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Interview with Marin Lafitte
| | | Marin Lafitte Interview
Actor playing Jeremy Belpois
Find plenty of information in this interview on Marin Lafitte!
Being in contact with the actors thanks to our partnership with Moonscoop, CodeLyoko.fr had the opportunity to interview Marin Lafitte in a private Skype conversation. Here's a report on the conversation he had with the site's editor. Big thanks to Marin for being prepared for this little game of Q&A!
For more information on Marin (general, photos, media, etc.),
>> Visit his “Actor” page <<
[Marin Lafitte interview] [Marin Lafitte's Chinese portrait] | | |
|  | CodeLyoko.fr Team: Let's start with something other than Code Lyoko! Can you tell us in detail about your passions and hobbies?
Marin Lafitte: I have a passion for magic: anything to do with magic and performing! Photography too! Honestly, anything artistic.
There's also surfing. I spend every summer in the southwest near Arcachon! It's still just a hobby but I'm decent at it!
And finally, my close friends are also a passion in a big way.
CodeLyoko.fr Team: You mentioned magic. Were the different shows you put on for kids to do with that?
Marin Lafitte: I've always been doing magic at home and the kid shows were done through my performing arts school “Les enfants de la comédie” (The Children of Acting) where I've been taking 8 hours of classes a week since 2009.
Among other things, we've done performances for children in hospital.
CodeLyoko.fr Team: Can you describe yourself in 5 words?
Marin Lafitte: Nice, funny, likable, friendly and passionate.
CodeLyoko.fr Team: Is it true Code Lyoko Evolution is your first role? You haven't really had any other roles in cinema or suchlike?
Marin Lafitte: It really is my first role! Aside from Code Lyoko, I've done work as an extra and in short films.
CodeLyoko.fr Team: Do you want to be an actor?
Marin Lafitte: Yes, I would really like to be. But I know it's very complicated; there are so many people looking for roles and so few roles available. I would at least like to do something to do with the arts! Like an agent, director or some such. But my preference will always be acting.
CodeLyoko.fr Team: Is there an actor or idol who most inspires you?
Marin Lafitte: Jean Dujardin, without a doubt.
CodeLyoko.fr Team: Did you know Code Lyoko before you applied for the role?
Marin Lafitte: Yes, I knew the series. But I wasn't a fan of it. But before shooting, I still watched a few episodes to give me some inspiration for the character and, at the end of the day, I really liked it.
CodeLyoko.fr Team: What do you like and dislike about the original series?
Marin Lafitte: I didn't like the 2D animation, I didn't find it very appealing. On the other hand, I loved this completely made-up world that still feels like it could somehow exist... In any case, I got the impression that it could exist. I love that magical side to it.
CodeLyoko.fr Team: Seeing as you weren't a fan, you weren't really hoping for a continuation to the series?
Marin Lafitte: No, I just thought it didn't exist anymore.
CodeLyoko.fr Team: In the few episodes you've seen, are there certain episodes or scenes that left a bigger impression on you than others?
Marin Lafitte: In Code Lyoko, I remember scenes that were funny: when Aelita discovers the real world, when she discovers history class, she's shocked at the actions of mankind. There was also this other scene, when Aelita was DJing at a concert.
As for Code Lyoko Evolution, I know the first scene from the audition off by heart, and I really gave it my all on screen!
The scenes we shot with Etienne Chicot, who plays Laura's father, were also a good memory.
And the very last scene was very emotional!
CodeLyoko.fr Team: Final question about the old series: do you like your character?
Marin Lafitte: I learnt to like him, though I hated him at first.
When I went to the audition, I was with Gulliver, Léonie and Pualine. Gulliver and I were taking turns at playing Jeremie and Odd! At first, I definitely wanted to play Odd! I really thought I was going to be Odd, and in the end... Nope! I was a little disappointed! But they made the right decision because Gulliver is really Odd.
CodeLyoko.fr Team: Did your agent put you on to the audition?
Marin Lafitte: No, I didn't have an agent at the time. Initially I was scouted by the casting director, Christine Robin, during an “Enfants de la Comédie” show.
I was happy because it was my first audition. I gave it my all and voilà!
CodeLyoko.fr Team: Can you tell us more about the week you spent getting to know the other actors?
Marin Lafitte: That week, we'd all only just met each other, we didn't know each other at all, and we'd just learnt we were going to be living together for two months. We worked tirelessly, sitting around a table and rehearsing with the coach, eating lunch and then rehearsing again. It was hard work but it was useful and really nice. There was a great atmosphere, so after a while we really felt glad we'd come.
CodeLyoko.fr Team: What sort of exercises did you do? Just practice scenes?
Marin Lafitte: They told us how to make yourself angry if you're having trouble doing it... That sort of thing.
CodeLyoko.fr Team: Did they show you episodes of the original series? Or did you decide to watch the episodes yourself?
Marin Lafitte: No, they didn't show us anything. Gulliver and I watched a few episodes during lunch breaks at the training. After that, I voluntarily watched a few more episodes before shooting started.
They also said I should watch a film with a sort of “team leader” character who was kind of the equivalent of Jeremie, to get some inspiration!
CodeLyoko.fr Team: With regards to getting to know the other actors, did you build a rapport very quickly?
Marin Lafitte: Very quickly, in a single day, we all got along well. Gulliver and I were fast friends, and one of the people I was most happy to meet. Mélanie wasn't there because she was cast very late into production.
CodeLyoko.fr Team: How did you feel during the filming? How was the atmosphere? Your relationship with the film crew?
[Note from CodeLyoko.Fr team: Pauline, Gulliver and Marin, all minors, stayed in a house with a guardian. Diego, Quentin, Mélanie and Léonie, all adults, were in a separate house and living independently.]
Marin Lafitte: It was great, there was an amazing atmosphere on set and in the two houses I lived in with Gulliver, Pauline and our guardian.
We all preferred to spend time in the other house because there were a few more books. With all the stress of filming, we needed to let loose a little. We drove the guardian a little nuts sometimes. So we'd usually all meet in the one room to talk and have fun. We'd often go to the adults' house or we wouldn't do anything.
CodeLyoko.fr Team: Was there an actor or actress you found it easiest to perform with? Or someone you had an affinity with on set?
Marin Lafitte: I really liked acting with Mélanie because she helped me a lot. She gave me lots of advice, she was like a big sister to me.
In the evening, in the house with Pauline and Gulliver, there was a really great atmosphere because we were all the same age. We got along really well, actually!
CodeLyoko.fr Team: Do you still see the others now and then, now that the filming is over?
Marin Lafitte: Gulliver and I have seen each other post-dubbing. The last time I saw Pauline was at the second advance screening, along with the film crew. But we text each other a lot!
We all stay in contact but we should still be able to organise a meet-up soon!
CodeLyoko.fr Team: Do you stay in contact with Léonie in Ghana?
Marin Lafitte: Yes, she sends us messages.
CodeLyoko.fr Team: What aspects of your character are the hardest to deal with for you?
Marin Lafitte: When Jeremie misses something because he lacks self-confidence... But Jeremy shouldn't lack confidence! Everything must be in order. Going into “I don't know what I'm doing, I'm not confident enough” mode every day was difficult.
CodeLyoko.fr Team: What would you say was the most memorable moment during filming?
Marin Lafitte: There were lots of them, actually. There was meeting the actors! That wasn't the filming itself, but meeting the actors was the start of a much bigger story...
And the final day... The final day was great! I was alone because the group had been split into two for this part of the filming. I was off with Mathieu, the first assistant director. We were filming scenes in the lab, on a green screen. The rest of the group were filming their comings and goings in the sewers between the school and Lyoko... After that, the two groups met up and it was the end of filming.
CodeLyoko.fr Team: It wasn't too difficult always having scenes in the lab while the others were probably more often at Kadic or some other location?
Marin Lafitte: Ah, it was hard after a while! Haha! Initially, it was my dream scenario... For two days it felt like a dream... And then after a while, it felt like, “I can't do this anymore, I want to leave!” It was really hot in the lab, it was unbearable... When you have to spend a whole day there, a full day, it becomes very hard after a while.
Especially because I was the only one who was there all the time!
CodeLyoko.fr Team: Would you like to see Jeremy on Lyoko?
Marin Lafitte: Ah, I'd really love to see that! I hope we can see him on Lyoko in the next season! Even if he looks ridiculous, I'd love to what he looks like!
CodeLyoko.fr Team: Speaking of post-production, were you involved at all?
Marin Lafitte: Yes, I did dubbing and voice-over! I really enjoyed it. I felt more at ease in post-production than while I was being filmed. Things moved much faster.
CodeLyoko.fr Team: Are you watching all the episodes? Are you waking up every Saturday morning to watch them?
Marin Lafitte: Yes, of course! I saw this morning's episode before contacting you. But yes, I'm currently following the series.
CodeLyoko.fr Team: As your casting was somewhat “by surprise,” did the film shoot disrupt your plans for the year when it comes to your schooling, friends or personal life?
Marin Lafitte: I receive a lot of Facebook messages from people from my school asking if I'm Jeremie from Code Lyoko. It's funny.
My friends are proud of me, they're happy. I'm proud of what I've done, too...
School-wise... The filming and post-production took up a lot of my time...but it's fine! My marks aren't the best, but they're not the worst either, I'm keeping on track because I put my best effort in!
CodeLyoko.fr Team: So you don't regret the two months of filming?
Marin Lafitte: No, it's something I absolutely wanted to experience and it helped me confirm that I really want to be an actor.
CodeLyoko.fr Team: Did your family react well when you got the part?
Marin Lafitte: Absolutely. At first, they tried everything they could to make sure I wouldn't be disappointed. They were supporting me but they didn't want me to do too many films. It was complicated, it was a long journey but when I got the part, they were really happy.
Now, they're really pleased I had this experience. They're still supporting me, backing me up and keeping an eye on me because I'm quite young.
CodeLyoko.fr Team: If there was a second season, would you be up for it?
Marin Lafitte: Yes, without hesitation! It was great and I would really like to do it again and see everyone and return to the atmosphere it brought.
CodeLyoko.fr Team: Is it stated in your contract that, if there's a season 2, you MUST reprise your character's role?
Marin Lafitte: No, not at all. We only signed on for one season.
CodeLyoko.fr Team: Did the series make you famous? Are there people who want to contact you or who recognise you on the street?
Marin Lafitte: For starters, I don't really look the same without the glasses and hairstyle.
Otherwise, I often get asked on Facebook. But I did get recognised out in public once. It was a little Indian girl who came up to me and asked if I was Jeremie. I was so happy.
But some of my spaces are open to fans, like Twitter, and I'd prefer to keep other things for just my friends, like my Facebook and Ask.
CodeLyoko.fr Team: And if you want to address your fans, there's always CodeLyoko.fr, haha! Thanks for the interview! | | |
 | Marin Lafitte's Chinese portrait | |
| | My favourite subjects: French, History
Least favourite subjects: Maths, Physics (Actually, I'm the opposite of Jeremy ;))
Ideal career: I want to be an actor.
And when you were little?: I wanted to be a puppeteer or a clown!
3 best qualities: Nice, friendly, confident
3 worst qualities: Teasing, a bit of a pain in the ass, and I don't know what else 
Siblings: 2 brothers and 1 sister.
Person I admire the most: Mélanie Tran for giving me so much support this summer
Last book I read: Les Misérables by Victor Hugo and The 3 Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
Favourite sports: Surfing, badminton
Radio: NRJ, Fun Radio
What would you name your children?: I would call my kids, Max, Tom, Anna
If you had a magic lamp, your 3 wishes would be: To have every power, to be able to do all that I love and to have plenty of contracts
Favourite song: Infinity
Favourite movie: Le nom des gens (The Names of Love)
Favourite actor: Jean Dujardin
Favourite series: Code Lyoko, of course
Favourite colors: Black, grey, blue
Favourite food: It was lasagna but now, uh...
Chinese portrait: If you were...
An animal: Monkey
Words: I love you
A famous person: Martin Luther King
A planet: Mercury
A day: Saturday (WEEKEND ;3)
A girl's name: Sonia, Anna
A boy's name: Tom
A quality: Determined
A feeling: Happiness
A book: Anne Frank's diary
A cartoon: Code Lyoko ;3
A hero: Ghandi, Superman
A place in a house: On the couch in front of the TV! XD
Code Lyoko Special
Discovered CL in: 2007 I think
Favourite main character: ODD :3
Favourite side character: Jim :3 and Kiwi (Rest in peace! He was eaten at a Chinese restaurant Right, Quentin?)
Favourite Sector: Cortex
Favourite quote: The Lyoko Warriors are back! (said by Jeremy, of course) | | |
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