SnitchSeeker.com - SnitchSeeker interviews artist & Half-Blood Prince prod. assistant Lizzie Mary Cullen

Lizzie Mary Cullen, an artist and production assistant for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, spoke to SnitchSeeker earlier this week about her upcoming charity exhibit to benefit The Big Issue, life on the set of the Harry Potter films, and meeting the stars of the series.

Cullen, a die-hard Harry Potter fan herself, recalled several night shoots from Half-Blood Prince she saw first-hand, and how those compared to the final cut on the big screen. The interview, as well as a few photos of Cullen at the Deathly Hallows wrap party, which took place at Leavesden Studios last weekend, can be found below.

Quote:

SnitchSeeker: What was your specific job(s) on the set - which movie(s) did you work on? We saw one of your business profiles and it listed Half-Blood Prince; did you work on Deathly Hallows, as well?
Lizzie Mary Cullen: I was a set production assistant on 2nd Unit on Half-Blood Prince. The second unit handles a lot of the stunts, so that was really exciting to see. I also helped in the Art department - that was incredible! Some of the best people in the business were working there, and it was completely amazing to learn from them so closely. I lent a hand to the Stenciling and Lettering guys as well, who were all lovely; we did a lot of stenciling in Slughorn's potions room which was fun, and I also worked on the Quidditch banners. There was so much to do for the Weasley's joke shop - i must have spent two days putting together boxes!

SS: What was it like working on the Harry Potter film set, compared to any other projects you've had?
LMC: I was actually working part-time on set, and completing my final year at Goldsmiths, where I studied Design. I'd had a few design jobs before, but this was pretty much the best job in the world! Every day I came in, I had to pinch myself to believe I was actually there - it was one of the happiest times of my life.

Personally, I absolutely love the books, so seeing them come to life in film and walk around the sets was a dream come true! Obviously now, I work for myself as a designer and I've never been more fulfilled - but there's nothing like working on a film like that. It was really special.

SS: Did you meet any of the actors? If so, what were they like on set, and how did it feel seeing them perform scenes in person compared to, say, seeing the final cut on the big screen?
LMC: I met most of the cast, and what struck me most was how lovely and down to earth they all were - it's boring to hear, right? But it's true! In the film industry you hear stories about people being a bit silly, but I didn't really encounter any of that on Potter.

Everyone was there to do a job, and they were all very pleasant! It was funny seeing the final cut at the New York premier - I'd watch a scene and think 'oh, that was the day we had the night shoot' and it brought back lovely memories from all the people I worked with! It was certainly a different experience than watching the ones I hadn't worked on, as it adds a whole new level to everything.

SS: What have you learned and taken away from working on the Harry Potter sets?
LMC: So much! After I left Potter to finish my degree, I had a whole new scope in my head of what you can achieve when you put your mind to it. Working with the guys in the art department gave me a lot of confidence, and when I left I was determined to make it as a designer. I'm still working on it, but it seems to be going well at the moment (touch wood!)

SS: Do you have any fun or interesting stories from working on the set?
LMC: We had so much fun, it's crazy to think it's been two years - I remember one of the night shoots; they were filming the fight in the reeds with Bella and the deatheaters. The deatheaters are such lovely guys! One of them was crazy at cards and magic tricks - it was a pretty chilly night, and we spent most of it drinking tea and trying to guess how he was doing it! It was so much fun!

I also loved our location shoot on Millennium bridge in London. It's one of my favourite London bridges, and I was so excited to be called up to work that day! We had all these extras on the bridge, and people were walking past asking what we were filming. It was so exciting, and such a great day.

SS: We read that Dan Radcliffe and Tom Felton will be coming to the exhibit; have you heard about that?
LMC: Tom, his girlfriend Jade, Dan and many of my lovely Potter co-workers are all excited about the show - all proceeds from sales are going to The Big Issue Foundation, a charity dedicated to helping combat homelessness in the UK. It should be a lovely night, all for a good cause.

SS: Do you have any photos of any of the props/sets you worked on? I'd love to see it.
LMC: I was lucky enough to go to the wrap party at Leavesden the other day - that was incredible - here are a few pictures! That's me in front of the Mirror of Erised - I couldn't help myself!

http://www.snitchseeker.com/gallery/...mc_%283%29.jpg

http://www.snitchseeker.com/gallery/...normal_lmc.jpg

http://www.snitchseeker.com/gallery/...mc_%281%29.jpg

Cullen's exhibit in London's West End to benefit The Big Issue, "the social enterprise, magazine and charity that helps homeless people in Britain earn a legitimate income and help themselves," will be open from September 9-25th at Artefact: The Framers Gallery.