6/2: Before the Fire

[Joe_rocks_socks]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaAdventurer

Is it worthwhile to rebuild particular sets if they have no immediate need to shoot on them? In other words, if the tax incentives to shoot in Toronto and NYC are good enough now, does Hollywood need a NY street?

Hollywood will always need a New York street, and not just Universals. All the major studios have some form of it, Warner Brothers, Paramount, CBS Radford, and Sony all have at least one street on their lots. Tax incentives may take some productions away, but the streets get used for all sorts of television shows, commercials, still photography shoots, and the occaisional movie. Also, they aren't used for JUST New York, I've seen the same street on Paramount dressed as New York, San Francisco, Boston, and Chicago.

[GrumpyFan]

Indeed, the sets are used a lot by all of the studios. Many times just for a cutaway/scene change shot showing a location change. It's far easier and cheaper to send a crew to the Universal backlot than it is to Toronto or other locations around the world.

I'm curious to know if any of the houses in the backlot were destroyed, Or, was it just the city street facades?

[Dustysage]

The Universal back lots are VERY active with lots of TV, Commercials, Music Videos, and Movies shooting there all the time. I'm sure that they will look at the financials before rebuilding, but I'd bet they do in fact rebuild sooner rather than later.

according to the interviews I saw and read yesterday, there was a fire suppression (Deluge) system in use on the backlot, but it didn't work. They will need to investigate why the systems failed so badly.

Just as an FYI - Sir Clinksalot just got finished riding the tram tour. They are taking the trams past part of the burned area and there are still many fire trucks on the scene. He reports that the famed Courthouse building is still standing but fire damaged. We'll have pictures up in just a bit.

[Lost Boy]

Kudos to the Firefighters at the Film Vault who formed a "bucket Brigade" type of line to remove the films and videos from one end as the fire raged through the far end. They saved many actual cans of old film and master video copies as well. The news shot from the telecopter showed them doing this and the small trucks and carts that were taking the stuff away as fast as they could.

There was a lot of history here, but no real damage done that can't be rebuilt. It's very sad but I am so glad the fire didn't get into the real old stages where some still contain standing sets from the 1920's and 30's. And the Theme Park area was untouched as well. As to King Kong, it was time to go anyway. There have been so many other films that a ride on the tram tour is warranted. The one in Florida was so much better anyway, this one was tired and lame now. I hope they put something new in that area.

[tinkermonkey]

Originally Posted by Dustysage

Just as an FYI - Sir Clinksalot just got finished riding the tram tour. They are taking the trams past part of the burned area and there are still many fire trucks on the scene. He reports that the famed Courthouse building is still standing but fire damaged. We'll have pictures up in just a bit.

Yeah for on the spot reporting from the MC News Team!! I look forward to seeing the pictures. Al's update helped me remember what it all looked like and now I'm really curious to see what it looked like today.

[Aladdin]

Originally Posted by Lost Boy

Kudos to the Firefighters at the Film Vault who formed a "bucket Brigade" type of line to remove the films and videos from one end as the fire raged through the far end. They saved many actual cans of old film and master video copies as well. The news shot from the telecopter showed them doing this and the small trucks and carts that were taking the stuff away as fast as they could.

There was a lot of history here, but no real damage done that can't be rebuilt. It's very sad but I am so glad the fire didn't get into the real old stages where some still contain standing sets from the 1920's and 30's. And the Theme Park area was untouched as well. As to King Kong, it was time to go anyway. There have been so many other films that a ride on the tram tour is warranted. The one in Florida was so much better anyway, this one was tired and lame now. I hope they put something new in that area.

I found some pictures online of Firemen carrying stacks of film cases from the "vault storage" area (through a hole they cut in the metal on the outside of the structure.) Even though they carried out armloads of canisters, there would also be a concern for water damage to items that were carried out.

Dusty mentioned about the fire supression system failing. Also some reports are saying that the water pressure water was very low. That added to the problem of putting the fires out.

[MagicWDI]

I'm not sure what kind of storage they used, but I've worked with film cans and they are created in a way that when standing up straight you can poor all the water you want on them and the water cannot enter the cans. They are not water proof, so they can't be submerged even for a second, but falling water should not be a problem. That is if the cans are properly stored.

That is also assuming they are not using "Fox Boxes." I am guessing cans.

[disneytim]

Originally Posted by Lost Boy

Kudos to the Firefighters at the Film Vault who formed a "bucket Brigade" type of line to remove the films and videos from one end as the fire raged through the far end. They saved many actual cans of old film and master video copies as well. The news shot from the telecopter showed them doing this and the small trucks and carts that were taking the stuff away as fast as they could.

Firefighters rescuing film canisters from the vault yesterday (photos courtesy the Associated Press):

[sir clinksalot]

I can confirm what Dusty said. The courthouse is still there.

They did make mention, more than once on the tour that they were planning on rebuilding NY street. Not sure if this includes Kong or not.

[brandontroy]

Truly a sad day! Universal Backlot was my second home.

Thanks for the article and great shots AL.
Everyone please post any updates.
Man, talk about bad luck, first the clock tower is struck by lightning and now this. /sarcasm

[pineapplewhipaddict]

It's so weird...I mean, I was there just last week...

Glad I got to see banana-breath one last time :/

[disneytim]

Details have not been released, but the Universal Studios fire has been ruled accidental by Los Angeles County fire officials.

http://micechat.com/forums/showpost....0&postcount=67

[Dustysage]

Originally Posted by brandontroy

Everyone please post any updates.

We've been updating non-stop since yesterday morning:
http://micechat.com/2008/06/universa...use-destroyed/

News & Pictures

[Kiba]

Variety reports there are plans to rebuild not just the damaged sets but King Kong as well: http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...goryid=13&cs=1

[sir clinksalot]

^ Where did it say that? I just read the entire article ... twice.