A.P.R.M.L.A.T.F.P.O.

[Amanda Lewanski]

No: HPFGUIDX 13462

For all of you out there who have memorized the book, and are going
crazy trying to place the now-infamous "Screaming Scene" from the
trailer--I have a therapy program!

Amanda's Pre-Release Movie Letdown Avoidance Therapy for Potter
Obsessives

1. Become familiar with the following definitions:
         a. "adapt" -- to make fit (as for a specific or new use) often
by modification
         b. "adaptation" -- something that is adapted: specif. a
composition rewritten into a new form.

Repeat these definitions aloud until you can say "modification" and
"rewritten" without choking, coughing, gagging, passing out, or other
generally negative reactions.

2. Go to the various HP sites, and follow links to various JKR,
screenwriter, etc., interviews, and read again how they are encouraging
her input, trying to remain true to her vision, etc.

3. Realize that JKR's vision is a broad one, not necessarily confined to
the specific words in the book, no matter how we might have our favorite
lines.

4. Watch the trailer again (or view the stills, for those of you like me
who have computer imps who delight in confounding you), and soak up the
atmosphere. Realize that in the face of most of our experience with
movie adaptations, they seem to have accurately caught the "feel" of the
world and the character of its inhabitants.

5. Remember that the special effects are being done by some of the
finest effects people on the planet.

6. Remember that the cast is, unbelievably, talented enough to keep the
focus on THEM and not on the special effects.

Okay, are you calmed down now? Because without a doubt there will be
major things that have been altered. I'm certain the screaming scene is
either the troll or Fluffy, and we all know they're dressed wrong. So
what? Some changes must be made for an adaptation to screen. Plot
devices are compressed, some things are left out, etc. Because the goal
is a film that can translate the STORY told in the book, not the book
itself.

I'm approaching the film as a version of a story I love, and I'm not too
worried. I do understand that quality pieces (actors, effects, music,
etc.) do not necessarily make a quality whole, but JKR's involvement,
and now the trailer, seems to indicate that this is going to be really
good.

Hope I helped!

--Dr. Amanda