Saturday, July 23, 2011

Rock Of Ages! Exclusive report! Danny Shamon (C) 2011 Part 2

For this segment I decided to step out of the box. During a re-shoot of the main explosive sequence, I decided not to go back into the arena, and saw a small green screen backdrop set with a couple of different sized ladders with cameras attached to each one. Three Cameras in all, at a variety of angles. Also a guy with an ipod cam from a distance.

A group of four or five young groupie girls were screaming at the top of their lungs and moving in different angles. The costumes were perfect, and they hired women of all sizes. This shoot had to be rushed as they were shooting the main sequence inside the arena. The second unit folks were telling the girls to look into this cam that cam and scream and cheer.

It was quite funny, but I kept my distance and observed. The garbage workers at the Hard Rock have seen it all, but even a few of them stopped in their tracks with their little cart for a bit to watch. All of the ladies were smokin' hot, young and just screaming although they were screaming to playback of 80s tunes. Actually it did remind me of the 80s rock scene, being in my 40s I remember it all! A tall blond in thigh high red and white leggings and skin tight mini shorts was stumbling around after her portion of the shoot and damn near fell into me, not the worst thing that could happen, but already have a lady. I was like are you ok? she said she had lost part of her heel, and she stumbled off. After that I had to go, my ears hurt from all the screaming and I was about ready to laugh.

I have to thank my buddies Kantz and Chyna for this tip on the second unit filming!

Next Report will be the explosions, lights and fire!

Friday, July 22, 2011

Actress/Stunt Woman Boni Yanagisawa appears on Jay Leno!

Actress and fantastic stunt woman Boni Yanagisawa recently did a mock Ipad commercial for the Jay Leno Show. She was playing Rupert Murdock's wife and she said "I could kick your ass!" Boni has a wealth of experience, and has also worked on Hawaii 5-0. Look for her stunt work in 2012 on the Battleship movie and acting in the independent feature Steampunk Samurai biker Chick. I cannot wait to see her in this!




The episode of Jay Leno is dated 7-20-11 above are screen captures Images copyrighted Jay Leno show. Screen captures by Danny Shamon

For More info on Boni go to http://www.v10stunts.com

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Rock Of Ages! Exclusive report! Danny Shamon (C) 2011

The casting call said to be at Sunlife Stadium in Miami Gardens at 1pm wear all black and dress in 80s style hair and make-up for girls etc. This was an open call, which means anyone could attend, only hard core fans would go to the stadium on a Monday afternoon in 95 degree weather! They wanted true metal and hard rock fans. I arrived about 12:40pm.

They had a pavilion set up I saw and several school buses lined up. I knew this was going to be a secret private shoot. I was instructed to leave all transmitting electronics in the car and I got to the booth and we were given a raffle ticket, for prizes, and a Black wristband on my right arm.

I was patted down, metal wanded, and searched. and on the bus off to the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Fl! I was ready to rock 80s style!

Buses arrived in order and the earlier you got to the arena the more of the filming you were able to either be a part of or observe. I arrived at the Hard Rock at 1pm.

We were instructed to sit in a certain section, as I entered the arena I was transported back to the 80s as the entire set was massive, huge, thousands of lights and all using 80s technology! It was time to Rock! It was the largest stage I have ever seen at the Hard Rock!

The first sequence was with Julianne Hough and Tom Cruise and they were shooting the singing for Don't Stop Believing by Journey. All aspects of the song were shot different angles.

I moved very close to the stage for this part of the filming. I got my on camera moment when they replaced my obscure 80s band t-shirt with a cool Arsenal, Rock of Ages T-Shirt! I wanted to observe all parts of the set including the second unit groupie shoot so this will be my only on cam moment. Cruise and Hough were smiling throughout all of the takes, I especially liked what Julianne had to say after shooting she said "you guys make me feel what it was like to be a live singer and alive in the 80s and experience it" She kept thanking the audience. This was more than a job it was fun for them. The musical director from Glee Adam Anders was instructing us in the sing along parts. He was very upbeat and honest guy. Liked his style, see why the show is a big hit. He also offered a role on Glee to the one who could scream the loudest at one point later in the shoot.

The Director Adam Shankman proclaimed "He was just a gay Jewish man from LA living his dream to ROCK!"

More on the way... Stay tuned for explosions, reigning fire, billowing smoke and of course Green Screened groupies! Must have green screened groupies! Next report 2nd unit!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Rock Of Ages Awesome!

Rock of Ages Awesome! Thanks to Tom Cruise and the entire cast! Crushing Show! was transported back to the 80s! Massive set! The lights were so amazing! More than I could count! Smoke, fire, groupies it was epic! I was reliving it all! More exclusive reports to follow! Once in a lifetime!

Tom Cruise as Stacee Jax in "Rock of Ages."
(photo Credit: TomCruise.com)