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Post by Dominic Francis on Jul 24, 2007 19:36:12 GMT 1
I had the opportunity to visit the 'Doctor Who - Up Close' exhibition at the Museum of Science adn Industry in Manchester recently, and what a great example of how the show has well and truly entered the zeitgest of the popular imagination. Here is a visual review of what I saw: On first approach to the museum you can't help but be wowed by the huge banner advertising the event: Even the admissions poster is entertaining: There are some great pieces of self-promotion dotted around the museum, when you first arrive ... ...and a great homage to the original series when you first enter the exhibition itself: The first part of the exhibition details major characters from the series, since its return in 2005 (with a revolving TARDIS in the centre which contains David Tennant's and Billie Piper's costumes) ... ... and then your slap-bang in the middle of the costumes and props. Great use is made of clips from the new series, on screens dotted around the space, and these illustrate some of the various items. There's also some really impressive montages as well ... ... as well as some old favourites: The mock up of the Powell Estate used in the TARDIS crash scene from 'The Christmas Invasion': Also seen around the exhibition are 'Prop boxes' full of the smaller items that might disappear if fully out on display. Some great explanatory billboards: Although I'm not sure if this Slitheen will get that record contract he's so obviously after! The 'diamond' from 'Tooth and Claw'. The ood have escaped! When you press the big button the dome rotates, the lights illuminate and the Dalek speaks ... A close-up of one of the prop boxes used to illustrate items from 'The Runaway Bride'. A rather wonderful TARDIS in the museum cafe Of course, a trip to a Doctor Who exhibition wouldn't be the same without the merchandise. Here's the bag it came in. A monthly questionnaire run by the exhibition organisers to win some more of the aforementioned merchandise! Overall, a very well put-together exhibition with some great set-pieces, and an amazing overall look that should keep anyone more than interested from beginning to end. |
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Post by Throgmorton on Jul 24, 2007 21:35:27 GMT 1
The pictures are fantastic Dominic.
They give a very good impression of the Manchester Exhibition especially for those who are unable to get to go in person.
What camera did you use as the images are really sharp and did you use a tripod?
Did you get to go in the cafe as the last time I went they had a nice full size TARDIS built from wood, one of 3 built by the prop building guys who work at the museum.
The second one is positioned outside at the end of the railway tracks so people who take the museum train ride can see it.
were the 3rd one is I dont know.
I do have some pics of the TARDIS that I could post but as you have done such a good job on these pictures, I thought I would see if you had any?
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Post by Daveym on Jul 24, 2007 21:41:44 GMT 1
This is a wonderful photgallery, thanks so much for going to the time & trouble mate!
It looks a pretty big exhibition and competition for Blackpools and it brings some fond memories back of the original Blackpool one... a lot of youngsters will recall Manchesters with equal fondness methinks.
I may well get to visit, a friend has been floating the idea, I am as always impressed with some of the lifelike displays such as the Clockwork man & Cyberman - I take it they don't have the 'No-Photos' policy Blackpool have (sometimes!)?
Well thanks again, a great set of pics.
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Post by Throgmorton on Jul 24, 2007 21:49:08 GMT 1
You can take as many pics as you wish at the Manchester Exhibition.
It was the first thing I asked and I got the reply "No problem go ahead"!
In fact I asked one of the Exhibition staff to take a picture of me and my Mum and at a later visit one of me and a mate, It was no problem at all.
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Post by Daveym on Jul 24, 2007 21:58:54 GMT 1
You can take as many pics as you wish at the Manchester Exhibition. It was the first thing I asked and I got the reply "No problem go ahead"! In fact I asked one of the Exhibition staff to take a picture of me and my Mum and at a later visit one of me and a mate, It was no problem at all. I had a relativley unpleasant experience at Blackpools when i went to see Debbie Watling & Terry Molloy a few years back, I knew they had a semi enforced rule against photo taking but had taken photos regardless, along with many others i expect. So there i was in the hall of monsters where Terry & Debbie were signing and I was taking pictures... tap on the shoulder and a "No photos in here Mate"! Grrrrrr  |
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Post by rextherunt on Jul 25, 2007 0:04:42 GMT 1
The Ood have escaped!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by rextherunt on Jul 25, 2007 0:09:58 GMT 1
Here is a photo from my trip....  |
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Post by Dominic Francis on Jul 25, 2007 7:55:25 GMT 1
Doh! I can't believe I missed the photo of the TARDIS in the museum cafe ... I have added it back in now. Also strange about the disappearance of the Ood but the Dalek Emperor wasn't there either as it was away for repair or something which was a shame. I suppose with lots of little fingers around, the smaller exhibits would tend to get damaged more often.
If anyone has photos of any items that aren't shown above it would be great if you could post it as an addition to this list, or send it to me and I will add it in to my photos.
The camera I use is a Canon EOS 300D Digital (which I think is 5 or 6 megapixel); this means that on full resolution each photo is about 3.5MB in size with dimensions of 3072x2048 pixels. A lovely large size from which to crop some decent photos, as I did with these.
I also did some small tweaking to the levels, contrast and colour on the photos using Adobe Photoshop CS2 because they were quite dark.
Glad you are enjoying it!
Cheers,
Dom.
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Post by rwalter on Jul 25, 2007 8:12:29 GMT 1
Excellent photos Dom. I have to go to Manchester on business in November and had hoped to visit the exhibition then - unfortunately it is due to close before I go - typical!!! Great to see the pics though! Thanks. Richard  |
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Post by shockeye on Jul 25, 2007 13:34:58 GMT 1
I agree with all the comments, great photos. I went about a month ago and got some pictures but non as good as yours. It is a very good expo and had a good atmosphere as there were lots of people around, however the shop was dire in my opinion and it would of been nice to see at least some classic stuff on display.
P.s Dave the staff at Blackpool are rude and also although they have a great display it lacks atmosphere due to about 4 people being in the place at any one time. evertime I go it is very very quiet!
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Post by Dominic Francis on Jul 25, 2007 14:12:16 GMT 1
I agree about the Doctor Who shop at the Up Close exhibition - it was a but rubbish apart form a suprising stock of mint Target books. Also, the staff looked like they really wished they weren't there too!
I thought that the Blackpool exhibition had closed a while ago?
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Post by shockeye on Jul 25, 2007 14:40:07 GMT 1
No its still open to my knowledge, but hopefully someone on here can definatly confirm it
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Post by Daveym on Jul 25, 2007 19:43:14 GMT 1
P.s Dave the staff at Blackpool are rude and also although they have a great display it lacks atmosphere due to about 4 people being in the place at any one time. evertime I go it is very very quiet! Yes, I've read tales of the Blackpool exhibit... I've been three or four times and keep meaning to go again as they now have the new series stuff but as you say the atmosphere can be poor, especially when the owners are about. My favorite exhibition was Llangollen for a bunch of reasons. You could talk to the people working there and have some very interesting conversations with the fellas in the workshop...  The first time I went was with my Local Group in 1999, they had a Dalek from the Comic Relief special and had helped out in it with props etc. I really miss it. Blackpool was very quiet last time i went (2006 i think) and it wasn't unusual to be about the only people in there! But with the new series i'm sure it must have picked up... interestingly my sister visited it the other day and reported seeing one of the 12" Remote control Daleks in the shop at £43!! |
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Post by Throgmorton on Jul 26, 2007 0:51:38 GMT 1
Yeah, I'm afraid that some of the prices in the Blackpool exhibition are on the steep side but they see the customers as a captive audience.
As for photographs, if challenged about it, point out that they sell disposable cameras!
I must say though I have had no problem with taking pictures.
They do have a nice section that has some old series merchandise for sale again not cheap but 'O.K.' for the merchandise thats for sale.
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Post by tonymclark on Jul 26, 2007 11:14:13 GMT 1
The Ood have escaped!!!!!!!!!!! As of today, the reason will have become clear why the Odd weren't there on your visit, they are back in the Doctor Who studio ! For a similar reason, some of the Time Lord robes were removed from Blackpool when The Sound of Drums was being recorded. TC |
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The first time I went was with my Local Group in 1999, they had a Dalek from the Comic Relief special and had helped out in it with props etc. I really miss it.