In what can only be called a paparazzi video, last month Tom was waylaid on his way to a business meeting in LA’s Katsuya Restauarant. He was asked about what he thought of Jennifer Grey winning “Dancing with the Stars” the night before. For those of you unaware, the show had been reduced to a battle of political agendas as real talent was being dropped week after week in favor of keeping a U.S. politician’s talentless daughter on the air and in the news.
For the record, talent won.
As Tom took part in the HP Promotional Extravaganza this past month, we received many reports from various interviewers on what Tom is like as they gave copy to the words Tom had to say. Yet, as most often happens in the world of performance, there are people behind the scenes helping to make these interviews happen, and what these people see during these interviews is often a story left untold
As Tom gave answer to multiple questions on one particular day of interview upon interview, a lone voice stood by silently, waiting to give voice to what they saw later after their work was done.
This is Leanna’s story.
I have several jobs. All of which I’m blessed enough to enjoy. My favourite of them is writing books, of course. Another occasional job is doing background/extra or stand-in work for film and TV. Another is stage managing at a small TV studio which specializes in media tours, where I’m the lone human in a room, on a headset, with famous people. I’ve met a lot of really interesting personalities in the past few years. I spent a 14 hour day on set for the latest Ben Stiller film last week, which was cool. But only a few of my experiences get me really, really, jumping-up-and-down excited when going into the studio for a media tour. For example, The Muppets. (Follow that link to see a ridiculous happy Leanna).
And Monday, I got another wish fulfilled; to meet a cast member of Harry Potter. And not just any cast member, but a Slytherin. I said to my boss when I first started working at the studio a few years ago; “If there is ANY Harry Potter press tours that come through here, I will never forgive you if you don’t bring me in to work it.” Thankfully we’re friends enough for me to say that, and he was good on his word. And so I present to you: Me and Tom Felton, Draco Malfoy.
Could there be any more of a SQUEE expression on my face? What isn’t visible is my Slytherin pin I was wearing in House solidarity. Major House points. In all seriousness, Tom Felton is one of the nicest guys in the world, gracious, kind, easy to chat with, funny as hell, great in interviews and an all around stand-up young man who the world has watched grow up. That’s a lot of pressure but he’s handled it beautifully. He’s genuinely humbled and grateful for the opportunity, but also excited for his next projects. (Like his music (!) and a Planet of the Apes prequel, Rise of the Apes). Oh, yeah, and he’s really cute. I made my friends in The Group That Shall Not Be Named very jealous. I can’t wait to watch the midnight showing with the TGTSNBN crew this week, now 700 strong! Wow!
It makes my day when stars live up to their billing and deserve every bit of their success. These films feature the best casting in the world, and it was fascinating to hear about the close-knit dynamic of the cast, the incredible journey these films have taken, bringing the world along on pages and screen thanks to J. K. Rowling’s genius.
Cheers, Tom, for being a consummate gentleman and a major highlight of my year. 🙂
Tom Felton spoke recently with USA Today about how frightening Ralph Fiennes is in character while portraying Voldemort in the Harry Potter films.
“Ralph is mesmerizing,” Felton says. “He never did two takes the same. … I had to keep reminding myself: ‘Stay in character. Don’t just sit there and watch his performance.’ ”Even when the cameras stop, the aura of Voldemort remains.
“He dominates scenes in the film, and it’s like that off the set as well,” Felton says. “He’s quite a charming guy. And when he opens his mouth, people listen. Let’s put it this way: No one talks over him.”
Thanks to Snitchseeker for the story!
In a new interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Tom talks about having his puberty onscreen for the world to see, going from nervous to relaxed while giving interviews over the years, and how he is capable of doing more than just his iconic character, Draco Malfoy. They also make mention of Tom’s “bouncy acoustic” music he made under the moniker that inspired the creation of this website – Feltbeats.
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Daniel Radcliffe, who portrays the titular young wizard, has made an online skit with filmmaker Judd Apatow (Knocked Up) in which he sends himself up, while Tom Felton, who plays his blond rival Draco Malfoy, has been entertaining American talk-show audiences with his favourite sexually suggestive magic double entendres.
“We are relaxed,” Felton says. “Doing a talk show or talking to a newspaper journalist is a lot more relaxed and a lot more fun; it used to be much more of a nervous thing when we were kids. And by now we’ve learnt the right things and the wrong things to say, plus we’re genuinely passionate about the films, so it’s nice to talk about something you’re excited about sharing with people.”
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“As the films have gone along, they have got darker,” Felton says. “But the humour has also gone up tenfold. It’s a unique type of humour. It’s British dry wit — there are no jokes, just awkward silences. In my opinion they’re not just scarier, they are also funnier.”
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“It’s a strange experience and the gravity of what we’ve done together hasn’t really sunk in yet,” he says. “To have your puberty documented in a series of films is weird and even looking back at it now you can cringe at some of the early ones because of how young you look.
“It’s hard to come up with a sentence that explains it all but it’s been an incredible journey and we’ve got more and more excited each year.”
Felton, who quietly records and releases bouncy acoustic-pop songs as Feltbeats, has learnt how to accommodate the feverish interest of young fans and Harry Potter obsessives in the media.
He’s no longer perplexed when asked what Draco might think of a given situation, or what the character’s favourite spell is; it’s a fair trade for a screen career that will extend well past July’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.
“As a youngster I wasn’t completely sure this is what I wanted to do with my life but being around so many fantastic actors has embedded a massive passion for filmmaking within me,” Felton says. He will star alongside James Franco in the Planet of the Apes prequel, Rise of the Apes, in 2011.
“It’s far from plain sailing but it’s an exciting time for me because doors are open and I know I can convince people I can do more than Draco.”
You can read the rest of the article at the source.