Dan Fogler on the Magic of Technology

Dan Fogler who plays the character of Jacob Kowalski, a muggle character that interacts with the Wizarding World, in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Recently met with CNET to discuss technology and the Wizarding World. Fogler discusses how movie magic really plays an important role in making the audience believe.

It’s a fine line between magic and science. In medieval times, science was magic. In the field I work in, Hollywood, there’s that magical feeling you [felt] watching E.T. fly across the moon. A lot of technology went into making an audience feel that tingle.

Fogler knows that his film wouldn’t be possible without technology playing a crucial role. Fogler reflects on filming the scene where all of the magical creatures escape from their case. He expected something very different during filming.

I’m looking for the green screen, and they say, “Oh, no no no no. We’ll just paint a creature in after-effects wherever you look, man.” So I’m in a room that is perfectly made up, the set pieces are everywhere, and now it’s so actor-friendly that wherever you look, they’ll work with you. You can be in the scene, in costume, and just say, “I’m looking there. You’re going to put the monster there. Great.” That was astonishing to me on set. The technology is speeding up exponentially.

Fogler is a long time movie fan and he loves how technology has made the film going experience so much more realistic. He is excited to see this new Wizarding World develop and grow. Fogler feels lucky to be part of such a great new franchise and is excited about the film. To read the interview in its entirety visit CNET.com.