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Dan Radcliffe, Michael Gambon Film Scenes in Lacock Tonight for "Half-Blood Prince" (Updated)
HBP FilmUPDATE: WE have a second report now from TLC reader Ettie who confirms that filming tonight was indeed of the scene at Slughorn’s home in “Budleigh Babberton,” where Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) and Harry (Dan Radcliffe) persuade the former Potionsmaster to return to Hogwarts to teach. Ettie writes that “the part I saw was the walk to, and entry into the house. They did about 6 takes. When I left they were shooting them leaving the house, and you could hear Slughorn’s voice agreeing to take the job and demanding a pay rise. Inside the doorway I could see a white staircase and light blue walls. Michael Gambon was really nice and took a moment to walk over and speak to some of the children and parents watching the set. He asked if everyone was cold and said he was freezing. He was wearing the gray robes he has worn before in other Potter films. Daniel was wearing trainers, T shirt and jacket.”
She continues on to say “the ‘churchyard’ type props are actually parts of a fake war memorial which was set up along the end of Church Street. (This was mentioned in the book). All the windows of nearby houses have had blinds fitted to stop any light coming from their windows and create an atmosphere of gloom.” Thank you Ettie!
UPDATE 3: Even more tonight from reader Georgie who stuck around long enough to watch another scene being filmed, and reports that Michael Gambon has a green cast of sorts on his hand so they can later add in the visual effects for Dumbledore’s withered hand (two new photos she snapped, including one of Dumbledore’s double here and here). Georgie writes:
“At about 12.30am, when there were maybe only 10 or 15 people left, including me and my sister, one guard told all of us we could all go down and see the set! We were all excited but thought that filming had finished and that we were just looking at the location.
We sat down about 10 metres from the entrance to the house I previously told you about, where all of the filming was happening. I saw the doubles for both harry and dumbledore (complete with plastic beard protector!), who helped the crew block out the scenes before the actual cast arrived. There is a picture of the DD double attached. It was all pretty intresting, but then I suddenly saw Daniel Radcliffe and Michael Gambon (in FANTASTIC dumbledore costume) walking towards the set! They actually filmed a scene in front of us! All the kids in our group were given lollipops so that ‘when we say ‘action’, you keep quiet!’ everyone was really lovely and friendly to us.
100% sure it is Slughorn’s house, the scene we watched involved Harry and Dumbledore basically walking through the garden gate together. The moonlight simulater was brilliant and there were smoke generators which finished the whole atmosphere off perfectly.” Thank you Georgie!
UPDATE 2: This is Wiltshire now has a report online, citing a WB spokesperson who said : “Daniel and the rest of the cast love being here. They just think its absolutely beautiful.”Tonight there is a really good atmosphere and I know Daniel is really happy fans turned up.”
Dedicated TLC reader and Harry Potter fan Pinkmoosely has another report for us tonight from the village in England where they are filming on location scenes for the upcoming “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” Pinkmoosely reports that crowds were heavy outside the house and compound used as a base in Lacock, Wiltshire, England, where security had blocked off the street, and made it very difficult to obtain photos of actor Dan Radcliffe (Harry Potter) or Michael Gambon (Professor Dumbledore) during filming tonight (his earlier photos from today, here) He writes:
The entrance to the compound was situated so that the crew & cast would have to move through the crowd (100 maybe 200 strong) to get to the set, so the police and security had made a gap through everyone. We waited for a couple of hours and the lights down the road were moved around a bit but no sign of any cast, untill a security man shouted that Dan would soon be coming through and there would be no time at all for autographs or photos. Some time later a couple of cars with tinted glass moved through the gap but we were not told who was in them. A spokes person came out later again and worked the crowd telling people that they were behind schedule and everyone was now on set, we were told it was only Harry and Dumbledore they were filming and maybe if things went well there would be time tomorrow evening, alas she could not confirm what time they would make there way to the set..”
Thanks very much again to Pinkmoosely. As noted the filming does continue on location for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and anyone who has additional reports, please send them in!
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Yeah!!!! I know we’ve all been trying to get over the devasting last book ordeal, but come on, you’ve gotta be syked for this, right?
I just want to say how much I REALLY appreciate Pinkmoosely and TLC providing these updates. For the 99% of us who will never get within sniffing distance of any of the filming, it provides us with a window onto the action that we would otherwise never have. Much appreciated.
Muggle13 is sooooo right!!! ... I am stuck in an office in the states, and love hearing about the “behind the scenes” ...keep up the good reporting Pinkmoosely …
Going to sluhorns? they’re keeping that?? eeeeexcellent they’d better include my fav line from that book too:
“Let us pursue that flighty temptress: Adventure…”
I’m disappointe they’re keeping this scene in. That means they are cutting something else out and I didn’t think Slughorn’s house is all that important. As for the cool lines, they could put that somewhere else in the movie.
Whoooooho! I always enjoyed that slughorn scene! good job,pinkmoosely!
sweet!I love that scene, I hope they include at least one line about Lily!
I’m very happy that scene is in as well. I loved it, especially when Dumbledore stuck his wand into the armchair!!!
Thank you so much Pinkmoosely! Minisha, I hope they keep that line too! It’s one of my favorites.
@Gerr- yeah I agree with you. There are more important things they should concentrate on. Slughorn’s house scene is fun and all but it really doesn’t do anything to further the plot. Whatever you need in that scene you could add along in the movie.
Cool Beans! We folks (like muggle13) who will never get this chance, this is great! I’m from “across the pond” and have NO chance. That’s ok, though. All I have to do is come to TLC, and see pinkmooslie’s report! Great pictures and “first hand account”...Just remember, folks: Just because they’re filming something, doesn’t necessarily mean it will make it to the final movie…cutting room floors are littered with “cool scenes, we’d like to see!” You never know! (My money’s on the ‘Narcissa/Belatrix’ “quick dash”, by the way!)
This can’t be anything with Bellatrix because Helena Bonham-Carter is very pregnant and not filming til the spring.
Well, considering the fact that it’s Radcliffe and Gambon…
Anyone else besides me getting tired of hearing every tiny detail about filming? There were so many internet “reports” on the previous films that I got to wondering if anything was going to be a surprise for me once I actually got to the theater. I’m not really interested in knowing ahead of time what color the chairs will be in this scene or what expression is on Rupert’s face in that scene. This report really says nothing, except that it’s hard for fans who stand around waiting for cast members to show up to actually catch sight of them. The actors and crew are on a schedule and no fan should interfere with that. Time is money, people! It’s more important to leave these folks to do their jobs than it is for you to get an autograph or get a glimpse of an actor just so you can brag to your friends that you saw the top two inches of Dan Radcliffe’s head. Sorry, but I’m getting so bored with this stuff. Let’s just wait for the movie, shall we?
I kind of agree with iamminerva. I like knowing that they’re filming, and where they’re filming, but honestly, do we really need pics of the yew hedge or a huge light that’s supposed to mimic the moon? All these breathless little details are already getting old, and it’s such early days yet. I guess I’ll have to limit my time here if the next year is going to be like this. I’d like to be a little surprised when I sit down in the theatre to watch the movie. I’m sorry to say there were NO surprises the last time. I think I’ve learned my lesson.
Ah but iamminerva and Melanie. Watching the movie only fills two hours. Speculating about the movie can fill days, weeks, and months. Besides, no one is putting a gun to your head. Don’t read these articles if they’ll spoil it for you. Leave the rest of us to our fun.
iamminerva and Melanie, I think you are a little unfair to those nice fans who reported this and to TLC for posting because they have done their best to cater for all fans. You don’t have to read if you are not interested, I don’t read everything posted here or eleswhere, we can exercise our choices. I as well as many other enjoyed hearing about this, and it’sn ot as if we gained nothing, at least we know for sure which scenes are being filmed. I know you just gave your opinion and I gave mine so I hope you don’t mind my saying.
“He was wearing the gray robes he has worn before in other Potter films…” GRRRR…. grumbles :(
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Yea! This is the scene with Harry and DD going to slughorns’s. They are probably building a set at Leavesden for the interrior where we see Slughorn etc. I just hope that they start the movie with Spinners end. I would love for the opening scene to be Narcissa and Bella running through the dark.