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 B7 Media - Blake's 7 Reborn
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| wall1885 |
Posted on 22-01-2022 17:37
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 Delta Grade  Posts: 40 Joined: 16.01.22 |
In the Wilderness years, before Big Finish, Blakes 7 was almost forgotten about accept among a few thousand Worldwide fans. Then back in 2006 something wonderful occurred, B7 Productions gave us Blake's 7 reborn, reimagined and recreated as a series of audio adventures. It was very brave to recast our favourite characters and basically change the stories we know and love into a whole new World. A very different Blake's 7 to the one we all remembered.  On 11th December 2006, B7 Productions announced that it had recorded a series of 36 five-minute Blake's 7 audio adventures, written by Ben Aaronovitch, Marc Platt and James Swallow. These stories featured Derek Riddell as Blake, Colin Salmon as Avon, Daniela Nardini as Servalan, Craig Kelly as Travis, Carrie Dobro as Jenna, Dean Harris as Vila, Owen Aaronovitch as Gan. The new series was broadcast on BBC Radio 7 and repeated in mid-2010 as three hour-long episodes. Between 2008 and 2010, B7 Productions also produced series of 30-minute prequel audio episodes called Blake's 7: The Early Years, which explored the earlier histories of the central characters. For our money we got - Blake’s 7: When Vila Met Gan [Vila and Gan] (2008) by Ben Aaronovitch Blake’s 7: Point of no Return [Travis] (2008) by James Swallow Blake’s 7: Eye of the Machine [Avon] (2008) by Ben Aaronovitch Blake’s 7: Blood & Earth [Cally] (2009) by Ben Aaronovitch Blake’s 7: Flag & Flame [Cally] (2009) by Marc Platt Blake’s 7: The Dust Run [Jenna] (2009) by Simon Guerrier Blake’s 7: The Trial [Jenna] (2009) by Simon Guerrier Blake’s 7: Escape Velocity [Zen] (2010) by James Swallow These stories were all released on individual CD's and then later released as boxsets.  It was hoped a third series called "Blake's 7: Legacy" would be produced to be set 30 years after the bloodbath on the planet of Gauda Prime, however this never materialised. In August 2013, Big Finished re released the whole of B7 Productions stories, including the Early Years, together in 1 boxset for the first time.  At the time it took me a couple of listens to enjoy them as they were not the Blakes 7 I knew and loved. But they did grown on me. With hindsight I appreciate that these were a valuable stepping stone to the Big Finish stories. They proved that Blake'7 still had a paying audience. Many people connected with the Big Finish productions were involved with these stories. For the Early Years range, Vila was recast and Dean Harris was replaced by some bloke called Michael Keating, who seemed to fill the role very well  Also Cally was played by the one and only Jan Chappell Hopefully we can build this thread with as much back ground info about these stories as possible. making this the one stop thread for all things relating to B7 Media and its Blake's 7 legacy. |
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| wall1885 |
Posted on 23-01-2022 20:12
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Delta Grade Posts: 40 Joined: 16.01.22 |
B7 Productions, based in London, was formed as a TV and Video production company in January 2002. The subsidiary company, B7 Media, was formed at the end of April 2008. The founding members of B7 Productions are Andrew Mark Sewell, a former BBC executive, and the film producer Simon Moorhead. They bought the rights to Blake's 7 from the estate of Terry Nation, who devised the series. Audio reboot The Blake's 7 audio reboot of the series was produced by B7 Media. These series of audio adventures are a reboot, utilising the core concept and story of Blake's 7 while recasting and rewriting a majority of the characters and story of the series. Expanding on many aspects that were only hinted at in the television series. This was very brave of them to do this. They knew that they were mainly catering to an existing core of fans from the original TV series. These fans would definitely buy the first release, but could B7 Media keep hold of that fan base and expand upon it? For me, I bought them just because they were Blake’s 7. The show, the franchise that I had loved since day one. A franchise which I thought did not get the recognition or support it deserved, especially when you compare it to something like Doctor Who. Writing this in 2022 I’m trying to remember my thoughts and feelings of 15 years ago. While I listened to and bought the 2 BBC Radio Adventures of Blake’s 7, I was not a fan of audios, they didn’t excite me. To be honest I wasn’t that impressed with The Sevenfold Crown or The Syndeton Experiment. Big Finish had been releasing Doctor Who audios since 1999 (I think) and they were already building a great reputation for delivering wonderful stories. I wasn’t into their Doctor Who releases. But once they got the license for the Tomorrow People I was interested. I loved their Tomorrow People range and I bought them all, Big Finish had changed me into a fan of audios. Because of this I had high hopes for B7 Medias Blake’s 7 audios. When I first heard the first B7 Media releases I was lost. They didn’t grab me. It wasn’t Blakes 7, well not the one I knew, and I wont lie, I struggled with new actors playing my heroes. I was completely prejudiced against them. I was stuck in the past and couldn’t move forward. But I stuck with them. I think I listened to them all at least 3 times before I finally enjoyed them for what they were. Don’t get me wrong, the audios had some amazing actors, literally Super Stars. It wasn’t their acting I couldn’t handle, it was the departure from the series I loved and knew inside out that I couldn’t deal with. The Early Years releases caught me by bringing back Michael Keating as Vila then bringing Jan Chappell into the fold was a stroke of genius, finally it was becoming my Blake’s 7 ……then it all stopped in 2010. Just as I was getting into it, it was taken away from me, talk about being frustrated. We now know that in late 2010/2011 (not sure when) Big Finish obtained the rights for Blake’s 7 audios. The rest (as they say) is history. I now treat the B7 media Blake’s 7 reboot a bit like I treat the Daniel Craig James Bond films, they are set in their own universe, their own individual timeline. I am grateful for them, for a time they were the only new Blake’s 7 we had had for years and could look forward to. I will continue to add to this thread with as much as I can find on the internet. We are Horizon, The Blake’s 7 Appreciation Society, so that means in all its forms and manifestations. B7 Media is a part of the history and story of Blake’s 7 – it should not be forgotten |
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| wall1885 |
Posted on 23-01-2022 20:54
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Delta Grade Posts: 40 Joined: 16.01.22 |
‘’THE ADVENTURE BEGINS... 'In the 23rd Century the galactic Federation was no longer a beacon of democracy and peace. Freedom and justice are things of the past. One man chose to oppose this.' SCI FI is proud to present a new Blake's 7 for a new generation! We will release new chapters every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, so keep checking back for the latest exciting action! LISTEN NOW!’’ A Rebellion Reborn was the first season of stories produced by B7 Media part of the "audio reboot" of the series. A Rebellion Reborn consisted of 36 five minute audio stories originally available to listen on the UK's SCIFI channel's website in 2007, with three episodes released weekly, these episodes were also released as a podcasts. Later in 2007 these 5 minute episodes were collected into three hour-long episodes; Rebel, Traitor and Liberator these were broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and also released on CD. This season consisted of three releases, with completely separate casting from Blake's 7 television stories. The core concept of Blake's 7 and the same characters across the stories. Aside from single appearance character the only repeat appearance, new character who was not originally in Blake's 7 is Lora Mezin. Stories The dates shown are when the story was first released to listen as a collected hour-long episode on BBC Radio 4. Rebel by Ben Aaronovitch - 22 December 2007 Traitor by Marc Platt - 29 December 2007 Liberator by James Swallow - 5 January 2008 |
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| M1795537OCVirn |
Posted on 24-01-2022 22:24
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 Admin  Posts: 517 Joined: 14.01.22 |
I have the CD of A Rebellion Reborn, and like you struggled with the differences - an Irish-sounding Servalan was hard to take! But I agree that they had some good ideas and interesting character studies. Good to have them remembered.
"You're not sulking, I hope?"
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| wall1885 |
Posted on 29-01-2022 18:32
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Delta Grade Posts: 40 Joined: 16.01.22 |
The first release from B7 Media was called Rebel. This was broadcast in May 2007. Written and script edited by Ben Aaronovitch, Directed and produced by Andrew Mark Sewell .  Cast Lora Mezin - India Fisher Judge Helga Ramotswe - Frances Barber Sub-Commander Raiker - James Gaddas Soris - Michael Praed Borchu - Nick Brimble Clinician Havant - Tim Plester Revella - Sarah Matravers Prosecutor - Jonathan Rhodes Reporter - Dominic Cotter Captain (The London) - Robert Lock Trooper Tanzig - Daniel J Geduld Sheeva & Computer Voices - Barbara Joslyn Other parts were played by members of the cast Crew Music By - Alistair Lock Title Music By - Alistair Lock Executive Producer - Simon Moorhead Sound Design & Post-Production - Alistair Lock Studio Engineer - Wilfredo Acosta Casting Director - David Hall Blake's 7 created by - Terry Nation Synopsis In the third century of the second calendar, the galactic Federation, once a beacon of democracy and peace, has become a corrupt tyranny. Freedom and Justice are things of the past. Roj Blake stood up for the ordinary people. When the establishment tried intimidation he laughed in their faces. When they tried to crush him he fought back. When they tried to brainwash him into obedience, he broke their conditioning. Finally they framed him and sentenced him to permanent exile on the notorious prison planet Cygnus Alpha. The Federation thinks it has seen the last of Roj Blake. The Federation will wish it had… |
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| wall1885 |
Posted on 29-01-2022 18:39
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Delta Grade Posts: 40 Joined: 16.01.22 |
the second story, titled Traitor was broadcast June 2007. This was written by Marc Platt, script edited by Ben Aaronovitch, directed and produced by Andrew Mark Sewell. Synopsis Roj Blake is on the run. He has a ship, but the ship has plans of its own. He has a crew, but who are his friends and who are his enemies? Blake thought space promised freedom, but space is cold, cruel and steeped in blood. The power of the Federation reaches further and deeper than Blake dared imagine. Freedom is nowhere to be found. Cast Lora Mezin - India Fisher Dr Ruth Ashaya - Rula Lenska Lt. Jorge Garcia - Jake Maskall Cassim Rafat - Jonathan Redwin Councillor Singh - Kevin Jon Davies Police Scout - William Johnston **only on audio credits Refinery - Andy Thomas Sky Leader - Jonathan Rhodes Control - Barbara Joslyn Other parts - members of the cast Crew Music By - Alistair Lock Sound Design & Post-Production - Alistair Lock Title Music By - Alistair Lock Executive Producer - Simon Moorhead Studio Engineer - Wilfredo Acosta Casting Director - David Hall Blake's 7 created by - Terry Nation |
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| wall1885 |
Posted on 29-01-2022 18:44
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Delta Grade Posts: 40 Joined: 16.01.22 |
the third, and final release of the Rebellion Reborn series was called Liberator and this was broadcast on July 2007. Written by James Swallow, scripted edited by Ben Aaronovitch and directed and produced by Andrew Mark Sewell.  Synopsis The Federation’s grip is tightening. Roj Blake and the crew of the Liberator have nowhere left to hide. As time runs out, old friendships are shattered and new alliances are forged. Choices are made, and battle lines are drawn across the galaxy. A path of betrayal, lies and deceit leads to only one destination, towards a deadly confrontation that will change everything. Cast Lora Mezin - India Fisher Nico - Doug Bradley Lt. Garcia - Jake Maskall Lt. Rix - Evangelo Kioussis Security Monitor - Barbara Joslyn Operator - Robert Maloney The Captain (Raptor One) - Colin Ravey The Avatar - Vanda Opalinski ** members of cast Crew Music By - Alistair Lock Title Music By - Alistair Lock Sound Design & Post-Production - Alistair Lock Executive Producer - Simon Moorhead Studio Engineer - Wilfredo Acosta Casting Director - David Hall Dialogue Editor - William Johnston Assistant Producer - Joe Wihl Blake's 7 created by - Terry Nation |
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