Construction well underway at Longcross Studios

[johncarter]

We just updated our Latitude and Longitude for Longcross studios on the home page. We had it wrong apparently, and a nice fellow from the UK was kind enough to point out the error. Also, he apparently knows the area and had a few words to say about the set construction going on over there:

The GPS link shows the skid pan of Longcross Studio's test track, formerly the home of Rome for the forthcoming
Clash of the Titans and now the site of some major building in prep for John Carter. They've constructed four or five colossal metal girder structures there - not sure what for, but they're massive.

Further around the facility (NE corner) there's another area of land that I was told will be used to build a set for New York.

New York?!? I'll have to go back and re-read my Princess of Mars... anyone remember if this is where ERB as a young lad lived when he was told the tale of JC? Was this the home of JC's "tomb?" Geez.. I should know these things... my mind isn't what it used to be I'll follow up later if someone else doesn't beat me to it - Mike, webmaster

[Brad]

In the forward of the book we find out New York is where John Carter's cottage was. This is where John Carter wrote his manuscript and where later Edgar Rice Burroughs collected his body to place in the well-ventilated tomb. Here is an excerpt from A Princess of Mars.

"He remained with us for about a year and then went to New York, where
he purchased a little place on the Hudson, where I visited him once a
year on the occasions of my trips to the New York market--my father and
I owning and operating a string of general stores throughout Virginia
at that time. Captain Carter had a small but beautiful cottage,
situated on a bluff overlooking the river, and during one of my last
visits, in the winter of 1885, I observed he was much occupied in
writing, I presume now, upon this manuscript."

This is good news to me. If Stanton and the other writer's of the script are maintaining a small detail like this maybe they will follow the book closely.

[Helicreature]

I live next to Longcross Studios. The studios are on the site of a Military base which was closed a few years ago but the 100 or so Army Married Quarters which adjoin the site are still occupied by Army families who work elsewhere of which we are one. I am afraid I know nothing about the books but it has been fascinating watching the construction of the most enormous sets. As we literally overlook the site I can't fail to have noticed the arc lamps which burn well into the night and the six high containers surrounding who knows what?! Some enormous buildings have been constructed which look rather like multi-story car parks. A massive Marquee was erected and removed yesterday and there are now dozens of fancy looking trailers scattered about. Peering through the wire today whilst walking my dogs, I could see something which looked rather like a space ship!

[johncarter]

AWESOME!!!

Thanks for the report. See our top news article about the containers. Apparently they are structure support for an enormous green screen.

The books this movie is based off of can be found all over the internet for free, even read for your via full cast audio. Just do some googling for "Princess of Mars". If you can't find any, I've got the links on the old site and I'll post em...

Without breaking any trespassing laws of course, take some pictures if you can!!!

Send anything you've got to info@johncartermovie.com

Thanks!

-Mike

[Helicreature]

It is a real pity that I can't swap places with some of you because I am not vaguely interested in this film but I have a ring-side seat. I can hear the Director yelling instructions as I type! I saw some filming this morning. There are several structures which are tiered. They look like giant multi-storey car parks with gantrys running between them. On one of the gantrys (Sp?) there were flaming torches and what looked like tattered banners (almost medieval) and they were filming a woman in a long dress standing there. I am almost tempted to go and see the movie to see if there is a small woman standing with two dogs watching in the bvackground!

[johncarter]

Helicreature, I think I love you! Thanks for the reports!!! They are awesome!

I need to put you on staff here!

As unfathomable it is to us that you have no interest in the movie at least you have an interest in keeping us rabid fans in a perpetual state of drooling envy

Also, do I need to send you a digital camera? There's a certain lack of visual accompanyment with your stellar reporting

thanks ever so much! Keep it coming!

Also, please send any photos directly to info@johncartermovie.com

Mike

[Jeff]

As a JCCF ( John Carter Compulsive Fan ) my doctor says I need photos, or at least more posts. You can hear the director ?



Aaaargh !


I'm okay now. Thanks for dropping us a line Helicreature !

[Brad]

I really wish I could be walking my dogs along side of you Helicreature but given I can’t it is really great that you give us some insight of what is going on. Please keep it coming!

Now who do you all think the lady in a long dress is? Dejah Thoris?

[Diana Cole]

Helicreature,

Thank you for keeping us updated on the filming. I was especially interested in your description of what appeared to be a space ship. We get very little information here about what is going on, only a little from some of the actors' interviews. We look forward to further reports from you. Wish we could hear what the director was saying.

Diana

[Helicreature]

My husband has our digital camera in his possession but I have just wandered up to the wire and taken a couple of shots with a disposable camera I came across. It is still early and they weren't yet filming but you may be able to see the set. Whether my images render up anything useful (or even turn out) is another thing! I have also come across a video camera. I have absolutely no idea how to use it but your enthusiasm has fired me and I shall give it a go.
It really is such a shame that you fans can't be here. it's all really rather wasted on me! I have a clear grandstand view from my landing window and can clearly see what is going on when i go outside through the wire surrounding the set which is bordered by MOD land on which my house stands and where I walk. My study window was open yesterday and I could hear every instruction the Director gave.
It's such a terrible shame that we are not Movie buffs. My husband is fond of the odd Bond film and I rather like 1940's movies - 'This happy breed' being my favourite, but I think the last time I went to the cinema was 1983! I may have to brace myself and go and see this one to make sense of the filming I am watching now.
There are some serious movies filmed here. 'Batman', 'Clash of the Titans' but my favourite was 'Sherlock Holmes' whrein I could quite clearly see some of the filming. Thier production staff came round to warn us that there would be 'loud explosions' and were delighted to find that as we had always lived on Ammo Bases as my husband is in EOD, it would barely register with us as background noise!
I will be back later hopefully with some - probably bad - images. If anyone finds themselves in the area give me a shout and you are welcome to watch the action from my landing!

H