Excuse ME?! I am outraged for Chris Eccleston

[rabid1st]

Apparently, people (fans, they say...so-called fans) have accused Chris of gurning in his portrayal of the Doctor. I love David Tennant, as I'm sure you all know. He's my favorite Doctor of all time, I think. But I was just hopping mad over this slander against CE, who is a marvelous actor, did so much with the part, and has a lovely, craggy and expressive face.

For those of you not familiar with gurning...here is a link...be outraged with me.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/3670504.stm

Rae

Comments

[bubonicplague.livejournal.com]

Pffft, I am amused more than anything. The rabid Tennant fangirls (and you know I don't mean true fans, just those people who think they are married to him on an astral plane) like to trash anyone who isn't Tennant.

[fidesangelus.livejournal.com]

WTF?!? This is unacceptable.

[kitsune17.livejournal.com]

*is outraged*

[platypus]

I've seen both Eccleston and Tennant accused of "gurning" in their portrayals. And, yes, sometimes the show has a rather broad style of acting, but both are quite capable of subtlety as well. The only gurning I've seen on Doctor who was the McCoy/McGann regeneration scene :P.

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

Yes! That was definitely gurning. And the show does have a broad style...I would not say chewing the scenery as someone else suggested...I think they draw the line at that in most cases...and well...David might be more guilty of scenery chewing on occasion than Chris ever was.

But as you say, the character also allows for subtlty and both men gave it their all in both vocal pitch and facial expression. Chris' tends to have major changes in facial expression but I rather liked the way he would light up when he smiled.

Rae

[thisficklemob.livejournal.com]

Ahahahahaaha! He so did.

No, seriously, he didn't gurn. He just chewed the scenery. Totally different thing.

*hides*

Drags you out in the open by your earlobe

[(Anonymous)]

He did not! :pokes you:

Chris was lovely. And a grand Doctor.

As Nick Briggs says, "He has a big face. When he smiles it changes dramatically." That's good for a stage actor but can hamper on TV. But still...I don't think CE did a bad job at all...I think he was perfect.

I just like Tennant more. I liked Davison so that makes sense. If anything, Chris' Doctor was more his own...less derivitive than David's.

How did that get anonymous?

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

Anyway...that was me. No one else would be so cheeky to you. Well...Kes might!

Rae

Re: How did that get anonymous?

[thisficklemob.livejournal.com]

I was just joshing ya'. Most of the time I liked CE's acting, but there were occasions I rolled my eyes at how over the top it was.

He didn't seem to have a small smile, did he? Nothing between :-| and X-D

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

Take a look at this, Caia!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap88Nvq4 4uQ

And notice how his mood changes without his expression changing. And then how he starts smiling before he smiles. I wonder where they got the footage for this. It's lovely.

Rae

[dharkapparition.livejournal.com]

So not understanding. He's being accused of acting by making faces?
Are these people retarded?

[ladyofgallifrey.livejournal.com]

I'm confused. This gurning is screwing up your face to look ridiculous? And CE did this when? Sorry - don't get it. I must be in "thick" mode today. If it is an insult against CE then I will be incensed on his behalf because as much as I adore DT, CE was perfect for what the character needed to do.

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

Well...perhaps outraged is a bit strong for my reaction. Though I was incensed, definitely. It was Nick Briggs, the Dalek guy, who brought this to my attention while defending Chris from this charge...he said, "Chris has a big face and when he smiles it changes dramatically." And I agree with that. But he never overplayed that. I think he used it to his and the character's advantage.

Rae

[auntiesuze.livejournal.com]

I don't know if I'm outraged, but it's definitely flat-out ridiculous. Every actor portraying the Doctor has done a bit of overacting or ham acting...that's just the sort of part it is. I don't ever recall any of them screwing up their faces like *that*. Anyone who thinks acting = gurning has no idea what they're talking about.

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

I agree.

I tend to think of the Doctor, himself, as a ham actor. He uses that ploy to get people to overlook what he's doing. And the real skill is to be an overdressed, rambling goofball and still look like you're dangerous and smart.

I think both Chris and David give performances that are equal parts over the top goofiness and subtly serious. David does his shouting manic thing or that rush of words. Chris did those rapid facial changes but really they were quite charming.

Rae

[fishsanwitt]

Wha?

I don't think so.

[dameruth.livejournal.com]

*Snrt!* Idiots.

(Sorry for the brevity, but couldn't think of anything longer to really *say* -- that sums up my feelings perfectly).

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

I know!

It was just so ridiculous I had to share it.

BTW, I got the info on the fans from Nick Briggs...the guy that voices the Daleks...and he was a bit outraged, too. He said, "Chris just has a big face and when he smiles it changes dramatically."

I agree...it used to light up the screen. Hardly gruning!

Rae

[dameruth.livejournal.com]

Just cuz I can't resist sharing this with everyone who might be remotely intrested, and since CE goes through so many wonderful small changes in expression (in addition to one big one, XD ), have you seen this vid?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap88Nvq44uQ

("Proof" by I Am Kloot)

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

That's just lovely...thanks!

Rae

[principia.livejournal.com]

*eyeroll*

That sort of accusation of hammery is far more often leveled at DT than CE, I'd say. I wouldn't say it's true in either of their cases. The Doctor does do everything writ large, but that's just how the character is. He's got to be played as strongly charismatic and attention-getting, or the show doesn't work.

[zenitt.livejournal.com]

From the interview with Briggs> (http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/a89988/interview-nick-briggs-doctor-who.html)

"A portion of fans weren't keen on his comedic abilities and accused him of 'gurning'...
"Human beings don't like the unexpected. We all like things to be safe and normal and they're used to Christopher Eccleston looking a certain way. And he does have the most expressive face. That alleged gurning that people say he does in the part, and I didn't think that, he used to do that every morning on the set when I said 'hello' to him. That's what Christopher Eccleston looks like when he smiles. That's not gurning. He's got a big face and when he smiles it changes radically.""

*oncoming-storms all the naysayers*