#whoBtsSaj

[mizgnomer]

Behind the Scenes of Smith And Jones (Part Nine)

Excerpts from DWM #381 - article by Jason Arnopp

We find a walking enigma among the supporting cast.  His name is Gordon Styles and he is portraying Male Patient #4.  A senior citizen, Gordon claims to have appeared in a Second Doctor serial, circa 1967 or 68.  Gordon recalls, “running through corridors and being scared to death,” which sounds just about right, although his name doesn’t appear on existing records.  How queer.

David’s fascinated by Gordon’s story.  “I was debating with someone who had the longest gap between appearances,” he says, “and Pauline Collins just pips Margaret John. But Gordon seems to beat them all!”

Gordon is similarly fascinated by David. “He’s always on the move! He’s like a whippet.  I’m not into science fiction, though.  I like a good, real story with real people.”

Link to [ part one ] of the Smith and Jones Behind-the-scenes posts, or click the #whoBtsSaj tag, or the full episode list [ here ]  

[mizgnomer]

Behind the Scenes of Smith And Jones (Part Eight)

Excerpts from DWM #381 - article by Jason Arnopp

David Tennant is a fan of Russell T. Davies’ Smith and Jones script.  “It’s mad, almost in real-time. It’s got a really good energy to it and a slightly different energy, too - perhaps because it’s from the point of view of a new character. It’s told through Martha’s eyes, in the way that Rose was told through Rose’s eyes.  It’s a way of bringing someone new in, isn’t it?  We know what the Doctor is, so it’s interesting to see it from a new point of view. You’re starting again - you want to keep people on their toes and hopefully Smith and Jones will do that.”

When Russel writes lines like “Judoon platoon upon the moon”, does he rub hands gleefully at the thought of David wrapping his nimble voice-box around them?

“Honestly, you might not believe it, but I’m not thinking of David when I’m writing that stuff, I’m thinking of the Doctor.  Honestly!  I like how he plays with words while his mind is thinking of something else, and fast.  He’s working out the Judoon’s actions, trying to find the hidden alien, kicking himself for leaving the TARDIS on Earth, trying to save his own skin, and undoubtedly trying to impress Martha, all at the same time, so his mouth comes out with gibberish.  I love that.”

Link to [ part one ] of the Smith and Jones Behind-the-scenes posts, or click the #whoBtsSaj tag, or the full episode list [ here ]  

[mizgnomer]

Behind the Scenes of The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith - Part Five

From Benjamin Cook’s interview with David from DWM 416:

Benjamin Cook:  Why is there such a snooty attitude, in some quarters, towards kids’ TV?

David Tennant:  Because the most you’ll get is a million viewers. It’s on at five in the afternoon, so it won’t be recognized by an adult audience.  I’m not saying that’s valid, but I suppose that’s why children’s TV isn’t regarded as highly as it should be.  But it’s great that we’re putting that much effort into shows for children. Of course we should. I’m sure the future Steven Moffat or the future Russell T. Davies is a fan of The Sarah Jane Adventures. Look at the people that Doctor Who inspired when they were children.  Look what they’re doing now. In inspiring kids, these shows help define who you are, I think, as you grow up - so maybe in some ways children’s drama and family drama is more important than grown-up drama. I’m sure being a fan of Doctor Who when I was a kid helped define who I am.  If that kind of moral template has been part of your DNA as you grew up, it’s only going to make you a better person, isn’t it?  It’s difficult to meet a Doctor Who fan who’s not a nice person.

[mizgnomer]

Behind the Scenes of Smith And Jones (Part Seven)

Excerpts from DWM #381 - article by Jason Arnopp

This is Freema Agyman’s first day alongside David Tennant on the set of Doctor Who.  Yesterday, she did her first scenes as Martha Jones, but they were all Doctor-free.  This, then, is the big one.  The days when, inevitably, all eyes will focus on Freema and David, assessing the chemistry, how well they work together on set...

“What was my first thought this morning?” repeats Freema to DWM, chewing over the question as she dons Martha’s white coat.  “You mean, work-wise or peronally?”

Well, the first thing you’d like to share with us...

She unleashes a slightly dirty, wholly infectious London Town guffaw.  “The first thing I thought was, ‘Don’t be late for Wayne picking you up at six’, because I arrived late yesterday.  I’m not usually that tardy. I was only five minutes late today - I’m getting better!  My mum says I’m like a cat - I can happily sleep til 12. But if there’s something I really wanna do, I’m like, ‘Zing! Wide awake!””

That’s exactly how Freema looks today: utterly switched on. If she’s riddled with terror, then you’d be astonished to learn it. “Doing Army of Ghosts has helped me recogize a few faces on set,” she buzzes.  “Working on that episode was the best experience.  I remember calling my mum on the way back from Cardiff and saying, ‘This is exactly the sort of thing I’d love to do’.”

Prophetic words, eh?

“My my,” she nods, “Should’ve wished for world peace!”

Link to [ part one ] of the Smith and Jones Behind-the-scenes posts, or click the #whoBtsSaj tag, or the full episode list [ here ]

[mizgnomer]

Behind the Scenes of Smith And Jones (Part Six)

Excerpts from DWM #381 - article by Jason Arnopp

[interviewer to David] Naturally, you must miss Billie?

“Sure,” he nods, “It’s interesting, because I got so used to Bill being around. We were good mates and I still see her and speak to her every day. But obviously, she’s no longer at work, so it’s a different thing. I suppose familiar people can be a comfort zone in a way, so maybe it’s good to shake those off. I don’t know... I do miss Bill, but Freema’s fantastic.  She’s slotting right in.

David is called back along the corridor, to take his marks. “Acting is always about moving on and having to form relationships with people very quickly,” he adds, with Doctor-ish speed. “It would be difficult if Freema was a nightmare, but she couldn’t be lovelier.”

Russell [T. Davies, showrunner] claims that he, Phil, and Julie had no magic formula with which to prepare Freema for the on-set experience. “We wished her well,” he says, “shoved her into the madhouse and slammed the door! I’m so rarely on set that it’s the one thing I wouldn’t give her advice on. On-set-people are like twins who grow up in a dark cupboard, they develop their own language and rituals. And spores. I wouldn’t pretend to understand!  But seriously, you’re sending her on to a set with David Tennant, who you just know will do everything to help and support her, so there were no worries.”

Other BTS posts about Smith and Jones are here: [ 1 ]  [ 2 ]  [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ]

The rest of my behind-the-scenes photosets are available [ here ]