Freddie called me from London last week. Hmmm, those are words I never thought I'd write. Anyhow, he called in support of The Spiderwick Chronicles, out today on DVD. We didn't have long to talk but I'd like to think I learned a bit about what he enjoys eating and when he'll be leaving acting behind. Enjoy!

Laremy Legel: Had you read The Spiderwick Chronicles before you shot the movie?

Freddie Highmore: I read the books when I was deciding how to play the role, but I hadn't read them before they approached me. Obviously you've got to have your own take, change it a bit to fit your personal take.

LL: Did you have a voice coach for the American accent?

FH: Yeah, I had one for August Rush so it was more like getting back into it. But mainly I just tried to talk in it as much as possible so it became second nature. You've got to forget you're doing an American accent and concentrate on the task at hand, concentrate on the emotions.

LL: Did you enjoy the process of acting without having certain characters actually there?

FH: I like learning new skills with every film. With this one it was a chance to do CGI stuff ... and also working on being in two places at one time, of course.

LL: Did you learn guitar for August Rush?

FH: I had to learn, yeah. And conducting as well!

LL: You're building up quite a skill set over there...

FH: Absolutely (laughs). I don't need to go to school. I've just got to keep making films.

LL: Do you read many scripts?

FH: Well my mum is my agent so she reps me ... but really she's just my mum. I think it's always a family decision as well because it does mess up the whole family in certain respects. For Spiderwick I went off to Montreal for four months while my brother and mum stayed back in England. It's important that everyone has a say.

LL: Are you a reader or more of a movie person?

FH: At the moment I've just finished my big exams in London. So I've been studying English literature. I don't always go to the cinema every weekend, but I see a film every once in awhile.

LL: Burning question; how did you do on your exams?

FH: They've been the last four weeks because they're staged exams. They have to go off and get moderated and marked so you don't get the results until August, but I hope I've done well.

LL: Do you think you'll be more interested in writing and directing as you get older?

FH: Yeah, I think that'd be really interesting. People ask if I'm going to be an actor forever and I'm really not sure. But yeah, I'd give it a go.

LL: What's your favorite food?

FH: I quite like takeaway Chinese. And Italian, pizza and pasta.

LL: Do you feel like you're treated differently due to your age?

FH: I don't think so. I've done a few films and obviously at the start there's an element of learning. But once you've got the basics, they've taught me as they would anyone else.

LL: Do you feel like you're a normal guy?

FH: I think I'm a normal guy. It's a bit funny saying that because I get to fly around the world and make movies. But I go to a normal school when I'm not filming too.

LL: A four-month shoot had to be tiring, eh?

FH: Yeah, it was awhile. We had to shoot many things twice. You never get too tired that you don't want to do it anymore though. If I get to that [point], I should stop really because there are so many people that want to take my place. I'm really lucky to be here. So the moment where I don't enjoy it anymore I should just stop. Because it's not really a job, It's not like I need to do it.

LL: So then you haven't planned out the next 15 years of your career or anything?

FH: No, no.

And with that our time was up. Good luck on those exams Freddie!

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