Is There Life on Mars? (CON episode)

Is There Life on Mars?
Broadcast on:	BBC Three
Broadcast with:	The Waters of Mars
Series number:	4
Broadcast date:	15 November 2009
Runtime:	57'59"
Key crew
Narrator:	Anthony Head
Memorable moment
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Doctor Who Confidential
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Is There Life on Mars? (also known as The Waters of Mars Confidential on the DVD) was the episode of Doctor Who Confidential broadcast in conjunction with The Waters of Mars.

The title is a reference to the 1971 David Bowie song "Life on Mars?". A reference to the singer is also in the episode.

Aspects of production covered

• Designing of the prosthetics for the Flood.
• On-set rehearsal of certain scenes before blocking them out physically.
• Filming of the chase scenes within this story.
• The designing of GADGET, and the fun of getting pulled along on top of him in one scene.

Additional topics covered

• Balancing the potential visual scariness of a monster with the family nature of the show.

People interviewed

• Russell T Davies, Head Writer
• Nikki Wilson, Producer
• David Tennant, The Doctor
• Phil Ford, Co-writer, Waters of Mars
• Lindsay Duncan, Adelaide Brooke
• Julie Gardner, Executive Producer
• Graeme Harper, Director
• Neill Gorton, Prosthetics Designer
• Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Maggie Cain
• Peter O'Brien, Ed Gold
• Edward Thomas, Production Designer
• Paul Kelly, Special Effects Supervisor
• Aleksandar Mikic, Yuri Kerenski
• Michael Goldsmith, Roman Groom
• Cosima Shaw, Steffi Ehrlich
• Ailsa Berk, Choreographer
• Alan Ruscoe, Andy Stone
• Danny Hargreaves, Special Effects Supervisor
• Abbi Collins, Stunt Co-ordinator

Music list

• "Invaders Must Die" by The Prodigy (also used in DCOM: Alien Abduction)
• "Also Sprach Zarathustra - Tone Poem for Large Orchestra, Op. 30: Introduction" by Richard Strauss
• "Main Title (from 'Aliens')" by James Horner & London Symphony Orchestra
• "Creep" by Radiohead
• "Don't Upset the Rhythm (Go Baby Go)" by The Noisettes
• "Ziggy Stardust" by David Bowie
• "Inspector Gadget Theme" by Shuki Levy
• "Life on Mars?" by David Bowie
• "War of the Worlds" by Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly
• "Fire" by Kasabian (also used in DCOM: What Goes on Tour...)
• "Red" by Elbow

Crew

• Camera - Eric Huyton, Aled Jenkins, Jon Rees, Andy Smith
• Sound - Dafydd Parry, Jon Thomas
• Runners - James Bowen, Claire Riley
• Researchers - Matthew Andrews, Stuart Laws, Robert Wootton
• Assistant Producers - Ian Hay, Donovan Keogh, Hannah Williams
• Production Accountant - Kevin Rickwood
• Team Assistant - Emma Chapman
• Production Co-ordinators - Megan Pinches, Tors Grantham
• Production Manager - Katy Cartwright
• Production Executive - Stan Matthews
• Colourist - Matt Mullins
• Dubbing Mixer - Mark Ferda
• Editor - Lizzie Minnion
• Edit Producer - Paul Symonds
• Executive Producer - Mark Cossey
• Executive Producers for Dr Who - Russell T Davies, Julie Gardner
• Producer - Zoë Rushton
• Series Producer - Gillane Seaborne

Elements retained in Cut Down

There was no "Cut Down" version of this episode.

Home video releases

Doctor Who: 2009 Winter Specials DVD cover.

The full length version of the episode was included on the Doctor Who: 2009 Winter Specials DVD & Blu-ray box set released on 11 January 2010; and the Doctor Who: The Complete Specials DVD & Blu-ray box set also released on 11 January 2010.