Some more amazing photos from Series Six have been added to DOC MARTIN ONLINE! Check the whole kit and caboodle out HERE!
Showing posts with label behind the scenes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label behind the scenes. Show all posts
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
On Location with Doc Martin
Doc Martin fans will have recently seen the sixth series of the hit comedy drama conclude on ITV with scenes involving the show's hero rushing to the airport. For some fans, just seeing the programme on the telly isn't enough though - when Doc Martin is being filmed, a sizable crowd forms on location. Philip Bates headed to Cornwall in June 2013, and this is what he experienced...
"Bang!" The Lexus collides with a fruit stall, swerving away from a red van. The air bags explode into life. Part of the stall collapses and a wave of oranges roll down the steep hill - past the school and into the idyllic village of Portwenn.
It's all gone according to plan.
The Cornish fishing village, Port Isaac, has been invaded by the cast and crew of ITV's award-winning comedy-drama, Doc Martin - and its legion of fans from around the world. The crowd has gathered on Fore Street and a wonderful mixture of accents mutter excitedly as Dr. Martin Ellingham himself, aka actor Martin Clunes, storms out of his car, stumbles over the wrecked stall and playfully air-punches the other driver.
"Ooh, he's hitting him!" one woman exclaims. Her husband reassures her: "I think they're just messing around."
Thankfully, this is just a rehearsal. When Martin swerved his car, a shocked gasp went up from the crowd. "Can we not gasp so loudly when the cameras are actually rolling please?" a runner begs, laughing.
They have to let traffic through; a few cars, vans and lorries, then some walkers. A lorry that's been instructed to circle around the block for the past 20 minutes explains that he's actually destined for filming. Clunes sits down on a low wall while the crew set the scene up again. Some walkers pass between the two crowds with an array of dogs - Clunes can't help but fuss over them as he chats to their owners. His genuine love for the animals shines through.
It's been a long day for him already: he's been filming outside the Doc's house since 7am. It's now mid-afternoon and he's still got to shoot this one scene from three different angles, run down a very steep hill numerous times then relocate to the harbour to act opposite John Marquez, who plays the bumbling PC Penhale. He stopped for a coffee at local cafe, May Contain Nuts, and was swamped by fans looking for a chat and a photo.
Nonetheless, you never see him without a big grin on his face.
A gaggle of girls walk past and giggle as the Doc slams his car door, stumbles over the wrecked fruit stall and storms over. The other driver is astounded when Martin demands use of his former-Royal Mail van. With the air bag deployed, he can't use the Lexus - and it's an emergency.
The crash is a surprisingly complex scene, so quite a while passes in between takes.
The runners use this time to organise the amassing crowds and address complaints that people can't freely move about this part of the village. Sightseers filter through (some genuinely interested in filming regardless; others annoyed by the disruption to their day). The majority are here just to see Clunes & Co working on their favourite show.
The production crew have got it down to a fine art now: Doc Martin has been filmed in Port Isaac and the surrounding area since its debut in 2004. "They're saying this will be the last one," one runner says, "but I don't think it will be. It's still as popular as ever."
Fans never seem to tire of the grumpy GP who suffers from the fear of blood, haemophobia: the first episode was watched by 9.93 million people, and its audience has stayed steadily around 8 million ever since (huge numbers in this multi-channel age). The international fanbase is even bigger.
It's an incredible achievement, but then, Doc Martin is an incredible show.
Perhaps its success is due to its stunning vistas: an American watching filming from the sidelines says she has an Australian friend who travelled to the UK last year just to see Port Isaac. The locals all have different opinions on it, of course, but none deny the amount of tourism it has brought in. Meander around the shops and you'll see an array of Doc Martin postcards, bags, magnets, t-shirts, mugs... and then some. Rental properties are well-stocked with DVDs, and a walking tour sets off from the Fish Cellars every Friday.
The harbour-side confectioners (which doubles as Portwenn Chemist) is extremely proud of its association with the show, selling magazine article prints for charity and a guide to filming locations. Signed photos of the cast are framed on the wall.
"Port Isaac has changed dramatically since we first started filming in the village," Martin says. "On a fine day there are thousands of people who come to watch us. The number of people who come to see us now is phenomenal, particularly people from America."
I visit one of the local shops and ask the owner how she feels about missing out on filming because she's stuck behind the counter. She just shrugs her shoulders and confesses that it's got a bit boring now: yes, it brings in tourism, but it effectively shuts the village down for a couple of months every two years. Thankfully, all the interior scenes are shot in studios just over the grassy knoll behind Fern Cottage (aka the Doc's surgery).
You can see the good as well as the bad, however: traffic delays are an obvious side-effect, but the owners of Fern Cottage have had to install metal posts and a makeshift barrier to stop tourists having their photos taken on the Doctor's doorstep. These are taken down when filming commences, but it looks as if the house, overlooking the peaceful village, is empty whilst all the commotion continues.
It may be an emergency, but the Doc's been lording it over them all for too long. This is where the van driver draws the line. "Oh, I haven't got time for this!" Martin yells and rushes off down the hill.
A chorus rises up from the runners: "Rolling." The crowd falls silent as the Lexus ploughs into the fruit stall once more. The oranges roll down - caught by one member of the production team simply holding a plank of wood across the road.
Now it's Martin's turn to go down the hill and he sets off on his run.
"Cut." And everyone relaxes. A few vehicles are let through again, then the crowd sets off on a mass pilgrimage up the hill as the cameras change direction.
They redress the scene, this time with the cameras facing down the slope. It looks so bare, now that the crowds have been moved out of the way. All this work for a scene that appears on screen for less than a minute! But seeing the final, seamless episode, it's worth it.
Despite running slightly behind time, the take has to be re-done, namely due to Clunes tripping over the oranges and bursting into laughter. Nobody envies him, running down the hill then rushing back up to do it all again and again.
He doesn't do things by half and runs the full length of the hill, just in case.
They have to do it once more, with the camera looking up Fore Street this time, so it's time for the crew and onlookers to relocate again. We're pushed so far down, we can hardly hear any dialogue. But soon, Martin's heading towards us - at a fair speed! He grimaces at us all, cheekily; he's built up so much momentum, he can't stop and someone has to grab him. "Awww!" Martin says, laughing and embracing him in a hug.
Far from his onscreen persona, it's obvious that Martin has true affection for the show and its fans. And that's certainly one reason for its continuing success.
Source: The British Comedy Guide HERE
Tipster: Simply Red
A Day on Set with Doc Martin
Philip Bates attended a full day's filming of Doc Martin on the 25th
June 2013, as they filmed scenes for the final episode of the sixth
series. Here's what he witnessed...
It's early morning in Port Isaac, which has doubled for Doc Martin's fictional village since the popular show made its debut in 2004. There aren't many sightseers around, but the locals have been up and about for a fair while now: the small hours of the morning are punctured by the screeches of seagulls as the fishermen come in after a hard night's work.
Nonetheless, crowds heading up Roscarrock Hill are held back by a film crew. People are pulled safely back into alleyways and shops because there's an emergency in Portwenn and the Doc rushes to his car. The door slams, his engine revs and he speeds down the narrow road, sticks whipping at his wing mirrors.
The camera swoops high over the village following his journey down and cuts when the Lexus stops at the bottom and a smiling Martin Clunes gets out. It takes a lot of bravery to go at that speed down the tight slope, but he's had plenty of practice. It's just the start of a long day's filming for both Martin and the perfectly-tuned crew.
That scene continues later, just across the harbour on Fore Street, where Martin crashes his car into an already-assembled fruit stall. But while Clunes disappears, walkers are let through before filming begins again, this time with Joe Absolom and Jessica Ransom (better known as Al Large and Morwenna Newcross, respectively). Fans are pushed up and down the hill as the camera changes angles, and it's soon 'in the can'. Joe attempts to leave - but is mobbed by holidaymakers looking for a photo and a quick chat. He doesn't seem to mind, though he's supposed to be learning how to ride a scooter he's never been on before for a scene at the end of the day.
The mass pilgrimage up the confined and steep Dolphin Street is torturous, especially for the crew who has to lug heavy equipment around. Martin has a very brief scene a quarter of the way up, just outside the idyllic Homelands Cottage, the new home of his Aunt Ruth (Eileen Atkins). Homelands is, in fact, a self-catering holiday cottage, but for now, a camera stares out as the crew rehearse the scene.
A hush falls across the crowd and a chorus rises from the runners, indicating the scene's start: "Rolling". Martin runs up the hill and bashes on the door. He calls for his Aunt, peering through the windows. A shout comes from his right, informing him that she's gone to the farm - and he rushes off.
The take ends and the onlookers applaud. Martin smiles and takes an exaggerated bow, jokingly.
He hangs around, tapping a tune on the property's fence, as the crew re-dress the scene. The crowd builds, those at the back desperately trying to catch a glimpse of the show's leading man, and children even hang out the windows of their rented properties. "You can take pictures during rehearsals, but can everyone lower your cameras when we're actually filming please", the runners beg. The crowd concede, but a much more troublesome element is the seagulls. With their constant cawing, it's a miracle they can film any exterior scenes at all!
EXT. THE FISH CELLARS - DAY.
Much of the day is taken up on a complex scene on Fore Street, in which Doc Martin crashes his car and has to run up and down the arduous hill numerous times.
Elsewhere in Portwenn, the villagers strut their stuff in fancy-dress. PC Penhale (John Marquez, pictured) has donned an impressive moustache and seems to be channelling the Village People.
The fans obviously love the cast and the cast obviously love the village: they can be seen wandering around on their days off. Joe Absolom temporarily moved to the village during filming and was seen every morning walking his kids to school; a very brave Eileen Atkins effortlessly strolled up Roscarrock Hill and onto the glorious expanse of field that overlooks the stunning coastal village; and Ian McNiece (Bert Large) could often be seen having a pint and sharing stories with the locals.
Martin Clunes is spotted chatting to set visitor Julia McKenzie at the harbour front. Ian and Joe even accompany Dodger the Dog to a charity do at the local Stowaway Tea Shoppe.
The cameras start rolling again. PC Penhale's jeep is parked outside The Slipway Hotel and Restaurant, opposite Portwenn Pharmacy (actually a very proud local confectioners), and as the comedic copper approaches the vehicle, some of the crowd don't even recognise the disguised policeman. The attention to detail is admirable: onlookers have been parted to either side, cars and vans trying to approach have been stopped and the restaurant is entirely populated by supporting artists. It's all to make sure nothing goes wrong. It's almost tempting fate...
With the air bags in his own car deployed, Martin is in a hurry and gets in the jeep, closely followed by a wary Penhale. The jeep roars into life and the two speed off. Everything's worked out perfectly.
EXT. HARBOUR - DAY.
With the lead man heading back to his home in the Lexus, many of the crowds disperse, but the day's filming is far from over. Joe rounds the corner of Roscarrock Hill on his bike; he's clearly nervous as they plan out the scene: as he drives down past the Fish Cellars, a pile of paper slips off the back and Jessica Ransom, as the Doc's loveably sarcastic receptionist Morwenna, calls after him and gathers up his copious notes. The two then sit down on a raised platform at the harbour front and have a heart-to-heart.
The devotees have crowded around the local pub and at the entrance to Middle Street, opposite all the action. Joe's family are all there too, his kids running up to him and giving him a big hug. Jessica also spots a friend in the crowd and gives a thumbs-up. Dodger the Dog sits to one side with its owner, wagging his tail excitedly.
Location manager Johnny Bamford and director Nigel Cole check out all the angles and go through the script with them one final time. Cole directed Saving Grace, the 2000 film starring Martin Clunes which inspired Doc Martin, but his first actual episode for the series was this year's Sickness and Health, in which Martin and Louisa finally tied the knot. Bamford, however, has worked tirelessly on the ITV hit since its very first episode. Needless to say, he knows Port Isaac inside out!
The rehearsal goes well - though the strong wind means that the paper flies everywhere. They re-set the scene, with Joe getting on the bike once more and disappearing around the corner. Sound levels are checked and the cameras start filming.
It doesn't all go smoothly: the bike's kickstand keeps slipping from under Joe's shoe so it takes him some time to get to grips with it; he comes around the corner too fast and misses his mark; once, the bike even spins from underneath him and he does an impressive wheelie. They carry on regardless - true professionals.
The team go through numerous takes; each time the paper has to be saved from flying into the darkening sky. The supporting artists, whose job it is simply to stroll past and make Portwenn appear a real place, have to find their positions again. By the end, Joe's getting used to that bike. The still-considerable mass of watchers has to breathe in and squash against walls and into doorways as vehicles ebb through.
There's a flurry of excitement as the runners announce there's only ten minutes left. One final take - and the day is at an end. It's 7pm and the team have all been working tirelessly since 7am. In the end, as we discovered when the episode aired in October, the bike scene didn't even make it through the edit!
Everyone disperses: Joe and Jessica disappear into their cars; a few crew members pop into the local fish and chip shop; the extras head up Fore Street and pile into a mini-bus; the equipment is all packed away into a lorry. A rainy haze falls on Port Isaac, but the locals still congregate at the pub, the seagulls play their insistent tune and the village is a warm haven once again. Within 30 minutes, the Doc Martin crew have disappeared completely - like they were never even there.
Until tomorrow.
Source: The British Comedy Guide HERE
Tipster: SimplyRed
It's early morning in Port Isaac, which has doubled for Doc Martin's fictional village since the popular show made its debut in 2004. There aren't many sightseers around, but the locals have been up and about for a fair while now: the small hours of the morning are punctured by the screeches of seagulls as the fishermen come in after a hard night's work.
Nonetheless, crowds heading up Roscarrock Hill are held back by a film crew. People are pulled safely back into alleyways and shops because there's an emergency in Portwenn and the Doc rushes to his car. The door slams, his engine revs and he speeds down the narrow road, sticks whipping at his wing mirrors.
The camera swoops high over the village following his journey down and cuts when the Lexus stops at the bottom and a smiling Martin Clunes gets out. It takes a lot of bravery to go at that speed down the tight slope, but he's had plenty of practice. It's just the start of a long day's filming for both Martin and the perfectly-tuned crew.
That scene continues later, just across the harbour on Fore Street, where Martin crashes his car into an already-assembled fruit stall. But while Clunes disappears, walkers are let through before filming begins again, this time with Joe Absolom and Jessica Ransom (better known as Al Large and Morwenna Newcross, respectively). Fans are pushed up and down the hill as the camera changes angles, and it's soon 'in the can'. Joe attempts to leave - but is mobbed by holidaymakers looking for a photo and a quick chat. He doesn't seem to mind, though he's supposed to be learning how to ride a scooter he's never been on before for a scene at the end of the day.
The mass pilgrimage up the confined and steep Dolphin Street is torturous, especially for the crew who has to lug heavy equipment around. Martin has a very brief scene a quarter of the way up, just outside the idyllic Homelands Cottage, the new home of his Aunt Ruth (Eileen Atkins). Homelands is, in fact, a self-catering holiday cottage, but for now, a camera stares out as the crew rehearse the scene.
A hush falls across the crowd and a chorus rises from the runners, indicating the scene's start: "Rolling". Martin runs up the hill and bashes on the door. He calls for his Aunt, peering through the windows. A shout comes from his right, informing him that she's gone to the farm - and he rushes off.
The take ends and the onlookers applaud. Martin smiles and takes an exaggerated bow, jokingly.
He hangs around, tapping a tune on the property's fence, as the crew re-dress the scene. The crowd builds, those at the back desperately trying to catch a glimpse of the show's leading man, and children even hang out the windows of their rented properties. "You can take pictures during rehearsals, but can everyone lower your cameras when we're actually filming please", the runners beg. The crowd concede, but a much more troublesome element is the seagulls. With their constant cawing, it's a miracle they can film any exterior scenes at all!
EXT. THE FISH CELLARS - DAY.
Much of the day is taken up on a complex scene on Fore Street, in which Doc Martin crashes his car and has to run up and down the arduous hill numerous times.
Elsewhere in Portwenn, the villagers strut their stuff in fancy-dress. PC Penhale (John Marquez, pictured) has donned an impressive moustache and seems to be channelling the Village People.
The fans obviously love the cast and the cast obviously love the village: they can be seen wandering around on their days off. Joe Absolom temporarily moved to the village during filming and was seen every morning walking his kids to school; a very brave Eileen Atkins effortlessly strolled up Roscarrock Hill and onto the glorious expanse of field that overlooks the stunning coastal village; and Ian McNiece (Bert Large) could often be seen having a pint and sharing stories with the locals.
Martin Clunes is spotted chatting to set visitor Julia McKenzie at the harbour front. Ian and Joe even accompany Dodger the Dog to a charity do at the local Stowaway Tea Shoppe.
The cameras start rolling again. PC Penhale's jeep is parked outside The Slipway Hotel and Restaurant, opposite Portwenn Pharmacy (actually a very proud local confectioners), and as the comedic copper approaches the vehicle, some of the crowd don't even recognise the disguised policeman. The attention to detail is admirable: onlookers have been parted to either side, cars and vans trying to approach have been stopped and the restaurant is entirely populated by supporting artists. It's all to make sure nothing goes wrong. It's almost tempting fate...
With the air bags in his own car deployed, Martin is in a hurry and gets in the jeep, closely followed by a wary Penhale. The jeep roars into life and the two speed off. Everything's worked out perfectly.
EXT. HARBOUR - DAY.
With the lead man heading back to his home in the Lexus, many of the crowds disperse, but the day's filming is far from over. Joe rounds the corner of Roscarrock Hill on his bike; he's clearly nervous as they plan out the scene: as he drives down past the Fish Cellars, a pile of paper slips off the back and Jessica Ransom, as the Doc's loveably sarcastic receptionist Morwenna, calls after him and gathers up his copious notes. The two then sit down on a raised platform at the harbour front and have a heart-to-heart.
The devotees have crowded around the local pub and at the entrance to Middle Street, opposite all the action. Joe's family are all there too, his kids running up to him and giving him a big hug. Jessica also spots a friend in the crowd and gives a thumbs-up. Dodger the Dog sits to one side with its owner, wagging his tail excitedly.
Location manager Johnny Bamford and director Nigel Cole check out all the angles and go through the script with them one final time. Cole directed Saving Grace, the 2000 film starring Martin Clunes which inspired Doc Martin, but his first actual episode for the series was this year's Sickness and Health, in which Martin and Louisa finally tied the knot. Bamford, however, has worked tirelessly on the ITV hit since its very first episode. Needless to say, he knows Port Isaac inside out!
The rehearsal goes well - though the strong wind means that the paper flies everywhere. They re-set the scene, with Joe getting on the bike once more and disappearing around the corner. Sound levels are checked and the cameras start filming.
It doesn't all go smoothly: the bike's kickstand keeps slipping from under Joe's shoe so it takes him some time to get to grips with it; he comes around the corner too fast and misses his mark; once, the bike even spins from underneath him and he does an impressive wheelie. They carry on regardless - true professionals.
The team go through numerous takes; each time the paper has to be saved from flying into the darkening sky. The supporting artists, whose job it is simply to stroll past and make Portwenn appear a real place, have to find their positions again. By the end, Joe's getting used to that bike. The still-considerable mass of watchers has to breathe in and squash against walls and into doorways as vehicles ebb through.
There's a flurry of excitement as the runners announce there's only ten minutes left. One final take - and the day is at an end. It's 7pm and the team have all been working tirelessly since 7am. In the end, as we discovered when the episode aired in October, the bike scene didn't even make it through the edit!
Everyone disperses: Joe and Jessica disappear into their cars; a few crew members pop into the local fish and chip shop; the extras head up Fore Street and pile into a mini-bus; the equipment is all packed away into a lorry. A rainy haze falls on Port Isaac, but the locals still congregate at the pub, the seagulls play their insistent tune and the village is a warm haven once again. Within 30 minutes, the Doc Martin crew have disappeared completely - like they were never even there.
Until tomorrow.
Tipster: SimplyRed
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Facebook Photos
There are some nice behind the scenes shots on the Facebook page of Philip Pitson. You can find them HERE.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
It's all getting a bit much for some....
Hang in there people! It's always darkest before the dawn.
Taken from a Facebook page, open to all.
Find it HERE.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
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