A.

2 Case study of Pre-Production

documentation

Chosen Blockbuster Film: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

A blockbuster is a Hollywood movie that's made with a large budget and big
stars. A true blockbuster is extremely popular and brings in a lot of money. Harry
Potter and the Deathly Hallows is a good example of this because when it was
first released a lot of people were outside the cinema waiting to watch it. In its
first weekend in the USA it made $169,189,427, 17 July 2011. This is
$40,000,000 over its budget to make the whole film.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
 Pre- Production Sources
• The idea came from JK Rowling. She was the one who came up with the
whole idea of The Harry Potter franchise. She wrote all 8 of the Harry
Potter books. All the films have been based off of the books and that is also
how most of the script is sourced from. David Barron, David Heyman and JK
Rowling were the producers so they would of overseen what locations that
would have been used what the storyboards look like and when the
scheduling would of happened. They were the people in charge and who
oversaw everything that was going on in both the production and pre-
production of the film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
• This storyboard is from the scene where Harry and his friends are in the
department of mysteries and when all the orbs fall of the shelves and they
are being hunted by ‘Death Eaters’.
• The first storyboard shows Harry and his friends looking for the correct orb
and the other storyboards show them knocking the orbs off and then being
hunted. This shows the detail the storyboard developers made so that it
was easier for the cast to act out their roles and for the locations scouts to
get locations which resembled the scene.
• The purpose of storyboarding is that it aids the filmmaker and allows them
to see the blue prints of the movie before going into the actual film
production. Storyboards are shots of what will happen in that scene. In it is
used to develop the story, it is inexpensive and useful to all cast and crew
within the production. The purpose is to help tell the story and help people
to understand what will happen.
 The importance of storyboarding
• Storyboards are essential because they organize and
plan the film with drawn images. The images therefore
tell a story in a structured format. Storyboards are just
as useful as scripts because they are both plans that
massively contribute towards the film.
• The images in the slides below included are from Harry
Potter. They are some examples of how the filming
crew had planned the story. It is easy to identify these
images. The images I've used are from my blockbuster
film because they clearly tell a story and the pictures
are obvious and clearly drawn very similar to how the
characters are portrayed in the Film.
 Warner Bros Storyboard process
• For Harry Potter they would of thought of and idea and when they
have made the idea they will put it on a storyboard, however like I
said earlier they had all the books so most of it is designed and
sticks to the storyline of the books. After people decide whether to
keep or change that storyboard scene. They do a lot of drafts so
they get the exact storyboard that they want. This is affective
because doing it in a big group means that everyone can put their
input in. This makes the movie as high of standard as possible.
• Warner Bros storyboard process is to make an idea, then draft it
once it has been drafted it is then said to different groups of people
who are making the film, after everyone puts what idea they want
in the storyboard, more drafts are drawn and finally they come to a
conclusion on what will be in that specific storyboard scene.
• In this screenshot below they are in a group with the animators and
storyboard makers, they are improving the storyboard, this is how
Disney do their storyboards.
 Storyboard
This storyboard pictured to the right is from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
part 1. The image shows Harry being attacked by Voldemort’s snake, this storyboard
shows cinematographers and actors what the scene should look like and how the
emotion of Harry should look etc. Jim Cornish was the storyboard artist who worked
on Harry Potter Deathly Hallows part 1 and part 2. In his career before these films
he had worked on ‘The Dark Knight’, ‘Batman Begins’ and ‘Lara Croft Tomb Raider’,
these films all dis really well at the box office and a big part of this was down to Jim
Cornish's storyboarding. Additionally he had worked on ‘Harry Potter and the Half
Blood Prince’ and ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’. The producers of the
film would of known that he is experienced and that he is already superb at
storyboarding for Harry Potter which would have influenced the films success as the
cast and crew could visually see how the film is intended to look before production.
This enables all crew members to know how to make the film collaboratively, which
perhaps would not have been possible if Jim Cornish did not make detailed and clear
storyboards.
This storyboard pictured to the right shows Harry and his friends in the
dining hall. It then shows ‘Colin Creevey’ take a picture of Harry, this is
important to the production of the movie because the actor need to
know what is happening what elements of emotion they need to portray.
This storyboard clearly shows that they want Ron to be admiring
Hermione and Harry looking puzzled and alone. This sets out for the
director what the atmosphere should be like. As you can see there are
clear annotations beside the storyboard for example editing aspects such
as ‘Cut’ and shot descriptions.
 Pre-production sources
• The producers aimed to make sure that when they were producing and
directing the film they would consider the background, ambient sound,
including the sound of people talking in the hall, Plates clattering and the
paintings talking to one another in the background to help build an
atmosphere.
• Harry Potter used CGO for the snake ‘Nangini’. The CGI of the animal is put
onto a screen with dots and then it was easier to make it look more
realistic on screen because this. They needed a lot of scenes of the snake
so they made different types of movement for the it and then copied
them across so it was easier when coming across different scenes because
it meant that they didn’t need to design the whole snake again and then
do its movement as well.
• The image below shows a man describing how the CGI works and how
they’re using it on ‘Nangini’. On the monitor/screen is a short video of a
snake slithering along and it is dotted and the lines are all joined up
together.
 Sources of the production
• Music– The sound track for Deathly Hallows part 2 was written and conducted by the French film composer Alexandre Desplat.
• Cast- Bill Nighy (Minister Rufus Scrimgeour), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (Ron
Weasley), Alan Rickman (Professor Severus Snape), Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort).
• Budget: £150,000,000 (estimated)
• Opening Weekend UK: £18,319,721, 21 November 2010, Limited Release
• Opening Weekend USA: $125,017,327, 21 November 2010, Wide Release
• Gross profit USA: $295,983,305
• Cumulative Worldwide Gross: $960,283,305
• Running time- 2h 26min
• Director- David Yates
• Produced by- J.K. Rowling, David Barron, David Heyman
• Screenplay by- Steve Kloves, he did Deathly Hallows part 1 and part 2
Deathly Hallows part 1-
• In the film's worldwide opening weekend, Part 1 grossed $330 million, the third-highest in the Harry Potter series,
and the highest opening of 2010, as well as the eighth-highest of all time. With a worldwide gross of $960 million,
Part 1 is the third highest-grossing film of 2010, behind Toy Story 3 and Alice in Wonderland, and the third-highest-
grossing Harry Potter film in terms of worldwide totals, behind Deathly Hallows – Part 2 and Philosopher's Stone.
The film at one point became the tenth highest-grossing film of all time, and is the 42nd as of July 2018.
Additionally, it received two nominations at the 83rd Academy Awards: Best Art Direction and Best Visual Effects.
Deathly Hallows part 2-
• The film became a commercial success and was critically acclaimed, and one of the best reviewed films of 2011,
with the acting, Yates's direction, musical score, visual effects, cinematography, action sequences, and satisfying
conclusion of the saga earning notable praise. At the box office, Part 2 claimed the worldwide opening weekend
record, earning $483.2 million, as well as setting opening day and opening weekend records in various countries. As
of 2018, the film is the tenth-highest-grossing film of all time. It became the highest-grossing film of 2011, the
highest-grossing film in the Harry Potter series, and the ninth film to gross over $1 billion.
 Filming
• Both Part 1 and Part 2 were directed by David Yates, written by Steve Kloves, and form the
screen adaptation of the novel of the same name by J. K. Rowling. The picture was produced
by Rowling, alongside David Heyman and David Barron. It was originally set to be released as
one, but due to its long running time, Warner Bros divided the film into two parts. Both parts
were shot back-to-back; filming began on 19 February 2009 and was completed on
12 June 2010 , with reshoots in December 2010 marking the series closure of ten years of
filming. Part 1 was released in 2D and IMAX on 19 November 2010, and Part 2 was released
in 3D, 2D and IMAX on 15 July 2011.
• Eduardo Serra was chosen to be the cinematographer for both Part 1 and Part 2. Director
David Yates said that the films would be shot with "loads of hand-held cameras." He stated, "I
like experimenting as we go along.“ The crew began filming at Swinley Forest which was the
main outdoor filming area, along with the village of Lavenham in Suffolk and the streets of
the city of London. On 26 March 2010, filming finished in Pinewood Studios. However,
Leavesden Studios was still occupied for further filming. Both Part 1 and Part 2 were filmed
over a one and a half-year period throughout the United Kingdom, finishing on 12 June 2010.
Even though the shooting schedule was set at 250 days, the filming took 478 days to
complete. Reshoots were confirmed to begin in the winter of 2010 for the film's final scene,
"19 Years Later", which originally took place in London at King's Cross station. The filming was
completed in December 2010, marking the franchise's official closure of ten years of filming
 Scheduling and Planning
Considerations
• After they made the storyboards and scripts for the film, They then
went and scouted locations and made sure everything was suitable
and safe. Additionally whilst they were planning to film etc. they
would of needed to make sure that all the actors were available for
filming and weren't working on other projects at that time. They
would of done this in the pre production.
• The importance of a deadline and a production schedule is, that it
helps people to keep track of when they need to get things done by, as
Warner Bros is a very big company. The production schedule is
important to everyone so that they know when they will do things and
when they need to be done by. For example the people who are doing
the CGI for Nangini need to know when the storyboard animators are
finished so that they know how the snake needs to move and that
they have enough time to do the CGI effect and prepare everything
without rushing it, this is so everything is done as quickly and to as a
high standard as possible.
• I could not find the production schedule of Warner Bro’s film Harry
Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1 or part 2, but I found the
production schedule of another film and I will link it to Harry Potter.
• The Deathly Hallows part 1 and part 2 would of needed to have their
storyboard done by a specific time. Then the writers / people working
on the script would have had to be done by a specific time, then the
filming and editing as so on and so forth. They would need to do this
so that the production of the film is not delayed and so that everyone
knows when they need to get everything done by which gives them
reassurance into what is going on.
 Script & Narrative
• The script and the source material from the original books is necessary as without it the cast would
not know what to say. Giving each cast member a script also lets the cast member learn their lines
for the film.
• Scripting works by the producers coming up with the lines for the character, then if any
adjustments are needed they will make them. However as they already had the script from the
book all they would have had to do is adjust a few of the lines to make it fit better for an on screen
and performance and if they decided to change a few things in certain scenes. They will then tell
the cast members their lines, if the cast member does not like one or multiple of their lines they
can try and request to have it changed or altered for them.
• Evidently the Harry Potter script was successful as the film did so well and is loved by its large
target audience. This could be due to the fact that people liked the books and anted to see a film
performance of it. Some of the film’s themes are relatable to people, for Harry’s, Hermione’s and
Ron’s friendship, throughout the film they overcome a lot of challenges however they don’t let it
affect their relationship and this is quite relatable for the target audience. Another example is when
Professor Lupin dies, that could be relatable to people who have lost people in their life. The film is
also relatable to people in a romantic/relationship with their partner, as there are relationship
featured throughout such as Harry and Ginny, Hermione and Ron and Neville and Luna additionally
the last scene shows them grown up together and having families etc.
 Legal and Ethical Considerations
• The BBFC has classified Deathly Hallows as a ’12 a’ therefore it is suitable for children aged 12 and over. However,
people younger than 12 may see a 12A so long as they are accompanied by an adult. Therefore having it at this
age means its accessible to a large audiences allowing a big target audience.
• Copyright and Intellectual property law. This is the law which stops people from copying your idea, you will have
the documents to prove it is your idea because your product will be patented. This does apply to Warner Bros film
as they are not allowed to copy the work of other people and alternatively no one can copy the ideas of Warner
Bros. This is why Deathly Hallows, Jk Rowling and Warner Bros had to create their own music and all documents
themselves, to avoid risk of being sued for copyright.
• Libel law is the law which stops people from damaging the good reputation of someone/a business. It stops
people from saying something bad about your product or you saying something bad about someone else's
product. It is against the law only if the defamatory statement is false, if they cannot prove it (the defendant) with
evidence that it is true then it is not against the law. This applies to Warner Bros as they cannot say negative
things about other companies in their business because lots of people may believe them as they are a well
recognised business, alternatively no other business can say negative things about Warner Bro’s.
• Race relations act. This is to stop people from discriminating against you, for example discrimination of race,
colour/Nationality, Ethnic and national origin in the fields of employment, the provision of goods and services,
education and public functions. This does apply to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as they cannot
discriminate against ethnic diversity as it would be illegal and inconsiderate, they would have had to be aware of
this when filming and hiring etc.
• The staff have to have good working conditions so that they are safe within the planning and production of the
film and have normal rights just like any other business. For example the minimum wage, Warner Bro’s would have
paid the staff at least the minimum wage, but I expect as they are a very big business that everyone would be on a
contract and they would be paid monthly/yearly.
 Deathly Hallows Part 1- success
• Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie: Liplock
• MTV Movie Award for Best Villain
• Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Villain
• Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actress: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
• Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
• Empire Award for Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy
• TV Programs, Segments, or Promotional Pieces Film/Video - Use of
Animation
• Telly Award for TV Programs, Segments, or Promotional Pieces
Film/Video - Use of Graphics
• TV Programs, Segments, or Promotional Pieces Film/Video - Visual
Effects
• Outdoor / Environmental Film/Video - Non-Traditional
Arguably without the in depth pre-production measures completed before the production of
this film, the film would not have been as successful as it was, as it was carefully thought
through in thorough depth in order for the film to gain as much profit as possible.
 Deathly Hallows Part 2-success
• People's Choice Award for Favourite Movie
• Best On-Screen Duo
• Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
• BAFTA Award for Best Special Visual Effects
• Empire Award for Best Director
• Teen Choice Award for Choice Summer Movie Star: Male
• MTV Movie Award for Best Hero
• People's Choice Award for Favourite Action Movie
• Costume Designers Guild Award for Excellence in Fantasy Costume Design for Film
• Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Makeup
• Summer Movie Star: Female
• Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie of the Summer
• ADG Excellence in Production Design Awards - Fantasy Film
• Empire Award for Best Film
• Movie: Rumble
• San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Performance by an Ensemble
• Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Sound
• TV Programs, Segments, or Promotional Pieces Film/Video - Use of Animation
• People’s choice Award for Movie Ensemble
• Telly Award for TV Programs, Segments, or Promotional Pieces Film/Video - Use of Graphics
• Outdoor / Environmental Film/Video - Non-Traditional
• People's Choice Award for Favourite Book Adaptation