Cosmic Masque VII-Interview with Jamie Hill

 

We're in this together.

                                              We’re in this together.

Most people who are fans within the science fiction/comic book convention world are pretty laid back good hearted people. They go to shows, meet new people, discuss and share their fandom with others that share the same interests. Most are completely oblivious that there is a sort of dark side to their fandom as well. A side that the ones that are aware of it are embarrassed to be even remotely associated with it. And it’s mainly opinion based. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that you should not have an opinion or that your opinion has to be the same as everyone else. I always think a difference of opinion is a great thing. Just think what kind of world this would be if everyone thought the same. In my opinion, that’s not somewhere I want to live.

                 A while back I was having a conversation with a friend that makes me think of a question. “Why do you think you’re a bigger fan than me?” A person who I used to knows daughter happens to be the current Guinness Record holder for having the world’s largest Doctor Who memorabilia collection. I have personally read people’s vitriol comments about her and her family. I could not believe the things people were saying about a child. I know for a fact that she would save her money or birthday presents or gifts, etc. to add to her collection. But that’s neither here nor there. It’s not your money, so it can be spent however they want it to be. Sadly, there will always be someone out there that will not like you for your accomplishments. No matter what it is.

                 Now some people think that even though she has the largest recorded collection of Doctor Who memorabilia that she is automatically believes that she is a bigger fan than someone else. She would be the first to tell you that it’s not true. Does her massive collection make her a bigger fan that I am? Does her age make me a bigger fan than she is? The answer to me for both is no. Just because someone has an amount of collectibles for a certain genre more than another person doesn’t mean they’re a bigger fan than you are. And just because I’ve been a fan of the show since before she was born doesn’t mean that I am a bigger fan than she is. I use to go to more conventions than I do now. There is one local convention that I’ve completely quit going too. Simply because they have gotten so expensive, I can no longer afford to go. But those that can, good for them. I just can’t bring myself to pay over 100 USD on a single autograph. But a lot of people do. Which is why those prices keep going up and up.

 Do I spew hatred or anger because someone spends their money on expensive autographs or has a plethora (Three Amigos) of collectibles? I don’t. But there are some that do. Even when they or their actions are called out publically. When someone does this, they just come off as a jealous child crying to whomever will listen. Just because someone has what you do not. I WANT AN OOMPA LOOMA NOW!!

 Bottom line is, there is so much negativity going on in the world right now, do we really need it to leak into a place that fans go to escape that negativity? Do we really need to treat our fellow fans with anger because they have more memorabilia or prefer the female Doctor to the others? In my opinion, no. Well we shouldn’t. Because in the end, what does it matter. You don’t like a particular Doctor, cool. No one said you had to. That’s your opinion and you’re entitled to it. But don’t treat someone like garbage because they do or don’t (yes it goes both ways). You’re both fans of the same thing. Enjoy that fandom and “Would you like a Jelly Baby?”  

Cosmic Masque 8 (My article)

Interview with Doctor Who actor Jamie Hill

Riley: I’m here with actor Jamie Hill. Whovians would know Jamie from Doctor Who. Jamie played some very memorable characters on the show. Just a few would be The Mummy/The Foretold in the episode “The Mummy on the Orient Express”, he was also the monk in Extremis, The Pyramid at the End of the World and The Lie of the Land. Not to mention one of the three actors to play the Silence in series 6, an Ice Warrior, and a Mondasian Cyberman. Though Jamie has played some pretty iconic villains in recent Doctor Who history, he was also a manager at the unfortunately now closed Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff, Wales. My daughter and I were able to fly in from Texas to be able to attend the closing of the Doctor Who Experience and I met and was able to briefly chat with Jamie. 

Riley: Hello Jamie, how are you today? I was wondering if I might be able to ask you just a few questions that will give Doctor Who fans a brief look into the mind of Jamie Hill. 

Jamie: Hi Riley! Great to hear from you again, hope everything is well, I’m great thank you! 

Riley: I’m sure you have many, so I will just narrow it down a little. You have done quite a few episodes of Doctor Who as well as played some pretty cool characters. If you had to choose two of your best memories from your time on set, what would they be?

Jamie: oooo this is a tricky one!

My favourite monster and episode would have to be the Foretold in the Mummy on the Orient Express.

Everybody found the costume extremely creepy and realistic, which is always great when playing any monster/creature character. Then I had a conversation with Daisy Beaumont who played Maisie in the episode about the fish and chips lunch, in full costume - which was quiet funny looking back.

My other favourite time would have to be the filming of the Monk episodes in Series 10, I had the fantastic opportunity to go out to Tenerife to film some of the scenes at an abandoned estate, the scenery was amazing and the whole trip was great fun with all the crew and other actors.

Riley: As I mentioned in the introduction, some Doctor Who fans might not have known that you were also a manager at the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff. As you know, I was able to visit the Experience that last day it was open. I personally felt a multitude of emotions that day while visiting. I was just enamored at being able to see all there is to see about Doctor Who. From the props to the costumes to meeting Nicholas Briggs, Russell T. Davies, and yourself. We have nothing like that in Texas. Which is why it will always be an “Experience” that I will never forget. But when my visit was over I was saddened. Saddened that unless they open back up, no one will get to see this collection all together again.

Riley: When you found out the news that the Experience was closing its doors for good in Cardiff Bay, what was your thoughts on it? 

Jamie:

The Doctor Who Experience was a massive part of my life after leaving university. 

I started on a zero hour contract there in the shop, I really enjoyed the job and worked hard throughout my time there and eventually became Duty Manager, a massive reward and great feeling to be recognised.

All staff and visitors there were part of my overall experience throughout the 5 years, and I will always have very fond memories.

When I heard it was closing, it was sad. But, it was always planned to be a 5 year project so I felt like I knew the time would come. 

I learnt many skills from general retail and attraction skills to how to build a TARDIS, a great skill to have that I’m sure many would love!

I have moved on from the experience into a new career, and aim to continue my monster/creature acting when I can (keep an eye on Good Omens next year!) but always have great memories when I walk past the old Doctor Who Experience building.

Riley: Well thank you so much for your time, your hospitality, and your all around generosity. You helped make a great trip even greater. 

Jamie:  No problem at all Riley! It was great to have met you and added to the already great experience that you had. The closing of the Doctor Who Experience was a very busy and sad time, but I think we had a great celebration to see it off. 

Hopefully it wasn’t the last of the Doctor Who Experience, and it comes back again somewhere in the future.

Thank you again Jamie,

Riley

Doctor Who Experience 9-9-17

Well, it’s passed four years now, on the ninth of September 2017, my daughter and I had the opportunity to visit the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff, Wales. For those “Who” are unaware of what that is, it’s an interactive exhibition that showcases Doctor Who with various costumes and props from the show. It starts off with a short film starring Peter Capaldi, recorded specifically for the Experience. A guide takes you through a 30 minuteish adventure following the Doctor’s instructions and takes you to the Tardis console and other sets including awaking Daleks. Your goal, obviously, save the planet and save the Tardis. Once the day is saved, a door opens to the museum and you are free to roam and look at the costumes, props, etc. from various series of the show. You were able to see costumes and props from just about every Doctor, companion, & villain. There is also (as there is always) a gift shop (You have a little shop. I love a little shop. ) that offers a variety of Doctor Who souvenirs you can purchase. Since the day my daughter and I attended was the last day it was open, souvenirs were slim pickings. I was able to buy an official companion guide (Program) and an autographed print of Camille Coduri (aka Jackie Tyler).

There were also a multitude of costumed people walking around the inside as well of outside of the Experience, which made it even more interactive. It was really cool to see live Cybermen, Whisper Men, and even one of Mrs. Rossiter’s Peg Dolls (And it was actually Nathalie Cuzner in the costume) walking around the exhibit. Since the last day was sold out, the Experience asked to limit your time within to only 2.5 hours. So my daughter and I made sure we had seen everything in triplicate. A real good friend of mine at the time (who actually bought our tickets to the DWE) messaged me saying that there was someone I had to meet before I left. Well we were already downstairs. He told me I had to meet Jamie Hill. I knew that Jamie played the Foretold in the Doctor Who episode Mummy on the Orient Express, and the Monk in Extremis, The Pyramid at the End of the World and The Lie of the Land. Well to my surprise Jamie was also a manager at the Experience. I asked the guy in the gift shop if Jamie was around. He told me he should be right inside the exhibit. I told him I couldn’t go back in because of the no in and out policy. I also told him where we hailed from. He was really shocked and excited that we traveled all the way from Texas. He said follow me. And he proceeded to take me back in the exhibit to Jamie. Jamie was actually giving an interview with Christel Dee for the Doctor Who Fan Show. So I waited until he was through and the guy introduced me to Jamie and told him where I was from. We spoke for a couple minutes. I didn’t want to take up too much of his time as technically he was working. But he was a really cool guy. He took a couple photos with me and signed a photo for me with no problem.

So I headed back downstairs to my daughter and we stopped and had a snack in The Blue Box Café’ downstairs. I had seen Christel in the lobby downstairs. We chatted for a couple minutes (just an extremely nice lady) and we took a couple photos together. As my daughter and I were sitting there my friend Tom had messaged me saying that he just had seen on tv that Nick Briggs was inside doing an interview. Nick does the voice of the Daleks. Well unfortunately as I said before the Experience is a no in and out policy. So I couldn’t go back in and get him. But…I could go back into the gift shop which happens to be where the exit is. Lol. My daughter and I went back to the shop and not two minutes later he came out. I got his attention and he signed a photo for me as well and took a photo with me. I told him where we came from and he asked if any of my family were affected by Hurricane Harvey and he expressed deep concern for Texas. We spoke for about five minutes and he was on his way. And so were my daughter and I. We went outside and were going to take a walk around Cardiff Bay to see some of the filming locations of Doctor Who. But before we left, we kept hearing that there was going to be a big sendoff of the Experience. Actors and actresses and writers and directors who frequently visited the Experience would be making an appearance. Just a few that were rumored was Peter Capaldi, Pearl Mackie, and the hilarious Matt Lucas. It was going to have a proper farewell. So we waited and waited and waited. After the last tour went in, they had everyone make their way outside and they locked the doors. Everyone hung around outside expecting something to happen or someone to show up. But alas nothing happened. The crowd kept getting smaller and smaller. Finally we decided to leave and take in the sites and grab a bite to eat.

This was just an all-around great Experience.  From the actual Doctor Who Experience to the BBC Studios across the street to the sights and everything. But I am glad I was able to spend the time and share the “experience” with my awesome daughter Sydnie. And though it’s been going on five years since we’ve been there, it still seems like yesterday. And I’m sure the memories will stay like that forever.

Eddie's American Diner- Cardiff, Wales

           

                 I was saddened when I just found out that Eddie’s American Diner in Cardiff Bay had closed its doors. They have gone out of business. With the closing of the Doctor Who Experience, one of the area’s biggest draw for tourists, it really doesn’t surprise me. It does make me reminisce of my daughter and I’s visit to the diner when we traveled from Dallas, Texas to Cardiff for the closing of the Doctor Who Experience. It truly was a special visit that will always be in my memory and my heart.

             After my daughter and I visited the Doctor Who Experience and had an awesome time doing so, we decided to take up the sites in Cardiff Bay. We had a general idea of a few things we wanted to see. Ianto’s Shrine, Torchwood and Doctor Who filming locations, and Eddie’s Diner, etc. My friend who is from Wales told me that I would absolutely kick myself if I didn’t go to Eddie’s Diner. It was on my list, but even more so now. 

             So after checking a few things out, we started to get a little hungry. So we started making our way to Eddie’s Diner. On the way there, who did we run in to? None other than the awesome Russell T. Davies himself. We chatted with him for a few minutes, took a couple photos with him and then continued to our destination to Eddie’s Diner. Eddie’s was right around the corner from where we were. For those that are unaware, Eddie’s Diner is an “American” Diner in Cardiff Bay. A couple Doctor Who episodes were also filmed there. The first was “The Impossible Astronaut” with Matt Smith as the Doctor and the second was “Hell Bent” with Peter Capaldi as the Doctor. 

             As we approached, we noticed that the place was busy, but not too busy. It seemed to be a seat yourself type of place. So we found a table right outside and sat down to wait for a server to come and take our order. After about ten minutes of waiting I walked in and went to the register. A gentleman at the counter told me that we order and pay there and then they bring our food to us. Oh ok, I thought. So I found an open table inside and my daughter and I sat there. After looking at the menu we decided what we wanted and I went to order it. After speaking with the gentleman (He might have been the owner, maybe the manager) and telling him where we came from to visit, he was elated and thanked us for stopping by. We sat and had our burgers and chips. And let me say OMG, these were some of the best burgers I have ever tasted. 

             We had noticed some other “tourists” that were in the diner taking photos and just being downright rude to the waitresses and other customers. We did not want to be “those” people. So as we were getting up to leave, I told the gentleman thank you and that the meal was delicious. At that time another gentleman joined him behind the counter and he told him where we were from. They both said did you take any pictures? This is where so and so was and that is where so and so sat (Which happened to be the booth that we were sitting in eating). The first gentleman said you’ve come so far, take as many pictures as you want. Did you see the Tardis door in the back? So my daughter took some shots of me in a couple spots and we went to the door in the back. Just a fabulous time and experience. The staff and the management (possibly owner) could not have made our visit any greater. For that I thank you. One thing I do wish is that they had “Eddie’s Diner” t-shirts. If they did, I missed them. But that would have been so cool to buy.

            Since our visit I have read many reviews of the diner. There were quite a few that differed from my experience. I’m not sure if it had to do with anything specific. But our time and food was great. I am glad I was able to visit and eat there. Even though I was only able to go once, the positive experience we had makes me sad that it is now closed.