After spending a few posts in Detroit, here are more pictures from Chicago from around July 23rd when filming was at the Old Post Office Building thanks to Edward G.. Like the previous set, there are images of the building set as the United States Department of Health and Human Services but also some great close-up looks at the new Sideswipe, the Ferrari and Bumblebee.
Yesterday J1000 provided images and video of filming with some huge prop at the Detroit Packard Plant that involves Shia and Rosie's stunt doubles. Here is part two that he captured later that evening. Of note is it seems that Patrick Dempsey's double is in the house doing whatever it is he is supposed to do. For the Bay fans, he is the guy in the white shirt and red hat. As for the four videos, J1000 reports it is 4 takes of Carly hanging on while Sam wrestling with a Frenzy sized imaginary character on top of the TF/jet prop thingy as it moves.
Transformers 3 continues to film in Detroit at the Packard Plant, this time with the huge engine looking prop spotted at the location a few weeks ago. Thanks once again to J1000 we have images and video of the likely stunt doubles for Shia and Rosie work on the prop along with Michael Bay prepping for the scene. The videos show the pair as Carly jumps from the potted plant ledge to Sam's arms while the ship/guns/turbines/whatever moves. The bluescreen makes me think this is an arm or something of a bigger Transformer.
Mike Costa (w) • Guido Guidi (a) • Don Figueroa, Guidi (c)"I got some scars, but I'm good," he explained. "They're hard movies to make...It's a very safe set. These are professionals. These are the best at what they do. Things happen all the time, but in life things happen all the time."I have not seen or read any current updates on Mrs. Cedillo’s condition. As of early last week she remained in a medically induced coma after brain surgery. There also have not been any updates on what occurred that day with conflicting reports that she was involved in a stunt and reports that she wasn't.
The 24-year-old actor said despite director Michael Bay's love of explosions, he's never felt at risk. "You've got the be weary and attentive to what's going on," he continued. "You're always informed of where the bomb is... or, you know, the mine field but, I never feel unsafe."
Saturday morning was quiet at the Packard Plant in Detroit. Chances are they were filming elsewhere. J1000 and his son went by and snapped the below pictures (thanks!) of Optimus Prime and a better look at the Decepticon SUV's with insignias and government license plates. I assume the plates have a purpose related to the plot, maybe an extension of the Department of Health and Human Services involvement (or cover) revealed in Chicago. 
On a related note, TFormers has posted some images from salemd3 that show the same 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS that was part of a scene being filmed at the MPEA Busway in Chicago back in July. In the video, the car is seen driving calmly towards what everyone else was running away from. So far no indicates if a Transformer alt mode but this does seem to indicate it is part of the vehicle "cast" in some form or fashion. There is also a rumor of a 1960's scene being filmed in Detroit that may involve the vehicle but nothing to verify that yet.
Transformers 3 production continues in Detroit and here are pictures and two videos to go with it. The Transformers spotted on set include Ironhide, Ratchet, Prime with Trailer, Decepticon truck, the Wreckers, Sideswipe and more. That doesn't necessarily mean they are all being used as part of the whatever is being filmed at the Packard Plant as this is roving filming caravan that brings everything they need for the duration of the entire schedule, not necessarily what they need at one particular location.
Transformers 3 will be filming on the Space Coast in late September. Dates can change but the dates planned are September 19-October 5, 2010. The production office is seeking the following positions:
Catering, Craft service, Medics, PAs, Electricians, Grips, Set Dressing, Extras
Send your production resume or information requests to be an extra to: tf3fla@gmail.com. Good Luck!
...next summer you will see yet another product guilty of a post-production 3D conversion. Apparently, filming did begin in 3D, but Bay opted out when the production moved to Chicago.Recently, Avatar Director James Cameron demonstrated on G4's Attack of the Show (below) that the 3D those camera rigs are not massive anymore, looking like any other camera rig until you get close.
Considering how open the Chicago sets were to the viewing public, it’s surprising there haven’t already been more definitive answers regarding the lack of 3D camera rigs on set. ...each time I scoured the set for a 3D rig – but there were none to be found. Today’s news would explain the absence of the mammoth cameras.
Who is this moron posting about what I'm shooting with??? People have no idea how hard we have worked to bring 3D filming into live action shooting. We have invented rigs and systems to place 3d cameras like no other live action movie has done before. The proof will be noticed on the final product.
Michael
While nothing official has been released, Transformers 3 principle photography has resumed in Detroit, Michigan at the Packard Plant. The information comes from a reliable source - Tyrese Gibson and two posts on his twitter account.Still on set in Detroit filming Transformers 3.. Doing a bunch of scenes with my guy Shia today.. Fun times in the D!!This was shortly followed by a link to above picture:
Just finished an action scene.. Check out my view!! http://twitpic.com/2msnrjYesterday, Bay was spotted at the location so I think we can unofficially call today the first day of shooting in the city of Detroit for Transformers 3. I think the plan is for about a two week shoot do not really know how long it is supposed to go or all the locations they may use.
Transformers 3 production remains on hiatus but preparation seems to continue at the Detroit Packard plant. J1000, who provided the Detroit set pics from the other day, returned to the set and provided the below set report and photographic proof that Director Michael Bay is on site. To me this indicates it is probably just a matter of days before production starts back up.Well, the set has changed slightly; now the large black weapon/jet/whatever is situated under the train section in the plant (hard to tell in the pic due to the angle, but one of the "engine" sections can be seen in the right edge of the first photo, just over the top of the fence/pallets). I saw them putting it in place with a crane yesterday. The black GM "government" SUVs are here; one can be seen just beyond Prime's trailer in the second pic. Most importantly, Michael Bay is here! I got a chance to meet him while he and some crew were walking the perimeter of the set, blocking/framing some shots. He was really cool and stopped to take a picture with me.While Michael Bay does have a reputation of being a bit of a hard-driven a%@ on set, he has consistently shown friendliness to fans that I have not really seen in other directors or stars. Hate him or not, he does deserve credit for treating the fans with respect in an age when most Hollywood stars can barely be bothered to acknowledge you exist unless you pay them (go to a convention for evidence). Thanks to J1000 for the pics and report.
The Walter E. Washington Convention Center will be used for some of the filming, a source tell us, and a number of scenes will be filmed around the National Mall and monument areas. DAR Constitution Hall and the Red Cross building also will have cameos.Over at the Don Murphy boards, the TF3 producer said "6 weeks shooting left on Transformers 3" indicating that mid-October would be the end of filming so this might be the last location shoot left on the schedule. However, there were rumors of filming in Moscow and Africa which could have been handled already by second unit if none of the main cast was involved. Basically, all we know is the schedule order is Detroit, Florida and DC. After that remains unknown. Thanks to Rumah for the link.
"Both of those locations are used to double as the White House," explained Josh Friedman, communications director of D.C.'s Office of Motion Picture and Television Development. The Red Cross building generally is used for exterior "White House" shots, while DAR Constitution Hall is used for its interior.
Filming will begin the first or second week of October. A convention center spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.
After a rather thick and mostly unnecessary veil of secrecy regarding Transformers: Prime, it seems Hasbro is finally ready to reveal some details about the new cartoon that will premiere on the new The Hub channel. Exactly when remains unknown. The information found by TFormers.com reveals most of the cast and provides a story synopsis. The Bumblebee and Soundwave voice actors remain unknown but Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has joined the cast as Cliffjumper. The story itself is a return to G1 basics with Autobots on Earth to stop the Decepticons from conquering it.
Shane McCarthy (w) • Alex Milne (a & c)At 22 seconds into our exclusive video, you can hear a person with the film's production team counting down to cue the stunt during which a white car is seen spinning around crashing along the median. The video also shows debris on the street from where the accident happened involving Cedillo, and then we once again hear a voice at one minute and 39 seconds into our tape.
For owners of Transformers: War for Cybertron on the XBox 360 and Playstation 3, if you have around $10 to spend then the second DLC pack for the game is officially out. The games adds two new characters with Zeta Prime and Dead End as playable characters for multi-player Escalation mode. Also five new multiplayer maps have been added. Press Release with details after the break. A gallery of images from the pack can be found here.
It seems that Transformers 3 production could start resuming any day now in Detroit. Yesterday the Twins where spotted en route to the Detroit's Packard Plant and now Optimus Prime's trailer is there too. Thanks to J1000, below are a few pics from the location which has started to be dressed for filming with a train spotted in the plant and smashed cars with rubble.[Space Coast Film Commissioner Bonnie King] said location scouts have visited the area for two to three days at a time, looking at other areas to shoot. Those included Patrick Air Force Base; Space Coast Regional Airport, in Titusville; Merritt Island Airport; Lone Cabbage Fish Camp, in Cocoa; and a Cocoa Beach house. Scouts also checked out some swamps and went into the woods.WESH Orlando also provided a few specifics:
It has been a bit slow on the news from as Transformers 3 production remains shut down due to the Gabriella Cedillo's on set injury. A recent update from her brother indicates that she does remain unconscious but is moving in her sleep so at least a hopeful sign of recovery. Paramount just weighed in with me to say that the injured extra was not involved in the stunt, that her car was not involved in the stunt, that a "freak accident caused her injury", that she and her car were more than 500 feet from the stunt, that she was struck by a flying metal object whose welding had come apart and not by a steel towing cable, that the stunt from Tuesday had to be repeated Wednesday because of a "timing issue" and not because it had failed, and that "nobody has done movies more safely than Michael Bay". The studio, however, could not explain why its version of events was so at odds with the local police and media reports. "We feel horrible that anyone was injured and will take all appropriate action," a Paramount exec told me.Personally I think there a way to many unknowns so until official information is revealed from investigators, Paramount and hopefully a statement from a fully recovered Cedillo, I am going to continue to hold judgment. Thanks to AiC Hokie for the update.
The dates could change again, of course. But the crew has at least managed to nail down some filming locations, including the National Mall, near the monuments, outside the American Red Cross National Headquarters and outside DAR Constitution Hall, located just across from the Ellipse.
The National Park Service has made it difficult for Paramount Pictures to secure permission to film some scenes, including a race around the Mall. Hollinger said, however, that the studio is “still talking to the National Park Service to refine the requests to possibly get more flexibility.”
It seems the DLC packs for War for Cybertron are going to continue as the ticker in Multiplayer and Escalation mode has revealed the 2nd pack will be coming on September 7th. According to Seibertron.com, they figure the pack will follow the same format as the 1st with at least five new characters, 2 new Multiplayer maps and 2 Escalation maps. However, that is speculation so hopefully Activision will reveal something official soon. Not sure what the image the site posted is one of the new characters but it looks cool so used it to.
Hi everyone with heavy hearts we are leaving the Chicago area. As of right now there is no further filming scheduled for the Chicago area. We would like to thank each and everyone of you for your time, energy, patience, and hard work on the set.Thursday was supposed to be a the final day with "grand finale" of sorts with rooftop pyrotechnics, parachuting and more but that was cancelled due to the incident in Indiana that resulted in the injury of an extra. That is under investigation and for now production is halted. That in turn has probably wrecked the shooting schedule resulting in production being unable to return to Chicago.
We will all think fondly of you and we hope to all cross paths again. Thank you everyone.
Today was supposed to be the last day Transformers 3 filmed in the city of Chicago but an extra's injury in Hammond, Indiana has halted production for unknown period of time as the incident is investigated.“It snapped. The cable snapped, and the cable went into the westbound lane where we were at and hit the girl’s car, smashed the windshield. From the way it looked, I don’t know if she was knocked out immediately or not but the car, because we were already going at a high rate of speed, the vehicle just went, it just kept going,” a witness said, wanting to remain anonymous because of confidentiality agreements.ABC Chicago also reported about the injury.
"The vehicle was being towed by another vehicle," said fellow extra Blaine Baker. "The cable between the two vehicles broke. It whipped around and sliced through the woman's car and sliced through her skull, apparently. ...They completely shut it down. The equipment pertaining to the stunt was impounded by the Indiana State Police," said Baker.Paramount has not released a statement about events on the set. My guess is they are waiting to find out if Mrs. Cedillo recovers from her injuries before fashioning a statement as like it or not, the powers that be are focused on any potential legal fallout and probably prevented the cast and crew, including Michael Bay, from commenting on the record. Some links found thanks to Collecticon.org.
It seems that for the last three days Transformers 3 has been filming along a highway in Hammond, Indiana. Wednesday night's shoot ended on a tragic note as an extra on the set was injured by an object that went through the windshield of her 2006 Toyota resulting in a "serious head injury" that required an airlift to Loyola Medical Center. Apparently the driver was knocked unconscious as the vehicle continued moving, hitting the inner concrete median for a mile before coming to a stop.
I guess I could have broken this up into four or five posts but figured better to hit all the bullet points at once for this interesting day in the world of Transformers. The news covers an interview with Lester Speight, new concept art, a reward from Michael Bay and Discovery Communications held hostage.There is a disturbing video going around the news outlets. It's a video of blonde young woman in a red sweatshirt casually tossing squealing puppies into the fast-moving river one by one.
Michael Bay has informed me that he is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of the woman in the red sweatshirt and the person who shot this act of cruelty.
If you have any information, please e-mail me at webmaster@michaelbay.com
