This week is Wand Week at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter and to celebrate the Harry Potter Facebook page released a video on how to use a wand with Paul Harris, who choreographed the wand battles in the final film. The studio tour also had a special guest today, Chris Rankin! He was on hand, along with Paul Harris, to answer fan questions on the Warner Bros Studio Tour Twitter.
Delve into the world of wand making, spell casting and wizarding duels this February, during our first ever Wand Week.
Special effects and choreography experts from the Harry Potter film series will be involved in creating the activities for Wand Week.
Discover how fight scenes were developed and the incredible amount of planning that went into each wand movement.
Original moulds, concept art and wand designs will be showcased in the attraction.
For the first time, Ollivander’s authentic costume (as worn by John Hurt) will be on display at the entrance of his famous wand shop.
Our knowledgeable staff members will be on hand to share many of the behind-the-scenes secrets of the most successful film series of all time.
Wand Week will take place from Saturday 16th to Sunday 24th February, limited tickets available, book your tickets today.
Today, Entertainment Weekly have released a trailer for Harry Potter Page to Screen: The Complete Filmmaking Journey, available on Amazon on December 4th with a pricetag of $600 (retail $1000.) This special eight book set will be limited to 3000 copies worldwide with seven of the books being created specifically for the set. The trailer illustrates why the set is worth so much and may be watched below (thanks to SnitchSeeker for the embeddable version):
Seven of the volumes were created expressly for this collection and delve into different aspects of the filmmaking, showing how the team designed locations, graphics, costumes, creatures, and special effects. A book of the paintings of Hogwarts showcases the exquisite artistry of each. A keepsake book filled with snapshots and personal photos looks at the lasting relationships between cast and crew. The eighth volume is a cloth-bound edition of the New York Times Best-seller, Harry Potter: Page to Screen. All of these precious objects are housed in a collectible box that looks like it came from Diagon Alley. Arriving at your doorstep with a numbered certificate of authenticity, this limited edition is the ultimate collectible for any wizard or Muggle.
This collector’s edition includes:
• A cloth-covered case, styled to look like a shelf from a shop in Diagon Alley
• A cloth-bound edition of Harry Potter: Page to Screen
• Seven additional volumes detailing the Harry Potter creative team’s ten years of extensive efforts:
* The Creature Shop Compendium: Flora and Fauna from the Harry Potter Films
* Environments Envisioned: Building Fantastic Sets and Scouting Dramatic Locations
* A Guide to the Graphic Arts Department: Posters, Prints, and Publications from the Harry Potter Films
* Movie Magic: Practical Props and Exciting Effects
* The Paintings of Hogwarts: Masterpieces from the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Sets
* Ten Years Later: Life on Set with the Harry Potter Cast and Crew
* Wizard Wear and Muggle Attire: Costuming the World of Harry Potter
• A replica of The Monster Book of Monsters film prop
• A gilded portfolio of five frame-able prints of original Harry Potter concept art
Last week we reported that Jessie Cave and Oliver Phelps attended an event at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London with Sky Movies HD. Today we have a special report from our UK correspondent, Patrick, who attended the event! He also sent over a bunch of photos that you can view in the gallery! Thank you again, Patrick for attending the event on our behalf! Without further ado, the report:
To celebrate the launch of all Harry Potter films now being available on SKYmoviesHD and On Demand, Sky invited a group of friends and fans to Leavesden to share in a night of magic in the Great Hall itself.
After a trip on the Knight Bus to Warner Brothers Studios, all those invited shared in a quick drinks reception and had the chance to watch the intro films to the tour, before being ushered through the great doors, with the now legendary phrase; Welcome to Hogwarts. But rather than finding the hall lined with the four house table as in the films, or empty as in one would see in the tour, we found the hall full of comfy-looking sofas and beanbags! On every seat was an iPad, the SkyGO app ready with the film of our choice to be streamed in the more than magical setting.
But before we had a chance to get stuck into our Harry Potter watching, special guests Jessie Cave (Lavender Brown) and the George of Fred and George; Oliver Phelps, arrived for a couple of photos and a few quick words. Jessie remarked that the great Hall was a lot cleaner than the last time she filmed there, and Olivier was impressed by the couches! Everyone then joint the stars on the Slytherin Table for a few photos! Yes, that’s right we actually sat on the seat once sat on by the devilishly cunning Snakes! I am deep down a Gryffindor, but I couldn’t help but feel quite at home on the table of Slytherin, maybe it was the blond hair and velvet green shirt I was sporting on the night!
Once back on our beanbags, it was time to pick a film, and for me and my friend it was going to be ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’, and all I can say was that the feeling was surreal and a little trippy! The great hall features quite heavily in the fourth film; the arrival of Beauxbaton and Durmstrang, entries into the goblet of fire, the champion selection, and to be in the same room was bizarre! As Dumbledore’s hand, doused the flames that lit the Hall, I was able to follow the motion with my own eyes as he moved around the room. But it was also a little funny at the same time, instead of satin clad French girls producing blue sparks, we had smiling waiters, bearing beverages and yummy foods, like hotdogs, fish and chips and burgers! Instead of stick whirling Durmstrangs we had a camera man, whipping his lens around!
All those in attendance were gifted with a set of Harry’s famous specs, a chocolate wand from the gift store and their own copy of the interview ‘Being Harry: Daniel Radcliffe’ which aired on Sky on Friday the 9th of November, which was quite a lovely little interview with Dan, and others chatting about him. With our films watched, and our belly’s full it was time to return to the Knight Bus and make our ways home.
All in all, it was a great night; meeting other fans, posing for photos in the famous surrounds and just enjoying the films we all know and love and have readily available to us now thanks to SKYmoviesHD! So a big thanks to guys at SKY and Freud Communication for inviting us along, and a special thanks to our lovely webmiss Megan, for once again letting me enjoy the best the Potter world still has to offer us!
This morning ABC Family have emailed with the news that they will be having another Harry Potter marathon next week, as well as featuring brand new interviews with cast members (Dan, Rupert, Emma, Tom and Matt) on their website! Be sure to view the short promotional video they sent over:
According to the press release:
ACCIO! ABC FAMILY SUMMONS A MAGICAL, MYSTICAL, FOUR-DAY “HARRY POTTER” MARATHON, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12 – THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15
“Harry Potter” Marathon to Include Exclusive Online Interviews at ABCFamily.com with Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Tom Felton and Matthew Lewis Throughout the Four-Day Event.
(Burbank, November 2, 2012) ABC Family stirs up some thrills with a four-day “Harry Potter” marathon. The marathon starts with “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” on Monday, November 12th and will run through Thursday, November 15.
ABCFamily.com is also getting into the magical hijinks with never-before-seen online interviews with Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Tom Felton and Matthew Lewis throughout the four-day event. The interviews are broken down into four topics: Enemies – Tom Felton discusses the duels between Harry and Draco; stunts – Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe talk about some of their memories of the stunts they had to perform; comic relief — Matthew Lewis, Emma Watson and Tom Felton gossip about some of the more hilarious moments in the series; and girl power — Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe give their thoughts on Hermione’s journey from shy schoolgirl to powerful witch.
The “Harry Potter” marathon schedule is as follows:
Monday, November 12th
7:00 PM – 11:00 PM ET/PT – “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”
Tuesday, November 13th
3:30 PM – 7:30 PM ET/PT – “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”
7:30 PM – 11:00 PM ET/PT – “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”
Wednesday, November 14th
4:30 PM – 8:00 PM ET/PT – “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM ET/PT – “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”
Thursday, November 15th
4:30 PM – 7:30 PM ET/PT – “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”
7:30 PM – 11:00 PM ET/PT – “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”
Discovery Times Square announced that, Harry Potter: The Exhibition will still open today, Saturday, November 3, to the general public. Many fans were concerned because Hurricane Sandy had a huge effect on the city.
Despite the storm, the newly updated Harry Potter: The Exhibition is still due to open to the public on Saturday, November 3 at New York City’s Discovery Times Square. Visitors will be able to experience “snow” in the Exhibition on opening week, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
Discovery Times Square invites visitors to see newly updated (with artifacts from the final Harry Potter film) dramatic displays inspired by the Hogwarts film sets and the amazing craftsmanship behind authentic costumes and props from the films. Harry Potter fans can get a firsthand view of hundreds of artifacts displayed in settings inspired by the film sets including the Great Hall, Hagrid’s hut, the Gryffindor™ common room, and more.
Exhibition opens to the public starting Saturday, November 3
Sunday – Thursday: 10:00AM – 8:00PM
Friday – Saturday: 10:00AM – 9:00PM
We previously reported that the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Ultimate Editions would be released on October 16th. Today, however, my friend, Michael R, let me know that he bought a two pack containing both films today at Target! They cost $49.99, the retail price is $69.99, and they are available exclusively at Target until January.
According to BFE, there are 6 discs (4 BD / 2 DVD + UV Digital Copy) and special features are as follows:
Part 1
Maximum Movie Mode: join host Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy), and other members of the cast and crew, on an interactive journey through Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1. Plus, revisit important moments from the previous films to prepare for the final battle that takes place in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.
Exclusive sneak peek of a scene from the upcoming film gt;Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Dan, Rupert and Emma’s Running Competition: while filming the escape scene from the Snatchers in Swinley Forest, Dan, Rupert and Emma engage in a little competition of their own. With colorful commentary by Director David Yates, see the competitive spirit on set and this hilarious rivalry between the three leads.
The Seven Harrys: see how Daniel Radcliffe recreated the personalities of the different characters that transform into Harrys in the Privet Drive scene.
On the Green with Rupert, Tom, Oliver and James: accompany Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Oliver Phelps (George Weasley) and James Phelps (Fred Weasley) for a round of golf and get a glimpse into their 10-year friendship that developed while making the Harry Potter films.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Promotional Trailer: join Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and other cast members from the Harry Potter films on their first visit to the Grand Opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Additional scenes
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1: Behind the Soundtrack
Part 2
Maximum Movie Mode: Blowing Up Hogwarts– Hosted by Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom): Includes 9 Featurettes
A Conversation with J.K. Rowling and Daniel Radcliffe
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