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As part of the promotion to the upcoming release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on DVD and Blu-Ray next week, Video Business had the chance to speak with director David Yates, procuder David Heyman, and some of the cast who spoke about many of the extras for the release.  He also spoke a bit about what’s happening with Deathly Hallows.

One of the Blu-ray features called ‘Maximum Movie Mode’ shows James Phelps’ (Fred Weasley) debut as assistant director on the Half-Blood set in addition to playing his Fred character. Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley) also helped in the set design department. Dan Radcliffe (Harry Potter) and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) assisted with editing and stunts.

Heyman stated that the DVD and Blu-ray editions hold the documentary J.K. Rowling: A Year in the Life. “She doesn’t give many interviews, and then you go to editing with Dan, stunts with Rupert, and also hear them talk about their characters—their likes and dislikes—that’s great,” Heyman said.

Phelps talked about his Maximum Movie Mode sequence about how much he learned. “I learned more in my first week doing what I did than in my previous seven years of acting,” Phelps said. “I learned there is a 5:30 in the morning. That’s when you have to be there. It has made me a lot more professional in that there is less monkeying around on the set.”

Yates also revealed that Dan Radcliffe will go nude during one of the horcrux scenes.  We’re guessing this is during the lake scene in the forest.

Besides detailing Half-Blood Prince, Yates and others also offered some surprising sneak peeks to the final two theatrical installments of the Harry Potter franchise, slated for 2010 and 2011 release. At certain points, Radcliffe will appear naked.
In one scene, “a horcrux [carrying a piece of Voldemort’s soul] defends itself by producing nightmarish visions, and one shows Hermione and Harry embracing and kissing,” explained Yates. “It’s something intriguing and sensual for Rupert to react to, and Dan will be bare for that.”

Source: TLC

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Many of the Potter cast spoke with Home Media Magazine about many of the bonus features that come with the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Blu-Ray.  The cast, who spoke from the Deathly Hallows set, include Dan Radcliffe (Harry), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), James Phelps (Fred Weasley), Jessie Cave (Lavender Brown), and Dave Legeno (Fenrir Greyback).  You can see the interview in our gallery here and here.

Additionally, director David Yates, Dan, Rupert, Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), and Bonnie spoke with Vira-Tempo about the Blu-Ray and the BD Live event that takes place live online on December 12th.  You can find out how to become part of the event here. Here are a few excerpts:

David Yates interview

So you’re undertaking something of a first with the Blu-ray release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince with the Live Community Screening – can you tell me more about that?

DAVID YATES: Yes. Technically, it’s an extraordinary event. It’s happened before, but not on the global scale that we’re going to do because obviously there are Harry Potter fans everywhere on the planet. It’s on December 12th of this year and Daniel Radcliffe and I will be answering questions directly from fans via BD-Live about how we made the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and some of the things that were challenging as we made it, and some of the things that I’m sure the fans will begin to know about: Why did we leave some things out? Why did some things come in? And it will be the first time that we’ll really engage with that global fan-base on a minute-by-minute basis, so it’ll be really cool.

And the fans are also in for a bit of a treat in terms of a sneak peek of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows also on the Blu-ray BD-Live function of The Half-Blood Prince. What can you let me know about that?

We thought we’d just give them a few little snippets of what we’ve been doing over the past seven months as we shot Deathly Hallows. We don’t want to give too much away; it’s a few little titbits of some of the sequences that we’ve been filming. I’m so excited about the two movies that we’re making from the Deathly Hallows and we just wanted to give the fans a bit of a taste of that with the Blu-ray.

Dan Radcliffe Interview

In terms of the Blu-ray and DVD of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, you crop up on the extra feature about the editing. Is that something that you are particularly interested in?

DR: They said ‘are there any departments that you would be interested having a look into?’ And to be honest, I see about 10 per cent of what goes on in this building. But one of the things I just always thought of as being the most painstaking, meticulous job was editing. And I knew very little about it. And I think editors are actually the unsung heroes of the film industry because they can make bad performances or a bad film look very, very good. So I was really interested and also, Mark’s a really lovely guy, and I thought if I’m going to learn, here’s my chance to have a bit of chat with Mark about it.

And you’re also taking part in something of a first for the Blu-ray this time around. Tell me about the Blu-ray Live Community Screening?

Yes, it’s on December 12th and it means that anybody who has got the Blu-ray copy of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince can use the BD-Live function on the disc which means that everybody can join in with me and David Yates who are going to be watching the film together. And then everyone around the world will be watching the synchronized version of the film and then they can ask David and I questions – which we will attempt to answer as cogently and interestingly as we can!

Rupert Grint Interview

On the Blu-ray and DVD release, you get put through paces by the stunt guys for the extra features. What was that like? And is that something you asked for specifically or did they just say you’re going to be doing this as a DVD extra?

It was in preparation for the Quidditch and flying scenes because I’m not really the most athletic person. I didn’t know if it would help but I got a bit of trampoline training to get my fitness up and it just gives you an idea of what it’s like to fly. And I think it was quite helpful and it was good fun. And the whole process of the Quidditch is quite uncomfortable to film but it looked really cool in the end.

In terms of the Blu-ray and DVD extras are they something that you enjoy getting involved in? There are loads on this DVD and you feature quite a lot.

Yeah, definitely. The special features are always interesting to look at. And on this one, you get to see a lot more of the other departments that you might not even know about. There are so many people involved to to make these films and it’s nice to learn more about them on the extras.

Emma Watson Interview

QUESTION: And what about acting-wise? Was there something that was really difficult as far as her character?
EMMA WATSON: Yes, there’s a scene where Hermione cries, when Ron kisses Lavender, and so that was kind of hard. It’s very hard to make yourself cry. And I had to do it three or four times while lots of people were watching…that was tough.

QUESTION: But how do you do it? Do you think of something sad? What do you do to make yourself cry?
EMMA WATSON: I guess I would call myself more of a method actress. I do genuinely kind of try to go through things in my head and really kind of put myself there.

Bonnie Wright Interview

It is really the first time where we’re seeing this much of you. That must have been really exciting for you as an actress, to be able to step up like that.

Yes, definitely. It was challenging, exciting and daunting because you want to do as best you can. And you also want to do the character justice. Jo Rowling brings Ginny’s character forward and from the beginning she obviously had a strong direction in mind for her, pulling her towards Harry and bringing their relationship together. So that’s a huge responsibility, but I just zoned into my vision of the character and I just hope people enjoyed it!

You’ve obviously known Dan for a while now. Did that make the romantic scenes easier or more difficult?

I thought it would make it more difficult because we’ve known each other as friends and within a working environment. But it actually made it easier in the sense that from having known him for so long, there’s that familiarity. Also the crew helped to make it much more relaxed. They let us get on with it and didn’t make this big drama around it, and it just slipped into place.

Those in the US can pre-order their DVD or Blu-Ray on Amazon (release date December 8th) here:

• DVD widescreen
• DVD full-screen
• DVD two-disc limited special edition
• Blu-Ray

For those in the UK (release date December 7th), you can order yours from Amazon.co.uk at the following links:

• Blu-Ray
• DVD
• DVD with limited edition Death Eater mask

Source: SS

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Last week we showed you a sneak peek that Entertainment Weekly had of one of the photos of Dan Radcliffe from Tim Hailand’s One Day in the Life Of book. A scan from their article is now online and includes two more photos from the book.  You can see the scan in our gallery here.

Source: DR.com

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Many new interviews are online with the Harry Potter stars. First off, Dan Radcliffe (Harry Potter) and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) spoke with Sky News about the grueling schedule of filming parts I and II of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Dan talks about how he’s on the set nearly every day and Rupert said he gets confused sometimes between the two parts because in some parts his hair is longer than other parts.

Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) spoke with RTE Television’s The Late Late Show.  In the interview she states that they’re in the middle of filming battle scenes for Deathly Hallows and she gives out some Harry Potter DVDs.  You can see a bit of a low quality video here:

James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley) were on GMTV.  They stated that the Gryffindor Common Room is now taken down since they’re close to being finished filming Deathly Hallows.  They also talk about the release of the Half-Blood Prince DVD.  You can see the interview on YouTube here.

Tom Felton was interviewed by MIZZ Magazine. In the interview he talks about filming for Deathly Hallows.  You can see the scans of the interview in our gallery here and here.

Sources: SS, MN, and Feltbeats

Popularity: 9% [?]

CTV got to visit the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows set and sit down with Dan Radcliffe and Rupert Grint. A quick preview of their visit is now online.  The video shows some shots from Half-Blood Prince, Dan talks about how chaotic filming for some scenes can be and Rupert talks about the ending of filming.

Thanks to UHP for letting us know.

Popularity: 13% [?]

Harry Potter fans are familiar with Jim Dale for his narration of the seven US audiobook editions about the boy wizard by J.K. Rowling.  But he is also known for his work in theater, particularly winning a Tony during the 1979-80 Broadway season for Best Actor in a Musical as “Phineas T. Barnum” in Barnum.  Mr. Dale has performed on stage with legendary actors like Anthony Hopkins and the late Sir Laurence Olivier.  He appeared in comedies and dramas as well as other musicals. 

And now, according to his official website, the members of the Theatre Hall of Fame and the American Theatre Critics Assoc. have voted to induct Mr. Dale into the American Theatre Hall of Fame for Lifetime Achievement in The Theater.  

The event will take place at the Gershwin Theater on January 25, 2010.  Other inductees include Lynn Redgrave and Andrew Lloyd Webber. 

Congratulations, Mr. Dale! 

Note: In 1966, Lynn Redgrave received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in the film Georgy Girl whose title song was written by Mr. Dale himself and earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Song.   

Click here to see photos of him in various theater productions on his website.

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Belgium publication Het Nieuwsblad recently visited the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows set and got a chance to interview Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) and Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley). The article includes close up photos of the pair and a group shot of many of the cast as well. You can see the scans of the article (in Dutch) in our gallery here and a close up of the group photo here.

In the interview, Tom talks about being the villain and how he and Dan Radcliffe get along so well. He also stated that the epilogue will probably be the last scene they film. Bonnie talked about King’s Cross Station and about a possible reunion in the future.

Here are a few excerpts:

Tom Felton: It’s good to be the villain. I think every actor likes to play a character that is miles away from yourself. But in reality, Daniel Radcliffe and I are very convergent. We share the love for cricket. Even if we try to murder each other with spells, we are brothers together in Daniel’s dressing room next to watch cricket matches on TV. We sometimes play cricket, but the film company is quite concerned that Daniel gets a ball in his face. So, the ball is not hit in his direction. ”

Tom Felton: We still have several months filming. The last scene we will probably be filming the scene 19 years later is playing. I’m very curious how we all will be.

Bonnie Wright: I’m looking forward to returning to King’s Cross station. I had my first scene for the first Harry Potter movie ten years ago. I hardly knew then what acting was. I especially remember that I was freezing.

Tom: We’ve spent more than ten years together on this film set. We have grown up here. It will be strange to say goodbye.

Bonnie: Who knows, we can have a reunion in about ten years. What became of the actors? Maybe we’ll play together in the Harry Potter musical. (Laughs)

If anyone is able to translate the rest of the article (from Dutch) please let us know.

Thanks to SnitchSeeker for sharing!

Popularity: 12% [?]

UK outdoors magazine grough reported that a film crew from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows visited the Yorkshire Dales to shoot footage and stills of the location to be used as backdrops for scenes in the last two Harry Potter films.

Grassington Moor and the 80m limestone crag of Malham Cove are two landmarks from the Dales that will feature in Deathly Hallows, according to the article:

Sue Quinn, supervising location manager for the movie, said: “We have been doing a lot of filming in Scotland and we wanted somewhere different that had a certain isolation so we came to the Yorkshire Dales national park. It’s very beautiful here.”

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority chairman Carl Lis said: “It’s good to think that the iconic landscape of the Dales is going to be seen by a worldwide audience in the next Harry Potter film.

“We get dozens of requests every year from film companies wanting to shoot in the national park, which shows just how special an area it is.”

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I will be in theatres on  November 19, 2010, and Part II will be released on July 15, 2011.

Click here to read the complete article.

Source: MuggleNet

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A new video of Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter films) is now online.  It shows him while filming the chess scene from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.  He is interviewed during the time of the filming and when he was older where he reminisced about how ‘cool’ it was to sit on the horse chess piece and how it was a bit frightening because the pieces really exploded. He also admitted that he still has a piece of the part that exploded.  The video is part of the Ultimate Edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.  You can see the video here.

Pre-order the Ultimate Edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone set on DVD here and Blu-Ray here, and the Ultimate Edition of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets set on DVD here and Blu-Ray here.

Source: TLC

Popularity: 8% [?]

Oxford University have renamed one of their common rooms to Gryffindor to honor the Harry Potter books. Students voted to change Magdalen College Junior Common Room and won the vote.  It is the first time their name was changed in its 550 year history.

The students don’t want to stop just at Gryffindor, however, they want the rest of the Harry Potter house names as well.  They are campaigning to rename Christ Church, St Hughs and Merton colleges common rooms after Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.

“Magdalen College embodies the values of courage, daring, nerve and chivalry,” third-year student Zoe Tyndall, 21, who proposed the name change.

“These are the characteristics of the Gryffindor house in Harry Potter novels.”

The motion for the vote passed with only 6 students opposing the action.

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