By Parisienne
Harry Potter, the boy who lived! We have all been enveloped in the fantasy world of Harry Potter and allowed our imaginations and emotions to take over as we read the books and watched the films. We have laughed, cried and cheered with Harry and his acquaintances as they battled to save Hogwarts and defeat Voldemort.
On March 31 2012, the Harry Potter Studio Tour opened. The tour takes over part of Leavesden Studios, where the films were made and was designed by the same company that created The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida.
The sets, costumes, props, creatures and everything used in the films are showcased to give an immersive behind the scenes look into the world of Harry Potter.
I have had the privilege to experience a similar tour on smaller scale when it came to Chicago and have also been to Orlando to experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. There is so much detail in everything that is shown that it could take hours to look at. There are no words to describe the feeling of actually being in Harry’s world and letting your imagination take over for a bit.
Click here to see the making of Harry Potter.
Enjoy the music and video in the above article and relive the magical, wizarding world of Harry Potter.
comicreleaf
comicrelief2
Comic Relief
parisienne
littlebells
Lurker
ozzie20
Open Book
LIH
linkedinhollywood.com 
I watched the live broadcast… wish i could be there!
Jeyna,
Thanks for the comment. Did you learn anything about the makings of the films that interested you during the live broadcast?
Wow!!! I’m sure fans are thrilled!!!
I think they are too! All the detail that goes into the sets and everything is absolutely brilliant.
Paris!
The sets and costumes are amazing. Jany Temime did the costumes for all the HP films and Stuart Craig production designer for all the HP films.
I love listening to the music for HP. Although, HP changed directors for each film they kept the same production and costume designer. Do u think keeping the same designers helped directors? Could u see the directors influence through visuals, direction or both?
I think working with the same costume designer and production designer helped tremendously. Although the films had different directors I felt that there was still continuity in each of the films regardless of the individual views of the directors.
Thank you! I think franchises should stick with the same crew, unless the first film is horrendous and you need to switch.
ita.
I agree too! I hate to bring it back to Twilight but I think it shows what happens when you don’t have that continuity. It doesn’t even have a theme song that other franchise’s have, which I think plays major part. Everyone knows the Harry Potter theme song. I hope The Hunger Games does it like the HP series. They have two tracks which are gorgeous and could be instanly recognisable.
i know. nothing in the twilight franchise is recognizeable.
Paris,
I can hear your glee in regard to your discussion of Harry Potter. I can imagine a grin that spreads from ear to ear. With a theme park that is dedicated to the same material, you and diehards must have a hard time tearing your selves off the ceiling. I may have missed reading the books yet the evidence of theme parks in more than one part of the country testifies to the series influence on contemporary popular culture.
I’ll assume you agree with internet blogger Starhawk (who is equally a fan) who claims this is some of the value of the series.
“The psychologist Bruno Bettleheim, in his classic discussion of why children need fairy tales, pointed out how important it is for children to see both their positive and negative impulses mirrored, to know that greed and envy and rage are part of the common human condition. Only then can they eventually develop the maturity to grow beyond greed and hate.”
This blogger claims that “Hogwarts includes four Houses.” Do you think the houses are presented well by the theme parks? And how do YOU interpret as their significance?
Sorry, I meant to say “WHAT do YOU interpret as their significance?”
That is a fantastic quote. I’m going to borrow it. 🙂
The 4 houses were not represented at all in the ride from what i remember seeing. The first time i walkied through the queue i was amazed at all the detail and i remember seeing Dumbledore’s office and the talking portraits and Harry,Ron and Hermione. Also one of the class rooms but nothing of the seperate houses. Everything seemed to be Gryfindor centric. Now in the shops they had shirts and scarves from each house for purchase. But that was about it.
Thanks Paris. Oh, well back to Google to translate what you said. Sorry I’m really trying to keep up. I understood one of the houses influenced a lot of evil.
Fortunately, for the novice, there’s so much written about the serie(s) (books and movies) on the web. I hope I have more questions for the discussion.
yes. slytherin house influenced evil.
Gryfindor (Harry’s House) was good
Unfortunately, I haven’t a clue about Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. Maybe someone can help me out. 🙂
I thank God for Wikipedia but CR here is the answer to your question:
Gryffindor values courage, bravery,loyalty, nerve and chilvary.
Hufflepuff values hardwork,tolerance,loyalty and fairplay
Ravenclaw values intelligence, creativity, learning and wit
Syltherin values ambition, cunning, leaderwship and resourcefulness.
There’s good and bad in all the houses. I think Slytherin had a bad reputation because they had the most famous baddie in their house! According to J.K. Rowling most Slytherins didn’t support Voldemort and several came back to fight at the battle for Hogswart. Professor Slughorn stayed and fought and Snape turned out to be good guy all along. Also two members of the Black family (who were all in Slytherin except for Sirius) tried to stop Voldemort too.
ita ozzie. Thanks for the help on explaining!
No problem! I’m sure there’s more examples of good within Slytherin, maybe one of our readers could help us, as it’s been over a year since I’ve read the books. Those were the only ones I could remember!
Hi Everyone!
Hola! 🙂
what up???????
LOL
hi everyone!
I’ve seen the first movie and the Goblet movie (research) and that’s it. I have no idea what ya’ll are talking about, so I may just lurk for a moment.
Paris,
what do the Harry Potter films teach us, both young and old?
Hi LB!
I think all the films teach us that love can overcome anything. For example, the love that Harry’s mom had for him saved his life. I forgot which film it was but Harry tells Voldemort that he feels sorry for him because he doesn’t know what love is and that love will always win.
What about courage, endurance, and faith?
those as well but i think love is the underlying theme. JMO
Yes, love for your family, love for your friends, love for your partner. That love includes courage, endurance and faith because you will do anything to protect them.
ozzie thanks for being my backup tonight you are explaining it better than i am. I thank you!
Lol! No problem again. It’s probably the only things I remember. I’m actually surprised I made sense as I’ve had very little sleep yesterday!
Hi Ozzie!
Interesting how true love encompasses all those qualities and more and yet people confuse lust with love…
Hi LB!
I think lust in the books were portrayed as mostly a bad trait. It was the lust of power, lust of fame, lust of wealth etc that were behind many downfalls. I don’t remember any character having lust over another character (well, apart from the initial attractions of course but that develops into love). Maybe someone with a better memory can jump in!
Hi Ozzie-
U are amazing! I only read the first book and that was so long ago. So it’s interesting seeing u do a plot breakdown. Thanks!!
yes thank you ozzie because its been years since i finished the series.
*bows* My pleasure! I’m sure Jess could give you so much more details! 🙂
What is it about the story (underlying or not) that has captivated such a vast audience that amusements parks are being built?
i think because it deals with magic and we all are captivated by magic in some way.
LB, What were you reasearching on Goblet of Fire? How hot Rob is???? 😉
What? Gah…no…pfft…yeah, right…pfft…whatever…
you can’t fool me. 🙂
Pfft. 🙂
Paris-
I always say- It takes one to know one. LOL!!
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!! OB, I have no idea what you are talking about. *walks away with completely red face* LOL
BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRNNNNNN!
LOL i can’t stop laughing. 🙂
Ah! U left yourself wide open for that one. I saw u just dangling out there and I could not resist a possible foray. LOL!!
I was just waiting for you to show up and i knew it would get you. (I’m such a bad liar when not being paid to lie)
Paris- U can’t fool me!! Remember we share the same brain sometimes. LOL!!
that’s right! what can i say? you have the brain today.
Transplant complete. Thanks for sharing it with me yesterday. TC!
What qualities did each of the main characters possess? (Both good and bad)
I think Hermione helped Harry and Rob by being the best with potions. Ron is the sidekick.
Harry is the courage, bravery behind the three of them.
In the history of franchises based on books, I don’t think any of them come close to Harry Potter. I would say that Rowlings truly was inspired with her work. The ripple affect she has started is quite astounding. I think she has inspired many young people.
ita. i also think she inspired s. meyer because she showed that grown adults can write a good YA fiction series. What happened with Twilight as far as filming was a copy of HP as well.
Unfortunately SMeyer also inspired people who can’t write for crap to get published as well…
HP films were much better, btw. And I figured that one out just by the trailers alone.
of course but i think that HP is a phenomon (i can’t spell tonight, sorry) because its uplifting. There is an emotional connection with each character.
Yes it has a very great message behind it. I like that in the face of adversity, the protagonists don’t give up. Life is full of adversity and evil and you have to fight through it, not around it.
very true. Not to keep comparing Twilight with HP but Twilight Saga has no emotional connection to the characters.
I agree! 🙂
J.K. Rowling put alot of work into the background of the story. She has a full history of the magical world she created. Also origins of names of places, people, objects etc not only reflect the characteristics but are deeply intertwined with each other too. The amount of energy and thought she put in was amazing. There aren’t many writers like that. She’s a good role model and deserves the admiration and respect she gets.
Wow! I love it!! ITA Oz! Great, Great example.
Hi Everyone-
I’m here but only as a fly on the wall tonight. Great discussion I’m learning a lot.
what interest you most about the BTS elements of HP?
question is for everyone.
Umm, everything! Sorry, I can’t really narrow it down as it’s such a fantastic story, all elements put in to bring it to life fascinate me!
What interest me most about the BTS was the amazing continuity kept throughout the series. Despite having different directors the designs for the characters and sets never faltered. I’m just amazed going through the BTS u provided. Also, the hats are AMAZING!!! The millinery and shoe designs are so wonderfully idiosyncratic to fit the characters. Now I would love to see the costume plot for this film.
i also have seen every costume in the tour i did. that had each person’s costume. sometimes 2-3 costumes per character. For example, Harry’s day to day clothes were shown as well as his quidditch uniform and the clothing from the yuletide ball.
I wonder who made the hats and shoes? I’m researching them now. I’ll be back!!
ok!
Here’s the milliner
http://thesparkleinhereye.com/2012/04/the-artist-milliner-philip-treacy/
i forgot that about philip treacy he’s also the royal milliner
Shoe Designer
Is: Charlotte Olympia
http://relativemo.com/clients/charlotte-olympia/
thanks for all the info OB! I don’t know anything about costume design but do the actor’s get to have some say in the clothing choices for their characters?
Its all a collaborative process with the directors, principal actors & set designers IMO!! Certain periods & or personalities garner more collaboration between costume designers and actors because they need to alter their physicality, posture and behavior etc…In other words if it adds to the story and character the more the merrier.
Hi OB!!! *hugs*
I have been on a similar tour like the one in the article. The things i found most intriguing were Rob’s shoes. He’s got big feet!
Seriously, it all was spectacular the amount of detail. When you stand in front of the demontors. It feels like they are sucking the air out you. It was an awesome effect.
*snort* Oh my gosh, of course you did. *check YM*
I would love to attend a tour with a sane fan because I think they could give me the real experience with what little knowledge I have.
i’m a sane fan.
🙂
Big feet=Big Heart IMO!! It’s up to us what we choose to feel it with.
Ozzie i know you’ve been to florida to see the Wizarding world of harry potter. what did you think of it and what interested you the most.
I loved it! The whole thing was interesting, I just can’t narrow it down! I guess if pushed I would say the attention to detail. Everything is out of the stories. You can’t even get drinks from “our world”. I asked if they served coca-cola, they don’t! From the top of my head it was water, pumpkin juice and butter beer! Everywhere you look, it’s Harry Potter’s world. It’s amazing!
I maybe going to the Leavesden Studios later this year!
i will fly there and meet you! I have to get a passport first,
Lol, deal! 🙂
Yay! Paris I love this article! I am a HUGE I mean maybe ginormous fan of Harry Potter! I have read the books like 500 times and know all details. I saw this about a year ago advertised but I had no Idea how detailed it was. Wow, all I know is i need to get to Orlando stat!
Jess,
Thank you! Its tremendous fun! I rode the ride twice and had to stop after 2x because i was starting to get dizzy. but Hogsmeade was amazing and full of such detail. They had everyshop in Hogsmeade too
Like all the candies and everything OH and the Butter Beer? What was the ride? I saw something like you follow Harry and play Quiditch and everything but what else is there?
there is butterbeer. its orange cream soda. You do follow harry and ron to try and catch a snitch on the quidditch field but you get knocked of course by a dementor and end up in the forest and harry ron and hermione save you.
you can buy the exact replica of the wands used by each character. I’m pretty sure there was candy but i don’t remember what types.
huh…you gonna buy any special wand???
i was tempted but no. i bought the t-shirt instead. 😉
Lol, I went all out. I bought so much from there!
i did buy the stamps and mailed a postcard to my grandma.
I got Fleur’s wand, and yes you can get the candy, I’ve brought back chocolate frogs (you even get a card with them), the every flavour jelly beans (I’ve not tried them) and another I can’t remember the name! Everything is from the stories! I didn’t go on the motion ride (I get sick on them) but I did go round the castle to see everything inside. It’s amazing! I did go on the dueling dragons (loved it!) but it messed my inner ear up! I’m sure I was walking at an angle for about 10-15 minutes after, lol!
Ladies,
I am done for the evening, so I will see you next time. Have a very lovely evening. 🙂
good night LB!
Everyone-
I have to go. It was great being a fly today. Paris fun article and topic.
I’m sure I will go see this HP spectacular display soon.
Goodnight!
Night!
Oh my gosh I would spend SOOO MUCH MONEY buying every last thing in that shop!!!
i had to narrow it down to one thing. There is so much. I do remember that you can buy a remembrall.
everyone,
I’m going for the evening. Thank you for the discussion. I had a great time.
Night all! I had so much fun tonight!