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Gloria Hunniford: My next guest is due on stage in the West End probably actually in the next half hour or thereabouts. He's in Tango at the End of Winter. His talent has taken him to Broadway with the RSC and to Hollywood in films such as Die Hard and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Here he is as the villainous Sheriff of Nottingham:
[clip: scene ending with "...and call off Christmas"]
GH: Will you welcome Alan Rickman. [AR enters to enthusiastic applause] I think the fans are all in tonight, Alan, somehow or other. [AR grins and gives delicate little laugh] Actually that's a wonderful line in that film, isn't it: 'Call off Christmas.'
AR: It is a good line. It ah, it's um, I suppose theatre training tells you - cause actually the last line in the script was 'no more merciful beheadings' - but some kind of common sense said, no no no, we'll move call off Christmas to the end. [gestures as if picking up a word and moving it over to his right]
GH: (laughing) That is wonderful. I hear that there were an awful lot of swords broken during the making of the film.
AR: All broken by me, I'm afraid, yes. I think they said my performance was getting a little too enthusiastic. I mean, we got through about ten of them.
GH: You into realism, are you, Alan?
AR: No, I'm into making as much noise as possible. (everyone laughs with him)
GH: Was there a fight director to stage everything?
AR: There was, poor man, yes, but we were having to invent it all as we went along, doing six strokes at a time and then do it and - fortunately Kevin Costner's a very good swordsman, so we were okay.
GH: Much has actually been written about Kevin Costner and this film. But from your point of view, was he quite a generous actor to work alongside?
AR: Well, the, the trouble with playing, um, the Sheriff to Robin Hood or, like in Die Hard, you, you, you only meet the hero at the beginning and then at the end when he has to kill you. So (GH laughs), um, but there was, so um, we didn't have that much to actually do together in terms of scenes, but there was one night when we were stuck up on top of some gantry, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and I, and we're playing a scene which is, we're doing it at night, it's supposed to be in day, a daytime there's nobody to act to so, you're pushing these lines out into nothing and, uh, and suddenly from on the ground, lying on a tarpaulin at 9 o' clock at night, I could see and hear Kevin Costner reading the other actors' lines to us off camera so, you know, he's a good guy.
GH: Yeah, that doesn't happen very often, does it.
AR: No.
GH: But that film brought in floods of offers. Now, you turned down a lot of those to be in the West End. So, how's your agent these days, is his mental health all right?
AR: (laughing) Talk about his mental health, his bank balance isn't so good but uh, it was not possible to say no to working with this wonderful, wonderful director and a great company and a great play.
GH: Yeah, we should set the scene. Tango at the End of Winter is a Japanese play by a Japanese writer [AR nodding] and directed by a wonderful Japanese director who does not speak a word of English.
AR: Well, he, he says he doesn't. He seemed to understand a few things when he wanted to, but no, he doesn't speak English and so it was all done through an interpreter who - she was phenomenal, Eureka, because it was like having a breath... standing next to him and, uh, so my memory is of absolutely having conversations with him.
GH: But how, how does he get the finer points of what he wants to see on stage across, if he doesn't really converse?
AR: Because, um, his spirit is so strong in the room and, and also because he - the finer points are actually not what was the issue. The issue at the time was us having to get up onto the highest diving board you've ever seen in your life and jump in and, and you have to swim and, as you said, you know, you'll find out about this play by doing it. It's, it's absolutely what theatre is about. When you go and see the show you, you know you're in a theatre watching a play. You couldn't mix it up with cinema or television, um, and so he encouraged that kind of bravery. And any real language problems were, you know -- because you were having to kind of jump in and do long runs at the rehearsal, um, he would uh, make you keep going, keep going, keep going, and, uh, and then suddenly these hands would clap [he claps] and it would mean, we'll stop the rehearsal, and you say 'No no no, I mean, we're right in the middle of it,' and he said 'No, no, no, I do not wish to offend British custom; it's time for tea break.' (GH and audience laugh)
GH: Now, I want to move on to two films that you're in at the moment: Truly Madly Deeply and Close My Eyes. Now I gather that Close My Eyes was written specially for you. That must be a great luxury these days.
AR: (hesitates) I don't know that the whole film was written for me, no... (chuckling)
GH: Your part was.
AR: part was, yes. Um, well, it's, it's wonderful for a writer that you respect to actually say -- I'm not sure what it means that he thinks about me, um, I'm playing a fairly strange kind of person, um...
GH: In what way?
AR: Well, you're dealing with somebody called Steven Poliakoff here, who is a writer that deals in, in putting very jagged edges against each other. You know, it's a film about how uncertain our lives are now and it's very much a film about the beginning of the nineties. You know, all these things that we've been told are facts suddenly are crumbling in front of our eyes and so, you know, on the one hand you have Russia and everything that's happening there, and on the other hand you have to deal with AIDS and, um, such like issues of the times and, uh, and Steven has kind of interwoven all of these things [gesturing with hands, then clasping them] into a story of Britain in the nineties. So, um, my character on the face of it seems to be like one of the perpetrators of the awful things that are happening to buildings around Docklands and, I suppose, an arch-yuppie, but actually underneath it all is a great deal of wisdom which is necessary considering he finds out that his wife is having an affair with her own brother. (smiles)
GH: Right. Well this is the point where we actually do have a clip, and indeed it is the, the point in the film that Alan discovers that his wife is not quite as honest as he thinks:
[clip with dishwasher and in supermarket]
(AR smiles and looks around as audience applauds loudly)
GH: Was that a, a typical Saturday at Waitrose for you, is it, talking to yourself?
AR: (laughing) I don't think that character goes to the supermarket very often.
GH: Actually there's quite a number of passionate scenes in the film so, how do you personally cope with shooting all these love scenes at 8 o' clock in the morning with the whole crew standing around watching?
AR: It's very tough. I've never done one of those scenes before, um, and um... Well, what happened was, uh, there we were; it was about 8 o' clock in the morning, on a Saturday morning, the director kind of mooching about [tilts head from side to side] and, uh, talking to the crew, the crew were putting up lights. Saskia Reeves, who is wonderful as my wife in the film, is in her nightie cause she's decided she's taken her clothes off enough in the film, so we're gonna play this love scene with her in her nightie. And not to put too fine a point of it, she's on top. (laughs into mike, audience laughs)
GH: Right, we've got the picture now, yes.
AR: So she gets into bed and she hisses to me, 'are you keeping your knickers on?' and I said 'yes I am.' Cause the sheets are up to here. [gestures vaguely to hip level] She said, 'good cause I can't cause this nightdress is see-through.' (audience and GH laugh throughout this) It's about that sort of practicality really. Very unromantic.
GH: Now this is just before you dash, to say, there's one thing I really want to ask you about, because I love the Die Hard movie, but at the very end, when you are chucked off that, uh, hundred-floor building, you can actually see your face as you go down and down and down. How did they shoot that?
AR: (calmly) They dropped me from forty feet. [gives small smile; loud audience laughter] They came up -- and see I was so green [shakes head] -- and they came up with a very strange sort of sideways glance and said, 'well, we got this great idea for a shot and we were just wondering if maybe, you know, cause we wanna put the camera in your face and, maybe if you wouldn't mind, you know, we could teach you how to do it.' and all of this kind of thing [many lovely hand movements here] and so I thought about it and, uh, they did train me but anyway, I was stupid enough to say yes, but they were clever enough to make sure that it was the very last shot I did on the film (audience starting to laugh), so if they killed me, they still had a movie. (audience and GH laughing during this; GH says "it's all right")
GH: Alan, I'm very pleased you were able to join us on the programme tonight. Thank you very much indeed and you'd better dash.
AR: I have, yes.
GH: You are onstage.
AR: Thank you.
GH: Alan Rickman!
(loud applause)
Suzanne
, <webmistress@alanrickman.netfoo>
TX, USA - Saturday, July 31, 2004
Copyright 2004 Business Wire, Inc.
Business Wire
July 28, 2004 Wednesday
DISTRIBUTION: Entertainment Editors
LENGTH: 859 words
HEADLINE: ''Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban'' Casts a Spell on DVD & VHS November 23 from Warner Home Video
DATELINE: BURBANK, Calif., July 28, 2004
Warner Home Video:
-- The $703.1 Million Worldwide ($242(a) Million Domestic) Box Office Smash, from Director Alfonso Cuaron, Features the Enchanting "Harry Potter" Cast of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint
-- Available on a 2-Disc DVD Loaded with Mesmerizing Special Features Such as Deleted Scenes, 360 Degree Interactive Tours, Challenges and More!
-- Harry Potter Makes Its First Holiday Season Appearance on DVD!
-- "'AZKABAN' stands alone as a creative triumph." -- Richard Roeper, EBERT & ROEPER
The third time is a charm with the holiday release of "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" on DVD and VHS on November 23 from Warner Home Video. The most recent installment of the "Harry Potter" series from director Alfonso Cuaron ("Y Tu Mama Tambien") and screenwriter Steve Kloves, based on J.K. Rowling's award-winning novels, takes audiences on another adventure with more mystery and magic than ever before. The $242(a) million box office smash features the returning "Harry Potter" cast of Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, joined by Hogwarts professors including Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid), Alan Rickman (Professor Severus Snape), Maggie Smith (Professor Minerva McGonagall), Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore), David Thewlis (Professor Lupin) and Gary Oldman as Sirius Black.
"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" will be available at $29.95 SRP in a two-disc DVD in both widescreen and full frame formats and VHS will be priced at $22.99 SRP.
"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" enchanted critics across the nation, garnering high praise for Alfonso Cuaron's innovative direction and for capturing the world that is "Harry Potter." The Los Angeles Times (Kenneth Turan) stated, "'Azkaban' captur(es) the enormously pleasing essence of the 'Potter' books," and Entertainment Weekly called the film "genuinely fun."
USA Today (Claudia Puig) praised Alfonso Cuaron as "a dazzling storyteller with a keen eye for whimsical detail" and thought "the film (was) a visual delight."
"Harry Potter has been a phenomenon, now it's becoming a classic." -- Paul Clinton, CNN
DVD ELEMENTS
Jump aboard the Hogwarts Express and join Harry Potter in his third year of magic and mystery. From never-before-seen footage, classroom tours and challenges, audiences will become well acquainted with secrets of the wizard world.
The two-disc edition DVD will include these spellbinding special features:
-- A selection of mystifying exclusive never-before-seen footage.
-- "Creating the Vision" -- a revealing interview with J.K. Rowling and the filmmakers.
-- Three great interactive challenges! Test your memory with "Magic You May Have Missed," help Crookshanks "Catch Scabbers," and go on an unexpected quest with Sir Cadogan.
-- Self-guided iPIX tours into Honeydukes and Professor Lupin's Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
-- Raucous interviews with the cast lead by Johnny Vaughan and the Shrunken Head.
-- Meet the animal trainers from the movie in "Care of Magical Creatures."
-- "Choir Practice" -- sing-along with the Hogwarts choir.
-- "Hogwarts Portrait Gallery" -- get a closer look at the various portraits lining the walls of Hogwarts castle.
-- "Conjuring a Scene" -- an in-depth look at the making of key scenes from the film.
-- Theatrical trailers of all three "Harry Potter" films.
-- Electronic Arts game preview.
DVD-ROM PC capable features include:
-- Wizard Trading Cards.
-- Hogwarts Timeline.
SYNOPSIS
"An entrancing experience for POTTER fans." -- Jami Bernard, NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
In "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," Harry, Ron and Hermione, now teenagers, return for their third year at Hogwarts, where they are forced to face escaped prisoner, Sirius Black, who poses a great threat to Harry. Harry and his friends spend their third year learning how to handle a half-horse half-eagle Hippogriff, repel shape-shifting Boggarts and master the art of Divination. They also visit the wizarding village of Hogsmeade and the Shrieking Shack, which is considered the most haunted building in Britain. In addition to these new experiences, Harry must overcome the threats of the soul-sucking Dementors, outsmart a dangerous werewolf and finally deal with the truth about Sirius Black and his relationship to Harry and his parents. With his best friends, Harry masters advanced magic, crosses the barriers of time and changes the course of more than one life. Directed by Alfonso Cuaron and based on J.K. Rowling's third book, this wondrous spellbinder soars with laughs, and the kind of breathless surprise only found in a "Harry Potter" adventure.
Photo material can be downloaded at www.whvdirect.com
(a) estimated
CONTACT: Warner Home Video
Emily Zalenski, 818-977-7450
emily.zalenski@warnerbros.com
or
Edelman Public Relations
Joanna Roses, 212-704-4498
joanna.roses@edelman.com
Catherine Soltis, 212-642-7755
catherine.soltis@edelman.com
Georgiana (Merry Christmas!)
Seattle - Thursday, July 29, 2004
© 2004 Johnston Press Plc
Pontefract and Castleford Today
July 26, 2004
LENGTH: 274 words
HEADLINE: Dazzling West End show
By Sam Casey
A DAZZLING West End performance by a drama troupe from Castleford High School drew national media acclaim at a showcase theatre event.
The group of year nine, ten and 11 students appeared at London's National Theatre with nine other select groups for the culmination of the Shell Connections National Youth Theatre Festival.
Their opening-night performance of specially-commissioned comedy The Musicians was given a four-star rating by The Times, which described the show as "caustically witty and unexpectedly moving."
Reviewer Sam Marlowe said: "The play gets a cracking production from Castleford High School, produced and directed by Martin Smith and Geoff Hook and acted with flair by a cast led by Michael Lawley as Roland and Jonny Lawrence - a comic genius in the making - as Alex."
The play is about a school orchestra which visits Moscow to perform Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony. When their instruments are confiscated by Russian customs officials, the students must make music out of thin air.
The group from Castleford was the only one from Yorkshire to be chosen for the showcase event. More than 200 youth theatres took part in the festival nationwide.
Head teacher Mike Porter said the students were treated as genuine actors for the day. He added: "Ours was one of two plays chosen for the opening night, so we knew it was good. All the dignitaries were there, as well as the press. There were about 300 people in the audience and we were swamped by a tide of laughter and cheering in response to their performance - it was brilliant."
Alan Rickman congratulates Michael Lawley.
Georgiana
Seattle - Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Copyright 2004 Newcastle Chronicle & Journal Ltd
THE JOURNAL (Newcastle, UK)
July 27, 2004, Tuesday Edition 1
SECTION: NEWS, Pg. 42
LENGTH: 1765 words
HEADLINE: It's hard to express, but love finds a way
BYLINE: By The Journal
. . . . . . . . . .
Alan Plater
Jarrow-born Alan Plater is one of Britain's most respected writers, whose award-winning work has included the TV adaptations of The Barchester Chronicles, The Beiderbecke Affair, A Very British Coup and Last of the Blonde Bombshells.
The play's the thing
RECENTLY I read a review of my good friend Alan Bleasdale's funny and ferocious play On the Ledge, in which the critic said that Alan loved all his characters, especially the crazy ones; indeed, the crazier the people, the more Alan loves them.
The message from the critic was that this was wrong in some way I don't begin to understand. Why bother writing plays about people you can't stand? Even the villains I write about have some redeeming feature.
Obadiah Slope, in The Barchester Chronicles memorably played by Alan Rickman was bearable because he was funny and got his comeuppance in the end. Like Malvolio in Twelfth Night, he is sick with self-love and there is no known cure for that condition. Slope would have done well in the 1980s and ended up with a knighthood or a prison sentence possibly both.
. . . . . . . . . .
Georgiana
Seattle - Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Copyright 2004 Herald Express (Torquay)
Herald Express (Torquay)
July 23, 2004
SECTION: News; Education; Others; Pg. 10
LENGTH: 886 words
HEADLINE: Express Cinema
. . . . . . . . . .
Alfonso Cuaron taking over the direction from Chris Columbus does manage to cram just about everything into this much shorter film in comparison to the last one, although this requires some shuffling and cutting of events to make room for the brilliant special effects (and they are brilliant by the way: kids will love seeing Harry's aunt blow up like a balloon, gasp as he takes his first ride on a Hippogriff and rockets his way around London on the Night Bus).
Hogwarts itself is as enchanting as ever, Michael Gambon is on form as the new Dumbledore alongside appearances by Dawn French, Emma Thompson and Gary Oldman and the brilliant Alan Rickman and Robbie Coltrane return as usual.
The child cast, or more accurately the teenage cast, put in the same class of performance as in the other two and the rest is simply magical.
Rating ****. Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Robbie Coltrane, Gary Oldman, Michael Gambon.
Showing at Apollo Paignton, Central Torquay.
. . . . . . . . . .
Georgiana (Italics added.)
Seattle - Monday, July 26, 2004
From Wizard News about the HP-PoA DVD:
We've managed to obtain some early details on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban which stars Daniel Radcliffe as the now legendary wizard.
The disc will be available to own from the 23rd November this year, and should set you back around $22.95.
As well as an anamorphic widescreen presentation and English Dolby Digital 5.1 track, the disc will include exclusive never-before seen footage, a Creating The Vision feature which includes a revealing interview with author J.K. Rowling, three new interactive challenges in which you can test your memory with "Magic You May Have Missed", help Crookshanks "Catch Scabbers" and go venture on an unexpected quest with Sir Cadogan.
Other features will include self guided tours of Honeydukes and Professor Lupin's Classroom, interviews with the cast and more.
We'll bring you some further details, along with the official region one artwork shortly. Stay tuned.
Published July 26, 2004
Suzanne <webmistress@alanrickman.netfoo>
TX USA - Monday, July 26, 2004
So, who's ready for another amazing ten minute interview? :-)
I made a Videogram of an interview AR did with Gloria Hunniford in 1991, at the time he was performing Tango at the End of Winter. A rare gem! He talks about Tango, of course, and also RH:PoT, CME, DH and... well, what can I say, looks fantastic. :-) (courtesy of Kimberly; many, many thanks for your generosity!!!):
1991 Gloria Hunniford interview (GH-interview1991.exe, 13MB, 10 min)
I also make a few captures from the actual Videogram, so they're kind of small (sorry!). Oh, did I say a few? Actually, I got a little trigger happy and then couldn't decide which images to use, so... here's 60 of them! LOL
And the entire sound file of the interview:
GH-interview1991.wav (6.4MB)
(as usual, files are NOT to be directly linked to or uploaded to other websites or used in any other way aside from your own personal use without my permission by e-mail, thank you!)
Suzanne <webmistress@alanrickman.netfoo>
TX USA - Monday, July 26, 2004
(Editors note: AR's scene lasts about one minute.)
I see that "Smiley's People" will be released on DVD on August 10th. Can those of you who have seen it tell me how much screen time [approximately] Alan has in the movie? It is an expensive DVd and I am just wondering if it is worth the money. Thank you for your help.
Juliana
- Sunday, July 25, 2004
Copyright 2004 The Gloucester Citizen
The Gloucester Citizen
July 17, 2004
SECTION: Features; Arts; Celebinterview; Pg. 24
LENGTH: 498 words
HEADLINE: Emmerdale and 'enders - it's war!
. . . . . . . . . .
Here are my 10 suggestions which might put the once mighty EastEnders back on top:
. . . . . . . . . .
10. Lure big names like Joanna Lumley, Bill Nighy, Alan Rickman, or even (and this is a long shot) David Jason!
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, July 19, 2004
Copyright 2004 The Press Association Limited
Press Association
July 14, 2004, Wednesday
SECTION: HOME NEWS
LENGTH: 333 words
HEADLINE: WOMEN SECRETLY GOING LOONY FOR ROONEY - POLL
BYLINE: Anita Singh, Showbusiness Editor, PA News
Move over David Beckham - wonderkid Wayne Rooney is the man most women secretly fancy, according to a poll published today.
He may not have the heart-throb looks of Brad Pitt or Jude Law, but Rooney is the nation's number one closet fantasy date.
Women love his boy-next-door image and find the 18-year-old Everton and England striker "cute, loveable and huggable".
Now magazine questioned 1,000 women about their secret celebrity crushes.
Pint-sized pop star Prince came second in the survey.
One admirer said she loved him despite the fact he is "short, hairy and wears high-heeled shoes".
Fiery, foul-mouthed chef Gordon Ramsay was third, followed by singer Daniel Bedingfield and Pop Idol judge Simon Cowell.
Other unlikely heart-throbs in the top 20 included Justin Hawkins from The Darkness, Baywatch star David Hasselhoff, cross-dressing comic Eddie Izzard and funnyman Ricky Gervais.
The Prince of Wales made number 11 in the poll, with one woman explaining: "I love seeing his sexy knobbly knees in a kilt at Balmoral".
Even Jason Cowen, Big Brother's self-obsessed ginger bodybuilder, has some secret admirers, appearing on the list at number 12.
One place behind him was US President George W Bush. "He's a really cute man for his age," one fan enthused.
But none of the older men could hold a candle to Rooney, the youngest name to appear on the list.
The footballer's spokesman said: "Of course Wayne's flattered by the attention he's received, but all he really wants to do is to concentrate on his football."
Oldest entrant was 59-year-old rock legend Rod Stewart, who said: "I'm grateful, but not surprised."
Top 20:
1 Wayne Rooney
2 Prince
3 Gordon Ramsay
4 Daniel Bedingfield
5 Simon Cowell
6 Rod Stewart
7 Michael Greco
8 Philip Schofield
9 Bill Clinton
10 Justin Hawkins
11 Prince of Wales
12 Jason Cowen
13 George Bush
14 Gary Lineker
15 Eddie Izzard
16 Alan Rickman
17 Steve Coogan
18 Ricky Gervais
19 Avid Merrion
20 David Hasselhoff
Georgiana (Bush beat Rickman? What's wrong with the Brits?!)
Seattle - Friday, July 16, 2004
Copyright 2004 The Liverpool Daily Post & Echo Ltd
Liverpool Daily Echo
July 14, 2004, Wednesday
SECTION: First Edition; NEWS; Pg. 3
LENGTH: 104 words
HEADLINE: WOMEN LOVE WAYNE
WAYNE Rooney has come top in a survey to find Britain's hunkiest man.
The teenager topped a new poll to discover the men that women secretly fancy.
According to 1, 000 women his "grounded attitude" and boy-next-door image make him cute, sexy, love able and huggable. At 18 he is the youngest figure on the chart.
Rock legend Rod Stewart, 59, actor Alan Rickman, 58, and former American President Bill Clinton, 57, are among the oldest.
Other surprise entries in the sexy Top 20 include Prince Charles (number 11), US President George W Bush (13) and cross dressing comic Eddie Izzard at number 15.
GRAPHIC: ROONEY: Cuddly
Georgiana
Seattle - Friday, July 16, 2004
Copyright 2004 Associated Newspapers Ltd.
The Evening Standard (London)
July 14, 2004
SECTION: A; Pg. 20
LENGTH: 336 words
HEADLINE: Forget Orlando, women carry a secret torch for Rooney
BYLINE: PATRICK SAWER
WOMEN may say in public they lust after archetypal Hollywood heartthrobs.
But love is blind, claims the poll published today.
Forget Justin Timberlake, Brad Pitt and Orlando Bloom. According to a new poll, women are far more likely to be dreaming about the likes of Wayne Rooney, Prince Charles, President Bush and cross-dressing comic Eddie Izzard.
A thousand women were asked who their secret crushes were, and frecklefaced striker Rooney, who burst onto the world stage during Euro 2004, came out top.
Diminutive singer Prince came second and foulmouthed, Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay was third.
The results suggests a woman's ideal date is a man who can score a blinder, sing like an angel and cook like a dream, all the while swearing like a trooper.
In fact, the women questioned told Now celebrity magazine they are attracted to Rooney because his "grounded attitude" and boy-next-door image make him "cute", "sexy" and "huggable".
At 18, Wayne Rooney is the youngest figure to make the chart. Rock star Rod Stewart, 59, actor Alan Rickman, 58, and former US president Bill Clinton, 57, are among the veteran heartthrobs.
Former EastEnders star Michael Greco and TV presenter Philip Schofield are also popular.
Now editor Jane Ennis said: "These results are probably more of a surprise to men than women. I can see where these women are coming from. It's a mixture of powerful men like Clinton and Prince Charles, cuddly guys like Rooney and Daniel Bedingfield and childhood poster fancies like Prince."
There's another ingredient that appears to guarantee pulling power: humour.
Ennis said: "The number of funny men - Gervais, Coogan, Merrion and Izzard - shows that girls like a guy who makes them laugh."
None of that, though, explains the appearance of Jason Cowen from the current series of Big Brother on the list. Now that really is a fantasy that ought to be kept secret.
The poll features in the latest edition of Now magazine, out today.
Georgiana
Seattle - Friday, July 16, 2004
Copyright 2004 Associated Press
All Rights Reserved
The Associated Press State & Local Wire
These materials may not be republished without the express written consent of The Associated Press
July 15, 2004, Thursday, BC cycle
10:11 AM Eastern Time
SECTION: Entertainment News
HEADLINE: Complete list of primetime Emmy nominations
BYLINE: By The Associated Press
Nominees in all categories for the 56th annual Primetime Emmy awards, announced Thursday by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences:
. . . . . . . . . .
9. Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special: "Angels in America," HBO; "Iron Jawed Angels," HBO; "The Reagans," Showtime; "Something the Lord Made," HBO; "Traffic: The Miniseries," USA.
. . . . . . . . . .
13. Cinematography for a Miniseries or Movie: "American Family - Journey of Dreams: Chapter 1: The Wedding," PBS; "And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself," HBO; "Angels in America: Part 2 - Perestroika," HBO; "Iron Jawed Angels," HBO; "Something the Lord Made," HBO.
. . . . . . . . . .
21. Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special: "Angels in America," HBO; "Ike: Countdown to D-Day," A&E; "The Lion in Winter," Showtime; "Prime Suspect 6: The Last Witness (Masterpiece Theatre)," PBS; "Something the Lord Made," HBO.
. . . . . . . . . .
24. Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special: "And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself," HBO; "Angels in America: Part 1 - Millennium Approaches," HBO; "Battlestar Galactica: Night 1," Sci Fi; "44 Minutes: The North Hollywood Shoot Out," FX; "Ike: Countdown to D-Day," A&E; "Something the Lord Made," HBO.
. . . . . . . . . .
42. Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: Antonio Banderas, "And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself," HBO; Al Pacino, "Angels in America," HBO; James Brolin, "The Reagans," Showtime; Alan Rickman, "Something the Lord Made," HBO; Mos Def, "Something the Lord Made," HBO.
. . . . . . . . . .
60. Made for Television Movie: "And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself," HBO; "Ike: Countdown to D-Day," A&E; "The Lion in Winter," Showtime; "The Reagans," Showtime; "Something the Lord Made," HBO.
. . . . . . . . . .
75. Single-Camera Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or a Movie: "Angels in America: Part 2 - Perestroika," HBO; "Horatio Hornblower: Part 1 - Loyalty," A&E; "Ike: Countdown to D-Day," A&E; "Something the Lord Made," HBO; "Traffic: The Miniseries: Part 1," USA.
. . . . . . . . .
87. Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special: "And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself," HBO; "Angels in America," HBO; "Iron Jawed Angels," HBO; "The Reagans," Showtime; "Something the Lord Made," HBO.
Georgiana
Seattle - Thursday, July 15, 2004
The complete list of 2003 - 2004 Primetime EMMY Awards Nominations can be found from either press release 1 (.doc file) or press release 2 (.pdf file).
Do you think Alan will be at the ceremony in September? He will be up against Antonio Banderas, Al Pacino, James Brolin, and Mos Def for the award. Let's hope we will see him there!
aef
USA - Thursday, July 15, 2004
Alan (along with Mos Def) was nominated for the Emmy!!! The category is lead actor in miniseries or movies. Something the Lord Made also made it in the best movies category! Whoo hoo!
aef
USA - Thursday, July 15, 2004
From the BBC website Forty landmarks from BBC Two:
BBC Two celebrates 40 years of broadcasting to the nation on Tuesday. Here are 40 facts, figures and anecdotes about channel's four decades on air.
. . . . . . . . . .
37) Alan Rickman and Alfred Molina were the original actors cast in the Red Dwarf lead roles - eventually filled by the successful cult duo of Craig Charles and Chris Barrie as Lister and Rimmer.
Georgiana (from the category, "I don't believe I knew that...")
- Thursday, July 08, 2004
Peter Barnes Obituary in the Independent
Sue
- Tuesday, July 06, 2004
Copyright 2004 Financial Times Information
All rights reserved
Global News Wire - Asia Africa Intelligence Wire
Copyright 2004 BusinessWorld (Philippines)
BusinessWorld (Philippines)
June 29, 2004
LENGTH: 943 words
HEADLINE: TIPS FROM A BRITISH THESPIAN (DEE CANNON, ACTING COACH OF THE ROYAL
BYLINE: Cesar Miguel G. Escano
They say acting runs in the blood. Dee Cannon follows in the footsteps of her late mother, who was also an acting coach at the British-run Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
Ms. Cannon has been a main acting teacher for the institution since 1993. The RADA prides itself in having trained eminent actors such as Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce, Glenda Jackson, Alan Rickman, and Kenneth Branagh.
A product of the Arts Educational Drama School in London, Ms. Cannon prepares her charges for the stage and the screen. She has coached celebrities such as Jon Voight, Matthew Modine, Sinead O'Connor, Courtney Love, and Natalie Imbruglia. She is currently based in Los Angeles, California where she is running a series of master classes for professional actors.
BusinessWorld talked to Ms. Cannon, who is here in Metro Manila to conduct acting workshops. She was invited by the British Council.
BusinessWorld: Acting onstage is different from acting for the camera. Any advice for those making the transition from theater to television or cinema and vice-versa?
Dee Cannon: (To screen actors moving to the stage,) try and get some training. It takes a lot more skill to act for the theater. If you've been in theater, this makes it easier to cross over to film or television. In front of the camera, you can get away with playing yourself. A lot of untrained actors can get away with this. But if you invite them to do something on the stage, they wouldn't be able to cope. The demands for theater are very underestimated. A lot of kids see reality television shows and say "I can do that."
BW: What makes a great actor?
DC: In reality, a lot of people can be okay actors. But to be a great actor, you have to be at the top of your game. You have to be committed and dedicated. You have to devote yourself to wanting to give the best performance you can give. Working with lots of top successful actors, you see why they're famous. They know what it takes to stay at the top. You have to work really hard and do the right kind of work. A lot of aspiring actors come to me and complain that they worked really hard. It turns out they worked in the wrong way. A good actor has emotional depth and possesses certain qualities.
BW: What are these qualities?
DC: Some of these are a natural sense of truth, humility, vulnerability, charm, charisma, openness, and imagination. These are start- off qualities but these qualities alone are not enough. Actors who possess these qualities, those I can train and like working with. I get good results from them. People always ask can you teach someone to act. It is not a question of yes or no. You can't give someone talent. They have to have talent to begin with. You can teach them techniques to use that talent, techniques that will enable them to access any character and tap into emotional truth. You have to be emotionally accessible to be a good actor. If you are closed and don't open yourself to the character, you become an actor who's just saying the lines. A good actor brings the characters alive. You have to have certain qualities and from those good qualities, you can nurture an actor.
BW: Can anyone become an actor?
DC: No. Some lawyers can make quite good actors. Funnily enough, it's often easier to train someone who hasn't acted before. They're cleaner and don't have bad habits. They're not self-conscious. Sometimes, when you're innocent, the less you know and the more natural your actions are.
BW: Any tips on fighting being self-conscious?
DC: A lot of my work has been to rid actors of being self-conscious. I call it getting rid of the third eye. It takes some actors their whole lives to get rid of their third eye. For the first few months, I often spend the time trying to get rid of actors' bad habits. I usually try to make one with a third eye work physically. You let them get very tired. I make them run up and down a staircase and tell them to become a chimpanzee, which I do very often. Twenty minutes later, there is no way they can be self-conscious. Since they're so tired, they concentrate on their acting. It's all they think about. After a time, they learn to sustain that feeling of being true to oneself. The worst type of actor is someone who thinks too much. What you're trying to do as an actor is something natural. I try to train actors to be psychological in their approach.
BW: Doesn't being psychological defeat the purpose of acting, which is supposed to be natural?
DC: The homework is to figure it all out on paper and work out how you want to psychologically affect other characters. But when you're in front of a camera, you don't think of psychology. You need to become the character. Initially you need your head, but when you're acting, you don't need it. You must train actors to have strong instincts, to be spontaneous. I'm not saying that you should frighten others by doing unpredictable things. But the spontaneity, the impulses can come out because the framework is there to begin with. That takes a lot of training, rehearsing, and skill.
BW: Any tips on improvisation?
DC: The best way to improvise is to leave yourself alone, to not anticipate, and most of all to listen to the person you're improvising with. Because if you're there to be funny, you can't improvise unless you listen to the other person. Acting is reacting. If you're in a bubble, you can't act. You may think a lot of actors are in a bubble because they're ego driven. These are the worst ingredients for an actor. You have to be generous. You can't be selfish. The more generous, the more giving you are, the more you get back.
Georgiana (rather long and somewhat 'peripheral'--I hope you all don't mind!)
Seattle - Friday, July 02, 2004
Copyright 2004 Express Newspapers
Daily Star
July 1, 2004
SECTION: COLUMNS; Pg. 24
LENGTH: 116 words
HEADLINE: SOAPER STAR; WATT A DIRTY TRICK
FLAGGING EastEnders looks like it's turned to smash Brit-flick Love Actually in a bid to woo viewers.
Soap fans will see Dirty Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) buying mistress Kate Mitchell (Jill Halfpenny) a necklace as a sexy love-token.
But the gift is found by his wife Chrissie (TracyAnn Oberman) and she assumes Den has bought it for her instead.
The plot mirrors a storyline in Hugh Grant's 2003 film hit. In the movie, Harry (Alan Rickman) is madly in love with his luscious secretary and buys her a necklace - only for his wife to find it.
A soap mole said: "Things like this only reinforce the opinion that EastEnders is running out of ideas under its current regime."
Georgiana
Seattle - Friday, July 02, 2004
Thought you might get a kick out of this from an interview with Alfred Molina, currently appearing on Broadway as Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof" and at your local multiplex as Doctor Octopus in "Spider-Man 2."
"When it came to Doc Ock, we did briefly consider whether I might not use my natural British accent in the part," he says, "but then we realized there's no suggestion in the history of the comic book character that he might be anything but American.
"Also if we gave him a British accent it's a bit like carrying a great big sign that says 'Movie Villain!!' And right beneath that: 'Alan Rickman wasn't available!'"
If you want to read the whole interview, visit www.nydailynews.com and look for "Doc Ock is In" on Monday June 28. It's been a while since I've done a link and I'm not going to risk it.
Anne/Manhattan
- Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Copyright 2004 Business Wire, Inc.
Business Wire
June 25, 2004 Friday
DISTRIBUTION: Entertainment Editors
LENGTH: 578 words
HEADLINE: ''Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'' Commences Production for Warner Bros. Pictures; New Faces Join All-Star Ensemble Cast
DATELINE: BURBANK, Calif., June 25, 2004
Principal photography is now underway on Warner Bros. Pictures' "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," the fourth film adaptation of J.K. Rowling's much loved "Harry Potter" novel series.
With production based at England's Leavesden Studios, the film is directed by Mike Newell ("Mona Lisa Smile," "Four Weddings and a Funeral") and produced by David Heyman. The screenplay is by Steve Kloves, who has penned the screenplays for all three previous "Harry Potter" films. David Barron ("Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets") serves as executive producer.
Joining the ensemble are several new cast members, led by esteemed actor Brendan Gleeson ("Troy," "Cold Mountain"), who plays Hogwarts' new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Mad-Eye Moody. Frances De La Tour ("The Cherry Orchard," "Strike it Rich") plays the Headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, Madame Maxime; Roger Lloyd-Pack ("Vanity Fair," BBC TV's "Only Fools and Horses") plays the Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, Barty Crouch; Pedja Bjelac ("Eurotrip") plays Durmstrang Professor Igor Karkaroff; Jeff Rawle ("Inspector Calls II," "Baal," TV's "Drop the Dead Donkey") plays Amos Diggory; and David Tennant ("Bright Young Things") plays Barty Crouch Jr.
New additions to the young cast include Robert Pattinson ("The Ring") as Cedric Diggory; Stanislav Ianevski as Quidditch star Viktor Krum; Clemence Poesy ("Bienvenue chez les Rozes," "Petite Soeur") as Fleur Delacour; and Katie Leung as Cho Chang.
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Tom Felton once again reprise the roles of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and their archrival Draco Malfoy, respectively. In the roles of fellow Hogwarts students are Matthew Lewis as Neville; Devon Murray as Seamus; Jamie Waylett as Crabbe; Joshua Herdman as Goyle; Alfie Enoch as Dean; Oliver and James Phelps as Fred and George Weasley; and Chris Rankin as Percy.
Returning to the adult ensemble are Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid; Michael Gambon as Headmaster Albus Dumbledore; Robert Hardy as Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge; Shirley Henderson as Moaning Myrtle; Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy; Gary Oldman as Sirius Black; Alan Rickman as Professor Snape; Dame Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall; Timothy Spall as Peter Pettigrew; and Mark Williams as Arthur Weasley.
The production also welcomes back production designer Stuart Craig ("Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"); director of photography Roger Pratt ("Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"); costume designer Jany Temime ("Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban"); VFX supervisor Jim Mitchell ("Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"); and creature effects and make-up supervisor Nick Dudman ("Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"). Mick Audsley ("Mona Lisa Smile," "High Fidelity") joins "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" as editor.
"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" will be released in November 2005 by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
CONTACT: Warner Bros. Pictures
Domestic Contact:
Marc Cohen, 818-954-6651
marc.cohen@warnerbros.com
or
International Contact:
Mic Kramer, 818-954-6597
mic.kramer@warnerbros.com
or
Unit Publicist:
Vanessa Davies, 011-44-192-368-5131
vanessadavies@e-plus.co.uk
URL: http://www.businesswire.com
Georgiana
Seattle - Tuesday, June 29, 2004
© 2004 Guardian Newspapers Limited
The Observer
June 20, 2004
SECTION: Observer News Pages, Pg. 25
LENGTH: 931 words
HEADLINE: Comment: Cristina Odone's Diary
BYLINE: Cristina Odone
. . . . . . . . . .
**Bring on the concerned hacks**
I'M HAVING to redefine the term 'luvvy'. Last week, Human Rights Watch organised an evening of readings with the likes of Anna Massey, Sinead Cusack and Alan Rickman. Poems by Wole Soyinka, Ken Saro-Wiwa and Ben Okri bore witness to a range of harrowing experiences most of us prefer not to delve into: lives behind bars, gang rape, Aids. But the opportunity to see Rickman and co strut their stuff - and raise a glass with them - meant that hundreds filled the 20th Century Theatre in Notting Hill.
In fact, many of my fellow guests - including Alan Yentob, Kathy Lette and Tony Elliott - had turned up to listen to and meet the journalists who were also giving readings. After Fergal Keane, George Alagiah and The Observer 's David Aaronovitch stepped off stage, they were mobbed with the same enthusiasm I reserve for thespians. Hacks, it seems, are no longer tough-talking, badly dressed, trouble-seekers. Journalism has become another route to celebrity. Or as one trustafarian whispered as we left: 'That Alagiah, he is the epitome of sexy luvvydom isn't he?'
. . . . . . . . . .
Georgiana (back from Vegas...)
Seattle - Monday, June 21, 2004
I pinched this off Fausta's news page. I hadn't seen it here before:
"Friday, June 4: In today's paper, a review of HP3 says Cuaron does follow what by now should be a cardinal rule of filmmaking: If you have Alan Rickman in your cast, then by god, use him. He doesn't exhaust Rickman, but uses him enough to show why he's the best actor in the entire cast."
martha
maine - Thursday, June 17, 2004
The Washington Post
June 16, 2004 Wednesday
Final Edition
SECTION: Style; C0 1
LENGTH: 1021 words
HEADLINE: 'Around the World in 80 Days': A Verrry Slow Boat to China
BYLINE: Stephen Hunter, Washington Post Staff Writer
The new Disney film "Around the World in 80 Days" might generally be described as "Around Epcot Center in 120 Minutes." It has that cheesy, chintzy mid-Florida feel that we all know and love, despite its $110 million budget. How could they spend so much money and end up with something that looks so Orlando?
It's sort of, for a little while in the middle, a Jackie Chan film, and that's when it's at its best. But it's more often a Steve Coogan film. And who is Steve Coogan? Well, he looks like the great Scots race car driver Jackie Stewart and he sounds like the great British actor Alan Rickman and that's all I know. How'd he get a major Disney film crafted around his small package of gifts? Hmmm. Beats the heck out of me. Possibly it has to do with the rumor that the movie was set up for Hugh Grant and Hugh couldn't make it, so the production company had to scramble for a body. Wasn't Ben Affleck available?
Any resemblance to the original "Around the World," a huge 1956 icon that arrived in the miracle of Todd-AO with David Niven in command, is utterly coincidental. . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
Georgiana
Seattle - Wednesday, June 16, 2004
It has been reported that AR took part in the readings Cries From The Heart for the Human Rights Watch Benefit London on Monday, June 14th
He did 4 readings:
Children of this Land by Wole Soyinka
Grief by Ben Okri
They Hanged Him, I Said Dismissively, by Dennis Brutus
True Prison by Ken Saro-Wiwa
2004
It seemed to be adressed down affair AR wearing baggy grey/black, pin-striped type trousers, T-shirt of a dark grey colour and rather nice loose-fitting black jacket. He was looking London sunburnt (pink!) and with particularly windswept hair. He stayed for the informal reception.
Claire
- Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Sorry Fish I had scanned it before I saw your post!!LOL (Must both be avid RT scourers!!)
Here is the Red Dwarf mock-up. Don't forget to enlarge your text if you want to read the article. Personally I have never watched Red Dwarf so have no idea how much of a ridiculous idea it was.
Sue
- Tuesday, June 15, 2004
Just a quick post to regarding the Red Dwarf postings of a few weeks ago. In the new Radio times there is an article on famous programmes and which actors were originally in mind for them. The interesting part of the article is as follows:
'Think Red Dwarf, but instead of Craig Charles and Chris Barrie, think Alfred Molina and Alan Rickman. They were originally on board for the parts of Rimmer and Lister. "We were aware that it might take more than one series for us to get Red Dwarf right," admits Doug Naylor (series creator), "and we knew that with Alfred and Alan on board, we'd probably only get one series out of them. So we changed the casting." There we go, straight from the horse's mouth.
There is also a Photoshopped mock up of what the characters would have looked like with AM and AR in the roles. Have scanned it, Sue, can I email it to you to post up? Thanks in advance!
A Fish Needing Help
UK - Tuesday, June 15, 2004
Just thought you might want to read this report and pictures of YCTV Charity Screening and Q/A with Alan Rickman.
Gotta love Alan's sense of humor. Enjoy!
Also, thanks to Rebecca for her report in the GB earlier.
Btw, does anyone thought that David Thewlis looks like Alan? Well, Chris Columbus certainly does. He mentioned that it was the reason he almost did not want to cast David in Harry Potter! It's from his interview here. (Click on "Exclusive Making of". CC's comment is at ~21 minutes after the video starts. Also, Daniel Radcliffe commented about the "fart machine" prank at ~17th minutes!)
aef
- Monday, June 14, 2004
Just looking at the RADA site. They have a special Centenary section HERE. You can download the brochure with Adobe. Scroll down to Page 10 HERE and you will see AR's contribution and Student photo. The whole thing looks very interesting and I shall go back for a longer look later.
Sue
- Monday, June 14, 2004
The following is a transcript of the interview on the newly released Region 2 Close My Eyes DVD:
Alan Rickman on playing Sinclair
Well, I liked his energy and the fact that he’s curious about everything and looked people straight in the eyes. He didn’t kind of ignore people. Curious about everything but completely hopeless with the dishwasher. And couldn’t even work out that there was an on/off switch. You know, he’s in the kitchen surrounded by suds and he hasn’t actually turned the damned thing off. So that’s endearing, and his curiosity gives you a sense of his energy. But it wouldn’t be enough were it not for the fact that he gets caught up in a human situation which is perhaps completely outside his experience and his education, where he’s come from, and what he ever expected to encounter. And I liked the fact that he dealt with it sensitively.
(fade out and in)
I think he does know what’s going on at the end, but he hasn’t got the vocabulary to discuss it and, in a way, that’s one of his strengths, I suppose, is that there’s a kind of silent caring for her because I think, if my memory serves me correctly, he just, he’s stroking an injury on her leg, putting some cream on her leg and saying, “I don’t want to know.” But as far as I was concerned, the way he said, “I don’t want to know,” said he already knew. I don’t know where you’d begin. I think that what’s great about him is that he didn’t say, “Get out of my house,” in any Victorian kind of manner. He was gonna deal with it. That was pretty grown up.
(fade out and in)
I came back from America straight into, well, I think they were two-thirds of the way through the shoot. I decided to turn that to my advantage. I didn’t have any option, you know, and I just thought it was an interesting atmosphere to walk into and I thought, “Well, that’s a Sinclair kind of thing. This is interesting,” and used that energy to my advantage. And also Sinclair’s sort of lack of knowledge about personal things. And so the difficulty was, of course, developing a proper relationship with Saskia. But I knew her from before, so that was easier than it might have been. And then it just honestly became practical like filming does, and all that nonsense, the arty nonsense, goes out the window. And you find yourself, because it was the hottest summer, I mean, the film was blessed in that sense because it was lifted into an atmosphere of its own. Every day that we needed it, there was this blazing sun. Sometimes more than was needed. I mean, you’re shooting a picnic and the cheese is melting into the cloth. We can’t eat it because it’s now glue. And we were having to use sunshades. And it turned Clevedon and that area of the river into something mysterious and almost like something out of Beverly Hills. If there were a river in Beverly Hills, that’s what it would look like. So you were constantly made uneasy by the surrounding.
(fade out and in)
Well, I suppose the decision I took about Sinclair and his attitude to money was that he was born to it. He wasn’t a self-made man in that sense. He was obviously clever at business, but it’s been something he’s been surrounded by all his life. And so therefore, much like many of the British upper classes, they do have a sense of humor and irony and devil-may-careness about money. And I suppose I was feeding off of that, to a large extent.
(fade out and in)
Sinclair’s sex life is the sex life of many a British male, I think. I don’t know about him, cause he’s fictional, but when I was at school, an all-boys’ school, there was absolutely no sex education. We used to have to beg the divinity master to “tell us about sex, sir,” instead of religion. That was just in a kind of titillating way. It wasn’t really to get any information, although I suppose we must have done, because he was a responsible guy. And I’m sure Sinclair comes from that background. It’s just ignorance. And when he makes love to his wife and then turns over and reads a book, I don’t think it’s out of a hard heart or an insensitive soul. He just doesn’t know, that there might be more to it than that.
(fade out and in)
Alan Rickman on Making Movies
Well, it’s interesting going from something like Close My Eye to Prince of Thieves, if that was the order it happened in, I think it was probably was, because they inherit something from Close My Eye, and that mentality, or that approach to the work. I remember Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, who was moving between my scenes and Kevin Costner’s scenes. She would, when she was on our set, she would say, “I wanna be in his film.” Which is not to say that there were two films going on, but it’s my habit, and practice, and training, and everything, to look at the writing and look for clues in order to give it a specific life. And the difference with a big Hollywood movie is that they don’t often give you time to do that because the pressure is on the set, and the shooting schedule and looking after people for different reasons, because of fame rather than, “Let’s all get together and tell this story.” As it happens, that was the concern of everybody on that film, including all of the, you know, big names. It’s just a different experience, but I’m the same person in different experiences.
(fade out and in)
When I shot Die Hard, I’d never made a film before. I had no other recourse other than what I’d done before. And immediately before that, I’d just spent two years on and off doing Les Liaisons Dangereuses, which was about many things, in some ways the ultimate 80s play. Incredibly sexy, without anybody taking their clothes off. Very intricate writing. And also by the end of it, it was just about stamina, and how do you keep it fresh every night. So it’s, “What rules do you live by?” really, and in a way, theatre just, it’s like Peter Brooks says, “Choose your church carefully.” It’s a religion. So I had nothing else to take to the set of Die Hard, , except to say, “Who is this person? Where did he come from? What did he have for breakfast?” and actually in asking those questions, affected the script. And because I said, I went for a costume fitting, and there was a kind of rail of terrorist gear. And I put it on, but I said, “I’m going to look ridiculous in this kind of stuff.” And I knew that all of the people in the film who were working for me were like six foot high and six foot wide, and that’s fine for them. And I said, ‘Wouldn’t it be interesting if I were wearing a suit and not all of this stuff? Because if I was wearing a suit, perhaps I could meet the Bruce Willis character.” Anyway, I went away for a few weeks and I came back and started shooting, and they had written it into the film. And it became quite an important part of the film, that we had a relationship, and we met, and I produced an American accent. So that happened just by saying, “What about? Who is? Where did he come from?” type of questions.
(fade out and in)
I think creating one’s space in Die Hard happened through a mixture of belief in the power of storytelling. And that’s my part, I’m involved in a chain. I’m in the middle between a script and an audience, and unless I can be a clear channel between those two things, then I get uncomfortable, and I’m bad. And you end up doing that awful thing that bad directors say, “Just be yourself.” Well, who cares, you know? I would like to be this character, so in order to, if it’s chutzpah, then I fight for it, hard, yes. You often have to change your vocabulary. You get a sense of who the director is. In the case of Die Hard, I said to him, “Well, I’m about to shoot all these people.” I mean I, first of all, couldn’t imagine I was ever going to be in this situation, doing film like that. I’m very proud of that film and its ironies and ambiguities. I don’t think they’ve made another one as good, cause we asked all these questions. There I am in front of a room full of captives, and I’ve got a gun, and I’m about to shoot them if they misbehave. And I said to the director, “Well, there’s a buffet here,” cause we’d interrupted a party in the scene. “Could I just sit and have a chicken sandwich while I’m threatening to kill them?” And he looked at me as if I was mad, and started laughing. And then every time I said something, he just looked at me and walked away laughing. But he let me do it. Cause I think he knew I was on some kind of jag of my own, but it seemed to be working.
(fade out and in)
Harry Potter’s a different kind of thing because it’s not exactly swimming in ambiguities. So you have your outline of your character. You are very much part of the process of drawing that outline, and then you must step into it and inhabit it. My character doesn’t come into much contact with special effects. He’s one of the teachers in the school and doesn’t tend to step outside of it, which is where creatures tend to emerge, or trees burst into life, or people get into cars that fly. So I haven’t encountered too much of that, but it just falls under the heading of, “It’s part of the job.” It’s like being dropped from forty feet into an airbag in Die Hard before. You know, that wouldn’t happen now. Now that would done in a computer, and they’d make it look completely believable. I was actually dropped three times, at three o’clock in the morning. And it was the last shot, cause if I’d died, it didn’t matter, cause they had it in the can.
(A Windows Media clip of this interview can be found at Claudia's Download Haven)
Aurora
- Monday, June 14, 2004
Here you can listen to the music used in the second half of the StLM trailer. It's called Rhapsody
You need Windows Media Player to listen to it.
Copyright 2004 Time Out Group
Time Out
June 09, 2004
SECTION: Pg. 70
LENGTH: 325 words
HEADLINE: New releases;
Film: Preview
. . . Writer-director Stephen Poliakoff's hugely impressive drama of sibling incest (with Clive Owen and Saskia Reeves cuckoldingher hubbie Alan Rickman over a long hot summer) is a charged exploration of psychosexual retreat, a rigorous dissection of Thatcherite transformations and atelling study of obsession. It's strikingly played, sensually shot and provocatively scored. And behind it all there's a compelling sense of both the transience and endurance of things that lifts it into an altogether more speculative realm. Extras include useful interviews with the director and three leads. Gareth Evans 'Tommy' Cert 15 (DVD, GBP 15.99) . . .
Georgiana (and Pryce was so fine in 'The Goat'!)
Seattle - Wednesday, June 09, 2004
Tue 8 Jun 2004
2:44pm (UK)
Actor's Goat Remark Springs Surprise on the Queen
By Anita Singh, PA News
The Queen had reason to raise an eyebrow today when she was told of a play about a man who has a passionate affair with his pet goat.
She was attending a luncheon to celebrate the centenary of The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art with guests including Alan Rickman, Richard Briers, Imogen Stubbs and Jonathan Pryce.
Pryce appeared to surprise the Queen when he told her about his latest play - the West End hit The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia?
The actor last met the Queen at a gala performance of My Fair Lady in which he appeared with Martine McCutcheon.
After saying how much she had enjoyed that show, the Queen asked Pryce: “So what are you doing now?”
Pryce told her the name of the play then explained: “It’s a play about love, betrayal, passion, compassion - and bestiality.”
The Queen raised an eyebrow and said: “You saved that until last.”
The centenary lunch, hosted by RADA president Lord Attenborough, was held at Mansion House in the City of London.
On what was the hottest day of the year so far, the Queen wore a sunny yellow dress and matching hat.
The guest list included RADA alumni and other celebrities including Vivienne Westwood and Graeme Souness.
http://news.scotsman.com
Slope
Canada - Wednesday, June 09, 2004
It has been reported that AR had lunch at RADA in London today - cameras present so maybe new pictures later this week?
Claire
- Tuesday, June 08, 2004
Copyright 2004 Guardian Newspapers Limited
The Guardian (London)
June 8, 2004
SECTION: Guardian Education Pages, Pg. 5
LENGTH: 131 words
HEADLINE: teacher, London: Nicky Slater
Absolutely not. The pupils I've got are quite enough work without letting them loose with magic wands and potions. Hermione would be lovely to teach, but Harry and Ron and those Weasley brothers would be a trial. I think all those unicorns and werewolves and whomping willows around the place would be very difficult to deal with.
Weren't there giant spiders in one of the books? That I would not appreciate. Discipline must be impossible with all the appearing and disappearing and flying around going on - let alone the internal politics, which make my school look like a picnic. Quidditch? No, I hate sport, even on broomsticks. Those quidditch matches are the most boring bits in the books. On the plus side, no Sats. And Alan Rickman floating round the place.
Georgiana
Seattle - Tuesday, June 08, 2004
Copyright 2004 The Press Association Limited
Press Association
June 8, 2004, Tuesday
SECTION: HOME NEWS
LENGTH: 216 words
HEADLINE: HISTORIC ROYAL ACADEMY SPAWNS THEATRICAL SUPERSTARS
BYLINE: Ju-Lin Tan, PA News
The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada) was welcoming the Queen to a special luncheon at Mansion House today to celebrate its centenary year.
Rada was established by Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree on April 25, 1904, at His Majesty's Theatre in the Haymarket.
The academy moved to its Gower Street site in 1905 and received its Royal Charter in 1920.
A new theatre was built in Malet Street, backing on to the Gower Street premises, in 1921.
The late Sir John Gielgud studied for a year at the academy in 1923, playing 17 parts, and later became its president and the first honorary fellow of Rada.
The two Georgian houses which made up the Gower Street site were replaced with a single new building in 1927.
Richard Attenborough, now Lord Attenborough, joined RADA as a Leverhulme scholar in 1941.
In 1950, playwright George Bernard Shaw died and left a third of his royalties to Rada.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a new wave of actors emerged at the academy, including Jonathan Pryce, Juliet Stevenson, Alan Rickman and Kenneth Branagh.
Rada received a £22.7 million grant from the Arts Council National Lottery Board in 1996 towards redeveloping the academy's headquarters.
The newly refurbished premises in Gower Street and Malet Street were reopened by the Queen in 2000.
Georgiana
Seattle - Tuesday, June 08, 2004
Copyright 2004 The Press Association Limited
Press Association
June 8, 2004, Tuesday
SECTION: HOME NEWS
LENGTH: 190 words
HEADLINE: ENTER QUEEN, CELEBRATING ACTING SCHOOL'S CENTENARY
BYLINE: Ju-Lin Tan, PA News
The Queen was attending a star-studded luncheon today to celebrate the centenary year of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
The event at Mansion House, the Lord Mayor's official residence in the City of London, will be hosted by RADA president, actor and director Lord Attenborough.
Guests were expected to include Alan Rickman, Jonathan Pryce, Richard Wilson, Kenneth Branagh and other contemporary stars who trained at the world-famous drama school.
The Queen will be greeted by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress on arrival, and will be welcomed by Lord Attenborough before being introduced to RADA members and alumni.
Students and alumni will give short performances to the guests during the luncheon.
RADA, which was established in April 1904, has produced a host of celebrated actors including Sir Anthony Hopkins, Ralph Fiennes, Peter O'Toole, Sir Roger Moore, John Hurt and Joan Collins.
The academy has also trained many significant figures in the world of production, including director Mike Leigh, writer Hugh Whitemore and producer Thelma Holt.
A series of events throughout the year is marking the centenary.
Georgiana
Seattle - Tuesday, June 08, 2004
I just managed to stumble across this site which has more red carpet photographs of Alan Rickman ISIFA Pics I am not sure if you can buy the pictures from them but they have some I have not seen before.
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire, UK - Sunday, June 06, 2004
A few pictures of Alan (at the London Premiere) at DanRadcliffe.com.
If I remember correctly, Alan's pictures are on page 2, 3, 8, and 9. IMO, these are not quite as nice as Keith's, though.
aef
- Sunday, June 06, 2004
Found this review in Africana. of Something the Lord Made. A different viewpoint.
martha
maine - Saturday, June 05, 2004
Copyright 2004 Gannett Company, Inc.
USA TODAY
June 4, 2004, Friday through Sunday, FIRST EDITION
SECTION: LIFE; Pg. 1E
LENGTH: 1063 words
HEADLINE: Hogwarts attracts a British who's who Third 'Potter' film is the place to be for a magical cast of characters
BYLINE: Claudia Puig
. . . . . . . . . .
Potter veterans include:
* Award-winning Alan Rickman, as Harry's nemesis, Professor Snape, has been in all three.
* John Hurt, an Oscar nominee for The Elephant Man, had a bit part in the first movie, Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone.
* Oscar winner Maggie Smith (The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie) is making her third appearance as kind Professor McGonagall.
* Kenneth Branagh, a three-time Oscar nominee, had a scene-stealing role in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets as narcissistic Professor Gilderoy Lockhart.
As casting began for the first film, then-director Columbus, producer David Heyman and Rowling agreed that all actors must be British, like the book's characters.
Says screenwriter Steve Kloves, "Michael Caine had a joke saying he was the only major British actor who hadn't agreed to be in Harry Potter yet. It is a remarkable group of actors. You dream of writing for people like that."
Many of the actors have acted together in far more low-budget, adult-orientedfilms.
For Oldman, the Potter set "was sort of like a (director) Mike Leigh reunion."
Oldman, Spall, Thewlis and Pam Ferris (who plays Aunt Marge) and recurring character Richard Griffiths (Uncle Vernon) have all been in British movies directed by the Oscar-nominated Leigh, and Spall and Thewlis starred together in Leigh's Life Is Sweet (1990).
"It was amazing to find myself on a set one day with Gary, Timothy Spall, Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson," says Thewlis. "I always wanted to work with them. But I never pictured it would be on Harry Potter."
. . . . . . . . . .
Georgiana
Seattle - Friday, June 04, 2004
The Washington Post
June 4, 2004 Friday
Final Edition
SECTION: Weekend; T57
LENGTH: 1134 words
HEADLINE: Cuaron's Magic Touch
BYLINE: Nicole Arthur, Washington Post Staff Writer
. . . . . . . . . .
Like its predecessors, the film includes cameos by a slew of fine British actors, some of whom make something of their fleeting screen time (Alan Rickman's Professor Snape is still a formidable presence) and some of whom don't (Emma Thompson's goofy turn as Professor Trelawney would have been a much better fit in one of the Columbus movies). The real surprise in this category is David Thewlis as Professor Lupin, who inexplicably eschews his customary air of menace in a role that require just that.
. . . . . . . . . .
Georgiana
Seattle - Friday, June 04, 2004
Copyright 2004 The Hartford Courant Company
Hartford Courant (Connecticut)
June 4, 2004 Friday, STATEWIDE
SECTION: LIFE; Pg. D1
LENGTH: 1100 words
HEADLINE: CUAR0N'S 'AZKABAN' FAITHFUL BUT FLAWED; * *
BYLINE: DEBORAH HORNBLOW; COURANT FILM CRITIC
. . . . . . . . . .
Stalwarts, including Alan Rickman as Professor Snape and Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid, return to do their thing. But Thewlis' performance alone manages to leave an impact, mostly because the script allows for it. Everyone else is going through motions.
. . . . . . . . . .
Georgiana
Seattle - Friday, June 04, 2004
Copyright 2004 Globe Newspaper Company
The Boston Globe
June 4, 2004, Friday ,THIRD EDITION
SECTION: ARTS; Pg. C1
LENGTH: 1033 words
HEADLINE: DARK MAGIC
'HARRY POTTER' COMES OF AGE IN A MORE DANGEROUS, ENCHANTING WORLD
BYLINE: By Wesley Morris, Globe Staff
. . . . . . . . . . .
Amid all the darkness, the film is also stocked with felicities great and small. For one thing, Hogwarts seems to have enrolled a lot more blacks and South Asians, and some of them have lines! Elsewhere, the young witches and wizards get to wear street clothes, and they finally look cool in their uniforms. (Thank costumer Jany Temime for that. It's also raining British actors. Alan Rickman, as the insufferable Professor Snape, has a terrific scene storming histrionically into Lupin's classroom. Robbie Coltrane is back as the gentle giant Hagrid. And Michael Gambon replaces the late Richard Harris as Dumbledore, and his wise but gently soused air confirms that Harris could indeed be impersonated. Julie Christie even shows up, ageless as ever, playing a pub mistress.
. . . . . . . . . .
Georgiana
Seattle - Friday, June 04, 2004
I just found this video where Alan talked a little bit about his experience as a student. premiere video
Also, from msnbc.com:
reporter:"Do you get a lot of fanmails from kids?"
Alan:"I guess I do. Yes."
reporter:"Is it strange having young fans like that? You know, you are talking about 7-,8-year-olds.
Alan:"At this point, I'm desperate." (grinning)
What do you think? Isn't he hillarious? :) If you really, really, want to watch the msnbc video, just go to msnbc.com then click to play ANY of their video. When the video window opens up, at the bottom of the window choose 'More video' (This should expand the window further down.) Then search for 'interview: "Harry Potter" cast'. (The search box is located on the right side of the expanded window, just above their selected choice of videos.) Finally, just click on the the first
video clip which had Daniel Radcliff's face on it. Whew! Sorry I don't know any shortcut.
Please don't hate me if this is old news.
aef
US - Friday, June 04, 2004
For Kathy and anyone else who missed them I copy a link to the photos from Sunday's POA Premiere.
ALAN ON THE (not so) RED CARPET
I did remove the initial two pics that I posted links to because they were superceded by the full gallery - which contains 15 pics of AR - from the Premiere.
Finally, apologies to those of you who are tired of all these photos of your favourite guy. Getty, Wire, LFI, UPPA, Empire etc plus mine.....but remember, it could well be months before you get the chance to see him again, so make the most of it.
KEITH <screentwo_uk@hotmail.comfoo>
Bedford, UK - Friday, June 04, 2004
I don't know where it originated, but versions of the Luke Thompson PoA review ran in a number of US papers over the past couple of days, with this paragraph intact in Miami, but the phrase about "turn to page..." ommitted (and the article otherwise shortened) in Denver, Dallas, Houston, San Francisco and the East Bay.
Georgiana
Seattle - Thursday, June 03, 2004
Copyright 2004 Phoenix New Times, LLC
Phoenix New Times (Arizona)
June 3, 2004 Thursday
SECTION: Film/Reviews
LENGTH: 1346 words
HEADLINE: Harry Goes Scary
The latest installation in the Harry Potter movie series gets creepy
BYLINE: By Luke Y. Thompson
. . . . . . . . . .
But there's still plenty of time for the old favorites. Robbie Coltrane is always dependable as the half-giant Hagrid, and Alan Rickman's brooding Snape is a joy once more, making even lines as simple as "Turn to page three hundred and ninety-four" drip with such overblown menace as to crack up the audience at the preview screening.
. . . . . . . . . .
Georgiana
Seattle - Thursday, June 03, 2004
Copyright 2004 Newsweek
Newsweek
May 24, 2004 Atlantic Edition
SECTION: LETTER FROM LONDON; Pg. 8
LENGTH: 596 words
HEADLINE: Taking Time for the Finer Things
BYLINE: By Sarah Sennott
What a delicious irony. I was late for Slow Food night. Wading through the wine-sipping crowd, past tables of glimmering oysters and pungent cheddar, I was just in time to catch the opening remarks by the founder of Europe's trendiest eco-gastronomic movement. "We must take the time to enjoy the pleasures of food," declared the well-fed Italian. "We must support local farmers. Anyone who doesn't is stupid."
It began 25 years ago in a small restaurant serving local specialties in the north Italian town of Bra and has grown to become an 80,000-strong international movement against living in the fast lane. Slow Food boasts more than 700 chapters worldwide, sponsoring everything from lectures on agricultural biodiversity to a manifesto defending raw-milk cheese. The Ecologist, a British environmental magazine, recently called it "a movement to save the world."
Amen, I thought to myself, listening to the man from Bra. I'd heard of the movement before, of course. But I had finally decided it was time for me to slow down and appreciate the finer things. As the crowd cheered news of progress in Britain's anti-GM-farming campaign, I imagined inviting friends to dinner parties of free-range lamb and organic potatoes, my cheeks glowing. Yes, I am one of those yoga-loving, "think about what you're putting in your body" types. But when it comes to causes, Slow Food felt like something larger--namely, the earth.
Not a week earlier, I'd been appalled to see a twentysomething professional male striding down Oxford Street, dipping a French baguette into a carton of strawberry yogurt, stuffing it into his mouth, then downing the yogurt--all in the time it took to walk from one McDonald's to the next. An average Brit spends $435 a year on this sort of "on-the-move" food, four times that of the Spanish and nearly twice that of the Italians. That's when I decided to test out being a slow foodie.
One Saturday, I strolled through one of the 30 farmers markets in London, chatting with lively farmers, patting their frisky dogs and taking in the smells of fresh flowers and blueberry scones. Prices were about the same, or only slightly higher, than at London supermarkets. But gone were the long lines, nudging elbows and fluorescent lighting of my local grocery a few blocks away. I left feeling refreshed, not stressed.
Next I visited the whole-foods store in my Notting Hill neighborhood. Apparently, this is the
place to be on a Saturday afternoon. Yuppie moms-to-be sauntered in and out with their golden Labradors. I (literally) bumped into British actor Alan Rickman sifting through organic spices. But the prices! When packaged for the elites of the gastronomically correct, organic food turns out to be 20 percent to 30 percent more expensive. And most of the produce costs double what I normally pay. According to EU Business, Europeans are spending twice as much on organic food as they did in the late 1990s--but price remains the barrier to more growth. I paid for my two-for-one unsalted rice cakes and split.
That week I tried to maintain my slow-food regimen. I cooked a leisurely dinner for my flatmates from my farmers' market purchases. But at work, Tupperware containers of organic tofu sat unopened on my desk as I juggled deadlines and e-mails. Slow cocktails soon replaced slow canapes. Still, I keep the faith and am heartened by a new survey showing that Brits are actually less pressed for time than we think. Maybe there is hope that we can learn to put the pleasure back onto our palates. At least I now sit down to eat.
Georgiana
Seattle - Wednesday, June 02, 2004
Copyright 2004 The Financial Times Limited
Financial Times (London, England)
May 29, 2004 Saturday
SECTION: FT REPORT - FT COLLECTING; Pg. 3
LENGTH: 969 words
HEADLINE: Chaotic profusion and possibilities: In good times, people love the unchanging nature of Olympia. Under more precarious circumstances, reform may be needed
BYLINE: By TONY THORNCROFT
The Fine Art & Antiques Fair, which continues in west London until June 13, is the grand bazaar in the city's monthof art excess. Over 400 dealers are assembled in the great halls at Olympia, selling everything from glossy Georgian furniture to art deco jewellery. For many provincial dealers it is the make-or-break 10 days of the year: sometimes a half of their turnover can be signed or sealed at the fair. Few dealers fail to notch up 10 per cent of their annual trade. They may complain about summer Olympia - they do - but it is a key event in the antiques trade calendar.
This year Olympia is more important than ever. The trade has had a pretty poor few years, hit by a shrinkage of the numbers of American tourists and the weakness of the dollar, a shortage of good stock, fierce competition from the auction houses and, in certain areas such as brown furniture, a waning of enthusiasm from the public. There are sectors, notably collectables and 20th-century design, including jewellery, which are flourishing but as a rich younger generation goes for a more contemporary look, the traditional antiques trade must sell itself harder to survive - which means dealers hold back their best stock for a make-or-break fair like Olympia.
One problem is that the age of the keen antique collectors is rising worryingly - surveys suggested that on average an Olympia visitor was 57. The fair does attract celebrities - Oprah Winfrey, Jemima Khan, Kevin Kline, Joan Collins and Alan Rickman were among the visitors last year - but because Olympia is so vast in its ambitions, it lacks focus and can daunt the inexperienced visitor.
. . . . . . . . . .
Georgiana
Seattle - Wednesday, June 02, 2004
From the Daily Telegraph report on the POA premiere: "Rickman, who plays the sinister potions teacher Professor Snape, looked amused at a banner that read: "Give us a detention, Mr Rickman."
Aurora
- Tuesday, June 01, 2004
