Inside Access: Behind the Scenes of Alice In Wonderland

BB got the inside story on the making of Tim Burton?s Alice In Wonderland (releasing on DVD 1 July) with real life sister producing team Todd ? Suzanne and Jennifer Todd.

This interpretation of Alice has a definite darker, adult twist - was this the vision from the outset or did that evolve? How much did Tim Burton's unique style and interpretation affect this?
Suzanne Todd: Linda's script had some already "dark" elements - the notion of the oversized body parts and the floating severed heads, for instance, but it naturally followed the course of Tim's taste and sensibility after he came on board.

What did you learn working alongside, director, Tim Burton, for Alice in Wonderland?
Jennifer Todd: I learned from Tim that you can never aim too high. He really reached on this film from his own comfort zone and the results were magical. I learned you can never stop pushing the envelope.

What attracted you to Alice in Wonderland? Especially since it had been done many times before.
Suzanne Todd: Yes, it's true that Alice had been done many times before, but we felt that Linda's take on the story took a fresh look at the time honoured tale, and that the coupling of modern technology with Tim's genius vision would make for fascinating entertainment.

Can you tell us what it is like to work with Johnny Depp?
Suzanne Todd: There just aren't the proper adjectives to describe the magnificence of Johnny Depp. He is the most incredibly talented actor yet also kind, down to earth, and hard-working.

As I understand it, Alice is the first time Tim Burton has filmed on a green screen. With so much of the film shot against green screen, combined with demanding VFX, how much pre-production time was involved and what were some of the challenges foreseen?
Jennifer Todd: We prepped the film for about 6 months; it was a long prep to get everything organized for the shoot. Even then we still came across a lot of difficulties on set, with Alice shrinking and growing and taking into account the Queen's head and all the fake characters, it felt like a complicated math puzzle every day.

At what point in the process did Mia Wasikowska become involved? Was she always first choice for the role, did she audition etc.
Suzanne Todd: Tim had a very specific vision for the role of Alice and met with and read with a number of actresses. Although there were many famous actresses who wanted to play Alice, Tim wanted someone that would bring a timeless quality to the film. Mia demonstrated the perfect blend of strength and fragility, bewilderment and wonder, and is beautiful yet accessible.

What turned out to be favourite scene in the film, and is it surprising?
Jennifer Todd: Hmmm...that's so hard. I love the introduction to the Red Queen when she's playing croquet, I also love the end with Alice and the Mad Hatter.

Suzanne Todd: I have too many favorites!!! I love the resolution to the wedding proposal, the goodbye scene with the Hatter, and I am always surprised by how affected I am when she says "Lost my muchness, have I?"

We often hear stories of Johnny Deep staying in character throughout a shoot, was he like that for Alice, was he in Hatter mode a lot of the time?
Jennifer Todd: He was, although at the end of the day when he was cleaned up and not in make-up anymore he seemed to just be himself.

What was the most enjoyable aspect of bringing to life this darker interpretation of a much loved classic?
Suzanne Todd: The response to the female empowerment at the core of the film has been very rewarding. We have heard from so many fans that the film has inspired them to think outside the box, and find courage in adversity - and that is immensely rewarding.

What is your favourite character in the movie? which was more fun to draw out?
Suzanne Todd: I love so many of the characters! I feel like a mother in the way you have love for all your children. But if I have to pick one, it would be Alice - for her strength and curiosity and bravery and compassion. The idea that a movie with a female teenage lead character could be this successful at the world wide box office is a testament to Alice and her muchness.

Jennifer Todd: I really love the Red Queen - I love the reason she's so mean is that she's just a scorned woman. She says "is it better to be feared than loved" and even though she is so awful you understand that it's because she feels unloved.