JW

The Art Direction was not good at all IMO -- they shot at many existing locations in Rome, repurposed sets for the Sistina and built a realistic, but boring basement quarters set with printed marble panels that all looked fake.

Great actors, but not a great movie.

I have never seen evidence of these quotas or have received direction from the studios about hiring practices. And I do a bit of hiring each project as one of the largest departments on a film.

I am in Pittsburgh now and the local market from my hotel had Tony's .... and for less than $3. it's all over L.A. where I live as well. So is gumbo file powder. The world has gotten smaller in many ways.

This rule has been in place for the best foreign film category … it’s enforced on the academy screening room where you have to stream the titles and the system monitors your viewing completion. I suppose one could have an assistant watch the titles … but only a small percentage of the members have assistants or would risk expulsion for doing what we should do and really should enjoy anyway. The rule is much needed, but it’s hard to see everything in all categories

Was there last night ... of course a sad turnout, even on a mild and clear evening. Amazing to see his talent person, but equally tough to watch Crews struggle all the way to the final out.

Great views and stadium. I'm here until late summer, so will catch most of his home starts.

I am the Supervising Art Director on it ... good cast coming together led by Nicholas Hoult.

LINK

Varsity would easily be the top venue under the right leadership ... parking doesn't seem that bad these days, though I haven't lived in BR in over 20 years so maybe i'm wrong about that.

And good points King Bob ... I didn't think of it in those terms exactly.

quote:

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Their booking guy went to Laberge

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Who is/was a jerk and not really that good ... Probably for the best - what a listless and boring schedule he churned out.

The Varsity reopened my first year of college in 91' and had an incredible decade run under Glenn. So many big names came through (Public Enemy, DMB, Widespread, Pavement, White Zombie, Danzig, Ice T, Tori Amos, The Breeders, The Jayhawks, Wilco, Dwight Y, Lucinda Williams to name a few).

And they had fun parties to fill in the gaps ... just a different time where college kids drank and supported music ... they/we actually sought out music on the weekends, whether we knew them or not. At Chelsea's, the Bayou, The Spanish Moon. A real scene then.

8 episodes of 1hour plus TV on a distant location just takes time. That's basically like shooting 4 films. We shot for over 125 days (not counting weekends, travel or holidays). There were also weather delays, a few sick days etc. And Boat Work? With safety concerns, conditions and general logistics of getting to and on a boat .... ?

You need months to plan, dress and build the sets. You don't just show up at these hotels and roll camera. Plus, almost all of the interior villas were on stage in Bangkok .... large builds that take 10-12 weeks. That Buddha on the island? Custom sculpted and finished piece from our department that took 6-8 weeks to perfect. All of it seems simple, but with a crew of over 75 in a country that is a bit chaotic at times is not easy.

all of the B-Roll monkey shots, water shots ... all that was a 2nd Unit team that had nothing to do with the main unit and actors.

24 was made like 20 years ago and shot in LA when everything was made there ...... with likely 4 top camera units running simultaneously and a wide open checkbook from Fox. Different times and purse strings.

It's a nice little stadium and filled in for USC's park in the film "Million Dollar Arm" with Jon Hamm.