Lights, camera, action! These three words might be the most recognized phrase in the film industry. But what really happens behind the scenes? There are many intriguing secrets and facts about filmmaking that few people know about.
For starters, did you know that some of your favorite movie moments were unplanned? In “The Godfather,” Marlon Brando’s character is often seen with a cat in his lap. This was never part of the script; Brando found a stray on set and decided to include it in his scenes. Similarly, Harrison Ford’s famous line in “The Empire Strikes Back,” – “I know” as a response to Princess Leia’s “I love you” – was improvised on spot.
Another interesting tidbit involves Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. The infamous shower scene took seven days to shoot using 77 different camera angles but only lasts for 45 seconds on screen! It also used chocolate syrup instead of blood due to its more realistic appearance in black-and-white.
Then there are hidden details or ‘Easter eggs’ cleverly inserted by filmmakers for sharp-eyed viewers. For instance, Pixar movies are known for including references to their other films within each new release – like Boo from Monsters Inc., giving Sully a Nemo toy or the Pizza Planet truck popping up in almost every Pixar movie since Toy Story.
Films also have their fair share of superstitions. Yellow is considered an unlucky color in filmmaking because it’s believed to bring bad luck on set. This belief originated during Hollywood’s early years when technical difficulties made it hard for yellow costumes and sets to appear correctly on film.
Did you know that some actors go through extreme transformations for their roles? Christian Bale lost over 60 pounds for his role in The Machinist by eating just one apple and can of tuna per day while Tom Hanks gained and then lost 50 pounds during filming Forrest Gump due to time jumps in the storyline.
Moreover, some iconic film locations have fascinating stories. The Overlook Hotel from The Shining is actually Timberline Lodge in Oregon, and the owners requested that room number be changed from 217 to 237 for the film as they feared nobody would want to stay in Room 217 after watching the movie!
Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that filmmaking can sometimes be a dangerous business. During filming of The Passion of Christ, Jim Caviezel was struck by lightning not once but twice! Fortunately, he survived without serious injuries.
These intriguing behind-the-scenes facts offer a glimpse into the fascinating world of filmmaking – a world filled with creativity, improvisation, meticulous planning and even a touch of superstition. It’s safe to say that there’s more than meets the eye when you’re sitting comfortably in your cinema seat or on your couch at home.