AndyHPFZ

Hi all. I run an Aussie based HP fan site and was in London recently for the premiere and press junket for Part 1. Being a film music enthusiast too I wanted to get to the bottom of the whole John Williams saga. I've been waiting and hoping for the best part of five years now for a JW return, so here's what David Heyman and David Barron had to say: http://www.harrypotterfanzone.com/2010/11/david-heyman-david-yates-on-alexandre-desplats-deathly-hallows-music-john-williams-returning/ Harry Potter Fan Zone (HPFZ): Was John Williams ever asked to score Deathly Hallows: Part 2? Did he decline? David Heyman (DH): Yes, he was. We wanted to make it work with John but John's schedule didn't permit. David Barron (DB): He was just unavailable unfortunately. HPFZ: He wanted to do it? Both: He did, very much so. DH: We asked him around the time of six. Actually, we talked to him all the way along [about coming back for the end] but his schedule didn't permit. DB: It's incredible for a man of advancing years who you think might be taking it easy, we spoke to him almost two years before the scoring sessions for this film and already then he had schedule issues. DH: And then he tried to work his schedule to try and accommodate it but it just wasn't possible. I hope that's of some interest. At the end of the interview an exceedingly obnoxious journo at our table piped up with "probably for the best" before everyone at the table laughed. That was just about the nail in the coffin for my whole JW/HP dream but at least now it can be put to bed.

I'm not sure if it's a rumour or not. I remember reading years ago a quote from Spielberg who said he was indeed approached...but I'm hazy on that. I think they made a far better choice with Columbus, anyway.

Spielberg? He was offered the job of directing PS, but turned it down because JKR wanted an all-British cast. He wanted Haley Joel Osment to play Harry.

He was going to do the first film. Then maybe we would have had Williams locked in for all seven.

I think there's more of a chance Cuaron will return - but at this stage there is heavy weight on Yates returning for movie six. Cuaron has said he'd like to do seven. And I can keep my hopes up for a Williams score.

Of Doyle’s score, the whole Golden Egg/First Task cues were the ones I least liked. I think there was such a great opportunity there -- but I really don’t like it. I can’t pinpoint why, there’s just something about it. However, I think the Black Lake is brilliant and fits the film perfectly. My problem with Doyle’s score is that it didn’t flow. To me, it just didn’t have that magical flowing "capture the essence of the film" feel, which is the feeling William’s scores gave me (for example POA felt like a score as a whole, not just individual cue’s – eventually culminating in the brilliant Finale). Still a fantastic listening experience

The new trailer (link) features a nice rendition of Hedwig's Theme (during the Room of Requirement scenes). Here's to hoping it's from Hooper's score.

From 3:00 - end of Finale from POA. Love it every time, it's what made POA special for me - it works so well with Siruis' depature in the film. Honestly, that whole WTTP cue gets me every time. IMO, I can't imagine how much better Doyle's score would have been with a few references to it.

Really hoping for Half-Blood Prince.

Yeah, I didn't really expect there to be much out there - I just think it would be the most fantastic experience to get an insight into how the master comes up with this material. Particularly, I have always wondered if he hears the orchestra playing his score in his head before writing it down, or if he just plays around on the piano until something resembling Buckbeak’s Flight comes to him

Thanks, Miguel!

I've gone through about 10 pages of Google searches and the news archives here at JW fan, but I was wondering if anyone knew off the top of their head any links to interviews with JW (either written or audio) where he talks about the HP scores, or where he talks about inspiration and the process he goes through to write a score? I'm really interested to hear what JW has to say first-hand about the actual process he goes through from the start to finish of a score, or anything he has to say about scoring the first HP films. Would love if anyone knew of anything! Thanks in advance Andy

Hi everyone, Quick introduction: My name is Andy and I’m the owner of Harry Potter Fan Zone, a HP fan site. I’m a long time reader of the boards, first time poster. I’m a huge JW fan (my personal favourite scores being The Terminal and Prisoner of Azkaban) and I thought I’d hop on over to these boards and share everything I know about the OOTP composer situation, if for nothing else than to let fellow JW/HP fans know what’s going on. I’ve been in contact with Warner Bros. in London and in California, and they have confirmed that no composer has been decided upon for Order of the Phoenix. One of the producers (not David Heyman) has confirmed that Yates is indeed planning to choose Hooper (who he has collaborated with on many British TV projects). Nothing is, however, confirmed or decided upon – and WB has said they won’t be able to confirm it for a while (that is, at least, until principal photography finishes later this year). As a huge Williams fan, I’m still holding onto an ounce of hope. Hope this was of some interest Andy