Wednesday, October 20, 2004

Amazon already sends CDs + My review of the new series

It seems that Amazon.co.uk has begun to ship the new Hitchhiker's radio series Audio CD a few days before the planned time. Good news for all of us who pre-ordered this new invaluable item. A good deal for the more impatient ones too because the last sixth episode will be only broadcasted monday, the 25th october.

And, unsurprisingly, the Audio CD sells well on Amazon. It is listed in the top sellers lists.
Is it worth the few quids it costs? Definitly yes. Dirk Maggs has done a wonderful job, and you'll appreciate a lot to be able to listen to the new series with a marvellous CD quality sound. And a great bonus has been added : the episodes have been specially extended for this CD. So you will hear brand new material you haven't heard on radio or/and the web.

It was a hugely difficul challenge for Dirk regarding the well known fact that the second series ended abruptly and that the following versions of Hitchhikers absolutley ignored what happened in this second series. So the fact that he found a solution to that is one of Dirk great ideas.

The hightlights of the new series are definitly the Agrajaf part played by Douglas in the Cathedral of Hate, Marvin helpless pivoting in circle in in the swamps of Squornshellous Zeta with a talkative mattress called Zem for only company, Arthur flying, Zaphod trying to save the world by arresting the Kikkrit robots, the party in the sky, or Trillian eating Ford's crisps while watching a documentary...
All the actors, the old and news ones, have done a wonderful job, and the magic from the original series is still here even if, of course, twenty five years later, it doesn't sound entirely the same ! Sound effects are very well done (they are of course far more realistic and present that in the original series), the music is nice, and important point too for the news series, William Franklyn does a fantastic job as Peter Jones' substitute.

Tuesday, October 19, 2004

DON'T FORGET ! Meet or chat with Dirk Maggs + BBC competitions

You will have soon two opportunities to meet and/or chat with the new radio series director Dirk Maggs. The best luck for you would be to be in London the Saturday 30th September. You will be able to meet Dirk Maggs plus some members of the Hitchhikers radio cast (maybe five of them!) for a unique signing at the Forbidden Planet store during lunchtime hours. So be careful, phone and don't miss it!

And to celebrate the end of the Tertiary phase broadcast, Dirk Maggs will join the BBC Radio 4 webteam for a live webchat on October 26 at 7pm, immediatly after the broadcast of the final epsiode. The BBC webteam even invite you to send them alread your questions.

Oh, and while you're on the great Hitchhikers Radio 4 website, don't forget to look at all their goodies (the 25th anniversary Hitchhiker's adventure game edition, exclusive interviews,...). And let's remember that the BBC has launched two competions. A Guide Entry competition (you could win a digital radio - competition ends 31 October) and a Picture competition for the Adventure Game (with some great prizes including CDs of the Teritary phase or even a chance to take part in a recording for the next series in next january for a broadcast in may - competition ends 15 december). But bad luck for the rest of the world, this competitions are opened only to UK residents

Saturday, October 16, 2004

Simon Jones plays Magrathea Hologram

We already knew that Simon Jones (the legendary Arthur from the h2g2 TV and radio series) would play a role in the Hitchhiker's movie. But we didn't knew which part he would play. Finally, Simon Jones himself revealed the well kept secret in an interview with british SF mag SFX (thanks to MJ for spotting this). In this month's current issue, Simon Jones said he has recorded his part last august and that it was the Magrathea Hologram. The Hologram is already a well known part. In the TV and radio series, he coldly welcomes the Heart Of Gold when the spaceship approaches the dead planet, threatening the HoG crew with "fully armed nuclear warheads" guided missiles. Missiles, which, thanks to the Improbability Drive, will finally turn into a very surprised looking sperm whale and a bowl of petunias.

According to Simon Jones, the Hologram speech will be "largely the same as in previous versions".
Simon Jones seems very enthusiastic about the movie (and here i quote again MJ) : "Robbie Stamp knew Douglas pretty well in the latter years and he has been very, very careful and pretty rigid in sticking to the spirit of Douglas' humour," says Simon. "I don't think people will be particularly surprised that the film has a little more narrative drive, but I think they will like it, and it will be a great success. I have already said that I want a bigger part in the next one."

Thursday, October 14, 2004

Vogsphere location revealed

Last month, an unnoticed press release from Blaneau Gwent county council revealed that the h2g2 movie crew shooted some scenes in South Wales at Blaenau Gwent, in a disused quarry at Trefil near Tredegar. Filming took place during the summer with over 100 cast and crew descending on the area.
And this place is supposed to be Vogsphere, the Vogon's planet! “Obviously it will require a huge suspension of disbelief for those who know Blaenau Gwent to believe it could be the home of the Vogons but we are delighted that a major film has taken advantage of the excellent location and infrastructure available here, as well as the huge skill presence in the region" according to Richard Crook, Head of Business Services at Blaenau Gwent Council.

It's very important because in the books or radio series, no action takes place in that planet. I think that this news can be related to a post made by Jamie Freeman on his brother's official website during the first days of the summer: "Martin and the Hitchhikers movie crew have been in Wales, filming a short location scene. The scene was part of one of those ideas Douglas Adams had for the movie before his death, and it's quite an interesting plot development I must say. The wind was apparently howling through the rocky location, with the crew shivering in their puffa jackets... Martin, meanwhile, had to stand around in traditional Arthur Dent costume! Oh well, you've got to suffer for your art, that's what I say (although I suspect he had some Hollywood-grade thermals on underneath)."

Vogsphere location revealed

Last month, an unnoticed press release from Blaneau Gwent county council revealed that the h2g2 movie crew shooted some scenes in South Wales at Blaenau Gwent, in a disused quarry at Trefil near Tredegar. Filming took place during the summer with over 100 cast and crew descending on the area.
And this place is supposed to be Vogsphere, the Vogon's planet! “Obviously it will require a huge suspension of disbelief for those who know Blaenau Gwent to believe it could be the home of the Vogons but we are delighted that a major film has taken advantage of the excellent location and infrastructure available here, as well as the huge skill presence in the region" according to Richard Crook, Head of Business Services at Blaenau Gwent Council.

It's very important because in the books or radio series, no action takes place in that planet. I think that this news can be related to a post made by Jamie Freeman on his brother's official website during the first days of the summer: "Martin and the Hitchhikers movie crew have been in Wales, filming a short location scene. The scene was part of one of those ideas Douglas Adams had for the movie before his death, and it's quite an interesting plot development I must say. The wind was apparently howling through the rocky location, with the crew shivering in their puffa jackets... Martin, meanwhile, had to stand around in traditional Arthur Dent costume! Oh well, you've got to suffer for your art, that's what I say (although I suspect he had some Hollywood-grade thermals on underneath)."

Wednesday, October 6, 2004

Zooey talks about the Hitchhikers movie

In an interview with "action-adenture movies" website, Zooey talked a bit about Hitchhikers. No secret revealed ("I’m not sure if I’m supposed to be talking about it because they were very protective" she says during the interview), but it's a nice chat where Zooey said what she has to say about Hitchhikers : "It was great, it was so much fun to make that movie".

She recalls that they "had these seven foot tall alien Vogon puppets. They built four different alien planets, the Heart of Gold set, like the most amazing sets and all the actors were great".

We even learn a little about trillian's look in the movie : "I have a couple different costumes but the main one is this sort of aqua one piece suit, sort of like a karate one piece. It’s really cool".

When asked if the movie will be close to the book, she replies yes. "Most everything that was changed was Douglas Adams’ idea to begin with".

Interesting fact, she reveals that all main actors signed "sequel parts of the contract". Even if it's a bit early to say if there will be a sequel (it will depend on the Hitchhiker's movie success), everybody think of course about a possible sequel.

She also says that, although it's "a big movie", probably the biggest movie budget she's worked on, "the interesting thing about Hitchhiker’s is it’s also a character piece. It’s just within the context of all this fantasy".