Filming Through the Snow: "Citadel" on Location Video, More

While news has um frozen to a slow Icetrickle due to the tundra that has descended upon seemingly most of us in the northern part of the world lol, the hearty folk at Sigma Films continue on with filming for Ciaran Foy's "Citadel." Note that even Colin Kennedy has taken to sporting a staypuff production man look for the inclement weather lol LOVE HIm!. Weather is dreadful to be certain yet things progress onward even so as noted by and many thanks to crew member extraordinaire and props man Paul Lambie, we can now see some video he shot of the frozen location below:



Paul also tweets his harrowing adventures this past week, on location in various places like a Yokerhill hospital or a hilltop cemetery in Glasgow or and noted that even star James Cosmo got stuck in the snow (just like so so many of us all around the world it seems lol) Be sure to follow Paul here for more! You can also see some very cool location photos (mostly pre-blizzard bomb photos lol altho a few more recent) on the personal blog of the superb cameraman Tim Fleming who is shooting Citadel. good stuff indeed! Citadel continues through snow wind rain and hail for a few more weeks yet before off to Dublin and wrapping later this month.

New Video: Ewan McGregor, Eva Green Close Up Filming a Scene from "The Last Word"

UPDATE: Just been told they are filming all week (until the 16th) on Hyndland Street (pic here on flickr) & Rd as well as Lawrence St & Caird

Well I have a feeling this wont last long, so go quick! Three very very brief clips (rehearsals here and here, with the scene below) of Ewan McGregor and Eva Green filming a scene near Kelvingrove Park from David Mackenzie's The Last Word. As seen below, you can see the crew from Sigma, then the camera pans over as Ewan leaps out of the green car (sporting that mask) yanks his bike out the back and Eva out of the car slams door shut, then they walk into some sort of building NO DIALOGUE is heard, but still very thrilling. Each clip is very very short, but still WOOT thank you Claire!

Sunday in the Park with Ewan McGregor and Eva Green for "Last Word"

Check it out! Sunday in the Park with Ewan McGregor and Eva Green.... As seen directly on the Style Scanner blog, Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow, Scotland was the setting for a leisurely bike ride for the stars of David Mackenzie's new film...along with BIKE CAM lol I LOVE THIS............>
For more, please check Style Scanner blog, as the photos are theirs, enjoy!

Also, thanks much to ever vigilant EvaGreen web, you can see some additional high res pics of Eva, plus a couple pics of the duo in a car, wearing masks. No idea where they obtained their photos (no sources given) or where the car scene was shot, but check out more in their galleries.
Esp the one where you can clearly see the mike and camera and the crew guys on that special bike, cool :)

UPDATE: You can also see this brief article from the Sunday Herald online (print copy had a few more pics) that showed a couple of extras in a scene where they are fighting over food or something in the streets. The paper noted:

Survivors seemed to be battling for last scraps of food with a wheelie bin overturned and debris strewn across Blythswood Street.

Fists were drawn as two actors fought one another on the ground.It drew a few onlookers as the camera crew captured the latest scenes for the film The Last Word. Police officers were brought in to help with traffic flow as city centre streets were affected by the filming yesterday morning.

But it left a few early-morning motorists somewhat irate, and horns were sounded when they were held up as a camera crew on a trailer headed along Bothwell Street.Officers were trying to keep the streets clear while a car sped along.

First Look: Extras from Eagle of the Ninth (Updated)

As noted before, filming is well underway now in Scotland for Kevin MacDonald's "The Eagle of the Ninth" starring Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell. We now have our first look of the Pics and warriors played by extras which had been cast recently for the film. Taken on location waiting for filming to start, this is a fierce lot indeed (even with the headphones lol LOVE IT) all sporting their shaved heads and costumes made of "sackcloth, fur and leather." As noted here several times previously, location filming is due in the Achiltibuie region, with some of the locations to include Achilitbuie, Glen Sloy, and Fox Point. UPDATE: Thanks ever so much to Toby again, who updated his blog-CHECK IT OUT HERE- with more photos and a bit more on the filming progress, including overcoming horrible weather and all. He writes too on the stars of the film: "They've kept at it though and I was impressed at the professionalism of the crew and the fact that everyone seemed willing to muck in and help when things got tough. The stars of the film (Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell) had no airs and graces about them and were more than happy to mingle with the extras - they also signed my daughter's book so she went home very happy!"


Production on this new movie is based out Film City Glasgow (home to Sigma films :) Thanks so much to Toby for this photo (please note that is his photo and all credit rights belong to him; more including his beautiful daughter who is an extra can be found here)

First Video: Ewan McGregor Films a Scene for David Mackenzie's "The Last Word"

Check it out! Video of yesterday's massive filming on the streets of Glasgow for David Mackenzie's The Last Word. In the video below, we can see star EWAN MCGREGOR filming a scene with his bike. You can see him do several turns with the bike, the PA comes out and gets the extras going-walking about, then at the end you can clearly see director David Mackenzie walk out from behind the monitor, walk along with Ewan then stop to talk to a shop keeper extra as they prepare to do another take GREAT STUFF I LOVE MOVIE MAKING! Also, be sure to check out the second video below which shows the prep work/rehearsal. Thanks ever so much to NEURO for the videos! ALSO: For those who are asking, rest assured EVA GREEN is still in Glasgow filming :) Can't wait for this film!

Ewan McGregor Cooking Up a Storm for Eva Green and Glasgow in The Last Word

When it comes to Ewan McGregor things are always hot...smokin' good looks, smokin' great talent, and apparently he can heat things up in the kitchen too ;) as the latest is that Ewan plays a chef in David Mackenzie's The Last Word.
Following on the host of photos yesterday from location filming along the river Clyde in Glasgow, filming continues and Ewan is TOP CHEF in our book here (yes see earlier pics clearly showing he and ewen b as such) as the article notes:

Ewan, who plays a crazy chef and Eva, who plays his love interest, have also been shooting scenes in Strathclyde University kitchens and top Glasgow restaurants The Buttery and Guy's. A source said: "From what I've seen, Ewan plays a character not unlike Gordon Ramsay and they have filmed takes in various kitchens.

"They took over the whole of Guy's restaurant for one night and were spotted using The Buttery as yet another location for the movie."All the inside scenes are being shot at Film City in Govan, where they have recreated a fully working professional kitchen."

The piece continues: One onlooker said: "I was just walking my dog when I met a couple coming towards me."I nodded hello and only did a double take when I spotted the cameras."I'm a big Ewan McGregor fan and I can't believe I almost didn't recognise him.

"I can't wait to see the movie with Glasgow as the backdrop."

The Last Word is directed by David Mackenzie, and produced by Gillian Berrie of Sigma Films. Filming is based out of Film City Glasgow and will continue for a few more weeks.

Followup: More on Eagle of Ninth Filming Achiltibuie, Scotland

Minor update this morning regarding filming for The Eagle of the Ninth, starring Jamie Bell. As a follow to the piece the other day regarding casting call for a Gaelic speaking young actor, the Times has a new interview with director Kevin MacDonald who gives his thoughts on the Celtic influences he sees with the film, as well as more on the locale for filming, which we know is Achiltibuie, Scotland. The Times notes the village (more info here):
He has chosen the village of Achiltibuie, on the western mainland opposite the Summer Isles, as his location, and he hopes that the locals will be a ready source of extras.

“They were a more indigenous folk than the Celts, who were from further south,” he argues. “They were probably small and dark, like the Inouit, living off seals and dressed in sealskins. We are going to create a culture about which no one knows much, but which we will make as convincing as possible. We are basing it on clues gained from places like Skara Brae and the Tomb of the Eagles in Orkney, so that we will have them worshipping pagan symbols, like the seal and the eagle.

...He is also exploring early Celtic dance and music, including the eerie sound of the carnyx, which he described as ”a Scottish didgeridoo” and was memorably recreated and played, to the consternation of the Queen, at the opening of the Museum of Scotland in 1998. The tribes that the Romans met were Celtic, as described by the historian Tacitus in his biography of the Emperor Agricola,” Macdonald says. “They may have been Picts, of course, but most of the tribes were also Celtic.”Since the history of the Picts has been described by the historian Michael Lynch as “a mystery story with few clues and no satisfactory ending”, Macdonald has a fairly free rein in recreating his ancient tribe; but he is determined to be as authentic as possible, with the tribesmen in the movie all speaking Gaelic. In order to achieve a little contemporary symbolism, the Romans will be played by American actors."

Also as reported previously, filming for this movie which marks a return of Jamie Bell (Hallam Foe) back to Scotland will commence later this fall in October -basing out of Film City Glasgow, on the heels of David Mackenzie's The Last Word which will commence photography next month. BE SURE TO FOLLOW Achiltibuie Twitter where we all learned that crews were in the area seeking to rent cottages for Oct/Nov.

Case Study on Hallam Foe Locations Due in April

Its all about the location baby! Whether it be the best seats at a concert or play, out to dinner or watching fireworks, buying a house, in a theatre or making a movie, location matters. If there is one job (other than screenwriter) I would actually consider would be as a location manager, and now the person who served as such for Hallam Foe is teaching a class on this subject. According to the Edinburgh Film Focus site, someone named Hugh Gourlay is teaching a class on April 11 that "will guide us through the whole process of managing film location. He'll talk about the script and the relationship between location manager and production team; how to scout/search and negotiate locations; managing the shoot; health, safety and legals; and answer the tricky question of which is better for your film - location or studio? Hugh will refer to real examples and there will be a case study session on two very different productions: 'Hallam Foe' and 'Nanny McPhee'. A unique chance to hear from a master craftsman how it should be done."

Drats~ I sooo would LOVE to go to this! I have no idea how detailed a case study and what new information on the locales used for Hallam Foe (or Mister Foe) will be detailed but when you're a fan like me, it surely would be fascinating to hear more on how they chose certain buildings in Edinburgh for example for some Hallam's breathtaking escapades through the city. I would also love to hear more about how closely the location manager and David and the team worked. I also wonder about all the various permits you have to deal with, fire codes, safety codes, dealing with gawking fans like me lol, and all the logistics involved in organizing some of these things.

If there is one thing I so love about David Mackenzie's work is his eye and his shot selection which are usually just gorgeous all the way around, and I would love to hear more on his thought process and the working relationship he and his location manager have.Recently Colin Kennedy addressed how important locations are when beginning a film in a recent entry on his I Love Luci blog when he noted "I remember David quoting Wong Kar-wai as saying that he likes to find a location and then a story. David followed somewhat similar principals on Hallam Foe. I have to admit I am not entirely following their lead but I am trying to apply my story to some locations that I have always wanted use, so my approach is not totally dissimilar." Just as he did detailing some of the process used for the various locations on the getyourpeople blog, I genuinely admire he is putting all these steps out there for his own film, even posting his early scouting photos up on Fickr which I appreciated soo much!

Speaking of Flickr which is one of my most favorite websites in the world right now lol, I read quite a bit about locations in movies, and like so so so many people anymore I stay and watch the end credits of films to see where they were filmed, and locations used. The fantastic thing about Flickr is that so many others are able to travel and go and document what they've seen on some of the location shoots, and then generously post them up (almost ten pages of various groups here) so everyone can see them. I think this is just great and I applaud these people. I even stumbled over a few who have been lucky enough to go to Edinburgh and actually took pics out side a pub that was used for the HF movie too!

Now you can look on various other websites of course to see where they filmed stuff. Scottish Screen of course has a wealth of information completely worth checking out. I have used the Scotland the Movie site for a couple years although the updates are sadly lacking and always late in coming if at all alas and it has zero on Hallam Foe. The Edinburgh Film site has a pretty good resource I think, and actually lists various sites used for the movies filmed in that beautiful city-much better organized, detailed, and frankly more accessible and easier to navigate than the GlasgowFilm site which requires you to register (which I haven't done) just to see photos of the locations-but then conversely Glasgow film site has a SIMPLY WONDERFUL video archive on the various films that the other site doesn't have lol so I guess they balance each other out. Ex. the Hallam Foe blurb on the Edinburgh site says "Filmed in Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders at various locations including Glen House, Caledonian Hotel, City Art Centre, Cockburn Street."

The desire to go and actually SEE in PERSON where these movies you love were filmed is surely nothing new, and certainly (as mentioned by Sigma head Gillian Berrie last year too) the result of tourists like me flocking to come see these locations in the UK should will and does have a huge economic impact. Hence the recent campaigns by the Visit Britain/Visit Scotland sites to encourage this, not to mention the recent spate and plethora of new movie tours being offered surely is a sign that people love to see these sites and will pay good hard earned money to do so-everyone benefits, seems like a no brainer to me to promote this. Example: The DaVinci Code anyone? How many thousands upon thousands of people flocked to Rosslyn Chapel recently since the release of the Dan Brown book and film? BBC said the chapel raked in £500,000 last year,not exactly chump change is it? And oh yeah lets think..whats that magical fellows name...HARRY POTTER??? Has Scotland/England seen any of the millions of Potterheads lurking about at Edinburgh castle or Alnwick Castle (BBC "Harry Potter films led to a 120% rise in visitors to Northumberland's Alnwick Castle, and had brought about £9m worth of tourism to the region 0_0) or bless Platform 9/34 at Kings Cross station in London maybe (full disclosure : I went there AND IT WAS FABULOUS FUN FUN FUN and zomg the cringe worthy fun once I hit Scotland will be ten times worse/better wheee!) Bond of course is huge as is, Narnia and of course the fair lady and truly wonderful Jane Austen. you betcha I soo badly want to go on a JA tour, and I even have a photo of some of the films as my ever changing wallpaper, although today its of Hever castle due to my current The Tudors infatuation (more hysterically funny to me is the fact that series is filmed in IRELAND lol but I digress) and boy oh boy a more detailed Glenbogle tour (featuring even the smallest contribution of any sort from Sigmas own and the most wonderful Alastair Mackenzie) would go over like crazy mad I predict esp for crazed American Monarch of the Glen fans. You can visit the estate/castle on your own of course, and I've read this site but its not a tour I think nor officially sanctioned, anyway if huge tour exists Ive not heard of it yet,or maybe do like an anniversary one off or something but I'm just rambling at this point so I'll stop. Now, if only they will offer a Hallam Foe/Sigma tour I'd be all set ;)

Off the Deep End!

With the weather continuing to be horrible here at least (no sign that spring may actually arrive anytime soon le woe) I rather appreciated seeing the latest photos from the set of Spread surfaced online today, as its proof there is better weather someplace lol (and I need to seriously think whether flying to Scotland is the wise choice when I could zip off to the islands where there is NO SNOW)

Off in glorious and warm LA, David Mackenzie (or maybe this is the type of stuff the second unit does? dunno hmmm) was filming on location scenes at a sunny pool location, where the star of Spread, Ashton Kutcher, was going off the deep end...well probably just the middle of the pool, but boy does that water look nice! Gossip sites Popsugar, PacificCoastNews and the ever on the spot JustJared were quick of course, to post a slew of pics of our hero trumpeting 'he's shirtless zomg!!!!' but they also managed to include some pics that show a few pieces of equipment they use on set.

Here is a scene en progress-not sure what that is beside the camera, maybe a mic or a still camera or something?






Anyway, the difference a few years makes couldn't be more striking because it was almost this time several years now wow, when they were filming off in the cold loch for Hallam Foe. I distinctly remember Colin blogging on his HallamFoe blog (getyourpeople.com) several times about that shoot, and a later re-shoot as well as filming at the tanks at Pinewood Studio. Water scenes always seem to me to be so complicated, and so incredibly easy to botch up that I always appreciate when the mechanics of these scenes are explained. I am sure the scene at the 'black lagoon' was hard, for even Jamie Bell wrote about it in ElleUK when said "I have to do several scenes that require me to jump into the loch which isnt very funny. It's bloody freezing and not flattering for the old manhood in any way. It's so cold I find it impossible to stay in for more than five seconds at a time. The director is shouting 'Stay In!,' but my brain is saying "Out out out!" The scene was pivotal of course for the movie, and Im so glad he was able to make it through those (and Claire of course) because as beautiful as this loch is, no way would I want to take a dip in there!



Regardless, the case in point here is: the two scenes couldnt be more different, and I'm certain David is appreciating the difference in filming. ....Though gotta say, as wonderful as water sports and the guys are, its hard to determine which is the better errrm catch from the water by these pics ;) heee !

Film It, They Will Come

I think it must be unofficial traffic week for the directors at Sigma. First there are great black & white photos of Colin risking limb and life for his We Are the Physics music video side project (and apparently the plot of this video involves a play on the cult classic attack of the 50 ft woman, who is now apparently destroying Glasgow-just hope the city is returned to proper shape for when I visit there ;)

Now in the continuing "Spread" watch, there are new photos for the third day in a row, this from popsugar.com where director David Mackenzie is shown with his star Ashton Kutcher (and now Anne Heche)...in traffic, at LAX of all places lolol. Guess its hard to be inconspicuous at that crazy busy terminal, but I have been surprised at how much tabloid coverage there is of this shoot. Gotta say (and Im no fashion diva), but not too hip on that suspender look that Ashton is sporting in this film, but then again Trinny and Susannah would have a field day with me plus he is Ashton and models so what do I know lol.

UPDATE: Video has surfaced of David directing Ashton Kutcher on set (involving a busy LA street now!) and is now available via JFX Online lol. You can clearly see David give directions about a dance move, then they start the scene, Ashton's character crosses the busy street, then he attempts to con his way out of a parking ticket and dances with the meter maid lolol. Clearly traffic is the word of the week ;)

I know there are usually some onlookers for location shoots in public places, even when they shot Hallam Foe in Edinburgh there were photos that popped up on flickr even, but it amazes me how much we all like to see how these things are made, even when youve seen location shoot photos many many times before. Perhaps it's that celeb fascinated culture again, but I remember once when Spiderman 3 was filming, my brother and my three nephews went down to watch all the excitement. My nephew Ewan, dressed in full Spidy costume, took one look at the huge numbers of people there for the shoot, and grew concerned, fearing the Green goblin would take advantage of such 'diversionary tactics' and was fully prepared to help defend his hero. However, once he saw the star of the movie NOT in costume, he grew very upset, and with illusions shattered, he then started blasting his imaginary webshots at the actor saying what have you done with the real Spiderman, give him back! Lol Perhaps there are some things that shouldnt be revealed too much!

Speaking of the wonderful flickr, there is even a group (and groups) of the various locations and shoots for films, taken by just regular people who happen to travel or see these things, and these are the photos I enjoy the most I guess. Speaking as someone looking in at the movie making scene, its always a joy to know that others enjoy this too

Wanna live like the Family Foe?

One of my favorite parts of movies these days is being able to learn more about the locations used for filming. Perhaps its a testament to my engineer/geography freak/NASA- influenced father, but I long have been fascinated by this aspect of movie making, thinking I should volunteer to be a location scout or a tour guide or something. I also think its cool (if not overtly mercenary) that the various tourist boards are paying attention to the public's fascination in this department; the UK tourist website in particular are keen on promoting these various tours, and why not? Ive gone on one before, and although reluctant to do the sheer tourist thing, some of the places in Scotland in particular really appeal to me. However my long held dream is to visit Scotland, and intend on making several trips there this year . Because Ive been so fascinated with this country, I also loved to see what critics called a love letter to Edinburgh, the footage and many of the settings in Hallam Foe. On the official blog, one thing I truly appreciated was the effort made to note where the various shoots were taking place. I craved all these tiny tidbits of information, and readily looked up places (although outside Edinburg) like Chanby house and especially the Caledonia
(and Balmoral) hotels in Edinburgh and frevently hope one day to go there. Anyway, today I was surfing around looking for another matter, when I stumbled on a place for sale that seemed very familiar. As noted via this entry, the Wyndales was the setting for a dinner scene (perhaps this one as seen in this clip via iTunes?) Now you too can live just like the Family Foe, and purchase this 14 bedroom home that '' offers in excess of £825,000."
LOLOLOL yes I will get right on that.