| IMOGEN POOTS - exclusive 'Fright Night' Q&A. |
| Written by SUPPLIED | |||
| Sunday, 30 October 2011 17:32 | |||
IMOGEN POOTS (Amy) is an emerging actress on the rise who challenges herself with each new role and continues to evolve with each project she takes on. Earlier this year, Imogen starred alongside Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender in Cary Fukunaga’s “Jane Eyre,” portraying Blanche Ingram, a socialite whom Mr. Rochester flirts with to make Jane jealous. Imogen is currently in production on Daniel Algrant’s “Greetings from Tim Buckley,” co-starring opposite Penn Badgley. Based on a true story, the film is focuses on the days leading up to Jeff Buckley's eminent 1991 performance at his father's tribute concert. Prior to this, Imogen completed production on Yaron Zilberman’s "A Late Quartet,” starring alongside Christopher Walken, Catherine Keener, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Mark Ivanir. The film charts the tensions that threaten to divide a group of celebrated classical musicians. Prior to that, Imogen completed production on "Comes a Bright Day" alongside Craig Roberts, Kevin McKidd and Timothy Spall. A dark comedy written and directed by Simon Aboud, the film centers on a group of Londoners held hostage in a jewelry store during a heist that goes terribly wrong. Notably, Imogen made her breakthrough performance in Juan Carlos Fesnadilo's critically acclaimed film "28 Weeks Later" portraying Tammy. Set in post-apocalyptic England, the story focuses on a group of survivors who attempt to rebuild their lives amidst the chaos following the mass outbreak of a rage virus. Additional film credits include James McTeigue’s “V for Vendetta” with Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving; Richard Linklater’s “Me and Orson Welles” with Zac Efron and Christian McKay; Jordan Scott’s “Cracks” with Eva Green and Juno Temple; Brian Koppelman and David Levien’s “Solitary Man” with Michael Douglas and Susan Sarandon; Neil Marshall’s “Centurion” with Dominic West and Michael Fassbender; and Hideo Nakta’s “Chatroom” with Aaron Johnson. On television, Imogen’s credits include BBC’s "Miss Austen Regrets” as Fanny Knight; ITV’s "Bouquet of Barbed Wire” as Prue Sorensen; and BBC’s “Christopher and His Kind” as Jean Ross.
Q: What do you think about our culture’s fascination with vampires? A: I think the fascination has developed because the vampire is such a malleable creature and represents hyper-sexuality and religious imagery. “Fright Night” is a movie that goes back to the original form of the vampire, which is that they are predators in a horror environment. Q: How was working with director Craig Gillespie? A: It was wonderful. He’s the best. I’m a huge fan of his film "Lars and the Real Girl" and I think he has a wonderful understanding of character. That's why this project was so intriguing to me. Craig was taking on this commercial beast of a film and he was going to bring something very human and believable to the characters. It was really fun going on the journey of the film together. We were all aware of the original “Fright Night,” but this new one is really our interpretation and it was fun exploring those ideas. We all became very close on the film, maybe because we were all living near one another and we spent practically every day together for quite a few months. Inevitably, we developed a bond. As actors, Craig gave us full permission to go off script, have fun and try stuff, even if it didn't end up in the film. It was a wonderful technique to ease ourselves into the characters and go beyond the confines and barriers of the dialogue. Q: Did both you and Craig have the same ideas for your character? A: I believe we did. We didn’t want her to be dismissed as “just the girlfriend,” an object for the male protagonist to bounce off of. We also wanted her to take part in some of the humor and find a dynamic there that was light and poignant and real. Q: How was it doing battle with a vampire? A: Well, Charley (Anton Yelchin) and Amy are battling a vampire but they’re also battling to not lose their innocence. That's part of why you love them and want it to work out for them. They don’t understand the greater force that Jerry personifies, which is everything you have no control over and succumb to in the world. They don’t understand that there are things in the world that make you seem completely insignificant. Q: Did you and Anton get along well? A: I adore Anton. I think he's an extraordinary talent. He’s so well informed, bright and well mannered. He’s also such a charming guy and a very, very good friend of mine. Q: How embarrassing are the intimate scenes? A: They're not too embarrassing. You just get on with it. Q: Marti Noxon, the film’s screenwriter, has said that she was conscious of giving your character more to do and making her more empowered in the film. Did you feel you were playing a strong character? A: That's definitely how I felt. Playing a girl who was strong, had an arc, was a character in her own right and got to be funny was key for me. It really elevates Amy’s character and takes it somewhere. Craig really cared about the characters and making a character based film, too. Q: Do you believe in the supernatural? A: I think you've got to be open to something out there. The whole idea of us being here on this planet is pretty peculiar to start with, so I think it's good to have an open mind to things both scientific and spiritual.
Q: How was working with Colin Farrell? A: He's a very intelligent man and a very gentle, extraordinary, fun actor. Plus, the film we were making is fun and watching him transform into Jerry the vampire was really intriguing. Q: Was Colin different than you expected? A: You never know what to expect from the actors you're going to work with, so there's no point in having any expectations. Everyone is just a person in their own right. But I found Colin to be charming and wonderful and I love him. Q: American movies are full of young, English actors these days. What do you think about that? A: I think it's great, of course. If you look at the cast of “Fright Night,” it's certainly international. Q: You’re from London. What do you think of the United States? A: I've met some fascinating people over here. I like coming to Los Angeles, since I've found people I love, but New York remains my favorite city. I just walk and walk around the streets and find it a really creative place to be. I've had the chance to see parts of New Orleans and New Mexico also, so it was cool to understand the states from a perspective that wasn't a metropolis. America is so vast, too. There's a lot to see. Q: When did you start acting? A: I was about 14. I joined a theatre group near where I grew up in London. It was something that I really enjoyed and wanted to have a good shot at. Q: What's it like to see your face onscreen? A: It is always bizarre, but at the same time, it's interesting to see the finished product and what the other members of the crew and cast have been up to. You just have to try to take yourself out of it and view it as a piece of art rather than think, “Oh, no. They made my nose 3-D.” 'Fright Night' is in NZ cinemas now! Check out the trailer below... |
