Have you ever watched the Harry Potter movies and wondered how these films seemed to come alive on screen? Now you have a chance to actually go behind to scenes to see how it all began.
Warner Bros. recently unveiled plans for the ‘Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter.’ This unique walking tour will give visitors the chance to witness the intricate detail that goes into a working set to see firsthand what the camera doesn’t show. The announcement was made by Dan Dark, SVP & Managing Director, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden.
Among a series of never-before-seen exhibits on the three hour long tour, visitors will be able to walk onto some of the most memorable sets from all of the films in the Harry Potter series including the iconic Great Hall, Dumbledore’s office and many others to be announced at a later date.
‘Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter’ will open in the Spring of 2012 at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, the production home of the Harry Potter films for over ten years. Tickets will go on sale later this year and must be booked in advance via a dedicated website http://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/ or through approved tour operators.
Here are some of the things you’ll see on the tour:
• The Great Hall – One of the first sets ever to be created for the series, it was built in 2000 for the series’ first outing, ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.’ Designed by BAFTA-winning production designer Stuart Craig, it is 120ft long by 40ft wide with a solid stone floor and includes the tables and benches used in the films.
• Dumbledore’s office – It was built for ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’ and is also the home of the Sorting Hat, The Sword of Gryffindor and Dumbledore’s desk which is surrounded by a library of ancient looking books. Adorning the office walls is a myriad of paintings commissioned specifically for the films, including two of Professor Dumbledore himself.
• Authentic sets, costumes, animatronics, props and effects used in the production of all eight Harry Potter movies will be featured along with the British artistry, technology and talent that brought this film series to life.
Tickets will go on sale at a date to be announced later this year, but interested guests are encouraged to visit http://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/ and register to receive ongoing updates and information on ‘Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter.’
Dan Dark, SVP & Managing Director, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden said, “While the Harry Potter film series reaches its highly anticipated conclusion this summer, its incredible filmmaking story and its relationship with Leavesden is set to live on with the launch of “Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter.” The tour promises to be one of the most exciting and memorable visitor attractions anywhere in Europe, delivering an experience never before seen by the general public.”
Josh Berger, President & Managing Director, Warner Bros. UK, Ireland & Spain, added, “We’re incredibly excited about next year’s opening of ‘Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter.’ It will celebrate the exceptional British creativity and craftsmanship that goes into making major movies here in the UK.”
Currently under construction, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden is set to be one of the largest studio production facilities in Europe when it opens next year. A quarter of a million square feet of dedicated soundstages, and the largest back-lot in Europe, will accommodate major film, TV and advertising productions within its secure 200 acre state of the art site in Hertfordshire.
