Her Gone Life

While covering the press junket for 20th Century Fox film "Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children", I attended a film screening and interviewed the cast including Asa Butterfield, Ella Purnell, Lauren McCrostie & Finlay MacMillan.

Note: I was invited as media to the movie screening and press junket interviews. Any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

Before the cast interview, I screened "Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children" and really liked it. The film was a great mix of scary action, fantasy storytelling and amazing movie scenes.

Preparing for that underwater scene

Asa Butterfield: Well, we spent a week in that water tank. It felt like a lot longer. And, we got about four minutes of footage across the whole time. So, it takes ages.

Just not only setting up, but getting the camera under there and trying to figure out the angles. And, then getting, pieces of the set under the tank, in the water. And, then me and Ella didn't really help because we were both totally blind in there trying to tell us where to go.

Ella Purnell: To put that into context, we both wear contact lenses. We had to take them out. We actually couldn't see.

Asa Butterfield: Seeing underwater itself is difficult, because we had to keep our eyes open and just get used to keeping our eyes open. And, the whole tank is painted green, so you have no sense of depth. You are just in this green space.

And, then they're telling you to do things, and you have to just kind of meditate whilst you're under there. Waiting for them to get ready, and then you kind of open your eyes. Feel very zen.

Working with Tim Burton

Finlay MacMillan: It was mind-blowing. Words can't describe. He's an amazing guy, very down to earth guy and a really talented artist. Tim's very decisive in his work, and confident. He's just a very good director, and as an actor it's very clear to work with him.

Lauren McCrostie: Yes, he's a real actor's director and he's really engaged with the whole process. Really involved with your understanding as well. So, he makes sure that you really understand, like your goal for the scene or the idea of the scene. So, it was amazing to work with him.

Ella Purnell: Actor's dream.

Becoming live characters for already existing series

Ella Purnell: The fans of the books, I think, are just so intense. And it's for children, obviously, and there's such a variety of children in their ages, and their characters. So, every single child who's read this book is able to relate to at least one character.

And, they all have their one favorite, and obviously you can never do it exactly the same. It's intimidating. But, you're in such good hands with Tim and Jane Goldman [screenwriter]. You're like, this can't really go wrong, you know?

And I think what you just need to see, is it's like an adaption of the book. Completely different, and in a way, that's almost better because to try and exactly replicate the book would almost be an insult to Ransom Riggs [author]. Let him have his and we'll have ours. It's almost how I viewed it when I read the script.

Finlay MacMillan: I felt that pressure. I was like, okay, I'm the first guy to play Enoch. Hopefully, I'm going to be the only guy to play Enoch, and I don't mess up. Yes, there was a bit of pressure, but it's really rewarding to know that you are the first actor that's on this project, you know.

Seek the Peculiar in theaters September 30, 2016.

SYNOPSIS

From visionary director Tim Burton, and based upon the best-selling novel, comes an unforgettable motion picture experience.

When Jake discovers clues to a mystery that spans alternate realities and times, he uncovers a secret refuge known as Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.

As he learns about the residents and their unusual abilities, Jake realizes that safety is an illusion, and danger lurks in the form of powerful, hidden enemies. Jake must figure out who is real, who can be trusted, and who he really is.

Watch the trailer

Starring: Eva Green, Asa Butterfield, Chris O'Dowd, Ella Purnell, Allison Janney, Rupert Everett, Terence Stamp, with Judi Dench and Samuel L. Jackson

Directed By: Tim Burton

Visit the website - www.foxmovies.com/miss-peregrines-home-for-peculiar-children