Ricky Lo's inteview with Anne Hathaway of Les Miserables

Mark Philip Wu

18 Jan 201304:04

Summary

TLDRIn this interview, the actor discusses their preparation for a challenging role, which involved historical research and understanding the emotional toll of the character they portrayed. They talk about the intense process of embodying the character, including singing and emotional scenes. The actor also reflects on their admiration for singers like Lea Salonga and their own mother, while sharing memories of watching their mother perform. The interview touches on personal questions about the actor's experiences and ends with thoughts on potential future roles and messages for fans.

Takeaways

🎭 The actor prepared for the role by conducting historical research to understand the context of 1823, the life of women at the time, and the emotional toll of being a sex slave.
🎤 Extensive singing practice was part of the preparation, with 'I Dreamed a Dream' being a particularly memorable and challenging song to perform.
🌟 The actor expresses admiration for her friend Leia, acknowledging Leia's exceptional vocal abilities and successful singing career.
👸 She recalls being deeply moved and crying when she saw her mother perform on stage, indicating the emotional impact of her mother's acting.
🏆 There is speculation about a potential Oscar nomination, but the actor considers it premature and does not take it for granted.
🎵 The favorite scene for the actor was one where she portrayed an angel, symbolizing a positive and uplifting moment in the narrative.
😢 The most difficult scene was 'I Dreamed a Dream,' which was emotionally taxing to perform.
🎭 The actor is open to participating in other musicals, both on stage and in film, indicating a continued interest in this genre.
🌏 A message is conveyed to Leia and her anticipation for the movie, suggesting a personal connection and excitement from fans.
📣 An invitation is extended to fans in the Philippines to watch the movie, highlighting the actor's engagement with a global audience.

Q & A

How did the actress prepare for the role of Fantine?
-The actress prepared for the role by conducting historical research to understand what it was like to be alive in 1823, the life of a woman during that time, and the emotional toll of being a sex slave. She also had to learn to sing for the role.
What was the actress's favorite scene in the movie?
-Her favorite scene was when she got to come back as an angel at the end of the movie.
Which scene did the actress find the hardest to perform?
-The actress found the scene where she sang 'I Dreamed a Dream' to be the hardest to perform.
What was the actress's response to the speculation about a potential Oscar nomination?
-The actress feels it's too early to talk about an Oscar nomination and that it would be extraordinary if it were to happen, but she's not counting on it.
How does the actress view her singing abilities compared to her mother's and Leia's?
-The actress considers herself more as an actor who sings, acknowledging that Leia has one of the great voices of our time and her mother has a very beautiful voice. She has complete deference to Leia's vocal abilities.
What was the actress's experience like watching her mother play Fantine?
-The actress was very moved and cried when she saw her mother playing Fantine, as it was very meaningful to her.
Did the actress receive any pointers from her mother for playing Fantine?
-No, the actress did not receive any pointers from her mother for the role.
How did the actress approach the character of Fantine, who experienced poverty and hunger?
-The actress's approach to the character is not detailed in the script, but it suggests she had to identify with the character's struggles despite her own life of privilege.
What was the actress's reaction to the message from her friend Lelonga in the Philippines?
-The actress expressed a desire to meet her friend Lelonga and acknowledged the message of excitement to see the movie.
Are there any other musicals the actress would like to perform in, either on stage or in a movie?
-Yes, the actress expressed interest in performing in other musicals, indicating a desire to explore more roles in the genre.
What message does the actress have for Leia who is looking forward to watching the movie?
-The actress has already acknowledged Leia's excitement about the movie and has expressed gratitude for the anticipation.

Outlines

00:00

🎬 Acting Preparation and Musical Performance

The paragraph discusses an actor's preparation for a role that involved significant weight loss and historical research to understand the life and emotional toll of a sex slave in the early 19th century. The actor also had to learn to sing for the role, with 'I Dreamed a Dream' being a particularly memorable performance. The conversation touches on comparisons with other singers, including the actor's mother and a renowned singer, Leia. The actor expresses humility and admiration for their vocal talents.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Weight loss

Weight loss refers to a reduction in body weight, often achieved through a combination of diet and exercise. In the context of the video, the actor discusses losing weight for a role, which is a common practice among performers to better embody a character. The actor's reluctance to discuss this topic indicates a possible desire to focus on the artistic and emotional aspects of their work rather than the physical changes they undergo.

💡Historical research

Historical research involves the study of past events, societies, and cultures to gain a deeper understanding of the context in which they occurred. The actor mentions conducting historical research to prepare for their role, which is essential for authentically portraying a character from a different time period. This research helps the actor to understand the societal norms, values, and experiences of people living in 1823, contributing to a more accurate and nuanced performance.

💡Sex slave

A sex slave is an individual who is forced into sexual servitude, often as a result of human trafficking or coercion. The script references the actor's exploration of what it was like to be a sex slave and the emotional toll it takes. This is a sensitive and serious topic that the actor had to delve into to understand the character's experiences and traumas, which is crucial for delivering a powerful and empathetic performance.

💡Character crafting

Character crafting is the process of developing a character for a performance, which includes understanding their background, motivations, and emotions. The actor discusses crafting their character through research and singing, which are essential components in building a believable and engaging portrayal. This process is critical for actors to immerse themselves in their roles and to convey the character's story effectively to the audience.

💡I Dreamed a Dream

‘I Dreamed a Dream’ is a well-known song from the musical 'Les Misérables.' In the script, the actor mentions having to sing this song as part of their role, which is a significant and emotional part of the musical. The song is a powerful expression of the character's dreams and disappointments, and the actor's performance of it is highlighted as memorable, indicating the importance of vocal ability and emotional connection in musical theater.

💡Leia

Leia is mentioned as a singer with one of the great voices of our time, according to the actor. This reference is likely to a fellow performer or a character from the musical, indicating the high regard in which her vocal abilities are held. The comparison serves to emphasize the actor's own approach to their role, focusing on acting with singing rather than being primarily a singer.

💡Fantine

Fantine is a character from 'Les Misérables,' known for her tragic story and the role's emotional depth. The actor discusses their memories of seeing their mother play Fantine, which adds a personal and emotional layer to their understanding of the character. This connection likely influenced the actor's portrayal and their ability to empathize with Fantine's struggles.

💡Luxury and privilege

The terms 'luxury' and 'privilege' are used to describe a lifestyle of wealth and comfort. The actor is asked how they can identify with a character like Fantine, who experiences poverty and hardship, despite living a life of luxury and privilege. This question touches on the actor's ability to empathize and connect with characters whose experiences are vastly different from their own, showcasing the power of acting to bridge such divides.

💡Favorite scene

The actor shares their favorite scene from the movie, which involves returning as an angel, providing a sense of redemption and hope. This scene is significant as it represents a turning point for the character and offers a moment of emotional release for both the character and the audience. It highlights the actor's ability to convey complex emotions and the transformative power of their performance.

💡Oscars

The Oscars are prestigious awards in the film industry, often seen as a mark of excellence in acting and filmmaking. The script mentions speculation about the actor being a 'shoo-in' for an Oscar, which reflects the high expectations and praise for their performance. The actor's response indicates humility and a focus on the process rather than the accolades, emphasizing the importance of the work itself over the recognition it may receive.

💡Musical

A musical is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, and dance to tell a story. The actor expresses interest in participating in other musicals, either on stage or in film, indicating a passion for this form of performance art. This interest suggests a desire to continue challenging themselves and exploring the emotional depth and vocal range that musicals can offer.

Highlights

The actor discusses losing 25 pounds for the role but prefers not to elaborate on the weight loss.

Extensive historical research was conducted to understand life in 1823 and the experiences of women and sex slaves during that era.

The emotional toll of being a sex slave was a significant aspect of the character development.

Vocal training and singing were crucial parts of the preparation for the role, including the memorable song 'I Dreamed a Dream'.

A message from a fan named Lelonga from the Philippines is shared, expressing excitement to see the movie.

The actor expresses admiration for their mother, Kate McGowan, and her portrayal of Fantine, despite not receiving pointers from her.

The actor recalls being moved to tears by their mother's performance as Fantine.

The actor is asked about identifying with Fantine despite a life of perceived luxury and privilege, but prefers not to answer.

The favorite scene for the actor was returning as an angel, while the hardest was performing 'I Dreamed a Dream'.

Speculation about a potential Oscar nomination is addressed, with the actor acknowledging it's early and not counting on it.

The actor expresses interest in participating in more musicals, both on stage and in film.

A message for Leia, who is looking forward to watching the movie and meeting the actor, is requested.

The actor is asked to invite fans from the Philippines to watch the movie, which they agree to do.

The actor thanks the interviewer for their time and the conversation concludes.