Mundie Moms

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Fansite Exclusive: Jemima West Talks Playing Isabelle Lightwood in the The Mortal Instruments

Clary Fray is great, but the Ultimate Shadowhunter can be argued as Isabelle Lightwood. We, along with other fansites, had the pleasure of sitting down today to talk with Jemima West who happens to be one of the kindest and most humble people we have met. She talked about everything. Nothing was off limits. You can read the first part of her interview on Fangirlish.com, and the second part on TMISource.com
. We have the pleasure of bringing you the third.
Q: If you were to sell this movie to someone who didn’t know anything about it, how would you sell it to them?

J: I would sell it to them saying go and see it. It’s full of, how can I say it – there is lots of action. Lots of proper acting, and when I talk about proper acting I think of Lily and Jamie who have done an amazing job with lots of different things. It’s a really exciting, action packed, intensely acted film. It’s got everything someone wants to see in a film. It’s got emotion, it’s got action, it’s got excitement. It’s got fun comedy. Great astehetics and a really cool edginess to it. How did the others sell it? Cause there is so much to say about it?

Q: Lily in thigh high boots, I think that was one of the other responses.

J: That’s a good answer. Lily in boots. So much easier. I should have thought about that.

Q: Isabelle has the best sense of style ever and I’m totally obsessed with her outfits in the entire movie. How would you describe your personal style?

J: Um, to be honest, when I was filming in Toronto I went to an Urban Outfitters and bought of pair of leather leggings, so she inspired my own style at the time! I’d say I’m slightly more casual than she is. I wear flat shoes and I love to wear skinny pants and thick jumpers and I’m slightly more boring actually.

Q: Isabelle is obviously a very strong and powerful character how did you prepare to jump into that role? Did you listen to a certain kind of music? Was dying your hair helpful?

J:Yeah, I mean as I’ve said already when you work on a role all the stuff you do personally as preparing and thinking of your character and then you get to meet all the creative team and the hair dresser and the make up artist and the costume designer and all of that together gives you an idea and really all of a sudden you’ve got your hair dyed black and your leather on and your high boots and you think I, okay, this helps so much in building and giving the final touch to the character and you know it’s truly inspiring what everyone else will bring to your character and um, how they inspired me as well.

Q:Who is your acting role model? What actor do you draw inspiration from?

A: Um, I love, there are very few females actress I am really crazy about but I’d say Cate Blanchett is definitely my number one just because she goes from one role to the next and she goes from completely different characters every time, always making really risky choices and that’s what I admire about her. And she’s just a stunningly beautiful, talented actress and I’m very, very fond of actors like Daniel Day Lewis as well.

Q: One more question for you! Someone had asked Lily this at one of the mall tours and I just loved it – if you could play anybody else in The Mortal Instruments movies who would you want to play?

J: Hmm (she laughs) Who would I play? I’d probably play..I don’t know sometimes I think one of the boys?

Q: Yeah, Lily had chosen Magnus so if you want to pick one of the boys..

J:Yeah, Magnus! Magnus is quite cool because he gets to wear his underwear and have really cool parties. And he’s pretty casual. Maybe I’d play Robbie’s role maybe, Simon, because he gets to be a vampire and that’s pretty cool.

Q: Yeah, definitely.

J: There are lots of characters, or one of the faeries!

Q:Isabelle in the books is described as the ultimate shadow hunter by Jace and she definitely proves herself in the film. Have you learned anything from Isabelle playing this role?

J: How to fight. Seriously, I have learned how tiring it is for Shadowhunters.

Q: Aside from that, as an actress, I realize that this is a bit of a stretch for you from anything you have played in the past, has there been anything that you have discovered about yourself that you probably didn’t know before playing this role?

J: That I could use a flamethrower for example. To be honest with you it was all the action that really did have a huge influence on me, the physical aspect of the film was very new to me and very challenging to me, and very exciting. It’s so great when you start working on the role, there is lots of new stuff to learn and that was a huge part of The Mortal Instruments Experience for me.

Q: If you were a Downworlder, or had the choice to be a Downworlder of any sort or a Shadowhunter, which would you be and why?

J: Well it’s sort of like the question which character would I play. I like the fact that Simon is a vampire and he can still be out and about because he has Shadowhunter blood. So would I be a vampire like Simon or would I be a fairy? Shadowhunters are quite cool, but they have huge responsibilities.

Q:Have you read the books and did you see the film?

J: Ya, to be honest with you, I am in the middle of book number five when I left set. I had plans to finish it and will finish it before I return to film the second. It’s great. There is so much to look forward to and I can’t wait to start working again. I hope we can do as many as possible.

Q: You guys were decked out in runes and that’s a big part of being a Shadowhunter. What is your favorite rune and why?

J: I am going to be quite boring, I think I like the angelic rune, because it’s symbolic of who they are. They are all really cool and all have so many powers. And I love the fact that you can draw your own rune and Clary is so lucky she can create a rune and give them to everyone. It would be so cool if you could do that. Oooh I have sight. Ooh I’m invisible. It would be great. There’s so many to choose from there just all so awesome but I have to say Isabelle is definitely my favorite! She’s the one I would want.

Q: Yeah, I’ve got to go with Isabelle, to be honest.

J: She’s the one that kicks the most butt and doesn’t mess around with anyone, I love that. (She laughs again.)

UK Mortal Instruments Fan event 8/19/13


Hello guys Casey here, Mundie Mom's UK correspondent. Hope all is well in your Mortal Instrument world THE FILM IS FINALLY OUT TODAY! Whos seen it? I am here today to talk to you guys about the UK Fan event Entertainment One held with Jamie, Robert, Lily and Harold, at the apple store in London. It was an awesome event and a lot of fans got there really early in the morning which is DEDICATION. We are the best fandom in the world.

So enough of me talking. Lets get down to the cast. We were not aloud to film in there unfortunately. But I had a pen and paper and wrote like a crazy person. Robbie talked about the craziness of the tour and premieres around the world he said "The hysteria that we have come across on the tour has been insane. Everywhere we went we were met with this brilliant reception.". Robert talked about how his character was very relatable to the audience being the only "normal" guy. "Yeah it is always fun being the normal guy at the back of the group hiding in terror. What my characters armour is in the film is his wit. It deflects all the madness. He's kind of in the back making snarky comments. It was a lovely thing to play with."

Jamie was also asked about the negativity with him being cast as Jace " The fact is you guys are sort of stuck with me now (everyone laughs). Everyone has been really supportive. Since the trailer has come out I have heard nothing but great things. I mean there was a book made for me (Made by Mundie Moms and Fangirlish) and it makes me emotional." Jamie talks about the importance of having a gay character in the movie "I get the question. its sort of nether here nor there. Sex and sexuality nowadays it shouldn't be at the full front of contention. We are all wise enough and ugly enough to realise that we are all human. We do have the love triangle, cube, pentagram, whatever you call it. the spiritual kind of love. We all love each other and its great."


Lily talks about TMI not just being a love story "I think part of what separates us from other franchises. Particularly the one we are most compared to is it isn't a romance its a urban fantasy. The romance is involved but the men in Clary's world don't defy her. She never victimizes herself. She allows herself to be vulnerable, strong and fall in love while figuring it all out but she's single-mindedly trying to find her Mom, and that's what's propelling her forward. She doesn't just wallow and wait. the love story is pivotal... but its not just that. its not just for girls."

Harold was asked by a fan what his favourite scene was to shoot and he admitted that "the scene where Simon declares his love for Clary. It really choked me up. Robert filmed that in one take and we used it. He nailed it" The presenter mentioned that Jamie and Robert were topless a lot in the film. All the girls screamed (of course) Robert said "That first poetry scene I wanted to have my shirt off but they wouldn't let me"
Jamie mentioned his costume "One of my costumes is actually cut up and put in cards that you guys can buy so Jace will probably be naked through out City Of Ashes"

We can all hope right guys?..


So there you have it! a taster from the awesome TMI event in London. We didn't get a premiere.. sad times but we did have this. So thank you to everyone involved for doing this and of course to the cast and director for making it so enjoyable! Casey x 

UK Mortal Instrument Press Conference

Hello Mundanes, Shadowhunters, Down worlders and all of the above. Casey here the new UK correspondent for Mundie Moms covering all things The Mortal Instruments from the UK and beyond. I am here today to tell you about the awesome press conference I went to in London for TMI City of Bones, where I met the lovely Jamie, the beautiful Lily, the hilarious Robbie and the genius Harold.

We got to the secret location and took our seats. It wasn't long before the cast arrived with all smiles looking very cool. The press conference was full of mostly UK TMI fan sites which I thought was really cool. And of course I had to hit up MM! the cast defiantly recognized the name! So I filmed most of it and enjoy:  

Phone Interview with JEMIMA WEST!


Hey Shadowhunters, today myself, and a few other TMI fansites will be having a phone interview with our favorite Izzy, JEMIMA WEST! I would love to ask her questions from the fans. Please feel free to leave your questions her, on Twitter, Tumblr or anywhere you follow MM's and I'll pick a few to ask her.

WATCH MSN Movie UK's #ASKTMI Skype Chat with Lily, Jamie & Robbie


Recently MSN Movie UK had a live #ASKTMI live Skype chat, where Robbie, Lily and Jamie sat down and chatted live with fans. Here's the video from that chat.

 

1 Day Till TMI Hits Theaters! Are You Ready?


We're 1 Day Away from The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones hitting theaters! Or in some cases, a few hours! How many times are you planning on seeing it? What Shadowhunter gear are you planning on wearing? Are you putting on runes? Dressing in all black? We'd love to see pics and hear about your experience. Be sure to follow us on Twitter and let us know at @MundieMoms. Enjoy the movie!

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones MUNDIE MOMS's Private Showing TONIGHT at 10 pm


Shadowhuters, we're 1 day away from The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones hitting theaters! I can not wait to see this movie again. I've been working really hard behind the scenes with Constantin and Sony to host a midnight screening in my area. With select areas and certain theaters being allowed to show the midnight tonight at 12:01 am (check Fandango for your local show times), I have been allowed to host a private showing TONIGHT at 10 pm at a local theater. I would love to invite any local Shadowhunters to come and watch the movie!

WHEN: TONIGHT, August 20th at 10 pm
WHERE: Cinemark Theater in Cedar Park, TX
WHAT: The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
More Info: Tickets are $10.75 each. These are first come, first serve, and once the seats are full ticket sales will be closed. Since this is a private showing, they are NOT selling tickets at the box office. All tickets must be purchased through me.

If you would like to go, please email me at adminmundiemoms AT gmail DOT com, and I will send you more information about the ticket. *All tickets are nonrefundable.

I hope to see some of you there!!

The Year of Shadows by Claire Legrand, Blog Tour; Character Interviews & A Giveaway

We love our Middle Grade reads as much as we love our Young Adult reads. Today over on Mundie Kids we're the next stop in an exciting blog tour for Claire Legrand's The Year of Shadows. Since this is a book that we adore, we're featuring it on both sites. Below you'll find the post featured today on Mundie Kids



Hi everyone! Mundie Kids is thrilled to be the next stop on Claire Legrand's The Year of Shadows Blog Tour. Today I have a special treat for you: An interview with Olivia Stellatella and Henry Page from Claire Legrand’s upcoming middle grade novel, The Year of Shadows! I am SO EXCITED to be part of the blog tour for this book! Read on to read my interview with the intrepid main character, Olivia, and her loyal friend, Henry. I had such fun meeting them, and I know you will too!


POST TITLE:
THE YEAR OF SHADOWS Blog Tour, Day 2: Character Interview with Olivia and Henry


Mundie Kids: Hi Olivia and Henry! Welcome to Mundie Kids. I’m so excited to be chatting with you today!


Olivia: Hey.


Henry: Hi! And, uh, don’t let Olivia bother you. She really is excited to be here; she can get a little shy around new people.


Olivia: I do not. I just . . . I don’t know. It’s weird, talking about everything that happened. You know?


Henry: I know. But doesn’t it make you kind of proud?


Olivia: I guess.


Henry: Come on, Olivia, we did a great thing that year. We saved a lot of things that needed saving.


Olivia: I know we did. I just . . . ugh. I wish Igor were here. I always feel better with him around.

Henry: Are you saying your weird talking cat is better company than me, an actual person?

Olivia: How many times do I have to explain this? He’s not an actual talking cat. He just . . . only talks to me.

Henry: You know, if I didn’t like you so much, I might call you crazy.

Olivia: You know, if you call me crazy, I might draw a picture of you as a giant, germy, fuzzy amoeba and make copies of it and tape them all over the lockers at school.

Henry: Except that didn’t work so well the first time. You can’t get rid of me that easily.

Olivia: You smile too much.

Henry: Everyone says my smile is charming.

Olivia: Charming?! Gross. I mean, just . . . no.

MK: So, how do you feel about the fact that your story will soon be out there in bookstores and libraries for total strangers to read?

O: It’s weird. It makes me feel kind of afraid.

H: Afraid? Why?

O: Doesn’t it freak you out to think that soon people will know all our horrible secrets?

H: We don’t have horrible secrets, Olivia. Don’t be dramatic.

O: I’m not being dramatic! I’m just . . . I don’t know.

H: It embarrasses you?

O: Yeah. I don’t like talking about myself. Sometimes, some of the things I did and said . . . I don’t feel proud of those things.
H: But Olivia, you were so brave. And yeah you were angry and said some mean things, but you totally had the right to.

O: You never got mad or rude or whatever. Mr. Perfect Henry Page.

H: Are we really going to start that again?

O: You are pretty perfect, though.

H: Maybe I’m just better at hiding the things that bother me. Maybe I can’t show my emotions like you can. Maybe that makes you really strong.

O: What are you, a psychologist?

H: I’d be a fantastic psychologist.

O: A modest one, too.

H: Says the artist superstar.

O: Excuse me?!

H: Oh come on, you know you love it when they put up your paintings in the trophy case at school.

O: Well, okay . . . that is kind of awesome.

H: I rest my case.

MK: Can you tell us a little about Emerson Hall, the music hall where Olivia’s dad works? You both spend a lot of time there, which is a bit unusual for twelve-year-old kids!

O: I used to hate it.

H: I always loved it. I worked there on concert nights; I was an usher. But I was there all the time because it was a great place to study and Maestro Stellatella and Mr. Rue—he was the president of the orchestra—they didn’t care.

O: I was forced to live there. In the storage rooms. Backstage. With the broken music stands. Everything smelled like moldy music and trumpet spit. Did you know brass players empty the spit that collects in their instruments by opening a valve and blowing their own spit out onto the floor?

H: It really freaks out the woodwind and string players.

O: That part is kind of funny.

H: It was a beautiful hall. It was built in like, what, the late 1800s?

O: According to Frederick’s memories, yeah, something like that.

H: Dragons painted on the ceilings—

O: —and these fountains in the lobbies, which never worked. These giant swirling staircases in the front lobby—

H: —and a huge pipe organ above the stage.

O: It used to be beautiful, and then after a long time it wasn’t—but it still was, in this weird way. Like a graveyard. Crumbling and old.

MK: Olivia, you go through a lot during your year of shadows, aka, the year the ghosts came. But you managed to get through it. Do you have any advice for kids who, like you, might be going through a rough time with family, money, or bullies at school?

O: I shouldn’t give advice about that. I . . . I mean, I didn’t always handle everything that well.

H: Olivia, what happened to you . . . nobody could have handled that well. Seriously, give yourself a break.

O: I guess. It’s just, I don’t like to think about some of the things I said. But when I imagine going back and doing it all over again, I don’t think I’d do anything differently.

H: Because people needed to hear the things you said. Your dad—

O: I was awful.

H: He was awful.

O: . . . He was. He didn’t mean to, I don’t think—

H: Still. You had every right to be angry.

O: I had every right. I guess, if I had to give one piece of advice, it would be this: Don’t hide. When things get bad, don’t hide. I did. I hid in the shadows, I hid in my sketchbook, I hid in clothes I thought would make people ignore me. But in the end, the thing that helped me the most was friendship. Some of my friend were, you know, vaporous, drifty, smoky beings who weren’t exactly alive, but . . . anyway, don’t hide. Don’t be afraid to let people be your friend. Like Henry. If I hadn’t let Henry be my friend . . .

H: You didn’t, at first.

O: I really hated you.

H: You thought you hated me.

O: I was wrong.

H: It happens to the best of us, Mademoiselle Artiste.

O: Show-off.

MK: Both of you are pretty artistic, or at least have an appreciation for the arts. Olivia, you love to draw. Henry, you love music. Why do you love the arts so much? How do drawing and music help you?

O: At first, it helped me escape. Drawing helped me pretend all the bad stuff away.

H: Same here. I mean, this is Olivia’s story, but I had some bad things happen to me and my family too, and music helped me remember when things were actually good. It made me feel happy when nothing else could.

O: Not even your honor roll-worthy grades?

H: Ha, ha.

O: But later, it was like . . . I don’t know, I realized drawing was this thing that made me me. It wasn’t just an escape. It was something that made me stronger. I think when I realized that, when I stopped using drawing as a hiding place, I became a way better artist. Because at that point, I wasn’t drawing because of other people, because of how they made me feel. I was drawing for me.

MK: Olivia, do you have a favorite out of the four ghosts who became such good friends with you? What about you, Henry?

O: That’s like asking what’s the better cookie at The Happy Place: the oatmeal raisin or the chocolate chip? Impossible to answer because they’re both amazing—but so different from each other.

H: Great. Now I want cookies.

O: You eat like a horse. No, you eat like ten horses.

H: I’m an active young man, Olivia. Can’t help it.

O: Young man? Now that’s just freaky.

H: Well, okay. So there was Frederick. He was really helpful and friendly, because he was the youngest ghost.

O: Yeah, because he had been a ghost for the least amount of time. And Mr. Worthington was the oldest ghost because he had been a ghost for the longest amount of time.

H: Mr. Worthington made the funniest noises sometimes.

O: He didn’t really talk. It was hard for him, being so old.

H: Oh! Frederick was a musician. Automatic cool points.

O: Nerd. And Tillie and Jax, they were best friends when they were alive, so when they were ghosts, they always spoke at the same time, which was pretty funny.

H: It’s impossible to pick.

O: Agreed. They were like a team, or a band or something. Each part is equally important, and when one person goes missing . . .

H: It all falls apart?

O: Sometimes it felt that way, to me.

H: It all worked out for the best in the end, though. Didn’t it?

O: I think so. Yeah. It did.

H: It did.

O: Stop holding my hand, Henry. We only do that before séances or in moments of extreme emotional distress.

MK: Do you think you would have become friends if the ghosts hadn’t shown up that day in the lobby?

O: No.

H: Yes.

O: Oh really?

H: Even if the ghosts hadn’t shown up, a lot of stuff was going on that year. We would have to talk eventually.

O: We’re so different, Henry. Sometimes I think . . .

H: What?

O: I don’t know. Sometimes I think we’re still too different to be friends. I’m quiet and you’re not. You make good grades and I don’t.

H: Your grades are way better now. You’re like an algebra pro.

O: Thanks to you.

H: I may have helped you study, but you had to do the work. Anyway, who cares about grades and who’s louder and who’s quieter?

O: I don’t, most of the time. Most of the time, I . . . whatever.

H: No, you’ve got to finish that thought, or I’ll hold your hand again.

O: Ugh, okay, okay. Most of the time, I just think about how cool you are, and how much I like hanging out with you. Okay? Happy?

H: Euphoric.

O: Henry, seriously, put down the dictionary every once in a while. It won’t kill you.

H: Or you could pick one up . . .

O: You’re pushing it, Page.

MK: Music plays such a huge part in this story. Do either of you play an instrument? If so, which? And if not, what instrument would you like to play?

H: I know what instrument Olivia wishes she could play.

O: Oh yeah? And what’s that?

H: Well, let’s just say, you could spend a lot more time with a certain dreamy musician if you started playing the trumpet. I mean, he could give you private lessons and everything.

O: . . . You did not just say that.

H: You know it’s true.

O: I don’t think Richard Ashley is dreamy!

H: Liar, liar, secret admirer!

O: Anyway. I don’t play an instrument, but if I could, I’d probably pick the cello. Not the trumpet. So just don’t ever say that again.

H: That again.

O: Isn’t he funny? He’s just sooo funny.

H: If I could play any instrument, it would be the trombone. Or maybe I’d be a percussionist so I could, you know, bang on stuff all the time.

MK: One last question for you, Olivia: After the events of the year in this story, do you still consider yourself an “ombralina,” a “little shadow”?

O: Sometimes, I guess. I mean, everyone has bad days when they feel like a little shadow—unimportant and small and forgettable. But mostly? No. Most of the time, I feel . . . this is gonna sound cheesy.

H: I like cheese.

O: Of course you do. Anyway, most of the time, I feel . . . light inside. When I draw, or when I spend time with Henry or Joan, or the Barskys, or Nonnie or . . . Dad. Yeah. Mostly I feel light inside. Like everything that happened was the beginning of something really good. Like everything that happened was for a reason.

H: That’s beautiful, Olivia.

O: Like music?

H: Like your drawings.

MK: Thank you both for stopping by the blog today, and have fun with the launch of The Year of Shadows!



About the Book



Olivia Stellatella is having a rough year.
Her mother left, her neglectful father — the maestro of a failing orchestra — has moved her and her grandmother into his dark, broken-down concert hall to save money, and her only friend is Igor, an ornery stray cat.
Just when she thinks life couldn’t get any weirder, she meets four ghosts who haunt the hall. They need Olivia’s help — if the hall is torn down, they’ll be stuck as ghosts forever, never able to move on.
Olivia has to do the impossible for her shadowy new friends: Save the concert hall. But helping the dead has powerful consequences for the living . . . and soon it’s not just the concert hall that needs saving.

About The Author

Claire Legrand used to be a musician until she realized she couldn't stop thinking about the stories in her head. Now a writer, Ms. Legrand can often be found typing with purpose at her keyboard, losing herself in the stacks at her local library, or embarking upon spontaneous adventures to lands unknown. Her first novel is THE CAVENDISH HOME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS, a New York Public Library Best Book for Children in 2012. Her second novel, THE YEAR OF SHADOWS, releases August 27, 2013, with her third novel, WINTERSPELL, to follow in fall 2014. She is one of the four authors behind THE CABINET OF CURIOSITIES, an anthology of dark middle grade fiction due out in July 2014 from Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins. Claire lives in New Jersey with a dragon and two cats. Visit her at claire-legrand.com and at enterthecabinet.com.

The Giveaway
As part of today's tour stop, we have ONE copy of The Year of Shadows to giveaway to one lucky tour follower! The contest is open to addresses in the US and Canada only. To enter, please fill out the form below:

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck! 

Get A Look Inside The City of Bones With These Three New #TMIMovie Stills

We're 1 day away from The Mortal Instruments City of Bones hitting theaters! Today you can get a closer look inside The City of Bones from these three new stills:




Source

RedeyeChicago Talks TMI Movie With Jamie & Kevin


Jamie and Kevin sat down and talked TMI movie, and more with Redeye Chicago . Check it out here:

The Rise of the Hotel Dumort (The Bane Chronicles) by Cassandra Clare & Maureen Johnson

Happy Release Day to:


HAPPY RELEASE DAY to the next installment in The Bane Chronicles series! The Rise of Hotel Dumort was written by Cassandra Clare & Maureen Johnson. It is available via Amazon. You can also purchase it via Amazon UK, Amazon Canada & other world wide Amazon stores. You don't need a kindle to download it. I download it via my kindle app on my phone to read it. :)

About the Book:

In 1920s Manhattan, Magnus Bane hobnobs with the elite at a glamorous Jazz Age hotspot.
The immortal Magnus Bane is making the most of his time in the Roaring Twenties: He’s settled into New York society and is thriving among the fashionable jazz set. And there is nowhere better to see and be seen than the glamorous Hotel Dumort, a glittering new addition to the Manhattan landscape. But a different type of glamour may be at play…
Check out the cover puzzle pieces we have so far:


I can't wait to see the entire cover collection.

TMI Movie: Out Now The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Soundtrack & Score!



The long awaited The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones soundtrack and score are now available! If you pre-ordered either/both of these via iTunes you can listen to them now. Being that I'm a huge music score fan, I'm listening to the score now as I type this. You can also purchase them via Amazon, Target and where music is sold.


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