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Q&A
Read Chris’ answers to your questions, and be sure to ask a question of your own!
do you cook?what's your favorite meal?
(Question from amanda nixon)
i do cook.... not very well though. Spag Bol is my favourite thing to cook though.
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
I've heard acting is a great deal about the combination of motivation, intention, and emotion (among other things of course). In those terms, what is the most challenging role you've ever had to play (film and/or theatre)? Why?
(Question from Aimee)
Great question Aimee! I would say there are two roles that have given me this kind of challenge. The first one was when I was still in school and played Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. It's such an incredible show, and the character of Jesus has to stretch across an incredible emotional journey from being worshipped to being essentially Witch Hunted and ordered to die. It's a role I would love to play professionally, who knows! The other one was the role of Geoff in "A Taste of Honey" where I played a gay character who decided to live with a girl called Jo who was pregnant with a baby from a guy who left her. It's an absolutely beautiful play, and I grew very fond of the character.
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
what's your favorite kind of music?
(Question from amanda nixon)
that's a dreadful question to ask me! I have absolutely no idea!! I really like a very strange and bizarre mix of music - from Aerosmith through musical theatre, I'll listen to pretty much anything - if it's got a tune - that really helps.
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
Do people act differently around you, now that you are an actor?
(Question from Joana)
I've been a professional actor for 7 years now, and to be honest nothing really changed too much... I was always very much involved with drama where I lived, so no one really noticed much difference - I guess I just started getting paid for it instead!!
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
who is the actress playing Penelope's part in the movies? Is she your real girlfriend? :) (maybe in the 7th movie u will have a major scene with her *hint hint* haha!)
(Question from Sandra)
the girl who played Penelope Clearwater (Percy's girlfriend) is a girl called Gemma Padley - she was only in Chamber of Secrets. I liked Gemma, she was lovely - and we got on really well - I was involved in the casting process which was great fun!! But no - she's not my real-life girlfriend!
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
Hey I just visited your site today, and I am from the US. I was wondering what is smawking? I've never heard of the word.
(Question from Roxana Nogales)
I've no idea what Smawking is. SMOCKING, however is something that someone else called Chris Rankin does. And when we first put the site together, we were listed on Google underneath a website called "creative smocking by Chris Rankin" it sounded like a wonderful and mystical thing - we just adopted it! that was a long long time ago though! Welcome to the site though Roxana - hope you enjoy it here!
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
Do you think you have a good singing voice? :D Do you like to sing and could you ever do a musical? :)
(Question from Nora Tallgren)
I love singing - I never bloody stop! I like to think I've got a good voice, I've certainly been told I have, and I've had to sing in shows I've done before now... As for doing a musical, I would be in heaven! There's certainly a few I've got my eyes on... top of the list would be RENT, Wicked, Songs For A New World, Last Five Years and Sweeney Todd....
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
Do many people recgonise you in the street? And if they do, how does that make you feel?
(Question from Caitlin)
It happens, but fortunately not very often! I love my privacy, so being able to just go into town without having to wear dark glasses or take a "minder" is great! I'd never want to be famous like that! It's lovely when people recognise me though - fortunately they're always really nice and friendly people so it's always a pleasure to talk to them :)
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
What do you like to do in your spare time? What are your hobbies?
(Question from Jen H)
My hobbies are generally focussed around the industry I work in to be honest! I love going to the theatre and cinema. I also love travelling and finding places i've never been.
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
Do you have a girlfriend?
(Question from Emily)
yes thank you :) she's called Becky, and we met when we did Pantomime together a few years ago. She's a wonderful and amazing girl, I love her to pieces :) (not literally, she wouldn't be much use in pieces...)
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
Where in the world would you really want to go (or what is your favourite place that you have been to) - and have you been to Berlin, Germany?
(Question from Maja)
I have been to Germany, not Berlin though, sadly, I'd really like to go! One place I'm looking forward to going to in October is New Zealand... I was born there, and haven't been able to go back since my family moved here in 1989 - so it'll be very emotional, and great fun!
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
Can you please post pictures from the HP set? From your real life, i mean, behind the scenes? Thank you!
(Question from Mia Fisher)
I'm afraid I don't have any - for copyright and security reasons we're not allowed to take cameras on set - if we did there'd be all kinds of mayhem!
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
do you have another talent besides acting?
(Question from amanda nixon)
I do quite alot of other things... I sing, I play various musical instruments (violin, piano, guitar among others), I have a penchant for designing posters for productions, stage managing, lighting design.... jack of all trades really!
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
Have they already done the auditions for HP6? If not how do i get involved?
(Question from Olivia)
I'm not sure. I don't have any involvement in the casting process. Basically, they'll start casting once there is an approved script. At this stage, the best thing to do (unless you have an agent) is keep your eyes an ears out for open auditions... Good Luck!
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
What's your favorite movie,and why? What's your least favorite movie, and why?
(Question from Andrea)
oooh Andrea! GOOD question. My favourite movie changes all the time - but I think it's safe to say that the one I come back to the most is "Withnail and I". It's a film about two desperately unemployed actors, set in the late 60's. They drink alot, smoke alot of drugs, and decide to get away from london and borrow a rich uncle's cottage in the lake district. It's a cult classic with students everywhere. I think it's hilarious, my best mate thinks it's a crap film about two depressed blokes. My LEAST favourite film... I don't know... there's alot of films I don't like... I don't know which one I dislike the most!!
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
Which should be shaken? Bon-bon or bootie?
(Question from Maresa)
well there's a question...
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
You've said you want a dramatic death scene. What would be your ideal death?
(Question from Scott Graupner)
Scott, I'm hoping you're not my stalker and just want know in which way to get rid of me!! Ideal death scene would involve a lot of string music and a long, drawn out monologue - finally dropping dead in the arms of someone - with the rest of the cast howling in misery. yeah. that'll do.
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
You've had a long, challenging day. Now, do you cool down with a refreshing beer, a relaxing glass of wine, or a good, stiff drink?
(Question from Scott Graupner)
good question! depends on where I'm relaxing I suppose... I don't drink beer, in my opinion it's the devil's urine. If I'm at home, it's a glass of white New Zealand wine, if I've gone to the pub or some such place, it's a bacardi and coke usually...
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
are you good friends with the cast?
(Question from amanda nixon)
yes, some of them. I mean everyone I've worked with on HP have been lovely people, and we all get on very well, but there are some that I keep in touch with more than others. Because we've mostly been working together for the best part of the last 7 years, we've all kind of grown up together, so I guess we all know each other quite well now :)
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
hey chris can you send people autograph's through mail or not?I am a big fan and i was really wondering if you could.
(Question from Arielle)
Hi Arielle - I'm sure the answer to that question is on the site in the "contact" section - and as I've just moved to a new agent, there will be more contact details coming soon :) BUT in answer to your question, yes, I will post autographs to people - but I can only do this if you send me things to sign, or a very nice and interesting letter, along with an IRC (international reply coupon) or Stamped Addressed Envelope if you live in the UK, else it would cost me a fortune in fan mail replies!
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
Do you smoke, and if so, why menthols?
(Question from Alby)
I don't smoke... I USED to - but gave up around and about a year ago :) and menthol's are the most horrible things in the world. Although I used to smoke them during a play many years ago - and they're SLIGHTLY less harsh on the throat, which when you're trying to project your voice is helpful. I don't recommend that anyone smokes - it's a foul habit, and isn't very healthy - that's my little disclaimer!
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
Smocking - Indoors or Outdoors?
(Question from Maresa)
oh definitely outdoors! in the fresh air - the only way to smock!
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
Which do you like better, stage or screen?
(Question from Lynn)
I like both. Which is why I do both!! Stage is my first love - there's something REALLY exciting about standing up in front of a huge group of people, and entertaining them for 2.5hours. Taking a character on a journey from start to finish in one go, and hearing the audience (hopefull) enjoying themselves is the biggest buzz I can get. Screen work is more of a challenge for me - having a camera inches from your face means there's no room for error - it's a technical thing - you HAVE to completely believe where your character is and completely feel it, otherwise when it's projected on a 60x80ft cinema screen, the audience will know you're acting. If that happens, you've failed!
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
Are you a Harry Potter fan? What do you think will happen in book 7?
(Question from Lynn)
I'm a huge Harry Potter fan! I wouldn't have auditioned for it if I weren't... As for the last book... I don't know.... I think it's unlikely that Dumbledore will come back to life, but as for the 64million dollar question - I don't know if Harry will die or not... I think for good to triumph over evil is what will happen - as that's where the books have been heading - but if he just kills Voldemort and that's it? Wouldn't that be too easy?!
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
What is the most difficult thing about being an actor?
(Question from Lynn)
The insecurity of the job. You never know when your next job is going to be - unless you're a REALLY successful actor, and sometimes it's quite difficult to know that when you finish one job, there's going to be a little while before your next one comes along! BUT you have to remember that someone will hire you, and someone likes you - otherwise you wouldn't work at all!!!
(Answered by Lynn)
What advice would you give to aspiring actors?
(Question from Lynn)
DON'T DO IT! No, seriously, make sure it is absolutely what you want to do. It's an amazing job, but it's hard work, and sometimes quite depressing. There are highs and lows, but the highs definitely make up for the lows!
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
Do you have any acting mentors?
(Question from Lynn)
not really - I have a lot of actors who I admire, and who I would take inspiration from - but no "mentors" as such...
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
What's your dream role?
(Question from Lynn)
I'm a character actor, and therefore I prefer playing interesting roles, other than the leads... I find there is much more depth to be found there some of the time, and often you get more freedom in how you portray your character! My dream role would be to play a James Bond villian. I could retire happy then!
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
What was it like to film the 5th Harry Potter movie? Any good stories?
(Question from Lynn)
It was great to come back to do HP5 - after not being involved on Goblet of Fire, I was thrilled to be asked back for Order of the Phoenix. It was also a great change NOT to be playing a student... Now that Percy's left Hogwarts, I got to wear something other than robes and a pointy hat - which was great. I'm not going to tell you anything about it other than it's a perfect Percy costume - and I'd wear it every day! Also, it was a nice challenge to be working with the adults. All my scenes were with the "grown ups" and acting along side the likes of Michael Gambon, Imelda Staunton and Robert Hardy is a real challenge - I loved every minute of it!
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
What is your favourite word?
(Question from Lynn)
My favourite word is Serendipity. It's just a beautiful word for a wonderful thing; "a fortunate accident". It's also one of the nicest places to eat and drink in New York - on the Upper East Side - well worth a visit! I have a few LEAST favourite words... SOILED and MOIST being two of them....
(Answered by Lynn)
What profession other than your own would you most like to attempt?
(Question from Lynn)
I love my job, and everything about it, but I think if I wasn't an actor, I would probably work in Production either in film or theatre, or both! I've been lucky enough to have a go at being a producer, and it's great fun - so there's my answer - I'd like to be a producer.
(Answered by Chris Rankin)
What is your favourite thing about being an actor?
(Question from Lynn)
I have a couple of answers to this one... I discovered that I enjoyed acting when I was 11 years old... I was a really shy kid and by no means the most popular kid in school, and acting really helped me to escape from my shyness. I found that when I was being a character, I was fearless - and I loved that. I still do to this day! Now I'm acting for a living, I enjoy the social aspect of it too, I am very fortunate that on pretty much every job I do, I work with a different group of people, and make a new set of friends. I also get to learn from working with other actors, we all do the same thing, but we all do it in very different ways, and I love that each job is a learning curve.
(Answered by Chris Rankin)