Special Effects Lend Great Detail to "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"

Over the years we have told you about the special effects used in the Harry Potter movies, and today we have more as there is an excellent new feature online which details at length the many processes and effects used in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. This lengthy and very in depth feature spotlights many of the sequences in the fifth Harry Potter film, noting on details such as Grawp ("A team of nine animators worked on the character animation, making continuity and consistency a high priority"), certain effects in the film such as Ginny's Reducto spell in the Ministry ("Dynamite was used to drive the collapse and break-up of the shelves, along with the animation of the spheres and stands that crash to the floor in a myriad of splintered shards"), and even pivotal scenes such as the encounter between Bellatrix and Sirius at the Veil ("Bellatrix’s wand attack on Sirius used fluid dynamics and displacement effects to create a uniquely aggressive version of the Avada Kedavara spell with its characteristic green cast. To emphasise the dreadful effect on Sirius, Gary Oldman’s skin colour was progressively drained over several shots leaving him pale and ashen, clouding was added to his eyes imparting a blank, dead look.")

A fair number of companies were involved in creating the many various special effects seen in "Order of the Phoenix," and while we at TLC have previously posted portions of this article before, such as the feature on Kreacher from Framestore CFC, this fnew article from fxguide details the fine and meticulous work done by other companies such as Double Negative, Rising Sun Pictures, MPC, and Framestore CFC. One company summarizes their involvement with the Harry Potter films, with the following excerpt from the article:

Over a period of 19 months Double Negative fielded a team of well over 250 artists, developers and technicians to deliver approximately 950 finished VFX shots for the film, a record for any one vendor in the history of the Harry Potter film series. "This was a unique opportunity for us to get involved at a very early stage on one of the largest visual effects projects in the world," comments Paul Franklin. "It was a privilege to work so closely with the Harry Potter production team and I believe that the outstanding work produced by our artists will help raise our profile to the highest possible level."

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

HP Movie Unit Photos Now on Sale

According to a new press release, for the first time ever, hundreds of pictures taken on the set of the Harry Potter movies are now available to buy, via MoviePrints.co.uk.

These pictures, known as "Unit Photography," have never previously been available to buy. Now, as a result of a deal between Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Comprints Ltd, a company specialising in Print on Demand (PoD) services, Harry Potter fans will be able to choose from over 300 pictures on-line and order them as prints and canvases in a variety of sizes.

(SOURCE: MUGGLENET)

Emma Receives Movie Nomination; Aces Exams

According to her official website, Emma Watson has been nominated for an award for her part in OOTP at the National Movie Awards. The ceremony will be aired on ITV1 on August 29th, the day after it occurs.

In other news, you may remember Emma Watson received all As on her GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education) last year. Emma has now scored all As again in her AS-levels (advanced subsidiary) in the subjects of English, Geography, History of Art, and Art. Congratulations!

(SOURCE: MUGGLENET)

Follow Up: Harry Potter Fan Escapes Criminal Charges in Illegal French "Deathly Hallows" Translation Case

A follow up today regarding the case of a teen Harry Potter fan who posted online an unofficial French translation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The BBC is reporting today that French Harry Potter publishers Gallimard, along with author J.K. Rowling, have decided not to sue a young fan from Aix-en-Provence, France for posting online his own translation of the final Harry Potter book in French. Earlier the youth was arrested for this translation which was discovered as part of a probe into "organised networks that post pirated book translations online," and then the 16 year old boy was later released. Police had commented previously on the "near-professional" quality of the boy's work," however upon further investigation it was discovered the youth was not seeking financial gain by posting this translation. The official French translation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be available on October 26.

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

Harry Potter Actors on UK Film Council Power List

Several actors from the Harry Potter films are on a list from UK Film Council of the "most powerful British film stars and movie-makers in Hollywood today." The Telegraph reports that the trio, better known as Dan Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emma Watson (Hermione) and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), are ranked joint fourth on this list with £1.75 billion. This number is reflective of the first four films and "reveals the country's most successful actors in terms of box office earnings over the course of the past five years."

Also on the list is acclaimed actor Ralph Fiennes, who portrays Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter films. He is listed at number ten with £713 million, including his performance in "Goblet of Fire" as well as such films as "Red Dragon," "Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit," and "Maid in Manhattan"

Finally film directors are included as well, mentioning Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire director Mike Newell who is ranked at the top spot with £442 million.

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

Emma Watson Confirms New Role

Word has come via her official website confirming the news that actress Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) will take on a new role in a television movie called "Ballet Shoes." The film, which will be broadcast on BBC One in the UK around Christmas this year, will feature Emma in the role of "Pauline, the eldest of 3 orphaned sisters who lead a sheltered life until they begin at the Children's Academy of Dancing and Stage Training." This movie will co-star fellow Potter actors Richard Griffiths (Uncle Vernon) and Robert Hardy (Fudge), and is based upon the novel by Noel Streatfeild. Production on the film is set to begin this month.

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)