Designing a set for a film is a very precise art, as described by Alan Gilmore (Art Director of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire). Façades are constructed to convey the look and feel of the world being created. Lights are carefully positioned to pull out the right textures, the right tones.  Set decoration fills the space with as much life as possible.  That is, until the actors appear and populate the setting. Everything is done with with the very specific point of view of the camera. Translating what fans see on the screen into a living, breathing world is a daunting task to say the least.

After finishing up Goblet of Fire, Gilmore was brought on to the Universal Studios Orlando creative team to help with the art direction of the original Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Florida. He has since brought the world of Harry Potter to life at four different Universal Theme Parks around the globe. The lands of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, along with their attractions, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, The Hogwarts Express, Flight of the Hippogriff, and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts have pushed the visual language and storytelling in theme parks to unprecedented levels.

Yesterday, we took a walk with Mr Gilmore through the streets of the most recent incarnation of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood prior to the April 7th grand opening.  This new area features the mega attraction, The Forbidden Journey of Harry Potter. In addition, visitors will find a family coaster, Flight of the Hippogriff, a new restaurant, The Three Broomsticks, Olivander’s Wand Shop, and a host of other fantastic shops and interactive experiences and entertainment.

Alan Gilmore, Supervising Art Director for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Alan Gilmore, Supervising Art Director for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

We began at the archway for Wizarding World, where Gilmore described the must-haves for the new land.  They had to have the Hogwart’s Express.  “In the books, you see, the train station is miles from Hogsmeade and Hogsmeade is miles from Hogwarts.  In a theme park setting we had to economize the story telling, so right when you walk in we have our Hogwart’s Express and photo opportunity.  Just over there is the Three Broomsticks and off in the distance is Hogwarts.”

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Gilmore explained the high level of detail that they poured into the creation of this spot of the park.  In fact, sprinkled throughout this vignette are actual props from the movies and pieces of the sets that were used in the films.  For instance, at the Hogwarts Express photo opportunity, the train cabin in which guests can sit to take a picture is an actual set from the movie. The fabric on the benches is from the film. The luggage racks are from the actual set.  It’s these touches of authenticity that really take the experience to another level.

We ventured across the street to the Three Broomsticks. There is a level of subliminal storytelling at work in the land that many visitors will not immediately notice, but that will silently inform their experience.  For instance, Gilmore explained, “We wanted to convey that Hogsmeade was the center from which everything was built.  It’s a thousand years old.”  Pointing to the small panes of glass in the windows, he says, “You see, here this is very medieval, back in those days the panes of glass were very small and joined together by wood.  But as you look at the other buildings you will see that the panes of glass are bigger and bigger, indicating their ‘age’ in a way.”

wizarding world of harry potter hollywood - Three Broomsticks

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Venturing though The Three Broomsticks, Gilmore went on to point out some of the finer bits of visual storytelling, including the archways, the buttresses and the window sills.  “I grew up in Europe and things are hundreds of years old there,” Explained Gilmore. “This,” pointing to a dining nook inside The Three Broomsticks, “Is pretty much what it looked like.”

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He led us into the Hog’s Head tavern, where things are designed to become even more intimate.  “I wanted this area to be darker, almost sinister.  At one point I wanted rats scurrying around the rafters to give it a sense of foreboding.  We’re still working on that idea.”

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Touring the land we were also treated to a look at HoneyDuke’s Candy Shop and Zonko’s Joke Shop, as well as Olivanders Wand Shop among other things.

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The rafters outside the Owl Post.

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Set decoration on the 2nd floor of the Owl Post shopping complex.

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Inside Olivander’s Wand Shop.

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In any theme park, there will be slight bits of visual intrusion.  It is not uncommon to see major icons peaking over the horizon. Walt Disney called these “weenies,” when they directed your attention to the next big thing. However, as the opening of Wizarding World looms, backstage areas, including large stretches of CityWalk, and Waterworld, are fully visible in one particular section of the new land.  We asked Gilmore about this concern, which pulls the eye out of the otherwise meticulous planning of the land.  We asked if there were plans to address these things in the future. “Yes there are. Here there’s a lot of very new landscaping.  We have planted trees in areas to fill in as they grow, to help with that issue. As the area matures you will see those things melt away.” Gilmore explained.  Pointing to the Hollywood hills in the distance he mentioned, “The hills are another thing. I had always wanted to place Hogwarts in a mountainous area, and now, here in Hollywood, I can use them as a visual backdrop.  I like to think they are the Scottish Highlands.” Clearly, there’s a little visual give and take as of right now.

The Flight of the Hippogriff coaster features an immersive outdoor queue which takes guests by Hagrid’s home.

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I’d like to live right here in Hagrid’s cottage.

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Cages for Hagrid’s various animals are found along the queue.
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An animatronic Buckbeak is seen from the queue and the lift hill of the attraction.

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Once inside the stunning queue for  Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, you are at once surrounding by immaculate detail and story telling. We toured the queue with full work lights on, and even without the ambiance of the normal show lighting, it was still a feast for the eyes. We were able to catch details that you normally don’t see well in the dark.

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Even the shop is expertly designed.

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It’s the sumptuous visual detail that sells the story here at The Wizarding World.  Unlike a film, Gilmore and his team of visual artists had to design not from a fixed camera point of view but from a totally mobile, visitor point of view.  “We tried to storyboard everything.” Gilmore explained. “We want you to become a character in this living breathing world that Rowling has envisioned.”  Guests will have a chance to visit Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, and the entire WIzarding World of Harry Potter during “Technical Rehearsals” running now until the land officially opens on April 7th. Be advised that during this time, the land has been closed frequently for filming, training, test and adjust and a number of other reasons. If you want to make 100% sure you’ll be able to see the Wizarding World, book your trip after the 7th of April.


 

Join the Hogsmeade™ Hunt!

Find each wizarding item on participating websites for a chance to win a trip for 4 to Universal Studios Hollywood to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Visit the Hogsmeade Hunt website every day and you can also be one of the daily instant winners of a Harry Potter Collectible Hero Wand!

For more information and for official rules, please visit: www.universalstudioshollywood.com/hogsmeadehunt

Norman Gidney
Norman Gidney, also known as Fishbulb, has produced and edited many of the articles on MiceChat over the years.