Posted on 07/11/2006 7:11:03 PM PDT by SandRat
7/11/2006 - SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) -- Lights, camera, action! Airmen at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., home to the Air Force's only operational F-117 wing, got to experience a new kind of rush as Hollywood invaded their base.
The DreamWorks/Paramount Pictures live-action film "Transformers," set to release in July 2007, will feature several different aircraft including the F-117 Nighthawk from Holloman and the CV-22 Osprey from Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. More than 300 Airmen participated as extras in the movie and providing logistical support during the filming.
"It's a thrill to know my face will be seen in a movie. It outweighs the long hours," said Airman 1st Class Mehtar Sullivan, an emergency management technician with the 49th Civil Engineer Squadron at Holloman.
While participating as extras in the movie, Airmen had to be on leave and available all day for shooting scenes. Some Airmen have speaking roles in the film. The days were long and sometimes lasted until early morning the next day.
"This was a great way to highlight what our mission is, what our people do and what our equipment does at no expense to the taxpayer," said Capt. Trisha Raynoha of the 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office.
The production crew sent scouts to seven different Air Force bases and several Army installations before deciding on Holloman and the F-117 wing.
F-117s and the CV-22 Osprey are featured prominently in the movie as both static background and taxiing aircraft. Also featured will be the A-10 Thunderbolt II, C-17 Globemaster III, MH-53 Pave Low, HH-53 Super Jolly Green Giant, AC-130 Gunship, C-130 Hercules, MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle and Air Force One.
"The CV-22 Osprey is scheduled to make its feature film debut in this movie, along with the F-22 Raptor," said 1st Lt. Christian Hodge, chief, industry relations, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs entertainment liaison.
With the movie set in full swing, it gave Airmen a peek into Hollywood life and a moment in the spotlight.
"It has been a wonderful experience seeing how they actually make a movie and all the work that goes into it. It has been fun," said Airman 1st Class Toby Schultz from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.
This is the largest movie project since "Black Hawk Down" to receive Department of Defense approval as selection is based on how accurately forces are portrayed. With Michael Bay as the director, known for his special effects-driven movies like "The Rock" and "Pearl Harbor," the approval was easy.
"We've worked with Michael Bay before; we like the way he operates. He understands how the military operates," said Army Lt. Col. Paul Sinor, lead public affairs representative for DOD.
A Morale Boost and a Boost for the MWR fund balance.
Starscream BUMP
Transformers? As in the robots?
They are making a "Transformers" movie as in "more than meets the eye" live action movie?
They are making a "Transformers" movie as in "more than meets the eye" live action movie?
Yeah, this is for the new movie that is to come out this fall or Christmas.
Yep!
I wonder who is playing Optimus Prime and Megatron?
Aren't they about 20 years too late with this?
I bought a crapload of these things for my boy....in the early friggin 80's!
(BTW, that kid could destroy a Tonka Truck in a week.)
> As in the robots?
Yup. "Pirates of the Caribbean" had a trailer for it. Looks interesting, though you couldn't see squat.
My 20-yr-old daughter and her friends went to the opening midnight screening of Pirates. The theater was packed with their age group and when they saw the Transformers trailer they screamed and clapped. I think they liked the trailer better than the movie. Still have my son's Transformers packed away somewhere, they were awfully fun....
> The theater was packed with their age group and when they saw the Transformers trailer they screamed and clapped.
Was that the one with the Mars rover? That's the one I saw. As it was playing, I had no idea what was going on... until just before the end when things started getting a little weird, and I suddenly remembered that this movie was being made. Then at the end when you can *just* barely make out a shadow, I figured it out... and started laughing my elderly (36... sigh. Time to retire. Where's my Social Security???) butt off.
When we went to 'Pirates' and saw the Transformers preview my 13 yr old son got more excited for it than he did the Kevin Costner Coast Guard movie!
Now your 13 year old has even more reason to be excited.
4th of July weekend 2007, actually.
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