Tag Archives: behind the scenes

‘The Dark Knight Rises’ 13-minute featurette

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In just over a week the epic conclusion to Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy hits theatres. To catch up on Bruce Wayne’s story thus far and get a glimpse into where the upcoming movie will take the character, watch this 13-minute featurette featuring a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film and plot and character insight from the stars, producers, and special department heads. You’ll hear from director Chris Nolan, stars Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Gary Oldman, Michael Cane, Morgan Freeman, Marion Cotillard, producers, Emma Thomas, Jordan Goldberg, Kevin De La Noy, screenwriter Jonathan Nolan, production designer Nathan Crowley, special effects supervisor Chris Corbould, director of photography Wally Pfister, stunt coordinator Tom Struthers, and visual effects supervisor Paul Franklin.

“What we’re constructing here is a very, very elemental conflict between good and evil,” Nolan says of his final venture into the world of Gotham City. “Every great story deserves a great ending, and we’re really trying to be true to that.”

All in all this flashy clip doesn’t include any major spoilers, so it’s safe to watch before seeing the movie. Unless of course you want to go into this thing having watched none of the previously released trailers and casting scoops.

Other things you can do to help carry the time: the official movie website has been updated with a new synopsis and additional cast and crew information; and you can stream the entire 15-track soundtrack from trilogy composer Hans Zimmer at Empire. Also, after the break you’ll find a brief recorded interview with Nolan courtesy of Nightline and a very funny parody clip from Above Average featuring Batman, Bane, and 60’s Robin.

The Dark Knight Rises hits theatres July 20. Continue reading ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ 13-minute featurette →

‘The Hobbit’ production vlog #7

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The seventh video blog that takes us behind-the-scenes of Peter Jackson’s upcoming Hobbit films has arrived! While the last two vlogs took us on a location shooting adventure, this one gives us a grand tour of Stonestreet Studios in Wellington, New Zealand. In fourteen minutes you’ll travel the length of the studio that includes the production offices, a giant trailer park that many of the actors call home, major departments such as hair and make-up, costume, art and the Weta workshop that creates the film’s props. Just like the vlogs that came before it, this one features insight from Jackson along with many members of the hardworking cast and crew. With The Hobbit parts 1 and 2 wrapping in just “a few weeks time” Jackson says that he will output one final vlog shortly thereafter, so we can all look forward to that!

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey hits theatres December 14, 2012.

First look: ‘The Walking Dead’ season 3

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The first thing Walking Dead fans are used to seeing before the start of a new season is a graphic production still of Greg Nicotero’s spectacular zombies. This time around, however, we get a two-and-a-half minute clip! Though it’s not all that revealing in terms of plot, some things are said that are worth mulling over here. As we know, Michonne and The Governor will be introduced in season 3, and the action will take place at a fortified prison. Lauren Cohan (who plays Maggie) says, “From the beginning of this you see completely changed characters.” Laurie Holden (Andrea) teases, “We have the introduction of new characters, some that have been announced, some that have not.” Norman Reedus (Daryl) says that in season 3 “People start losing their minds, love blossoms, and a whole lot of awesome zombie kills [will take place].” Andrew Lincoln (Rick) sums it all up nicely: “The pace of it is darker, harder, faster, deeper.”

From the farm to the prison, The Walking Dead returns this fall on AMC. Bonus! Jump after the break to get a first look at Danai Gurira as the katana sword-wielding Michonne. Continue reading First look: ‘The Walking Dead’ season 3 →

Behind-the-scenes of ‘Epic Mickey 2’ with lead developer Warren Spector

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Here’s another look at Warren Spector’s sequel Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two. Developer Junction Point Studios enhances gameplay and takes advantage of the next-gen console’s high-def support in a game that brings together former opponents Mickey and Oswald. Look for the title this holiday season available on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 (with Move support), in addition to Nintendo’s Wii.

‘The Hobbit’ production vlog #6

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While this new production video from The Hobbit isn’t as revealing as those in the past, this one is certainly the most beautiful. In this sixth installment, you’ll travel all around the stunning landscapes New Zealand has to offer and you’ll hear from director Peter Jackson, 2nd unit director Andy Serkis (who also plays Gollum), star Martin Freeman (Bilbo Baggins), and many other members of the hardworking cast and crew. Jackson shares that production on the two films has passed the halfway point (day 127).

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey hits theatres December 14, 2012.

Director Sam Mendes talks in Bond ‘Skyfall’ video blog

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This will likely be the first of many video blogs from the set of the 23rd James Bond film Skyfall. In this one director Sam Mendes talks about shooting for the first time in England, and we even get a couple of glimpses of Daniel Craig as Bond in action. What’s the location, exactly? That’s still being kept under wraps, but if you have a keen eye and a solid memory this image should spark a fuse in your noggin.

Sure this one-and-a-half minute vlog is no Peter Jackson presenting The Hobbit masterpiece, but at least it introduces us to the next movie in the Bond franchise and teases a broader look behind the scenes in the future. Skyfall releases November 9, and in related news, it will be the first Bond film to hit IMAX theatres. According to a press release, “the IMAX release of Skyfall will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience with proprietary IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) technology.” So in other words Mendes will not shoot scenes made for IMAX (like Chris Nolan has done in his Batman movies), but nevertheless this is an exciting treat for fans of the long-running franchise. Bond will certainly took good on the giant screen.

Music video: David Guetta – Turn Me On (Featuring Nicki Minaj)

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Check out this steampunk-tastic music video for David Guetta’s popular electronic dance track “Turn Me On.” It features the French DJ as a mad scientist intrigued by robots and the Trinidadian raptress plays “a mixture of the past, present, and the future” (according to the clip’s director Sanji) as she is part human and part robot. The music video makes great use of CGI and blends it with live action and this results in an eerie and enjoyable video to accompany the track. When you’re done watching jump after the break to go behind the scenes with Guetta and Sanji. Continue reading Music video: David Guetta — Turn Me On (Featuring Nicki Minaj) →

Sneak a peek at ‘The River’ before watching tonight’s two-hour series premiere

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Go behind the scenes with the creators and cast of ABC’s The River before tuning into tonight’s series premiere. Creator Oren Peli, executive producers Michael Green and Zack Estrin, and stars Joe Anderson, Leslie Hope, Bruce Greenwood, and Paul Blackthorne do a fine job at hyping the show and gearing audiences for an “intense” and “scary” journey along the Amazon River in search of Greenwood’s character Emmett Cole. Peli says the network allowed him “to go as scary as [he wanted]” so you have been warned. Mash play and introduce yourself to the ensemble cast, the pedigree, and the intriguing story behind The River. Lost fans, with faint whispers and booming intangible mystical monsters lurking in the night, you should feel right at home. For the rest of you, let this extended trailer be a litmus test. If you are fully engaged the premiere is a must-see; if you are shrieking in terror throughout fiddling with the volume perhaps this isn’t quite your cup of tea. But even if you do fall into that latter category, give the pilot a shot and allow your imagination to run free…and terrified.

The River premieres tonight at 9PM on ABC.

‘The Hobbit’ production vlog #5

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Shortly after releasing the very first trailer for The Hobbit, director Peter Jackson uploaded a fifth production video. This one focuses on “the logistics of location shooting.” It shows how the massive production team establishes the beautiful landscapes of Middle Earth in New Zealand. After 110 days of shooting indoors, the team finally ventured outside to recreate Hobbiton, the tranquil neighborhood of hobbits such as Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. “It’s weird when you come back to a place that you literally thought you’d never see again,” says Jackson. Elijah Wood also feels nostalgic stepping back into the town of Bag End. “I’ll never forget that feeling of coming to Hobbiton for the first time.”

When the Hobbit huts were originally built in 1999 for the Lord of the Rings films, they were constructed with polystyrene and later torn down when filming completed. This time around, the construction crew rebuilt all the Hobbit holes using real wood, stone, and brick. Now they won’t deteriorate as fast and fans of the books and movies can schedule tours and visit the set. In the video you’ll even see that the Prime Minister of New Zealand approves!

At the end of the clip Jackson teases that there’s more to this location shooting-themed video diary; part two is coming in 2012. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey hits theatres December 14, 2012.

‘The Hobbit’ production vlog #4

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Peter Jackson is at the very top of my list of people who are awesome. The behind the scenes video diaries he’s been churning out from the set of the upcoming two-part prequel The Hobbit are simply fascinating. The theme of the fourth vlog is 3D filmmaking. Jackson and his crew are shooting The Hobbit in 3D using RED EPIC cameras and 3ality lenses. The camera department is home to a grand total of 48 RED EPIC cameras on 17 3D rigs. Interestingly, all of the different camera rigs are named after Jackon’s family members and inspirations. All of the scenes from the film are being shot at 48 frames per second at 5K resolution for a more realistic and immersive picture. The diary explains how everything from the set design to makeup is affected by the way in which the high-res 3D camera rigs pick up colors and tones. Oh and get this–even the concept art is drawn in 3D with red and blue colored pencils! Go behind the scenes with Jackson in the video above. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey releases December 14, and part two subtitled There and Back Again comes out one year later.

Kanye West & Jay-Z go on tour, give fans a backstage pass

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Kanye West & Jay-Z’s Watch the Throne tour kicked off last week on Friday in Atlanta, and so did their all-access pass website called VOYR. The Throne teamed with ad agency GlobalHue to create a video-based portal that gives fans inside access to behind the scenes during the length of the 26-city tour. The cost of entry is $4.99/month, and according to Complex that gives you “a 720-degree look of the stage, rehearsals, personal exercise routines, an exclusive Kanye documentary, and an animated series based on Kanye’s Runaway film.” Five episodes of behind the scenes footage will be uploaded to VOYR each week. Visit VOYR to watch a couple previews and you’ll find a link to sign up and subscribe there, too. Paying anything to view BTS footage from a music tour might be steep for most people, but if you consider yourself to be a big fan of Kanye and Jay-Z’s collaborative effort and missed out on purchasing tickets for the tour, this kind of exclusive content should do you some good.

[Via Complex]