Preface
The following was written due to the fact that the actual interview was so short. It’s a personal account of what lead up to it. How long Nevermore has been after such an interview, and even how long I, personally, have waited. The rest is for any of you who wish to know what went on behind the scenes with this author/reporter. Thank You.
There I stood, with my partner and long time friend, Dee, next to a display case of the extended version of
Return of the King’s gift box. I was just tall enough to make out that Billy Boyd was on the other side, and David Wenham, beyond him. Thought I would be nervous, this being my first interview for NM, but I would not have time to be, at least not consciously aware of it. Just moments before, the NewLine representative had informed me that the thirty minutes we had been originally given, was cut to only five (well, E! Television got the same). Plus, we would have to conduct it there, on the dealers’ floor, with all the background roar to make taping the interview, interesting, to say the least. Nevertheless, we would be interviewing Mr. Billy Boyd, and as a bonus we would also have Mr. David Wenham, as well! And, that was a wonderful bonus! This day was a long time in coming.
For some time, now, Nevermore has been hoping to interview one of the cast members from
Lord of the Ring. A Movie Trilogy made from one of the best loved, most respected Fantasy Novel Trilogies of all time. It would be a valuable prize for the pages of Nevermore Magazine. We had come close several times to interviewing other members of the cast. As recent as last March, and even this past June. However, due to bad timing or some other factor, the opportunity past us by and we waited patiently for the next.
Yes, a prize article for Nevermore, but a dream come true for me! For I, like many others, have been waiting for these movies since I first read the original novels [in the early 70’s]. While lying in my room, probably listening to a Beatles album from my collection, Mark, the younger of my two older brothers’s barged into my room, and tuned my stereo to the Dr. Demento show. He simply said “You have to listen to this,” and walked out. It was the voice of JRR Tolkien, himself, reading The Hobbit. In moments, I was entranced; being taken to a world that fed my imagination like a banquet. Prior to this, the few fantasy stories I had heard were two dimensional, just words on a page that our mother read to us kids. Only the classics, such as Black Beauty, and yes, even Edgar Allen Poe’s The Raven, ignited my imagination. Fairy Tales had always been barren wastelands to me. But this story that unfolded before me had depth, and substance, even a sense of having its own history/reality. In the next few weeks, the three of us [my brother’s and I] bought our own copies of The Hobbit and the Lord of the Ring trilogy. This was particularly poignant for me, having a learning disability; it has always been difficult for me the concentrate on reading. Yet, here I was, still in elementary, and I was devouring a book that is usually read by kids 4 or more years older than myself. Yes, this book trilogy, now this Movie Trilogy is very important to me.
It was July 13th, 2004, when I received an email from Raven, Founder, and Chief Editor of Nevermore Magazine, and my good friend for several years now. The email was only a few lines copied off of and a link to an update page on BillyBoyd.net. It announced that Mr. Boyd had confirmed and would be attending Comic Con International, in San Diego. Raven had heard about it from one of her many contacts, and emailed me immediately. She knew that this was something I had been wishing and waiting for [Billy Boyd at a convention near enough to me]. Not to mention that I’ve wanted to do more for the magazine, in particular, conduct an interview. Although, having my first real assignment for Nevermore Magazine be the center piece of its 2nd anniversary issue was quite overwhelming. I really would have been overcome if I had known that there was a possibly of interviewing two of the actors I have come to admire so highly over the past three-four years.
Fortunately, I didn’t dwell on this. The Artist in me was inspired. She had to create! She chose to try and make her Mandellas [Dreamcatchers with a leather shield in the center, depicting a portrait of someone], and finish them in time to present them to these admirable actors. Normally the shield of a Mandella is just rabbit fur, or a Native American symbol painted on it, however, a few years ago, I started putting on the images of the characters from a TV series that I liked. A labor of love, I enjoyed giving them to the actors that portrayed those characters. However, usually I have a month or two to make them. Undaunted, the Artist poured over the few meager photos I had of Pippin, Merry, and Faramir. Finally deciding on four; Merry and Faramir seem to choose themselves, but I was torn between two of Pippin. Fate would step in, however, and make the choice for me. So long, Guard of the Citadel of Gondor. Perhaps some day I will do you justice.
Monday, July 19th. Four days before the first day we [Dee and I] would attend Comic Con. Although it had always been the idea to interview them from the start, it wasn’t till some information acquired over the weekend, that caused Raven and I to start looking for some contact information on Boyd, Monaghan and Wenham. It was late when we decided that Monaghan’s information wasn’t what we could work with, in the little time we had [this changed since the convention]. So, Raven started working on the Request for an Interview for Boyd and Wenham.
Tuesday, July 20th. Worked on the main part of the Mandellas, for what free time I had. It was evening when I got back in touch with Raven. She showed me the emails she planned to send. Not seeing any mistakes, we sent them out, hoping it wasn’t too late to ask. We did get an immediate response to Wenham’s! “This email address is no longer in use.” Oh, how lovely!
Wednesday, July 21st. Early in the morning, I open my emails, and there was a “fwd:” from Raven’s Nevermore email address. I open and read it. As my eyes grew big, I reached for the phone. “Sounds promising, don’t you think?” Raven said, coolly. “Yes, promising indeed!” I responded. It was a response from Mr. Boyd’s agent, saying that she had past her [Raven] email on to Billy Boyd, and would let us know his answer, no later than the next morning.
Our cool response to each other was an act, of course. An attempt not to get our hopes too high. For we knew, if he were to say yes, this would be the biggest, hottest name we’ve had, to date, in the pages of NM. Okay, at least to me. This would just be another feather in Raven’s hat, as she is proud of all her interviews. In particular, those of the authors, for whom this magazine was started for. Ah, but this would be my first feather, my first foray into being an active member of the Nevermore Staff. Have always supported [moral] Raven, encouraging her when she first told me she was starting NM, assisting her as much as I could, from here. When she’s on the west coast, I usually was the one that made sure she got where she needed to go and acquire what she needed to have. You could say I’d be Sam, to her Frodo.
Thursday, July 22nd. Was on my way down to San Diego, for I wanted to pick up Dee’s and my Press Passes for Comic Con a day early, so it would be one less thing for us to think about. Since I don’t always hear the cellphone, I decided to pull over to see if anyone had called. Today was the day Raven was to hear from Mr. Boyd’s agent and whether or not he will meet with us. I was coming up on a Vista del Mar [view of the sea] rest stop, and thought it would be a nice place to check in with the Boss.
Parking facing the sea, I noticed a family, hand feeding the grey ground squirrels. As usual, my thoughts on the safety of others, I questioned the wisdom of the parents letting their small children risk getting bit as they fed the friendly, but still wild squirrels. Reaching for the phone, I looked at the display screen. Yes! 1 missed call, read upon it. I pulled up the number, and in bold capital letters was; RAVEN. Quickly, I hit SEND, and held the phone to my ear. It had been over an hour since she called, was she still there? She was!
“Are you pulled over,” she asked. “Of course.” “Well, I received an answer…” I hung on, impatiently. “Mr. Boyd’s agent said that she had spoken to Mr. Boyd, personally, and…” Raven likes to keep me in suspense. “He had agreed to meet with us!” Won’t really tell you my reaction, but it did make the family I was watching, turn and look. Waving the family off [that I was okay], I listen to Raven as she gave me the details. That she was supposed to, and did contact the New Line representative in NY, and he ask her how much time we would need. As much as he could give us, she told him [thinking; 5-10min.]. She was surprised when he gave us thirty! “Thirty minutes! You’re kidding!” “Nope,” she replied. “I know! I couldn’t believe it either!” Told her; “We’re gonna need more questions!” She said she’d get right on it! So, I finished my drive down, collected the Press Passes and then headed back home, which took twice as long. Don’t you just love So. Cal. Traffic [sarcasm].
Friday, July 23rd. Despite how early we left from Torrance, we still didn’t arrive at the Convention Center till after 10 am. By this time, all the handicap spots, and any other were taken at the Convention Center’s underground parking. So, we had to park across the street, in the Gaslamp Quarter, about two blocks away. Though, with my Handicap plaque, it would be free parking for the day [in a handicap spot, of course], but the walk! We finally caught a bicycle rickshaw, and rode the rest of the way.
As soon as we got there, we headed straight for the LotR/NewLine booth, to check in with the NL representative there. We were told that she was at the convention, but not at the booth, and we should try and reach her on her cellphone. So, I called and left a message on her voice mail. After that, we told the ladies there that we would be back in a little bit, and headed off for the Hotel next door, for a bite to eat. About an hour later, we were back at the booth. The NL Rep. was still not there and apparently had not had a chance to call me back. So, Dee and I went off to find out where the ABC booth for “The Lost” would be, in hopes of getting an interview with Dominic Monaghan. After about a half hour we gave up, and checked back at the LotR booth, this time leaving my business card.
I decided to try and call the NL Rep. again, but, by this time, the din of the dealers floor was so loud, that I new I had to call from outside. Seeing that Dee was exhausted, I couldn’t bring myself to drag her around any farther. So, since she had promised a musician friend of hers, Hans Karl, who had a booth there, that she’d come by. We went and looked for him first. Leaving her there, I made my way out to the Lobby, passing the LotR booth, again. When I finally found a quiet enough place, I took out my phone, and found that someone had tried to call. It was the New York NL Rep., calling to confirm some details.
Calling him back, I found that I was dangerously low on minutes on my pre-paid phone [with no way of buying more then or the next day]! Oh well, such is life. The NY Rep. ask if it would be okay if we changed our three o’clock interview to two. I said, “That would be fine, but I was told that it was a one o’clock interview.” “Okay, how ‘bout changing the one o’clock to two o’clock?” We chuckled, and I told him, that would be fine. Afterwards, I made my second call to the NL Rep. there at the convention. This time, I got her. Unfortunately, she was unable to talk or meet up with me at that time, and said she would call me back.
It was still four-five hours before the NewLine panel that evening, so I went by Dee’s friend’s booth, and told her what was going on. Since we had so much time to kill, and I needed to stay by the phone, I told her to stay and catch up with her friend. That I was going over to the Hotel, and work on the Mandellas, and would come and get her, before heading over to the “auditorium” [or whatever they were calling it].
Finishing what I could on the Mandellas, I check the time. Still no call and I had to get back to the convention, quickly. Collecting Dee, we tried to arrive at the “auditorium” early for good seats. Ha! Not a chance! Fortunately, Comic Con did have some very good spots for the disabled. Not as good as the front row would have been, but close enough for Dee to see and hear, and take her notes for her article [The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly]. Me? As soon as the LotR panel came on, I was off. Man, do I love playing the photographer. The Staff were great, and showed me some good spots [great ones, had I had a better zoom, ah well]. [Note: If you want the staff at a convention to help you and let you get some great shots, you have to follow the rules, at least the spirit of the rules. Get in, get out, keep the aisles clear, and out of other people’s view of the stage.]
Saturday, July 24th. After driving all the way back to Torrance, the night before, I still stayed up till two in the morning to finish the Mandellas. Putting on the bobbles, beads and tassels, and taking a photo of each for my portfolio. Fell into bed, and into a deep sleep. For about thirty - forty-five minutes. At least that’s what Dee figured, as I was up and in the shower before her. But, it worked! We arrived early enough to park under the convention center. And, then we slept…for another thirty minutes.
Well, today was the big day! First, there was the ABC panel for The Lost. But first, another trip by the LotR booth. Not there? No? Then up stairs, where we played a fun game of musical auditoriums. Great fun for the physically challenged. They realized that they needed a larger auditorium, and for once, this actually worked out to our advantage. We got to the new one before the doors opened, and were allowed in first. Getting better seats than we had in the original auditorium. Again, Dee took notes, and I took photos. Although, I was little more stationary, this time. The day before was starting to catch up with me.
They showed pretty much, the whole of the first episode. All I can tell you is, if you are a die hard Smallville fan [both air at the same time, in most places], set the VCR to record. For you should NOT miss this! I personally can’t wait. And, for those of you who want to know about Mr. Monaghan's character; Charlie ---- you will be very glad he got the part, so you can see him every week!
We found out at the panel that they were going to sign autographs at the InkWorks booth [wish we knew that the day before]. So, we got up and started back to the dealer’s floor, little worry about getting an autograph. For, like several there, we couldn’t get around fast, stand in line long, or, well, you get the picture. Most, if not all convention, Comic Con has a policy to allow the handicap into the front of the line. But. Somewhere between leaving the auditorium, and arriving at the InkWorks booth, they [the powers that be] decide in their infinite wisdom, that they would give out tickets. Only they who hold tickets will get autographs, without exceptions. Now, don’t get me wrong, this is an excellent idea to keep a handle on crowd control. Unfortunately, it left us that are not spry and agile out of luck. This also occurred at the LotR booth, and probably at several other booths that had the talent autographing.
All was not lost though, in regards to my Mandellas. In an attempt to deliver the pizza box [the Mandella was in] to Mr. Monaghan, I met a very nice lady. It was his publicist. I asked if she would mind passing it on to him [she agreed to, of course] and then we spoke for a little. Told her of the difficult time I was having, trying to find someone [from ABC or InkWorks] who would help me get an interview with Mr. Monaghan. She said that an interview that day, or even the next wouldn’t be possible, and that they [the cast of The Lost] were leaving for Hawaii on Monday. Told her that I realized that it was pretty late in the day to even consider asking for one at the convention [knowing that he [Monaghan] might be a bit tired], but we [Nevermore] would like the chance to set up one for a later date. She asked for my card, and said she’d see what she could do. Giving her both Raven’s and mine, I told her that we could wait [after all, we’ve waited this long], and that we also take interviews by email and phone. Whatever is most convenient for the Gentleman.
Well, this brings us back to the beginning. After finally getting together with the NL Rep, Dee and I found ourselves just moments away from our first interview [our five minute interview]. Fortunately, we still did have the short list, but with having to interview two at the same time, our five minute short list of questions, was actually too long. Nevertheless, we were going to interview them. For that, we were very grateful to everyone. Especially Mr. Boyd and Mr. Wenham.
We were signaled to come forward, and I smiled and greeted them, as they greeted me. Honestly, I don’t remember if I introduced Dee or not. If I hadn’t, I should have. But there were so many things to do, in only five minutes. Of course, The Artist had to have her moment, and I quickly pulled out and handed them the pizza boxes [one can be seen in the 2nd photo, down]. But, only allowing her to say that I was an artist, then accepting their thank you(s), we began the interview:
Rua: What first drew you to acting?
Boyd: I started doing it, when I was in Primary School. It was just a fun thing to do. You know?
Boyd: Yeah! I just really enjoyed it.
Wenham: It was something that I was always interested in. You know. I’d love to-- I’d put on puppet shows, when I was a very small kid. But, I never thought that I could actually make a, a living out of acting. So, this has all been a magnificent surprise.
Rua: Who inspires or influences you?
Wenham: Oh, my parents.
Boyd: Cool!
Oh so many people, you know. [Intelligible] kind of crew, John Lennon. Um…, yeah, too many people.
Rua: If you could work with anyone, living or dead, who would it be, and why?
Boyd: David Wenham!
Wenham: [Laughs]
Boyd: The king of actors!
Wenham: [Laughs again] Aw, you’ve put me on the spot, now!
[David started to say, “I mean its great---. “ As I said, “You can answer honestly, if you want,” chuckling. Billy spoke up, defendantly, “But it was. It was honestly!”]
Wenham: Um, besides Billy Boyd! I might add. What about Orson Wells? I’d like to act with Orson Wells!
Boyd: Aw, yeah!
Rua: Which do you prefer, TV, film or stage?
Wenham: Oh, I don’t have a preference. I actually like to swing between the three, actually. I think TV is often a--. Sometimes get’s a bit of a bad name, and I think, unrightly so. I think a lot [Boyd: Yeah] of great work can be done on television.
Boyd: Yeah, but what I think a lot of times TV tries to be film. But, it doesn’t have the money…
Wenham: Yeah, that’s true.
Boyd: …But, rather than trying to do something interesting, they spend all their money trying to do a film shot…
Wenham: Right, that’s true.
Boyd: …When they should try. You know. [Boyd & Wenham: Yeah.] So, normally, I’d probably have a better time on film and stage.
Rua: [Here I had a little difficulty with a question, and Mr. Boyd helped me out] A…What would you…okay. Sorry, I hadn’t really rehearsed these.
Boyd: What would your ideal role be?
Rua: Thank You!
Boyd: I read that upside down!
Wenham: My ideal role be? Ooh, that’s a hard one! I don’ no, I’d like to do something funny, again, now. I’m up ta’ funny.
Boyd: Yeah?
Wenham: Yeah.
Boyd: I’d like to see you as Henry the Fifth. It’s not very funny. [Here they started talking over each other. This is my best interpretation.]
Wenham: Henry five? You know. I would like to do, Henry Five. Yeah, yeah, yeah…That would be good!
Boyd: I’d come and see that, even if I do have to do it in Australia.
Rua: Okay. [To Billy] And, yourself?
[Just then a guy from New Line said, “Just one more question.”]
Rua: What do you like on your pizza?
Boyd: Chilies! Hot, hot, pizza. Chilies.
Wenham: I always start out, with my pizza, I always order extra olives.
Rua: Extra olives?
Wenham: Yea.
Rua: Okay. I was supposed to also mention to you [Billy], something about; what’s your favorite ice cream? `Cause it had something to do about locking Dom in the closet?
Boyd: Oh, yeah! Well, that day, I just wanted vanilla, just plain vanilla, and he brought me back macadamia nut. I didn’t want that. So, he got locked in the cupboard.
Wenham: I donno, I think he was being too kind.
[The New Line guy called time, and I asked if I could take a photo.]
David Wenham and Billy Boyd,
Comic Con 2004
Rua: Thank you!
Both of them: Thank you very much!
Wenham: Great chatting to you!
I believe that we shook hands, and we gathered our things and as Dee and I left, we heard the gentleman from NL give them [Wenham and Boyd] instructions. To hurry things up and just sign autographs.
Walking away, I quickly turned to Dee. “Was I alright? Did I keep my foot out of my mouth?” looking at her desperately. “You did fine,” she said, comfortingly. Then, with a surprised lilt, “Actually, you did quite well!”
Tired, no, down right exhausted, we decided to leave, but not without going by the InkWorks booth, one more time. Part of me, The Artist, still wanted to have at least one of the Gents tell me what they thought of the Mandella I had given them. This is a normal longing, for anyone. It was hard enough not being able to explain to Mr. Monaghan that that was real horse hair on his, and how to care for it [first time I’ve used Horse hair]. Or, not being able to tell Mr. Boyd why he got a little something extra. A trifle, I guess. Just something I had visualized once, and wanted to create it. An early Birthday present, one could say.
As the past two days started to catch up with us, my eyes grew heavy. Worrying about my driving, Dee had me pull off of the freeway [turnpike]. We ended up at an Irish pub and restaurant. We chatted about the past two day. Some unpleasant, even disappointing things occurred, however, both of us agreed, in the end, it was worth it.
The interview may have been brief, but we, nevertheless, did get it! Plus, we were pretty pleased with how we did. However, ultimately, it is you, the reader, who will decide how well I had conducted the interview and how I presented it to you. [END]
Prolog
This is for those of you who might write in, asking: How were they? What were they like? Etc.In short, they were charming. Found them to be easy going, intelligent men. Could have talked to them for hours, or just listened in, as they talked to each other. Whether just “pissing around” [as I’ve heard Mr. Boyd refer to it], or converse on any particular topic. Would have been nice to have had the chance to ask more of the questions we had. More regarding what projects they have either just finished, or are working on, as well as the questions that you sent in. Perhaps we’ll get another chance.
