| 
Compiled by: Jack Foley
Q. What was your first reaction to script?
A: I thought it was hilarious, I sort of grew up with
this kind of comedy in Canada, getting the BBC and watching Monty
Python and Blackadder and those kinds of things. So I was just
excited to be a part of something like this.
I just read it on my own in Los Angeles, really enjoyed it and
asked my manager if I could call Peter about it. We had a discussion.
We never actually met until I’d said yes and had come over.
Q. The film features a lot of British comics –
were you nervous coming to work with them?
A. I’d worked with Leslie Phillips eight years
ago, and had watched some of Peter’s work before I came
to London. And I asked for tapes of everybody, so I could see
Vic and Bob and Harry Enfield and everybody else.
I watched one episode of The
Office and ended up watching all of them because it was so
fantastic. I just wanted to make sure I knew everybody’s
work before working with them.
They’re so huge here, and everyone I spoke to about the
cast kept going on about what a great cult comic cast it was.
I was excited by that.
|
 |
Q. What are the differences
of working with bigger or lower budgets? And which do you prefer?
Slater: The specific difference is about $100 million.
Campbell: I actually don’t tend to do bigger
budget films. I have done many, but I’ve done far more independent
films. I shot a film last year, called When Will I Be Loved, a
James Toback movie, and we shot the whole thing in 12 days and
shot it in this one apartment.
I do actually prefer that atmosphere as well. Creatively, it’s
much easier as well, because you’re on top of each other
all the time so you’re constantly discussing what you’re
doing with your roles and with the project. And you’re with
the crew more and it seems like everyone’s more connected
as opposed to sitting in your trailer for six hours while they
light it, and then showing up for ten minutes and leaving again.
I actually prefer that atmosphere.
Q. Did you do much research for the role in Churchill?
A. It was mainly the accent, I had a coach come from
London to Los Angeles and spend six days with me, working for
four hours a day. I listened to a lot of her Christmas speeches
from when she was younger. And I just had conversations with people
about her and what she’s known for.
There were certain inside jokes in the script, like her addressing
people and not listening, moving on. There were certain joke that
I didn’t quite get until they were explained to me. But
it’s a comedy, I didn’t have to study what her relationship
with Churchill actually was.
Q. What do you think of your chances of being at a Royal
film performance?
A: I was invited to the Royal Film Performance of Ladies
In Lavender, but I didn’t go partly because I was so nervous
about this.
|
