quidamling: (Lennox & Ironhide - close)
quidamling ([personal profile] quidamling) wrote2010-07-12 01:42 am
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Mission Mech Stalk: Accomplished!

Phew.  Day two of stalking the Transformers 3 set was a go.  I thought I might have burned myself out yesterday, but muses and buddies and self were all rather demanding of more mech hunting.  So back downtown I went.  ♥

I took a different train line, one that runs aboveground (the Elevated bit of Chicago's "L") parallel to the set.  I saw something worryfull... they were starting to clean up the rubble from yesterday... oh dear. 

But!  I got off the train (Wow, at a damn sketchy station, not shocked I had never gotten off there before...) and headed back to the set.

That sinking feeling did continue a bit.  There were the same fleet of Paramount trucks along the edge of the set, but everything was really, really quiet. 

I zigzagged the blocks becoming more and more sad panda...  until I came to the spot of yesterday's Bay-splosion.  And I see brooms.

Now, a thing I have learned, this might not be universal, but Bay likes his kabooms messy.  And I doubt actors like just random dirt thrown at them.  So at least on TF3, the explosions shoot potting soil at the actors.  I saw carts, full of bags of potting soil.  And come to think of it, I remember shots in the first movie of Lennox with dirt all over his ears from an explosion.  So yeah.  Movie guys, apparently go to home depot, and use the gardening section for movie props.  Now you know.  ♥

So they are sweeping up all that massive amount of potting soil, and I think I am out of luck.  But I recognize the crew guy that had been really nice yesterday during waiting for the Bay-splosions, so I ask him what the deal is.

Me - "Are they done?  They're cleaning up, huh?"
Nice Dude - "They are cleaning up here, but they might be doing more filming somewhere else."
Me - *fangirl perk*
Nice Dude - "I can't say specifically where *POINTED LOOK TO HIS LEFT* but if you wander around, you'll find the excitement."
Me - *bounces and starts trotting off*  Thank you!

~*~*~

So I discovered foam rubble.  Which is not nearly as hilarious in still photo as in actuality, but trust me, imagine these "giant slabs of concrete" wobbling and jiggling as the the truck drives down the street.  It's giggle worthy.



Then, oddly, when in doubt, follow the rubble!

And find more rubble! 



So there is active filming, stuff on fire, and the camera boom rolling around.  It's the thing on the left.  :3



Once again, other fans to the rescue.  Someone said Ironhide and Ratchet were the next block over.  \o/

I scurry over, see Ratchet first, then omg, yes.  Mission accomplished!  The Mech, the Myth, the Legend.



Ho boy, he eats light.  All that shiny black.



And he is a frickin' BEAST.  I'm 5'5",  closer to the camera by about 3 feet, and standing on the curb.  Yes, truck bed still looks eyeball height.  Honestly, I was about eye height with the wheel well bulge. 



(I also apologize, I can only hold a genuine smile for a camera for about 3 seconds.  Then I do this Chandler Bing terror face.)

>.>  *fondles smokestacks*

Mmmm.  NEST logo on license plate.  *purrpurr*  "IF I TELL YOU - I HAVE TO KILL YOU"



Autobot tramp stamp!  \o/



Ratchet was guarding Ironhide's rear quarterpanel.  I think it was just that no one wanted to parallel park Hummer butt, but the placement was cute.

Ratchet's emergency emblem.  Should not have used flash, stupid stupid stupid.  The one without flash was blurry.  Stupider, stupider, stupider....  >.<



Hummer is a drama llama, and refuses flash photos.  All that you get is glaring reflective paint.  But san flash...  now there is the CMO we know (sorta recognize) and love!



I like big Hummer butts and I cannot lie.  ♥



Then I wandered to the side corner of the active filming.  They were very intently filming this building.  Like, this chopper circled the building closely (a bit of impressive piloting...) repeatedly.  I was trying to imagine a mech climbing up the walls.  :3



And just about as this poor little stalker was running out of gas, it started raining.  Again.  -_-

I was about to head home when at the last second I decided to sneak into a parking garage to look from higher up.

Blown up, abandoned cars, rubble... Yup.  It's a Bay Movie.



And looking down at the little plebes.  *shrug*  Iunno.  I was tired and punchy by the time I got to this point.


 
Shia was apparently around.  Meh.  >.>  (Don't bite me.)  And so was Tyrese Gibson.  But no dice on finding actors.  Still, hope you liked the explorations!

[identity profile] aprilraven.livejournal.com 2010-07-12 06:52 am (UTC)(link)
You are awesome and amazing WIN. Thank you for stalkering, and Ironhide IS Beast, yes! Love all the pics!!! *fangirl drooling all over Ironhide ones, sorreh mech* XDDDDD *luffs and hugs* ♥♥♥

[identity profile] onetruesikorsky.livejournal.com 2010-07-12 06:54 am (UTC)(link)
*Eats everything*

Omnomnom. So shineh and gorgeous.

[identity profile] runyasan08.livejournal.com 2010-07-12 06:58 am (UTC)(link)
mm The Mech, the Myth, the Legend Topkick buttmmmm Hummer butt
*omnomnoms forevar*

[identity profile] quidamling.livejournal.com 2010-07-12 07:33 am (UTC)(link)
*huggles* It was a labor of love, truly. XDDD

[identity profile] quidamling.livejournal.com 2010-07-12 07:34 am (UTC)(link)
Pretty pretty mechs. <3

[identity profile] quidamling.livejournal.com 2010-07-12 07:35 am (UTC)(link)
Auto-butts would be a hilarious pinup calendar. >.> *plots*

wait... *curses lack of arts*

[identity profile] kageokami666.livejournal.com 2010-07-12 07:38 am (UTC)(link)
Oh I'm jealous - I want to stalk mechs too, it looks like tons of fun

hopefully helpful tip - for pictures where a flash results in a glare try taking the picture at a slight angle

[identity profile] quidamling.livejournal.com 2010-07-12 07:43 am (UTC)(link)
*giggles* It was the best of intentions. I've wanted to Icon Ratchet's emblem since the first movie. Still denied. Les Sigh.

And medic reflectors have this crazy uber dazzle thing going. Ahh, safety mechs been taking hints from Jazz.

[identity profile] kageokami666.livejournal.com 2010-07-12 08:18 am (UTC)(link)
They must be making it difficult to picture on purpose (uber dazzle things might give a glare at any angle then)

[identity profile] mmouse15.livejournal.com 2010-07-12 01:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Nice job! I'm really hoping you didn't overdo and hurt yourself. *hugs*

aslkddsfja! Yes, Topkicks are freaking monsters, aren't they? I drove by one in my truck and it was still taller than my 4x4. It's impressive.

So...um, can I make an icon of his tramp stamp from your picture? That is the best photo I've seen of it yet. I'll share it with you if I can successfully do it!

Thanks for sharing this amazing adventure with us!

[identity profile] pellimusprime.livejournal.com 2010-07-12 02:38 pm (UTC)(link)
"I can't say specifically where *POINTED LOOK TO HIS LEFT* but if you wander around, you'll find the excitement."

HAHAHAHAHA WIN XDDD

xD ah man so cool. Ironhide is one HUGE TRUCK. I've seen shots of im with people in-frame before, but I'm still surprised every time I get that visual reference to just HOW big he is.

[identity profile] spacegarden.livejournal.com 2010-07-12 03:35 pm (UTC)(link)
*flails* this post wiiiiiins. makes me wanna be right there with you running around like a spaz scoping out mechs haha.

and you have made Dave all happy by getting the shot of Ratchet's emblem, flash or no flash 8)

[identity profile] quidamling.livejournal.com 2010-07-12 03:58 pm (UTC)(link)
eeeee! Tramp stamp iconage! Be my guest.

XD Seriously, taking that picture was hilarious, I was leaning over the car behind Ironhide, camera at arm's length, and the security chick giggling at me like I was a freak. She was nice though, and pointed out the NEST plate.

Yeah, no problem getting these. I took a break this time and hung out in a restaurant for a bit of a rest... it also let me get further down the block towards filming, so I sat in the window. >3

[identity profile] femme4jack.livejournal.com 2010-07-12 04:01 pm (UTC)(link)
OMG! I'm so glad the internet was up long enough for me to see this today! That is so many kinds of awesome and I'm silently squeeing. Thanks so much for posting the pics XDDDDDD

[identity profile] quidamling.livejournal.com 2010-07-12 04:23 pm (UTC)(link)
That guy, honestly wins more karma cookies than I know what to do with. X3

And Ironhide, OMG. Yeah. With no reference it's like, 'meh, pickup.' But honestly, a TopKick is practically a semi base. So in person it's like 'hofrag... o.o don't squish me!'

[identity profile] quidamling.livejournal.com 2010-07-12 04:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, it would have been nice to have a stalking buddy. No one in town understaaaaaaands! >:

Heheh. Dave is awesome. If I gave him a bit of a reason to put up with the fandom, utter win! <3

[identity profile] silver-bells13.livejournal.com 2010-07-13 08:31 am (UTC)(link)
Hummer butt ♥

Lucky you! I'm glad to see Ratchet around, maybe this movie they'll give him more screen time than just two lines :)

[identity profile] xxsomeoneelsexx.livejournal.com 2010-07-15 10:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh God that picture of Ironhide. It's so pretty. So so pretty. I am le jealous. ;w; Thanks for sharing your stalkage, totally adding to memories!

By the by, you wouldn't happen to recognize <"http://realmrsoptimusprime.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d2tx0r4">this picture, would you? I'm suspicious of this girl, she's got a history of uploading other peoples' photos and saying she took them.

[identity profile] quidamling.livejournal.com 2010-07-16 02:19 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks, hun.

And... uh. Wow, that chick is... umm... all 12 ingredients in the special sauce?

Nah, I never quite managed a pic of the trailer. I'm sure she goinked it off Seibertron. They stalk a little harder and with more manpower than me. >3

[identity profile] quidamling.livejournal.com 2010-07-16 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
I know! I'd love to see him being more medicy than hollering at Jolt. ♥

[identity profile] quidamling.livejournal.com 2010-07-16 02:34 am (UTC)(link)
Welcome!

[identity profile] nova-myth.livejournal.com 2010-07-16 04:18 am (UTC)(link)
You are one resourceful woman to find it and get the bit of access you did! I love Ironhide's tramp stamp. I'm so curious now what is with Ratchet's new colors, but I'm liking them! XD I still wishing for the white and red of old but with how he currently schemed. Hehehe.

[identity profile] macx-larabee.livejournal.com 2010-07-16 04:22 am (UTC)(link)
EEEEK! So much envy! Ironhide!

*glassy eyed stare*

Really, lots of envy. LOTS! Screw actors, give me shiny black trucks any day! Then again, if they could shove Josh Duhamel into the picture, sure. I could be swayed... just a little... yep... :)

And I love your icon!

[identity profile] jigsaws231.livejournal.com 2010-07-16 04:48 am (UTC)(link)
So incredibly cool! Thanks again for sharing your luck (and your pictures!)

[identity profile] kookaburra1701.livejournal.com 2010-07-16 05:30 am (UTC)(link)
Honestly, if Bay knew anything about Emergency Vehicles, or even trucks in general, he would have switched Ratchet's and Ironhide's vehicle modes. Hummer H2 would be ridiculously under-powered as even a light rescue truck, but customized Topkicks and other vehicles of that size/power are often used as rescue rigs and ambulances.

My annoyance, let me show you it. ;)

[identity profile] ultharkitty.livejournal.com 2010-07-16 08:35 am (UTC)(link)
*has squee*

Mmm, tasty Ironhide :D And the idea of the wobbly road bits made me giggle.

Thankyou for posting these :D
ext_8873: (Prowlicade)

[identity profile] darkdanc3r.livejournal.com 2010-07-16 11:09 am (UTC)(link)
WIN! I envy you so hard being able to look around like this during filming. And these pictures were a great way to send myself off to bed.

(I still secretly think the current Ratchet look is something closer to what Wheeljack might wear.)

[identity profile] aeroferret.livejournal.com 2010-07-16 11:26 am (UTC)(link)
Ratchet's coloring is making my eyes squint a little...

[identity profile] xxsomeoneelsexx.livejournal.com 2010-07-16 11:33 am (UTC)(link)
Welcome! Dat picture. Hnnn.

...herp, HTML fail *facepalms at self* Well, I'm glad to hear it isn't yours, she's ganked from friends before. And I must hit up Seibertron for more stalkage now! XD

[identity profile] vermilionbird.livejournal.com 2010-07-16 01:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Awesome pics. I hope you don't mind if I drool over them a while, because I am.

Loving Ratchet's make over.

[identity profile] quidamling.livejournal.com 2010-07-17 03:12 am (UTC)(link)
The green is still a little eye burny... but at least, he is mostly white/silvery again. Small miracles, right?

[identity profile] quidamling.livejournal.com 2010-07-17 03:15 am (UTC)(link)
The challenge made it a bit fun. I adore all Ironhide's badges. <3

[identity profile] quidamling.livejournal.com 2010-07-17 03:17 am (UTC)(link)
Drool, I don't mind! XD

I really think I can come to love the medic's new look. Though someone was laughing that all the emergency gear is bolted to the Hummer. >3 Soooo helpful there.

[identity profile] quidamling.livejournal.com 2010-07-17 03:18 am (UTC)(link)
Glad you liked 'em!

I can kinda see, white and green could be very Wheeljack. And all the caging around the nose. Hehehe.

[identity profile] quidamling.livejournal.com 2010-07-17 03:33 am (UTC)(link)
I know! I've seen more TopKicks as emergency vehicles in, like the Caribbean and stuff, even to full fire rigs.

But Bay, likes the Humvees. So... iunno. XD

[identity profile] quidamling.livejournal.com 2010-07-17 03:38 am (UTC)(link)
*giggles* I was very very happy with the vehicles, but yeah. The news says Josh Duhamel is in town, but they closed down a lot more to make stalking more difficult.

*sad face*

[identity profile] tainry.livejournal.com 2010-07-17 07:25 am (UTC)(link)
::FLAIL::
OK, first, icon love! Heee!
HOMG IRONHIDE! Monster - there are some stills around somewhere of him next to Prime...and he's not much smaller, akchully. O.O
AAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA OMG RATCHET IF THEY GAVE YOU A BAD TIME ABOUT THE LAST PAINTJOB DEAR PRIMUS MY EYES! I love it.
Also love the commentary. Booyah for fangrrls!!!!! <3

[identity profile] vermilionbird.livejournal.com 2010-07-17 01:57 pm (UTC)(link)
*drools*

Well of course the emergancy gear is bolted down. He is a Transformer, not a real ambulance. I doubt he wants people walking off with his bits and parts. XD

[identity profile] quidamling.livejournal.com 2010-07-17 06:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Hehehe. Very welcome. :3

Ironhide is pretty delicious, yes.

[identity profile] quidamling.livejournal.com 2010-07-17 06:21 pm (UTC)(link)
*giggles* Thanks so much. >3 It was a lot of fun.

[identity profile] quidamling.livejournal.com 2010-07-17 06:23 pm (UTC)(link)
*snickerfit*

Now I have the image of some poor EMT/rescue volunteer taking a shovel or an ax and trying to run off to help someone... and this deep voice like "Please put that back..." scaring the crap out of them.

[identity profile] quidamling.livejournal.com 2010-07-18 02:33 am (UTC)(link)
*giggles*

Points go to Pellimus for the icon. ♥

Yeah, Ironhide is frickin huge. I love it. And Ratchet, the poor darling just can NOT catch a break. Hehehe. Glad you liked the pics and junk. >3

[identity profile] kalaryx.livejournal.com 2010-07-18 06:39 pm (UTC)(link)
So much awesome. Thanks for posting these up! :D

[identity profile] quidamling.livejournal.com 2010-07-19 02:29 am (UTC)(link)
*grin* You are very much welcome. >3