Cosmic Masque VII-Interview with Jamie Hill

 

We're in this together.

                                              We’re in this together.

Most people in the sci-fi and comic book convention world are pretty laid-back, good-hearted people. They go to shows, meet new people, and share their fandom with others who love the same stuff. But most are completely oblivious to the "dark side" of fandom—the side that those of us who are aware of it feel embarrassed to even be associated with.

It’s mainly all about opinions. Now, don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying you shouldn't have an opinion or that yours has to match everyone else's. I’ve always thought a difference of opinion is a great thing. Just imagine what kind of world this would be if everyone thought exactly the same way. Personally, that’s not somewhere I’d want to live.

A while back, I was having a conversation with a friend that made me think of a specific question: “Why do you think you’re a bigger fan than me?”

A person I used to know has a daughter who happened to be the Guinness World Record holder for the largest Doctor Who memorabilia collection. I have personally read the vitriolic comments people have written about her and her family. I honestly couldn’t believe the things people were saying about a child. I know for a fact she’d save her allowance and birthday money just to add to her collection. But that’s neither here nor there—it’s not your money, so they can spend it however they want. Sadly, there will always be someone out there who won't like you for your accomplishments, no matter what they are.

Some people assume that because she has the largest recorded collection, she must automatically think she’s a bigger fan than everyone else. She’d be the first to tell you that’s not true. Does her massive collection make her a bigger fan than I am? No. Does my age make me a bigger fan than she is? Also no. Just because someone has more collectibles doesn’t mean they’re a "better" fan. And just because I’ve been watching the show since before she was born doesn’t give me more "fan points" either.

I used to go to way more conventions than I do now. There’s one local show I’ve completely quit going to simply because it’s gotten so expensive I can’t afford it anymore. But for those who can? Good for them! I just can’t bring myself to pay $100 for a single autograph, but a lot of people do, which is why those prices keep climbing.

Do I spew hatred or anger because someone spends their money on expensive autographs or has a plethora (Thank you El Guapo) of collectibles? Of course not. But some people do—even when they get called out publicly for it. When someone acts like that, they just come off like a jealous child crying to whoever will listen because someone has something they don't. “I WANT AN OOMPA LOOMPA NOW!!”

The bottom line is: there’s so much negativity in the world right now; do we really need it leaking into the places we go to escape that negativity? Do we really need to treat fellow fans with anger because they have more stuff or happen to prefer the female Doctor? In my opinion, no. Or at least, 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 just because they disagree. You’re both fans of the same thing. So, let's just enjoy the fandom and... “Would you like a Jelly Baby?”

Cosmic Masque X

I was asked to do a review of a Doctor Who comic for the Doctor Who Appreciation Society. As I have said in the past, they are the oldest Doctor Who group in the world. It actually started the month I was born. Way back in May of 76. They have a monthly print publication (Celestial Toyroom)that is available to members as well as a digital version (Cosmic Masque). The digital version is free to download on their website. Well I have been asked to contribute to both over the last year or two. This time my review made it to the recent Cosmic Masque. I have never reviewed a comic before, as I don’t really read them as much anymore. But, I did read this one for the review. And here it is attached. I have took out all the other material so you can just see my review. ( But I also recommend reading the entire thing http://www.dwasonline.uk/CM10_STD_format.pdf )If you have a few minutes to kill, please take a minute and give it a read. I would love to know what you think of my first comic book review. Thank you so much everyone. Have a great, safe, and healthy day.

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

2017 Celebrity Encounter Recap

I guess my 2017 was better than I thought. I know it pales in comparison to some of your successes. But I’ve been slowing down. Also, I’ve pretty much given up conventions all together after this year. There are a handful of reasons that made me come to that decision. If you really want to know, just send me a message.

I know we’re a little over a week into 2018 now. But I just wanted to give a quick celebrity encounter and autograph recap of my 2017. If I just looked back, I wouldn’t have guessed my 2017 was that good for me for autographs and celebrity encounters. But after I took a moment and reflected on it, I realized I didn’t do half bad. Just as an FYI, these are not in chronological order.

 In person autographs:

Tom Wopat/ Catherine Bach (Luke & Daisy Duke);  Autorama 2017: Usually at the car show, the main guest(s) will sign one autograph for free. But you have to stand in massive lines. I really wanted my 1:18 die cast General Lee signed, so I waited for hours on end to meet them once more. Catherine Bach was nice as usual. Tom Wopat was cool to an extent. Got the feeling he didn’t really want to be there. Oh well, I was able to get my car signed without paying the ridiculous prices comic cons charge for them.

Lori Petty/Dickey Beer (Tank Girl, Point Break, A League of Their Own/ Stunt Coordinator, Boba Fett) Dallas Comic Show 2017:  This was actually my last convention. But I will speak of only the two that I met and purchased autographs from. Lori Petty: She was late arriving but was very apologetic and very nice. I’ve been a fan of hers for years and that has not changed. Dickey Beer: when you meet someone from the original trilogy they always seem to be so genuine and so nice. And that is exactly the same with Dickey. He was very cool and we chatted about Jedi and Boba and Jeremy and others.

Nicholas Briggs/Jamie Hill (Both are known from Doctor Who) The closing day of the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff, Wales 9-9-17: I happened to run into Nicholas Briggs in the gift shop of the experience. He was nothing less than awesome. I told him where my daughter and I have traveled from and he expressed his concern about people of Texas that was effected by Hurricane Harvey and asked if my family was ok. I was a fan before, but because of his heartfelt concern, he definitely went up a few notches in my book. Jamie Hill: Not only was Jamie in a lot of my favorite episodes of Who, he was also a manager at the experience. I had missed him when we were in the DWE. And they had a no reentry policy. I was speaking to a gentleman that was working in the gift shop and I told him that I came from Texas to visit the Experience before it closed. I asked if Jamie was around and he said he was inside. I said about the no reentry policy and he said follow me. He took me back into the Experience and to Jamie. Jamie was so nice. We spoke for about five minutes. We could have talked longer but technically he was working and I didn’t want to be a bother. They both took photos with me and signed my photo.

Peter Davison, Dan Starkey, & Mark Strickson (All are from Doctor Who. Peter was the fifth Doctor) WhoFest D/FW 2017: This was my first “Who” themed convention. This one was kind of small guest wise and  had only three guests. But it was three that I’ve never met before. So I was really psyched about it. It was Peter Davison (The Fifth Doctor), Dan Starkey (Strax the Sontaran), & Mark Strickson (Turlough). They were really cool to meet and seemed genuinely happy to meet me. Peter and Dan also had hilarious q&a’s. This show has since been cancelled.

Donald A. Thomas (NASA Astronaut) Kennedy Space Center Cape Canaveral, FL 6-21-17: My wife and went to Kennedy that day so I can meet Mr. Thomas and see all the other awesome things that NASA has to offer. When we got there we discovered that there was a Space X launch of a rocket. It was carrying Bulgaria’s first satellite into space. That was really cool to see. I’ve never seen a launch in person before. But anyways. Don Thomas. He was going to be in the gift shop at a specific time to sign autographs. I started to notice people lining up near his table about an hour early. So I went ahead and got in line. Once the signing started and I got up to his table, he was really approachable and nice. I was able to get three photos, a NASA pamphlet, and his book all signed. And my wife took some awesome photos of him and me.

Morgan Kane (Gravedigger driver) AT&T Stadium Arlington, TX 2-4-17: My son surprised me with tickets and Pit Passes to Monster Jam. We get there early to make the pits before the show to see the trucks. To our surprise, what truck did they have on display outside? You guessed it, Grave Digger. And there was a sign about a signing. YES!!! I’m going to meet Dennis Anderson!! Now I haven’t kept up with Monster Trucks since I was a kid. Unbeknownst to me there are now several drivers. This driver was Morgan Kane. Like I said, didn’t really keep up with it anymore. So I didn’t know him. But he drove my favorite truck since I was a kid, so it was cool to meet him and get him to sign my Grave Digger mini helmet. He was a really cool guy to meet.

Paul McGann (The eighth Doctor on Doctor Who) ODP 3 11-19-2017: Now I didn’t meet Paul myself. But a guy I know(ish) who runs various autograph shows in the UK got Paul inperson for me. To be honest I have never seen the Doctor Who movie that Paul McGann did in its entirety. I looked for it on discs and I assume it’s out of print because it is very expensive. Regardless, I now just need three more Doctors and I will have all the living ones.

Peter Capaldi, Pearl Mackie, and Matt Lucas (12^th Doctor, Bill Potts, and Nardole) Doctor Who filming location September 2017: Now Technically these were obtained in 2016, but I didn’t receive them until 2017. My friends Tom and Charlie and their awesome kids obtained these for me in person from the actors themselves from the set of Doctor Who.

Ian McNeice (Winston Churchill on Doctor Who): Obtained inperson by friends The Connors’ around the same time as above.

Steven Moffat (Writer, Director, & Showrunner of Doctor Who): Obtained inperson by friends The Connors’ around the same time as above.

  

TTM Autographs:

Matt Lucas- (Nardole on Doctor Who): I had a photo that I took with me to the Doctor Who Experience in Wales because it was rumored that he and others would be there giving it a proper farewell. Well that’s all it was, rumors. So I was able to contact Matt and he gave me an address in London for me to send the photo to so he can sign it for me. And he did.

Jay Chandrasekhar, Erik Stolhanske, Paul Soter, & Kevin Hefferman (Four out of the five member of Broken Lizard): I was talking to Erik and he said he would sign a couple photos of him and Jay and I. So he sent me his home address and I sent it off to him. Not that much longer I get my photos back. Erik had Jay, Kevin, and Paul sign them as well. Very cool of him to do.

Purchased Autographs:

Agnieszka Bconska,Ruari Mears, Sean Palmer, Zoe Thorne, Eve Myles, Anna Hope, & Sophia Myles: ( A weeping Angel in “Blink”, A Hath in “The Doctor’s Daughter”, A Clockwork Man in “The Girl in the Fireplace”, The Gelth in “The Quiet Undead”, Gwyneth in “The Quiet Undead”, Novice Hame in “New Earth” & “Gridlock”, & Madame de Pompadour in “The Girl in the Fireplace”. I was able to obtain these from Tenth Planet Events. Tenth Planet puts on a multitude of celebrity autograph shows in the UK.

Ming-Na Wen: (Here are two of the multitude of roles this awesome actress has: Agent May on Marvel’s Agents of Shield and the voice of Mulan on Disney’s Mulan). When I went to the WhoFest D/FW show they were having an auction where 100% of the proceeds would go to the local PBS station KERA. I won this and one more photo.

Sean Gunn & Michael Rooker: ( Kraglin and Yondu on Guardians of the Galaxy 1&2) This is the other autographed photo I won with the proceeds going to KERA.

Camille Coduri: (Jackie Tyler on Doctor Who) On my recent trip to Cardiff, Wales for the closing of the Doctor Who Experience, I was able to pick up this awesome autographed photo from the gift shop.

Mike Quinn: (Mike is an actor and puppeteer known for so many roles I just have the room here. So here is a few. Nien Nunb in Return of the Jedi, The Force Awakens, & The Last Jedi. Mike also performed in Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal as a puppeteer. Well Mike was having an awesome sale through his website and I couldn't pass it up. I got a really cool photo from The Force Awakens as well as a couple other things. Mike is a very cool guy. If you are a Star Wars fan or a fan of his other roles, keep an eye for his autograph deals. You won’t regret it.

Greg Ruth & Ethan Hawke: Greg is an illustrator for various book, comic books, & graphic novels. Ethan is an actor and director known for Training Day, Reality Bites, & The Magnificent Seven reboot. I picked up a signed copy of Greg and Ethan’s book Indeh: A Story of the Apache Wars

Trade:

I don’t do a lot of trades. But I did with this one. It was about an even trade. I got the below autographs.

Tilda Swinton

George Takei

Irvin Kershner

Klaus Brandauer

Warwick Davis

Mel Brooks

Colbie Smulders

Gift:

Tom Landry: (Former Head Coach, now deceased, of the Dallas Cowboys.) A long time co-worker gave a signed dollar bill of Tom Landry to me. I am still super stoked about this one.

John Simm: (The Master on Doctor Who) My friends The Connors’ obtained this for me.

David Bradley: (Solomon and The Doctor in Doctor Who and William Hartnell in An Adventure of Space and Time. My friends The Connors’ obtained this for me.  

Contest:

Barbie Wilde: (The Female Cenobite in Hellbound: Hellraiser II) The website Startiger had a contest and I won this autographed photo of Barbie as the Cenobite.

Met but no autographs:

These celebrities I had the honor of meeting but didn’t have the opportunity of getting their autographs.

Blue Man Group: a performance art show combines paint, music, and humor in its stage productions around the world. My family and I saw one of their shows at Universal Studios and I was able to meet one of the performers after the show and get my photo with him.

Russell T. Davies: (Former writer, producer, and showrunner of Doctor Who and Torchwood) after my daughter and visited the Doctor Who Experience for its final day, we took in some of the local sights of Cardiff Bay. After we visit Ianto’s Shrine aka the entrance of Torchwood we were on our way to Eddie’s Diner for a bite to eat. Who was sitting outside but none other than Russell T. Davies himself. A couple other people were already chatting with him. So we approached and spoke with him as well. He took a few photos with my daughter and I. Just as nice a person as you can get.

Christel Dee: The founding presenter on Doctor Who: The fan show. While my daughter and I were in the lobby of the Doctor Who Experience, Christel was walking around and filming some of her show downstairs before heading up. I approached her and introduced myself and asked for a photo. To which she graciously obliged. Just an all-around great person. Definitely check her show out.

Nathalie Cuzner: (various monsters and characters on Doctor Who) This is actually a funny story. When my daughter and I visited the closing of the Doctor Who Experience, there were various characters roaming around the venue. From Cybermen to Whisper men to Daleks. But also one of Mrs. Rossiter’s Peg Dolls was walking around. To which Nathalie played this specific Peg Doll in the episode “Night Terrors”. Well unbeknownst to me until I get all the way back home to Texas, that was Nathalie as the peg doll walking around. I really wish I would have had the opportunity to get her autograph that day. Someday. She did let me take a photo with her.

                 So there you have it. Not too bad if I must say so. Got some cool autographs, met some awesome people, and made some
excellent memories. Not bad at all.

Doctor Who Experience 9-9-17

It’s now been past eight years since September 9, 2017, when my daughter and I had the opportunity to visit the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff, Wales. For those 'Who' are unaware, it was an interactive exhibition showcasing costumes and props from the show. It began with a short film starring Peter Capaldi, recorded specifically for the Experience. A guide led us through a 30-minute adventure following the Doctor’s instructions, taking us to the TARDIS console and sets with awakening Daleks. Our goal, obviously, was to save the planet and the TARDIS.

Once the day was saved, the museum doors opened to a massive collection of props and costumes from nearly every Doctor, companion, and villain. Since it was the very last day it was open, there was also—as there always is—a gift shop ('You have a little shop. I love a little shop,') offering a variety of Doctor Who souvenirs. I managed to snag an official companion guide and an autographed print of Camille Coduri (Jackie Tyler). There were costumed performers everywhere, including live Cybermen, Whisper Men, and even Nathalie Cuzner as one of the Peg Dolls.

A friend I had at the time messaged me saying I had to meet Jamie Hill, who played the Foretold in Mummy on the Orient Express and the Monk in Extremis, The Pyramid at the End of the World, and The Lie of the Land. Jamie was also a manager there. Despite the strict no-reentry policy, the staff were so excited we had traveled all the way from Texas that they snuck me back in to meet him while he was being interviewed by Christel Dee. He was an incredibly cool guy and took the time to sign a photo for me; we are now even friends on social media.

Afterward, we grabbed a snack at The Blue Box Café downstairs. While eating, we heard someone nearby saying that Nicholas Briggs, the voice of the Daleks, was inside. Knowing there was only one exit through the gift shop, I headed upstairs and caught him right as he was coming out. I introduced myself, and we chatted for a bit. He was genuinely concerned when he heard we were from Texas, asking if our family had been affected by Hurricane Harvey. We spoke for about five minutes before he was on his way.

Before we left to see the filming locations around Cardiff Bay, we heard rumors of a massive send-off featuring Peter Capaldi, Pearl Mackie, and the hilarious Matt Lucas. We waited for over an hour as the last tours finished and the doors were locked. Everyone hung around outside expecting a grand farewell, but alas, the rumored appearance never happened. As the crowd thinned, we finally decided to leave to take in the sights and grab a bite to eat. This was an all-around great 'Experience,' from the exhibit itself to the BBC Studios across the street. I am so glad I was able to share this with my awesome daughter, Sydnie. Although it has been eight years since we were there, it still seems like yesterday, and I am sure those memories will stay with me forever.