Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone [Modernized]

It seems every decade the modern technology and evolving skillset brings me back to the Harry Potter franchise and the love I have for it.

I’m not going to give a huge speech about anything yet, but I’d like to hear initial thoughts on a different way to do these films over again.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11YnGri3QPITY9BPy3T_-EsmOFyLF8j1_/view?usp=drive_link

It might be a way to go forward.

I’m not sure how I feel about that clip, but I’m intrigued, at least. Either way, it’s always nice and exciting to try new things with previous projects, so I wish you good luck with that!

It might be too early, but it would be very interesting to see if ans how you could use the HBO series to enhance your HP film collection.

vranir said:

I’m always interested in new possibilities, but what exactly is new with this clip? At a quick glance, it looks pretty vanilla to me (I readily admit that I haven’t spent nearly as much time with these films as you have).

Any chance of finishing the Deathly Hallows for the previous edit series?

The visual effects are new; for example, Hagrid riding his bike, McGonagall’s transformation is never shown, the Private Drive shots (including a new with McG and Dumbledore walking through Privet Drive), audio and music at the middle-part of the opening (when Hagrid gives the baby to Dumbledore) and a lot more. The fact you don’t notice a single change is actually very positive.

And yes, Deathly Hallows is at work. No doubt. It’s just happening slowly.

This thread was to showcase a way to modernize the first two movies and if people found it appealing (I sure do).

ThanosM. said:

I’m not sure how I feel about that clip, but I’m intrigued, at least. Either way, it’s always nice and exciting to try new things with previous projects, so I wish you good luck with that!

It might be too early, but it would be very interesting to see if ans how you could use the HBO series to enhance your HP film collection.

I’d like to hear more about your thoughts regarding the clip, especially what intriguied you and even more so the things you are hesitant about.

Yeah, this is a thought I’ve had. We’ll have to see how the HBO show turns out first. If the show rubs my way, I’ll probably turn them into movies like I did for Game of Thrones and Rings of Power.

First of all, I should say that your work on the audio and music enhancements is absolutely fantastic and seamlessly integrated. However, I’m not sure how I feel about the “modernisation” of the first two films. Films from the '90s and early 2000s had a certain look and aesthetic that made them unique. With the limitations of the era’s technology, filmmakers had to find clever and creative ways to make things work. You’re right that we never got to see McGonagall’s transformation, but that shot of her shadow on the wall changing shape is pure perfection. It’s been engraved in my mind since childhood as one of the most iconic moments of the series.

That being said, I also found the other additions of yours, like the back shot of Dumbledore and McGonagall walking, to be a nice touch. Same with Hagrid riding through the clouds, although I would suggest moving those shots earlier, before the professors notice him in the sky, because it looks like he’s flying far above the land.

ThanosM. said:

First of all, I should say that your work on the audio and music enhancements is absolutely fantastic and seamlessly integrated. However, I’m not sure how I feel about the “modernisation” of the first two films. Films from the '90s and early 2000s had a certain look and aesthetic that made them unique. With the limitations of the era’s technology, filmmakers had to find clever and creative ways to make things work. You’re right that we never got to see McGonagall’s transformation, but that shot of her shadow on the wall changing shape is pure perfection. It’s been engraved in my mind since childhood as one of the most iconic moments of the series.

That being said, I also found the other additions of yours, like the back shot of Dumbledore and McGonagall walking, to be a nice touch. Same with Hagrid riding through the clouds, although I would suggest moving those shots earlier, before the professors notice him in the sky, because it looks like he’s flying far above the land.

Brilliant — thanks for sharing your perspective. It’s genuinely enlightening.

My approach with AI, color grading, audio work and visual effects here would be to enhance, not take away or destroy. That could mean visual polish, yes, but also strengthening character moments and occasionally breaking up choreography that feels a bit static or repetitive. Columbus sometimes uses the same shot three or four times, almost like a theatre setup — which absolutely works for a children’s film, but can feel a little stiff by modern pacing standards.

I’d also want to make Harry Potter feel a bit more accessible within the reality of modern kids’ attention spans and their TikTok-shaped brains — my son included, although he only gets one hour a week, lol.

A shorter, more intimate example would be this:

https://youtu.be/dJinOk5-Ql4

Show a tad more emotion from the abuse Harry endures, as well as a new shot of Harry entering the living room instead of for the fourth time using the exact same framing of the hallway.

I think I get your approach now.
Excited to see what you’re cooking! Good luck!

Looking forward to this!