Dan Getting Back to Harry Potter, and More in New Interview

Source:The Leaky Cauldron
A new interview appeared online from TheaterMania featuring actor Dan Radcliffe (Harry Potter) discussing his role in the play Equus and of returning to the Harry Potter films early next year. The interview features Mr. Radcliffe commenting on the work ethic that his parents instilled in him which lead to his not yet missing a performance of the play on Broadway. The interview continues with Mr. Radcliffe discussing the transition back into Harry Potter once his Broadway run concludes. The young actor says the following of transition back into the role when filming for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows begins:

"As soon as I put those glasses on, and as soon as I get back on that set, it's going to be like, 'Yeah, okay, here I am again.' ... Harry, by now, is a character that I am very, very comfortable with. And there is a lot of myself in Harry, so it shouldn't be too hard to transition back to."

The interview concludes with talk of Mr. Radcliffe's Equus costars, the recent Gypsy of the Year performance, a possible future of musical theater, a return to Broadway after Harry Potter, and New Years' resolutions. In regards to his resolution for 2009, Mr. Radcliffe states:

"To make the next Potter film the best its ever been and to work harder on it than I ever have before. Even though I've worked hard before, I want to make it even better."

The full interview can be seen via this link.

Q & A with Emma Watson by DailyRecord.co.uk

Source: DailyRecord.co.uk

Q: WHAT attracted you to the role of Princess Pea?

A: I loved the messages in the script. I thought there was something charming about Despereaux. As for Pea, I felt so sorry for her. She's so isolated and alone.

Q: WAS it hard to connect with the character, especially since this was your first voiceover work?

A: I felt nervous and it was strange just focusing on my voice, but I really enjoyed it. It was such a team effort.

Q: Is it true that you speak French?

A: Yes, but not as well as I used to. I was born in Paris, but left when I was five. Both my parents speak fluently. I need to go back there and brush up.

Q: When you got into acting with Harry Potter, did you believe things would turn out the way they have?

A: No. Actually, I had a weird reality-check moment earlier today. I was sitting at a table with Matthew Broderick on my left, and Sigourney Weaver and Dustin Hoffman to my right. It was surreal. I've no idea how I came to be part of an unbelievable cast.

Q: What are the things you don't like about acting?

A: The red carpet can be a pretty intimidating place, but it's fun to dress up and get ready.

Q: Once Harry Potter ends, are there any actors you would like to work with or any type of genre you want to do?

A: I'd love to do a period drama, a musical. I'd love to do a small independent film. I want to do everything.

Q: What kind of things do you do to relax?

A: I paint, I draw. I like being creative and I like photographs. I wander around an art gallery or I'll make someone a birthday card. I'll watch a film with a friend or cook some dinner.

Contest to win Equus Tickets

A new contest from Playbill is giving 10 readers a pair of  tickets to see Dan Radcliffe (Harry Potter) on Broadway in Equus for their January 15th show. One Grand Prize winner and a guest will also get to meet and greet with Dan and Richard Griffiths (Uncle Vernon) and the other members of the cast.
The contest is open until January 4th and is open to all members of the continental US (excluding Florida). You must be 18 years old. You can enter here.

Source: Harry Potter’s Page

Emma Watson worried about her richness

Emma Watson said that she worried about how the people will react to her while she going to starts University next September.
The Emma Watson (Hermione) who is a Harry Potter star with estimated wealth about £10million at this moment and after finishing her final films in Harry Potter series, it will became considerably higher.
She worried about her wealth and fame that it will makes more impact to make friends in college. She also said " I don't know whether everyone will ask me to buy drinks at the student bar, that's quite a consideration."
"I hope I buy a round then someone else will do other."
Source:fametastic.co.uk

Emma Watson Official site has announced a contest

Emma Watson had been updated for the holiday season. Tonight there are more new changes, including new photos, a new holiday message from the Hermione Granger actress, as well as a new contest. To take part in this and future contests, fans need to register, free and easy to do via this link to EmmaWatsonofficial.com, and then click the mouse to enter to win one of five framed The Tale of Despereaux images signed by Emma. 15 runner-ups will win a Despereaux soft toy.
Also a holiday charity appeal for UNICEF from Emma Watson has been added to the site. Finally, there are sections featuring career and film roles for the actress, media which shows some fantastic cover photos of Emma taken recently, links, and a section with the words 'coming soon' for a magazine.

She has also written the following holiday message:

I hope you like the changes to the site, I'm really pleased with everything and the new photos! There will be more to come in the new year, so please do stay tuned. And thank you so much for all your support, your kindness and continual good wishes really are over whelming. I hope you all have a fantastic Christmas and New Year and I'll speak to you soon.

Love Emma xx

Source: The Leaky Cauldron and Hapana

Emma Watson | Daniel | Ron Picture gallery 2

Early Life of Emma Watson

   Emma Watson’s first cry to the world on “15th April 1990” in Paris,France, as a daughter of Jacqueline Luesby and Chris Watson, English lawyers. Until her age five, she lived with her grand mother in Paris.After her parents divorce she moved to Oxfordshire,England with her mother and younger brother Alex Watson.

From her sixth age, Emma Watson (Hermione) expressed a desire to become a actress. By her tenth age, she had starred in school plays, including Arthur: The Young Years and The Happy Prince.

Emma at the premiere of 'The Tales of Despereaux' in Hollywood

Emma Watson has "no need for money in her life"

The 'Harry Potter' actress - estimated to be worth £13 million - will never agree to star in a  film purely for financial gain.

Emma, 18, said: "The wealth side of it hasn't hit me yet because I have no need for money in my life. My life will not be motivated by money.

"I will never do a film because they're going to pay me a certain amount of money. It's liberating. It means I can hopefully make great choices."

The British actress also insists she has not adopted a lavish lifestyle despite starring in six 'Harry Potter' films, and still uses public transport.

She added to USA Today newspaper: "I have a more normal life than people expect. When I take public transport, people are like, 'That girl looks like the girl from 'Harry Potter', but it can't be her on the train.'

"I get stopped by people, but that's fine. I'd never want to be so famous that I couldn't live a normal life to a certain extent. I can't imagine anything lonelier, just not being able to be part of the real world and being trapped and locked in hotel rooms and cars."

Emma lends her voice to the character Princess Pea in new animated film 'The Tale of Despereaux' which opens in European cinemas from Friday (19.12.08).

source: list.co.uk

Harry Potter movie Marathon

Now, the actual Potter marathon -- in which all five films are screened in order of when they were released -- is only taking place on Friday, December 19th, Saturday, December 20th, and Sunday December 21st ... and those shows begin at 10am with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The screenings, however, will run through Wednesday, December 24th. You can purchase advance tickets over at the Clearview Cinemas website, and you can check out a complete schedule

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am
Monday 2 pm
Tuesday 8 pm

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 1 pm
Wednesday, 2 pm

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 4:10 pm
Wednesday, 5:15 pm

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 7 pm
Tuesday, 2 pm
Wednesday, 8:15 pm

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10:10 pm
Tuesday, 5:15 pm

Daniel Radcliffe “Homoerotic” dance

Equus, the Broadway play with "Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe in the main role, raised a record-breaking $203,000 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS this year.

Last week, at the 20th Annual 'Gypsy of the Year' Competition for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Daniel Radcliffe and the horsemen of the Equus company performed a very homoerotic dance to a new song titled "The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Neigh."

Source: Bgay

Rupert Grint and Tom Felton Attend Great Ormond Street Hospital Christmas Party

Two actors from the Harry Potter films brought a bit of holiday cheer to some ill children recently, as Rupert Grint  (Ron Weasley) and Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) were guests at  the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Christmas Party. You can see photos of Tom and Rupert hugging some children and playing video games for the charity via this link.

Shooting Katy Perry @ MuchMusic

Photographed Katy Perry @ MuchMusic yesterday.
Some shoots go like clockwork, others are a struggle. This one had some glitches, which is very unusual for shooting at Much.


This is the second time I've photographed her recently. At Fashion Cares she was very relaxed and cooperative with the media. Yesterday she was distracted, skittish and not very forthcoming for most of the media op. I guess she came all the way up to Toronto for the minus seven degree weather.

We were informed she would be available right off the top of the show when she was being interviewed, but that didn't happen. Neither did the concert segment.

After several delays the publicist finally gets her lined up with the MuchMusic sign in the background for a quicky headshot. Just as we start to shoot the room lights (which were our only illumination on her) go off because they are back from commercial break and all we have is Katy silouhetted against the backlit sign. All the studio lights are aimed the other way. She does a 10 sec. smirk for each photographer then takes off for the green room like that's it. Photo shoot over.

There is no question of using a flash in this circumstance. You're not allowed to use flash in the studio. The lighting that had been on her went out because the show was once again live to air. Using a flash would have resulted in security removing me from the premises.

When you see a broadcast of this sort at home it is one continuous feed. But live in the studio there are short bursts of live taping interspersed with long minutes when the house lights come up and everyone sits around bored waiting for something to happen while they run a pre-taped segment. Usually it's during these off-air moments that media are allowed to shoot set up photos (we're also allowed to shoot the interviews or live performances most the time, but this wasn't the case for Katy Perry)

As well, with an audience in place and many tech people scattered throughout the studio (it's a smallish studio too) photographers don't usually show up with bags and a ton of equipment.
Standard for this assignment would be something in the range of a 24-70 2.8 on one body and a 70-200mm 2.8 on another. I'm using the Digital Zuiko 12-60 2.8 (24-120mm equiv.) on the E3, and the 50-200mm 2.8 (100-400mm equiv.) on the E510.
No bag. No flash. This allows for much easier movement and you don't have to annoy them by putting bags down on the floor or work surfaces. Sometimes photogs don't even show up with coats on (nowhere to put them so you end up wearing it in a very hot lit studio environment). It was a chilly trip from the carpark last night.

After our debacle in the dark the woman from Reuters, the guy from Getty and I gather around in a circle to compare and all we have is ... well, nothing really. Just a silouhette of her with a bit of rim lighting and minimal detail in the shadow areas.

So the publicist assures us we'll be able to shoot Katy when she comes back from the green room, but she just blows right past us without stopping when that moment arrives.
So the new plan is to do her next commercial break... which becomes next commercial break ... which becomes just before she does her last live song - as in, just before she leaves the building.

This actually works out, but the lighting is set for the opposite direction from where she is standing, so the single overhead light we're stuck with does nothing but render her make-up grossly overdone. However this time she does spend a little longer giving each photographer (there were six in all) a look.

The problem with the second sequence, which should have been our best shot, was they were set up to do her live singing performance and we were positioned opposite to the key lighting for a complimentary look.
Such is life when you are shooting in the middle of a live TV broadcast.

Also, MuchMusic used to have two studios side by side. The one across the hall from yesterday’s was always a lot better from a lighting stand point. I did Rihanna and Elisha Cuthbert in there and it was just superb. But now E-Talk has that studio (gotta keep Ben Mulroney looking good I suppose :)

So the last sequence where the exposure is good doesn't do her justice, and has a very busy background with the studio audience back there. Thus I decided to try rescuing the grossly under-exposed JPEG from the first sequence.

This required a few trips through Neat Image noise removal program, some radical curves and selective levels adjustments, a little bit of fill lighting applied, and just a bit of light cloning. Surprisingly, banding wasn't as bad as some less under exposed images I've worked on in the past. I expected the backlit sign to blow out completely but it held up fairly well.

In the end we got the photo above, which, while not perfect, is a hundred percent more useable than I ever expected considering what I started with.
Heck, If I was using the new Olympus E30 I could say I actually did it intentionally with one of those fancy art effects filters. You know, the 'Heroic PhotoShop Intervention Filter'

Olympus E3 camera with 12-60mm f2.8 lens.

Photo copyright Torontowide.com. All rights reserved.

Emma Watson | Daniel | Ron Photos Image gallery 1