20 QUESTIONS: SIMON BECKER-FISHER

Here at The C Word we just love Doctor Who and who better to kick start our first monthly segment: 20 Questions, than Doctor Who actor Simon Fisher-Becker. 

We were lucky enough to catch up with Simon and ask all those questions you never quite got to ask at the last convention.

1.      What would you say is the best TV program ever

This is a cruel question - so much to choose from over different categories:

In addition to Dr Who and Torchwood and in no particular order......

·         The Prisoner - always fancied the idea of playing No.2

·         Parksinson - wonderful interviewer who got so much out of interviewees

·         The Sky at Night - Sir Patrick Moore brilliant - I've always been fascinated by the Stars

·         Top Gear - would love to do the track

·         Life on Earth and everything David Attenborough

·         Last of the Summer Wine - first class writing and performances

·         Upstairs Downs Stairs - original series

·         Babylon 5 - wonderful political thriller set in the future

·         West Wing - superb performances and intrigue

·         Family Guy and South Park for daring to push the envelope

2.       What shows are on your sky plus/TiVo at the moment 

·         Dr Who - naturally

·         Spooks

·         Downton Abbey

·         Strictly Come Dancing

·         Fades

·         Doc Martin

3.       When did you first become interested in acting

I was encouraged by my music teacher at school to play Mr Bumble in a school production of Oliver! That was in 1977 - I caught the bug, but did not consider performing professionally until I left the Civil Service in 1984.

 4.     A lot of our readers are aspiring actors.. if you had one piece of advice for them what would it be

Keep one eye constantly focussed on your acting ambitions - make it easy for yourself by avoiding other stresses - keep a roof over your head and do not live a too lavish a life-style.

Learn to type - by that I mean have another skill you can sell to potential employers. Keep on top of IT skills - at the moment almost every job requires, WORD, Excel and PowerPoint. No matter what the economic climate is companies always need temps.  

5.      Having played many different roles throughout your career, including the famous Fat Friar in Harry Potter; do you have a favourite

Like any performer I enjoy what I am doing at the time.  I simply enjoy performing. Dorium is wonderful because I get to work on the greatest TV show with other performers at the top of their field and wonderful writing from Steven Moffat and a superb production team.

 6.     You’ve been a popular face at conventions this year –Do you have any strange and wonderful convention stories you’d like to share with us

It has been wonderful meeting all the fans. A little frightening too as so many of them know every minute of each storyline.  For me the best thing is everyone wanting me to write a 'quote' i.e. one of Dorium's lines with my autograph.

The best thing about the conventions is that I have been able to meet some of my own heroes including, Walter Koenig, Peter Jurasic and Stephen Furst as well as other Who actors.

The strangest thing that happened was a fan wanted me to sign my autograph as 'Matt Smith'. His reasoning was, I'm in Dr Who so it would be OK....!   It's the only time I have refused.

 7.     Have you watched the recent Doctor Who series? If so, what did you think of it as a viewer

Loved it - and of course I only knew the episodes I was in - and then only what I was involved in, so 'every' episode was as fresh to me as everyone else.

There has been talk of fans finding the storylines confusing - I think this is more from the media than the fans. Personally I like to be confused and have to think about what I have seen.  After all it is a mystery - you don't want the answer on page one.! Ironically, I have found the younger viewers - kids - have had no problems understanding what is going on at all.

What I particularly like is the clever way the half season finale and grand finale tie things up - naturally I'm chuffed Dorium is an integral part of that.

8.      Dorium Maldovar is one of the most popular characters in the new series of Doctor Who. What’s it like being a part of a cult show 

I have followed Dr Who since William Hartnell and was really excited when I was offered Dorium, which was originally 6 lines in one scene in one episode. I’m totally amazed at the fan reaction to Dorium which has helped bring him back, so thank you fans.  Thank you too to Steven Moffat for bringing Dorium back and for the delicious scripts.  

When I read the script for episode 7 my initial reaction was a sharp intake of breath and a mini panic. This lasted for 6 seconds and then bounced around the room like Tigger...!  When Episode 13 came along I howled with laughter on reading the script - particularly at the idea of Dorium's head in a box! 

9.     How did you get the part as Dorium

I went to a casting where 7 actors were seen - Thank you Steven Moffat and DW Production Team for choosing me.

10.   What interested you in the role

It was a job. It was one of my favourite TV Programmes.  The interview script read: set - homage to Star Wars.  Dorium, a Fat Blue Man - think Sydney Greenstreet. As a Casablanca and Star Wars fan I knew instantly Dorium's potential. 

11.    The Doctor’s partial to a cup of tea, what’s Dorium’s drink of choice

The sweat of the enemy 

12.   And your favourite drink?

Lemonade made with real lemons 

13.   Your character famously asked the immortal question “Doctor who?”. Who do you think he is? Any theories you’d like to share

Spoilers Sweetie 

14.    I’ve heard nightmare tales about people on Who spending hours in makeup chair before they even step foot on the set. How long did it take to go from Simon to Dorium 

For me it was quite straight forward.  We allow two hours, but it does not usually take that long.  On first day of filming it takes a little longer as my head is completely shaved. I do not wear a skull cap.  

The best part is sharing luvvie stories with other cast members - Frances Barber and Mark Gatiss in particular are wonderful raconteur...... hysterical! 

15.    What exactly is Dorium watching/listening to on 52^nd century wifi

            Re-Runs of Around the Horn, Navy Lark, Just a Minute and Flanders & Swann 

16.    Dorium’s spending an eternity locked in a box with wifi internet for company. If there was one thing you could have to keep you entertained for all eternity, what would it be

My memories – I’ve met a wonderfully rich variety of people.. plus my family 

17.   Would you return to the role

If asked - Yes 

18.    If you did come back.. how do you see this happening considering he’s now living his afterlife as a head in a box

More Spoilers Sweetie - though I would love there to be a musical episode, complete with full on Broadway numbers.  Think Family Guy...!

19.   Any future roles we should look forward to

Watch this space! 

20.   Just before you go, we have to know...Who’s your Doctor

As I have previously said, I go back to William Hartnell.  I love them all for different reasons. As for Dorium - I think he knows them all.......!!

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The C Word’s Guide to Surviving Conventions

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you’re standing in a big convention space wondering what to do first, if you can afford that guest you’re so desperate to meet and just what, out of the thousand and one things on offer, to do first. The C Word’s survival guide should have you well on your way to getting the most out of your convention experience.

1. Buy Pre-pay tickets and cut the waiting time to get in
2. Make a list of who you want to see, set a budget and stick to it.
3. If you’re going to see a big guest, get there early. Everyone else wants to see them too
4. Go straight for your virtual tickets and save time later on
5. Be prepared to queue. Wear comfortable shoes because you will be on your feet all day
6. Bring a camera with spare batteries. Lots guests will allow posed photographs at the signing table
7. Autographs: Be prepared not to get that coveted autograph from a big guest. With thousands of people going through the doors, there’s only so many they can sign. Also; big guests may not personalise and so expect just a signature
8. Take own food and drink. These are often very   expensive and not very palatable. If you’re staying at a hotel with a buffet breakfast, make a doggie bag of pastries up for that 11am hunger pang.
9. Cosplay. Cosplaying is an excellent way of making friends and filling in any gaps during the day
10. Have fun! It’s easy to get bogged down in autograph hunting, but take some time to relax and explore the venue. You’ll be surprised what you might find. 

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The C Word 

 Entertainment Media Show (Collectormania London)

Conventions. Whether you're looking for a more interactive relationship with your favorite TV show or just an avid autograph hunter, conventions have become an important part of the viewer experience, so I thought I'd go along to the Entertainment Media Show and find out just what makes conventions so popular.

Arriving at 9:30, half an hour after opening, I expected to find a long queue trailing down the side of the building, but I’d thought ahead and bought advance tickets (£12.00 early entry before 11am / £6.00 standard entry after 11am) and walked straight in. Rule number one: It pays to buy advance tickets!!

Past events had left my bank manager ringing me up asking why there was a gaping white hole in my bank account and so this time I’d come prepared. Armed with a list of exactly who I wanted to see and how much it was going to cost, I flicked open the weekend program and made my plan. 

With autographs ranging from £10 - £45 things could get expensive very quickly, so I had my budget and had to stick to it.

With its seemingly never ending list of Doctor Who actors, the Entertainment Media Show felt more like a Doctor Who convention than an event covering everything from television and film actors to comic book artists and well known sporting heroes. 

Top of my list was the awesome Arthur Darvill, who plays popular companion Rory Williams in the most recent series of Doctor Who and I was not surprised to find that, only half an hour after the doors opened, Arthur’s virtual ticket was already at 488. In the past, a virtual ticket number like that would have had me worried that I wasn’t going to meet him, but an hour later I’d had my few minutes with "Mr Pond" and was busy adoring the flamboyant signature and very Rory-esque quote in my autograph book. I’d never known a virtual queue to move so fast. 

I should explain; virtual queues are exactly what they say they are. As soon as you get into the exhibition space go to the actor, artist or sports star you want to meet and, if it's not an open queue, you'll be given a little slip of paper with a number on it so that you can come back when you’re number is posted up on the board, but keep checking those numbers; at EMS the virtual queues moved pretty quickly and I managed, on both days, to get all my autographs by lunchtime which left me the rest of the afternoon to explore.  

Even though EMS was smaller than London Film and Comic Con, their use of space meant that I didn’t quite manage to work my way around the seemingly endless rows of market stalls selling everything from retro games, dvds and plush toys to screen accurate replicas and costuming. 

One stall worth noting though is ‘Green Goo Gizmos’. No matter how many lists I make or how well I try to keep to my budget, there’s always something at the Green Goo stall that I just have buy. This time it was a cute little Trueblood Merlotte's Bar t-shirt and the whole new costume idea that came with it. Yes folks, this Halloween I shall be rocking the vampire genre, Sookie Stackhouse style. 

Green Goo Gizmos has everything the budding sci fi fan could possibly want and some little gems you never even knew you wanted and the best thing about them is that, if they haven’t got it, they can usually find it for you.

There’s plenty of merchandise to be had at conventions, just remember to bring plenty of money to buy all those inevitable ‘must haves’ you’re going to find. 

Big conventions like EMS are conveniently set out in sections and it’s quite easy to stay in one section for the whole day which is how I ended up completely bypassing Artists Alley, where you will often find your favourite comic book artist working away on the next big thing in graphic novels and, if you’re very lucky, you might pick up a one off signed drawing the way a friend of mine did.

Lee Townsend, of Spiderman and Marvel Heroes fame, is a frequent face at conventions and always has something awesome ready for fans who venture into his realm of genius. He’s known to take requests so, if you get the chance, go and say hi and you might end up going home with a Townsend masterpiece. 

There are a few downsides to this kind of convention, the biggest drawback being the lack of seating and, at Earls Court in particular, the food is expensive and barely palatable; so be prepared for aching feet and empty bellies unless you bring your own food with you which is highly recommended. There are plenty of good pubs offering nice food just outside the venue and don’t worry about not being able to get back in, just get your hand stamped on the way out and you can come and go as you please.

After Lunch and an awful rendition of Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” on Rock Band in the Game Zone, that had passersby staring in sheer horror; I took refuge in the Cosplay Zone to watch the daily Cosplay Masquerade, giving my feet a much needed rest from all the walking.  

No convention would be complete without cosplayers; you really have to experience the effort and talent that goes into making some of the costumes to truly appreciate just how serious costuming is and at EMS I was not disappointed. I found myself in a sea of 11^th Doctors, River Songs, Amy Ponds; even the TARDIS and Idris made an appearance.  

Costuming is fast becoming a serious and valid art form in the UK and with a daily prize of £100; the cosplay masquerade had a lot of strong contenders vying for that top position of 'best in show'. 

Joint winners 'The Queen Of Hearts' from Alice In Wonderland and 'Captain Barbossa' showed off the intricacies of their wonderfully sculpted costumes to a packed crowd of cheering fans. 

A special mention has to go the man who, as The 11^th Doctor, gate crashed the proceedings whisking us off, for a just few moments, into the crazy world of a mad man with a box in preparation for that nights Doctor Who finale.

Of cosplaying the mad man himself, Steven said “It’s great fun. I love getting into character as The Doctor; the boundless energy he has. He’s a great character. It’s great being the mad man everyone loves”

The one downside of Steven’s skit was that the audience didn’t get to see, due to him holding a microphone, just how very like the 11^th Doctor his mannerisms are. In fact, I was told by many costumers there that he is the 11^th Doctor.

At the end of each day the cosplayers gather together for a photoshoot and one thing that was surprising about EMS was how many non-cosplayers turned out to photograph the array of costumes on show. 

On Sunday, the small cosplay zone was overrun with fans who had come to take photos of the cosplayers only to be surprised by the unexpected addition of celebrities that had shown up to take part in the fun. The crowd was so big that it spilled out of the cosplay zone, making it impossible for actors Paul McGann and Eve Myles to make it through to the stage.  

Of the actors who did make it, Ian McNeice took centre stage as the crowd sang Happy Birthday to him; to which he replied “I have only one thing to say ... Keep buggering on!” Just one of the many things that, for me, made Ian McNeice the star of this year’s Entertainment Media Show.

With the atmosphere at EMS being so relaxed, it was easy to forget all the work that had gone into making the event possible. 

My review wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the convention crew. The Entertainment Media Show wasn’t without its hiccups; guests cancelling, the wrong photos being printed by Boots and possibly much more than we know about going on behind the scenes, but each time the issue was resolved quickly and with as little fuss as possible. I have to say that when it comes to the Entertainment Media Show the organisers, Showmasters, made the convention one of the best conventions of the year so far. 

And now with the Entertainment Media Show over, it's time to start planning for the next big convention; Birmingham Memorabilia. As for whether I'm cosplaying..... watch this space!

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