THE SMURFS 3D Shooting In The Russian Tea Room

Got some minor details from yesterday's shoot at New York's Russian Tea Room for Columbia's THE SMURFS 3D. The movie is being made as a live action / CG hybrid.

A background performer by the name of Andrew Sellon wrote a brief overview of the scene where he plays a waiter who encounters the villainous Gargamel.

Sellon writes (emphasis is mine): "...I was at the Russian Tea Room in Manhattan filming my “day principal” scene as a waiter who runs into the rude villain Gargamel in the upcoming Smurfs 3D movie, due out in August of 2011 (July 29, 2011). Director Raja Gosnell gave me a warm welcome while I was in the makeup trailer. He couldn’t have been nicer, and his easygoing but clear guidance set the tone for the whole set. He knew what he wanted, but was very open to spontaneous creativity as well. My scene was with Hank Azaria, Sofia Vergara, and Tim Gunn, all of whom were very nice, and all of whom are very funny in the movie...

...A few of the takes reminded me of the old rule about working with children and animals. The cats alternating in the role of Azrael were definitely frisky during the shoot! Hank Azaria was hilarous improvising around their “cattitude.” We had a lot of laughs, and despite the complexity of the scene, it was suprising how quickly the hours flew by. A great day."

Interesting! Should be a great scene, Azaria is a comedic genius and The Russian Tea Room is a gorgeous location. Yes, Azaria has shaved his head for the role! Hopefully there are lots of outtakes. More when it comes in...

Jon M. Chu Needs YOU: Call For 1000 Extras For STEP UP 3-D

Jim here. Live in New York City? Like behind the scenes dancing action? Then email su3worldjam@gmail.com right away for your chance at getting to be one of 1000 audience members for the big dance fight finale of STEP UP 3-D this week.

First come, first served. Must be over 18. You will get more details if you get a reply from the production. Here is Chu personally asking for the extras:






These kids can DANCE. Damn. It'll be great to see them do their thing in 3D!

EXCLUSIVE SET PHOTO: Alexandre Aja's PIRANHA 3-D Will Have Some Humor!

Jim here. Got another spy shot from the same source that sent me the bloody boat pics from PIRANHA 3-D!

Click to enlarge...

This one shows that the movie is NOT lacking in the humor department! I love it! Take a look at the floating stage where they apparently hold a wet t-shirt contest: The banner overhead clearly says - WILD GIRLS - DYING TO GET WET. Nothing like a good pun to get you in the mood for a bloody good time.

Just how tongue-in-cheek will PIRANHA 3-D be? Will they go overboard? Or are they baiting us? LOL :-)

EXCLUSIVE: Bloody New Spy Photos From The Set Of Alexandre Aja's PIRANHA 3-D

Jim here guys. Got some recent exclusive photos from the set of Alexandre Aja's PIRANHA 3-D sent to me and of course you are the first to know! :-)

Click on images to zoom.

Here is what my source had to say about the photos: "These were taken with a cell phone, security was pretty tight. There is a great one with a half body laying on an overturned boat. You'll see the boats covered with blood, and a couple good pics of the hydraulic sound stage."

I don't think there are any spoilers in these photos to speak of, so have fun taking a look! Again, I love seeing behind the scenes (BTS) photos and set shots - gives me a really good feeling for the quality of the production and of course with Aja at the helm it is going to be awesome. Bloody awesome.

The top photo is obviously with someone missing a lower appendage no doubt bitten off in some gruesome fashion! The next photos are of the bloody decks of boats used in the movie. Finally we have some shots of the Soundstage complete with boats sinking and BTS hydraulics used in the movie. Seeing these scenes in 3D is going to be wicked.

I am super stoked for this movie guys. I am definitely an Aja fan and that could color how I am viewing this project, but heck - it looks good. And a blast to be on this production! Wish I was there! Just how much blood do you think Aja is using in this? :-)

Graphic Set Photos From Alexandre Aja's PIRANHA 3-D

Jim here. Got some set photos (SplashNews via TheHorrorGeek) from Alexandre Aja's PIRANHA 3-D that is shooting now in Arizona.

Warning these are VERY GRAPHIC and although they look real these are obviously ACTORS. :-) The female woman in these photos is Kelly Brook (both with face and sans face). Personally, I don't like how the kid is looking at the fake corpse in pic 1. Reminds me a bit of what Linda Blair had to go through for THE EXORCIST. Look for PIRANHA 3-D in theaters on March 10, 2010.

Did we mention that Aja has said that there will be plenty of blood in this movie? And did I call it or what?? Told ya there would be a bloody mess on that boat!! LOL