StarWars: Hello and welcome to the tenth of our Star Wars chats, brought to you by
StarWars: Lucasfilm and Talk City.
StarWars: .
StarWars: Star Wars has become the most popular film series in history. This series
StarWars: of chats is designed to gain insight into the production of the newest of
StarWars: the Star Wars movies - Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace.
StarWars: .
StarWars: Our special guest today is Swedish actress Pernilla August, who brought such
StarWars: depth to the role of Shmi Skywalker, mother of young Anakin Skywalker, in
StarWars: Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace.
StarWars: .
StarWars: She is a veteran of the Swedish stage and film, and has worked extensively with
StarWars: acclaimed director Ingmar Bergman. In 1992 she won the Best Actress Award at
StarWars: the Cannes Film Festival for her performance in "The Best Intentions," directed by
StarWars: Bille August and written by Ingmar Bergman.
StarWars: .
StarWars: And now, please welcome Pernilla August!
StarWars: .
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Vinnnnie says: What was the best thing you liked about being on the set?
PernillaAugust: I think that is was such a wonderful atmosphere that George Lucas and Rick McCallum set. It was just lovely, so calm.
ASKLucasfilm: R2-C_Plus_Plus says: Ms. August, does Shmi Skywalker's personality resemble your own personality?
PernillaAugust: That's a hard question. When you do a character, you always put so much of yourself into it, in a way, it's my thoughts, but she's not very close to me, or like me. But since I have three kids by myself, I can relate to her. She's down-to-earth like me, so yes, in some ways, I guess she is like me.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Erick_Jedi_Coder says: I wish I could know George Lucas, I know that he is a great person, but what impressed you the most about him ?
PernillaAugust: He's so sweet, so relaxed, so down-to-earth, and that's SO very important when doing a movie. The crew was relaxed, and we actors need this also. He was just a sweet person as a director. I always felt he 'saw' me, if you know what I mean, always wanting to know what I was thinking about the character, what I thought of how it was going.
ASKLucasfilm: R2-C_Plus_Plus says: Ms. August, before being picked to play Shmi Skywalker in the Prequel Trilogy, did you ever see the trilogy and say to yourself, "I want to be in Star Wars."?
PernillaAugust: LOL well, I never thought it could happen, actually! I did see the first three with my daughter (the Special Editions) and when we were sitting in the cinema, people were standing up, applauding. I never had seen that before in the cinema! It was fantastic!
ASKLucasfilm: R2-C_Plus_Plus says: Ms. August, many scenes on Episode I required the actors to act in front of a blue screen. Did you ever have to act in front of one of the screens, and, if so, was it challenging to do so?
PernillaAugust: I didn't do that much. I only had one or two with the blue screen, involving riding on one of the animals, and another short one. All my scenes were on Tattooine, so I really didn't have to do those. I was lucky.
ASKLucasfilm: R2-C_Plus_Plus says: Ms. August, if you had to pick one scene, what scene was your favorite from Episode I?
PernillaAugust: The goodbye scene with Anakin. I love that one.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Lightsaber says: What was the hardest scene you played?
PernillaAugust: The first scene was hard, the dinner in the stable. It was my first day, and I was so nervous, and worried about my accent. It was the hardest day. The hardest scene to do was the goodbye scene. I had to find the right balance in it. It was the most challenging scene.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Richard-of-Norway says: Pernilla, I loved your performances in both Glas blasearns barn and sista kotraktet! Do you intend to focus more on English speaking roles?
PernillaAugust: It's hard to decide that by yourself. I don't know. I was so happy to get this part, I would LOVE to do another English-speaking part, but it's not for me to decide. ;-)
ASKLucasfilm: Queen-Princess89239 says: What was it like having to react to Jar Jar Binks who wasn't physically there?
PernillaAugust: LOL I love him! He's so sweet! The hardest thing was not to laugh, I think, because he is such a wonderful, crazy, humorous guy! (Ahmed Best WAS there when we shot the scenes.) We would shoot two scenes, one with Ahmed there to react to, and one without him in the scene.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Mista_Yoda says: What were you "amazed" by the most in making this movie? eg. special effects, models, sets?
PernillaAugust: Hmmmmmm well, I will never forget the first time I came into the studios and I saw all the spaceships and the creatures...it was fantastic, really amazing!
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Richard-of-Norway says: Hello Pernilla! (You have my favorite Swedish name.) I'm wondering if you can tell us about your next project. Will it be another Swedish film?
PernillaAugust: Actually, I don't have any projects right now. I'm doing theatre. I haven't got a name yet, but something might be in the works.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Panther62522 says: How did you get picked to be Shmi?
PernillaAugust: It started because I knew Rick McCallum and I had a small part in "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles." I had no idea that casting would be going on for this, and I think it was all Rick's doing. And they asked me to come along and do a screen test.
ASKLucasfilm: Darth-mexico says: Were you excited to play the mother of one of the most evil men in the galaxy?
PernillaAugust: LOL Of course I was! You know, I didn't think of my little boy as the most evil man in the galaxy. I had to think about the story at hand, when he was a beautiful, wonderful little kid. I never thought of it any other way.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-JediTricks says: Ms. August, were you there for the sandstorm in Tunisia, and if so, was it difficult to shoot around the aftermath?
PernillaAugust: I wasn't there, I arrived two days later. I heard a lot about it, and it was tough for them.
But I wasn't there at the time.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-dv0rak says: Mrs. August, did you feel you had any expectations or anything you felt you had to live up to as an actress in a Star Wars movie? No, I didn't. I was just happy to be a part of it.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-cartman4_98 says: Do you find it hard to believe that your character's son would grow up to be Darth Vader?
PernillaAugust: Yes, in a way, because I don't know what's going to happen to him.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-WookieMonster says: what do you think of the Star Wars craze in America? Does it exist in Sweden?
PernillaAugust: It doesn't exist in Sweden like it does in America. I went to Denver for the convention, and wanted to try and figure out a little about what this was about. It is SO big and there was SO much! The movie opens in August in Sweden, but it's not as big as America (although it IS big in Sweden).
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Silvertab says: What did you do when you would get REALLY nervous on the set??
PernillaAugust: I would take a deep breath. One thing that made me nervous was my accent, and I remember when doing the screen test, I was asking George Lucas how I should deal with it. I was worried about it. He said, "Don't worry. You're coming from a Swedish galaxy somewhere." That made me feel much more relaxed.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Will says: How did you think you did during your original audition?
PernillaAugust: I remember it as a beautiful experience. I was very happy. I thought "I have done my best." But you know actors, we always want to do BETTER.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Erick_Jedi_Coder says: Do you have Children, if so, what did they think of Epidode 1?
PernillaAugust: I do have three kids, and they haven't seen it yet. And I don't think my smallest two will see it. But my 14-yr-old will. She's a big Star Wars fan,
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-al83407 says: How has this role changed your life?
PernillaAugust: The role hasn't changed my life. I'm living the same life I did before the film.
I'm living a very relaxed life in Sweden. But the film hasn't opened here yet either. We'll see in a couple of years!
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-John says: When you are going somewhere, shopping for instance, do you ever have strangers say, "Look -- it's Anakin Skywalker's mom!"?
PernillaAugust: : No, never! I don't think they recognize me yet, even in America. I think I look so "normal".
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-MarkWindu says: Do you know if you'll be returning for Episode 2?
PernillaAugust: I have no idea...but I'd love to! LOL
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Azure-dynamo says: Are there any amusing anecdotes that you could tell us about of events that occured during the filming of the movie?
PernillaAugust: : I don't have any anecdotes of my own, but I remember when I arrived in Tunisia, someone told me it was so hot they could fry an egg on R2-D2's head - I don't know if it was true or not! ;-)
ASKLucasfilm: R2-C_Plus_Plus says: Ms. August, did you have to do any research (such as watching any other movies, talking with George Lucas, etc.) before beginning to portray the role of Shmi Skywalker?
PernillaAugust: : No, I didn't. Of course, I had seen the other trilogy, but no, no research.
ASKLucasfilm: R2-C_Plus_Plus says: Ms. August, who is your role model in life and why?
PernillaAugust: My mother, of course. And Ingmar Bergman. He's been "following me" since I was twenty. We have worked together so often. He has been important to my career.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Lucy says: Was the scene when you told young Anakin 'goodbye' difficult for you?
PernillaAugust: : Difficult because it was emotional, but I loved it also. I thought of it as a challenge, and it's a beautiful scene.
ASKLucasfilm: Darth-Zork says: Who is your favorite movie star?
PernillaAugust: Meryl Streep, I think. She's so down-to-earth, so natural, and a wonderful actress. She's always different in all she does, yet so natural.
ASKLucasfilm: Darth-Legendario says: Please can you tell us the difference between working with Bergman and now with Lucas?
PernillaAugust: The difference is they make such different movies. One thing they are similar is in creating the wonderful atmosphere. Actors need to feel secure. I always felt Bergman was holding my hand as I went, and I felt the same way with George. But it's hard to talk differences, due to the difference in the types of movies they do.
ASKLucasfilm: R2-Emmy says: I have read that you played Ophelia in Hamlet. Do you enjoy theater more than movies?
PernillaAugust: : I love the theatre. It's very important to go back . But I love the movies. I will go back to the theatre soon, I think.
ASKLucasfilm: Darth-Shawntavius says: How long have you been acting? Do you consider this one of your favorite roles?
PernillaAugust: I've been acting since I was 20. I was just starting drama school then. This role is one of my favorites. I have some others, too, but I love Shmi's character. She's a good woman!
ASKLucasfilm: Viceroy-BrentC07 says: Hey Miss August, I thought you were wonderful as Anakin's mother. My question is...Has being in this movie lead you to other upcoming roles and offers?
PernillaAugust: Noooooo. Not yet anyway.
ASKLucasfilm: Darth-Boris says: What made you want to be an actress?
PernillaAugust: I think it started when I was 11 years old. We were playing a little play in school, and I was alone on the stage, and something happened to me, when alone, a feeling that something was happening between the audience and the person on the stage. I wanted to try it again. It was something special. I kept it as a secret in my heart, until I tried to get into drama school. Even now, on the stage, I feel the same feeling. I think that was the experience that made me become an actress. One of my first parts (a very small one) was in a movie at age 15.
ASKLucasfilm: Viceroy-Nute-Gunray says: What's it like having an action figure of yourself?
PernillaAugust: I don't know if there IS one! I haven't see one! I'd love to see it !
ASKLucasfilm: Plo_Koon says: Did George Lucas give you any indication if your character will appear again in the sequels to "The Phantom Menace"?
PernillaAugust: No, he hasn't.
ASKLucasfilm: R2-Denominator says: Pernilla, what was your reaction to seeing the finished product on screen after spending so much time on the set?
PernillaAugust: I didn't spend that much time on the set, it was three weeks, I think, but it's amazing. I did it two years ago, so to finally see it was a wonderful experience! It was fantastic to see it. I'm VERY happy to be a part of this.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Amidala says: What were some difficulties you faced during filming?
PernillaAugust: I didn't find a lot of difficulties. It's hard for me, as a Swedish actress, to make a part in an English film, because I have to rehearse in a different way. New lines are hard for me, it takes longer to learn them. That's the most difficult part I had to deal with, I think. Also, it's a big challenge in general to try and make it in another language.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Sebulbasaur says: Did Lucas give you any background on your character? What does "Shmi" mean?
PernillaAugust: He didn't give me any special background, but we did talk about the scenes and how they related. The rest he sort of left to me. It was a give-and-take relationship with George. We were in it together.
ASKLucasfilm: Darth-Wild_French says: What difference do you feel between Swedish (and European) cinema and American? the way of shooting?
PernillaAugust: In Sweden we have a very small crew, maybe 15 people. And on this picture, we had like 300! That's a BIG BIG difference! I was very amazed. The atmosphere was still the part that amazed me, even with so many. But when you're standing in front of the camera, the work is the same.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Krissy says: Is there any actor/actress you would like to work with in the future?
PernillaAugust: Oh my gosh! There are many, many, many. You have so many wonderful ones in America. I would like to work with Meryl Streep! LOL
ASKLucasfilm: Queen-bria says: What are your other interests in life besides your family and acting?
PernillaAugust: I think that's it! LOL There's no more time for me, that's 24 hours a day right there! I live alone with my kids, and that's it - they fill up my day!
ASKLucasfilm: Baby_Pikachu says: What do you think of the internet & what brought you here to Talk City for this chat session?
PernillaAugust: It's a wonderful medium, but since I don't have a computer... LOL. I think after 2000, I will have to buy one! I don't have time to go into this yet, but I will get one, especially for my kids. I think we'll have to have one.
ASKLucasfilm: Senator-harland says: What did you want to be when you grew up when you were a kid? Did you always want to act?
PernillaAugust: Yes, I always think so - in my heart. But at one time, I though I wanted to be a psychologist. But acting is also a way of understanding others, to figure out how we are thinking and dealing with problems. And getting deep into a person, trying to figure them out, how she is, that is what attracts me.
ASKLucasfilm: Senator-jabba says: one more thing. Was there little bit of romance between Shmi and Qui Gonn Jinn or did i just get the wrong picture?
PernillaAugust: LOL I don't think I can say it was a romance between them, but there was something, I think, I was trying to put something into it. But I think the audience has to put what they want into it.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Darth_Jack says: If you were writing the script, what would happen to your character in the next episode?
PernillaAugust: Oh my gosh! Of course, I would love Anakin to come back and save her! I would go for that.
ASKLucasfilm: Darth---Vader says: Pernilla what movie was that you played in when you were 15?
PernillaAugust: "Jiliap" directed by Roy Andersan
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Watto says: while filming did you have to keep anything in the script secret.
PernillaAugust: Yes, everything! LOL Everything was a big secret.
ASKLucasfilm: Senator-StLSebulba says: Having seen it 7 times, I'd like to know, how many times have you seen The Phantom Menace?
PernillaAugust: Two times.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Padawan_Learner says: Pernilla: How have you dealt with the hype that has surrounded the release of "The Phantom Menace"?
PernillaAugust: I don't think I've been a part of it. I was in America one week before the opening. It was wonderful! I had a wonderful time! I'd love to come back. But I escaped! LOL
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Padawan_Learner says: Pernilla: How did you get involved in the movie industry?
PernillaAugust: I got the very, very small part at 15, but I did my first real character role in "Fanny and Alexander" by Bergman.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Britta says: Do you speak any other languages besides English and Swedish?
PernillaAugust: No, I'm afraid not. Very little French, but that's it.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Rahvin says: Ms. August, have you remained in contact with George and Rick since you completed your part in the filming?
PernillaAugust: Yes, I met them in New York. It was great to see them again. And I saw Rick at the convention. And I hope to meet them in London too.
ASKLucasfilm: KatCCC says: Pernilla, thank you so much for being with us today! Do you have anything you would like to tell our audience before we sign off for today?
PernillaAugust: It's been a pleasure! Thanks so much for having me here!
StarWars: Thank you all for joining us.
StarWars: .
StarWars: A special Thank You to PernillaAugust: for chatting with us!
StarWars: .
StarWars: The Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace novel
StarWars: is available at http://shop.starwars.com.
StarWars: All of us wish you a fantastic evening and we look forward to seeing you soon!
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StarWars: Copyright (c) Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM.
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StarWars: Good Night!
