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Post by newt5996 on Oct 14, 2019 16:03:00 GMT
It sounds like a long overdue re-balancing which I'm all in favour of. I've long been baffled by some of the non-Who licenses they pick up, so if they are focusing on their core business all the better. Though to be honest even if they are starting to stockpile stories for non-Tom Doctors, I can only see their output continuing to get slimmer in the years to come; especially if no other New Series Doctor than Tennant want to come aboard. I hope it doesn't mean certain ranges are just plain cut completely if they're non-Who, I really love the Dark Shadows range and I know people love Blake's 7 and The Avengers.
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ljwilson
Chancellery Guard
It's tangerine....not orange
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Post by ljwilson on Oct 14, 2019 20:31:03 GMT
It sounds like a long overdue re-balancing which I'm all in favour of. I've long been baffled by some of the non-Who licenses they pick up, so if they are focusing on their core business all the better. Though to be honest even if they are starting to stockpile stories for non-Tom Doctors, I can only see their output continuing to get slimmer in the years to come; especially if no other New Series Doctor than Tennant want to come aboard. For me it's the other way around, with far too many Who spin-offs, such as the Doctor chronicles, Tales of New Earth, far too many Unit and River Song sets, etc. It is their core business, but it's all a bit much and seems like a case of 'because they can' rather than much else. Granted, with the ageing classic doctors they need to draw-in new listeners, so a balance needs to be struck and the future needs to be catered for. I prefer the diversity, with some of the other ranges being fantastic. I cant see Star Cops having much longevity as it is pretty niche, but I've loved having a grounded space series with no aliens in sight. Either way, they pump out far too much content which isn't exactly cheap. Cutting back a bit is no bad thing really. If you are reading this Jason H-E, feel free to offer me the commercial/advertising guru role that currently needs filling.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2019 22:04:31 GMT
It will be overall less releases and less spin-off and special releases. Jason admitted that they had overreached themselves recently and just cannot keep doing it. I think it is exactly as I feared when I saw all these spin-offs and specials and expensive huge cast events- I already was wondering how they manage to sustain this.
Reality is- they can't. They are a very small company. Jason said, yes, they sit in the planning room and have all these fantastic ideas of all the wonderful things they could do, and recently, many of these did indeed see the light of day. But from now on, they really need to control themselves and really think about what is worth it and what is not.
Jason said, lose citation: "I do not want to put water into your wine, but this is something we have to do."
I do not want to scare anyone, I do not really think BF is struggling, but from the vibe I got from Jason, to me, he gave the impression of being a bit tense this weekend. However, I am not sure if I am reading too much into this.
So not so much a "cutting down ranges" and more a "trimming back the excess" then? *side eyes the seventy one* boxsets and thirty six monthlies either released or due to be released and linked into the new series licence since it began in 2015. * That's eight UNITs, four War Doctors, four War Masters, four Paternoster Gangs, two Churchill Years, one Jenny, one Lady Christina, one New Earth, one Rose Tyler, one Donna Noble, one Missy, two Classic Doctors New Monsters, four The Doctor Chronicles, four Gallifrey : Time Wars, four Eighth Doctor : Time Wars, three Tenth Doctor Adventures, three First Doctor Adventures, seven Diaries of River Song and sixteen Torchwoods.** The thirty six monthlies are Torchwood. Obviously. 😋 **All of this is off the top of my head. I may have missed some...😳 Turns out I did forget some. The two Class boxsets. 🤦♂️
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Post by chronotis on Oct 15, 2019 1:20:36 GMT
Big Finish must know that their biggest days are behind them.
I'm not at all surprised that they are going to stockpile stories for later use. The loss of Gareth Thomas and Paul Darrow pretty much kills Blakes 7 as a series. It must have put the fear of god into them.
William Russell has retired, Purves, Hines, Colin and Syl etc aren't getting any younger. Baker is fine because of banking stories, but its quite likely that in 5 years they'll have lost their ability to record 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th and 7th Dr stories.
That combined with rising costs due to Brexit, Tennant's limited availability and Eccles and Smith declining to take part paints a pretty bleak picture for Big Finish's long term future.
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Post by chronotis on Oct 15, 2019 1:34:09 GMT
Plus we know from other sources that there is Doctor Who merchandise franchise fatigue. I can't see how that wouldn't have impacted Big Finish's bottom line.
That's the problem with their 2 year production period. Things can change significantly in that time. Dr Who is now nowhere near as prominent in the public conciousness as it used to be.
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Post by tuigirl on Oct 15, 2019 7:34:08 GMT
Big Finish must know that their biggest days are behind them. I'm not at all surprised that they are going to stockpile stories for later use. The loss of Gareth Thomas and Paul Darrow pretty much kills Blakes 7 as a series. It must have put the fear of god into them. William Russell has retired, Purves, Hines, Colin and Syl etc aren't getting any younger. Baker is fine because of banking stories, but its quite likely that in 5 years they'll have lost their ability to record 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th and 7th Dr stories. That combined with rising costs due to Brexit, Tennant's limited availability and Eccles and Smith declining to take part paints a pretty bleak picture for Big Finish's long term future. As sad as it sounds. But that is just the way it is. I am sure Capaldi will eventually come onboard, but even that would be of only temporary relief since he also isn’t 20 anymore. Let us face it, BF might get one more license extension from the BBC and after that, the topic will be pretty much closed. They might still exist after that in some form, but it won’t be anything as it is now.
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lidar2
Castellan
You know, now that you mention it, I actually do rather like Attack of the Cybermen ...
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Post by lidar2 on Oct 15, 2019 8:30:35 GMT
Big Finish must know that their biggest days are behind them. I'm not at all surprised that they are going to stockpile stories for later use. The loss of Gareth Thomas and Paul Darrow pretty much kills Blakes 7 as a series. It must have put the fear of god into them. William Russell has retired, Purves, Hines, Colin and Syl etc aren't getting any younger. Baker is fine because of banking stories, but its quite likely that in 5 years they'll have lost their ability to record 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th and 7th Dr stories. That combined with rising costs due to Brexit, Tennant's limited availability and Eccles and Smith declining to take part paints a pretty bleak picture for Big Finish's long term future. A very sad and sobering truth
As for the tastelessness of banking stories, I think it very much depends on the individual. Just as we all know people who have their will made, funeral hymns chosen and all their affairs tidied up as much as possible, we also know people who don't want to think about it at all and have made no plans/preparations and leave a bit of a mess for those left behind. Just as an accountant will tell you that some clients want to do inheritance tax planning while others refuse to even think about the subject, I think the DW actors would be just like the rest of us in this regard - some would see banking as simple common sense on BF's part and not be offended by it in the least, whereas others would react very badly to the suggestion.
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Post by BHTvsTFC on Oct 15, 2019 20:10:54 GMT
It makes sense for any business to not put all their eggs in to one basket. I don't have a problem with Big Finish trying out various licences. Survivors, Dorian Gray & Dark Shadows have turned out to be excellent additions to the BF catalogue, so there's nothing wrong with a bit of variety. For me it's all the new series Doctor Who spin-off ranges that seem to have diluted the quality of their Doctor Who product. Some of those ranges are average at best and seem to be produced just because they can. Of course, we are all different and ranges that I dislike might be deemed all-time classics by others, but I'd rather see the focus on quality before quantity going forward. So if BF want to trim the fat, it's fine by me. Yes, it's a strange thing isn't it. The announcement of the War Master made me groan, but I can't find any fault in the releases so far. Paternoster looks like it has the potential to be very entertaining although I imagine it will go down the usual route of including other Doctor Who elements - my main gripe with expanded universes in general is they don't often expand although Big Finish do a better job than most. I actually have a soft spot for Tales from New Earth, but I do see the problem with the new who stuff and that is fundamentally the lack of Eccleston, Simm, Bleach, Smith, Gillan, Coleman, Capaldi and Mackie. Why does Torchwood succeed? Because they have all of the original actors reprising their roles enough to make the odd side step viable. Big Finish originally had access to Davison, Baker, McCoy and eventually McGann, and the spin offs dovetailed from that. With New Who it is the other way round and, no matter the quality, the Doctor Chronicles will always be lacking their Doctors, and the spin offs their relevant Doctors as well. Passing fans will want River Song with Tennant and Smith, UNIT with Smith and Capaldi, John Simm as the Master instead of Derek Jacobi, a set of New Doctors, New Monsters, etc! If we can't have that we have to settle but how many are prepared to do that? As a New Adventures fan I am happy to accept that Big Finish struggle with full cast audios for various reasons but am happy that they have never totally abandoned the era. But I am just the one person. Personally, again, I am actually quite happy with Big Finish these days, especially compared the 'same old, same old' output of a few years ago, when they kept using the same writers over and over and over. I like that they are trying new ranges, giving new writers a go, giving diversity a go - I hope they do more of the originals, and the classics. I am looking forward to the Survivors Chronicles (if that happens) - like the New Adventures Big Finish never really give up on a range - The Omega Factor still gets the occasional release to give me some listening pleasure. You can't please everyone and there is the occasional new range announced that doesn't appeal, but I don't begrudge any range being successful because it keeps the company going, and makes new announcements possibly. I really hope that Helen Goldwyn is really excited about new Tomorrow People audios in that tweet btw!
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Post by Audio Watchdog on Oct 15, 2019 20:20:33 GMT
Big Finish must know that their biggest days are behind them. I don’t know that they do know that and I don’t know that that is true. You raise a lot of valid points but I don’t know if those points warrant such a doom & gloom conclusion. If indeed they are taking a step back and taking a hard look at all their ranges with the goal of cutting back, then I think that is a move that reaps almost immediate benefits to them. Stockpiling recording with each of their classic Doctors is also another smart move. I’ve said for a few years now, Big Finish is in a interesting place as a company. They are no longer tiny but neither are they large. It appears that JHE is doing due diligence and working on a plan to keep the company healthy and successful for another 20 years.
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Post by tuigirl on Oct 15, 2019 20:28:28 GMT
Big Finish must know that their biggest days are behind them. I don’t know that they do know that and I don’t know that that is true. You raise a lot of valid points but I don’t know if those points warrant such a doom & gloom conclusion. If indeed they are taking a step back and taking a hard look at all their ranges with the goal of cutting back, then I think that is a move that reaps almost immediate benefits to them. Stockpiling recording with each of their classic Doctors is also another smart move. I’ve said for a few years now, Big Finish is in a interesting place as a company. They are no longer tiny but neither are they large. It appears that JHE is doing due diligence and working on a plan to keep the company healthy and successful for another 20 years.This is exactly the impression I got from him.
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Post by polly on Oct 15, 2019 21:26:22 GMT
I don't think cutting back on the number of ranges is a bad idea. And I don't think it necessarily means BF is going to find themselves in a fix. I'd long thought that in recent years they'd been overdoing it on the spinoffs and box sets and JHE seems to confirm that. Scaling back to something sustainable seems like a course correction before getting themselves into real trouble. At least, that's how it looks from where I'm sitting.
I think there could be creative benefits to this in some ways. Depending on how they go about this, perhaps the main range could actually feel like the flagship series again without everything special going to a competing range. Maybe special arcs could stay limited like Excelis did instead of going on indefinitely. I think highly enough of BF to believe that a lot of ideas that may end up aborted can be folded into what remains, and that they are capable of using limitations to their advantage.
I can't speak to most of their non-Who output, but if it were me for an ongoing basis, I'd be trimming down to, say:
Doctor Who - MR with Paul McGann collapsed back into it, and adding Tennant. Torchwood - Monthly or Season 5+ box sets, not both. Gallifrey - Perhaps twice annual. Time War stuff goes here. Benny - Once or twice per year like Gallifrey. Short Trips - I'm sure these cost little to produce, so why not. Early Adventures and CC's collapsed into one range.
Everything else could feature within the above instead of headlining its own ranges/boxes.
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Post by tuigirl on Oct 16, 2019 13:58:07 GMT
I think a reduction in output would be a good move for Big Finish. I doubt I would buy any less and would let some other non Who titles get a chance. Adam Adamant is a prime example of a title I was initially interested in, but then I looked at what I already had pre-ordered for January and it gave me pause...and then they announced Dark Universe and this series will have to go on the back burner for me. But on the other hand
Regards
mark687
Well, according to Jason, Alex is very keen and loves the character and is always pestering them to do more. And if they sell well, why would they stop? At least with River they would have a popular New Series link.
However, maybe they only do one per year after Volume 7.
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Post by muckypup on Oct 16, 2019 14:15:11 GMT
But on the other hand
Regards
mark687
Well, according to Jason, Alex is very keen and loves the character and is always pestering them to do more. And if they sell well, why would they stop? At least with River they would have a popular New Series link.
However, maybe they only do one per year after Volume 7.
River is the female doctor that tv should have had, it good big finish have found a formula that works for her........ if she is so keen perhaps try her in the main range along with the pat gang and possibly the anti hero’s like master?missy main range is still great but feels a bit stale with all the shines event boxes around it........it’s monthly advendures now perhaps time to add some of the none doc titles to it........
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2019 14:18:02 GMT
It could be why they are branching out into things like Star Cops and Space 1999. To have replacements when certain sad things come around and some long running ranges and stories come to an end. It makes sense for any business to not put all their eggs in to one basket. I don't have a problem with Big Finish trying out various licences. Survivors, Dorian Gray & Dark Shadows have turned out to be excellent additions to the BF catalogue, so there's nothing wrong with a bit of variety. For me it's all the new series Doctor Who spin-off ranges that seem to have diluted the quality of their Doctor Who product. Some of those ranges are average at best and seem to be produced just because they can. Of course, we are all different and ranges that I dislike might be deemed all-time classics by others, but I'd rather see the focus on quality before quantity going forward. So if BF want to trim the fat, it's fine by me. I think they are truly are a great company and would never wish them any difficulty. Trying as many ranges as possible is brilliant,not just Doctor Who, can only be healthy and as seems to be happening a greater presence at Comic Con events etc exposes people who have perhaps not heard of them to jump on ship. I mean Big Finish Day is a great day for lovers of the Company’s ranges but further exposure is still required. I have played these Cds many times at work and people who didnt know the company or ranges existed have jumped on board. They now have serious presence in DWM magazine ,a magazine i no longer purchase and it would be nice to see advertisements on general TV for ranges they produce. They know they are a presence to reckon with some very skilled writers producers,directors and the revamped website and app are slick now. I would like to see them branch out with detective stories/spy thrillers as they are attempting to do. They have had a bit of a coup with the Star Trek novels and must surely be on Paramounts radar for those. I wish them every success they have brought me and so many others a lot of happiness over the years I mean Star Cops although I hear it is good it was never ever going to be a major money spinner.Terrahawks?Captain Scarlett ? Blakes 7 is cult TV and i hope can continue in some form with some recent major player losses. It has held the Doctor Who license and good for it,as it has respected the product and the show more than the BBC has ever done. Things change and am sure Jason is a smart man and has a plan for his company’s future. His recent visit to Tuigirl convention proves this man is very much behind his company and his products. Next Time they are In Glasgow i just hope they ADVERTISE it in advance instead of me catching a snippet on James Goss Twitter three days late lol.
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mbt66
Chancellery Guard
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Post by mbt66 on Oct 16, 2019 14:50:13 GMT
But on the other hand
Regards
mark687
Well, according to Jason, Alex is very keen and loves the character and is always pestering them to do more. And if they sell well, why would they stop? At least with River they would have a popular New Series link.
However, maybe they only do one per year after Volume 7.
I think this demonstrates the problem for Big Finish. I love the River Song sets and would happily have more!
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mbt66
Chancellery Guard
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Post by mbt66 on Oct 16, 2019 14:53:15 GMT
Well, according to Jason, Alex is very keen and loves the character and is always pestering them to do more. And if they sell well, why would they stop? At least with River they would have a popular New Series link.
However, maybe they only do one per year after Volume 7.
River is the female doctor that tv should have had, it good big finish have found a formula that works for her........ if she is so keen perhaps try her in the main range along with the pat gang and possibly the anti hero’s like master?missy main range is still great but feels a bit stale with all the shines event boxes around it........it’s monthly advendures now perhaps time to add some of the none doc titles to it........ And I am surprised that we haven’t gotten more Jenny the Doctor’s Daughter sets. I really thought she had the makings of a female Doctor more than River as she seemed to have her dads DNA when it came to what was right and what was wrong. River has a much more flexible approach...which I love! Perhaps the reason we haven’t had anymore Jenny sets is that the BBC didn’t like the competition. Or more importantly the comparison!
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Post by mark687 on Oct 16, 2019 14:56:38 GMT
Well, according to Jason, Alex is very keen and loves the character and is always pestering them to do more. And if they sell well, why would they stop? At least with River they would have a popular New Series link.
However, maybe they only do one per year after Volume 7.
I think this demonstrates the problem. I love the River Song sets and would happily have more! And I am surprised that we haven’t gotten more Jenny the Doctor’s Daughter sets. I really thought she had the makings of a female Doctor more than River as she seemed to have her dads DNA when it came to what was right and what was wrong. River has a much more flexible approach...which I love! I can guess why there's a delay on Jenny another little Tennant arrived recently.
Regards
mark687
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Post by anothermanicmondas on Oct 19, 2019 12:56:21 GMT
Rolling list of stuff from Nick's Twitter Q&A: - No plans for more Class
strange how news unfolds....
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Post by tuigirl on Oct 19, 2019 13:17:33 GMT
Rolling list of stuff from Nick's Twitter Q&A: - No plans for more Class
strange how news unfolds.... Ergo- another Class set is about to be announced but apart from that, no more are in the pipeline for now?
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Post by Star Platinum on Nov 13, 2019 18:34:21 GMT
I’m having trouble posting it, but according to Elliot Chapman’s Twitter, this is his final story as Ben Jackson. His twitter bio says he’s a “semi-retired” actor, so maybe he’s moving on to a new career? I wonder if it’s something to do with Dreyfus, I do recall hearing he donated his fee for this story due to that scandal earlier this year. Perhaps this was something to do with that? (Granted this is speculation) Whatever the case, I hope the split was amicable, Chapman was a delight as Ben and I hope that there may be a few more stories with him if the stars align.
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