Brief Summary
In this episode of The Sirens of Audio, hosts Philip and Dwayne interview Michael Stevens, the commissioning editor for BBC Audio's Doctor Who range. They discuss the history and evolution of Doctor Who audiobooks, the creative process behind commissioning them, and some of the unique challenges and opportunities in adapting Doctor Who stories for audio. They also touch on the target novelizations, the "Beyond the Doctor" series, and the process of selecting actors and creating cover art.
- Michael Stevens shares his early memories of Doctor Who and how he got into audio publishing.
- The discussion covers the evolution of Doctor Who audiobooks, from cassettes and CDs to digital downloads.
- The hosts and Michael explore the creative decisions behind casting, sound design, and cover art for the audiobooks.
Intro
The hosts introduce the episode and guest, Michael Stevens, the commissioning editor for BBC audio, focusing on Doctor Who novelizations and other audio projects. They express curiosity about the decision-making process behind selecting readers for the audiobooks.
Rabbit Hole: Target Novelizations and Doctor Who in Different Media
The hosts discuss the extensive collection of Doctor Who audiobooks and their personal experiences with them. Philip mentions his comprehensive collection of Target novelizations and audio adaptations, while Dwayne expresses feeling overwhelmed by the amount of content. They explore the challenges of keeping up with new releases and the desire for a speed-changing feature on audiobook apps. They also share their favorite target novelizations, such as "The Romans," and discuss the creative ways voices and dialects are added to enhance the stories.
Extract from "The Romans"
This segment features an extract from "The Romans," read in an epistolary style with multiple voices, showcasing the unique approach taken in the audiobook adaptation. The excerpt is from the autobiography of Locusta, detailing her search for an apprentice and her encounter with Vicky.
Interview with Michael Stevens: Becoming a Fan and Entering Audio Publishing
Michael Stevens discusses his early fandom of Doctor Who, starting around age three, and his career path into audio publishing. He recounts his first job as a copywriter for BBC Radio Collection, where he wrote sleeve notes and advertising copy for a wide range of BBC programming, including Doctor Who. He shares his experience of working with pre-digital proofs for early Doctor Who audio releases.
From BBC to Audio Go: The Evolution of BBC Audiobooks
Michael explains the transition from BBC Radio Collection to BBC Audiobooks and then to Audio Go. He details how the success of the Harry Potter audiobooks led to the formation of a larger company, BBC Audiobooks, which was later partially sold to private investors and rebranded as Audio Go. Despite the change in ownership, the company continued to publish BBC content under license.
Getting Tom Baker on Board: The Hornet's Nest Series
Michael recounts how Audio Go succeeded in getting Tom Baker to reprise his role as the Doctor in the "Hornet's Nest" series. He explains that the idea for original Doctor Who stories came about during the recording of Target audiobooks with Tom Baker. Michael collaborated with Paul Magrs to develop the concept, which involved the Doctor living in a cottage in Sussex with a housekeeper named Mrs. Whimsy.
Competition vs. Collaboration: Big Finish and BBC Audio
Michael discusses the relationship between Big Finish and BBC Audio, emphasizing that it was more collaborative than competitive. He explains that Big Finish was a licensee of BBC Worldwide and that both companies explored different formats and styles of audio drama. He notes that while Big Finish focused on full-cast dramas, BBC Audio initially majored on single-voice readings, but both eventually experimented with different approaches.
The Role of Commissioning Editor: From Audio Go to BBC Audio
Michael details his progression to commissioning editor, initially focusing on the Doctor Who range around 2002. He initiated "Doctor Who: The BBC Archives," a collection of behind-the-scenes interviews and features. Since 2013, he has solely managed the Doctor Who range and worked on Demon Records' Doctor Who vinyl releases. His responsibilities include initiating titles, preparing scripts, casting readers, and assigning sound designers.
Sound Design and Voice Matching
Michael explains his role in ensuring the quality and consistency of Doctor Who audio productions. He provides information sheets to producers and sound designers, outlining characterizations and desired voice tones. While they try to match voices to their TV counterparts for iconic characters like the Daleks and Cybermen, they allow for creative freedom in other areas. He also mentions the unique sound design created for the interior of the TARDIS in the Target range.
Reader Selection and Casting Choices
Michael discusses the process of selecting actors for the audiobooks, emphasizing the importance of matching the voice to the tone of the book. He looks for readers who can naturally embody the characters and often seeks out individuals associated with Doctor Who or specific stories. He explains the rationale behind casting Stephen Pacey in "Terminus" and "Enlightenment," highlighting his accomplished audiobook reading skills and the suitability of his voice for the stories.
Cover Art Decisions
Michael explains the decisions behind the cover art for the audiobooks, noting that the main intention is to use the original book cover if possible. However, in some cases, they opt for reprint covers or commission new artwork to create a more visually appealing product. He discusses the challenges of adapting book-shaped covers to square CDs and the use of the Doctor Who logo.
Multi-Reader Approach in "The Romans"
Michael discusses the decision to use multiple readers for "The Romans," given its epistolary style. He explains how he selected readers to suit different characters, including Jamie Glover for Ian Chesterton's letters, Tim Treloar for Ascaris, and Maureen O'Brien for a cameo appearance as her original character, Vicky.
Beyond the Doctor Series
Michael discusses the "Beyond the Doctor" series, which focuses on the lives of companions after they leave the Doctor. He explains that the series came about from a desire to explore original stories beyond the typical Doctor-centric narratives. He highlights the development of the "Penumbra Saga," a story arc featuring characters like Bessie, Polly, Ben, Ian, Barbara, and Mrs. Whimsy.
Involvement with Big Finish Short Trips
Michael recounts his involvement with Big Finish's "Short Trips" range after Audio Go ended in 2013. He describes his role as commissioning scripts, casting actors, and working with sound designers. He expresses fond memories of the stories he produced, covering various Doctors.
New Target Novelizations and the Production Process
Michael discusses the upcoming new Target novelizations and the challenges of synchronizing the audio publication with the book release. He outlines the production process, including recording, editing, and sound design, and the importance of proof listeners in ensuring the quality of the audiobooks.
Collaboration with BBC Books and Expanded Stories
Michael discusses the collaboration with BBC Books, particularly regarding expanded versions of stories like "Warriors' Gate." He explains how Stephen Gallagher's original manuscript, which was initially rejected, was adapted into an audio version and later a print version with additional content.
David Fisher Novelizations and Future Plans
Michael shares the story behind commissioning David Fisher to novelize "The Stones of Blood" and "The Androids of Tara." He explains his long-held idea of having different authors write Target books and his desire to expand on the tantalizing references in the original TV episodes. He also discusses future plans for the Doctor Who audio range, including completing the Target books and exploring new titles and formats.
60th Anniversary Celebrations
Michael outlines the plans for celebrating the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who, including releasing a Doctor-a-month series featuring each of the 13 Doctors. He mentions special releases like "The Amazing World of Doctor Who" and "The Making of Doctor Who," which are based on famous books from the 1970s.
Recommendations and Outro
The hosts and Michael share their recommendations for Doctor Who audiobooks, including "Planet of the Spiders," "The Face of Evil," and "The Seeds of Death." The hosts thank Michael for his time and insights, and the episode concludes with credits and contact information.
