CALIFORNIA

Wizarding World of Harry Potter: The magic is in the details

Making sure nothing breaks the spell in Hogsmeade -- not even a paper clip.

Scott Craven

The Republic | azcentral.com

A dragon skeleton located inside the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom within Hogwarts castle.

In keeping with the magical theme, the restaurant’s menu boards aren’t LCD screens, but enchanted mirrors
Workers within the Wizarding World are encouraged to remain in character at all times
Many of the signs in the Three Broomsticks restaurant had a few seconds screen time in the films
The creative team went through the Harry Potter films frame by frame to ensure accuracy

At the bottom of a staircase twisted with age and the footsteps of countless wand-seeking wizards, an almost imperceptible office supply threatens to pierce the magical veil that protects this ancient and enchanted world.

Paper clips. They have been twisted together to fasten the chain keeping Muggles from heading upstairs to the magical-creatures-only area.

But Alan Gilmore, very familiar with the dark arts of faulty details, quickly casts the spell that will put everything right. Well, it's more of a text with photo attached, but it has the desired effect of "Clipium riddus."

Though wands are plenty in this shop, Gilmore knows his otherworldly (i.e., "modern") communication device will do the job much more quickly. He summoned those who would apparate, correct the problem and vanish as if never there.

Good thing, because Gilmore is among those primarily responsible for preserving the magic of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood.

In what is considered to be the largest and most important expansion in the theme park's history, nothing was left to chance as the grand opening in April fast approached.

So when Gilmore — the art director in charge of the area’s look — noticed those awkward office supplies in Ollivander’s Wand Shop, he alerted the authorities.

“I know I may be the only one to spot them,” Gilmore said during a recent tour. “But those are just the things that can spoil the effect we’ve worked so long to create.”

For the past 12 years, Gilmore has come to know J.K. Rowling’s magical universe almost as well as the author herself. Starting as art director for “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” the Ireland native has overseen the design and construction of the Wizarding Worlds in Orlando and Hollywood.

With the grand opening at Universal Studios Hollywood just three weeks away, Gilmore had his eye open for inconsistencies.

Including paper clips used to hold signs.

Welcome to Hogsmeade

The entrance to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Those passing under the stone arch outside Hogsmeade are transported to a 1,000-year-old medieval village in the clutches of a frigid winter.

Snow clings to steep roofs and frost dusts the corners of leaded windows. Icicles dangle from eaves. Wisps of smoke curl from the teetering, tottering chimneys that comprise the skyline.

Those who truly believe shiver on a mild spring day with temperatures in the mid-80s.

Continue into the wizard-inhabited world and other details emerge. The (fake) lichen on the walls, for example, the moss nurtured by the clean, moist air of the Scottish Highlands (where Hogsmeade makes its imaginary home).

Note the soot in the streetlamps, as if they’ve been burning for years without a proper cleaning (simply ignore the electrical lamp within).

If you take a seat on the shaded benches next to the railroad depot, owl droppings on the ground clue you to the (animatronic) winged residents in the rafters.

Anyone willing to shroud the 21st century with a cloak of invisibility are rewarded with rich details that make up Hogsmeade. And that's exactly the intent of Gilmore and his crews.

“This world is as real as we could possibly make it,” the art director said. “We want people to immerse themselves in this world, and to do that it has to be as realistic as possible.”

Bringing Wizarding World to life

The realism is in the details, even if some will go unnoticed.

Much of Hogsmeade is familiar to casual and dedicated fans of the boy wizard, the subject of seven books and eight movies (the seventh book was split into two films).

The shops are immediately recognizable, from Ollivanders, (makers of fine wands since 382 BC.) to Gladrags Wizardwear. There’s the candy shop, and the joke and novelty shop, and many more staffed by clerks who ask, “Muggle cash or Muggle credit?”

A Muggle, by the way, is a person born with no sorcery skills of which to speak. In essence, everyone.

Yet even the magically challenged may be spellbound by the chocolate frogs sold in the same packaging featured in the movies, or browsing the wands wielded by their favorite characters.

Fewer visitors may recognize that those woolen sweaters marked by “H” or “R” resemble the ones made for Harry and Ron by Ron’s mother, Mrs. Weasley.

Gilmore smiles as he reveals an additional fact: The sweaters are made by the same company that provided them for the movie.

“One of my favorite details,” Gilmore said, running his hands over the Scottish wool. “Even if no one would ever know.”

Designers watched the films over and over, ensuring accuracy. It’s one thing to design a world for a moving camera, which may glide past a door or window in a few seconds.

“That was a big learning curve,” Gilmore said. “You can build delicate things for movies because they’re meant to be temporary. But things here have to last and they must stand up to scrutiny. People will stare so you have to get it right.”

Gilmore and his teams even went through films one frame a time, capturing the smallest details. Rowling was consulted throughout, ensuring the attraction would meet expectations of the most dedicated fans.

The look also had to appeal to those who care nothing for spells and incantations but appreciate a space that transcends time and geographical boundaries.

“While real fans will explore every inch, we want casual fans to feels as much a part of this enchanted world,” Gilmore said. “They might not notice all the details, but they’ll come away impressed.”

Take, for example, the women’s restroom, which features Moaning Myrtle’s plaintive cries. Fans will love the inclusion of the depressing spirit, while those unfamiliar with the character simply will be curious.

“Not sure what’s going on,” one woman said on the way out, “but someone’s having a bad day.”

Creating an unbreakable spell

There’s very little corporate branding inside Hogsmeade. Visitors will notice beers and chips found in the modern world, but no Coke, Starbucks or similar modern icons.

Rowling was very specific about that, Gilmore said.

“Those items would take anyone out of the world we’ve worked so hard to create,” Gilmore said. “If anyone really wants a Coke, they can go around the corner to The Simpsons area.” (Homer, Bart and the rest are indeed right outside Hogsmeade.)

Then there is the minutiae that separate the detail-noters from the detail-obsessive, and Gilmore is definitely in the latter category.

Water stains from non-existent leaks mar ceilings in each shop. Imaginary flames create trails of soot above wall sconces. Only a close examination of counters and tables reveals how edges are faded and worn from customers who’ve yet to appear.

Such details may not be consciously noted, Gilmore said, yet all are necessary to give the impression that visitors are in a medieval village rather than a movie set in Southern California.

“My goal is to transport them out of their world and into one where wizards live and magic is possible,” Gilmore said. “That’s why the details are so important.”

All of this was accomplished with what may be Gilmore’s most magical triumph — making everything work within strict building codes.

Gilmore taps his foot on the ground when asked about one of the crew’s most inventive way of integrating the ancient with the modern. The brick-and-stone pattern of the pavement was copied from a centuries-old Scottish village, made level and smooth with today's construction techniques.

Even with the work largely completed — the land has hosted visitors sporadically during its soft opening — Gilmore hunts for imperfections in the magical realm.

Like two paper clips twisted into temporary chain links.

"Trust me," he said, shaking his head at the photo. "In two minutes those (paper clips) will be gone.”

And all will be right with the Wizarding World.