Warner Bros. Studios - The Making of Harry Potter

I didn't think I would like this as much as I did. Our daughter chose it for a morning visit and the behind the scenes of all 8 of the  Harry Potter movies is represented. The time we were there was also a special on the costuming the actors wore, which was placed every now and then at certain exhibits. We caught a taxi to Euston Station and train then went to Watford Junction where we caught the Special Bus. Quite a few of the crowd were also dressed in Harry Potter Style.

Harry Potter Bus - One of many

Entrance

Once you get inside with all its amazing pictures etc you line up, with audio gear to start the tour. Harry's  Bedroom under the stairs is the beginning while waiting for your group to go in.

Quite Tiny for a Bedroom

Then basically you start in the school hall and walk through into the next section till you get to the end which of course is the "Shop"

Hall is, as is when filming and very large.

 

Tables which were quite long

Front with  Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Severus Snape Costumes

All around are models such as the Great Hall. 

 From the Hall you start working through one room after the other, lots of information how things were made even moving parts such as the door that was part of the Bank. Often also a TV screen running small documentaries on for instance make up being put on a character or dressmaking for an actor. Harry's costumes as well as others,  were also constantly being washed and labeled what day it was to be used and marked "Clean". Children actors only spend 4 hrs a day working, the rest of the time on sight at school.

Part of the Wig and Makeup section

Moving stairway with talking pictures.

Potions Class

Broomsticks

Moving Bank Door (Gringotts Vault)

Door to the Chamber of Secrets

Stair Entrance in Dumbledore's Room

Daigon Alley with all the shops

Minister of Magic Building.

I was very impressed with all the models and art sections as a pre-requisite and story board ideas.
Lots of original drawings. No detail was missed out. A huge selection also. See if you can recognize anything.

 

Mandrake

Harry's Owl

Book of Spells

The Three Broomsticks

After all the art we then went into a new exhibit of the Forbidden Forest. The "wood" of the huge trees was very real and you could see a board on how they were made. The spiders dropped down unexpectedly and very dark.

Buckbeak he actually bent down.

Massive Big Spiders

Once through the Forest we then went outside to the Train Station to view Hogwarts Express.

Of course Platform 9 and  3/4.

 The train also featured the different carriages for the different movies and the characters got older and moved up a year.

First Movie with all the chocolate treats.

We then went outside to the Original Street where Harry lived with his Uncle.

4 Privet Drive

Mail of his Entrance to Hogwarts.

Knight Bus in the Prisoner of Azkaban

Covered Bridge from the Battle of Hogwarts

Chess Pieces from the first movie.

This model was very very large and used for a lot of the flying scenes. It had lights that turned it from day to night and could be covered in snow, with special effects.

Wand choosing in the shop at the end. No I didn't get one but it looked great.

Trying on the Hat.

Well that's it,  was a huge morning with so much to see. From there we went on to the musical Wicked  my birthday present which I thoroughly enjoyed. Fantastic Costumes



Hope you enjoyed seeing The Making of Harry Potter. (Condensed Version)

Till next time. Off to Greece.

2017 Holiday - London

I am sorry I missed last week but due to the fact that my camera card suddenly seized up I couldn't download any pictures so had to wait till we got home 2 days ago. We flew out from Sydney and staying overnight in Singapore was a great idea as only 8 hrs to fly and a good night's rest. Changi hotel also accessible right at the airport and attached just outside of the customs area, so very easy to get to.

Our hotel Bedroom with See Through Bathroom

Then 13 hours to Heathrow next morning, and the next hotel near Hyde Park.

London Hotel Room was Tiny

 After a quick walk around including some of the park, it is enormous, a quick dinner at a local cafe, this was about it for the first day. The second flight though was tedious and lots of children. I found  London was a lot warmer than anticipated, they are in Autumn now. The next day we planned on visiting the Globe Theatre first, which meant catching the train early and walking from the station. London also has a card system for trains, so that was purchased also. We got to really know the train system hopping on and off like locals.

Globe Theatre

 I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed this as it was our daughters idea. We had a guide show us everything and I didn't realise that there were costumes in there as well. All made in the theatre, and as true to type as possible.

The roof surprisingly is not filled in as in Shakespeare's day, this lets the light in. Acting is very close to the audience which quite a few famous ones have learnt from here, or alternatively have worked here for the experience of being so close.

Setting the stage for a New Play

Taken from the Expensive Boxes where the Rich would Show Off.

We looked at all the history of the building and also the history of Shakespeares life. Lots of artwork and displays. Well worth the visit.

From there we then walked along the Thames river past all the Bridges and past Buckingham Palace, on our way to Westminster Abbey. It looked like rain but we made it.

The Thames

Parliament House and Big Ben

Londons  Eye

Westminster Abbey

No photos are allowed in the Abbey but it was also an interesting place. All the royals are buried here plus hundreds of other high ranking Dukes, Duchesses, Marchionesses, Ladies Maids or just the rich. Anyone really who could afford to be buried here, usually in marble and some very elaborate sculptures. It is very large inside and each little room is crowded with memories of people long gone.

Part of the Cloisters outside.

We then went on to Harrods for lunch, and looked all over it. Most of all we had fun in the toy section.

Lego Friends

Lego Harrods Doorman

Chess Set from Harry Potter

Minion

Of course everyone has to hop in  the Red Telephone Box.

It stinks

Hello anyone there.

Loved the hanging baskets everywhere especially on pubs.

The Anchor Pub

Next week I will show you our visit with Harry Potter.

Till next time.