That's not incorrect, technically...
Really though, this is a blog about this:
If you know me even the slightest bit, my love for Harry Potter is no secret. It has, quite simply, always been a part of my life... at least, for as long as I count memories important. I miss the days where there was a new book or a new movie to look forward to. I sort of almost miss the days where I found the conventions fun, before working at them ruined it for me... but I, without a doubt, would not be where I am today or have many of the friends I have today without that fandom...
I'm not sure I could have prepared myself for the studio tour though.
To say I was somewhat overwhelmed may be the understatement of the year so far... It was really hard to process at the time, and I'm still not completely certain I can find the words now, though I'm aware that my gushing sounds lame and cliched..
The immaculate detail in some of those sets is just beyond words... and the costumes. Don't even get me started on the costumes. The costume grauduate geek in me, when presented with what the below picture depicts... squealed something that should have come out as "Goodness! Look at that adorable hat block," but in reality, was more akin to "eeeeeeeeeeeeeezOMG..the hats.. and... look at.. look... eeeee BEUXBATONSUNIFORM"
Sigh.
As I do not wish to spoil it for anyone yet to go and wishing it to remain a surprise, so I will spoiler a photo-dump in addition to some carefully selected main images.
My photos are terrible by the way. I had my camera on the wrong setting the entire day.
Although, what lies at the very end of the tour has hardly been kept a secret.... I think I was even less prepared to be faced with a 1:24 scale model of Hogwarts, than I was the Knight Bus, Aragog, 4 Privet Drive, or the Potions classroom dungeon, or The Burrow... or.. Hagrid's hut... or Diagon Alley.
The sheer scale of it is breathtaking and really hard to put into words. In number terms... it's 50ft wide, and easily 35ft tall, taking into account it's positioned on a rocky elevation,
I would be lying if I was to deny getting somewhat choked up...
It wasn't just awe, it was this feeling of... I'm not even sure how to describe.
The feeling of... Holy shit, THIS is my childhood.
The feeling of... This will never happen again...
Of course, it will happen again, and it has by no means been the first... Fandom after fandom achieve incredible levels of following... but I feel like, for myself at least, there will always be a comparison to Harry Potter.
I feel sad, in a way, for new generations of fans. The 7 books and 8 movies are there to be read and watched in as quick a succession as they wish and, despite the months/years between each being tedious at the time, I wouldn't have wished it to be any other way.
I don't really know how to finish this blog. I feel like it has been very reflective.
I feel like I have spent too long writing it.
I pretty much just want to curl up and watch all of the movies back to back.
And reread them all.
And maybe go and work at the studio tour <3
