#whoBtsStolen

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Behind the Scenes - The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End (Part 23)

Excerpts from the November 2008 Telegraph Magazine article:

There is something undeniably curious about listening to someone speak of their lifelong admiration for an alien. Along with Tennant’s desire to act, his love for the show is something else that never seems to have faltered. What is it about the Doctor, I wonder, that has instilled such commitment, for want of a better word.

“I saw it as futuristic and scientific and at the same time all a bit hand-knitted,” Tennant says. “Something about that appealed. It always felt he only needed a ball of string to save everything. And, of course, this great character, who just burns through the middle with enthusiasm and glee and you can absolutely trust him and yet you can never quite predict what he’s going to do.”

Catherine Tate thinks part of Tennant’s success with the role is due to his being "such a fan of the show - his knowledge is really surprising. Because he does remember all these things, and he would really revel when we’d get a script where, say, the Sontarans were back, or there was some alien who was last seen in 1972. I think there’s never a moment when he’s not relishing it, and even now nearly four years down the line he relishes it, and attacks it and never tires of it, and so that makes everybody raise their game.”

Link to [ part one ] of the Stolen Earth/Journey’s End Behind-the-scenes posts or click the #whoBtsStolen tag, or the full episode list [ here ]

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Behind the Scenes - The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End (Part 24)

Excerpt from Benjamin Cook’s set report for the Radio Times:

As the director calls, “Cut!” Julian Bleach [Davros], in his creepiest Davros voice, utters the immortal words “Am I bovvered?!”  The set breaks into applause.

“After Julian said that,” reveals Catherine Tate later, “he came up to me, really apologetic. He said, ‘I’m so, so sorry.’ ‘Honestly, it’s fine,��� I said. ‘It was very funny.’ Poor Julian was really worried.”

Although Russell T. Davies’s favorite elements of a Doctor Who series finale are “the size and the scale, and the fun of it all, really,” he says, “this series belongs to the Doctor and Donna. For all the spectacle, it’s about character, in the end. It’s an honour to write dialogue for David and Catherine.”

“It’s heartbreaking,” adds Tate. “Russell’s scripts are so clever, but really affecting. The repercussions of what Davros has done, and [what that means] for the Doctor’s companions, are huge and far-reaching. It’s a brave way to end the series.

Link to [ part one ] of the Stolen Earth/Journey’s End Behind-the-scenes posts or click the #whoBtsStolen tag, or the full episode list [ here ]

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Behind the Scenes - The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End (Part 22)

Excerpts from The Writer’s Tale - The Final Chapter

Text message from Ben, Sent 14 March 2008

It’s so cold, my hands have dropped off. My career as a journalist is over. I’m useless to everyone

Text message from Russell, Sent 14 March 2008

You can always teach. Ho ho.

Text message from Ben, Sent 14 March 2008

It’s raining now  [...]  We’re huddled in the camera truck, reminiscing about the Brandon Estate [the location for the fictional Powell Estate where Rose & Jackie Tyler lived].  Phil [Collinson]: ‘Thank God we don’t have to film there any more.’  Billie: ‘Never say never.’  Can’t you bring her back for the Specials?

Text message from Russell, Sent 14 March 2008

There’s a thought

Link to [ part one ] of the Stolen Earth/Journey’s End Behind-the-scenes posts or click the #whoBtsStolen tag, or the full episode list [ here ]

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Behind the Scenes - The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End (Part 18)

Excerpts from The Writer’s Tale - The Final Chapter

From Russell T. Davies to Benjamin Cook, Thursday 31 January 2008

I know what’s really preying on my mind, though, and stopping me moving onto the Christmas Special. Julie said, ‘That scene on Bad Wolf Bay isn’t working, is it?’ And she’s absolutely right. I love a good note, because it’s like someone has articulated the voice at the back of your head. That scene doesn’t work. I have always known that, from the moment I typed it out, but I don’t know how to fix it.  [...]  The hardest thing of all in that scene - and Billie might yet have problems with it - is getting Rose to walk away from the TARDIS in the first place. That, indeed, is the problem with the whole scene, that Rose has to act out of character to stay on Bad Wolf Bay. She’s utterly, marvellously selfish, and would push past anyone to get to her Doctor.

From Russell T. Davies to Benjamin Cook, Saturday 9 Febuary 2008

[Russell has a bad case of the chicken pox...] I’m itchy, scratchy and tired, and I still have to rewrite 4.13. And I just realized my plan to make the Bad Wolf Bay scene work - the one involving Voidstuff - won’t work, because I’d forgotten that Mickey has to be free to stay in our universe.  Bollocks. Julie’s upset. She’s saying, ‘Leave Mickey in the parallel universe,’ and I’m saying, ‘Too late! We promised Noel that we’d bring him back in Torchwood Series Three.’

From Russell T. Davies to Benjamin Cook, Monday 18 February 2008

The Bad Wolf Bay scene still isn’t working, but do you know what? No one’s giving me good notes on it, when they should, so sod it. It’s slightly better now, and I’ve cut the kiss between Rose and Doctor #2, but it still sucks.

From Russell T. Davies to Benjamin Cook, Saturday 1 March 2008

I’ve rewritten Bad Wolf Bay again. Finally, I’ve got it right!

Basically, I’ve given more of the decision to Rose, put her in control, and used that control to push away the original Doctor. And the kiss is back in!  Then the scene finishes as before: Rose saying, ‘No - !’, as the TARDIS fades away. Doctor #2 taking her hand, and a wide shot of the now-empty beach. Julie is happy, David is happy, phew, good. Series Four, final rewrite, done.

From Benjamin Cook to Russell T. Davies, Saturday 1 March 2008

Never mind Julie and David... are you happy with it, Russell?

From Russell T. Davies to Benjamin Cook, Saturday 1 March 2008

I am delighted. That is such a weight off my mind.  Knowing it wasn’t working was driving me mad. It hung over me, during Chicken Pox Fortnight. Literally, all the time.  I tell you what helped: I watched the footage of the 4.12/4.13 read-through. They filmed it for Doctor Who Confidential, then edited it together fast so that I could see it - and they had to read the first draft of 4.13, because that’s all I had written. It was so slow!  I could see what worked and what didn’t, and I realized how good the kiss was, but equally that the kiss had no consequence. That’s why it wasn’t earning its place. But it’s obvious, in the end, isn’t it? The scene is about Rose choosing between two Doctors. So, on the last draft, finally, I’ve written clearly, obviously, Rose making that choice. Rose is in control.

The rushes have helped, too.  When Rose is in the TARDIS with Doctor #2, Billie is looking at him with sheer lust.  As only Billie can do! That, too, puts the power into Rose’s hands. The mechanics start to work...

Link to [ part one ] of the Stolen Earth/Journey’s End Behind-the-scenes posts or click the #whoBtsStolen tag, or the full episode list [ here ]

[mizgnomer]

Behind the Scenes - The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End (Part 21)

Excerpts from The Writer’s Tale - The Final Chapter

From Russell T Davies to Benjamin Cook, Tuesday 11 March 2008

I’ve just seen the Dalek Crucible rushes. Davros’ torso!! That shot is marvellous, and alarming. Oh, you can see panic in the air, the way there are so many single takes. But it’s fantastic. There’s Sarah Jane, and Rose, and Jackie, and two Doctors watching Catherine Tate save the universe!  I think those drugs went deeper into my head than I ever realized [ RTD had Chicken Pox while writing these episodes ].  The best bits are the explosions, when all the women scream like girls - and Jack too, probably!  (Hey, was everyone getting on, or was there companion rivalry?)

I’m excited by Davros. Very excited. A much cleverer mind than the Master, I think. While I wrote the Master as a genius in Series Three, he’s fatally flawed by his jealousy/hatred/love of the Doctor; that’s what allows the Doctor to defeat him, in the end, because it’s so personal. Much less of that with Davros. In their big confrontation Davros’ key tactic is to stop the Doctor from speaking. Because that’s how the Doctor works. He talks himself out of things.  All that wit and banter and intelligence. Deprive him of that, and the stakes get higher.

From Benjamin Cook to Russell T Davies, Tuesday 11 March 2008

>>was everyone getting on, or was there companion rivalry?<< They were getting on better than I’d have ever thought possible

Link to [ part one ] of the Stolen Earth/Journey’s End Behind-the-scenes posts or click the #whoBtsStolen tag, or the full episode list [ here ]

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Behind the Scenes - The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End (Part 19)

Excerpts from The Writer’s Tale - The Final Chapter

From Benjamin Cook to Russell T Davies, Friday 14 March 2008

I’m actually frozen! Dead from the waist down. (Or is it the waist up?) That was one hell of a shoot. Nerves on edge. Tempers fraying by the end. The first day on this block that was genuinely tense. The footage looks incredible, though. David and Billie shot their slow-mo sprint towards each other, from 4.12. (David: ‘Should I dance as I run?’) It’s epic and perfect. Long way to go, I know, but it’s bound to be one hell of an episode. And then Graeme asked David not to wince so much as the lone Dalek exterminated him.  David: ‘But that was my best acting of the night!’ Billie: ‘This is no time for acting.’

I interviewed Billie. She talked about watching Freema as her replacement in Series Three.  ‘I think it bothered me for about a day - and then I just got over it. I thought I’d be more jealous of Freema than I was.’ Interesting. One of Billie’s reasons for coming back for these episodes is, she says, the chance to work with Freema and Catherine.  See, they really do love each other. Sickening, isn’t it?

But the quote of the night? As Billie cradled a dying David in her arms, Johnny B informed her that she has a moustache! To which she replied, ‘It’s low times for Rose Tyler. She hasn’t used a waxing strip since she last saw the Earth. Razors are in short supply on her parallel world!’

Link to [ part one ] of the Stolen Earth/Journey’s End Behind-the-scenes posts or click the #whoBtsStolen tag, or the full episode list [ here ]

[mizgnomer]

Behind the Scenes - The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End (Part 20)

Excerpt from Benjamin Cook’s set report for the Radio Times:

By the following week, Julian Bleach (Davros) is letting people sit in his Davros chair.  

“What’s so lovely about Davros,” says Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane Smith), who’s filming on a set next door, “is that my character remembers him as he was when Michael Wisher played him [in 1975]. But Julian’s portrayal is eerily similar, wonderfully, so this is the same guy as far as she’s concerned. Sarah and Davros even recognize each other!”

“Is my neck coming off?” Bleach asks Freema Agyeman, after an energetic take.

“It’s just popping out a bit,” she says, tucking it back in. “That mask is ewww!  I can’t look him in the eye. If Davros had eyes!  It gives me the creeps. And his skin is so saggy.”

Link to [ part one ] of the Stolen Earth/Journey’s End Behind-the-scenes posts or click the #whoBtsStolen tag, or the full episode list [ here ]

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Behind the Scenes - The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End (Part 17)

Excerpt from Benjamin Cook’s set report for the Radio Times:

On set in the Dalek Crucible spaceship, Daleks are gliding and sliding all over the place. “Am I going too fast?” asks Dalek operator Barnaby Edwards. “I don’t want to go smacking into Davros.

“I’ve been in this Dalek all week.  Every so often, the allow us out for a couple of minutes.  The rest of the time, they forget that Daleks have actors inside.  We overhear all sorts of gossip.  People stand right next to us and say the most outrageous things!”

Excerpt from The Writer’s Tale:

Text Message from Ben, Sent 18 March 2008

I’ve just interviewed Penelope [Wilton, who playsHarriet Jones, former Prime Minister].  'I would do anything for Russell T Davies,’ she said. 'I think he’s an incredible writer, and he’s created a wonderfully witty person in Harriet Jones.’ Bet you wish you hadn’t exterminated her now.

Text message from Russell, Sent 18 March 2008

You’re right. I’ll bring her back.

Text message from Ben, Sent 18 March 2008

After each take, Phil [Collinson, producer] is screaming, ‘NO, SHE ESCAPES!’  Poor deluded Phil.

Link to [ part one ] of the Stolen Earth/Journey’s End Behind-the-scenes posts or click the #whoBtsStolen tag, or the full episode list [ here ]

[mizgnomer]

Behind the Scenes - The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End (Part 16)

Excerpt from Benjamin Cook’s set report for the Radio Times:

Before each take, director Graeme Harper says, “Loads of energy!” - even though this ensemble cast has more energy than the National Grid.

“Celebrate good times, come on!” hollers John Barrowman (Captain Jack) as Freema Agyeman (Martha) and the Daleks sing along. Everyone is in a playful mood. Each day of this shoot is like the last day of school. Hugs, kisses, and hurried hellos are exchanged as former and current series regulars pass each other in the studio corridors, like ships in the night, on their way to record different scenes, on a myriad of sets. It’s hard to keep track.

The next day, David Tennant and Catherine Tate arrive for a photo shoot. “Look at that,” marvels Tennant, popping onto one particular set and finding his co-stars hard at work, having the time of their lives. “I’m having palpitations! So many people I’ve enjoyed working with over the past three years - good friends, great actors, all in Cardiff at the same time, more or less. It’s like This is Your Life!  With Daleks!”

Link to [ part one ] of the Stolen Earth/Journey’s End Behind-the-scenes posts or click the #whoBtsStolen tag, or the full episode list [ here ]

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Behind the Scenes - The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End (Part 15)

Excerpt from Benjamin Cook’s set report for the Radio Times:

It’s a Friday lunchtime in March 2008 and Davros is waving cheerily at us from across the car park.  In one hand, he has a plate of chips.  In the other, an orange.  He’s wearing tracksuit bottoms.  (He has legs!)  This isn’t how it’s supposed to be.  From the top deck of the lunch bus, Rose Tyler, defender of the Earth, waves back at him.

The return of Davros was, let’s face it, one of the worst-kept secrets in TV history (his penchant for chips and tracky bottoms less so) - but back in March, at Cardiff’s Upper Boat Studios, Davros is still being talked about in whispers.  The crew refers to him as “Dave” (Dave Ross - geddit?).  The sign on Davros actor Julian Bleach’s trailer door just says “The Enemy”.

“Hello, all,” says a silicone-encrusted Bleach, as he takes a seat on the bus. “I’m not as hacked off as I look,” he teases, pointing to his mask, which he can’t take off until it’s time to go home.

“No-one’s as hacked off as you look,” says Billie Piper.

Link to [ part one ] of the Stolen Earth/Journey’s End Behind-the-scenes posts or click the #whoBtsStolen tag, or the full episode list [ here ]

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Behind the Scenes - The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End (Part 14) 

Excerpt from Doctor Who Magazine #398

It’s Wednesday, 27 February 2008. In the Nobles’ living room, in the heart of Chiswick - or more accurately, in Cyncoed, one of Cardiff’s most affluent suburbs - Doctor Who regulars David Tennant, Catherine Tate, Bernard Cribbins, and Jacqueline King are filming their last ever scene together. Leaning forward in an armchair, while Wilf and Sylvia sit on the sofa, the Doctor explains why he brought Donna Noble home. “It’d be nice if we could see both of the Doctor’s eyes,” says Phil Collinson [producer], peering at the camera monitor.  

“Well, he’s in quite a dark place right now,” reasons David.

“It’s a fantastic shot,” agrees the director, Graeme Harper.

And then Donna walks in, as normal as can be. “I was asleep! On my bed! In my clothes! Like a flippin’ kid! What d’you let me do that for?” She clocks the Doctor. “Don’t mind me.”

As Graeme calls “Cut!”, Bernard wipes a tear from his eye. “Really, really good,” says the director, approvingly.

Link to [ part one ] of the Stolen Earth/Journey’s End Behind-the-scenes posts or click the #whoBtsStolen tag, or the full episode list [ here ]

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Behind the Scenes - The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End (Part 13)

Excerpt from Doctor Who Magazine #398 - speaking with David Tennant

To be reunited, in the finale, with several of his former co-stars must have been a real thrill, too? “Over the three years I’ve been here, I’ve consistently had a really good time, so all we were doing was bringing together all the people that I’ve had a good time with.  It’s as though it were written just for me!  I think everyone genuinely loves the characters that they play, so were just keen to be part of it, to be playing those characters and to find out how those characters get on. That was interesting. There were some big personalities in there. Everyone sort of bounced off each other.”

Thank you to everyone who shared set photos!

Link to [ part one ] of the Stolen Earth/Journey’s End Behind-the-scenes posts or click the #whoBtsStolen tag, or the full episode list [ here ]

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Behind the Scenes - The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End (Part 12)

Excerpt from Doctor Who Magazine #398 - speaking with David Tennant

To top it all, sparring with Davros fulfilled a personal ambition for David. “Well, it was the last big Doctor Who monster, wasn’t it?” You’ve had all the rest? “Yes, I kind of have.  Had ‘em all, done ‘em all, beat ‘em all!  It was great. Julian Bleach gave an incredible performance - so focused and chilling, even at the readthrough. He did the readthrough all subdued, so you got that wonderful kind of creeping menace, and he saved his Hilterian rants for when he was on the studio floor. When it all came together, you got the full Davros nightmare. Beautifully realized.  Lovingly redesigned. I don’t know how much Julian studied the old Davros tapes, but you could see that he knew what he was doing. At the same time, he didn’t feel constrained to not introduce a bit of Julian Bleach madness. He was terrific. Best monster yet, I’d say.”

Thank you to everyone who shared set photos!

Bonus Davros appreciation screen-grab:

Link to [ part one ] of the Stolen Earth/Journey’s End Behind-the-scenes posts or click the #whoBtsStolen tag, or the full episode list [ here ]

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Behind the Scenes - The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End (Part 11)

Excerpt from Doctor Who Magazine #398

“We need the green screen,” calls out Simon Morris, “or else this won’t work.” This is the scene where all the companions and both Doctors have to pile into the police box. “Can we take out the TARDIS translight, otherwise everyone won’t fit in?”

“Am I just running into the TARDIS?” asks David-in-the-blue. “Is that all this shot is?”

The green screen is positioned next to the TARDIS, so that David-in-the-blue can run in on his own, and that shot will be merged, in post-production, with one of David-in-the-brown looking on.  Do you follow?  Camille Coduri doesn’t. “What’s going on?” she asks John Barrowman.

“It’s a plate shot,” smiles John.  “Erm - how long have you been doing this telly lark, Camille?”

Link to [ part one ] of the Stolen Earth/Journey’s End Behind-the-scenes posts or click the whoBtsStolen tag, or the full episode list [ here ]

[mizgnomer]

Behind the Scenes - The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End (Part 10)

Excerpt from Doctor Who Adventures:

With two Doctors in the story, everything had to be filmed in a completely different way, after all, there is only one David Tennant!  Producer Phil Collinson said that only a few special moments could feature the two Doctors together because using a CGI David would be too expensive!  When two Doctors were in the same scene, but you only saw the side of one of them, a David Tennant double called Colum Sanson-Regan was used.  A scene would be shot over Colum’s shoulder, focusing on David, and then they would swap suits and positions and shoot the scene again.

Colum has doubled for David before in other episodes. Sometimes, when you see the back of the Doctor’s head, it’s Colum, not David!

Link to [ Part One ] of this set (or click the #whoBtsStolen tag for all parts)

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Behind the Scenes - The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End (Part 9)

Excerpt from Doctor Who Magazine #398, as reported by Benjamin Cook

Compare this to the last three series finales, and you might well conclude that Journey’s End has quite a downbeat denouement. “Well, maybe,” considers David [Tennant], when DWM catches up a few weeks later, during filming of the 2008 Christmas Special, “but it’s epic in its scale, yet domestic in its tragedy. I think that’s what Russell does so brilliantly, and what Doctor Who does so brilliantly, actually. The whole universe can be under threat, the stakes can be as high as it’s possible for stakes to be, and the Dalek plot ends with the biggest of all bangs... but then that’s followed by a scene in a living room, a scene that’s about loss and heartbreak and missed opportunities.  I suppose it’s downbeat, but I don’t think downbeat is a bad thing.”  DWM suggests that it’s the bravest of all of Russell’s series finales.  “Yes, it is brave. You’re right. It has an emotional punch, and it allows the loss of Donna to be felt - because she’s become such a major presence int he show and in the Doctor’s life. It’s good to feel the cost of losing that.  It’s proper drama, isn’t it?”

Does he miss Catherine?  “I do. Very much, yeah. It’s weird still being here, filming the Christmas Special without her.  But I’ll see her again.  She’s a big part of the show. I think what she did with Donna is so, so brilliant, so affecting, and funny, and sad.  She fills every moment on the screen with unexpected things, and I’m so glad that I got the chance to do all those stories with her.”

Other parts available here: [ two ] [ three ] [ four ] [ five ] [ six ] [ seven ] [ eight ]