Magazine copy Draft one
- 1. Magazine copy by George Wetton Selective quote: This character finds braver acts later on in the film and that level of hypocrisy in comedy is something which I feel like George strives for in the writing of the novel.” Peter Harding discusses his person opinion and why he felt anxious playing his character Steve Target. Along with sharing who his favourite character is. Headline Reliving the 80’s through the eyes of someone who doesn’t know why they are. This what happened to ST Hill’s student Steve Target as he battles the mysteries behind his identity crisis. Along with the uncovering of many murders around the streets of York. Steve and his friends. Chris Bond and Lauren Pike have to work with him. Along with working together to uncover the mysteries behind the disappearances. This comedic horror deals with a lot of dark humour earning it the rating of an 18. The review given out so far have been successful but have also been complimented really well. George Wetton’s direction of not making the audience not know if they want to laugh or cry. Is a comportment which makes this film very unique. The film has been critiqued for dealing with issues of dyspraxia and religion rather well. Two themes that don’t come up a lot. Whilst it may be set in the 80’s. This film delivers the promise of change. Tackling serious issue which were prominent earlier on in that time and showing strong character development is something else which this filmhas managed to do successfully well. Here today we have an exclusive interview with peter Harding. The star of the Steve Target as we discuss the main processes and complications behind the filming. Blood will be released on May 18th at your local screenings. So, first of what was your thought when you were handed the script to start with? “I thought it was an interesting one. At least I hope I did or else I wouldn’t be having this interview. (laughs) it was certainly a bit by bit process. The writer George had pitched me the idea at a very early development stage and whilst I had read the book. I will admit to begin I was a little unsure and self-conscious about the casting. My original casting choice was the role of Brick but after seeing my audition they knew that I was better suited for the role of Steve. Which I felt flattered about but it also came with a lot of pressure. I felt like for such a big gamble because it’s a franchise and hopefully they’ll be more films than just this one. I didn’t want a huge part. Plus, there’s the fear of being type casted but I am so glad I accepted it and hopefully I can’t wait to do more.” When you said, you had originally auditioned for Brick was there any particular reason. Is he your favourite character? If not who is your favourite character. “No he’s not my favourite character but I felt like his part would have been the most fun to play. To start off with I didn’t think I had the skill and the ability to play such a complex character like Steve. I actually never read the books until I heard about the audition from my agent. Halfway through the book. I had already realised that Lauren is my favourite character. I love her none nonsense attitude. However just because doesn’t take fools gladly doesn’t mean she can be a fool herself sometimes. We see a lot of smart egotistic women in film and To. What George has tried to through making a character like this. Is not make female authority a joke but make the character a lot more relatable. She’s strong. Tough
- 2. and out of all the characters. She’s the one that can defend herself the most. However, that doesn’t make her a genius. George has done a good job of swapping the archetypes and making them work even more in my opinion. I think Beth (play Lauren) dis an excellent job and that tough side was showed well on the screen.” What was your favourite film to scene? Whilst I can’t give too much away because the ending is very important. The ending was definitely my favourite. I love the physicality and doing my own stunts is very important. You see a lot action character being replaced by stunt double. Sometimes it can be very obvious. So, I want to stay in the character and do my own stunts a much as possible. I also had a lot of fun. Filming the cricket scenes. I am a big cricket fan and rehearsals felt like we were actually playing the game. Despite being as professional as possible. Playing a character that suffers from a coordination problem such as dyspraxia and then having the challenge of finding enjoyment in cricket. I think it’s an interesting concept. The character can skateboard which is one of the only things that he can control but his enjoyment for cricket is challenged because of the condition that he suffers from.” What was the hardest scene to film? “The hardest scene to film for me personally was the soliloquy that is played halfway through the film. The scene can be very demanding and pretty much sums up the whole film apart from the ending because that’s not happened yet. I felt it very pressuring and because George like to filmin one continuous take which I think does work really well. However, when it comes to line learning and constantly being on top of the character it became very difficult. The monologue came after the scene which was filmed with the other two characters. Which makes the scene a lot long than I was initially expecting.” Your hometown was originally York wasn’t it but you haven’t been down there for a while have you? What was it like going back to see it all? “Oh yeah its brilliant. I thought It was a huge coincidence that the main location setting was York. The filmdoes a good job of exploring the important sight that tourists often see. It was very interesting to see to see the locations on screen. Seeing places like the bar walls, minister and Clifford’s tower. You really get that sense of the geography on the screen but the experience was very surreal. I missed it.” I’ve heard your direction has shifted a little from acting to filmmaking. You’ve stated in a previous interview. That this encouraged you be more interactive with howit looks on camera. Could you talk more about this? “Yeah absolutely. I think it was mostly through George’s direction with it. I felt engaged with his continuous shots. Having seen the film ‘1917’. I found that the concept of the camera following the characters and having no cuts. You really felt like you were in that world and it felt a lot more engaging. Something which I think George has capsulated very well. It’s not just the camera work that I admire though. It’s also the cinematography. The practical camera work I found very inspiring but I also like looking at the editing. The monochrome style of including hues of red and blue from selective colour is something that I have never seen before.”
- 3. Even though it was quite an anxious role to taken on and the characteris very different to most characters that are in the film. Do you yourself see similarities between the character? “Good question. Like you say he’s a very different and complex character. I think he does have an overwhelming socially awkward trait to him which I found the easiest to play. I didn’t live through the 80’s. So, seeing all the sets and props. I was amazed in the same sense that Steve is. There definitely is an overwhelming factor not just to Steve’s character but to the everything that Is going on. When making something look like it’s set in the 80’s . you don’t want it to come across as too cheesy but you need to amplify those qualities that tell you what time period you’re in. So, there’s that factor that think the audience and myself will be able to relate too. There is also the trait of not knowing what’s going on. This is definitely something which I relate to immensely no matter what I am doing.” (Laughs) When you are thinking of the 1980’s? What are the first things that you think of? “Well the first things that come to mind when I think of the 1980’s is Rubik cube’s. because I wasn’t born I the 1980’s. There’s no personal memory there for me to invest in. one thing that this filmhas done that the book did quite well but not on the same level for obvious reasons is bring the music to life. There is a lot of ‘the jam’ and ‘a-ha’ music that I admire a lot. This was music that despite not growing up in this era. I listened to a lot.” There’s a lot of references in there that make the you feel engaged in the world.” What are your opinions on character development in the film? Do you feel like they got through a lot of it? Yeah absolutely. Hopefully if this film is a success. Then you can see the further development of these character. I think it just essential to stick with one film at a time. I do however think there is a fair bit of character development in this film. It’s almost an introduction to the world. The best part for me is humour and how you can play around the development with that. You have one scene where the character is hugging them saying “(you’re my best friend. We’ve already been through a lot”) and there’s one scene where they are talking about going to their deaths. Which leads to them cowering out. This character finds braver acts later on in the filmand that level of hypocrisy in comedy is something which I feel like George strives for in the writing of the novel. But overall there’s a lot more personal conflict. It’s not just about solving the case. It’s about getting along and working as a team.” What are you most proud of now that it comes to finishing the film? I feel like the thing which I feel most proud about is the level of effort not just gone into the cast but into the crew too. I feel like visually they have tried their best at making this as much as a success as possible. I also don’t get too involved with it but the marketing has been done very well with this film. I feel like despite playing such a challenging role I was able to play that character with an air of believability. Whilst I can’t fully judge myself as an actor. All I have had is nice comments on how believable the role is and how well I played the insomnia side of the character.” Now I’m guessing that you have already read the second book. Just in the expectations of a sequel. The main antagonist deals with an identity crisis in a similar sense as Steve does. If you could pick someone for the role of this who would you pickand why?
- 4. “Well I don’t think that I am the best making these sorts of decisions’. I would leave them to the director but I did have my say on it. I would go for Anthony Hopkins. I don’t know if I am being too ambitious with that decision but have read the second boo and I think he establishes the tone of it perfectly well. He matches the description and his sinister performance in “the silence of the lambs” (1991) was outstanding. So, I really feel like he would excel in the role. “ Well that’s everything. Thank you for giving us the chance to interview you. “Thank you for having me. I hope you enjoy the film”