Volume 3 of Beyond Traditional Recognition is definitely the strongest one so far. Its two stories are both the right length for the half hour format, the acting is consistently good and the post-production is quietly confident.
Dark Guardian
Deliberately or not, Peter Grehen's smart little SF adventure recalls 2000AD's "Tharg's Future Shocks" or Marvel's "Tales of the Watcher". The idea of two archeologist's uncovering a mysterious body in present day Britain, whilst simultaneously we discover what really happened in Roman times, works really well. The alien visitor remains a fairly mysterious figure, with just tantalising hints about his species and society. Peter Grehens sense for believable, story propelling dialogue just gets better and makes this the most effective episode so far. My only gripe would be that when Truger makes his sacrifice, what should be a stirring moment is handled rather perfunctory manner. A bit more emotion from Matt Kopelkes Flavius and a little more theatrical FX would have made the most of it. There are notable performances from Bill Billingsley and Jane Kildey. Robert Warnock composes his best score yet to complement the drama.
Natasha X
This comedy about the gulf between the logic of pulp adventure television and real life has an excellent idea behind it and the cast enjoy being able to camp it up for a change. Whilst its fun, the jokes about long-winded speeches and merchandising become a bit repetitive, rather than building upon the situation. Someone makes a dramatic statement; someone else underminds him or her. Natasha Xs adventures may be shallow, but the real world of television production that invades it is pretty fantastical as well. As Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy was sometimes wont to do, it sends up the likes of technobabble and plot devices, but then depends on them for the resolution. David Hutchison is amusingly indignant as Professor Tango and has a good evil laugh. Witold Tietze meanwhile does a pretty effective Scots accent as Doggy X. Again Robert Warnock produces another excellent piece of music to accompany the episode. It sounds as though I didnt enjoy the story but I did. In fact I think theres a potential there for more Natasha X, either in its own right or as a series about making a show. Just not both.
Gaz
Dark Guardian
Deliberately or not, Peter Grehen's smart little SF adventure recalls 2000AD's "Tharg's Future Shocks" or Marvel's "Tales of the Watcher". The idea of two archeologist's uncovering a mysterious body in present day Britain, whilst simultaneously we discover what really happened in Roman times, works really well. The alien visitor remains a fairly mysterious figure, with just tantalising hints about his species and society. Peter Grehens sense for believable, story propelling dialogue just gets better and makes this the most effective episode so far. My only gripe would be that when Truger makes his sacrifice, what should be a stirring moment is handled rather perfunctory manner. A bit more emotion from Matt Kopelkes Flavius and a little more theatrical FX would have made the most of it. There are notable performances from Bill Billingsley and Jane Kildey. Robert Warnock composes his best score yet to complement the drama.
Natasha X
This comedy about the gulf between the logic of pulp adventure television and real life has an excellent idea behind it and the cast enjoy being able to camp it up for a change. Whilst its fun, the jokes about long-winded speeches and merchandising become a bit repetitive, rather than building upon the situation. Someone makes a dramatic statement; someone else underminds him or her. Natasha Xs adventures may be shallow, but the real world of television production that invades it is pretty fantastical as well. As Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy was sometimes wont to do, it sends up the likes of technobabble and plot devices, but then depends on them for the resolution. David Hutchison is amusingly indignant as Professor Tango and has a good evil laugh. Witold Tietze meanwhile does a pretty effective Scots accent as Doggy X. Again Robert Warnock produces another excellent piece of music to accompany the episode. It sounds as though I didnt enjoy the story but I did. In fact I think theres a potential there for more Natasha X, either in its own right or as a series about making a show. Just not both.
Gaz
New fantasy audio available from: http://zap.to/fineline
(fwiw, i don't think i got the directing thing quite down until nat x, and even then it helped that the cast i assembled was blessed with such an easy script to work from.)
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