Interview with Chris Rankin

Sam from Totally Sean Biggerstaff interviewed Chris recently and passed the transcript along:

Hi Chris, how are you? Thanks for taking the time to talk to me today.

I'm good and that's okay, anytime!

So first of all, how has the success of Harry Potter changed your life?

In some ways it's changed quite a lot, in others not at all. For instance, I go to a normal college in the middle of Norfolk, I have the same friends I had before Potter and I'm still working with my local youth theatre. But on top of that I am now Patron of an academy for performing arts in Norwich (the city that is closest to me). I've got an agent, I get fan mail and the local papers seem to never leave me alone!

Sounds pretty surreal. Were you always a fan of the books?

Yes, I loved the books from the first time I picked them up- although I still haven't read the Philosopher's Stone- I've got it on audio tape!

That's very lazy! You have been quoted as saying you hung around a bit with Sean Biggerstaff during filming. What sort of guy is he? How would you describe him?

Sean? He's great, a really nice guy. We do have quite a lot in common. Our taste in music is quite similar and we're both into the same types of comedy (Monty Python being an obvious start.) He is very funny, talented and genuinely friendly to everyone. He'll go far.

Is he the kind of person you would want as a friend even if you weren't filming together?

Yes, absolutely.

Name one word to describe yourself and then one word to describe Sean.

Oh, that's really tricky! Me: 'Off-the-wall' (in my general taste in things). Sean: 'Cultured', I think. Yeah.

Not to ask too many Sean questions but was there anything you noticed in particular about him while you were filming? Any bad, irritating habits, strange eating choices etc?

Not really... not that I can think of. The only vaguely bad habit, which I think I am guilty of too, is falling asleep during fifteen minute breaks.

Do you keep in contact with any of the cast?

I do. I keep in regular contact with Julie Walters (Mrs. Weasley) and occasionally with the twins (referring to Oliver and James Phelps). Sometimes it's best to try and seperate real life and work, otherwise you find that work tends to become real life and that's scary.

Were there ever any fights between the cast?

Not really. In general, we all get along very well. There's never been anything serious happen.

What about crushes? Any romances blossom?

*LoL* Well, there's been many stories, how many of them are true I wouldn't like to guess.

What can we expect from the next Harry Potter film? Not too many questions left now.

Oh, keep em coming! *Grin* Next Potter? Better special effects! We've changed companies now and are working with ILM (who do such things as Star Wars). New characters and well known faces, like Ken Branagh and Jason Issacs, etc. It will be fantastic- I've seen a lot of the sets and designs and it looks to be stunning!

Now for a few random questions. Do you eat the stems off broccoli?

My mum has an obsession with making me eat broccoli, apparently it's very healthy. I hate it.

Do you sleep with a stuffed toy?

I have one on the chest of drawers at the bottom of my bed, given to me by my girlfriend, but I don't sleep with one.

What's your favourite Disney movie?

*Thinks* I'm not sure- I like Aladdin (the original one) and The Lion King. Was 'The Land Before Time' a Disney? If it was, that's my favourite. If not, it'd be Aladdin.

Good choice! Boxers or briefs? Fess up!

Boxers without a backward glance! Briefs are too restricting! *Grin*

Do you have any future films or productions we can keep an eye out for you in?

Well, Chamber of Secrets (obviously). Anyone in England who fancies coming to Norwich over the Christmas period will be able to see me in Norwich Pantomime (December 20th - January 19th). No other films planned at the moment but I'll keep you posted!

Thanks! Finally, do you have anything you'd like to say to your fans out there and other kids who want to pursue a future in acting?

Fans... I'm still not used to that word. But 'fans', thank you for being supportive of me (and Sean), it's much appreciated. Anyone who is considering going into acting, a word or two of advice: Make sure it is definitely what you want to do. It's a very gruelling career, lots and lots of rejection, criticism and often long periods of doing nothing. I love it - and am able lucky enough to have had the break but you have to work hard at it to enjoy it. But good luck to you all.

Thanks for this interview, good luck with everything and a big hug from your fans!

*Hug back* Thanks a lot, see you later. XX

Part two

Chris Rankin kindly agreed to a second exclusive interview with TSB after a successful first. This time, we asked the fans to send in the questions and there were some real interesting ones in there!

What was it like to film the second movie?

It was fantastic! A lot more relaxed than the first film, as we were all more comfortable with the sets, crew, characters, cast and various other surroundings!

Was it more difficult than the first?

No, if anything it was easier, for similar reasons to the ones above. I certainly felt more comfortable with my part, and how I wanted to Percy to come across on screen. And ofcourse, we are all much closer as a cast, so felt more comfortable with each other.

What is the air velocity of an unladen swallow?

*sideways glance* African or European?

Did you spend much time together with your onscreen family?

Yes and no.... it took us about two and a half weeks to film "The Burrow" and "Flourish and Blotts" so alot of that time was spent together as a "family". Off set, we all tend to keep ourselves to ourselves, as the younger ones are in tutoring and us older ones are downstairs in trailers. We do all get on really quite well, and speaking personally, I'm very protective of my "family" especially Rupert and Bonnie - I won't have a bad word said against them!

Did Sean fancy anybody in the cast or crew?

I haven't the foggiest idea!!

What kind of music do you like?

Me? Ooh various things from Aerosmith and Queen through to Gershwin, Tchaikovsky, Mozart and Vivaldi.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?

Probably still doing HP films!!! To be honest, I don't like to think too far ahead, I try to take each day as it comes. Hopefully, I'll still be a jobbing actor, and making enough money to support myself and any family I may or may not have by then.

What is your fondest memory of the year?

Working in "The Burrow" was wonderful fun, i think, because it was "our" bit of the film, we all really got into it, and working with Mark Williams and Julie Walters is ALWAYS a very exciting and often painful (on the laughing muscles)!

If you had the chance to go anywhere in the world, where would you choose?

At this precise moment in time, I'd say New Zealand. I haven't been back in nearly 13 years, and seeing as though it's my "home land" and all, it'd be great to go back.

What was your HONEST first impression of Sean?

It was nearly two years ago now... at the read through for the first film, and to be honest, I didn't really speak to him. We've always got on though (or atleast I hope we have) because we have very similar tastes in a lot of things.

Do you like to read? If so, what is your favourite book and you can't say Harry Potter because that would be a shameless, blatant plug!

I do like to read, although I takes me a LONG time! I tend to read a night, in bed, so it's rare that I'll actually make it through a whole chapter before slipping into a dreamy unconciousness! At the moment, my book of choice is "Children of the Dust" by Louise Lawrence. It's about the after-effects of Nuclear war, and is quite scary... I reccommend it to ANYONE!

What are your words to live by?

Eat Drink and BE MERRY! without a doubt! I also go along with the lyrics from the musical RENT... "forget regret, all life is yours to live, no other course, no other way, NO DAY BUT TODAY"

Do you speak any languages other than English?

I took French and German to GSCE level, but I'm a little rusty!

What were your favourite subjects at school... and least favourite?

Boring answer, but Drama was ALWAYS my favourite subject, it's something i've always enjoyed doing, and it's quite varied in what it offers... Least favourite subject would have to be Key Skills....

What's your dream car?

*thinks* I don't know... I'd like an MG i think... or the nice sporty little Vauxhall that I've seen around quite alot lately...

Do you surf the web a lot? If so, what are your favourite websites?

chrisrankin.com isn't bad *hint hint*! Umm, I tend to spend alot of time talking to people on the web, but always check in at the Leaky Cauldron, and I do seem to spend alot of time on movie sites, especially IMDB.

What do you prefer...

Night or Day?

Night, tend to be more awake at night.

Tea or Coffee?

I don't drink either... I drink "apple tea" with lots of sugar.

Dying rich or Living poor?

living rich... although that's more of "what WOULD i prefer" I'd be happy with comfortably well off though!

Coke or Pepsi?

coke, without a doubt - pepsi's too sweet...

Book or newspaper?

book, or magazines...

Cat or Dog?

I'd say dog, simply cos I've had cats.

Harry/Hermione or Ron/Hermione?

I don't have an opinion, they're all FAR too young!!

Were any of the younger actors more stuck up because of the success of the first film?

I'm not at liberty to name names, but yes, there are certain members of the minor principle cast who consider themselves to be alot more important than they really are, but in general the cast are great, from double oscar-winners, to new-comers.

You've read Harry Potter, which characters do you think would make a good couple?

oh, i don't know, i think that Harry and Ginny would be a good couple, but it's only a book, it's purely ficitious, so I'm not really bothered. (i'll get hate mail for saying "it's only a book!")

Have you ever been to Totally Sean Biggerstaff .com? If so, what do you think of it? If not, why not?

I have indeed been to TSB - and it's a great site. Very informative and fun! well done to yous all!

Interview courtesy Totally Sean Biggerstaff