Sky1 HD chatted with legendary character actor Timothy Spall ("Harry Potter," amongst many others) to discuss his work in the 10 Minute Tales short film "Deep & Crisp & Even."
What attracted you to the project?
The producer, Hilary Bevan Jones, and I go back a long way - we once did a series together - and I was completely charmed by the script. It's a delightfully odd story and I couldn't resist. I liked the idea of doing a silent film too.
How would you describe Deep & Crisp & Even?
A Tim Burton-esque fairy tale set in a dream-like but disturbing world. It's a magical and very amusing story about loneliness and isolation. Hearts will be warmed.
What are the challenges of making a silent film?
Well, the fact you can't say anything! The story has to be well constructed so that the audience is left in no doubt about what's going on in the characters' minds. It's all about expression. I've loved silent films since I was kid, when Chaplin and Buster Keaton were about. It just amazed me that they could tell these incredible stories without speech.
You like to mix it up a bit, starring in pedigree TV dramas and blockbuster fare such as the Harry Potter series and Enchanted. How do you pick your projects?
They have to excite and challenge me, and be original and irresistible. I don't make any judgements about the medium. If something comes through the door and it's interesting, I'll take it on, regardless of whether its radio, telly or film. I take each and every script on its own merit. I've just finished on Harry Potter and am about to portray Winston Churchill in The King's Speech, a period piece with Geoffrey Rush, Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter and Michael Gambon - it's a good football team to play in!
Did you ever imagine that your career would be this successful?
I knew I wanted to act and do good work; I went to RADA when I was 19 and quickly ended up in the Royal Shakespeare Company. I've been involved in quality writing and that's so important to me. But the notion of being famous was alien and wasn't something I hankered after - I didn't really understand it. It wasn't until Auf Wiedersehen, Pet that it hit me, that people were shouting my name, and it was quite a shock.
What's your favourite film to watch at Christmas?
There are two, The Wizard of Oz and Mary Poppins.
What do you want for Christmas?
I want all my family to be happy.
When and why did you stop believing in Santa?
I don't think I ever did. I went along with the pretence, but remember waking up in the middle of the night and seeing mum and dad putting the presents under the tree when I was about three.
Harry Potter is a phenomenon that strikes a chord with readers and cinema-goers worldwide. What's it like working on such a huge franchise?
It's fantastic, because it's an opportunity to work with some of the best people in the industry, from the cast to the crew. I've done two or three very low-budget movies this year, and the difference is enormous: the time you've got to get things right; the scale; the expertise; the effort; the pace... This is the fourth Harry Potter that I'm in, and I know everyone now. It's just lovely to have watched the three leads grow up from really nice kids to really nice grown-ups.
Do you have any acting ambitions left? Online rumours link you to Guillermo del Toro's The Hobbit...
That's news to me. What part? Please tell me. I feel fortunate to have had such a charmed career and just hope it continues. I love working and relish the prospect of whatever's coming round the corner because, being an actor, you never know. I've got The Fattest Man in Britain coming up, which Caroline Aherne wrote. One thing you've always got to remember is that there's always something to remind you not to get too big for your boots - unemployment would certainly take the swagger out of your step.
You've worked with some of Hollywood's most talented thesps, including Johnny Depp, Alan Rickman and Susan Sarandon. Is there anyone left who you'd like to work with?
There are hundreds. What's wonderful when you work with iconic names like Tom Cruise and Clint Eastwood is that they're always so pleasant. Ninety per cent of the people I've starred alongside are friendly and down-to-earth.
If you hadn't made it as an actor, what would you be doing now?
Be in jail? Before acting chose me, I was in a quandary about joining the army or going to art college, so either slaughtered on the field of battle or a failed artist.
If you could invite three famous people, dead or alive, around for dinner, who would they be and why?
Charles Dickens - he's one of my favourite writers - Winston Churchill, because he could give me a few tips on how to play him and he's a complete genius and an amazing statesman, and Elizabeth the First.
What's the most played song on your iPod at the moment?
I haven't got an iPod, but one of my all-time favourite records is Mary's Prayer by Danny Wilson. I'm also enjoying Fleet Foxes; they're so haunting, it's like listening to music from the American Civil War.
