EXCLUSIVE: Full Transcript of Jemima West’s Fansite Interview

tmi-poster-isabelle-shadowhunterWe had the AMAZING opportunity to speak with the lovely Jemima West who plays Isabelle in THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS. She talks about playing Isabelle, doing stunts for the first time, working with Robbie Sheehan, and more! Here’s a transcript of our fansite roundtable:

TMI_Source: You got to do some serious butt-kicking in this movie, how much fun did you have with all that action and using that whip?
Jemima West: It was really intense work, but it was all good fun all along because we were such a team working all together and even in the hard moments we were supporting each other at all times of the day. It was very intense. I didn’t prepare as much as the others in advance, but it was all very intensive for everyone and as soon as I got to Toronto I was training several hours a day. We were all in it together. At the end of the day, it was fun and it was challenging. When you get to see the results, it really pays off, I think. When people like Jamie get to do their own flips and stuff, it’s so much more exciting and cool than having someone else do them.

TMI_: What was your favorite scene to film?
J: The favorite and the hardest were the Dumort scenes and the Institute scenes; they were some of the first scenes we shot and we were getting to know each other, it was really good fun!

TMI_: What was it about Isabelle that most appealed to you?
J: Her will to fight and protect her own — her family and her friends. She’s a faithful and determined girl.

TMI_: What was is like working with Robbie [Sheehan] and hinting at the future relationship that will come between [your characters]?
J: It was great! Robbie is such a great guy! He is so much fun to work with. He is a great human being and he is such a good actor .. it was GREAT! We have a little bit to do together. I am really looking forward to working with him more!

TMI_: Is there a certain scene in City of Ashes you are most looking forward for?
J: Everything in City of Ashes is amazing. Its’ so hard to know because there is so much. I am just looking forward to doing it all again. All the fighting, all the intimate scenes, there’s so much! I’m looking forward to it all!

Mundie Moms: What is a favorite fan moment that you’ve had filming?
J: It’s so funny that you ask me this question because you see, I live in Paris and I’m blonde so I don’t look the same as I do in the film, and I don’t have Facebook and I don’t do any social networking. I know there’s lots of stuff going on, but because I’m working at the moment, it is very difficult for me to relate to the craziness that the others are going through at the moment. I do remember just when we started doing the film I knew and was aware that these books were really successful, it was sort of the first shock, when I was coming out of my trailer and this young girl came up to me and said, “you’re Isabel, you’re Isabel!” It was so overwhelming. I almost ran off because I was so intimidated. I’m really excited and I hope to meet the fans soon because it is so frustrating for me to not be able to see and meet people who are so committed to these books and excited about the film.

MM: What is one of the things that you came to admire about Isabel’s character?
J: I love Izzie because she is so committed and so strong and willing and faithful. She would do anything for the ones she love. That was something that I related to immediately. I find her very funny. I find her insecure deep down but she has to put on this good front, this soldier front. That was really interesting to work on.

MM: What was more fun to play with, the whip or the flame-thrower?
J: The whip was great! They were both so dangerous, but when I was doing the whip it was CGI, so it was a fake whip. I trained with a real whip to see what it was really like. In the scenes, I was faking the whip, but it was great because doing all these movements and having all these stunt guys pretending to be pulled and dragged by my whip was actually pretty cool. The flame-thrower was really good fun, but it was scary at first before I started using it. The second this thing goes on, I’m literally throwing flames several meters across the room full of people. Obviously they had security measures and stuff. It was a bit scary. To be honest, it got thrilling after a couple shots. It got really thrilling! It was heavy, though. The real one weighed about 40 kilos. It was something quite heavy to carry.

MM: Did you have a favorite outfit or accessory that Izzie wore in the movie?
J: To be honest, no because I loved wearing all the leather. The boots were painful but they were really part of Isabel’s look and that’s all thanks to Gersha Phillips from costume. She’s amazing. I also loved the white dress as well. I loved every costume. They were all different sides of Isabel. Fight mode or glamor mode.

Fangirlish: Do you feel a lot of pressure because it has such a big fanbase or is that not something you worried about?
J: Obviously you want to please the fans and the fans are so involved in the books and love the books so much. You sort of want to do the best job possible. Before all of that, as an actor, I sign on for a project because I want to defend the character and defend the movie and I want to do the best I can.  I put a lot of pressure on myself before I think about what is going on outside. When the film is released, indeed I think ‘oh! yea, other people are going to see this now .. uh oh!’ I try not to think of the pressure while I’m filming because I’ve got my own pressure, but once I’m done filming, yeah, definitely, especially on this film. I’m really curious to see people’s reactions and what people have thought of it.

FG: Why haven’t you’ve been at the Mall Tour?
J: I’ve started filming in early August. I’m doing a film that’s really exciting for me. It’s here in France. It has nothing to do with the world of the Shadowhunters. It’s a period film about the story of the FIFA. The FIFA is the football organization. It takes place in the 20’s to the 90’s. I’m in the first segment, from the 20’s to the 50’s. I play Gérard Depardieu’s daughter. Gérard Depardieu, I don’t know if you have heard of him, he is a pretty big French actor, I sort of always dreamt of with working with him. It’s really exciting. I’m really sad I can’t be at these premieres, but I’m working. There’s an excuse for all of this.

FG: What is your favorite memory from shooting?
J: There were lots and lots of memories. We were together a lot, waiting between takes and going through really long, hard days. The moment we all got the most crazy, giggly was when we were filming the Dumort scenes because it was ongoing action, and very long, tiring days.  We were doing it all and having so much fun but we were in this sort of weird, abandoned hotel just outside of Toronto, all together. I don’t know, something happened, there was something in the air that made us all crazy, and we had the funnest of times. It was crazy. Most of the time, it was just great because we were all like a family. When I arrived, Lily was so kind and so open and generous. And so was Jamie. It felt like we had known each other forever. That’s all thanks to them, they are the leads. They opened their arms to us and we are very, very grateful to them.

Page-to-Premiere: In terms of playing Isabel, what did you find the most difficult part to portray in her personality or what did you spend the most time on in terms of putting onto the screen?
J: The action. The fighting. That was the hard thing because I had never done that before. But also one of the most exciting aspects. The hardest was to make it feel like it was natural and innate that she was a fighter.

P2P: Why do you think Isabel appeals so much to the female fan base?
J: I’m glad that she appeals to the fan base because she appeals to me a lot, so we agree. Her strengths, she’s so faithful and committed. She’s grown up in a world of men and she has to fight for herself, fight for the others, she’ll do anything for them. What I love about her is that she fights and goes on fighting and sometimes forgets about her own self and how sensitive she is. That’s what happens when she just falls in love, her soft side comes up. It makes something quite funny because she is full of contradictions. Because she wants to stay the strong Izzie but deep down, she’s just dying for some affection and love. She’s quite a role model because she fights for the ones she loves.

P2P: Is there anything from you personally or from the other characters you have played that you brought into playing Isabel in terms of how much she loves her family and such?
J: My other characters that I have played were quite different. However, her love of family is quite similar to the love I have for my family. It’s funny because us talking about this reminds me that Lily is very close to her mom and Clary goes off looking for her mom. We all, all the actors portraying these characters, we are all very family-oriented. That is probably what bonds us to as actors, helps us bring all these characters to life and create their own bonds between them.

P2P: … The fans love you and Robbie [Sheehan]. They go crazy for pictures of you two.
J: Who doesn’t love Robbie?! I love Robbie! He is great, he is the best!

P2P: What was your favorite scene to film with him just in terms of banter, chemistry, and such?
J:There were so many little moments. Often, we would be running through halls and he was running behind and he just instantly make me laugh so much. There was a funny scene where I take him around The Institute and it was really good fun. There were lots! And there are lots more to come!

The Mortal Institute: I noticed that you said that you had never done action before, action quite like the Mortal Instruments. When I watched the film, you stole the film for me, so it’s incredible that it’s your first time doing something like that.
J: Well it was my first time, and it was so much fun. We had the most amazing stunts coordinator and team. We had a physical fitness trainer. We applied ourselves really hard. But we were also really, really well taken care of and taught, so we were in the best hands possible.

TMI: We talked about role models earlier and Isabelle is such a great role model. She has this amazing strength and loyalty. There is definite girl power going on. What would you like to say to the young girls that look up to you and see you as their role model?
J: I’d like to say don’t look up to me. I’d like to say be happy and go wherever makes you happy, listen to yourself and stay grounded. Stay true to yourself and think of that everyday. Making yourself happy everyday. It sort of is weird that I would have any influence on anyone to say that but it is my advice to myself so I try to keep that in mind.

TMI: We keep getting asked by fans this question – and we have already asked Lily, Kevin, and Jamie. So they really want to know, who your first celebrity crush was or is?
J: Such a hard question. Before actors, I would say I was really into the Spice Girls. I only ever wrote a letter once and it was to the Spice Girls. And I still love them.

TMI: Do you know all the words to their songs?
J: Uh, Ya! I would sing, but I don’t know how to sing, but that would be kind of awkward. But I love the Spice Girls.

TMI: What do you most look forward to, in getting deeper into your character Izzy? She really kicks butt. We see a lot of action, but what are you excited to reveal about Izzy to the fans on a more personal level for Izzy?
J: I think maybe her sensitivity. That she’s going to open up to love and to a new friendship and almost like a new sister. It’s going deeper into her relations to others that I am looking forward to.

TMI Movie News: Is a Twitter Account in your future?
J: I don’t have twitter and I don’t know. I cant say. Not yet. Maybe. It’s a hard question. I am not quite sure what I think of twitter and Facebook-ing yet. But it could be, we’ll see.

TMI MN: My next question is about Robbie. In the future will there be a gag reel? They have enough footage of Robbie cracking all of you up?
J: Possibly. Well I have got a lot of memories of it anyway. I don’t know if they got it on film, but we do have a lot of funny moments. Not only Robbie to be honest, Lily is hilarious. Kevin and Jamie are so funny as well. It was all of us non stop, but ya Robbie is non stop. He’s the most out there funny person, but the others are very subtle funny as well.

TMI MN: You talked about your love for your family, and that being brought into the film. How do they feel about you being part of such a large franchise here in the United States.
J: I think that they are very happy and proud. Because I think they feel that I am living my dream as an actor, which you know is to be able to perform exciting roles. But if I were doing anything else, they would be equally happy if they knew I was happy. My siblings are sort of scattered around the world and they see posters of The Mortal Instruments and go ‘Ooooh, oooh’. So it’s quite cute.

TMI NM: 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 aesthetics and a really cool edginess to it. How did the others sell it? Cause there is so much to say about it?

TMI MN: 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.

Fanspired: 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.

F: 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.

F: Who is your acting role model? What actor do you draw inspiration from?
J: 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.

F: 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?

F: 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.

F: Yeah, definitely.
J: There are lots of characters, or one of the faeries!

City of Shadowhunters: 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.

CoS: 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.

CoS: 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.

CoS: 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.

CoS: You guys were decked out in runes and that’s a big, unique 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.

Check out the PHOTOS we took of Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower and more at the Los Angeles #TMIMallTour! Also, to read exclusively what we asked Jemima West, click here!

INTERVIEW: Jemima West – Isabelle Lightwood from ‘City of Bones’

We were lucky enough to speak with Jemima West on the phone just a little bit ago, she’s in Paris currently filming her new movie, F2014.  (And good news; it’s being filmed in English – no sub titles! Woo!) From her personal style to what actor inspires her check out what we talked about below!

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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?

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.

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?

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.

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

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.

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? 

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

Yeah, she had chose Magnus so if you want to pick one of the boys.. (***SPOILER ALERT***)

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.

Yeah, definitely. (***END SPOILER ALERT***)

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

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.

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

She’s the one that kicks the most butt and doesn’t mess around with anyone, I love that.

(She laughs again.)

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Photos: The Mortal Instruments Premiere | Photos: Fans at Mall Tour LA  | Video: Mall Tour | Photos: Mall Tour LA Q&A

She is a total sweetheart! It was so great to chat with her and we can’t wait until you can all see her as Isabelle Lightwood in City of Bones she truly embodies the character and brings her to life in the best way. Thank you so much to Sony for organizing the phone interview!

Who would YOU want to be if you could be any character in The Mortal Instruments?