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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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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
Squib
Points: 115
Ginevra Evans says:
Thanks for the nice article, Cheeser. I'm looking forward to more behind-the-scenes reports.
I definitely agree with you that David Yates is a capable director. I didn't like OotP very much though but based on the teaser trailer, HBP seems to have gone through a lot of improvement, especially with the comeback of scriptwriter Steve Kloves and the hiring of a new cinematographer, Academy-nominated Bruno Delbonnel. The trailer has a certain feel to it, a certain cohesiveness, not a hodge-podge of various scenes. Plus, the still pictures are awesome, too.
HBP really is a very promising film and I'm so looking forward to it.
Posted Aug 1, 2008 at 10:11 PM EST
Antipodean Snow Goddess
Points: 3070
Tikihaha says:
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.
A sentence to strike fear into the hearts of any HP book fan ... what have they changed?!!
But still, it'll be an amazing movie and I cannot wait to see it!
Posted Aug 3, 2008 at 12:37 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 363
tsedolma says:
Man, this is soo great ..Harry and Ginny look great together!!
Posted Aug 3, 2008 at 6:09 AM EST
The Quibbler Poet
Points: 7054
.:Wicked T:. says:
I thought the trailer was awesome I cant wait for this movie to come out soon.
Posted Aug 3, 2008 at 9:22 AM EST
Auror
Points: 3647
Anastasia Popovick says:
The trailer was so exciting. You Tom Riddle is creepy and awesome! I can't wait!
Posted Aug 3, 2008 at 7:45 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 6
kuthian says:
Ii really can't wait for the movie, I'm gonna go see at midnight no matter what. It took me around 5-6 hours to read the book. H love the "Harry Potter" series! :)
Posted Aug 7, 2008 at 7:21 PM EST
Rickmaniac to the Core
Points: 2564
snaily says:
Yes, some dramatic changes have been made throughout the series (with even more in Prince),
Well, I only hope there aren't too many changes. They can't stick to everything that's written in the book, obviously, but I hope it's not COMPLETE murder!
Posted Aug 9, 2008 at 2:45 AM EST
Student
Points: 250
big_chips says:
This sounds really exciting. i wish i was there to see the settings and the scenes for the next movie. =/
Posted Aug 27, 2008 at 3:40 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2572
Mystique says:
Well i'm not a purist.. i won't focus on the little things they change. BUT the issue i had with OOTP was that it was way too short. i really hope they don't do that with HBP.
Posted Sep 5, 2008 at 1:49 PM EST
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