LPWire: Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry Unveils Action! An Adventure in Moviemaking

Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry Unveils Action! An Adventure in Moviemaking

How does a studio set become a city street? How does makeup transform actors into aliens? How are flicks picked for production? Wonder if you could be the next Spielberg? The magic behind moviemaking is a mystery no more. Action! An Adventure in Moviemaking, the Museum of Science and Industry's summer smash, which opens May 28, 2004, takes guests behind the big screen and on authentic sets to learn about the art and technology of the film industry.

"We all love a great film," says Kurt Haunfelner, vice president of exhibits and collections at the Museum. "But few people realize how much work it takes to bring just one movie to their local theater. The Museum is working to develop a new exhibit that will allow families of all ages to be a part of the filmmaking process and experience the science that makes our favorite films possible."

Juni (left) & Carmen's costumes from Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over

In cooperation with Paramount Pictures, the Museum has designed and developed Action! to include two thrilling environments totaling 12,000 square feet. The first, "Meet the Moviemakers," presents the inside story of filmmaking as told by the actual top professionals who collaborate to bring a picture to the big screen. In this environment, guests will visit four key locations: the production room, where they meet the preproduction team and see where a movie is born; the design room, where the artistry and creativity of Hollywood's best minds takes shape; the action and stunt room, where danger is all in a day's work; and the special effects and creature studio where the imaginary becomes reality. They’ll meet the screenwriters who develop winning ideas, the producers who bring the moviemaking team together, and the directors who interpret the script. Guests will also learn how actors prepare for their roles and how costume designers and makeup artists transform 21st century stars into gladiators, historical characters and comic book heroes. They will discover tricks of the trade from photographers and production designers, and sample the technical wizardry and science used by stunt designers and digital visual effects experts.

Guests will also try their hands at filmmaking by operating a real movie camera, trying on movie costumes, using a computer interactive to play producer, choosing the crucial elements of the next blockbuster hit, driving like a stunt performer and more. Guests will also see artifacts from blockbuster films up-close. Movie artifacts on display will include real scripts, Oscar statues, full costumes, models and miniatures, creature masks, and real stunt equipment.

This is a scary mummy head from Disney's Under Wraps

After learning the roles of all the major contributors to a motion picture's development, guests will walk right into the action of a movie sound stage in the exhibit's second amazing space-"The Sound Stage Experience." Here guests will see how a simple room can be transformed into any location in the world...or beyond. They will see and work on three live sets where scenes are being shot right in front of them. Each set uses a different bit of movie magic to create a completely realistic setting. After an overview of the scenes, guests will be able to participate either in front of or behind the camera by visiting a casting office. Finally, they will visit an edit screening room where all the elements, images, music and sound effects are edited and mixed together to form a final mini-motion picture.

Full size bicycle with ET that was used in the 20th anniversary reissue of the film's flying scene. It was used with a live actor in front of a green screen to redo a shot that was done with stop motion models in the original version. This is one of Steven Spielberg's favorite shots of his career.

"The Museum of Science and Industry's goal is to educate people about science, technology and industry in a way that is captivating and compelling. That is why we are proud to offer our guests VIP access behind the scenes of the movie industry, allowing them to actually participate in making a motion picture," says David Mosena, president and CEO of the Museum. "Action! An Adventure in Moviemaking is an example of the one-of-a-kind experiences guests can always find here."

The Museum of Science and Industry's mission is to inspire the inventive genius in everyone by presenting captivating and compelling experiences that are real and educational. Located at 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, the Museum is open every day of the year except December 25. Hours are 9:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Action! An Adventure in Moviemaking has an extra exhibit fee of $7.50 for adults, $6 for seniors and $5.50 for children under 12. The general admission pricing is $9 for adults, $7.50 for seniors and $5 for children ages 3-11. City of Chicago residents receive a discount on General Admission. The Museum is supported in part through the generosity of the people of Chicago through the Chicago Park District. For more information, visit the Museum's Web site at www.msichicago.org or call (773) 684-1414 or (800) GO-TO-MSI outside of the Chicago area.

--Posted March 18, 2004
Source: Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry
Photo credit: Museum of Science and Industry