Producer Jon Landau talks to ArcLight about his years in the industry, from his first job as a production assistant, to how he rose through the ranks to become one of the most successful producers in the world. During his career, Jon has worked with directors as varied as Jim Cameron, Michael Mann, Warren Beatty and Steven Soderbergh.
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Acts Of Godfrey – Harry Enfield Interview
Acts Of Godfrey is out on DVD this week and we caught up with star Harry Enfield for an exclusive interview to ask him about his experiences making the film.
Q: When you heard that Acts of Godfrey was written entirely in verse, and subsequently read the script, did you have any concerns that you’d committed to doing something that might not work or did the unique format and the possible challenge it represented make it more attractive to you?
Not at all. I thought “A film in verse? How can this fail? This film will surely beat all Inbetweeners Box Office records”. What made the film especially attractive to me as an actor was the huge fee.”
Q: Tony Schlesinger, the producer of Acts of Godfrey, is also the owner of spudulike. Is it purely a coincidence that Wayne and Waynetta Slob’s second daughter was called Spudulika?
Complete coincidence. I did not meet Tony until a decade after Spudulika was born. Coincidentally Spudulika, who is now 14, has two daughters of her own called Toni and Shlesingetta.
Q: One of your co-stars in Acts of Godfrey is fellow actor, comedian and writer Doon Mackichan, who began her TV career working on Harry Enfield’s Television Programme back in 1990. Is this the first time you’ve worked with her since then and were you in any way instrumental in bringing her on board?
It is the first time I’ve worked with her since and I certainly had nothing to do with bringing her on board. She is a frightful woman and talentless compared to me.
Q: Celia Imrie has said that it was a pleasure to be seduced by Harry Enfield. Was it fun to be the seducer?
She is also a frightful woman and talentless compared to me. However, I’ll shag anyone.
Q: Your character is bit of a wrong-un. Is it more fun to play the baddie?
It’s weird for me to play anyone who is not an upright member of society and a moral example to the younger generation. I am the Hugh Bonneville of comedy. So this was a challenge. But I rose to it and am quite marvellous.
Q. There must have been lots of rehearsal time or did the cast take to it quite easily?
The others had to rehearse a great deal but I find raw talent is a fine substitute for rehearsal.
Q. As a writer yourself, did you stick exactly to the words on the page or were you able to improvise at all and interact with the other actors, Simon Callow for instance?
I tried not to interact with Simon Callow. In fact he and the others had strict instructions to avert their eyes and bow their heads in reverence if they saw The Dear Actor (me) coming, Simon is a frightful man and talentless compared to me. However, I’ll shag anyone.
Q: As well as appearing as a regular character (Jim Stonem) in Skins, you’ve also directed a couple of episodes of the series. Is directing something you would like to pursue further?
Yes. And from now on everything I direct must rhyme.
Thanks to Lisa Richards for this! x
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The Top 10 Female Film Directors Of All Time
Here’s one…
Lone Scherfig
Lone Scherfig is a Danish director who has developed a reputation for “mastering the art of subtle characterization” in her critically-acclaimed films. Scherfig made her international directing debut with the 2000 romantic comedy Italian for Beginners, which earned her the Silver Bear award at the Berlin International Film Festival. Scherfig’s involvement in the Dogme 95 filmmaking movement has helped her gain recognition for her excellent directing and given her a chance to truly connect with the audience through the Dogme’s rules that forbid props, lighting, and costumes from the set. Scherfig made an even bigger splash with her 2009 independent masterpiece, An Education, which was nominated for three Academy Awards.
The rest are here.
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White Collar Hooligan Trailer
Here is the trailer…It’s the story of a casual football hooligan who becomes involved in the world of credit card fraud and find himself seduced by the lifestyle and facing the dangers that his new career brings. It stars Nick Nevern, Simon Phillips, Rita Ramnani, Roland Manookian, Billy Murray and Ricci Harnett.The film is due a summer release, just in time for Euro 2012… -
SCI-FI-LONDON 11
SCI-FI-LONDON 11 is almost here.
I’ve looked through and picked out a few highlights from the seven feature-film world premieres, three short-film world premieres, dozens of UK premiere screenings, comedy, live music, docs, competitions and a latex fashion show…
TRUE LOVE: – WORLD PREMIERE – FRI 4 MAY, 8.45PM, BFI
From Fabio & Fabio (Fabio Guaglione, Fabio Resinaro), the makers of the amazing short Afterville, comes TRUE LOVE, directed by Enrico Clerico Nasino.The movie tells the story of newly-weds Jack and Kate, who both wake up alone in sealed, doorless cells. On the walls, videos are projected revealing parts of each other’s lives. A small monitor asks them questions to which they must push a button to answer Yes or No. However, each answer has consequences and as more questions are asked, more secrets are revealed.
If you like your sci-fi tense, claustrophobic, dramatic and a little bit sinister, then this is for you.The director and producers will be on-hand for a Q&A following the screening.
HORIZONS – A 30th Anniversary celebration of the ZX Spectrum! MAY 5-6, BFI
So many of today’s creative, technical, and cultural talent are, in one way or another, indebted to the little machine that plugged into the living room telly. Play some of your favourite games (you’re welcome to bring your Kempston interface and Quickshot II).
There is a variety of speakers and performers over the two days, practical experiments in programming and an extra special look to the future, with the new RASPBERRY PI on hand… Will this innovative, affordable box create a new generation of programmers?Speakers and performers over the two days, include: Dylan Smith, demonstrating the amazing Spectrum Twitter client. Matt Westcott and his Chiptune music. Matthew C. Applegate (Pixelh8), on how the Spectrum gave birth to a generation of programmers. Leila Johnston, Practical experiments in Basic programming, and MJ Hibbett performing Hey Hey 16k.
HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY SINCLAIR ZX SPECTRUM!
GENRE FILMMAKING IN BRITAIN – SAT 5 MAY, BAFTA
A day of talks at BAFTA HQ, on the state of sci-fi filmmaking in the UK.
When you talk about big budget science fiction, successes spring instantly to mind from endless STAR WARS reboots to THE HUNGER GAMES. While this seems superficially encouraging for filmmakers with an interest in the genre, in reality, how relevant is it for UK-based filmmakers when the average UK production spend is £1.2 million and falling?
With that in mind, it’s no wonder UK science fiction is relatively scarce. Yet, where there is a will, there is certainly a way. Digital tools have really brought costs down and films such as MOON, MONSTERS, EXAM and the recent 2012 SxSW low budget hit EXTRACTED, have shown us that it’s good story and clever use of resources that determine the success of a film.
In this event they will ask key writers, directors, designers, producers and distributors working across this genre on the essential creative and business questions about how to get a good mid-to-low budget sci-fi film off the ground. Guests include Neil Marshall, Gareth Edwards, Stuart Hazeldine, Sloane U’Ren and Mia Bays.
There is also ’round table discussions’ on targeting your audience, seamless social media engagement and crowdfunding. Experts include Axelle Carolyn, Kathryn McMann and Stephanie McLaren.