The world can’t get enough of penguin movies. We’ve seen the little black and white guys march, sing and dance, but until Sony Pictures Animation came up with Surf’s Up, we’ve never seen them doing what they do best – surf. That’s right, surf.
Soundstage 18 on the Sony lot in Hollywood was transformed into a tropical luau for a kick-off event in support of Surf’s Up. The animated penguin movie isn’t your normal animated tale. Instead, Surf’s Up uses a documentary-style form of storytelling to tell the story of one of the penguin world’s best young surfers – Cody Maverick (voiced by Shia LaBeouf). Cody and his surfer buddies are ‘interviewed’ as they prepare to compete in one of the surfing world’s biggest events.
After taking in a lengthy clip from the movie (the animation’s gorgeous including the water scenes which are so difficult to create in a CGI production), members of the voice cast provided an insight into the world of penguin surfing. Teaming up to discuss the film were Jon Heder (the voice of a surfing chicken) and Zooey Deschanel (the voice of cutie pie lifeguard Lani).
What appealed to you about working on this animated film?
Zooey Deschanel: “I don’t know, I thought it would be fun. I’ve never done an animated movie before. I like that she was a lifeguard and she was kind of sassy. I mean, it’s all fun. We have a great job, but that’s why I do it because I like it and so it’s just a different way of being creative and telling a story. I like telling stories and that’s why I’m here to begin with.”
Jon Heder: “I love - like she was saying - telling a story. I love animation and I love bringing characters to life whether it be through acting or… I mean, they’re essentially the same thing. In animation you’re telling a story through characters and literally bringing them to life, and that’s what acting is. You’re bringing a character to life - a character you’ve never seen before. You’ve got half of it done with the visuals, then just bringing a voice to it, it’s really cool when you see it.”
How different is it to just provide a voice rather than actually act out a character?
Jon Heder: “You just kind of show up and it is weird because you’re like, ‘I’m a surfing chicken. I mean, there’s been weirder profiles out there, but you just kind of more play it like yourself and you just let that go. It’s fun because that’s what’s fun when you see those personalities and animations match up with a really weird looking character.”
Zooey Deschanel: “They were filming us, yeah. It was actually I think probably more fun because it was kind of like acting class.”
How did it feel to be a surfing chicken instead of a cute penguin?
Jon Heder: “It felt great to stand out! It was kind of cool to be the ugly duckling. Oh my gosh, that was awesome.”
Do either of you surf?
Zooey Deschanel: “I love the ocean. I’m not a surfer, but I do love to swim and snorkel.”
Have you ever been on a surfboard?
Zooey Deschanel: “No.”
Jon Heder: “I’ve been on one, not standing. It’s hard. I get good at anything I try but…”
Some people think you look like a surfer.
Jon Heder: “You think so? The way his skin is so dark, and his buff physique… Yeah, I know. Oh well, I’m a chameleon.”
Zooey, you’re a lifeguard in the film. Have you ever done anything like that in real life – saved someone’s life?
Zooey Deschanel: “No, I always…”
Jon Heder: “I trained to be a lifeguard once.”
Zooey Deschanel: “I’ve heard this one before.”
Did you get the job?
Jon Heder: “No, I never got the job. Well, the problem was I did the first step of getting my certificate but then I was too lazy to go out and look for a job so I never went there. But saving peoples lives: I’ve done my fair share of first aid.”
So you’re a good swimmer but not a surfer?
Jon Heder: “I was on the swim team when I was in high school.”
Zooey Deschanel: “I was on the YMCA swim team.”
You swam competitively?
Zooey Deschanel: “I was on the swim team. I practiced with them every day but I couldn’t go to meets because I don’t like being competitive. I literally, I hated the meets. I just liked the peace of mind that you got from practicing every day.”
And since this is a surfing film, when was the last time you wiped out?
Zooey Deschanel: “Wiped out - just like in general? Did something dumb? I’m trying to think of something really dumb that I would like to share with a table of journalists. I tend to get clumsy, but only if I get conceited. Like if I’m like, ‘I did a pretty good job,’ I will immediately turn around and walk into a wall or trip over something that wasn’t there before. God’s little tricks.”
