J. K. Rowling is perhaps the richest woman in England. Her alternate universe of witchcraft and wizardry has earned her over a billion dollars to date. Her seven book Harry Potter series has been translated into 60 languages and sold over 325 million books. Even critics admit that her writing brings out the innocence in children.
Rowling got the idea for her creation back in the early 90’s as a single mother sitting by a train station hitting bottom. No one, not even she, ever expected that her fictional hero would turn her life around. Rowling’s future became assured when Warner Brothers paid over $2,000,000 for the movie rights to her first novel.
July 1, 2001, a key day for a big gamble. The search was on for a young decidedly British actor. 40,000 kids auditioned. Director Chris Columbus knew he had to cast someone with a little different look. He also knew that there was a timeline for ten years of movie filming ahead.
Eventually Daniel Radcliffe was selected to carry the whole franchise. It is ironic that his parents declined his initial invitation to audition. They wanted a normal life and no celebrity problems for their eleven year old son. In 2002 they gave in and signed a $500,00 contract for him to star in the first movie. That movie would gross 33.3 million dollars opening day and the highest opening weekend ever.
Other parts were cast after that because the relationships had to be just right. On the Hogwarts set, filming was limited because of child labor laws to four hours daily then another three hours of schooling. Today Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), and Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) are no longer child stars but adults.
The Biography Channel has made a biography revealing the magic behind the success of the Harry Potter stars, Radcliffe, Grint, and Watson. I watched it myself anticipating the clamor that the release of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince will make come July 15.
If you want to know about personal life, acting experience, other career moves, future plans, get yourself a copy of “Harry Potter Kids“. In the ten years that these kids have come to think of themselves as more than friends but family, siblings actually.
WIN IT!
The winner of this giveaway will receive the Harry Potter Kids DVD.
HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)
To enter leave me a comment answering one of the following questions.
1. Which is your favorite Harry Potter character?
2. Which is your favorite Harry Potter movie.
3. Which is your favorite Harry Potter book?
BONUS ENTRIES
1 – Subscribe to my RSS feed.
1 – Follow me on Twitter AND leave your Twitter name here.
1 – Fave this blog at Technorati AND leave your Technorati name here.
1 – Blog about this giveaway, including a link here.
1 – Place my button on your blog.
Leave an additional comment for each entry you qualify for. You must have completed the first entry according to the instructions to be eligible for any bonus entries.
THE SMALL PRINT.
US addresses only please. This contest will end on Sunday 07/19/09 at 11:59 pm est. If you’ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. The winner must contact me to confirm they wish to receive the prize within two days of my email notifying them they’ve won. Good luck to everyone!
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
on Jul 13th, 2009 at 10:07 am
1. I love the twins!
2. I think I love the first movie the best.
3. My fav book would be goblet of fire.
on Jul 13th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Katrina,
I love Harry because he beagts to a different drummer yet is good.
I love the first–perhaps because I read it through a child’s eyes then.
I love the first movie which I saw before I read the book.
Pat.
on Jul 13th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
1. Which is your favorite Harry Potter character? Ok, I admit it — I love the character of Snape
2. Which is your favorite Harry Potter movie — so far, I love them all, I don’t have a favorite.
3. Which is your favorite Harry Potter book? — probably the first one just because it was the most fun to read it for the first time, but really I like all of them!
on Jul 13th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
I follow you on twitter — doodlebug40.
on Jul 13th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Hermoine has to be my favorite character. She’s a girl and a tough girl so she’s like on of the guys, and it always seems like the guys rely on her more than she does them. My kind of girl LOL
on Jul 13th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
I subscribe in Google Reader
on Jul 13th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
I am following you on Twitter @whatsthatsmell
on Jul 13th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
I faved you on Technorati AccientalMommy
on Jul 13th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
I like Harry potter
I like the 4th movie The goblet of fire
My fav book is also The goblet of fire
on Jul 13th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
I twittered you!!!
on Jul 13th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
I RSS’ed you through Google reader theblindcupid
on Jul 13th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
I am following U ;o)
on Jul 13th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Shawna,
Good luck on the contest.
Pat.
on Jul 13th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Shawna,
Thanks a bunch.
Pat.
on Jul 13th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
Shawna,
I woonder if Rowlin will do a Doyle or Christie with her beloved character.
Pat.
on Jul 13th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Kim,
Good to hear from you.
Pat.
on Jul 13th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Kim,
Hope you like the happenings.
Pat.
on Jul 13th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Kim,
Thanks.
Pat.
on Jul 13th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Kim,
Busy, busy.
Pat.
on Jul 13th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Kim,
She is definitely whagt a girl should be–intelligent, resourceful, and independent.
Pat.
on Jul 13th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Marie,
Thanks.
Pat.
on Jul 13th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Marie,
The characters other than the trio do have their unexpected sides–making their characterizations all the better and richer.
Pat.
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Hermione is my favorite character.
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Email subscriber
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Twitter follower – bridget3420
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Technorati fave – bridget3420
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Your button is on my sidebar
http://freebies4meandu.blogspot.com/2009/07/review-shaheen-revolution-cd.html
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Blogged about giveaway
http://freebies4meandu.blogspot.com/2009/07/714-giveaway-list.html
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Beidet3429,
Can’t wait until the 15th,
Pat.
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Beidet3429,
Thanks.
Pat.
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Beidet3429,
Glad you came.
Pat.
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Beidet3429,
Good luck wifgh the contest.
Pat.
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Beidet3429,
I wish more girls were like her.
Pat.
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Harry Potter is my favorite character in the series!
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
I subscribe to your RSS feed.
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Oh, great contest. My favorite book is Prisoner of Azkaban and THEN Half-Blood Prince so I’m so excited for this movie.
I know it said to answer just one, but I felt like adding that one of my favorite characters was and is Draco Malfoy. I figure that’s a bit different than most. LOL
–Lauren
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
I have subscribed via email.
-Lauren
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
I have also started following via twitter.
@shootingstarmag
-Lauren
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
ShootingStars,
Thety llght up thingas.
Pat.
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
ShootingStars,
Thank you.
Pat.
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
ShootingStars,
I have to wonder why him.
Pat.
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Nancy,
Everyone loves Harry.
Pat.
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Nancy,
Thanks.
Pat.
on Jul 15th, 2009 at 11:59 am
[...] here and there-harry potter kids dvd/7/19/09 [...]
on Jul 15th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Harry Potter is my favorite character
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
on Jul 15th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
i subscribe to feed
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
on Jul 15th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
following on twitter @throuthehaze
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
on Jul 15th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
technorati fave
throuthehaze
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
on Jul 15th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Raelena,
I can hardly wait to see this movie.
Pat.
on Jul 15th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Raelena,
Harry fills the billboards and papers today.
Pat.
on Jul 15th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Raelena,
Good luck.
Pat.
on Jul 15th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Raelena,
Check out upcoming giveaways.
Pat.
on Jul 15th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Raelena,
I like Harry too.
Pat.
on Jul 16th, 2009 at 7:05 am
My favorite HP book was The Prisoner of Azkaban.
on Jul 16th, 2009 at 7:06 am
I’m now a Google Reader subscriber
on Jul 16th, 2009 at 9:22 am
Ladytink,
As in the fairy Tinkerbell or a tinker as in a tinsman?
Pat.
on Jul 16th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Ladytink,
I have seen all the movies but still have many to the book to go. I know worlds of enjoyment wilolo open as I do.
Pat.
on Jul 16th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
I have kids who would love this!
I subscribe via my email.
on Jul 16th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
I have your button – left sidebar. Thank you.
on Jul 16th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Harry himself – thanks.
on Jul 16th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Neas,
I like him too.
Pat.
on Jul 16th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Neas,
I appreciate it.
Pat.
on Jul 16th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Neas,
I think you would enjoy it too/
Pat.
on Jul 16th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Harry is my fave.
on Jul 16th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Lisa,
I am hoping that Rowlins will do a Doyle or Christie via future generations.
Pat.
on Jul 16th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
1. My favourite characters are the Weasley Twins, being a twin myself.
2. My favourite book & movie is the same The Prisoner of Azkaban
on Jul 17th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
My favorite character is Ron.
Favorite movie is Prisoner of Azkaban
Favorite book is Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
on Jul 19th, 2009 at 12:59 am
[...] Here and There Harry Potter Kids DVD (7/19 US Only) [...]
on Jul 19th, 2009 at 11:21 am
I’ll say Hannah Abbott. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.
dianad8008 AT gmail DOT com
on Jul 19th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Dianad,
Why so?
Pat.