Farm photos

On the way home from lunch we spotted a funny photo opportunity - about 20 cows all grazing but in a perfect line! It was the farm right up the road so I had Duane take me home to get my camera but, by the time we got back, they were out of formation. Oh well, we stopped in the farm/petting zoo anyway and I got to practice some more with the camera. I think I got some good shots, here are a couple...

The baby pigs were a riot, they had just eaten and were very excited, snorting, squealing and running around! They are just about 4 weeks old.

These pigs were so dirty and stinky but hilarious! They were running around, sliding on the mud and wrestling with each other!

The farm must go through a lot of this - there were a lot of hungry cows and pigs at this farm!

Charley

I captured some decent Charley shots this weekend. It's usually so hard because the lighting stinks and he is never still when a camera is pointed at him. Check them out...

Last day of shooting in Phoenixville

Friday, 24Aug07 was the last day of shooting in Phoenixville for "The Happening." Tammy and I stopped by during lunch and got to see some outside shooting. The scenes were being shot in the street. One scene involved someone running down the road to a red jeep. Another involved Elliot (aka Mark Wahlberg) yelling "Juliet." I hope these scenes make the cut into the movie! Here are some pics that I got with my xti (most are zoomed in b/c the crowd couldn't be too close for fear of them being in the shot. Well, that and they moved us back after people wouldn't listen and were taking flash photos!) Definitely need to get a telephoto lens after this experience!

^M. Night working

^The crowd and a Lemonade stand that some kids set up. This was before we were moved back for disobeying the production assistants

^Mark checking out the crowd

^Production assistant moving us back. They asked that we not use flashes for photos because it messed with their cameras and some people just wouldn't listen.

^Directors chairs and where they reviewed the takes

^Mark waving!

^Waving again!

^Mark getting a make-up touch-up

^M. Night reviewing the scene with the actors

Hollywood follow up

My waiting paid off! I stopped by the movie set today and waited on the other side of the street only to stare at some screens, a crane and some really bright lights but then it all paid off...about an hour into my wait, an Escalade pulled up and out got Mark Wahlberg! After about another hour, we (as in me and the other random people I was standing with) could tell they were wrapping up. We spotted M. Night talking with the extras then the Escalade made a move towards the front of the building and out came Mark! Some of the ladies I was standing with yelled his name and he looked and waved. My camera's battery was dying at this point so it didn't focus very well but take my word for it, it's Marky Mark in the flesh (pics below)! I met a girl named Lori that works across the street from the set and has a blog with some great pics!

And here are some other good links about the movie...
Link for a blog specific to the movie.
Link to the story of how the G. Lodge was chosen.
And finally, maybe there is more movie magic in the area in store for us!

And now for my pictures! {Warning, picture heavy and crappy quality to boot!}

^ Set during morning Set-up

^During morning Set-up

^During morning set-up

^During afternoon shoot

^Extras

Hollywood comes to Phoenixville!!!!

We've been waiting for this day - the day that M. Night Shyamalan begins shooting scenes for his new movie "The Happening"! Filming for a portion of the movie is occurring right down the road on Route 23 at the G Lodge Restaurant. There are detours happening on the state road from 9-3 today, 22Aug07 and tomorrow and from 9-9 on Friday, 24Aug07!

I was tipped off by a local message board and began stalking to watch for changes. We had plans to eat breakfast there last weekend but unfortunately didn't have the time to see what it was like inside before shooting began.

First the detour notifications showed up then slowly, they have added a sign to the roof which now reads "Filberts Restaurant". Today when I drove by around 8AM, they had tents, cranes, partitions, lights and extras! It was so exciting! I took a few pics while driving by, trying not to hit the car in front of me but they are pretty crappy. I'll try again tomorrow and post all the pics then! Friday, I'm hoping to leave work for lunch time and get really close - maybe I'll even see Marky Mark!!!

Filming seems to be occurring all over the area, Bryan said that Marky Mark was filming in the lobby of his building in Philadelphia last week too! This site seems to have the best updates and even has some set pics! Keep an eye out! I can't wait until June 2008 to see it in the theater!!

Summer hours

I had off on Friday for "summer hours" (work extra time for nine days and have the tenth off). I've had off every other Friday for the summer and am dreading weeks going back to 5 day work weeks with no day off in sight! I wonder why we can't have "summer hours" all year round. In other news, I am hoping for a new pharmaceutical job company offer in the next few days so keep your fingers crossed!

Anyway, for my day off I went out to practice with the camera and find some interesting subjects. It turned into more of a scenic drive of the huge beautiful houses of the area than anything but I did get a few shots that I like...