Magic fun for all the family (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Magic fun for all the family

8:36am Thursday 14th July 2011 in News By David Barnett

Potter-mania hits Bradford’s National Media Museum this weekend with a host of magical activities to mark the final cinematic outing for the young sorcerers.

As well as seeing the movie, fans can get ten per cent off in the museum cafe when they show up dressed as their favourite Harry Potter character.

There will be a magical atmosphere at the museum on Friday as two witches soar through the air as if preparing to play Quidditch, the favourite game of all witches and wizards, to entertain cinemagoers from 4pm.

Ahead of the first film showing on Friday night, fans can learn all about movie make-up and special effects at a special workshop running from 4pm to 8pm. Get your very own Potter battle scars and learn about film make-up techniques.

There’s fun for the family all weekend with free drop-in sessions between 11am and 3pm on Saturday and Sunday, when wannabe witches and wizards can turn themselves into a character from the film with Harry Potter-inspired face-painting and badge making.

The fun isn’t restricted to this weekend. On Saturday, July 23, between 11am and noon and 1pm and 4pm, the museum will be creating its very own Hogwarts class of 2011 yearbook. Fans are invited to turn up in Potter-themed fancy dress and the best-dressed will win their very own Lego Animation Workshop.

From Saturday, July 23, to Friday, July 29, between 2pm and 4pm, there’s a storyboarding session – learn how the experts turn a book into a movie, and have a go at storyboarding your own movie idea yourself.

Ever wondered how Harry Potter soars through the air on his broomstick? That same week, every day at 1.30pm and 2.30pm you can visit the Experience TV gallery and unlock the secrets of chroma key technology special effects. Learn about film trickery which allows Harry and friends to fly on a broom in Quidditch, or hide using an invisibility cloak.

In the Harry Potter Magic sessions, between 2pm and 4pm on Saturday, July 23 to Friday, July 29, the museum Explainers will show you some of the techniques and tricks of the trade. You will get the chance to make a feather fly as if by magic!

And from Tuesday, July 26 to Friday, July 29, at 10.30am and 12.30pm, head for the Kodak gallery for some magical storytelling and to hear tales of witchcraft and wizardry.

Kathryn Penny, film manager at the National Media Museum said: “Everyone at the museum is really excited to see the final Harry Potter movie on our giant IMAX cinema screen which gives audiences a bigger and better 3D experience, but we’re also a little sad that it is coming to an end. Hopefully we can host a great send-off and provide some magical entertainment and activities.”

For more information about any of these events, log on to nationalmediamuseum.org.uk. For show times and to book tickets to see the film, go to the website or ring the box office on 0844 8563797.