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Local News “Skyfall”-ing for a Bond Girl N aomie Harris was born on September 6, 1976 in Lon- don, England where she was raised as an only child by Lis- selle Kayla, a single-mom and TV scriptwriter. The accomplished young actress, who is of Jamaican extraction, has already made a name for herself in film, television and theatre, and just completed production on A Long Walk to Freedom, a biopic about Nelson Mandela in which she portrayed his wife, Winnie. Naomie recently starred at the National Theater in London in Danny Boyle’s production of “Frankenstein,” and was last seen on the big screen playing a gram- mar schoolteacher who fights for the right of an 84 year-old Kenyan to be educated in The First Grader. However, her breakthrough per- formance was back in 2002 in Boyle’s 28 Days Later after which she went on to receive further acclaim for her role as ‘Tia Dalma’ in Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End. Her other major feature film credits include Miami Vice; Tris- tram Shandy: A Cock And Bull Story; Street Kings with Keanu Reeves and Forrest Whittaker; and Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll. On television, she’s starred in the BBC’s “Small Island” and “Blood and Oil” and in the UK’s popular television adaptation of Zadie Smith’s bestselling novel “White Teeth,” the adaptation of the novel “Poppy Shakespeare,” as well as “The Project.” Naomie graduated with honors from Cambridge University with a degree in social and political sci- ence prior to training at the presti- gious Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Here, she talks about her latest outing as a Bond girl oppo- site Daniel Craig as Secret Agent 007 in Skyfall. C O C ELEBRITY I NTERVIEW by Kam Williams Kam Williams: Hi Naomie, I’m honored to have this opportunity to speak with you. Naomie Harris: My pleasure, Kam. KW: What’s it like to be a part of such a storied, classic fran- chise? Were you at all intimidat- ed? NH: It was intimidating in the beginning, for sure. I was really nervous, because I was certain it was going to be bigger than any- thing I’d ever done before. But I was relieved when I actually dis- covered that there was a family atmosphere on the set, with a brother-sister team, Barbara [Broccoli] and Michael [Wilson] running it all. They’re incredibly down-to-earth and really warm, so it was like making a little inde- pendent movie most of the time. That was quite surprising to me, because I’d expected it to feel huge. But it didn’t at all. It felt quite intimate. KW: I loved you in Ninja Assas- sin, which was an action-adven- ture that might have served as a preparation for Skyfall. NH: Yeah, in some ways, except that in that movie I was mostly screaming and running away from the bad guys, whereas in this one I’m generally jumping into the action and fighting with them. So, yeah, it was somewhat similar, but also very different. KW: I have a lot of questions M M U N for you from fans. Documentary director Kevin Williams asks: Was the audition process for this role physically-demanding? NH: No, it wasn’t, at all. Sam [director Sam Mendes] did say the role would involve a lot of action, and asked if I was okay with that. Of course, I said, “Yes!” because you say “yes” to anything when you’re auditioning for a Bond film. But I didn’t realize just how much physicality was going to be required of me. KW: How demanding did it turn out to be? NH: I did more physical prepa- ration for this, than I’d ever done for any role. I trained for a couple months. I was out on the shooting range twice a week. I worked out with a personal trainer for two hours a day, five days a week. So, it was quite demanding! KW: April Hughes asks: What was it like working with Daniel Craig? NH: I really enjoyed working with Daniel, because he’s a bril- liant actor at the top of his game. That gave me an opportunity to learn from the best, which is what you’re always looking for as a per- former in order to grow and get better at your craft. It was also great because he was so nice and incredibly supportive, because it really was an intimidating experi- ence for me. He sort of held my hand and said, “We’re in this together and we’ll get through it together.” And he did look after me. KW: And how was Sam Mendes as director? He won an Oscar for American Beauty, but he’s never made a movie like this before. NH: Yes, it was a really depar- ture for him, and it was fantastic working with him precisely because of that. What interests him are characters and relation- I T Y C Naomie Harris ships, and he was a genius at giv- ing you the freedom to create the type of character you want, and also to explore and have fun with your fellow actors. For him, char- acters and relationships are really the heartbeat of the film, and then the action is the backdrop. By developing the characters, he makes you care that much more about the action and going on a journey with the characters. Peo- ple are already describing it as the best Bond flick ever, and I really think it will be. KW: Did you ever feel in dan- ger doing any of the stunts? NH: I definitely felt frightened, but never in danger, because they were always so careful about everything. Some of the driving, particularly on that road around the sheer-drop cliff was actually done by stunt driver Ben Collin, who is otherwise known as The Stig from the TV show Pop Gear. He’s a brilliant drive, nonetheless, it was terrifying to be careening along when a wrong turn would mean a thousand-foot drop and you’re not in control and you want to slow the car down. A L E N D KW: Larry Greenberg asks: Growing up in London, did you ever think you would be a secret agent in a Bond film? NH: I never ever thought that I would be in a Bond film, ever, which is weird because I grew up loving these amazing movies. But I never thought of it as a possibili- ty, because there aren’t very many black Bond women. So, it never occurred to me. But I’m absolute- ly loving being part of it, and that not only am I a Bond girl, but I get to be an agent as well. KW: Harriet Pakula Teweles asks: How do expect being a Bond girl to affect your career? NH: I definitely think it will affect it positively, because it means that now I’m much more visible to a wider audience. Direc- tors and studios in particular are a lot more interested. So, I expect it’s going to have a very positive impact on my career. KW: How did you enjoy shoot- ing on exotic locations? See CELEBRITY on page 8 A R S EATTLE 2012 of ethnic entertainment on two stages, plus an international bazaar and exhibits. Admission is free. Festival hours are: Friday 5 – 10 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., all at 15600 NE 8th . Bellevue, WA If you have an event you want to share with the community, email it two weeks in advance to The Skanner at info@theskanner.com Friday November 2 KENT SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER HOLIDAY CRAFT MARKET: The market will feature over 70 vendors, a bake sale, entertainment and much more. Doors open at 9 a.m. 600 E. Smith St. Kent, WA Friday – Sunday November 2 – 4 22ND ANNUAL CULTURAL CROSSROADS: A CELEBRATION OF OUR COMMUNITY’S CULTURAL RICHES: The Bellevue festival will feature all kinds Page 2 The Seattle Skanner October 31, 2012 creative side by pounding, stamping, embossing and layering paper to make beautiful and unique cards for the holidays. All materials provided. FREE 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Evergreen Hospital Medical Center, 12040 NE 128th Kirkland, WA Saturday November 3 BUILD A BOB BOOK AT THE SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY: The Seattle Public Library invites children ages 5 to 8 and their families to Build a Bob Book with children’s author Lynn Kertell from 2 - 2:45 p.m. at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave, Level 1, Faye G. Allen Children’s Center. WHERE THE JOBS ARE: The event will connect job seekers with employees who are seeking qualified workers in the greater Seattle area. The job fair is free to all. Veterans and adults 40 and above are encouraged to attend from 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at South Seattle Community College, Olympic Auditorium, 6000 16th Ave. SW. Monday November 5 HOLIDAY CARD MAKING MADE EASY! Explore your Wednesday November 7 VETERANS TRIBUTE: The event features, speaker Ken Lewis (Muckleshoot) U.S. Army Veteran, followed by cake and coffee. 10 a.m.. – noon at the SIHB Clinic, Training Circle Room, 611 12th Ave. S. Suite 200. Seattle For more information call 206-324-9360 ext 2806. Friday – Saturday November 9 -10 AUTUMN ARTS FESTIVAL: Exhibition and sale of art work created by instructors and their students in the Lifelong Recreation Art Programs. The art work will include watercolor, oil paintings and Photography and more. Laurelhurst Community Center, 4554 N.E. 41st St. Friday 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
