On June 13th 2012 I visited the set of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg‘s This is The End. After the jump you will find a list 35 things I learned while visiting the set, including how the project was put together and the many similarities and differences between the real life Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, and the versions of they play in the film.
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A couple weeks ago I visited Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, CA to learn about the five year process of creating Monsters University. The clever folks at Pixar organized the day into a series of classroom environments, each with a teacher who served as a department head on the film. One of the coolest classes explained how Pixar’s art directors created the “monsterfied” college world of MU.
I must warn you, the following report is very NERDY. You’re going to learn a lot of information on the little subtle details that go into the architecture and lightening of this incredibly well-thought out computer animated world. You shouldn’t however worry about spoilers, as the details are pretty much spoiler-free. Any information discussed in terms of plot could be gained through the trailers and marketing released thus far, so don’t worry, you’re in safe hands.
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Posted on Monday, April 15th, 2013 by Angie Han
As with movies, the art of magic relies on seamless illusion. Since we know we’re not really seeing the things we think we’re seeing — George Clooney, for instance, isn’t really a casino-robbing mastermind, and David Copperfield didn’t really make an airplane just vanish into thin air — it’s up to the artists to put on such a dazzling show that we can suspend our disbelief, and ooh and ahh just the same.
But on two nights last April, /Film and several other outlets were invited to the set of Louis Leterrier‘s Now You See Me to find out just how the magic movie sausage gets made. For one thing, it helps to have what Leterrier calls “great ingredients,” like an “amazing” script by Boaz Yakin and Edward Ricourt (with rewrites by Ed Solomon) and an eminently talented cast. Hit the jump to keep reading, but be warned that spoilers follow.
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Channing Tatum doesn’t act like he’s famous. Even on the set of his upcoming movie, White House Down, the star of G.I. Joe, Magic Mike, Step Up and 21 Jump Street is humble, down to Earth and honest about his career. We spoke to the actor in Montreal last September. He said, after he next few movies, he wasn’t going to make another movie until he could direct himself, though a list of great directors could change his mind. He said he was so impressed with director Roland Emmerich that he’ll make movies with him forever.
Tatum also talked about Magic Mike 2, working with Steven Soderbergh and doing his own stunts – all of his own stunts. Tatum also discussed how growing up watching Eighties action films influenced his desire to make this movie, which opens June 28, and what it was about the script that really sold him.
To read more about our visit to the set, click this link. But for Channing Tatum, click below. Read More »
That dirty wifebeater Channing Tatum is wearing is no coincidence. “I’ve always wanted to do a Die Hard” admitted the actor and in his upcoming action film White House Down, he’s getting that chance. Director Roland Emmerich will once again reign havoc on the White House, this time with the help of John Cale (Tatum), a Secret Service agent who is separated from his daughter when the White House is invaded by a group of mercenaries. It’s an action film in the vein not only of that classic 1988 Bruce Willis movie but The Rock, Air Force One and Emmerich’s own film, Independence Day.
Oddly enough, for a film that takes place largely in Washington D.C. and the World’s most famous residence, filming almost exclusively took place in Montreal, Quebec Canada. In fact, save for a few second unit plates in D.C. and one park scene, all of White House Down will be filmed on stages in Montreal including a place called Mel’s Cite du Cinema. Which is where we were on day 33 of an 82 day shoot, watching Tatum fight on the roof of the White House, destroy a Black Hawk helicopter with a high-tech missile launcher and eventually get thrown over the edge through a huge piece of glass.
It’s September 19, 2012, just six months after James Vanderbilt’s script was purchased by Sony and nine months until the film’s release June 28. Yes, it’s an inhumanly quick turnaround for a major summer blockbuster, but that’s the way Emmerich and his crew like it. Read more after the jump. Read More »
I’m in a black bus traveling south west of the Las Vegas strip to an undisclosed location. Even if I knew where the destination is, I am sworn to secrecy — I am unable to disclose the address.
We finally arrive at a large building with a very unusual small storefront: Korby’s Men & Boys, a clothing/tailor shop which advertises the “Finest Since 1964″. The store might appear to be from a different time and place, because it is. It is a replica of a New Jersey store once owned and operated by David Copperfield‘s father. Many people probably drive by this building, having no idea the wonders and magic housed inside the unsuspecting exterior.
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One of the biggest selling points for The Incredible Burt Wonderstone is its equally incredible cast. Steve Carell, Jim Carrey, Steve Buscemi, Olivia Wilde, Alan Arkin, and James Gandolfini are some of the most well-respected and popular actors working today. Among them there are two comedy legends, two brutal TV gangsters, and multiple award winners. It’s a murderer’s row of talent.
While on set of the film, which opens March 15, we were fortunate enough to talk to a few of them. And while some of the best quotes are in the first set visit report, we decided to pull a few extra quotes just to give you addition information about the film. Things such as what it was like working with Jim Carrey, who wasn’t on set and why director Don Scardino chose to shoot the comedy on 35mm. Read quotes from Carell, Buscemi, Wilde, Scardino and producer Chris Bender below. Read More »
The stage at the Wadsworth Theater in Westwood, California seems average enough. With its run down seats, bland walls and single stall bathrooms, it could double for any average high school auditorium. There’s nothing spectacular about it. Except on this Monday morning.
On this Monday morning, Steve Carell and Steve Buscemi are flying through the air on harnesses sporting long blond hair and bedazzled purple velour jumpsuits. They land on the stage, introduce themselves as magicians Burt Wonderstone and Anton Marvelton and proceed to dance about like a couple of old men whose best days are way past them. And that’s exactly what they are.
It’s February 6, 2012, day 21 of 48 on the set of Don Scardino’s March comedy The Incredible Burt Wonderstone. The film, set in the world of professional magic, is the story of two magicians (Carell and Buscemi) who are long-time partners. Split after years of working together, they’re forced back together when another magician (played by Jim Carrey) begins to steal their spotlight and relevance. It’s a return to physical comedy for Carrey, the feature directorial debut of TV vet Scardino, and a role that seems right in the wheelhouse of the lovable, hilarious Carell, also a producer.
Co-starring Olivia Wilde, James Gandolfini, Alan Arkin and more, the film is scheduled for release March 15 and we were on set to capture some of the magic, as it were. Read More »
