Ice Age Interviews
Just a few short story chapters with the Ice Age cast being interviewed, and what it was like filming. Hope you enjoy! Reviews Please! I DO NOT OWN ICE AGE.
Hello, good evening, tonight I have a special treat for you all., I'm here with Manny the mammoth, the star of the new movie, Ice Age 4: Continental Drift, from Blue Sky Studios, and 20th Centuary Fox. So, Manfred, what our viewers out there want to know is, how did you react when you first heard about Ice Age?
"Uh, well I'd never really acted in a film, a big movie, we're talking about here, so I was nervous when I got the call for sure. I listened to the film's plot-line, I liked it, it sounded funny, truly original, so I decided to audtion for the part. Then I turned up on set, and everything looked really normal, and everyone was really nice, and I settled in right away."
When you first started acting, what were your thoughts around that time?
"Well, I'm very self-critical of my acting, and was worried in case the directors didn't like it, as I was meant to be quite moody, which isn't as different from real-life I think!"
Ha! Ha!
"Yeah, but it turns out, they called me in again, something I really wasn't expecting, and just asked me to do exactly what I did before. So I did, and they loved it! And just like that, I got the part!"
So, tell me a about your character. What's Manfred, or Manny the mammoth like?
"Well, he's really grouchy, can be a bit mean to Sid at times, is really moody, he doesn't want a family, but after being put through a lot, he realises the true meaning of love and friendship."
Awww, sweet! What did you like about the first movie?
"I liked it's charm, and wit, something that's really rare for directors who are just staring out, and I gotta hand it to them, they did a great job. There were some difficult shots in this movie, of flying, and walking at a fast pace and falling, not to mention countless expensive stunts, that most of us were anxious to do. I was exicted though, I have to say, it's not every day a mammothgets to act in a movie! And if had known how successful the movies were all going to turn out-just, wow! I was a little taken aback at the idea of a third movie, but a fourth one?! Great!"
Are Sid and Diego like their characters?
"Not at all. Sid's really smart, and knows the answer to just about everything, and Diego's very athletic and can be a real sap at times. But in a way, I guess they are, because Sid's really lazy, and Diego has a few temperment problems. The day I turned up on the set, Sid gave me a wave, and a "Hey! How ya doing?" and Diego gave me warm smile. They are a pleasure to work with."
What about when you were first introduced to Ellie? The press and tabloids keep going on about how you're both in a relationship in real life, as well as the movie. Is that true?
"No. When I first met Ellie on the set of the second movie, we were both equally nervous, mostly just saying, "Hi!" to each other over and over again, frankly because we both knew, we were going to play a couple who fall in love, and we barely even knew each other. But, as actors, you kind of bond over it, if you've been working together for a very long time, but, no, Ellie and me haven't got any "feelings," for one another whatsoever."
What about Crashand Eddie? Are they as boistrous and pranky as they are in the films?
"YES! Uh, sorry, yes, yes they are. A little less then they are in the films, but most of the times, yeah, they're just Downright Annoying!"
What do you think of Scrat? That little sabre-tooth squirrel that's always chasing after his acorn?
"Aw, Scrat's the star of the show, for sure, definetly. He's the one who makes all the children laugh, and the adults cringe. Us on the set all love him, we really do. Despite the fact that he never talks, he fun to be around. And he's never of the magazines. Or the tabloids, where he makes guest star red-carpet exclusive appearences with his girlfriend, Scratte. He's also the one who has to do all the stunts, like the really dangerous ones to pull. On some there isn't even a fall-mat."
Ah, yes! About the stunts, you had to do a few didn't you?
"Yes, yes I did."
And what was that like?
"A little scary, like that bit at the Lava Leap. That wasn't real molten rock of course. Just CGI special effects. But I still had to go up pretty high on that chunk of ice! And then once it was all edited in the studio and put together properly, it looked amazing. Sid and Diego got stunt-doubles for some scenes, but it was most of the other characters that did the kind of stuff you had to be trained for. That's how they got those acrobat dodos!"
What about your crew-members? The people who helped you with everything? What do you think of them?
"Oh, they've been just super! There's James, my stunt director, Sally, my make-up artist, and then there's my stylist, Cinna, who's worked in some human movie himself, though I'm bad for not remebering it's name. Something to do with food? Or human kids running around, killing each other? Anyway, he's geat too, brushes my fur before shooting. He won't cut it though, he's afraid he'll get mammoth hair all over the dressing-room floor!"
Tee hee! If the Ice Age franchise was shut down, or at least just stopped completely, what would you do and what would you say?
"I'm Not Doing It!" That's what I'd say. I ain't acting in anything else apart from this. This is what kids wanna see. An unlikely herd of animals wrapped up in a twisted prehistoric world and always maneging to put themselves in mortal peril. And the critics on Rotten Tomatoes thought it was getting too dark!"
Heh, heh! So, tell me a little bit about your latest movie? What's it gonna be about? Is it gonna be epic?
"Hopefully! We spent a lotta work on this one, so they better like it. Ya hear that, Rotten Tomatoes?! We worked our tails off! Yeah, well, it's a pretty decent plot, I'd say. Me, Sid, Diego and (Sid's Grandmother?) Get swept away on an iceberg during the breaking of the continents of Pangea, seperated from our families and the ones we love, and captured by pirates, lured by sirens, and all in an effort to get home. If that doesn't sound epic, I don't know what does. I won't go into further details though, because I don't want to reveal too much, you've got to watch it to see more!"
The directors, Chris Wedge and Carlos Saldhana were overheard by Sid, that there might be an Ice Age 5 coming up! What are your views on a fifth installment of the series?
"Fifth Installment? Sounds good to me!"
Fantastic! Well, it was nice to have youon the show today, Manny.
"Glad I could have been here!"
And we'll be seeing you in Ice Age 4 and 5 if it ever comes out! Okay, everyone, that was Manny the mammoth talking about Ice Age, and I wish you luck on getting a ticket to his next movie. Good bye, and Goodnight!