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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: 2325
Nataly says:
Nice one HPANA! Can't wait for the sixth movie! Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be great!
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 11:06 AM EST
Auror
Points: 4063
RON's all up in heRmiONe says:
Seeing the trailer, seeing the pictures from the movie, seeing all the behind the scenes stories of the movie, this one definitely steps things up a notch, as it seems.
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 11:10 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1936
DanFan723 says:
I've got to admit that I didn't like Mr. Yates at first for director of the 5th Harry Potter movie. Apart from the massive ending fight scene, I think the 5th movie was the worst of them all. But seeing the trailer for the 6th movie has ensured me that he knows what he's doing and that the 6th movie is going to be the best of them all!
Great job Mr. Yates!
Ale
Oh yeah and thanks HPANA! I know I could always count on you to be first in line for major reporting! Can't wait for the rest!
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 11:20 AM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 8846
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
Nice to see the dialog and comment. It is a valid point that the books and film need to be different to some extent. My real hope is that they have taken lots of extra footage so that if they want to they good release longer versions to video. If not, there will ultimately be a full length mini-series done that might be more appealing to the purists.
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 11:41 AM EST
Auror
(Moderator)
Points: 2478
Since the Start says:
Great article Cheeser! Can't wait to read the behind-the-scenes look, it sounds great.
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 11:44 AM EST
Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 27599
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
AWESOME! I cant wait to read it!! :D
*EEEP*
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 11:52 AM EST
Student
Points: 210
HogwartsCherri says:
Coolz. :D Oooh, we get to see the Weasley's clock again? Eee! XD This film is gonna be like ... woah!
Oooh wait! That trailer was the teaser trailer? Oh my god! I thought that was like the proper trailer! So there's more trailers to come? :O EEEE!
*is screaming and doing the funky chicken dance around bedroom*
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 11:58 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 59
lumos08 says:
I feel that the OoTP was the best movie of all the others...Mr. Yates has done a very good job and i believe HBP is gonna b reali awesome! Cheers to everyone involved in the franchise! Cheers to all Potter fans!
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 12:10 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1494
~*WitherWings*~ says:
I definatly agree that the franchise is in good hands, i was having my doubts about David Yates directing the last movies but seeing the amazing HBP teaser today, it seems he'll do a great job ending the series.
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 12:17 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2423
bonniewrightrulz says:
Yeah im sure Yates has done a great job with HBP.And seeing the teaser trailer today has gotten my hopes up quite a bit.Cant wait for HBP!!
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 12:23 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1955
Feelin' Felix Felicis says:
Thank you Cheeser and hpana for giving us a behind the scene look at HBP! You are so lucky to have visited Leavesden! That would be a dream come true for me! Great article! I look forward to more!
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 12:28 PM EST
Dumbledore's Girl
Points: 4510
flyby says:
Oooh sounds great, can't wait to read it !
and your right the trailer should of put all minds at rest that this film will do more then justice to the film, its not the book, its a film, its different, but it looks like it will do it great justice.
hopefully we get that report soon , woop woop to hbp hype !!
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 1:02 PM EST
Student
Points: 230
Twilight/HarryPotter-<3 says:
WoW! All these things at once! I'm gonna blow up with exitement! First pictures, then the goofy not trailer, then more pics, and more pics, then the real trailer, then more pics, then the website, then this! Wow I'm jumping out of my socks!
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 1:20 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1819
zues says:
"Keeping in spirit" is all they can do. If they followed the book just as it is the movie would be a week long. They are doing a great job so fare.
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 1:28 PM EST
Sirius's Veil Thrower
Points: 4598
SiriusBlacksGodDaughter says:
I'm excited for the next movie!
~Drish~
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 1:32 PM EST
I Am Queen of My Castle
Points: 3417
Hecate3fold says:
Now that's something to look forward to. Sometimes I like the behind the scenes footage better than a film itself.
Blessings! Hecate3fold!
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 1:36 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2609
hbluvhp says:
Here, here! I'm all for taking the films for what they are... a dramatic representation of the JK Rowling Harry Potter universe. I enjoy the differences because they provide a new Harry Potter experience for me... which is even more crucial now that the book series is completed.
And the trailer looked great!
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 1:39 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 848
Mr. Harry James Potter says:
Thanks for the evidence. Can't wait for Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince.
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 1:40 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1387
SiriusFan says:
These "dramatic changes" are the precise reason I am not letting myself re-read HBP (or DH) before I watch their films. I think it just refreshes my memory a little too well on the finer points that tend to get trumped out by these creative liberties very often taken on the Harry Potter films. Having said that though, the teaser trailer for HBP is VERY promising. The little boy playing the child Riddle is super convincing and seems spot on, which is awesome. The overall atmosphere seems to be dark and eerie, which is again, spot on. We'll see. Maybe Yates will surprise me this time.
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 1:41 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 525
Dementors Shadow says:
God. I would kill someone to go on that set.
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 1:47 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2851
H/HrShipper4Ever says:
Thats so cool! I can't wait until November to see the movie! I can't belive that it's almost over. Thats so sad. But the trailer looks AWESOME!
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 1:56 PM EST
Honeydukes Eye Candy
Points: 3501
Pansyful says:
This is just amazing! every detail to this article and set report is a step closer to the movie. i can't contain my joy for the progress of this film. i hope to see various more updates with pictures, videos and interviews from the stars.
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 2:07 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2011
brenpotterfans says:
I would love to visit the sets. That would be a dream come true!!!! I'm really excited about seeing Half-Blood Prince.
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 2:29 PM EST
Squib
Points: 119
Hogwartian says:
All this dramatic changes talk worries me, but I suppose if JKR is satisfied so are we.
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 3:15 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 423
SoccerChick22 says:
Yay! After reading this and watching the trailer im pretty excited and i cant wait unitl the movie comes out soon!!
Posted Jul 30, 2008 at 3:25 PM EST
Chief Brain Washer
Points: 2866
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
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