Delve into the BBC

Thanks to Aurum Press, we recently recieved a review copy of a new book which is sure to be a welcome edition to the bookshelves of many Doctor Who fans, particularly ones interested in the production aspect of the series.

BBC VFX: The History of the BBC Visual Effects Department does exactly what it says on the tin. Across the 240 pages, the definitive story of the world’s first, largest and longest-running FX department is uncovered with exclusive insights, images and sketches. Although the department closed its doors in 2003, for almost half a century it was responsible for some of the most iconic images to grace our TV screens, including those seen in Doctor Who, which is naturally featured prominently within the book!

The book has been written by two long-serving members of the department, Mat Irvine, who served as Doctor Who’s Visual Effects Designer in the 1970s, and Mike Tucker, who, as well as having worked on the effects for both the classic and revived series, has written several Doctor Who novels.

They serve up a fascinating and in-depth account of just how the special effects for the classic series – including pyrotechnics, modelwork and explosions – made it to the screen, and there’s also an interesting look at how the effects have been achieved since 2005. As you’ll know, the production techniques have changed somewhat over the years, but you might not realise just how much until you have read these pages!

Read more at: News.whoviannet.co.uk