The Making of Harry Potter

Last year I went to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, exploring behind the scenes of the famous, most successful film of all time - Harry Potter. There were so many things to see and do, ranging from the real life sets, props and costumes that were used in the films, how characters were created in the films and the use of green screening.

It already felt magical when we arrived at the car park, seeing a few of the chess pieces from the movie outside. Once entering the studios, it was very busy seeing people walking in and out, on the wall was Daniel Radcliffe's, Rupert Grint's and Emma Watson's hand prints. Big canvases of the main cast were hung on the walls and a few props hanging from the ceiling and also the big gift shop was by the entrance, seeing all the different props used in the films and the strange sweets that you could buy. When I was queuing up to go start the tour, the first set building was the cupboard under the stairs, which was also known as Harry's first 'bedroom' at Privet Drive. To start the tour it gave us an insight of what we would be expecting without giving away anything and as the screen lifted up, behind the screen was the entrance of Hogwarts and they as they opened it revealed the Great Hall, where the whole school would have their breakfast, lunches and dinners. 

During my time that I spent exploring the studio, I learnt many interesting things and a lot about how the film was actually created. A lot of green screening was used for the films, the Quiddich scene and Harry and Ron's getaway scene in the flying car were the works of the special effects and visual effects team, using a digital backdrop in post-production. I had a go on the broomstick during my visit, which was literally a broomstick with a green screen behind it so once I put on my cape and sat on the broom stick, I could see myself on the screen flying over Hogwarts. Looking at all the different sets and the costume designs made me realise how much work and effort the cast and crew put in, even the tiniest details just to make the film look the way they are, defiantly incredible! There was a major focus on the design, animatronics, make up and architecture, the crew had major talent to design and create the monsters and characters in Harry Potter. During production of Harry Potter the director liked to use cameras attached to the jib and tripod, in order to get high shots and able to move in great distance easier.

To end the tour they had the amazing detailed model of Hogwarts Castle, which was used for exterior shots in every film of Harry Potter. It took 86 artists and crew members to create this beautiful castle, measuring 50 feet across that has more than 2,500 fibre optic lights to simulate lantern torches and students passing through hall ways. They also used a green screen the cast and size them down for the shots with the Castle and fix it up in post-production. To think that the tour had finished, they had a wand room with hundreds of wand boxes individually made, stacked up on each other showing the names all cast, crew and writers - from J.K. Rowling to the driver of Hogwarts Express and every camera man, electrician and make-up artist.

This is honestly, hands down a once in a lifetime opportunity and worth every penny if you are either a Harry Potter fan or a film maker, if you love both then it's a bonus!