Films/DVD Asylum

"King Kong" research budget

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rico

(A)

The current "New Yorker" reports that a researcher for Peter Jackson's "King Kong" asked the New York City Historical Society for detailed blueprints of a certain section of NYC buildings circa 1933 in the interests of historical accuracy. The Society was unable to comply but directed the rearcher to to another agency where downloads were available at $40 a building. The researcher complained about the cost, prompting the "New Yorker" to comment on
the cheapness of "the producer".

Follow Ups:

"cheapness" - That would depend on how many buildings were required to achieve the amount of detail desired. - Audiophilander 07:29:55 01/14/05 (5)
$40 does seem a little steep for blueprints of individual old buildings that can be easily downloaded; that could add up fast. What I find fascinating is the fact that Peter Jackson is making every effort to tell this story in the context of the Great Depression when the original film was made, and get a real feel for NYC in that era. My guess is that the film won't look as cheap as the shot the New Yorker took at the film's Producer(s). ;^)
AuPh
- Re: "cheapness" - That would depend on how many buildings were required to achieve the amount of detail desired. - AudioHead 08:50:13 01/15/05 (4)
  AuPh,
  Why does the original King Kong film appeal to you? Just curious.
  ~AH
  - What's not to like? Great story, cutting edge FX (for the time) and atmosphere. - Audiophilander 21:37:59 01/15/05 (3)
    FWIW, the cautionary themes of Man against the unknown & nature unleashed lend themselves to high drama & suspense. Also, the fish out of water theme (i.e., humans trying to survive in Kong's domain and Kong trying to survive in NYC) conveys a great sense of irony. The acting is a little uneven in place, but Faye Wray was an excellent casting choice.
    I'm looking forward to this eventually coming out on DVD, hopefully in a pristine restoration print with loads of extras; perhaps with a film analysis/commentary and deleted footage, if any still exists (i.e., for instance, the long rumored spider scene(s), removed before the original release).
    AuPh
    - Agreed..... - AudioHead 10:36:03 01/16/05 (0)
      Jackson will have a great story, cutting edge effects,big budget,
      topnotch actors,scripters, etc. at his
      disposal. If he can just create the original's magical atmosphere,
      that will be the big feat, IMO. ~AH
    - Re: The spider scene(s) - rico 04:53:10 01/16/05 (1)
      I have read in many sorces that the only thing surviving is one still photo. Still...
      - Re: The spider scene(s) - AudioHead 10:38:58 01/16/05 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Re: The spider scene(s) posted by rico on January 16, 2005 at 04:53:10:
        
        As I mentioned in an earlier post, one can see one of those
        original big spidies in action in The Black Scorpion-1958.~AH

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