Fan Focus: Alyssa – August 15, 2010

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ALYSSA
Age 21 – United States

First off, how did you become a Harry Potter fan?

My friend Meagan asked me if I wanted to go to the movies with her to see a movie called Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. I had heard of it, I had the book that now gathered dust on my shelf. My parent had bought me it for my birthday or was it Christmas? Still to this day know one knows which but I didn’t read so it took me four months to read to chapter nine and with very little imagination towards books, I gave up. I kept it at school, and being in the fifth grade we always did crafts, mistakenly until two months later did I realize I had glue the book to the desk. I still laugh at the little tears and glitter still stuck to the book. Anyway, Meagan brought me to the movies because I wanted to get out to have fun with a friend. Watching it, it was amazing, very good I didn’t even get up for a refill for my soda because I didn’t want to miss a thing. So good that coming home I told my parents about it and they wanted to go see it too. Later the next few days at night my little sister saw it and liked it so we decided to read the book, she was very little so I would read them to her. Reading at her bed I read the first few chapters before she got tired of listening. Leaving her asleep in bed something happened; I had to read more, before I knew it I read the whole book without her in a few days. I fell in love with the series and wanted the next one.

It has been over three years since Deathly Hallows came out and we found out how the series ended. Do you have the same reaction to the ending now, as you did then?

My reactions have been very different through the years from when it first came out because the first time I read it I was in denial of all the events in the story that was happening to Harry. Almost angry that it was months in the forest in hiding or that no one would listen to him on his guess. That the characters were slowly leaving the story and myself as they died. Years later, rereading and understanding the ending a little better as a epic piece of work that I couldn’t fully taken in the first time. One thing is for sure, the ending battle with Harry and Voldemort was my favorite part and that has never changed.

Deathly Hallows: Part 1 was screened in Chicago to a very lucky audience, including some MuggleNet staff members! If you read the reviews, what did you think? If you didn’t read them, why not?

For the first time I’m trying not to read anything on the movie because I’ve made that mistake before with past Harry Potter movies. I think the fourth movie I was reading and watching anything related to the movie to a point where I knew the whole movie and where is the fun in that? I saw the footage at Comic-Con and I’m going to stick to that. Maybe.

The Deathly Hallows movie split was announced this month via Entertainment Weekly. If you read the spoiler, what do you think? Where would YOU split the movie?

I think it’s a amazing place to stop where it’s just enough action and is eventful enough for both the first half and the second. I would have split around the same timing for a dramatic effect and want to fans to want more. Hard part is, we do want more even though we know that part 2 is that last movie.

WWoHP had it’s 1,000,000th visitor this month – already! Have you visited the park, or have plans to? What were/are you most excited to see/visit?

I went to the WWoHP over the summer and it was a amazing experience as I went during Infinitus. I couldn’t wait to get on the Forbidden Journey because a HP ride is a dream come true and also the shopping. Only thing is as I walked the first time through the entrance alone (friend was not feeling good at the moment and stay in room) I felt that that was the best moment ever. Seeing the shops and the music in the air as the darkness fell across the sky to become night behind the Hogwarts castle. That was a magical moment as I walked around not caring where I was going or had anything to do as I looked at the details of the “closed” shops for cauldrons and quills. Buying a butterbeer for the first time and sitting on the edge outside of the Hog’s Head while listening to the music and people mention “harry” “wand” and “chocolate frogs” until the part closed. I plan to go back twice next year for LeakyCon and for Christmas Holiday.

Harry Potter: The Exhibition announced that it’s final US stop was going to be Seattle! If you’ve made it to the exhibition, what did you think? If not, are you excited for the Seattle stop?

I wish I could have seen it, and a little upset that it stopped no where near Texas. I wished I could but I guess seeing the HP museum in the WB studio in California was the next best thing during a family trip. I got to see some photos of the exhibit and that’s alright for me.

OMG! Emma cut her hair off! Love it, or dislike it?

A little sad to see the Hermione look disappear since I’ve never seen her with anything but long hair, but it works for her. I’m not picky about major haircut changes and it looks cute on her. I’m alright with it and think it could be worse. The Britney Spears idea of being bald….

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thanks to everyone who has lead to me to start Besthpfan’s I-am-a-fan-of podcast and my fandom report web site at www.besthpfan.webs.com because if it wasn’t for Harry Potter I wouldn’t have any of it. Also thanks to Joey Richter from Starkid for making the wait for the HP panel at Comic-Con fun!