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Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Magic of Harry Potter film scores to be conjured up in full orchestral glory in Abu Dhabi
20 July 2025 23:06 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)The wizarding world of Hogwarts will be brought to life through the medium of music this September, when the Harry Potter Film Concert Series arrives at Etihad Arena, Yas Dhabi is set to stage two epic soundtracks from the film franchise – Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in Concert on September 6, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert on September shows will include the complete movie projected in high definition on a 40-foot screen, with John Williams' Grammy-nominated scores performed live to picture by the acclaimed Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, all in precise to Aletihad, Justin Freer, President of CineConcerts and the producer/conductor of the Harry Potter Film Concert Series, described the challenge and thrill of conducting live to film."One of the main differences is strict adherence to time, or tempo, when conducting music live to film. The music is intended to hit certain moments and cuts, and those are not up for interpretation," he explained."If 'Hedwig's Theme' is intended to start when Hedwig starts to fly, then it must match the original intention or placement. It is a great challenge to keep it all together over the course of several hours, but always so much fun."Freer also offered a lighthearted glimpse his personal rituals before a show. "My preparation, at least before the show, is really quite simple: eat nuts, bananas, anchovies, chocolate along with a lot of water - and all good!" Still, he emphasised that true preparation lies in deep familiarity with the music"I feel it is important that any conductor should live and breathe whatever music they intend to conduct."Freer believes the lasting emotional connection to the Harry Potter scores lies in both the storytelling and the universal themes the music captures."The stories and characters reflected in the Harry Potter films, I feel, are timeless. The music of John Williams is also quite timeless. We all understand joy, fear, a sense of wonder. These emotions are reflected so beautifully in the music."One of Freer's favourite moments in the shows is the mirror scene from "The Philosopher's Stone". "There is a poignant sense of loneliness as well as curiosity when Harry sees his parents next to him, and John Williams' music here is perfectly composed for those emotions," he said."I do also get quite excited during the Quidditch scene from 'Chamber of Secrets'!" Freer praised Abu Dhabi as an ideal host for such a global cinematic and musical experience. "I find Abu Dhabi to be a striking city which reflects both a beautiful history as well as looking towards the future," he said. "Celebrating some of the most well-known modern art, in this case through film and music, feels like a natural fit with all that's going on in the city. I hope that we can celebrate more of this art form in Abu Dhabi in the years to come." Freer hopes the shows will leave a lasting impression on the audience. "I hope that all patrons, regardless of experience in the concert hall or with live-to-film concerts, take away a stronger appreciation for the power of great music set to picture. "The feelings that come from a great marriage of music and film are often inexplicable. These concerts are truly a see-it-to-believe-it experience," he concluded.
Global News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Global News
Emma Watson banned from driving after being caught speeding
Actor Emma Watson, best known for playing Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter franchise, has received a six-month driving ban after she was caught speeding. Watson was caught driving 38 mph (61 km/h) in a 30 mph (48 km/h) zone in Oxford, England, on July 31 last year. She already had nine points on her licence at the time of the incident; 12 points warrants a ban. The 35-year-old, currently a student at the University of Oxford, was fined £1,044 ($1,918) at a hearing at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. She was not in attendance, according to the BBC. Mark Haslam, Watson's lawyer, told the court that she is a student and 'in a position to pay the fine,' the British outlet said. Watson has been studying for her master's degree in creative writing since 2023. Story continues below advertisement The actor shot to fame in 2001 alongside her Harry Potter co-stars Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe following the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the first of eight films under the universally adored franchise. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Watson appeared in all eight as Hermione Granger, an astute teacher's-pet type with quick wit and a knack for keeping herself and her friends out of trouble. After the last film came out in 2011, she went on to star in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Bling Ring and Beauty and the Beast. Her last film role was in Greta Gerwig's 2019 version of Little Women, as Meg March, with Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Laura Dern and Meryl Streep also starring. Watson and her brother Alex launched a sustainable gin brand called Renais in 2023. In a bizarre coincidence, Zoe Wannamaker, 76, who played Madame Hooch in the Harry Potter series, was also banned from driving this week in the same court and on the same day as Watson after she was caught speeding on a motorway in southern England in August last year. View image in full screen Zoë Wanamaker attends SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations On Broadway with Nathan Lane, Danny Burstein, and Zoë Wanamaker at SAG-AFTRA Foundation Robin Williams Center on March 10, 2023 in New York City. 1 She was driving at 46 mph (74 km/h) in a 40 mph (64 km/h) zone, the court heard. Story continues below advertisement Like Watson, she was fined £1,044 and banned from driving for six months. Wanamaker's lawyer Duncan Jones said that she was not asking for 'special treatment' and accepted the fine. Wanamaker also had nine points on her licence before the speeding incident occurred, the BBC added.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Harry Potter TV series update: First look of HBO's Harry Potter out. Who is Dominic McLaughlin?
The highly anticipated television adaptation of Harry Potter by HBO has begun making waves with the release of its first official image. The still features Dominic McLaughlin stepping into the iconic role of the boy wizard. At just 11 years old, McLaughlin was selected after a thorough audition process conducted across the UK, targeting children between the ages of 9 and 11. Alongside him, Alastair Stout will portray the red-haired Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton will step into the role of the brilliant Hermione Granger. All three young actors were revealed to the public earlier in May. Just like Daniel Radcliffe before him, McLaughlin is seen donning Harry's signature round spectacles and the recognizable maroon-and-gold uniform of Gryffindor House . The new trio of child actors will be joined by several acclaimed performers portraying iconic adult characters from the Harry Potter universe. John Lithgow has been cast as the wise and powerful headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Nick Frost will appear as the warm-hearted half-giant Hagrid, while Janet McTeer takes on the stern yet compassionate Professor McGonagall. Paapa Essiedu has been signed on to portray the complex and mysterious Severus Snape. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like You might be interested in the content above Additional casting updates reveal more familiar names from the wizarding world. Rory Wilmot will play Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson will portray Harry's cousin Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey will appear as flying instructor Madam Hooch, and Anton Lesser has been chosen to play wandmaker Garrick Ollivander. Filming will take place at the iconic Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, Hertfordshire—the same location where the original eight Harry Potter films were produced. HBO has emphasized that the series aims to remain closely aligned with J.K. Rowling's beloved novels, offering the creative space to delve more deeply into the narrative's intricate subplots and character development that time constraints in film previously limited. With Mark Mylod, known for his work on Succession, serving as one of the directors, the series is slated for release in 2027—coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, as per a BBC report. Who Is Dominic McLaughlin? He is considered a fresh face in the entertainment industry, having landed this major opportunity after responding to an open casting call. Despite being new to the mainstream spotlight, he has previously participated in smaller projects, including the Sky Original film Grow and an upcoming BBC drama titled Gifted, both expected to be released later this year.
San Francisco Chronicle
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
HBO's ‘Harry Potter' series has begun filming with all-new cast
School is back in session at Hogwarts. Nearly 14 years to the day since the last 'Harry Potter' movie debuted in theaters, production has started on an HBO series based on the books by J.K. Rowling. 'Harry Potter' is billed by Warner Bros. Discovery as 'a faithful adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter books' that will unfold over multiple seasons beginning in 2027. Filming has already started at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, U.K., the network announced Monday, July 14. Dominic McLaughlin assumes the role of a young Harry Potter, the orphan who discovers he's a wizard; Alastair Stout is Ron Weasley, Harry's best friend; and Arabella Stanton is Hermione Granger, the witch who provides crucial support to Harry and Ron. All three characters attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to hone their skills. 'The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen,' writer and showrunner Francesca Gardiner and executive producer and director of multiple episodes Mark Mylod said in a statement. The newcomers take over the roles made famous by Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, respectively. That trio starred in eight films, beginning with San Francisco filmmaker Chris Columbus ' 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' (2001) and ending with David Yates' ' Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2,' which was released on July 15, 2011. Rowling, who has announced she would use 'Harry Potter' profits to support efforts aimed at rolling back transgender rights, is an executive producer of the series.
Indian Express
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Harry Potter turns 28: 10 facts you might not know about the magical series
(Written by Somya Panwar) Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the first installment of British writer JK Rowling's beloved eponymous series, was first published in Britain on June 26, 1997, and appeared in the United States the following year as the Sorcerer's Stone. Over 500 million copies of the books have been sold globally, making Harry Potter one of the best-selling book series in history. The series has been translated into over 80 languages and adapted for a series of films, making the boy wizard one of the most iconic characters in pop culture. You may have read the series, but here are 10 facts that might surprise you: 📌 J K Rowling gave Harry Potter the same birth date as hers—July 31. 📌 The Chamber of Secrets, originally titled Half-Blood Prince, was rewritten midway through the draft when JK Rowling decided to move that storyline to the later-published book Half-Blood Prince. 📌 Many characters were named based on their personality traits or symbolic meanings. 'Dumbledore' comes from an old English word for 'bumblebee,' reflecting his love for music. 'Severus Snape' implies severity and bitterness. 📌 There would not be a Harry Potter series if JK Rowling's mother had not passed away. Rowling began writing the series six months before her mother's death, and she credits the emotional depth and recurring theme of death in the books to that loss. 📌 Geraldine Somerville was not the first choice to play Lily Potter in the Mirror of Erised scene. JK Rowling revealed on her website that she was initially offered the role, but turned it down. The part then went to Somerville. 📌 Out of sheer frustration, Rowling almost killed off Ron in the books during a difficult period in her life, when she was not in a happy place. 📌 The scar on Potter's head appears differently in the books and the films. On the book covers, it is in the center of his forehead, while in the films, it is slightly off-center. 📌 Quidditch was inspired by Rowling's ex-boyfriend and was created after they had a major argument. Though she said there was no direct connection, she admitted: 'In my deepest, darkest soul, I would quite like to see him hit by a bludger.' 📌 Emma Watson almost wore fake buck teeth in the films to match Hermione's description in the books, but they affected her speech so much that the idea was scrapped. 📌 The first five years of writing Harry Potter were spent establishing rules about what the characters could and could not do, according to Rowling. (The writer is an intern with The Indian Express.)
