BB Exclusive: Harry Jarvis Chats his New Movie, High Strung Free Dance

Harry Jarvis is about to premiere his new movie, High Strung Free Dance and we had the great chance to chat with him about the new movie. Harry plays Charlie, a pianist who costars alongside Barlow (Juliet Doherty) in a new Broadway show.

In our chat with Harry, we talk about filming the new movie, the audition process, working with Jane Seymour and Thomas Doherty, and so much more. Check it out below.

What was it like filming this movie?
“It was probably my most enjoyable experience on a set. We were in Eastern Europe (Romania), which was amazing, there was such a real buzz on set all the time. I made such good friends with the cast and still see a lot of them whenever I get the chance!”

How did you come to be a part of this movie?
“I auditioned through my agent and loved the script straight away! Carolyn McLeod the casting director sent castings to the US, Canada, and Europe so I felt really blessed that I was chosen, especially to work on a script I loved so much!”

What was the audition process like?
“I sent across a couple of videos of my very limited piano skills, then met the Director and Producer for lunch in LA. They let me listen to the initial score which was amazing. I remember sitting there for around 10 minutes and just listening to the entire finale piece at the table. Once I took out the headphones I think we all knew that we were passionate about this project and it would be a great fit.”

You can read the rest of our interview under the jump. The movie will be released on October 11.

Did you have any experience playing the piano before the movie or was it something you had to learn before filming?
“I had achieved my grade one piano at around 11 years old but unsurprisingly my knowledge of Frere Jacques wasn’t quite what was required in the movie. So I had about a month and a half to learn 18 songs, it was a real challenge but I worked on the piano for about 8 hours a day and I was able to play them by the time we started shooting, which felt really good.”

Did you watch High Strung before or during the filming of High Strung Free Dance?
“I watched the first High Strung the day I received the script for Free Dance, as I wanted to check if there was any background I needed to know going into the second film. Nick and Keenan did an amazing job and the film was beautiful, however apart from Jane Seymour retaining her character the two films are entirely separate, which was an exciting challenge because we were taking the legacy of a movie but carrying it with an almost entirely different cast.”

The music shop scene is one of my favorite scenes in the movie because you look like you are having so much fun. Was it as fun as it looks to film?
That scene was a lot of fun to shoot. We had to re-take a few times because we were cracking up laughing. I especially enjoyed watching Juliet play the trombone, it made one of the most unique sounds I have ever heard!”

How long did it take to prepare and film the final number?
“Preparation depends on how you define it. The writers (Michael and Janeen) had been working and reworking their vision for over a year. The score took months to compose and the choreography was also thought of far ahead of time, however the actual dance rehearsals took a few weeks and were largely centred around the finale. The on set shoot of the finale itself took around 3 15 hour nights to shoot. It is split into 3 acts and each night we took on a new act, although it was exhausting (much more for the dancers than me) everyone constantly was running off an adrenaline rush and the mood never dropped. I actually got quite emotional when the finale shoot came to an end as I just wanted to keep going and going.”

Do you have a favorite memory from set?
“I have too many. Watching Juliet dance liar was breathtaking, being a part of the finale, enjoying Thomas’ own kind of special dancing on set, spending hilarious evenings with cast. But my favourite memory was when a large chunk of the cast found this beautiful hidden bar behind an abandoned mansion, which had hammocks, bean bag chairs, an artificial mini beach and was covered in fairy lights, the entire night was so funny and the setting was beautiful, it is a night I will never forget.”

What was it like working with Jane Seymour and Thomas Doherty?
“Jane Seymour obviously has an incredibly distinguished career and is so powerful on screen, which is why I was not surprised at her presence on set, however I was surprised by how lovely and down to earth she was. She is such a kind, lovely, generous and talented woman and it was an honour to work in the same movie as her. Thomas on the other hand is one of the funniest guys I have ever worked with. We spent an entire night making puns out of objects at a restaurant, annoying everyone there I’m sure but we were in tears of laughter. I am still really good friends with him and see him when he’s in LA.”

Barlow and Charlie’s chemistry really resonates on screen, especially during the final number, was your chemistry immediate or did you have to work on it?
“Thank you, honestly Juliet and I bonded so well and so quickly. Juliet, Thomas and I spent one of our first days alone together out on a pedalo boat, heading round a lake in Romania, we spent the first half of the day crying with laughter and the second half really getting to know each other. From then the three of us were really close and hung out all day on set and every night. Juliet is such a talented actress and obviously a phenomenal dancer and I know she is going to do amazing things in the coming years 🙂 I can’t wait to catch up with her in New York.”

Can you talk a little about your role in the upcoming Holiday movie, The Knight Before Christmas with Vanessa Hudgens?
“For sure, I really don’t think I can say too much but I play the brother to Sir Cole (Josh Whitehouse) and it is the story of a medieval knight who falls for a high school science teacher. I can guarantee you it is going to be a great Christmas watch!”

What do you hope fans get out of High Strung Free Dance?
“I hope the fans leave feeling inspired to follow their dreams and take with them that if you work hard enough you can achieve anything. It’s such a feel good movie and the music and dance is out of this world. I hope they walk out feeling inspired!”