Merkelbach Film's friend and supporter, Nikki Buckley is going to turn
up the heat when she appears in the new series of Dancing with the
Stars, which hits the Australian airwaves this month.

The model-turned-television-personality will be paired with
professional dancer Andrew Palmer (no relation to Stuart
Palmer of Altered Vistas Productions)with rehearsals currently taking
place 4 days a week (everyday when the show airs).
Reports say that Nikki wants to wow audiences with her dance routines.

Andrew Merkelbach and the Merkelbach Films team would like all our
fans to get behind Nikki, when the show starts September 6...

A new undisclosed film project is now in production, while another
secret project is about to enter post production. Curious? Excited?
Expect more news soon…

WATCH THIS SPACE!

Merkelbach Films Team

We have received the maximum amount of order numbers for the
forthcoming Complete Alternate 10th Doctor DVD release. The interest
has exceeded our expectations and thus
sadly we will not be accepting any more order requests. This was
always going to be an extremely limited release for die-hard
Merkelbach Films & Doctor Who fans only.

However, Merkelbach Films will be releasing a lower-grade PAL VHS of
the complete Alternate 10th Doctor at a later date. The Inside the
Tardis footage and photo galleries will be omitted from this
additional release. It will also only be available to Merkelbach Films
group members (for the cost of a blank tape and postage).


Merkelbach Films Team

The Complete Alternate 10th Doctor DVD
Release Date: 2005/6

For the first time Andrew Merkelbach's tenure as the Doctor will be
released on shiny DVD. The disk will feature an updated version of
Time Waits For No Man with brand new special effects, along with two
previously unreleased short films from 2001, the complete Land of Hope
and Glory radio pilot and an all-new short film shot especially for
this release.

Stop press! The disk will also include exclusive never-before-seen
special features like video highlights from the 2005 "Inside the
Tardis" event in Geelong, Australia!

Please note: This will be a non-profit FAN FILM DVD release. Only a
limited number of copies will be available, so e-mail us NOW to
reserve a copy of this unique item. No attempt has been made to breach
BBC copyright laws. Primarily, always support the official BBC
releases.

Last night Andrew Merkelbach attended the "Inside the Tardis" event at
the Ford Theatre in Geelong. A great night was had by all. A special
photo montage of Andrew with Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Katy
Manning and Tim Ferguson has been added to the photo section of the
group. Larger images will appear at a later date.

Andrew's 2003 film, Curse of the Del Garria was actually considered by
McPherson Touring for the Inside the Tardis stage show in early July.
The reason it was dropped was because the Director did not feel that
cutting the film up into stills or showing brief clips would do it
justice.

Jo Mackintosh the Associate Producer of the show said `We all
thoroughly enjoyed Curse of the Del Garria and wish Andrew the best
with his filmmaking. He is clearly a very talented filmmaker.'

Merkelbach Films Team

Despite what was reported previously, work on assembling the
soundtrack for this epic-sized production has already begun. Stuart
Palmer (of Altered Vistas) is hoping to make some excellent progress
on the visuals to have the story ready for release later in the year.

Work is still progressing on "Children of the Revolution", but it now
seems likely that this production will not be the next release for
Stuart Palmer & Altered Vistas. Not to worry though, as it is
definitely on the cards for release later in the year.

In the film, Andrew Merkelbach lends his vocal talents to impersonate
the 8th Doctor (as originally played by Paul McGann). "Children of the
Revolution" is an adaptation of the acclaimed Doctor Who Magazine
comic of the same name. It will be the first Doctor Who film ever to
feature under water Daleks. More news to follow...

Merkelbach Films Team

Andrew Merkelbach is set to appear as an "alternate" 10th Doctor Who
in two new UK fan productions. More details on this soon…

Merkelbach Films Team

Australian actor Andrew Merkelbach will star in a new UK science
fiction audio series called `The Frontier of Warriors' later in the
year.

Expect some updates in the coming months...

Original Traveller short story "The Mission" is back online and
available to download from files section of this group.

With "Time Waits For No Man" now freely available to download online,
Merkelbach Films will no longer be distributing the Doctor Who fan
film on the VHS format.

Merkelbach Films Team

Maintenance News:

Some files/folders have been revised and updated. It is recommended
that members download new copies of the filmography, production list
and order form documents.


Merkelbach Films goes Google!

A Merkelbach Films Google group is now available to view/join. It is
worth mentioning that the Google group is not up to the standards of
our Yahoo group and should only be used as an alternative news
service.

Link: http://groups.google.com.au/group/Merkelbach-Films


Deadly Postponed!

Merkelbach Films has postponed production of the previously
announced independent film "Deadly Whispers". It is understood that
Merkelbach Films frontrunner Andrew Merkelbach has decided to pursue
his acting career and thus does not wish to be tied down to such an
ambitious project.

It is important to stress that this project has not been shelved
indefinitely and may yet be rescheduled for next year.


Merkelbach Impersonates Who!

Andrew Merkelbach has recently recorded a voice role for UK
production company, Altered Vistas, forthcoming adaptation of the
popular Doctor Who Magazine strip "Children of the Revolution".
Andrew Merkelbach will be impersonating Paul McGann's 8th Doctor for
the computer animated film. Altered Vistas, Stuart Palmer had the
following to say about Andrew `s performance, "Andrew gives an
eerily accurate impersonation of the Eighth Doctor and his
participation will make a huge difference to the quality of Children
of the Revolution."

"Time Waits For No Man" is the very first film download to be made
available from Clifford Hoeft's excellent independent film website.

You can download "Time Waits" in both Windows Media Video and
Quicktime Movie formats.

Clifford Hoeft download link:
http://www.cliffordhoeft.com/media/twfnm.html

A big thanks to Clifford for this exposure!

Acclaimed Doctor Who fan film "Time Waits For No Man" is coming to a
PC near you. The 1999 film which starred Andrew Merkelbach as the
10th Doctor (no, not the official one) will soon be available to
download off the net.

TIME WAITS FOR NO MAN (A)
Format: Video 8
Genre: Fan Film
Year: 1999/2000
Released: 2003

Traveling in the TARDIS, The Doctor is attacked by a powerful alien
force, which renders him unconscious. When he awakes, he finds that
the ship has landed on Earth in the not-to-distant future and
nothing is, as it seems in good old London…

Evil war criminal Neosis, has escaped the Thoronian's floating chryo-
prison. If he is not re-captured and brought back for containment,
the reality of the entire universe will be distorted and every
living thing will be robbed of both past and future.

Can the Doctor restore the order of creation itself?

Find out – soon!

It's been announced today that Scottish actor David Tennant has become
the 10th actor to play Doctor Who. An exciting campaign is now at an
end. Andrew Merkelbach had the following to say…

"I would like to congratulate David Tennant on becoming the 10th
Doctor Who. It is gratifying to know that the part has gone to such a
unique actor. I'm rather looking forward to watching season 2!

I would also like to thank all of the people, who supported me through
this campaign. Your contribution is greatly appreciated and will not
be forgotten. I'm flattered that you wanted me as Doctor Who."

Merkelbach Films Team

A special campaign wallpaper has been uploaded to the files section of
this group. Please feel free to put it on your desktop and spread it
around ;)

Andrew Merkelbach for the role of 10th Doctor Who!
Send feedback to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/feedback/

The campaign flyer is now on the Moviehole website! Keep spreading the
word!

Moviehole link:
http://www.moviehole.net/news/5402.html

Just a quick update with some new media links.

"Australian Actor makes bid for the role of 10th Doctor Who."
Clifford Hoeft – Promoting Independent Film
website: http://www.cliffordhoeft.com/home.html


StarNet Celebrity Gossip & News
Website: http://star-net-nexus.com/StarNet

A further opportunity to recommend "Andrew Merkelbach" as the 10th
Doctor Who!

BBC News Have Your Say link:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/4396437.stm

Support greatly appreciated!

Kind Regards,
Merkelbach Films Team

If you would like to make a further contribution to this campaign,
please send feedback to "BBC Wales" with "Andrew Merkelbach" as your
preferred choice for the 10th Doctor Who. A link is provided below...

BBC Wales Feedback:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/feedback/

Note: Merkelbach Films is not responsible for content on external
sites.

Support is (as always) greatly appreciated!

A flyer for the Andrew Merkelbach as 10th Doctor Who campaign has been
added to the photo section of this group. Please feel free to spread
the image around and put it on any websites/message boards.

For those still wanting to show further support, you can also leave a
message on the BBC message board with "Andrew Merkelbach" as your
preferred choice for the 10th Doctor Who. A link is provided below…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbpointsofview/F1951566

Note: Merkelbach Films is not responsible for content on external
sites.

Interest is growing with now a large group of fandom wanting Andrew
Merkelbach to be the official 10th Doctor Who. Links to news items
and campaign websites below...


NEWS:

WENN and IMDB news services 31/03/05
http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/australias%
20tv%20time%20traveller%20wants%20to%20be%2010th%20dr%20who

Moviehole 31/03/05
http://www.moviehole.net/news/5352.html


CAMPAIGN SITES:

Doctor Who: Timeless Tales:
http://members.tripod.com/sassy_chiana/timeless-tales/


We expect both lists to grow over the coming days. Merkelbach Films
will keep you posted on any further updates.


Regards,
Merkelbach Films Team

It was confirmed last night that actor Christopher Eccleston has
decided to leave the new Doctor Who series after just one season of
adventures. If you would like to see Andrew Merkelbach as the tenth
Doctor Who, then please contact the BBC a.s.a.p. A link is provided
below…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/feedback/

Note: Merkelbach Films is not responsible for content on external
sites.

Issue 177 of 'Data Extract - The Magazine Of The Doctor Who Club Of
Australia' features an exclusive article by Andrew Merkelbach about
the creation of The Traveller. Also included is the 'Curse of the
Del Garria' review by K G Redhead.

The fanzine can be obtained by visiting the clubs official website:
http://www.doctorwhoaustralia.org/

Or/ alternatively it can be purchased from Galaxy Bookshop:
http://www.galaxybooks.com.au/


Merkelbach Films Team

New easy-to-use order forms have been uploaded in the files section.
A special non-Australia order form is now availble for overseas
members.

Andrew Merkelbach has agreed to lend his vocal talents to an out-of-
house production company in 2005. The project will be the first of
its kind (ever) and will hopefully bring even more acclaim to the
versatile actor/director.

Andrew said that he is very excited about the project and is looking
forward to working with a new and equally skilled production team.

With the additional added commitments, Andrew has decided to shelve
the recently announced "Neosis Factor".

Expect more news and announcement soon!

Happy New Year from
Merkelbach Films Team

"DEADLY WHISPERS" (2005)
Format: DV
Approx. Run. Time: TBA (feature-length, 45mins+)
Genre:  Science Fiction/Horror
Written by Keith Redhead
Produced & Directed by Andrew Merkelbach
Release Date: TBA
Starring: TBA

Synopsis:
Newspaper journalist Jacob Mortimer and Selina Manning, a spiritual
kook with limited psychic powers join forces to investigate a
strange meteor shower in a small rural community…


More details to follow in the New Year!

"Whispers" will be Merkelbach Films first feature-length motion
picture! Shooting will commence around March 2005 in (and around)
Victoria, Australia. The film will be shot on digital video.

Teaser:
-If you enjoyed "Invasion of the Bodysnatchers" or "28days later",
your going to LOVE this Australian made sci-fi/horror!

Merkelbach Films have decided to "rest" the Traveller for the time
being, in favour of some exciting new projects. This decision was
prompted by Andrew's own desire to do something different. He
explains in this mini interview.

"After 3yrs of Traveller-related ephemera I'm starting to feel
rather bored with it all now." Andrew confesses. "Don't get me wrong
the Traveller has been a wonderful part to play and it certainly
proved that I could be a rather good candidate for the title role in
a certain BBC TV series currently being revived, but all good things
must come to an end…eventually."

Merkelbach had more to say on "that" BBC TV series and his own
film "Curse of the Del Garria"...

"I've showed people that not only could I make a film vaguely
inspired by Doctor Who, but also that I could convincingly play the
lead character as well. I proved, I could make a high quality
professional-looking film on a REALLY low budget and proved I could
act – what more is there to say on the matter? Doing more Traveller
films at this stage would seem pointless really."

Merkelbach Films will release the Traveller short story "The
Mission" online in December. The Traveller back catalogue will
remain available through Merkelbach Films.

Need I remind you that the "Curse of the Del Garria" DVD would make
an absolutely smashing Christmas gift for your sci-fi/horror
obsessed loved one! Download the Merkelbach Films store (word)
document in the files section of this group for ordering details.

We can now reveal that over the past few months Merkelbach Films
have been trying to acquire the rights to use a famous Doctor Who
monster in an Australian-made independent film.

Although I have spoken personally with various people from the spin-
off world, official contact has not been made with the firm handling
the creator's estate. A reply is now doubtful.

A very reliable "inside" source told me that nobody can get the
rights to any who-related characters, because of the new series.
However I am sure this does not affect already established
productions companies such as Big Finish and Reeltime…

Instead of the proposed spin-off, Merkelbach Films will make another
installment of the acclaimed sci-fi film series, The Traveller.
Filming will commence on the new film (Whispers) in 2005. More
details expected soon…

A big thanks to David J. Howe for his help and support.