WHAT IS FILMING NOW

(source:zimbio)

Nicholas Cage is filming "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" at the 7th Avenue subway stop in NYC. Nicholas Cage apparently plays the Sorcerer, but he sort of looks homeless here....it is based on Disney's story of the same name in the film "Fantasia".

FIRST GLIMPSES AT HARRY POTTER'S WIZARDING WORLD

First glimpses of the Harry Potter theme park that is set to open in 2010 in Orlando, FL that will be part at Universal Studios amusement park.

Stuart Craig (production designer of Harry Potter films) is a lucky man!! How many production designers get their designs put into reality? Very few. Plus, there is a traveling art exhibit of the Harry Potter sets occurring, starting this summer in Chicago, IL (details to come).

ECO-FRIENDLY PAINTS

Unfortunately, we work with lots of harmful chemicals. Now that "Going Green" has become in-style, they are finally making safer products for us. We do a lot of painting & here are some better options with low or no fumes:





Low- and No-VOC Paints

The Home Depot offers the Freshaire Choice

AFM (American Formulating and Manufacturing)
www.afmsafecoat.com

Benjamin Moore & Co. (Pristine® Eco-Spec® )
www.benjaminmoore.com

BioShield Paints
www.bioshieldpaint.com

Devoe Paint
www.devoe.com

Duron Paints and Wallcoverings (Genesis Odor-Free products)
www.duron.com

ICI Dulux Paints
www.iciduluxpaints.com

Kelly Moore

www.kellymoore.com

Mythic Paint

http://www.mythicpaint.com/

Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company
www.milkpaint.com

Sherwin-Williams (HealthSpec® paints)
www.sherwin.com

Quantum of Solace Oil Slick

(source: Telegraph.co.uk, filmschool rejects)
The 'crude oil’ that is used to cover Gemma Arterton was actually food thickener mixed with children’s black non-toxic paint. It took the special effects team about an hour and a half to get it just right. Gemma could not move during that period of time. They are paying homage to early bond films by using the scene from the film "Goldfinger" (1964) where Shirley Eaton is covered in gold.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 3 OUTTAKES

Just had to put in this gag reel from Pirates of Caribbean 3 because of all the goofs with props, stunts and set dressing. Even the big films are not perfect and we love silliness. I laugh every time at their down-to-earthiness.

WHAT IS FILMING NOW

Sources: (carrizozo, imdbpro)
Book of Eli starring Denzel Washington, Mila Kunis and Gary Oldman. Shooting in New Mexico. Building onto pre-existing abandoned buildings and scenicing.





(source: Popsugar)
Howl starring James Franco. Love the color of the car and all the debris around!


(source: popsugar)
Salt starring Angelina Jolie and Liev Schreiber. They squish amongst the many cop extras. It has been filming around D.C. and New York City, with Angelina mainly doing her own stunts.


(source: newmoonmovie.org)
New Moon of Twilight Series...Decided to build Bella's house this time on soundstage in Vancouver, rather than shoot on location, like in the first one.

MISHAPS ON SET

(source: the daily mail)

We were sorry to hear about the update on the stuntman on "The Deathly Hallows, Part 1" set of Harry Potter. We hope everything turns out okay. Read more about out it here.

Unfortunately, accidents happen on sets, no matter how professional. We once saw a cube truck's hood land on a guy's head. Thankfully, he only had a few staples in his head. The last incident we heard of was on the "Quantum of Solace" stunt, but here are some of them most horrific.

Tip #6 of Art Department: Wet Pavement

(source: flickr)

All shots of roadways/pavements should be wet down, even if you are low budget take a bucket to it and a broom. It reads better on film, especially at night.

New Actual SET Photos of a NEW MOON Set

(source: newmoonmovie.org)

Apparently this is the new set for Jacob's house/garage from the New Moon set in Vancouver, as well as his Volkswagen Rabbit. We are not sure if it was built or a pre-existing location, but it seems perfect for the character.

SO EXCITING!! FIRST PHOTOS OF TIM BURTON'S ALICE IN WONDERLAND

(source: /film)

From Disney's new magazine, "D23", is a look at some of the new set and concept photos of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. Unfortunately, we have to wait a whole year until it comes out in March 2010, but we are enjoying these photos for now.

IF YOU ARE A TWILIGHT SERIES FANATIC...

Check out new paparazzi shots of the actors getting ready to shoot "New Moon" in Vancouver here!!!!!
(source: GQ April 2009)

Movie We Can't Wait to See: Sunshine Cleaning

In order to raise the tuition to send her young son to private school, a mom starts an unusual business -- a biohazard removal/crime scene clean-up service -- with her unreliable sister. Starring Emily Blunt, Amy Adams, Alan Arkin and Steve Zahn. Production Designer Joseph T. Garrity (Best in Show, Mighty Wind). Releases this Friday, limited, and nationwide Friday, March 27.







(sources: imdbpro, traileraddict, yahoomovies)

AMAZING MAKE-UP EFFECTS FROM BENJAMIN BUTTON

Test Sheet



Test Sheet

This is amazing! It looks so real (which is the point) but the fact that they can actually do it blows our minds away.

(source Make-Up Artist magazine)

The Big No-No's for Girls on Set

(source: 90 degrees studio)


1) NEVER let anyone see you cry!!! Go to the bathroom or where no one can see you to let it all out. You loose control and it looks unprofessional.
2) Art Department girls need to be strong. You have to be able to lift things. Don't ever use the phrase "I can't do that. I'm a girl..."
3) No nice clothes or unpractical shoes on set. You may paint or get dirty.
4) Don't freak out about every "crisis" that happens. It's not worth the stress. It will get resolved. You aren't doing brain surgery and the patient could die. They can wait.
5) Be careful what you say and who you say it in front of. It could come back to bite you.
6) Always be willing to do anything, anytime (work-wise).
7) Be confident! Even if you haven't been doing it for twenty years, don't let anyone see you sweat.
8) If you don't know how to do something, ASK! (Especially if its something you could get injured at.)

Can you think of anymore? Let us know!

FIRST LOOK: IRON MAN 2 SET

Jon Favreau gives us a view of the new set via Twitter.

He twittered, “Matty and me in Casa de Stark, under construction.”
(source: http://www.iconvsicon.com/)

LOCATIONS WE'D LOVE TO FILM AT: LIBRARIES

(source: Apartment Therapy)

True Blood Set Photos

(Source HBO)

Public Enemies Sets

Starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, this film was shot in Wisconsin and Illinois over the spring of 2008 and directed by Michael Mann and Production Design by Nathan Crowley. The story focuses on the F.B.I. try to take down notorious American gangsters John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd during a the crime wave in the 1930s Chicago area.







A Before and After shot of a set build.



A fellow art departmenter hard at work perfecting the look of cobblestone by highlighting with some water-down paint.
Lighting setupCar rig


Facades created by 90 Degree Studios for this film.

(sources: 90 degree studios, chicago tribune)