The much anticipated Hollywood animation "EPIC" has hit big screens in China on Friday. (Photo source: CNTV)
The much anticipated Hollywood animation "EPIC" has hit big screens in China on Friday. Earlier, CCTV's Hollywood reporter travelled to New York to sit down with the cast, who talk about their characters and provide some behind the scenes insights.
Epicis an animated fantasy film, starring a-list actors such as Amanda Seyfried, Colin Ferrell, Chris O'Dowd and Aziz Ansari. It's also Oscar-winning director Chris Wedge's major work after his Ice Age series.
Hello! China, Nihao! Nihao! Nihao!
The adventure begins when a teenager girl, Mary Katherine, finds herself in a secret world of tiny worriers fighting the evil force; and she must join the team to save the world. The animated character Mary Katherine is voiced by Mamma Mia and Les Miserable actress Amanda Seyfried.
"You were the first one who signed to the movie, how did you what made you feel so connected to your character M.K.?" Adeline Chui said.
"I just thought she was very brave and honest; she is a realistic young woman, not somebody who's wise beyond her years. I really like that in people and would like to meet somebody like her. We have some similarities but she is beyond me. I was inspired to be like her." Amanda Seyfried said.
In order to defeat the evil forces, Mary Katherine has to team up with Ronin, the General of the Leafman troop, voiced by Golden Globe winner Colin Farrell.
The animated character Mary Katherine is voiced by Mamma Mia and Les Miserable actress Amanda Seyfried. (Photo source: CNTV)
"It was some very contained experience.I mean Imagine you were really leading 400 worriers that would be extreme." Colin Farrel said.
Besides Amanda Seyfried and Colin Farrell, the cast also includes Beyonce, Steven Tyler, Christopher Waltz and others. And voicing for animated characters was quite a challenge.
Your cast is very international, how was the recording process like?
"Everybody is different, for every body in every recording situation was different. The voice contributes to the character but it's not the whole character. You always cast to support what you are already doing." Chris Wedge, Director of EPIC said.
"You have to convey that all through your voice, and it is hard!" Amanda Seyfried said.
"At beginning you didn't have any visual images, but then as it processes, they got more into the process as well. The animators and Chris Wedge would give you more visual of scenes where you can match your voice to." Colin Farrel said.
While the cast was voicing their characters, Director Chris Wedge spent more time with animators and visual effects artists at Blue Sky Studios, bringing the world of Epic alive.
The movie is in 3D and it has lots of action scenes, what were the technical challenges of making this film?
"I wanted it to look really natural and that is something really difficult to make computers to do. The leaves, grass, moss, bark. It was the sheer volume of detail that was the hardest thing to do." Chris Wedge said.
Focusing on the detail, director Wedge seasons the tale with two captivatingly funny creatures voiced by comedian Aziz Ansari and Chris O'Dowd. The two actors continued the fun during the interview.
Ronin, the General of the Leafman troop, voiced by Golden Globe winner Colin Farrell. (Photo: CNTV)
Mub and Grub definitely made me laugh a lot during the movie.
"Great. What's fun about playing this kind of character is that you don't get to play those animals in a normal life." Aziz Ansari and Chiris O′Dowd said.
I go high! I go high!
That's what he does with his eyes.
With those funny and brave tiny creatures saving the forest, Epic explores a theme that is larger than life, and director Wedge told us he wants the film to capture more hearts.