Philly shooting Done

Shooting of Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones concluded in the Philadelphia area on Saturday Dec. 15th. Production will resume in Jan. 2008 in New Zealand. This blog will keep you covered wit sources in New Zealand.

Here is a set report from the McDade Mall:

I actually got inside the mall tonight. Luckily my family has a few
connections in this town. Watched them film a scene with Susan Sarandon
and Saiorse Ronan in the diner. I managed to stay back at a respectful
distance and no one seemed to mind. I was able to watch the scene in a
couple of monitors behind some of the crew. And I can say that Susan
Sarandon walked right past me on her way to do the scene in a big brown coat and
a reddish brown hairdo. She still looks good.

The
actual scene was about 50 feet away from where I stood. I did see Peter
Jackson doing some directing from afar, and saw Sarandon getting her makeup
fixed in between each take. They must have done 10 or 12 takes of each
segment of the scene. I couldn't hear it so I don't know the lines.
And there had to be about 100 extras they kept filing in and out in an orderly
fashion. Peter Jackson does have an eye for every little detail.

The full inside of the mall looks incredible. Best it's
looked in years. It's going to look amazing on film. Couldn't bring
my camera in though.

Mark Wahlberg had to leave early
tonight, so no autographs tonight. Looks like last night was the time to
get him. I did catch a glimpse of him leaving in a big white
Escalade. Apparently he had to rush off to a charity event in town.

That's all to report. Big crowds of people outside the mall
each night. I'm guessing at least a hundred were still there when I left
at 8 still waiting for a glimpse of anyone. It's probably the most
exciting thing that's happened to this town ever.

Some more Royersford photos: http://jencapone.blogspot.com/2007/12/lovely-bones-2.html

Breaking News Today: Peter Jackson will produce 'The Hobbit' read more here: http://www.firstshowing.net/2007/12/18/so-peter-jackson-wont-direct-the-hobbit-after-all/


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Photos, McDade

Filming in the USA wraps tomorow and resumes in New Zealand in 2008.
Film at the McDade Mall and the stage is almost done.

Michael sent us these photos of the police cars in the movie:

Thank you to Sarah from The Reporter for e-mailing us this slideshow she put together fearturing the Royersford set: http://www.montgomerynews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19104613&BRD=1306&PAG=461&dept_id=187830&rfi=6

Thanks to JM for these photos from this weeks shooting at the McDade Mall:

This is a set report from Steve:

I was hanging outside the Mac Dade Mall tonight. I live close by. Mark
Wahlberg did come out and greet fans. He probably signed about a hundred
autographs if not more, and posed for pics with fans. Very acessible guy and
very cool. Got to get an autograph and shake hands with him. Here's a couple of
pics of him signing tonight.

Heard about Susan Sarandon sightings
yesterday. She did not greet the fans, but did wave to them from afar. Michael
Imperioli was also spotted last night leaving the mall and getting into a truck
to go back to his hotel.

You can't get too close to the mall to see
inside. Big screens are up in front of the center doors. But you could walk
around the parking lot. Security and police were there, but they weren't being
mean. I do also believe I got a glimpse of Peter Jackson from afar going back
into the mall. I threw in a few more pics of the mall and of a few extras
hanging outside in their 70's garb.

I have no pics of the inside of the
mall, but I did see it last week. It is amazing. It's going to look great on
film.

Ryan vs. Mark: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lovely_bones/news/1696683/

Royersford final day of shooting

Thank you everyone for sending in set report and photos keep 'em coming!

From http://mommyblahblahblog.blogspot.com/:

Long story short, I went over to the Lovely Bones filming again tonight,
with my accomplice L. After getting kicked out of one area by a grouchy rent a
cop (where there was NO security or even a barricade by the way) we ended up in
front of AnnaMarie's place with a large crowd of locals. They were about to
film, the crew and police were there insisting "NO PICTURES" so I put my camera
away. They were wetting down the street and had some 70s cars ready to be
filmed, one of them a police car. Then, out of nowhere Mark Wahlberg appeared in
front of the crowd. He said he wanted to say hello and thank the town for having
him or something like that. He even signed some autographs, and people on
balconies started snapping pictures, but no one on the ground dared to with a
flash because of security. Then when Mark walked away, people were walking
toward him for autographs I got out my phone, and took this crappy picture. A
security guard then got in my face, pointed at me and yelled really loud, "GO
HOME! GO HOME NOW!" So I got kicked off the set for this crappy picture. Mark
Wahlberg is a nice guy, much nicer than a cranky rent a cop.

Thanks to Lori from http://whiskershampden.blogspot.com/:

I stood out in the freezing cold on the edge of the set for over six hours
last night. What the hell is wrong with me????

But it was worth it!

Sorry these shots aren't better. He was moving fast, it was relatively
dark, people kept moving in front of my camera, and let's face it...I'm
definitely no professional photographer.The security men there were the surliest
I've ever encountered. As soon as he came walking up to us, they started
screeching, "Put your camera away NOW!" People were taking pictures, anyway.Mark
Wahlberg was way cool and so nice to the gawkers, as always. He signed about
thirty autographs but had to get back to the set. He kept apologizing to
everyone for not being able to stop and pose for pictures and for not
personalizing his autographs. He was only with us for about three minutes, then
he had to go back down to the next block where his scene was being filmed. They
must have done at least a dozen takes on this one scene where he gets hit by a
car. There was a padded mat on the street by the curb, and we watched him
pretend to walk into the path of a car and then tumble onto the ground over and
over again.

Big shout-out to Giovanni's at 5th and Main in Royersford--they carted out
a stack of piping-hot pizzas and fed all of the gawker holdouts around 1 a.m.
Yummy!

From http://www.holyembersofdreams.blogspot.com/:

I didn't capture any pics from last night's outing, but this morning the
intrepid Jenifer scoped out the
joint, dodged security guards, and grabbed the following shots of downtown
Royersford in all its Seventies-era glory.Of course, the "new" look wasn't much
of a stretch for this stretch of Main Street, and yet the mocked-up store fronts
were so convincing that for a moment Jenifer thought, "Hey, Royersford is really
coming along nicely," following in the footsteps of other local revitalization
efforts in Phoenixville and Spring City.Apart from the guards and a minimal
crew, the area was empty, and there were no signs of the actors or Messrs.
Jackson and Spielberg (rumored to be in town). The only items of note were a
fleet of period cars and the Paramount trailer. For more pics of the shoot,
check out Mommy Blah Blah
Blog and In My Head.

Thank you to J Sykes for this:

Got 2 feet from Mark Wahlberg tonight on the closed set. No pics allowed.
He gave out autographs though for a few of us. Talked to a set insider and they
said Royersford looks like a place you would want to leave, which is why it was
chosen. What a horrible view of this town!

Both of the pics attached will play major roles in the movie. The house and
the bus station.

Royersford Filming Coverage

Anyone know the rumor about Steven Spielberg being on set again true?

Here are some filming photos from http://whiskershampden.blogspot.com/:

I somehow managed to infiltrate the "backlot" of the set late this afternoon.
I guess I picked a good time to do it...everyone was on their lunch break! I
spent over two hours sitting on a wall in the parking lot of the Royersford
Police Station, looking out over a section of Main Street. They didn't do ANY
filming during my time there. Unbelievable, isn't it?! Two hours of set-up...can
you imagine? There were all kinds of huge light fixtures positioned throughout
the set, and several smoke/dry ice machines were pumping out steam onto Main
Street. Techs and assistants and extras and locals were milling around, chatting
and hoping to catch a glimpse of someone important.Truth be told, I actually got
bored after a while. After
watching the filming of The Happening a few months ago, I have decided that
moviemaking is an unbearably tedious process.By 6:30, I was positive that my ass
was frostbitten, so I headed home. I had no feeling in my feet or my fingers,
despite my gloves and heavy socks. Anyway, I didn't see any movie stars tonight,
but I did catch a few glimpses of Peter Jackson (not close enough for a
worthwhile photograph) and also a man who looked suspiciously like Steven
Spielberg. Hmmm...

Thanks to Jenn for this:

If you head over tomorrow, I highly suggest saying you're going to Lebow
furniture. The front windows have 70's furniture in them but they are open for
business, and their huge front windows are literally 15 feet from the action,
facing the house/bar/and bus stop, which are all being used for the movie. The
church at the corner of 4th and Church St. is housing the wardrobe, and I saw
actors coming from there too! The renta cops definitely let the coat get to
their head, but if you're innovative enough, it's not hard to get up close. You
can take great pics from the furniture store too! I said I was taking pics of
furniture to decide on...but..Peter Jackson was 10 feet from Lebow's front door.
If you make friends with a couple of residents on main street...you easily can
get front seats to the best show Rofo has to offer (at least this week).
Calhoun's is holding an invitation only event for residents and cast. Will any
cast actually show?

From IMDB.com:

yeeah this is seann who is ataylor though hahahha. but i was there today
watching from the top of the street for about 45 mins..then me and my friend
walked down and we then realize we were standing with all the extras..then we
walked onto set in a big group of extras and like 5 mins later a security guard
noticed we didnt look 70's at all and just told us to either go across the
street and watch or go back to the top. but they shot the scene were the young
girl is driving the car and peter jackson was in the back of the truck pulling
the car. they were strict about pictures being taken but i got some with my
sidekick so there not the best quality but here they are.

Here are some press stories on the filming:
http://www.pottsmerc.com/WebApp/appmanager/JRC/Daily;jsessionid=zrqRHNnbywshzznRX2nD1w73nT5VSqnWkGZdPJGsnspLdFpYcJVQ!-1290892734?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pg_article&r21.pgpath=%2FPTM%2FHome&r21.content=%2FPTM%2FHome%2FContentTab_Feature_1172998

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19068195&BRD=1306&PAG=461&dept_id=187830&rfi=6

http://www.timesleader.com/news/ap?articleID=250576

This two have video:

http://wfmz.com/view/?id=185793

http://ww2.wpvi.com/global/video/popup/pop_playerLaunch.asp?clipid1=1972554&at1=News&vt1=v&h1=Movie+filming+in+Royersford&d1=98267&redirUrl=www.WPVI.com&activePane=info&LaunchPageAdTag=homepage

Royersford aka. Fairfax

CBS3 has the video of a live remote they did from they set today and you can watch it here: http://cbs3.com/video/?id=49025@kyw.dayport.com


From http://westmontcopa.blogspot.com/:

Just took some shots today on my way into work, driving through Royersford.
It looks different now that they made some facade changes to some buildings. I
will try to take more today on my way home. The main focus is on Main Street
around 3rd Avenue. For anyone that know the area, the Reporter office was
changed to the Fairfax County Register. An accounting office is now Wynn's
Tavern and Game Room. The PT Gas & Go and Bus Depot Cafe are at the corner
where an auto detail place is. Allen's old Variety Store, now called Open Door,
still has Allen's on the front, but now has signs for fountain sodas. They also
have some equipment in front of the Lebow's outlet store, they may be changing
the front of that as well. Cunningham's Electronics got a new sign out front as
well. I will try to get a shot of the 70's era Smokey the Bear billboard on the
side of the Reporter building.


This is from http://mommyblahblahblog.blogspot.com/:

I went into Royersford this morning around 9:00 am to see if anything was
going on with the Lovely Bones filming. I did not see any actors, but there was
lots of equipment being set up and many Paramount trucks parked around town. I
did see Peter Jackson arrive in a silver Mercedes SUV. He is in this picture, in
the green jacket pointing down the street. I will post the rest of the pictures
on Flickr today. One of
the union guys actually gave a woman next to me part of the daily sheet that had
the filming schedule on it. I think they were going to start filming at 11:30
but I had to leave to pick up my kids. Otherwise I would have been there all day
gawking!

Go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/housefraulicious/ to see more set/filming photos!






Set report from the comment box:


When I got home from work I went to the filming set that is 1 block from my house. I can't beleive what it looks like. Today they had brought some of the 1970's cars for the movie. I had taken some pictures that I'll post either my blog or on Photobucket.com under GRMU99 I'm going to take off from work tomorrow and Thursday to see it.



Lori posted these set photos and a report on the set more can be found on her blog at http://whiskershampden.blogspot.com/2007/11/lovely-bones-set-pics.html:





Taken this evening. Some not so great...sorry!This story takes place in 1970s suburban Philadelphia, and the level of details that went into making Main Street in Royersford (which will be the fictional town of Fairfax in the movie) look the part really impresses me. All the storefronts in a four-block stretch have been done up with authentic (or at least authentic-looking) props. From what I've gathered, filming starts tomorrow. Security was EVERYWHERE and parking was sparse. Pretty much all street and lot parking is off-limits within a three-block radius of Main Street.





In my inbox I got an e-mail from someone who typed up a very nice blog post about their son's scenes that he filmed at Valley Forge National Park. Read Here: http://www.lthtlb.blogspot.com/



Thank you and keep the photos coming!


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Royersford

The past few days they are shooting again at the stage in Hatfield.





SET REPORT AND PHOTOS THE ROYERSFORD SET WHERE THEY WILL BE FILMING Nov 28th-30th.

On my way to Target today I snapped a few pics of the Lovely Bones action
on Main Street in Royersford. I sat in traffic waiting for a truck of Hollywood
porta-potties to go through. I guess the stars have to go like the rest of us.
Main Street will be closed off at 9:00 am tomorrow morning according to a giant
electronic sign next to the train station. I might be heading over there when
the kiddos are at school...it would be nice to see Dirk Diggler. There were also
1970's cars being delivered, as well as lighting and wires being set up. I will
post more pictures to my flickr account later today, hopefully tomorrow will be
more interesting.

For more go to: http://mommyblahblahblog.blogspot.com/ (thank you!)

From IMDB.com:

I read an article (can't remember where) filming will take place Wednesday,
November 28. However, Calhoun's Jeweler is also holding an invitation only
reception for the cast memmbers and local business men/women Thursday, November
29, so I am guessing it may be a 2-3 day filming. Also, it is my understanding
that Main Street will be blocked off from 4th to 3rd Avenue but they may be
filming as far down as the RR tracks. Exciting stuff!!!!!

Remember if you get set photos or reports leave a comment or e-mail them to buzzrockradio@yahoo.com.


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Release Date Announced and more!

http://www.ifmagazine.com/new.asp?article=5364:

In addition, the DreamWorks adaptation of the Alice Sebold novel THE LOVELY
BONES, which is being directed by Peter Jackson, will bow on March 13 of the
same year. It stars Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, and Michael
Imperioli, among others, in a story about a murder victim who continues to
observe her family after her death. Like you do.

My buddy Rich at FilmBuffOnline has visited the set and took some snaps and a set report can be found with more photos at http://www.filmbuffonline.com/2007/11/lovely-bones-set-pictures.html:

Also from Rich of FilmBuffonline.com:

...there was no shooting on LOVELY BONES on Saturday because Peter Jackson
was at the Regal King of Prussia Cinema checking out the 1:45 showing of BEOWULF
in 3D and IMAX. He was sitting about six rows in front of me. (And me with the
camera/phone in the car!)

From IMDB.com:

Just found out today from my parents that they are filming some small
scenes in my hometown, Royersford (near Valley Forge and outside of Philly). I
was walking down the main street today and watched as they worked on
transforming some of the store fronts for the movie. Filming is set for November
28th so if anyone lives nearby, take a stroll into town and watch them
film.

Filming Location

The crew is filming on Bryan Ave. in Malvern the base camp is at:

PAOLI PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
225 S. VALLEY ROAD
PAOLI, PA 19301

Here is a set report left in the comment box:

I went down to the set the other day on Bryan Road in Malvern. You can see
a little of the set but there is security and police blocking the entrance to
the street. However, both the security and police were pleasant and I was able
to get a glimpse of them setting up for a scene. It would have been nice to see
the actors. Does anyone know where they are staying this week while
filming?

Set Report #2:

Theyre filming on Queens Ave which is just off Paoli Pike. Its very easy to
spot beings all the cop cars surrounding the neighborhood. Its not completely
closed, you can walk down the streets just not drive. Currently they are just
filming extras and basic street shots... no stars just yet. Its very neat I
reccomend stopping by and checking the neighborhood out its very
70's.

This is from http://westmontcopa.blogspot.com/:

What a strange notion. As far as I know, the last scene from a movie filmed
in Royersford was from "The Blob". As people ran out of the famous Colonial
Theater, they ran around a corner, which then changed towns completely. People
are seen running around the corner of what is now Annamarie's at the corner of
Fourth and Main.Next month, November, the film crews will once again swarm to
our quiet little town to work on some scenes for the movie "The Lovely Bones".
Residents of Royersford have received a letter from the Borough stating that in
November, Main Street will be closed between 3rd and 4th Avenues, and this block
will be used in the film. Anyone who has read the book may know more about what
scenes may be filmed there.

The same blog found a follow up from http://www.pottsmerc.com/:

Official has big plans for town’s renewal

By Michael Hays

ROYERSFORD — Academy Award-winning director Peter Jackson of “Lord of the Rings” fame will bring his film crew to this small town of about 4,300 next month to shoot scenes for his new movie, “The Lovely Bones.”Yet Borough Manager Michael Leonard isn’t banking on his town becoming the next movie hot spot in Pennsylvania. Just over a year into his job, this former mayor and borough manager of Conshohocken is focusing on the basics of municipal government — cracking down on building code violations, sprucing up downtown with plants and new cement, and finding ways to finance improvements to the sewer treatment plant.“I’m used to it. I’ve done it before. It’s just a matter of sorting things out,” Leonard said.An early problem he noticed upon taking the job in September 2006 was a lack of building code enforcement and accompanying standards. So Borough Council hired Pennoni & Associates, a professional engineering firm which can deploy its own team of code inspectors.For whatever reason, strict and regular
enforcement lagged in the past. Fire code violations, in addition to smaller
infractions like accumulated trash in front of properties, should become a thing
of the past once inspections begin in January or February, according to
Leonard.A lead engineer with the firm, Khaled Hassan, P.E., also serves as
Limerick’s township engineer.“We needed somebody who was going to be a little
more aggressive,” Leonard said. “It’s important that we have a safe place for
people to live.”Land surrounding the Schuylkill River is one area targeted for
future improvements in Royersford. A one mile walking/biking trail that could
eventually connect with Upper Providence is in the works. Two residential
developments in the same vicinity — River Park and Riverfront — will boast more
than 400 condominiums and apartments once construction finishes.Also on the
riverfront, Leonard said there is a good chance of securing a Pennsylvania Fish
and Game grant to build a boat ramp and fishing pier off First Avenue. A mural
arts program in Philadelphia selected the Giftwares Company building at Second
Avenue and Arch Street for one of their first suburban murals. Art students from
Spring-Ford School District will contribute to the painting, Leonard said.Then
there is Main Street.Peter Jackson may have loved the section between Third and
Fourth avenues, but Leonard sees “a need to brighten up the town a little
bit.”Short-term revitalization efforts include potted plants along Main Street
and the resurfacing of sidewalks. Looking down the road further, Leonard would
like to welcome a new restaurant or bar to the neighborhood. A nighttime fixture
could liven up the town once the sun sets, since Royersford is relatively quite
after 6 p.m., he pointed out.Sales tax revenue is steady but more is needed to
fund improvements. The Borough Council is reviewing options for funding $2.5
million in sewer treatment plant upgrades.“The borough hasn’t had much income
coming in,” the manager said.As a result, staff positions are limited. Leonard
and Donna Zigler, the borough’s administrative assistant, are pretty much it at
city offices. Then there are public works personnel, police officers, volunteer
parks and recreation personnel and few others.Getting work done electronically
is a little bit easier thanks to a $10,000 technology grant secured by state
Sen. John Rafferty, R-44th Dist., and state Rep. Tom Quigley, R-146th Dist.,
Leonard said.One constant in Royersford remains local elected politicians. There
aren’t any challengers in November to the three council members with expiring
terms come January.“You know who you’re working with,” Leonard said.