You may not be one of the lucky ones able to take part in the new Harry Potter tours in London, but don’t despair. The Sentinel was there to capture the magic of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour “The Making of Harry Potter.”
People all over the globe have immersed themselves in the magical world of Harry Potter. It started with the book series written by J.K. Rowling. The books became instant best sellers among people of all ages. Once Warner Bros. discovered this phenomenon, it decided to recreate the charmed world within the film industry, and since then, the world has never been the same.
“Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter” officially opened its doors as a studio tour to the public on March 31 and The Sentinel was there to see it all. Leavesden Studios (is this where the tour is located? Not clear.)has made Potter fans’ dreams come true by letting them enter the place where all the magic was created for the Harry Potter movie series. Hundreds of people lined up past four Potter-themed double-decker buses waiting to get inside and discover secrets they have only read about.
“Oh, there are lots of secrets,” says Evanna Lynch, who plays Luna in the Harry Potter film series. “You get to look at everything up close and really absorb the atmosphere.”
Celebrities involved with the films attended the grand opening red carpet event and were just as excited for the tour as fans were.
“It’s just as magical now as it was 12 years ago,” said Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in the films.
When asked if there were any set in the tour he would like to have in his own home, Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley, said, “I grew quite fond of the boys’ dormitory and my bed that I actually slept in.”
Robyn, the event coordinator, an admitted fan herself, said, “The tour opens people’s eyes to this amazing world producers have created out of the books. Over 10,000 people have worked on the films and made them so great. The detail encased here is incredible and it cannot go unnoticed. I’m thrilled to share.”
Director David Barron said that from a behind the scenes perspective, “We are particularly proud that we can show off the work of the unsung heroes… the stitching on Dumbledore’s costume, the carving of the statues in the Great Hall. It’s never been done before and I don’t think fans will be disappointed.”
The directors worked closely with author Jo Rowling to make sure everything she and fans had envisioned in the books was brought to light in the studios with every detail. Fans were able to see complete sets, elaborate costumes, handwritten books and labels, authentic props and much more.
The spellbinding films took more than 10 years to make, so there was much to see. From the potions room to riding a broom, Harry’s cupboard under the stairs, the Ministry of Magic, Privet Drive, the Knight Bus, the Weasley’s car, massive chess pieces, Diagon Alley, Hagrid’s hut, daunting life-size creatures and drinking butter beer, a touring fan could get lost inside the elaborate details and millions of things to see.
“It’s actually quite moving,” Grint said after touring the sets. “Every brick of that building holds a memory of the 10 years we spent there, and it’s a really special place to all of us, and to have the opportunity to share it with everyone is amazing.” After seeing the stars and touring the studios, anyone can see the captivating effect the books and films have had on the world. All stemming from one children’s book, Harry Potter has enchanted the world one reader at a time.
