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Behind the Magic

Spanish Translation

Kathryn R. Hoffman/New York

On a giant sound stage in London, England, three young actors take their places on a humongous chessboard. Fake smoke is pumped onto the set, creating an eerie mist. Giant chess pieces tower over Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson. They are playing three of the best-loved characters in children's literature today: the brave young wizard Harry Potter, his best buddy, Ron Weasley, and their brainy friend, Hermione Granger.

In a spooky scene, the young wizards must play their way across a giant chessboard. "It was intense," says Rupert Grint, who plays Ron.

It's early March in 2001, the 101st day of filming Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. After many attempts to shoot this key scene, the kids are getting tired. Film director Chris Columbus asks Emma to try running in place. It will keep her energy up and, as Rupert later explains, "It gets us out of breath, so we sound more intense."

The richly detailed set has cast a spell on the actors. "I really did believe I was playing with giant chess pieces," Daniel later admits. "The sets are truly amazing," he adds. "When I'm off the set, I'm Daniel, but when I'm on it, I'm Harry."

On November 16, the world will have a chance to see Daniel as Harry. That's when the movie based on J.K. Rowling's bestselling book finally comes to a theater near you. What was it like to make the film? How did it feel to fly on a broomstick and have an owl for a pal? To find out, TFK went behind the magic and talked to the stars.

The professor of Flying, Madam Hooch, teaches first-year students the basics of broomsticks at Hogwarts School.

Magic Wands and Broomsticks
Making the movie took about six months. Most of it was shot in London's Leavesden Studios. That's where Columbus's team created such Harry hotspots as Diagon Alley, the wizard's shopping district, and the vast Great Hall at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

For Daniel, there was nothing better than being a wizard, with magical powers provided by special effects. "You'd flick your wand," he says, "and there'd be this huge flash of light and then something really cool would happen."

Harry's "invisibility cloak" was Daniel's favorite magical effect. But flying was also a high point. "It's a weird sensation when you're up there 22 feet in the air," says Daniel. He did most of his own stunts, even in scenes where the actor's playing the high-flying game of quidditch. "The broomsticks are really fast!" he says.

For Rupert, who plays Ron, the best part of being a wizard was the candy, especially Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. "It was wicked," he gushes. "They were every flavor: grass, vomit, everything!"

In Charms class, tiny Professor Flitwick (actor Warwick Davis) instructs first-year students in how to make things fly.

Owls and Rats
Both boys got to work closely with the animals playing their pets. "Rupert loved the rat," says animal trainer Gary Gero. "But my dad wasn't too pleased," admits Rupert. "He's really scared of them."

Daniel had to be trained to work with the owls that played Hedwig. "When you perch something on somebody, the inclination is to become stiff," explains Gero. Daniel says his favorite owl was a feathered ham called Gizmo. "Gizmo was a good actor."

Wingardium Leviosa! Hermione (Watson) levitates a feather; Ron (Grint) is spellbound.

Next: Book Two
Columbus, who also directed Mrs. Doubtfire and Home Alone, was amazed by the chemistry between the three young stars. Many children tested for the roles but "those three just clicked," recalls the director.

The kids personally feel that they are each like their characters. "I've never been at the top of my class," says Emma, "but I am very bossy." Rupert, like Ron, "has an amazingly good sense of humor," says Columbus. Dan, like Harry, says he's "loyal to my friends."

Shooting on the second book, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, has already begun. It's Radcliffe's favorite in the series. "I'm looking forward to everything about it, especially the flying car." Fans had better buckle their seat belts and sit patiently. That one won't land in theaters until November 2002.

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