Podcasts, radio shows, writing and more by Alex Fitch
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Clear Spot: Past, Present, and Future Vectrexes
October 30, 2023
Clockwise from top left: Alpine Rescue menu screen, Share Squid software logo, stills from Alpine Rescue, Chris Romero in a Vectrex T-shirt, games by Future Vector, Ben ‘Rasmasynth’
Past, Present, and Future Vectrexes: In a Clear Spot looking at the Past, Present and Future of the Vectrex Arcade Console, Alex Fitch talks to a couple of programmers for the machine, and a collector / expert on the system. Benoit Bender from Future Vector / Rasmasynth discusses his latest collection of games – Vectral – being released for the Vectrex and his previous titles such as WireOut, Jon Day chats about his forthcoming game Alpine Rescue, and archivist Chris Romero explores his history of collecting for the platform.
Partially broadcast 27th October 2023 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London) (more…)
Clear Spot: The Vectrex at 40
November 1, 2022
Cover of Vec-Man / photos of Prof. Peer Johannsen and Steve Hopkins / mock-up of Vectrex with Vyrzon on screen / cover of Vecrex Multi-Cart / photo of Sean Kelly
The Vectrex at 40: Alex Fitch presents a show celebrating the 40th anniversary of the much loved, but obscure video game console the Vectrex: programmer Steve Hopkins talks about his forthcoming shoot-em-up Vyrzon published by Minsoft Games and influenced by classic shooters such as Space Invaders, publisher Sean Kelly discusses reviving long lost games for the platform such as Dark Tower and A Crush of Lucifer, and lecturer Prof. Peer Johannsen chats about training a new generation of coders at Pforzheim University, and making his own new games such as Vec-Man and Rotor.
Partially broadcast 28th October 2022 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London)
For more audio formats to download and stream, please visit archive.org
Links: Vyrzon publisher Minsoft games’ twitter account
Sean Kelley’s Vectrex website
Info about the 2022 Vectrex Academy taught by Prof. Peer Johannsen at Pforzheim University
Buy Peer’s Vectrex titles Vecman, Rotor and Gyrostronomy / Gystrology from Packrat Games
Info about Vector War XII / International Play your Vectrex Day
Previous Clear Spots about the Vectrex
Clear Spot – Doctor Who: 13, 26, 40 (ish)
October 28, 2022
Jon Culshaw, Janet Fielding, Peter Davison and Mark Strickson between recordings at Big Finish studios / cover of Doctor Who: Forty / Still from Doctor Who Am I featuring Matthew Jacobs / Covers of The Black Archive #25 and Faction Paradox: The Boulevard published by Obverse Books
Doctor Who – 13, 26, 40 (ish): In the gap between the end of one incarnation of Doctor Who and the start of another, spin-off material related to the show keeps fans entertained in its absence… Alex Fitch talks to actress Janet Fielding about reviving her character Tegan in audio dramas, the 1996 Doctor Who TV movie writer Matthew Jacobs and documentary maker Vanessa Yuille discuss their film Doctor Who Am I about encounters with fandom, and Stuart Douglas chats about publishing imprint Obverse Books which explores offbeat corners of the Whoniverse including titles featuring Iris Wildthyme and Faction Paradox.
Partially broadcast 27th October 2022 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London)
For more audio formats to download and stream, please visit archive.org
Links: Big Finish audio plays featuring Janet Fielding including Doctor Who: Forty vol. 1 and 2
Info about Janet’s charity Project Motorhouse
Doctor Who Am I facebook page
Info about The Light cinemas, where the film is showing on November 7th
Obverse Books website
Previous programmes on Doctor Who
Clear Spot: Sound and Vectrexians
October 30, 2021
Fell holds a prototype Vecribbon overlay / anticlockwise screen shots from Vecribbon, Raiding Party, Holzer Vectrex generated hand and polyhederon / Derek Holzer at Zagreb Vector Hack Festival 2018
Sound and Vectrexians: In a Clear Spot looking at new uses for the Vectrex games console, an arcade style machine by Milton Bradley from 1983, Alex Fitch talks to a pair of creators who use the machine to generate graphics paired with unique sounds. Programmer ‘Fell’ discusses his titles Raiding Party and 3D Vector Space Cab, plus forthcoming game Vecribbon, as part of the programming team Shattered Screens. Audiovisual artist Derek Holzer explains how he hacks the Vectrex to allow input of frequencies which generate complex images on the screen of the device, and can be manipulated for artistic effect.
Partially broadcast 29th October 2021 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London)
For more audio formats to download and stream, please visit archive.org
Links: Shattered Screens website including free demos and Vecribbon preorder
Derek Holzer website including article on Vector synthesis art
Videos by Derek Holzer on Vimeo and youtube
Vectrex fandom website including page on International Play Your Vectrex Day
Vectrex ProGaming Boards pages (more…)
Architecture Culture: From the City to the Suburbs (on film)
June 3, 2021
Posters for I am Ren / Minor Premise / stills from films being shown as part of ‘Return to the city’
From the City to the Suburbs (on film): In advance of the Barbican Cinema’s season ‘Return to the City’, Alex Fitch talks to cinema programmer Alex Davidson about the city-based films they are showing between 8th and 27th June, set in six different urban environments, from five different decades.
Also, in a pair of interviews recorded at SCI-FI-LONDON, Alex talks to director Patricia Ryczko and actress Marta Krol about their film I am Ren (Panacea), which depicts an android / housewife who is sent to a mental institution to find out if she is human or machine, and to film-maker Eric Schultz regarding his movie Minor Premise about a neuroscientist who experiments on himself with dangerous results.
Originally broadcast Tuesday 1st June 2021 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London)
For more audio formats to download and stream, please visit archive.org (more…)
Panel Borders: Eclectic Horrors
November 4, 2020
— 1 Comment
Art from Urotsokidoji by Toshio Maeda / Project Immortality by Coco Kirkland / Sticky Monsters by John Kenn Mortensen
Eclectic Horrors: In a belated Halloween special, Alex Fitch talks to three creators of very different horror themed comics. In a pair of interviews recorded at Copenhagen Comics Festival 2019, legendary creator Toshio Maeda explores his grotesque erotic manga Urotsokidoji: Legend of the Overfiend, and John Kenn Mortensen discusses his Edward Gorey inspired sketches of nightmares on post-it notes: Sticky Monsters. Also in a Q and A recorded at Cartoon County, Coco Kirkland chats about his cartoon inspired zombie / ghost graphic novel Project: Immortality.
Originally broadcast 4th November 2020 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London)
For more audio formats to download and stream, please visit archive.org (more…)
Clear Spot: Vectrexians
October 29, 2020
— 4 Comments
Onscreen Vectrex graphics for “Galaxy Wars / Space Launcher” and “Every Day is Halloween” and Glowing Pumpcart Cassette by Binary Star Software + Box cover for “Vextrexians” and graphics with overlay for “Vector Patrol” by Tutsoft, Zara plays Vectrex
Vectrexians: In a Clear Spot looking at the continuing good fortunes of the Vectrex games console, an arcade style machine distributed in the UK by Milton Bradley in 1983, Alex Fitch talks to programmers Chris Malcolm and Kristof Tuts about their new games for the console, and to graphic novelist Zara Slattery about her experiences of playing the Vectrex and teenage years in arcades.
Partially broadcast 29th October 2020 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London)
For more audio formats to download and stream, please visit archive.org
Links: Kristof Tuts’ website
Chris Malcolm’s website and ebay page
Zara Slattery’s website
Vectrex fandom website including page on International Play Your Vectrex Day
Vectrex ProGaming Boards pages on International Play Your Vectrex Day and the week long competition – ‘Vector War X’ (31st Oct – Nov 7th) (more…)
Panel Borders: Euro Noir – Igort and Jordi Bernet
June 4, 2020
Pages from Torpedo and Jonah Hex by Jordi Bernet / Stills from the film adaptation of 5 is the Perfect Number by Igort and page from the original graphic novel
Euro Noir: In this month’s show, Alex Fitch talks to a pair of veteren European artists who specialise in comics influenced by Film Noir. Alex chats to Igort about directing the film adaptation of of his classic graphic novel 5 is the Perfect Number, and how it differs from and homages the original comic. Also, in a Q and A translated by Miguel A. DomÃnguez, Jordi Bernet dicusses drawing the 1930s gangster saga Torpedo and American Western drama Jonah Hex. Recorded at the Institut Français, London and the Lakes International Comic Art Festival.
Originally broadcast 3rd June 2020 on Resonance 104.4 FM (more…)
Audio Dramatics: Companion Chronicles – Louise Jameson and Carole Ann Ford
May 8, 2020
Covers of ATA Girl + Doctor Who audio drams featuring Louise Jameson / Doctor Who and Susan’s War featuring Carole Ann Ford
An hour-long seasonal podcast series in which Alex Fitch talks to actors and creators of audio dramas broadcast on radio or released on CD/mp3.
Groundbreaking Podcasts: In this episode, a look at the return of classic Doctor Who companions in new audio dramas on radio and download, Alex Fitch chats to actresses Carole Ann Ford and Louise Jameson. Jameson talks about reprising the role of Tom Baker’s companion Leela, and appearing in audio dramas Survivors, The Omega Factor and WII saga ATA Girl, which she also writes for and co-created. Ford discusses playing the Doctor’s granddaughter in stories that range from monologues to full cast adventures, which revive the William Hartnell era of the programme, and also depict an adult version of the character taking part in The Time War alongside Paul McGann. Originally broadcast 8th May 2020 on Resonance 104.4 FM (more…)
Architecture Culture: Vivariums and Architecture on Film
March 20, 2020
Posters for Little Joe and Vivarium / Mark Kermode photo by Adam Prosser
Vivariums and Architecture on Film:
In this episode of Resonance’s monthly show on how Architecture and the built environment is represented in Culture, we explore examples of architecture on film. Alex Fitch talks to director Jessica Hausner about her psychological thriller Little Joe, which explores the effects of a genetically modified plant designed to alter people’s emotions, plus her movies about uncanny locations such as Hotel, Lourdes and Amour Fou. Alex also chats to Lorcan Finnegan about his film Vivarium that depicts the fortunes of a couple trapped in a maze of identical suburban houses, after a young couple get lured in by a creepy estate agent.
Plus, Mark Kermode discusses depictions of Architecture in such films as Blade Runner and The Shining in a lecture recorded at the University of Brighton. (more…)
Architecture Culture: Utopias / Dystopias
January 18, 2020
Favela Tower print by Toby Melville-Brown and interior of The Book Club, displaying The Future Was Big / Cover of the novel Animals by Emma Jane Unsworth and film poster
Utopias / Dystopias: In this episode of Resonance’s monthly show on how Architecture and the built environment is represented in Culture, Alex Fitch talks to artist Toby Melville-Brown and author Emma Jane Unsworth about their depictions of the city. Toby discusses his Tower series of prints which envision fantastical skyscrapers that absorb existing elements of urban architecture, and his exhibition at The Book Club, Hoxton – ‘The Future was Big’ – which contains sci-fi book cover illustrations of retro futures. Emma talks about her Manchester set novel Animals, and writing the screenplay for its film adaption – which relocates the drama to Dublin – in which two young women explore life in the modern city, with drinks, drugs and toxic relationships.
Animals is available now on Blu Ray / DVD / VOD and ‘The Future Was Big’ continues at The Book Club, London until February 16th 2020.
Originally broadcast Wednesday 15th January 2020 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London)
For more audio formats to download and stream, please visit archive.org (more…)
Architecture Culture: (Im)possible Worlds
November 21, 2019
Maria Smith and Phin Harper juggle ideas at the University of Brighton / Paul Franklin talks Inception at The Architects Underground (RIBA)
(Im)possible Worlds: In a new monthly show looking at how Architecture is represented in Culture, Alex Fitch presents talks by artists, curators, film-makers and writers about unique representations of architecture in different media. This month, Maria Smith (Interrobang) and Phin Harper (Architecture Foundation) discuss buildings and architectural forms that have less of an impact on the environment and how these ideas have been expressed at the Oslo Architecture Trienniale. Also, Oscar-winning Creative Director and VFX Supervisor Paul Franklin talks about his work helping to visualise and design impossible architecture on screen in Christopher Nolan’s film Inception. Recorded at the University of Brighton School of Architecture, and ‘The Architects Underground’ (RIBA, London), October 2019. (more…)
Architecture Culture: Locating Design in Fantasy Films
October 28, 2019
Architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright in THX 1138 and Gattaca / Mackintosh Chair in Blade Runner / Unicorn Tapestry in Harry Potter
Locating Design in Fantasy Films: In a new monthly show looking at how Architecture is represented in Culture, Alex Fitch presents talks by artists, curators, film-makers and writers about unique representations of architecture in different media. This month, in a panel discussion chaired by National Trust Head Curator Sally-Anne Huxtable, Robyne Calvert (Glasgow School of Art), Ersi Ioannidou (Kingston University) and Xavier Dectot (Keeper of Art and Design, National Museums Scotland) discuss how architecture and interior design by the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright and Charles Rennie Mackintosh help suggest science-fiction and fantasy worlds in genre films including Blade Runner, THX 1138, Gattaca and the Harry Potter film saga. Recorded at the Art History Association conference, University of Brighton, April 2019. (more…)
Electric Sheep Magazine podcast: Star Gazing
July 26, 2019
Alex Fitch talks to Marcel Barion after a screening of The Last Land / posters for Astronaut / Fonotune / After We Leave
Star Gazing: In this month’s Electric Sheep Magazine podcast, Alex Fitch talks to four directors about their films on rockets and space exploration. Shelagh McLeod discusses Astronaut starring Richard Dreyfuss, Fint talks about his eclectic musical drama Fonotune: An Electric Fairytale, and Aleem Hossain explores his revenge and redemption saga After We Leave. Also director Marcel Barion, production designer Johannes Bade and Assistant director Carolin Utsch discuss surrealistic sci-fi movie The Last Land, in an interview recorded at SCI-FI-LONDON. Plus classic tracks by Iron Horse, Rilo Kiley and Commander Chris Hatfield. Originally broadcast on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB on Weds 17th July at 5.30pm. (more…)
Audio Dramatics: Groundbreaking Podcasts
June 20, 2019
Promotional Images for Wooden Overcoats and Forest 404
An hour-long bimonthly podcast series in which Alex Fitch talks to actors and creators of audio dramas broadcast on radio or released on CD/mp3.
Groundbreaking Podcasts: In this episode, Alex Fitch talks to the writers of two drama podcasts which dig beneath two very different landscapes. Timothy X Atack discusses the sci-fi saga Forest 404, a dystopian series about an aural archivist discovering sounds of nature which could change her society forever – available on BBC Sounds, and starring Pearl Mackie, Pippa Heywood and Tanya Moodie, with accompanying documentaries and soundscapes. David K Barnes talks about his award winning comedy drama Wooden Overcoats which concerns the misadventures of a funeral director and his team of misfits on a small island in the North Sea, and his Doctor Who serials, The Dalek Occupation of Winter and Daughter of the Gods starring Peter Purves. (more…)
Electric Sheep Magazine podcast: Innovation in Animation
April 28, 2019
Posters for Francis and Doozy directed by Richard Squires / Fantastic Mr. Fox, Frankenweenie and Isle of Dogs, line produced by Simon Quinn
Innovation in Animation: In this month’s Electric Sheep Magazine Podcast, Alex Fitch talks to the creators of films which revisit old forms of animation in new and innovative ways. Director Richard Squires discusses Doozy, his semi-animated documentary about actor / Hanna-Barbera voice artist Paul Lynde, and short films Francis and Ontologically Anxious Organism, in an interview recorded at Fabrica, Brighton. Animation Line Producer Simon Quinn talks about working on classic British TV animated shows such as the turn of the century revivals of Fireman Sam and The Wombles, and stop-motion features including Frankenweenie, Fantastic Mr. Fox, and Isle of Dogs. The hour long broadcast of this show will be on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB on Weds 15th May at 5.30pm, repeated Fri 17th May at 2.30am. (more…)
Audio Dramatics: Female Time Travellers
April 17, 2019
— 1 Comment
Promotional image for Dilation by Max Hochrad / Doctor Who audio CDs featuring Jessica Martin
An hour-long bimonthly podcast series in which Alex Fitch talks to actors and creators of audio dramas broadcast on radio or released on CD/mp3.
Female Time Travellers: In this episode, Alex Fitch talks to the writer / director, and star respectively of audio dramas about female time travellers. Max Hochrad discusses his play Dilation about a female physicist from the 1970s who travels to a dystopian 21st century with knowledge of a revolutionary new energy process, in a story that shares the malevolent Forman corporation featured in the director’s short films. Also, actress Jessica Martin talks about the various Doctor Who audio dramas featuring Tom Baker and Sylvester McCoy that she’s appeared in, and the joy of reprising her role of Mags, an alien werewolf, from the TV show for a new trilogy of releases. (more…)
Electric Sheep Magazine Podcast: Documentary / Art
April 4, 2019
Photo of The Tent as displayed in University of Brighton gallery / stills from promotional video for Frames of Representation at the ICA
Documentary / Art: In this month’s Electric Sheep Magazine Podcast, Alex Fitch looks at the presentation of documentaries in art galleries. Director Kannan Arunasalam discusses his films The Tent, Kerosene and Paper being displayed in the Grand Parade Galleries, University of Brighton and at The Tetley Gallery, Leeds, which depict the effect of the Civil War on everyday life in Sri Lanka in the years that followed; ICA Cinema and Film Programme Manager Nico Marzano talks about this year’s Frames of Representation festival, which focuses on political and aesthetic approaches to documentary film. With music curated by Kieron Gillen, including tracks by Imarhan, La Luz, and Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks.
Originally broadcast Wednesday 20th March 2019, on Resonance 104.4 FM
Visit www.archive.org, for more info and formats you can stream / download (more…)
Audio Dramatics: Classic Characters, New Adventures
March 1, 2019
Promotional images for Tales Of A Timelord episodes 2 and 1 / Covers of Shilling and Sixpence Investigate and Doctor Who: The Catalyst by Nigel Fairs
An hour-long bimonthly podcast series in which Alex Fitch talks to actors and creators of audio dramas broadcast on radio or released on CD / mp3.
Classic Characters, New Adventures: In this episode, Alex Fitch talks to the creators of audio dramas that bring classic characters back to life in new adventures: actor / director ‘Invokal’ and writer R.R. Molyneux discuss their fan produced Doctor Who audio serial Tales of a Timelord, a series of nine stories spread over 22 episodes which tell the tale of an incarnation of the Doctor around their 20th regeneration, returning to adventures after a millennium in solitary confinement.
Plus: writer, actor and director Nigel Fairs discusses his series Shilling and Sixpence Investigate, a pastiche of Agatha Christie with David Warner and Celia Imrie, spun off from his long running saga ‘The Morlington Mysteries’, which is performed live at various venues around the country. Alex and Nigel also look at the latter’s scripts for new audio episodes of Sapphire and Steel, The Tomorrow People and Doctor Who for Big Finish Productions. (more…)
Electric Sheep Magazine Podcast: Dystopias and Parallel Worlds
January 18, 2019
Posters for Hidden Reserves, Nothing Really Happens and Alpha Gateway
Dystopias and Parallel Worlds: In this month’s Electric Sheep Film Show, Alex Fitch looks at dystopias and parallel worlds on film in three interviews recorded at SCI-FI-LONDON, the London International Science Fiction and Fantastic Film Festival. On stage, Alex talks to directors Valentin Hitz and John V. Soto about their films Hidden Reserves (Stille Reserven) and Alpha Gateway which depict worlds where corporations have subjugated humanity and travel between parallels is possible, and in a chat with actor / producer Joseph Graham, the latter discusses the surrealist suburban comedy Nothing Really Happens and his webcomic Monomania. With music selected by Kieron Gillen (The Wicked and the Divine) including future classics by Madge, Hayley Heynderickx, Sylan Esso and Jonathan Bree.
Originally broadcast Wednesday 16th January 2019, on Resonance 104.4 FM (more…)
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