When Food Network approached us to create the launch campaign for brand new series Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking we could not have been more excited.
Combining all things Harry Potter with a love of beautiful – and edible – baked creations, it was essential we captured both the essence of the show and the Wizarding World setting.
This project required a very special kind of magic, as we could only shoot our 45”, 30” and 15” spots in the famous Leavesden Studios overnight once the tours had finished, creating unique logistical challenges for our production magicians.
A greenscreen tabletop shoot captured the intricate detail of five showpiece cakes, courtesy of the incredible Tattooed Bakers. These included a bubbling cauldron, a Whomping Willow, a fully feathered Phoenix, a gorgeous illusion snitch cake, and a Hogwarts Castle, dotted with Easter Eggs for the fans. The table setup was then ambitiously recreated on the set of Diagon Alley for the wider promo shots.
The show contestant “baker pairs” were also shot against greenscreen before later being housed in their Dumbledore Office portraits in post. Vfx was used in a large part to bring the magic to the promo, with a zoom towards an illuminated Hogwarts castle in the promo opening, and glistening light trails guiding the way through.