| Exclusive Interview: Matthew McNulty |
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| Written by Shannon McShane | |||
| Thursday, 18 September 2008 | |||
The Project was able to secure an exclusive interview with Matthew McNulty a few weeks back from his amazing manager at Hamilton Hodell, Mr. Michael Symons. - - - You’ve had very impressive roles in TV, film and onstage. Of the three types of acting and discipline each requires, which do you prefer and why? What was it like recently being a part of the animated film A Fox’s Tale? I can’t really remember an exact point, but I do remember going for an audition for Oliver when I was 10, so the desire was there quite early. I didn’t get it, and it put me off because there were a lot of stage- school kids there, and it just made me think that I’m nothing like these kids, so maybe I’ll never fit in. I didn’t really think about acting again until my last year of high school when I was 15 and they decided to do a production of ‘Big Al,’ and without thinking I just went for it and got the lead. After that I just wanted to do more and joined various drama workshops and chose to study theatre for my A-levels. I never really saw it as a career option - I just loved being somebody different, and I found I was good at it. In 2007, you started Gadbury Casting to give others the same opportunities that you had when attending exclusive workshops in Manchester. Tell us about your workshop days and your time at Laine Johnson Theatre School. If I’m honest, I got more from the prestige of being at the Laine Johnson Theatre School than actually learning my craft. They did instill a great deal of discipline in me that I take with me to every job and find very important in acting. They also gave me opportunities for work at quite a young age getting me auditions and thus kick- starting my career. I went to a lot of different drama groups ‘work shopping,’ and what I found most useful with these were that they gave me the opportunity to explore my imagination and a platform to act. Being an actor always seemed beyond my reach, something that would never happen to somebody like me, but I suppose they gave me a chance to make it real. That was why I started running workshops myself because the industry is very cliquey. I find there are a lot of good, natural actors from less privileged areas not getting the opportunities they deserve and likewise a lot of dodgy actors getting work because they know someone or they can afford to go to drama school and pay their way into work. Tell us about the young Matthew McNulty: your family and how they took to you wanting to be an actor? I’m the third child of four, two older brothers and a younger sister, no other actors in the family. When I was young I never really ever said ‘I want to be an actor’ because it just wasn’t a realistic option. So although my family knew I had an interest in acting, it was never really encouraged because it was seen as just a hobby. I don’t feel bad about that because the odds of an average lad from a council estate outside Manchester ever making it as an actor were ridiculously slim. My mum died when I was 18 just before I started thinking about acting seriously, but she always came to watch my shows in college and I know she’d have encouraged me all the way. I think I got my performance gene off her, she was a great singer. I suppose the moment I encountered any sort of intervention was when I decided to study Film and Theatre at Uni. My dad is a very practical man, he was in the Army for 22 years and he thought, probably rightly so (because I never finished it) that I was wasting my intelligence doing this type of degree. Where would it lead? He never ever told me not to do it, but I know he could never see that it would end in an acting career so he always suggested I take up a backup course in accountancy or something (I was good at math), just being a typical dad really. Despite this, he always trusted I’d do what was right for me so was never a real pressure. Now that I am a relatively successful actor, I know he couldn’t be prouder. All my family is proud of me, and I hope my mum is too.
Here you have three of the most interesting and bold artists in history together, and in one of the most exciting periods of modern history - the set up couldn’t be better. The film would have been fantastic were it just a factual documentary, but the suggestion of a love story and the resulting breaking of friendships set against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War just makes it one of the most heartbreakingly beautiful stories I’ve read. It has everything - music, art, love, friendship, betrayal. I was drawn to it just from the mention of Dali and Bunuel, so when I’d read the script I just had to do it. I’d studied Bunuel films for a module at University and was already a big fan of his, so the prospect of playing him was just unbelievable. In the story, as in his life, Bunuel has a massive personality and presence, and it felt like a big challenge for someone like me - all shy and quiet - to fill his boots, but it was a challenge I was desperate to overcome. Add to this the opportunity to work with a proven director (Paul Morrison) and one of the most exciting young actors around (Robert Pattinson) and you have an actor desperate to take the role. Tell us about your audition process for the film, as well as the rehearsal process. It was all a bit of a whirlwind really. Philippa, the writer, had asked to see me on the advice of the casting assistant on ‘Control’. We had a chat, and I read a few scenes - it all went very well and two weeks later I was in Barcelona starting rehearsals, I hadn’t even met Paul. The first thing I had to get a handle on was the Spanish accent but to be honest all I had to do was watch ‘Match of the Day’ in England and listen to Rafa Benitez and I had it nailed. The rehearsals were quite intimate at first and I felt very comfortable with Rob, Javier and Paul. We’d just run the scenes until they felt right. Then we had group rehearsals with the bulk of the cast and had a few dance classes which were great fun. Learning the Charleston, waltz and foxtrot is one of many highlights working on this film. Luckily for Rob (he won’t mind me saying) Dali didn’t do much dancing! How did you research the role of Luis Buñuel? I knew a bit about him anyway from Uni, but I started with a bit of cinematic indulgence watching a box set of his movies which say quite a bit about his eccentricity. I read ‘My Last Sigh’ and an abundance of stuff on the internet about him. Luckily for me the script was very clear and Philippa put the foundations of his character down on the page really well, making my job a lot easier. What, if any, experiences did you take from yourself to portray Bunuel? There’s not much of me in Bunuel, we really are quite different. I would never be able to command a room in the way Bunuel could and he’s so much more outspoken than me. However there were many situations in the film that I found very familiar like the closeness of his circle of friends and the comfort they felt in each other’s presence. I suppose I used the responsibility, protection and care I feel for people close to me in the way I portrayed Bunuel’s concern for Lorca at certain times in the story. There is always a lot of controversy when characters of the same sex are involved romantically in film. What is your view on this sort of controversy and how it may revolve around this film? I don’t see how same-sex love should be controversial. A love story is just that, regardless of sexuality. I can understand there being an element of controversy in this film because the relationship between Lorca and Dali has never really been touched on to this extent, and some Dali/Lorca historians are opposed to the idea of this ever having taken place. I believe it is a perfectly plausible story and is worthy to be told. Behind the cameras, what did you and the cast do for downtime? Any humorous anecdotes from filming? It was a long shoot, and the days were quite heavy especially for Rob and Javier so most of the time we’d just go back to our flat and chat then sleep like real wild actors. We did get a few nights out, one night we met an old flamenco teacher that knew Marina and he happened to know Dali back in the day. He looked at Rob and said ‘yes he is Dali’ then Marina explained to him that I was playing Bunuel. I was expecting the same kind of resounding support, but he furrowed his brow, shook his head and although I don’t speak Spanish it was clear what he thought ‘no, no, no. I thought great! Good job it was near the end of the shoot because otherwise my confidence would’ve been shattered! The night of the wrap party I lost everyone, managed to stumble my way back to the flat where we were staying but couldn’t quite figure out opening the door so I slept on the pavement outside. I was woken in the morning by the producer of all people, scraped off the floor and had only a couple of hours to pack all my stuff and get on a flight back to England. It felt like a worthy end to an unforgettable job. We also saw a transvestite fighting in the street from a rooftop which was suitably surreal. Where do you see yourself professionally in five or 10 years? (Still acting? Directing? Producing?) Hopefully still acting, but I do have aspirations to become a director, we’ll see… Thank you very much for your time! No, thank you for your support - it means a great deal to us all. - - -
tMF also posted an article about Matthew McNulty discussing his previous role in The Mark of Cain and two of his upcoming movies.
What's on your mind? Let us know what you think of our interview with Matthew McNulty? What would you consider to be the most interesting parts and why? Have you seen Matthew in other movies and TV productions or in the theater?
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Hits: 942 Comments (13)
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written by patti, September 17, 2008
What a fantastic interview. Its so great of him to take the time to really think about and answer the questions that were asked. His humerous stories were all so funny. I hope for nothing but the best for him in the future.
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written by Diana, September 17, 2008
what an awesome interview. Matthew has a great sense of humor. I think this film has some of the best actors around today.
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written by Laura R., September 17, 2008
What a wonderful interview; he's very articulate, and it's amazing that he took the time to answer all of these questions! I can't wait to see his portrayal of Bunuel.
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written by Tracy Garrett, September 17, 2008
I agree on the actors. They are all so dedicated and funny. Where did they find them all?
Just an excellent inteview...it's like we're getting some type of sneak-peek of an amazing up-and-coming actor. He manages to be talented, intelligent, and hysterically funny all at the same time. Bravo!
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written by Thalia, September 17, 2008
What a wonderful interview. I feel we got to know Matthew McNulty! A charming and thoughtful actor. Can't wait for the movie to come out and to see more of him in other films. Cheers Matthew!!!
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written by Marsha, September 17, 2008
What a well spoken man. Really enjoyed that interview.
Thank you!
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written by Elaine, September 17, 2008
Three such amazing actors all in the same movie! All committed to the cause.
Matthew is very articulate but he seems very down to earth. I love his description of after the wrap party, what a lad!
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written by Helen, September 18, 2008
Many thanks for the article. I saw Matthew in Mark of Cain and he was excellent.
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written by Helen, September 18, 2008
Sightly off topic but I have to say what a beautiful looking cast they all are. So elegant in the costumes too. Half the battle in these sorts of films is looking the part and feeling the period. Looks as if they have this spot on in Little Ashes.
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written by Jodie, September 18, 2008
What a wonderful interview! It's refreshing to have someone actually think about the answers and articulate them so well. I loved the insight and honesty that came across.
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written by Michelle, September 21, 2008
Such a wonderful interview. I enjoyed reading it so much. So great of Matthew to take the time to answer the questions & give such well thought out responses. What a great guy Matthew is with a great sense of humour too. I am really looking forward to seeing his portrayal of Bunuel
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written by Cassandra, September 21, 2008
Fantastic interview. I think it's great that he took time out to really answer the questions and not just give little one liners. I can't wait to see this movie.
... written by Victor Marzowicz-Velasquez, September 23, 2008
His comment about Buñuel's "protection, care and concern for Lorca" seems very odd to me, given that he is typically portrayed as more or less the opposite of that in all I have read about the guy. I guess we'll just have to wait and see, but if accurate... Odd.
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