Our Interview with @Our_Mischief_Managed ✨

Becca is a huge Harry Potter fan and content creator from the UK who has been collecting wizarding world replicas for many years. 

With over 16,000 followers, Becca aka @our_mischief_managed has been creating content on Instagram for around 3 years and loves sharing her collection with fellow Potterheads. 

As huge Harry Potter fans ourselves, we wanted to virtually sit down with Becca to talk about her wizarding world collection and talk about all things content creation and Harry Potter of course!

In the words of Becca herself, don't worry, everyone's welcome here! Even the muggles...

What is it about Harry Potter that you love so much?

What I love about Harry Potter is the sense of escape from the real world. It's magical. It takes you to a place where everyone is welcome. The story is immersive and you can get lost here!

With over 16,000 followers on Instagram, how did you build up your following?

Firstly I never ever expected for my account to grow as much as it has. I started out just posting a few items I had collected and then created wizarding content hoping to find other people who loved the fandom as much as I did. I didn't really have any real life friends that were into Harry Potter as much as I was and I'm so glad that I started it as it brought me so many new friendships from not only all over the country but the world. Posting regularly helps as well as keeping content fresh, butt his sometimes can be hard to keep creative ideas flowing but trying to stand out is key!

As a huge Harry Potter fan, what made you decide to dedicate your social platforms to the Wizarding World?

I decided to dedicate my social platform to the wizarding world just to showcase a collection I was growing as I didn't think my friends wanted to be flooded with Harry Potter stuff on my personal Instagram. It was an outlet for me and another sense of escape. I knew if I posted my Wizarding World content and collection I wouldn't be judged for it. I decided to start photographing my collection as I've always been into photography since school, this then turned into sharing wizarding world days out and things to do that are wizarding world inspired.

What/who inspires you?

I think I'm inspired most by magic. Still at 30 years old I'm waiting for my letter to Hogwarts (I think my owl got seriously lost). Even though I'm still waiting and I may be waiting forever, I can enjoy all that the Wizarding World has to offer even without it!

What is it like being a part of the Wizarding World community?

Being a part of the wizarding world community is amazing. I've made so many friends and built connections with people from all over the world. I myself have helped other collectors from places like the US and Norway get items they can't get there and I will send them over to them. It's all about helping follow collectors as it's a love we all have.

What would you say is your favourite type of content to produce?

That's tough! Not sure I can answer this one! I love creating content full stop. Sometimes I love creating flat lays and other times I love creating reels, unboxing and photos from events and mischief we get up to at magical locations.

How long does it take you to create content?

This varies, sometimes flat lays can take me anywhere up to a few hours to create and then edit ready to hit the Instagram feed. I take a few hours at the weekend to create multiple photos and videos and stack them so I have content to post for the next few weeks at least. Location photos are different and they can take all day. I can spend a whole day out at the WB Studio Tour and take as much content as I can!

Do you have a weekly schedule to help you plan out what content you are going to upload?

I don't have a schedule per say any more but I do like to try my hardest to have a theme/aesthetic to my posts. The only time I have planned posts is when I've been fortunate enough to collaborate with brands.

How do you maintain a work/life balance alongside creating content for your social platforms?

This one is though. I really do struggle to maintain a balance. That's why I try to dedicate some free time on the weekends to bulk up on content. Sometimes this is difficult especially if you have a creative block. Occasionally, I will get an idea that won't be able to wait so I write it down and try to create the photo as soon as I have time.

What is your favourite thing about creating content?

My favourite thing is being able to express myself and being able to share my passion and love with people who have grown up feeling like I did - those who have felt like they never fitted in. It's also about the creative freedom for me.

What are some of your favourite Harry Potter accounts?

Oh there are so many accounts! One of my favourites is Danny at @just_anotherhufflepuff - Danny has one of the most insane collections and is a great friend of mine that I met through my Harry Potter account. 

Another creator I love is Johnny over at @thecollectingwizard - he lives in Florida and honestly has the most amazing content when it comes to Universal Studios and the Wizarding World. He is a Guru!

You've been to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London, what are some of your favourite spots to take photos?

I am absolutely obsessed with the Gringotts set! It has to be one of my favourite places to take photos, as well as platform 9 3/4. However, I also love the Hogwarts castle at the end! It's beautiful and it really makes you feel like you're there. It definitely reduced me to tears and sent shivers down my spine the first time I saw it. That being said, I will be going to the tour soon to see the greenhouse and the courtyard! So that answer might change but I highly doubt it!

Favourite thing about the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London?

 Everything!!! There isn't a part you can't like. It's so detailed, you can spend hours there and still miss something! Seeing things like the original sets, the original props, costumes and even details on how they created things behind the scenes! Not even to mention the events they do like Hogwarts in the Snow and The Dark Arts. If you go around these times, you find out so much more too!

If you could live by any Harry Potter quote, which one would you choose?

Choosing just one? That's hard! There's so many relatable quotes you could live by in the books and films. But if I had to choose one... I think it would have to be "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live". 

So we know that you're a Gryffindor, but if you had to choose another Hogwarts house to be a part of, which one would you choose and why?

I think a part of me would love to choose Slytherin. I think it's because they are mysterious, cunning and being a Slytherin just seems so dark. I'd be intrigued to know what goes down in that common room!

Favourite Harry Potter film/scene and why?

Favourite Harry Potter film is Half-Blood Prince! I just love this film, it's filled with so much information about young Voldemort and specific teachers as well as Ron having the biggest confidence boost EVER. It's just filled with just pure love, sadness and magic. Although I won't ruin the ending for those who haven't seen it, a word of warning...get the tissues!

If you could be any character from Harry Potter, who would you be and why?

Wow, this one is difficult. Mainly because part of me would love to be all of them as they all have their own unique and special place in the books/films. I guess a part of me would want to live out as Harry because let's face it, there's never a dull moment where he's concerned. On the other hand. part of me would love to play it out as Luna or even Molly Weasley! They are all so iconic in their own way. I couldn't possibly choose just one!

What is your Patronus?

A dolphin!

If you could cast any spell, which one would you choose?

Expecto Patronum! We all need light and protection once in a while so this one is perfect.

As you own a lot of Harry Potter items, do you have a favourite piece of HP merch that you own?

I can't honestly say I have a favourite, but I do have a few pieces that I am obsessed with. Mostly my noble collection, we have the Ravenclaw Diadem (this is absolutely stunning), Professor Slughorn's Hourglass, the Philosopher Stone and my life size replica of the Sword of Gryffindor! 

As a lover of all things Harry Potter, what is one HP item you just couldn't live without?

The books/films. Without those, there would be no wizarding world and as long as we have the books or the films, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.

Back to content creation...

Do you have any goals for 2022?

To continue creating content and hopefully make some amazing memories with some friends of mine at our favourite place - Warner Bros. Studio Tour as well as venturing out and seeing more. Covid had us locked down for 2 years so it's most definitely time to start travelling again, especially to other filming locations. I'd also love to start saving for a tri to Florida to visit Universal Studios and the Wizarding World there. It's a dream!

What would be your top tips for any aspiring Potterheads who want to create their own Harry Potter social account?

Do it! You'll only look back and wish you had. One thing I will say is that it's not easy. It's hard work and takes time, but if you put your mind to it and stay authentically yourself you will do great! Don't get too focused on the numbers, post content because you love it and because it's what you want to do and make sure it's for all the right reasons. People just come into it because they want to collab and get paid for their posts and it's really not about that. It should never be about that, it should be about you and posting your content because you enjoy it. Engage with other content creators. The friendships you make are amazing and you'll take these friends with you for life.

Any final words of wisdom?

Only to reiterate what Dumbledore says: Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.