David Yates talks HRH final scene, J.K. Rowling in new interview
Potter director David Yates recently spoke with Manila Bulletin about his experience making four of the HP movies, about Dan, Rupert and Emma's final scene together, J.K. Rowling, and his future plans. Here are some excerpts (he gives a bit of a spoiler about the end of Deathly Hallows Part 2):
You came into the series at sort of that middle point. When did you realize the magnitude of the fan base. And what did you think about it? It was probably a phase in the cycle around about this stage when you do your interviews and you meet the press and walk up the red carpet. Obviously, you notice the fact that it’s globally popular, but it’s just when the fans come from Mexico or Argentina and camp out all night, you realize what it means to them. And it’s a huge responsibility, actually. Also, there are massive expectations on every movie, and in a curious way, you do your very best with the film. And I’m very proud of this film.
On the last day with Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, when they were on set together and filmed their final scene, what was that like? We shot the scene on the viaduct, outside Hogwarts, and it was really peaceful. It was a really sunny day. It was all backlit. And it’s a very tender scene where they sort of reflect on everything that’s happened, all the battles and everything, and they hold hands, and the camera falls away. It’s a really tender, lovely scene. I said to them, ‘Look, guys, this is the last scene we’re all going to do with you three together in front of the camera. So, it’s not just the last scene of these three characters in the movie, this is your last scene in this series of films. That’s what today is about.’ And it infused it with a kind of emotion which was really moving actually.
Did you ever talk to Jo Rowling about adapting these books and the choices you made, particularly in terms of its contemporary feel? We never had a big conversation about that because it was very present in the book. She read the script and she was totally cool about the way we’d adapted it. She was always just very enthusiastic about the whole first script, generally. But she’s been really helpful and we had a good chat about a couple of scenes in Part 2. I asked her, ‘What were you thinking when you wrote these scenes?’ And she was really helpful.
Jo was a producer on this film, so how was that? How was her expanded role on it? You know, it hasn’t really changed from the other movies, honestly. She’s just always our biggest supporter. And always very graceful and kind and I think, because she’s been there throughout, it was time her name was up there. She wants to be up there with us; it’s a real privilege.
Do you have another movie brewing after all this? I’ve got so many scripts coming in, I can’t tell you. In fact, I told them to stop sending them. [Laughs] Because I haven’t read any of them. They’re just all piled up. But I’m so ambitious, I can’t tell you. It’s a strange thing about Harry Potter because I don’t feel any sense of ownership, in a way. I don’t feel territorial about it. I feel it’s a bit of a national treasure that I’m curating. For everything I can enter, I try and do my very best. And I’m very proud of the work I’ve done. But post-Potter, my career sort of starts again really. And I won’t feel like I’ve made four of the biggest films in the world. I’ll feel like, ‘Well, that’s it. I’ve done Potter now.’ And I’ll have all these beautiful scripts and I can begin in a way. That’s my plan. And I’m going to do big things and tiny little things. And they won’t have wizards in them.
No wizards? No wizards. You can read the whole interview
here. Thanks to Snitchseeker for the tip.
Mar
30
This weekend the WB Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter officially opens to the public! There will be a grand red carpet event tomorrow to mark the occasion, and over the last couple of days several members of the Harry Potter cast and crew have been doing the publicity rounds promoting this great new attraction.
Yesterday, a press event took place in front of the Great Hall doors with Rupert Grint, Tom Felton, Evanna Lynch, Warwick Davis, David Heyman, David Barron, David Yates as well as the two main bosses of the studio. They answered several questions about: the sets, their memories from them, the impact Leavesden Studios has on the British film industry, other franchises trying to emulate the success of Harry Potter, and more.
Mar
25
Courtesy of Hypable.com, the Harry Potter: Wizard’s Collection has finally received a release date! The official release date is set for September 7, 2012. The official press release reveals new never-before-seen footage that will be included in the collection.
Harry Potter Wizard’s Collection Bonus Disc: four hours of features, including: “The Harry Potters You Never Met” – watch how thrilling stunts from the films were performed, and learn about the tricks behind the major stunts in the series.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 Bonus Disc: two hours of features, including: “Creating the World of Harry Potter, Pt.7: Story”
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 Bonus Disc: four hours of features, including: “Creating the World of Harry Potter, Pt. 8: Growing Up”, extended “A Conversation with JK Rowling and Daniel Radcliffe” with 15 minutes of new footage
Exclusive Premiums: exclusive memorabilia including a Map of Hogwarts, concept art prints, catalogues of props and posters, all designed by the graphic designers from the films
Get the whole story »
Mar
25
Can you believe its been 15 years since Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone was bought to the page? Neither can I. To commemorate this monumental anniversary, Bloomsbury, the publishing company of the Harry Potter books in the UK, has launched a contest to find the biggest Harry Potter fans. Bloomsbury is using the help of booksellers and librarians to help them find the fans.
Here’s what you can do to enter:
Much of Harry Potter’s early success was due to the support from brilliant booksellers and librarians, and Bloomsbury would love to call on that fantastic support once more. Bloomsbury is inviting fans to write a letter explaining why they love Harry Potter. The only way to enter the competition is to post these letters in specially provided Harry Potter post boxes in their local bookshop or library. The competition will run from Tuesday 26th June until Tuesday 31st July 2012, after which we will select the winning entry and name the UK and Ireland’s biggest Harry Potter fan.
Unfortunately, this contest is only open to residents of the UK and Ireland, so if you live there you can visit Bloomsbury’s website to find the participating libraries and bookstores. One of the prizes will include a trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando! Believe me when I say it is well worth it to enter. Good luck to all who enter and if it’s someone who visits this site let us know!
