COLIN BAKER ONLINE
"...Whether you like it or not !"
THOUGHTS OF A TIME LORD
No Boston Tea Party for me
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Well, it turned out that all the people in the UK who warned me that the American Jumpcon series of Conventions was an over-ambitious project were right. Back in the early Spring they contacted me to ask if I would like to take part in their mammoth "city a week" sci-fi convention tour. I committed myself to the first four weeks - Kalamazoo, Stamford, Boston and Pittsburgh, which would have meant my spending virtually the whole of July in America. They made me an offer I couldn't refuse and I decided to commit and see how those events turned out before deciding whether to do any more. I subsequently turned down other work. First all of all, the deposits they promised in their contract never materialised, nor did the full payment of the contract, due two weeks before each event. Then the first two events were cancelled; then the fourth; and finally the day before I was due to fly to Boston (though I had received neither deposit, payment or travel tickets) the whole series of events were cancelled and I, in common with all the other actors in America and the UK who were under contract to Jumpcon, was left high and dry - not to mention severely out of pocket. So too were the many fans who had shelled out on tickets, hotels and travel. At least I am not in an actual deficit situation like the fans. Although I have not received my contractual fees, I haven't had to spend any of my own money, although I would undoubtedly have accepted other work during the period.
The fans have been promised refunds for the money they have paid to Jumpcon. Let us hope they honour their promise. They will not however be able to get the money back that they have paid out for travel and accommodation. Some fans have actually gone to Boston anyway and are holding their own fan-run convention in a neighbouring hotel to the one booked for Jumpcon. Local fan groups have welcomed the incoming fellow fans and have organised, in a couple of days, what Jumpcon failed to organise in several months. They have even had at least one star guest - Mark Goddard - from Lost in Space - who has very generously gone along to try and salvage something for the fans. I salute him. Were I near Boston I would have happily done the same, as I am sure would Sylvester McCoy, Mary Tamm, Frazer Hines, Jackie Pearce and Ian Liston (of Star Wars fame) all of whom had been booked to appear by Jumpcon and all of whom have been left high and dry. Sylvester and I have been unlucky with overseas engagements before. We went to Australia for a month a few years ago to do a series of events for an Oz Company - which went in liquidation the day after we had finished the job - and we never got paid. And it is the Brits who always play the villains in the American movies. Ironic really, isn't it.
So all I have work-wise in the immediate future, in addition to the events listed on this site and already announced, is an episode of the series Kingdom which I will be filming in two weeks time, just after I would have returned from America.
And I have just been invited to a signing event with Terry Molloy - and maybe others too - in Lanchester, Co Durham - on 23rd August, before travelling across country to Carnforth for the event there on the Bank Holiday Monday.
As soon as my wife learned that I wasn't going to Boston on Thursday, she pressed a paintbrush in my hand, so I am now nursing an aching back, having painted the hall, stairs and landing walls over the last two days. And I gather the hedges need to be cut. And with an empty diary I have no excuse, alas.
I watched the final few episodes of Doctor Who, with amazement. Wow, talk about bringing all the story lines together! I'll leave others to judge whether that was a good idea or not. I know some people felt that there was just too much going on - but it certainly ended the season with an all singing, all dancing blockbuster story. Though I must say I couldn't see why Davros couldn't have been played by my friend, Terry Molloy. If it had been a different interpretation of the flawed genius creator of the Daleks, then I would have understood the re-casting. But in the event, it was the same Davros to all intents and purposes, and Terry would have done it superbly. Our's not to reason why!
Since my last blog, I went to see my friend Louise Jameson in Hamlet in the drizzle in the open air at Stafford Castle. It was a splendid performance and my daughters Bindy, Lally and I thoroughly enjoyed the superb production, particularly the performances of Louise who achieved the very tricky job of making Gertrude understandable, vulnerable and sexy. It is a part that has defeated many very good actresses. Like Hamlet, we need to be able to understand how Hamlet's mother could so quickly and apparently easily marry her late husband's brother. She had the tricky job of conveying that she could simultaneously have loved her husband and their son Hamlet, whilst needing the security of a marriage to the man who murdered her husband (which she does not know of course). She achieved that superbly. Also excellent and an actor to watch was Joseph Millson as Hamlet. A brilliantly clear and immaculate performance. Funny, poignant and powerful by turn. Apparently he guested in the Sarah Jane spin-off, which I haven't seen.
Currently glued to Celebrity Master Chef. I loathe cookery programmes as a rule, but this is different. I watched because the voice over is by India Fisher, with whom I have been recently recording the Big Finish stories. I am now hooked and rooting for the Atomic Kitten girl. Also the Last Choir Standing is compelling viewing - my daughter Lucy worked it on it briefly, so we started watching it - and are now hooked on that too. And of course that brilliant and very dark series Dexter is back for a second series. Not every one's cup of tea - a series about a sympathetic (ish) serial killer - but I love it.
Still waiting for summer - and waiting - and waiting.....
The fans have been promised refunds for the money they have paid to Jumpcon. Let us hope they honour their promise. They will not however be able to get the money back that they have paid out for travel and accommodation. Some fans have actually gone to Boston anyway and are holding their own fan-run convention in a neighbouring hotel to the one booked for Jumpcon. Local fan groups have welcomed the incoming fellow fans and have organised, in a couple of days, what Jumpcon failed to organise in several months. They have even had at least one star guest - Mark Goddard - from Lost in Space - who has very generously gone along to try and salvage something for the fans. I salute him. Were I near Boston I would have happily done the same, as I am sure would Sylvester McCoy, Mary Tamm, Frazer Hines, Jackie Pearce and Ian Liston (of Star Wars fame) all of whom had been booked to appear by Jumpcon and all of whom have been left high and dry. Sylvester and I have been unlucky with overseas engagements before. We went to Australia for a month a few years ago to do a series of events for an Oz Company - which went in liquidation the day after we had finished the job - and we never got paid. And it is the Brits who always play the villains in the American movies. Ironic really, isn't it.
So all I have work-wise in the immediate future, in addition to the events listed on this site and already announced, is an episode of the series Kingdom which I will be filming in two weeks time, just after I would have returned from America.
And I have just been invited to a signing event with Terry Molloy - and maybe others too - in Lanchester, Co Durham - on 23rd August, before travelling across country to Carnforth for the event there on the Bank Holiday Monday.
As soon as my wife learned that I wasn't going to Boston on Thursday, she pressed a paintbrush in my hand, so I am now nursing an aching back, having painted the hall, stairs and landing walls over the last two days. And I gather the hedges need to be cut. And with an empty diary I have no excuse, alas.
I watched the final few episodes of Doctor Who, with amazement. Wow, talk about bringing all the story lines together! I'll leave others to judge whether that was a good idea or not. I know some people felt that there was just too much going on - but it certainly ended the season with an all singing, all dancing blockbuster story. Though I must say I couldn't see why Davros couldn't have been played by my friend, Terry Molloy. If it had been a different interpretation of the flawed genius creator of the Daleks, then I would have understood the re-casting. But in the event, it was the same Davros to all intents and purposes, and Terry would have done it superbly. Our's not to reason why!
Since my last blog, I went to see my friend Louise Jameson in Hamlet in the drizzle in the open air at Stafford Castle. It was a splendid performance and my daughters Bindy, Lally and I thoroughly enjoyed the superb production, particularly the performances of Louise who achieved the very tricky job of making Gertrude understandable, vulnerable and sexy. It is a part that has defeated many very good actresses. Like Hamlet, we need to be able to understand how Hamlet's mother could so quickly and apparently easily marry her late husband's brother. She had the tricky job of conveying that she could simultaneously have loved her husband and their son Hamlet, whilst needing the security of a marriage to the man who murdered her husband (which she does not know of course). She achieved that superbly. Also excellent and an actor to watch was Joseph Millson as Hamlet. A brilliantly clear and immaculate performance. Funny, poignant and powerful by turn. Apparently he guested in the Sarah Jane spin-off, which I haven't seen.
Currently glued to Celebrity Master Chef. I loathe cookery programmes as a rule, but this is different. I watched because the voice over is by India Fisher, with whom I have been recently recording the Big Finish stories. I am now hooked and rooting for the Atomic Kitten girl. Also the Last Choir Standing is compelling viewing - my daughter Lucy worked it on it briefly, so we started watching it - and are now hooked on that too. And of course that brilliant and very dark series Dexter is back for a second series. Not every one's cup of tea - a series about a sympathetic (ish) serial killer - but I love it.
Still waiting for summer - and waiting - and waiting.....
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7 Comments
Reply
AJRNews
06:52 PM on July 19, 2008
Sadly, there seem to be many conventions going the way of Jump Con - like the Serenity convention in LA a couple of years ago. I also agree that Terry should have played Davros in the new series, anyone who doubts that should visit any of his TV episodes or any of his excellent Big Finish appearances...
Reply
Richard Shaw
05:33 AM on July 31, 2008
Spot on, Mr Baker. Yes Julian Bleach was thouroughly evil and mad and repulsive and very, very good, but didn't do anything more than Terry Molloy would have done and I think it's a shame that he wasn't used. Sometimes they overlook important parts of Doctor Whos history. No mention of Terry Molloys Davros, just Michael Wisher who only did one episode. No mention of Anthony Ainley much, the emphasis mainly on Roger Delgado and no David Banks in a Cyber role in the new series. All these are fantastic actors in their own right, very good in their respective roles and should be used where possible. If it wasn't for them...! It would be like bringing back a different actor to play the Brigadier! Unimaginable.
Reply
Paul
11:56 AM on August 05, 2008
I was one of those looking forward to meeting you in Boston, and oddly enough I had a strange feeling that the whole thing wouldn't pan out. I wasn't surprised when it got canceled, but I was greatly disappointed. I guess I'll have to get out west for one of those Gallifrey One conventions. Please pass along the regrets of many U.S.-based Dr. Who fans to your Who peers.
Reply
the bespectacled gnome from down under
04:09 AM on August 15, 2008
Science Fiction actors tend to have more face time with the fans due to conventions and other events. You guys (Sci-Fi crew) are so loyal to your fans because even in the brief time that you make contact with these oddly dressed and quote-sprouting individuals you can see where we're all coming from. It is not just the escapism offered by Science Fiction and Fantasy that keeps our eyes glued to the television and the numerous RPG books sitting on our shelves awaiting a game session. It is more than that. Both the actor and the fan spends large amounts of time immersing themselves in those strange characters and other worlds. I know this is especially true in your case, Colin, given that you are involved in writing Who fiction. <br>As a side note, have you ever considered a role playing Albert Einstein? <img alt="big grin" src="http://images.freewebs.com/Images/Smilies/Round/biggrin.gif"
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Reply
anonymous
06:18 AM on September 06, 2008
Hi Colin! My name is Mark and my new film is to be screened at the 16th International Raindance festival in London. 11th Oct to be precise. Why am I telling you? Well it would be nice if you could turn up? Peter Greenaway is coming! Also I get to post a link with me dressed in my special coat! See? Even very serious directors can be silly some days. <br> <br>Peace. <br> <br>http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o47/markstirton/Bake
rStirton3.jpg <br> <br>www.stirtonproductions.com
rStirton3.jpg <br> <br>www.stirtonproductions.com
Reply
Aaron J Climas
11:41 AM on September 12, 2008
Colin! I was shocked to read you never got paid for your Oz tour, I just missed out on seeing that. <br> <br>I think it shows you can never be to careful when organising these things. <br> <br>Cheers, <br>Aaron
Reply
Janice S.
06:14 PM on February 21, 2009
Colin, <br>I love your website!!! So glad to see an online site since I miss the fan club newsletter so. <br>It was lovely to see you at GallifreyOne last week. I was appalled that you and your friends didn't get paid for the Oz convention. Just know we love you to come to Gally & look forward to seeing you soon. I taped all the Kingdom's and have been savoring them each week, since I find you are on one of them it will be full steam ahead until I find your episode to watch, what a treat to look forward to, as we never see you enough in America!!! <br>Ta ra, <br>Janice and Tom, (your Colorada & California friends)
