Leavesden

[catmcnulty]

--- In HPFGU-Movie at yahoogroups.com, Valerie Flowe <valerie.flowe at ...> wrote:
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> Dec 16, 2010 05:03:20 PM, HPFGU-Movie at yahoogroups.com wrote:
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> Ruth:
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> Tom Felton's tweet surprised me.  I heard that the HP sets would be preserved and opened to the public.  It would be a money-maker; maybe even take some pressure off Universal's Wizarding World in Orlando.  Hogsmeade is still very crowded there.
> 
> 
> True! I'd heard the same. Maybe Leavesden is too big/expensive to preserve as is? It would be nice if they kept one building with all the sets in it, as an HP museum. Sets, props, costumes, storyboards, behind the scenes videos. Seems like a no-brainer for income, no? I'd def. go visit it if I ever get to England!


Cat Says: I could be terribly wrong but I faintly remember when this marvelous news came up...Granted the sets had been (and would be) destroyed for the shooting of the final "Battle at Hogwarts" scenes BUT they were planning to rebuild them as accurately as possible as a tourist attraction. (IMHO a definite money spinner that one!)

NOW, consider the logic of this ... a normal movie set is built for temporary service ... so that certain pieces break away for camera shots, stone is sculpted foam, etc. Also there is room for: actors, crew, cameras, cables, lights, and various movie-making equipment is all over.
(BTW Movie sets are dangerous places ... lots of stuff to trip over etc.) So, for it to be a functional and sturdy tourist attraction, things would have to be rebuilt in a more permanent fashion and certain things will have to be moved and/or changed to support the tremendous foot traffic and inevitable touchy-feely visitor.
ALSO, like you mentioned Valerie room for: All of the REAL costumes, props, story board ... wonderful things not to be missed and really add alot to the whole experience.

Personnally speaking: I would much rather go to England to see the REAL studio with all the sets and props than to travel to Florida to visit the Theme Park! Fake-snow covered Hogsmeade, with shorts & sandal clad tourists gorping about in 85 degree weather.
Cat