alternatehistory.com

Timeline

* Burton meets Saltzman March, 1996.

* Nation gets involved in April, 1996.

* Znaimer approves a 13 episode buy in May, 1996.

* July, 1996 - Armquist and Roark become involved.

* September, 1996 - the shape of the show is more or less established.
-- Thirteen Episodes, five two-part serials, one three-part.
-- After a mighty struggle, David Burton, with the surprise assistance of Ian Levine, manages to hold onto the role of the Doctor;
-- There will be a companion named Nimue, from a post-holocaust future, played either by a Canadian or Australian actress;
-- Mr. Vise, the nemesis will be played either by an Australian or Canadian actor(s);
-- Guest stars and actors to be a mix;
-- Terry Nation insists on role as script editor for the series, also insists on use of Daleks as the three part serial, and will write the Dalek serial;
-- All 'tardis interior' scenes shot in Canada, regardless of which episode they're in;
-- All CGI to be done in Canada;
-- Ken Roarch to be one of the Directors, directors to be either Canadian or Australian;
-- Writers either Canadian or Australian (Burton will prove difficult - he's heavily invested in his character, and prone to rewriting his own lines);
-- Apart from Daleks, there will be a post-apocalyptic story, and an 'aussie backpackers' story;
-- Other stories will originate from competing viewpoints of Burton, Saltzman, Roarch;
-- Approximately 35% of shooting in Australia - Queensland and New South Wales, including a lot of location and some sets, approximately 60% of shooting to be in Canada - Ontario and Quebec, including all standing sets, some location; Saltzmann may push for some shooting in India; there may also be some shooting in the US or England;

* October 1996 / May of 1997 - Principle and second unit photography, off and on, and on locations - in different seasons and weather;

* December 1996 / June 1997 - Terry Nation initially starts out strong as script editor, butting heads with both everyone else. However, over the next few months, his work declines significantly as his health declines. He begins to fall behind on all projects. Some of the commissioned scripts are abandoned and replaced for various reasons. By February, 1997, the production is suffering badly and behind schedule because of Nation. By March, he has largely handed off all duties to an assistant, who is now de-facto script Editor. He produces only half a script and a full outline for his Dalek story, and leaves it to be finished. By April, he's basically out. Dies in June 1997 (as in real life) of Emphysema. His decline and departure produces various power struggles in the delicate balance of the show.

* April 1997 / September 1997 - Post Production, including pickup shots, coverage, ADR, proceeds more or less smoothly under Saltzman's guidance, subject to occasional eruptions and conflicts with Australian directors, including Roarch.

* October, 1997 - the series begins to air on the Canadian Space Channel, followed by ABC.