Alpha: 2012 Anton Phillips Q&A Panel

Introduction

Warnings

• Quoted items may sometimes be mild paraphrases or compressions.
• Unquoted statements are more heavily paraphrased or compressed, but some phrases may still be as originally spoken.
• Mostly in the order discussed, but a few statements have been moved about a little to go with some similar points.

Details

• Asked something about what sort of "experience" he brought to the role of Dr. Bob Mathias, Anton replied, "I brought my experience as an actor," but also that he had played doctors in other roles.
• He thinks we are still a "long way from the fantasy of Space: 1999." He stated that he reads a lot of science fiction, and has since a teen. He indicated we are only "just starting to catch up with 1984," citing an example that one can walk(?) across London and be photographed by something like 300[?] cameras. He is a fan of Asimov, though he sees Foundation "as a bit naive."
• Asked what stands out for him (his character) in S19, he listed: the first episode; being "blown out the window" [in "War Games"], and being "zonked on Piri." Regarding the first episode, he stated it was to be his only episode, but that the producers liked him.
• An audience member talked about Dr. Bob Mathias being nice, mellow (asking if that is what Anton brought to the character?). However, Anton listed what he thought were Bob's key characteristics: "top of his game," "can be relied upon," "efficient."
• An audience member asked, "Did you think of any backstory [for the character]?" He replied "No," that such "could be contradicted by a script at some point," and that besides, the "demands on time with a small role are still strong."
• "When you're filming, what you need is patience."
• He discussed that his wife had a role, her character ending up being strangled by Balor. But then the actress was given another role in a later epsiode, as "Nurse A."
• Asked if he would be interested in having a role in a new series of S19 [or perhaps the question more specifically asked about Space: 2099?], he stated, "Sure."
• "I only have fans from Space: 1999; but it is always a pleasant surprise."
• Asked what he is doing now, he stated that he has had his own company "for a number of years." This company films documentaries of oral histories. There was an influx of a lot of Caribbean people into the U.S. and U.K. a few decades back, and the films are about their pasts. Also about some of the Muslims ("We Are Here" regarding those in Kensington and elsewhere).
• They are now doing some medical-related films, such as about the need for organ donation among African-Caribbean people, who are a very diverse mix (making matches more difficult). They need donated organs, but are not donating them. The message about this is being distributed in schools, libraries, museums -- targeting the younger generation.
• Asked something[?] about when he first wanted to act, he stated he was "always an actor." His Jamaican school's "headmistress had a passion for theater." However, "theater in Jamaica is only a part-time job."
• Anton left Jamaica and moved to America when he was about 13. He finished high school in America -- namely in [or around?] the District of Columbia. His mother was in the diplomatic service. He "got his diploma on a Wednesday" and then "moved to New York on Thursday."
• He [later?] went back to Jamaica briefly, returned to the U.S., then decided to "see the world." But he "got to England and it was very nice there." It "took ten years to get to Germany."
• He has done some directing of Jamaican "roots" films, "the ones that are more family oriented."