"Beast" Sharlto Copley What's the secret behind the 7 minute long scene with the lion? [Actor's Interview Vol.23]

The actual performance will be held for a limited time during magic hour.

Q: What are the major differences between “Beast” and “ District 9 ” in terms of filming style?

Copley: There was a long Steadicam shot in Beast. The scene where I interacted with the lion was a long take of about 7 minutes. That's the difference from District 9 . For such long shots, we rehearsed all day long, and for the actual shoot, we aimed for the few minutes of magic hour (the time just before the sun sets) when the light is at its most beautiful. Probably 3 takes is the limit. All dialogue changes were completed before filming, and I had to give my all. So when we shot Beast, we knew exactly what we were going to do. Therefore, it shouldn't have surprised the staff or Boruto. On the other hand, every take of `` District 9 '' was a surprise. That's the big difference.

Q: Please tell us more about the filming method for the scene with the lion.

Copley: On the set, there was a lion that looked like a slightly uglier version of a sports team's mascot (lol). He has a head and front legs, but no whiskers. They fly around in that form. Sometimes they looked uncomfortable in their suits because of the heat, and I teased them to try and stimulate them. "Come on, try barking. You have to scare me. Oooh!" (laughs) We were fooling around and having fun.

“Beast” © 2022 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS. All Rights Reserved.

Q: Did you have to assume that the performance would be composed using visual effects?

Copley: The visual effects crew was on set making sure that everything was happening in front of the camera. During the seven-minute long run, the camera moves everywhere and I wrestle with (the suit actors playing the lions). At that time, my hands may move in unexpected directions, making it difficult to compose them later. If that happens, you'll need to supplement it with cuts taken from other angles. I thought, ``If I take a picture of the lion's grasping movement from this direction, I can synthesize it well.'' Coordinating camera movements and angles, as well as the movements of us actors, was an incredibly difficult challenge. The lions had to look photorealistic throughout the seven-minute sequence, which was definitely different from similar shoots in the past.

Q: Your character Martin is a wildlife biologist who interacts with lions. Did you make any special preparations?

Copley: I imagined a typical The Game ranger (manager of a wildlife conservation area). I grew up in South Africa, so I was familiar with their appearance, including their clothes. What was important when preparing for the role was how to interact with the lion. Kevin Richardson is a lion trainer and has a huge number of followers on YouTube. I've known him for a few years, so we spent time together and he taught me how to interact with lions. First of all, don't be aggressive. If their fighting spirit was conveyed, they would immediately be counterattacked and die. It's important to remain expressionless while giving off an air of dominance and confidence. It's quite a strange situation, but by doing this, the lion stops exhibiting its wild instincts. So I would say the inspiration for the role of Martin was Kevin Richardson.

Q: Having grown up in South Africa, the poaching that Beast depicts is a familiar issue to you.

Copley: Poaching has been a very serious problem for a long time, and many people are concerned about wildlife conservation. The world is now paying close attention to the loss of untouched nature. Development is on the rise in Africa, but can we turn the continent into a land of highways, beach resorts, casinos and hotels? It may free us from the image of poverty, but is it good for the planet? It's a complicated issue.

Project with Blomkamp continues