Revenge of the Fallen Robots

By Anthony Breznican, USA TODAY
It’s always the quiet ones you need to fear.
Ninjas. Serial killers. Boba Fett. Gastrointestinal functions.
In Transformers lore, the mechanical jaguar Ravage has been a villain favorite since the 1980s for his stealthy tactics and deadly force. Ever since a four-legged mechanical beast prowled through the trailer for summer’s sequel, Revenge of The Fallen, fans have been awaiting more word about the feline-ish Decepticon. As more robots in the June 24 movie are revealed, Ravage comes into focus.… [ Read more ]

Behind Transformers Revenge of the Fallen

By PETER DEBRUGE
CREATIVE CREW

In the spirit of director Michael Bay’s return, Paramount gave away T-shirts that read “Even Bigger Giant F**king Robots Are Coming” at San Diego Comic-Con last summer.
Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, both repeat Bay collaborators, teamed up with “The Ring” writer Ehren Kruger, who pitched an idea the producers deemed worth of a sequel.
A veteran of “Spider-Man” and other big-budget tentpoles, producer Ian Bryce managed the day-to-day logistics, from scheduling and budgeting to negotiating the use of billion-dollar U.S.… [ Read more ]

At Work With Michael Bay

By PETER DEBRUGETHE MAN

No one makes movies on the scale of Michael Bay, though the director remembers a time when the studio wasn’t sure whether he could handle anything larger than a musicvideo.
But as Bay saw it, he’d already logged more on-set experience than most feature helmers. “I’ve already directed over 500 days, and I know how to work a crew,” he told Sony before being allowed to make “Bad Boys.” Much of his team was already in place — and still works with him today.… [ Read more ]

Hasbro congratualtes Michael Bay

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Variety: Michael Bay keeps vfx shops busy

ILM, Digital Domain push the limits for director
By DAVID S. COHEN
After “Transformers” hit theaters in 2007, Michael Bay spoofed himself in a Verizon FiOS commercial, proclaiming, “I demand things to be awesome!” and proving it by flaunting his “awesome pussycat” (a tiger) and awesome (exploding) barbecue grill.
Turns out the helmer was only half-kidding. Just ask the visual effects studios on “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” who have their hands full keeping up with Bay’s itch for excess.
“He’s brilliant, but he’s a challenge,” says Matthew Butler, Digital Domain’s vfx supervisor on the film.… [ Read more ]