NarniaWeb

Our First Glimpse of the Dawn Treader!

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:26:34 GMT

From the BaysideBulletin.com:

Large, dark wood panels with elaborate golden swirls are taking shape on the far end of Cleveland Point as the set construction gets under way for filming of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, the next instalment of the Chronicles of Narnia films.

Although most of Cleveland Point reserve is still fully accessible for picnics and the playground and green space opened for temporary parking, the best view of our local Hollywood set is with a glass of wine in hand at The Lighthouse Restaurant, which will be open throughout the whole Narnia experience.

With the cast to arrive for filming in September, The Lighthouse owner and manager Tim Varitimos said the atmosphere had been buzzing with speculation.

"It's an added attraction for the kids, as well as the parents. They come down to our beautiful bay and have a good look at what's going on," he said.

"It was a picture of a ship - a ship sailing straight towards you. Her prow was gilded and shaped like the head of a dragon with wide-open mouth. She had only one mast and one large, square sail which was a rich purple. The sides of the ship - what you could see of them where the gilded wings of the dragon ended - were green." ~ The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, C. S. Lewis

The ship clearly is not finished yet. When it is done, it will be about 40m (130+ ft) long according to previous news reports.

You can read the full story at BaysideBulletin's website here.

More Spy Reports Come in from Australia

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:02:21 GMT

We've received two new spy reports this evening from Australia — one from Cleveland Point and one from The Spit updating us on how the production is coming along.

waterville lass writes: "I live 5 mins from Cleveland Point and have been popping out every few days to check out the progress of the building of the Dawn Treader. The gimble on which the ship will be held is nearly complete and the Dawn Treader is rather unceremoniously lying in about 4 bits next to some porto cabins, but has been painted beautifully. My understanding is that only shots requiring sky will be taken here, all the sailing action will take place in the Whitsundays. A backdrop is being digitally placed on the action so there will actually be no views of Moreton Bay sadly, it is a beautiful place but maybe our dolphins and sailing boats aren't quite right for the movie."

A picture of the happenings at Cleveland Point

caspian X writes: "I just wanted to report that I have just visited the location at the Spit. One word: Amazing! They are building what looks like the front of a castle. Even more good news, it looks like they are building a ramp down to the water where a jetty is located. It looks like the Dawn Treader will be making an appearance at the Spit come Mid August!

Speaking of the Dawn Treader, I believe I have seen it! Although it is covered, the shape and size looks exactly like what we have all seen from the concept images. It is located at one of the soundstages at Warner Roadshow Studios. They are also building what looks like a tall tower at the studios as well."

Thanks to both of you for sending in your reports!!

See Jim Broadbent in 'Harry Potter'

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:14:04 GMT

As most of you are no doubt aware, the sixth film in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, hits theaters today. Jim Broadbent, who played Professor Digory Kirke in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, can be seen playing another professor, Horace Slughorn. The film is directed by David Yates, who will stay on for the final two films in the Potter franchise. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One releases in November 2010, just a few weeks before The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is scheduled to hit theaters.

More Pictures from the 'Dawn Treader' Set

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 01:33:08 GMT

MundoNarnia.com contacted us to let us know there are more 'Dawn Treader' set pictures available on SpringHillVoice.com.

"Lots of workers, security fencing, a guard and looks like it's going to be a castle by the sea!"

There are two more pictures on the SpringHillVoice.com site, but they may just be shots taken at the same location and not necessarily related to The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Check them out here!

Thanks to Salem from MundoNarnia.com for the heads up!

VDT Filming Begins Today Perhaps?

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:27:53 GMT

As of when we post this story, it's approximate 10:30am, July 15th in Queensland, Australia. According to the casting call from a few weeks ago, filming for The Voyage of the Dawn Treader could be starting right now!

Of course, we'll admit up front that this beginning date has NOT been confirmed by the production, and so it may just be an estimated starting date that they gave out to the actors who auditioned for the roles.

But on the other hand, we DO know that most if not all of the crew is in Queensland, and so is the cast. So even if filming isn't underway right now, it will begin very, very soon!

Further up and further in!

Sign NarniaWeb's Dawn Treader Cast Letter

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:06:03 GMT

NarniaWeb is sending a support letter to the cast and crew of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. If you want to let the cast and crew know that you can't wait to see VDT and that you are behind them all the way, then click here to sign the letter. We'll be mailing it to Australia next month. View the LWW letter and the PC letter.

The 'Dawn Treader' Cast Heads to Australia

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 01:59:01 GMT

Last week we reported that the crew members were heading to Australia to begin preparations for The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and now the cast is heading there as well.

According to Skandar's official website, "...in a flash Skandar found himself on the plane to Australia where he will be filming Voyage of The Dawn Treader over the summer vacation and beyond. He is so excited to be a part of the next Narnia adventure." It's probably safe to assume that if Skandar has headed that way, so have Ben, Georgie, Will Poulter, and the rest of the Dawn Treader cast!!

You can check out Skandar's update here.

Thanks to Lucy the Valiant for the heads up!

Professor Discovers Fragment of Lewis/Tolkien Collaboration

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:10:14 GMT

The San Marcos Mercury reports that Professor Steven Beebe has discovered the opening chapters of a work on the origins of language, written in C. S. Lewis' own distinctive hand. Beebe believes that this is the start of a collaborative work that Lewis and his friend J. R. R. Tolkien had planned to write together, which was to be called Language and Human Nature. The partial manuscript was discovered at the Oxford University Bodleian Library, in a small notebook on which Lewis had written "Scraps." The piece will be published when permission is granted by the Lewis Estate. You can read the full article here. Thanks Gandalfs Beard for the link!

Switchfoot Song On WOW CD

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 16:32:05 GMT

NarniaWebber PrincessMia241 sent in a report saying that Switchfoot's song This Is Home from the Prince Caspian soundtrack has been included on the WOW 2009 compilation CD that is released every year. Included on the second disc, the song is accompanied by twenty nine other popular Christian music songs of 2009. The album is available now.

Will Moseley Inspires Students

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 13:21:38 GMT

From Thisisgloucestershire.co.uk: "Chronicles of Narnia star William Moseley backed a series of pioneering children's workshops. William, from Sheepscombe, who plays Peter Pevensie, sent a personal message to inspire and support six Tewkesbury School pupils on a Performing For Success pilot project. Organiser Emma Taylor said: 'William was very enthusiastic because he struggled academically and was inspired by drama. He couldn't be at our presentation evening but left a video message of inspiration and support. He named all the children, making their faces light up, and left signed pictures.' " Read the whole story here. Thanks to Lucy P. for the heads up!

Boats for Hire in Australia for 'Dawn Treader' ?

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 17:27:50 GMT

There's an interesting tidbit of news that NarniaFans' member Michael Thorn dug up. According to NarniaFans, "there is a forum for the Australian Surf Rowers League where someone is 'looking for several wooden boats to use in a film we are shooting on the Gold Coast. With view to hire or purchase.' When asked when they would need them, they respond: 'At this stage between 20th July to 5th Sept.' " There's a lot of speculation as to what these boats might be used for, which you can read about over on NarniaFans.com here. You can read the original post here.

'Dawn Treader' to film at Cleveland Point in September

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 17:06:09 GMT

According to the Bayside Bulletin, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is to film at Cleveland Point in September.

Filming is set to start at Cleveland Point in September for the next instalment in the Chronicles of Narnia film series.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is still in pre-production, but shooting at some of the Gold Coast locations is due to begin this month.

Cleveland Point will be closed off to the public for close to two months, with most of the filming there to take place on a specially designed 40-metre vessel, attached to a new 60 metre by 50 metre pier with 20mx40m ramp.

You can read the full story here.

The Dawn Treader Being Built at the Spit?

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 19:10:36 GMT

According to GoldCoast.com.au, the secret is out as to where the ship, the Dawn Treader, is being built in Australia for The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. From GoldCoast.com.au:

The Gold Coast's worst-kept secret has been confirmed with a set for the third movie in The Chronicles of Narnia franchise being built at The Spit.

Believed to be a fake ship, the set gave away the 'secret location' Narnia movie executives have been so tight-lipped about.

The project has been shrouded in secrecy. It is either going to be called Invisible Army or Dragons Prow with both phrases featuring at the site yesterday.

The film company is also called Dragons Prow Productions and one of the signs at the site featured the logo as well as the words 'Invisible Army Production Area 1'.

Location manager Gareth Price refused to confirm if it was for The Chronicles of Narnia.

He said people would soon be able to see what was being built.

Construction began on June 16 and it's believed it will continue until mid-August when filming will start.

Speaking of the filming start date, I received several emails yesterday asking where the July 15th date came from after we reported that it was ten days until filming starts. It surfaced here, on the casting call two weeks ago that we reported on. And considering the casting call was written by the production and is recent, this date is most likely correct. In our opinion, filming will start on July 15, but it will probably be the part of the movie introducing Eustace, Edmund, and Lucy in our world before they enter Narnia. The mid-Austust start date mentioned above is probably when they'll start shooting aboard the Dawn Treader.

Read the full story at GoldCoast's website here.

UPDATE: Daredevil has posted a link that has a picture of the actual sign at The Spit.

Here's what we think it says:

"To the Resident and Visitor,

"This site has been chosen as a filming location for an upcoming major feature film being produced by Dragons Prow Pty Ltd. The Department of Transport and Main Roads have kindly granted us permission to occupy the site, temporarily close the road and construct a set piece.

"To comply with workplace health and safety regulations and to facilitate the build, we have cordoned off a section of the park and erected a temporary fence around the perimeter of the work site. Construction will commence on Tuesday June 16 for approximately 7 weeks prior to filming. In mid-August we are scheduled to commence filming until approximately the end of the month. Once filming is complete, our construction and de-rig crew will be on hand for two weeks returning Doug Jennings Park to its current condition and the ring road will re-open.

"Dragons Prow Pty Ltd would like to thank you in advance for your support. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call our locations department at Warner Roadshow Studios on 5585 9711."

10 Days Til Filming and the Crew Starts to Arrive

Sun, 5 Jul 2009 15:03:21 GMT

It is now officially ten days until filming begins on The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. The bulk of the crew for the movie started arriving at the Gold Coast last week to begin prep work for the movie.
I have to admit this is particularly exciting for me and I'm sure it is for all Narnia movie fans as well — for a short period of time we didn't even know if this movie would be made. Now it's finally happening and hopefully casting announcements will begin very, very soon.

Digital Cameras to be Used on 'Dawn Treader'

Sat, 4 Jul 2009 18:45:45 GMT

Here is an excerpt from a recent interview with Cinematographer Dante Spinotti about the new film, "Public Enemies:"

Q: Why not go with a digital camera you'd already used? Why did you decide on the Sony F23 for Public Enemies?

Spinotti : Michael [Mann] likes depth of field, images with deep focus, and that camera has a chip that's more like 16mm that gave us that depth of focus. It's the same reason why I chose the same camera for the film I am going into now, The Chronicles of Narnia. The depth of field works in our favor. The camera also has an advantage in the sense that it is much more elastic. You can adjust gamma curves and gain for incredible control over the image. You can also shoot much bigger energy in the sense that you can have a zoom lens and the camera can move around in a quicker way.

Your reaction to this news will depend on which side of the Film vs. Digital debate you are on. One side argues that the quality of digital video is not yet as good as 35mm film while the other side argues that the difference is not noticeable. Both "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" and "Prince Caspian" were shot on 35mm film. This year, "Slumdog Millionaire" became the first movie shot mainly with digital cameras to receive the Academy Award for Best Cinematography.

From a filmmaker's perspective, filming digitally offers many advantages for the production. You don't have to wait for the film to be processed; you can upload it to a computer and begin editing that very day. Shooting digitally can cut down post-production time by weeks. It may also be cheaper.

The "theoretical resolution" of film is certainly higher than digital. But how noticeable is the difference in quality? That's the debate.

(One more tidbit that may interest fans: Because they will be using digital cameras, there will no longer be any need to "check the gate.")

Thanks to 'Icarus' for the find.

Behind the Scenes of Focus on the Family's 'The Screwtape Letters'

Sat, 4 Jul 2009 17:17:07 GMT

A 7-minute behind-the-scenes look at Focus on the Family's audio adaptation of C. S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters has been posted online. The video includes interviews with Douglas Gresham, and shows Andy Serkis performing as Screwtape. A Fall 2009 release has been announced. View the video here. In 2002, Focus on the Family completed their much-loved audio adaptations of The Chronicles of Narnia. Thanks to 'Dekkie' for the find.