Adam Quist – Doomwatch




Doomwatch is a classic British sci-fi series which I sadly have never had a chance to watch. Fan Film Follies editor Christopher Moshier emailed me asking if I could look into this after a fan produced video appeared on YouTube titled “The Plastic Rain Trailer”. I soon remembered that I had come across Doomwatch.org before thanks to Botcherby’s Doctor Who fan audio series review site.

On their behalf I had posted a ‘help wanted’ advertisement asking for assistance. The short version is that I had offered to do an audio reading for them but due to my personal life I keep pushing that back. To Scott and his team working hard on the fan produced Doomwatch, I apologize and I do hope this interview will help in getting some new listeners for you.

You see as I stated earlier, I had never watched a episode of Doomwatch so I emailed Scott some questions in the hope he could help make it clearer for me. To my delight he agreed and even managed to get Grant Foxon, the co-creator, to answer some questions as well. I do hope you enjoy this.

FAN FILM FOLLIES (through Lee James Sands): How did you become a Doomwatch fan?

GRANT FOXON: I had first heard of Doomwatch as a kid who collected Doctor Who videos. Inside the video covers they would advertise other titles. The enigmatic cover of The Plastic Eaters/Tomorrow the Rat always caught my attention. When I finally watched the video many years later after a friend leant it to me I was hooked. I wanted more info on the series which is how I discovered Scott, who was running the excellent Doomwatch.org

SCOTT BURDITT: I watched a VHS of the first two episodes with a friend about 7 years ago and loved them. It took me years to gather enough info together to build a website as I couldn’t believe how little info on the series was available online.

FFF: What inspired you to want to create your own Doomwatch series?

GF: I wrote a retro story which Scott liked called “The Inheritors” which was about nano-technology. Scott liked it and asked me if I was interested in assisting create a new batch of stories. I thought it was a great idea and we haven’t stopped since.

SB: A short story submitted to the site from Grant Foxon featuring Doctor Ridge started off a friendship which created the new team.

FFF: How many episodes have you planned?

GF: I don’t think we have a limit. Whilst there’s ideas we run with it. Although we try to end our seasons on a good cliff hanger.

SB: Roughly 24 per Season but it’s pretty loose.

FFF: Do you plan on making further seasons?

GF: We’re currently working through it (it’s called Season 2).

SB: Yes, it’s underway at the moment. It’s been re-branded as Season 2, as has Season 4 as it was confusing for new fans to start on Season 4, even though it is meant as a continuation of the original series! lol

FFF: Most of your productions are audio book based. Do you plan on doing a radio play or a full fan film?

GF: We’re currently working on audio scripts and have shot some limited film footage which is now serves as a trailer for our first season of stories.

SB: There was lofty plans to do a film but as it deals with requiring a lot of help and support for no money it’s hard to get enough people together in one place to do it. A script was written but only a short segment has been filmed which is available on YouTube.

FFF: What advice would you give to someone attempting to make their own fan production?

GF: Go for it. If it’s a labor of love then all you can do is have fun and meet like minded people.

SB: Patience is a virtue. It’s also surprisingly hard work! Always map out a character and Season plan before you start as it’s much harder to graft one in…


DOOMWATCH – THE PLASTIC RAIN TRAILER

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmoYP-yf6oI[/youtube]


I’d like to thank both Scott and Grant for their time. Scott has taken the time to set up a campaign to get Doomwatch released on DVD. Please be sure to check them out if you’re interested.


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Author: Lee James Sands

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