Imogen Poots, Interview The Talent Magazine - issue 01


By The Talent Magazine UK
January 2008


The diminutive feline flutters her lavishly long lashes, looks up with those piercing eyes and with a shake of her head simply replies: "in London, all my life. I couldn't stand living in the countryside... although i wounld like to visit Lake District, but purely for artistic reasons." Despite a city upbringing, actress Imogen Poots, who has just finished filming alongside Olivia Williams, Greta Scacchi and Hugh Bonneville in an all-stars cast for a BBC One feature-lenght period drama Miss Austen Regrets , is certainly no alley cat.

Imogen relays her life. She is cultured and educated with a journalist father, novelist mother and an older academic brother who is into ancient languages. "Its great being such a contrast to my family ".

Her route to succes seems simple. Her career started with small parts in Casualty and in the feature V for Vendetta alongside Natalie Portman, her major break came chen landing the young female lead role in 28 Weeks Later playing the gutsy young daughter (Tammy) to infected zombie Dad (Don) played by Robert Carlyle.

Imogen, 18, has just finished her A-Levels at Latymer Upper School, adding herself to an alumni that includes Alen Richman, Mel Smith, Lily Cole, Hugh Grant, and Heston Blumenthal. What is next for the girl who has already taken a huge leap up the career ladder ? Imogen's plans lay firmily in taking a gap year and applying to university to study Art History. It was a tricky decision between that and Drama School; going with instinct, Art history wins for now giving her self something to fall back on. She explains: " I am sure there is never someone who has absolutely mastered acting, every single job whether it's film, TV or theatre you are always learning. Drama School is a bit hit and miss; i have been lucky to have done a few bits and bobs where i've been able to learn from great people about the craft. "

So, who are the people who have influenced her ? On 28 Weeks Later Imogen describes the director, Oscar-nominated Juan Carlo Fresnadillo, as being a great help. " He didn't make a big deal of things; he's so lovely and will go on to do lots of great things. " Of the great Robert Carlyle OBE: " He is amazing, he really gets into it. It is fascinating to watch him work, on 28 Weeks he makes the zombies so human, so realistic. "

Before starting work Imogen joined (and she still belongs) to the Young Blood Theatres Company, who gave her a good grounding in dramatic techniques including improvisation and script work. The experience was different from school as it forced Imogen to leave her self confessed 'bubble'. It is tight knit group of young actors (age 12-21). All from different backgrounds, who attend the classes to be trained in aspects of theatre craft. Imogen highly recommends this route into acting. " Young Blood itself has a long waiting list but any local community theatre is great. " Its seems an alternative route to acting success; bypass Drama School by starting early and getting seen. Although one suspects that Buckland effect into the profession as Young Blood in the heart of the Queen's Kensington.

Where other actors consume their performance art, Imogen consumes Art History. " I think it's brillant to be able to go to different countries and know something about the art and the culture. In my A-levels i focussed on life Drawaing and in particular Lucian Freud-esque obese nude models. I love working with oil paint and seeing when it becomes the flesh. I will always keep it as a hobby, it's very therapeutic. I love art galleries. I am a member of The Tate so i use that when possible to see the latest exhivitions. " My passions are not all about art; she expresses: "I love the band Beirut, the Maccabees are great, the Shins and i love some of the songs by The Smiths. "

Imogen's speech is inerjected with constant giggles and bashfulness when talking in depth of her craft, showing youthful innoncence,

So, what's the secret of her succes ? What is it about her that got the roles ? " It sounds really cringey but you can tell when you have a connection with someone, like i was with the director Jeremy Lovery for Miss Austen Regrets." Imogen explains how she gets through auditions: "I always learn stuff off by heart so i am prepared and can then be flexible." I used to get nervous but it's more about the interest of new prejects and the excitement at meeting new people. I give 100%; they are seeing lots of other people. It's easy to get caught up in something you are auditioning for and really want it so bad. You have to remember you are going to be turned down 99% of the time so it's best to concentrate on what the next rpoject could be."

Imogen would like to concentrate next on roles that are really different from Tammy in 28 Weeks Later and Fanny in Miss Austen Regrets. "I'm fascinated by film that concentrate on those intense relationships between two people, characters who are lonely or a bit lost, like Midnight Cowboy, Lost In Translation or Garden State. But you can never guess what kind of scripts will be around. As long as you keep being challenged that's the most important thing".

Responding to the rumour of there being more 28 films: " I have no idea. It's not anything to do with me but they probably will do a third. Maybe they will make 28 Months... 28 Years... 28 Centuries... [Imogen laughs out loud]."

She is an enigma and those eyes, those beautiful eyes and warm smile... mesmerising. Her beauty is obvious but this is where you cannot help but love her. She is small in stance, quirkiness stunning with distinct features.

The fantastic thing about her ? There is nothing manufactured about Imogen, she takes each day as it comes. What would happen if she was offered a huge fim part and it interfered with Art History ? " It's a risk and i have to make options based on the posibility of never working again as in film you can never guess what is going to happen next."

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