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A lot of us have been questioning the fact that Fantastic Beasts, set in NYC, is being filmed in London (and Liverpool). Of course, this is great for London studios, and other companies providing products and services for these films. But some of us questioned about the authenticity of filming New York scenes, without being in New York.

The Pottermore Corespondent would like to qualm all of our potential fears, and reassure us that nothing but the best will be done for these Potter-related films. After finding that the UK didn’t have a city like New York City, the  best “creatives” in the business were brought in to build a replica of the magnificent 1920’s metropolis.

The PMC reports:

Right now, I’m standing with set decorator Anna Pinnock, who’s responsible for the New York window dressings, all the props and furniture. Because everyone on this set is offensively talented, Anna’s got an Oscar too – for her work on The Grand Budapest Hotel in 2014. She’s been nominated four times (for Gosford Park, The Life of Pi, The Golden Compass and Into The Woods). She’s worked on three James Bond films, including Spectre. If you need to build a life-size replica city in a place where that city does not actually exist, she’s the woman to do it.

Anna’s as elegantly dressed as me, wearing a matching hard hat, neon yellow safety waistcoat and boots, giving me a tour of the New York she has helped create on a massive lot in the middle of a muddy field. We start on the Lower West Side where the bricks are filthy, the posters are peeling off the concrete walls and most things are light brown, dark brown or in-between brown. All the signs and posters were designed by extraordinary graphic design double-act Mina Lima… But more about them another time.

Fantastic Beasts is set in the roaring twenties and every single detail of the set screams that era. Every shop sign, every newspaper headline, every restaurant menu, every window dressing, every wheel, every food cart, every streetlight. Oh, the street lights! They’re actual, real, functioning street lights – great big black structures built eight metres into the ground so they don’t sway or fall on anyone important.

There are several cobbled streets, and if you stand in the right spot you can see all the way from the Lower West Side to the Upper East Side.

You can see the outside of Tina and Queenie’s apartment, as well as restaurants, a church, and all manner of shops. As Anna tells me, they’ve had to take some of those shop facades down and dress them up as a completely different building very fast when they get a last-minute change in the filming schedule.

For more details, a little on the PMC’s visit to Queenie and Tina’s apartment, and pictures of 1920’s NYC to reference, please take a visit to Pottermore’s article in 1926 NYC.

The release of the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone is nigh–in fact, it’s tomorrow (October 6th)! Four glorious new illustrations have been bestowed upon us ahead of the book’s release, thanks to an exclusive post made by EW. Steady yourselves:

There’s this striking illustration of the quidditch hoops, set against a backdrop of Hogwarts, with some very dramatic, Halloween-y colouring:

A drawing of Harry, presumably at platform 9 3/4:

along with this fascinating glimpse into the birth of Kay’s depiction of Harry:

“I was looking at all these photographs of evacuee children from the 1940s — in England, you’d call them ‘blitz kids’ — who have been taken away from their home during the blitz. They had sort of thick, scruffy hair, and round glasses, and looked sort of underfed and malnourished, from really tough East End parts of London as well. I wanted that real character coming through, some adversity. But also slightly fragile, because he’s thin, and he’s smaller than usual.”

Luckily, Kay spotted the perfect young model while riding the London Underground, and told the boy’s mother he’d like to photograph her son as a character to work from. The boy, Clay, is a stage performer, so he’s fantastically skilled at interpreting the spectrum of emotions Kay asks him to project.

This illustration and discussion of Dumbledore, which reveals that Kay has strewn easter eggs throughout his artwork (another thing to look forward to!):

“What I like about early portrait painting,” Kay says, “is that you have objects in them that are representative of that person. So the dried plant there is honesty — but on the honesty is also a little camouflaged praying mantis. It’s sort of saying, there is honesty with Dumbledore, but with a catch. There’s also a little bottle of dragon’s blood because he wrote a book on dragon’s blood. And knitting because, of course, he likes to knit.”

Dumbledore’s likeness has a special place in Kay’s heart: “He’s based on an amazing illustrator I know, who I absolutely idolize. He’s been an inspiration for years for me, so it’s a huge deal that he’s lent his face to Dumbledore.”

And his portrayal of the perilous wizard’s chess game:

And there’s yet another thing to marvel at: Pottermore has released a video of Kay discussing his creative process, along with a peek into his studio! Click here to watch it, or see it below!

The question of Lavender’s death has been floating around since 2007, and recently Pottermore has added further fuel to the fire.

Forums everywhere (such as this one on Reddit, and this one on Goodreads) have no definitive conclusion, trying to take evidence from both the book and The Deathly Hallows Part 2 film.

Her ‘death’ scene in the book seems a little more vague:

“Two bodies fell from the balcony overhead. As they reached the ground a grey blur that Harry took for an animal sped four-legged across the hall to sink its teeth into one of the fallen. “NO!” shrieked Hermione, and with a deafening blast from her wand, Fenrir Greyback was thrown backward from the feebly stirring body of Lavender Brown.”

After falling from the balcony, Greyback is seen almost making a mid-fight snack out of Lavender, but Hermione throws him back, and Lavender is seen ‘feebly stirring’, which suggests that she could be alive.

Some seem to think the movie errs more toward the ‘dead’ side of the argument. Acknowledging that movies do not make better sources than books, most say that they make it pretty clear; Trelawney and the Patil twins are seen saying ‘She’s gone’ and covering a body, and the earlier suggestive shot of Lavender looking vacant (and dead) after Greyback attacks someone certainly makes it look like she’s dead.

Her Wiki page also looks bleak. It states that she was killed by Greyback in The Battle of Hogwarts, stating  Harry Potter Page to Screen: The Complete Filmmaking Journey as a source.

Now Pottermore itself (and through it, potentially Jo herself) has entered the debate. In its recent update, Pottermore had stated Lavender as ‘presumed dead':

That’s already vague wording, but as if that wasn’t enough, Lavender Brown’s page on Pottermore recently updated again, removing all information about her death:

Hypable and Bustle have had the same discussions, and are none the wiser. Though J.K. Rowling has been closely involved in the production of the films and of Pottermore, we’ll need the words from Jo herself if we’re going to sort this once and for all.

It’s a close debate, so what do you think? Is Lavender alive?

This morning Pottermore announced that the Pottermore site has been relaunched. With this exciting news, the released a video/audio message from J.K. Rowling introducing the new site. She calls Pottermore her “little writing corner” and the right place to come if “you need a little more magic in your life.” This message can be seen below.

Pottermore updated their twitter header this morning.

If you do not have time to take a trip to Pottermore.com right now, here are a few screen shots of the site, with a little explanation:

The Pottermore homepage is simply designed, with sparse wording and only three other groups of linked pages to access: Explore (top left corner), Read (middle homepage), and Menu (top right corner).

Hitting “Explore” in the top left corner of the homepage simply opens up a search engine. The engine works much like Google, it starts guessing what you are looking for as you start typing.

Opening the “Menu” in the top right corner leads to a sparse, self- explanatory menu. “Writings by J.K. Rowling” takes one to a page where they can read additional information not found in character profiles, or in writings of events from the books, found in “Explore the Story.”

Both of these sections highlight “Special Feature” articles. Today Pottermore is featuring “The Potter Family” in “Writings by J.K. Rowling,” which can be read here. Dolores Umbridge has been chosen as today’s feature in “Explore the Story,” which can be read here.

On the menu, “Feature” is a page dedicated to “Everything you never knew you wanted to know about the wizarding world, by the Pottermore team;” it includes articles such as “Romance in the Classrooms of Hogwarts,” “Designing Hogwarts Castle,” and “15 Times Harry Ruined the Dursleys’ Day.” The mashup of lists and articles makes this page like the Harry Potter Buzzfeed.

The newest page of the site, on the menu,  is the “News” link. This page contains articles on the latest news in the Harry Potter world–much like what we at The Leaky Cauldron and our friends at MuggleNet have been doing for years. Whatever official news is posted on the Pottermore page, we will be sure to share it with you. Today’s articles are mostly about the new Pottermore pages. However, there is one called “Fantastic Beasts Movie Roundup,” which can be read here, dedicated to “everything we know so far” (and believe me, we already know it–we’ll be on the look out for breaking news).

Overall the sites design is fairly simplistic. Exploring Hogwarts has been completely removed, and the Sorting Hat quiz is no where to be found. The site features new additions to the Harry Potter universe already, namely images created by Jim Kay for the illustrated editions of the Harry Potter books (the first one to hit shelves October 6).

This breaking news is as exciting as it is disappointing. Some of us never had the chance to complete exploring Hogwarts along the time line of books, and wish that option was still available to us from a different corner of the site. Perhaps the quizzes will one day return–with a promise of a Patronus Test from J.K. Rowling, and the only real Sorting Hat quiz ever created.

Please visit the site and share your reactions with us. Happy exploring.

In a press release dated September 11, 2015, Pottermore officially announced new details about “Part Two,” the complete redesign of the website.  The most exciting new element is that it will indeed be compatible with mobile devices, as we suspected.

Also, J.K. Rowling’s exclusive post-book writing about Harry Potter and the Wizarding World will be easier to find than before, since accounts will no longer be required.

Pottermore will continue to have at its core new writing by J.K. Rowling, and will feature significantly more original content… Users will find all areas easier to access, due to the elimination of mandatory registration, as well as responsive designs for optimal viewing across a wide range of devices.

There is no word on the specific interactive elements of Pottermore that were integral to the original, such as the House Cup, potions, and the sorting hat.  We do know that the site will have a new logo and be English-language only.  The ebooks and audiobooks will still be available through the Pottermore Shop.

Pottermore will also have official news from the Pottermore Correspondent, who will keep users updated on the Fantastic Beasts film and the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play.

There is no specific date listed for the unveiling of the changes, but keep checking Pottermore and its Facebook and Twitter pages for the latest announcements.

September first marks the “beginning” of many new things for different people, but for the fans and readers of the Harry Potter books series from J.K. Rowlings, September 1st exceptionally special.

You see, 9/1 is the day that all students go back to Hogwarts in Harry Potter’ World. That being said; this last Tuesday was a huge day all across the Internet and Twitter in honor of the #backtohogwarts celebration. There were huge giveaways , J.K. Rowling herself was interacting with Tweeters and I personally had a ball interacting, reading and tweeting all of the wonderful “Harry-related” stuff.

Here are some highlights of our very Harry Potter fulfilled day. First off, Kings Cross Train Station, the real actual one in London England had Hogwarts posted on their train schedule. The platform was wrong but what can we except from muggles?

One of my favorite tweets was from Professor Snape with a word of caution to students. Anyone remember when Ron Weasley missed the Hogwarts Express and took the car instead ? Bet he won’t do that again?

JK Rowling sent her greetings to Harry Potter’s son James Potter, wishing him good luck on his first day at Hogwarts.

A little bit later she heard from one of this year’s newest students that she is near James on the Hogwarts Express. A funny little conversation ensued.

Later on in the day we learned that young James Potter, son of Harry, has now been sorted into Gryffindor. That was a no-brainer. Would this be an appropriate time to get on my knees and BEG for more Harry Potter books, or even James Potter books.

I miss this boy Harry Potter. I am filled with nostalgia at the thought of returning to Hogwarts. My eldest daughter Zaina and Harry are the very same age. Harry Potter is a huge part of my parenting memories as my sweet girl would sit on a lawn chair in the driveway waiting for the FedEx man to come with the NEXT newly-released Harry Potter book. Begging is not a crime, neither is pleading. I know you may have moved on JK Rowling but you must miss the wizarding world just a little. PLEASE……bring us another book.

OK, all begging aside, let me wave my magic wand and share some really incredible info with you.

JK Rowling  has this incredible site called Pottermore.

Pottermore is the official Harry Potter site created by JK Rowling along with Sony. A unique and free-to-use website which builds an exciting online experience around the reading of the Harry Potter books. We enter inside the wizarding world book by book via scenes that we unlock which correlates with the writing.

Also added perks is that JK Rowling herself shares exclusive new writing all the time because she owns this site. Besides being FREE here are a few good reasons to join,…. it’s so incredibly safe for kids, promotes literacy by interacting with her books and it’s the only place you can get the audio versions. Wonderful interactive items inside the books where you can earn badges, collect friends, and items for your trunk.  The most important thing is that everyone is magical and a wizard. It’s amazing. Yep I think it’s time to dive into the Potterverse. So you see I really didn’t need to beg, I was just being dramatic. Head on over to Pottermore and have a ball. You’ll see all the regulars there!

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The Waldorf Homeschool Handbook is a simple step-by-step guide to creating and understanding a Waldorf inspired homeschool plan. Within the pages of this comprehensive homeschooling guide, parents will find information, lesson plans, curriculum, helpful hints, behind the scenes reasons why, rhythm, rituals, helping you fit homeschooling into your life. Discover The Waldorf Homeschool Handbook: The Simple Step-by-Step guide to creating a Waldorf-inspired homeschool.

The post Weekend Links: Exploring the Potterverse (Harry Potter events and links) appeared first on Jump Into A Book.

As September 9th approaches, Pottermore posted on both Facebook and Twitter that Pottermore students are leaving Hogwarts.  A printable certificate is available to mark the occasion.

The owl notifications say more about what will happen to the site this month:

Part one of Pottermore’s story, in which you have enjoyed the depiction of Harry’s story through illustrated ‘moment’ art work and experienced life within Hogwarts, is ending. We are now preparing for part two of Pottermore’s story to begin. As J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World expands, so too will Pottermore, becoming a place to imagine more and share in a world beyond the seven book series.

If you haven’t finished visiting the moments of the seven books, it’s time to do it.  That part of the site will be gone, along with the previously announced House Cup.

What will happen if we must now become adults in the Wizarding World, as so many of us already are in the real world?

Pottermore, J.K. Rowling’s official website for all things Harry Potter books, made a startling announcement on Facebook.  The final House Cup for Pottermore members will be awarded on September 9.

This is the latest in a series of changes to the Pottermore website that began in April 2015, with the closure of Pottermore Insider and the end of chat, status updates, and drawings. While some of these changes were made for child safety reasons, the end of the House Cup is completely unexpected.

Many fans of Pottermore are understandably upset and venting their frustration in Facebook comments.  They are concerned that the end of the House Cup will mean the end of the friendly competition and house rivalry in Pottermore.  They don’t understand why Pottermore is encouraging anyone to compete for the final House Cup, when it isn’t going to continue.  Others think Pottermore has done nothing but improve, and there is something good coming soon. (Is there finally going to be a Pottermore app?)

So, we will keep watching the Pottermore Facebook page, and we will wait for September 9.

Five new essays were posted on the Pottermore website: “Alchemy,” “Vernon & Petunia,” “The Sword of Gryffindor,” “Extension Charms,” and “Hatstall.” Thanks to this new content, Harry Potter fans now know about the symbolism behind Albus Dumbledore and Rubeus Hagrid’s names.

SPOILER ALERT: If you don’t want to know more, you should stop reading now!

Entertainment Weekly reports that “Rubeus and Albus are derived from red and white, two colors that are traditionally associated with alchemy…Hagrid represents the red base metal, which is associated with warmth and wildness, while Dumbledore is more in line with gold and the color white, which is impressive and intellectual, but can also be detached.” Together, these two characters make-up the ideal father figure for The Boy Who Lived.

Throughout the year, J.K. Rowling has revealed several new details about the Harry Potter series (primarily through Twitter). Readers have been made aware of the existence of an American wizarding school, that Moaning Myrtle’s full name is Myrtle Elizabeth Warren, and that Fred Weasley’s death at the Battle of Hogwarts \"was the worst for\" the author. Do you have any other burning questions that you wish Rowling would answer? (via TIME.com)

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What am I reading now? Wandering Wenda by Margaret Atwood
 

Time Magazine Cover by Mary GrandPré

Harry Potter. What comes to mind when you hear that name? Hogwarts, Magic, Wizard. Let me throw another in to the mix that, perhaps, you didn’t think of: Longevity.

Four years: That’s how long it’s been since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was released. To this day, J.K. Rowling‘s Harry Potter is as much a part of our culture as he was than. Actually, in many ways, his reach has grown exponentially.

The growth that I speak can be solely contributed to Pottermore. The creation of this “unique online Harry Potter experience by J.K. Rowling” is, without question, a rebirth for the series. Nothing signals that more then the timing of its release — after the publication of all seven books but before the release of the final movie. Fans didn’t have to say goodbye to their beloved friends after all.

To make certain that wouldn’t change anytime soon Pottermore entered the social media arena. Why? Well, that’s precisely where Potter fans spend their time. In fact, Pottermore took it a step further by launching a corresponding blog, Pottermore Insider, and a Twitter account, @pottermore. Harry Potter has progressed from books to movies to fansites and now taken over social media. And in doing so, ensures that both fans and readers are never far away from tapping in to the magic.

The character of Harry Potter is now an entity that commands attention with the least amount of effort. The mere mention of the name can turn heads. Now that speaks volumes of what he has come to mean to the masses.

Harry Potter may have started out as “the boy who lived” but has quickly become the boy who will live on.