Dougray Scott has appeared in movies such as Enigma and Mission: Impossible II

The flesh-eating plants of John Wyndham's sci-fi classic The Day of the Triffids return this week in their first television outing for almost three decades.

"Imagine being blinded, and I'm going to throw you into a lake and in that lake are 50 crocodiles... and you've got to get to the other side."

That's how actor Dougray Scott describes what it's like for the human race in this new two-part production that co-stars Joely Richardson, Brian Cox, Vanessa Redgrave, Eddie Izzard and Jason Priestley.

The story is based on Wyndham's post-apocalyptic novel, published in 1951, but is set against the background of a global energy crisis.

In this version by Patrick Harbinson, the Triffids are cultivated as a source of alternative fuel called Triffoil. When a solar storm leaves most of the world's population blinded, millions of the man-eating plants begin to roam Britain.

Triffid attack: 1980s style

The last time TV tackled the Triffids was in a 1981 BBC production starring John Duttine as the hero Bill Masen.

Scott, who plays Dr Bill Masen in the new version, says the Triffids terrified him as a child.

"I do have a memory of the TV series - there was a lighthouse at the end and they killed them by pouring salt water over them."

He adds quickly: "It's not how we kill them!"

Tragic event

"I remember the novel more than anything," says Scott.

"It's a wonderful post-apocalyptic tale - an examination of how differently people deal with a tragic event, how some attempt very fascistic methods to rebuild society and some people have a more humane approach to it.

"The Triffids are secondary in some respects. To me it's a tale of two ordinary people coming together in extraordinary circumstances."

He is referring to the character of Jo (Joely Richardson), a woman who joins Masen in the fight against the Triffids.

Several central London locations were used

Scott says his scientist character is driven by a need to understand what makes Triffids different from other plants.

"Do they have brains? How do they communicate? When they do attack why do they go for the eyes?" he says.

The shoot lasted nearly 10 weeks and locations included the abbey of St Cross in Winchester and around the Cabinet War Rooms in London.

"There was a beautiful sequence on a deserted Westminster Bridge at 6.30 in the morning with police holding back the traffic. That was kind of surreal," recalls Scott.

The look of the Triffids is being kept secret - though we do know they are computer-generated, unlike their more rubbery cousins from 1981.

"I've done CGI and green screen before, but this was the most intense experience in that respect, having to imagine things there you've only seen pictures of. It's pretty exhausting to act to nothing," says Scott.

He adds: "It's geared towards the whole family, but it's hopefully going to be scary."

Source: BBC News

Tim from Channel Bee catches up with Dougray at Dukes Meadows

I can't seem to get to the video code to work, so here's the link:

Channelbee video: channelbee.com/home/show/video/1813

‘Father & Son’ Drama Premieres on RTÉ

25 Jun 2009 | By Fiona Canning

Father & Son

‘Father & Son’, RTE One’s latest summer drama will premiere Monday June 29 at 9.30pm. A co-production between RTÉ and ITV, this four part drama which has a formidable cast of actors including Dougray Scott, Stephen Rea and Sophie Okonedo, is tipped to be rich, compelling and highly entertaining.

The drama, which is set in Manchester and Dublin, was almost entirely shot in Dublin and Wicklow creating important revenue and employment for the Irish television industry. Produced by Left Bank Pictures (The Damned United) and co-produced by Ingenious Broadcasting and Octagon Films (RAW, Ondine), with the support of investment incentives for the Irish film industry provided by the Irish Government and the participation of Bord Scannan na hÉireann/Irish Film Board, this drama which has plenty of Irish influences has an award winning cast and promises viewers a taste of what can be expected from future partnerships between the two broadcasters.

Flora Montgomery & Dougray Scott

Director of the project was Brian Kirk (My Boy Jack, Middletown), whilst producer was Micheal Casey (My Boy Jack, Middletown), the script was written by Emmy award winning Irish writer Frank Deasy (Prime Suspect: The Final Act) and DOP wasRuairi O’Brien (Running Mate). These talents coupled with an all star cast including Dougray Scott (Mission Impossible II), Stephen Rea (The Crying Game), Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda), John Kavanagh (The Tudors) and Flora Montgomery (When Brendan Met Trudy) guarantees that audiences are in for a treat with this four part series.

‘Father & Son’ focuses on ex-criminal Michael O’Connor (Dougray Scott) who returns to Manchester from a quiet life in Ireland with his pregnant girlfriend Anna (Flora Montgomery) in order to save his teenage son Sean from prison and to redeem his own troubled past.

IFTN caught up with the series producer Michael Casey to talk about the scale of the series, Dublin as a shooting location and the powerful combination of Irish and world class talent.

Can you tell us a bit about the partnership between ITV and RTÉ and how this came about?

The show was commissioned by ITV but the scripts that Frank delivered and which everyone wanted to realise were beyond the scope of a regular UK drama budget. In looking to the story for a solution to this we began to investigate the potential of bringing the production to Ireland where part of the drama was set, fortunately for us both RTÉ and the Irish Film Board responded to the material and were keen to get involved. The scripts allowed a very natural co-production to take place and this in turn enabled us to really make the show we wanted to.

Father & Son

Did the script/casting etc change with RTÉ coming in on the project?
 
No RTÉ were involved prior to the final scripts and casting so naturally they had views on both areas, which were very helpful as it happened, but we were never in a position where something was compromised in order to tick a box at either broadcaster.

This is your first television series project as a producer – did you find that much different to your other feature projects?

It’s certainly different in terms of scale. Whatever you make you tend to put every ounce of physical and emotional energy into it, so the bigger the project the greater the demands put on everyone.  Fortunately though, this also makes it more rewarding on every level. It’s definitely given me a taste for this kind of show and it’s an experience which I hope to repeat.

You had an amazing line up for the cast - how did you manage to get everyone on board, did it take long to find the perfect fit?

We were very lucky to get our first choices pretty much across the board. I think in the first instance an actor is attracted by the script and, in our case where all four scripts weren’t available when we did most of the casting, it’s also the potential promised by the writer. Frank is someone that actors really respond to, so that’s a great start. After that it’s really about the director and Brian is really the directing equivalent of Frank, actors who meet with Brian always want to work with him.

Dougray Scott & Stephen Rea

Where exactly did you shoot in Ireland? Why did you choose those locations?

We were based at offices in Crumlin and shot around the city, along the Quays and in Wicklow. We recce’d Manchester with our location manager Eoin Holohan and design director very early in the process and I think that helped a lot. They both did a great job in turning Dublin into Manchester. The variety of architecture in Dublin is a great strength; this with the fact that Section 481 is available for television in Ireland will continue to attract production from the UK, provided the exchange rate doesn’t shift even more.

It’s set in Manchester, were any scenes filmed there?

Yes we shot in Manchester for a couple of days, primarily some traveling sequences and city establishers.

What was the duration of the shoot?

52 days approximately most of it in Dublin.

What was the biggest challenge of this particular project?

It was really the sheer size and scale of it but as I say that also made it so much fun.

What facilities companies were used on this project?

As ever, Brian and I worked closely with Screen Scene and it was our first shoot using the Red One camera from the Production Depot, so it was a challenge for everyone. It was more than worth it though as the image quality which the Red One delivers is simply fantastic.
 
This is your fourth major project now working with Brian. Are you likely to team up again in the future?

Yes, Brain and I have been working together now for more than a decade. It’s been a lot of fun and really rewarding so hopefully we will do something else soon.

Has your working relationship changed much since the early days of making the shorts?

Our relationship has certainly developed but it’s still based on the fact that we trust each other and have a great time working together.

What can audiences expect from ‘Father & Son’?

I think they can expect to go on a powerful, emotional and entertaining journey. We have really tried to tell a complex and rich story in as an exciting and engaging way as possible. I hope everyone likes it and I hope everyone watches it.

• ‘Father & Son’ RTÉ One Monday 29th June at 9.30pm

• Cameras: The Production Depot
  Lighting: Cine Electric
  Post Production: Screen Scene

Source: IFTN

By Michael MacLeod

DASHING Dougray Scott says he will never get Botox and is “shocked and appalled” at his fellow male actors who have.

The Scots-born Hollywood hunk’s chiselled good looks have seen him grace blockbusters across the globe, having starred in Mission Impossible II and Desperate Housewives.

But the 43-year-old star says he’ll never change his appearance just to progress his career.

He slammed the number of vain actors who have gone under the needle to try and look better.

And Scott, once tipped to become the next James Bond, says women are under “obscene” pressure to maintain their youth under any circumstance.

He told a weekend interview: “See the amount of actors who have had Boxtox, it’s unbelievable.
“I can’t understand how guys could do that.

“I can understand with women, who are almost expected to be beautiful to the day they die, which to me is obscene.

“But guys doing Botox? What the f*** is that about.

“Nothing moves, there’s no movement.”

Fiercely proud of his home nation, where he shot new credit crunch thriller New Town Killers – released last week – Scott is also too proud of his handsome looks to get any cosmetic surgery.

He added: “I think it’s a vanity choice. I’d be shocked and appalled if that was the case.”

Glenrothes-born Scott’s character Alastair Mackenzie goes on a killing frenzy in the Edinburgh-based flick, as he bribes a teenager into a sinister game of hide and seek.

As the boss of an “ethical finance” company, he turns into a trigger-happy debt collector, putting a housing estate mum through hell “just because.”

Set against the backdrop of the capital’s gloomiest streets, the heart in mouth thriller takes a stab at the credit culture which led to the downfall of banks like RBS.

And Scott, 43, said his love of the underdog fuelled his rage-filled performance on screen.

He said: “I wish we lived in a much more caring society but it’s a complicated world.

“My politics are obviously from perspective of the left, being born and brought up in Fife.

“It’s interesting to see what’s happened in the last ten years with Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and the way the downfall of the economy came about.

“But I think that’s the result of a cycle that happens worldwide, not just in our country.

“However my sympathies do lie with the underdog and I find myself being more and more drawn to being an independent when it comes to politics.”

Source: Deadlinescotland

Dougray Scott is from Glenrothes in Fife

Hollywood actor Dougray Scott attended the gala premiere of his latest film New Town Killers in Edinburgh.

The Fife star was joined by his actress wife Claire Forlani for the event at the Omni Vue Cinema in the city's Greenside Place.

Director Richard Jobson and actor James Anthony Pearson also attended.

In the film, a teenager from a housing estate agrees to play a sinister chase game, dreamt up by two private bankers, to help his debt-ridden sister.

After the showing, cast and crew were expected to attend a private launch party in the city.

Source: BBC

Scots star Dougray Scott sets sights on Macbeth movie

Jun 7 2009 John Millar

MISSION: Impossible star Dougray Scott is ready to accept a mission improbable - playing Shakespeare's Macbeth opposite his real-life wife.

The 43-year-old Scots actor is keen to sign up for the new movie with his stunning partner Claire Forlani, 36, as black-hearted plotter Lady Macbeth.

Scott said: "Macbeth is a great character, a warrior and, of course, there is this wonderful story of the relationship between him and his wife.

"It's about immense love and paranoia and the lust for power.

"Our attitude to things like that is to be appalled but in those days those themes were normal." The movie is being planned by punk star turned director Richard Jobson and is inspired by big screen hits Sin City and Spartan epic 300.

Scheming Jobson said: "It is going to be like a graphic novel with Macbeth as a muscular, scarred barbarian of a man." Scott added: "I am excited about the idea of doing it but obviously there is a bit of wait-and-see-what-happens because it is a big project to embark upon.

"Richard's plans are very exciting and it would be great if we could do Macbeth together, that is our intention." The idea of casting Scott and his wife as Macbeth and his scheming spouse came about when they were working with Jobson on dark drama New Town Killers, shot in Edinburgh.

In the film Scott and Monarch Of The Glen star Alastair Mackenzie played highflying financiers who play a deadly 12-hour game of hide-and-seek with wild youngsters..

Scott's baddie banker was so utterly evil that he almost makes Macbeth seem lightweight.

The star reckons the banker is the most violent, despicable and psychopathic character he has ever played.

He said: "His philosophy seems to be 'I can have whatever I want, because I can'.There appears to be no comeback for him." One of the banker's most extreme acts of violence comes when he hurls a scalding pot of tea over a pregnant girl.

It is all the more chilling because of the way he meticulously prepares the tea before throwing it.

Scott revealed it was a most unlikely source that inspired the monstrous act.

As he started to prepare for the scene he recalled memories of how an elderly auntie went through a very careful ceremony when she brewed herself a cuppa.

He said: "All it said in the script was that he asked the girl if she wanted some tea - and I remembered the way my great auntie in Glasgow made tea.

"She would put the water in the teapot, swirl it round and pour it out - then make the tea, close the lid and then wrap the teapot in a tea towel to keep it warm.

"I liked that ritual, so I used it. The girl has no idea what's going to happen after he makes tea.

"It was a nasty scene but very effective." Scott worried about the effect the scene might have on the young actress.

He said: "It is a vile moment and so before we did the scene I said to her to remember that this was all just pretend.

"I had this terrible vision of boiling water being accidentally left in the pot and throwing that over her." Scott, who left Glenrothes for Cardiff and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, always wanted to be an actor.

Since he first grabbed the limelight in hit ITV series Soldier, Soldier he has starred with Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible II, Drew Barrymore in Ever After, Kate Winslet in Enigma and John Malkovich in Ripley's Game.

He has been just as busy on TV with his roles stretching from Moses in The Ten Commandments to getting cosy with Teri Hatcher in Desperate Housewives.

He will soon be seen on TV gangland drama Father And Son.

Scott said: "I play a gangster facing up to the past and the mayhem he left behind." He quit Desperate Housewives even though US TV bosses were keen for the handsome Scot to stay.

"It was time to do other things. I loved doing Desperate Housewives but I need to have variety," he explained.

"I am a gypsy, moving all over the place. I realise I am never going to be in any one place for any length of time."

Luckily Scott has been at home in London with Claire for the past few months as he filmed the latest TV version of The Day Of The Triffids.

He said: "Before that I was in Dublin for three months and before that I was in Australia and before that I was in Edinburgh shooting New Town Killers and next I am off to Los Angeles." The major downside of globetrotting is that Scott, a die-hard Hibs fan and golf fanatic - he has a six handicap - has not had much time for sports.

He said: "I have not had the chance to play golf that much. And although Hibs are in a good position financially I was disappointed with what happened to us this season."

New Town Killers is out on Friday.

Source: Sunday Mail

British Red Cross promotes Refugee Week with Dougray Scott film

LONDON - The British Red Cross has enlisted actor Dougray Scott to launch a new campaign for Refugee Week.

'House of Usher' adaptation in the works

Claire Forlani, Dougray Scott, Rufus Sewell will star

By Steven Zeitchik

 

CANNES -- Indie banner Green Knight Ventures will produce a contemporary adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's classic story "The Fall of the House of Usher."

Claire Forlani, Dougray Scott and Rufus Sewell will star in the pic, which will be titled "The Ushers" and be shot in 3-D. Stephen Kay is attached to direct.

Originally published in 1839, "Usher" tells of the mysterious goings-on in the house of Roderick Usher, who has recently buried a sister whose presence still haunts the house.

"Ushers" will look at a grown brother and sister who have lived in the same Martha's Vineyard house for a long time but begin to feel trapped there, and who then bring in a real-estate broker to help them resolve their crisis.

Stefano Gallini Durante and Pete Maggi will produce, while Gian Marco Masoni penned the screenplay.

Green Knight is behind Colin Firth crime thriller "The Meat Trade." The Little Film Co. is repping sales of the project in the Cannes market.


Source: THR.com