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MAY 22, 2007 at 2:48 PM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: HPANA
Making a Harry Potter movie is unlike most other films. Meticulous attention to detail is paramount, even when viewers may not see it all in the final product. This is what ran through my mind as I walked around in awe on the set of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Being the first movie set I'd ever visited, everything jumped out at me -- the textures, details, even the mood of places I'd become so comfortable seeing in my mind and on the screen; brand new places that would become additions to the fandom's collective imagination when the film was released; and old, dilapidated set pieces and props banished to the dusty corridors of Leavesden Studios, or worse, left outside to die by sun and rain. After an entire day living and breathing in Harry Potter's universe, I came to an odd realization: it is simultaneously vivid and dull, detailed and fuzzy, awesome but normal.
I'll explain.
Imagine reading some thousands of pages of fiction, colorfully imagining its complex cosmos in your head, filling in the gaps with your own creativity. I'm sure many fans can remember what the Harry Potter books looked like in their imagination before the first film turned it into a visual, semi-tangible reality eight years ago. What the characters looked like, how they sounded, what the Hogwarts Express might have felt like riding as it rocketed towards Hogwarts, the Great Hall and the Forbidden Forest.
Now suspend all of that vibrant imagery and realize you have to place trust of the whole of creation in the hands of filmmakers who will essentially make their own visions the de facto standard. After seeing the first movie (and the others that followed), how difficult is it now to picture Harry Potter as anyone else but Daniel Radcliffe? What about Dumbledore and Michael Gambon (or Richard Harris for the puritans)? Hermione Granger, homely and book smart, portrayed by the increasingly beautiful Emma Watson?
Yet, with the help of creator JK Rowling, moviemakers David Heyman and Chris Columbus managed to oversee the creation of something not far from what millions of fans had already dreamed up in their minds. Alfonso Cuarón and Mike Newell took a shot at it, and under watchful eye, also stayed true to the original vision.
Now entrusted to "3D" (the three d's: producers David Heyman and David Barron, and director David Yates), it quickly became clear as I was led through the hallowed halls of the studio that the ship was still sailing smoothly, and that everyone involved truly cared about the sanctity of their responsibility. (That's even more apparent now that we know Yates will be returning to direct Half-Blood Prince. The actors all said they loved working with him.)
Walking around Leavesden was... let's say, trippy. It reminded me of a giant Home Depot store, with its industrial lighting, high unfinished ceilings and... (turning a corner)... Oh my god! It's 12 Grimmauld Place. That's pretty much what happened, time and again. One minute we were walking in a hallway (which has a posted speed limit of 5mph -- no joke!), the next we had stepped through a door and right into the Great Hall, or outside to an incredible replica of Privet Drive complete with pavement, lamp posts and landscaped lawns.
It was, in the parlance of the fandom, "squeefully" exciting. So, what was I on about, dull and normal? As the day wore on, and as we watched the ninth or tenth take of a scene, it occurred to me the whole thing was normal, and at times maybe a bit dull for those involved. People come to work every day to a place many fans can only dream about visiting. Most of them put in long, tedious hours (I was there just one day and was truly "knackered" by the end).
Still, you will no doubt find me elbowing the person next to me every time we watch Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in the theatre or on DVD, a little too excitedly remarking, "I was right there!" or "I watched them film that scene!" Just because I now know how the trick was done doesn't mean it's not magic.
Stay tuned as we approach the film's release on July 13. Coming soon is a more detailed look at the set, and interviews with two of the three D's (Heyman and Barron), production designer Stuart Craig, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Matthew Lewis and James and Oliver Phelps. I also get left behind in the Great Hall and realize how frighteningly large Leavesden is as I find my way back to the group!
UPDATE: You can read DanRadcliffe.co.uk's teaser report
(Page was with me and Matthew from Veritaserum for the day of our visit). The Leaky Cauldron and MuggleNet visited the set later and have also posted a preview of their report (via podcast).
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Auror
Points: 2050
Feelin' Felix Felicis says:
You are so lucky! I would give anything to visit Leavesden Studios! That was an excellent report and I look forward to your future installments! Don't you wish you could steal some of those props left outside to waste away in the weather?
Posted May 22, 2007 at 6:36 PM EST
Squib
Points: 170
MisterPalindrome says:
Interesting, but the article was not very informative. I found it rather boring. Hopefully, future reports will be a little more substantive.
Posted May 22, 2007 at 6:36 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2643
Tokio Hotel Fan says:
I wish i could have gone that sounds really cool. I bet it was alot of fun.
Posted May 22, 2007 at 6:45 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 313
Harry&Ginny4-Ever9595 says:
I don't get this article. What does the David mean when he says, "Your in Hogwarts, and you turn around and you see 12 Grimmauld Place." It seems very confusing.
Posted May 22, 2007 at 6:46 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2079
kermittounette says:
Is it just me or the twins look like so old? They are 17 into the movie, that movie, but it is really weird to see them!
Posted May 22, 2007 at 7:11 PM EST
Headmaster
(Moderator)
Cheeser says:
MisterPalindrome - sorry you thought it was lacking substance. I did the best I can granted we're under a signed embargo that prevents me from publishing a full report until very close to the movie's release.
Posted May 22, 2007 at 7:17 PM EST
Squib
Points: 182
kidwitalife says:
First off, I think we should all give Cheeser a round of applause. Today, Cheeser has given us 7 new articles! Thank you Cheeser!
I love the pics of Yates directing the cast. I especially like the one with the Weasleys. Looking at Yates previews of the movie, I think this OotP will be a great movie! I can hardly wait!
Posted May 22, 2007 at 7:51 PM EST
Witch
Points: 692
FizzingWhizbeez says:
Cheeser, I am so freakin' jealous. I am glad you got to have such an amazing experience and thank you for sharing it with us.
Posted May 22, 2007 at 8:06 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3647
Anastasia Popovick says:
How many more times can I say how truly excited I am about this movie coming out? This article was awesome and the pictures too.
Posted May 22, 2007 at 8:12 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1608
~Harry's true love~ says:
That was great to read. It was VERY interesting.
Posted May 22, 2007 at 8:16 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1675
lissir10 says:
That's really cool... I've always pictured it like that though... like a huge building with a lot of emptiness along with Fullness.. like with propts and sets... It must be a long day for the actors... they sit there and do their scences but while one scene is being filmed they might be in they do hardly anything...
Posted May 22, 2007 at 8:36 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2313
loopy looney says:
I would love to do that...you are sooo lucky. It sounds amazing :D
Posted May 22, 2007 at 9:29 PM EST
Seer
Points: 15207
Brittany Radcliffe says:
oh wow, what an awesome experience that must have been!
I would give my arm to go to the studios where they film the HP movies!
Posted May 22, 2007 at 10:08 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2572
Roswelladdict says:
How wonderful that visit must have been. I would love to have been able to have done that very thing.
Intersting article. I look forward to the follow up articles with the interviews.
Posted May 22, 2007 at 10:36 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2495
Jbird says:
I would love to visit the set, it would never happen though-plus I'd fell a little old to be there so probably not. Not to mention the fact that I don't live over there...too sad.
Posted May 22, 2007 at 10:41 PM EST
Prof. of Cultural Literacy
Points: 4464
PowerGranger says:
Whoa, Cheeser! You know we are all living vicariously through you here...thanks for the amusing and well written report. Of course I wish there were more details but I certainly understand that your signed embargo must be respected. None of us wants you to cross WB since you are our eyes and ears out there! Can't wait to hear more!
Posted May 22, 2007 at 11:45 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 320
Jorel says:
Oh My Goodness i am sooo jealous.
Posted May 23, 2007 at 12:34 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1218
Tiame says:
Wow!!!!!! I wish I could've gone......I'm way too far away.. HPANA, the next time you need someone for this kinda work think : me. Thanks HPANA!
Posted May 23, 2007 at 1:57 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 685
Gryffindor's prefect says:
Wooooow!! It so fun hearing how they make set. Can't wait for part 2!!
Posted May 23, 2007 at 2:20 AM EST
The Loveable Emo
Points: 2834
x3.sarah says:
oOooo cool i really cant wate for the next report the set seems really cool i really really can't wait for the movie now.
Posted May 23, 2007 at 2:35 AM EST
Dragon Rider
Points: 4437
~MalfoyPotter~ says:
how difficult is it now to picture Harry Potter as anyone else but Daniel Radcliffe? What about Dumbledore and Michael Gambon (or Richard Harris for the puritans)? Hermione Granger, homely and book smart, portrayed by the increasingly beautiful Emma Watson?
Totally agree!! It has set in my mind!!
Cant wait for July 12th! Yes! I get to watch it a day earlier!! WHooohooo! :)
~MP~
Posted May 23, 2007 at 2:43 AM EST
Malfoy by Nature
Points: 12528
WickeDraco says:
Ginny looks so tiny compared to the other Weasley's in that picture. She's adorable. I really liked reading that. I wish I got to visit the set. *sigh*
Posted May 23, 2007 at 3:19 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1862
Bright Eyes says:
I can't wait to see more of this report - these things always make me wish so badly that it was me seeing the set! What an opportunity!
Posted May 23, 2007 at 5:56 AM EST
Lips of an Angel
Points: 26390
3.1415926535 says:
Ahhh, i soooo wanna go and watch one of these movies be made! infact, i so wanna watch ANY movie be made! they look like so much fun!
Posted May 23, 2007 at 7:06 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 443
svd2793 says:
I would love to go there some day. It seems too amazing for words, those Cheeser did a very good job of describing the atmosphere.
Posted May 23, 2007 at 9:16 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1426
~Hermione says:
Wow! That is great. I would love to see the Harry Potter set. It seems to be amazing.
Posted May 23, 2007 at 9:59 AM EST
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