Topic: All the World's a Movie Set

Darien Fenner

Date: 2011-07-10 14:15 EST
http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx21/dfenner_photo/girl-glasses-1.jpg Junior Columnist: Ashley Weatherl

All the World's a Movie Set: A Sit Down With Jonathan Granger July 10, 2011

On Earth he was flocked by screaming girls. In RhyDin, it seems only a matter of time before he receives the same treatment.

Jonathan Granger, renowned movie star based out of Terran territory (but native to RhyDin) is just about everything a screaming fan can effectively obsess over. He's got the hair, the smile, and all the charm of a southern gentleman. Moreover, his opinion of his profession is unassuming as he is humble " a quality that is sometimes lacking in RhyDinians that aren't swathed in fame.

When he sat down with the Post at a coffee shop recently, Granger seemed in relaxed and easygoing sorts. Man enough to let a woman order for him, he smiled at the implication that he would soon have his face plastered all over teenage girls" school binders and computer backgrounds.

"Stardom is very different here," Granger told the Post Thursday. "People here aren't as impressed or obsessed with celebrities as they are on Earth. You can maintain a more normal lifestyle here than you can there. I like that about RhyDin."

Whether or not he minds the attention, though, with the advent of native motion pictures in RhyDin, recognition will inevitably follow. Recently 21twelve Studios" production of "A Murder of Crowes" began filming, and while the film's director, cast, and production team still remain frustratingly mute about it, it has become one of the most talked about things on the web.

"I can't tell you too much," Granger teased mercilessly. "I'm under contract and orders to maintain secrecy. You probably already know it's about vampires, but at the heart of it, it's not really a vampire film, per se. If I had to label it, I'd call it a romantic thriller."

Not that that wasn't already a glaring conclusion, but it is something. However, through some careful word-smithing of our own, we managed to get a few more details out of him " this time about his character in the film, Charlie Dekker.

"Charlie is a cop. Well, a homicide detective who's investigating a murder. He's no-nonsense when it comes to his job, but he's there more to him than meets the eye. I don't think it's spilling too many beans to mention that he becomes romantically entangled with the female protagonist, which might not bode well for either of them' So far, I've worked most closely with " the female , Juliana Crowe. She's a very talented actress. Keep your eye on her. She's going places."

At the very least, this tidbit of information confirms several theories of the film's direction. But in addition, it adds fuel to the speculation that a relationship exists between Charlie and Juliana (played by Aimee Savage) both on and off the screen.

When reminded of this particular rumor, Granger seemed amused.

"I can debunk that for you," he said simply. "My relationship with Miss Savage is strictly professional."

As for how his relationship is with others on his team " most notably the film's director, Lelah Rivka " Granger's succinctness spoke volumes:

"Lelah demands perfection and she gets it."

That remains to be seen, doesn't it' And while I, for one, am mightily excited to see what Rivka magics up out of Nexus fumes, I will just have to cautiously remind her that the proof will be in the pudding. Or, in this case, the production.

But perfectionists aside, Granger's pleasant and unflappable personality seems to extend well into his work.

"I can honestly say that I love my work. I love every day I'm on the set. I enjoy working with other actors, especially younger actors, helping them hone their craft. I'm hoping to one day open my own theater company, and maybe even a school for aspiring thespians."

Not that Jonathan Granger wouldn't make an excellent mentor, but if twenty-five is considered "older" then I seriously overshot my mid-life crisis mark!

All in all, Granger's fame seems well founded and well grounded. And modesty aside, it doesn't seem a stretch that he should sooner or later be on the lookout for stalkers.

You know what they say: "If all the world's a stage, all the men and women are merely players."

And I see no harm in giving Jonathan Granger the spotlight.

Darien Fenner

Date: 2011-07-10 14:18 EST
The following is a transcript of a personal interview between columnist Ashley Weatherl and Jonathan Granger. The transcript has been edited to exclude intonations and slang for easier reading.

Q: Well, Jon. If I may begin by making an observation....While you do look rather dapper, you don't seem to be as incognito as, say, you probably would be forced to dress back on Earth. Is stardom very different here for you?

Granger: Stardom is very different here. People here aren't as impressed or obsessed with celebrities as they are on Earth. You can maintain a more normal lifestyle here than you can there. I like that about RhyDin.

Q: Is that why you decided to come to RhyDin to begin with' And while we're on that, exactly how long have you been in RhyDin"

Granger Actually, I'm a native. I was born here, but my mother was from Earth. She was an actress, and she encouraged me to pursue a career in acting. There weren't many opportunities here at the time, so I went to Earth, but my first love has always been theater. I've been back a few months now.

Q: For those here who aren't necessarily familiar with your work on Earth, would you mind telling me a little bit of your accomplishments"

Granger: I did some modeling to start with. Catalogues mostly and some magazines. I did a little off Broadway, nothing memorable. A few movies here and there. I got my big break when I got a role playing opposite Mataya DeLuca in Midsummer Night's Dream. We wowed them, as she likes to say. From there, I did some musicals and theater on Broadway and was cast as Owen in Triple Dark.

Q: Do you find it easier to work with Rivka - as opposed to other directors - given your mutual acting experience"

Granger: Lelah is not the easiest director to work with, but we've known each other so long, we almost know what the other is thinking, so yes, I find it easy to work with her.

Q: Not the easiest to work with' What makes you say that"

Granger: Lelah demands perfection and she gets it.

Q: Has her method changed much since she moved her work to RhyDin" How has the experience changed for you, filming in a completely unfamiliar realm' Well. Less professionally familiar, I should say.

Granger: It really hasn't changed anything for me. Whenever you are filming, you often find yourself in unfamiliar places, unfamiliar surroundings. It's something you get used to.

Q: Now, from what I have been told "A Murder of Crowes" is going to be RhyDin's first big-budget motion picture. If your first love is theatre, can I ask what made you decide to audition for another film role"

Granger: I couldn't resist the chance to co-star in Rhydin's first big motion picture or to work with Lelah again.

Q: Well, since 21twelve arranged this interview for us, will you tell us a little bit about the film"

Granger: That's the big question, isn't it' I can't tell you too much. I'm under contract and orders to maintain secrecy. You probably already know it's about vampires, but at the heart of it, it's not really a vampire film, per se. If I had to label it, I'd call it a romantic thriller.

Q: Could you at least tell us a little bit about your character, Charlie Dekker"

Granger: Charlie Dekker. Charlie is a cop. Well, a homicide detective who's investigating a murder. He's no-nonsense when it comes to his job, but he's there more to him than meets the eye. I don't think it's spilling too many beans to mention that he becomes romantically entangled with the female protagonist, which might not bode well for either of them.

Q: Before I go on, can I ask what all the secrecy is about' Don't you think it would benefit the film publicly and probably acquire a more interested audience if people knew more about 'Crowes'"

Granger: Well, that's really up to the people in charge of publicity, but it's kind of walking a thin line. You want to let people know enough about the film to wet their appetite, but not so much that they have no reason to come see for themselves. I will say this....I believe in Lelah and in her vision. I may be a bit biased, but I think people will be pleasantly surprised by the film, not only for its entertainment value, but for the sheer artistry of it.

Q: What has it been like so far on set' Are you enjoying the process"

Granger: I can honestly say that I love my work. I love every day I'm on the set. I enjoy working with other actors, especially younger actors, helping them hone their craft. I'm hoping to one day open my own theater company, and maybe even a school for aspiring thespians.

Q: Among your fellow cast-members, who do you find you get along most with"

Granger: So far, I've worked most closely with Aimee. That's Aimee Savage. She's playing the female lead, Juliana Crowe. She's a very talented actress. Keep your eye on her. She's going places.

Q: Well I wasn't going to go there, but it seems that now I simply must ask about this. Several fansites for 'Crowes' have popped up on the RhyDin Extranet, most of which involve speculation as to what the film will be about and, surprisingly, fanfiction. On one such site, though, there has been wide speculation that you have a romantic connection with Miss Savage off the set. Now, I know you said that you'd rather not have anything personal asked of you, but would you at least be willing to confirm or debunk this rumor for us"

Granger: I can debunk that for you. My relationship with Miss Savage is strictly professional.

Q: Now that we're nearing the end of our interview, Jon, and though you haven't given us many details about the film, I still feel compelled to ask if you have any dates for us. Premieres, trailers....Release dates"

Granger: The film is slated to finish filming sometime in early September and the release date is Christmas 2011.

Q: Before I let you go, can I ask what you expect to do once you are finished with 'Crowes'" Is this when you hope to begin formulating plans for this thespian school you mentioned"

Granger: I'd like to say I'll be taking a vacation, but I think Mataya would kill me. I'm planning on going back to work at the Shanachie in the fall. I've also got a script in the works, and I'd like to see about forming a Shakespeare troupe.