Brief Summary
This panel discussion provides a behind-the-scenes look at the production of Big Finish audio dramas, specifically focusing on the Ninth Doctor Adventures starring Christopher Eccleston. The panel explores the writing process, directing challenges during lockdown, the creation of music and sound design, and how each panelist started their career in the audio drama business.
- The panelists share insights into writing for the Ninth Doctor, creating compelling audio experiences, and the collaborative nature of audio drama production.
- They discuss the challenges and innovations of recording during the pandemic and the importance of trust and creativity in the studio.
- The panel also touches on the unique aspects of audio drama compared to other media, such as television and theater.
Introduction
Nicholas Briggs, creative director of Big Finish Productions and voice of the Daleks, introduces the panel at Brit Sci-Fi, which includes Lisa McMullen (writer), Matt Fitton (script editor), Howard Carter (music composer), and Helen Goldwyn (director). The panel aims to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the production of Big Finish audio dramas, focusing on the Ninth Doctor adventure, "Girl Deconstructed."
Genesis of the Ninth Doctor Adventures
Matt Fitton discusses the origins of the Ninth Doctor Adventures, revealing that the project began about a year prior to the panel. The initial plan was to create 12 stories, starting with the "Ravages" box set. Big Finish invited writers to pitch ideas that would capture listeners' attention and offer variety, spanning different times and settings within the Doctor Who universe. The pitches were reviewed by executive producers, the BBC, and Christopher Eccleston himself.
Crafting "Girl Deconstructed"
Matt Fitton explains the specific requirements for the second set of stories, including a historical, a contemporary, and a future-based narrative. Lisa McMullen was commissioned to write a contemporary story set on Earth, reminiscent of the grounded, day-to-day reality seen in Russell T. Davies' era of Doctor Who. This led to the creation of "Girl Deconstructed." Fitton also mentions budget constraints that affect the number of actors used, especially concerning the clarity of voices in audio scenes.
Lisa McMullen's Writing Process
Lisa McMullen shares her excitement about writing for the Ninth Doctor, a prospect she thought might never happen due to Christopher Eccleston's previous reluctance to return to the role. She describes her writing process as starting with a frightening or scary concept to highlight the Doctor's role as a helper and healer. The inspiration for "Girl Deconstructed" came from a childhood fear of being unable to communicate with loved ones, creating a sense of isolation within a familiar environment.
Feedback and Script Development
Lisa McMullen discusses the feedback process, which involves sending paragraphs and outlines to the script editor and executive producers for input. She admits to struggling with endings and often leaves a placeholder in the first draft, indicating that she will create something good later. The script development for "Girl Deconstructed" took a couple of weeks for the storyline and one to two months for the actual script, a relatively quick turnaround.
Writing for Audio vs. Other Media
Lisa McMullen compares writing for audio to writing for television, noting that audio relies heavily on dialogue to communicate what is happening. Unlike television, audio cannot show visuals, making it challenging to describe elements such as a "giant green alien blobby thing." She emphasizes the importance of capturing each character's unique voice and mannerisms to differentiate them for the listener.
Audio Clip from "Girl Deconstructed"
The panel plays a clip from "Girl Deconstructed," featuring a scene where a father is searching for his missing daughter, who is present but unable to communicate with him. The clip highlights the themes of isolation and fractured reality explored in the story.
Directing During Lockdown
Helen Goldwyn discusses the challenges of directing audio dramas during the COVID-19 lockdown. Big Finish developed a system called "Clean Feed," which allows actors to record remotely while maintaining studio-quality sound. This system creates a virtual environment similar to being in separate booths in the same building, requiring a different kind of concentration and energy.
Helen Goldwyn's Directing Process
Helen Goldwyn describes her directing process, which involves reading the script multiple times to understand the story and characters. She schedules the recording sessions, considering the availability of the actors and the logical flow of the scenes. Casting involves listening to numerous voice demos to find the perfect fit, complicated by the need for actors to have home studios during the pandemic. She also makes notes on the script to identify emotional beats and subtext, which she communicates to the actors to add depth to their performances.
Working with Christopher Eccleston
Helen Goldwyn shares her excitement about directing Christopher Eccleston for the first time. She emphasizes the importance of creating a positive and welcoming environment for him, given his commitment to 12 stories. Goldwyn believes that actors are more creative when they feel trusted and valued, which she tries to convey through her directing style. She prefers to record chronologically to help actors understand their character's journey, but sometimes has to adjust due to actor availability, requiring her to provide context for out-of-sequence scenes.
Howard Carter's Musical Contribution
Howard Carter discusses his role as the music composer for the Ninth Doctor Adventures. He began by creating example pieces of music to establish a direction and sound world for the series. Carter and Briggs collaborated to develop themes and motifs, providing a solid foundation for the music. He works closely with the director to identify specific themes and moods for each episode, creating a unique palette of sounds and instruments.
Themes and Motifs in Music
Howard Carter explains the use of themes and motifs in his compositions, describing a motif as a short, repeated phrase or musical instrument associated with a character or psychological situation. He aims to create a familiar overall sound for the series while making each story unique. The instrumentation for the Ninth Doctor is a balance between traditional orchestral scores and synthesizers, with a snappy, fast-paced feel.
Panelists' Career Origins: Lisa McMullen
Lisa McMullen shares her journey into writing, starting as a high school drama teacher. She co-produced a play with a friend, which led her to pursue writing full-time. She wrote spec scripts, entered writing competitions, and eventually connected with Matt Fitton, who gave her the opportunity to write for Big Finish's "Survivors" series. She emphasizes the importance of persistence and networking in the writing industry.
Panelists' Career Origins: Matt Fitton
Matt Fitton discusses his lifelong desire to write and his decision to pursue it after working a "normal job." He looked for writing opportunities, such as the BBC Writer's Room, and read many scripts to learn the craft. As a Doctor Who fan, he listened to Big Finish from its inception and entered a script submission opportunity. Although he didn't win, the script editor liked his work and offered him the chance to redevelop his idea, leading to his first story for the Sixth Doctor. He now helps bring in new writers, particularly those with a theater background.
Panelists' Career Origins: Howard Carter
Howard Carter shares his fortunate start in the music business, getting in touch with Nicholas Briggs after finishing music school. He sent Briggs a copy of his work and auditioned, leading to a speculative job and a regular working relationship. He recalls working on "Patient Zero" as his first collaboration with Briggs.
Panelists' Career Origins: Helen Goldwyn
Helen Goldwyn recounts her career journey, starting as an actor who struggled to get auditions. She turned down an international tour to pursue writing, entering a screenplay in a Channel 4 competition. Encouraged by the feedback, she continued writing and directing her own work. Her transition from actor to director and writer at Big Finish allowed her to use her range of experience and ability.
Conclusion
Nicholas Briggs thanks the panelists and audience, encouraging listeners to enjoy the Ninth Doctor Adventures starring Christopher Eccleston, available for purchase on bigfinish.com.