This month Prince Caspian makes it to the DVD world so we caught up with the stars of the film Anna Popplewell and Ben Barnes to find out about what life was like on the set! |
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Did it feel different at all starting on the second of the Narnia screen adventures with Prince Caspian?
It did feel different, because it was a different story and it had more characters in it so we had more people around and it all felt even bigger than the first film, we had bigger locations and everything and that made for a very dynamic film set indeed!
Did weather conditions mean that some locations were quite difficult?
Yeah, particularly in New Zealand we had some quite crazy locations – places where we had to helicopter everyone in as well as all the equipment! And when you’re doing scenes with 200 extras it’s a real hassle to get them under cover immediately so that their costumes weren’t ruined when the rain started!
You kept a journal during the making of “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe”. What about this time?
I didn’t keep one this time round because I took my A-Levels in the middle of the film shoot!
How hard was it to study when you were also making an epic film like Prince Caspian?
It was hard to balance, for the last film I was 15 years old which meant that legally I was a child and could only work for so many hours. But I was 18 this time so I could work for as long as they liked! I got three A-Levels though and I’m at Oxford University now where I’m reading English Literature.
Despite your academic studies, is acting what you still want to do?
I’m not 100% sure, but I really enjoy acting and I’m doing lots of student drama at the moment and I’m really enjoying that, I felt it was really important for me to go to university and to learn a more about myself.
What about the third Narnia film, “Voyage of The Dawn Treader”?
I’m not in it as my character stops believing in Narnia so she doesn’t go back!
So how did you feel about coming to the end of your Narnia adventure?
There is a scene where Aslan tells Peter and Susan that they won’t be coming back and I felt really sad to no longer being involved with the films but I’m really happy and lucky to have a lot of opportunities in my life.
When you started studying at Oxford University how often were you recognised from the first Narnia film?
I was recognised a bit but that wasn’t too difficult because there are a lot of people there who are doing kind of crazy things like on the floor above me there is a semi professional footballer and there is a girl on my corridor who runs for Great Britain!
Would you like to appear on University Challenge?
We do have a University Challenge team but there is no way that I have the level of general knowledge that you need for it!
What university activities have you entered into?
I have done loads of dramas. Doing Lady Macbeth was pretty difficult, there is a reason why people say that it is one of the hardest female parts to play but it was great fun and at the market in Oxford we got pig bladders and used them for the blood scene!
Between films you sat your driving test?
I failed twice and I dread them because I get so nervous, I don’t get nervous on stage or on film set but for some reason the driving test makes me absolutely petrified!
When you all got back together for Prince Caspian did it feel like coming home?
Yeah though we have seen each other between the films but it was really nice to be filming together again!
What has been the best thing about doing these films?
I’ve met some really special people that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet if it hadn’t been for these films.
Are you a music fan?
I’m terrible, I always have to get my sister to load songs on to my iPod because I don’t have one of those musical brains that picks up on stuff and remembers it!
Which DVD would you take to a desert island?
The Office, which isn’t a film but does make me laugh!
Would you like to do comedy?
I don’t think I have the timing for it, I would love to try everything but I am not a natural comic though I do have a very witty sister.
Were there any days on Prince Caspian when things didn’t go as planned?
One of the most difficult things was a scene at the end of the battle where I drop from a ledge that was 60 feet from the ground so we did an awful lot of takes of that. Then there was the weather, which was absolutely insane!
Did you have any bumps or bruises?
I don’t think there was a time during filming where I did not have scrapes on my knee, my costume was probably the trickiest because there is nothing quite so difficult as a long skirt! When wet it felt as though I was running with weighed curtains attached to me and there was one take when I fell flat on my face but had to carry on!
Prince Capsian is out on DVD on 17th November! |
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