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1 June 2002
The Boston Globe reported that composer John Williams has seen a rough cut of Chamber of Secrets and began working on the sequel's score on Monday, 3 June. Williams, incidentally, continues to conduct the Boston Pops Orchestra for special shows every summer. He is a past conductor of the ensemble.
13 May 2002
OW, MY TENDER CHIN: Richard Harris, the man who dons the whiskers as headmaster Albus Dumbledore, finds his 2-foot-long fake beard is not only tedious in application, but is painful to wear, according to The Express, a UK paper.
"It takes two hours for the girls in make-up to put on and it's actually pretty heavy," Harris said. "After a few hours my face hurts because of the weight. And it's pretty sore to take off because of all that glue."
Harris has wrapped up his role as Dumbledore and will be back for The Prisoner of Azkaban. He has no other plans to take on other roles. "I'm in my seventies and there's just no need to do anything else. I've worked all my life and I think I deserve the rest." (Harris was born in 1930.)
The Express also reported that Tom Felton, 14, who portrays Draco Malfoy, may quit acting after the HP series. He has his eye on fisheries management for an adult career.
"I haven't accepted any other films outside of this because acting isn't the be-all-and-end-all for me. I think you have to keep your feet on the ground with this sort of stuff. In spite of what Draco is like, I really like school, and I miss it a lot when I'm filming."
13 May 2002
BIGGER, BETTER QUIDDITCH: At the 8 May 2002 debut of the DVD and VHS releases of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, producer David Heyman vows Quidditch will be even more thrilling in The Chamber of Secrets.
"What we've got in the second film is, we've honed it a little bit, it'll be, I think the movement will be a little faster," Heyman said at the Stone launch at King's Cross Station in London. "We're also incorporating a trench around the outside of the field which will be where a great portion of the action will take place, where Harry gets chased by a bludger throughout the field."
18 March 2002
The visual effects in The Sorcerer's Stone were, for the most part, pretty good, but they could have been even better. The VFX (as showbiz types call them) will probably take a step up with a new computer being used on The Chamber of Secrets, according to The Times of London.
"The first Harry Potter film relied heavily on special effects. The second will go even further, not least because it will be using a faster, better computer designed by BlueArc," according to the newspaper.
"Few have heard of this computer force but already it has been said that 'BlueArc is the New Cisco.' It is the leader in the next generation of computer hardware. These revolutionary computers reduce the time and effort in creating special effects and processing them into film. It is but one of many uses which include simulating nuclear explosions.
"The man behind the company is the outrageously modest Norfolk-born Geoff Barrall. As a child, this son of a primary school headteacher 'was forever making his own toys' and was transfixed by robots, not least the Daleks [the robots in the Dr. Who TV show]. Nondescript A levels led to the promised land of studying cybernetics at Reading University. A first led to a PhD and one or two software inventions and a successful career in consultancy."
7 March 2002
It's not Durham Castle, but Durham Cathedral, which will double as Hogwarts corridors and Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration classroom.
A college student calling herself "Athena Arena" wrote the following at FictionAlley:
"I often go wandering 'round the cathedral, where they shot the third floor corridor, McGonagall's classroom and a few corridor scenes, and I was more than a little surprised when I wandered aimlessly in to find myself on the set last Tuesday!
"I spoke to a cathedral worker, and it appears they are using the cloisters again for the corridors, and the chapter house for McGonagall's classroom. They start filming on Monday, which is good because I have a very free week next week, so I'll be able to sneak around! When I went to the Cathedral today, the stone pillars with the Hogwarts crest were lined up along two sides of the cloisters, and they were preparing to move McGonagall's blackboard, covered in some magical diagram or other, into the chapter house.
"There were various cameras being set up (still under protective sheets) and various workmen building the set and painting the drainpipes for some strange reason. It was really, really exciting. Outside the cathedral on Palace Green there is a big white marquee, various security vans and some rather scary looking power boxes."
And, some activity in Scotland, according to the UK Sunday Mirror:
"Some of the biggest scenes in the next Harry Potter movie will be filmed in the West Highlands.
"A film unit visited Lochaber for a week getting stills and static shots for backdrops - and returned again recently for pre-shoot sequences for Harry Potter 2.
" 'Scotland's scenery is spectacular and magical - perfect for Harry Potter,' said Janet Riddoch, who researched the locations for Warner Bros.
" 'We were only disappointed we weren't there for longer. But look for us when Harry Potter 3 comes along. In Harry Potter 1, the establishing shots around the castle and the Quidditch match were shot in Glencoe, Glen Nevis and Glenfinnan.
" 'For Harry Potter 2 we filmed the Hogwarts Express on the Glenfinnan viaduct. We expect to return to the Highlands next spring, but without the main stars.' "
5-6 March 2002
At least two filming units are out for location work.
A writer named "Jack" told Dark Horizons:
"Harry Potter 2 has arrived in Alnwick for the use of the castle as Hogwarts. Equipment seemed to arrive at some point over the weekend, and today some lorries [trucks] and a security team are positioned at the gates to the castle. Not sure if they've started shooting yet.
"There seemed to be a couple of statues next to the security hut. One was a guy holding a sword in each hand, points together making a triangle, not sure but it may be the same statue that Harry hits one of the Quidditch balls thru in Harry Potter 1."
A crew came to Durham University, according to another person named "Paul" who wrote to ComingSoon:
"A friend of mine studies at Durham university and sent me a message today saying that lots of tents, portacabins and vans have arrived this morning which can only mean one thing... they've started filming Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets!
"The university is set in Durham castle and was used in The Philosopher's Stone movie for many of the winter scenes.
"My friend said that the majority of the filming will be done in two or three weeks time over the easter holidays when all the real muggle students have gone home!"
3 March 2002
FAST GROWING: Harry Potter is growing up. At least, Daniel Radcliffe's entry into puberty -- which can be evidenced by his current scratchy teen voice and taller stature -- is posing problems during sequel filming.
icScotland reports: "Daniel, who will turn 13 in July, is fast becoming an adolescent. Executive producer Michael Barnathan admitted there had been a few hitches.
"He said: 'In the last shot of the first movie, he is just like a little boy but now it's quite amazing, the change is very dramatic. We look at him, and he's rapidly approaching a man. He sounds so much huskier now his voice has broken.'
Radcliffe had just turned 11 when his casting was announced. The evidence of puberty also can be heard in The Sorcerer's Stone: during the last part of the movie, you will notice his voice gets lower and a little more growly. All of this dialogue was recorded in postproduction in 2001, during which his voice broke.
28 February 2002
On this day a crew was doing additional filming with one of Daniel Radcliffe's photo doubles. According to The Daily Record: "Harry Potter was out and about in the Highlands yesterday - or was he?
"Glenfinnan was the location for a Harry stand-in to film scenes for the forthcoming movie, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
"Although studio bosses at Warner Bros. try to keep locations secret, many easily recognizable Scottish landmarks will feature in cinemas across the world - hopefully bringing tourists flocking to the country."
25 February 2002
King's Cross filming ended over this weekend. Scenes were shot over the last several weekends. The area between Platforms 4 and 5 was used again, as it was in Sorcerer's Stone. This is because there is a barrier between the two platforms like the one in J.K. Rowling's books.
The Hogwarts Express was taken back to Carnforth, England, by being hooked up to a modern diesel engine. The engine was coupled to the Hogwarts train, which faced away from it and traveled in reverse!
Colin Browell sent an electronic owl to let me know the train was going to stop at about 3 p.m. Greenwich time today (Monday) at Nuneaton station in England. You can read about the Hogwarts Express' last stop there on 17 February. And if you live in the area, stop out and have a look at the loco!
20 February 2002
ON BOARD FOR FILMING: Looks as if King's Cross Station scenes are being filmed. According to Manchester Online (run by a local paper), the Hogwarts Express quietly left its storage yard at Carnforth, England, and steamed down to King's Cross in London.
"The famous loco left Carnforth early yesterday [19 February] and passed through Preston, Crewe, Nuneaton, Milton Keynes, Bletchley, Watford, Willesden Junction and Camden Road Junction before arriving at Hornsey depot, where it is waiting for its call on to the set at King's Cross," according to Manchester Online.
"The last time it was used in filming it was moved under cover of darkness and teams of security guards kept watch over it at King's Cross so that no-one could take pictures of it."
The same train from Sorcerer's Stone is being used for The Chamber of Secrets. The steam engine, called Hogwarts Castle, is the former Olton Hall 5972, which first saw service in 1937. Its owner, the West Coast Railway Co., is leasing the engine to Warner Bros. for the HP series. Visit this link for more info on the West Coast Railway and Olton Hall with its original green paint job. James Shuttleworth of West Coast also writes about Olton Hall's conversion and filming the first time around.
12 February 2002
NITS TO YOU: An infamous British tabloid -- the same one that said another boy dubbed Daniel Radcliffe in The Sorcerer's Stone -- claims that the children's biggest enemy is not Lord Voldemort, but head lice.
The Sun tabloid reported: "A nurse is examining hundreds of 'pupils' at the imaginary Hogwarts School for Witchcraft And Wizardry every day amid fears of a big outbreak. Even Daniel Radcliffe, who stars as Harry, does not escape the rigorous and time-consuming going over for head lice. Busloads of child actors arriving on set each morning are checked while they are in makeup."
This species of lice can be a problem among large populations of schoolchildren. The Sun never indicated how the lice were introduced to the set or if any number of extras or cast members have them.
"Children infected with lice scratch their scalps constantly — which could cost time and money in terms of lost production," the paper said. The tabloid added Warner Bros. hopes to start filming The Prisoner of Azkaban in early 2003.
30 January 2002
AZKABAN SITE FOUND? Filming is set for the remote island of Huskeiran, which is off the coast of a larger island that in turn is off the west central coast of Scotland.
Huskeiran is uninhabited and is part of the Scottish island group known as both the Outer Hebrides and the Western Isles (Na H-Eileanan Siar in Gaelic, the native language spoken in the isles along with English). Huskeiran is off the coast of Monach Isle.
Due to its remoteness and rocky, barren terrain, Huskeiran more than likely will be the setting for Azkaban Prison.
26 January 2002
BACK TO CATHEDRAL: The Chamber of Secrets film crew has returned to Gloucester Cathedral for the second year in a row for location shooting.
According to This is Gloucestershire, filming started 28 January and runs through Saturday, 2 February. "The Cathedral's historic cloisters set the scene for the corridors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and since then, the first film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, has attracted many young wizard fans," according to the Web site.
Some children from King's School, which served as a location in the first movie, again may be used as extras in Chamber. Gloucester Cathedral also was one of a select number of sites featured on a UK map spotlighting movie filming locations.
January 2002
Director Chris Columbus spoke to Galaxie, a European magazine. Dobby the House Elf definitely will be computer generated, as his creation is now completed. Columbus added that he hopes to release stills of Dobby by February or March. The elf's appearance is what he imagined, and he is confident it will please the Harry fans.
Columbus also added that there will be only 10 more minutes of new film footage on the Sorcerer's Stone DVD, and there never was a four-hour version of the movie. The DVD and VHS editions are supposed to be issued in the spring.
2 January 2002
A source told Mugglenet that Emma Watson (Hermione) reported to the set this month to begin doing her scenes. (3 January)
December 2001
Some of the Polyjuice Potion scenes have been filmed. One of Draco's movie bodyguards told a British newspaper that he had filmed scenes where he pretends to be one of the Gryffindor heroes and questions Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) about the Heir of Slytherin.
November 2001
Filming began in earnest. The flying car scenes were completed, Chris Columbus told the BBC. The spider scenes were partially complete. Daniel Radcliffe also said part of Chamber's first Quidditch match (against Slytherin) was completed.
Strange photographs of cars taken by spies show both Ford Anglias and Escorts at the production site. Are they going to use J.K. Rowling's signature car, the Anglia? They better! Ugly mustard-colored Ford Escorts don't make it as the Weasley car.
However, producer David Heyman, in discussing the flying scenes, told the Chicago Sun-Times: "The big action scene that we just got in the can is Harry and Ron flying in a car. They're in Ron's father's car, which is a Ford Anglia, and it's turquoise. They're on a race to get to the train to go back to Hogwarts. Although they're not supposed to practice magic while they're on break from school, they must render themselves invisible and fly the car to the train station."
Well, it still doesn't explain those old Ford Escorts, but taking the producer's word, the Anglia will remain as the flying car -- sigh of relief!
Radcliffe and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) were suspended in the car for one week for filming the flying scenes. Radcliffe said to the Sun-Times, "Ron's funnier than Robin Williams. The hard thing is not to laugh when the camera starts rolling. We could be a comedy duo. I'd have to be the straight one," Radcliffe said.
Tom Felton (Draco) told USA Today that his character will be injured in the next movie. He also believes that the sequel will surpass The Sorcerer's Stone. "I reckon this film will be a lot better. There will be a lot more comedy and a lot more action, and it'll be a lot scarier."
The Quidditch match filmed is when the Slytherins all now have Nimbus 2000 models, courtesy the fat bank account of Lucius Malfoy.
Filming of some of the Aragog and Forbidden Forest scenes occurred in this month, with Radcliffe and Grint. Some shots also used their "photo doubles," who are stand-in actors resembling them and shot only from the back or side. Doubles for the kids have been common practice on the HP movies because children are strictly limited in the number of hours they can work each day in the UK.
Columbus told USA Today in early November 2001 that filming had been ongoing for 3 1/2 weeks. Scenes shot were:
9-10 October 2001
NEW VISUAL EFFECTS HOUSE HIRED: George Lucas' sprawling, famed Industrial Light & Magic, of Marin County, California, USA, has been tapped to do the visual effects for The Chamber of Secrets, according to a story from Reuters. ILM, which had done the Quidditch matches for Sorcerer's Stone, will get the whole kit and kaboodle this time.
Sony Imageworks, which was the primary F/X house on Stone, is too backed up with other film projects, according to the story. Sony is working on Stuart Little II, Spider-Man, Tuxedo and I Spy.
Well, ILM will be busy, too. It's currently working on Minority Report (Steven Spielberg), The Time Machine, K-19, an E.T. rerelease, and Lucas' own Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones.
Another story announced that ILM's Jim Mitchell and Bill George will succeed Sony's Rob Legato as visual effects supervisors.
HUNTIN' FOR HAGRID: An online site for Oxford County, England, began carrying a classified ad looking for teenage boys to play Tom Riddle and a younger Hagrid! The contact person is casting director Karen Lindsay-Stewart, who worked with American casting specialist Janet Hirshenson on The Sorcerer's Stone. Lindsay-Stewart also cast The Secret Garden and Madeline and specializes in finding kiddie actors.
Here is the announcement:
CASTING CALL FOR "HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS"!WE ARE SEARCHING FOR THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERS FOR THE SECOND HARRY POTTER FILM...
Tom Riddle. Playing 15-18. Not unlike an older Harry in look and mind. Seemingly nice, but turns out to be something else. ... Charmingly sinister (Lead). Standard British accent.
Young Hagrid. Playing age 15-18. A young Robbie Coltrane! (One scene).
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR EITHER OF THESE ROLES, PLEASE SEND US A RECENT PHOTO OF YOURSELF THAT WE CAN KEEP, TOGETHER WITH YOUR NAME, DATE OF BIRTH, HEIGHT AND CONTACT DETAILS TO:
Karen Lindsay-Stewart
P.O. Box 2301
London W1A 1PTWE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU!
Chamber of Secrets Casting Rumors & Certainties.
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