tempest, Captain Scarlet and Lady Penelope.

An extra special guest announcement coming soon…

Mary Turner joins a considerable list of special guests who have signed up to appear at the convention…and there will be more to follow. In fact, an extra-special guest will be revealed in the next few days- so stay tuned for more information!

Buy your tickets NOW – last few days before prices increase!

The Future is Fantastic will take place over the weekend of 2nd to the 4th October 2015 at the Holiday Inn Maidenhead. Tickets prices will be increasing in April, so don’t delay and book your place!