Harry Putter
Harry Putter 1 Cast Surveys
Benjamin Latz:
"Neville Lintbottom"
Casting
How did you hear about the original auditions?
I helped work on the script, and I was a casting assistant for the auditions.
What stories can you tell about the audition experience? Were you nervous? Was it fun? Scary?
The auditions were a really interesting and fun experience. It was interesting because I was on both sides--auditioning and helping with auditions. It gave me a totally new perspective on auditions. I have a lot more sympathy for directors and other people in charge of casting. The call backs were especially fun, constantly mixing up the groups, and trying out the scenes in different ways. Hearing the range of voices and accents from Minnesotan to Transylvanian to Texan to Surfer were a lot of fun.
Before filming, had you read the Harry Potter books or seen the actual movies?
I am a huge Harry Potter fan, and have read all of the books(more than once). I've also seen the movies, though I'm a bigger fan of the books than the movies.
If so, did that influence how you acted your character?
Yes, thinking about how he appears in the books and movies, and amping up the comic factor. He's already got a lot of comic potential built in, and then just taking it to a bigger level.
Are you anything like your character, or, which Harry Potter character are you most like?
Sometimes I feel like Neville-"Why is it always me?"I'm a little bit of a klutz like he is.
Have your friends ever said you look like your character?
I haven't been told I look like Neville, but I have been told I look like Harry, especially when I wear glasses.
Will they after they see the film?
Probably.
On Set
What were your first impressions on your first day of shooting?
We're really gettin' this thing done! Everyone was excited to be working on this project and people were definitely enjoying themselves.
What is your favorite memory from being on the set?
Well, I assisted on the writing of the Snape scene, so I think seeing a joke or two that I had written being shot was very cool.
Is this your first film project or have you worked on many other movies in the past?
I have been involved in a few other film projects including Am I Blue? for Ducky Productions(all these companies named for animals) and The Wazoo! Show.
Most importantly, did you have fun?
It was a blast!
Are there any other stories from set you want to share?
The first day of shooting when we realized after we'd been working for a few hours that "Harry" wasn't wearing glasses...ooops!
The Future
Do you plan on returning next summer to shoot Harry Putter 2?
Absolutely
If you had the chance to work side by side with any actor (local, Hollywood, union or not, anyone), who would it be?
Meryl Streep, Elijah Wood, Hugh Jackman...oh, and of course Matthew Lewis(Neville in the Harry Potter movies)