SHOOTING DAYS (Page3)

...The special paint for my teeth arrives. While it’s being applied, all the other actors in the Knockturn Alley scene, are being given places on the set. Some will walk up the alley and some down. Some will walk alone and others link arms to squash together down the alley. Every detail of the scene as written in the book, is in place. The ‘shrunken heads’ are on a shelf in Borgin and Burkes. The ‘shabby-looking wizards’ are a combination of witches and wierd old men. Even the spiders are there! You may not see them in the final shot, but at the top end of Knockturn Alley, was an enormous cage full of real Tarantulas! Everyone was keeping clear of them but you will see on the production side of the call sheet, ANIMALS.- 200 X SPIDERS & 2 X SPIDER EXPERTS

In a film like this, every attention is paid to the reality of the detail.
My teeth are finally ‘improved’ and everyone is ready to ‘walk through’ the shot. This means discussing the movements of those in the principal frame, how the camera will follow them, where another camera might pick up and what will be most effective. I am now back in Knockturn Alley, Chris has me out of shot around the corner and then walking into the shot to surprise Harry. They are unsure whether to track in from down the alley to focus on Harry emerging from Borgin and Burkes, or whether to come from above, at the top of the alley. The leading camera man makes a suggestion and I am impressed that Chris Columbus is a man who will listen to all expert opinion before making a final decision. He also seems to work in a very organic way. Making no definitive suggestions but establishing a loose framework and then allowing all those involved to develop and create it. This means that camera men, assistant directors and actors have an opportunity to use their creative ability, even if it defies the original idea. This doesn’t mean, however, that everyone leaps in with a ‘you don’t want to do it like that!’ voice. A strict heirachy has to be understood and respected on a film set and on a good one, it always is. Chris Columbus seems very laid back and relaxed but he definitely is in charge and after he has looked at the shot from everyone’s angle, he makes the decision. So, now we have walked through the scene many times, seeing Harry over my shoulder; me over Harry’s shoulder; me appearing from behind Harry; me creeping behind Harry and surprising him, Chris decides that Harry should be stumbling about and backing up the alley away from the wierd old man who surprises him in a doorway. He then doesn’t see me appear from the side until the very last minute. The long shot will pick up over Harry’s shoulder, as he emerges from Borgin and Burkes and begins to walk down Knockturn Alley. Everyone breaks for five minutes now that the detail of the shot has been established and final lights put into place. I have my only prop - the tray of fingernails, around my neck, but it is more of a hindrance than a help. As I come close behind Harry, it gets in the way and because of how the shot is now being done, it’s unlikely that it will be seen. During the walk throughs, Harry is played by Daniel’s stand-in, to give him a little more free time during his very heavy filming schedule. Having observed some other scenes being filmed with Daniel, Rupert and Emma, it is clear that Chris gives them explicit instruction and direction which he often calls out to them while the sequence is being filmed - he uses their character names - ‘C’mon Harry, you’re really scared here, you and Ron have just crashed this car remember and you’re in real trouble!’ It provides instant motivation and must be very helpful to these young actors who are having to react to very unreal situations and with little acting experience.

Daniel is called as we are now ready for a proper rehearsal. We haven’t even started filming and I’m aware that my feet are soaking wet! For authenticity, Knockturn alley is muddy and dirty, and in order to keep it looking this way, a hose pipe is trickling water into a small puddle at the corner of the alley, just where I catch hold of Harry. The silly kitten pumps that I am wearing have been swamped several times over and the woollen hem of my skirt is also sodden with water. I think to myself that it will all help with my characterisation! ...
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