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JULY 1, 2004 at 1:51 AM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: HPANA
After making international headlines and enduring the wrath
of Harry Potter author JK Rowling herself, the person responsible for releasing a false title -- Harry Potter and the Pillar of Storgé -- for the series' sixth book offers an apology and explanation in an interview with HPANA.
The real title of book 6 -- Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince -- popped up on Rowling's official site just days after the hoax (perhaps because of the hoax?). It has since been confirmed by the author.
The prankster, a 19-year-old male student at the University of Florida, speaks:
Firstly I would like to offer two apologies. I owe an apology to all of the Harry Potter fans that I lied to; I never thought my hoax would go so far and I felt awful when some of you got so excited about knowing the title. I am sorry. I also would like to apologize to J.K. Rowling, as I did an awful thing by impersonating her. I consider her a literary genius.
In the end, the hoax was all in good fun. I thought the title was rather funny and had hoped that at least some people would get a good chuckle out of it.
And now, explained in full, here's what happened -- straight from the horse's mouth:
Do you have any official connection to JKR, Warner Bros., or the book publishers?
No, I have no connection to them whatsoever.
What made you think of doing this, and specifically, the timing of it?
I had recently finished a re-reading of Order of the Phoenix and it got me excited about the Harry Potter series again. As a result of that excitement, I stumbled upon JKR's website for the first time and was fascinated by the unopenable door. I also thought it was great that she was dispelling some of the rumors about the series. Somehow I put two and two together and the hoax clicked in my mind.
The timing of the event was never planned; it was simple dumb luck on my part that I released the hoax at the start of a weekend so that it [became] more effective.
How did you do it?
A hobby of mine is computer graphics/video editing, so I knew I could produce a realistic video. I realized that this was exactly what I needed to make the hoax believable.
I used two programs: Adobe Photoshop and Adobe After Effects. In Photoshop I edited and manipulated pictures from JKR's site, and in After Effects I animated them into the finished video. I did not use [Macromedia] Flash at all. The blue bars (see image) at the bottom and top are a result of me changing the aspect ratio of the video without distorting it so that I could compress it into an MPEG file. I whipped the video up in about two hours.
As far as the "message" was concerned, I just tried to mimic JKR's style as much as possible. I came up with the title Pillar of Storgé, trying to formulate something with a hidden meaning that people would be able to figure out. It's an ugly title, but I'm quite fond of it.
What did you expect as a result of the hoax? Did you think it would receive the worldwide press it garnered?
I NEVER expected this much attention. I even wondered if anyone would believe it at all. My original goal of the hoax was that a rumor about the title would slowly creep through the Harry Potter community (much like the Green Flame Torch rumor), and that JKR would eventually dispel it as a myth (perhaps releasing some real information while doing so) on her site.
I never wanted the attention of all the Harry Potter fans; there was a clear and specific reason for the hoax and it involved the attention of only one woman. I was highly amused by the fervent guessing of the meaning of the title by eager fans and by the international press that it received.
Finally, a closing thought from the anonymous mountebank: "If I had not started the hoax, would we all know the real title to book 6 right now?" Read The Leaky Cauldron's analysis of that question. In the meantime, consider what an astute reader over there observed: Rowling said on her site that "as a little bonus, and compensation for having been messed around by Mr. or Ms. Storgé, I shall tell you one thing without making you shift any bricks at all: the HBP [half blood prince] is neither Harry nor Voldemort."
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Chief Magic Investigator
Points: 4910
EagleOwl says:
You really kind of have to feel sorry for this poor guy, that he has nothing better to do than dream up a hoax like this. Very clever, although it doesn't seem to me like too many people bought into it- I saw the original thread he started on the Mugglenet COS forums, and most people who responded to it thought it was fake from the start. If I wanted to get the attention of someone, I certainly wouldn't attempt to do it by impersonating them, faking something of their creation and ultimately pi$$ing them off. Hope he learned a lesson from this. My advice to Mr. Storge- grow up and get a life!
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 11:09 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 98
LaurenHarrington says:
Well at least this guy was able to come out and apologize for getting us all riled up. On the other hand, it did cause JKR to release the title of the sixth book... I rather like this guy...
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 11:18 AM EST
Student
Points: 215
Sniffles4Snuffles806 says:
He may be an idiot that we all want to go after and torture, but that story is really funny.
Nobody ever expected it to go that far, really. Oh well... que sera, sera.
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 11:21 AM EST
Student
Points: 239
D.A.and Dobby says:
How could he do that!
That is really stupid of him to mak JKR look bad and she didnt even do anything.
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 11:26 AM EST
Student
Points: 249
Lavender says:
I think some people are being too hard on him. He never intended it to get so popular, he just put so much work into it to make it more believable. Personally, I tried not to believe the fake title because it didn't come from JK herself. Some people got too excited when there wasn't even any proof, and now they're upset for being "deceived".
And I would have to agree with his last statement. JK Rowling released some bits of information about book 6 just because of him. He didn't mean any harm, but he certainly got unexpected recognition.
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 11:32 AM EST
Student
Points: 283
Nymphadora Black says:
I dunno, maybe I am just upset because I actually believed the jerk but while he did apologize it did not seem very sincere. I mean it seemed like he got a big kick out of tricking the entire HP fan community into believing him. Yes I understand that it was a joke but still, it wasn't a very convincing apology at least to me. I could almost hear the amusement in his answers as if he was trying very hard to be sincere but was having a rough time trying to hide his amusement at having hoodwinked us all.
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 11:32 AM EST
Witch
Points: 622
Becky Moody says:
What a total and complete bloody idiot. Darn tootin' he better apologise! He just screwed with the minds of...a LOT of people! Only two good things came out of this: that all fingers are pointed at him for bing an idiot, and that we now know the actual title!
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 11:39 AM EST
Witch
Points: 540
lexie75 says:
What a fool!! awell it got us the real title, and it's making me think!
imagin having all that guilt on your shoulders!!!
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 11:42 AM EST
Witch
Points: 696
quidditch_seeker says:
It's just a book. Why are you all hating this poor kid so much? He's just a college kid who pulled off a prank of awesome proportions. I think the kid is awesome and he should be applauded. Without the prank, we wouldn't have the real title.
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 11:45 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2856
Oliver Wood is Fit says:
I think it was a good joke. I'm sure he never thought it would wreak so much havoc as it did, and if it wasn't for him would we know the real title right now? I think not.
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 11:46 AM EST
Hogwarts Matron
Points: 6285
potterpotty says:
I dont like this dude!!!!!! I got really excited when I thought she had realesed the title!!! Well the real title came out a couple of days later so Im not that bothered!
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 11:50 AM EST
Heir of Slytherin
Points: 5499
Spazzingduck says:
I don't really mind that he did it, but I would have been more annoyed had I believed it for longer than a couple of days. Thank goodness JKR spoke up.
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 11:51 AM EST
Parselmouth
Points: 29083
Thestral Eyes says:
Ah, another computer geek to blame for the hoax >:( Its apauling that someone can do this, imitating Rowling and spoiling her surprise for the book title, i think she wouldnt have given it out if he hadnt done this, which is not a good thing to me. We all know Rowling likes to keep her book affairs secret, and i am disgusted that she has been presured to give up some information. He should get a life away from his computer and frown in a room full of die hard HP fans...see what they make of him! >:(
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 11:52 AM EST
Student
Points: 246
Pandora82000 says:
I agree that while the joke was in bad taste, it did have it's beenfits because now we know the title of the books something we probably would not have know for months yet had this not happened. The person has always apologized so now we can more on and get over it.
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 11:53 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 75
Ricky Ricardo says:
Wow I can't believe that a little prank would go worldwide in just a few seconds.
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 11:54 AM EST
Dan Radcliffe's Lovah
Points: 8780
JaDa Radcliffe says:
Ya, i also didn't believe in the hoax.. I just waited for JKR's confirmed report.. In fairness, he has talent in impersonating her; but from all of this, i think he already did learn his lesson & won't do it anymore.. I hope!!
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 12:13 PM EST
Witch
Points: 818
ElizabethRG says:
Hahhaha wooooow! Um, I was thinking... you know how Seamus is Half Blood.. well maybe it could be him!? Oh, I don't know I am just way to over excited for this book!!!!!!
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 12:16 PM EST
Witch
Points: 688
hpgirl0701 says:
Well, atleast he gave an apology, I wonder if we would know the real title if it wasn't for him though..
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 12:17 PM EST
Wizengamot Member
Points: 3231
Jencameby says:
It was all in good fun the person didn't mean for things to get out of hand like they did. Atleast the person had enough guts to apologize to all HP fans and JKR, which is really something. It's amazing what you can do with computers if you have the skill. He didn't say anything about any actor which is more than I can say for some hoaxes lately. No harm no foul.
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 12:31 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 70
Dan'sAllMine04 says:
I don't like him, I don't like him, I don't like him, I DON'T LIKE HIM! That's all I have to say.
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 12:39 PM EST
Witch
Points: 643
Hermaninny says:
I think it's ridiculous to get so worked up against him, as this was pretty blatently unbelievable anyways. JKR had said that anyone who claimed to be her wasn't, and everyone fell for this guy's prank.
It wasn't even like he made a big showing about it. He created a topic on a message board. How innocent is that? I think the press and everyone was nuts to fall for it. Afterall, anyone and his cousin's brother's uncle's dog can post something on the internet. The only reliable source from JKR is her website. At least she has that now!!
*whew* Okay, I'll stop my venting. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 12:40 PM EST
Points: 1248
CalimaCala says:
Mr. Storge, I've gotta say: well done! Throughout your whole stunt, you did everything perfectly (except that you messed up the American/British spellings): the video was well done, the trap was well placed, and MOST IMPORTANTLY your apology at the end was honorably done.
Fred and George would be proud! Have you considered joining their joke shop?
I'm probably the only one on this website to appreciate your joke as a whole... and to chuckle at the, uh, hidden meaning... :-)
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 12:45 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2787
PunkyDunky says:
I think that's cool how he did it, and I'm glad he apologized. I did get a laugh out of it. My brother has those Adobe things on his computer and I've used them before, so I now see how easy it is to copy her.
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 12:52 PM EST
Student
Points: 232
TerribleBeautyX says:
Oh, come on, it wasn't that bad. True, I was angry when I found out it was just a hoax but he apologized and so I'm not holding anything against him. Now that I look back, I do think it was very funny....
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 1:12 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1881
DarkPhoenixRising says:
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
I love it...
It was a great joke...
I wish I had the talent to do it...
Some of you people are a little loony..
Saying you hate him and all that mess...
Get over it...
Sheesh...
You guys are just mad because you got duped...
I don't understand why some of you are so worked up...
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 1:20 PM EST
Legilimens
Points: 3013
Extendable Ears says:
Wow, that guy has too much time on his hands. I guess I'm glad that we got some good info from Jo in the aftermath!
So the question is now: who is the half blood prince? Now I want to re-read! I wonder how long we'll have to wait until it comes out.
Posted Jul 1, 2004 at 1:21 PM EST
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