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JULY 30, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: HPANA
Exploring the backlot of Leavesden Studios can be frighteningly surreal for a Harry Potter fan.
Look one way across the site's eight acres and there's Privet Drive, complete with paved roads, lightposts and mowed lawns ("gardens" in the UK). With a turn of the head, your eyes come to rest on the Hogwarts Quidditch pitch, Hagrid's Hut or one of several new exteriors for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which boasts the most backlot construction of any film in the series to date.
Back indoors, watching Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson film a scene in the Great Hall -- 533, take 11 -- while sitting just a few tables over snaps you back to reality, but only for a second; among the piles of sausages and toast you notice Hogwarts House Elf Special Marmalade and boxes of Pixie Puffs cereal within arm's reach. ("They're Goblin Great! Look inside for the gold pixie!" they exclaim. The Cheeri-Owls further down the table seem utterly humdrum by comparison.)
In HPANA's upcoming behind-the-scenes look at the sixth Potter installment, the aforementioned trio plus Bonnie Wright, Tom Felton, Matthew Lewis, Jessie Cave (Lavender Brown), director David Yates and producer David Barron provide an inside look at the newest film.
Some highlights: visiting young Tom Riddle's orphanage, the mammoth cave set and the Weasley's Burrow (complete with the family clock -- all hands pointing to "Mortal Peril").
As always, stay with HPANA through November for all your Harry Potter news needs, including our full behind-the-scenes report.
One final word until then: It's apparent to this editor that the Potter franchise is a well-oiled machine and in capable hands with Yates at the helm (just look at the teaser trailer for early proof). Yes, some dramatic changes have been made throughout the series (with even more in Prince), and the purists can scream bloody murder all night long, but these films are representative of JK Rowling's universe, and as producer David Heyman likes to say, "keeping in spirit" with the books.
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Chief Brain Washer
Points: 2874
Chogiiiirl says:
I don't mind most of the movies having some changes from the books. It's very hard to make some parts of a book into a movie format, and people just have to understand that. My least favorit was PoA, since I think there were too many changes, and I don't feel the movie flowed as well as it could have.
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 3:48 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1270
SlytherinHeiress says:
Thank you so much, Cheeser! I agree with you 100% that the movies are a completely different entity than the books. First and foremost, David Yates is an artist. While it is important to portray the story, it is superfluous to go down to details such as Voldemort having a hood or Hermione's Yule Ball dress having to be blue.
I feel at the same time, however, that it is very important to create the same feelings you get when you read the book and it is also very important to keep your audience well-informed, because so many people have seen the movies just because they like movies. In my opinion, PoA and GoF were both dreadful movies and made HP look like a terrible story because they were both so disorganized and seemingly pointless. PoA explained very little about the central story line as did GoF. As a matter of fact, there was practically no story line for GoF and it was so rushed that even book fans were confused.
I think over all that OotP was an excellent movie. I also think that HBP will be an even better movie. Judging from the teaser, it may even make non-HP fans think it is a great movie.
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 3:53 PM EST
Witch
Points: 531
ronNhermione4evr says:
Very good Very good! Can't wait for more!
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 4:07 PM EST
Lady of Godric's Hollow
Points: 5292
GodricsGirl says:
Great article. But I suppose I am one of those "purists" who get disappointed with too much change. I know they can't be word for word with the books, and I don't expect them to be. I alos have no problem with editing or revisions for coninuity and to move the story along in a dramatice fashion. The frustration I feel is when they cut simple things that could be done in order to create scenes that were not written. I simply feel that the books need no or very little enhancement to bring them to the screen. I have enjoyed all the films for wgat they are, but I'm always left with a sense of "what they could've been". Especially since POA. There were so many important things left out of that film, that I had to reread the book just to be sure I caught them all, and will we ever see Bill or Charlie on film? It's like they don't even exsist.
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 4:35 PM EST
Squib
Points: 102
hpnaiv says:
Yay! I'm so happy that teaser reports are coming online now! =]
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 4:35 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1670
DumbledoresArmy says:
I like what he did in the 5th movie with the exception of Dumbledore and the last fight scenes being to short. I liked how he kept it short, but to the point of the story unlike the other ones.
I think that this movie will definitley be a step up to the others. From the trailer so far it seems to be what it's supposed to be. A scary, exciting, crazy, romantic, and wonderful movie.
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 5:07 PM EST
Prof. Alfred W. Mandoore
Points: 2445
JAYSTARR says:
Brilliant...Walking into Leavesden Studios at the HP set is an awesome site. Even thought the sets are split up. Being on them gives you the chills of seeing the Movie within knowing that you are really there.
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 5:52 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1159
princess165 says:
Yay, its fun to have a behind the scenes look at the movie. And I agree the franchise is in good hands now. The movies are of course nothing like the books, but Yates has certainly made the series more entertaining than it has been in the past.
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 6:15 PM EST
Witch
Points: 660
HalfBloodMel says:
Oh thats awesome, im also very glad that mr yates is doing the importants things in the book and i hope very badly that the film will be the best!
cant wait to nevember!.
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 6:29 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1608
~Harry's true love~ says:
I love all the stuff that they tease us with...even if it can be a little mean sometimes...but it's nice to know what's going on.
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 9:34 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 435
Scarlet Snow says:
I'm very excited for the next movie, even though I'll admit i felt let down by the last one. This one looks promising, though. It's nice to have a sneak peek!
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 9:52 PM EST
Head
Points: 428
FawkesFan68 says:
So far this flick looks amazing. I think they've carried on JK's vision pretty well, from what we've seen thus far of HPHBP.
Will they have Fred & George's Joke shop, with U No Poo? Probably too far off the main plot, although I think they mentioned following Malfoy on his detour. So maybe we will get a laugh!
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 9:57 PM EST
Squib
Points: 163
OceanBaBY says:
I'm so glad that they seem like they are trying to follow the book! Thanks so much! =D
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 10:22 PM EST
Witch
Points: 670
draconifors says:
Seeing the trailer makes me cant wait evenmore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Its goning to be sooooo great!Maby even the best HP movie yet!!!!
Posted Jul 31, 2008 at 12:12 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1763
hufflepuff_babe says:
Yes, I agree. These films are certainly representative of the books ON THE WHOLE. (Partly because JKR was talked to and also because there are people like Heyman and Yates). PoA was not good AKA canon (even those who are not "purists" agree with this phrase).
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which boasts the most backlot construction of any film in the series to date.
WOW!
Posted Jul 31, 2008 at 12:40 AM EST
Friendly Deaf Angel
Points: 5155
Friendly Deaf Angel says:
CHEESER thankyou thankyou so much..for the whole report...i cant wait..for all of it to come..out..thanks...Im so extited...woopi..
Posted Jul 31, 2008 at 1:04 AM EST
Witch
Points: 503
Twilight princess midna says:
Wow, That was great. I can't wait to see the movie. The trailer keeps getting better and better.
Posted Jul 31, 2008 at 2:38 AM EST
Witch
Points: 819
accio_kim says:
I agree with others here, Yates is not my favourite HP director at all, I did not fancy OotP, but this movie is shaping up to be so good, I can only judge when I have seen it (once, twice, a million times).
However, this is exciting "one of several new exteriors for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which boasts the most backlot construction of any film in the series to date."
Can't wait!
Posted Jul 31, 2008 at 4:35 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1862
Bright Eyes says:
Ahh, looking forward to those interviews - sounds brilliant!
Posted Jul 31, 2008 at 6:32 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2860
mad_eye muggle says:
Awesome!Cool one HPANA!Reading this article makes me more excited about HBP.It would be an amazing experience not to mention memorable one to be able to have a chance to visit the set,and to see a glipse of the cast in action.Man.....November come soon.....
Posted Jul 31, 2008 at 7:56 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2157
HogwartsWitch says:
The talk of "dramatic changes" is a bit unsettling, as I still haven't gotten over some of the changes to OoTP....but, I try to separate the movies and the books in my head and look at the movies as just entertainment, not the real deal. Thanks for the great article, Cheeser!!
Posted Jul 31, 2008 at 8:44 AM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4393
ILoveHP! says:
I'm so excited for your report! You guys are so lucky to be our representatives! Aww I envy your job!
Posted Jul 31, 2008 at 9:54 AM EST
Witch
Points: 983
Weasleyismyking!/R/Hrfrv says:
"and the purists can scream bloody murder all night long"
That's a little scary but I guess we'll just have to wait for the real thing
Posted Jul 31, 2008 at 9:56 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 320
Jorel says:
It really is about time that WB started promoting the movie. Usually I am at the stage of obsession by now but I am just excited. Its good to hear that the movie is going to be good though b/c although i love it the best i was a little disappointed with the last one.
Posted Aug 1, 2008 at 11:08 AM EST
Lunarly challenged
Points: 2472
Grayback'sVictim says:
Well the backlot sounds like paradise to me! I would love to see all of that!
As for the "upcoming behind-the-scenes look"... HPANA has been a real gold-mine of info for me over the past year and i'm sure it will stay that way.
Posted Aug 1, 2008 at 11:13 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2108
phoenix_feathers says:
It all sounds absolutely brilliant, right down to the humdrum Cheeri-Owls. Haha. The last few sentences really made me think- the movies really are only a representation of what Jo's world is like. Grant you, I do not consider myself a purist, but I have been disappointed in the movies before. But they are completely correct- we viewers need to keep that in mind as we depict every tiny detail of their exquisitely put together movies.
Posted Aug 1, 2008 at 4:15 PM EST
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