The Fantastic Jason Schwartzman Hits Third Street to Talk About His Career and Early Beginnings

Wes  Anderson and Jason Schwartzman adapted Roald Dahl's fictional story "Fantastic Mr. Fox" and brought it to animated life. This past Saturday at the Third   Street Promenade Apple store, in promotion of the new film, actor Jason Schwartzman came out to meet fans and answer their burning questions.

Those unable to manage a seat in front of the screen crowded around either in diligence, patiently waiting to get their question answered or, in curiosity wondering what event was taking place. Once they rolled the trailer for the movie, Jason walked out onto the small stage, endearingly smiling to answer some questions.

The first being, "How did you meet Wes Anderson and land the role of Max Fischer in his movie ‘Rushmore?'" Before answering, Schwartzman warned the audience that it was a long story and he would try and make it short.

"Wes asked me to wait 45 minutes and walk around the block and come back. I'd never been to one of these things so; I thought it might be normal. When I came back, he had me read more lines and do a screen test. Days later I got a call to my house phone and it was Wes offering me the role."

While recalling how it all started, Jason very animatedly told the story, setting up the background and giving the audience little intimate details. "I was 17, and living in Los Angeles but I went with my sister to a party in San Francisco. While at the party she introduced me to her friend who was a casting agent for Wes. My sister had told her beforehand that the character of Max Fischer sounded a lot like me in reality. She asked if I wanted to try out for the role. The next day when I got back to L.A., the script was waiting on my doorstep. I wrote and directed some plays in high school but I had never acted.

 When I got into the room to try for the part there was Wes, and I had seen ‘Bottle Rocket' and was a fan. We started talking about music and other things and instantly started a friendship; then he had me read my lines. Wes asked me to wait 45 minutes and walk around the block and come back. I'd never been to one of these things so; I thought it might be normal. When I came back, he had me read more lines and do a screen test. Days later I got a call to my house phone and it was Wes offering me the role."

Then another short clip from the movie was rolled for the audience. Displaying the light hearted, dry humor that the movie will hold throughout. It was then the fans turned to ask questions, one earnest young man stood up asking, "What was the process like, acting in an animated film?"

Schwartzman's face lit up, he cracked a small joke to get the audience, and said, "Unlike the normal method of having the actors not really interact and just sitting in the recording booth, Wes had us all read together and if there was an outside scene he'd have us all go outside. The scenes where are characters are eating; we are actually eating at the same time. Before we started, Wes took us out to numerous farms to explore and get to know the background of the movie."

After a few more questions about his music and other films he's acted in were answered, a line of fans was created to meet Jason, getting his autograph and taking friendly pictures, while holding a small intimate conversation with the personable actor.

Jason Schwartzman is no longer that young, "Max Fischer" anymore, he is versatile in not only acting but also writing screenplays. Fantastic Mr. Fox is scheduled to be released, into theatres a couple weeks from now, on November 25.From what the clips have shown, the movie looks like it will bring justice to the beloved Roald Dahl book.