April. 19, 2003 - Timeforkids.com

You may only know Shia LaBeouf from his starring role on the Disney Channel's Even Stevens but that will soon change. This year, Shia will be appearing in three movies on the big screen. First up, the movie based on the award-winning book by Louis Sachar, Holes, which lands in theaters on April 18. Shia plays Stanley Yelnats (as fans of the book know, Yelnats spells Stanley backwards), the not-so-typical hero of the story. Shia spoke with TFK Kid Reporter Sarah Takagaki on the red carpet of the movie's premiere in Los Angeles on April 12. Here is what he had to say:

TFK: How would you compare filming movies and television shows?
Shia: It's two different mediums. One you have a big budget and one you have a small budget. It really depends what shows you are on and what movies you're on.

TFK: Which one do you like better?
Shia: I don't know. Movies are fun. In TV you don't get this red carpet stuff. I don't get to talk to Time for Kids all the time.

TFK: How many holes did you really have to dig while filming the movie?
Shia: About seven or eight. We didn't dig as much as you might think we did. We got through it. We didn't dig that many though.

TFK: Was it hard?
Shia: It's hard because it's like 150 degrees outside. And there's dust everywhere and I wear contacts and dust is getting in my eyes.

TFK: How did you train to dig the holes?
Shia: We did a two-week training camp.

TFK: Did you read the book Holes before you knew about the movie?
Shia: I read it after I met Louis (Sachar). Louis is the writer, of course. After I met Louis, then I decided to read it because he's an intriguing character.

TFK: What TV shows do you like to watch?
Shia: Uh?I don't know. I like to watch Survivor, I like to watch Letterman. I don't know. I like a lot of shows.

TFK: What do you like to do in your free time?
Shia: Hang out with my friends. Just sleep and relax and reminisce.

TFK: How do you spend your paychecks?
Shia: Oh...how do I answer that? The paychecks are never really big. I probably get a Twinkie and a Slurpy with what I'm getting paid. I don't know what I buy. I don't really concentrate on it that much.