Sci-Fi Storm

TheThunderChild writes “The Thunder Child has just interviewed Martin Arlt, a molecular geneticist and publisher of the fanzine Mad Scientist. Martin has been publishing this fanzine for over 4 years now, for a total of 15 digest-sized issues so far. Anyone thinking about publishing a print fanzine should definitely check out this interview. http://thethunderchild.com/Interviews/People/Marti nArlt/“

The Emmy nominations are out…here is a quick recap of the genre shows: Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series: Felix Alcala (Battlestar Galactica, “Exodus, Part 2”), David Semel (Heroes, “Genesis”), Jack Bender (Lost, “Through the Looking Glass”); Outstanding Directing For Nonfiction Programming: Kevin Burns (Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed); Outstanding Drama Series: Lost; Outstanding Main Title Design: The Lost Room; Outstanding Nonfiction Special: Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed; Outstanding Single-camera Picture Editing For A Drama Series: Heroes (“Genesis”), Lost (“Through the Looking Glass”); Outstanding Sound Editing For A Series: Battlestar Galactica (“Exodus, Part 2”), Lost (“A Tale Of Two Cities”); Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Miniseries Or A Movie: The Lost Room (“The Key And The Clock (Night 1)”); Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (one-hour): Heroes (“Genesis”); Outstanding Special Visual Effects For A Series: Battlestar Galactica (“Exodus, Part 2”), Eureka (“Pilot”), Heroes (“Five Years Gone”); Outstanding Stunt Coordination: Heroes (“Genesis”); Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series: Masi Oka (Heroes), Terry O’Quinn (Lost), Michael Emerson (Lost); Outstanding Writing For Nonfiction Programming: Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed; Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series: Ronald D. Moore (Battlestar Galactica, “Occupation/Precipice”), Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof (Lost, “Through The Looking Glass”)

I had the opportunity to view some advanced copies of the upcoming ABC limited series Masters of Science Fiction from Starz Media, which is a series aimed at bringing together top notch SF writers, screenwriters, directors and actors to tell various stories. Think an A List (at least for SF if not in general) version of The Outer Limits. Read more for the episode descriptions and my impressions.

(continue reading…)

Lionsgate will be offering a World Premiere screening at the upcoming Comic-Con in San Diego of the upcoming DVD/Blu-Ray release of Doctor Strange. The screening will take place on Friday (July 27th) at 7:15pm in room 6CDEF. Also included with be a panel featuring Craig Kyle (Marvel Senior VP Creative Development, Animation), Frank Paur (Supervising Director/Producer), and Greg Johnson (Writer). It is open to all attendees. The DVD will be released on August 14th.

Farscape, which had its last production in 2004, will live on in 10 webisodes produced for the SCI FI Channel, with the hope of a possible revival on television. No actors or writers have been signed yet though. Also, Battlestar Galactica will have 8 mini-webisodes that tie directly to the upcoming “Razor” TV movie, dealing with a young William Adama during the first Cylon War. The plot of Razor is also mentioned, dealing with Lee Adama’s taking command of the Pegasus, and what Admiral Cain did during the attack on the colonies (explaining Michelle Forbes’ appearance in recent previews).

Writer Steven Moffat, who has written some of the best episodes so far of the revived Doctor Who, said that there is no reason for fans to worry that the rumored departure of Russell T. Davies will result in the end of the show. “No broadcaster lets go of a show like Doctor Who.” He did not deny the rumor, and sidestepped the question of him taking over. Right now, he’s got his own show, Jekyll, a modern twist on the classic story, airing in the U.K.

Marsha Robertson writes “SCI-FI/HORROR/FANTASY FANS TO GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THEIR FAVORITE STARS FOR CHARITY ON THE LINKS

Celebrities Team Up With Followers For Fun, Sun, Charity, And A Little Golf Too!

July 11, 2007/Ventura, CA — Fans For Life is sponsoring a Celebrity Golf Tournament at the Scholl Canyon Golf Club in Glendale, CA on Saturday, October 6, 2007 to benefit the AIDS Service Center of Pasadena (and other selected charities). Foursomes consisting of one genre celebrity and three fans will play eighteen holes in a scramble format. Tee times will start at 8 a.m with driving range time and lunch included, and a spectator’s gallery will be available at selected locations on the course. An awards banquet and auction will be held in the evening, where fans will be able to visit with a celebrity at their dinner table and bid on items in a live auction.”

Read More for more info.

(continue reading…)

The first of four episodes of Masters of Science Fiction will air on August 4th at 10pm on ABC, with the first episode being “A Clean Escape”, based on a short story by Nebula winner John Kessel, adapted by Sam Egan (The Outer Limits, Jeremiah) and directed by Mark Rydell (On Golden Pond), and stars Emmy winners Judy Davis and Sam Waterston. Three more stories with similarly top-shelf names will air in the weeks that follow. Read More for the full press release.

(continue reading…)

TheThunderChild writes “Steve Vertlieb, film journalist extraordinaire, is a new columnist for The Thunder Child, writing a couple of articles a month in Vertlieb’s Views. First in July is How I Met The Blob, a reminiscence of a few decades ago when he and his brother journeyed to California to meet not only Forry Ackerman for the first time, but also Wes Shank, owner of The Blob. http://thethunderchild.com/Movies/VertliebViews/Ve rtliebBlob.html is the URL. It’s perfect timing, because the Blob Fest is happening in Pennsylvania in just another week – with their annual Run Screaming Out of the Theater re-enactment.”

Not a good couple weeks for the SF world. Well known author Fred Saberhagan passed away at the age of 77 on June 29th. The day before Sterling E. Lanier, writer, editor and sculptor, passed away at the age of 79. On June 21st, Doug Hill, writer and editor, was struck and killed by a bus in London.