As you all know, I recently walked the red carpet for The BFG. Here's a quick trailer for those of you who haven't seen it yet:
Looks awesome, right? Well, I was able to interview 2 of the giants from the film! Mark Rylance plays The Big Friendly Giant, and Jemaine Clement plays Fleshlumpeater. They were a riot to talk to.
Our first question was about how did they get into character every day. Mark told us:
Well, every morning it took about an hour and a half of them sticking glow in the dark marbles on us and battery packs and having a lot of dots painted on like a hockey mask. There was a lot of time to think and listen to music or just get yourself in a certain head space. Apart from that, it’s just playful.
The giants in the movie really have their own language. We asked about how difficult it was to speak giant. Mark told us:
Very hard. I don’t think there are any actors in the world that could have done what Jemaine and I have done.
Jermaine told us:
What is hard actually is improvising in giant.
Mark agreed:
Improvising in giant is like improving in Shakespeare. It’s tricky. I’ve heard people who can do that actually very well, can improvise sonnets. You can say I wanna sonnet on a fried egg and they will improvise a Shakespearean sonnet on a friend egg, they’re from Liverpool. But improvising in giant is a little tricky.
There were able to ad lib. Jermaine told us:
Little parts were adlibbed. The vocabulary reins you in a lot.
Mark added:
A lot of the giants actually were really clever improvisers and comedians, so there was a lot of space, Steven wanted the bad giants to expand from what Roald Dahl had written.
I think Sophie and I stuck pretty closely to the script that Melissa had written. I don’t think we improvised much. I probably put in lots of little noises and things like that between the lines.
We asked Jemaine about playing his giant. He’s very scary, but at the same time, he’s hilarious.
He’s really fun. The bad giants, we would get to rehearse our motion capture and just walking around like big, lumbering lumps of meat. That was really fun.
My son really loves it. He helped me a lot actually. I read him the book again when we got to Vancouver, he’d already heard it. If he didn’t like the voice he’d go, no the other voice, and that’s how I found the voice — he guided me.
We asked them about their favorite scenes. Jermaine told us:
Oh, I think the first time that I come and see Mark in his cave. I love that part where I ask if you’re there and you say no.
Mark's answer contained some spoilers about scenes in the film. We also asked about what they hoped people got out of The BFG. Mark told us:
I think that the film tells a story of what kids have to offer older people. Older people get tired, they lose faith, they think maybe the world is just a jungle, a dog eat dog kinda thing and nothing will change, so best to just do the best I can, give some money to charity, be kind to some people, but the big problems, nothing’s gonna change. Young people don’t have this. There’s still the bravery and hope.. There’s such a lot of criticism of young people and it's so essential that they don’t get pressed down by the fears and the apathy of older people.
I think that young people can change things. That’s a good thing. I also think that you can get into phases as a young person where you feel really alone like Sophie does, but the thing that happens to her because of that is she develops this great imagination.
There are good things even in the worst situation. So many great adults have grown out of very difficult childhoods where they’ve been bullied or they’re been poor or they’ve been lonely or isolated and not to give up hope in those situations.
Jermaine added:
Letting children know that their thoughts are valid. They can have an opinion that’s important as well.
As you can see, we had an amazing time with both Mark and Jermaine. Make sure you check them both out on July 1st when you go see BFG!
My 9 year old read this book and is excited for the movie. He also dress up as the BFG for school.
I do not have kids and have not heard of this movie. But your article made for an interesting read about your interview.
I have absolutely no idea who these people are. But i enjoyed the interview and learning a bit more about them and their work.
They all seem so nice and humble, I’m really looking towards this movie!!
This post has me so amped for this movie. That trailer wow. I cannot wait to see BFG. I’m also very clued in on what behind the scenes of a movie so this interview was brilliant to me. I love their thoughts and imaginations. Didn’t know it was a book. Must read it. WOW
I am really looking forward to seeing this movie. It looks like it’s going to be fantastic.
BFG is one of the most awaited movies this year and I’m sure kids will learn a lot from watching it. It’s a very inspiring and touching movie and it’s nice that you got to interview the actors! They sound like wonderful people.
Really looking forward to the movie and good to read and hear from people behind them.
I’m not sure where I’ve seen Mark Rylance before, but I am familiar with his face. It must have been nice to be able to interview two actors who are part of such a great movie! Kids will definitely learn a lot from watching it.
I’m really excited for BFG! I loved seeing the trailer and the behind the scenes and their thoughts really shows you how much of their heart goes into this movie.
Such a great and promising film to watch. Love to watch this at the cinemas soon!
I like the concept of a giant who doesn’t eat kids, despite peer pressure. 😉 we want to see this movie.
We’re certainly looking forward to the movie as the whole family’s read the book! Loved this interview, what an experience.
I have not ever heard of the book and just seen previews to this not to long ago. I am excited about watching the movie with my son . I will also have to get the book and read it with him after we watch this film.
Im so excited for this movie.. Im not a kid I know but it definitely looks so great!
I want to see this movie. My son has this on his movie bucket list and he is only turning 3!
It must have been so exciting to meet these two people behind BFG. We are so excited to see this movie.
Both sound like amazing persons. My girls are looking forward to seeing this Big Friendly Giant.
I cannot wait to watch this on the big screen with the whole family. Kids will surely love this!
Te trailor looks awesome. How cool you got to interview the cast.
I can’t wait to see this movie. It looks like it’s going to be so good. That’s awesome that you got to do this interview. Sounds like an amazing experience!
How amazing for you – love BFG and cannot wait for the film. xx
I want to see the BFG movie SO BAD! It looks awesome!
My daughter and I love the book.
I hope the movie doesn’t seem odd to our beautiful imaginations 🙂
That made me laugh about the improvising in giant. I guess that could be rather difficult, lol
I would have loved to go to the red carpet for The BFG. The movie is going to be awesome!
It’s cute that the hardest part is improvising in giant. I probably wouldn’t be able to do that easily either.
You are so lucky to have been invited. I would love to attend one of those events. My son has been wanting to see this movie.
Looks like a great movie. I would love to bring my youngest and my niece. I have heard great things about this one
Such a fun interview. I understood them when you said it was a riot. Indeed it was.