AUDIO: Dame Diana Rigg Q&A at the V&A, London

It is apt that to mark the opening of a photographic exhibition charting the rise of our monarch, the V&A museum chooses a princess of televisual supremacy, Britannia's very own Dame Diana Rigg.

On 10th February, a mild winter evening, something quite special tingles in the air. Or should I say, someone quite special glides through the V&A cafe. Running a little ahead of schedule, getting very lost around the moving corridors of the vast building attempting to locate the subtly labelled lecture theatre (a vague notion of Harry Potter on his first day meandering Hogwarts springs to mind), something equally magical happened; a premature shared presence with the 'Queen of Sin' herself. Fleeting yes, but special nonetheless, as Dame Diana is escorted past me, to be settled for pre-talk pabulum. Fast forward twenty minutes, seated and primed with anticipation, enter Diana, the embodiment of of 60s propulsive meritorious cool, stage left.

Colin Baker Q&A panel at the SFX Weekender 3

The sixth incarnation of that medicinal Timelord, Colin Baker gave us his views on the 'new golden era of Doctor Who', why he praises Matt Smith's performance in the show, as well as his acting career highlights.

Interviewed by SFX Magazine's Online Editor, Dave Golder at the third SFX Weekender, give the recording a listen if you couldn't make it up to North Wales or just want to relive his anecdotes and musings.

Just click on the orange 'play' button below for the Q&A recording. Enjoy!

Eve Myles Q&A panel at the SFX Weekender 3

Couldn't make the third SFX Weekender event? Hopefully this recording will help.

The fantastic and funny Eve Myles, Torchwood's feisty and fearless leading lady Gwen Cooper, talks Wales Vs America, motherhood Vs bazookas and John Barrowman and his erm, 'little Barrowman'.

Interviewed by SFX Magazine's Reviews Editor, Ian Berriman, Eve proved to be a total natural at addressing the masses, exceptionally appreciative of her peers and fans, with a natural knack for making a full-to-capacity auditorium blush and laugh in unison.

Just click on the orange 'play' button below for the Q&A recording. Enjoy!

SFX Weekender 3; Survived.

Just a quick post to say that yet again, third year running, the team at SFX Magazine put on an event for the geek masses, and did us all proud.

Full post to follow, with a few snaps, but in the mean time, keep an eye on my next posts where I'll be popping up a couple of audio recordings I made of the Eve Myles (Torchwood) and Colin Baker (Doctor Who) Q&A panels.

Geek Art

I've been a designer/ arty type since before I could walk (with my mother as lifetime orator), so whenever I come across artists with a soft spot for the world of science fiction and fantasy, it's as satisfying as a Ferengi ear rub. Obviously both the style and vehicle can range dramatically, from the menacing charcoal lines of H.P. Lovecraft to the bubblegum brights of avatar-art.

Here are a few designers and artists I have stumbled across while Googling and geeking...enjoy!

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Alex Gross of alexgross.com
How fun are these? Artist Alex Gross has found a bit of a niche by creatively putting his stamp on vintage antique cabinet photo cards and adding his science-fiction and comic book flourishes. Check out the rest of his site for designs of the colourful, curio vein.

INTERVIEW: Film Critic, Author & Radio Personality, Mark Kermode

The following interview was broadcast on The Geekend, Radio Reverb on 29^th October 2011.
 

GG: Welcome to The Duke of York’s Picturehouse, here in Brighton. As part of your tour continuing throughout October and November 2011, appearing live, in actual 3D in locations throughout the UK with your new book The Good, the Bad and the Multiplex, Mark Kermode right here… welcome. I expected you to be wearing a Stetson, what with the theme of your book…

Mark:  Funnily enough when we were doing the cover of the book, somebody said exactly that. Obviously it’s a take on The Good, The Bad And The Ugly, so yes, let’s put you on the cover in a Stetson. Then everyone thought about it and decided as the only way people recognise me is from my hair. So it was simply a marketing decision; if you can’t see my hair, then it’s not me. I am apparently definable only by my hair. That’s why on the back of the book is a picture of me with my hand over my face in which the only part of me you can see is my hair. 

GG: Your new book, I’ve just finished it, and just like your radio show and podcasts on BBC 5Live with Simon Mayo, the book is particularly honest, outspoken and full of your satirical expert opinion on films. I like to think of you as the people’s film critic. 

Mark: (Laughter) Which people though? That is the crucial question...

BBC Worldwide launching major new Doctor Who gaming franchise

*** PRESS RELEASE ***

"BBC Worldwide today released the first details of a major new gaming development for the Doctor Who brand. Doctor Who: The Eternity Clock will be the first of a series of Doctor Who console games developed by BBC Worldwide Digital Entertainment and Games marking a significant movement into gaming for this business. Two further Doctor Who console game titles are planned to follow this release with details to be announced next year. Doctor Who: The Eternity Clock is being created in full high definition for digital download platforms and is set for release in early 2012, initially on Playstation 3 ®; Playstation Vita ® and PC platforms.