Interview: Lil Rel Howery & Zooey Deschanel Talk Harold and the Purple Crayon

Introduction

In a recent interview, Lil Rel Howery and Zooey Deschanel shared their experiences working on the new film "Harold and the Purple Crayon." As the movie involves a mixture of live-action and animation, both actors discussed the unique challenges and joys they encountered in their roles.

Zooey Deschanel on Playing the Straight Character

Zooey Deschanel addresses the importance of playing the straight character amidst the film's outlandish scenarios. According to her, comedy requires a grounded figure to act as a satellite for the audience. "Someone's always got to be that person," she explained, adding that it's crucial to have a character reacting with skepticism and grounding the fantastical elements for viewers.

Drawing a parallel to her time on "New Girl," Deschanel appreciated the ability to switch between being the straight character and the comedic one. However, in "Harold and the Purple Crayon," she predominantly takes on the role of the grounded skeptic who is gradually pulled into a more imaginative and creative world. Deschanel notes that this balance is essential for representing different audience perspectives.

Lil Rel Howery on Portraying the Anxious Moose

Lil Rel Howery delved into his portrayal of an anthropomorphic moose, a character filled with anxiety yet epitomizing the chill demeanor of real moose. He shared how he observed moose behavior through videos, noting their typically relaxed nature unless genuinely threatened.

One of Howery's favorite scenes reflects this chill attitude—a moment when the moose puts on headphones and remains calm amid chaos. He emphasized that moose generally want to "just chill" and mind their business.

Collaboration with Young Actor Benjamin Botney

Both actors had high praise for their young co-star, Benjamin Botney, who plays Harold. Deschanel admired his professionalism, calling him the most professional among the cast. She praised his comedic timing and expressed excitement about his future career. Howery also acknowledged Botney's professionalism and sweet nature.

Challenges of Blending Animation with Live-Action

Howery discussed the challenge of transitioning from voice acting to live-action, especially scenes where his character turns back into a moose when frightened. He highlighted the importance of calibrating his performance to accurately depict these transformations without overdoing it.

Working with Jermaine Clement

Jermaine Clement, known for his work in "Flight of the Conchords," added another layer of humor to the film as the villain. Deschanel and Howery praised his improvisational skills and his relaxed, funny demeanor. They reminisced about shared scenes and wished for a blooper reel to capture the humorous moments.

Keywords

• Zooey Deschanel
• Lil Rel Howery
• Harold and the Purple Crayon
• Comedy
• Straight character
• Moose
• Animation
• Live-action
• Benjamin Botney
• Jermaine Clement

FAQ

Q: Why is playing a straight character important in comedy? A: According to Zooey Deschanel, a straight character helps ground the narrative, acting as a satellite for the audience to relate to amidst the chaos.

Q: How did Lil Rel Howery prepare for his role as an anxious moose? A: Howery watched videos of real moose to understand their behavior, aiming to capture their typically relaxed demeanor unless genuinely threatened.

Q: How did Zooey Deschanel feel about her role in "Harold and the Purple Crayon"? A: Deschanel enjoyed playing the skeptical character who gets pulled into a world of creativity and imagination, appreciating the opportunity to balance different character perspectives.

Q: What was it like working with young actor Benjamin Botney? A: Both Deschanel and Howery praised Botney's professionalism, comedic timing, and sweet nature, expressing excitement about his future in acting.

Q: What challenges did Lil Rel Howery face in blending voice acting with live-action? A: Howery found it challenging to transition his character's fear into physical transformations subtly and effectively, ensuring he didn't overdo his performance.

Q: How was working with Jermaine Clement in the film? A: Deschanel and Howery appreciated Clement's improvisational skills and chill demeanor, enjoying the humorous interactions and wishing for a blooper reel to capture the fun moments.