Speaking of the actor taking out of their own closet the story goes that shoes Troughton wore as the second doctor were his own.
The 11th Doctor could have been dressed like Captain Jack...
- Thread starter StCoop
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Speaking of the actor taking out of their own closet the story goes that shoes Troughton wore as the second doctor were his own.
which reminds me of another costuming story from that era. According to Fraser Hines, they offered to take Jamie out of his kilt but he decline saying that in jeanes and sneakers, he'd be just like anyone else.
Quite right, too! Good old Jamie. *sigh*
I have to admit that Matt Smith's costume has grown on me since last year when I first saw it. I still would have liked to have him wear the promo suit that he was wearing for his first photos. I liked that look.
I wasn't a fan of the promo pic outfit. Too dark; I could totally understand why people were making comments about the next Doctor being "emo" or "goth". The outfit and the background altogether washed out Matt's face and just made him look... ugh.
I am more and more developing a love for Eleven's chosen outfit. Every new thing I see or learn about Eleven makes me think of Five, which is a very good thing.
I am more and more developing a love for Eleven's chosen outfit. Every new thing I see or learn about Eleven makes me think of Five, which is a very good thing.
I thought Smith looked good in the dark outfit, but he didn't neccesarily look like the Doctor. I like Smith's look, it seems to suit him. I do wonder why the costume department ever thought of the pirate look because it doesn't seem to fit with the gangling young/old man persona that the 11th Doctor seems to have. Of course unless we ever see the look we'll never know, I doubt it was anywhere near as extreme as some people were making it out to be. Might have just been boots, a frilly shirt and a long coat!
The thing about the Eleventh Doctor's costume is that the bow tie is fashionable here in the UK at the moment. Not to my taste but I've seen guys in their early 20s wearing them.
Frilly shirts were all over the place in the late 60's/early 70s so the Third Doctor was on trend.
The problem with the Ninth Doctor's costume is that it was too subtle, too 'normal' if the Sixth's was one extreme, then the Ninth's was the other.
Frilly shirts were all over the place in the late 60's/early 70s so the Third Doctor was on trend.
The problem with the Ninth Doctor's costume is that it was too subtle, too 'normal' if the Sixth's was one extreme, then the Ninth's was the other.
It wasn't that normal. It may not have been extremely eccentric, but it was certainly a noticeable outfit.
But that's what makes it brilliant. It's out of place, but subtly so.
I'm not crazy about Smith's outfit, and no, it's not a case of "He's not David Tenant" (which, of course, he isn't).
It's a fine line, the Nu Who aesthetic, between what one could wear in public and not be noticed on first glance (unlike the stylized costumes we've seen on late-career Tom Baker, Peter davison, Colin Baker, etc) and something with a little eccentric flair.
Eccleston's costume was simple, somber and dark and was an understated shock to introduce the viewer to the Nu Who look-and a pared down, cold, brittle Doctor who'd clearly endured several things and was not the same person (literally and figuratively) since last we saw him, and it suited the actor himself, but it was sort of the exception to the rule (almost too understated), and it was successful due in large part to Eccleston's raw presence as Nine.
Now, as for Eleven's outfit, it's clearly designed to fit the old-man-in-a-young-body vibe, and maybe even carry a certain remnant of Ten (the cynic in me says that's partially to draw in the fangirls, which is why I tend to suspect Smith himself was chosen in the first place), but the costume itself is a bit too.....neat, too pat.
It seems to my eyes to look like what it is: something the production team picked out. Now, to be fair, it may grow on me, it may not, but my initial reaction to Nine's and Ten's outfits was, "Hmmm, not bad. Not was I was expecting, but it kinda has something there."
When I saw this one, I wasn't impressed. It looked almost....costumey.
Now, in fairness, it is a damn sight better than the pirate idea and, considering some of what we've seen Smith wear in public, I suppose we can be grateful for whatever bullet we dodged had he simply raided his own closet.
Now, that said, a couple of his initial ideas, like a long coat, didn't sound bad at all. It's a pity he wasn't given more input into his costume design, but again, maybe the designers saw what he wears in public and shied away from the idea.
But overall, I'm not as impressed as I was with his predecessors' outfits. It's well designed enough, I suppose, but it's just not terribly interesting. You can have an intersting sartorial vibe without going over the top.
It's a fine line, the Nu Who aesthetic, between what one could wear in public and not be noticed on first glance (unlike the stylized costumes we've seen on late-career Tom Baker, Peter davison, Colin Baker, etc) and something with a little eccentric flair.
Eccleston's costume was simple, somber and dark and was an understated shock to introduce the viewer to the Nu Who look-and a pared down, cold, brittle Doctor who'd clearly endured several things and was not the same person (literally and figuratively) since last we saw him, and it suited the actor himself, but it was sort of the exception to the rule (almost too understated), and it was successful due in large part to Eccleston's raw presence as Nine.
Now, as for Eleven's outfit, it's clearly designed to fit the old-man-in-a-young-body vibe, and maybe even carry a certain remnant of Ten (the cynic in me says that's partially to draw in the fangirls, which is why I tend to suspect Smith himself was chosen in the first place), but the costume itself is a bit too.....neat, too pat.
It seems to my eyes to look like what it is: something the production team picked out. Now, to be fair, it may grow on me, it may not, but my initial reaction to Nine's and Ten's outfits was, "Hmmm, not bad. Not was I was expecting, but it kinda has something there."
When I saw this one, I wasn't impressed. It looked almost....costumey.
Now, in fairness, it is a damn sight better than the pirate idea and, considering some of what we've seen Smith wear in public, I suppose we can be grateful for whatever bullet we dodged had he simply raided his own closet.
Now, that said, a couple of his initial ideas, like a long coat, didn't sound bad at all. It's a pity he wasn't given more input into his costume design, but again, maybe the designers saw what he wears in public and shied away from the idea.
But overall, I'm not as impressed as I was with his predecessors' outfits. It's well designed enough, I suppose, but it's just not terribly interesting. You can have an intersting sartorial vibe without going over the top.
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I quite like what I see of Smith's costume. I think it looks a damn sight better than the goth suit promo pics.
There's something a bit 2nd Doctorish about it. The bow tie, the checked trousers. I think it's an improvement over 9 & 10, personally..
There's something a bit 2nd Doctorish about it. The bow tie, the checked trousers. I think it's an improvement over 9 & 10, personally..
Yup, that's exactly why I like the outfit.
It's worth pointing out as well that, according to the DWM article, much of the look was Smith's idea. Moffat basically goes on about how, though not a fan, Smith has been devouring the DVDs since he got the part and phoned him up to rave about Tomb of the Cybermen. Moffat basically says he realised he was never going to get him to lose the bow-tie after that. 
And I really hate this notion that Smith was hired to appeal to fangirls, I'm really hoping he rams a few people's prejudices down their throats (it will be suitibly ironic if everyone loves him and I end up hating him now )
And I really hate this notion that Smith was hired to appeal to fangirls, I'm really hoping he rams a few people's prejudices down their throats (it will be suitibly ironic if everyone loves him and I end up hating him now
)
So Smith actually did have input into his costume? Cool beans! Thanks for setting me straight on that.
I completely understand how you feel, Starkers. I really do. And I appreciate your candor as well as your good humor-it makes discussions like this a pleasure.
Of course, I can't read Moffat's mind, nor do I have a time machine to see what he was thinking when Smith auditioned for the role.
The the problem is, show business is still a business, and the bottom line (and, sadly, the lowest common denominator) tend to have the ultimate say in in determing what happens, etc. To say the least (and I admit, I'm a cynic at heart, but I've worked in the business), audience appeal and commercial viability play every bit as big a role in casting as whether or not the actor is "right" for the role.
If in doubt, appeal and and commerce trump all else, but that's just show business (and any other business, honestly).
You know? In terms of the costume, I do see the Troughton influence. My initial impression is that there's nothing overtly bad about then costume. It's just a wee bit....Contrived.
Maybe it's the bow tie.....
Anyway, we'll see what happens and thanks for your response-I enjoyed reading it. It'd be nice if I can say I was wrong about Matt Smith, and I hope I am.
I remain open to the possibility, but I'm not going to hold my breath. Frankly, I'm not getting an exciting "Vibe" off him the way I was for his predecessors. This said inthe cold light of day now that the pangs of Ten Withdrawal have ebbed. I just feel differently about Eleven than I did at the prospects of Nine and Ten-and that feeling is apathy. An audience that leans towards the apathetic is never a good sign and that's what I'm picking up.
I think, in all honesty, there will be a Tom Baker to Peter Davison sort of feel to this succession, with the general consensus that, while Davison managed to do solidly enough on his own, he never quite equalled Baker or captured the role as well as Baker did (and, for the record, I genuinely liked the Fifth Doctor).
In the end, though, we're all who fans, and I want the show to succeed. Best I can do is just wait and see and hope.
Cheers, Mate!
I completely understand how you feel, Starkers. I really do. And I appreciate your candor as well as your good humor-it makes discussions like this a pleasure.
Of course, I can't read Moffat's mind, nor do I have a time machine to see what he was thinking when Smith auditioned for the role.
The the problem is, show business is still a business, and the bottom line (and, sadly, the lowest common denominator) tend to have the ultimate say in in determing what happens, etc. To say the least (and I admit, I'm a cynic at heart, but I've worked in the business), audience appeal and commercial viability play every bit as big a role in casting as whether or not the actor is "right" for the role.
If in doubt, appeal and and commerce trump all else, but that's just show business (and any other business, honestly).
You know? In terms of the costume, I do see the Troughton influence. My initial impression is that there's nothing overtly bad about then costume. It's just a wee bit....Contrived.
Maybe it's the bow tie.....
Anyway, we'll see what happens and thanks for your response-I enjoyed reading it. It'd be nice if I can say I was wrong about Matt Smith, and I hope I am.
I remain open to the possibility, but I'm not going to hold my breath. Frankly, I'm not getting an exciting "Vibe" off him the way I was for his predecessors. This said inthe cold light of day now that the pangs of Ten Withdrawal have ebbed. I just feel differently about Eleven than I did at the prospects of Nine and Ten-and that feeling is apathy. An audience that leans towards the apathetic is never a good sign and that's what I'm picking up.
I think, in all honesty, there will be a Tom Baker to Peter Davison sort of feel to this succession, with the general consensus that, while Davison managed to do solidly enough on his own, he never quite equalled Baker or captured the role as well as Baker did (and, for the record, I genuinely liked the Fifth Doctor).
In the end, though, we're all who fans, and I want the show to succeed. Best I can do is just wait and see and hope.
Cheers, Mate!
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Well like I say, I may be proven wrong about him, but I think he's going to make a fine Doctor, there's something otherworldly about him (Which Eccleston had and which-great though he was-I'm not sure Tennant ever had) But then I don't think many Doctors have had that aside from Tom of course, who was just being Tom.
From what-admittedly little-I've seen of him I think smith will be more than quirky enough for the part, the big test will be whether he can play the old man in a young man's body...we only have Moffat's word for it that that's what he saw in the audition, but he makes it clear that smith was, I think, the third person they saw and they just knew right away.
The proof of the pudding will be in the eating, or at least the watching, but we might have a better idea once that trailer airs on Saturday.
And was Davison percieved as a failure at the time? The fact that the BBC wanted him to carry on says something surely? He is My Doctor though so I tend to be biased.
From what-admittedly little-I've seen of him I think smith will be more than quirky enough for the part, the big test will be whether he can play the old man in a young man's body...we only have Moffat's word for it that that's what he saw in the audition, but he makes it clear that smith was, I think, the third person they saw and they just knew right away.
The proof of the pudding will be in the eating, or at least the watching, but we might have a better idea once that trailer airs on Saturday.
And was Davison percieved as a failure at the time? The fact that the BBC wanted him to carry on says something surely? He is My Doctor though so I tend to be biased.
