Film Facts

In Black Swan (2010), the letters that were written on the mirror, in the scene where Nina calls her mother to tell her that she has been accepted for the role, were written by Natalie Portman herself.

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Typography & Film

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)

'True Blood' set design sees changes on the home front

Interview with the production of True Blood, Suzuki Ingerslev.

The Phantom of the Opera - Set Design

Film Facts

The scene in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) where Joel and Clementine watch the circus go through the streets was made up on the spot, as the film crew and cast happened to be working nearby and Michel Gondry decided it could work well in the film. The part where Clementine disappears suddenly is one of Gondry's favorite moments of the film, as Jim Carrey didn't know Kate Winslet was going to disappear and Gondry likes it because Carrey's face appears so saddened. When the sound blanks out in the final film, Carrey is actually saying "Kate?"

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Behind the Scenes of Numb3rs: Production Design

Make It: Flats

Flats are the basic building blocks of set construction. They can be assembled quickly and easily and are very economic. Flats can be put together in a variety of combinations to form rooms of various sizes and functions, as well as partial exteriors. Flats can also be used to alter the appearance of a location without altering the location.

Materials needed for building flats:
- 1 - 4’ x 8’ sheet of luan
- 4 - 2x4’s; 8 feet in length
- 3“ wood screws
- finishing nails
- wood glue

1. Build a frame with the 2x4’s. Use two pieces for the long sides.

2. Cut one 2x4 down into three smaller pieces. Use two pieces for the short sides of the frame. Use two more smaller pieces for additional stabilization in the middle of the frame, about 30” from either short end.

3. Assemble the frame using the wood screws.

4. After assembling the frame, apply a thin line of wood glue on the frame where the luan will be attached.

5.Lay the sheet of luan on the frame and attach using either a staple gun or finishing nails.

6. Use another 2x4 to build a stand for your flat. Cut one long piece to attach to the flat and cut one short piece to go on the bottom. Brace that with a smaller piece cut an angle to be attached between the two previous pieces. This enables the flat to stand on its own.

7. Now you are ready to texture and/or paint your flat. When using more than one flat to form a wall or an entire room, be sure to bolt the flats together for stabilization.

Here's a little YouTube example of building a flat. These flats are for a theatre stage, but the principle is the same for film sets.

Film Facts

In John Carpenter's The Thing (1982) to give the illusion of icy Antarctic conditions, interior sets on the Los Angeles sound stages were refrigerated down to 40 F while it was well over 100 F outside.

In the close up shot of the United States National Science Institute Station 4 sign, a 'Smokey the Bear' sign can be seen.

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The Production Design of True Grit

Production design of The King's Speech (2010)

Great article on the production design of The King's Speech. I like how production designer Eve Stewart liked the existing texture on the walls of one location so much, that she had it recreated on the remaining walls of that room.