Yesterday I wrote about my trip to Montreal, Canada to visit the set of Smurfs 2 that was being filmed there last year. In case you missed that post you can find it here, On Set with Smurfs 2 in Montreal, Canada plus an interview with Hank Azaria (Gargamel).
There was too much to write about to squeeze into one post, so I decided to break it up into multiple posts.
I enjoy going on set visits. It’s always an eye opening experience to see what goes on behind the scenes. It also makes you appreciate the work that goes into making a film. There are A LOT of people who come together to bring a film to life, from the set designers and crew to the make-up artists and even the me and women who work to feed the entire cast and crew.
I’ve been on movie sets where all the characters were real people, and another set where some of the characters were puppets. This is the first time I’ve been on a set where a majority of the characters are not even there. They are animated/CGI characters. Such is the case with the Smurfs 2. Obviously there are no little blue men running around. Instead the actors have to rely on Smurf figurines instead.
I had the opportunity to hold one of the Smurf characters that the actors use as a point of reference. I learned that they are extremely delicate. Most minor repairs they can fix on site but if something seriously goes wrong with the figurine they actually have to have one made up completely from scratch, off site. Not only is it costly but it’s also time consuming. Needless to say when I learned how delicate and expensive they were I gave back the one I was holding on to.
We got to see several of the sets used in the film. My favorite set was the one for Patrick, Grace and Blue’s apartment. The apartment featured a living room/kitchen combo, bedroom and bathroom. There was also a beautiful balcony that we were able to step out on. As odd as this sound it felt like we were in a REAL apartment, not something made up to shoot scenes for a film. Everything about it was real, right down to the tooth brushes in the bathroom and the croissants that were sitting on a plate (I poked at one thinking it was fake – they were real!). I think their apartment is nicer than my condo. 🙂
Another set we had a sneak peak of is Gargamel’s lair that is underneath the Paris Opera House (Palais Garnier). The set even had real water surrounding the one side of it.
It’s fun to see movie sets because on one side you see all the raw construction (boards, planks, 2′ x 4’s…) and on the other side it looks like a real life place. It’s amazing!
We had the opportunity to watch Neil Patrick Harris (Patrick Winslow in the movie) shoot a scene. It can take several attempts to shoot a scene properly, even if it’s just something like a few lines and movements. You might have to repeat it over and over again a dozen times before it comes out perfectly.
It was fun to see the banter that goes on in between shooting the scene and all the people who continue to work even if nothing is being shot such as the set designers and make up artists.
Speaking of make up artists, we had the opportunity to step inside the make up trailer and meet two of the men responsible for turning Hank Azaria from Hank to Gargamel.
It took about two hours a day – every day – to make Hank look like his alter ego. There are a lot of facial pieces and face paint involved, including the huge Gargamel nose. Even the eyebrows are fake. Each one was hand sewn just for this film. The pieces are referred to as appliances.
In order to make the appliances to fit Hank’s face they first had to make a master cast of Hanks face and head. I bet that was an uncomfortable procedure for Hank.
I found it interesting that there are many copies of the facial pieces and most of the time you have to use a new piece every time you put on make up. For example Gargamel’s nose. They had many copies of the same nose to use. They also had ears, hair pieces and other pieces.
Hank’s head was shaved completely bald for the film. The hair you see him having as Gargamel is also compliments of the make up artists. It’s pretty fascinating stuff. EVERY DAY Hank to have his head shaved to ensure that all the silicon appliances fit.
After the appliances (fake pieces) are put on they have to create the skin, layer by layer, mixing colors and adding every little detail including freckles.
His wig takes about 25 minutes to get on him.
The make up artist (I’m sorry I don’t remember his name) told us that they are using one of the most high def cameras possible for this film which makes it even more imperative that they make up not only look realistic, but look the same each and every day. The last thing you want is a freckle to appear, then disappear only to reappear again during the film. He said even the naked eye can’t see how much these cameras were able to see.
To ensure that things are placed properly the make up artist has a template to help make sure things are where they should be. They even had a template for Gargamel’s liver spots.
It took about an hour and a half to two hours to apply the make up and about a half hour to remove it all.
It was truly amazing to hear what went on to create Gargamel for the film. It makes you truly appreciate the hard work and dedication that goes into turning any actor into another character.
After a brief lunch we went back into the sound stage where we met the head animal trainer for the film, Larry Madrid. Larry has trained animals for films such a Mr. Popper’s Penguins, Marmaduke, Hotel for Dogs and Marley & Me, to name a few. Larry took the time to chat with us for a bit and even introduced us to the trained ducks used in the film. Who knew you could train ducks. They had six ducks for the film. Each duck had it’s own special tricks.
We also had a chance to pet one of the cats (Azrael). He was so soft and fluffy!
Shortly afterwards we had the opportunity to interview Brendan Gleeson who plays the part of Victor (Neil Patrick Harris’ step-father in the film). Brendan is known for his part in the Harry Potter films (“Mad Eye” Moody). He was also in Braveheart, The Raven and The Burges.
Unfortunately I don’t have the audio files to transcribe for this interview. I dropped my voice recorder down the stairs and it shattered. 🙁
I was able to get part of the interview with Neil Patrick Harris, thanks to my friend Caryn over at RockinMama. Sadly I don’t have the entire sound file from the interview, and much of it was inaudible due to background noises. Here is parts of the interview I was able to retrieve.
It was hard to hear what questions were asked of Neil. We interviewed him while on set and there was a lot of construction going on. However I can give you some snippets of what Neil had to say.
Inaudible question.
I think everyone feels a little bit more confident with this movie because we’ve all played witness to how the first one turned out. Not only being a successful film but when you are acting to invisible things that don’t really exist in your world you get to watch what the movie looks like and you get to see how it really looks. Visually we’re more confident.
I think the story, for my character, three years have passed. He’s a more committed father. He was a bit nervous in the first one. He didn’t really know what a father should be and how is he going to be a good dad. Now he’s proven himself so he has a little more confidence.
Since the first move came out, how did the Smurfs change your life?
Really, not at all (said jokingly). A really young demographic knows me from that. Parents think I’m cool because their kids think I’m cool.
Can you tell us about hosting the Tony’s while shooting Smurfs 2?
An exorbitant amount of effort went into doing the Tonys. And a lot of that had to happen while I was here (Montreal) I had to do a lot of Facetime chats with the whole gang during their pre-production. Coming up with ideas and content, what they lyrics should be, is this song better than that song… I was multi-taksing a lot.
I did the Tonys. Went to all the Tony post-parties. Slept for an hour and then was back here on the set filming. I was far from perky.
It’s hard to concentrate on two big things at the same time. But it turned out well.
Did you play with Smurfs when you were little?
I didn’t. I watched the TV show but I wasn’t a collector of the little figurines.
In the film you play a father, and in real life you are a father. What’s it like name filming a family film as a father, and being a father, is there some sort of duality and more of a connection to your character?
There was some awareness on my part that I wasn’t a dad when I was playing a dad in the first movie. The difference now is that now I am a dad playing a dad. I don’t really have a little voice in my head that I’m not being believable.
Our kids are so young that I don’t really have any concept of what quality means to them because this is not something they would watch. I guess in a couple of years I’ll care more about the content and how appropriate things should or shouldn’t be.
Inaudible question.
I was more concerned about the script tone in the first movie. We had think tanks, we brought in comedy writers… I wanted to make sure it wasn’t too cut and pasty.
The first movie set the tone. I wanted my character and Jayma’s character to be witty and clever, and feel like a real couple. Once that was established I feel that this movie is better. It was easier. I had fewer notes and concerns.
Inaudible question (it had something to do with how he likes being in Montreal).
I love Montreal. The people are super nice and it feels European. The food is fantastic. (I agree with Neil – the food is fantastic).
I’m sorry that I don’t have the remainder of the interview. 🙁
On a side note I’ve officially met three of the cast members from How I Met Your Mother – Neil Patrick Harris (Smurfs 2), Jason Segal (Muppets) and Cobie Smulders (Delivery Man). That’s pretty awesome.
After our interview with Neil we were taken upstairs in the studio to check out some more concept art for the film as well as a really impressive 3D model of the Paris Opera House (Palais Garnier) and other sets on the film. I was leaving this area when I accidently dropped my voice recorder down a flight of stairs. Sigh…
After our set visit we returned to the Le St. Suplice Hotel and had dinner. Sadly it was raining the entire time I was there so I didn’t have a chance to explore this beautiful city. I know one of the areas they shot a scene for the film was within walking distance of the hotel but due to the rain I was unable to check it out for myself.
The next morning I was able to go out and snap a few photos before heading off to the airport to hope on an itty bitty propeller airplane for my trip back to New York.
I can see why they shot some of the scenes around Montreal. It does look like a European city.
Smurfs 2 makes it’s way into theaters on July 31, 2013.
Kimberly
*I was not compensated for this post. I did attend a set visit compliments of Sony but there was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own unless otherwise noted.
stephanie says
i cant wait to see this!!
Mary Dailey says
This looks like so much fun! Can’t wait to take the grandkids!