First day of WWZ filming.
Up at 04:00 to get into Glasgow city centre for a 05:00 call time. Filming will continue until 19:00 and this schedule repeats for the next 4 days. Hnng.
I really wish I could show you photos - it's incredibly odd seeing American road signs, car license plates and posters all over the city centre right next to regular UK road signs and cars and posters.
They even have those weird American traffic lights.
"All cameras including phone cameras are strictly prohibited from any sets."
I think they'll find it difficult to film WWZ without a camera. (trollface.gif)
edit:
Found a photo from when they were first cordoning off the area. There are a lot more changes since this was taken, but I thought I'd put together a comparison with the google earth image.
Can you guess which one is which?
edit2:I totally forgot, George Square has a live webcam feed. I don't know if it'll be disabled during filming, but it's still live now (05:07)
http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/aboutglasgow/webcams/100 points if you can spot me during the day
Not sure if that's the case worldwide, though.
Edit: but that would be stupid. Of pedestrian walk lights are global.
I never thought differently colored traffic lights was too weird. The yellow is supposed to bring attention to them. The same goes for zeebra crossing paint. I honestly didn't even know zeebra crossing isn't the global standard.
You walk up to one, if a car is coming, you wait until you're sure they've seen you and are slowing down and then you cross. The car rarely has to come to a complete stop and it saves time and fuel. (The most fuel is used when accelerating from stop).
Also, I'm almost sure there are traffic lights next to zebra crossings in continental Europe.
By the way, webcams appear to be working at the moment. Can't say there's much to see, though, save for the unexpectedly american light+zebra crossing setup.
I really do wonder what's the point in doing all this when it could be done in the US for a fraction of the cost (removing and replacing/repainting traffic lights and signage, zebra crossings, etc. - it's all already there!)
also, I read about locals being selected for filming. are you part of the crowd or have some special role?
...
...I think I've discovered the secret to successful zombie films.
Filming on George Square hasn't taken place yet. Most of it is in the streets connecting to it.
"Also, I'm almost sure there are traffic lights next to zebra crossings in continental Europe."
Makes them pointless.
"I really do wonder what's the point in doing all this when it could be done in the US for a fraction of the cost."
Hah, not a chance. Closing off an entire square and 4 streets connecting to it in Philly would cost a shit-load more, purely by volume of people living there.
Also it's not about that. They'll have searched countless cities for the perfect location for a scene. George square and the surrounding area is full of incredibly unique architecture.
"are you part of the crowd or have some special role?"
I'm what's known as a "focused extra" which means I will appear as the focus of at least one shot, but for the majority I'm just in the background, yes.
"Background Characters are all locals with accents."
Background characters don't have lines. The few that do get dubbed over in post. This is not strange - it happens in most movies.