Harry Potter and the Witch Doctor was released in theaters 20 years ago.
by editorial staff
It’s crazy how time flies. Twenty years ago, the first film from the “Harry Potter” saga, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”, was shown in theaters.
An opportunity for director Chris Columbus to look back on his filming memories with Variety magazine. “I was very aware of the fact that if I spoiled this film, I might never be able to work again,” he said.
Although a director, American writer JK Rowling was inclined to honor the wish. “He had the last word. I went to visit him in Scotland and we talked for about 3 hours. I explained to him how I saw the movie. When I talked, he didn’t say much. But when I was done, He just said, ‘I watch the movie exactly that way. And then I thought, ‘Oh my god, that’s cool!’ It was a moment of pure excitement which was immediately followed by extreme panic.”
behind the scenes of the movie
It’s not always easy filming with actors so young, Chris Columbus tells Variety. “In the first few weeks all the kids were so excited to be a part of the Harry Potter movie that they kept smiling at the camera. It was really tough as a director. But from film to film, she has become quite a professional. “
Shooting the scenes against the green background was complicated though. “We were in a situation where the kids couldn’t imagine anything. They could not work with tangible things. Take for example this relatable scene from Quidditch, but also those that required significant special effects: “For them, it was most difficult to interact with things that weren’t there. I had to pretend to be all the characters (which they were special). Couldn’t see because of the effects), whether it’s Voldemort on Professor Quirrell’s skull or the Basilisk in the second movie. It’s a little crazy when you think about it, but they’ve got the chance to do well when there’s nothing in front of them. That was the only way.”