Harry Potter Director David Yates on Life After Hogwarts, Ron and Hermione's Kiss and Harry's Oscar Chances

You managed to successfully close out the Potter franchise on a note that both fans and critics approved of, which seems like an impossible task for material this beloved. Are you able to wrap your mind around that accomplishment?

At this point, it would be impossible for me. I finished it three months ago and even though I've had two months off, it's still kind of a [shakes his head]. Maybe in time I can think about that.

What has kept you grounded throughout this whole experience -- which has grossed over $1 billion worldwide?

The whole production of Potter is in a very unglamorous place. It's really dusty and when it rains, the rain comes in through the roof. Everyone mucks in together and there are no big egos. The young cast is very down to earth. It's a family atmosphere and everyone likes each other. There are no politics. The only time you lift off the ground a little bit and think, "Oh, this is interesting" is when we come out of our little bubble and see how much people like this stuff. It was very weird when I came to [the Wizarding World of Harry Potter] for the very first time, walking down the street and thinking, "Oh my. They've got our sets here. There are people here. There are lots of people here. Isn't that strange?" It's when you encounter it in the bigger world that it feels not-very-grounding and that's slightly dangerous. But you have to get on with your life.

Do you think you'll have a hard time adjusting from Harry Potter to your next film?

There is a little adjustment issue. There is.

How so?

I've got a couple of really lovely scripts and I'm going to make -- well, I haven't decided yet. But the people who are making the movies are being very patient with me. So far. I have to give an answer when I go to Los Angeles in a couple of weeks about which one I'm going to do.

What types of projects are you deciding between?

They're not huge movies. I'm deliberately not doing a huge movie. I've been offered huge movies and that's not what I want to do now. I want to do something really small and intimate. After making Potter, I need to focus on something small.

What about St. Nazaire?

That's for two or three years down the line. It's a wonderful story about these marines who are on this impossible mission. It's a true story with fascinating characters but I'm not going to make it next. In two to three years.

Can you see yourself ever making films in Hollywood?

I'm not sure. I don't know. Maybe. A couple of the projects I love are based in New York actually. I'm not sure if that qualifies as Hollywood.

Are they dramas?

There's a comedy -- a really wonderful comedy. And there's a wonderful script about a girl that self-harms that is intense. A really witty film about mental illness. [Laughs]

I wouldn't have figured that for your next project.

It's not an obvious choice but it's just very moving and funny and odd. I've read so many scripts every day and sometimes, you come across something and say, "This is unlike anything else." That's what made me want to make it -- because I've never read anything like it.

Warner Bros. is making a big push for Deathly Hallows -- Part 2 at this year's Academy Awards. How are you involved in that campaign?

Yes. Well, I'll go around and do some junkets and interviews. We made the decision collectively. It was the last movie and we're very proud of it and we just wanted to push it.

Who decides which actors or categories Warner Bros. will campaign for?

We all do. [The studio] sends us a list basically [of who they want to campaign for in what categories] and we get to approve it basically. [Producer] David [Heyman] is probably going to be doing a lot more work on it than I am, actually, but we all want to help the film. I don't know, it's a long shot. It's always, kind of, we've failed to ignite the Academy's interest. So we're all really laid back about the fact that we might have a big push and might not get any nominations. We're all prepared for that. But I think Stuart Craig's [production] design deserves a nomination, Alexandre Desplat's music, Tim Burke's visual effects -- and maybe the movie itself, I think it's a strong movie. We're going to make a push.

If only all of these fans could help.

[Laughs] Oh, that would be a walk in the park!

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