Freddie Highmore is known best his roles in “Charlie in the Chocolate Factory” and Finding Neverland”, both with Johnny Depp. Next up, he is starring with Emma Roberts in the upcoming romantic comedy “The Art of Getting By”. Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Freddie about his new film and discussed about his career to date.
Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about your most recent film “The Art of Getting By”? What drew you to this project?
Freddie Highmore: It was a fantastic film. New York was a joy to be in. What really attracted me to the film was the honesty of it. It doesn’t present the sort of stylized version of high school that you often get with some of these movies. It is incredibly real and it is actually quite refreshing. People will go and see the film and have it actually represent the feeling of growing up…feeling of that first love…feeling of that wanting to succeed and the pressure to succeed. The film encompasses all though things and in a real way.
MG: How was it working with Emma Roberts?
FH: Emma Roberts was fantastic. It was a real joy to get to work with her. The fact we got a long so well right from the start was incredibly helpful. It is great to get along with someone that you are working with especially with the more intimate moments, they felt more real
MG: Are you generally a fan of the romance genre?
FH: Yeah I am. I am, obviously. But some of them perhaps what they are lacking is the way the actor portrays it. They sometimes need to overdue it emotionally and make it too obvious to people. I think people really will enjoy our film and see that start they think George is a bit depressed and a bit deluished in life. But actually by the end they will find out who he is. I think people enjoy seeing that kind of movie.
MG: You’ve worked with so many A-list directors, Tim Burton and Ridley Scott for example, how was it working with first time director Gavin Wiesen?
FH: It was great. One thing that all directors seems to have in common is an amazing amount of energy. For Gavin, despite the film being somewhat based on real events and in fact on him, he is incredible open. He is open to the fact that it will be a movie and people will have various interpations of the story. It was really rewarding that he was able to give up a certain part of something felt attached to him.
MG: After working on the very large production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, how does working on a film like this compare to indie “The Art of Getting By”?
FH: I think on the independent film, each day was definitely more filled up. You definitely get through more in the day oppose to just doing one massive shot, which will take the whole day shooting. There is just something nice about working on the independent film. You are with a smaller crew and get to know everyonestraight away. Everyone is really willing to be there, excited and looking at the same goal. It makes it a really excited project to be apart of. W
e were just running around New York and grabbing shots on the go. Perhaps New York represents the aim for the film, not just going for the postcard picture of Manhattan. It is sort of the real New York and the people that live and work in it.
MG: What would you say has been your most challenging film to date?
FH: I think they have all been different. I am not sure if one has been more challenging than an other one. I have been lucky in that way. I have been able to play different character for different genres and not get tied up in one thing in particular. Every film should be a challenge and it keeps you popping and really focused about doing it.
MG: “Arthur and the Invisibles 2 & 3″ were just recently released, how was it working on those films not only acting but also voice acting?
FH: It was fun doing a voiceover in the film oppose to just acting. I think the people think it is always easier to do a voice but for me I thought it was more challenging. Since you are never really working with the people. You just sort of go off and make it up on your own. There is definitely a lot of preparation for a role like that.
