SnitchSeeker.com - Exclusive: SnitchSeeker talks to Harry Potter: Film Wizardry author Brian Sibley

SnitchSeeker recently had the chance to interview the author of Harry Potter: Film Wizardry, Brian Sibley, and how he came about writing and creating the scrapbook encapsulating the eight-film Harry Potter saga. Sibley discussed producer David Heyman's love of the series, and getting to visit some of the sets of the Harry Potter films, including the final battle at Hogwarts and Malfoy Manor in Deathly Hallows.

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SnitchSeeker.com: How did you become involved with this project and how long have you been working on it?
Brian Sibley: I was invited to write the book because I have written a number of books in the past about the making of fantasy films such as The Lord of the Rings and The Golden Compass. I worked on the book over several months as shooting on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was coming to an end.

SS: How did David Heyman participate in regards to writing the introduction?
Sibley: David is passionate about what is probably the most successful and sustained film franchise in the history of cinema. His vision and commitment to the task of bringing J K Rowling’s wizarding world to the screen meant that he was very willing to co-operate on the book both with interviews and with writing the introduction and the ‘Producer’s Diary’ sections which accompany each section of the book devoted to the individual movies.

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SS: What did the cast and crew think of the book/project?
Sibley: I think everyone was delighted to be a part of the project. It was impossible to be at Leavesden and not be inspired by the dedication that everyone brought to the filmmaking. The book was an opportunity to share their enthusiasm and to reveal some of the behind-the-scenes secrets that have helped make these films so successful and unforgettable.

SS: What made you want to do this book?
Sibley: I have a great love of all storytelling and especially fantasy literature. I am a huge admirer of the fact that J K Rowling has excited an entire generation to want to read books. I am also a lover of film and the chance to write about such a superb work of cinematic creativity was irresistible.

SS: Given all the information we know about the film series and actors involved, was there anything you learned while making it that surprised you?
Sibley: Not so much surprised me, but confirmed my admiration for those involved in making these films - especially the art department personnel who have visualized and made real the world, characters and creatures created by the author.

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SS: Do you plan to promote it yourself, such as book signings?
Sibley: If I'm asked!

SS: Did you visit any of the previous six Harry Potter film sets in addition to Deathly Hallows to gather information and interviews for the book?
Sibley: The decision to make this book only taken after filming on Deathly Hallows had begun, so I went to the film sets as someone who had only ever previously seen the various Hogwarts locations on screen.

However, to stand on the set of the Great Hall or Dumbledore’s office or the Chamber of Secrets or Gringott’s Bank was an amazing experience. Also, because I came to this project quite late on, I also had the chance to visit Malfoy Manor and see
Hogwarts during the hugely dramatic climactic battle.

The Harry Potter Film Wizardry book is available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.