Back in November, Comic Related was introduced to an individual who works in the film industry. This individual, who called herself Cassandra Faust, was been good enough to share a first hand report direct from the set of the Watchmen film. Ms. Faust has been working as an extra during the filming and offered a great summary of what she witnessed. We're pleased to share her second set report today and Ms. Faust has our sincere, continued thanks...

 

NIGHT WATCHMEN

by

Cassandra Faust

 

Returning to the set of WATCHMEN was a pleasure I thought I’d experienced for the last time. So it was a thrill to take that long walk past that incredible New York set.

 

On the way by I noticed that the red Rumrunner sign was lit as usual only on this particular night it was flashing. Slowly. Rhythmically. Every time I’d seen the sign in the past I’d held out hope that I could be there when they needed that sign to be flashing.

 

And I thought to myself…
It’s night…
The Rumrunner sign is flashing…
Hurm…

 

With a sense of mounting excitement, I threw on my costume – not an easy task when your fingers are crossed let me tell you. Could this be the night?

 

Well, I didn’t have to wait long to find out. Once we’d been checked by Wardrobe we got the call to head to set. There we were directed to the tenement façade beside the Rumrunner sign.
This WAS the night!

 

I could describe what was shot this night but to do so would be an injustice. I will say that if you are familiar with the novel, then you have a pretty good idea of what was filmed. As for the scene itself, it’s my opinion that Zack Snyder and crew have put together a magic cinematic moment which moviegoers will not soon forget. We filmed well into the night and through until morning and there were gasps from my fellow extras on every take and we were some distance away from the incredible action. The Rumrunner scene is going to knock your socks off.

 

I’m sure all of you are thinking, what about Rorschach?

 

This was my first time seeing the character in full costume and mask. For the record, he appears precisely as he does in the comic right down to the white scarf and striped pants. His mask is plain white with eyeholes and green reference dots so the undulating black blotches can be inserted via CGI. I’m sure the eyeholes will be removed as well.

 

Now to borrow a line from the main competition of Watchmen’s publisher, “Nuff said.”

 

In between takes, I overheard a couple of my extra comrades discussing a scene that had been shot days before. The brief scene is something alluded to in the novel but never actually shown. This was the first example I’d heard of something being shot for the movie that we do not see in the novel. I was not present for the filming so I have only their word as to what happens.

 

What follows contains mild spoilers. You’ve been warned.

 

Apparently we will see, either in the theatrical release or the DVD, Mothman being hauled away to a mental hospital. The scene is set in the 50s and, from what I gathered, it sounds like a comedic moment. Again, out of consideration to the filmmakers I won’t go into detail, but I thought the scene something readers might find interesting. And it’s reassuring to know that even when the movie steps outside the bounds of the comic page, it’s with the intention of presenting material drawn directly from the novel.

 

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: From what I’ve seen and heard, Zack Snyder and crew are making what is going to be an amazing film, a faithful adaptation and a true cinematic experience.
WATCHMEN is destined to be a classic.

 

You heard it here first.

 

 

Check out our previous Watchment set report!