Not much but an interview with the guy who is the Director of Photography for ROTS
Larry Blanford also worked on Ben Affleck film opening later this month
BY RACHEL E. SHEELEY
STAFF WRITER
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
http://www.pal-item.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070109/NEWS13/701090329/1007
Enjoy the action sequences in the new film, "Night at the Museum?"
Moviegoers can thank Richmond native Larry Blanford for the imagery.
The 1977 Richmond High School graduate was the second unit, or action, director of photography for the film in early 2006.
This was Blanford's second film with Ben Stiller, having been the second unit director of photography for "Along Came Polly."
"Night at the Museum" also gave Blanford a chance to work with a classic television and film star.
"Dick Van Dyke is 80 years old and amazing," Blanford said. "He is energetic, professional and above all, a gentleman. He makes everyone around him feel comfortable and does what needs to be done to get whatever shot we're doing. During the filming of the fight scene, he actually strained a muscle but wouldn't stop until the shot was perfect."
Blanford, the son of Virginia "Billie" Blanford of Richmond who was home for Christmas, has had a non-stop workload since fall 2005 when he did second unit direction on the film "Smokin' Aces."
"Smokin' Aces" follows the efforts of several people to take out a sleazy magician who has agreed to turn state's evidence against the Vegas mob. The film, scheduled to open nationwide Jan. 26, includes Ben Affleck, Jeremy Piven, Ryan Reynolds, Andy Garcia and Alicia Keys.
In May, Blanford started work on "The Kingdom" with Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Garner.
"While in the third week of shooting, I then got called to interview as the Main Unit Director of Photography on the sequel to 'Fantastic Four,' (on which Blanford was second unit director of photography).
"Apparently, it was a decent interview as Tim Story, director, hired me as the DP. Finally, making the leap from second unit to main unit. (It) wouldn't have hurt to do something smaller first, as opposed to the $130 million budget on 'FF2'... but what the hell," Blanford said.
"I left for Vancouver on July 15th and got back to L.A. right before Christmas. It was a long, hard shoot (80 shoot days) but I'm quite pleased with the end result. Jessica Alba was a peach along with the rest of the cast ... so that made life a bit easier. Although we wrapped principal photography there is still a bit to shoot. I'm headed off to Hong Kong and Thailand in a couple of weeks to shoot some background photography for the third act," he said.
"Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" is scheduled for a June release.
The move from second unit to main unit has long been a goal of Blanford, who has become known in Hollywood for his action and aerial cinematography. He got his start in the Air Force where he did aerial shots for the "Top Gun" movie because only authorized military personnel were allowed in the jet cockpits.
Among his credits are second unit direction on "Yours, Mine and Ours," "Fantastic Four," "Taxi," "Along Came Polly," "Paycheck," "Minority Report," "Tears of the Sun," and the Hoosier film, "Madison."
He also worked on "xXx," "The Rock," "Fly Away Home," "Under Suspicion" and "Broken Arrow," among others
These boards are getting boaring again. YAWNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN.
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