The Minister of Chance Sonic Movie series is making the transition from sound to vision.

The groundbreaking podcast is the World's first uncommissioned, fan-funded sci-fi/fantasy series, available to download free from www.ministerofchance.com or from iTunes. It is a sonic movie, made with film technique but using sound alone. The pilot episode was recorded using overdrafts, and it attracted a large and vocal Worldwide fanbase who crowd-funded the remainder of the six part series. It has also received a raft of ecstatic reviews. The stellar cast joined the project for low pay on the strength of the script, and were later joined by Tamsin Greig in Episode 3 and Philip Glenister and Jed Brophy in Episode 5 at their own request.

Production on the visual movie will begin in July, firstly on the pre-title sequence known as The Prologue. The self-contained segment, which introduces the character of Durian (played in the podcast version by Paul McGann) will be a standalone short film but also an advertisement to attract investment in the full-blown feature film. Producers Radio Static (producer Clare Eden and writer/director Dan Freeman) plan to adopt the same crowdfunding model to fund the short. In an innovation sure to excite fans – they will be able to buy props and costumes from the film on condition that they lend them to the production until it is complete. Funders – or Minister Moguls as they have become known, will then be able to own the pieces. The fundraising campaign will begin on 1st July.

There is no confirmed casting as yet for the visual movie, but we'll let you know as soon as we can if Philip will be starring in it!

You can watch a video of the announcement here:

You can also keep up to date on the project by following the Minister of Chance on facebook, twitter and through their official site.

Here at PhilipGlenisterFans, we have today been lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of episode 5 of the 'Minister of Chance', entitled, ‘In a Bark on the River Hex’. The story begins shortly after the reveal at the end of episode 4 and sees the main characters prepare for battle.

Philip certainly gives his all to his character of ‘The Summer King’ and his enthusiasm for the project shines through in his all too brief appearance, as well as his gruff northern accent (Not quite Gene Hunt, but not far off!). He and Julian Wadham play off each other brilliantly in their scene, no doubt building on the working relationship they formed when starring  opposite one another in 'This House'.  You can really feel the characters’ emotion seeping out of your speakers/headphones (depending on how you choose to listen). And, although we may be slightly biased, we think that Philip steals the show!

The episode itself builds to a nail-biting conclusion as to who and what the character of the Minister might be, (which we shan’t give away), but is still leaves us with a few questions which, as this is the final episode, sadly may not actually be answered. But there is some hope for the future as creator Dan Freeman recently hinted at a movie in an interview with Starburst Magazine. Whether they’ll be able to keep the cast… who knows?

What is remarkable about this project is the fact that it is completely funded by public money. Those responsible have done a fantastic job in creating and telling this story AND making it free to download. The calibre of actors and actresses that have joined this project is testament to the hard work and professionalism of the production team. To you we say ‘well done’. It’s certainly one of the best audio dramas we’ve listened to in recent times.  

Watch this space (and the Minster of Chance facebook and twitter accounts) for news of when the episode will be on general release and for something equally exciting from the Minister of Chance team.

The first trailer for Episode 5 of sonic film, 'Minister of Chance' has been released today. It contains a small voice clip of Philip as The Summer King at 0.21.

Episode 5 will be available to download soon; we will let you know as soon as we have a release date.

Thanks to Lyn for the heads-up.

The Entertainment Focus website has revealed that Philip's character in the audio film 'The Minster of Chance' will be called The Summer King and he will play opposite Julian Wadham's character The Minister.

More information about the character of The Summer King will be provided when known.

Other exciting news for 'The Minister of Chance' this week is that it has been nominated in the BBC Audio Drama Awards in the category of 'Best Online Only Audio Drama'. We wish everyone involved with the project luck for the Awards ceremony which will take place on Sunday 27 January 2013.

The Minister of Chance facebook page today uploaded these photographs of Philip Glenister and Julian Wadham in the studio recording for episode 5 of the audio drama.

As well as being here on the blog, this photos will be placed in the Misc. section for now whilst we decide where to put a dedicated 'Minister of Chance' album.

Philip is to star in Episode 5 of an audio film called 'The Minister of Chance'

The Minister of Chance is a sonic movie: a film produced without a camera, but with filmic sound, orchestral score and script. It’s free, and you get it by subscribing to the podcast.

It is entirely funded by its listeners. They have very small budgets, and absolutely no money for publicity - which is why you probably haven’t heard about it before.

The plot for the film is as follows: "A strange new world... Ambassador Durian of Sezuan is dispatched to the primitive island nation of Tanto. However, his offers of friendship to the belligerent King fall on deaf ears, and things take a turn for the very, very sinister." No information is known yet about Philip's character in the film but we'll bring you that information as soon as we have it.

Other members of the all-star cast include Phil's wife, Beth Goddard, Julian Wadham (who starred alongside Phil in This House), Jenny Agguter, Paul McGann, Sylvester McCoy, Tasmin Grieg, Simon Hickson and Peter Guinness

Visit The Minister of Chance official website or facebook page for more information. And donate if possible - remember episode 5 (Phil's episode) may not happen if they don't have enough money!