For the pupils Arts Award qualification, they are asked to review one artistic event… this seemed like a really good excuse to take our pupils to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter!
We travelled there in our school bus (not using the floo network or brooms) and entered sound lots J and K at Leavesden Studios. In the first part of the tour, students experienced walking through the Great Hall and looking at all of the other authentic sets used in the Harry Potter films! Some famous sets were on display, including the Gryffindor common room, Hagrid’s hut, Dumbledore’s office and the Ministry of Magic. We then went along to a set design workshop run by the tour themselves. We got let in on some well kept secrets that went in to making the Harry Potter films, whilst learning about all of the career paths available to pupils who are interested in getting in to the British film industry.
After our workshop, pupils got involved with the green screen broom stick experience and travelled through the Forbidden Forest. They learnt how Diagon Alley was built and also how the character Dobby was brought to life!
All in all, it was an amazing experience for our pupils. The chance to see how Britain is industry leading when it comes to the creative market (not just film!) was eye opening, and inspired them all that little bit more to chase after careers in a field that once seemed closed to them.