Photo Credit: Louise Bishop of MomStart.com
A couple of weeks ago we shared details from our Disney’s Tomorrowland Event exclusive sit down with Britt Robertson. You remember, right? Of course you do! Just pretend you do, even if you don’t. So anyway, at the time, we promised that we would come back once the movie had been released to share more details about Britt, some spoilers, and to answer a couple of nagging questions that you may have about the film. That, my friends, is why we are here today!
First, I want to take a moment to reemphasize how amazing Britt is. Her smile lights up the room, her laugh is infectious, and she oozes hope and excitement every time she speaks. I was in awe of every word that she spoke and I am proud to say that she has gained a new fan.
If you have been wondering about Britt’s take on her costars, the powder substance that George graciously jammed down her throat in the film, or how it felt to go all “girl power” with a baseball bat … we have the all the answers!
Photo Credit: Louise Bishop of MomStart.com
Question: Raffey shared with us that she considers you to be her role model.
Britt Robertson: What? She gives me chills.
Question: What did you learn from Raffey being in the movie with her?
Britt Robertson: I’ll tell you the main thing that I learned from Raffey. I remember early on in the process working with Brad because he’s so involved and he has so much direction. As an actor, you’re used to taking the direction and kind of making it your own and I remember trying to do that a lot of times and he’d be asking very specific things and I would sort of have a conversation with him about it.
Then, I would watch him give Raffey direction and all she would say is okay. Okay. Okay. Every single time! I was like that’s how you take direction. You just say okay and you do it and you’re professional and you just say okay. Really, I made a pact with myself from that point forward I’m going to do what Raffey does and I’m just going to say okay and I’m going to give it my best shot. Whatever he asks me to do, I’m just going to do it and it actually really worked out for me by the end of it because I just completely trusted Brad and I knew his vision was the vision that we’re going to bring to life.
Her professionalism and her spirit throughout the entire film no matter how long the day was, no matter what they were asking of her, physically, emotionally, she just did it. She did it to the best of her ability and I think that’s a huge lesson for me.
Question: How was it working with Tim McGraw?
Britt Robertson: So cool. I love Tim McGraw like nobody’s business. I’m a huge country fan. In fact, when I first met him, I attacked him. I was like you have no idea how much I love you. I love your music, I love your wife, and I think you’re the coolest. He was such a sweet man and he’s a family man. He has three daughters and just hearing his stories about his daughters was really sweet and I got to pretend I was his daughter for a second, so that was nice.
Question: What was it like working with Hugh Laurie?
Britt Robertson: Oh, Hugh Laurie is just such a gem. I remember being in the makeup trailer with him because I was often there when he was going through hair and makeup and wardrobe. Every day it was just like a new fun fact about life, but not even a fun fact. He would give you like stories and theories on life. He’s really informed on everything that’s going on, so I sort of looked at him like a book of knowledge and he’s also really talented. I would love playing music in the trailer and just hearing him appreciating it so much.
He played the piano at a bar when we were in Vancouver at one point. He’s very talented, musically, and I remember asking him when I could see him perform. The one day that I could have gone because we were shooting, I ended up having to stay for stunt training or something, but I will get to him one day. I’ve got to go to one of his shows. And I would encourage you all to go to one of his shows if you can. He’s incredible.
Photo Credit: Louise Bishop of MomStart.com
Question: Today, we heard about George and some practical jokes on the set. Do you have any of those stories?
Britt Robertson: What I loved about his practical jokes on our set is it wasn’t like full on prank where there’s a pig in my trailer one day. That would not go over well. [LAUGHS] I don’t think. I don’t know. I mean, I like pigs, but it would be complicated with my wardrobe and whatnot. I don’t recall a lot of the practical jokes, but I do remember there was so many times where he would try and convince Raffey to be a diva or fake smoking a cigarette or something. Just teaching her really naughty things! I was like, bring it down a notch. Yeah, he was always very silly like that.
Question: Raffey mentioned a scene where she was actually driving the truck and had to stop right in front of you. She mentioned that she got a little too close. What was going through your head when you were filming that scene?
Britt Robertson: Oh, that’s really funny. [LAUGHS] In a weird way, I trusted her. I know she’s only twelve, but I actually started driving at fifteen because you get your license at fifteen when you’re in South Carolina. I was driving when I was like thirteen or fourteen, so I trusted her and I knew that she was capable. I had no idea that she got a little too close. It’s good to know for future reference. Thank you. Yikes. Yes.
Question: What was the baseball bat scene like? That is totally girl power … How did that feel?
Britt Robertson: That was so much fun. What was so funny about it is they actually gave me baseball bat training lessons beforehand. They were like practice with the bat, get used to hitting someone. They gave me a dummy to practice on and I was like, guys, I don’t need to practice for this. All I gotta do is just attack this man like he’s about to kill me and attack him with as much power as I have. I remember after that scene just like really going for it and the whole time, George’s reaction is very real because they actually let me hit a stuntman for a lot of it. A real stuntman and I was a little hesitant, but at a certain point, you kind of just have to go for it. George’s reactions of, okay, that’s enough, were, I think, very real trying to protect the guy.
Question: We heard that George liked to throw the powder in your mouth a lot during the one scene.
Britt Robertson: Oh yes.
Question: How did that taste? How was that experience?
Britt Robertson: Well, it was actually Pixie Stick. That’s what the sugar was. I’m a sugar junkie, so for me, it was a delicious experience and I love it when George is goofy and silly and having a good time. I’m such a fan and he’s such a fun person to be around in those moments and its most of the time. [LAUGHS] He enjoys life and so whenever he’s throwing the powder, it’s like bring it on; you’re funny, make the moment as alive as possible.
Photo Credit: Louise Bishop of MomStart.com
Question: What about when you had to drink all the Coke? Tell us about that.
Britt Robertson: I was so excited for that scene because Coca Cola’s like my favorite thing.
Question: Not anymore?
Britt Robertson: No. I’m still drinking it which is astonishing to myself, but um, yeah, I think I went through maybe ten or eleven full Coca Colas because yeah, we were shooting. We’re doing so many different angles and we’re doing it a lot of times and I just thought that I’d be able to handle it because I drink a lot of Coca Cola in my life but then after like ten or eleven, it started to hit and my belly was full from all the liquid, so it wasn’t going down anymore. It was coming up so we had to like take little breaks [LAUGHS] and then they sort of fixed it so that I would only have to do a few more takes after that, but it was a lot of Coca Cola.
Question: The sound effect in the movie; was it real or was it a simulated sound effect?
Britt Robertson: The burp?
Question: Right, the burp.
Britt Robertson: Well, I burped, but I don’t know if they used my own burp or not [LAUGHS]. Yeah.
See, she is awesome and FUN!
If I walked away from this experience with one thing it is the knowledge that everyone we met and interviewed is very real. That may sound strange, but not really if you think about it. Many of us idolize celebrities, sometimes we place them on a pedestal, but they are just like you and me. They laugh and love, eat and sleep, they may make more money than we do but they are human; just like us.
I enjoyed listening to Raffey talk about Britt being her role model, Britt talking about George not getting lost in the process of becoming George, and George offering his respect and kindness to two young blooming actresses. And Brad and Damon … who could forget Brad and Damon? Absolutely amazing!
The interview process at the Tomorrowland Event was like sitting down and talking with new friends. We met the real people, not characters from the movie, and that made the movie that much more for me. Each time I have sat down to watch the movie, three so far, I have felt like I am watching a friend. I may or may not be guilty of talking, a little louder than necessary, about meeting the cast too but who’s counting. Britt is just like Tomorrowland, a beacon of hope, and something you should experience too.
TOMORROWLAND IS NOW PLAYING IN THEATERS EVERYWHERE!
From Disney comes two-time Oscar® winner Brad Bird’s “Tomorrowland,” a riveting mystery adventure starring Academy Award® winner George Clooney. Bound by a shared destiny, former boy-genius Frank (Clooney), jaded by disillusionment, and Casey (Britt Robertson), a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as “Tomorrowland.” What they must do there changes the world—and them—forever.
Featuring a screenplay by “Lost” writer and co-creator Damon Lindelof and Brad Bird, from a story by Lindelof & Bird & Jeff Jensen, “Tomorrowland” promises to take audiences on a thrill ride of nonstop adventures through new dimensions that have only been dreamed of.
The film also stars Hugh Laurie as brilliant scientist David Nix, Raffey Cassidy, Tim McGraw, Kathryn Hahn, Keegan-Michael Key and Thomas Robinson.
“Tomorrowland” is produced by Damon Lindelof, Brad Bird and Jeffrey Chernov and directed by Brad Bird, with John Walker, Bernard Bellew, Jeff Jensen and Brigham Taylor serving as executive producers. “Tomorrowland” opens in U.S. theaters on May 22, 2015.
CONNECT WITH TOMORROWLAND
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Disclaimer: I was sent on an all-expense paid trip to Los Angeles, California courtesy of Disney to experience Tomorrowland and a series of other adventures surrounding the movie. Regardless, all opinions expressed are still 100% my own.
