Behind every great show is a brilliant crew. Take a look at what the production team behind Mad Men had to say about crafting the series you've come to know so well.

• "I think that generally our camera technique is transparent -- we don't want the audience to feel the camera or know it's there. " -- Christopher Manley (Director of Photography)

• "I try to think like a painter and know where to put the focus." -- Dan Bishop (Production Designer)

• "I wanted the placement of the blood to be just right, so I went down on the floor like Joan would have, and pretended to be cleaning up the blood." -- Janie Bryant (Costume Designer)

Continue reading "Mad Men Season 3 Interviews - The Crew" »

Just because Season 3 is over doesn't mean you can't still revel in all things Mad Men. Be sure to revisit the interviews from this past season to get a second look at what series creator Matthew Weiner and the show's stars had to say.

Here's a taste:

• "... the actors are so good I don't have to limit my imagination, and I never have to write around anyone." -- Matthew Weiner (Series Creator)

• "This is a guy that is not well-equipped for being emotionally available, or being mature or giving in a relationship." -- Jon Hamm (Don Draper)

• "It was my biggest fear to do the whole 'pushing out a baby' scene. Luckily we didn't have to do that, but I tried to think of something really painful." -- January Jones (Betty Draper)

Continue reading "Mad Men Season 3 Interviews - Matthew Weiner and the Cast" »

Veteran character actor Chelcie Ross discusses tackling a real-life figure for Mad Men and how the series triggers his own memories of the era.

Q: How did you feel about playing a real person on a fictional show?

A: I am pleased to be able to play that role. Even more so because the character is long gone. I don't know if any family members have weighed in about how he's being portrayed, but it makes it easier for me; it gives me some license. In the past, I have played historic characters who are still around. No one wants to think that's what they're really like. Case in point: I did Dan Devine in Rudy. I talked to at least 200 people who either played for or worked for the man, and I got a pretty clear picture of who he was, but Mr. Devine didn't care for it at all.

Q: Did you know anything about Conrad Hilton prior to the role?

Continue reading "Q&A - Chelcie Ross (Conrad Hilton)" »

With Season 3 now at an end, Jon Hamm, the man behind Don Draper, discusses how he approaches his character, what it was like confessing to Betty, and what other part on the show he'd love to play.

Q: How do you feel about Don as an actor and do you feel differently about him as a viewer? -- Blue Runner

A: It's hard for me to separate the two, because I'm obviously much closer to the character than most of the viewers. And also I'm very protective of the character. A lot of people, especially this season, are very frustrated and angry with Don and his choices and his decisions. But something to understand about the guy is he's significantly damaged. This is a guy that is not well-equipped for being emotionally available, or being mature or giving in a relationship. So it's a challenge to make him sympathetic because he does make so many difficult decisions. But again, they are motivated by how the guy was raised. I do think he loves his family very much. I think he's hard time expressing -- or at least maintaining -- that and still be true to himself. It's a difficult line to walk. What I enjoy about him as an actor is walking that line. And that's what makes it difficult to watch as a viewer. You're by turns transfixed and repulsed by this guy.

Q: Do you find it especially challenging to portray a character who holds a lot of his feelings back and does not express what he is thinking very openly? --  goodstuff

Continue reading "Q&A - Jon Hamm (Don Draper) Answers Your Questions" »

Alison Brie (Trudy Campbell) shares her thoughts on Episode 12's shocking historical events, Trudy and Pete's nimble dance moves, and why the Campbells might actually be one of Mad Men's most functional couples.

Q: Trudy's marriage with Pete has weathered a few storms. Have you learned anything about real-life relationships from your on-air one?

A: Trudy has taught me that one of the most important things is compromise. What keeps her and Pete going strong is that she can go with the flow. It would be better if both parties were doing this, though [Laughs]. I think Trudy is one of the best wives on the show. I loved how they've come together in their marriage this season. Matt [Weiner] said, "You know, last season you were both working out the kinks." It wasn't common for couples to live together before marriage. So all the things you figure out today over the first two years of dating, back then you were figuring it out over the first two years of marriage.

Q: Pete's reasons for not attending the Sterling wedding are obvious. What's the best excuse you've used to get out of a wedding?

Continue reading "Q&A - Alison Brie (Trudy Campbell) " »

We didn't get to see Duck Phillips until nearly half-way into Season 3, but suffice to say, the man has had some memorable moments. Actor Mark Moses talks about his character's scene at the Pierre, and his favorite line for 2009.

Q: In the beginning of Season 3, many viewers  wondered, "Where's Duck?" Was there any question about his return?

A: I wasn't quite sure -- just like everyone else. And then I was called and they said, "You'll be back for a number of episodes." I was very excited to come back to the show. I had no idea what Duck was going to be doing in Season 3, so it came as just a big of a surprise to me as the audience.

Q: Duck has a stunner of a moment with Peggy in Episode 7. What was your reaction when you read that twist?

Continue reading "Q&A - Mark Moses (Duck Phillips)" »

The actor behind Sterling Cooper's Senior Vice President of Account Services speaks to AMCtv.com about competition on the set then narrates a typical day on the set.

Q: Pete and Ken compete for Head of Accounts the entire season. Are there any off-set competitions in the cast?

A: I feel very competitive with Robert Morse off-set. We often duke it out. He always wins. I used to be more competitive. Sure, I like to win when I play basketball or board games or video games, but my day isn't ruined if I lose. I'm always up for a rematch. In all seriousness, that's something that's nice about maturing. When I was right out of college, I felt competitive with some of the guys in my class over career stuff. It's funny now to think about it -- that a friend getting a job or something had anything to do with me... I think that my relationship with my wife has played a pivotal role in the chilling out of Aaron.

Q: In spite of all the drama at Sterling Cooper, Ken seems to take everything in stride. Is there anything from this season that would've shocked you in real life?

Continue reading "Q&A - Aaron Staton (Ken Cosgrove)" »

With Season 3 now drawing to a close, we're guessing you've got a question or two for the man behind Don Draper -- Jon Hamm. Have something you'd like to ask? Let us know in the comments section below and we'll pass them on to the actor. (We'll do our best to select questions with the broadest appeal.) The interview will be posted the night of the Season Finale, Sun., Nov. 8 at 10PM | 9C.

NOTE: The deadline for posting questions has now passed. Thank you for your submissions.

AMCtv.com chats with Abigail Spencer (Suzanne Farrell) about joining the cast for Season 3, and playing Don Draper's latest "other woman" who just might be Mad Men's first flower child.

Q: When did you first find out about getting the part ?

A: It was a very fast process. People had been telling me I should be on the show, that I have that feel, that look. I had my manager talk to casting. And they had something! A few weeks passed, then I had an audition. My son was seven months old, so I was just happy to get out of the house!

Q: What was the audition like?

Continue reading "Q&A - Abigail Spencer (Suzanne Farrell)" »

Want to know what's behind Mad Men's unmistakable look? We asked Chris Manley, Director of Photography (and recent American Cinematography cover boy) to describe his process, his influences, and his favorite scenes from Season 3.

Q: Like its characters, the look of the show has evolved. Are there any changes in lighting and/or camera-work you've introduced in Season 3?

A: The camera is primarily the same style. But we have changed up the lighting. The stories are going to much darker places this year so Matt [Weiner] wanted a feeling of darkness creeping in and isolation.

Q: There are some increasingly surreal moments this season: flashbacks, fantasy sequences, etc. How does your process differ when shooting these scenes?

Continue reading "Q&A - Chris Manley (Director of Photography)" »