In the build up to the release of the next Harry Potter movie – Harry Potter And The Order Of The Pheonix – ITV have scheduled two special programmes and a re-run of the first movie to whet fans’ appetites. The first special, airing this Saturday at 7.30pm (right after the showing of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone), goes behind the scenes at the filming of the new movie, and the second feature which will be aired a week later takes an in-depth look at the costumes worn in the series.
In Harry Potter: Behind The Magic, Ben Shephard goes behind-the-scenes of this global phenomenon to reveal just what went into making the new film, Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix.
The programme features exclusive chats with cast members including Evanna Lynch who plays new character Luna Lovegood; Imelda Staunton who plays Professor Umbridge and Daniel Radcliffe talks about Harry’s first screen kiss opposite Katie Leung who plays Cho Chang.
With exclusive access to Leavesden Studios where the films are made, Harry Potter: Behind The Magic takes viewers on a magical journey around the 180-acre set that covers every one of JK Rowling’s visions. They include the permanent sets of Harry’s childhood home, Privet Drive, the Gryffindor Common Room, to the brand new scenes for this film of Number 12 Grimmauld Place and the infamous Ministry of Magic.
Some of the most breathtaking scenes in the new film take place at the Ministry Of Magic. It is the biggest set ever built for a Harry Potter film taking 22 weeks to build and including an actual working fountain, 42 glass oil lamps and 12 lifts that not only move up and down but back and forth. It was used for just two weeks before being blown to smithereens in the climax of the film.
Number 12 Grimmauld Place is the secret headquarters of the organisation The Order Of The Phoenix which is led by Dumbledore to fight the death eaters. It is an exact replica of a Georgian house in Islington, London, but in Grimmauld Place it appears by magic from between the two houses either side.
In Harry Potter: The Costume Drama the redoubtable Shephard goes behind-the-scenes on set of the most elaborate Harry Potter movie so far and delves into the wizards’ wardrobes to find out just how the amazing, intricate costumes come to life on screen.
Producing such a blockbusting movie involves hundreds of decisions behind every frame. Fans watch everything in minute detail, looking for the tiniest fault, so it’s vital the costumes are right to make sure the characters from JK Rowling’s pages live up to their names and bring the best out of the actors.
Costume designer Jany Temime reveals how the outfits go from script to screen for each film, starting with the young wizards and their school uniforms.
“Every year we think, ‘Oh maybe we can use that again’, and every year we look at them [the kids] and go ‘Oh they’ve grown’ and we have to buy new things.
Harry Potter: Behind The Magic: ITV1, Saturday 7 July, 7.30pm
Harry Potter: The Costume Drama: ITV1, Saturday 14 July, 6.10pm
