T.J. McGibbon – The War with Grandpa

By starrymag | October 10, 2020

By: Robert Warren

 

 

Q) What are the recent projects that you have been busy working on?

 

A) Since COVID-19 shut down the industry in March I have done a few voice recording that I could do from my home studio. As the industry begins to open back up, I have been busy with auditions.  Filming has once again started in my province so, hopefully, I will have some projects coming soon!

 

 

Q) In The War with Grandpa there is a feud going on between grandpa (Robert De Niro) and the other characters, what is your character’s role in the fiasco?

 

A) I play Emma who is one of the grandson Peter’s (Oakes Fegley) best friends. She is the only girl in a group of three boys and one of the only voices of reason in the film! She tries her best to keep the boys out of trouble but inevitably gets pulled into all of their shenanigans.

 

Q) How do you feel like your character helps make this story move in the movie? 

 

A) My character Emma works in two key ways.  First, there are two distinct and competing groups, the Boomers and the Zoomers.   These two groups; however, mirror each other and so my character provides the counter to Diane, played by Jane Seymour.  It was super fun to work alongside such a great female legend.  Second, Emma is the only sort of voice of reason in the Zoomer group.  I think that her often dissenting voice, or her sarcastic questioning, provides a needed reality check.  I really think this helps the audience to pause and recognize just how ridiculous the shenanigans get in the movie, which just makes it that much more hilarious.

 

Q) Now in this movie, it’s a real war zone, with lots of pranks going on, in a face-off with grandpa that the cast must get really close after all of this. What was it like working on a set with all these pranks going on in the movie?

 

A) Working on a set with so many pranks in the script was definitely something new for me. The pranks were always hilarious and we ruined so many takes from not being able to control our laughter. Although all the pranks were planned, they still kept us on our toes! If you’ve watched the trailer you would see the shot of Ed (Robert De Niro) in bed with a snake. That snake ended up escaping in a producer’s car! The snake was found safe and sound, but it was definitely an eventful hour. I have lots of other funny prank stories from the set, but you’ll have to wait and see those on the big screen!

 

Q) What was your favorite part in playing Emma? 

 

A) My favorite part about playing Emma would have to be that The War with Grandpa was my first big comedy! I love being able to grow in my craft and learn new things so I was super excited for the chance to work with so many industry legends. Comedy comes with its own set of learning curves but I am always up for a challenge.

 

Q) What are some of your favorite scenes from this movie?

 

A) That is a great question! In the trailer, you get to see some shots from the trampoline dodgeball fight between Ed, Peter and their friends. This was probably one of my favorite scenes to shoot. We got to spend three days on the trampolines and we all got to jump around between takes. Jumping around on trampolines with Robert De Niro, Jane Seymour, Cheech Marin and Christopher Walken is something I will never forget!

 

Q) This movie has been labeled “a comedy for the whole family.” What makes this film so funny? 

 

A) One of the funniest things about The War with Grandpa, of course, the legendary pranks! They were hilarious to shoot and I can’t wait to see them on the big screen.  I really think that they will make everyone laugh.  Also, some of the main characters are played by industry icons.  But when you think about some of them, like Mr. De Niro or Christopher Walken for example, “family comedy” might not be the first genre to come to mind.  I think this adds a layer of humor, especially for parents, which helps it be enjoyable for the whole family.

 

Q) Talk about what it was like working with the director Tim Hill.

 

A) Tim is such a talented director and did such a great job. He always kept the set super fun and everyone was always laughing. I loved being able to learn about comedy from him.

 

Q) What were some of the notes that the director gave you that stood out? 

 

A) My favorite note from filming wasn’t from the director and was actually given to me on my first day on set. Mr. De Niro gave all of the kids a hand-written note on our first day and a Polaroid camera so that we could document our time together. I still have that note and all my Polaroid pictures to this day and it made me feel so welcome on set.

 

Q) How do you connect personally with this movie?

 

A) I connect personally with The War with Grandpa because I grew up with two older brothers and I have been a part of my fair share of prank wars. I also connect personally with this movie because of all the great friendships and memories I made. I am very grateful to have been a part of this wonderful cast.

 

Q) How has working on this movie as Emma helped you grow as an actress?

 

A) One of the main ways Emma helped me grow as an actor would be that Emma was my first character in a comedy. Like I said earlier, I had never been a part of a comedy before but I absolutely loved it! Tim created such a great, fun and also encouraging work environment that it was the perfect place to find my place in this genre.  Of course, with as many legends as this cast had, every day on set was like a master class in acting and professionalism.

 

Q) Why do you think 2020 is the perfect time for people to see The War with Grandpa?

 

A) I think right now is a perfect time to see The War with Grandpa because we are all in need of a good laugh and a heartwarming story!!  It’s been a rough year, for sure, and so I think that this film may be a perfect way to take a break from the negative and the stress.  A giant belly laugh may be just what the doctor orders!!