No Robes? and a Plea for Assistance

[rj_anderson]

Some people are already carping about these pics from the Prisoner of Azkaban set. "The kids aren't wearing robes!"

Well, no, and they aren't wearing their hats (thank goodness -- those things are ugly!) or carrying book-bags either. Hermione might have a book with her -- it's hard to tell -- but if she does it's only one book. Which, given H.'s unusually punishing schedule that year and her need to carry a full bag of books to all her classes, implies that this scene takes place after classes, or possibly even on a weekend. In which case the students wouldn't be wearing robes anyway.

I would be surprised if Cuaron (the director) had banished the robes entirely.

And I also like Draco's newly floppy hair, but that's a different story. :)

In unrelated news, I am now editing Personal Risks to bring it up to OotP standard. I don't suppose there's anybody out there who's read the new book a couple of times already and would be interested in looking through my revision to see if I've missed anything? I keep checking the Lexicon to try and avoid any glaring mistakes, but I have a nervous feeling I'm overlooking some important considerations...

Comments

I've seen pics with robes in other places

[(Anonymous)]

But the robes have changed - there was red piping on the robes worn by the Trio, which might be house colors.

The bus looks great, but I'm more than a bit worried about a ancient hippie type.

Kim

Re: I've seen pics with robes in other places

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

I'm more than a bit worried about a ancient hippie type.

I'm not, because that's similar to my vision of Dumbledore anyway. Well, perhaps not "hippie" exactly, but certainly more hip than Richard Harris's doddering old man version of the character. I found the Harris Dumbledore very feeble and disappointing -- the canonical Dumbledore has so much more vigour and personality! So I'm rather looking forward to Gambon in the role.

[yin-taku.livejournal.com]

::will most definitely reread b/c yin ish a dork like that and will reread it anyway:: XD

[sannalim.livejournal.com]

I'll beta Personal Risks for you. I don't have my copy of Book Five on hand (I lent it to my sister a month ago and haven't gotten it back yet), but I did read it twice.

[theatresm.livejournal.com]

???? I guess some folks haven't figured out that the films are not slavish re-creations of the books (to put it mildly ; )). Not to mention the possibilty of not having to wear the school uniform/scholar's robe when it's not "business hours." Not every public school requires students to stay robed during the weekend.

Would be happy to give PR once-over but I am in the same boat -- Boss's Wife STILL hasn't returned my OotP, so I've only been through once.

[shellebelle93.livejournal.com]

I would also be happy to read PR--*and* I have my book V handy!

As for the movies, I merely use them to enhance my reading experience--sometimes it's easier to visualize certain things, even if I visualize differently than the movie, after I've seen the movie. Er--did that make any sense whatsoever? ;-)

Draco's hair definitely gets a thumbs-up from me!

[(Anonymous)]

Oooh! I'll read! I'd love an excuse to read Personal Risks again, anyway.

Lisa
http://linman.blogspot.com

[sabrinanymph.livejournal.com]

I just found your livejournal (have loved your fiction ever since someone recommended the Potion Master's Apprentice to me a year or two ago. I love Personal Risks, and I've read the book through twice and been listening to the audio book so I'd be glad for an excuse to reread PR. Let me know if you'd like me to read through it!

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Sabrina! I really appreciate it!

[wahlee-98.livejournal.com]

I think the thing that's bothering us about the no-robes thing is that they seem to be wearing Muggle clothes *more* often than in previous movies-- and in situations where they wouldn't. I know they've worn Muggle clothes in the other movies, but not when they're interacting w/ a teacher, and what's up with Hermione threatening Malfoy (although he's no longer lacquered!Draco, yay)? They just seem to be wearing them more than they *should*, so it's gotten us worried.

Dumbledore doesn't seem that hippy to me, actually. He's wearing a couple of rings and his hair is more gray than white. What's the big deal?

I am also more than willing to read PR. :) Am on my 3rd reading now.

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

I think the thing that's bothering us about the no-robes thing is that they seem to be wearing Muggle clothes *more* often than in previous movies-- and in situations where they wouldn't.

It looks to me as though pretty much all the pics we've seen so far are from the same part of the story, and the events they portray take place on the same day. The kids always seem to be wearing exactly the same outfits. So I don't know if we can take one day's events as "wearing Muggle clothes more often". All we can say is that on the day the Trio enters the Shrieking Shack and confronts Sirius, etc., they are wearing Muggle clothes. And that at some point during that day McGonagall stops Harry to speak to him... but like I said before, it could easily be a weekend, or after classes.

Anyway, it's certainly not the first time we've seen the kids wearing Muggle clothes when they're not in class -- such as the whole "we've got to stop Snape getting the stone" sequence in PS/SS, when Hermione is wearing that ghastly 80's looking sweater.

I'll reserve judgment until I've seen the film. But to be honest, I don't really care. As long as the kids still wear their robes in the classroom, it won't bother me a bit.