AWESOME CON SATURDAY PANEL: “David Tennant Explores Time and Space”
Nothing like a two-fer. This morning it was my nerdy heart’s delight; science, and David Tennant! Cool as hell scientists Dr. Grant Tremblay and Dr. Matt Shindell discussed time and space (and honestly, I could have listened to a three hour panel from those two alone)…and then David Tennant came out and joined in on the conversation. Oh yeah, and he answered a few Who questions while he was up there. Because of course he did. Meanwhile, I was still tripping on the other two panelists, and their discussion of how “nobody in this room has ever witnessed the present”, what with the speed of light being slower than…but I digress. Just be safe in the knowledge that if you’ve ever wanted your very own TARDIS? You’re actually one yourownself.
As for Doctor Who and science, and how that plays in the UK? Tennant says it’s “not really looked at that way.” But as far as the science stuff in the show, it “works best when it seems credible”, and that the writers are the ones that have to “walk that tightrope” between credibility and fantasy, real and BS. Case in point? The sonic screwdriver. In the Library episode, the Doctor was meant to “scan that entire world” with it. Tennant thought it went a bit too far (and I tend to agree); “Yeah, it can mend barbed wire, but…” So basically the real challenge for the show is that it’s constantly “dancing on the edge of the bananas.” Which is a term I’m planning on stealing from Tennant now. So thank you, DT.
And how about the famous “Wibbly-wobbly, Timey-wimey stuff” quote? Well, turns out that statment is “accidentally right”, according to Shindell and Tremblay. And Tennant looked as fascinated as I was when all that tech talk was unpacked. I won’t do that scientific stuff a disservice by trying to nutshell it here. Let’s just leave it at “accidentally right”, shall we? Mostly because I love science but understand about 0.009987% of it, and because I had my own balancing act of wanting to note down all the things, and not wanting to miss a word of what they were saying! BTW, if you’re wondering if Tennant said “Wibbly-wobbly, Timey-wimey stuff”? YES. YES HE DID.
Tennant says that “the real world will inspire stories”, and gave an interesting example. Who’s Cybermen were inspired by real-world artificial limbs. Then it was Q&A time, and questions focused on Tennant’s career, and acting advice. He said that the Doctor was something he could aspire to as a “skinny kid”. “I like the Hulk too, but…” And he got real for a moment and said that while he appreciates people wanting to see him, he says “it’s not me, this collection of atoms – see? I’m being scientific! – it’s the character[s] I represent.” Though after this panel and his affable, easygoing nature, I’d beg to differ.
Oh, and those amazing Converse sneakers every 10th Doctor cosplayer wears? Those were originally his own shoes when he started filming. He wore them until the production department thought they looked “too scruffy”, and they threw them out (that sound you hear are a thousand prop collectors screaming in pain.) They bought him another pair “and covered them in muck!” But yes, those Converse are canon thanks to Tennant.
Other questions? “David Morrissey does not like to be led,” he deadpanned when someone asked about Blackpool. Apparently they both tried to lead during a dance number, and it got pretty hilarious. Oh, to have been a fly on that wall… And getting to work with Sir Derek Jacobi on Doctor Who was a great experience for Tennant; he said Jacobi is “acting royalty” and acting with him “was a total joy.” As for the other actor who played The Master, John Simm, Tennant said he “couldn’t ask for a better sparring partner.” And while Tennant didn’t do all the stunts on Doctor Who – apparently insurance types don’t go for shutting down sets simply because an actor tried to do what s/he couldn’t manage – “I did everything they let me do…because it’s fun!”
Acting advice? On leaving your character on set: “you take your costume off, you get in your care, and you go home…it’s just a part of the job.” Challenges of being an actor: “when you start out as an actor, the challenge is getting a job…being able to eat…making it a professional thing.” That, and finding excitement rather than fear in that “low level panic” actors have in-between jobs. “You have to live with it.”
Last tip? Tennant had three bits of advice for all actors:
- Don’t be late
- Learn your lines
- Don’t be an arsehole.
Sounds like quality advice to me.
Panel Grade: A
Tl;dr: David Tennant is a freakin’ treasure, and his kindness towards his fans is lovely. He also has great info from his years in acting…and geeks out just as hard when there’s cool science stuff to be had. And here’s hoping the funny, wicked-smart team of Shindell & Tremblay come back to Awesome Con next year and really throw some space-time at us!
