Harry Potter Is Here
HARRY POTTER IS set to become the first wizard to study at Oxford University this weekend as the filming of the new Warner Brothers movie gets under way at Christ Church College. The dining hall staircase and the cloisters are currently out of bounds to students and tourists as technicians prepare the set chosen to appear in the film version of JK Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - due for release in November 2001.
The meadows at the rear of the college are also a hive of activity as marquees and lorries arrive with equipment for filming. An insider on set told us that one marquee would be used as a schoolhouse for the young actors over the next week, meaning that Harry himself - or at least Daniel Radcliffe, the young boy chosen to play Harry - could be studying at Christ Church.
At the moment the work is just preliminary, but one technician revealed that filming of actors will be taking place this weekend, and would continue at Christ Church until Thursday of next week. The press has been full of speculation as to what actors will star in the film - Robbie Coltrane, playing Rubeus Hagrid, is a notable name on the list. Vanessa Davies, press officer for Leavesden, the production company, was remaining coy due to the sensitive and confidential nature of the film, but did reveal that the college was chosen because of its size and architecture. "It's a beautiful college and in keeping with everyone's perception of the novel," she said. Unfortunately for the students of Oxford, she announced that no university members will be used in the film.
She was reticent too about encouraging visitors and fans of the world famous wizard to attempt to come and see Christ Church this weekend. "For the safety of students and tourists we would ask everyone to stay away," she warned. It is feared that the film schedule could be interrupted if fans swarm to the college to catch a glimpse of the actors.
The Bodleian will also be used this weekend as part of the set for the film. The Bod's Mr Waterman told the Oxford Student that the Divinity School and Duke Humphrey's library will be sealed off and the gates locked for filming on Saturday. He said that the library was well used to appearing in movies and would be accommodating the film company and actors well. Despite this, he said that the publicity for Oxford from a worldwide success such as Harry Potter would be welcomed, even by the most disapproving of Bod authorities.
The Oxford Student seconds that wholeheartedly!
19th Oct 2000