They talked about how for the first three weeks of the first HP movie, they had him wearing green contacts. But his eyes were allergic to them, so they did it using computer editing...then gave up. But he was like, "Cause they're always saying how 'Oh, Harry. He's got the eyes like his mum. Green," and then he pointed at himself and was like, "Um. No."

Favorite word – verdurous (from Keat’s “Ode to a Nightingale”) – means lush and green, a word "he uses all the time” (jokes)

Least favorite word – mediocre

What turns him on – “bathtubs and plumbing” (running joke as to how many of his significant moments have been when he was in the bath). Life in general turns him on (he won’t get into sexual details) finds restaurant signs amusing (Cosmic Diner, Galaxy Diner)

What turns him off – unprofessionalism in people, especially actors

Sound he loves – cricket ball hitting a bat at 90 miles an hour

Sound he hates – his voice on tape, when a pencil point breaks when he’s writing

Profession he’d like to attempt – writing, journalism

Profession he wouldn’t want to attempt – being “down a mine” (another running joke about his dad telling him to stop complaining because he’s not working down in a mine)

What he would say when he goes to the Pearly Gates – “Are you surprised to see me?” he would be polite, God would smoke a pipe and say "it’s amazing we’re the same height”

Will we see Dan do more comedy? Yes, he wants to do more comedy but more a film that has comedic moments rather than a full on comedy.

Student Q&A

-Funny bit here where Lipton leaves Dan with the students and he jokes that he’s never seen the rest of the show-

Student #1 – How does he choose between a challenging role vs. one that’s not a good fit?

Dan talks about his small stature – he couldn’t play a security guard, Richard Griffiths won’t play a “fat” role (Falstaff) but it’s important to take on challenge

Student #2 – What does he do to prepare for live performance?

Dan listens to unhappy music on Ipod, thinks about Alan’s crime against the horses – the intensity, but relaxes and doesn’t worry

Student #3 – Who does he want to work with? What’s his favorite spell?

Alahomora (to open doors), Woody Harrelson is brilliant, Johnny Depp (yelps from the audience, makes running rain forest joke), the Coen brothers

Student #4 – Does he pull direction from HP novels or the script?

The script first, book as a backup. Mentions Steve Kloves, he doesn’t read the Potter books over and over (he’s not obsessed)

Student #5 –Artistically, what is the best and worst thing about acting?

Worse – unprofessional people, or those who aren’t in it for the right reason, who don’t treat you well
Best – being in atmosphere of creativity and practicality (on film set)

Student #6 – What is art meant for?

Communicate a story, to feel. Tells story about watching one of the dancers from Equus who had a short video on YouTube

Student #7- Are there stage roles he wants to do?

Shakespeare (he’d like to learn), dream role is Bobby in “Company” (in 20 years)

Student #8 – What vocal techniques did he learn for Equus – Projection and Articulation.

Student #9 – Has he thought about playing Napoleon, due to his stature?

Dan tells a funny story that he was on the HP set with best friend/wardrobe guy Will Steggle and they were doing a night shoot and he put a dressing gown on him and said he looked like Napoleon. Later, Dan asked Will “What was Napoleon’s first name?” Will replies “Napoleon” and Dan says, “What-Napoleon Napoleon?” (lots of laughter). Dan jokes he needs to do research and suggests that “Napoleon Napoleon” should be the name of the film and he’ll be in the bath.

Student #10 – What is the difference between Hollywood and European cinema?

In US they treat child actors differently than in Europe. Talks about music – counterculture (indie) music. Studio Indie films are peculiar – indie=quirky. Hollywood does great action films (“can you imagine a French action movie?”) Hates when people won’t see subtitled films.

Student #11 – How do you keep your performance of Equus fresh?

People paid a lot of money to see him, do it like it’s your first time out there – “it's your job” (good answer, Dan!)

Dan thanks the audience for being welcoming and says that he was intimidated when he saw the line of people outside because most were older than him – he thanks audience again for coming.