It had started to rain on and off by the time we drove up to
the studios on the outskirts of London. We had gotten up early that morning, as
our allotted ‘time’ for our tour was in the afternoon and we didn’t want to be
late. But it turned out that we were two hours early, anyway!
So after eating our lunch in the car (the only
disappointment of the studio tour is that you’re not allowed your own
food/there’s no picnic area) we were allowed to queue up early.
It was only until we got to the entrance of the place that I
started to feel the familiar flutter of butterflies in my stomach. As you wait
in the line you pass the famous and tiny piece of set which is the cupboard
under the stairs! And the wall has the quote:
In fact, there were many quotes from JK through the tour and
videos and quotes from the cast and directors, and many who worked on the Harry
Potter films that were very moving and inspiring.
In fact, the whole of Leavesden Studios made me realise the
scale of how much was done for all of the things shown in the movies, and how
much creativity, love and hard work went into each individual piece: for
example, the ‘props’ or boxes put in the Weasley’s shop – for all we know they
could’ve put the same, I don’t know, 10 items mentioned in the book and changed
the font and colouring on the boxes – but instead, the art and graphics crew
put together a vast array of different prop products to put on the shelves just
so it could go into the back of a few scene shots! It gave me a lot of
perspective, as often you can hear the statistics and never really grasp the
scale or fully understand how much work has gone into the Harry Potter films.
I do not want to post many spoilers, but at the start you
are given a short video to watch – which is one thing I guessed they’d do – but
afterwards there’s a bit of a surprise. I won’t say what ;)
But after that, when we went into the great hall, I just
regressed back into my 8 year old self! Gasping at every little thing in the HP
studio tour shop, jaw dropped in awe at the sets, and wide-eyed from joy and
childhood dreams fulfilled!
The best, for me (if I could choose best bits), had to be
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| The Headmaster's Office |
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| me at Ollivanders |
- Dumbledore’s Office - as it is one of the really detailed sets, or rather the one with the most depth - as you have the two floors to it. And also, I just liked getting a closer look, especially the trinkets in Dumbledore's glass cabinets that line the walls.
- Daigon Alley - All the shop fronts were, well, enchanting. And really the set I've always dreamed of walking through since childhood! I really wanted to take a close look at everything in the shop windows, and much of it scarily accurate to the things described in the books.
- The Great Hall - This is probably on every Potterhead's list as it is the set that has never really been changed, or deconstructed. It is the central point of Hogwarts and for much of the films. The podium where Dumbledore makes his new term announcements was there and the teacher's costumes all standing in front of the staff table in the Great Hall - so when we walked into the Hall I was immediately struck with the feelings I believe that Harry and the rest of the first years must have felt when they entered the Great Hall! (I must admit I felt a little shaky, though it didn't show)
These were probably the top three largest sets at the studio tour, as well as my favourites.
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| the Great Hall |
I was quite in awe of everything, getting up close to the sets I found bits and pieces of props and set that were references to the book canon, that I hadn't noticed before: like Dean's West Ham bed covers! (from Philosopher's Stone).
It just shows how much dedication and love that went into the films, and I think it makes me quite proud to be British - and glad that JK Rowling on insisting the cast being all from the UK and being filmed here.
And I wasn't the only one who had regressed into childhood, there were
far more adults running around that gift shop wide eyed than there were children!
I have bought a Gryffindor Quidditch T-shirt and a Ministry of Magic messenger bag. I wanted to get a wand but it turned out the bag was a better choice as my other handbag has started to break, so now I have a replacement :)
Personally, the experience was deeply moving, and has almost been a closure for my childhood years, as the Deathly Hallows part 2 came out when I was 17 going on 18, and now after this summer, I will be getting my results, going to uni (hopefully) and moving out! Trying not to sound cheesy and failing, I in all honesty have felt that the characters in this series of books have been my friends throughout life, and their lives have influenced mine. There are so many happy memories attached to the films as well as the books. They have been an inspiration, a comfort, friends, part of my family and a second home. I grew up with these books and it makes me emotional to see this chapter of my life close, but I will bring the memories all with me. SO thank you Jo Rowling x
Finally: PHOTO LINK (my deviantart) if you want to see more of my Studio Tour pictures; there are so many I can't put them all on this blog.
AND if you want to add me on
pottermore simply comment below with your username or add me: I'm
pixiespirit3018! :)
Bee. x.
