Back in November of 2007, Comic Related was introduced to an individual who works in the film industry. This individual, who called herself Cassandra Faust, has been good enough to share three first hand reports 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 fourth set report today and Ms. Faust has our sincere, continued thanks...

 

THE END IS NIGH

by

Cassandra Faust

 

With production drawing to a close on WATCHMEN, the end of this intrepid reporter’s career is, to borrow a phrase from Walter Kovacs, nigh. But there is still a little more to pass on to the fans as this three-part report will show.

 

First up are a couple of quick hits. I’ve learned that Dreiberg and Laurie have a reservation at swanky Rafael’s. They will be dining at this ground level eatery while torrential rain thunders down outside -- much to the chagrin of the extras passing by outside the restaurant windows. Also, Dr. Manhattan will be scaring the lunch out of his colleagues as he re-forms in the cafeteria just as he does in the novel. The scientists will duck and cover during the apparition, which was created by having Cruddup in a white body suit dotted with blue neon lights and hanging from wires. All of which to be later replaced with CGI. The same way they handled his TV appearance.

 

And what about Rorschach’s prison time? These sequences were filmed out at the old Riverview hospital back in October. This location has been used countless times for prisons scenes in shows such as X-Files and Supernatural. And I’m pleased to report that the scenes, for the most part, stick close to the source material.

 

We will indeed see Kovacs taunted mercilessly from all sides as he is led to his cell. And his own unique way of handling this abuse with a little hot grease in the cafeteria has also been faithfully reproduced. Nite Owl and Silk Spectre will also make their daring rescue attempt, but it’s here where things get a little different.

 

Zack Snyder has decided to ramp things up a little bit with the rescue. It turns out that Nite Owl and Silk Spectre will have to fight their way through the rioting prisoners in a 300-esque action sequence. As there is only one panel of fighting (if you can call it that) during the rescue in the novel, this marks a major departure from the source material. With the use of cables, harnesses and a little movie magic, Nite Owl will be letting his feet do the talking. Although he does not exhibit any superpowers (that would be too much) he does deliver some quite acrobatic moves and kicks to the rioters who go flying in all directions. Silk Spectre isn’t left out of the action. Using moves more martial arts based and with limited cable work, she holds her own in the fight as they lay waste to the opposition.

 

Some purists may call foul with the adding of this action sequence but this fan isn’t bothered by it. If anything I found the scene in the novel to be somewhat anticlimactic. The lengthy build up to the escape attempt really leads to Nite Owl and Silk Spectre essentially walking into the prison more or less unmolested only to find Kovacs can more than take care of himself. I think a desperate fight to reach their friend who, it turns out, doesn’t need their help, will play great on screen. And if anyone can deliver a fight scene to perfection it’s Zack Snyder.

 

Be sure to check back here next week for Part Two of my final report covering the hotly debated ending of the film.

 

 

Check out our previous Watchment set report!