Need some help from the Potter gurus

[Gigatron]

Ok gang,

With the exception of knowing that Potter pisses off some of the ultra religious right, I know nothing about the books or movies.

Now here is why that's important; my girl wants me to make her a Potter prop. I have no idea as to what a good prop would be or the complexity involved.

Now, I'm very far from being tool-challenged. I've built most of my own props over the years. But they were mostly SW based, so there was almost always a base object to work from (with the exception of the hovering training remote, which was a 90% scratchbuild).

I'm guessing a wand (or wands) would be a good place to start, but I don't own a lathe. Could the wands be turned on a simple lathe from Northern Tools, or are they too complex for that. Also, is there someplace that would even have the dimensions of the wands, or am I now going to be forced into getting these movies in HD (or BRD) and do some scaling work.

What about recommendations on other props?

Feel free to fire away with all suggestions, but be prepared to post some pics as I'd have no idea as to what you're talking about.

Thanks,
Fred

 

[glim999]

Most of the wands are really easy to sculpt. I did a bunch of them a while back. All Super Sulpey over a tapered wooden dowel.

http://www.angelfire.com/theforce/batline/harrypotterprops/

 

[Serenity]

If needed, you can check out the Noble Collection site for some decent pictures of the wands. They also list the length of each wand.

You could always make some paper props too! A Hogwarts acceptance letter would be fun...

 

[RogueSolo]

I made my ex-girlfriend a "potter-universe" broomstick. Wasn't a screen-used design, but it still captured the feel of the story. At least I thought it did.

 

[franz bolo]

PM Juno, she also has some tutorials on her site.

FB

 

[Gigatron]

all good ideas, gang :thumbsup.

I wonder, if I do the acceptance letter, should I make it screen accurate, or should I personalize it with her name? I guess I could always do one of each...

Keep the ideas a'flowin'.

-Fred

 

[tripoli]

The wands from Noble are the best and for the amount of time and money, are hard to beat. The time turner can be found for 35 dollars and up on eBay and are pretty nice, the Japanese version in the black box is the best version out there. Paper props can be found on the paper prop thread here, just have to take a look for it, and you can edit some of them for her. Barns and Nobles carries the Noble Collection light up wands, again for the money hard to beat. Juno makes an incredible Hogwarts train ticket, a must have at a great price.
For an expensive collectible that will go up in price the next few years, look at the Lionel Hogwarts train. An incredible replica with full sound, smoke and lights. You can get them for great prices if you look on eBay or surf the net long enough. The Bachman set ran at about 90 and after selling the edition started getting close to 200 on eBay as a secondary market item. I expect the Lionel Hogwarts will do the same down the road as well. An investment as well a super replica.

As for theology end, mainly the extreme ends tend to knock the stories down and most that do have never really taken a real look at the series. As a theology major right now, I can say they are harmless unless you child is obsessive compulsive, in which case just about anything they are exposed to should be watched over carefully. Anything that becomes more than it should or outright clashes with your ethical and moral standing should be taken with a serious caution. It really comes down to how well grounded you children are. Life constantly exposes people to unrighteous events and temptations. If you cannot handle it, you should stay away from such. The HP series although touching on witchcraft and many world mythologies, centers on the characters and the main theme issues of good versus evil with a strong theme of free will choices and love. The background is secondary to the theme and as long as its taken as so, Christians should hold no objection to allowing their children to read it. Maturity is a factor to consider though with your children. There are some stories and recent movies with the ultimate goal of destroying such values, those truly you should considering avoiding if you consider the intent objectionable to your own values. As well the impact it can have on your children.

 

[Serenity]

I wonder, if I do the acceptance letter, should I make it screen accurate, or should I personalize it with her name? I guess I could always do one of each...

How old is your daughter? If she's young enough to not know about the whole "screen accurate" concept, then I'm sure she'd love a personalized version.

 

[Gigatron]

The wands from Noble are the best and for the amount of time and money, are hard to beat. The time turner can be found for 35 dollars and up on eBay and are pretty nice, the Japanese version in the black box is the best version out there. Paper props can be found on the paper prop thread here, just have to take a look for it, and you can edit some of them for her. Barns and Nobles carries the Noble Collection light up wands, again for the money hard to beat. Juno makes an incredible Hogwarts train ticket, a must have at a great price.
For an expensive collectible that will go up in price the next few years, look at the Lionel Hogwarts train. An incredible replica with full sound, smoke and lights. You can get them for great prices if you look on eBay or surf the net long enough. The Bachman set ran at about 90 and after selling the edition started getting close to 200 on eBay as a secondary market item. I expect the Lionel Hogwarts will do the same down the road as well. An investment as well a super replica.

As for theology end, mainly the extreme ends tend to knock the stories down and most that do have never really taken a real look at the series. As a theology major right now, I can say they are harmless unless you child is obsessive compulsive, in which case just about anything they are exposed to should be watched over carefully. Anything that becomes more than it should or outright clashes with your ethical and moral standing should be taken with a serious caution. It really comes down to how well grounded you children are. Life constantly exposes people to unrighteous events and temptations. If you cannot handle it, you should stay away from such. The HP series although touching on witchcraft and many world mythologies, centers on the characters and the main theme issues of good versus evil with a strong theme of free will choices and love. The background is secondary to the theme and as long as its taken as so, Christians should hold no objection to allowing their children to read it. Maturity is a factor to consider though with your children. There are some stories and recent movies with the ultimate goal of destroying such values, those truly you should considering avoiding if you consider the intent objectionable to your own values. As well the impact it can have on your children.

I've come across all the stuff you can buy, but she really wants me to make her something. I mean she's a nurse, so if she just wanted to go out and buy a replica, she could more than easily afford to do so. I guess it's the whole made-by-hand-is-more-speciial-than-bought-by-wallet thing. Kind of like when your kids make you some macaroni art. You know there's better art out there, but the fact that they made it, makes it that much more priceless.

As for the theology side of it, I really couldn't care less about witches and warlocks. I was raised a catholic, so as far as I'm concerned it's just as easy to believe in magic as it is to believe that somebody walked on water and rose from the dead. I just work with a few jeebus-freaks who think that reading Potter will turn their kids into heathens or withches :lol.

How old is your daughter? If she's young enough to not know about the whole "screen accurate" concept, then I'm sure she'd love a personalized version.

She's my girl, as in girlfriend. She's 34, so I'm pretty sure I can't slip one by her - not something like that, especially when it comes to Harry Potter, anyway :lol :lol :lol

-Fred

 

[Serenity]

She's my girl, as in girlfriend. She's 34, so I'm pretty sure I can't slip one by her - not something like that, especially when it comes to Harry Potter, anyway :lol :lol :lol

-Fred

:lol :lol Whoops! Nevermind then!

 

[Danaedhel]

And what about a Deatheater mask?

http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=39206&highlight=deatheater