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MI6 reports from Bregenz, where the "Quantum
of Solace" production has been filming at Festival
House and the "Tosca" floating opera stage...
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Production Diary (29)
5th May 2008
Bonding In Bregenz
"When we saw that, we said: this is Bond! We have to shoot
here", said Callum McDougall, Executive Producer of "Quantum
of Solace", at a press conference on Friday that kicked
off the filming on the "Tosca" opera stage.
Above Left: Executive Producer Callum McDougall (right)
Above Right: Franz Salzmann, Commercial Director of the Bregenz Festival
(right)
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Scriptwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade had
the initial inspiration to shoot part of the 22nd James Bond
film at the Seebühne
(floating opera stage) in Bregenz, noting it's unique appearance
and special atmosphere. Back
in July last year, producer Barbara
Broccoli and director Marc Forster took in one of the last performances
of "Tosca" that season. More visits followed before
the final "go" was
given in February.
McDougall told reporters that 007 himself, Daniel Craig, was
impressed by the
lakeside stage.
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"Quantum of Solace" director Marc Forster said
the opera stage eye "was a metaphor for the James
Bond series and is therefore a very good setting for this
film. I am very pleased to be here. The lake and surroundings
are beautiful. I hope the weather plays - I hope it rains!" Shooting
in Bregenz began on April 30th and will run through May
9th.
McDougall said that working in Bregenz
was "great
fun" and the collaboration between the production
and the Festival organizers worked perfectly, also noting
the tremendous support they had received throughout Austria.
When asked if Bond might head back to the country in a
future film, McDougall enthusiastically said "no
doubt",
and that Vienna has a "whiff of death" about
it - perfect for a 007 adventure.
Preparations for filming at the location
began in March, but very little was changed to the stage
and its surrounding
buildings. Forster limited the alterations to include a footbridge
to link the stage to the grandstand. Bond will make use of
this as he dashes through the opera performance and into
the crowd. |
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Stunt
rehearsals began on April 29th, with a
small team practicing a controlled fall off the glass-faced forecourt
building (pictured above right). In
the film, a goon will be seen plummeting 12m to the ground after
being shot off the edge of the roof.
A car pursuit was shot in the nearby town of Feldkirch in the
evenings of Tuesday and Wednesday, with Bond seen behind the
wheel of a Volvo. Anatole Taubman, who plays henchman Elvis in
the film, also filmed car scenes arriving at the event. Both
Bond and his adversary will be dressed in tuxedos for the action
sequence.
Above: Daniel Craig and Anatole Taubman are filmed driving
to the opera (shot in Feldkirch)
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Filming on Thursday 1st May started with shots
in the festival house foyer, and scenes of cars arriving adorned
with licence
plates from countries such as Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein,
the United Kingdom and Dubai. Around 100 prestige vehicles were
used for the shoot. Filming with Daniel Craig began at 2:00pm
on interior shots. Exterior scenes showcasing the arrival of
guests were shot from 5:00pm until 9:15pm.
Above: The press gather to witness the arrival of extras
for the filming at Festival House
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Back in the town of Bregenz, a street party
was held on Friday 2nd May for locals to celebrate the arrival
of 007. A casino
was constructed in the square, complete with Bond cars, chandeliers,
and mini-bars. The casino ran the length of the pedestrianised
area, and visitors were encouraged to dress in evening wear to
enjoy the games of roulette, poker and blackjack.
Above: The town of Bregenz celebrated
the arrival of Bond with a 007-themed street festival,
including a collection
of Aston Martin cars, a casino, and stunt men abseiling
down buildings.
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From Saturday 3rd May to Thursday
8th May, exhibitions honoring the Bond series are being held
at the State Theatre and the Casino
in the Kornmarket. Exhibits include props and costumes from the
21 films to date. The local Metro cinema will host screenings
of "Dr No" (1962) and "Casino
Royale" (2006)
on Friday 9th May.
Philipp Himmelmann, Director of the Bregenz Festival, said that "Tosca" and
Bond were working well together, citing the interplay between
the opera and the final film. Some scenes of the opera would
be preformed around 40 times during the shoot. Franz Salzmann,
Commercial Director of the Bregenz Festival, said that Bond bringing
people to the opera for the first time was "a good sign".
Salzmann added that if the production leave behind some props
and costumes, a Bond exhibit may be set up at Festival House
for future tourists.
Above: The crew arrives at the floating stage (left), extras
in evening wear prepare for the shoot.
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According to McDougall, around
1,500 extras will be used for shooting at the lakeside stage from Sunday.
The opera scenes
will filmed over four nights. The production returns to Pinewood
Studios in England on Friday 9th May.
