Every now and again in life, you get one of those opportunities of a life time you will never forget. As an intern today, I got to interview Adam Elliot.
For those of you not in the know, Adam Elliot is the brains and the brawn behind the Academy Award winning stop-motion animation Harvie Krumpet. You might be more familiar with Mary and Max, half of which is set in Mount Waverley, and which screened in the opening night of the Sundance International Film Festival.
I won’t talk too much about the interview, because I don’t know if anyone of my acquaintance will ever see it. It was over the phone and although I’d written the questions in advance (I won’t pretend they were Pulitzer Prize level questions), my palms were sweating and stomach was churning.
I couldn’t get an answer, so I was going to wait. But he called me back from his mobile. Not only is this man exceptionally talented but then he is the most down to earth person. He still sounds like an Australian, and was positively delightful to listen to.
That he gave his time to an unimportant girl doing an internship impressed me. When I originally looked at the list of locations he’s given speeches (international conferences, local schools or libraries), I was humbled. Here is a man who is internationally recognised, whose films are seen in the far corners of the globe. Yet, he holds on to his family and friends, and actively gives back to his community.
No wonder this man won Young Australian of the Year some years ago. I wish I had half the talent and all the humility. All I can say is this: Interviewing Mr Elliot has to be one of the highlights of my life. And to him, thank you for the chance.
What about all of you? What do you think makes someone worthy of respect?
Mr Adam Elliot
Is there somewhere we can read the interview? 🙂