As we first reported to you earlier this month, author J. K. Rowling will be the subject of a TV documentary to air on UK network ITV this winter. Today, we now have more details of this documentary to bring you with the publication of a new article from the Scotsman. According to the article, excerpts from the documentary were shown as part of a STVlaunch yesterday where it was revealed that Jo was filmed finishing the last book in room 652 of Edinburgh’s Balmoral Hotel as part of the now titled ‘A Year in the Life… J.K. Rowling’ program.
In the exclusive clips shown last night at the event, Jo is also quoted in the article as saying upon finishing the book and being congratulated by an ‘off-camera film-maker:’
“Thank you…yeah, you don’t know, it might be rubbish. Some people will loathe it, they will absolutely loathe it. For some people to love it, other people must loathe it. That’s just in the nature of the plot.”
She adds, “I’m actually really, really happy with it”, before bowing her head on the keyboard to exclaim: “Oh my God!”
The article goes on to talk more of the documentary, its security and features another quote from Jo during the documentary, who describes her work as “Profoundly moral… I think it is a lie to pretend that even children of 11 don’t have to make moral decisions. I think it’s an outrageous black lie.”
A side note, the BBC also makes mention of the upcoming ITV documentary in an article online as well.
Thanks to voldevie and who mailed with the BBC link!
It’s hard to say that what she says means Harry will die. She could be thinking that people will loathe it because classical, epic heroes are supposed to die, so “some people will loathe it.” It’s almost impossible to know what’s in her head, what “some people” trumps another “some people” in terms of loathing or liking.
Or I’m just making excuses because I too will need bereavement leave if he dies.
I’m hanging onto the “Harry can’t die or that amusement park in Florida will be one big graveyard” theory will all my heart.
Amen, Jen. That quote from Jo made me nervous. Some people will hate it. I’ve always been so absolutely certain that Harry will live. I’m freaking out now…
I’m confused. The article mentions “exclusive clips shown last night”—are those clips online? I couldn’t find them.
I have to say that I thought, when I read that she’d not only been in a hotel room when she finished the book but that she signed a statue (or whatever it was she signed) that it was not just her by herself alone in the room. It didn’t seem like something she would just do, on her own, sign something she didn’t own, you know? I thought she was at least encouraged to do so by the staff of the place, but it makes perfect sense that she was with a TV crew. She probably saved some very small bit at the very end to write in front of them, because they asked her if they could film her writing the end of it. I can’t wait to see this documentary, I hope it will be available in the states. Whoever is making this is missing a big money-maker if they don’t immediately put this out on DVD for sale, because it will be on the net by the next morning, probably.
I know that most people will hate me for saying this but I think Harry is gonna die. I just get a feeling about it. I can’t wait for the show though only erm…counts on fingers 5 months to go till the documentary?
I don’t think her loathe/love conversation is just about Harry’s dying/living.
I think her “it might be rubbish” is a clear look into the dark heart of writing. Any writer with a contract for the book rolling off their printer wonders, “Is it any good?” Even JKR.
That what keeps her a good writer, producing and challenging us, as readers—that she’s not complacent with her craft. And she’s probably a bit emotionally overwhelmed with ending a magical era of her life. Too hard to be objective sometimes, and the collecting weeping and/or criticism does sting.
But my admiration grows—she knows the challenges of 11 years olds!
Oh dear. As we get closer to the 21st, I am not getting a good feeling about Harry surviving. I just hope it’s hype. Cara, I am with you and your themepark theory, too.
I think the “rubbish” comment has to do with the fact that people have an ending already set up in their head for the series and when they read this if it doesn’t conform to what they want, they’ll likely hate it.
It’s pretty obvious that there are some people with their minds set about Snape, the harry horcrux theory, harry dying, or even simple things like Ron and Hermione or Harry and Ginny marrying. If you set yourself up believing that your way is right and everything else isn’t then there’s chance your setting yourself up for a let down.
If she ended it with Harry waking up from all this being a dream, would that not make you mad?
"Severus," said Dumbledore, turning to Snape, "you know what I must ask you to do. If you are ready... if you are prepared..."[br]"I am," said Snape.[br]He looked slightly paler than usual, and his cold, black eyes glittered strangely.[br]"Then good luck,
Excellent, I shall look forward to watching that.