Transformers' Director Michael Bay Calls 3-D A 'Technical Nightmare

'I've slowed down my style on this one,' he tells MTV News of adjusting to 3-D for 'Dark of the Moon.'
By Eric Ditzian, with reporting by Josh Horowitz


Michael Bay on the set of "Transformers: Dark of the Moon"
Photo: Paramount Pictures

Toward the end of February of last year, as James Cameron's "Avatar" was crossing the $700 million mark at the domestic box office on its way to a record-shattering worldwide total, "Transformers" director Michael Bay was still not convinced that 3-D was the true future of popcorn moviemaking.

"I've seen some tests that look great on other movies. I just want to see how it looks on my footage... in terms of a lot of real stuff coming out of the frame, real dirt, real complicated little particles coming towards the lens," he said at the time by way of revealing that he was considering a 3-D treatment for the third installment of his alien robot franchise.

The fact that he'd even arrived at such a testing phase is a credit both to Cameron and "Transformers" exec producer Stephen Spielberg. "Jim Cameron, he's like, 'Mike, you got to do it in 3-D,' " Bay told MTV News recently. "Stephen Spielberg, he says, 'Michael, you should do this in 3-D,' and I'm like, 'I don't know about the technology.' "

In the end, Bay became convinced that the tech was solid. For "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," he shot, by his own estimation, 60 percent of the finished film using 3-D cameras, another 15 percent consisting of all-digital 3-D shots and 25 percent footage converted from two dimensions to three. And while the director remains happy with the results, he did not mince words in talking about the challenges of working with 3-D cameras.

"It's hard with my style of shooting and taking [a camera] and strapping it to guys who are skydiving off buildings, and helmet cams," he said. "It's a technical nightmare. You don't even want to tell your viewers how technically complicated this stuff is."

To accommodate the limitations of a 3-D presentation, Bay ended up adjusting his often-kinetic approach to filmmaking. "I've slowed down my style on this one," he explained. "There are longer shots, there are evolving shots, some shots are 45 seconds long, where you're going in and through things. Where people say, 'Oh, I can't watch action with 3-D,' it's where 3-D was done poorly and your eye goes in and out, and if it jumps fast, it's when you get bad 3-D, because it screws with your head. Shot by shot, we're transitioning the viewer. You can really feel the action in this. It's much more experiential."

Check out everything we've got on "Transformers: Dark of the Moon."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Britney Spears Meets With The ?Hold It Against Me? Marines

Back in April we got to see an amazingly fun video of a group of US Military marines stationed in Afghanistan performing their version of Britney Spears‘s single Hold It Against Me. In May we learned that Britney made plans to meet with these marines here at home in the US to personally thank them [...]

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Beyonce's 4: Early Reviews Are In!

'It's very much the sort of album a pop star makes when she doesn't feel like she has anything to prove,' one critic writes.
By Jocelyn Vena


Beyonce's <i>4</i>
Photo: Columbia

Although Beyoncé's latest album, 4, was still weeks from its official release date, on Wednesday it was leaked and quickly caused a stir on the Internet, prompting fans and critics to weigh in on the singer's first new album in nearly three years.

So far, B's promo for 4 has been fueled by the release of tracks like the snarling "Run the World (Girls)", the track "Best Thing I Never Had," and the emotional "1+1." But now that all of the tracks are out there on the Net, Beyoncé's album is up for debate.

The Atlantic compares her latest to her last album: "In between, there's an unmistakable, if gradual, turn from melancholic top 40 ballads to the confrontational snap of military drums and giddy proclamations of love. Is this I Am ... Sasha Fierce part 2? Not quite. The course of 4 documents a progression, a maturation, of Beyoncé's worldview."

Rolling Stone observes, "Beyoncé's new album, 4, is a change of pace for the R&B queen ... 4 is a more relaxed, personal set that emphasizes ballads over bangers and showcases the singer's nuances; it's very much the sort of album a pop star makes when she doesn't feel like she has anything to prove."

Ology.com gives Beyoncé credit for working with so many producers on the album, but making it all sound "cohesive." "It stands quite easily as Knowles' most vibrant album; not saying it's her best (B'Day still holds that title), but it begs to be performed live in front of hundreds of thousands of screaming fans unlike anything else she's released yet."

Fans seem equally opinionated — and enthusiastic — about the album, which officially drops on June 28.

"This album is so not her, she took chances, went off in a new direction as far as sound, her vocal techniques are off the charts on this album," Lee Joseph Chaisson wrote on MTV.com. "She brought it vocally; the sounds are so uniquely different, her whole approach."

"I've heard the Album...The **** it BANGIN!" Oren Acquirestino added. "Beyonce's really really singing on this album."

B's most devoted also took to her Facebook page to put their two cents in. Tatyana Krasko wrote, "Beyonce thanks for great work...Album '4' it's amazing... I love Beyonce."

Another fan, Sunny Lochab, gave the singer props and said he was buying the album regardless of the leak. "I downloaded it. I couldn't help it - everyone was talking about it! and I completely love it - I'll be buying it too to show love! you show true growth on this album...it's ALL love."

Have you heard Beyoncé's album? Tell us in the comments!

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Jamie Hince & Kate Moss? Wedding Weekend: Celebrity Couple of the Week

The nuptials between rocker Jamie Hince and supermodel Kate Moss will take place this Friday, and the party will last throughout the weekend. Rock on! The event has reportedly been dubbed Moss-stock. As the two get last minute preparations in order, we have named them our Celebrity Couple of the Week. Any wedding details? Find out below! While reports suggest that Moss is not divulging any information regarding her wedding weekend and keeping details to herself, The Sun claims to have some of the deets, coming from a source who seems to be in the know. “She wants it to be a party to remember and like a small festival. It’s a no expense spared do, though most of her budget will probably go on booze.” Well, we all know that Moss likes to party, don’t we? What a fun filled weekend it will be for her, Hince and their lucky guests. As far as the particulars, I know many of you are wondering who is designing her wedding dress? It’s been rumored that John Galliano has been tapped to outfit her on her big day, but isn’t he a tad busy right now with his legal troubles? I suppose [...]

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Tom Hardy Promotes ?Warrior? In Paris, France

A couple of weeks ago we got our first look at the official promo poster for the new Tom Hardy film Warrior. Today we get to see photos of a very beefy and bald Hardy promoting the film at a photocall event in Paris, France earlier today. Apparently, Tom took some time away from his [...]

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Pottermore: Our Top-Five Wish List For J.K. Rowling's New Site

'Harry Potter' author's site is still cloaked in mystery, but there are a few things we'd like to see on her Web creation.
By Kara Warner


J.K. Rowling
Photo: Daniel Barry/Getty Images

There's a lot of "Harry Potter"-related excitement going around these days, what with the release of the eighth and final film, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2" in just a few weeks, and our own Harry Potter World Cup heating up. And on Thursday morning (June 23) in London, "Potter" creator J.K. Rowling made an official announcement about the mysterious "Pottermore" project she introduced last week.

Pottermore.com will deliver a free, online reading experience including, according to a press release, "extensive new material about the characters, places and objects in the much-loved stories" and a digital capability in which "the storyline will be brought to life with sumptuous newly commissioned illustrations and interactive 'Moments' through which you can navigate."

"[It's] a way I can be creative in a medium that didn't exist when I started the books back in 1990," Rowling told reporters during the press conference.

Vote in the Harry Potter World Cup here!

That's exciting stuff for "Potter" fans, considering the books have long since been completed and the final film hits theaters this summer. But at this point, with no Muggle having yet explored the site, we don't know exactly what Pottermore will offer. Here are five things we hope we can see and do while playing in Rowling's latest fantastical creation — now or in the future.

Open Class/Character Development System

No matter your house, heritage or O.W.L. scores, with the appropriate amount of training or playing time, you too can become an esteemed member of the wizarding community. No matter how basic or inexperienced you are when you begin exploring "Pottermore," there should be opportunities for advancement and/or shifting skill sets. If you want to be an animagus, an auror, a healer, or even a professional Quidditch player, you need only put in the time.

Quidditch

Speaking of professional Quidditch players, there ought to be a recreational area in "Pottermore" where characters learn, play and eventually compete against one another at the hugely popular game. Instead of pitting competitors and teams against one another based solely on their houses, it would be great for players to be able to assemble themselves into teams.

Virtual Place to Unwind, Be Entertained

One of the main reasons Rowling's masterworks have so many millions of fans is because she's created a world so magical and alluring that we all dream of apparating into the Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer or taking a walk through Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. It would be great if Pottermore featured a competition-free area for socializing in and around virtual versions of Rowling's most beloved fictional shops and assorted hotspots.

Annual "Pottermore" Gatherings

Although Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter is currently a perfect place to mix and mingle with fellow Potterphiles, we would love an annual event in the vein of GenCon or Comic-Con, where fans from all over the world meet to share in everything Harry Potter. In addition to pointed panel discussions on a variety of subjects, why not also host a few live action duels in the spirit of the tri-wizard tournament? Maybe an attempt at a grounded game of Quidditch or two?

Special Guest Stars And/Or Participants

It's nearly impossible to assemble the entire "Harry Potter" film casts for "Pottermore" participation, but perhaps before they all move on from their Potter associations, the actors can record special interactive greetings and messages, to be carefully placed throughout "Pottermore"? Maybe Daniel Radcliffe and company can pre-record video messages of encouragement for players? Alan Rickman could instruct a brief beginner-level Defense Against the Dark Arts Class? We'll even settle for video clips from the movies popping up every now and again. Also, if Rowling is taking the time to make this special announcement, we're hoping she's going to stay involved enough that she'll consider recording some messages as well.

So what did we miss? What do you want from Pottermore? Tell us in the comments!

Check out everything we've got on "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

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Audrina Patridge, Ke$ha, Adam Lambert Share Prom Memories

'Me and my gay best friend just danced until 8 a.m.,' Ke$ha tells MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena


Audrina Patridge
Photo: MTV News

It's prom season, and that means high schoolers across this great land will be renting tuxes, buying fancy dresses and negotiating the details of their curfews with parents. So, before you take your pictures and get in your limos, we asked some Hollywood A-listers to recall their fondest prom memories.

"I had a great prom," Ne-Yo told MTV News. "I didn't get to go with who I wanted to go with. I got my second choice, but my second choice turned out to be the one I was supposed to be there with, so it turned out good."

Ke$ha, never one to say no to a party, had the best night of all her friends. "I went to prom with my gay best friend, and let me tell you, I had way more fun than anybody else at a prom with their boyfriends," she recalled. "Everybody else was, like, crying and drama and breaking up, and me and my gay best friend just danced until 8 a.m."

"Hellcats" star Aly Michalka doesn't have a favorite prom memory — because she never went to prom. "I was homeschooled, so I don't even think we had a fake prom," she lamented. "Like, maybe we had a home-school prom and I wasn't invited?"

While everything always seems to be in peril on "The Vampire Diaries," star Nina Dobrev had a less tumultuous night: "Having everyone get together and such a final celebration [is what I remember]."

Romeo went big for his prom. "My senior prom, I remember I pulled up in my red Ferrari. I was feeling like James Bond," he said. "And it was one of the best nights of my life."

"My favorite prom memory was probably going shopping for a dress, and our boyfriends at the time dressed up as 'Dumb & Dumber,' " Audrina Patridge laughed. "And so we were like, 'We can't dress up dorky ... we have to look good.' "

Roots drummer ?uestlove made a big decision on the night of his prom: "June 2, 1989, was my very last haircut; prom haircut, totally butchered my hair. He butchered my hair, and I vowed never again to ever get in a barber chair, so I grew that Afro on my prom night."

Adam Lambert said his prom date was a 10, so he definitely had a fun night. "I had a great prom. I had an awesome time," he said. "I went with one of my best friends in high school. Her name was Lauren, and she was really hot. She wore a really hot red dress, so I felt like I had arm candy."

Share your prom memories in the comments below!

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Awkward Gaffe At BET Awards (Video)

Awkward Gaffe At BET Awards (Video)

A presenter at the BET Awards in Los Angeles had rather awkward error after reading the wrong names off the teleprompter.  Chris Brown’s name was [...]

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