A conversation with Chris Rankin

I chose to use Chris Rankin as my interview source. Chris played the older brother of Harry's best friend, Ron. His character's name is Percy Weasley. I have been e-mailing him questions and he has graciously answered them all. He is a big movie star (hee hee!) and was very busy with the second Harry Potter film, but he still found time to help me with my report.

What was your favorite scene to shoot or watch the shooting of?

I loved shooting the stuff with Rik Mayall (Peeves. We had a really good laugh, but sadly it never made it into the final cut of the film. Apparently Chris Columbus doesn't like the character of Peeves... Apart from that, my favourite scene was probably the Gryffindor Common Room stuff.

Who was your favorite person on set to work with?

It would have to be Julie Walters (Mrs. Weasley). She's a lovely, genuinely caring woman, who is always interested in talking to anyone. I also REALLY enjoyed working with Rik Mayall, although he can be very difficult to work with because he is SO funny!

Were the people who played enemies on set, friends off-set?

To be quite honest, when the younger kids aren't on set there isn't much interaction. They have the misfortune of having to go into tutoring! We all get on very well in general though.

Did you do any stunt work? If you did, what was your favorite stunt?

I never did any REAL stunts, although I fell up the marble stairs on more than one occasion...

Who was Emma's best friend off set?

I'm not really sure about that. I think she's good friends with the girl who plays Hannah Abbott in this film.

Were Harry and Ron really good friends off set?

Yes they are, they're like a comedy duo on set, and they're JUST as bad off set!

Where did the cast stay while they were filming the movie?

That depends on where we are filming at the time. Some of the cast live close enough to the studios to stay at home. I stay at a hotel about half an hour from the studios, and get driven to and from every day. When we are on location we tend to take over about 4 or 5 large hotels near wherever we are filming.

Who were your friends that were also in the movie?

Being a couple of years older than most of the cast on HP, I spend most of my time with Sean Biggerstaff, who is the same ages as me. Also on this film, I hang around with Gemma Padley (who plays Penelope).

Do you get a lot of fan mail?

Suprisingly large amounts actually! As the film is still being released in some parts of the world, it tends to come in trends. I had a huge amount from the States when it came out, and now it's mostly from Japan. I also get quite a bit via the web site.

Did you read the Harry Potter books? If so, which one was your favorite?

My favourite HP book is Chamber of Secrets, although I'm still not sure why. I can just read and read and read it!

Was this your first movie?

Yes, this was my first movie (hopefully the first of many!).

Was making a movie fun?

Of course it was, although it can be VerY tiring too. I sometimes get there at 7.30 am and don't leave until 8.30, 9 pm on an evening. Also you get days where something goes wrong, and you spend 10 hours sitting in your dressing room waiting to do something.

How did you react when you found out that you had gotten the part of Percy?

I sat in total silence (shock I think) for about 10 minutes, and then proceeded to ring ALL my friends!

Are you anything like Percy in real life?

I hope not! In a way I suppose I am... I try to do the right thing, and be responsible etc., but I'm NEVer as pompous as he is!

Who was your favorite character in the movie?

In the last film, Snape was my favourite character.

Which character are you most like?

I'm not really sure, actually!

What advice do you have for other people who are or want to become actors?

It's a VerY grueling business, and you have to be prepared for loads of criticism and rejection, but as long as you stick at it and believe in yourself, then you'll love it all!

How did you find out about the try-outs for the movie?

My friend and I both saw something about it on BBC Newsround (a kids' news programme) and he phoned me and suggested that I write in. Seven months later, they phoned me and I auditioned and got the part!

Did you want to be Percy originally?

Yes, I did. Being the right age and naturally ginger, I couldn't think of anyone else that I'd be good at.

My experience talking to Chris is something I will never forget. I learned so much about the movie business. Some of the nagging questions I had were answered. The stereotype that all movie stars are full of themselves is so not true. Chris was very down to earth and willing to help me wherever he could. It was a lot of fun to talk to a professional actor because he is the one thing that most people want to be. He is a movie star! Chris was a lot of help and I REALLY thank him for that!