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From http://hp4u.co.uk/Exclusive%20HP4U%20reports/WeddingReport.htm
Deathly Hallows:
The Wedding. Part 1
Sept. 2008
Location: Leavesden Studios.
Another HP4U World exclusive!
The Wedding.
Part 1
No two weddings are ever alike; and each it seems comes rife with its
own intrigue and personality. This most recent wedding I attended was
certainly no exception, and I�m sure anyone who�s ever attended a
Wizarding wedding can attest, though I suppose there are few of you
who�'ve had such a pleasure.
You see, I was fortunate enough to magically receive a special invite
to witness the wedding scene from the upcoming Harry Potter and the
Deathly Hallows movie (which will actually come in two parts, unlike
the previous films which crammed the events of the books into a single
film), as it was being filmed live at Leavesden Film Studios. For
anyone who�s read the book already (and I�m assuming that�s most of
you), you�ll know that this is the wedding scene for Bill Weasley and
Fleur Delacour.
The film studio is on the site of an old car factory and aerodrome,
and is absolutely massive. I�m always awed upon arrival at the set, at
just how utterly and truly the place had been transformed into Harry�s
world (save of course for the random cameras and trailers which dotted
the landscape).
The wedding tent located at the �Burrows� was awe inspiring in its own
right, surrounded as it was by a field of corn grass, with lights
twinkling off the water in the distance. As I approached the tent
there were many different scenes laid out before me. Guests were lined
up outside, being greeted as they entered the tent by numerous members
of both families, including the stunning bride herself.
Fleur (played by French actress Clemence Poesy) was radiant in a
sleeveless cream dress that rolled off her like velvet waves onto the
floor beneath her. On the front of the dress, embroidered in black
lace were the images of two phoenixes which are just stunning and the
reverse of the dress is equally as wonderful, of which, I might just
show you a photo or two before the film is released!
Her husband-to-be, Bill Weasley (Domhnall Gleeson) is a contrast of
colors, with his trademark fiery Weasley hair, and a deep claret
velvet jacket. One of his most striking features though are the claw
marks deeply etched across his face. What could�ve happened to poor
Bill? Though I�m sure many of you already know the answer, I won�t
spoil it for those who don�t.
Following the guests into the tent were the 5 bridesmaids, all with
glowing smiles of delight plastered on their faces, and exquisite
dresses draped over their bodies, four of silver, and one of blue (the
maid of honour perhaps). They shook hands with the Weasley�s as they
made their way toward the bride near the tent�s entrance, and once
there, they kissed and hugged the bride with excitement, all of them
being close friends as it were.
The Weasley boys were of course quite interested in the bridesmaids,
whispering amongst themselves and eyeing up the ladies approvingly.
One of them had bandages wrapped around his head, indicating he had
likely been in a recent battle and come out worse for wear. Adding to
his chagrin was the fact that Ron had drawn a fake ear on the bandage,
in place of where the real one would otherwise have been jutting up
into the air.
I next got a sneaky glimpse into the tent itself, which featured
numerous guests seated around purple and lilac tables. The tables were
covered in delicious fruits and cakes, each different from the next,
but all exotic and mouth-watering � sadly made of latex so they don�t
disappear ;-). Not to be outdone by any of the table delights however
was the wedding cake, which stood a good five feet tall and a good
four tiers high, covered with lilac icing, it was a wondrous sight. As
it was a magical cake, bereft of calories, it would also be guilt-free
to eat as many mouth-watering pieces of it as you liked. We�ll have to
wait with bated breath for the real deal in the Muggle world.
As the tent filled up with guests, Molly rushed back and forth,
greeting them all in turn, and assuring they were all properly seated
and comfortable. Once things inside the tent had settled down some,
music began to play, and the festivities were about to begin in
earnest.
First out to the dance floor was the wedding couple, followed by duos
of other guests, each gracefully swinging to and fro across the dance
floor. Everyone clapped and urged the dancers on, and all enjoyed
themselves immensely.
At this time I spotted Hagrid off to one side with none other than
Madame Maxine, surely one of the few women in Harry�s world or any
other who can give Hagrid a run for his money size-wise. She had on a
lengthy blue dress and wore a blue leaf tiara in her hair. Even Hagrid
is looking rather unscruffy to celebrate this fine occasion, his hair
combed straight, though still rather unkempt, and attired in a brown
woolen jacket that he likely put together himself. He�s holding a
glass of champagne in one hand, and looking both awkward and
unmistakably cool, as only Hagrid can.
Later on, Hermione herself strolled out onto the dance floor with a
partner, oblivious to the fact that Ron was watching her the entire
time, quite upset, and no doubt jealous that she would dance with
another. After the dance had ended, her partner quickly disappeared,
being distracted by one or more of the bridesmaids it would seem,
leaving Hermione alone and somewhat embarrassed on the dance floor.
As she scanned the room for where Ron was seated (and she, Ron, and
Harry, had been kept apart for much of the planning and festivities),
Ron quickly turned his back to her so she wouldn�t see him watching
her. He then rose to his feet, glanced coolly over his shoulder back
at her, and made his way from the tent.
Hermione was further embarrassed by this, knowing as she must have
that Ron had seen her dancing with another. She bowed her head, then
turned on a dime, her bright red dress swirling around her, and walked
away. Where did she go you wonder? I�m afraid that will remain a
secret for now.
As the dancing reaches its peak, we see first Lupin and then Harry
make appearances into the wedding tent, though both are largely
ignored by the guests at large. This is the point when the madness
begins. A strange glowing ball of light (Patronus) appears, and from
it, a dire warning in a deathly voice �The Ministry has fallen.
Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming.�
The wedding was about to take a dramatic turn, but for this you�ll
have to wait until next time!
This of course was an incredible day; and really a strange and
wonderful experience as a fan of the story. It was almost like being
transported inside the books; and aside from just the wedding scene I
also saw numerous other sites within the studio, witnessing such
places as Luna�s home, which held the many printings of the Quibble
papers being prepared, of which she was the editor. Around her door
were numerous paintings of varied creatures, some of which it seems
only Luna herself bears witness to. In the attic above was her printer
which she uses to make the many copies of her work for all her readers
to mull over.
I saw another section which I thought depicted the top of the
Weasley�s home, where a scene between the three main stars would be
shot. All around each of the sets you can see numerous director�s
chairs. Another strange sight is witnessing some of the actors walking
around away from set, resting, or waiting for their scene�s to be
shot. I saw the actress who plays Molly waiting for a scene to be
filmed in a quieter section of the studio, still in her wedding dress.
In another tent I saw the animated head of lovable Hagrid. Even up
close the heads are quite convincing, and almost eerie. Sure enough
though, the back of the heads is nothing but electronic wiring and
gizmos. When they are covered with hair, the back part is hidden, and
the heads themselves get controlled with a remote device. It was quite
fascinating to watch. Each individual facet of the face could be
controlled with various buttons and sticks, such as the eyes,
eyebrows, and mouth.
I was actually quite surprised to see that one of the body doubles for
the giant is the man who was also a body double for the Aliens vs
Predator movie. He�s a monster of a man at 7�3�. Seeing the role the
doubles play, and some of the preparations that go into scenes well
before they�re even shot really gave me a new appreciation for the art
of movie making. There�s really no compromising made when preparing
for each shot to ensure the lighting and angles are just perfect. It
was also interesting to see the director use two giant poles as
stand-ins of a sort when the double was away briefly.
As I continued around the set, I saw the man who plays Luna�s father,
Xenophilius Lovegood (Rhys Ifans). He was easy to spot, regaled as he
was in mustard yellow, bright yellow, and brown. Then Luna herself
appeared near him, and she was dressed in similar colours, daisies in
her blonde hair. They reminded me of two hippies from the 60�s, and
really seemed to fit well with their roles.
Another section held perhaps the most interesting sight of the day,
two buses which had been used in a previous film, now forgotten and
abandoned in a lost corner of the studio. The scene of these buses was
somewhat depressing, as it foreshadowed the fate of all the wonderful
Harry Potter artifacts in the studio. As filming on the series would
be complete shortly, one wonders what will become of many of things on
display here. Hopefully all of us fans will have the chance to buy
some of these wonderful items if they are ever used for good causes
(though maybe not the buses), before all is said and done.
For all you loyal HP4U readers here�s more wonderful photo�s for you
to enjoy.
THE first ever (save our glimpse last month) look at some of the
etchings Luna has created at the entrance to her home!
(Click to enlarge)
The following three exclusive photos are from 'flashback' scenes when
Hermione visits her Parents in an attempt to throw off the Deatheaters
in their pursuit of the trio.
" I've also modified my Parents' memories so that they are convinced
they are really called Wendell and Monica Wilkins....."
As some of you will remember, Emma Watson recently filmed scenes in
London for the exterior shots of this scene.
And finally, for now, a preview of what�s to come very soon including
a full report of the Deatheater�s attack at the Weasley wedding; a
wonderful scene involving Mr. Lovegood and filmed this week, Lord
Voldemort addresses his deatheaters! + much much more.
Enjoy the photos, including Arthur Weasleys' 'workshop' and yes! a
newly built 'Burrows'
We're planning on posting a brand new, behind the scenes photo at
least once a week all the way through until 2010!! and don't forget to
enter the draw to win a hand signed Harry Potter book in November's
competition.
> For all you loyal HP4U readers here’s more wonderful photo’s for you
> to enjoy.
>
> THE first ever (save our glimpse last month) look at some of the
> etchings Luna has created at the entrance to her home!
>
> (Click to enlarge)
>
> The following three exclusive photos are from 'flashback' scenes when
> Hermione visits her Parents in an attempt to throw off the Deatheaters
> in their pursuit of the trio.
>
> " I've also modified my Parents' memories so that they are convinced
> they are really called Wendell and Monica Wilkins....."
>
> As some of you will remember, Emma Watson recently filmed scenes in
> London for the exterior shots of this scene.
>
> And finally, for now, a preview of what’s to come very soon including
> a full report of the Deatheater’s attack at the Weasley wedding; a
> wonderful scene involving Mr. Lovegood and filmed this week, Lord
> Voldemort addresses his deatheaters! + much much more.
>
> Enjoy the photos, including Arthur Weasleys' 'workshop' and yes! a
> newly built 'Burrows'
>
> We're planning on posting a brand new, behind the scenes photo at
> least once a week all the way through until 2010!! and don't forget to
> enter the draw to win a hand signed Harry Potter book in November's
> competition.
Where are the links to the photos?
On the website.