Introduction:

 Now that you have read a good portion of the book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, what would you do if you were the director that Warner Bros. hired to make the movie of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone?  The real director, Chris Columbus, was adamant on using an all British cast and all British setting.  Durham Cathedral was chosen to be where many of the scenes from the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry were to be filmed. Do you think this was the best choice? If you could talk to him, what shots would you suggest?

Your Mission:

Look through Durham Cathedral, inside and out.  What scenes would you shoot where? More importantly, Why?  Do you think Durham Cathedral was a good choice?  Why or why not? If not, what British castle do you think would have been better?  If you did agree, pretend that you were asked to find a second castle, in case you were not allowed to film at Durham Cathedral.

Resources:

Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone

Setting notes

Durham Cathedral

• The Cathedral Proper (inside)
• The Peninsula (outside)

Warner Brothers Harry Potter movie site
 

Process:

First, read the setting notes, making sure to copy them into your notes. When done, begin looking through the images of the cathedral, both inside and out.  Look for things that make you think that place could make a good set for any setting within Harry Potter. You must list at least six pictures (writing down the url of the page where the photo was found) that would be useful in the movie. When listing, add your reasoning why.  Don't like what you find? Instead, you may list 6 photos that won't work, and explain why they wouldn't. Not sure? Click here to see a sample of each.
After, look through Castles of Britain, and suggest at least one other castle that could have been used.  You may either: Say it should have been the first choice, and list at least 3 reasons why it is better than Durham Cathedral; or you may list 3 reasons why it is a good second choice.  If you feel you need some extra help, look at the Warner Bros. movie site.

Evaluation:

Students will write their choices and arguements out in paragraph form to be handed in to the teacher. Take a look at the rubric before handing your assignment in, to make sure you have everything completed.

Conclusion:

When you are finished, you may:
Write a letter to the director, Chris Columbus defending your choices of setting.
or, once the movie is out...
watch the movie, and see if any of your scenes were chosen to be in the movie!

Like what you've seen? You may wish to visit my main website at  http://www.TechForTeachers.org or come visit me at TappedIn (http://www.tappedin.org) which is an interactive professional developement site for teachers.  Please feel free to write with any comments. Thank you for visiting, and I hope you come again!

Donna Hendry