‘Harry Potter’ Moving Portraits Could Become a Reality, Says New Research

May 23, 2017

Posted by: Emma Pocock

Films, J.K. Rowling, Movies, News, Science

Moving photos and portraits much alike those seen in Harry Potter could become a reality as a result of new research. The project aims to develop paper which can be enhanced with hyperlinks, animations and music from the web.

Professor David Frohlich from the University of Surrey was recently awarded £1.17 million in funding from the Digital Economy program to conduct research “that would allow readers to interact with printed materials like Harry Potter portraits”, reports Get Surrey.

Professor Frohlich said on the research project, which he calls “next generation paper”:

“We plan to give physical paper a whole new lease of digital life. Elements of interactive paper have been around in prototype form for some time, but we hope our research will help create a mass market next generation paper for the 21 century.”

The new form of paper will be interactive, and readers will be able to turn or touch the page to interact with text and photos. Electronic sensors and chips within the paper will give the power to create ‘moving pictures’, we’re basically imagining a flattened, paper-thin tablet/smartphone?

Professor Frohlich explains the values of his research:

“The project will create new business opportunities for the digital economy that we will research in parallel with the technology.

For example, publishers will be able to add value to print products and services by connecting them to digital material, while web companies will be able to use paper as a tangible interface to online information.”

We’re excited to see developments in this project – who knows, maybe J.K. Rowling’s vision of moving portraits and the Daily Prophet will soon no longer be fiction! Read more here.





The Leaky Cauldron is not associated with J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., or any of the individuals or companies associated with producing and publishing Harry Potter books and films.