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We have been reporting on the Royal visit to Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter all day today and sharing images as they came in. Here are some additional photos as well as a full recap as provided by Warner Bros.
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Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry cast spells, explored iconic sets and discovered the behind-the-scenes secrets of filmmaking as they visited Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter.
Spellbound children and parents from Their Royal Highnesses’ supported charities joined them and Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling as they relived the magic through the eyes of filmmakers who brought the Harry Potter film series to life.
Their Royal Highnesses stepped on to the flagstones of the Great Hall, the longest standing set from the Harry Potter film series, and The Duchess got the chance to measure up to the costume of half-giant Rubeus Hagrid. First built for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 2000, the Great Hall contains a house points system made up of tens of thousands of Indian glass beads which caused a national bead shortage when built. During their visit, Their Royal Highnesses held a meeting with their charities on this iconic set.
Wands were raised for The Duke and Duchess as they took a wand combat lesson in the Gryffindor common room, using choreography from the Harry Potter film series. Wielding their wands, The Duke and Duchess sparred with each other.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry was surprised to see carrots chopping themselves in the Weasley kitchen, home to a number of household special effects including a self-ironing iron and self-washing frying pan. The set was designed to appear as though Mr. Weasley had built much of it himself so doors, windows and walls all sit at crooked angles.
Their Royal Highnesses reunited in Diagon Alley where they took part in a special effects demonstration. By pointing their wands, The Duke, The Duchess and Prince Harry were able to cast a spell which made the sign above Potage’s Cauldron Shop bang and flash as if by magic.
In the Studio Tour’s Wand Room – an area dedicated to the thousands of talented British cast and crew that worked on the film series – Their Royal Highnesses were presented with their own wands, hand-carved by prop- making expert Pierre Bohanna.
This has certainly been an exciting day for Harry Potter fans. What did you think o today's Royal visit? Let us know in the comments below.
Posted by Keith on 04-26-2013 at 1:25 PM
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UPDATE #2: Here are some additional pics of the Royals visit to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter courtesy of @WB_StudioTour:
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UPDATE: MuggleNet has received confirmation that J.K. Rowling has attended the Studio Tour with the Royals. In addition, some of the biggest names behind the films are there as well! Those in attendance are Matt Lewis, David Heyman, David Yates, and Mike Newell! Stay tuned to MuggleNet as we will provide additional updates. Thanks to Cory of Le Gazette du Sorcier for the tip!
Today, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Kate, along with Prince Harry, were at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter for the official inauguration.
Before they set out on the tour, the Duke gave a wonderful speech, which we shared a portion:
The journey to today began most obviously with the now legendary story of an aspiring author – J K Rowling – translating her phenomenal imagination onto paper in the form of the Harry Potter series. But in another sense, the journey to today began way before, since this country has a long and proud literary and visual arts history – a history that is unmatched in the world for its variety, its commercial success and its longevity.
You can read the entire speech here. Also, check out some of the images snapped throughout the day:
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Which one is your favorite. We are partial to the shot above featuring all three with wands at the ready!
Posted by Keith on 04-26-2013 at 07:45 AM
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This May, animal actors from the Harry Potter film series will make a special appearance at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – which highlights the talented training teams that helped create the performances of the 250+ live animals that appeared across all eight films.
From Saturday 25th May to Sunday 2nd June 2013, a selection of animals, trained by Head Animal Trainer Julie Tottman, will revisit the incredible sets they frequented when working on the films.
Visitors will be able to pose for a picture with one of the snowy owls who played Harry Potter’s letter-delivering owl Hedwig as she sits outside 4 Privet Drive or watch as she flies across the Studio Tour’s backlot. A selection of owls, including the one that portrayed Ron Weasley’s pet Pigwidgeon, will be showcased in the backlot throughout the week and will also feature outside the shop front set of Eeylops Owl Emporium in Diagon Alley.
One of the cats that played stealthy Mrs Norris and one of the ginger cats that played Hermione Granger’s bandy-legged feline Crookshanks will prowl the Gryffindor common room. Visitors will also be able to learn how rats and toads were trained behind-the-scenes as the animal actors, who played Neville Longbottom’s toad Trevor and Ron Weasley’s rat Scabbers, were.
During filming, 40 kittens were brought to the studio to be filmed in front of a blue screen for Dolores Umbridge’s porcelain kitten plates which can be found at the Studio Tour in Umbridge’s Ministry of Magic office. The kittens were adopted after the shoot and their current owners have no idea that their pets once starred in one of the Harry Potter films. Visitors will discover firsthand how these scenes were filmed as the Studio Tour recreates a blue screen set complete with kittens.
A Neopolitan Mastiff, trained like those who played Hagrid’s loyal dog Fang, will be stationed outside the half-giant’s hut and visitors will be able to compare him to the incredibly lifelike figure that currently sits in the Gamekeeper’s hut.
Tickets must be pre-booked in advance and can be purchased from www.wbstudiotour.co.uk.
Posted by Keith on 04-15-2013 at 06:15 AM
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It has been exactly a year since Warner Brothers welcomed its legions of fans over the threshold of the WB Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter.
Since the star-studded Grand Opening last March, the tour has won over the hearts of fans and critics alike with its all-access insight into bringing this iconic story to life. Its only only fitting then that they should celebrate their birthday in style and MuggleNet was on hand to witness the many treats on offer.
The first treat of the day, were the 1st Year Anniversary badges being handed out to every visitor. Then one lucky person from each group was being offered limited edition prizes at the start of the tour whilst everyone else was promised more prizes and surprises as they made their way through the tour, speaking with the incredibly knowledgable Interactors. However the taster that peaked our interest was the offer to visit Hagrid's hut (invisibility cloak optional). As we arrived, we were treated with the very special appearance of the true Potter trio: Hedwig, Pigwidgeon and Crookshanks.
We were also fortunate enought to have a quick with with the brillaint Julie Tottman, animal trainer on all eight of the Potter films, which is featured in the above video.
After these exciting titbits, we were once again allowed to enjoy the wonders of the tour at our leisure before diving head first into the gift shop. For any Quidditch players out there, it is worth noting that the tour has released a whole range of sports merchandise including Quaffles and Bludgers as well as House branded kits.
So One Year On and the WB Studio Tour is as fantastic as ever. After celebrating their millionth ticket sale at the end of the last year, you would be forgiven for thinking things may have slowed down. On the contrary however, neither of us in attendance today have seen the place quite so busy despite having five previous visits between us; further proof that the magic of Potter will live on for many years to come.
Posted by Claire on 03-31-2013 at 11:20 PM
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This past weekend, MuggleNet and five other Potter fan sites teamed up to bring you one section of a full poster to reveal what was coming up next for the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter. When all of the pieces were placed together, you were shown this image. Now we can reveal what the WB Studio Tour has planned.
From Monday 18th March to Sunday 14th April, the WB Studio Tour will be celebrating their first anniversary with a series of surprises for visitors.
Great giveaways and extra experiences will take place at the attraction over the four weeks and tickets are still available at www.wbstudiotour.co.uk.
The Studio Tour, one year on:
- The first person to visit the Studio Tour was a four-year-old boy named Harry and the millionth visitor was a nine-year-old boy from the appropriately-named town of Dudley.
- The longest distance travelled to the Studio Tour by a visitor to date is over 11,000 miles. This particular person came all the way from New Zealand.
- The longest time a visitor has spent in one day at the attraction so far is 10 hours.
- Over 20 members of the Studio Tour staff worked on the Harry Potter film series as costume makers, extras, chaperones and/or members of the tech and catering teams.
- The Great Hall doors have opened more than 14,000 times since the Studio Tour began, and each group of visitors has been greeted with the words “Welcome to Hogwarts!”
- The number of wands sold by Warner Bros. Studio Tour London since opening would, if stacked end to end, be taller than 7,000 triple-decker Knight Buses.
Will you be heading over to the Leavesden Studios area in Watford, England to experience this special ONE-YEAR Anniversary of the most amazing Harry Potter venue? Let us know in the comments below.
Posted by Keith on 03-11-2013 at 10:45 AM
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Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter has been the magical destination for all young witches and wizards, as well as you, the Harry Potter fan. Filled with the exclusive sets, props, costumes, models, and the inner workings of all eight Harry Potter films, the WB Studio Tour is one place you will never forget.
Now, the WB Studio Tour has something very special planned and they have asked MuggleNet to be a part of it. A hidden treasure hunt is now open to all fans. Find all six pieces to the puzzle and you will find out what the WB Studio Tour is doing next.
CLICK HERE to see the first clue to the puzzle. This special feature by Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter will be fully revealed on Monday.
Hunt for the rest of the puzzle pieces using #OneYearOn - Good luck finding the remaining five clues!
Reminder: WB Studio Tour has a new Twitter account. Follow them @wbstudiotour
Posted by Keith on 03-09-2013 at 11:00 AM
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