The hype surrounding Altered Vistas animated Doctor Who film Children
of the Revolution continues, along with further praise for Andrew's
Merkelbach's portrayal as the 8th Doctor. Quotes below...

"Fantastic! The eighth Doctor sounds remarkably like Paul McGann."
- Brian Ashley

"Andrew is the new Doctor, or at least the voice, and what a brilliant
impression from Andrew of Paul McGann's Doctor. "No! Absolutely
positively emphatically not, Alison, how could you possibly suggest
it!" What a line, and how well it's delivered by the new Doctor. Who
needs David Tennant? Eh? Well I for one can't wait for series 2. But
surely Andrew proves he could play the part, RTD are you watching?"
- Stephen Herbert

"The McGann artist is very good."
- Dean Rose (Loose Cannon Reconstructions)

Copies of the film can be obtained by visiting Altered Vistas website:
http://www.alteredvistas.co.uk/index.html

Thanks to: Stuart Palmer and all the reviewers out there!

In other news...Filming has already started on the next Traveller
adventure announced in the last news update. More details to follow -
expect a big announcement surrounding the project in the not to
distant future.

Merkelbach Films Team

Last night I was lucky enough to attend the premiere of an amateur,
feature-length Star Wars fan film at Village Cinemas in Geelong. The
film titled "The Untold Tale" tells the story of young Jedi apprentice
and his friend set out to unravel the mystery of a mysterious pod
crash deep in the forests near their home. Overall, Rob Baard the
Director/producer and star of the picture has done an excellent job in
creating an epic-sized adventure with the usual budgetary constraints
that plague all of us low budget/independent filmmakers out there.
The overall production was a LOT of fun and there were moments when it
felt pretty close to the real thing. Rob's passion for movies is
evident throughout the film. In the making for 5yrs, this film really
tells the story of one mans vision to make the impossible, possible.
I'd say `The Untold Tale" has definitely raised the bar for future fan
films. I'm looking forward to seeing more films from Rob. A
commendable effort all around. Thumbs up.


Andrew Merkelbach
Merkelbach Films

Current Traveller films "Curse of the Del Garria" and the forthcoming
"Red" will be edited in to 15-18minute episodes, with both stories
each comprising of two parts. The decision was made for the benefit of
possible television/cable broadcasts. "It seems a lot more attractive
to have a complete series of five episodes of roughly the same length
rather then a handful of independent films with varied running times,"
replied Andrew when asked about the change "For marketing and
distribution purposes it certainly makes it a lot easier for all of us."

The episodic version of "Curse of the Del Garria" will be available to
view/download online in the near future. This is currently the only
story planned for internet release. Watch this space.

The stories in the first season of Traveller adventures are:

1. "Curse of the Del Garria" (2003) *Pilot story
    Written by Mark Robert Ritchie, x2 parts

2. "Red" (2005)
    Written by Dale Smith, x2 parts

3. "Man Out Of Time" (2006)
    Written by Kaye Redhead, x1 part
    *This replaces "Deadly Whispers" – due to budgetary constraints
    we've had to push this one back again!

In other news Merkelbach Films is happy to announce a new member to
the Merkelbach Films team…Introducing Clifford Hoeft!

Clifford Hoeft has a keen interest in the art of filmmaking, and while
he has not produced any films of his own he has endeavored to promote
and encourage the work of independent filmmakers. Thanks to the
technology of the internet Clifford has been able to contribute to
several film productions around the world, to companies based in
England, Germany, Canada and the U.S.A. It is with great pleasure that
Clifford is now able to help out with a local production based in
Australia.

Clifford will be handling web hosting, publicity and a few other odds
and ends.

Merkelbach Films Team.

A new short film titled "The Dog Food Sketch" is to be premiered in
June, alongside "Red", the much anticipated second entry in The
Traveller series. The film is said to be inspired by Andrew's fondness
for British comedy- in particular: "At Last The 1948 Show", "The
Goodies", "Monty Python", "The Two Ronnie's" and more recently "Little
Britain". More details soon.

Merkelbach Films Team.

Two new Traveller film episodes are now in pre-production. Episode Two
is titled "Deadly Whispers" and is written by Kaye Redhead. The on
again, off again film has undergone yet another rewrite, with cameras
expected to start rolling in a few months time. Details about Episode
Three are expected soon. It looks likely that season one of The
Traveller will consist of 4-5 episodes.

Merkelbach Films Team

A new hardcover book called, The Traveller Chronicles, will be
released by Merkelbach Films in April. The book chronicles all of the
Traveller films made from 2002 – 2006 and includes a staggering 124
photos, many of which are previously unpublished images. The book also
takes a retrospective look at Andrew's journey from young, aspiring
filmmaker to internationally recognized actor/director.

The book will only receive a very limited printing run, so anyone
interested in purchasing a copy of this companion to the Traveller
films should e-mail us at:

merkfilm@...

Regards,
Merkelbach Films Team

A brand new undisclosed project is currently in production. We can
reveal that it is not Traveller-related. More news expected soon.

Merkelbach Films Team

Merkelbach Films now have a proper website! A link is supplied below...

http://www.freewebs.com/merkelbachfilms/

Note: This new website will in NO way effect the established
Merkelbach Films yahoo group. Please stick with us!

Merkelbach Films Team

A small write-up about "Red" is featured on the Showermanmorris
production website. Australian film critic Clint Morris (also of
Showermanmorris productions - see above) cameos in the forthcoming
film as the voice of an ominous being.

Website link here:
http://www.showermanmorrisproductions.com/otherworks.htm

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

Merkelbach Films Team

A third live-action Traveller film is currently in development and is
expected to go in to production later in the year. The third film is
expected to round off the current film series. More details to follow.

Merkelbach Films Team

"Red" writer Dale Smith has included a page for the forthcoming film
on his website. A link is provided below…

http://www.dalesmithonline.com/

Click on the updates link to find the "Red" page.

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

Merkelbach Films Team

Children of the Revolution has now been released. The story can be ordered directly from Altered Vistas here: http://www.alteredvistas.co.uk/

The film is presented on two VCD disks and includes short films about the Blackpool and Brighton Doctor Who Exhibitions, along with exclusive bonus material kindly supplied by Lee Sullivan, the artist on the original poll-topping Doctor Who Magazine comic strip.

There is quite a buzz surrounding the project at the moment – this is what some people have said about Andrew Merkelbach's performance as the 8th Doctor…

 "Blimey. And flipping 'eck too!" Lee Sullivan

"Andrew Merkelbach's Paul McGann voice is a thing to be proud of." Richard Dadd

"Stuart should seriously consider doing more of these DWM (Doctor Who Magazine) adaptations, as they show that his skills can be equally well deployed somewhere other than Skaro and still make something that's enjoyably watchable. Particularly when he has an excellent soundalike for Paul McGann in Andrew Merkelbach!" Bryan McCormack

"Andrew Merkelbach... well at times he was so close I thought you had got Paul. Well done that man." Roger AKA Black Dalek

Andrew Merkelbach had the following to say, after seeing the completed project…

Wow! Children of the Revolution is quite a cinematic experience. The CGI is top notch and overall the production has a very professional/polished feel. It was great to see my lines actually coming out of the 8th Doctor's mouth (per say) and it was wonderful to hear his witty banter with the other characters (especially with Otago). Praise must be given to my co-stars: Anola Chase, Richard Dadd, Anne Lister and, of course, the very talented Stuart Palmer (love the Dalek voices, mate)!

The thousands of Daleks, revealed to the Doctor by Alpha in the catacombs of episode 3 is a visual masterpiece sure to rival the Dalek space fleet in The Parting of Ways. Stuart has done a marvelous job adapting this excellent comic and the epic scale of the production is nothing short of breathtaking.

Even though I didn't get the gig as Doctor 10 earlier this year, I can honestly say that when I watching this film, it almost felt like I had actually taken part in an official BBC Doctor Who adventure! That's a testament to just how good it is! Who knows? Maybe this might help to get me the role as Doctor 11...?

Merkelbach Films Team

Merkelbach Films is proud to announce the release of an exclusive preview trailer for the forthcoming film, The Traveller: Red.

The trailer can be downloaded from the following link: http://rapidshare.de/files/9510891/red.mpg.html

The file can be found by following the prompts - It's free and just over 8meg!

We would like to offer this exciting goodie as a Christmas present to you – our fans and supporters. The trailer will remain online until the end of January 2006.

Thanks must go out to: Patrick Furlong, Emma Furlong and Chris Abbot.

Merry Christmas from Andrew Merkelbach and the Merkelbach Films Team!

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

Next years Traveller anniversary special will be a limited edition direct-to-DVD production reminiscent of the animated webcast currently floating around the net.

The film itself will be a video-book adaptation of the popular Traveller short story, The Mission written by Traveller star/creator, Andrew Merkelbach.

Just over 30 specially produced "still" artwork images will illustrate the story.

The provisional release date for the film is May 2006.

In other news, the proposed Frontier of Warriors audio series has sadly been shelved, but UK production house, The Zeropolis Element are said to be in talks about a potential video-book, inspired by what we're doing with The Mission.

Andrew Merkelbach is expected to appear in the film, in a cameo role.

Merkelbach Films Team

Issue One of the Merkelbach Films/Andrew Merkelbach newsletter is now out of print. Thank you to all the people who sent us feedback – we're glad you enjoyed reading it!

A second newsletter is planned for sometime in 2006 – watch this space!

Merkelbach Films Team

The lasted December/January issue of Inside Film features "Red" in
the "in-production" section of the popular magazine. Included in the
listing are cast credits, production credits and a synopsis.

Inside Film issue #83 is available now from all good newspaper
agencies.

Merkelbach Films Team.

Merkelbach Films regret to inform that due to some unforeseen
circumstances, the forthcoming release of "Red" has been slightly
delayed (probably by a couple of months). More details soon.

Merkelbach Films Team

UK production house, Altered Vistas had hoped to have "Children of the
Revolution" released by the end of November, but unfortunately some
set backs have postponed the release until the second or third week of
December.

Apparently the reason for this delay is because Altered Vistas are
planning to include some very special bonus material which is going to
make the forthcoming two-disc VCD set something truly spectacular.

Even the Doctor himself, Andrew Merkelbach has no idea what these
special features are all about. Time will tell…

Thanks to Stuart Palmer of Altered Vistas Productions for the update.


Merkelbach Films Team

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the MerkelbachFilms
group.

   File        : /Wallpapers/Traveller_retrodesign.JPG
   Uploaded by : drewparapark <DrWhoTimeWaits@...>
   Description : *NEW* (800x600)

You can access this file at the URL:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MerkelbachFilms/files/Wallpapers/Traveller_retrode\
sign.JPG

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/groups/files

Regards,

drewparapark <DrWhoTimeWaits@...>

A special short film will be released next year to celebrate the
Traveller's 5th anniversary. Details about the project are being kept
a closely guarded secret, although we can reveal that the project will
NOT be a continuation of the current film series, but rather a stand
alone outing.

More details to be revealed soon!

Merkelbach Films Team

On Tuesday 08/11/05 Australian actor/director Andrew Merkelbach
attended "The Goodies Still Alive" event at the Ford Theatre in
Geelong.

Although a signing didn't take place, Andrew was lucky enough to meet
both Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke Taylor after the show. Photos of
this will appear on the site in the near future...

Watch this space!

Merkelbach Films Team

A new book written by Dale Smith is to be published by UK publishing
house Telos in April 2006. The book titled "The Albino's Dancer"
features the character Honore Lechasseur, who first appeared in the
Telos Doctor Who novella line from 2002-2004.

More details available at the Telos Publishing website:
http://www.telos.co.uk/

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

Merkelbach Films Team

Gottabe" - a track composed by UK composer Tim Wright (of Cold
Storage) will appear (alongside music by our resident soundtrack
artist Thomas Park) in our forthcoming feature Red. Tim's has
previously had his music featured on several popular Sony's
PlayStation ganmes.

For more information please visit the Cold Storage website here:
http://www.coldstorage.org.uk/

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

Red details published in the AFC (Australian Film Commission) Upcoming
Production Report - October 2005.

Download link here:
www.afc.gov.au/downloads/pubs/upr_drama.pdf

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

Merkelbach Films Team

"THE TRAVELLERP: RED" (2005)   Feature
Format: DV
Approx. Run. Time: TBA
Written by Dale Smith
Produced & Directed by Andrew Merkelbach
Edited by Patrick Furlong
Released: February 2006
Starring: ANDREW MERKELBACH as the Traveller, MARIJANA KRESO, JOHN
KING, CATHERINE BILLINGHAM and MATT MORAN

Synopsis

"You shouldn't be out here on your own. It's not safe."

A body is discovered on a beach in New South Wales. A girl is
missing from her home. Something is lurking in the woods. Something
that shouldn't be disturbed.

It's not a safe place for travellers, but when have The Traveller
(ANDREW MERKELBACH) and Red (MARIJANA KESO) ever worried about being
safe?

But The Traveller is worried now. Red is in the woods…


Note: 20 publicity photos from "Red" have been uploaded to the photo
section of this group.

Merkelbach Films Team

Filming has officially wrapped up on Merkelbach Films latest
production "Red". Film critic and Moviehole webmaster, Clint Morris
recorded a special cameo today for the new feature-length film
project - further detals below.

Andrew Merkelbach was very pleased with Clint's performance and
enjoyed sharing stories with the media personality.

Although the full title (and details) of film were to be withheld
online until early next year, word has broken out across the media
and the project has now been revealed.

Full details appear below (adapted from the press release and
various media sources):

Merkelbach Films is proud to announce production of the new
Australian sci-fi movie, Red, from acclaimed Dr Who writer Dale
Smith.

Filmmaker Andrew Merkelbach, who Panini Comics deem `the next Peter
Jackson', has internationally garnered quite a following for co-
starring in and directing a series of Dr Who-inspired short films
called The Traveller.

Red transfers the character of The Traveller (played once again by
Merkelbach), a cluey entrepreneur transported to different locales
that are welcomingly overrun by evil, to a much bigger canvas — the
feature film.

The movie has been filming on the Victorian Coast since early 2005,
and is set to premiere theatrically in February 2006.

'We've got a good little ensemble here', says Merkelbach. 'There are
a couple of special appearances in here too, including Clint Morris,
the film critic, who's really amusing. I'm hoping that gets me a
good review', he laughs `We've got such a big fan base now that
we've got no choice but to make something as solid as steel'.

For a full press release, please visit the following link:

Inside Film Magazine:
http://www.if.com.au/press/2005/09/28.html#item11108

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

Merkelbach Films Team

The provisional release date for Children of the Revolution has been
announced as mid-November. Apparently the animated adaptation will be
released on double VCD (by Altered Vistas) and will be packed to the
gills with bonus features on each of the two disks.

Work on Episodes One to Four has now concluded, with soundtracks and
many of the visuals already completed for Episodes Five and Six.

Thanks to Stuart Palmer for the update.

Merkelbach Films Team

Issue one of the Merkelbach Films Newsletter is now being
distributed to the public. A small cover sample is available to view
in the photo section of the group.

Inside Issue One:

CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION!
  -Special article about Andrew Merkelbach's involvement in UK's
  Altered Vistas forthcoming CGI film adaptation of the popular
  Doctor Who Magazine strip, Children of the Revolution (includes
  exclusive screen shots from the production!)

NIKKI BUCKLEY ON DANCING WITH THE STARS!

MEMOIRS FROM MERKELBACH FILMS: CREATING THE TRAVELLER
  -Original article by Traveller star/creator Andrew Merkelbach.

TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL SHEARD
  -Patrick Furlong looks back at the life and career of one of
   Britain's greatest actors.

NEWS FEATURE: THE TRAVELLER RETURNS
  -Information withhold due to the special nature of the content!

THE FRONTIER OF WARRIORS
  -Detailed info on the forthcoming Frontier of Warriors series
   from Patrick Furlong/Zeropolis Productions (includes details
   of who Andrew will be playing the series).

ANDREW INSIDE THE TARDIS
  -Photos of Merkelbach with Doctor Who stars, Sylvester McCoy,
   Colin Baker and Katy Manning, along with host Tim Ferguson.

MUSIC DOWNLOADS FROM CURSE COMPOSER
  -Details about Mystified's two new albums.

ANDREW MERKELBACH AS DOCTOR WHO
  -A look back in time to March/April 2005 when with the help of a
   large fan  base, Australian actor, Andrew Merkelbach campaigned
   to become the 10th Doctor Who! Includes original message posts
   from the Merkelbach Films yahoo group, media links and a
   vintage campaign wallpaper.

WHAT THE PAPERS SAID
  -Newspaper clipping featuring Andrew Merkelbach/Merkelbach Films.

If you would like a copy of this special publication please e-mail
us at: merkfilm@...

The newsletter is free (that's right FREE!), but postage costs will
apply.

Merkelbach Films Team

Merkelbach Films will be releasing a new newsletter magazine this
September to help further spread the word about Merkelbach Films
independent productions. The `zine will include up to date
information about actor Andrew Merkelbach with various contributions
from friends and supporters.

Along with news exclusives (we've got one that's so big, you'll wet
your pants!), original articles, fiction, photos, comics and more!
It's a limited edition collectible you won't want to miss out on and
the best news is that the first issue is being made available FREE
to the public!!

The Merkelbach Films Newsletter will be released 2-3 times yearly.
Expect mass circulation! Limited copies will be made available to
the group, so if you would like one please e-mail us now at:
merkfilm@...

Please note: postage costs apply.

Stop press! Exclusives set to appear in issue one of the Merkelbach
Films Newsletter will not be announced or/ released on the web until
2006!

Merkelbach Films Team

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...