Movies, anyone? Moteur... ça tourne!
(Je vous mets la tradution en Français dans qq jours, OK? :-)
It seems that everybody in the world has seen San Francisco at least once, either on TV or at the movies. It's no suprise, actually. According to this website, a whopping 1558 movies, TV shows, etc., were made in San Francisco.
I personally walked through the making of several movies just over the last few years, the last of which was The Pursuit of Happyness, starring Will Smith. To film that one, they prepared the public ahead of time and partially blocked the area around the Bank of America building. Most of the the heavy street filming around the tower was done during the week-end when all the office workers were off. You wouldn't know it by watching the movie, though, it looks so real, so busy ... they really did an incredible job! They even got Rev. Cecil Williams to play himself!
Another time, a long time ago, I remember when the bus had to take a special detour because there was an Incredible Hulk filming and a fake cable car was stuck half-way up in mid-air in the middle of the street... Of course, I shall not reveal how they did it, but this picture (above) might give you an idea.
Let's not forget, of course, the couple hundred brides I saw descend on Columbus Street some years back (not to be confused with the Brides of March, a completely different thing altogether!) during the filming of The Bachelor. Here you can see them do the same thing through the Stockton St. tunnel. Yes, that was quite a sight!
So I wasn't exactly surprised the other day when I saw the cabins along Post Street. Apparently, these were for the crew of a TV show called Journeyman, scheduled to air on NBC in the fall of this year.
Only 3 blocks further, that very same day, I found another crew filming a Fruit of the Loom commercial, right on the steps of what used to the the Pacific Stock Exchange (now a gym).
I guess it's good thing I whipped out my camera when I did, because a few hours later, everybody was gone!
People in San Francisco seem to be quite used to seeing their city used as a giant movie set but they're always a little curious, still, and sometimes even amused.
Personally, I think it's always a pleasure having these guys around. As far as I'm concerned, they can all come and film our beautiful City every day of the week if they feel like it, as long as that the traffic isn't completely brought to a standstil, of course ... And we'll do our best to not have a power outage that day ...
* * * *
To know exactly what movies were made in San Francisco and when, check out the City's website.
Have you ever wondered how movies are made? This website will give you a basic understanding.
It seems that everybody in the world has seen San Francisco at least once, either on TV or at the movies. It's no suprise, actually. According to this website, a whopping 1558 movies, TV shows, etc., were made in San Francisco.
I personally walked through the making of several movies just over the last few years, the last of which was The Pursuit of Happyness, starring Will Smith. To film that one, they prepared the public ahead of time and partially blocked the area around the Bank of America building. Most of the the heavy street filming around the tower was done during the week-end when all the office workers were off. You wouldn't know it by watching the movie, though, it looks so real, so busy ... they really did an incredible job! They even got Rev. Cecil Williams to play himself!
Another time, a long time ago, I remember when the bus had to take a special detour because there was an Incredible Hulk filming and a fake cable car was stuck half-way up in mid-air in the middle of the street... Of course, I shall not reveal how they did it, but this picture (above) might give you an idea.
Let's not forget, of course, the couple hundred brides I saw descend on Columbus Street some years back (not to be confused with the Brides of March, a completely different thing altogether!) during the filming of The Bachelor. Here you can see them do the same thing through the Stockton St. tunnel. Yes, that was quite a sight!
So I wasn't exactly surprised the other day when I saw the cabins along Post Street. Apparently, these were for the crew of a TV show called Journeyman, scheduled to air on NBC in the fall of this year.
Only 3 blocks further, that very same day, I found another crew filming a Fruit of the Loom commercial, right on the steps of what used to the the Pacific Stock Exchange (now a gym).
I guess it's good thing I whipped out my camera when I did, because a few hours later, everybody was gone!
People in San Francisco seem to be quite used to seeing their city used as a giant movie set but they're always a little curious, still, and sometimes even amused.
Personally, I think it's always a pleasure having these guys around. As far as I'm concerned, they can all come and film our beautiful City every day of the week if they feel like it, as long as that the traffic isn't completely brought to a standstil, of course ... And we'll do our best to not have a power outage that day ...
* * * *
To know exactly what movies were made in San Francisco and when, check out the City's website.
Have you ever wondered how movies are made? This website will give you a basic understanding.
Labels: filming, Fruit of the Loom, movies, San Francisco
posted by Tomate Farcie at 8:39 PM
12 Comments:
This was a very fun entry. Pittsburgh has also been the site of the filming of quite a few movies, because it's a relatively cheap city to do that in.
BTW, Claire loved the Bay area (she was in Oakland most of the time, but went to San Francisco a couple of times.) She wants to move there!
Thanks, Tomate, for visiting Johnnysarc. Paris is my first love, then San Francisco, then Quebec City. We go to Paris whenever we get a chance. Headed for Quebec in May 2008. Due to high prices in France, we are "doing" Quebec. Hopefully we will do Paris 2009. I am trying to figure out a way to travel to there first class. I am just miserable in those tight little economy coach seats. Imagine the airlines offering an inch to 5inches more leg space for $75. What a rip-off. Thanks for the tip, too. I don't know how to make the comments into non-anonymous.
Elisabeth: I can certainly see how the Bay Area (and especially San Francisco!) appeals to young people.
Johnny: I'm looking at my blog settings right now and I'll leave you a message about how to alter the settings on your blog. Yeah, I really know what you mean about the coach section (sigh). And it's getting worse every year, because the seats are tighter together and I sure as hell am not getting any smaller... grrr!!
SF is much better than San Diego for movies... I'm afraid we'll only be known for "Top Gun" and "Jurassic Park". Sigh...
This is such a cool and original post! Looks like a wide variety of scenes (fun to watch) are going on in the middle of the city ;-)
Anthony: but San Diego has much better weather :)
Alex: Thank you! I try to come up with something original whenever possible. Not easy, though. Most of the time, by the time I get to write the post, a few other people already have the story already broadcast and it's old news!
Thank you for your visit to my blog. I haven't been to the States, and as you said, the most images I've got about the US have come from US TV dramas and films. San Francisco is one of the destinations I'd love to visit.
If I didn't read your narration,I thought it was a tram accident and I love to see the man with purple bubble ;o) I have a feeling to burst out the bubble ;o)
I adore the last photo in this entry, with the Grape just casually standing on the sidewalk having a conversation!
Great post! I really like your style. BTW, the comments you left on my blog yesterday made me laugh to tears!
Cheers!
Cool photos! Nice behind-the-scenes action. Even a candid shot of one of the Fruits!
Basic instinct has ben shot so close to us ans so quietly, it was quite a surprise to discover the whole of it afterwards!
Not to forget, mrs Doubtfire: with all the families gathering in front of the house months later!
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