By Natalie Swanson ’13, Arts & Entertainment Editor

The new movie, Moonrise Kingdom, is packed with big-name Hollywood actors, including Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, and Tilda Swinton. Among these talented actors is Newark Academy’s very own seventh grader, Jared Gilman.

Gilman traveled to New York City to audition for the part of Sam Shakusky over a year ago. It was a cold reading–he wasn’t given the script to practice beforehand. He had about ten minutes to read the lines over and prepare before auditioning in front of director Wes Anderson. The lines were from a scene that didn’t make it into the finished script. Gilman left an impression on the director, and after a six month long process with three callbacks, he got the part.

Jared plays Sam, a 12-year old boy. He falls in love with Suzy, and they run away together to live in the woods.

Filming for the movie took place in Rhode Island from April to June 2011. One month was spent strictly rehearsing lines. Gilman had the entire script memorized by the time filming began.

He, along with the other child actors, stayed in the same hotel for the months spent in Rhode Island. The big- name actors stayed at a separate hotel called the Vanderbilt. Gilman finally got to go to the “fancier” Vanderbilt after filming concluded, and he said it was really nice.

Moonnrise Kingdom premieres at the Cannes film festival in France on May 14. The prestigious festival is an annual international event that recognizes independent movies. Jared and his family are flying to France for the event. The premiere will be his first time seeing the finished movie–he has only seen the rough cut twice without special effects.

“There wasn’t a single actor I didn’t like.  All were great to be around. Each of the actors gave me advice inadvertently,” he explained.

Bill Murray pulled him aside one day and told him that everyday he should warm up his voice by humming. Gilman followed his advice, and even passed the tip to his costar Kara.

On another occasion, a scene in the movie required Jared to wear a tie, something very unfamiliar to him.

“The first time I ever saw a tie, I ran in the other direction screaming ‘no tie!’” Jared exclaimed.

He had absolutely no idea how to tie a tie. The room was full of women, who weren’t able to help Jared with his predicament. Bill Murray was reading in the next room, and overheard the commotion. He motioned for Jared to come over.

“He put his arms around me and showed me how to tie my tie.”

Though Gilman worked with many different actors for the movie, it was critical that he work closely with his costar Kara. They had many rehearsals together to test chemistry, as she played his love interest. Wes Anderson wanted to be sure there was a chemistry and natural aura between the two.

Gilman still keeps in touch with many of the kids he worked alongside. He met them all for the first time on the set, but they soon became friends. They often keep up via text message. He also sees them at events for the movie.

Gilman took his first acting lesson in third grade. “It started as just a fun thing to do.”

By fifth grade, his acting teacher had set him up with a manager and agents who saw his potential. He continues to take acting lessons and auditions for roles. He plans to pursue his acting career in the future.

When asked what his favorite part of the movie is, Gilman quickly responded, “It would be a spoiler if I told you!”

Gilman is keeping the story of the movie a secret, so if you want any information you will have to see the movie yourself! Moonrise Kingdom comes to select theaters on May 25.

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