How Max Harwood Prepped For Everybody’s Talking About Jamie - Exclusive
John Rogers
By Angela Barbuti/Sept. 23, 2021 11:53 am EST
In an exclusive interview, The List sat down with Harwood, who took us behind the scenes into what it was like preparing to play such an icon. When he got the part, after three months of auditioning, he was elated, but also filled with trepidation about taking on the real-life character. “I was excited. I was nervous … Then you go through a process of being terrified that you actually have to do it,” he explained. “And then the imposter syndrome kicks in, like, are you the right person?”
It turns out that Harwood, a native of England, was the right man for the job. In fact, his performance is garnering rave reviews from A-listers like Neil Patrick Harris, who is such a fan that he even offered his home for a screening (via The Hollywood Reporter).
Max Harwood’s ’extensive’ training included working with acting, vocal, and accent coaches
And because the film was, in fact, a musical, another step Harwood took in the intricate process was honing his vocal skills. “I met the vocal coach, worked on the songs from the album, as well as my own vocal technique and like learning pop style as well,” he explained. Even though he cited one of musical numbers from “Everyone’s Talking About Jamie,” titled “Work of Art,” as the most difficult to film, viewers would never guess that was the case, as Harwood shines on screen, singing and executing the choreography like a seasoned professional.
Last, but not least, to fully immerse himself in the role, Harwood met with the man behind it all, Jamie Campbell, someone Harwood recognizes not only as a trailblazer, but an inspiration to him in his own life. “That’s inspiring, just that bravery and that courage to be who you are,” he said.
