March 3, 2011 - 5:05pm
Michigan Myths: Harry Potter almost filmed in the Law Quad?
BY KYLE SWANSON
While the Law Quadrangle might seem like the ideal setting for students to mix potions, enjoy a mug of butterbeer, or practice a spell, they shouldn’t don their house-specific robes or grab their wands just yet.
The myth that Harry Potter originally considered the University as a setting for the famed school of wizardry might provide an intriguing tale for freshmen on campus, but the myth is just that, a myth.
Lee Doyle, the chief of staff in the Office of Vice President for Communications and the director of the University’s film office, said though she wasn’t previously aware of the myth that Harry Potter originally considered filming on campus, she knows it’s false.
“I’m going to have to say that’s a myth,” Doyle said. “They never contacted us about (filming here).”
But while the wonderful world of wizardry may not have considered filming at the University, there are several movies that have filmed on campus.
To date, Doyle said a total of nine movies have used parts of the University as a backdrop, and several have filmed scenes in the Law Quadrangle.
“Although Harry Potter never filmed there, we have filmed three movies at the Law School,” Doyle said.
The law school in one of the three movies, “Answer This!” was actually the University’s own Law School, while the other two — “Salvation Boulevard” and “Trust” — used the Law Quad as a more generic backdrop.
Another movie, “Conviction,” originally looked into filming at the Law School, but found it to be too large and historic to fit the movie, which, starring Hillary Swank, tells the story of Betty Anne Waters, a law school student who worked to overturn her brother’s murder conviction.
“They needed a smaller, more modern school,” Doyle said of the movie. “We wound up filming at Pierpont Commons on North Campus instead.”
"Conviction" premieres next month and will be the first of those filmed at the University to reach theaters.
