Harry Potter Movie

Diane and I went out to see the late showing of the new Harry Potter movie Friday night. We had to figure out where the theater was while we were cutting the show time closely. I sent Diane ahead while I found a parking space, but all turned out well and I made it in in time to see the start of the film. So ads in movie houses reward procrastination.

And the film itself made a nice bit of entertainment. It seems that the direction in this outing has gone in the direction of more straightforward story-telling and less gratuitous eye-candy. Oh, sure, there is eye-candy, but it seems to me that it is deployed more strategically in service of the story in this film than in some of the previous outings. Harry Potter movies are not standalone entertainment, though; you really need to have read the book recently. It essentially is a sequence of animated illustrations to accompany the reader’s experience. Otherwise, the plot would be exceedingly difficult to discern from the few clues given. This is, I think, necessary in a feature-length film. In order to present Rowling’s story in sufficient detail for those unfamiliar with the particular book would require treatment at the length of a mini-series instead.

One nice thing was that Diane and I were able to stay snuggled next to each other through the whole movie. I don’t think that I’ve been to a theater in the past 22 years where I haven’t had to excuse myself for a personal intermission/trip to the men’s room, so this is a welcome change. Ulcerative colitis is quite disruptive of some of the most mundane social rituals. My regards to my surgeon.

Wesley R. Elsberry

Falconer. Interdisciplinary researcher: biology and computer science. Data scientist in real estate and econometrics. Blogger. Speaker. Photographer. Husband. Christian. Activist.

167 thoughts on “Harry Potter Movie

  • 2007/07/29 at 5:57 pm
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    OK, I have a brief post on the final Harry Potter book. It could have been briefer, “I liked it.” might have done fine.

    Also, because of some of the other things I discuss on this weblog, I do manual approval of comments. That could mean that you might enter a comment and not see it show up until the next day, unless I go out of town, in which case it might be even longer. I usually do check for new comments several times daily, but I cannot guarantee immediate turn-around on that. There is no need to enter the same comment multiple times; I will eventually see it and, unless it is way out of line, post it.

    Please do be careful releasing personal information in public places, like this thread. I know that various of you are trying to network together for more information, but as as Hagrid warns Harry in the first movie, not all wizards (read: people) are nice. If you have already entered personal information here and would like it removed, just let me know.

    Also, I live in the USA, and various laws here mean that officially those using the comment system must be 13 years of age or older. That’s probably not an issue for most of you, but there could be some younger people reading here who are also interested in the topic of Harry Potter film auditions. If you are less than 13 years of age and want to comment, you need to have a parent or guardian approve your comment and be the person to actually hit the “Submit Comment” button. I’m not saying that I distrust you, just that these are the rules I must comply with, and I will comply with them. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

  • 2007/07/29 at 6:06 pm
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    o n u hav 2 british 2 get a part coz jk rowling has specified tht the cast must be british

    I think Rowling is perfectly correct with wanting to keep the cast as British as possible. The Harry Potter series is based upon the British school system, and I think that the movies are better for having the actors actually know something about that system, or perhaps even having experience of it.

    I know that it is easy for me to say… there were no “speaking” parts in the series calling for a balding middle-aged American Muggle, after all, so I’m not giving up any hopes by saying so.

  • 2007/07/30 at 6:10 am
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    rachel- did u send ur letter to fiona weir or to the studios i have a letter ready and i just need the photos printing out but i was goin to send it to the studios ahhhhhhh do u think i should bother with a video? ahhhhhhh this is too confusing

  • 2007/07/30 at 10:28 am
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    Hi you guys!I am about to sign with
    an agency, and would love to play the
    part of Romilda Vane!! So if you have
    ANY information about the locations,ect.
    please contact me!

    berriestar123@yahoo.com

  • 2007/07/30 at 11:30 am
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    but i was goin to send it to the studios ahhhhhhh do u think i should bother with a video?

    From what I’ve heard, Elijah Wood got the part of Frodo in “The Lord of the Rings” in part because of sending a video showing him playing Frodo, I assume from some dialog taken directly from the books or screenplay. Of course, Wood already had a Hollywood resume’, so that would be different from most hopefuls. But it seems to me that the idea is solid, that the effort you put into seeking a part is likely to distinguish you from the mass of people also seeking it. Then again, because there are so many people going for it, there is also likely a fine line between being seen as “enthusiastic” and “creepy”. Somehow, it seems to me (a complete outsider with no connection to film-making other than that my cousin-in-law is a stunt coordinator; take everything I say on this topic with extremely large doses of salt) that a politely-presented *short* video that is simply close to what would be seen in a couple of minutes of audition (no “I need this part desperately” pitch, please) would not harm your chances, and might improve them. That said, the previous commentary has indicated all sorts of things that say that the character you are after either will be written out of the script or be cast without a public call for auditions. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment, but, as the joke goes, buying a lottery ticket is a necessity if you expect to have a chance to win a lottery.

  • 2007/07/30 at 3:49 pm
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    alice- i sent my letter to Twickenham Film Studios, and i addressed it to Fiona Weir. Someone I know sent it to her there, and they got a reply. I think it is the right place, but there could be more than one! I didn’t send a video, I think if they like the photo and what you’ve written they’ll call you in too see what your acting is like! What part are you asking for, or did you just ask for any?

    Good luck!!

  • 2007/07/31 at 3:39 am
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    rachel-thanx for tht could you give me the address plz? ive asked for any really as there are only two parts i can think of (romilda vane and demelza robins) that i could play as i am too young to be leanne(katie bells friend) or katie bell! but i thought if i ask for any there might be a part tht i hadnt thought of which i could play! thanx agen and good luck urself and the other perosn who sent a letter to her!

  • 2007/07/31 at 5:49 am
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    Alice ta 4 puttin that on the web am 12 years old and is the tom riddle audition still open thanks!

    pleez post it on the web 2 let me know!

  • 2007/07/31 at 6:53 am
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    alice- thankyou! the address i sent mine to is:
    Fiona Weir
    Twickenham Film Studios
    St Margarets
    Twickenham
    TW1 2AW
    ENGLAND

    i hope that helped! How old are you? I am 14, but i think i look older, Am I too young to play Katie Bells Friend, do you think? I don’t mind what I’d play, I would love anything! I have blonde hair, so I couldn’t play romilda vain, but what about merlope?

    x

  • 2007/07/31 at 2:36 pm
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    hey rachel can u put the address on the web coz thats wat a needed to heer so thanx rachel

    pleez put the address on the web!!!

  • 2007/07/31 at 2:38 pm
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    and yes it did help

    thank you!!!!!!!

    x

  • 2007/08/01 at 7:36 am
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    glad i could help guys!
    but if i were u, i’d send ur letters off quick, coz they start filming in september i think!
    x

  • 2007/08/02 at 3:22 am
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    ok callum-the tome riddle audition is over and was only for 15-18 yr olds like the lavender brown 1 i dont know if theyre gonna do the scene in the orphanage but if they do u mite be able 2 be in tht if u write to fiona weir if not as tom riddle maybe one of the other kids (?)
    rachel-thank u vry much for tht address i suppose i should change the dear sir/madam to dear miss weir(actually is she a miss,mrs or ms?!?!) lmao!!
    ok it wont let me rght how old i am but i am the same age as callum but nearly a teenager(lol) and ppl hav told me tht i look about 13-14 i have dark brown hair and blue eyes ahhhhhhhh so close to romilda but id be prepared to put fake contacts in lol if u look a bit older than emma watson then u could probably be katie/leanne coz i worked out they must be in the year above harry!! u probably could be merope i always imagined her to be about 14-15 and morfin to be about 16 or 17 plz post on this when u get a reply and gooooooooooooooooooood luck every1!!

  • 2007/08/02 at 4:09 am
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    thanx alice but can u put the address on the web pleez!

    help!

  • 2007/08/02 at 6:18 am
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    ooo im so excited sendin my letter l8r!! rachel in ur letter what did u rite after dear coz i dont really write fiona weir coz it sounds a bit too informal lol but if u did then i will plz reply soon coz i wanna send it l8r! thanx agen

  • 2007/08/05 at 3:22 pm
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    alice-i just put dear ms Weir! i think i did it right, but i dont recon she’ll be looking to closley at the grammar of the latter! lmao! i really hope i get a reply, and ill let u know when i do!
    callam- i have already posted the address on the web! lol!! look up ^^^

    x

  • 2007/08/06 at 2:07 pm
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    ta but wat do a write 2 her? and wen do they film! heeeeellllllp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 2007/08/09 at 2:25 pm
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    callam-just write telling that you would love a part, and that you can act, and maybe what part you were thinking of. Give her ur details eg: address, age, and also send a photo of urself. i wouldn’t beg for a part, as that might put her off, get writing thou, i think filming starts in september!

  • 2007/08/10 at 3:47 am
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    HELP alice, i’ve just found another address u can send ur letter to, its another studio in watford, i know that they film there! should i send the same letter to that address?! or would that seem weird! what do i do?!?!

  • 2007/08/12 at 5:19 am
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    hi ppl soz bn away lol
    ok 1st callam- they start filmin in september so u need to hurry up! just give her ur details and then put either a part u can think of tht u would fit or ask if there any parts tht r needed and does she think u would be suitable for any of them. also put anythin u think would help impress her eg experience like drama clubs and if ur good at certain aspects of drama like learnin lines

    rachel- i put if this is not the right address plz pass it on to the rite 1!! i think u should be ok writin to the twickenham 1 but if ur worried about it then write another 1 to the other address u found was it leavesden? it might be worth a shot coz i was gonna write 2 leavesden til u sed tht some1 got a reply from this 1! what did it say in the reply tht the person u no got? in the end i jus put fiona weir lol n ur probs rite about the grammar but i still wanted 2 make a good impression!!

    i think tht its the right thing to do by sendin a letter in as it proves ur really eager to be in the films and ur not lazy by jus postin stuff on sites and hopin tht some1 will tell u where the auditions r!! i think i mite hav left it 2 l8 as i think the romilda vane audtions r in august! even if i dont get anythin this time ill try for the last 1 as i could be some1 near the end of tht but i wont say who in case u havnt read it! hope all of this helped even if it is a bit long! good luck agen every1 and remember 2 post on this wen u get a reply!

  • 2007/08/12 at 1:11 pm
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    ok guys, just wnt 2 clear sum stuff up 4 u
    i know sum ppl who ave foned Twickenham studios
    – Lavender and Tom have not bin cast yet
    – Romilda Vane is not in th script and will probably not appear in th film
    – The casting directors will read every letter they recieve and are currently replying to th letters they have
    – filming has bin put back to october

    hope this helps
    xxx

  • 2007/08/13 at 4:30 am
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    dani – thanx for that advice! are you going to try out for a part?

    alice – yer ur probably right, i’ll just leave it at that, as i know you can get a reply from twickenham, the girl I knew got a reply saying that, they have already got all the parts that they need for the film, and maybe to try againg for the next film, she sent hers off last year though, when they were auditioning for, the order of the phoenix! oh nd btw i hav read the 7th book! lol!

    x

  • 2007/08/13 at 5:03 am
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    dani ty soooooooo much do u no if theyre still castin demelza robins?i saw somewhere tht they cast the whole quidditch team even if they dont show em do u no if this is true? and hav u sent a letter in? ty agen

  • 2007/08/13 at 12:37 pm
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    im just happy 2 help guys. im not 2 sure about Demelza but you could try fonin Twickenham studios, th number is 02086078888. I have written a letter an sent sum pictures 2 Fiona Weir a few weeks ago. no reply yet but fingers crossed eh!

  • 2007/08/13 at 1:29 pm
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    dani – thankyou soo much! u have been a big help! my fingers are crossed for all of you!!!
    x

  • 2007/08/14 at 6:32 am
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    thnx agen dani! i posted a msg yesterday but it hasnt come up yet-its still awaitin moderation! good luck rachel! good luck dani! wouldnt it be so amazin n funny if we all got parts!! itd b wkd if we do!! good luck every1 and thnx agen! uve bn a great help!

  • 2007/08/14 at 6:41 am
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    Yes, I’m back. I sent a letter to Fiona Weir myself yesterday with pictures and all the necessary. I’m doubtful I’ll even get a reply and I’m pretty sure Romilda’s been cut from the script, which is really unfortunate. Anyway, I could be wrong, and I’m hoping I am. I am hoping that I get a part as an extra or something at least even if they aren’t looking for a Romilda. Oh well, it’s very disappointing. But I say don’t loose hope until the very end, we’re all still in with a chance. However, I’m preparing for the worst, I don’t want to set myself up for a big dsiappointment. At least my dad still has faith in me that I’ll get the part. Oh well.

  • 2007/08/14 at 7:06 am
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    Comments where people represent themselves as less than 13 years of age cannot be approved.

  • 2007/08/14 at 8:52 am
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    yh u cant giv up hope but i think weve all accepted the fact tht it is vry unlikely well get parts maid maria1 i dont wanna be the one to dampen ur spirit but i doubt ud get cast as an extra by sendin a letter i wish it werent so but they go to agencies for extras as its not vry important what they look like and how good they r at actin apparently they aply to every letter so ull jus hav 2 sit by the letter box for the remainder of holidays waitin lol soz if this is a bit of a dampener on ur spirit but i figure its best to know as many facts about it good luck and wen u get a reply post it on here as were all desperate 2 know what it says (well i am at least!)

  • 2007/08/14 at 12:57 pm
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    I love ur spirit guys!!! Keep hopin an stay positive lol

  • 2007/08/14 at 1:00 pm
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    yer its not good to get ur hopes up, but there is still a chance, also, if we dont suceed this time, we could always try for the open auditions for the next film! im off on holiday tomorrow, so i will try not to think about it oo much, but it would be a nice surprise to recieve a letter when i get back! and if i do, i’ll post it on here!
    good luck again!

    x

  • 2007/08/15 at 4:56 am
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    Hi i’m 13 years old and i really want to be in a Harry Potter movie, if you know of any parts going i really would like to be in it. Its a shame because i really wanted to audition for Lavender Brown but i’m only 13 and its a little late, but i do have a really fun personality so please consider me thanks!

    tash x

  • 2007/08/15 at 12:49 pm
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    Hi Natasha, I cldnt go 2 th Lavender auditions either but I sent a letter an sum pics off 2 Fiona Weir. if u wnt i can get th address (if udnt already ave it)if u wld like 2 send a letter an sum pics. i dnt think its 2 l8 but u wld have 2 send ur letter off straight away. just let me know if u wnt th address

    xxxxx

  • 2007/08/16 at 3:18 am
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    jeez the post is like god 4 me at the moment! im w8in 4 a letter from fiona weir n hav bn w8in over 5 wks for results from my last flute exam grrrrr! every mornin i get up n im like “mum has the post bn?!?!” dani how old r u? im jus curious lol

  • 2007/08/16 at 6:44 am
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    DANI, Anyone Who Could Help.
    Hi, Im Desperate To Play In Harry Potter
    But I Missed The Lavender Auditons (Holiday)
    I’d Love To Play Her, Romilda, Merope, Leanna, Katie Bell, Basically Any Part!
    Im 15 In September But Look 16ish!
    Pleasee Could I Get The Address, To Send The Letter And Pics Into, And Also What Do You Say On The Letter…Why You Want The Part?
    Thanks xXxX

  • 2007/08/17 at 6:25 am
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    ok ellie this is short as im in a hurry but basically ur probs 2 young 2 be katie bell or leanne as theyre older than harry ron n hermionie so ud hav 2 look older than dan radcliffe rupert grint n emma watson ud probs be ok for the others but i dunno good luck x

  • 2007/08/18 at 3:35 am
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    im goin away 2day n like rachel says- itd be gr8 if there was a letter waitin 4 me wen i get back! good luck 2 every1 agen!!

  • 2007/08/19 at 1:58 pm
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    hi every1 sorry i avnt posted 4 a while, th address 4 Fiona Weir is

    Fiona Weir
    Twickenham Studios
    St Margarets
    Twickenham
    TW1 2AW

    o, an im 16 btw

    xxxxxx

  • 2007/08/21 at 2:42 pm
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    there will be no open auditions fro Cormac Mclaggen!

    sorry

    x

  • 2007/08/24 at 2:56 am
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    hi!

    i’ve just read thru this page (i’m VERY bored!)

    lol

    anyway… do you know anything about whether demelza robins has been cast? i’m 14 but i was told the other day that i look about 16!

    how old does she have to be and what ethnicity is she?

    thanks!

    x x x

  • 2007/08/25 at 6:02 am
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    hi ppls im back!! ok demelza is i think in the 4th yr so shes 14-15 i imagined her 2 be white but it doesnt say specifficaly (cant spell tht :p) ope tht help ya!!

  • 2007/08/25 at 10:21 am
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    i wanna audition too as i am born to act lol

  • 2007/08/25 at 10:29 am
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    i think they should do auditions for demelza robins too please let me know on both as i am born to act :p

  • 2007/08/26 at 4:06 pm
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    we all want to act! lol, i havnt got a reply yet! but there is still the 7th film, so we all will be older then, to go to an open audition!

    xx

  • 2007/08/28 at 4:31 am
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    i suppose its better if filmin has bn put back 2 october coz it gives u more time 2 get a reply b4 they start filmin n then u no u wont hav a chance (wen they start filmin) and yh like rachel says we all wanna act and can i jus say if u really r tht desperate 2 act there r more movies than harry potter!

  • 2007/08/29 at 3:10 am
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    Alice is quite right, there r MUCH more movies than Harry Potter! If u r really talanted, It’s a sin that ur talents are being wasted by waiting for the new parts in the HP movie..:)

  • 2007/08/29 at 3:37 am
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    wise words alice! but even so, harry potter would be my first choice. i dont recon there will be any more open auditions for this film, because its too late. i think sending a letter in is the only way, for this film. still good luck to everyone, and dont give up.

    x

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