Q: As an audience member Hugo
was a fun and magical movie to watch. What was it like to be the star because
you were in almost every scene? A: It was great, but it was also a lot of
hard work. It was tiring. Long hours, but it was an amazing education for me.
The backbone of the film is about old cinema and I didn't know a lot about it
before we made the movie.
Q: So making Hugo was a bit like a film
history class?
A: Yeah. The most amazing film class
possible (laughs). When we began rehearsals I watched a lot of Georges Melies'
films, but I didn't know who he was. But when we started shooting the film I
looked into it further. I also looked at a lot of other great early filmmakers.
I discovered so much.
Q: What's an example?
A: Just about how filmmakers like Georges
Melies have had an impact on the filmmakers that have followed through history.
Georges Melies was also the creator of special effects.
Q: Can you explain who your character,
Hugo, is?
A: Sure. Hugo is an orphan and lives
inside the walls of the Paris train station. His life has been so harsh and he
has had to grow up so much faster than anyone his own age should. His father
gave him a machine - an automaton - which he is trying to fix. He meets Georges
Melies, but does not know his background as a filmmaker. The story is about how
Hugo, Georges, Isabelle and the automaton's stories entwine.
Q: Hugo is always dirty. He is covered in
grime. Is that make-up or did you roll around in the dirt for an hour before
you shot each scene?
A: (Laughs) That was make-up. Don't
worry.
Q: Just as Hugo has to grow up quickly,
you have had to grow up quickly. I guess after The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
was released in 2008 your life changed.
A: Yeah. My life completely changed. It
was the turning point. After that I thought acting could be a career
opportunity and it was only then I found my passion for acting.
Q: Were you nervous when you first met
with Martin Scorsese?
A: Yeah. I flew to New York but once I
met him he calmed my nerves. He was so nice to me. You see his other films and
you realize what he is doing is bringing all of this immense experience into
Hugo. He is not using the 3D as a gimmick where things jump out at you, with
Marty everything goes inward and sucks the audience in. It adds a while new
layer to the story.
Q: Personally, what was it like being
directed by Martin Scorsese?
A: It wasn't bad (laughs). It was
incredible. He is so inspirational and is such a perfectionist. He would ask
you to do something over and over and over again. You would wonder why. But he
would keep going until he got exactly what he wanted and he would say
"perfect!" Then when you see the finished film you realize how he
brings everything together and how amazing each scene is.
Q: What was it like working with such an
exceptional actor as Sir Ben Kingsley?
A: I learned loads from Sir Ben. The
first scene we did was the one where he grabs my arm and calls me a thief just
before Sacha Baron Cohen's character chases after me. At that moment I knew Sir
Ben a little, but not as well as I do now. He gave me plenty of advice.
Q: Like what?
A: One of things that has stuck in my
mind is a technical thing. He said 'When you are looking at an actor and the
camera is on you, always look at the eye closest to the lens.' He also said
'Acting is a duet and without the other person it can't work'.
Q: Hugo is amazed when he sees his first
movie. What was the first movie you saw?
A: My first movie was A Bug's Life. I saw
it on a VCR.
Q: Can you talk a little more about
discovering Georges Melies' work?
A: Before I started the auditioning
process I had seen A Trip to the Moon. I didn't know Georges Melies himself.
When I read the screenplay and the book, I got into a much deeper
understanding. Marty also gave me some of Georges' films and other
filmmakers to watch. Not only was making
Hugo an amazing experience, but it was an amazing education for me on old
filmmaking. It completely changes the story. This film isn't just about an
orphan. It is also an education about film history.
Q: You have quite a few scenes with Sacha
Baron Cohen. What is he like?
A: Yeah, I had lots of scenes with Sacha.
The first few involved Sacha and his dog chasing me around. It was bloody
tiring, but fun (laughs). We got along well.
Q: Is he anything like Ali G or Borat?
A: It was bizarre because after you see
him play characters like Borat and Ali G you think he will come on set and play
pranks, but he is really serious and inspirational. When we weren't filming he
would stay in character. It inspired me to do the same thing and it did make me
a better actor. I did have a lot of tough scenes where he drags me around and
I'm crying. We ended up forming a strange bond.
Q: You have quite a few scenes with Sacha
Baron Cohen. What is he like?
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