Well,
yesterday, I decided to go back and watch the filming of Steven Spielberg's "Munich"
since it's the last day they're filming at this particular location. The first
scene they began filming had Eric Bana's character in the passenger seat of a
car while a woman is driving him. There were two giant cameras on the hood of
the car and plenty of extras standing around giving the film the authentic look
it needs and is currently achieving.
Earlier
that day, I was walking around the street surrounded by 70s extras and not blending
in well at all when I realized Spielberg was standing right next to me while having
a conversation with someone. I can't even begin to tell you how badly I wanted
to just walk up to him and ask for an autograph but I didn't do it. Yes, slap
me now, I chickened out and will regret for a long long time.
As
they were setting up the camera for a next shot, I seen Spielberg using his directors
viewfinder with 4 guys surrounding him waiting for him to make a decision. Most
likely on the framing of the shot or which lense he would like to use. A few seconds
later, I see his famous Oscar winning Director of Photography Janusz Kaminski.
They
did the same scene over and Spielberg began to play with someone's dog while they
were shooting. Him and Kaminski began making jokes while puffing on a cigar. Eric
Bana also played with the dog but he did something and the dog screamed, I guess
the Hulk's hands have that affect on dogs. Seems like the cast and crew are happy
to be here and they're very relaxed from what I can see.
Before
lunch, they began filming another dialogue scene with Bana and an actress who
I couldn't get a good view of in the car. I was standing next to One of Spielberg's
bodyguards and he tells me that a lot of people do stupid things around Spielberg
trying to get his attention. He said some people grab him and do various crazy
stalker like things and a man like him obviously needs bodyguards. Well during
the scene, I watched everything from a monitor and I seen Spielberg giving the
actors direction but I couldn't hear what he was saying unfortunately. They filmed
that scene about 5 times before they went to lunch. During lunch, I went and got
a pizza and some garlic rolls. Damn that was good.
After
lunch, all the giant lights were brought out and Spielberg and crew were shooting
interiors for about 2hrs before he came back outside and began to set up the scene
that involved cars driving by. Spielberg set up the shot and was walking around
with his directors viewfinder. Afterwards he went back inside to finish directing
the interiors. I began to think Spielberg wasn't coming back out once the 2nd
unit began setting up while he was gone. About 20 minutes later some guy is speeding
through the street, passing through the set with EIGHT police cars behind him.
2
minutes later, FOUR more police cars turned on the same street and I began to
hear a helicopter. This by far was the craziest day on the set! About 40 minutes
later Spielberg came back out and took over from the 2nd unit and directed the
scene. They shot it about 2 times and called cut, IT'S A WRAP!
Everyone
gathered together and began to drink down some high class alcohol. I seen his
famous Producer Ms. Kathleen Kennedy and another woman who worked on "Saving
Private Ryan", you'll see her giving an interview on the extras. Weird accent.
Spielberg made a speech and thanked everyone for their time etc.. About 20 minutes
later, he began to direct the same scene again, but he did it 15 times! They
did the scene and the PA's directed the cars to reverse back to their starting
positions again and again and again. I guess Spielberg and crew wrapped a little
bit too early. Well an hour later they finished and wrapped for good. As far as
I know, "Munich" is complete. 68 days of shooting is over. More than
likely, there will probably be some more pick up shots and some 2nd unit filming,
but as far as I was told, filming is complete. Spielberg was quickly rushed into
a Dark blue, tinted window GMC truck and sped off.
I
know you guys are going to be mad, but I really couldn't get any pictures today
because I was extremely close to the action and his bodyguards didn't want anyone
taking pictures at all! I have one pic that I took pretty fast so I hope that'll
do. Right now, I'm extremely tired. I'm in the pre-production process on my film
"Days In The Knight" so I'm going to be passed out in my bed till friday.
Hope you enjoyed my little set visit, until the next time, Lucas.
