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Director Ben A. Williams previews Doctor Who S02E06: "The Interstellar Song Contest," one of the season's most technically elaborate efforts.
Posted in: BBC, Disney+, Doctor Who, TV | Tagged: doctor who
Doctor Who Dir. Ben A. Williams Teases "The Interstellar Song Contest"
Director Ben A. Williams previews Doctor Who S02E06: "The Interstellar Song Contest," one of the season's most technically elaborate efforts.
Every episode of Doctor Who is a challenge, and this week's episode, "The Interstellar Song Contest," might be one of the most technically intricate this season, even if it doesn't have 80 live extras on set, but it has some of the biggest number of physical and CGI effects of the season. The BBC released an interview with episode director Ben A. Williams – here's a look at some highlights:
How does it feel to be directing an episode for "Doctor Who"? It's a huge honour! No other show can do what Doctor Who does. So, being given the keys for an episode was such a thrill. I took it hugely seriously.
What can audiences expect from this episode? Eurovision in space? Sure. But this is a Juno Dawson script, so this episode is so much more. It's action-packed, it's tough, it's funny, and it's huge. But then again, it's also a love letter to the power of music and love, and how they come together in something like The Interstellar Song Contest to make the world (and distant galaxies) a better place.
What was it like working with Ncuti and Varada? Imagine working with two people who laugh all the time, who radiate love and kindness, and who treat everyone with respect and curiosity. That's them. I couldn't have asked for better actors.
Eurovision is such an iconic event. What was it like bringing to life an intergalactic version of the show? Very, very complicated! The Eurovision shows in the 2020s are already at the very cutting edge of broadcast and event technology – in fact, that's part of the reason they exist; to push technology on year by year. Our event was set 900 years in the future. Where do you even start with that?! For us, it was about making it feel like a Eurovision show, and then finding the touches that push us into the distant future. Lights that come from tiny flying drones. Logos that can materialise in space. Screens that appear out of thin air. And then there was the audience – all 100,000 of them. We just went for it. Some people got in the make-up chair at 4 am every morning to become their alien selves – and they loved it!
Is there anything you can tease about the costumes or music from the episode? Murray Gold has created a song that is weapons-grade catchy. I played it once to my 2-year-old. He hasn't stopped singing it since.
If you had to describe the episode in one word or phrase, what would it be? Incredible.
Doctor Who is streaming on Disney+ outside the UK.
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