Monday, July 30, 2012

DIY Network has Total Recall

The DIY Network takes an inside look at some of the massive sets from the remake of genre classic Total Recall.

Total Recall with Arnold Schwarzenegger was a classic, there's little argument about that. Total Recall with Colin Ferrel? That's looking like something that sci-fi fans might just be very happy with too. And if you'd like to get a little bit of a closer look at some of the amazing sets from the film- the DIY Network has just the ticket, and you don't even have to mess around with your noggin.


I AM NOT QUAID!!!
This Wednesday (August 1st) the channel will air a special look at the movie in its Hollywood Builders series in Hollywood Builders: Total Recall. Starting at 9pm eastern and pacific (check your local listings), the episode will give viewers a detailed look at what it took to put together the sets for 'The Fall' and 'The Colony' scenes in the upcoming flick.

Hollywood Builders: Total Recall documents the building of the canal through “The Colony,” the film’s over-crowded, multi-cultural home of the working class, giving viewers a first look at how the movie makes knee-high water look like a functioning harbor by transforming the indoor stage into a waterfront shantytown.  Scenic artists also reveal how they made the picture’s stunt-worthy set pieces, including the roof Colin Farrell’s character, Quaid, crashes through and as seen in the movie’s trailer. 
“It’s some of the most incredibly carpentered designs and finely detailed work that I’ve ever seen on a film set. It’s just really magnificent stuff,” says Colin Farrell. In awe of its realistic portrayal, the lead actor shares why he spent one night on the set only to be awaken by the builders. “I just wanted to wake up one morning in that space. It was lovely.”  
DIY Network also provides an in-depth look at “The Fall,” which was built on North America’s largest soundstage. As the film’s space-age passenger craft, “The Fall,” travels through the core of the earth and rotates 180 degrees, turning the actors upside down. Hollywood Builders: Total Recall gets the inside scoop on how the designers make this 25-ft. in diameter set spin and shows how the enormous set pieces forced the team to move into a circus tent in order to build it. 
In all, the work took almost 500 talented professionals to complete. Set designers, decorators, carpenters, welders, painters, electricians, and artists all came together to make up the small army of folks that were employed to create some of the most elaborate sounding sci-fi sets in recent memory. Their goal was creating something fantastical, but to also keep it grounded in (a futuristic) realism.

“I don't know why, but there's something about making things that are not real... Look real… That we get very excited about. It's silly, really,” Len Wiseman, Total Recall’s director tells DIY Network when discussing the film’s set building process. 
All in all, I have to say, this is the first time in a bunch of years that I'm genuinely excited about an old school, action/sci-fi blockbuster. 

Consider that a divorce...
Now, if you miss the initial broadcast of the special and would still like to check it out- don't fret. Hollywood Builders: Total Recall will see a rebroadcast on Thursday the 2nd at 10pm ET/PT, on the 3rd at 5pm, and bright and early on Saturday August 4th- at 8am. That's plenty of chances to catch it- and you might want to make sure you do (or set those DVR's) if you're a sci-fi buff, it should be well worth your time.

The Len Wiseman directed reboot of Total Recall (starring Colin Ferrel, Kate Beckinsale, and Jessica Biel) premiers at theaters this Friday, August 3rd.