Friday, February 27, 2009
Halloween: Part 3
My car was in the shop today and Darrell could not come pick me up from work until 8pm. That wasn't going to work. I headed out on foot - it's really not a bad walk. I headed toward Floyd Street to get to the Square. While on Floyd, as I approached the East Street intersection, I noticed the houses on three of the four corners dressed in Halloween decorations. I don't know when or how they are going to be used...
As I reached the square, I realized the crowds had only increased since lunch. The film crew had much more of the square blocked off so it was difficult to get a decent shot of any filming. One thing I was able to investigate was the 'Bookstore" they had created. It was in the storefront of RL's restaurant just off the Square. While the bookcase facades were gone (they were serving dinner), the window display was still up.
I decided the Square was not worth it. I had good intel that there was going to be a Micheal Myers shot filmed about 2 blocks off the Square so I headed that way. There was an old house decorated for Halloween. The general rumor was this was the "Myers" House.
It was about a 2 hour wait before they started filming but, for me, it was worth it. It was a sequence of Micheal Myers (without the Mask, but I couldn't tell; all I could see was hoodie and hair) walking up a dark, foggy and leaf covered street while trick-a-treaters were running around. It was so very cool. The bad news was absolutely NO photography allowed. The good news is that a friend did some bootleg videoing. As soon as I can edit it down, I will post.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Halloween: Part 2
At lunch today, a co-worker had to go into downtown Covington for legitimate business and asked me if I would like to tag-a-long. Of course!
It was a mad-house down there. People, cars, cameras and wierd-o's all over the place. Anywho, I snapped a few more photo's.
I just love the Halloween decorations. The Square never has Halloween decorations, even at Halloween. Notice the book(s) in the window of the 1st slide....
At this point, everyone was out in full force. All the support crews were lined down one street while the camera crew was filming some scenes. I assume the shot they were working on was supposed to be from Micheal Myers point of view. Notice the branches, mounted on stands, strategically placed to the side of and in front of the camera.
Here are some stills of the scenes they were filming. Not very good. I had to stand across the street to take these. I like the fact that they added a smoke efect to the large pumpkin. We also saw some set dressing that was going to be used as part of the 'Halloween Warehouse'.
I head back out tonight. Now I'm after a picture of Micheal Myers himself.
It's Halloween in Covington
Some of you may already know but if not, the latest buzz around my hometown of Covington is the filming of Rob Zombie's Halloween 2. They have a short shooting schedule and are currently filming on our town square and nearby locations.
This morning, on the way to work, Darrell and I decided to detour around the Square. I wanted to get some photo's of the store fronts and sets before they were all taken down. We arrived about 8am and all was pretty quiet. I asked security if I could take photos and they gave open rein over all but a 20' X 20' section in the middle of the Square itself.
It was amazing to see downtown transformed into a Halloween Festival Setting in February. The store decorations are simple and old-fashion. They have primarily used flags, wreaths and cut-outs.
They have some great banners and 'old' feeling flyer's plastered all over the place. I really want some of the flyer's....
The sets are very 'old' style and quirky. Think a small town Halloween of the late 60's or early 70's. The main center piece is a huge walk-thru pumpkin...
By this time, it was around 8:20am and some crews were starting to arrive. We saw a film truck, grounds people and more of the quirky set pieces arriving at the Square. I was trying to get one last shot, traffic was in my way, and that's when I saw the man himself, Rob Zombie, walking down one of the side streets. I stood there pointing like a spastic fish trying to get Darrell to turn and see him. He was much more calm about the situation. The only person around was his security guy.
I ran (there was no walking) across the street and approached his security and asked if could stand to the side and take a picture. About that time, Rob turned around and asked "What?". His security guy told him we asked about a picture and he said "Sure.". Rob handed my camera to the security guy, put his arm around me and got Darrell into the picture. He was great about the entire thing.
Below is the preeminent photos. I have posted 2 versions. As you can see, I was just a little bit excited...
I love my husband dearly but I just had to do it.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The 127th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade
The next big event for the Georgia 501st is the St. Patrick's Day Parade. It is lining up to be a BIG turn-out. So far there will be troopers from Georgia, Carolina, Alabama and Mid-South.
On Saturday, March 14 the city will gather for the 127th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade through downtown. The route winds through the city and ends at a huge festival at Underground Atlanta. The parade is a spectacle of floats, bands, bagpipes and Irish spirit. Kicking off at noon, the route begins at Ralph McGill Boulevard and Peachtree Street and continues down Peachtree to Underground Atlanta.
The festival in Underground Atlanta will be a full-on Irish party with a vendor market, a full Irish breakfast, family activities, dancing and more. The festival is from noon - 6 p.m.
For more information the Official Parade website is here.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Fanboys Movie Opening
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The movie opened in two theatres in Atlanta on Friday, Feb 20th. The Plaza on Ponce de Leon (near the Majestic) and at the Regal 8 in Alpharetta. Due to location and space, the GA 501st decided to gather at the Regal 8.
We were privlegded to have several members of the Carolina Garrison, the Rebel Legion and the Atlanta R2 Builders Club participate in this event with us.
While there were not a lot of people there to see Fanboys (what do expect for a geek movie that has received absolutely NO promotion), we made the best of it and had a wonderful time.
I think the employee's at the Regal enjoyed us being there....
We seem to have a lot of 'arrest' requests that night. I mean, who wouldn't want a small army of Stormtroopers holding guns to their head while crouching down on a hard, cold floor?
And then there's the children. I don't care how many times it happens, to see the eyes of a child light up when they see one of the troopers is amazing.
It was a fun night and great camaraderie. Of course, we couldn't leave without making fun of ourselves.
Wanted: One Darth Vader for The Fanboys Movie Opening
That was the call and our friend Zach answered with enthusiasm.
Fanboys was set to open in Atlanta on Friday, Feb. 20th and we didn't have a Vader. Zach had never donned the Darth Vader costume, so our first step was to get him over to Jesse's to try it on. His look was critiqued, adjustments made and lessons on "being Vader" given.
I think he is going to do just fine.....
Thursday, February 19, 2009
11th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards
Just about everyone that knows me, knows I have an unnatural addiction to costuming. What do I mean 'unnatural addiction'? Basically, a movie or show can tank but if the costumes are exceptional, it will get 5 stars from me. Never ask me for my movie opinions. They are a bit skewed.
With that being said, last night was the 11th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards. Below are the nominees and winners. The winners are in bold and in some cases, I have italicized my choice.
EXCELLENCE IN CONTEMPORARY FILM:
Iron Man – Laura Jean Shannon & Rebecca Bentjen
Mamma Mia! – Ann Roth
Sex and the City – Patricia Field
Winner: Slumdog Millionaire – Suttirat Larlarb
The Wrestler – Amy Westcott
EXCELLENCE IN PERIOD FILM:
Changeling – Deborah Hopper
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – Jacqueline West
Winner: The Duchess – Michael O'Connor
Milk – Danny Glicker
Revolutionary Road – Albert Wolsky
EXCELLENCE FANTASY FILM:
Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian – Isis Mussenden
Winner: The Dark Knight – Lindy Hemming
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor – Sanja M. Hays
OUTSTANDING CONTEMPORARY TELEVISION SERIES:
30 Rock – Tom Broecker
Dancing with the Stars – Randall Christensen
Entourage – Amy Westcott
Gossip Girl – Eric Daman
Winner: Ugly Betty – Eduardo Castro & Patricia Field
OUTSTANDING PERIOD/FANTASY TELEVISION SERIES:
Winner: Mad Men – Katherine Jane Bryant
Pushing Daisies – Robert Blackman
The Tudors – Joan Bergin
OUTSTANDING MADE FOR TELEVISION MOVIE OR MINI SERIES:
Bernard and Doris – Joseph Aulisi
Coco Chanel – Stefano De Nardis (costume designer) & Pierre-Yves Gayraud (designer for Coco Chanel)
Cranford (Masterpiece Theatre) – Jenny Beavan
Winner: John Adams – Donna Zakowska
Sense and Sensibility – Michele Clapton
EXCELLENCE IN COMMERCIAL COSTUME DESIGN:
Levi's, "HIS" – Kym Barrett
Winner: Milk, "White Gold" – Casey Storm
Nike, "Fate" – Trish Summerville
