CMU School of Drama


Wednesday, February 10, 2010

The Glory And Terror Of Doctor Who's Concept Art

io9: "The new Cybermen could have looked much more chilling in David Tennant's first season of Doctor Who, judging from new released concept art by artist Peter McKinstry. He's shared the early concepts behind space stations, Supreme Daleks, and Paradox Machines."

2 comments:

Brian Rangell said...

I hope Jen Chauvin sees this article, because she is a bigger Who fan than I will ever be, but it's really interesting to see these designs and compare them to the elements that ended up in the show. Comparing the concept art for the Cyberman and the one that finally made it to air, the concept incorporates a lot more of the human inside the mech than the stark-faced man who ended up in the show (and looks comparatively much more like the Cyber-King from the final picture). Back in the original series, Dr. Who was lauded as being a show the entire family could enjoy (while hiding behind the couch together), but I can understand why some of these elements did not make it onto the show, for they are much too frightening even accounting for society's desensitizing over the past 50 years since the show's inception.

S. Kael said...

These are absolutely fascinating pieces of art, and I'm proud to say I recognize every piece from an episode I've watched. What they've created here and what I've seen on air are strikingly similar, especially in the little bots that the Master uses at the end of season three in picture 15. Those were quite a big part of the episode and I'm sure a lot of thought was put into their development. The rift device is also a huge part of why Torchwood exists (an offshot series realting to Dr. Who), and the art for it is interesting because the artist was sure that it would have a lot of life (in movement, and colour) despite its place in the background in the series.

The detail really shows in all of these pieces, and I'm happy to have stumbled upon them.