Latest news with #DurhamCathedral
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Harry Potter was filmed in Britain but made a fortune for Americans – Trump's film tariffs make no sense
Now I don't want to alarm anyone. But I'm starting to wonder if Donald Trump might have posted something on the internet without thinking through its implications beforehand. The President's proposal to levy 100 per cent tariffs 'on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands' sounds, on the face of it, like an attempt to shore up another struggling area of US manufacturing – namely Hollywood films that are made in Hollywood itself. Because of enticing tax incentives, top-tier facilities and highly skilled local workforces in places like the UK, Canada and Eastern Europe, studios have for many years been shooting and finishing their most expensive productions overseas. Even the most glaringly American movies are, these days, rarely all that American. Baz Luhrmann's Elvis swivelled his hips not in Memphis and Vegas, but on Australia's Gold Coast. Barbieland was built in Hertfordshire, about eight miles down the road from St Albans. This phenomenon, known as runaway production, is the sort of neo-Thatcherite arrangement that fiscal conservatives should love. Take the example of the Harry Potter franchise: a US studio, Warner Bros, buys the rights to a British series of novels, shoots them in the UK with an international cast and crew, generating huge investment in the local economy, then releases them worldwide and makes a fortune. All profits then flow back to the US-based studio itself, so they can happily repeat the exercise 15 years later when they remake the thing as a streaming series. Economically, everybody wins. But the claim that this means other nations have stolen America's film industry is obviously ludicrous: if anything, America's film industry has annexed theirs. And they – meaning we – are at peace with that. First because it's good for business. But also because it means Hogwarts can look like Alnwick Castle, Durham Cathedral and so on, rather than a computer-generated Skeletor's Fortress in the middle of Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park. Presumably when Trump talks about tariffs in this instance – and much presuming is required, given the total incoherence of the announcement – he means hitting the studios with levies that would cancel out any tax breaks they receive overseas. And one of two possible consequences would flow from this. Either we'd see a grim (but temporary) fallow period for the entertainment business, as the studios build the facilities and staff they need at home: bad news for UK crew, who just weathered one of these due to the 2023 strikes. Or, more likely, we'd see a simple corporate abandoning of ship, as the studios establish bases of operations overseas instead and carry on in exile as before. The films themselves will still be made; the appetites of the international market (which far eclipses the American domestic one) will make sure of that. And US distributors themselves should be fine, since films are digital goods, and therefore exempt from tariffs in line with a World Trade Organisation moratorium on imposing customs duties on electronic transmissions, which has been in place since 1998. True, the Trump administration might find a workaround for this, but the cost would ultimately be borne by American cinema-goers, as ticket prices increased to fund the latest Maga tax. The film industry's output can't be divided into American and Other: the business is simply too interconnected for that. Ultimately, the only credible way for Trump to crush the alleged 'national security threat' of, say, the Minecraft movie being shot in New Zealand is by offering federal tax credits that would make it worthwhile to shoot the thing in Los Angeles instead. Impotent flailing might play well with the base, but cinema is one area in which tariffs will cause far more misery at home than abroad. Trump's attempt to save film production in America might prove the final nail in its coffin. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Harry Potter was filmed in Britain but made a fortune for Americans – Trump's film tariffs make no sense
Now I don't want to alarm anyone. But I'm starting to wonder if Donald Trump might have posted something on the internet without thinking through its implications beforehand. The President's proposal to levy 100 per cent tariffs 'on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands' sounds, on the face of it, like an attempt to shore up another struggling area of US manufacturing – namely Hollywood films that are made in Hollywood itself. Because of enticing tax incentives, top-tier facilities and highly skilled local workforces in places like the UK, Canada and Eastern Europe, studios have for many years been shooting and finishing their most expensive productions overseas. Even the most glaringly American movies are, these days, rarely all that American. Baz Luhrmann's Elvis swivelled his hips not in Memphis and Vegas, but on Australia's Gold Coast. Barbieland was built in Hertfordshire, about eight miles down the road from St Albans. This phenomenon, known as runaway production, is the sort of neo-Thatcherite arrangement that fiscal conservatives should love. Take the example of the Harry Potter franchise: a US studio, Warner Bros, buys the rights to a British series of novels, shoots them in the UK with an international cast and crew, generating huge investment in the local economy, then releases them worldwide and makes a fortune. All profits then flow back to the US-based studio itself, so they can happily repeat the exercise 15 years later when they remake the thing as a streaming series. Economically, everybody wins. But the claim that this means other nations have stolen America's film industry is obviously ludicrous: if anything, America's film industry has annexed theirs. And they – meaning we – are at peace with that. First because it's good for business. But also because it means Hogwarts can look like Alnwick Castle, Durham Cathedral and so on, rather than a computer-generated Skeletor's Fortress in the middle of Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park. Presumably when Trump talks about tariffs in this instance – and much presuming is required, given the total incoherence of the announcement – he means hitting the studios with levies that would cancel out any tax breaks they receive overseas. And one of two possible consequences would flow from this. Either we'd see a grim (but temporary) fallow period for the entertainment business, as the studios build the facilities and staff they need at home: bad news for UK crew, who just weathered one of these due to the 2023 strikes. Or, more likely, we'd see a simple corporate abandoning of ship, as the studios establish bases of operations overseas instead and carry on in exile as before. The films themselves will still be made; the appetites of the international market (which far eclipses the American domestic one) will make sure of that. And US distributors themselves should be fine, since films are digital goods, and therefore exempt from tariffs in line with a World Trade Organisation moratorium on imposing customs duties on electronic transmissions, which has been in place since 1998. True, the Trump administration might find a workaround for this, but the cost would ultimately be borne by American cinema-goers, as ticket prices increased to fund the latest Maga tax. Donald Trump claims he is placing a 100% tariff on all films produced outside of America that are brought into the country. "Any and all movies coming into our country that are produced in Foreign Lands. WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!" — DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) May 4, 2025 The film industry's output can't be divided into American and Other: the business is simply too interconnected for that. Ultimately, the only credible way for Trump to crush the alleged 'national security threat' of, say, the Minecraft movie being shot in New Zealand is by offering federal tax credits that would make it worthwhile to shoot the thing in Los Angeles instead. Impotent flailing might play well with the base, but cinema is one area in which tariffs will cause far more misery at home than abroad. Trump's attempt to save film production in America might prove the final nail in its coffin.
Daily Mirror
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Top 10 Harry Potter filming locations across the UK to visit this summer ranked
In celebration of International Harry Potter Day the Mirror reveals the top ten must visit places around the UK that were featured in all eight movies including the Philosopher's Stone The date that fiction's most iconic bespectacled hero defeated his arch nemesis should always a day of wondrous celebration. Lets raise our wands in salute to Harry Potter who triumphed over Lord Voldemort during the Battle of Hogwarts on this day, Friday May 2 International Harry Potter Day. Potterheads from all over the world will be paying tribute to the power of love, bravery, and unity in the face of evil by watching all the films based on the phenomenon of the book series by JK Rowling. Those keen to experience the magic - without staring at a screen ( or re-reading their books) can step into the wizarding themselves - by visiting natural locations across Britain and Ireland. Looking at the number of Instagram hashtags each location has received, The Digital PR Agency analysed the data to reveal the top sites where fans can make the ultimate Pott er pilgrimage - and pay homage to their favourite scenes. The Horcrux Cave in Half-Blood Prince (2009) The 700-foot cliffs in Ireland served as the Horcrux Cave. The dramatic coastal landscape, featuring natural sea caves and exposed rock faces, created the spookily suitable and atmospheric setting for one of the series' darkest moments. The area around the cliffs, particularly near the Branaunmore sea stack, was used for the scene when Harry and Dumbledore search for a Horcrux. The ancient geological formation gives uninterrupted views of the Atlantic Ocean and a dramatic backdrop. Glen Coe, Argyll Hagrid's Hut in Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) This Scottish Highland valley was the backdrop for Hagrid's hut and pumpkin patch. The mountainous and open terrain truly captures the mystical surroundings of Hogwarts. The area's natural beauty, with its changing seasons and often misty conditions portrays the magical atmosphere of the Harry Potter series. Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scottish Highlands The Hogwarts Express route featured in Chamber of Secrets (2002), Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Goblet of Fire (2005) and Half-Blood Prince (2009) The curved 21-arch railway bridge carries the Hogwarts Express through stunning Highland scenery in four of the Harry Potter films. Built in 1898, this historic viaduct spans a valley with views of Loch Shiel. It combines Victorian engineering with the natural beauty of the Scottish landscape. The route remains active today so visitors can take the same journey as Harry and his friends as they travel to school. Durham Cathedral, Durham Hogwarts School in Chamber of Secrets (2002), Philosopher's Stone (2001) This Norman cathedral, which dates back to 1093, was the setting for the corridors and quadrangle of Hogwarts in the first two films. Dame Maggie Smith's character Minerva McGonagall led Transfiguration lessons that saw the young students attempt to turn animals into goblets. Dramatically set above the River Wear, this UNESCO World Heritage site features authentic medieval architecture and cloisters that beautifully match the ancient scholarly setting of Hogwarts. Harry and Hermione's camp in Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010) This natural limestone formation created the stark setting where Harry and Hermione set up camp in a tent on the Limestone Pavement at the top of Malham Cove. The distinctive limestone pavement at the top features natural cracks and fissures formed over thousands of years. The geological amphitheatre, created by glacial water 12,000 years ago, gives visitors panoramic views across Yorkshire that captured the isolation needed for the scene. Alnwick Castle, Northumberland Hogwarts School exterior in Philosopher's Stone (2001), Chamber of Secrets (2002) This is a dream come true day out for any Potter fan. You can walk around the castle's courtyards and baileys, and try and spot where Harry and his friends walked to class, where Ron crashed his dad's flying car, and their route to Hagrid's hut and the Forbidden Forest. Harry and his classmates also learned to fly broomsticks and it also where Harry play the wizarding sport Quidditch. Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester Hogwarts School in Chamber of Secrets (2002), Philosopher's Stone (2001), Half-Blood Prince (2009) These cathedral cloisters were transformed into the corridors of Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. One of the most distinctive and recognisable features within Gloucester Cathedral is its Lavatorium. Harry and Ron Weasley run down the corridor and hide in the Lavatorium directly after Professor Quirral's 'troll in the dungeon!' scene. Hardwick Hall, Chesterfield Malfoy Manor in Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010) Hardwick Hall was used to film the exterior scenes of Malfoy Manor, the family home of Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco Malfoy. As a Nationa l Tr ust property, is regarded as one of the most architecturally significant Elizabethan properties in the UK. Lacock Abbey, Chippenham Hogwarts School in Philosopher's Stone (2001), Chamber of Secrets (2002), Half-Blood Prince (2009) Rooms in the Abbey were also used as Snape and Quirrel's classrooms, and the Chapter House was where Harry found the Mirror of Erised. You'll also find Budleigh Babberton and Slughorn's hideaway home in Lacock, which featured in the Half-Blood Prince. Rannoch Moor, Scottish Highlands Death Eaters invade the Hogwarts Express in Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010) This is where the Death Eaters board the train in Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1. It is regarded as one of the last remaining wildernesses in Europe - a vast and untouched expanse of moorland that spans over 50 square miles.
BBC News
20-03-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Sun sculpture Helios on show at Northumberland's Seaton Delaval Hall
People will be able to see the Sun up close as a new artwork goes on display at an 18th Century Helios sculpture, named after the ancient Greek god of the Sun, is shining bright in Seaton Delaval Hall, near Seaton Sluice, Northumberland. The 7m (22ft) artwork took about eight months to make, artist Luke Jerram said."It's quite an undertaking and to present it here in this amazing building is such a privilege," he said. The sculpture is scaled so that each centimetre represents 2,000 km (1,242 miles) of the real Sun's surface. More than 400,000 photographs of the Sun's surface were used in creating the features such as sunspots can also be seen. Mr Jerram, whose previous works Museum of the Moon and Gaia were shown at Durham Cathedral, said he spent "many months" finding internal lighting to help illuminate piece also includes a soundscape featuring NASA recordings of the Sun. It is on display until 6 April. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
