Video Blog

35 Things to Know About PARANORMAN From Our Set Visit; Plus Video Blog Recap and 30 Behind-the-Scenes Images

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: May 15th, 2012 at 12:56 pm

In the middle of February, I was able to visit LAIKA Studios in Hillsboro, Oregon to get an early look at their upcoming 3D stop-motion movie ParaNorman.  As a big stop-motion fan, it was incredibly cool to get a behind-the-scenes look at how it all comes together, and to see where they made their last film, Coraline.  While I assumed the process of making a stop-motion movie doesn’t change, when I visited LAIKA I learned that new technology is helping to make ParaNorman one of the most technically advanced stop-motion movies ever made, and some of what they’re using is straight out of an episode of Star Trek.  And the best part: the technology will soon be in everyone’s homes!  Hit the jump for more.

Sony CinemCon 2012 Video Blog Recap Includes World Premiere of SKYFALL Teaser and New Footage from LOOPER, TOTAL RECALL and AMAZING SPIDER-MAN

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: April 26th, 2012 at 9:35 am

When Sony took the stage at CinemaCon 2012 yesterday afternoon in Las Vegas, they had a short one hour window to show off their various upcoming movies.  As we sat in the darkened theater waiting for the presentation to begin, we debated how could they have the stars and filmmakers talk about their movies and also show off tons of footage.  But rather than follow the typical studio roadmap, Sony decided to just show a non-stop sizzle reel sans movie stars that included the world premiere of Skyfall footage (a teaser trailer) and tons of new footage from all their 2012 films included The Amazing Spider-Man, Total Recall, Looper, Resident Evil: Retribution, Hope Springs, Premium Rush, Hotel Transylvania, Sparkle, That’s My Boy, and Men in Black 3.  More after the jump.

35 Things to Know About THE AVENGERS from our Set Visit; Plus a Two-Part Video Blog Recap and 8 New Images

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: April 2nd, 2012 at 8:57 am

Parts of New York City are in ruins from an alien attack.  The damage is severe.  Buildings have crumbled.  Cars are overturned.   In one area of the city, someone is fighting back.  His name is Hawkeye, and even though he’s surrounded by attackers who look more powerful, he’s fighting like a man possessed.  I watch as he takes out a few aliens with little hesitation, and then he stabs one of them in the neck with an arrow.  It’s an awesome move that will leave audiences clapping.  Meanwhile, on another soundstage, Tony Stark and Captain America are arguing about Loki.  It’s clear from their conversation that Loki has caused a lot of damage, and they’re not sure how to stop someone with God like powers.  As they’re arguing, suddenly Stark realizes something, and runs off to a side.  Shortly thereafter I hear someone yell cut.

But let me back up a second.

Last June, when director Joss Whedon‘s The Avengers was filming on soundstages in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I got to visit the set with a few other reporters.  While some set visits take place over a few hours on one afternoon, for The Avengers, Disney invited us to spend two full days on set and it was an amazing experience.  We got to watch a few scenes get filmed, interview almost the entire cast (Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Scarlett Johansson, Marc Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Clark Gregg) and Kevin Feige and Whedon, as well as visit the art department and learn a tremendous amount about the production.   While I’ve been lucky enough to visit many sets, The Avengers visit will be something I cherish forever.  Hit the jump for more.

20 Things to Know About SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS From Our Set Visit; Plus Video Blog Recap and Guy Ritchie Interview

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: November 14th, 2011 at 10:00 am

Moriarty (Jared Harris) is sitting at a table inside the Hotel De La Ville in Paris surrounded by people.  He’s reading a newspaper inside the cafe.  After a few seconds, someone walks in to tell him something.  While I can’t hear what they’re saying, the news must be important since he gets up after hearing it.  As he rises out of the chair, the focus of the shot pulls to an old man sitting at a table in the foreground of the frame.  The man is unremarkable.  He wears a suit of no importance.  He has a long grey beard and long grey hair.  I didn’t notice him until the camera pulled focus.  As Moriarty leaves the room and the man jumps out of his chair, I realize it’s Sherlock Holmes in disguise.

But let me back up a second.

Back in January, I got to visit the set of Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows when the production was filming 45 miles outside London at Waddesdon Manor.  While on set, I got to participate in group interviews with Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris, producers Susan Downey and Lionel Wigram, and director Guy Ritchie.  As you might imagine, I learned a great deal about the Sherlock Holmes sequel, and if you hit the jump, you can read my “20 Things to Know” and watch a video blog about the visit.

New Behind-the-Scenes THE HOBBIT Video Blog Explores the Movie’s 3D; Provides Brief Looks at Scenes from the Film

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: November 4th, 2011 at 7:15 am

In the latest video blog for The Hobbit, writer-director Peter Jackson says, “Shooting The Hobbit in 3D is a dream-come-true.  If I had had the ability to shoot The Lord of the Rings in 3D, I certainly would have done it.”  Even if you’re not a fan of 3D, this new video blog does a great job of explaining all the aspects of the technology including the benefits of shooting at 48 frames per second.   There are also cool bits like the concept art being done in 3D and how various departments have to change their approach to accommodate 3D and 48fps.  Even if you’ve seen documentaries like this before, this one is still worth your time because it provides brief looks at scenes from the movie.  There are short glimpses of a dwarf battle, Gandalf leading the party, and a first look at the psychedelic forest of Mirkwood, and other moments that make me excited to return to Middle-Earth.

Hit the jump to check out the video blog, and look forward to the next one where they’ll be moving off the soundstage and shooting on location.  The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be released on December 14, 2012.  The Hobbit: There and Back Again will hit theaters on December 13, 2013.

20 Things to Know About REAL STEEL From Our Set Visit; Plus Video Blog Recap

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: September 6th, 2011 at 11:01 am

If you’ve been reading the site for the past two years, you know we’ve been following Real Steel since its inception.  When the movie was first announced, I was one of many who thought that director Shawn Levy making a robot boxing movie sounded like a really stupid idea.  After all, the guy who made Pink Panther and the Night at the Museum movies taking on robot boxing?  Um…no thanks.  However, after visiting the set in June of 2010 and the editing room last December, I’m convinced Real Steel is going to be one of the surprises of 2011.

What you need to know is that Real Steel is not just about robot boxing.  It’s about a father and son finally coming together.  It’s about someone that’s always been down on his luck getting the chance to win it all.  And the way they are telling the story is pushing the limits of motion picture technology.  Finally, Real Steel is produced by Steven Spielberg and the story is loaded with little touches that he put in.  Again, I really think this movie is going to surprise all of you, and Levy might end up being a director you want on a future comic book movie.  For more on the film, hit the jump for “20 Things to Know About Real Steel” from our set visit and you can also watch my video blog recap.

30 Things to Know About UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING From Our Set Visit; Plus Video Blog Recap

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: August 22nd, 2011 at 9:00 am

Back in early May, I got to visit the set of Underworld: Awakening when the production was filming in Vancouver.  While on set, I got to watch Kate Beckinsale and Michael Ealy film a few scenes that take place towards the end of the film, watch the brand new RED EPIC 3D cameras in action (which looked amazing and they’re also being used on The Hobbit and The Amazing Spider-Man), learn the interesting and unique way that directors Mans Marlind & Bjorn Stein work together, and I also got to participate in group interviews with producer Richard Wright, Stunt Coordinator/2nd Unit Director Brad Martin, as well as Beckinsale, Ealy, and directors Marlind & Stein.  It was a really fun day on set that I’ll recap after the jump.

FINAL DESTINATION 5 Set Visit Video Blog

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: July 12th, 2011 at 12:05 pm

The set visit video blogs I post are usually professional.  We usually stay on topic. We usually just talk about what we did on set, the highlights from who we interviewed, and what we thought.  But when I recorded a video blog with Devin from Badass Digest after getting back from the set of Final Destination 5 in Vancouver last December…let’s just say that it was a lot looser than what I usually post.  Of course it might have been because we’d been drinking.  It could have been because Dolph Lundgren was sitting at a table near us as it started.  Or it could have been because it’s a video blog about Final Destination and everyone knows it’s all about the new and innovative ways to kill people.

However, while I might have scared some of you off, during our loose and rambling conversation, we still talked about what we did on set, what we learned, who we interviewed, and what you should be looking forward to.  In addition, we even had one of the cast members (PJ Byrne) join us towards the end, as he was on his way to the bar and we convinced him to jump in.  Watch the antics after the jump.

JOHN CARTER Video Blog: Reaction to Footage, the Teaser Trailer, and a Lot More

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: July 11th, 2011 at 8:00 am

John Carter can’t stand up.  When he does, he falls over.  Finally, after putting in a lot of effort, he’s able to take a step and he jumps about thirty feet.  He’s stunned.  Looking around, he has no idea where he is and what’s going on.  Of course, if you were transported to Mars from the 19th Century, you’d also have a tough time figuring out what just happened.

What I just described is part of a scene from director Andrew Stanton’s (Finding Nemo, WALL-E) first live-action movie, John Carter.  Based on the celebrated novel, A Princess of Mars, by Edgar Rice Burroughs, John Carter is Disney’s first film in what they’re hoping is a franchise starter and based on what I saw, it just might work.  The reason I know this is the other week I got to go to San Francisco (along with some other online reporters) to see the first teaser trailer, watch some footage, and interview Stanton for almost an hour.  I learned so much about this very cool looking film, so I suggest hitting the jump for more.

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS Set Visit and Video Blog

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: July 5th, 2011 at 10:01 am

I’m standing in the Great Hall at Hogwarts. I see Snape positioned where Dumbledore used to stand at the top of the steps. As the new Headmaster, Snape is addressing a room full of students. He’s telling them that anyone who knows the whereabouts of Harry Potter – whether it be student or faculty – needs to come forward with any information or the punishment will be severe. Snape continues with the news that the school has the best magic protection and Harry Potter will not be able to enter the grounds. The former potions teacher walks among the students, looking at them, his gaze intense and his dialogue slow and methodical. He’s clearly hoping someone will tell him something. As he finishes saying his last line he looks up because he hears the voice of Harry Potter saying, “I don’t think the protection was good enough.” All the students turn, looking shocked. Harry Potter has returned to Hogwarts.

The next day, I’m on a plane, flying back from London. Yesterday was March 23, 2010 and I was standing in a place I’ve only seen in the movies, as I was one of the lucky online journalists invited to Leavesden Studios outside London to visit the set of the last Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. As a huge fan of the books and the movies, getting to stand in the Great Hall and Dumbledore’s office was a huge thrill and something I will remember forever. But while getting to see those sets was amazing, we did so much more. Hit the jump for my report and video blog.

THE MUPPETS Set Visit (Video Blog)

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: June 20th, 2011 at 8:00 am

I’m standing inside The Muppet Theater.  On my right, I can see where Statler and Waldorf would sit and heckle the performances.  On stage in front of me, I watch as some of the crew attempts to get everything perfect so they can get the next shot.  As they adjust the lights and moves some of the background pieces, director James Bobin is sitting nearby looking at everything on two small monitors.  Eventually he’s happy with the set up and someone calls “action.”  Almost immediately, a hush falls over the room as some hidden speakers start to play something I recognize.  As I look at the stage, I watch Kermit and Miss Piggy sing Rainbow Connection.  I’m suddenly 8 years old and smiling from ear to ear.

But let me back up a second.

Earlier this year, I got to visit the set of The Muppets on two separate occasions.  The first time was with a group of online reporters while the production was filming in Glendale, California and we watched as Amy Adams and a huge group of Muppets filmed a scene in a car.  The second time I got to visit the set by myself and that’s when I got to see The Muppet Theater.  While Disney is releasing The Muppets, the production actually built the theater on the Universal backlot.  As a child that grew up watching The Muppet Show, getting to walk around that set was something I’ll never forget.  Hit the jump for more.

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS Reaction (Video Blog)

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: May 21st, 2011 at 6:48 pm

Earlier today I got to watch Matthew Vaughn’s X-Men: First Class.  While we’re not allowed to write a review, we’ve been given permission to write our initial thoughts.

If you were nervous the latest chapter in the X-Men franchise might disappoint, I’m happy to report it’s a huge home-run.  Everything from the great script to the awesome performances by the entire cast (with special mention to James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender) makes this X-Men film my favorite in the franchise.   Also, the film is loaded with incredible action and a ton of Easter Eggs for the fans.  Even the sets and costumes are great.  Trust me, as soon as the movie is over, you’re going to wish the next chapter was coming out next week.  Hit the jump for more.

GREEN LANTERN Set Visit Video Blog

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: May 17th, 2011 at 11:00 am

When you visit a movie set, you never know how many of the secrets will be revealed.  Sometimes you leave without learning much about the movie, and when the trailer is released and it tells you the whole story, you wonder why everyone was so guarded.  However, every once in awhile, you visit a set and you’re told everything.  In the case of my visit to the set of Green Lantern last summer in New Orleans, it was the latter.  While I walked in thinking Green Lantern might be a cool movie, I left absolutely blown away by the scope and scale of Warner Bros. next comic book movie.  Trust me, while the first trailer for Green Lantern was lackluster, everything I saw and learned on set told me director Martin Campbell’s Green Lantern is a full scale space opera and it smashes open the door for future comic book movies to tell even bigger stories.  I’m truly excited to see the finished film and if it comes together the way I think it will, Green Lantern will show audiences and the studios that comic book movies don’t have to stay on Earth, or even in this galaxy, to tell their story.

But let me back up a second.

It’s August 2010 and I’m in New Orleans on the last day of principal photography on Green Lantern.  While it’s hot and humid outside, I’m standing in a large air conditioned studio being shown hundreds of pre-production images.  They’re lined up on a few walls and each image shows a scene or location in the movie.  Again, while some set visits are guarded, the Green Lantern production is confident in their story and they’re willing to show us everything.  As I walk from drawing to drawing, I’m imagining the movie in my head, and I can’t believe where they take this story.  Much more after the jump.

30 MINUTES OR LESS Set Visit Recap and Video Blog

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: May 10th, 2011 at 9:00 am

Jesse Eisenberg is sitting on the hood of his pizza delivery car in an abandoned junkyard.  He’s been tied up.  Standing nearby are Danny McBride and Nick Swardson.  They’re wearing normal clothing, except for the gorilla masks to hide their identities.  The two have captured Eisenberg’s character because they have a plan: instead of robbing a bank on their own, they’ve attached a bomb to Eisenberg and they’re making him do the job.  As you might imagine if you were faced with this reality, Eisenberg is freaking out.  However, it’s hard to take it seriously because McBride and Swardson are improvising during every take and each one is funnier than the last.  I’m starting to think 30 Minutes of Less is going to be awesome.

But let me back up a second.

It’s late August, 2010.  I’m in Michigan with some other online reporters on the set of director Ruben Fleischer’s follow-up to Zombieland.  While rumors had him possibly directing Mission Impossible 4, Fleischer settled on 30 Minutes or Less as his second film.  Even though many might have second guessed this decision, after talking with him on set and learning a lot about the movie, I think it was a smart choice.  I’ll explain why and recap the set visit after the jump.

Some Thoughts on Kenneth Branagh’s THOR; Plus Video Blog Review

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: April 17th, 2011 at 2:00 pm

If you were nervous that Marvel would somehow not be able to bring Thor into the same universe their previous movies occupy, don’t be.  I’m happy to report Thor is not only great, but it kicks open the door to so many other characters.  If audiences respond (which they should), over the next few years, look for many other larger than life characters on movie screens.

But let me back up a second.

A few days ago, on the Paramount lot, I was part of a very small group that got an early look at director Kenneth Branagh’s Thor.  Since my set visit, I’ve known Thor had a great story and it was extremely respectful to the way Jack Kirby and Walter Simonson brought the character to life.  What I was unsure about was the CGI.  Could I believe that Asgard was real?  When Thor throws Mjolnir in battle, would it do the damage I’ve always imagined?  Could Marvel bring Thor into the same universe as Tony Stark and make it work?  Would the movie explain Bifrost, Heimdall and the Rainbow Bridge to average movie goers and make them believe it wasn’t science fiction?  I had so many questions going in, but I’m so happy to say that while I do have some nitpicks with the movie, overall I walked out of the theater extremely happy.  Continued after the jump.

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