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Category Archives: Writing
All Quiet on the Writing Front…?
So… it has been a while since I last posted any news because, at the moment there’s not a lot I can say about what I’m working on for contractual reasons. But that is a *good* thing. However, I’m going to try – without being too cryptic – to give you an update on stuff:
TV-wise I have been focussed on two projects at opposite ends of the age scale.
The first is my primetime crime drama Surface Tension which I have been developing with the fantastic people at Chrysalis Vision – especially Head of Development Adam Leatherland – for the past few months.
Working for and with a producer who not only shares your vision but can improve it while also believing in your capabilities is an incredibly positive, fruitful and rewarding experience.
(I have also been earmarked as a staff writer on a new live action show that will be going into production very soon. As with everything in this business, however, nothing is concrete until it’s actually happening!)
The second of my shows is an animation show for Cartoon Network. I can’t reveal much more but it was pitched back in January with some amazing visuals from my friend Howard Rushfirth (one of the two fab people behind Captain Extraordinary, for whom I wrote the pilot a few years back). Howard is a very intuitive designer and he and I are like peas in a pod fandoms-wise. We’re also both bald. Read into that what you will.
This is the second time that I have had the pleasure of doing what I refer to as a “George Lucas” in that I am steering, choosing and tweaking the design for my characters – just as I have been for Rob, my creator-owned IP graphic novel for Legendary Entertainment which continues to be written, drawn and inked ahead of its release later this year.
Also for Legendary, my Lost in Space comics have been coming out as beautiful hardback graphic novels.
The first entry from me was “Secrets” which was released in time for Christmas last year. As these stories goes along my excitement for them is greater than the last and the next instalment will be hitting the shelves later this month on the 22nd May. It’s a rip-roarer of an adventure for Will called “Quality Time” and I can’t say much more than that. But I am most excited about the third volume, which hits shelves around SDCC time. You’ll see why…
“What about Doctor Who?’ I hear you say!
Well… I have been working on some projects that might have a 13th Doctor connection. But even that is probably saying too much! And we’ll just have to see if any of them see the light of day. Sonics crossed for that.
I am also writing new IP for a comics publisher, and an announcement on that should be forthcoming relatively soon. It’s been an exciting ride thus far and there is more to come.
I am also working on my first game writing and developing other shows – one with a UK broadcaster; the other with a US production company. I am also moving forward with new spec TV scripts, comics and novels.
So, if it appears to be a bit silent over here it’s because I am like the proverbial swan (I know, I know: bear with me on this):
On the surface it might all seem quiet and serene but there’s tension and froth beneath as I paddle away like a loon! đ
Here be Dragons… well, Monsters.
I love Doctor Who. To anyone that knows me or has heard of me, that shouldnât be news. But I mean I have always loved it⌠probably ever since I sat on my brotherâs knee as a baby and watched Patrick Troughtonâs last year as the Doctor. I canât remember it, but his brainwashing paid off!
Mum used to tell me stories about Jon Pertweeâs Doctor and how he would whisk us off to safety in the TARDIS to a planet where nothing could hurt us. And my emotional connection to the show was cemented forever…
Ever since then, Iâve been writing Doctor Who stories. And not just writing. I used to plan out everything â drawing the monsters, the costumes, the spaceships, even the weapons!
The other day, I was going through my stuff and fond some folders with a few of those stories and a few of the alien races I crated back when I was a teenager. Some of those have gone on to appear in my professional produced Doctor Who work.
I put a couple of the images up on Twitter and they seemed to go down well, so I thought Iâd stick those on here, too, and add some more to the mix.
First up are a couple of âgroup shotsâ featuring the Sherridell, the Doradans and the Shiri. (My use of the colon/dash is killing me!)
I donât want to say too much about any of the races in this update as they might still turn up in one form or another. But I think you can see that the Shiri are badass space marauders. They basically invaded and stripped planets of their natural resources â from minerals to people. Nasty.
The Doradans later became the Volsci for my Big Finish audio drama âParadoxicideâ (part of the 150th release, Recorded Time and Other Stories). By then they had become an all-female race of combative alines who are genetically engineered from embryos harvested from other races
The Volsci have a very strict caste system. All military Volsci wear dark grey/black body armour, veined with power conduits especially at the neck, wrists and trunk. Their skin tones do vary, although they are generally dark with black hair. They also wear Romans-style helmets. The central âplumeâ of these matches the colours of their âveinsâ.
Although there are many ranks, the three main ones are the officer-class CENTURIA (green), the terrifying INQUISA (yellow) who are powerful telepaths and experts at interrogation (and mental torture), and the regular troops, the MILITIA (red).
They are set to appear again in a new project coming soon!
In the next image we see a further three â Dom Raavi (leader of the Shiri) puts in another appearance and we meet the Torrinese and the (unimaginatively named) Phoenix.
These time-travelling avian lifeforms went on to become the Raâraâvis, who have appeared in two stories so far â my first Doctor Who comic strip for IDW, Time Fraud (drawn by Josh Adams) â and cropped up in last yearâs Doctor Who: Myths & Legends (drawn by Adrian Salmon).
Going through these lever arch files (I think re-purposed from school), I’ve found a whole load of sketches for aliens that didn’t even get names!
Although, I think the guy on the far right is an Inquino from a story idea of the same title. That may one day see the light of day. Who knows? As to the others… well, clearly a dog (perhaps my Cubil Terroriers??), something based on a Siamese Cat (!) and a bear thing!
I did two sketches fo this next one and i have no recollection of who or what he or she is… maybe I should have a “name the alien competition’!!
He doesn’t look very happy. Was he a cactus? A lizard? Who knows? Who. Knows.
I didn’t just come up with my own creations. I also wanted to play with all the main villains. So, yes! Of course, we have the Daleks. The story I had in mind was set on a jungle planet and I wanted to pay homage to the Dalek emerging from the Thames or the sand or even being spray-painted.
So, I had a camouflage Dalek appearing from the undergrowth (a few decades before those Ironsides)! I also had a Commandant Dalek – the one in charge of their base. He has pulsing/flashing lights in his sense spheres. I’d still love to see that design aspect!
I also had a go at the Cybermen. I loved the 80s designs but (whisper it) I never liked the Cyber Controllers with their egg heads. I thought (think) they look a bit silly (the updated Doctor Who seemed to concur with Controllers simply showing off their brains…). So, I dubbed mine a “Co-ordinator” and made him more badass by giving him “evil” eyes and going back to Revenge of the Cybermen for a design aspect – the ridged handles!
Next time, I’ll take a look back (and forward!) at the creatures and races I’ve created since becoming a pro including: Dahensa, Siccati, Shoalies (now called Mermin), Omsonii, Metraxi, the Tyk, Pathicols, Pelikorti, Haxeen and Stena…
Official press release from Legendary Entertainment for my first original IP.
Following the Success of Firebrand Season 1, Legendary Set to Debut 2nd Season Alongside New Titles Cursed and Rob Exclusively on LINE Webtoon in 2018
LOS ANGELES, November 17, 2017 â LINE Webtoon (http://www.webtoons.com), the popular digital comics publisher pioneering the development and distribution of comics worldwide, and comic publisher Legendary Comics announced today an expansion to their partnership that will include two all-new titles and a second season for red-hot series Firebrand. Headlining this expansion is Cursed, a new fantasy series, in Scottish mythology starring entertainer John Barrowman (Arrow, Torchwood, Doctor Who). The partnership will also bring LINE Webtoon readers new series Rob, a medieval action-packed heroâs journey by Richard Dinnick, and the highly anticipated second season of Firebrand: The Initiation of Natali Presano, a thrilling supernatural series from Nerdist News host Jessica Chobot, author/producer Erika Lewis and artist Claudia Aguirre.
 “Legendary Comics continues to produce explosively popular comic series, and we are thrilled to announce the expansion of our partnership,” said JunKoo Kim, Founder and Head of LINE Webtoon. “We saw a huge success with Firebrand and look forward to not only continuing the series but also bringing two additional series to Webtoon, including titles by John and Carole Barrowman, Erika Lewis, Jessica Chobot, Claudia Aguirre, Tommy Lee Edwards, Beni Lobel, and Richard Dinnick.â
Robert Napton of Legendary Comics went on to say, âIt has been awesome working with LINE Webtoon to propel the success of Firebrand, the platform has such a devoted base of readers and we love getting to interact with our fans each week. We canât wait to see the response for these new titles as we continue to broaden the scope of our work together.â
Readers can check out Cursed, Rob and Firebrand: Season 2 exclusively on LINE Webtoon in 2018. To download the official LINE Webtoon app, visit the Apple App Store and Google Play.
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- NOT FNAL ARTWORK
Created by British screenwriter and novelist Richard Dinnick, best known for his work in the revered Doctor Who franchise, Rob is a new series set in medieval England and France that follows Rob, a knight in training under the guidance of Sir Hugh. On a run-of-the-mill hunting trip, Rob tries to save the life of âThe Young Kingâ of England, but instead of being rewarded for his bravery, Rob is banished from the land. When The Young King is assassinated by Franceâs Chevaliers Sinistre, a secret order of highly-trained French knights, Rob and his mentor, Sir Hugh, head East to Constantinople disguised as pilgrims to complete a secret quest for âThe Spear of Destiny.â
“I am thrilled to be working with the amazing Legendary Comics and LINE Webtoon. They bring together years of experience and cutting edge technology, allowing us to reach a huge audience. And I hope that huge audience is going to love Rob as much as we do. It’s an exciting thrill ride through a slightly different mediaeval world than the one you’re used to! We’ve managed to hit upon a new genre in which our gallery of great characters can struggle, battle, face danger and love: Renaissance Punk!” âRichard DinnickÂ
MORE details on this exciting announcement as soon as I can… đ
New Year: New Agent!
I am very excited to announce that I have a new agent. Emily Smith at The Agency now represents me in the UK. One of the best agencies in the country, The Agency represents many of the most celebrated writers and directors of film, TV and theatre.
As it says on their web site: âAn agency is only as good as its clients and our clientsâ reputations speak for themselves.â I am thrilled and honoured to join these auspicious ranks.
It will be an exciting year ahead and there are many more announcements to come regarding the worlds of TV, books and comics. Emily and I have already discussed our strategy for global domination and I am currently looking at the volcano bases that Right Move have on their booksâŚ
I am still represented in the USA by my manager, Joe Riley.
Announced as Guest at 2017 Gallifrey One Convention
Richard has been announced as a guest at the biggest and best Doctor Who Convention: Gallifrey One. The Even will be taking place in Los Angeles between the 17th and 19th February 2017. He will be appearing alongside Paul McGann, Lalla Ward and a host of Doctor Who stars past and present. “I’m delighted to be back at Gally once more,” Richard said. “Thanks to Shaun for his kind invitation.” This will be Richard’s seventh appearance.
The Doctor and the Supreme Dalek
The eighth book in Richard’s series of Doctor Who histories is published later this year. The latest subject of these kits is the Supreme Dalek itself.
This collectible kit includes a 48-page book on “Doctor Who” and the Supreme Dalek, featuring full-colour series photography throughout. Also included is a miniature 3-inch Supreme Dalek figurine that has three distinct, menacing lines and features a light-up extermination weapon.
The Supreme Dalek is released (unleashed?)Â on the 13th October.
That Was The Year That Was: 2014 (part 3)
As summer moved towards Autumn, I made some exciting new contacts, received my first broadcast credit and September became on of my busiest months ever…
Continue reading
That Was The Year That Was: 2014 (part2)
After the initial kick off, the year became a headlong rush towards the summer. A busy March followed by a quiet April with one momentous meeting and a packed May. Continue reading
That Was The Year That Was: 2014 (part1)
It’s been quite a year for me so (as I do every year) it’s time for a retrospective. This is a useful exercise for any writer as it helps you see what you’ve actually been doing with your time (apart from the writing of course)! So join me on the first leg of a journey back in time through the past year… Continue reading
Richard Dinnick 