|
Post by brax on Oct 31, 2015 14:54:13 GMT
dalekbuster seems to think he would never have did the intro for the bfi for the 9th doctor cinema screening in 2013 or helped some fans get engaged or the numerous times I've heard he is willing to talk to young fans In passing about the time on the show. I must admit I'm surprised he does any of them, although he may be paid a lot to do it. Still, I said John Hurt would never do Big Finish so I'd love to be wrong. I must admit I was amazed when Janet Fielding agreed to do her 'one' audio, and was even more amazed when she decided to become a regular. The key with her and with Tom was doing conventions and the like with other actors who were friends and were encouraging her to do them. Maybe after Billie starts doing them, we might have a better chance at Chris. Although he doesn't do conventions and the like, it seemed like he had an ok working relationship with Billie Piper, and might be convinced if he knew it was a chance to catch up with a familiar face or two. Actors are an extremely social crowd as a group - having a chance to work with your friends makes a huge difference.
|
|
|
Post by dalekbuster523finish on Oct 31, 2015 16:17:50 GMT
I must admit I'm surprised he does any of them, although he may be paid a lot to do it. Still, I said John Hurt would never do Big Finish so I'd love to be wrong. I must admit I was amazed when Janet Fielding agreed to do her 'one' audio, and was even more amazed when she decided to become a regular. The key with her and with Tom was doing conventions and the like with other actors who were friends and were encouraging her to do them. Maybe after Billie starts doing them, we might have a better chance at Chris. Although he doesn't do conventions and the like, it seemed like he had an ok working relationship with Billie Piper, and might be convinced if he knew it was a chance to catch up with a familiar face or two. Actors are an extremely social crowd as a group - having a chance to work with your friends makes a huge difference. Do we know if Christopher Eccleston did enjoy working with Billie Piper? You can tell David Tennant did.
|
|
|
Post by jasonward on Oct 31, 2015 18:22:46 GMT
I don't think we know that Christopher did enjoy working with Billie Piper, but equally we don't seem to know he didn't either, so "... maybe... might..." posited by brax seems right to me.
But I also think time is big thing here, Janet changed her mind after her circumstances changed, in 5, 10, 20 or more years time circumstances for CE will have changed, and that could well mean so will his mind.
|
|
|
Post by Ela on Nov 1, 2015 0:00:05 GMT
I remember reading that Chris Eccleston wasn't that crazy about working with Billie Piper. But who knows if that's true.
I've always felt it's unlikely he will do more Doctor Who. He seems to have distanced himself from the role of the Doctor since he stopped playing the part. I'd love to be proven wrong, though.
|
|
|
Post by jasonward on Nov 1, 2015 1:02:18 GMT
I think there was a lot of speculation about Chris Eccleston and why he didn't stay on, unless someone directly involved says I think everything else should be treated as speculation.
|
|
|
Post by Ela on Nov 1, 2015 1:21:35 GMT
There's an interview with him on the web in which he explains why he didn't stay on. No speculation necessary.
|
|
|
Post by seeley on Nov 1, 2015 1:29:35 GMT
I recall that Eccelston would only have agreed to do Day of the Doctor had Joe Ahearne directed. Now, Big Finish getting him simply as a director would be extravagant (not to mention it's audio, which he may not have experience with,) but he is a writer, so that might make hiring him a bit more feasible.
I'd imagine BF would need to be extremely cautious, lest another John Levine scenario befall them.
|
|
|
Post by omega on Nov 1, 2015 2:16:24 GMT
I recall that Eccelston would only have agreed to do Day of the Doctor had Joe Ahearne directed. Now, Big Finish getting him simply as a director would be extravagant (not to mention it's audio, which he may not have experience with,) but he is a writer, so that might make hiring him a bit more feasible. I'd imagine BF would need to be extremely cautious, lest another John Levine scenario befall them. I think in the case of John Levene (he's not related to a certain Ian) it was more that his personal eccentricities gave him a less than positive experience recording with Big Finish. I've heard stories about dirty microphones, but like the recording arrangements of Tom Baker and Lalla Ward I doubt we'll ever get an official story of what really went on behind the scenes. He was willing to return to his old role of Benton however, which is more than Christopher Eccleston has ever indicated with the Ninth Doctor. John Levene has also done the convention circuit, so he's not cut off all ties to the show, while Eccleston insists on "not bathing in the same river twice".
|
|
|
Post by david on Nov 1, 2015 2:24:10 GMT
I think in the case of John Levene (he's not related to a certain Ian) Maaaan. That would explain SO much!
|
|
|
Post by omega on Nov 1, 2015 2:37:22 GMT
I think in the case of John Levene (he's not related to a certain Ian) Maaaan. That would explain SO much! Sounds like a Sherlock Holmes or a Jago & Litefoot, The Case of the Unrelated Levine. The difference of a single letter cracks the case, with the red herring being that they assume it's referring to correspondence rather than the letter E. This stuff practically writes itself!
|
|
|
Post by seeley on Nov 1, 2015 3:06:48 GMT
I think in the case of John Levene (he's not related to a certain Ian) it was more that his personal eccentricities gave him a less than positive experience recording with Big Finish. I don't doubt that. Eccelston could be a totally different case, but from what I've read of him, he comes across as sensitive enough that I'd want to take precautions, were I responsible for such things. He was willing to return to his old role of Benton however, which is more than Christopher Eccleston has ever indicated with the Ninth Doctor. John Levene has also done the convention circuit, so he's not cut off all ties to the show, while Eccleston insists on "not bathing in the same river twice". True. Though to be fair, as beloved as Sgt. Benton is by the likes of us, he's hardly as iconic as the Doctor. I doubt that John had to worry about being typecast the same way that a past Doctor would (which isn't to say that it couldn't happen, ala Bonnie Langford.) And of course, Big Finish is neither as prominent nor as demanding as the current tv series, so Eccelston might not have the same hesitations.
|
|
|
Post by Feroniya27 on Nov 2, 2015 2:57:19 GMT
I think in the case of John Levene (he's not related to a certain Ian) it was more that his personal eccentricities gave him a less than positive experience recording with Big Finish. I've heard stories about dirty microphones, but like the recording arrangements of Tom Baker and Lalla Ward I doubt we'll ever get an official story of what really went on behind the scenes. He was willing to return to his old role of Benton however, which is more than Christopher Eccleston has ever indicated with the Ninth Doctor. John Levene has also done the convention circuit, so he's not cut off all ties to the show, while Eccleston insists on "not bathing in the same river twice". Now that we have the Third Doctor Adventures, I wonder if John Levene would be willing to give it a second chance since it would mean getting to work directly with Katy Manning and Richard Franklin again?
|
|
|
Post by glutamodo on Nov 2, 2015 3:11:55 GMT
Well, I certainly liked the amiable Sgt Benton and would love to hear him on audio, but having learned the whole story about Mr L's issues previously, I doubt it would happen, not unless BF could be talked into recording "old school" (i.e... no booths) and he could bring his own sanitized microphone!
|
|
|
Post by constonks on Nov 3, 2015 0:58:58 GMT
It's too bad really about John Levene. Benton is a delightful character and is a big part of what makes UNIT so special in my opinion. As much as the Brig, honestly.
But I'm glad he came back for his single Companion Chronicle in any case. If he hadn't come back at all it would have been more tragic.
|
|
|
Post by david on Nov 3, 2015 1:37:27 GMT
Nick has kept a dignified silence over Levene but I've inferred when he has been asked what happened that "dirty microphones" are not really the issue Nick's got a bit more class to get into it but there's something going on there we don't know about. Even Nick's Vortex response to a listener's question about 6 months ago seemed to hint at there being acrimony. Having bored people with the personal experience I've had with Levene at a convention, forgive me for mentioning again witnessing him be incredibly rude to a fan waiting for an autograph - mocking someone's looks -I have no desire to put any money in his pocket and no desire to ever hear from him again. I know I'm not even the only one on the forum, nevermind fandom, to have an experience like that. I think BF discovered what many could have told them about Levene...not worth the effort. Though I'd rather him than Frances Barber/Madame Kovarian....but that's for another day.
|
|
|
Post by jasonward on Nov 3, 2015 12:02:25 GMT
I have no idea if this applies to Levene or not, but I have a close family member who I've seen because of ill health become over the years increasingly rude, short tempered and intolerant. A number of complicated blood disorders and lack of a whole host of vitamins and other essential things mean that their brain is starved of things it needs, this stuff will eventually kill them, but it could and hopefully will be years, although of course with each passing year dealing with them gets more problematic.
Before this all happened I'd never understood how ill health could have such a direct and major impact on someone's personality, I'd always thought if people were say short tempered and blamed ill health it was a reaction to pain or stress showing, I never understood someone who looks and acts perfectly well, does a demanding job and is only known to be ill by their doctors and close family members, could in fact have their behaviour, attitude and demeanour so totally at the mercy of an illness.
Like I say, I have no clue if Levene has something like this, but I thought I'd just offer this for consideration.
|
|
|
Post by Polar Bear on Nov 3, 2015 23:23:04 GMT
Like I say, I have no clue if Levene has something like this, but I thought I'd just offer this for consideration. Very edifying. Seriously, thank you.
|
|