Dimension Jump XV- A Red Dwarf Convention

ori-STUDFARM · October 09, 2009, 01:43:18 AM

This weekend (well, leaving in a couple of hours) I shall be attending the DJXV Red Dwarf convention in Birmingham, England. This is the only official convention for RD and it will be my first one.

When I think of conventions I picture stalls selling collectables, display cases of props from filming and conference rooms where anouncements are made. DJ isn't like that. I've since found out that it's a social event. The stars of the show and writers and filming crew etc....(any guests that they can get to attend) all come to socialise for the weekend with the fans. A Q&A session will take place. Some of the cast will perform thier stand up routines. There's a RD themed fancy dress competiton, a disco on Saturday night and a whole host of other events that last for the full weekend. This year will be the biggest for a while with about 500 people estimated to be attending.

I'm both nervous and excited to be going....I'll be posting photo's (hopefully. The camera is playing up!) when I return.

ps. I am hopefull that we will get an announcement of more Red Dwarf next year as we already know that the cast members have been approached. We have a system set up to use "audioboo" from the convention, so if they do announce it, we will be first (or at least one of the first) to bring that news to the general public. If you want to keep an eye out for the "audioboo"'s you can follow @reddwarfforum on Twitter or visit the main site's front page. (not the Podbean page)

Write you all in a few days.

Ant

Feathers · October 09, 2009, 01:59:25 AM

Look forward to the pictures and stuff. Hopefully you'll get some cool news to bring out of it (and not just a few beers ;))

Have a fun time...and don't take the wetsuit.

Meds · October 09, 2009, 03:14:55 AM

Looking forward to your report Ant. Qasvgoibg to go as I'm 20 mins from brum but couldn't afford the entry fee, although I will say for what you get there it's excellent value for money. Oh thank you so
much for the podcast of the week shout out, me and kell are dead chuffed. Thanks mate.

Feathers · October 09, 2009, 03:24:21 AM

Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on October 09, 2009, 03:14:55 AM
Qasvgoibg to go as I'm 20 mins from brum ...

If I understood what that meant...

Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on October 09, 2009, 03:14:55 AM
Oh thank you so much for the podcast of the week shout out, me and kell are dead chuffed. Thanks mate.

Hey! I haven't listened yet and you've given away the ending :( ;)

ori-STUDFARM · October 12, 2009, 09:46:41 AM

What a weekend. The guests were amazing. They were funny and entertaining. A highlight was the SFX team giving a talk and slideshow showing some of thier model work and techniques for Red Dwarf, Doctor Who and other projects followed by a Q&A session. Fantastic! Hattie Hayridge, the female Holly arrived and gave a Q&A on the Friday night and also read out the Red Dwarf quiz questions. She was however too ill to participate in the autograph signing and had to leave early Saturday morning for a prior engagment. On Saturday night she returned and stayed for the full weekend taking part in the Sunday autograph session. She didn't have to, she chose to. What a girl!

Biggest disappointment....I got speaking to Danny John-Jules (Cat) at the bar. I had promised my daughters that if I saw Danny, I would ask him to call them. I mentioned this to him and he insisted I call them. I protested, saying that he was there to enjoy himself and not be hassled by "fanboys". He still insisted. I called and could only get an engaged tone. The wife was on the phone! and the mobile kept going to answer machine! D'oh! The girls are rather upset!

The best news has to be that next year will produce a whole new season of Red Dwarf (UK season....6 episodes). Channel Dave has commisioned 6 scripts for filming later next year. Budget allowing, we may get more than 6 episodes. The new series will be set after the Easter Back To Earth specials leaving the events of the 9 year gap between BtE and series 8 a mystery. Doug has expressed that one of series 7 and 8's failings was that the background mystery of the characters was no more. We knew everything about them all. One question people have is what will they call this series. Doug had stated that he can never do a series 9 after BtE...the reasons becoming clear when you watch it! I'm not spoilering it! Andrew Ellard explained that BtE finishes with us definately able to do a series 9 and that maybe Doug shouldn't be allowed to do press interviews....

Anyway, I'm struggling to remember everything I've written and wanted to say and have already said.....

Anyone interested that has a question, post it. I'll answer as best I can....I may even research into it if I don't know. I'm getting quite good at researching all things Red Dwarf. I think I have all the main sites down for finding truth.....:?

Feathers · October 12, 2009, 10:45:02 AM

Glad it was a good time.

One obvious question: Any news on who (or if) Holly will be in S9 (or whatever they call it)?

ori-STUDFARM · October 12, 2009, 11:13:06 AM

If Holly returns, it will almost definately NOT be Norman. Not after the falling out over BtE.

During Andrew Ellards Q&A (immediately after his big announcement) an audience member asked the crowd "who wants Holly back?" Andrew said sounding slightly iritated maybe "Thats not a question?" and was told, "It is, but it's one for the crowd, not you" Andrew himself then asked who wanted Hattie and who wanted Norman....norman got about 3 show of hands. Hattie got a standing ovation and deafening cheers. Andrew had asked this knowing what the result will be!

I personally think that it is undecided yet. But I think we will see a female Holly at some point in the new shows. Maybe towards the end of the new series...maybe as a sries finale.

Seems wierd calling a 6 parter a series now that we've been exposed to so many 20+ episoders from the US

Meds · October 12, 2009, 01:46:59 PM

Do you ever think that we'll have a Grant Naylor writting partnership back. I honestly think that if the both of them got back together the new series would blast anything off the screen. What do you think? I would like to see Holly back, and Hattie is always a favorite. I for one hope they will record it in front of a live audience and get that classic feel back again.

ori-STUDFARM · October 12, 2009, 02:12:37 PM

Somebody asked Andrew Ellard the exact same thing and he just point blank said "No. Rob Grant will not work on Red Dwarf". I assume he meant just this project...but it seemed rather definative!

As for the laughter track. Andrew began by asking the audience. He asked knowing the answer would be that we all prefered the laughter track and he said that he is going to do what he can to get one. The problems according to him is that with CGI green screen effects, are difficult to film infront of an audience. With all the effects people being present (although I believe they go to all the DJ's) I wonder if they are going back to more model work than CGI?

Feathers · October 12, 2009, 02:31:44 PM

I assume we're talking about a Dwarf based show again? I sort of had enough of Starbug stories.

Meds · October 12, 2009, 02:50:42 PM

I must say I'm a fan of the bunk based shows. I always thought Dwarf was Porridge in the future with regard to the situation. Shame about Rob Grant.

ori-STUDFARM · October 12, 2009, 02:56:48 PM

He did say it would pick up from just after BtE, so yeah. Back to classic Dwarf.

Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on October 12, 2009, 02:50:42 PM
I must say I'm a fan of the bunk based shows. I always thought Dwarf was Porridge in the future with regard to the situation. Shame about Rob Grant.

I know you are the same as me, not necessarily a series 8 hater, but series 8 was an attempt to get it more like Porridge. Still think it's a good idea :D

ori-STUDFARM · October 15, 2009, 12:48:45 PM

I've actually been corrected. The only diffinitive thing stated at Dimension Jump was that 6 scripts have been commisioned.

Everything else is speculation and calculated guess work. It could all still go the same way as the Dwarf movie! Logically looking at it, everything I've stated in earlier posts should come about. But it is still yet to be cast in stone!!

Thats over entusiasm of the crowd for you....