https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D7y7mSaQxo The opening shot of Part 1 of The Mysterious Planet (1986) is a computer-controlled model shot of a Time Lord space station pulling in the Doctor's Tardis through a tractor beam and is notable for still looking lovely nearly thirty years on. Despite it being a BBC special effect not only from the 1980s but also from what is arguably the most turbulent period in Doctor Who history. Though its quality may have something to do with how much the shot cost: £8,000. Or when adjusted for inflation: approximately £22,000. It remains the most expensive special effect in all of Classic Who and shows that the BBC may have had misplaced priorities when it came to managing Doctor Who's constantly decreasing budget.
14. The Steven Moffat Era Begins Surprisingly Early
Although his first series as lead writer was not broadcast until March 2010, the wheels for Steven Moffats takeover of Doctor Who were set in motion much earlier. Russell T Davies extensive e-mail correspondence with journalist Benjamin Cook reveals that Moffat had informally made the decision to succeed Davies as early as September 2007. Davies and Cooks book The Writers Tale that documents their correspondence includes extensive discussion of Davies's decision to leave; choosing Steven Moffat as a successor, the negotiations with him, and finally this specific email from Davies to Cook dated 27th September 2007:
The Moff Steven just e-mailed me. He admitted, in an unguarded moment, that YES HES GOING TO DO DOCTOR WHO! So thats exciting.
JG Moore is a writer and filmmaker from the south of England. He also works as an editor and VFX artist, and has a BA in Media Production from the University Of Winchester.
