In addition to Doctor Who’s onscreen assault on the BBC schedule last November, a good deal of fan created content has appeared to mark the show’s golden year.

One such piece is this crowd funded documentary which seeks to explore the show’s fandom in its various forms.

From the academic who achieved a cameo in ‘Rise of the Cyberman’ to the student animator, many fans credit Doctor Who with inspiring them to their chosen career. An American perspective comes from YouTuber Michelle Osorio who shares some footage from her intriguing forthcoming project, an office based comedy series entitled ‘Dalek Gary’.

We enjoyed the discussion of challenging stereotypes and the suggestion that perceptions of the nature of “the fan” in wider society have shifted. Shows such as Community and The Big Bang Theory are briefly referenced and a familiar question is posed; why is an obsessive Doctor Who fan any different from a football fan that avidly collects team memorabilia?

It is suggested that fandom creates communities and that fan gatherings can initiate friendships where the show is a shared interest, but far from the only topic of conversation. Being told that there are a greater proportion of female fans than ever before; we would have liked to have seen a further exploration of this gender shift which is more talked about than shown. We would also like to have seen greater discussion of the impact of new media, with podcasts only mentioned in passing.

While interviews writer Robert Shearman and series prop builder Nick Robatto are interesting, Louise Jameson’s warm comments are the lynchpin for the documentary. She talks about her casting for the role of Leela well as musing on the show’s continuing appeal, suggesting the central character’s outsider status and the Doctor’s inclusive morality are what keep the fans coming back.

One potentially controversial angle, sadly not taken further, is that hand in hand with fandom being more celebrated comes greater exploitation. Ms Jameson emphasises the need for personal contact at fan events, especially when they have paid handsomely for entrance and photo opportunities.

There is an obvious comparison to be made here with the recently released Who’s Changing, in so much as both films look at the fans rather than the show itself. While the two have much in common, this piece steers clear of the more colourful cos-play aspects, in favour of some enthusiastic personal fan stories.

Doctor Who: Celebrating 50 Years of Fandom is an enjoyably positive affair and presents a hopeful message; fan passion for Doctor Who is what has sustained it for fifty years and the programme now belongs to the fans more than ever before. Surely that is something worth celebrating.

Out now on DVD, Blu-ray and to download from FTS Media.

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