Harry Potter Page to Screen: The Complete Filmmaking Journey (Collector's Edition) Hardcover – December 4, 2012

#1: Huge HP fan. #2: Big movie buff. #3: Love books.Is $1,000 expensive? Yes. Is $600 doable for this particular collection? YES.At a limited print run of 3,000 copies -- and the high quality of production and workmanship, it's worth every penny for a book collector, HP buff; or someone in art/film school. I like extras on DVDs/BDs; love production artwork, set design, et cetera. I'm sure Amazon had to pay a hefty price for printing rights on the pages upon pages of information and imagery not found in the Page to Screen book. Printing 8 over-sized books is not cheap. The low print run is going to spike the overall price. Every book is cloth covered, or uniquely textured; it's a real treat for book enthusiasts. It made my fingers happy.Remember Amazon Printing's Beedle the Bard limited book release?, of course this will be a pricey purchase for some. I live paycheck to paycheck... but this is a priority for me. The books took my breath away; was stunned by the quality of the 'Monster' book, the mini shelf is also fabric covered; just a unique and beautiful collection.Maybe they'll come out with another edition one day... increase the print run, lower the price, lower the quality -- with a plastic 'Monster' book, no cloth or faux-leather covering, take all of the special book treatment away, shelve the shelf, and presto change-o, a cheap humdrum edition for the Muggle-masses. I'm in debt, and it's worth every penny.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -3 NEW books to add to your Harry Potter Page to Screen: The Complete Filmmaking Journey Collector's Edition collection:COMMENT/NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR (<-- That's exciting!): "Not just a rerelease! These books are actually an all-new, incredibly comprehensive approach to their subject matter. In addition to the wonderful, magical creatures that we got to know and love, for the first time anywhere, The Creature Vault will include behind-the scenes information on all the real-life creatures -- Scabbers, Hedwig, Fang, et al. The Book of Magical Places will be in a much larger size to showcase the incredible artwork, includes 4 Privet Drive, and offers information about on-location shooting as well as studio environments. I mined the Muggle world for new interviews and never-before-revealed information, and drove my editor crazy with the megasized manuscripts I delivered. And the next one up after these two is The Character Vault. I read the comments here and really try to deliver what you want -- because it's what I want, too! Thanks, everyone, for letting us know your thoughts on these books. - Jody R"UPDATE; New Release: Harry Potter: The Creature Vault: The Creatures and Plants of the Harry Potter FilmsI have already pre-ordered this book.Jody Revenson's faux-leather, green-bound book 'The Creature Shop Compendium: Flora and Fauna From the Harry Potter Films' (based off of the movie) is getting a brand new, fully comprehensive and larger-sized release on 10/28/2014; the book is newly bounded with a purple cover (the two will look great next to each other on the shelf!!) .. the new book is titled 'Harry Potter: The Creature Vault: The Creatures and Plants of the Harry Potter Films'. The new release will come with a removable poster and an interactive Eeylops Owl Emporium catalog.ALSO: Harry Potter: The Book of Magical PlacesI have already pre-ordered this book.Jody Revenson's cloth covered 'Environments Envisioned: Building Fantastic Sets and Scouting Dramatic Locations' book (based off of the movie) is getting a brand new, fully comprehensive and larger-sized release on 05/05/2015 and titled "Harry Potter: The Book of Magical Places"; extras have not been listed at this time.AND: 'The Character Vault', coming soon.

I got this during while the Cyber Monday type deals were going on on Amazon. I remember it clearly: Amazon gave a little snippet before the product was actually unveiled, something like "for every true Harry Potter fan." Of course, I sat at my computer and waited until the allotted time to see what it was. And when it was finally released, I jumped on it.I won't lie, I handled each of the books with a hint of reverence; not something I'm proud of admitting, but true all the same. I don't regret buying it at all. Maybe that would be a different story if I had paid the whole $1000, but since I only paid $480 I could justify it to myself. It was totally worth it. The amount of detail is astounding, and I feel like I got a piece of the phenomenon that isn't available for everyone. The Page to Screen book in particular is already pretty in depth, but the added bonus are the others. Each of the other books has a specific focus: the sets, the costuming, etc.Honestly I still haven't gotten all the way through the collection. I'm trying to take my time and enjoy each piece as I get to it. My loved ones are rather annoyed with me; I keep hollering out to them details about the Harry Potter universe. I don't regret the purchase at all, and I would do it again. While my allegiance is more to the books than the movies, I can't deny that I waited for the midnight showing on all of them when they were released in theaters. The amount of work that went into even the smallest of details--a wizarding advertisement during the Quidditch Cup, for example--are shown in these books, and it is magnificent.It's a hefty price tag, but if you want to know as much as you can about the HP world, it's worth it.

I have enjoyed every minute that I have spent with this collector's set. As one reviewer stated, "if you are a fan of movie making and design" you will find these books very informative. If you are just a fan of the world of HP then you will find plenty to smile about.A few minor complaints. "Environments Envisioned" is produced in a much smaller format from the other books. The images are crisp and colorful but I still feel that this volume should have been printed in a larger format. After going through each volume in the set, I believe that the art prints included missed the mark. There are many other stunning drawings and paintings that should have been used. One of the images of the Dementor's from "The Creature Shop Compendium" would have made a wonderful print. Again, these are minor issues.Each volume in this set is very well made and produced. You can tell that a lot of thought went into the design and production of each book. Is it worth the cost? Well, that will depend on each individual and why they are purchasing it. I am very satisfied with this collection. Well done Amazon!

As a photographer I have been awed by the sheer unprecedented complete production behind the movies and have been to both the Florida and just recently the London Leavesden Studio Tour. One of the things that impacted me the most I did not expect was the art department renderings, scale drawings, artwork and models. This set BEAUTIFULLY captures so much more of the amazing art and details behind the movies of sets, locations, concept art, creatures, costumes, other artwork NOT included in other books or collector sets (yes, I have them!) and the Monster Book of Monsters alone is incredible. The set, while extremely heavy, is sheer quality. The books are texture fabric covered, each with a silk ribbon bookmark attached, including the thick "Journey" book which includes the same star shaped photo, is fabric covered but does not include lettering on the cover but the spine only. If you truly appreciate the in-depth detail and unprecedented artistry and creativity, you will love this!