Driven to Distractation (documentary): Difference between revisions

From Tardis Wiki, the free Doctor Who reference
No edit summary
 
(28 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{title|''{{PAGENAME}}''}}{{TitleSort}}
{{title dab away}}
{{real world}}{{Infobox Doc
{{real world}}
|image           =Driven to Distraction.jpg|250px
{{ImageLinkDoc}}
|subject         =The making of ''[[Frontios (TV story)|Frontios]]''
{{Infobox Doc
|name            =Driven to Distraction
|image                 = Driven to Distraction.jpg
|series=
|subject               = The making of ''[[Frontios (TV story)|Frontios]]''
|original to DVD = Frontios (TV story)
|writer                =  
|original to VHS =
|original to DVD       = Frontios (TV story)
|original to CD =
|original to VHS       =  
|channel         =
|original to CD       =  
|broadcast with =
|channel               =  
|home video     =
|broadcast with       =  
|home audio     =
|home video           =  
|narrator       = Paul Jones
|home audio           =  
|interviewer     = [[Simon Guerrier]], [[Simon Harries]]
|narrator             = Paul Jones
|interviewee     =[[Christopher H. Bidmead]], [[Eric Saward]], [[David Buckingham]], [[Peter Davison]], [[Jeff Rawle]], [[Mark Strickson]], [[John Gillett]]
|interviewer = Simon Guerrier
|uncredited narrator =
|interviewer2 = Simon Harries
|director       =
|interviewee           = Christopher H. Bidmead
|executive producer = Dan Hall
|interviewee2          = Eric Saward
|producer       = Ed Stradling
|interviewee3          = David Buckingham
|broadcast date =
|interviewee4          = Peter Davison
|release date   =
|interviewee5          = Jeff Rawle
|runtime         =32'
|interviewee6          = Mark Strickson
|previous        =
|interviewee7          = John Gillett
|next            =
|uncredited narrator   =  
}}'''''Driven to Distraction''''' was a [[2 entertain|2{{!}}entertain]] [[DVD]] documentary on the making of ''[[Frontios (TV story)|Frontios]]''. As a general overview of production it covered many topics.  
|director             =  
|executive producer   = Dan Hall
|producer             = Ed Stradling
|broadcast date       =  
|release date         = [[30 May (releases)|30 May]] [[2011 (releases)|2011]]
|runtime               = 32'50"
}}
'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was a [[2 entertain|2{{!}}entertain]] [[DVD]] documentary on the making of ''[[Frontios (TV story)|Frontios]]''. As a general overview of production it covered many topics.


It opened with [[Christopher H. Bidmead]] explaining that he left his job as [[script editor]] as he was unsure of his role an felt underpaid. Saward followed this by recalling how he contacted Bidmead to write a script as he was aware of his passion for [[science fiction]].
It opened with [[Christopher H. Bidmead]] explaining that he left his job as [[script editor]] as he was unsure of his role an felt underpaid. Saward followed this by recalling how he contacted Bidmead to write a script as he was aware of his passion for [[science fiction]].


Bidmead thought of the idea for the [[Tractator]]s after seeing woodlice in his hotel room. Looking back, he talked about how he had written a script that couldn't be realised on a ''Doctor Who'' budget. [[David Buckingham]] explained his role as [[designer]], in particular how an [[alien]] landscape was created with [[BBC Television Centre]]. He also talked about how he replaced Barrie Dobbins, who had suffered a break down, followed by his [[suicide]]. [[Peter Davison]] viewed the sets of ''Frontios'' positively, thinking them rather good considering the budget.
Bidmead thought of the idea for the [[Tractator]]s after seeing woodlice in his hotel room. Looking back, he talked about how he had written a script that couldn't be realised on a ''Doctor Who'' budget. [[David Buckingham]] explained his role as [[designer (crew)|designer]], in particular how an [[alien]] landscape was created with [[BBC Television Centre]]. He also talked about how he replaced Barrie Dobbins, who had suffered a break down, followed by his [[suicide]]. [[Peter Davison]] viewed the sets of ''Frontios'' positively, thinking them rather good considering the budget.


The interviewees recalled how [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] was apparently to going to be axed. Bidmead saw it as a ridiculous suggestion due to how iconic the ship was. Saward though it had never truly been [[John Nathan-Turner]]'s intention to do so and Peter Davison claimed it was all a publicity stunt.
The interviewees recalled how [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] was apparently to going to be axed. Bidmead saw it as a ridiculous suggestion due to how iconic the ship was. Saward though it had never truly been [[John Nathan-Turner]]'s intention to do so and Peter Davison claimed it was all a publicity stunt.
Line 34: Line 41:
Saward mentioned a second blow for the show after [[Peter Arne]] was murdered. He was due to play [[Range]]. Davison and [[Jeff Rawle]] recalled how it leant a dark air to the [[serial]]s production.
Saward mentioned a second blow for the show after [[Peter Arne]] was murdered. He was due to play [[Range]]. Davison and [[Jeff Rawle]] recalled how it leant a dark air to the [[serial]]s production.


The roles of [[Lesley Dunlop]] and Jeff Rawle were discussed. Rawle suggested that [[Plantagenet]] was intended to be 16-18 years old, but a well-established and more experienced actor was seen as a better bet. [[Mark Strickson]] approved of [[Turlough]]s actions in ''Frontios'', happy to have a major role at last. Bidmead explained how he stole of the idea of [[ancestral memory]] from ''[[wikipedia:Quatermass and the Pit|Quatermass and the Pit]]''. [[Ron Jones]]' role as [[director]] was discussed. Both Saward and Strickson though him too lenient.
The roles of [[Lesley Dunlop]] and Jeff Rawle were discussed. Rawle suggested that [[Plantagenet]] was intended to be 16-18 years old, but a well-established and more experienced actor was seen as a better bet. [[Mark Strickson]] approved of [[Turlough]]s actions in ''Frontios'', happy to have a major role at last. Bidmead explained how he stole of the idea of [[ancestral memory]] from {{wi|Quatermass and the Pit}}. [[Ron Jones]]' role as [[Director (crew)|director]] was discussed. Both Saward and Strickson though him too lenient.


The [[excavation machine]] was discussed with Bidmead explaining how budget affected its quality, as did the potential fear the original design would cause. [[John Gillett]] discussed how he was contacted by Ron Jones to play the role of the [[Gravis]]. He explained how difficult it was to act within such a constricting costume and went through the various ways he could move to show emotion.
The [[excavation machine]] was discussed with Bidmead explaining how budget affected its quality, as did the potential fear the original design would cause. [[John Gillett]] discussed how he was contacted by Ron Jones to play the role of the [[Gravis]]. He explained how difficult it was to act within such a constricting costume and went through the various ways he could move to show emotion.


Strickson recalled a mishap where a "cannon" - intended to cause an explosion - failed to detonate. However, they were told to carry on. Rawle related a similar event where his foot went through the floor of the set and the scene was still kept in the finished episode.
Strickson recalled a mishap where a "cannon" intended to cause an explosion failed to detonate. However, they were told to carry on. Rawle related a similar event where his foot went through the floor of the set and the scene was still kept in the finished episode.


It ended with Bidmead explaining that he viewed the script both positively and negatively in parts, as he did the overall design of the finished product. As a final comment, he declared that he was rather proud of ''Frontios''.
It ended with Bidmead explaining that he viewed the script both positively and negatively in parts, as he did the overall design of the finished product. As a final comment, he declared that he was rather proud of ''Frontios''.
== Booklet synopsis ==
The cast and crew of '''Frontios''' reflect on the making of this story. Actors Peter Davison (The Doctor), Mark Strickson (Turlough), Jeff Rawle (Plantagenet) and John Gillett (The Gravis) are joined by script editor Eric Saward, writer Christopher H. Bidmead and designer David Buckingham in their analysis of this story's creation.
== People interviewed ==
''to be added''
== Crew ==
''to be added''
{{DVDDOC}}
{{TitleSort}}
[[Category:Doctor Who DVD documentaries]]
[[Category:Doctor Who DVD documentaries]]
[[Category:"Making of" documentaries]]
[[Category:Documentaries about the making of Doctor Who televised stories]]
[[Category:2011 documentaries]]

Latest revision as of 20:35, 26 October 2023

RealWorld.png

Driven to Distractation was a 2|entertain DVD documentary on the making of Frontios. As a general overview of production it covered many topics.

It opened with Christopher H. Bidmead explaining that he left his job as script editor as he was unsure of his role an felt underpaid. Saward followed this by recalling how he contacted Bidmead to write a script as he was aware of his passion for science fiction.

Bidmead thought of the idea for the Tractators after seeing woodlice in his hotel room. Looking back, he talked about how he had written a script that couldn't be realised on a Doctor Who budget. David Buckingham explained his role as designer, in particular how an alien landscape was created with BBC Television Centre. He also talked about how he replaced Barrie Dobbins, who had suffered a break down, followed by his suicide. Peter Davison viewed the sets of Frontios positively, thinking them rather good considering the budget.

The interviewees recalled how the TARDIS was apparently to going to be axed. Bidmead saw it as a ridiculous suggestion due to how iconic the ship was. Saward though it had never truly been John Nathan-Turner's intention to do so and Peter Davison claimed it was all a publicity stunt.

Saward mentioned a second blow for the show after Peter Arne was murdered. He was due to play Range. Davison and Jeff Rawle recalled how it leant a dark air to the serials production.

The roles of Lesley Dunlop and Jeff Rawle were discussed. Rawle suggested that Plantagenet was intended to be 16-18 years old, but a well-established and more experienced actor was seen as a better bet. Mark Strickson approved of Turloughs actions in Frontios, happy to have a major role at last. Bidmead explained how he stole of the idea of ancestral memory from Quatermass and the Pit. Ron Jones' role as director was discussed. Both Saward and Strickson though him too lenient.

The excavation machine was discussed with Bidmead explaining how budget affected its quality, as did the potential fear the original design would cause. John Gillett discussed how he was contacted by Ron Jones to play the role of the Gravis. He explained how difficult it was to act within such a constricting costume and went through the various ways he could move to show emotion.

Strickson recalled a mishap where a "cannon" — intended to cause an explosion — failed to detonate. However, they were told to carry on. Rawle related a similar event where his foot went through the floor of the set and the scene was still kept in the finished episode.

It ended with Bidmead explaining that he viewed the script both positively and negatively in parts, as he did the overall design of the finished product. As a final comment, he declared that he was rather proud of Frontios.

Booklet synopsis[[edit] | [edit source]]

The cast and crew of Frontios reflect on the making of this story. Actors Peter Davison (The Doctor), Mark Strickson (Turlough), Jeff Rawle (Plantagenet) and John Gillett (The Gravis) are joined by script editor Eric Saward, writer Christopher H. Bidmead and designer David Buckingham in their analysis of this story's creation.

People interviewed[[edit] | [edit source]]

to be added

Crew[[edit] | [edit source]]

to be added