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mauvecardigans · 14 years ago

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a transcript

The only edits I've made are removing the avatars (they took up space) and the time stamps (because tumblr's formatting made it look wonky), and streamlining the user polls (to take up less space). Everything else is untouched. I did all the editing in the html window, so if it looks like I've buggered up anything, let me know. Enjoy!

MasterpieceModerator:

Hello to Everyone! Thanks for coming to our live chat with Benedict Cumberbatch! We'll begin in about ten minutes, but feel free to start submitting your questions now while we set up!<

Benedict Cumberbatch:

hello everyone

MasterpieceModerator:

Welcome Benedict! Thanks to everyone for joining us, and as Sherlock says, The Game is On! Now, away with the questions...

Shawnee Newman :

Tell us about the pen tossing scene between you and Martin in "The Blind Banker." How many takes did you go through before you nailed the catch?

Benedict Cumberbatch:

I did it on the first take but I don't think the camera got it so we had to do it about three times before it happened again - but thanks for noticing!<

Amy :

Mr. Cumberbatch, what is the most exciting part of portraying Sherlock? Has it been difficult to make him modern while still keeping to Doyle's original idea for the character?<

Benedict Cumberbatch:

Just pretending to be THAT clever is an invigorating exercise for any actor and yes, while it was a challenge because of how iconic he is and how superlatively well he's been manifested by Rathbone an Brett in the past, I was somewhat nervous. But the genius of the writers' scripts was that they held on to the best of the original whilst making him utterly contemporary and of our time and that in a way alleviated the pressure of living up to the expectation of playing the great man. Big question big answer, thanks Amy<

Robert :

What is it about Sherlock Holmes that fascinate you?? His brilliancy? His friendship with John Watson?<

MasterpieceModerator:

To those who are just arriving, welcome! And feel free to submit questions to Benedict Cumberbatch throughout the chat!<

Benedict Cumberbatch:

His incredible feats of logical deduction are spellbinding yet not a superpower. He is an obsessive and there lies his weakness as well as his strength. Watson grounds him as well as providing an extra arm to his expertise as a man used to combat and dangerous situations. By the end of the first episode hopefully you see that they are bonded for life. The complexity of that is rich material for the development of the future of their relationship and with an actor as nuanced and understated as Martin it's a joy to play, He is in a world where he is answerable for his actions and watson is his first sounding board for his somewhat high functioning sociopathic tendencies<

ceberus :

If you HAVE to choose a flatmate between Watson and Holmes, whom would you choose? (While I really like Holmes, I'll probably choose Watson when it comes to living together...)<

Monday November 1, 2010 12:42

Who would you rather have as a flat mate?

Sherlock Holmes( 47% )

Dr. John Watson( 43% )

Anderson( 1% )

Lestrade( 5% )

Moriarty( 4% )

Benedict Cumberbatch:

Yeah, I think i'm with you on that. I like the home to be a sanctuary not a living experiment<

McRae :

Sherlock has a lot of complicated dialogue, delivered very quickly, do you ever get tripped up on it?<

Benedict Cumberbatch:

Although for the 48% so far in favour of Sherlock, there would never be a dull moment though ironically you probably wouldn't get the chance to have an hour and a half to watch Sherlock on the telly

Benedict Cumberbatch:

McRae. All the time! It's a huge challenge to learn and perform at speed, that much intelligent dialogue and it takes time and an awful lot of takes sometimes, but it's like music, you can hear when it's right or wrong and it's a fantastic feeling when it flies as there is no thinking time to be self conscious about the choices you're making, it's all about driving it forward so hopefully it's as thrilling to watch as it is to perform. I try to keep at least 5 days ahead but that's not always possible. But I hope it's a challenge I keep getting with the scripts.<

Ashley :

Did you have a favorite prop or set dressing in 221b?<

Benedict Cumberbatch:

Something coming up in ep 3 and the Sherlock armchair. Also I love the walk in wardrobe that you never get to see. <

Pat :

Who was responsible for selecting the tweed coat and scarf for Sherlock and the leather coat with patches for John? Do I deduce a woman's taste here?<

Benedict Cumberbatch:

My coat was the discovery of Ray Holman from the pilot and my feminine touch was the red thread on the button holes but you are spot on about Watson's jacket, that was Sarah Arthurs brilliance as was the ridiculously sharp Spencer Hart suits and YSL shoes that I got to swish around in. <

Nolwe :

Do you find there are any similarities between you and Sherlock's character?<

MasterpieceModerator:

Those outfits were brilliant, but those brands will make it difficult (not to mention expensive) for next year's Halloween costume!<

Benedict Cumberbatch:

I can be quite fast talking. (My steonographer here agrees!! ) I can be tempermental and impatient with mediocrity. I can be work obsessed but I'm not asexual and I'm not the worlds' number one consulting detective, I just look a bit like him<

Sarah :

What was your favourite scene to shoot?<

Benedict Cumberbatch:

Off the top of my head I think it was the Drugs Bust scene in Ep 1 but I also loved meeting Watson in the lab and a couple of scenes you haven't yet seen in Ep 3 and the longer I go on thinking, the harder I am finding it to pin down so I'll stop there<

tuliptears :

Once you said Jeremy Brett visited your home as a friend of your monther. Do you think he influenced you when you met him in childhood?<

Benedict Cumberbatch:

um...no!

madgrace :

Now that you've played Sherlock, do you ever start trying to suss people out the way Sherlock does-- and if you do what's your percentage of accuracy?<

Benedict Cumberbatch:

1.3% ..... but I can deduce from your question that you're a woman about 6 ft tall, blue eyes and a penchant for British actors making it in the States, my number will follow shortly!!!!! All silliness aside, on the train to and from Wales, it was very tempting to notice the indentation of a missing wedding ring or a dirty shirt collar on an otherwise pristine outfit and trying to figure out the body language of them talking to their colleagues and how that changed when they were on their mobile phones... but too much of that lies madness and a punch in the face so you have to be careful.<

MasterpieceModerator:

How did you prepare physically for the role of Sherlock? Especially the fighting in "The Blind Banker"?<

MasterpieceModerator:

We've got just about 30 minutes left for this chat, but feel free to continue submitting your questions for Benedict and we'll try to get to them!<

Benedict Cumberbatch:

I had to cut quite a gaunt sillhouette so eating well, but doing a lot of swimming and Bikram and not drinking and smoking before and during the shoot. We had a great stunt team for the chases, fights, guns, explosions etc and we'd rehearse and do as much as our rightfully nervous producer Sue (who's typing this now!) would allow. But all of that I find great fun and part of the challenge of playing the near-super but still human hero

Amanda :

You are hillarious! Just wanted to thank you for being brilliant!<

Weapon of choice?

Sword( 18% )

Gun( 21% )

Riding crop( 50% )

Cab( 10% )

Benedict Cumberbatch:

Thankyou very much Amanda!

MasterpieceModerator:

The one weapon of choice we missed - scarves!!!

Julian :

Were there any really good bloopers or giggle meltdowns on set?<

Benedict Cumberbatch:

Do you know I don't think that there were any that were really caught on camera, boring I know (and rubbish for the DVD extras) but we had a real giggle off camera between takes especially on our third visit to the morgue after two failed attempts due to snow and disease <

Lizzie Ford329 :

Did you and Martin Freeman ever prank each other on set?<

Benedict Cumberbatch:

No but I did prank Una Stubbs with a recording i had of her doing Rowntrees Dairy Box girl adverts from the late 60's. She thought we were crowding round watching a take and we brought her in only to look at herself just a few years younger, in a leotard, seducing everyone into buying chocolates. Her reaction was that she started crying, ... so we stopped. So that didn't go too well!!<

Liz :

Thanks, Benedict, for inserting some dry British humor into my day :)<

Michael :

Is there any chance of having you guest star on a future episode of Doctor Who?! the fans would love it!<

Benedict Cumberbatch:

No, I feel spoilt enough playing Sherlock Holmes.

Alice E :

What was it like working with Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat?<

Benedict Cumberbatch:

A real treat. It was a joy to read their scripts and bring them to life on set with them, especially with Mark playing my brother. They were both so supportive and ingenious and utterly collaborative with their brilliance, no question seemed too dumb and no problem lasted long with them around, helmed by Moffat's brilliant wife Sue (who just typed that herself!) oh the games we play!

Melissa :

Mark Gatiss will be chatting here next week. Is there any message Sherlock would like to pass on to Mycroft when he arrives? :)<

Benedict Cumberbatch:

What took you so long!?

Jessica :

What is your favorite line you delivered in the show?<

What is your favorite Sherlock line?

I'm a high functioning sociopath. Do your research( 26% )

I'm your landlady dear, not your housekeeper( 3% )

I'm in shock...Look I've got a blanket( 60% )

The game is on! ( 7% )

Wrong! ( 4% )

Benedict Cumberbatch:

I'm going to go with the crowd - I'm in shock, look i've got a blanket.... but just you try saying "The name's Sherlock Holmes and the address is 221b Baker Street" without smiling

Crystal :

"Anderson, don't talk out loud, you lower the IQ of the whole street!!" This is my favorite line!!<

Jessica :

It's pleasant to see such a talented actor such as you have such an positive personality. You good natured chum, you!<

Jen Meadows :

What is the word on a Season 2 of Sherlock?<

Benedict Cumberbatch:

The game is on....again! we start filming in the Spring.

Melissa :

Were there any scenes you found difficult/emotional to film?<

Benedict Cumberbatch:

Crystal.. Shut up, I didn't say anything, you were thinking it's annoying

MasterpieceModerator:

LOL!

Benedict Cumberbatch:

Melissa. Getting pneumonia made a whole week pretty weird but the most emotional I felt doing this project was when we were up to our knees in freezing wet footed conditions in a building site in east London

MasterpieceModerator:

We have time for just a couple more questions... <

Victoria :

Are you aware of your female fanbase who have dubbed themselves 'the cumberbitches?'<

Benedict Cumberbatch:

those were emotions of anger rather than joy!

IHeartBen :

Any hints you can give us about the third and final episode of Sherlock?<

Julian :

Your name is so much more awesome than mine. I'm jealous.<

Benedict Cumberbatch:

i am! very flattered. i have also become a verb as in i have cumberbatched the uk audience aparently. who knows, by the end of the year i might become a swear word too! its crazy and fun and very flattering.

Benedict Cumberbatch:

ah Julian! dont tell your parents that!

Dana :

Thanks for bringing Sherlock to life, and thanks for taking the time to answer some of your fan's questions. I'll be waiting eagerly for the next season!<

MasterpieceModerator:

A thank you to Benedict for taking the time to chat with us, and to Sherlock producer Sue Vertue, without whom this chat would not be possible! Thanks to all the participants, and stay tuned for "The Great Game" Sunday, 11/7 on PBS!http://www.pbs.org/masterpiece/sherlock/greatgame.html

Benedict Cumberbatch:

well i could....because i am in it.... but i wont! watch it and enjoy i promise you wont be disapointed and if you are the writer will be here next week!

MasterpieceModerator:

Be sure to follow MASTERPIECE on Facebook (www.facebook.com/masterpiecepbs) and Twitter (@masterpiecepbs), and we'll see you next week when we chat with Sherlock co-creators Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat!

Benedict Cumberbatch:

thank you it was a pleasure. till next year bx

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