This interview discusses Peter Harding's role as Steve Target in the upcoming film "Blood", which is set in the 1980s in York, England. Harding discusses initially feeling anxious about taking on the complex lead role. He talks about enjoying filming the climactic ending scenes and cricket matches the most. The hardest scene to film was a long monologue requiring one continuous take. Harding also reflects on returning to film in his hometown of York and how the director's single-take camerawork style engaged him. He sees similarities between his socially awkward character and himself. Harding feels proud that so much effort went into the film and marketing from both the cast and crew.

1. Magazine copy by George Wetton
Selective quote: This character finds braver acts later on in the film and that level of
hypocrisy in comedy is something which I feel like George strives for in the writing of the
novel.”
Peter Harding discusses his person opinion and why he felt anxious playing his character
Steve Target. Along with sharing who his favourite character is.
Headline
Reliving the 80’s through the eyes of someone who doesn’t know why they are. This what
happened to ST Hill’s student Steve Target as he battles the mysteries behind his identity
crisis. Along with the uncovering of many murders around the streets of York. Steve and his
friends. Chris Bond and Lauren Pike have to work with him. Along with working together to
uncover the mysteries behind the disappearances. This comedic horror deals with a lot of
dark humour earning it the rating of an 18. The review given out so far have been successful
but have also been complimented really well. George Wetton’s direction of not making the
audience not know if they want to laugh or cry. Is a comportment which makes this film
very unique. The film has been critiqued for dealing with issues of dyspraxia and religion
rather well. Two themes that don’t come up a lot. Whilst it may be set in the 80’s. This film
delivers the promise of change. Tackling serious issue which were prominent earlier on in
that time and showing strong character development is something else which this filmhas
managed to do successfully well. Here today we have an exclusive interview with peter
Harding. The star of the Steve Target as we discuss the main processes and complications
behind the filming.
Blood will be released on May 18th at your local screenings.
So, first of what was your thought when you were handed the script to start with?
“I thought it was an interesting one. At least I hope I did or else I wouldn’t be having this
interview. (laughs) it was certainly a bit by bit process. The writer George had pitched me
the idea at a very early development stage and whilst I had read the book. I will admit to
begin I was a little unsure and self-conscious about the casting. My original casting choice
was the role of Brick but after seeing my audition they knew that I was better suited for the
role of Steve. Which I felt flattered about but it also came with a lot of pressure. I felt like for
such a big gamble because it’s a franchise and hopefully they’ll be more films than just this
one. I didn’t want a huge part. Plus, there’s the fear of being type casted but I am so glad I
accepted it and hopefully I can’t wait to do more.”
When you said, you had originally auditioned for Brick was there any particular reason. Is
he your favourite character? If not who is your favourite character.
“No he’s not my favourite character but I felt like his part would have been the most fun to
play. To start off with I didn’t think I had the skill and the ability to play such a complex
character like Steve. I actually never read the books until I heard about the audition from my
agent. Halfway through the book. I had already realised that Lauren is my favourite
character. I love her none nonsense attitude. However just because doesn’t take fools gladly
doesn’t mean she can be a fool herself sometimes. We see a lot of smart egotistic women in
film and To. What George has tried to through making a character like this. Is not make
female authority a joke but make the character a lot more relatable. She’s strong. Tough

2. and out of all the characters. She’s the one that can defend herself the most. However, that
doesn’t make her a genius. George has done a good job of swapping the archetypes and
making them work even more in my opinion. I think Beth (play Lauren) dis an excellent job
and that tough side was showed well on the screen.”
What was your favourite film to scene?
Whilst I can’t give too much away because the ending is very important. The ending was
definitely my favourite. I love the physicality and doing my own stunts is very important.
You see a lot action character being replaced by stunt double. Sometimes it can be very
obvious. So, I want to stay in the character and do my own stunts a much as possible. I also
had a lot of fun. Filming the cricket scenes. I am a big cricket fan and rehearsals felt like we
were actually playing the game. Despite being as professional as possible. Playing a
character that suffers from a coordination problem such as dyspraxia and then having the
challenge of finding enjoyment in cricket. I think it’s an interesting concept. The character
can skateboard which is one of the only things that he can control but his enjoyment for
cricket is challenged because of the condition that he suffers from.”
What was the hardest scene to film?
“The hardest scene to film for me personally was the soliloquy that is played halfway
through the film. The scene can be very demanding and pretty much sums up the whole film
apart from the ending because that’s not happened yet. I felt it very pressuring and because
George like to filmin one continuous take which I think does work really well. However,
when it comes to line learning and constantly being on top of the character it became very
difficult. The monologue came after the scene which was filmed with the other two
characters. Which makes the scene a lot long than I was initially expecting.”
Your hometown was originally York wasn’t it but you haven’t been down there for a while
have you? What was it like going back to see it all?
“Oh yeah its brilliant. I thought It was a huge coincidence that the main location setting was
York. The filmdoes a good job of exploring the important sight that tourists often see. It was
very interesting to see to see the locations on screen. Seeing places like the bar walls,
minister and Clifford’s tower. You really get that sense of the geography on the screen but
the experience was very surreal. I missed it.”
I’ve heard your direction has shifted a little from acting to filmmaking. You’ve stated in a
previous interview. That this encouraged you be more interactive with howit looks on
camera. Could you talk more about this?
“Yeah absolutely. I think it was mostly through George’s direction with it. I felt engaged with
his continuous shots. Having seen the film ‘1917’. I found that the concept of the camera
following the characters and having no cuts. You really felt like you were in that world and it
felt a lot more engaging. Something which I think George has capsulated very well. It’s not
just the camera work that I admire though. It’s also the cinematography. The practical
camera work I found very inspiring but I also like looking at the editing. The monochrome
style of including hues of red and blue from selective colour is something that I have never
seen before.”

3. Even though it was quite an anxious role to taken on and the characteris very different to
most characters that are in the film. Do you yourself see similarities between the
character?
“Good question. Like you say he’s a very different and complex character. I think he does
have an overwhelming socially awkward trait to him which I found the easiest to play. I
didn’t live through the 80’s. So, seeing all the sets and props. I was amazed in the same
sense that Steve is. There definitely is an overwhelming factor not just to Steve’s character
but to the everything that Is going on. When making something look like it’s set in the 80’s .
you don’t want it to come across as too cheesy but you need to amplify those qualities that
tell you what time period you’re in. So, there’s that factor that think the audience and
myself will be able to relate too. There is also the trait of not knowing what’s going on. This
is definitely something which I relate to immensely no matter what I am doing.” (Laughs)
When you are thinking of the 1980’s? What are the first things that you think of?
“Well the first things that come to mind when I think of the 1980’s is Rubik cube’s. because I
wasn’t born I the 1980’s. There’s no personal memory there for me to invest in. one thing
that this filmhas done that the book did quite well but not on the same level for obvious
reasons is bring the music to life. There is a lot of ‘the jam’ and ‘a-ha’ music that I admire a
lot. This was music that despite not growing up in this era. I listened to a lot.” There’s a lot
of references in there that make the you feel engaged in the world.”
What are your opinions on character development in the film? Do you feel like they got
through a lot of it?
Yeah absolutely. Hopefully if this film is a success. Then you can see the further
development of these character. I think it just essential to stick with one film at a time. I do
however think there is a fair bit of character development in this film. It’s almost an
introduction to the world. The best part for me is humour and how you can play around the
development with that. You have one scene where the character is hugging them saying
“(you’re my best friend. We’ve already been through a lot”) and there’s one scene where
they are talking about going to their deaths. Which leads to them cowering out. This
character finds braver acts later on in the filmand that level of hypocrisy in comedy is
something which I feel like George strives for in the writing of the novel. But overall there’s
a lot more personal conflict. It’s not just about solving the case. It’s about getting along and
working as a team.”
What are you most proud of now that it comes to finishing the film?
I feel like the thing which I feel most proud about is the level of effort not just gone into the
cast but into the crew too. I feel like visually they have tried their best at making this as
much as a success as possible. I also don’t get too involved with it but the marketing has
been done very well with this film. I feel like despite playing such a challenging role I was
able to play that character with an air of believability. Whilst I can’t fully judge myself as an
actor. All I have had is nice comments on how believable the role is and how well I played
the insomnia side of the character.”
Now I’m guessing that you have already read the second book. Just in the expectations of
a sequel. The main antagonist deals with an identity crisis in a similar sense as Steve does.
If you could pick someone for the role of this who would you pickand why?

4. “Well I don’t think that I am the best making these sorts of decisions’. I would leave them to
the director but I did have my say on it. I would go for Anthony Hopkins. I don’t know if I am
being too ambitious with that decision but have read the second boo and I think he
establishes the tone of it perfectly well. He matches the description and his sinister
performance in “the silence of the lambs” (1991) was outstanding. So, I really feel like he
would excel in the role. “
Well that’s everything. Thank you for giving us the chance to interview you.
“Thank you for having me. I hope you enjoy the film”