Speaking of which, here are all the latest bits and pieces to keep you busy reading 
:
From the Transformers 4 Action Movie Blog:
Transformers 4 Smoke Stack Explosion Images, 28/07/2013
Transformers 4 Street Closure Timeline, 26/07/2013:
Starting Monday, Transformers 4 production will be filming in downtown Detroit at the China Set from July 31 to August 10. Located on Washington Blvd near Grand Circus Park, that means that streets will have to be closed to accommodate the production. According to MLive.com, a letter sent from Paramount to residents in the area warns that "During our filming please expect to experience simulated gunfire, controlled pyrotechnic explosions, precision driving potentially involving squealing tires, controlled vehicle crashes and smoke." The Detroit People Mover will also be impacted with "occasional three- or four-minute delay due to 'pyrotechnic effects in close proximity'." Below is a summary of street closings.
...
Transformers 4 Starts Filming at Detroit's China Set on Monday, 26/07/2013:
After over a month of building, Transformers 4's China set is about to get used and abused as filming at the site begins on Monday. As the pictures from Jerry show, the set seems to be the aftermath of a battle that eventually be edited with actual footage filmed in Hong Kong. In an an interview with TF4 producer Ian Byrce to the Detroit Free Press, a little bit more info was provided on what the set will be used for.
“Next week, we begin in Detroit on the big set we’ve built underneath the monorail,” says “Transformers 4” producer Ian Bryce, referring to the Asian-style structures that have been constructed next to Grand Circus Park — near the People Mover.
Detroit will be portraying Hong Kong for the shoot, which is expected to run through the second week of August.
Work continued Thursday on the large outdoor set, which stretches from Washington Boulevard to Bagley. Signs and decorations have been installed on some storefronts to create the look of Hong Kong streets. According to Bryce, the sequences being done there are for the climactic third act of the film.
“There’s a lot of control for cars and street action that we can’t get in other places,” says Bryce, who also has been here for filming on the first and third “Transformers” and “The Island.”
Production in Michigan on “Transformers 4” started in late June. Locations have included Fairfield Township, the Michigan Motion Picture Studios in Pontiac, Milford, Warren, Troy and, this week, River Rouge. Filming also is set to happen in Lansing.
Supervising location manager Ilt Jones says the Detroit filming will involve some pyrotechnics and “the usual ‘Transformers’ crash, bang, wallop.”
Jones describes the Grand Circus Park location as an example of how a movie set can work well within a city.
“The People Mover runs right in the middle of our set and they’re being great,” says Jones, explaining service will continue through filming with only occasional interruptions of a few minutes. The “Transformers 4” crew is working to ensure the filming involves as few disruptions as possible to the city.
“We do our homework before we come anywhere near a place,” he says.
Transformers 4's Detroit China Set Nearly Complete, 24/07/2013
Transformers 4 Filming at US Steel Site, Bramble Update, Story Tidbit, 19/07/2013:
Preparation continues in Chicago for Transformers 4 which plans to film in the city from August 18 to September 27. With those plans comes choosing site locations and bureaucratic hurdles to clear. A potential
new location is a US Steel site in the Southeast Side of Chicago.
"They want to do some takeoffs and landings at the former U.S. Steel" site, said Ald. John Pope, 10th, who in true Chicago tradition is asking for some consideration in return for his permission. That would take the form of some sort of "community benefits" or perhaps an opportunity for local kids to be allowed to get a close-up of the filmmaking, he said.
Today The City Council Committee on Transportation and Public Way have agreed to discuss an ordinance to allow use the use of helicopters at the site when they meet on July 24th. Considering Chicago was ok with sky divers and explosions going off on various building for Dark of the Moon, this request seems like an easy one to get passed.
In addition, it seems TF4 production decided to pass on filming on the retired Coast Guard ship USS Bramble in Marine City, MI. It was revealed last month that it was being looked at for the film. With that decision, the owner revealed an interesting story tidbit.
“The ship itself would emulate the exact look they wanted, a Russian waterfront, dark, mysterious underworld environment,” [Robert] Klingler said. “We more or less auditioned for the part at their request.”
The Bramble’s star turn, Klinger said, would have been in an action scene with people searching the ship for the good-guy Autobots.
“I think the big guy chose to go a different direction, but we met all of the criteria they wanted,” Klingler said. “The Bramble has the look. It looks very industrial and very busy. It had a really, really good chance.”
I assume the "big buy" is Michael Bay. Bay does like to watch his budget so he may have figured out a way to get the same scene using a location they are already using. Thanks to Wynton R. for the links.***
Myles: Transformers 4 is a dream (Belfast Telegraph, 21/07/2013):
Sophia Myles has revealed she still can't believe she has a role in the next Transformers film.
The British beauty is to play a scientist in Michael Bay's fourth instalment of the giant shape-shifting robots franchise alongside Mark Wahlberg and Stanley Tucci.
"We've been on it for a couple of months now. It's so exciting and so thrilling. I love working with the whole cast and Michael Bay is just an incredible director. I feel so privileged, I'm still pinching myself," she said.
"We're still shooting right now. We've been all over the world: we've been in Detroit, Chicago, Washington, Texas and a lot of it in Hong Kong and maybe parts in China."
Sophia remained tight-lipped about her character but admitted she hasn't filmed with Mark yet.
"I haven't actually worked with Mark yet but I have lunch with him and his entourage whenever we're on set. They're the most hilarious people I've ever met," she continued.
"A lot of my work is with Stanley Tucci and he's just so funny. He's so talented and I have to not laugh at him being incredible, and that's one of the hardest things I've had to do on the film."
The former Spooks star did admit that the forthcoming film will be "even better" than its predecessors, which starred Shia LaBeouf.
"I think it's going to be even better than the last ones and they were pretty great," she said, adding: "We've all been sworn to secrecy. I'd love to tell you more but I can't."
Kelsey Grammer, TJ Miller and Li Bingbing will also star in Transformers 4, which is set for release in summer 2014.
***
Historic Boblo boats land role in Transformers 4 S.S. Columbia and S.S. Ste. Clair are docked in Michigan and await restoration (CBCNews, 26/07/2013):
Two Boblo boats have landed a role in Transformers 4.
The S.S. Columbia and her sister the S.S. Ste. Clair, both docked in River Rouge, are being used as props.
The Columbia ferried people to the island amusement park from 1902 to 1991. The Ste. Clair did so from 1910 to 1991.
Filming of the movie began across Metro Detroit earlier this year.
The Columbia's ship keeper, Sam Buchanan, said the St. Clair has "a prominent role" in the movie while the Columbia's appearance is "minor."
"When the movie folks are in town, they’re always looking for unique place to shoot so these boats came into play," Buchanan said. "They’re moving right along. They’ve been shooting primarily at night. I don’t know how much more is going to be going on there but they’re not nearly finished."
The City of River Rouge confirmed filming took place Wednesday and Thursday night.
"There were a lot of helicopters flying around," city clerk Sue Joseph said.
The steamships were put on the U.S. List of National Historic Landmarks in 1992.
Producers have added a second smokestack to the Ste. Clair.
"It was unique looking because both Boblo boats only had one smoke stack. They added a second one for some sort of explosion in the movie," Buchanan said. "It won’t harm the boat any. The boats won’t be harmed in any way, but they’re making their big Hollywood debute."
...
***
‘Transformers 4’ scene on M-52 finished; producer thanks community
By Dennis Pelham
Daily Telegram Staff Writer
Posted Jul. 27, 2013 @ 3:00 pm
FAIRFIELD TWP. — Robots from other worlds have finished battling on M-52.
Paramount Pictures officials have assured local officials that they are done using a two-mile section of the state highway in the production of “Transformers 4.” The movie company wrapped up work on a scene of the movie on July 22 after delays caused by almost daily rain and thunderstorms in late June.
The public will get a look at what movie crews did with the local landscape when the movie opens in theaters. The scheduled date is June 27, 2014.
“You can certainly say that the sequence we shot was for a significant scene in the movie, but that’s about all the info I can give you,” said an email from Transformers 4 spokesperson Gabriela Gutentag.
She included a comment from producer Ian Bryce:
“Although the weather might not have cooperated as well as we would have liked, filming in Fairfield Township went off without a hitch. The hospitality and cooperation we enjoyed from everyone in the area, authorities and public alike, was truly remarkable and much appreciated. We hope the folks in Jasper and Adrian enjoy seeing their scenic countryside portrayed in the film when it opens next summer.”
Original plans were to film on M-52 between Weston and Mulberry roads starting June 25 and finishing the morning of June 29. Persistent storms allowed only one day of work that week, on June 28. The movie crew returned the week after the July Fourth holiday with star Mark Wahlberg and his stunt double working on the set.
The movie crew tied up loose ends after a morning of rain on July 22.
“No parking” signs were posted along Weston Road near M-52 after the first day of movie work drew a crowd and traffic congestion. The signs were removed by Thursday, said Scott Merillat, Lenawee County Road Commission managing director. The cost of posting and removing the signs and other expenses were all reimbursed by Paramount, he said.
There was no damage to county roads used to detour M-52 traffic during the movie work, he said. Gravel roads near the area were used heavily by movie crews and those wanting to watch them, he said. Those roads are being inspected for damage, he said.
The Lenawee County Sheriff’s Department had five to six deputies on duty to help with traffic control and security during each day of the filming, said Undersheriff James Anderson.
“But the production company reimbursed us, so it didn’t cost us anything,” Anderson said.
No problems occurred related to the movie production, he said, except for some congestion on the first day of filming. People drawn to the location were unable to get close enough to see what was happening, he said, and few returned after the initial excitement.
***
Transformers 4 Action Goes On View Downtown Soon (Deadline Detroit, 27/07/2013):
Noisy, flashy movie special effects start in a few days on Washington Boulevard in Detroit, where fanciful sets have been under construction since late May for the final act of the fourth "Transformers" film.
Director Michael Bay brings production crews and some cast members downtown for post-battle scenes set in Hong Kong, the Detroit Free Press reports. Julie Hinds quotes producer Ian Bryce.
“Next week, we begin in Detroit on the big set we’ve built underneath the monorail."
Though access likely will be limited directly around that area at Clifford Street next to Grand Circus Park, it's clearly visible from nearby offices, Detroit City Apartments and to passersby through chain-link fences. Expect to see lots of snaps and vids on social media.
Shooting is scheduled to begin Wednesday and last until Aug. 8, says to a letter distributed to nearby residents and businesses. "This is gonna be awesome to see from the roof," says Catherine Sung, a Detroit City Apartments resident who posted the July 19 letter on Instagram.
Hinds writes:
Signs and decorations have been installed on some storefronts to create the look of Hong Kong streets. According to Bryce, the sequences being done there are for the climactic third act of the film....
Supervising location manager Ilt Jones says the Detroit filming will involve some pyrotechnics and “the usual ‘Transformers’ crash, bang, wallop.”
The passing People Mover will be halted at times, the Free Press reporter notes.
The letter to neighbors advises them of noise ahead. “During our filming please expect to experience simulated gunfire, controlled pyrotechnic explosions, precision driving potentially involving squealing tires, controlled vehicle crashes and smoke,” the advisory says, according to an online news site.
Set images have been posted online in recent weeks, including the accompanying ones and others by a fan identified as Jerry B.
Actors include Mark Wahlberg, spotted around Metro Detroit repeatedly this summer, and Stanley Tucci, Kelsey Grammer. Nicola Peltz and Sophia Myles.
Dramatic explosion scenes were filmed Wednesday and Thursday night on the Rouge River using two former Boblo steamships, the Columbia and the St. Clair, both docked in River Rouge. Four dramatic photos, including one below, are posted here without credit.
The Columbia ferried visitors to the island amusement park from 1902-91. The Ste. Clair did so from 1910-91.
Indoor shooting takes place at the Michigan Motion Picture Studios in Pontiac, where set construction began early this year.
Plot details haven't leaked yet, nor has the title -- so it's referred to as Transformers 4. It's scheduled for release next June.
The blockbuster series, based on toys from Hasbro and Tomy. began in 2007 with "Transformers," which also had scenes shot in Detroit. The sequels are "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" (2009) and "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" (2011). The third film also came to the city.
Originally Posted by Ploughmans Lunch
Rank 8 - Deluxe Member
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
