From 1972, Alan Rickman stored a pocket diary by which he famous appointments, anniversaries, opening nights and addresses. In 1992, he began to provide a a lot fuller account of his life and work and purchased diaries from a neighborhood stationer’s that gave him a web page a day to play with. These quantity 26 volumes, a number of of that are colourfully and superbly illustrated.
Why he stored a diary is unclear. Diarists are available all shapes, and their causes for recording their lives are equally numerous. Some individuals need to bear witness to earth-shattering occasions whereas others are content material to element what seems to be trivia however which, with the passage of time, acquires enduring significance. What follows is an edited account of the practically 11 years outlined by Rickman’s function as Professor Severus Snape within the Harry Potter movies.
Alan Taylor, editor of the diaries
2000
23 August
6.30pm Pile into the automotive and drive to Siena to get to Il Campo earlier than darkish. To the Patio Bar the place, round 8pm, I referred to as LA and stated OK to HP [Harry Potter].
24 August
Across the pool and feeling a bit nothing about HP which actually disturbs me – or is it as a result of I’m studying Martin Amis’s Expertise which charts A Life …
6 September
A day by the pool. Speaking to Judy [Hofflund, Rickman’s manager] – the bargaining goes on … (HP).
Lightning within the mountains.
10 September
Excellent day. Nonetheless, sunny. To the pool. End [reading] HP 1, begin 2.
21 September
HARRY P TAKES OFF.
10.30am Automotive to costume becoming/dialogue. Measurements from hell after a month in Italy. Waltz round one another – greater collar? Blue cloth? Thinner arms? And off to Leavesden Studios. Chris Columbus [director], David Heyman [producer], Make-up dept ready. Wig? Nostril?
6 October
First dialog with Joanne Rowling. Her sister solutions – “She’s not right here – can I go away a message?” [There is] cackling within the background … “Sorry about that! … ” [I tell her:] “There are issues that solely Snape & you understand – I must know … ” “You’re proper [she replies] – name me tomorrow; nobody else is aware of these items.”
7 October
Speak to Joanne Rowling once more and she or he nervously lets me in on a number of glimpses of Snape’s background. Speaking to her is speaking to somebody who lives these tales, not invents them. She’s a channel – effervescent over with, “Effectively, when he was younger, you see, this, that and the opposite occurred” – by no means, “I wished so & so … “
8 October
2pm Ruby [Wax], [husband and film/TV producer] Ed [Bye] & youngsters, Harbour Membership. One in all [Ruby’s son] Max’s pals is a sign of what’s to come back. “Are you Snape?”
10 October
HARRY POTTER BEGINS.
11am Kings X for prepare to Newcastle, after which automotive to Alnwick Citadel [AKA Hogwarts] and a (three-hour … ) make-up for digital camera take a look at. Criss-crossing of pluses and minuses – pale face = v ageing; false nose-piece wants heavy make-up and so on. Basic environment is pleasant and a mite chaotic.
7.45pm To the tapas restaurant with Sean [Biggerstaff] and Robbie Coltrane for a lot of plates of deep-fried indulgences earlier than going to the resort for purple wine and a bag of candies from the mini-bar. Hopeless …
11 December
7am Again to Harry P. The Nice Corridor with Maggie Smith, Zoë Wanamaker, Ian Hart, Richard Harris – all of their methods candy, humorous souls. However that is Tick Off The Photographs filming – no huge speech in regards to the scene and what we’re all pondering. Possibly there isn’t time … Possibly … Too many individuals concerned within the selections. A hat has been made for Snape. A hat? For Snape? Luckily Chris Columbus can be a candy, humorous soul and also you form of guess what he’s pondering, what he desires. Definitely in the event you step outdoors that he’s in sharpish. So it will get performed. And all of it appears to be like simply positive.
29 December
7.45pm Edna O’Brien. In 4 hours or so, Edna tells us story after story of Beckett, Pinter – “Once I see him on Monday he’ll say instantly: ‘You’ve seen The Caretaker, in fact’ – ‘No, I’ve been away’ – ‘Effectively, then you could have seen Betrayal.’ The difficulty is writers write from ache and Harold has closed up all his wounds, so all he can write now are these small issues.”
31 December
8.30pm Pam & Mel Smith. A stunning technique to finish a 12 months. Buddies, fireworks and singing Beatles, Elton John, Billy Joel songs across the piano.
2001
2 February
7.30pm The Graduate to see Jerry Corridor. She is an incredible girl. Onstage you get hints of the offstage heat.
19 February
LAST DAY ON HP.
On the finish of the day, Hedwig the owl flies the size of the Nice Corridor and drops the Nimbus 2000 in Harry’s lap. Dave, the coach, hadn’t slept worrying about all of it. Easy, superb issues.
7 June
ELECTION DAY.
10.45pm To Jon Snow’s home. Michael Foot there. A lonely determine, sufferer of Parkinson’s, however nonetheless caught up in all of it.
11 September
NEW YORK TRADE CENTER ATTACK.
11.30am Rehearse [for Private Lives, in London, with Lindsay Duncan]. Run Act 1. Because the dance rehearsal is about to start, the primary report from New York is available in. Whole shock. All rehearsal turns into an acute, flattening irrelevance however we do it anyway.
Ultimately again house at 7.30 and simply watch it again and again on TV as if to imprint it on the mind, the psyche, the life actually … That airplane was like watching a knife go into butter.
14 September
11am Three minutes’ silence which we shared with Kiss Me Kate solid.
Supper at house. Watching extra protection. Nonetheless attempting to know one thing. Can’t take away the very fact of 4 million ravenous in Afghanistan to not point out the innocents in Iraq. There may be such political naivety within the US that it solely takes one picture of 5 Palestinians dancing on the street to obliterate the larger image.
23 October
David Heyman calls to inform me how sensible I’m in HP … At house, faxes in regards to the press junket which is big and inconceivable. The DH cellphone name was, in fact, a coincidence …
4 November
HARRY POTTER PREMIERE.
6.30pm The movie ought to solely be seen on an enormous display. It acquires a scale and depth that matches the hideous rating by John Williams. Social gathering afterwards on the Savoy is rather more enjoyable.
4 December
2pm 66 Harley Avenue. [Cardiologist] Rodney Foale (I like him) and the outcomes of all the guts checks. All is okay, aside from one sheet exhibiting hypertension and that means much less purple wine late at night time.
15 December
Sheekey’s. In a day of memorable moments … it was capped by having Invoice Clinton come over to our desk to say whats up. I say “Mr President” to remind myself that he was that, reasonably than one other actor or the maître d’ …
2002
9 January
Refit the Harry P costume. A little bit of taking in is important.
14 January
HARRY POTTER 2.
6.50am pick-up (penning this with the wide-awake-at-2am factor) Good to see all of them once more nevertheless it’s a dreamlike factor, as if it has by no means stopped. And in a manner, it hasn’t – and received’t …
Richard Harris is enveloped in flu – a cue for Maggie Smith to encase her face in a shawl.
Thoughts-blowing exhaustion by the top of the day. In some way one hour’s sleep is just not fairly sufficient. Again to the resort for a membership sandwich, chips, purple wine, Floor Pressure and mattress.
31 January
[Rickman’s wife] Rima’s birthday. It’s a very long time since we’ve been collectively on Jan thirty first.
2 April
HP.
7.15 pick-up Up within the Quidditch tower with Miriam Margolyes (about to be OBE and 20lbs lighter – as she tells me in her pretty inimitable manner) and Jason Isaacs – who has simply grow to be a dad for the primary time. The same old nodding-heads-at-numbers scene however faster this time and we’re out by lunchtime.
18 Could
8pm present [Private Lives, now transferred with the same cast to Broadway] After which we uncover that Nicole Kidman & Tobey Maguire arrived half-hour late. Why are available?
26 Could
6.30pm Liam [Neeson] & Natasha [Richardson, his wife]. Two-hour drive upstate to their wonderful home and dinner with John [Benjamin] Hickey & Jennifer [Carpenter] from The Crucible plus – oh, Meryl’s in there … as in Streep. Who seems to be enjoyable and gossipy. However it’s arduous – who else appears to be like like Meryl Streep? So you may’t fairly lose the stare.
27 Could
Lunch on a terrace with the boys and us. Tash is probably the most miraculous hostess. Nothing is forgotten.
4pm Dan Day-Lewis arrives to play tennis.
11 September
Resolve to not fly house till tomorrow. Every part too rushed and the frenzy appeared disrespectful. The TV protection is mercifully restrained and unbearably shifting when it’s totally private – moms, fathers, kids holding up footage, sitting among the many flowers at Floor Zero.
16 September
LOVE ACTUALLY FIRST DAY.
21 October
8pm [To] Wembley Enviornment for Coldplay live performance. They have been fantastic – each track near being an anthem already and extremely shifting to see that many individuals understanding the lyrics. Within the bar backstage, Gwyneth Paltrow launched herself (extra lovely off display) after which [we] met the group within the inside sanctum with Richard Curtis.
25 October
2pm Brydges Place. Joyful-sad discuss of Ruby’s envy of touring round with pals in a play. Then there’s a cheeky go to to Sheekey’s, the place they sit us down with a bottle of champagne … Each Ruby and I can really feel a wheel turning. The fascination of “showbiz” is ever-thinning. The alternatives for less than actual work need to be nourished.
4 December
Speaking to [agent] Paul Lyon-Maris about HP exit, which he thinks will occur. However right here we’re within the project-collision space once more. Reiterating no extra HP. They don’t need to hear it.
21 December
Trudie & Sting’s Christmas social gathering. Byzantium meets Fairyland. They’ve constructed a purple, ruched theatre the place Richard E Grant learn ’Twas the Evening Earlier than Christmas, Zenaida Yanowsky danced The Nutcracker, the Razumovsky Ensemble performed the Brandenburg Concerto and [violinist and conductor] Vasko Vassilev prodigied his manner by way of the Carmen Fantasie. Round and about all that was improbable meals and delightful wine & Krug champagne. However maybe better of all was the prospect to speak to Elton John & David [Furnish] about Secure [Sponsored Arts for Education, Kenyan charity] and elicit their assist.
2003
8 February
Watching Martin Bashir’s documentary on Michael Jackson. Disgraceful, self-serving journalism. How a lot did that value? Evaluate MJ’s actions with these of one million pederasts & paedophiles a day or the 1000’s of children dying each day in South Africa from Aids. Make a movie about that together with your involved face.
15 February
12pm Duke of York Theatre. For the march [against the Iraq war]. Besides that we didn’t make it to the Duke of York – no taxis wherever. We walked to Piccadilly … and joined the march there. At Hyde Park (having seen 1m individuals behind us) there was Bruce Kent & Tariq Ali on the microphones however Minnie Driver & Tim Robbins to remind us that celeb guidelines, actually.
14 April
HARRY POTTER [3].
7am pick-up Prime desk stuff w. David Thewlis, Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, Warwick Davis.
Extra of the identical actually. However what else are you able to do besides get the photographs – a choir, 300 kids, one speech. Individuals studying within the background.
2 Could
8.40am pick-up Hall with Dan Radcliffe. He’s so concentrated now. Severe and targeted – however with a way of enjoyable. I nonetheless don’t suppose he’s actually an actor however he’ll undoubtedly direct/produce. And he has such quiet, dignified assist from his dad and mom. Nothing is pushed.
17 Could
6pm Automotive to Chequers … Actual sense of the shiver of historical past going by way of the gates.
7.30pm for 8. Arrive to search out Ben Kingsley & spouse, Peter Hain, others … then Richard & Judy arrive, then Tony & Cherie with three-year-old Leo in his arms, in pyjamas.
Dinner for 25. Tony hanging round on the door to speak to me. (Was I the one identified critic?) I discussed Secure, Rima within the Lords and blacklists within the US – not unhealthy for 4 minutes.
On leaving I stated: “Effectively, thank God you’re within the room with these maniacs [members of the Bush administration].” He raised an eyebrow or two and stated: “Sure … it’s been … tough.” And we drove away, TB silhouetted within the grand doorway in his off-white chinos and blue open-necked shirt.
26 June
8.30pm Zaika – dinner for Patty and John McEnroe. McEnroe may be very candy and loving with Patty [Smyth, his wife] and endearingly unegocentric and well mannered in different methods. I’m positive he’s a fantastic dad and could be a fantastically loyal good friend. Who would have guessed? Additionally – he doesn’t thoughts gossip – nobody likes Rusedski.
30 July
7am pick-up Snape/Lupin Classroom.
The day obtained off to a wonderful begin with the display guillotining on to my head, a sudden, swift blackout adopted by day-long melancholy. Alfonso [Cuarón, director] was quietly ballistic with me. I like him an excessive amount of to let it final too lengthy so I wailed offset and we sorted it out. He’s underneath the standard HP stress and even he begins rehearsing cameras earlier than actors, and these youngsters want directing. They don’t know their strains and Emma [Watson]’s diction is that this aspect of Albania at occasions. Plus my so-called rehearsal is with a stand-in who’s French.
10 October
9.45am Choose-up to start out the Love Really junket.
4pm Golden Sq. – screening of Love Really. Me, Martine McC[utcheon] and two of her pals. Really, she’s top-of-the-line issues within the movie. Unaffected, truthful and direct.
12 November
Jimmy Kimmel Reside.
“So this can be a chick flick?”
“No, it’s extra of a dick flick.”
I obtained beeped however we have been away with the horrors of Toby Keith singing American Soldier solely minutes away. I’m on the couch with a stand-up, a boy trumpeter and one of many Purple Sizzling Chili Peppers. Barely scary.
2004
23 Could
NEW YORK.
4pm Harry Potter 3. World Premiere.
Arriving at Radio Metropolis was like being a Beatle. Hundreds of followers screamed as we obtained out of automobiles. Largely for Daniel Radcliffe however a rush for everybody. To not point out strolling out on to the stage to six,000.
Alfonso has performed a rare job. It’s a very grown-up film, so stuffed with daring that it made me smile and smile. Each body of it’s the work of an artist and storyteller. Gorgeous results which can be someway a part of the lifetime of the movie, not show-off stunts. Later again to the resort w. Ariel Dorfman, who takes egomania to totally charming heights. He simply loves being him.
8 June
11.30am Mansion Home for Rada lunch – 1.15pm (with The Queen).
The snapshots could be of milling about, individuals trying all of the sudden older, some in hats and palaver, males in purple uniforms holding pikestaffs (those in glasses letting the aspect down). A sense of getting to simply accept our place within the Institution, or not. Vivienne Westwood was there, for heaven’s sake. The Queen in yellow, laughing at Richard Wilson. However largely – trying as much as the gallery on the T-shirted college students trying down – the sense of 30 years. And a shy delight at being there as soon as.
28 September
HP [4].
7.55am pick-up Smacking the backs of Daniel [Radcliffe] & Rupert [Grint]’s heads – likely a fuss will ensue about corporal punishment.
11 November
7.15am pick-up In Dumbledore’s workplace with Maggie … My speech is unlearnable. So some critical laughing goes on. Plus Maggie’s tales of the Women in Lavender premiere: “Miriam Margolyes regarded like a Sherman tank in sequins.”
13 December
HP. LAST DAY?
7am pick-up Final scene with Pedja [actor Predrag Bjelac] who I rudely described as [like] working with a sideboard on wheels. Nothing to do with him as a (advanced, pleasant) particular person however extra to do with the best way he manages to bang into you at any alternative.
I really feel so shafted on this movie with all Mike’s [director Mike Newell] greatest motives. He’s underneath stress (like Alfonso) and all the things is in regards to the shot. We solely discuss in regards to the scene on about take 4. Plus ça change.
2005
7 July
THE DAY THE BOMBS HIT LONDON.
Absolute pillar to publish – from the euphoric yesterday [London had just won the 2012 Olympics] to the numbness of right this moment. A bus and three? 4? stations. A whole bunch injured and (as of right this moment) 37 killed.
Bush has the nerve to speak of “the killing of harmless individuals” and Blair feels it crucial to make use of his “I’m moved” voice. Actual tragedy wherever you look from no matter angle however threaded with hypocrisy as ever.
Newsnight has Paxman urgent his drained previous buttons on, of all individuals, Tony Benn, who so far as I can see is making excellent sense.
We stayed house all day. Answered apprehensive cellphone calls. Watched TV. Stared at all of it.
22 December
6–9pm Helena [Kennedy] and Iain [Hutchison]. Alastair Campbell on free and straightforward kind. I gave him my little spiel on how I’ve by no means met a curious politician – one who asks questions reasonably than makes little speeches – exceptions, on reflection, are in fact Neil Kinnock and now I consider it Robin Cook dinner.
2006
5 January
5am Get up.
5.45am Pushed to the hospital.
6am Pre-op. This is sort of a movie set. Nothing appears actual.
Remembering nothing however with that painkiller excessive within the restoration room. Attentive, caring individuals. [Throughout 2005, Rickman received treatment for an aggressive form of prostate cancer. It was decided that the best option was to remove the entire prostate, an operation carried out at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.]
9pm Rima goes again to the resort after we watch with chic irreverence Dancing With the Stars.
The brand new particulars de jour are all about numerous ache management positions or medicine and tubes seemingly in all places.
8 January
7am The medical doctors come spherical and after coping with catheters and drainage, lastly, nervously get to the purpose – “How did you do the autumn on the finish of Die Laborious?”
Test-out and to Hermitage Resort for every week in Downtown Nashville. Dr Smith, Tour Information, says Graceland is 200 miles (too far) away – suggests a go to to Jack Daniel’s brewery. Although it’s a dry state, so no free samples.
30 January
Lastly, sure to HP 5. The feeling is neither up nor down. The argument that wins is the one that claims: “See it by way of. It’s your story.”
12 April
6.45am pick-up
I realise as quickly as that [Snape’s] ring and costume go on – one thing occurs. It turns into alien to be chatty, smiley, open. The character narrows me down, tightens me up. Not good qualities on a movie set. I’ve by no means been much less communicative with a crew. Luckily, Dan [Radcliffe] fills that function with ease and allure. And youth.
5 Could
… speaking to Rima right this moment – she misplaced her seat [on Kensington and Chelsea borough council, in local elections]. And that’s critically their loss and her freedom.
9 September
5.30am Get up.
6am Cab to hospital.
Echoes of January.
Someplace in right here, pathetic behaviour from the Labour social gathering – completely out of contact with the actual world, institutionalised, cannibalistic, egomaniacal, bitter, twisted and silly. Charles Clarke – by no means belief a person with two-day development, who additionally stuffs his face that a lot. Blair, in fact, nips off to Israel for a swift little bit of statesmanship.
2007
14 February
Stayed in and watched the Brits. Liam Gallagher is a superb rock singer however an absolute tosser as an individual. Who cares about his little tantrums – come out from behind the hair & glasses and showy stroll and witless rudeness.
26 March
8pm Supper w. Ruby & Ed. Ruby’s off to the Palace tomorrow as a Distinguished American. She thinks she’s parking within the Palace forecourt. We’ll see.
27 March
She did.
1 Could
LONDON.
7pm Umu, Bruton Place. Ruby’s birthday celebration.
AA Gill is seated close to Jennifer Saunders (who he has slagged off in print). Unsurprisingly, she received’t discuss to him. It’s Ruby’s very personal A-D checklist however since nobody’s launched to anybody it’s guesswork as to standing. Weird placements create cold and warm patches as doable clues.
10 Could
Tony Blair’s standing-down speech – he may have saved himself quite a lot of time by simply reprinting the lyrics to My Approach.
20 July
[PUBLICATION DAY OF THE LAST HARRY POTTER.]11.15pm Tunbridge Wells and Waterstones. I had guessed at 20 or 30 individuals ready for midnight. In all probability 300-400. And a queue shifting slowly. One hour within the queue and it was time for motion. Went to pleasant safety man. “Have you ever learn the books?” No. “Have you ever seen the movies?” One in all them. “I’m in them.” Oh sure! There will probably be mayhem if I’m going into the queue. “I’ll get the supervisor.”
(Supervisor arrives.) “Oh! Hiya!”
27 July
… I’ve completed studying the final Harry Potter guide. Snape dies heroically, Potter describes him to his kids as one of many bravest males he ever knew and calls his son Albus Severus. This was a real ceremony of passage. One small piece of knowledge from Jo Rowling seven years in the past – Snape liked Lily – gave me a cliff edge to hold on to.
2008
4 February
HP 6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Day One.
Thank God I may do the coat up with out seen pressure on the seams.
7 February
8.15am pick-up Automotive park. Paparazzi. Freezing cloister of Gloucester Cathedral. An entire new working relationship, this time with Tom Felton [playing Draco Malfoy]. The story of this so-far-six-part epic is one minute there have been all these little youngsters … now? Discovered Maggie in her trailer susceptible and fuck-it – .
10 February
9pm Watching the Bafta awards. The absence of Sweeney Todd rendered it meaningless. To whom ought to anybody complain? Pointless until there’s a conspiracy. However 12 months after 12 months these occasions are given embarrassing and engorged prominence. It’s the performing/directing/no matter equal of the duck’s neck. Pressure fed to make foie gras.
10 March
The road “take out your wand” reduces Helena Bonham Carter to helpless mirth and will probably be a little bit of a Waterloo come Thursday … Helen McCrory says she’s terrified however matches like a glove with the mayhem.
25 April
Russell Model on Jonathan Ross.
I like Russell, however ohmigod I hate the faux-naif factor that’s inevitable when quirk meets ambition (see Gervais, R). Simply be sincere about it, you fuckers. Don’t give us “who me?” bullshit.
27 April
1pm The Priory to gather Ruby.
Hmm. So that is it … Large previous white exterior, Ruby popping out as we drive as much as the principle door.
Lunch at Riva, Barnes. Again to the Priory for the tour. Yellow partitions, claustrophobia, meals smells, low cost wooden cabinets within the rooms, small TV screens. Actions included Drama Workshop, Assertiveness and Craftworks (for Ruby?). However she battles bravely on, trying to find the drug steadiness. We discuss of previous pals, the necessity for much less pals, easier lives, much less ego. The fixed, we-know-it-already, reality.
1 Could
LONDON [MAYORAL] ELECTION.
Doze till 11.30. Espresso within the bar. Automotive at 12. Dwelling. Exit to vote instantly. Lady with blue rosette foolishly asks for our quantity. “No,” snaps Rima. “Oh,” she says. “Oh properly, selection … ” On the best way out she tries once more. “Hope to steer you to … ” Silly. A torrent of (calm) anti-Boris Johnson abuse falls from my lips, emboldened, little doubt, by my quote in right this moment’s Guardian [“If Boris Johnson gets elected it would be a case of the lunatic having no clue how to run the asylum”]. The British voters proving but once more that they by no means vote for something. “Somebody’s doing us down … let’s disown him.”
3 Could
Heat sufficient to sit down outdoors on the balcony. Espresso and Saturday’s Guardian boring the Boris Johnson nightmare. Fascist mayor of Rome, Berlusconi, Sarkozy, President McCain? Bush nonetheless there, Cameron at a gallop … God assist us.
24 Could
Sky Information is filled with anti-Brown propaganda. How miserable the English are … Cameron and his little band of droopy drawers are what they deserve.
5 November
OBAMA WINS.
3am To mattress. And it appears to be like as if the miracle has occurred.
8am Again to the TV display. It has – 52% of the US had a supreme act of creativeness.
27 November
Write, appropriately, a thank-you however no-thank-you be aware declining the CBE.
29 December
1pm Lunch w. Dan Radcliffe at Cafe Cluny. One minute he was 12 now he’s 19. When did that occur? And he’s delicate, articulate & sensible. And owns a three-bed apt in NY.
2009
17 March
In the present day one of many saddest, most surreal days ever. An early name from Ralph Fiennes in New York – seven o’clock his time – with “horrible information”. Natasha [Richardson] has had a nasty fall snowboarding in Canada, thought she was OK, then collapsed. She is now mind lifeless, Liam is flying as much as carry her house so that folks can say their goodbyes. Simply that. Multi function easy, devastated breath. Once I put down the cellphone I should have sat in a single place for an hour after which wandered. Left a message for Liam. Spent the day answering the cellphone and cancelling appointments. All in a daze.
Absolute unreality. That lass unparalleled, the world’s best host. Her life, her days, her each minute checked, cross-checked, crammed. Power, glamour, expertise, fury, compassion, generosity, ego, laughter, smoke, intelligence, knowledge, sarcasm, enjoyable, velocity, honesty, vulnerability, style, improvisation, order. Within the midst of the deepest snort she knew how issues ought to be. Besides this.
28 June
1pm Lunch w. Neil and Glenys Okay [Kinnock] with James Naughtie and Ellie [his wife]. An incredible and wonderful lunch with a lot insider discuss that the top nonetheless reels. Labour social gathering hopeless, Gordon received’t take selections, Mandelson (in fact), distrust of Miliband, grudging respect (I feel) for Cameron’s cleverness. Neil appeared thrilled with our present of a mint-condition Spitting Picture board recreation – him, Gorbachev, Reagan, Thatcher and so on. “Oh David Owen, he made a speech the opposite day, the phrase ‘I’ each different phrase.”
2 July
Someplace in right here, lastly, the deal is finished for HP 7 components one and two, and persons are all fastidiously left in possession of genitalia.
9 July
HP 6. NEW YORK.
Social gathering on the Pure Historical past Museum. The will to eat and much more get a drink is matched solely by the necessity to bang the three Davids’ heads [Harry Potter producers David Heyman and David Barron, and director David Yates] towards the closest wall. I get the character improvement and the spiffing results (dazzling), however the place is the story????
25 November
HP [7].
6.15am pick-up To the Flight Shed …
Chilly, moist, draughty however the crew appear miles away so Ralph and I can simply get on with inching our manner in the direction of the scene. David Y cussed as ever about V[oldemort] killing me with a spell. (Unattainable to grasp, not least the resultant wrath of the readers.) Nice working with Ralph, although. Direct and true and creative and free.
Again house and Rima (narrative brainbox) says, “He can’t kill you with a spell – the one one that may do that’s Avada Kedavra and it kills immediately – you wouldn’t be capable to end the scene.”
26 November
6.15am pick-up
The Dying of Snape. Almost 10 years later. At the very least it’s simply down to 2 actors … David is susceptible and endearing when he’s excited. And he’s by this scene. It’s absolutely the instance of what can occur when a few actors decide up a scene off the web page and work with the story, the house and one another. Stuart Craig’s boathouse [set] gave it one thing ironic and eternal. As I stated at one level to David – it’s all a bit epic and Japanese.
2010
4 January
A day of ready for the gasman … attempting to barter the American healthcare system – all the things begins with “How will you pay?” The hospital for particular surgical procedure is asking tomorrow – all this for a nagging however small, residual ache.
14 January
HP.
6.30am pick-up After an evening of not sleeping in any respect. Scene 305. Or – The Final Breath of Severus Snape.
Right here I’m with Dan, Emma and Rupert 10 (?) years on (Emma is right here on a break from Brown College), blood throughout my throat from an imagined Nagini [Voldemort’s pet snake], the three of them nonetheless with furrowed brows and panting a bit. Discovering it arduous to recollect any explicit scenes through the years primarily as a result of all the choices are taken in committee rooms and never on the ground. We hear as DY [director David Yates] tells us what we’re pondering and why (and in some circumstances recounts the story … ) and a small piece of one thing artistic caves in.
25 February
6.15pm Automotive to Leicester Sq.. Alice in Wonderland premiere.
Within the rain. Robust on all of the been-there-for-hours followers. Signal/flash/flash. Line up for Charles & Camilla. He – “Are you continue to on Harry Potter?” She – “Haven’t seen you for ages.” Then the film. Completely ravishing – unusual and deep and complicated and delightful.
8 March
3.15pm To HP to rehearse with Michael Gambon. On the best way again to the trailer Michael talks of his worry of studying/forgetting his strains. After which he tells me he’s doing Krapp’s Final Tape – what’s incorrect with this image??
10 March
Simply me and Michael G. All day. He’s susceptible after his sickness and yesterday’s primer was no joke for him. The strains are an actual drawback for him. Expertise helps and why not? It’s by no means nice when it’s only a reminiscence loss – no rest, no freedom, no contact. I’d have boards and autocue in all places. And anyway when he unleashes a little bit of magnificence it’s easy and spellbinding.
29 March
LAST DAY ON HARRY POTTER.
6.15am pick-up
All a bit arduous to imagine. I feel even Daniel was shocked by the finality. Cameras have been in all places, it appeared (docu ones). [I am asked] “So how does it really feel?” Earlier than you’ve felt it, earlier than the sensation has a reputation. “It’s personal,” I managed, “and I’m not sharing it with that” pointing at his lens.
One thing is in these cans and it’s completed. Thanks, Jo.
6 Could
11.10am Automotive to Cipriani forty second Avenue.
Again house and the TV tells us nothing conclusive within the UK besides a hung parliament and Gordon misplaced. For as soon as the polls are proper.
7 August
1.45pm Automotive to Leavesden for the HP wrap social gathering.
Virtually each expense spared – at the least within the meals division. At 2.30pm little was left, anyway.
23 November
55 Wimpole Avenue. Physician’s laboratory. Blood take a look at and studying many magazines, together with Vogue’s data that Emma Watson was given a classic Rolex “by her producers” …
2011
7 February
7pm Bafta interview.
Not telling you what props I stole or what Jo Rowling stated to me.
3 July
Males’s [Wimbledon] remaining Nadal v Djokovic. Unforgettable expertise. Unforgettable day of contrasts. On the balcony of the principle entrance after which in to lunch on the Duchess of Gloucester’s desk. [The] incorrect man [Djokovic] – all triumph and ego – received however Björn Borg came visiting and requested for {a photograph}. “Are you kidding?” I spluttered. John Main stated: “You’ve given us a lot enjoyment.” “I want I may say the identical of you,” was the unstoppable reply. He had the grace to snort.
7 July
HP 7 PART 2. IT ALL ENDS.
To Trafalgar Sq. – which takes an hour. As soon as there, purple carpets in all places. A display, a platform, an interviewer and 1000’s screaming and singing, “Snape, Snape, Severus Snape … ” The carpet snakes into Leicester Sq. for the movie at 8pm.
I discovered it unsettling to look at – it has to vary horses midstream to inform the Snape story and the digital camera loses focus. Viewers, nevertheless, very completely happy.
That is an edited extract from Madly, Deeply: The Alan Rickman Diaries, revealed by Canongate on 4 October at £25. To assist the Guardian and Observer, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Supply expenses might apply.
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