Harry
Potter's website is now open
Warner Bros. will
launch the official "Harry Potter" Web
site, www.harrypotter.com (www.harrypotter.co.uk in the United
Kingdom) on Friday, February 16, 2001. The
much-anticipated site offers a rich, dynamic
environment that will evolve and grow over time
as exclusive features and elements are added,
including interactive fan opportunities, games
and the latest information and news updates on
the "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's
Stone" feature film.
"The
enchanting characters and vivid imagery of the
'Harry Potter' books have captured the
imaginations of millions of fans worldwide,"
said Kevin Tsujihara, Executive Vice President,
Warner Bros. New Media. "The Web site will
amplify the reader's experience and provide a
great entrée to the world of 'Harry Potter' for
those who may not have yet explored the stories.
We want Harrypotter.com to reach and bring
together fans of all ages around the globe as
they tap into an exceptional interactive
experience and immerse themselves in the magical
world of 'Harry Potter.'"
Warner Bros. is
inviting other fan-managed "Harry
Potter" sites to link to the community
through the Harrypotter.com hub, and in turn,
Warner Bros. will provide unique "Harry
Potter" images and icons for use on their
sites. Additionally, Warner Bros. will be asking
fans for their feedback and insights, which will
be highlighted on Harrypotter.com.
Unlike other
movie-based Web sites that rely heavily on
behind-the-scenes production information,
Harrypotter.com is a comprehensive site and
community forum dedicated to the world of
"Harry Potter." "The magic of
Harry Potter's world is something Warner Bros. is
working very hard to preserve," said Don
Buckley, Senior Vice President, Theatrical
Marketing and New Media, Warner Bros. Pictures.
"Therefore, we feel it is very important
that we not reveal the secrets behind the
magic."
The Web site,
which will be regularly updated with new features
and news, welcomes visitors with an animated
short of the famed Hogwarts Express train, which
whisks Harry and his classmates from Platform 9¾
at King's Cross station off to Hogwarts School of
Witchcraft and Wizardry. Once inside the site,
fans can choose from the following "Harry
Potter"-inspired destinations:
Hogwarts
offers wouldbe Wizards the chance to
apply to be "students" at the
exclusive Hogwarts school. Take your turn
answering a series of sage riddles from
the "Sorting Hat" to determine
in which of four houses you will study.
The
magical promenade Diagon Alley
features "The Owl Post," where
fans can send friends (or enemies!) a
customized e-postcard or a
"Howler." "Flourish and
Blotts" offers Muggles the chance to
download and print bookmarks and
specialized "Harry Potter"
coloring pages.
The
Daily Prophet will give exclusive
peeks into the world of "Harry
Potter" and information about the
upcoming "Harry Potter and the
Sorcerer's Stone" feature film,
including Web-exclusive material such as
still images, trailers, clips and
production details as they become
available.
When
Muggles want to share information, they
can gather at Platform 9¾,
the site's community area, complete with
message boards connecting "Harry
Potter" fans from around the world.
To further reach
the fans who have made "Harry Potter" a
global phenomenon, Warner Bros. will soon roll
out local-language-customized versions of the
"Harry Potter" Web site in German,
French, Spanish, Italian and Japanese, with other
language-customized sites scheduled to follow.
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