Entertainment

12 Years a Boy: Ellar Coltrane on growing up in Boyhood

Ellar Coltrane star of Richard Linklater's new movie Boyhood talks about the process of making the film over 12 years.

The 19-year-old actor was just six when he started filming Richard Linklater's new movie

Ellar Coltrane on starring in Richard Linklater's new movie Boyhood

10 years ago
Duration 2:27
Boyhood star Ellar Coltrane tells CBC Arts reporter Eli Glasner what it was like to grow up on camera over 12 years

Ellar Coltrane was just six when he started filming Richard Linklater's new movie Boyhood.

Now, after having spent more than half his life filming the movie, the 19-year-old actor is talking about the process.

The fictional coming-of-age story follows Coltrane's character, Mason over 12 years as he transforms from a sensitive first-grader into a college freshman. 

The film is drawing rave reviews from critics who applaud Linklater's skill at capturing the seemingly real and intimate passage of time as Mason, and his family (played by Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette) grow, change and age before the audience's eyes. 

Boyhood is currently playing in theatres across Canada.

In the above video, Coltrane explains to CBC Arts reporter Eli Glasner, the process behind Linklater's movie magic.