NEWS FOR THE DAY 26.06.06

PotterCast #45: The One Without Melissa

PotterCast 45: "The One Without Melissa"
Remember to hit "Update" on your iTunes!

In this show:

-This week: Our Melissa is away and the MuggleCast boys come to play.
-Andrew Sims joins John and Sue for the Lowdown on all the news.
-Let's talk Hair on Harry and Neville
-Hedwig's got a new feather-cut.
-Sue talks about her favorite actor-guess who?
-John will be armed with his wand at the IMAX.
-Dawlish the Cat.
-We ask "What would Melissa Do?"
-Fan Interview with KimmyBlair and Moriah, a peace corp volunteer talk Potter fans in Bulgaria where Moriah is located.
-The Modcast discusses soul splitting.
-Is the soul somehow diluted each time it is split?
-Mailbag with our John, plus Andrew Sims and Ben Schoen from MuggleCast.
-Is Sue really a Death Eater?
-Andrew doesn't believe in Shipping.
-How do you block out people who tease you about HP?
-Andrew says "Punch them in the face!"
-Info on the Live Podcasts at Lumos and NYC.
-Sue never listens to John (not really)
-John's alarm didn't work, so no Melissa!
-Shameless plug for MuggleCast.


Running time: 1:16:54

The final edit of this show was completed by editor Jeff Gregory

Remember you don't need an iPod to listen; just a computer and an internet connection, which you already have! You can listen most easily on iTunes, which you can by clicking here to listen, or you can just use the streaming Flash player at PotterCast.com. You can also direct download it here, and discussion of the PotterCast is right here. We will also have a chat tomorrow on the Leaky Lounge at 12 pm EST, so log in at that time for that! Enjoy!

New Interview with a Young Sirius Black

Matt from HarryPotterFanZone, let us know about a new interview they have with James Walter, the actor who plays a young Sirius Black in the upcoming Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix movie. The interview focuses on how James Walter landed the part, working with new director David Yates, and info on the pensieve scene. Quotage:

HPFZ: Have you begun filming as Young Sirius Black yet? If so, how do you think you did?

JW: "Our scene is being filmed in July as the production is in the middle of a one month hiatus currently so we can finish our exams but we did have a screen test in costume with some other actors which gave us a great insight into what the procedure will be like. I'm really looking forward to it."

HPFZ: Can you describe David Yates' filming style? For example, Chris, Alfonso and Mike all applied a unique spin to the films. Does David?

JW: "Definitely. I've noticed through certain prefaces I've been allowed to watch that he's a really personal director. He's very calm with the actors and during the audition process he made us feel really welcomed. He's subtle, easy to approach and still makes sure he fulfills his vision. Mike has a distinct style which worked extremely well for the Goblet of Fire which dealt with fantastic action scenes during the Triwizard tournament but David is the perfect choice for this film in particular which is a lot more about emotion and for the first time, the real frustration we begin to see in Harry. He's the perfect choice and I can't wait to begin the adventure."

Filming for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is currently on hiatus and will resume next month. Thanks Matt!

Here's the complete interview

[quote]

I recently had the chance to interview James Walters, young Sirius Black in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. In the interview, I asked James about the set, how he managed to win the role, the rest of the cast, filming and director David Yates:

HPFZ: Have you visited the Order of the Phoenix set yet? If so, can you describe what it is like?

James Walters (JW): Leaveston's amazing (the studio in which the majority of the movie is filmed). It's like this huge Harry Potter world, which seems so surreal, especially from growing up watching the films. Like all the imagination you've been creating in your mind is now something you're a part of. It's pretty unbelievable.

HPFZ: How did you manage to score the role of young Sirius Black?

JW: My drama teacher at school saw a picture of me in a school play and recognized an immediate resemblance to the actor who plays Lupin, so I met with one of the casting directors called Charlie and auditioned for the part of young Lupin. It wasn't until the third round when they then relocated me to the part of young Sirius. After a few more callbacks, I sat a private one-on-one interview with Fiona Weir, and then was told I had gotten the part a month later. All in all, it took roughly six months.

HPFZ: Have you met with any of the other Harry Potter cast members?

JW: I actually met Robbie Jarvis, who's playing young James, in the 2nd round and also James Utchen who plays Young Lupin. I met Dan briefly who was fantastic, really hospitable and also briefly met Tom Felton as well. Then during our quick screen test after costume fitting, I met Emma Thompson [Professor Trelawney], Imelda Staunton [Professor Umbridge] and David Bradley, who plays Filch. They were really nice.

HPFZ: Have you begun filming as young Sirius Black yet? If so, how do you think you did?

JW: Our scene is being filmed in July, as the production is in the middle of a one-month hiatus currently so we can finish our exams, but we did have a screen test in costume with some other actors, which gave us a great insight into what the procedure will be like. I'm really looking forward to it.

HPFZ: Can you describe David Yates' filming style? For example, Chris, Alfonso and Mike all applied a unique spin to the films. Does David?

JW: Definitely. I've noticed through certain prefaces I've been allowed to watch that he's a really personal director. He's very calm with the actors, and during the audition process he made us feel really welcomed. He's subtle, easy to approach and still makes sure he fulfills his vision. Mike has a distinct style, which worked extremely well for The Goblet of Fire, which dealt with fantastic action scenes during the Triwizard Tournament. But David is the perfect choice for this film in particular, which is a lot more about emotion and for the first time, the real frustration we begin to see in Harry. He's the perfect choice, and I can't wait to begin the adventure.

[/quote]

JKR Talks Book Seven and the End of a Saga

At the birthday party today for the Queen, author J.K. Rowling was asked about her thoughts and progress on Book Seven. She did not give any details nor clues about the book, but only said to Reuters:

"I am feeling sad as it is the last one. But so far, so good."

Pressed on when the book would be ready for publication, she would only say: "I'm doing well I think. You can never really tell till you get near the end. I am not quite there yet."

Some 2,000 children attended this event, and reports say that Jo signed many autographs and met with the lucky attendees. They also were treated to a reading from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince as well.

Unabashed by the frenzy of young fans stretching out eagerly for a signature, she said: "This is the bit I like. I like meeting them."
...
It must have ranked as one of the weirdest places she has ever been mobbed by pint-sized fans.

"I must say it is quite surreal to be here in Buckingham Palace," she said, disappearing behind a sea of little hands waving autograph books and Harry Potter paperbacks.

Update: The Times hasthis report now where Jo also says "Harry Potter would have been 'a bit fazed' by the event," she said. "But he's quite cool, and I think he would have been impressed."

Photos of Jo and Video from Queen's Party

Earlier today, author J.K. Rowling attended the special party for the Queen today at Buckingham Palace. Reuters is nowreporting that Jo was met by many of her fans at the party.

As children's authors mingled with the guests, the biggest reception was given to JK Rowling, mobbed by children desperate for an autograph from the author of the Harry Potter wizard sagas.

"I think it is a wonderful idea to celebrate the Queen's 80th birthday by celebrating children's literature. I really do think it is a golden age at the moment," she told reporters at the most surreal garden party ever staged at the palace.

Thanks to Page from DanRadcliffe.co.uk and Jenna from DanRadcliffe.com, we now have some great photos of JKR at the Queen's party, as well as some of actors Rupert Grint (Ron) and Matt Lewis (Neville) here in our galleries. The video of the special Harry Potter Scene can be seen here (Please, right click and save as.) Jenna, from DanRadcliffe.com also has the video here as well. Thanks to Page and Jenna!

Update: Emma, from SnitchSeeker.com sent us the transcript she made of the video which you can read below. Thanks Emma!

Update #2: More photos online from the AP, here. Some similar photos are up at the BBC siteas well.

[The scene opens with Hedwig flying to Hogwarts, dropping a letter on one of the chairs in the Gryffindor Common Room. Harry, Ron and Hermione enter the room in mid-conversation.] Hermione: But that doesn't make any sense. Hags aren't vegetarian... Ron: Hermione, it's a joke! Harry: What's this owl doing here? Why isn't it in the owlery? Hermione: Must have flown in through the wrong window. There's a letter. [Harry picks up the letter and opens it. They all sit at a table.] Harry: I can't make it out. It's all smudged. I think it's from the Minister. Ron: What's he ever done for us? [Takes his wand from his pocket] I'll get rid of it. I've been practising my conflaguration spell. Hermione: Wait a minute. [Hermione takes the letter away from Ron] It doesn't say Minister for Magic. It says Prime Minister. Harry: What, the muggle one? What's he want? Hermione: [Reading the letter] To whomever it may concern, as long as they can use magic... Ron: Sounds a bit desparate... Harry: He's not being very choosy, is he? Hermione: [Continues reading] A terrible crime has befallen the country. Her Majesty the Queen's handbag has been stolen. Ron: Lord Voldemort's getting really inventive. Harry: I dunno, I can't really see Voldemort with a handbag myself. Hermione: There's more. [Continues reading] This handbag contains the reading glasses her Majesty is due to use to read her speech at her 80th birthday celebrations. Harry: That's today isn't it? Peeves was using it as an excuse to drop red, white and blue eggs over everybody at breakfast. [Takes the letter off Hermione and continues reading] We urgently need you help. We don't know who could've taken the bag or how to get it back. We've tried everything. [Finishes reading] I know they use veritaserum to make thieves at the Ministry confess. Hermione: But we don't know who the thief is. Harry: Oh yeah, good point. Hermione: There must be another way. It can't be that difficult. [Harry gets up and points his wand at the table] Harry: Accio lost handbag! [The spell produces nothing. Harry indicates for Ron to come and help.] Harry & Ron: Accio lost handbag! [A heap of handbags appear on the table] Harry: It's bound to be one of these. [They start going through the bags. Hermione finds a stuffed bird and Harry finds a sandwhich. Neville enters the room.] Neville: What are you doing with my Gran's handbag? Ron: Hey, Neville, your Gran isn't the Queen, is she? Neville: What?? Hermione: Ron, none of these handbags are the Queen's. We're too far away from Buckingham Palace to work the Accio charm. [Ron meanwhile is still searching through a bag] Neville: I wouldn't out your hand in there, Ron. [Ron gasps and lifts his fingers out. They're caught in a mouse trap.] Harry: Who keeps a mouse trap in a handbag?! Neville: My Gran, ever since she put her hand in her bag in 1947 and found a fanged gerbil in there. My Grandad thought she'd find it funny. [Ron grimaces in pain, trying to get it off] Hermione: I've got an idea. Ron: [Thinking she's on about his hand] Brilliant, could you hurry? [Hermione goes to another table and sits down, writing a note] Ron: I'm losing the circulation in my finger. Hermione: We'll send a message to the Palace. It'll just mean a temporary transferance of magical power. We can easily do that. [Harry gives the note to Hedwig] Harry: Off you go! Buckingham Palace! You can't miss it. Big white place with a flag on top.

Party at the Palace Today; JKR, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Matt Lewis Attend

Actors Rupert Grint (Ron), Emma Watson (Hermione), and Matt Lewis (Neville) were in attendance as the Children's Party at the Palace, celebrating the Queen's 80th birthday, took place today at Buckingham Palace. Author J.K. Rowling arrived earlier at the party and read from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. CBBC Newsround reports that "JK Rowling was among one of the first celebrities to make her way into the garden." The BBC aired the entire play that was to include a special Harry Potter scene, and we can report that Rupert, Emma, and Mattwere sitting in the row in front of the Queen, watching the play. You can watch the BBC report on the festivities via this link (then on the right side where it says "See some of the Characters").

As we told you previously, the Harry Potter scene that aired was filmed on the Gryffindor Common room set. The scene included the Trio and Neville, along with a mention of PEEVES by Harry, who apparently said something along the lines that he knows it's the Queen's birthday because Peeves was using it as an excuse "to drop blue and red eggs on people at breakfast." Unfortunately there was no footage of Jo's reading at the party on the BBC broadcast. You can see some wire photos from Getty online here which include Jo, as well as Rupert and Matt by the Queen. Stay tuned, we will have more up when we get it!