Tuesday, October 11, 2011
2of2: Y I named my dog after sirius black (the lb. tagged him wth bishop)
1: Y I named my dog after sirius black (the lb. tagged him wth bishop)
10.10.11
10.10.11
Herein rests, for I don’t believe such things should lie, a long and ranty word doodle ramble per the final Harry Potter book as well as some ramblings about the editorial choices per the films in between Philosopher/Sorcerer Stone and the Hallows.
The translation from film to books- translation didn’t take place but in my opinion a really sick appropriation did.
Harry Potter was the story of a boy wizard who was raised as a house elf…who just so happens to be the chosen one. That’s the story.
J.K. always said she wrote it from her deep belief as a Christian to which some might say “Witchcraft therefore a lie, therefore she’s a George W. Bush style Christian” - though those that would say the first part of that sentence certainly voted for the last part of that sentence so actually hardly anyone would say that.
Whether, in my opinion, you’re Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu- whatever story or stories that have been passed down because someone extraordinary, visionary came along - the Harry Potter books are a lens as to what happens, happened. I believe in the case of the big three Abrahamic prophets the Potter book to film is instructive because what happened there I believe happened to the synagogue, the church, the mosque - I mean even the Dali Lama says what‘s being said in some Buddhist Temples kinda blows his mind because its just so far off the mark.
The story, the very ideas get altered. To see what happens in a work of fiction, something as epic, as Tolkeinesque - fiction, how that can be as corrupted as these books got is revealing.
The/a story is altered because that’s what happens; and happened with every prophet- essentially they get hijacked; though actually I think it winds up a lot more like polyjuiced.
In my opinion these books and what happened to their core is what happened and happens every time a live person with real vision comes along. I mean really, if such can happen to a work of fiction as happened to Harry Potter’s Tale expand it out, expand it back and that is what happen(ed/s).
September 2011
Of course too, and truly I only appreciated it recently, trust (as well as faith) between the three became an issue from which so much else spawned in book 7.
Hermione and Ron’s speaking in hushed tones “Did Harry know more” than he was telling them?
In part it was a hope because the alternative was that they were similarly situated. Better to entertain the idea as perhaps hope that maybe just like his prickling scar, he was holding something back, because if so perhaps the situation was not as dire.
And then too that scene, which of course disappeared in the film, but was critical: “Harry do you trust me?”
Trust and betrayal. Who can you trust? who should you trust and who without explanation, for there was no time and often there isn’t: who would betray you? Who would rather die than do that?
Loyalty and betrayal.
Big concepts in those books, too bad that for most part -they were lost on the filmmakers. Perhaps too on many of the readers, but not lost on all.
Quite a thing for Lupin to show up the way he did at The Screaming Shack. They had all trusted each other, and at least there was that moment- that one “they were friends” moment in the film because ethat sort of thing is huge. Those closest and he had betrayed where to betray one is to betray all.
Lupin - there was plenty of evidence against Sirius and perhaps he was only there to protect this last vestige of his dead friends except for the map for there had been Wormtail who was supposed to be dead. Time had passed but Sirius and Lupin were still friends - in part because Lupin’s narrative was still open. He could have closed it. Closed the book on Sirius- went with perhaps his eyes deceived him or the map had been hexed.
Worm tail - actually reminds me - quite a bit of a man so false he literally couldn’t tell the truth about whether he liked dogs or not.
Can you imagine? Being unable, or unwilling to give a truthful reply even to that. I at the time could supply no explanation for that and was simply confused for weeks. That is the consequence and I dare say the goal of every lie: to confuse.
Finally his daughter enlightened me because I literally could not wrap my mind around it but his daughter had wrapped her mind around it quite sometime ago “He tells people what he thinks they want to hear”.
A courtesy.
?
He tells people what he knows they want to hear so he can be perceived, so the target of the lie, will see him as someone he’s not and acting as if he is someone he is not.
Twisted. And suspect Wormtail was very much the same back in the old days when they were all friends. The man I speak of was named John, one many I’ve encountered, he was my Godfather and he was no Sirius Black.
Trust. All Lupin needed was just a little, just some smidgeon of something and he could invest trusting that all he had heard and believed, the narrative he had carried for nealy thirteen years- all he needed was --
What? A cause for hope? But then too did Lupin ever cease to love Sirius, did he fully believe that who he thought his friend was- he wasn’t? That it was just a disguise like and as if one were and is human Polyjuice? Or had the pieces never quite fit- I mean one can rearrange and reinterpret reframe a narrative in retrospect - of course no one ever has all the pieces of such puzzles except in a book or a play.
That’s again where a teleplay would be interesting, Lupin with that map- wondering. Also the scenes between he and Severus would really be interesting all those many years later after all that happened and all that had passed and all that was still felt, re-examined, and not.
Of James’ entire crew Lupin would have been the one to know the below was wrong, should have been stopped. Lupin was the sensitive guy, the nice guy? Yeah maybe- and maybe too he knew in a different house- under a different set of circumstances had James or Sirius found out about him he could have been suspended in the air, picked out picked upon by them just as it was Snape in the scene below.
“Do you trust me?”
“Can I trust you”
“Should I trust you”
How would James have reacted if someone other than Lily had said “Stop”. Could Lupin trust that James wouldn’t turn on him? I hope so.
Never after Ron left did Hermione or Harry think they had to worry about Ron switching sides. That Ron left - that was the betrayal. Neither charcter or the author or probably most of the audience, those of us who knew Ron, knew he wouldn’t betray them like that- he wasn’t capable of going there.
I suppose that is part of what trust is - and trusting well: knowing what people are capable of and what they’re not capable of- and hoping you’re right.
Thoughts on the film version of Occlumency lessons, Snape’s memory thread.
a) There’s a big difference in terms of character between a Snape who would and wouldn’t remove the/a particular memory thread during his Occlumency lessons with Harry.
To not remove it would be quite arrogant? Harry not being up to it? To not remove it would indicate no fear of Harry finding out - perhaps suspecting that Snape loved Lily.
The difference between a Snape who would guard that memory- a Snape who wouldn’t- character wise that’s huge and one more place Universal dropped the ball.
And there too the ever present subtle mysogeny of how they told the tale. Of course the girl, Lily, isn’t in the Snape’s hidden memory scene during occlumency lessons in the film version because in the world they created: “the girl doesn’t really matter” other than as an object - just as Voldemort saw her - so did the folks at Universal. (ie: the scene as relayed by Snape to Dumbledore about Voldemort’s comment/reaction as to Snape’s loss of Lily, her death)
James picking on Snape for laughs …and Lily - that scene was critical as was how Snape treated it. With care and guarding - or without?
Lily (in the book of course because- well again patriarchy- mysogeny (ever hear the one about why JK published as “JK” rather than her given name?!) in the scene Lily did what none of James’ friends had the guts to do- she was gutsy and meanwhile-a very empathetic person.
But to Voldemort (and the folks at Universal)- a physical object easily replaceable- heck just edit her out.
The scene any scene is about every character in it- to remove one is alter the entire.
August 2011
“You can never read the same book twice”, true.
Just as true no two people ever read the same book. The filmmakers read one Harry Potter; I read an entirely different story. A former English major and then a Communications Major who more than dabbled in philosophy- I regularly had a ‘take’ on a story, a narrative, etc. which first my teachers would A, then find interesting and then I was in college still getting praised for an often unusual perspective.
It had been the same scenario in Sunday school where fortunately I was with Episcopalians, although I was more of a Unitarian Quaker type. Thus when and where my read and the “official” interpretation were regularly at odds, in debate, in exploration, in a theological discussion- I was not only tolerated but generally enjoyed by even Sunday school teachers.
Mostly I suspect people read words, can define them but don’t have the slightest clue as to what they mean, really. I’ve thus come to the conclusion that though most Americans can read few of them are actually literate.
I came into the Harry Potter series at about book 3 or 4; didn’t read them in order and …well.
That the story went where it went was no surprise. What was surprising was how I kept hearing allegedly literate people refer to it, even the publisher, as a story about a Wizard- or magic which would be like saying “The Hobbit” is a book about really short people. To say Harry Potter is about magic or wizards is like saying Moby Dick is about whaling.
The Harry Potter series has been both unusual, and to me, telling.
Unusual in the sense of: how many times have of so many people all the world over read the same book? engaged in the same dreams upon a printed page in one turn of the globe- each reading that and those pages for the first time?
It was really rather something.
To me it speaks quite loudly and says everything there is to say about here: whatever the life, whatever the message, whoever the prophet, whoever the martyr: the disease(?) is so pervasive here that not even within fiction can seemingly hardly anyone see, hear or read anything.
Not even in fiction.
I was damn angry when I started writing these- particularly the 1st act of final book because I’d grudgingly seen that ‘film’ recently. I don’t think I have ever been so disgusted - I wouldn’t have thought it could actually have been worse than the first film- yet they managed.
I may doodle around with these some more- then again I may not. What I am incredibly grateful for though is that I never read the books they’ve filmed.
(I am stuck per the movie in my head. Do we really need to go in the house in the first place? Probably. But I just so like the idea of the audience not knowing during battle sequence, for that same confussion of multiple Harry Potters (which is it?!) and nobody knowing for sure- not the audience- not the deatheatters. And no the auduence does not need to be led by the hand- they can be caught up later. Okay so maybe not starting there but not revealing it until Ginny says-)
JULY @)!!
General Intro 1:
As someone who truly loved the Harry Potter series I watched the films with horror, frustration and regular dismay. I suffered through most of them, only two bore any meaningful similarity to the books. (The key word in that last sentence is meaningful
I could mess around with writing the screenplays as I wish they’d been done but then I realized- hey why not write teleplays?
In part its an experiment, a writing project, I’m going to post my rough drafts non-formatted, typo ridden and with the occasional commentary. So far I figure I’ll just do the first act of each book first, then maybe the last book of each book? Who knows.
SO should you be game- welcome to my teleplay of the Harry Potter series.
If you’re the lucky sort, like myself and have a screen in your head- you’ll see it, hear it and can contrast the choices made by Universal and what I (obviously) feel would have been better choices in how to tell it.
Story isn’t about plot- plot is just what happens - the lens through which everyone is seen and how one does, or does not, become known and the details through which an author‘s larger point/s are being made. Thus my treatment deals more with character and the relationships between the characters, what I hope is better pacing particularly in the first act of the final book which should have felt relentless and harried.
(As for using the word ‘harried’ excuse the pun- there will undoubtedly be more)
Now on with the show or skip to the next site, the next blog, the next 2.5 minute allocation of time…
HARRYPOTTERTELEPLAY:BK7:ACT1
(yeah the brkfst table Ginny fade in doesn’t work- I’ve rewritten it in my head- I liked the idea but it doesn’t work and “the note of surprise“ missing is a big loss and would take th epop out of the line/s in the alleyway. Plus its good inter-character shorthand and when you got that somewhere - you keep it. The dialogue choreography of the dance sequence needs to be tightened and re-arranged. I was tired when I wrote it but wanted to get the idea down. Feel free to skip- the “To The filmmakers) exposition- but I‘m right as in correct)
YO THE FILM (MAKERS/WRECKERS)The content you chose to lose because, quite frankly, you wanted to see Helena Bonham Carter on top Hermione all grown up!
And then of course too that dance- turned Harry -the one from the books- into a liar. Sacrificed a great laugh line “its not all wand work” as well as losing that nice short hand between two characters “always the note of surprise”.
And finally worst- man you spent a lot of time at Lord Voldemort’s table. Given what was written and filmed about these books- that should come as no surprise; it didn‘t.
Why? Because from the first few minutes of the first film it was obvious. To anyone who understood the core of the books: that you the filmmakers did not understand the material you were presenting.
The scene at formerly the Malfoy table- now Voldemort’s table wasn’t about how you filmed it.
The scene was about that woman’s eyes, fact is that’s what 60-70 percent of that scene should have been: just her eyes. Just her eyes as she was trapped, paralyzed and a captive searching the table for someone to help her amoung faces she knew, some that she taught, collogues. Her eyes watching as she’s paralyzed and about to be eaten by a snake. The fear- the horror of being there suspended above a table inhabited by near nothing but psychopaths- most of whom she had to have known at one time or another. And yes as she spun like kill on a spit tears would have been dropping onto the table.
And really- why did you ever even show Voldemort? Did you not see Jaws? Did they never require you to view Hitchcock? Did you not get how the whole no face thing of Darth Vader was scarier?
What the audience will fill in with their minds is scarier, and better than anything or any actor you can put on screen. I mean I really don’t get even casting a person. A voice- yes. A make-up and wardrobe actor- no.
“What about pure special effects?’
No - what the audience will fill that blank with will be better.
Other than that woman’s eyes the other relevant bit of information in that scene was the Malfoys, father and son. The son:not comfortable and not feeling powerful with what he was seeing, witnessing- was a part of . His knowing he was on the wrong side and her eyes- that was the scene but you gave it Voldemort.
And too there was Malfoy the father, of course there’s be a comment - not a joke just something to humiliate him with - being wandless yes but more importantly: of no worth. Him going from the smug to the object of smugness while all his sycophantic friends have for him are jeers and snorts of laughter as he is at or below wormtail’s level in this caste system- only at the table so as to add to the humiliation. And even then, no remorse. But his son, his son is not delighting- alight with confidence watching this woman on a spit, begging. Far from it.
All that was what that scene was about. “Well that’s a lot of time you spent at the table too:-“ To which I’d say: you still don’t get it! do you?
Rather reminds me of something in my own life
An art exhibit-,poetry and visual artists. I was there with a woman, a self proclaimed follower of Christ generally warm and friendly person but oddly she didn’t understand the poems, didn’t know how to look at art- that you have to really look at it, make a point of seeing all that is there. Too, like the filmmakers: she doesn’t know how to read a story.
The last piece in the art + poetry showcase was called “the Twelve Apostles” an experimental photographic series, ambitious- the sort of thing you view up close but if you have twenty or thirty feet to fall back- you take that longer view as well.
“What do you think it means?” She asked of the 12 Apostles “some of them look like women - what does that mean?“ or” that one must be Judas”. I didn’t respond to any of it. At one point she said “It was a Roman soldier that killed Jesus- the sword in his side”. I stood there with sort of silent incredulous horror I‘d regularly experience in “church“.
Wow. “The Roman soldier killed Christ” . Perhaps he enjoyed inserting the blade. Then again perhaps he could not bear seeing that man? Someone -anyone who had such ideas as to what the world could be that he watch him suffer no longer, would anot alow the pharaohs or Caesar more.
“It was him, it was him- that guy over there he killed Christ!”Let’s be clear:…no. You don’t see it- you don’t already know -I wont be the one to explain it to you because that’s is and has been my cardinal sin here, blinding myself for they most surely know what they do…and enjoy it as much as watching Nagini eat his dinner. As much as my sister enjoyed watching her snake do the same, as mother held a goldfish by the tail, explaining: it’s afraid, see how its stopped struggling- now it won’t feel anything- her distance and my sister’s eyes alight with fascination. I couldn’t watch, wouldn’t for to me - in them- in that I saw their mad removed delight .
“The Roman soldier killed Christ” said as if so many did not and had not entertained themelves watching such things, perhaps bring a snack as if watching a movie, perhaps taking notes like in a research study or throwing stones as if playing a video game, perhaps bringing a snack- maybe some salt.
The first poem on that trip ending on the 12 Apostles had been an easy one to discern- the poem was about joy. There was a Ferris wheel, nothing at all opaque or cloudy yet this “follower of Christ” didn’t understand the poem, shrugged it off “whatever that means”. The visuals plus the sounds of the words were so lovely- yet “WHatever that means” . And simple too, about the feeling one has and had for another…”Whatever that means”.
This seems the case quite regularly people who can read the words, pick out keywords- I swear I once spoke to a real live keyworder- she technically spoke English -just couldn’t communicate anything despite English being her native language..
Was this person who expressed an interest in art essentially the same as this keyworder in human form? It seems so -even in retrospect.
There was an artist lecture a few days later which “Whatever that means” went to and asked the artist to explain- what he meant, what the pieces sayfor she couldn‘t look at it and understand it either - niether in word or image I wouldn‘t say anything on the topic.. The artist, like I had no reply to her querry - for if you need it explained you didn’t and can‘t really see it in the first. place, and that - in and of itself speaks.
I believe Dan Brown hit on something, I believe there is a language which cannot be hacked, can be quoted and mimicked but can not be learned or stolen: a way of seeing or reading or hearing or making which one either has or one doesn’t.
“A Roman soldier killed Christ,’ some say- many say perhaps even most say that- others say the Jews or Judas -but as I read the story one would have to be willfully blind to believe those lines anything other than a vile lies who disavow the watch/ed wit their own mad removed delight .
How does all this relate to Harry Potter- should you still possess your soul that should be between-the- lines- obvious.
But back to Harry Potter- Let’s look at some more of your first acts- and let’s be clear: you could have made three hours movie, four hour movies- of course not anything anyone would sit through for that long. Oh and of cours eit wouldn’t have been as efficient for raking in the money. They just would have been better films with intermissions.
Guaranteed, one of the most successful franchises ever- and that still wasn’t enough.
This last one that I’ll see for instance, as before- no real sense of jeopardy or risk- damn you assholes actually made a dozen people turning into walking targets like a emllow gathering- just a reuninion- nothing really taking place in these scenes but the special effects of multiple Harry Ptters…wow that’s deep.
Not.
And Lupin broaching Tonk’s pregnancy here- what were you people on when you made this movie! As if- as if Lupin would put that on Harry- yeah my wife’s pregnant and now she’s fying into th eface of death for you with our baby- as if Lupin would put that on Harry? He wouldn’t. Oh or was that your all’s failed attempt at trying to create a sense of
Fist it should have been much steady cam from the secongd in that house - the camera moving in that kitchen catching someone just at their dialogue - a beat behind, harried rushed- even the camera and jumo cuts- Fleur’s line the only break in the tension (but should there really have been a break in the tension - wouldn‘t it have made more sense in an embrace at the Weasley‘s ? )
And Bill’s scar line- why even bother?
Much less there!
The Dursley’s - that scene,
Dudley: “isn’t he coming with us?”
That was needed, I guess you all edited out because you just plain didn‘t know how to handle it.
That and after when he was chased by the dementors- the scene at the car!? (two or so films back) Same thing - didn’t kow how to handle it -didn’t understand what happened for the characters in that scene, for Dudley. Because even in his state he saw, he sees harry knowing he just saved him and felt what he saved him from - that could have - should have been read and shown in his eyes not some silly meaningless “oh we don’t want the neighbors to see!” bit on the driveway. That was the trade and the nature of every trade the filmmakers made: something genuine for fake and shallow. All whilst the pace was ever snail slow.
Again- no concept for the core of the material and obviously no understand ing as to the emotional landscape of any character- and that- that is what is important.
But back to my movie: The Not Shallow Hallows.
From the minute the screen - we start inside the Dursleys and it is a flurry of activity running up and down steps, running, pace because they are all going to be on the run now. And there’s tension becaue everyone coming into that house knows they could die tonight, the person nesxt to them, their son, their love/r, their friend, their brother, those in which they love and trust most. They could lose one of those tonight.
Of course that’s not how the other team filmed and designed it - no in the hands of these film makers you’d never know that, any of that. And you could see it in the performances- the actors knew, had no confidence- their discomfort with what was being filmed was captured on screen.
Have I cut any running time? No but I’ve changed how it would feel, the pace- left the shallow drag that was and has been these films. ( How the fims introducing Lupin and Slughorn were internittenently as good as they were at times is no small miracle- but again even there…Harry in a coffeeshop? Harry walking around as if - as if none of its happening as he’s not in jeopardy - as if The Order would have even allowed that- and in that same film: Dumbledore disappearing out of Hogwarts in a “the rules don’t apply to me manner”. Again, goes against the core of the material- and yes it pisses me off)
So the final book, harried from the moment film starts and there is no pause, there are no breaks and those flight scenes are quick jump cuts- confused, dizzying because that is battle - that is hand to hand combat and and in theirworld those wand and broom moments are: fighter pilots and that is how it should have shot: Top Gun meets Platoon
Flying down highways and such crap: who gives a damn! That’s interesting- doesn’t reveal anything and doesn’t take the audience anywhere- doesn‘t show anything. The motor bike falling apart in the sky, the button: jeopardy, exrteme danger - flying by the seat of your pants and Harry watching his friends- wanting to help- but only stunning and then falling from the sky.
And you don’t drop him into the Weasley’s (and when you do it’s the country cottage hippie atmosphere it should have been in the first damn place).
Black screen and Harry is awoken to a close up of Bellatrix Lastrange‘s face live right in front of him (1 shot)- but quick cut to Harry - no still for the audience to notice her facial expression is completely different until we come back after Ted.
Yes, her sister- Tonk’s mother- the shock - more jeopardy and he’s up fighting again- scene commences as does (somewhat) in book
“Hedwig! (semi conscious lying in the grass)
Harry’s POV: close up of (not) Ballatrix Lastrange
HARRY: (tearing) Hedge- (shouting) Expelliamus! Where’s Hagrid! Where’s Hagrid! What have you do with him (points his wand-straight in her face.
Character wise: Harry doesn’t know how many or if everyone he cares about most is dead and that needs to be in the scene, nor does he know this is not Bellatrix
TED: Expelliamus!
: Tonk’s father disarms him.
TONK”S MOTHER(watery eyed) You of course (beat) have met my sister (Pause) Bellatrix”
Character wise, this would be a source of great pain for Ytonk’s mother. People recognizing the face from the newspapers, false sightings of Bellatrix- the whole history, the years and decades of that would be on her face.
The recognition, understanding,
“Tonk’s-”
Pull’s Harry up (from the couch?) no -they are still outside and it works better this way because this is the whole movie with rare exception they are outside, out of doors, outside of the law- the wilderness with warm lights and indoor comforts a distance away that is most of the movie and starts here
- and he’s moving again harried- steady cam,
“Yes we’re (name- name)”
“Did you see did Tonks and Re-
“No time- they have to catch their portkey”
Hagrid is fallling and getting back up intermittently - Harry tries to go back and help, Tonk’ parents don’t lose time and keep him moving
“Hagrid!“ (hARRY STARTS TO STRUGGLE - to go back
“get him to the Portkey!“
“He’ll be right behind you”
“Hagrid!”
“Here - grab on- its any minute now”
“Hagri-”
TONKS MOM: “He’s coming Harry- hold onto to that portkey”
Sees Hagrid in a limping run toward them
HARRY: (barely holding together) I‘m sorry you look so much like her”
TED (calm firm)“She’s nothing like her”
A flash of Hagrid’d, big hand on Harry’s , wormhole effect, pow they’re in the borough.
POV: Harry looking around because he does not where he just was, where he’d be going next or where he is.
The first thing he hears is Ginny’s voice “It’s Harry- it’s Harry - he and Hagrid made it” SHe running to him and when she gets there
Ginny: (eyes welled- shock on her face) --- missed their port key” We hear a count down- x should be here in x seconds- who’s next- Hermione should be early in the drop because she knows the schedule and the order down to the second -if you want a breakin the sequence and some what happened in the air dialogue break it up before hand with Hagrid asking Molly for something Medicinal
“We’re all having something medicinal”
The exchanges regarding identity are good and should have occurred but not in the house- outside- they don’t move into the house- they don’t leave fight mode- their front- until either the locale of everyone is known and/or Fred (or George) comes back bleeding. This harried atmosphere does not break until the joke which of course doesn’t get a laugh and the other twin is crying/emotting as he mock criticizes his brother’s joke. (the shot should have been way more mirrory: looking at himself) Immediatley- hopefully you get a laugh and time it so with a laugh the audience is alaughing ove rthe line- but not the characters- they don’t get a break because ethis night isn’t over yet
BILL “Mad Eye we have to get his body” (hopefully the audience has - been distracted so they might have missed the line.
MOLLY(?): “What?”
LUPIN(?): we have to go (beat) now- we have to get Mad Eye’s body before-”
MRS>WEASLEY(note of hysteria) “why we’re all safe- why now - why not wait?”
MR Weasley: (Gentle) Molly(Pause) You know why
And here I believe someone should throw up or struggle not to (maybe Tonks- who is not holding something medicinal like everyone else because she’s pregnant) The struggle not to be sick- Moody was her mentor, she knew him best and what they’re talking about, the reason they have to get his body back is the Death Eatters will- could- might turn Moody into a Inferari.
I don’t remember what happened in the book- who went but tactically Bill and Lupin going would make sense. They’re both - they were both bitten by a werewolf and that’s who the other side would be sent to collect a body, a none pureblood. Fenrir could be there and he can’t hurt them the way he could hurt the others. Hagrid could handle himself though I suspect he hit the medicinal hard. Mr. Weasley has kids, the kids are out of the question and no way would Lupin allow Tonks to go for he registers that she’s not drinking.
To bed and that’s probably the best place for all the information that didn’t shouldn’t be provided in the first act. The weird wand thing, Voldemort flying- Bill’s (again) voice “he can fly now- no broom” all the length that wasn’t in that first act here’s the break, here’s what Harry’s brain is recycling over, Hedwig falling over and over Dudley giving him his hand, a last look at the cupboard, ‘Stuning curse that’s him”. Also this is a good place to repeat the sequence of of Malfoy taking Dumbledore’s wand. The wand sequence with Voldmorte, a slow mo with Ginny, The face of Bellatrix Lestrange, Olivander- Voldemorts the wand, wands - how- why screaming, Olivander screaming “I don’t know, I don’t know” screaming- the voice (scream)becomes a female (yeah I’m making Harry a wee bit psychic- foreshadow-foreboding) and we hear harry’s voice as he wakes bending upright
“No-” (or Ginny- can’t make my mind up on that)
In bed, Harry bolts upright, extending his arm as if holding an invisible wand at Ron, Rons is cupping a bowl of cereal, chewing -smiling takes a side step (physical comedy) along the back wall as Harry’s wand arm collapses.
RON: (Ron, nearly finished chewing) Happy Birthday mate”
Taking another bite- Ron is still in his pajamas though from the light its mid day. He‘s relaxed wearing last night well- Harry looks worn out)
HARRY: Thanks (beat)
RON: Mum brought us up some breakfast for whenever we woke up.
I like th eidea of Hermione there doing some packing asking “SHould we bring runes” to herself “we might need it we just don’t know- oh Harry I’ve almost got you all packed - do you think we’ll need “Hogwarts a History”?
HARRY (to Ron) What’s she on about?
RON: Been packing like a mad all week-
Ron opens the door to an upstairs room - still holding his cereal bowl
RON: Come on you’ve gotta see this
And we see the “vocab”
RON: Can’t say he looks just like me but- Fred, George and Dad have been helping
Ron and Hermione are both smiling-
RON: he’s me. (Long Beat) when we don’t go back to school I’m going to need a cover and I figured “Vocab” - say I’ve got (vocab) very contagious - when (beat) the ministry come looking thinking I’m with you - they’ll find him instead.
HERMOINE: (Smiling to Harry) Clever huh?
RON: (To Hermione with a grin) Always the note of surprise ( lifts his spoon to take a bite of cereal)(Pause)
SOUND: Fart noise Shot of red haired “Vocab”, Ron lowers spoon
RON: Does smell though- let’s give ‘im his privacy
They all descend the staircase
RON: keeps the family safe because I’m not with you and they don’t know anything- which they don’t - not really we haven’t told them about the Horcruxes
HERMIONE: We haven’t told anyone -
RON: Mum doesn’t know we’re not going back to Hogwarts- suspects- but doesn’t so just play along like we’re going back to school else she‘ll body bind us and throw us all on the Hogwarts Expr-.
HARRY: You’re not coming with me
RON (looking back at Hermione): Told you
(Shot of Mrs. Weaslety out in the yard readying for the party - Fred, George and Ginny all keeping her occupied)
(Bottom of stairs)
HARRY: I’ve got to get going (Goes to his rusket sack) - where’s the rest of my stuff?
Silence
HARRY (A tinge of anger) Hermione where are my clothes?
HERMIONE: (To Harry) You’ve got enough for today (beat) and the wedding (beat) and then we hunt horcruxes
HARRY: You two are going back to Hogwarts
RON: (to Hermione-remaining upbeat) sounds just like Mum doesn’t he? (eats another spoonful)
HERMIONE: (quietly) Harry I have been packing- doing some very difficult magic
HARRY: Well undo it
RON: (with food in his mouth) Told you he’d be like this
HERMIONE: getting us all packed so we can leave in a moments-
RON: (interrupts- Remaining casual as Harry and Hermione grow more upset) Oh by the way -Fleur’s parents are coming tonight for the engagement dinner tonight-
HARRY: (looking progressively confused and exasperated) Engagement dinner? He’s out there! Don’t you two understand!
RON: (casually) Yeah sure we do (beat) but Mum figured make a night of it baked you birthday cake - dinner for the in-laws - a twofer( Ron takes another bite of his cereal and chews) then the wedding - (jokingly) be rude not to attend (chewing) after they risked their lives, Fred/george lost an ear (chewing)
HARRY: (frustration) That’s what I’m saying, that’s why you can’t , you can not do this you can not come with me - I know you think these things that happen are some kind of adevnture (great line from next to the frozen pool sword thing- shows up her efirst- then Ron echoes it there) - you don’t understand how dangerous- you haven’t thought this through- you don’t know - you haven’t thought this through!
HERMOINE: (Angry Yelling) Haven’t thought this through!
Ron gingerly puts down his cereal bowl
From outside Fred and george cast a muffling spell at Ron’s room as Ginny distracts Molly
HERNIONE: (starts in fury- ends in sobbing)Weeks! Don’t you dare say we don’t know what we’re getting into - haven’t thought this through, haven’t thought this through! We’ve been planning this for months! haven’t thought this through! Don’t know!- Me, I don’t know! I don’t know?! I know my parents don’t even remember my name that’s what I know, that’s what I know!
Hermoine collapses against Ron
HARRY (quieted- to Ron Hermione is sobbing inconsolably- as a child who has lost bot their parents at once) Ron, Hermione’s parents? did they?
RON: No, No they’re fine -(beat) (a look on th ebright side Mrs. Weasely tone) Mr. and Mrs. Granger are in Australia, they’re safe where no one can find them and even they did there’d be no need or use to bother with them. (Pause)(Hermione’s deep breathing coming back from her cry Ron is deep breathes in time with her) ((Yeah I know as a director I’d drive the actors nuts with this micromanaging- but like I said - it’s the movie in my head, its my movie) Hermione obliviated their memories
(Pause)
HERMIONE: (tears- half to herself - half to Harry) I’d talked about you, all of us and if
RON: (with meaning to Harry) they don’t remember they have daughter named Hermione who has a friend named Harry-
HARRY: (pained) Hermione
HERMOINE: if they remember me they could remember you and they could be tortured …they had to disappear, had to disappear
RON: Plus they don’t have any defenses - (beat) both Muggle dentists (beat) Dad’ll tell you there’d be no trusting the Ministry with them
HERMIONE: ( teary) They say it’ll fall in days
HARRY: But what about The Order?
HERMIONE: (Sniffling) I couldn’t have them living like that worried all the time and if I were to be (beat) killed (beat)-
RON: ( hushed) Only child
HERMIONE: (with conviction) I won’t let that happen to them.
Harry gets up from the spot on the bed he descended to when Hermione collapsed into tears, watches The tent go up,
MRS. WEASLEY: Where are they (begins walking toward the house)
GINNY: (running ahead) I’ll go get them
HARRY’S POV is on Ginny for the next line
RON: So are you done?
Harry turns around to see Ron is talking to him, waiting for an answer
RON: We’re coming but I - we need for you to be done with this “you‘re not coming“ (beat) So are you- are you done yet?
HARRY: Yeah, yeah I’m done.
Close up on cake
EVERYONE: “Happy Birthday to you” .
MRS> WEASLEY: Mr. Weasley should be home soon
Fleurs Parent: I hope he will not mind us starting without ‘im, this charmant - blah, blah, blah.
In the glare of sunset we see the gate open, no apperating as the house is under lock down every portkey site and multiple fake portkey sites are at high security - full lock down. come on foot. So the gate opens and we see only shape until Mr. Weasley, and then behind him a form
MRS WEASLEY: (all the hope is there - that her family all of it will gather again) Percy
Molly gets up and starts walking toward them, then we see the Minister of Magic. Percy stays at the gate. PersonallY I see george or fred offering him a pastille (puking)
Quick door shot of him entering the house with The Three( Hermione, Ron and Harry). Then that shot is directly to the door reopening (light change- night) and the Minister nearly slamming the door
Percy stayes at the gate. When the Minister exists the house, night has fallen, Bill is walking away from Percey shaking his head with the peiece of cake obviously offered and Percey declined. As the Minister storms toward the gate Molly will approach him and ask about security at Hogwarts “It will be protected- they will be safe- you can protect them there at Hogwarts?’
Denial
The Minister will compse himself from an obviously frustrating encounter with the three,puts on his best politician “everything is all right, everything is under control, we have them on the run- Molly - wehave them on the run- no need to worry .” As he walks away we read on Molly’s face that she knows its not true.
Percy opens the gate for the Minister, we catch a glimpse of him looking wistfully at his family’s gathering- and Molly sees it. The Minister and Percy begin tramping clumsily through a field.
“Did they tell you anything?”
“Tight lipped, tight lipped”
“Percy“
“Yes Minister“
“Minister (beat) that won‘t last much longer- (beat) Percy stay at the Ministry as long as you can ”
Yes Minister
“And when you can’t stomach it any longer”
“Stay longer and never let them know”
“Precisely”
I think Percy was lot like Malfoy in the end- knowing he’d chosen wrong, aligned himself with the wrong elements but by keeping the rift between he and his family, by playing ball - perhaps he could help them, protect them- warn them. But that’s me I like to think the best of people.
We return to the burrough, a floating cam passes Mrs. Weasley’s clock every family member’s clock is pointing toward “Mortal danger” through the doorway we see the three lined up sitting on the couch, each cradling an object.
<1 shot>
Hermione: (perplexed) Why would Dumbledore leave me a book children’s fables? (We see the symbol for the first time)
Ron: Always thought he was a bit daft
HaRRY: A snitch- why the snitch from my first match?
HERMIONE: It has to mean something.
(Looking at her book, starting to flip through the pages
RON: A deluminator (imitatingScrimouger’s voice) unique - Dumbledore’s own design”
Ron clicks it and there‘s a quick zoom of the lights into the delumintor and the room is pitch black
Black Screen
VO: HERMIONE: (slight irritation) Ron-
The light is back
RON: (pleased) brilliant!
HARRY: And what does the engraving mean?
HZErmione: What does any of it mean?
HARRY: (reading) It opens at the close?
RON: flicks deluminator again
Black Screen: VO: Harry and Hermione: Ron
Light returns
RON: You know I think this might be the best gift I ever got (beat) (Getting up)) I wonder if there’s any cake left?
Next day: Crowded breakfast table, Molly puts a glass of grey goo in front of Harry
MOLLY: poly juice
RON: - a red headed kid from the village- he’ll be taken for a Weasley
FRED: ginger topped for day
GEORGE: Don’t let it go to your head
BILL: We wanted you here but you just can’t
HARRY: be here (drinks juice)
BILL: Too many guests- too risky
GINNY: This way you can take day off from being Harry Potter (looks at Hermione)
FLEUR’S Sister: And be perhaps tall ‘andsome stranger
Ginny and Harry’s eyes meet
RON: (laughs) Not likely
HARRY’s POV Group shot long lens very blurry- everyone is looking at Harry- its all fuzzy
HARRY: I can’t see.
FRED or GEORGE: (raps Ron on the head)
RON: (with food in his mouth) Oi!
FRED or GEORGE: You made him blind!?
SOUND: soft female laughter female voice HARRY”S POV turns to his right, blurry outline of person
GINNY: Harry, take off your glasses
The visual focus slowly adjusts to Ginny’s beautiful face- and she’s in great lighting.
Really the scene could work with everyone dressed and the guests just starting to be visible, walking in from a field in the distance. Would work either way.
And either way the fade into Ginny’s face is yet another fading into Ginny’s face but now we’re at the wedding. Poly’dHarry gazing into her eyes “to walk through this life together”> Ginny’s gaze fixed on PolyHarry and vice versa during an abbreviated version of the vows.
I don’t remember what the last line was- the replacement for “you may kiss the bride” (which of course in most cultures was you may lift the veil and see you rnew property which is just a version of the former) - so a better line. And as Fleur and Bill lean towards each other, she- in Vela fashion excudes a light and Bill’s scars are gone- his face his own before Fenrir and we hea rMrs. Weasley sob- that note turns into a trumpet- theband is playing and we are now at the reception. (and yeah it should all have a dreamlike quality)
Again Ginny’s face his smiling swaying, pull back and she and PolyHarry are dancing, close very much like a couple. And here is where the “I haven’t given you your Birthday present yet” grabs his hand and runs through an opening in the tent. Major kiss.
Or not could be lose that line and just a small one- publicly acceptable but one kiss because he’s leaving soon, just one more.
Ron and Hermione are dancing in close proximity. Ron makes his tense face- Hermoine steers his face back to her with his hand. An though this wasn’t covered that I recall the danger wasn’t just that people would know Harry and Ginny were a couple making her a target. But too, that Voldemort might still have access to Harry’s mind and the more prominent Ginny- the more vulnerable that would make her. SO I see simply the line “We don’t know he can’t get into his head anymore- and if he sees that, if he sees them like that”
“As far as everyone’s concerned she might as well be Chang ”
“Yeah well she’s not is she- it really broke her up when he broke it off (beat”
‘Ron (beat) take a good look”
“For once, he’s not Harry Potter and she can just be with him- don’t go glaring at them and spoiling it”
The song ends, the audience claps, a new tune begins quicker paced- but no white people dancing badly please.
SOUND (off camera) KRUM: May I have this dance?
PolyHarry: (Happy)Victor!
KRUM: Do I know you?
PolyHarry: (beat) No (beat) of course not. (To Ginny) this is Victor Krum (slowly) who I recognize from his posters he plays for the
Ginny: for the (Team name)- sure. (To polyHarry) meet me at our table
polyHarry walks away the expression on his face: utterly smitten still wacthing Ginny even as she dances with Victor
VO: LUNA: (Whisper) Hi Harry
polyHARRY: Luna
LUNA: What should I call you? (concerned) I do hope you have a different name planned
(Long Beat) HARRY looks surprised, in shock - he is incognito after all.
LUNA: Poly juice can only do so much Harry (Long Beat) Its good to see you even if I can’t see you see you
polyHARRY: Its good to see you too Luna.
Harry’s POV he notices Victor and Ginny have crossed the room and ( or immediately- I still like Hermione’s line in that “We all stay close” he is now and has been approaching Hermione and Ron all along and there is man wearing the same bright seering yellow robes as Luna dancing but his robes have a large symbol on the front. In the following scene Victor will cut in again, dancing with Hermione. Ron will be Ron- Ginny will advise him cutting in so soon would be rude- they see Aunt Muriel(sp?) and neither want to go back to the table just yet. Two exchanges will take place at once, Victor will ask Hermione about the man wearing the symbol of Grindelwald(?), Hermione will say she thought that symbol was from a fable- no. Aunt Muriel will also comment on the symbol. Olg guy: that was long ago. Who is he ? Lovegood. Muriel “Well that explains everything (beat) Rita Skeeter - brief about Albus being destroyed actually that needs to be the overlap of Hermione and Victor - in proximity to each other. The symbol, Arianna, all quick, quick pace Victor angered by the symbol breaks off dancing with Hermione, heads towards Lovegood in an Macho I’ll kick your hippie dancing ass but just then Kingsley’s lynx soars through the air “The Ministry has fallen”
All hell breaks lose running and yeah I would slow mo‘- its cheap but - they each catch each other’s eyes in zoom shots, converging on a point- but Harry hasn’t stopped he’s heading toward Ginny. Ron has Hermione’s hand Hermione grabs Harry’s hand and yes the last thing we see is Ginny as Mr. and Mrs Wealey run toward her. Wormhole effect.
But back to the dance floor for the laboriousness…Should I bother yeah- its a lot of film and though I’m good at remember ing a lot of fim I’d rather write this once so if I want to I can comeback to it later.
So back to the dance floor, Victor has just cut in, polyHarry is recognized by Luna and we’re back to where we started
LUNA: Poly juice can only do so much (Long Beat) Its good to see you even if I can’t see you see you
polyHARRY: (genuine) Its good to see you too Luna. (beat) Are here with anyone?
LUNA: Iasked Neville but his Gran thinks it’s too dangerous thought you might-
polyHARRY: Be here.
Luna pulls out a DA coin from her robe’s pocket: It reads; In Handwriting it writes out (refreshing like a computer) Hi Harry- Neville here. Thought you might be there let Luna know plans as to DA this term. Have a good time, be safe.
polyHarry smiles wide at Luna-
polyHARRY: That’s brilliant- how’d he get it to do that -I thought only Hermione could-
LUNA: She helped him at the end of last term -said someone other than just she should know how in case- (long beat) so do you know when the next DA meeting will be because Neville wants it scheduled before we return to term so all the members can be there.
polyHARRY: (sentimentally)Tell Neville (beat) to schedule it whenever he says (Pause) Do you want to dance?
LUNA: No Daddy said to dance when I felt the spirit (Luna looks over to her father) and I don’t feel the spirit just now.
Pause, they stand in silence taking in the room- good time for a camera pan, a last look.
LUNA: so what’s like being free in the world for one day and not being seen as Harry Potter?
: Aunt Muriel: (speaking too loudly- (as is her habit and will do through out) )
SOUND OFF CAMERA: AUNT MURIEL: Harry Potter?
Luna and Harry turn now both horror struck
AUNT MURIEL (cont): I heard he might be here- good friend of that younger one- Don
POLYHARRY and LUNA: (loudly) Ron
AUNT MURIEL: Harry Potter haven’t met him yet- have you seen him?
OLD GUY: You know perfectly well its too dangerous for Potter to be here
AUNT MURIEL: Danger- they don’t know of danger why in my day when Grindelwald
(Dance floor)
VCTOR: May I cut in?
HERMIONE: (pleasant )Victor
Ron just keeps on dancing
GINNY: (To Ron) he wants to cut in
RON: I know he does
VICTOR: Hermione and I (beat) (to Ron)
RON: I know
Hermione stops dancing
HERMIONE: It’s good to see you (beat) You do remember Ron, Ronald Weasley?
VICTOR: No (too long beat) but would you- for what do you say for time’s sake
HERMIONE: (to Ron) Old (to Victor) for old time’s sake (to Ron) Yes- I’ll meet you at our table
GINNY: (grabbing Ron’s arm) Just where I’m meeting (catches herself) Barry
Ginny takes Ron’s arm and they start to dance.
GINNY: Oh Stop it Ron- its over .
RON: Yeah but does he know that?
GINNY: It doesn’t matter- she does
AUNT MURIEL: (To Luna) You’re phineallus Lovegood’s Daughter (looks disapprovingly at Luna father dancing ‘freely‘ and being given plenty of room) what is your father wearing?
LUNA: Sun colors - good luck for a wedding, both of us are see-
AUNT MURIEL: No, No, No
VICTOR: (angry- looking at Phineas) Hermione- do you know that man?
HERMIONE: That’s Luna’s father (pointing to polyHarry and Luna who look nervous)
AUNT MURIEL: I know all the Weasley’s I am a Weasley and I don’t know any Barry Weasley
(Lovegood dancing utterly inhis own world)
HERMIONE: Victor what’s wrong?
VICTOR: (jaw tightening) He should not being wearing that-
MR. WEASLEY: Better let me cut in- Muriel’s lecturing Barry about something.
Mr. Weasley begins dancing with Ginny, Ron looks back at Hermione and an angry Victor, smiles and heads off to fend off aunt Muriel
OLD GUY: Muriel you’re ninty years old - look here he’s on our seating charthe’s at our table.
MURIEL: I suppose you’re right- (beat) the way those Weasley’s keep having children. Donald-
RON: Ronald-
VICTOR: He’s evil
HERMIONE: No - Victor you have him confused with someone else that’s Mr. Lovegood he publishes the Quib-
VICTOR: No! I am not with mistake! - (Pause- growing more angry) that symbol is Grindelwald’s , many my people killed under that symbol
HERMIONE: Looking at the symbol: No Victor - I just saw that, that’s from a children’s story -
AUNT MURIEL: I see your friend Potter isn’t here-off mourning for Dumbledore according Rita Sketter’s new book.
OLD MAN: He’s to be mourned
MURIEL: fooey- Bagshot told Skeeter all about Dumbledore - what they did to Arianna
OLD MAN: - please stop with that gossip what Grindelwald did to Arianna nearly destroyed Albus
MURIEL: Destroyed him? (with rancor) who the greatest wizard of all time?
PolyHARRY: Don’t say anything more against Dumbledore.
LUNA: (Luna feels the spirit and start to dance like her father) What is that song they’re playing- does anyone know?
MURIEL: (to old man) another fan?
RON: Hey Barry- let’s go get some butterbeer for everyone (taking Harry by the arm) She just goes off like that sometimes- doesn’t mean anything by it
Ron and Harry see Hermoine and Victor have stopped dancing - she’s holding his arm trying to keep him from heading toward Lovegood - (best) she can. Victor is in a rage and begins storming toward Lovegood - Hermoine sees Ron and Harry approaching
The music stands fall, the band’s silent everyone stops as Kingsley Lynx circles the ceiling. “
KINGSLEY VO: (out of breathe) The ministry has fallen (Long Beat- the sound of his labored breathing) They’re coming.
The tent explodes in places people are running a blast at one end . All hell breaks lose and yeah I would slow - its cheap but - the three each catch each other’s eyes in zoom shots, converging on a point Ron has Hermione’s hand - but Harry hasn’t stopped he’s heading toward Ginny. Hermione grabs Harry’s hand and yes the last thing we see is Ginny face and Mr. Weasley mouthing “Go“. Wormhole effect.
We arrive on a dark London street; it’s cold in London and we see all their breathes as if the dementors…
HERMIONE (breathing heavy- looking at Ron and Harry) We have to get you out of those robes and into some Muggle clothes.
Hermione takes Ron’s hand and pulls him into an alley. Harry starts taking of his robes he has on his muggle clothes from the night of fleeing Privet Drive. Unlike the movies- this should be Ron’s first Muggle attire experience. In the wizarding world- its robes (oh I’m sorry was that too Arab for everyone’s comfort level) Agina we’re back to color and palletes (as well as cut and drape) that would have been the normal- up until (lest on Privet Drive) What this of course would have accomplished was much in this final set of acts.
But back to a cold dark alley way. Harmione’s trying to balance on her heels, she gives up sits down on the pavement in her gown. From the beadwork on the bag there is a slight clinking noise in what otherwise is complete silence. She’s shaking, getting upset.
HERMIONE: (shaken-still breathing hard) I can’t remember where I put them
RON: Hermione
SOUND: the tinkling of the beads on her bag as her hands are shaking. Ron Crouches down
RON (cont.) Take a minute
Now the action stops Hermione gets herself clear, reaches down deep into the bag ( no comic sound effects) pulls at a large weight, she has the tie of a duffle out
HERMIONE: Ron-
RON: (grabs the tie and pulls out a full duffle) I got it (beat) What should I wear?
HARRY: whatever’s on top
Okay I know. The duffle shouldn’t be heavy or else - how could Hermione carry the bag? The matters been converted but there was nothing about everything becoming weightless and floating.Okay - or I know - a simple accio spell. As Hermione said this is- and is some very difficult magic and no its not ideal- nothing is going to be ideal. They’re going to packing and unpacking their gear and its going to be heavy and hard because that’s just how things are now.
Ron holds up a pair of jeans and a pullover.
RON: Really?
HERMOINE: Really - now would you please get dressed
polyHARRY: Ron you’ve seen me in muggle clothes before.
RON: Well yeah I just figured (beat) Hermione - they don’t have anything like this in “Dress like a Muggle”
HERMIONE: that’s right Ron because when Wizards dress like muggles you don’t dress like muggles.
RON: Really?
HERMIONE: would you please stop saying that
polyHARRY: So Ron (beat) what did you figure? (beat) about my muggle clothes?
RON: bad fashion sense (beat) sorry mate
Ply Harry shakes head
RON: okay Hermione you can turn around- How do I look? A good looking Muggle?
HERMIONE: A very good looking muggle
RON: no note of surprise?
HERMIONE: no note of surprise
polyHARRY: (beat) we should get going-
RON: Where?
polyHARRY: Good question- where are we anyway?
HERMIONE: (still abit thunderstruck) I couldn’t think (Beat) I couldn’t think at all
RON: Aw it’ll be good for you (beat) I don’t think quite often
Hermione laughs
polyHARRY: (beat-concerned) But you do know where we are?
HERMIONE: First place I thought of- (presently no book reference)
The sound of voices approaching, Ron slings the duffel over his shoulder-
(the scene of Hermione being cat-called/harassed- yeha I think its needed)
NEXT SCENE: (should go there’s no need for it and it drags the pace)
The three stand outside a ( I know call me label slave) Starbucks (upshot obviously) , but they’re everywhere - not in th ewizarding world though and I like that - that contrast) Ron is looking at everything wide eyed
RON: What is it?
HErMOINE and HARRY each grab an arm and walk Ron in through the front door
SOUND: elevator music LIGHT: very fluorescent
Ron stares up at the menu sign as if in a trance
RON: What’s a cap-u key-no? Some kind of muggle butter beer?
(And yes I do like this whole stranger in strange land- starman motif)
COUNTER Person: (perplexed- not rude or else Howard would never allow the promo) Can I help you?
RON: (laughing) Blimey wouldn’t that be nice?
HERMIONE: Three cappuccinos please (register - we see the money change hands)
COUNTERPERSON: (Smile) Your name?
HERMOINE: (Hesitates- Silent) RON looks around concerned, suspicious
PolyHARRY: Barry
COUNTERPERSON: Thanks Barry we’ll call you when -
PolyHARRY: I know
Ron following Hermione a little dazed picks up sugar packets
RON: muggles have to give their name to get a drink?
HERMIONE: (Dazed) It’s not usually like that
RON: (To Harry) We should go
polyHARRY: No Ron it is usually like that- this its just (beat) (gets up from table)
HERMIONE: It never scared me before
SOUND: Barry your
(you’ll want some sugar- I’m not a child- the fuzzy ontop thing- …maybe then again- maybe just a coffeeshop but either they needed a break - or I did. do
Then again the whole thing could be tightened up into fog in the alleyway fading into cream in the coffee (cheap but it works) as a fade from the harrassment scene -to the coffee- the thugs would have a lot more tension for the next scene, set up the tone. (Really they don’t even need to be in a coffeeshop - could happen on the street so as not to break pace, they turn a corner say Voldemort and there are two guys taking a llong look who don’t proposition Hermione but start firing curses. That’s better really- the alley was the break.
The Starbucks name thing supposedly it started in Atlanta, though I’d say it started with every expediter who knew your drink the minute you walked in the door- called it out to confirm it and started it. In the se region it was just a thing we did for the customers we knew -it sped up the process particularly during rushes. The name thing was a suggestion from Atlanta. This whole: what’s your name (register for coffee) I didn’t and still don’t like it. Either know your customers when they walk in the door or you don’t. Why fake it?
Long live, “Lear- but my first name’s Chanda”
But back to Harry Potter: I get why they lost the whole Barry thing and I’m sure the same thing happened in every other act- and yes it’s a challenge and that’s why the whole story should have focused more character- when the audience knows and cares about the characters losing their face isn’t such a big deal. Plus in terms of the logic of the story you can’t do it the way the film did it without losing well- some of what they lost- which was the inner logic of the story because again: Harry would not be walking around with own face- he just wouldn’t . Plus there are cameras all over London- be them Muggle or Wizarding -all those eyes no way. And again this is where again they lost a sense of a)peril and b)jeopardy.
No way at the wedding, no way in the streets of London anymore than Harry’d walk around the ministry wearing his own face. It would have been suicidal for that character in and under those circumstances. Plus in point of fact it adds to story better if they’re only seen amoung their own.
Something could be worked in like- the Poly’s fading, starting to fade- seomthing about great shock or fright or fear of being found out cuts the length of the Poly jjuice- so its all about staying calm: don’t panic, don’t doubt- enough of that builds up and your cover‘s blown.
But back to the NO COFEESHOP SCENE
What does having cost? Pace.
What do you lose- a wand battle and Hermione saying obliviate. Are those two things worth losing pace? I say no because what’s being established in the scene?
1) the question of th etrace
2) They’re not safe in the Muggle world or th ewizarding world
3) The word Voldemort IS the trace (a reveal for later- and no Ron will not narrate it
+ it makes the Ministry much higher stakes because the last time they tried to battle The Order saved the day- wont be so this time
So no fight scene- creepy guy thing someone say Voldemort two guys appear out of nowhere- the characters are amongst more muggles but the thugs they see them - no dialogue its all the eyes they’re all looking at each other until one thug looks at the other says something, the other guy shrugs and they most casually pull out their wands to fire/curse. Which in keeping with the new state of things: Death Eatters don’t care about being detected using curses around muggles or hitting muggles- that they’d maybe hit Harry Potter and his friends- why not? For them there’s no risk of recrimination.
SO no coffeeshop scene (hated how the film handled that by the way between that and the Ministry they had the three dragging around bodies- alot) .
Alleyway, to the “dump ginger scene as they turn a corner, someone says Voldemort and there are suddenly two guys across the street, drawing wands. Harry says “Ron!“ as they draw their wands, Hermione grabs their arms, wand streaks in the air. Wormhole effect, The Three are on the stoop of Grimauld Place.
No battle scene because that is not what the scene was about or for, nor I might add was it about obliviating. The information in that scene was a) not safe in either the wizarding world or the muggle world b) Voldemort as a trace mech. As that was and were the points of that and those scenes and it has been accomplished- time to move forward.
GRIMAULD PLACE; should Dumbledore’s aparrition thing (has to be) lost.?From the psych/emot perspective of Harry yes it would be good for him to have to keep repeating “I didn’t kill you (ie: I’m not responsible for his death” but it just doesn’t do much for the story- would one more pow be good? Sure but Dumbledore’s appareition not as a repetition. Hermione will again be unsure “It’s the only place I could think of which will happen a third time after the Ministry ( the rule of threes) BUT the payoff is at Luna’s that “do you trust me?” when she proves herself to be one heck of an apparator- a strategic one at that .
And for this I’d need the book and really Sirius’s Mom screaming about Mudbloods might well be enough that whole Dumble- I didn’t kill you thing always seemed a bit holely- a bit contrived…
But then again as a character Snape would need that, maybe- but the how, the how Harry knew that phrase- that just never quite worked for me.
FOR POST MINISTRY
“Is this safe- here?’
“It’s out in th emiddle of nowhere and that seems”
HERMIONE: ( confident) “That’s what I thought” (now, she can keep her head- and is starting to feel confident with what she comes up with on the fly. This is a large part of her character arch.)
10.10.11
10.10.11
Herein rests, for I don’t believe such things should lie, a long and ranty word doodle ramble per the final Harry Potter book as well as some ramblings about the editorial choices per the films in between Philosopher/Sorcerer Stone and the Hallows.
The translation from film to books- translation didn’t take place but in my opinion a really sick appropriation did.
Harry Potter was the story of a boy wizard who was raised as a house elf…who just so happens to be the chosen one. That’s the story.
J.K. always said she wrote it from her deep belief as a Christian to which some might say “Witchcraft therefore a lie, therefore she’s a George W. Bush style Christian” - though those that would say the first part of that sentence certainly voted for the last part of that sentence so actually hardly anyone would say that.
Whether, in my opinion, you’re Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu- whatever story or stories that have been passed down because someone extraordinary, visionary came along - the Harry Potter books are a lens as to what happens, happened. I believe in the case of the big three Abrahamic prophets the Potter book to film is instructive because what happened there I believe happened to the synagogue, the church, the mosque - I mean even the Dali Lama says what‘s being said in some Buddhist Temples kinda blows his mind because its just so far off the mark.
The story, the very ideas get altered. To see what happens in a work of fiction, something as epic, as Tolkeinesque - fiction, how that can be as corrupted as these books got is revealing.
The/a story is altered because that’s what happens; and happened with every prophet- essentially they get hijacked; though actually I think it winds up a lot more like polyjuiced.
In my opinion these books and what happened to their core is what happened and happens every time a live person with real vision comes along. I mean really, if such can happen to a work of fiction as happened to Harry Potter’s Tale expand it out, expand it back and that is what happen(ed/s).
September 2011
Of course too, and truly I only appreciated it recently, trust (as well as faith) between the three became an issue from which so much else spawned in book 7.
Hermione and Ron’s speaking in hushed tones “Did Harry know more” than he was telling them?
In part it was a hope because the alternative was that they were similarly situated. Better to entertain the idea as perhaps hope that maybe just like his prickling scar, he was holding something back, because if so perhaps the situation was not as dire.
And then too that scene, which of course disappeared in the film, but was critical: “Harry do you trust me?”
Trust and betrayal. Who can you trust? who should you trust and who without explanation, for there was no time and often there isn’t: who would betray you? Who would rather die than do that?
Loyalty and betrayal.
Big concepts in those books, too bad that for most part -they were lost on the filmmakers. Perhaps too on many of the readers, but not lost on all.
Quite a thing for Lupin to show up the way he did at The Screaming Shack. They had all trusted each other, and at least there was that moment- that one “they were friends” moment in the film because ethat sort of thing is huge. Those closest and he had betrayed where to betray one is to betray all.
Lupin - there was plenty of evidence against Sirius and perhaps he was only there to protect this last vestige of his dead friends except for the map for there had been Wormtail who was supposed to be dead. Time had passed but Sirius and Lupin were still friends - in part because Lupin’s narrative was still open. He could have closed it. Closed the book on Sirius- went with perhaps his eyes deceived him or the map had been hexed.
Worm tail - actually reminds me - quite a bit of a man so false he literally couldn’t tell the truth about whether he liked dogs or not.
Can you imagine? Being unable, or unwilling to give a truthful reply even to that. I at the time could supply no explanation for that and was simply confused for weeks. That is the consequence and I dare say the goal of every lie: to confuse.
Finally his daughter enlightened me because I literally could not wrap my mind around it but his daughter had wrapped her mind around it quite sometime ago “He tells people what he thinks they want to hear”.
A courtesy.
?
He tells people what he knows they want to hear so he can be perceived, so the target of the lie, will see him as someone he’s not and acting as if he is someone he is not.
Twisted. And suspect Wormtail was very much the same back in the old days when they were all friends. The man I speak of was named John, one many I’ve encountered, he was my Godfather and he was no Sirius Black.
Trust. All Lupin needed was just a little, just some smidgeon of something and he could invest trusting that all he had heard and believed, the narrative he had carried for nealy thirteen years- all he needed was --
What? A cause for hope? But then too did Lupin ever cease to love Sirius, did he fully believe that who he thought his friend was- he wasn’t? That it was just a disguise like and as if one were and is human Polyjuice? Or had the pieces never quite fit- I mean one can rearrange and reinterpret reframe a narrative in retrospect - of course no one ever has all the pieces of such puzzles except in a book or a play.
That’s again where a teleplay would be interesting, Lupin with that map- wondering. Also the scenes between he and Severus would really be interesting all those many years later after all that happened and all that had passed and all that was still felt, re-examined, and not.
Of James’ entire crew Lupin would have been the one to know the below was wrong, should have been stopped. Lupin was the sensitive guy, the nice guy? Yeah maybe- and maybe too he knew in a different house- under a different set of circumstances had James or Sirius found out about him he could have been suspended in the air, picked out picked upon by them just as it was Snape in the scene below.
“Do you trust me?”
“Can I trust you”
“Should I trust you”
How would James have reacted if someone other than Lily had said “Stop”. Could Lupin trust that James wouldn’t turn on him? I hope so.
Never after Ron left did Hermione or Harry think they had to worry about Ron switching sides. That Ron left - that was the betrayal. Neither charcter or the author or probably most of the audience, those of us who knew Ron, knew he wouldn’t betray them like that- he wasn’t capable of going there.
I suppose that is part of what trust is - and trusting well: knowing what people are capable of and what they’re not capable of- and hoping you’re right.
Thoughts on the film version of Occlumency lessons, Snape’s memory thread.
a) There’s a big difference in terms of character between a Snape who would and wouldn’t remove the/a particular memory thread during his Occlumency lessons with Harry.
To not remove it would be quite arrogant? Harry not being up to it? To not remove it would indicate no fear of Harry finding out - perhaps suspecting that Snape loved Lily.
The difference between a Snape who would guard that memory- a Snape who wouldn’t- character wise that’s huge and one more place Universal dropped the ball.
And there too the ever present subtle mysogeny of how they told the tale. Of course the girl, Lily, isn’t in the Snape’s hidden memory scene during occlumency lessons in the film version because in the world they created: “the girl doesn’t really matter” other than as an object - just as Voldemort saw her - so did the folks at Universal. (ie: the scene as relayed by Snape to Dumbledore about Voldemort’s comment/reaction as to Snape’s loss of Lily, her death)
James picking on Snape for laughs …and Lily - that scene was critical as was how Snape treated it. With care and guarding - or without?
Lily (in the book of course because- well again patriarchy- mysogeny (ever hear the one about why JK published as “JK” rather than her given name?!) in the scene Lily did what none of James’ friends had the guts to do- she was gutsy and meanwhile-a very empathetic person.
But to Voldemort (and the folks at Universal)- a physical object easily replaceable- heck just edit her out.
The scene any scene is about every character in it- to remove one is alter the entire.
August 2011
“You can never read the same book twice”, true.
Just as true no two people ever read the same book. The filmmakers read one Harry Potter; I read an entirely different story. A former English major and then a Communications Major who more than dabbled in philosophy- I regularly had a ‘take’ on a story, a narrative, etc. which first my teachers would A, then find interesting and then I was in college still getting praised for an often unusual perspective.
It had been the same scenario in Sunday school where fortunately I was with Episcopalians, although I was more of a Unitarian Quaker type. Thus when and where my read and the “official” interpretation were regularly at odds, in debate, in exploration, in a theological discussion- I was not only tolerated but generally enjoyed by even Sunday school teachers.
Mostly I suspect people read words, can define them but don’t have the slightest clue as to what they mean, really. I’ve thus come to the conclusion that though most Americans can read few of them are actually literate.
I came into the Harry Potter series at about book 3 or 4; didn’t read them in order and …well.
That the story went where it went was no surprise. What was surprising was how I kept hearing allegedly literate people refer to it, even the publisher, as a story about a Wizard- or magic which would be like saying “The Hobbit” is a book about really short people. To say Harry Potter is about magic or wizards is like saying Moby Dick is about whaling.
The Harry Potter series has been both unusual, and to me, telling.
Unusual in the sense of: how many times have of so many people all the world over read the same book? engaged in the same dreams upon a printed page in one turn of the globe- each reading that and those pages for the first time?
It was really rather something.
To me it speaks quite loudly and says everything there is to say about here: whatever the life, whatever the message, whoever the prophet, whoever the martyr: the disease(?) is so pervasive here that not even within fiction can seemingly hardly anyone see, hear or read anything.
Not even in fiction.
I was damn angry when I started writing these- particularly the 1st act of final book because I’d grudgingly seen that ‘film’ recently. I don’t think I have ever been so disgusted - I wouldn’t have thought it could actually have been worse than the first film- yet they managed.
I may doodle around with these some more- then again I may not. What I am incredibly grateful for though is that I never read the books they’ve filmed.
(I am stuck per the movie in my head. Do we really need to go in the house in the first place? Probably. But I just so like the idea of the audience not knowing during battle sequence, for that same confussion of multiple Harry Potters (which is it?!) and nobody knowing for sure- not the audience- not the deatheatters. And no the auduence does not need to be led by the hand- they can be caught up later. Okay so maybe not starting there but not revealing it until Ginny says-)
JULY @)!!
General Intro 1:
As someone who truly loved the Harry Potter series I watched the films with horror, frustration and regular dismay. I suffered through most of them, only two bore any meaningful similarity to the books. (The key word in that last sentence is meaningful
I could mess around with writing the screenplays as I wish they’d been done but then I realized- hey why not write teleplays?
In part its an experiment, a writing project, I’m going to post my rough drafts non-formatted, typo ridden and with the occasional commentary. So far I figure I’ll just do the first act of each book first, then maybe the last book of each book? Who knows.
SO should you be game- welcome to my teleplay of the Harry Potter series.
If you’re the lucky sort, like myself and have a screen in your head- you’ll see it, hear it and can contrast the choices made by Universal and what I (obviously) feel would have been better choices in how to tell it.
Story isn’t about plot- plot is just what happens - the lens through which everyone is seen and how one does, or does not, become known and the details through which an author‘s larger point/s are being made. Thus my treatment deals more with character and the relationships between the characters, what I hope is better pacing particularly in the first act of the final book which should have felt relentless and harried.
(As for using the word ‘harried’ excuse the pun- there will undoubtedly be more)
Now on with the show or skip to the next site, the next blog, the next 2.5 minute allocation of time…
HARRYPOTTERTELEPLAY:BK7:ACT1
(yeah the brkfst table Ginny fade in doesn’t work- I’ve rewritten it in my head- I liked the idea but it doesn’t work and “the note of surprise“ missing is a big loss and would take th epop out of the line/s in the alleyway. Plus its good inter-character shorthand and when you got that somewhere - you keep it. The dialogue choreography of the dance sequence needs to be tightened and re-arranged. I was tired when I wrote it but wanted to get the idea down. Feel free to skip- the “To The filmmakers) exposition- but I‘m right as in correct)
YO THE FILM (MAKERS/WRECKERS)The content you chose to lose because, quite frankly, you wanted to see Helena Bonham Carter on top Hermione all grown up!
And then of course too that dance- turned Harry -the one from the books- into a liar. Sacrificed a great laugh line “its not all wand work” as well as losing that nice short hand between two characters “always the note of surprise”.
And finally worst- man you spent a lot of time at Lord Voldemort’s table. Given what was written and filmed about these books- that should come as no surprise; it didn‘t.
Why? Because from the first few minutes of the first film it was obvious. To anyone who understood the core of the books: that you the filmmakers did not understand the material you were presenting.
The scene at formerly the Malfoy table- now Voldemort’s table wasn’t about how you filmed it.
The scene was about that woman’s eyes, fact is that’s what 60-70 percent of that scene should have been: just her eyes. Just her eyes as she was trapped, paralyzed and a captive searching the table for someone to help her amoung faces she knew, some that she taught, collogues. Her eyes watching as she’s paralyzed and about to be eaten by a snake. The fear- the horror of being there suspended above a table inhabited by near nothing but psychopaths- most of whom she had to have known at one time or another. And yes as she spun like kill on a spit tears would have been dropping onto the table.
And really- why did you ever even show Voldemort? Did you not see Jaws? Did they never require you to view Hitchcock? Did you not get how the whole no face thing of Darth Vader was scarier?
What the audience will fill in with their minds is scarier, and better than anything or any actor you can put on screen. I mean I really don’t get even casting a person. A voice- yes. A make-up and wardrobe actor- no.
“What about pure special effects?’
No - what the audience will fill that blank with will be better.
Other than that woman’s eyes the other relevant bit of information in that scene was the Malfoys, father and son. The son:not comfortable and not feeling powerful with what he was seeing, witnessing- was a part of . His knowing he was on the wrong side and her eyes- that was the scene but you gave it Voldemort.
And too there was Malfoy the father, of course there’s be a comment - not a joke just something to humiliate him with - being wandless yes but more importantly: of no worth. Him going from the smug to the object of smugness while all his sycophantic friends have for him are jeers and snorts of laughter as he is at or below wormtail’s level in this caste system- only at the table so as to add to the humiliation. And even then, no remorse. But his son, his son is not delighting- alight with confidence watching this woman on a spit, begging. Far from it.
All that was what that scene was about. “Well that’s a lot of time you spent at the table too:-“ To which I’d say: you still don’t get it! do you?
Rather reminds me of something in my own life
An art exhibit-,poetry and visual artists. I was there with a woman, a self proclaimed follower of Christ generally warm and friendly person but oddly she didn’t understand the poems, didn’t know how to look at art- that you have to really look at it, make a point of seeing all that is there. Too, like the filmmakers: she doesn’t know how to read a story.
The last piece in the art + poetry showcase was called “the Twelve Apostles” an experimental photographic series, ambitious- the sort of thing you view up close but if you have twenty or thirty feet to fall back- you take that longer view as well.
“What do you think it means?” She asked of the 12 Apostles “some of them look like women - what does that mean?“ or” that one must be Judas”. I didn’t respond to any of it. At one point she said “It was a Roman soldier that killed Jesus- the sword in his side”. I stood there with sort of silent incredulous horror I‘d regularly experience in “church“.
Wow. “The Roman soldier killed Christ” . Perhaps he enjoyed inserting the blade. Then again perhaps he could not bear seeing that man? Someone -anyone who had such ideas as to what the world could be that he watch him suffer no longer, would anot alow the pharaohs or Caesar more.
“It was him, it was him- that guy over there he killed Christ!”Let’s be clear:…no. You don’t see it- you don’t already know -I wont be the one to explain it to you because that’s is and has been my cardinal sin here, blinding myself for they most surely know what they do…and enjoy it as much as watching Nagini eat his dinner. As much as my sister enjoyed watching her snake do the same, as mother held a goldfish by the tail, explaining: it’s afraid, see how its stopped struggling- now it won’t feel anything- her distance and my sister’s eyes alight with fascination. I couldn’t watch, wouldn’t for to me - in them- in that I saw their mad removed delight .
“The Roman soldier killed Christ” said as if so many did not and had not entertained themelves watching such things, perhaps bring a snack as if watching a movie, perhaps taking notes like in a research study or throwing stones as if playing a video game, perhaps bringing a snack- maybe some salt.
The first poem on that trip ending on the 12 Apostles had been an easy one to discern- the poem was about joy. There was a Ferris wheel, nothing at all opaque or cloudy yet this “follower of Christ” didn’t understand the poem, shrugged it off “whatever that means”. The visuals plus the sounds of the words were so lovely- yet “WHatever that means” . And simple too, about the feeling one has and had for another…”Whatever that means”.
This seems the case quite regularly people who can read the words, pick out keywords- I swear I once spoke to a real live keyworder- she technically spoke English -just couldn’t communicate anything despite English being her native language..
Was this person who expressed an interest in art essentially the same as this keyworder in human form? It seems so -even in retrospect.
There was an artist lecture a few days later which “Whatever that means” went to and asked the artist to explain- what he meant, what the pieces sayfor she couldn‘t look at it and understand it either - niether in word or image I wouldn‘t say anything on the topic.. The artist, like I had no reply to her querry - for if you need it explained you didn’t and can‘t really see it in the first. place, and that - in and of itself speaks.
I believe Dan Brown hit on something, I believe there is a language which cannot be hacked, can be quoted and mimicked but can not be learned or stolen: a way of seeing or reading or hearing or making which one either has or one doesn’t.
“A Roman soldier killed Christ,’ some say- many say perhaps even most say that- others say the Jews or Judas -but as I read the story one would have to be willfully blind to believe those lines anything other than a vile lies who disavow the watch/ed wit their own mad removed delight .
How does all this relate to Harry Potter- should you still possess your soul that should be between-the- lines- obvious.
But back to Harry Potter- Let’s look at some more of your first acts- and let’s be clear: you could have made three hours movie, four hour movies- of course not anything anyone would sit through for that long. Oh and of cours eit wouldn’t have been as efficient for raking in the money. They just would have been better films with intermissions.
Guaranteed, one of the most successful franchises ever- and that still wasn’t enough.
This last one that I’ll see for instance, as before- no real sense of jeopardy or risk- damn you assholes actually made a dozen people turning into walking targets like a emllow gathering- just a reuninion- nothing really taking place in these scenes but the special effects of multiple Harry Ptters…wow that’s deep.
Not.
And Lupin broaching Tonk’s pregnancy here- what were you people on when you made this movie! As if- as if Lupin would put that on Harry- yeah my wife’s pregnant and now she’s fying into th eface of death for you with our baby- as if Lupin would put that on Harry? He wouldn’t. Oh or was that your all’s failed attempt at trying to create a sense of
Fist it should have been much steady cam from the secongd in that house - the camera moving in that kitchen catching someone just at their dialogue - a beat behind, harried rushed- even the camera and jumo cuts- Fleur’s line the only break in the tension (but should there really have been a break in the tension - wouldn‘t it have made more sense in an embrace at the Weasley‘s ? )
And Bill’s scar line- why even bother?
Much less there!
The Dursley’s - that scene,
Dudley: “isn’t he coming with us?”
That was needed, I guess you all edited out because you just plain didn‘t know how to handle it.
That and after when he was chased by the dementors- the scene at the car!? (two or so films back) Same thing - didn’t kow how to handle it -didn’t understand what happened for the characters in that scene, for Dudley. Because even in his state he saw, he sees harry knowing he just saved him and felt what he saved him from - that could have - should have been read and shown in his eyes not some silly meaningless “oh we don’t want the neighbors to see!” bit on the driveway. That was the trade and the nature of every trade the filmmakers made: something genuine for fake and shallow. All whilst the pace was ever snail slow.
Again- no concept for the core of the material and obviously no understand ing as to the emotional landscape of any character- and that- that is what is important.
But back to my movie: The Not Shallow Hallows.
From the minute the screen - we start inside the Dursleys and it is a flurry of activity running up and down steps, running, pace because they are all going to be on the run now. And there’s tension becaue everyone coming into that house knows they could die tonight, the person nesxt to them, their son, their love/r, their friend, their brother, those in which they love and trust most. They could lose one of those tonight.
Of course that’s not how the other team filmed and designed it - no in the hands of these film makers you’d never know that, any of that. And you could see it in the performances- the actors knew, had no confidence- their discomfort with what was being filmed was captured on screen.
Have I cut any running time? No but I’ve changed how it would feel, the pace- left the shallow drag that was and has been these films. ( How the fims introducing Lupin and Slughorn were internittenently as good as they were at times is no small miracle- but again even there…Harry in a coffeeshop? Harry walking around as if - as if none of its happening as he’s not in jeopardy - as if The Order would have even allowed that- and in that same film: Dumbledore disappearing out of Hogwarts in a “the rules don’t apply to me manner”. Again, goes against the core of the material- and yes it pisses me off)
So the final book, harried from the moment film starts and there is no pause, there are no breaks and those flight scenes are quick jump cuts- confused, dizzying because that is battle - that is hand to hand combat and and in theirworld those wand and broom moments are: fighter pilots and that is how it should have shot: Top Gun meets Platoon
Flying down highways and such crap: who gives a damn! That’s interesting- doesn’t reveal anything and doesn’t take the audience anywhere- doesn‘t show anything. The motor bike falling apart in the sky, the button: jeopardy, exrteme danger - flying by the seat of your pants and Harry watching his friends- wanting to help- but only stunning and then falling from the sky.
And you don’t drop him into the Weasley’s (and when you do it’s the country cottage hippie atmosphere it should have been in the first damn place).
Black screen and Harry is awoken to a close up of Bellatrix Lastrange‘s face live right in front of him (1 shot)- but quick cut to Harry - no still for the audience to notice her facial expression is completely different until we come back after Ted.
Yes, her sister- Tonk’s mother- the shock - more jeopardy and he’s up fighting again- scene commences as does (somewhat) in book
“Hedwig! (semi conscious lying in the grass)
Harry’s POV: close up of (not) Ballatrix Lastrange
HARRY: (tearing) Hedge- (shouting) Expelliamus! Where’s Hagrid! Where’s Hagrid! What have you do with him (points his wand-straight in her face.
Character wise: Harry doesn’t know how many or if everyone he cares about most is dead and that needs to be in the scene, nor does he know this is not Bellatrix
TED: Expelliamus!
: Tonk’s father disarms him.
TONK”S MOTHER(watery eyed) You of course (beat) have met my sister (Pause) Bellatrix”
Character wise, this would be a source of great pain for Ytonk’s mother. People recognizing the face from the newspapers, false sightings of Bellatrix- the whole history, the years and decades of that would be on her face.
The recognition, understanding,
“Tonk’s-”
Pull’s Harry up (from the couch?) no -they are still outside and it works better this way because this is the whole movie with rare exception they are outside, out of doors, outside of the law- the wilderness with warm lights and indoor comforts a distance away that is most of the movie and starts here
- and he’s moving again harried- steady cam,
“Yes we’re (name- name)”
“Did you see did Tonks and Re-
“No time- they have to catch their portkey”
Hagrid is fallling and getting back up intermittently - Harry tries to go back and help, Tonk’ parents don’t lose time and keep him moving
“Hagrid!“ (hARRY STARTS TO STRUGGLE - to go back
“get him to the Portkey!“
“He’ll be right behind you”
“Hagrid!”
“Here - grab on- its any minute now”
“Hagri-”
TONKS MOM: “He’s coming Harry- hold onto to that portkey”
Sees Hagrid in a limping run toward them
HARRY: (barely holding together) I‘m sorry you look so much like her”
TED (calm firm)“She’s nothing like her”
A flash of Hagrid’d, big hand on Harry’s , wormhole effect, pow they’re in the borough.
POV: Harry looking around because he does not where he just was, where he’d be going next or where he is.
The first thing he hears is Ginny’s voice “It’s Harry- it’s Harry - he and Hagrid made it” SHe running to him and when she gets there
Ginny: (eyes welled- shock on her face) --- missed their port key” We hear a count down- x should be here in x seconds- who’s next- Hermione should be early in the drop because she knows the schedule and the order down to the second -if you want a breakin the sequence and some what happened in the air dialogue break it up before hand with Hagrid asking Molly for something Medicinal
“We’re all having something medicinal”
The exchanges regarding identity are good and should have occurred but not in the house- outside- they don’t move into the house- they don’t leave fight mode- their front- until either the locale of everyone is known and/or Fred (or George) comes back bleeding. This harried atmosphere does not break until the joke which of course doesn’t get a laugh and the other twin is crying/emotting as he mock criticizes his brother’s joke. (the shot should have been way more mirrory: looking at himself) Immediatley- hopefully you get a laugh and time it so with a laugh the audience is alaughing ove rthe line- but not the characters- they don’t get a break because ethis night isn’t over yet
BILL “Mad Eye we have to get his body” (hopefully the audience has - been distracted so they might have missed the line.
MOLLY(?): “What?”
LUPIN(?): we have to go (beat) now- we have to get Mad Eye’s body before-”
MRS>WEASLEY(note of hysteria) “why we’re all safe- why now - why not wait?”
MR Weasley: (Gentle) Molly(Pause) You know why
And here I believe someone should throw up or struggle not to (maybe Tonks- who is not holding something medicinal like everyone else because she’s pregnant) The struggle not to be sick- Moody was her mentor, she knew him best and what they’re talking about, the reason they have to get his body back is the Death Eatters will- could- might turn Moody into a Inferari.
I don’t remember what happened in the book- who went but tactically Bill and Lupin going would make sense. They’re both - they were both bitten by a werewolf and that’s who the other side would be sent to collect a body, a none pureblood. Fenrir could be there and he can’t hurt them the way he could hurt the others. Hagrid could handle himself though I suspect he hit the medicinal hard. Mr. Weasley has kids, the kids are out of the question and no way would Lupin allow Tonks to go for he registers that she’s not drinking.
To bed and that’s probably the best place for all the information that didn’t shouldn’t be provided in the first act. The weird wand thing, Voldemort flying- Bill’s (again) voice “he can fly now- no broom” all the length that wasn’t in that first act here’s the break, here’s what Harry’s brain is recycling over, Hedwig falling over and over Dudley giving him his hand, a last look at the cupboard, ‘Stuning curse that’s him”. Also this is a good place to repeat the sequence of of Malfoy taking Dumbledore’s wand. The wand sequence with Voldmorte, a slow mo with Ginny, The face of Bellatrix Lestrange, Olivander- Voldemorts the wand, wands - how- why screaming, Olivander screaming “I don’t know, I don’t know” screaming- the voice (scream)becomes a female (yeah I’m making Harry a wee bit psychic- foreshadow-foreboding) and we hear harry’s voice as he wakes bending upright
“No-” (or Ginny- can’t make my mind up on that)
In bed, Harry bolts upright, extending his arm as if holding an invisible wand at Ron, Rons is cupping a bowl of cereal, chewing -smiling takes a side step (physical comedy) along the back wall as Harry’s wand arm collapses.
RON: (Ron, nearly finished chewing) Happy Birthday mate”
Taking another bite- Ron is still in his pajamas though from the light its mid day. He‘s relaxed wearing last night well- Harry looks worn out)
HARRY: Thanks (beat)
RON: Mum brought us up some breakfast for whenever we woke up.
I like th eidea of Hermione there doing some packing asking “SHould we bring runes” to herself “we might need it we just don’t know- oh Harry I’ve almost got you all packed - do you think we’ll need “Hogwarts a History”?
HARRY (to Ron) What’s she on about?
RON: Been packing like a mad all week-
Ron opens the door to an upstairs room - still holding his cereal bowl
RON: Come on you’ve gotta see this
And we see the “vocab”
RON: Can’t say he looks just like me but- Fred, George and Dad have been helping
Ron and Hermione are both smiling-
RON: he’s me. (Long Beat) when we don’t go back to school I’m going to need a cover and I figured “Vocab” - say I’ve got (vocab) very contagious - when (beat) the ministry come looking thinking I’m with you - they’ll find him instead.
HERMOINE: (Smiling to Harry) Clever huh?
RON: (To Hermione with a grin) Always the note of surprise ( lifts his spoon to take a bite of cereal)(Pause)
SOUND: Fart noise Shot of red haired “Vocab”, Ron lowers spoon
RON: Does smell though- let’s give ‘im his privacy
They all descend the staircase
RON: keeps the family safe because I’m not with you and they don’t know anything- which they don’t - not really we haven’t told them about the Horcruxes
HERMIONE: We haven’t told anyone -
RON: Mum doesn’t know we’re not going back to Hogwarts- suspects- but doesn’t so just play along like we’re going back to school else she‘ll body bind us and throw us all on the Hogwarts Expr-.
HARRY: You’re not coming with me
RON (looking back at Hermione): Told you
(Shot of Mrs. Weaslety out in the yard readying for the party - Fred, George and Ginny all keeping her occupied)
(Bottom of stairs)
HARRY: I’ve got to get going (Goes to his rusket sack) - where’s the rest of my stuff?
Silence
HARRY (A tinge of anger) Hermione where are my clothes?
HERMIONE: (To Harry) You’ve got enough for today (beat) and the wedding (beat) and then we hunt horcruxes
HARRY: You two are going back to Hogwarts
RON: (to Hermione-remaining upbeat) sounds just like Mum doesn’t he? (eats another spoonful)
HERMIONE: (quietly) Harry I have been packing- doing some very difficult magic
HARRY: Well undo it
RON: (with food in his mouth) Told you he’d be like this
HERMIONE: getting us all packed so we can leave in a moments-
RON: (interrupts- Remaining casual as Harry and Hermione grow more upset) Oh by the way -Fleur’s parents are coming tonight for the engagement dinner tonight-
HARRY: (looking progressively confused and exasperated) Engagement dinner? He’s out there! Don’t you two understand!
RON: (casually) Yeah sure we do (beat) but Mum figured make a night of it baked you birthday cake - dinner for the in-laws - a twofer( Ron takes another bite of his cereal and chews) then the wedding - (jokingly) be rude not to attend (chewing) after they risked their lives, Fred/george lost an ear (chewing)
HARRY: (frustration) That’s what I’m saying, that’s why you can’t , you can not do this you can not come with me - I know you think these things that happen are some kind of adevnture (great line from next to the frozen pool sword thing- shows up her efirst- then Ron echoes it there) - you don’t understand how dangerous- you haven’t thought this through- you don’t know - you haven’t thought this through!
HERMOINE: (Angry Yelling) Haven’t thought this through!
Ron gingerly puts down his cereal bowl
From outside Fred and george cast a muffling spell at Ron’s room as Ginny distracts Molly
HERNIONE: (starts in fury- ends in sobbing)Weeks! Don’t you dare say we don’t know what we’re getting into - haven’t thought this through, haven’t thought this through! We’ve been planning this for months! haven’t thought this through! Don’t know!- Me, I don’t know! I don’t know?! I know my parents don’t even remember my name that’s what I know, that’s what I know!
Hermoine collapses against Ron
HARRY (quieted- to Ron Hermione is sobbing inconsolably- as a child who has lost bot their parents at once) Ron, Hermione’s parents? did they?
RON: No, No they’re fine -(beat) (a look on th ebright side Mrs. Weasely tone) Mr. and Mrs. Granger are in Australia, they’re safe where no one can find them and even they did there’d be no need or use to bother with them. (Pause)(Hermione’s deep breathing coming back from her cry Ron is deep breathes in time with her) ((Yeah I know as a director I’d drive the actors nuts with this micromanaging- but like I said - it’s the movie in my head, its my movie) Hermione obliviated their memories
(Pause)
HERMIONE: (tears- half to herself - half to Harry) I’d talked about you, all of us and if
RON: (with meaning to Harry) they don’t remember they have daughter named Hermione who has a friend named Harry-
HARRY: (pained) Hermione
HERMOINE: if they remember me they could remember you and they could be tortured …they had to disappear, had to disappear
RON: Plus they don’t have any defenses - (beat) both Muggle dentists (beat) Dad’ll tell you there’d be no trusting the Ministry with them
HERMIONE: ( teary) They say it’ll fall in days
HARRY: But what about The Order?
HERMIONE: (Sniffling) I couldn’t have them living like that worried all the time and if I were to be (beat) killed (beat)-
RON: ( hushed) Only child
HERMIONE: (with conviction) I won’t let that happen to them.
Harry gets up from the spot on the bed he descended to when Hermione collapsed into tears, watches The tent go up,
MRS. WEASLEY: Where are they (begins walking toward the house)
GINNY: (running ahead) I’ll go get them
HARRY’S POV is on Ginny for the next line
RON: So are you done?
Harry turns around to see Ron is talking to him, waiting for an answer
RON: We’re coming but I - we need for you to be done with this “you‘re not coming“ (beat) So are you- are you done yet?
HARRY: Yeah, yeah I’m done.
Close up on cake
EVERYONE: “Happy Birthday to you” .
MRS> WEASLEY: Mr. Weasley should be home soon
Fleurs Parent: I hope he will not mind us starting without ‘im, this charmant - blah, blah, blah.
In the glare of sunset we see the gate open, no apperating as the house is under lock down every portkey site and multiple fake portkey sites are at high security - full lock down. come on foot. So the gate opens and we see only shape until Mr. Weasley, and then behind him a form
MRS WEASLEY: (all the hope is there - that her family all of it will gather again) Percy
Molly gets up and starts walking toward them, then we see the Minister of Magic. Percy stays at the gate. PersonallY I see george or fred offering him a pastille (puking)
Quick door shot of him entering the house with The Three( Hermione, Ron and Harry). Then that shot is directly to the door reopening (light change- night) and the Minister nearly slamming the door
Percy stayes at the gate. When the Minister exists the house, night has fallen, Bill is walking away from Percey shaking his head with the peiece of cake obviously offered and Percey declined. As the Minister storms toward the gate Molly will approach him and ask about security at Hogwarts “It will be protected- they will be safe- you can protect them there at Hogwarts?’
Denial
The Minister will compse himself from an obviously frustrating encounter with the three,puts on his best politician “everything is all right, everything is under control, we have them on the run- Molly - wehave them on the run- no need to worry .” As he walks away we read on Molly’s face that she knows its not true.
Percy opens the gate for the Minister, we catch a glimpse of him looking wistfully at his family’s gathering- and Molly sees it. The Minister and Percy begin tramping clumsily through a field.
“Did they tell you anything?”
“Tight lipped, tight lipped”
“Percy“
“Yes Minister“
“Minister (beat) that won‘t last much longer- (beat) Percy stay at the Ministry as long as you can ”
Yes Minister
“And when you can’t stomach it any longer”
“Stay longer and never let them know”
“Precisely”
I think Percy was lot like Malfoy in the end- knowing he’d chosen wrong, aligned himself with the wrong elements but by keeping the rift between he and his family, by playing ball - perhaps he could help them, protect them- warn them. But that’s me I like to think the best of people.
We return to the burrough, a floating cam passes Mrs. Weasley’s clock every family member’s clock is pointing toward “Mortal danger” through the doorway we see the three lined up sitting on the couch, each cradling an object.
<1 shot>
Hermione: (perplexed) Why would Dumbledore leave me a book children’s fables? (We see the symbol for the first time)
Ron: Always thought he was a bit daft
HaRRY: A snitch- why the snitch from my first match?
HERMIONE: It has to mean something.
(Looking at her book, starting to flip through the pages
RON: A deluminator (imitatingScrimouger’s voice) unique - Dumbledore’s own design”
Ron clicks it and there‘s a quick zoom of the lights into the delumintor and the room is pitch black
Black Screen
VO: HERMIONE: (slight irritation) Ron-
The light is back
RON: (pleased) brilliant!
HARRY: And what does the engraving mean?
HZErmione: What does any of it mean?
HARRY: (reading) It opens at the close?
RON: flicks deluminator again
Black Screen: VO: Harry and Hermione: Ron
Light returns
RON: You know I think this might be the best gift I ever got (beat) (Getting up)) I wonder if there’s any cake left?
Next day: Crowded breakfast table, Molly puts a glass of grey goo in front of Harry
MOLLY: poly juice
RON: - a red headed kid from the village- he’ll be taken for a Weasley
FRED: ginger topped for day
GEORGE: Don’t let it go to your head
BILL: We wanted you here but you just can’t
HARRY: be here (drinks juice)
BILL: Too many guests- too risky
GINNY: This way you can take day off from being Harry Potter (looks at Hermione)
FLEUR’S Sister: And be perhaps tall ‘andsome stranger
Ginny and Harry’s eyes meet
RON: (laughs) Not likely
HARRY’s POV Group shot long lens very blurry- everyone is looking at Harry- its all fuzzy
HARRY: I can’t see.
FRED or GEORGE: (raps Ron on the head)
RON: (with food in his mouth) Oi!
FRED or GEORGE: You made him blind!?
SOUND: soft female laughter female voice HARRY”S POV turns to his right, blurry outline of person
GINNY: Harry, take off your glasses
The visual focus slowly adjusts to Ginny’s beautiful face- and she’s in great lighting.
Really the scene could work with everyone dressed and the guests just starting to be visible, walking in from a field in the distance. Would work either way.
And either way the fade into Ginny’s face is yet another fading into Ginny’s face but now we’re at the wedding. Poly’dHarry gazing into her eyes “to walk through this life together”> Ginny’s gaze fixed on PolyHarry and vice versa during an abbreviated version of the vows.
I don’t remember what the last line was- the replacement for “you may kiss the bride” (which of course in most cultures was you may lift the veil and see you rnew property which is just a version of the former) - so a better line. And as Fleur and Bill lean towards each other, she- in Vela fashion excudes a light and Bill’s scars are gone- his face his own before Fenrir and we hea rMrs. Weasley sob- that note turns into a trumpet- theband is playing and we are now at the reception. (and yeah it should all have a dreamlike quality)
Again Ginny’s face his smiling swaying, pull back and she and PolyHarry are dancing, close very much like a couple. And here is where the “I haven’t given you your Birthday present yet” grabs his hand and runs through an opening in the tent. Major kiss.
Or not could be lose that line and just a small one- publicly acceptable but one kiss because he’s leaving soon, just one more.
Ron and Hermione are dancing in close proximity. Ron makes his tense face- Hermoine steers his face back to her with his hand. An though this wasn’t covered that I recall the danger wasn’t just that people would know Harry and Ginny were a couple making her a target. But too, that Voldemort might still have access to Harry’s mind and the more prominent Ginny- the more vulnerable that would make her. SO I see simply the line “We don’t know he can’t get into his head anymore- and if he sees that, if he sees them like that”
“As far as everyone’s concerned she might as well be Chang ”
“Yeah well she’s not is she- it really broke her up when he broke it off (beat”
‘Ron (beat) take a good look”
“For once, he’s not Harry Potter and she can just be with him- don’t go glaring at them and spoiling it”
The song ends, the audience claps, a new tune begins quicker paced- but no white people dancing badly please.
SOUND (off camera) KRUM: May I have this dance?
PolyHarry: (Happy)Victor!
KRUM: Do I know you?
PolyHarry: (beat) No (beat) of course not. (To Ginny) this is Victor Krum (slowly) who I recognize from his posters he plays for the
Ginny: for the (Team name)- sure. (To polyHarry) meet me at our table
polyHarry walks away the expression on his face: utterly smitten still wacthing Ginny even as she dances with Victor
VO: LUNA: (Whisper) Hi Harry
polyHARRY: Luna
LUNA: What should I call you? (concerned) I do hope you have a different name planned
(Long Beat) HARRY looks surprised, in shock - he is incognito after all.
LUNA: Poly juice can only do so much Harry (Long Beat) Its good to see you even if I can’t see you see you
polyHARRY: Its good to see you too Luna.
Harry’s POV he notices Victor and Ginny have crossed the room and ( or immediately- I still like Hermione’s line in that “We all stay close” he is now and has been approaching Hermione and Ron all along and there is man wearing the same bright seering yellow robes as Luna dancing but his robes have a large symbol on the front. In the following scene Victor will cut in again, dancing with Hermione. Ron will be Ron- Ginny will advise him cutting in so soon would be rude- they see Aunt Muriel(sp?) and neither want to go back to the table just yet. Two exchanges will take place at once, Victor will ask Hermione about the man wearing the symbol of Grindelwald(?), Hermione will say she thought that symbol was from a fable- no. Aunt Muriel will also comment on the symbol. Olg guy: that was long ago. Who is he ? Lovegood. Muriel “Well that explains everything (beat) Rita Skeeter - brief about Albus being destroyed actually that needs to be the overlap of Hermione and Victor - in proximity to each other. The symbol, Arianna, all quick, quick pace Victor angered by the symbol breaks off dancing with Hermione, heads towards Lovegood in an Macho I’ll kick your hippie dancing ass but just then Kingsley’s lynx soars through the air “The Ministry has fallen”
All hell breaks lose running and yeah I would slow mo‘- its cheap but - they each catch each other’s eyes in zoom shots, converging on a point- but Harry hasn’t stopped he’s heading toward Ginny. Ron has Hermione’s hand Hermione grabs Harry’s hand and yes the last thing we see is Ginny as Mr. and Mrs Wealey run toward her. Wormhole effect.
But back to the dance floor for the laboriousness…Should I bother yeah- its a lot of film and though I’m good at remember ing a lot of fim I’d rather write this once so if I want to I can comeback to it later.
So back to the dance floor, Victor has just cut in, polyHarry is recognized by Luna and we’re back to where we started
LUNA: Poly juice can only do so much (Long Beat) Its good to see you even if I can’t see you see you
polyHARRY: (genuine) Its good to see you too Luna. (beat) Are here with anyone?
LUNA: Iasked Neville but his Gran thinks it’s too dangerous thought you might-
polyHARRY: Be here.
Luna pulls out a DA coin from her robe’s pocket: It reads; In Handwriting it writes out (refreshing like a computer) Hi Harry- Neville here. Thought you might be there let Luna know plans as to DA this term. Have a good time, be safe.
polyHarry smiles wide at Luna-
polyHARRY: That’s brilliant- how’d he get it to do that -I thought only Hermione could-
LUNA: She helped him at the end of last term -said someone other than just she should know how in case- (long beat) so do you know when the next DA meeting will be because Neville wants it scheduled before we return to term so all the members can be there.
polyHARRY: (sentimentally)Tell Neville (beat) to schedule it whenever he says (Pause) Do you want to dance?
LUNA: No Daddy said to dance when I felt the spirit (Luna looks over to her father) and I don’t feel the spirit just now.
Pause, they stand in silence taking in the room- good time for a camera pan, a last look.
LUNA: so what’s like being free in the world for one day and not being seen as Harry Potter?
: Aunt Muriel: (speaking too loudly- (as is her habit and will do through out) )
SOUND OFF CAMERA: AUNT MURIEL: Harry Potter?
Luna and Harry turn now both horror struck
AUNT MURIEL (cont): I heard he might be here- good friend of that younger one- Don
POLYHARRY and LUNA: (loudly) Ron
AUNT MURIEL: Harry Potter haven’t met him yet- have you seen him?
OLD GUY: You know perfectly well its too dangerous for Potter to be here
AUNT MURIEL: Danger- they don’t know of danger why in my day when Grindelwald
(Dance floor)
VCTOR: May I cut in?
HERMIONE: (pleasant )Victor
Ron just keeps on dancing
GINNY: (To Ron) he wants to cut in
RON: I know he does
VICTOR: Hermione and I (beat) (to Ron)
RON: I know
Hermione stops dancing
HERMIONE: It’s good to see you (beat) You do remember Ron, Ronald Weasley?
VICTOR: No (too long beat) but would you- for what do you say for time’s sake
HERMIONE: (to Ron) Old (to Victor) for old time’s sake (to Ron) Yes- I’ll meet you at our table
GINNY: (grabbing Ron’s arm) Just where I’m meeting (catches herself) Barry
Ginny takes Ron’s arm and they start to dance.
GINNY: Oh Stop it Ron- its over .
RON: Yeah but does he know that?
GINNY: It doesn’t matter- she does
AUNT MURIEL: (To Luna) You’re phineallus Lovegood’s Daughter (looks disapprovingly at Luna father dancing ‘freely‘ and being given plenty of room) what is your father wearing?
LUNA: Sun colors - good luck for a wedding, both of us are see-
AUNT MURIEL: No, No, No
VICTOR: (angry- looking at Phineas) Hermione- do you know that man?
HERMIONE: That’s Luna’s father (pointing to polyHarry and Luna who look nervous)
AUNT MURIEL: I know all the Weasley’s I am a Weasley and I don’t know any Barry Weasley
(Lovegood dancing utterly inhis own world)
HERMIONE: Victor what’s wrong?
VICTOR: (jaw tightening) He should not being wearing that-
MR. WEASLEY: Better let me cut in- Muriel’s lecturing Barry about something.
Mr. Weasley begins dancing with Ginny, Ron looks back at Hermione and an angry Victor, smiles and heads off to fend off aunt Muriel
OLD GUY: Muriel you’re ninty years old - look here he’s on our seating charthe’s at our table.
MURIEL: I suppose you’re right- (beat) the way those Weasley’s keep having children. Donald-
RON: Ronald-
VICTOR: He’s evil
HERMIONE: No - Victor you have him confused with someone else that’s Mr. Lovegood he publishes the Quib-
VICTOR: No! I am not with mistake! - (Pause- growing more angry) that symbol is Grindelwald’s , many my people killed under that symbol
HERMIONE: Looking at the symbol: No Victor - I just saw that, that’s from a children’s story -
AUNT MURIEL: I see your friend Potter isn’t here-off mourning for Dumbledore according Rita Sketter’s new book.
OLD MAN: He’s to be mourned
MURIEL: fooey- Bagshot told Skeeter all about Dumbledore - what they did to Arianna
OLD MAN: - please stop with that gossip what Grindelwald did to Arianna nearly destroyed Albus
MURIEL: Destroyed him? (with rancor) who the greatest wizard of all time?
PolyHARRY: Don’t say anything more against Dumbledore.
LUNA: (Luna feels the spirit and start to dance like her father) What is that song they’re playing- does anyone know?
MURIEL: (to old man) another fan?
RON: Hey Barry- let’s go get some butterbeer for everyone (taking Harry by the arm) She just goes off like that sometimes- doesn’t mean anything by it
Ron and Harry see Hermoine and Victor have stopped dancing - she’s holding his arm trying to keep him from heading toward Lovegood - (best) she can. Victor is in a rage and begins storming toward Lovegood - Hermoine sees Ron and Harry approaching
The music stands fall, the band’s silent everyone stops as Kingsley Lynx circles the ceiling. “
KINGSLEY VO: (out of breathe) The ministry has fallen (Long Beat- the sound of his labored breathing) They’re coming.
The tent explodes in places people are running a blast at one end . All hell breaks lose and yeah I would slow - its cheap but - the three each catch each other’s eyes in zoom shots, converging on a point Ron has Hermione’s hand - but Harry hasn’t stopped he’s heading toward Ginny. Hermione grabs Harry’s hand and yes the last thing we see is Ginny face and Mr. Weasley mouthing “Go“. Wormhole effect.
We arrive on a dark London street; it’s cold in London and we see all their breathes as if the dementors…
HERMIONE (breathing heavy- looking at Ron and Harry) We have to get you out of those robes and into some Muggle clothes.
Hermione takes Ron’s hand and pulls him into an alley. Harry starts taking of his robes he has on his muggle clothes from the night of fleeing Privet Drive. Unlike the movies- this should be Ron’s first Muggle attire experience. In the wizarding world- its robes (oh I’m sorry was that too Arab for everyone’s comfort level) Agina we’re back to color and palletes (as well as cut and drape) that would have been the normal- up until (lest on Privet Drive) What this of course would have accomplished was much in this final set of acts.
But back to a cold dark alley way. Harmione’s trying to balance on her heels, she gives up sits down on the pavement in her gown. From the beadwork on the bag there is a slight clinking noise in what otherwise is complete silence. She’s shaking, getting upset.
HERMIONE: (shaken-still breathing hard) I can’t remember where I put them
RON: Hermione
SOUND: the tinkling of the beads on her bag as her hands are shaking. Ron Crouches down
RON (cont.) Take a minute
Now the action stops Hermione gets herself clear, reaches down deep into the bag ( no comic sound effects) pulls at a large weight, she has the tie of a duffle out
HERMIONE: Ron-
RON: (grabs the tie and pulls out a full duffle) I got it (beat) What should I wear?
HARRY: whatever’s on top
Okay I know. The duffle shouldn’t be heavy or else - how could Hermione carry the bag? The matters been converted but there was nothing about everything becoming weightless and floating.Okay - or I know - a simple accio spell. As Hermione said this is- and is some very difficult magic and no its not ideal- nothing is going to be ideal. They’re going to packing and unpacking their gear and its going to be heavy and hard because that’s just how things are now.
Ron holds up a pair of jeans and a pullover.
RON: Really?
HERMOINE: Really - now would you please get dressed
polyHARRY: Ron you’ve seen me in muggle clothes before.
RON: Well yeah I just figured (beat) Hermione - they don’t have anything like this in “Dress like a Muggle”
HERMIONE: that’s right Ron because when Wizards dress like muggles you don’t dress like muggles.
RON: Really?
HERMIONE: would you please stop saying that
polyHARRY: So Ron (beat) what did you figure? (beat) about my muggle clothes?
RON: bad fashion sense (beat) sorry mate
Ply Harry shakes head
RON: okay Hermione you can turn around- How do I look? A good looking Muggle?
HERMIONE: A very good looking muggle
RON: no note of surprise?
HERMIONE: no note of surprise
polyHARRY: (beat) we should get going-
RON: Where?
polyHARRY: Good question- where are we anyway?
HERMIONE: (still abit thunderstruck) I couldn’t think (Beat) I couldn’t think at all
RON: Aw it’ll be good for you (beat) I don’t think quite often
Hermione laughs
polyHARRY: (beat-concerned) But you do know where we are?
HERMIONE: First place I thought of- (presently no book reference)
The sound of voices approaching, Ron slings the duffel over his shoulder-
(the scene of Hermione being cat-called/harassed- yeha I think its needed)
NEXT SCENE: (should go there’s no need for it and it drags the pace)
The three stand outside a ( I know call me label slave) Starbucks (upshot obviously) , but they’re everywhere - not in th ewizarding world though and I like that - that contrast) Ron is looking at everything wide eyed
RON: What is it?
HErMOINE and HARRY each grab an arm and walk Ron in through the front door
SOUND: elevator music LIGHT: very fluorescent
Ron stares up at the menu sign as if in a trance
RON: What’s a cap-u key-no? Some kind of muggle butter beer?
(And yes I do like this whole stranger in strange land- starman motif)
COUNTER Person: (perplexed- not rude or else Howard would never allow the promo) Can I help you?
RON: (laughing) Blimey wouldn’t that be nice?
HERMIONE: Three cappuccinos please (register - we see the money change hands)
COUNTERPERSON: (Smile) Your name?
HERMOINE: (Hesitates- Silent) RON looks around concerned, suspicious
PolyHARRY: Barry
COUNTERPERSON: Thanks Barry we’ll call you when -
PolyHARRY: I know
Ron following Hermione a little dazed picks up sugar packets
RON: muggles have to give their name to get a drink?
HERMIONE: (Dazed) It’s not usually like that
RON: (To Harry) We should go
polyHARRY: No Ron it is usually like that- this its just (beat) (gets up from table)
HERMIONE: It never scared me before
SOUND: Barry your
(you’ll want some sugar- I’m not a child- the fuzzy ontop thing- …maybe then again- maybe just a coffeeshop but either they needed a break - or I did. do
Then again the whole thing could be tightened up into fog in the alleyway fading into cream in the coffee (cheap but it works) as a fade from the harrassment scene -to the coffee- the thugs would have a lot more tension for the next scene, set up the tone. (Really they don’t even need to be in a coffeeshop - could happen on the street so as not to break pace, they turn a corner say Voldemort and there are two guys taking a llong look who don’t proposition Hermione but start firing curses. That’s better really- the alley was the break.
The Starbucks name thing supposedly it started in Atlanta, though I’d say it started with every expediter who knew your drink the minute you walked in the door- called it out to confirm it and started it. In the se region it was just a thing we did for the customers we knew -it sped up the process particularly during rushes. The name thing was a suggestion from Atlanta. This whole: what’s your name (register for coffee) I didn’t and still don’t like it. Either know your customers when they walk in the door or you don’t. Why fake it?
Long live, “Lear- but my first name’s Chanda”
But back to Harry Potter: I get why they lost the whole Barry thing and I’m sure the same thing happened in every other act- and yes it’s a challenge and that’s why the whole story should have focused more character- when the audience knows and cares about the characters losing their face isn’t such a big deal. Plus in terms of the logic of the story you can’t do it the way the film did it without losing well- some of what they lost- which was the inner logic of the story because again: Harry would not be walking around with own face- he just wouldn’t . Plus there are cameras all over London- be them Muggle or Wizarding -all those eyes no way. And again this is where again they lost a sense of a)peril and b)jeopardy.
No way at the wedding, no way in the streets of London anymore than Harry’d walk around the ministry wearing his own face. It would have been suicidal for that character in and under those circumstances. Plus in point of fact it adds to story better if they’re only seen amoung their own.
Something could be worked in like- the Poly’s fading, starting to fade- seomthing about great shock or fright or fear of being found out cuts the length of the Poly jjuice- so its all about staying calm: don’t panic, don’t doubt- enough of that builds up and your cover‘s blown.
But back to the NO COFEESHOP SCENE
What does having cost? Pace.
What do you lose- a wand battle and Hermione saying obliviate. Are those two things worth losing pace? I say no because what’s being established in the scene?
1) the question of th etrace
2) They’re not safe in the Muggle world or th ewizarding world
3) The word Voldemort IS the trace (a reveal for later- and no Ron will not narrate it
+ it makes the Ministry much higher stakes because the last time they tried to battle The Order saved the day- wont be so this time
So no fight scene- creepy guy thing someone say Voldemort two guys appear out of nowhere- the characters are amongst more muggles but the thugs they see them - no dialogue its all the eyes they’re all looking at each other until one thug looks at the other says something, the other guy shrugs and they most casually pull out their wands to fire/curse. Which in keeping with the new state of things: Death Eatters don’t care about being detected using curses around muggles or hitting muggles- that they’d maybe hit Harry Potter and his friends- why not? For them there’s no risk of recrimination.
SO no coffeeshop scene (hated how the film handled that by the way between that and the Ministry they had the three dragging around bodies- alot) .
Alleyway, to the “dump ginger scene as they turn a corner, someone says Voldemort and there are suddenly two guys across the street, drawing wands. Harry says “Ron!“ as they draw their wands, Hermione grabs their arms, wand streaks in the air. Wormhole effect, The Three are on the stoop of Grimauld Place.
No battle scene because that is not what the scene was about or for, nor I might add was it about obliviating. The information in that scene was a) not safe in either the wizarding world or the muggle world b) Voldemort as a trace mech. As that was and were the points of that and those scenes and it has been accomplished- time to move forward.
GRIMAULD PLACE; should Dumbledore’s aparrition thing (has to be) lost.?From the psych/emot perspective of Harry yes it would be good for him to have to keep repeating “I didn’t kill you (ie: I’m not responsible for his death” but it just doesn’t do much for the story- would one more pow be good? Sure but Dumbledore’s appareition not as a repetition. Hermione will again be unsure “It’s the only place I could think of which will happen a third time after the Ministry ( the rule of threes) BUT the payoff is at Luna’s that “do you trust me?” when she proves herself to be one heck of an apparator- a strategic one at that .
And for this I’d need the book and really Sirius’s Mom screaming about Mudbloods might well be enough that whole Dumble- I didn’t kill you thing always seemed a bit holely- a bit contrived…
But then again as a character Snape would need that, maybe- but the how, the how Harry knew that phrase- that just never quite worked for me.
FOR POST MINISTRY
“Is this safe- here?’
“It’s out in th emiddle of nowhere and that seems”
HERMIONE: ( confident) “That’s what I thought” (now, she can keep her head- and is starting to feel confident with what she comes up with on the fly. This is a large part of her character arch.)
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Painful Break Through
This,
This
And this
Should be down in about 6-12 months? Hopefully sooner but as I do experience a truly ridiculous level of technical difficulty- I’m aiming wide time wise.
Import issues? Yeah and 403,404,405,501, 502,503,504,505 & Wow wuld u look @ that! Google has changed the rules once more.
This should, by the old rules, be the only post- readable or search retrievable but some1 somewhere decided at some point to change how “save to drafts” on prior material functions- so who knows what’ll appear and what won’t in the interim.
I’m not 1 4 abandoning my copy as I invariably find something of use to myself later. Every time I delete these and do the 90 day dance - I know I’m risking material - a scrapbook of some hard fought battles with me, myself and I.
A lot has changed in four years- one being I used to trust coincidences which seems just absurd to me now.
I’ve struggled for a good eight years, though if I go back to the day of the crash - and it does, I’m at over ten. I’ve struggled with why. The answer I’ve come to like best -Small file, very intense, plus a name thing - in other words easy to maintain, protect so as to branch off of later. It just makes sense my body would maintain that as my one visual as well as narrative file. Only after working so hard the lost files back do I appreciate how very odd- but well when all you only have the one memory/story/face the level of attachment is pretty difficult to describe…As well near infantile trust and an immediacy as if no time has passed.
That’s the upshot of amnesia- extreme relationship reappraisals - it kinda’ kicks regular therapy’s ass.
“I wish you well…I hope you are well” Opening and parting lines from one source over twenty years and what I finally know now I just plain would never let in b4.
John/Henry wished and hoped me a lot of things and they went like this: I hope you’re a liar, I wish you a whore, I hope you’re a slut who’s roommates are much more. I wish you shallow and trite. I wish you ill. I hope you’re an over-reacting liar- yes I wish you ill and mad and all of that and more. But once more? I hope anything you think has happened or is happening isn’t and hasn’t because I have declared it so, or not, and nothing will dissuade me from all my best hopes and wishes when it comes to you Maren.
What can I say - it’s hard accepting that someone you loved prefer(s/red) to think the worst of you, at every turn and what will ever be what’s in store come what may.
Once I started really accepting that and that those had been and really were the only eyes and ears he ever really had for me- what he’d actually root for… see that’s what I’ve been struggling with and against. Admittedly for an ultra long time because some part of me thought I could change that and needed to quite desperately.
Why?
In large part because all this happened many, many times before in my family and to lengths and breadths he will never know or understand, nor ever desired to and I am finally getting to where I don’t need to battle against that and those absolute certainties any longer.
This
And this
Should be down in about 6-12 months? Hopefully sooner but as I do experience a truly ridiculous level of technical difficulty- I’m aiming wide time wise.
Import issues? Yeah and 403,404,405,501, 502,503,504,505 & Wow wuld u look @ that! Google has changed the rules once more.
This should, by the old rules, be the only post- readable or search retrievable but some1 somewhere decided at some point to change how “save to drafts” on prior material functions- so who knows what’ll appear and what won’t in the interim.
I’m not 1 4 abandoning my copy as I invariably find something of use to myself later. Every time I delete these and do the 90 day dance - I know I’m risking material - a scrapbook of some hard fought battles with me, myself and I.
A lot has changed in four years- one being I used to trust coincidences which seems just absurd to me now.
I’ve struggled for a good eight years, though if I go back to the day of the crash - and it does, I’m at over ten. I’ve struggled with why. The answer I’ve come to like best -Small file, very intense, plus a name thing - in other words easy to maintain, protect so as to branch off of later. It just makes sense my body would maintain that as my one visual as well as narrative file. Only after working so hard the lost files back do I appreciate how very odd- but well when all you only have the one memory/story/face the level of attachment is pretty difficult to describe…As well near infantile trust and an immediacy as if no time has passed.
That’s the upshot of amnesia- extreme relationship reappraisals - it kinda’ kicks regular therapy’s ass.
“I wish you well…I hope you are well” Opening and parting lines from one source over twenty years and what I finally know now I just plain would never let in b4.
John/Henry wished and hoped me a lot of things and they went like this: I hope you’re a liar, I wish you a whore, I hope you’re a slut who’s roommates are much more. I wish you shallow and trite. I wish you ill. I hope you’re an over-reacting liar- yes I wish you ill and mad and all of that and more. But once more? I hope anything you think has happened or is happening isn’t and hasn’t because I have declared it so, or not, and nothing will dissuade me from all my best hopes and wishes when it comes to you Maren.
What can I say - it’s hard accepting that someone you loved prefer(s/red) to think the worst of you, at every turn and what will ever be what’s in store come what may.
Once I started really accepting that and that those had been and really were the only eyes and ears he ever really had for me- what he’d actually root for… see that’s what I’ve been struggling with and against. Admittedly for an ultra long time because some part of me thought I could change that and needed to quite desperately.
Why?
In large part because all this happened many, many times before in my family and to lengths and breadths he will never know or understand, nor ever desired to and I am finally getting to where I don’t need to battle against that and those absolute certainties any longer.
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