Brief Summary
This video serves as an introduction to Big Finish Productions' contributions to the Doctor Who universe, particularly focusing on the classic era Doctors and the Eighth Doctor. It discusses the origins of Big Finish, its relationship with the BBC, and its extensive range of audio dramas, including multi-Doctor stories, alternate realities, and the expansion of character arcs beyond the television series. The video also touches on the continuity aspects of these audio dramas and the approach the presenter will take in future videos, organizing them by companions rather than series or chronology.
- Big Finish Productions emerged from Doctor Who fan productions and has significantly expanded the lore of classic Doctor Who through audio dramas.
- The company has produced a vast array of stories featuring multiple Doctors, alternate realities, and expanded roles for companions.
- The video will focus on classic Doctors and McGann, organizing future content by companions to navigate the extensive Big Finish catalogue.
Introduction to Big Finish Productions
Big Finish Productions was established in 1998, evolving from Doctor Who fan production communities like Audio Visuals (AVs). AVs created nearly 30 unauthorized audio dramas in the mid-1980s, led by Bill Baggs, who later founded BBV to produce officially licensed fan productions. BBV created low-budget, direct-to-video films using licensed characters and monsters, while companies like Reeltime introduced characters such as the Brigadier's daughter, Kate, in "Downtime." BBV also ventured into non-Doctor Who projects, including "The Stranger," a series starring Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant.
The Origins and Evolution of Big Finish
Gary Russell, a former producer of the AV series, founded Big Finish, aiming to blend the approaches of AVs, BBV, and Reeltime to create officially licensed Doctor Who audio stories. Big Finish secured licenses to feature the Doctors themselves, launching with a Bernie Summerfield series in 1998, starring Lisa Bowerman. In 1999, they released "The Sirens of Time," a multi-Doctor story uniting Doctors Five, Six, and Seven, each in distinct settings. Paul McGann joined as the Eighth Doctor, marking the first Big Finish Doctor with an open-ended narrative, leading to continuity-heavy adventures.
Big Finish's Expansive Universe and Key Figures
Gary Russell served as the creative head of Big Finish until 2006, succeeded by Nicholas Briggs, who has continued in the role since. In 2012, Tom Baker reprised his role as the Fourth Doctor, contributing to hundreds of adventures. Big Finish has also recast roles, such as Jonathan Carley as a younger War Doctor. The company produces a vast amount of Doctor Who content, including series featuring Missy, the Paternoster Gang, the Lone Centurion, and Lady Christina. They also depict the Time War with various Doctors and Masters, including an alternate reality version where the Fourth Doctor destroys the Daleks in "Genesis of the Daleks."
Alternate Realities and Companion-Focused Stories
Big Finish explores alternate realities through the Unbound range, presenting scenarios such as a female Third Doctor or David Warner as the Doctor. The Companion Chronicles feature stories told from the companions' perspectives, while the Early Adventures blend audio drama and dramatic reading to recreate the feel of lost 1960s episodes. These series authentically capture the writing, performances, and sound effects of the era, even accounting for actors' absences.
The Sheer Volume of Big Finish Content and Notable Characters
Big Finish's extensive output includes stories like "Masterful," featuring multiple incarnations of the Master. The company has worked with numerous actors who have played the Master, except for those they lacked the license to use or chose not to hire due to conduct issues. Big Finish offers content for various Doctor Who preferences, creating a diverse range of stories.
Navigating the Big Finish Universe and Future Video Focus
The presenter acknowledges the impossibility of covering all of Big Finish's content and will focus on classic Doctors and McGann. While new Who doctors may be mentioned, the emphasis will be on the classic era. Despite the return of the TV series in 2005, Russell T. Davies supported Big Finish's continued production. The presenter will begin with the Sixth Doctor, Colin Baker, and organize future videos by companions rather than series or chronology, offering a guide to the expansive Big Finish universe.
