Sophie's spooky role
By LUCY VICKERS - North Shore Times
IN GOOD COMPANY: Sam Neill and Sophie McBride in Under the Mountain.
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Former Northcote College student Sophie McBride made her screen debut in distinguished company alongside veteran actor Sam Neill.
The 18-year-old plays Rachel Matheson as co-lead in the movie Under the Mountain.
Much of the film was shot on the North Shore and it features Lake Pupuke and North Head.
Based on the classic book by Maurice Gee, it follows red-haired twins Rachel and Theo, who are staying with relatives after the sudden death of their mother.
When the twins investigate a creepy old house, which was built on the edge of Lake Pupuke for the film, they discover evil shape-shifting creatures called Wilberforces.
Guided by the mysterious Mr Jones, played by Sam Neill, the twins must defeat them.
The creature and make-up effects for the film were produced by the Academy Award winning Weta Workshop.
McBride says the Wilberforces looked pretty freaky and were all really in character, so she did have a lot of genuine fear when she was in a scene.
She says the best part of being involved with Under the Mountain was working with Leon Wadham, who plays cousin Ricky, Tom Cameron, who plays Theo, and Neill.
"You form this really amazing bond and I know that I'm going to be tight with Tom for the rest of my life ... a lifelong friend."
McBride says working with Neill, who has appeared in movies such as The Piano, Jurassic Park and Dean Spanley, was great.
"I was really intimidated at first because he's such a big name but he's just not intimidating at all.
"He has this amazing, calm aura and he's so generous.
"We formed a really great bond. He's really funny and sort of cheeky. It was really cool working with him."
She is "stoked" with the finished movie.
"The effects blew me away. It's a whole lot scarier than I thought.
"I sort of thought kids' family adventure kind of thing, but I was actually frightened in some parts and I knew what was going to happen."
So what's next for Miss McBride?
Well as for her acting future, she says she "isn't fussed".
"I'm going to play it by ear. If auditions come up I'll go for it and see what happens."
- Under the Mountain is in cinemas from December 10.
