Fan Focus: Barbara – November 20, 2011
16-year-old Barbara from Mexico
First off, how did you become a Harry Potter fan?
Many people have asked me that. There’s no doubt that the minute I finished the first book I fell in love with the story, but to become such a big fan of the series was because of the movies. I mean, the feeling of actually reading a book a movie is based on gives you the opportunity to focus on every aspect that you normally don’t focus on, such as the music and the sets and just how every little detail is important to create an imaginary world. It is amazing to compare the way things were in the book and in your head to the way they made it in reality and whether you agree or not. And of course, there is the story. When you finish Deathly Hallows, you are astonished because things you didn’t think mattered were the ones that solved plots in the upcoming books. Everything was related and not a single mistake was written. I’m not lying when I say that J.K. Rowling is my idol, because even though she was telling a story of the adventures of a boy, she still succeeded in interesting persons of every age in any country and spreading a good message, and everyone loved it.
Deathly Hallows – Part 2!! Loved it? Hated it? Thoughts?
LOVED IT. I mean, perhaps I felt more excited when I read the book, but isn’t it always like that? You can’t have everything, but in this case, we kind of did. We had war, that even though I thought it was going to have a little bit more scream-and-jump moments, was really cool, and we had funny dialogues and the story was complete, and the music made us cry. What else can you ask when the scenes they made were excellent? The only thing I think they kind of didn’t know how to deal with was the epic, remarkable moments of the book. For example, Molly’s “not my daughter, you bitch!” moment was a bit forced and didn’t have the same emotion that it had in the book, and just don’t get me started with Fred’s death, which was barely noticed. Besides that, the “Prince’s Tale” and the “Forbidden Forest” scene are scenes that no one will forget and that, no matter how many times you watch it, not a single person will have a dry eye. So, yes, I can easily say it is at the top of my list of favorites.
Now that all eight films are out, how to feel about the movie series as a whole? Favorite? Least favorite?
Favorite series ever, and take this from a person who watches a lot of movies, a lot of series, and has an open mind. The fact that I grew up with these movies and these books obviously influenced my decision, but still, I just love the story and the way the movies were made because knowing the secrets and how everything was shot makes it more magical for me. When I watch them, a lot of memories come back, and that’s not surprising if you take into account that I have been a fan for 10 years.
If you could have one prop from any of the eight films, what would you choose and why?
OMG, the Mirror of Erised! It would be sooooo cool to place it in any part of my house and every time I pass by I’d see myself as the happiest person on Earth. Or perhaps a Nimbus 2000… Could I take everything? Just kidding, the Mirror of Erised would be nice. Or even a mini version of it…
We just got a sneak peek at the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London, which opens March 31, 2012. Do you plan on going, and if so, what are you excited to see?
Of course I’m going; I’m even planning to go with my school to England in 2012 as an exchange just to visit the Studio! And learn, of course. I am looking forward to the Great Hall and the Common Room… Can’t wait! Just thinking that we will all be where they were shooting makes me happy!
Pottermore! Are you in? If so, tell us about your experience. If you’re not in, what are you looking forward to most?
Ah! Of course I’m in! I was there at 3 am trying to get through the first clue… Im in Ravenclaw, which was really touching because I always thought I was a Ravenclaw ever since I was like 10 years old. My wand is Alder and Phoenix Feather, Twelve and a Quarter inches and Surprisingly Swishy and I got really happy when I got it. Anyway, I can’t lie. Pottermore is really interesting, yes, it has lots of new information, of course, and incredible art… but I don’t have enough time to “play” with it! Sometimes I feel sad because I received my welcome letter really early and I haven’t passed the 15th chapter! I feel like I’m not taking advantage of it, but still, it is a really cool website. The best things, at least as far as I am, were the Sorting Hat and Ollivander’s by far.
Two AMAZING events just happened the weekend of November 12th: The Harry Potter Home Entertainment Celebration in Orlando, and the Muggle Quidditch World Cup in New York City! Did you attend either event? If not, which would you have attended if you could have, and why?
No! I’m not attending either, basically because I don’t live in the USA. I would LOVE to go to The Harry Potter Home Entertainment Celebration in Orlando because it sounds really good and magical, and I almost went if it wasn’t for the fact that I just went in June and my father almost Crucio-ed me when I asked him to send me alone. I think it will be a really nice experience because when you go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter without any event the experience is gorgeous, amazing, awesome… every little great word you can imagine… Now imagine that experience with the actors and a special event—UNFORGIVABLE. Anyway, I’m definitely going another year when another event happens, believe me. If not, I’d call a dementor to suck my soul. Ok, just kidding.
Do you have anything else you’d like to add? Maybe a theory you still believe to be true, a shout-out, praise for yours truly?
Huh… I just want to say THANK YOU if you read all of this. If not, well, I don’t blame you, because I did write a lot, didn’t I? Anyway, what else can I say about the amazing MuggleNet besides that I love it and I have loved it since I knew it? You have been my HP source ever since I discovered you because of Google, the God of the Internet, and I feel really special every time I have something to do with either the website or MuggleCast, so thank you! Bye, keep going with the Potter-craziness. I’ll never forget all the experiences I shared with the fandom and the MuggleNet followers, all the times we fell asleep reaaally late, the times I did homework while listening to MuggleCast, the live coverages, and streamings—just everything! I mean, I even met people from here! Thanks.
