catzero10
DEAD FORMAT
the dead planet (redux)

despite the fact that the average person spends many hours every week in front of the box, television remains a highly disposable medium. after a program is viewed live, it is rarely - if ever - seen again. thousands of hours of programming are lost every week around the world; their relevance gone, their message redundant.

for this audio piece, sydney artist DEAD FORMAT goes back to the sixties to recapture (and thus preserve) a classic moment in television. the source material is 'the dead planet', the first episode of a seven part doctor who serial that introduced his arch-nemesis, the daleks.

first transmitted in december 1963, the program's production values are typical of the period - low budgets dictated that there were few scene changes and a minimum of locations, hence dialogue was often drawn out in order to fill the time.

the episode's original running time was 25 minutes, however DEAD FORMAT's remixed version of the program - featuring a new, original soundtrack - runs to just under 14. the episode's original intent is still prevalant - to contrast our fear of the unknown with the imperative of scientific discovery.

DEAD FORMAT the dead planet (redux) [13:58] mp3

originally released on mp3, july 2006

broadcast on 'sunday night at the movies' on sydney's fbi 94.5fm, 9th july 2006