From the same team who edited, wrote, and designed THE ART OF THE MATRIX
comes this similarly fashioned book V FORVENDETTA: FROM SCRIPT TO FILM.
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Have you seen V For Vendetta? If not, the DVD comes out August 1st! If you've seen the film, and still want more, we can oblige that as well. First, we've a spankin' new microsite with some equally fresh eye candy. Newly posted photos, storyboards, desktops, costume sketches, and more. Just click here (or "DVD" in the nav above). Want more? How about a chance to win a bunch of Vendetta swag? The path starts here. For a leg up, try a code: TRUTH For those who want to start others on the path (with a little help from V), click here. Of course, you can also MySpace your way over to here.
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A DVD is no longer simply about releasing the movie. Almost all new releases
(and even older catalog rereleases) now come with cast and crew commentary
tracks, making of segments, even easter eggs -- hidden bonuses for those
with the mind to find them.
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You can never have too much content at a website, we say. As the film continues to open globally, here's more. We've shown you the stunt rehearsal tapes of Victoria Station. Today, we premier video covering FINGERMEN ALLEY and the TV STATION sequences. What exactly are these clips? It was from these videos that Stunt Coordinator Chad Stahelski communicated to Director James McTeigue on how the sequence might play out. As with all pre-production, the sequence went through changes as James shared his feedback. We have included versions from various states of this exchange, from early drafts to the final. None are polished sequences but were never meant to be; they remain a visual way to discuss the sequence before filming, much like storyboards might be used. For anyone who ever wondered how such complex sequences are refined when choreographing this kind of detailed stunt work, here's your chance to receive some insight. Just click here. On another front, today also brings new concept art from the illustrious George Hull (The Matrix Reloaded/Revolutions/The Island). From vapor trails left by swiftly moving knives to the destruction of yet more British landmarks, just click here (or on the thumbs below).
Besides today's post, there's plenty more. Such as: Hundreds of behind the scenes and on-set photos, trailers, press conference video, dozens of crew interviews, posters, desktops, VFX video walkthroughs, storyboards and concept art, history of Guy Fawkes, 360 degree walkthroughs of major sets, game of hangman, timelapse construction of mausoleum video, 29 international websites, soundtrack, stunt choreography video, a talk-back, model explosion video, full film credits, plus much more... Just dig in via the navigation, above.
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Yesterday saw a new interview with Director James McTeigue (here). The weekend brought even more (just scroll down to see it all). Today brings yet more. If you've seen V FOR VENDETTA you already know there are some mighty big explosions. To create these moments of fire and catapulting mortar, models were built. This work was done at Shepperton Studios in the UK by a team of experienced model makers and technicians (you can read interviews with a good deal of these talented folk, here). It took months to create some of these vast recreations of London's most renowned landmarks, but seconds to explode. This part of filming lasted approximately two weeks, destroying multiple sets of the Old Bailey, Parliament, and Big Ben. The model that recreated the quote on the side of the Old Bailey, "Defend the Children of the Poor & Punish the Wrongdoers", was so loaded with high level explosives it needed to be filmed at the extremely high frame rate of 200 frames per second (standard film runs at 24 frames per second), because if they didn't, there would have been nothing to see -- the entire explosion lasted just milliseconds. At each explosion, fire marshals stood in the wings at the ready, and all crew were instructed to stand at prearranged distances, far removed from the chance chunk of flying debris. Before clearing to the required distance, we did however manage to set up and hit record on a few DV cameras. While no camera was fatally injured in the creation of the footage you are about to see, some were put directly in harm's way, extremely near these cacophonous eruptions. To see this controlled destruction on a British
sound stage, just click here.
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Have you seen V FOR VENDETTA yet? If not, the film is still in the wild, likely not too far from the very computer you are reading this from. This past weekend, we posted a huge amount of content here at the site (see the last post below), and today we've more. Back near the end of filming, we sat down with director James McTeigue. This talk took place a mere five days before the wrap of principal photography, one day after three long nights of exterior work at the steps of the British Parliament. Working until the crack of dawn each night and wrangling hundreds of extras, it might be thought James would be tired. If anything, he was more energetic than ever, eager to get in with editor Martin Walsh to work on the just captured footage, and to get to the final days of filming, the sequence where V says goodbye to Evey for the last time (which is fun to note filmed at a decommissioned tube station in London, which happened to be without an elevator; to get to set over 150 steep steps had to be traversed. This went for both crew and the vast array of equipment, which made for long final days and incredibly weary thigh muscles). At this auspicious juncture in the timeline leading to the ultimate release of the film, James talks to many things, covering initial casting, the mask, the just finished Whitehall filming, and what it felt like to be in the final lap of such a long and large production. To get right to this interview with Director James McTeigue, just click here. More shortly.
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The movie is out! Reviews are sprouting up fast! Before we proceed with the latest updates, here's a much needed warning. Much of this content is best seen AFTER you've seen the film, as we're about to dive headlong into content that openly talks of key sequences at depth (with plenty of visuals to boot!). There are those who prefer to avoid such details until they've seen the film. To these readers, stop reading right here. Go no further. STOP!!! Think before proceeding, because if you continue it will be impossible to avoid spoilers. Last chance. Really. OK. If you're still reading, you've seen the film, or don't care about spoilers (rebel). No worries. Here are the promised updates! First off, we've a healthy batch of interviews. All new! ART DEPARTMENT Sebastian Krawinkel, Art Director, discussing Larkhill and various other sets he worked on, conducted @ Studio Babelsberg, Germany. Click here. Henning Brehm, Graphic Designer, discussing the many graphics he designed for the Norsefire party, Valerie's shrine, the TV station, and the rest, conducted @ Studio Babelsberg, Germany. Click here. MODEL UNIT Nigel Stone, Model Unit Director of Photography, discussing what it takes to film miniatures, the challenges working with extremely fast frame rates, and, of course, blowing things up, conducted @ Shepperton Studios, UK. Click here. Nigel Trevessey, Model Shop Supervisor, discussing his hand in creating the models of Big Ben, Parliament, The Old Bailey, and then, as you might have guessed, blowing them up, conducted @ Shepperton Studios, UK. Click here. STUNT DEPARTMENT VFX DEPARTMENT Matt Johnson, VFX Supervision (Cinesite), discussing Victoria Station, multiple V's, and VFX day to day at a post house, conducted @ Cinesite, UK. Click here. Thrain Shadbolt, VFX Supervision (Cinesite, 3D Department), discussing the digital creation of capes, knives, and thousands of V's, conducted @ Cinesite, UK. Click here. Mark Bakowski, Sequence Supervisor (Cinesite 2D Department), discussing Victoria Station, the trails of a spinning knife, and the many grades of chocolatey blood, conducted @ Cinesite, UK. Click here. Muriel Gerard, VFX Coordinator (Germany), discussing Victoria Station, working with Dan Glass, and the day to day behind coordinating VFX on a vast production, conducted @ Studio Babelsberg, Germany. Click here. OTHER CREW Barbara Berkery, Dialect Coach, discussing accents, language, and the various tricks to master the sound of them all, conducted @ Studio Babelsberg, Germany. Click here. Jean Bourne, Script Supervisor, discussing exactly what a Script Supervisor does, the need for vigilance in dealing with continuity, and how it was working with Director James McTeigue conducted @ the Vendetta Production Office, UK. Click here. VIRTUAL SET TOURS Victoria Station: walk around this long disused tube station and the location of the final battle between V and Creedy. To enter virtual tour, click here. Creedy's Conservatory: See where Creedy relaxes while at home, and also where V gave him an offer he couldn't refuse. To enter virtual tour, click here. The Children of Saint Mary's Virus Memorial: A national tragedy, this location memorializes the deaths of over 100,000 individuals. To enter virtual tour, click here. The Shadow Gallery: The deep underground and many roomed home of V. This encompasses not one or even five but nine hot spots throughout V's home, covering his home theater, art gallery, kitchen, make-up room, Evey's room, and much more. To enter virtual tour, click here. DESKTOPS VFX SECTION THE MASK AND THE MIRROR: An impossible to film moment without the tricks of VFX. The camera appears to pass through the mask. See how this was done by clicking here. VICTORIA STATION KNIFE SEQUENCE: With animated knives, knife trails, wire removal, and slow motion, this shot was made even more complex by a constantly tracking camera movement. See the individual elements by clicking here. VICTORIA STATION GUN CHAMBER SHOT: Taken from the Victoria Station showdown, V is seen through the empty chamber of a gun. No, the camera was not inside the gun -- the gun chamber was composited in later. See the original shots by clicking here. PHOTOS ART DEPARTMENT For Concept Art covering everything from Fingermen Alley to Evey's interrogation cell to V's train of destruction, click here. STUNT REHEARSALS It was from these videos that Stunt Coordinator Chad Stahelski communicated
to Director James McTeigue on how the sequence might play out. As with
all pre-production, the sequence went through changes as James shared
his feedback. We have included versions from various states of this exchange,
from early drafts to the final. None are polished sequences but were never
meant to be; they remain a visual way to discuss the sequence before filming,
much like storyboards might be used. For anyone who ever wondered how
such complex sequences are refined when choreographing this kind of detailed
stunt work, here's your chance to receive some insight. Just click here. Now, if you haven't seen the film, you most certainly shouldn't be reading this bit so far down from a warning to stop reading; that said, V would approve. More shortly -- as we're not done just yet!
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The film opens tomorrow! Are you going? You've the choice of a traditional movie going experience, or for those that like their visuals vast, go bigger in IMAX (less a shameless plug than a public service announcement, as this is the official site). Hope you like it. We of course do not yet have the power to require everyone on the planet to see the film, but we are working on that (see totalitarian government for more info). On getting home, you might want to check in here, as we've a few updates planned. Like what? Here's a rough rundown of tomorrow's updates (by no means exhaustive): INTERVIEWS: SIXTEEN new crew interviews. PHOTOS: Over THREE HUNDRED never before seen photos, both behind the scenes and on set. QUICKTIME VRS: FOUR additional virtual walkthroughs chock full of photos and room maps (NOTE: it is especially cool to walk around the SHADOW GALLERY!!). DESKTOPS: EIGHT spiffy new desktops. ART DEPARTMENT: SIXTY freshly added storyboards and over ONE DOZEN conceptual illustrations. VIDEO: THREE stunt rehearsals for a full sequence in the film. PLUS, AN ENTIRELY NEW SECTION showing the visual effects process of sequences from V For Vendetta. We're thinking of calling this section: VFX. But if you've an alternate idea, you've a brief window of opportunity to suggest something else in our TALK-BACK section (though for full disclosure, we are fairly sold on the brevity of VFX). For the global village (not to be confused with any attempt at global control), tomorrow also brings: INTERNATIONAL UPDATES: Read the site in Korean or Russian, or any of the other 20 plus languages we've gone and had translated; tomorrow sees a massive update across just about all territories. That said, if you are a steadfast monoglot, the site sure looks pretty in Thai. So, when will these updates occur exactly? Because we've heard it suggested we are far too free with our much loved locution "shortly", in this instance we will add, and this is fully for the long time supporters and aforementioned members of the public who like their words -- at least when dealing with the passage of time -- to carry a harder definition, in this particular application of "shortly", we unequivocally state it to mean: "less than 24 hours from NOW!!!" More shortly.
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We've one week until the film begins to open around the world. Towards this, many of the cast and crew have been traveling to premieres. For clips from events spanning Berlin, Tokyo, and London, click here. Today also sees the inaugural launch of an interview section. Done while on location during filming, we'll be hearing from Director James McTeigue to Supervising Stunt Coordinator Chad Stahelski to VFX supervisor Dan Glass, among many more, all with details only the people making the film can give. To kick off, we've Costume Designer Sammy Sheldon. To learn how she went about creating the wardrobe for everyone from V to Evey, and more between, click here. Next we talk with Assistant Art Director Stephan Gessler. To learn how V's mask was created for the film, click here. déjà vu Now a question: has a government ever lied to its people? GOVERNMENT CCTV -- FOR YOUR PROTECTION You can say your piece, here. NOW ACTIVE More shortly... Of course, the swag remains the same.
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We've already announced the track listing, but this only goes so far and has extremely poor fidelity over even the best computer speakers. So today we've uploaded speaker friendly samples from each track of the entire album. To hear what V For Vendetta will sound like in one week and just a few days, click here. To talk out against tyranny and undercooked popcorn, click here. Ever closer by the day. Yet more... shortly.
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A form of freedom is open communication. While you're not likely to change the world via an official website for a film, it's not where you speak your mind, but that you can. Is your power of speech guaranteed? Can a teacher say anything to their students? Can a president say anything to the people? Can you say anything at all? Say your piece, here. More shortly,
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We're getting closer!
The posters are being spotted with more and more regularity in the wild of the streets. We're hearing of some very large clusters being spotted in NYC's SOHO district, among other places. If you're here at the site, you likely already know about the film, but if the recent crop of posters and the more regularly running TV spots have brought you here for the first time, welcome. We've a bunch of sights to show you over the next few weeks, but feel free to catch up by clicking around the top navigation. (Note to international visitors: If you're reading this from outside the US, check out our front page for a full list of alternative languages, along with the full list of global release dates). If anyone thinks there's a good deal of things to click on at the site already, stick around for that much more! Today brings news about the soundtrack. Dario Marianelli, who is up for an oscar for his work on Pride & Prejudice and did a spectacular job scoring Terry Gilliam's The Brothers Grimm, will see his Vendetta score well represented, along with Julie London, Cat Power, and Antony & the Johnsons on the March 21st release of the soundtrack. The disc is coming via Astralwerks Records.  Here's the full track list: 1. Remember Remember2. Cry Me A River – JULIE LONDON 3. "...Governments Should Be Afraid Of Their People..." 4. Evey's Story 5. Lust At The Abbey 6. The Red Diary 7. Valerie 8. Evey Reborn 9. I Found A Reason - CAT POWER 10. England Prevails 11. The Dominoes Fall 12. Bird Gerhl - ANTONY & THE JOHNSONS 13. Knives And Bullets (And Cannons Too) Today also brings more info about the people in and around the film,
from bios to the complete film credits. For those aware of the way films are marketed, and especially for those that don't, this might interest you. For all major films, production notes are created giving background on the production and details of the film for journalists. This material is usually handed out at press screenings, and as often ends up in one form or another at the official website for the film. The form we've chosen to present these production notes for V For Vendetta is as they are presented to the press, no edits or changes. So, today marks the day where with a single click, you too can read what the press read while waiting for the lights to dim. Just click here.More shortly,
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For those looking, reviews from the Berlin Film Festival screening are beginning to pop up. A few cool ones are over at AintItCoolNews.com. For those still looking for more, before the Berlin screening, there was a press conference with director James McTeigue, producer Joel Silver, and the actors Natalie Portman, Stephen Rea, Hugo Weaving and John Hurt. It is 37 and some minutes. We figured some might like to see it. So here it is, in its entirety. Click here for the full video and photos. For yet more, there was also a press conference at the beginning of filming with James, Natalie, and Joel, which can be seen here. More shortly.
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OK, so tonight marks a fairly important moment in the filming and release
of V FOR VENDETTA. Tonight is the first night more than just press get to
see the film. Where? At the Berlin Film Festival.While a large festival on the world stage, the Berlin Film Festival is mainly for independent productions, so the few studio backed pictures being shown are by invite only, no small compliment to the production team behind V FOR VENDETTA. So much so, Warner Bros. took out a full page note of congratulations in the entertainment industry trade magazine Variety (at left). The screening is at 10:30pm local time. You can bet reviews will start popping up tomorrow, from those quick enough to have bought tickets. For those unable to snag tickets (or a flight to Germany), we've some more sights to share, 80 to be exact. From photos to storyboards. Needless to say, for those who have not read the graphic novel or do not want any hint of what happens in the film, stop reading, and definitely do NOT click on any of the below links. Sure, you can read the next paragraph, but anyone with a deep dislike of spoilers, no matter how slight, stop there. For those new to the site, V FOR VENDETTA was filmed in Berlin, Germany, at Studio Babelsberg, the very same studio where Fritz lang filmed METROPOLIS, as well as on locations throughout London, and with miniatures lensing at the legendary Shepperton Studios. While we've already started opening up the photo archives amassed while on location in Germany and London, here's more. Larkill was a set that felt touched by evil even with the ability to peer around the rear of the facades. From display cases filled with jars of teeth, to the acrylic cages stained in blood, this was not exactly a vacation spot. To be tainted by medical waste, click here. Keeping at Larkhill, this was also where V first exploded, some might say escaped, into existence (with a little prodding from the doctors in the labs shown above). That the birth of V is one of fire and pain, it is ironic that on the night this scene was filmed it was below freezing. Chad Stahelski, the stunt performer who played V in this sequence, was near nude, covered in fire retardant jelly, and asked to walk through fire. Numerous times. While there is no technology that allows temperature extremes to traverse internet lines (yet), note the thick layers of clothing of those standing around Chad and the visible breath in many of the photos. To view this extremely cold yet fire filled birth of V, click here. Previously at the site, we've shown a good deal of what went into the opening sequence of the film which outlines the capture and hanging of Guy Fawkles, as it is an important foundation to the understanding of V. With that, we bring you more, this time showing behind the scenes from the day of filming. To visit these 17th century gallows, by way of modern day London, click here. Moving from lens to pen, how about some more storyboards. This next set of boards come from the very same artist extraordinaire who created the boards for all three Matrix films, Steve Skroce (who can also be found in the ongoing pages of DOC FRANKENSTEIN, a comic series written by the Wachowski Brothers, for more info, click here). This sequence is in fact the first meeting of Evey and V (plus our first look at Fingermen). These boards were done well before filming, and before Natalie Portman was cast, so for those looking to see the illustrated form of Natalie in these boards, no cigar. It must also be noted that some changes did occur from these to filming, as happens. That said, it is not far from the mark. For Evey, blades, fingermen, and a bit of the ever dashing V, click here. Busy in the pages of DOC FRANKENSTEIN, Steve did not follow the production to Germany, where storyboard work continued. This task was picked up by Berlin based storyboard artist Axel Eichhorst. Of this next sequence, V really did have it rough. Tortured, experimented on, nearly killed, he finally had enough. We've shown you the photos from the filming of this sequence above, so it only goes to form we also show you the storyboards. While he never actually says anything at all, amidst the fire, explosions, and pain, you just know he was thinking, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore!!!" For this bit of built up angst, click here. Much more, shortly. For those in Berlin, enjoy the show.
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The Super Bowl trailer can now be seen in high definition and 5.1 surround sound, here. For the smaller sizes, here. But wait, there's more! New to the site on this Sunday (and in some places Monday -- not a delay in our posting, but an issue with the spinning of the earth, which is worth a trip to Sydney to understand firsthand, unless you are in Sydney, which has us suggesting a trip to New York), a bunch of new V For Vendetta photos, VR set tours, and storyboards. If you've ever heard of the Larkhill Detention Center, you know you do not want to be there in about 20 years, when it becomes the site of some extremely nasty medical experiments. To look around in near safety, click here. Once the VR interface opens, you will need to hit the MENU button and select LARKHILL. Stay clear of the medical waste, please! On the photos front, we've a slew of the new as well. For a visage of a hanged man, we present recently unearthed photos from the hanging of Guy Fawkes! OK, so they are from the V For Vendetta filming last summer, but frack a duck if some of those period perfect characters don't look straight out of Dickens! For this, click here. Next up, we've a question: have you ever been to a Norsefire rally? If not, here's your chance to see one second hand via a batch of photos. Now, don't feel particularly bad if you have never received an invite from the Norsefire folk, as we don't think many reading this would very much want that invite anyway. Decide for yourself, here (note the need to click on NORSEFIRE RALLY to the left). Before the cameras even start to roll, and in some cases before the actors are even cast, storyboards are drawn. Today we again take a trip back in time, to ensure our coverage of all thing Guy Fawkes is thorough. For storyboards covering the hanging of Guy Fawkes, click here. To recap, trailer here, photos here, VR tours here, and storyboards here. Yet more shortly.
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The new Super Bowl trailer arrives here at the site in glorious high definition and 5.1 surround sound, shortly. For those with the right rig, this is truly a great way to see it. Of course, we'll also have smaller sizes with still great stereo sound, so rest easy. If you want to see this trailer, you will be able to. Today. When exactly? Directly after it airs during this latest Super Bowl mixer! Being a live event, we can clearly and emphatically declare the Super Bowl trailer will arrive... here. Later today. For those readying their browsers, see it on TV. Then see it here. To sum up, the arrival of the Super Bowl trailer is imminent. While you still have a small window of opportunity to run out and pick up a new monitor (minimum resolution of 1920x1080) and speakers (with 5.1 surround), your time is running short. More in a bit...
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So, you want a bit more Vendetta, do you? Fine. We can oblige. How about Sunday. Here's the deal: we're releasing here at the site a few hundred new images in sequence with concurrent audio taken from the movie. For those with the resolution and fast enough computers, we'll be including a version in high definition. That's this Sunday. While likely just a coincidence, this Sunday also marks a fairly big annual event for commercials, which some say is really just breaks between a game of football. There are plenty of details of this for those who know where to look. For us, we'll stick with the commercials. We said Sunday, right?
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 Yet better, you don't have to wait! This IMAX version of V For Vendetta releases simultaneously with the release on March 17th. More details, here!
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Today, we take a moment of silence in memory of cinematographer extraordinaire Adrian Biddle. A master of light and shadow, he was the man behind the lens of such films as ALIENS, THELMA & LOUISE, THE PRINCESS BRIDE, THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH, REIGN OF FIRE, V FOR VENDETTA, and many more. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his family.
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The new trailer is here! For a 360 VR tour of Deitrich's wine cellar (which just might have a secret door), click here.
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We're close. Get ready to click. The new trailer is coming. Plus, we begin a VR tour of the sets. Today.
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New trailer, Thursday! More right here, one day plus some! This one is coming at you as an Apple QuickTime exclusive! Choose to see this second full trailer from multiple versions of standard def, glorious HD, or go on the road with it by downloading the ever more portable iPod variety. Additionally, the film has screened for a lucky few in Texas this past weekend. For reactions, click on over to AintItCoolNews.com, here. There are a bunch so scan the current front page or do a site search for "V For Vendetta". Steady as she goes, Thursday.
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In all sorts of flavors, we've just upped new desktops, here. The latest set of posters can now be found in one easy to click place, here.
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New posters. Four in all. They hit theaters this Friday. Tonight sees the first being previewed at Ain't It Cool News. The three remaining posters will each preview at a different site tomorrow. The sites to watch: From Monday, click here.
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For anyone with a spiffy new Video iPod, we have encoded a ready made
version of the trailer for direct download. After clicking the link, load the resulting download onto the iPod,
and watch. Done. Too easy. Much more, shortly.
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Today is Guy Fawkes. What does that mean? Click here to learn more, via period engravings and a timeline of events. Once in the know, play Hangman, here. Best to the bonfires!
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If you are reading this, you have likely already seen the trailer. If not, click here. The trailer debuted at San Diego Comic Con, to an audience of over 6,000. Directly after this, there was a panel with Natalie Portman, Joel Silver, Grant Hill, and David Lloyd. For those unable to attend, here it is, the entire Comic Con panel. You have the choice of text, audio, or video. More shortly.
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The trailer is live! For an introduction from the director, James McTeigue, just hit play below. Then click here for either the standard def versions or the HD in 5.1. Best to the weekend!
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The trailer will launch at the official site today, July 22nd, at 6PM EST. Encoded in QuickTime 7 (and QuickTime 6, for those not yet upgraded), it is being released at its largest in high definition (HD), far better than DVD resolution, with 5.1 surround sound. Today. 6pm EST.
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Yes, it is true. The Vendetta trailer debuted at Comic Con and now, those who were not there will see it online shortly. In fact, tomorrow. In High Definition and with 5.1 surround sound at its largest size. Damn I love the march of technology. While the Matrix trailers we encoded in 2003 looked great, we could not encode true HD. Now we can. And it looks spectacular! More shortly.
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Right this moment at the annual Comic-Con in San Diego, a panel for V FOR VENDETTA is starting up. While the panel covers a bunch of WB films, from The Fountain to Harry Potter, VENDETTA kicks it off. Meet Natalie Portman, producer Joel Silver, and if the rumors are true, the artist on the original graphic novel, David Lloyd. If you are there now instead of reading this, you might even be snagging a mask. While the director James McTeigue couldn't make it, he wanted to be there, so much so, we sat down with him this morning for a quick update on where things are in the London-based editing suite. It is from this Avid equipped, monitor filled room, that he and editor Martin Walsh spend most of their waking moments these days. Spirits do seem high, even with the long hours. But I'll turn things over to James directly. Just hit play on our little audio player below. More shortly.
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In theaters by Monday.
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As of last night, principal photography has officially wrapped. For those who know of Guy Fawkes, this last day saw him being hung -- an actual event that took place some 399 years and a bunch of months ago. Filmed an hour north of London, it was recreated to its smallest detail. James McTeigue directed this window on 17th century dust and gallows pitch perfect. Nobles, corsets, and a crowd of ogling onlookers, the scene was terrifying in its reality. Thankfully, we no longer have public hangings with cheering crowds. Times change. Or do they? More shortly.
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The last moment of filming in Berlin took place late at night, with guns and wires and a crew that seemed genuinely sad to see this leg of production ending. This was a Wednesday with the production picking up in London on Friday... little rest for a very fast moving production. This first day was not a heavy day of filming, however, and nothing compared to what was ahead. On the following Tuesday, midnight to 5am, the production began filming on Whitehall, between Trafalgar Square and Big Ben, and is, we're told, the first time a production of this scale has effectively camped out directly at the steps of the British Parliament -- with cameras, tanks and over one hundred intimidating, if faux, militia; it was vast and a sight many did not think they would ever see. Photos appeared on Friday in the British press, of course. Considering this was a particularly public space there were tons of mobile phones, cameras and even video cameras pointing in all directions. More than once we heard, "What the 'ell?" Here's why.
Filming continues today with a train pulling out of a London station, filled with something other than passengers. From the Shadow Gallery to the Parliament to a train running beneath London, the end is nigh.
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Right this moment V is telling Evey who he is. They are in the Shadow Gallery. For those who do not know, V FOR VENDETTA is filming in Berlin, Germany. That's where this update is being written, just behind stage 2, the Shadow Gallery, here at Studio Babelsberg. It is a historic location, the very place where Fritz Lang filmed his epic METROPOLIS, Marlene Dietrich starred in THE BLUE ANGEL, and Alfred Hitchcock in 1924 -- one year before he directed his first film in England, THE PLEASURE GARDEN -- worked as an art director and second unit director on the film DIE PRINZESSIN UND DER GEIGER (THE PRINCESS AND THE VIOLIN). V FOR VENDETTA is set for a November 4th release, the very weekend the 400th anniversary of Guy Fawkes is celebrated (November 5th, of course -- but for those unfamiliar, history lesson to come). The director James McTeigue has been painstakingly scrutinizing the concepts of V for months. It shows on set. Of which we plan to show you much more of. Shortly. Remember, remember the fifth of November.
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