Saturday, June 7, 2008

Movie Shoot: Mr. Rebound

Movies are shot on New York City streets all the time. They create huge traffic problems for residents because streets are shut down for days to accommodate the crews and the set. However, the movie industry brings in thousands of jobs or income for the city.

This is the set for Catherine Zeta Jones' new movie called, Mr. Rebound that is being shot on West 11th Street between Greenwich and Washington in the West Village. [I asked one of the crew when I took this photo.] The cafe hidden behind the huge lighted screen is being used as a scene in the movie.

So what movies have you seen lately?

21 comments:

Chuck Pefley said...

Wow, those are really huge flats hiding the cafe. Sure does require a lot of gear on those movie sets. I much prefer what I do :)

HZDP said...

believe it or not, Dead Poets Society, not that I really want to wacth, my professor urged us to write a review about the individualism about it..it's the 5th time I saw it.huuuuuu....

it's always funny to find the mess behind the scene and the neat views on screen.

Bruce said...

Neat picture! I like the "confusion" potrayed in this behind the scenes shot. Nothing like the finished scene that we see in the cinema...

Anonymous said...

I think it is a minor miracle that from this chaos comes serenity and emotions that keep us going back for more. Nice photograph.

PeterParis said...

We have of course similar problems here in Paris, but as I don't drive a car anymore, it's not a personal problem; often interesting to watch!

cat segovia said...

the same happens in vancouver, movie sets everywhere...

i actually watched 3 movies this week, into the wild, eternal sunshine and gone baby gone...all great flicks.

NormanTheDoxie said...

That's a great photo Ming.

My son lives in that area and it's a popular spot for movie and commercial shoots.

NYD said...

Don't much have that problem on my side of the pond, but I do remember what it was like.

This place brings back truly nostalgic feelings, thanks.

Petrea Burchard said...

Great photo, Ming.

It isn't really chaos. Everyone knows what they're doing, and where each piece of equipment is. So much equipment necessitates the large crew.

Chuck, the large white squares are actually scrims used to diffuse light. Lighting is a huge expense on a set, especially when you're on location, because it has to be controlled to make the shot look a certain way.

By the way, the only time the crew sits still is while the camera's rolling, which is less time than when it's not rolling. Film crews work really hard.

www.DeltaMovies.com said...

Wish I were there to see it! Much larger than our setups..that's for sure. How fun.

Enjoy your weekend!

B.

Dorothy said...

Ming...very cool...I read Petrea's comments...interesting...

The last movie I saw was produced by Ben Stein called...Expelled...you must see it Ming...Have a great weekend..Dee Dee

• Eliane • said...

That is a great picture! Films are often shot in my are and parking spaces blocked. But I have only seen an actual scene being shot a couple of time. They usually don't want to tell who stars in the movie. I think a lot of those shots could also be for commercials or footage to set the scene.
Last film I saw was Sex And The City - midnight movie on the opening night. Fun.

Jilly said...

Love the shot. So exciting. I love to watch films being made. Look forward to seeing the eventual film.

Janet Kincaid said...

Cool pic!

I just saw "There Will Be Blood" on DVD. Ugh. Yuck. Although, Daniel Day-Lewis was good in it.

USelaine said...

Way back around 1977 or 78, I was in community college thinking I would transfer to UCLA to be a film major - like everyone else of my generation. Someone notified our film class that a movie was being shot out at the Old Sunrise Bridge for the following week or so. Every chance I got, I went out there and pestered everyone coming off the restricted area asking what they did on the production. One guy, the production sound mixer, was particularly kind, and explained everything I asked about, and offered his own experiences with how he got into the job he had, etc. He gave me great advice: major in anything else that interests you as an undergrad (Bachelor's degree here), and then apply to graduate level film school if you still feel compelled. I've always been grateful for that.

The film was "The Stuntman" with Peter O'Toole and Barbara Hershey, but I never spoke to either of them. However, I did get to be a little "aide" to my mentor, untangling and carrying cables, and sitting with him right under the camera while they shot scenes up on the bridge. It was very cool, especially for a student.

Chris said...

Since my husband is in the business, I get to see all the crap behind the scenes. People watching movies, TV shows, news, etc. don't realize that there are so many people and so much equipment behind the scenes.

Latest movies: We've seen three this year: 21 (I remember when this happened!), In Bruges (Loved Bruges and had to see the movie simply to see the town again. Good movie, though.) and Vantage Point (Ok movie, but pretty unbelievable).

Jane Hards Photography said...

No Country For Old Men, the movie.
Would you believe the island doubles for many places and filmimg is here all the time. Also huge tax breaks. Burt Reynolds was filimng recently in a field outside Ramsey. I'm sure he's had better locations. It always amazes me how accomodating New York is, for shots like the opening of Vanilla Sky. Amazing the emptiness.

Anonymous said...

That looks like a lot of light on the scene! So much more to it, I guess, than pressing record on the camera. :)

stromsjo said...

Hard to imagine someone rebounding out there among all that junk in the street.

Just Roaming The Cities said...

Last movie seen: Indiana Jones.
Its amazing how much equipment it takes to do movie work!

Carla Denton said...

I just saw "and then she found me", it was nice, not AMAZING, but worth seeing. It was also shot in NYC so it would be fun for a nyorker to see.