Filming for The Golden Compass movie is taking place at the Old Royal Naval College this week. Sir Christopher Wren designed the great baroque buildings, which are set in landscaped grounds on the River Thames in the centre of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site.
We've learnt that the grand Painted Hall was doubling for the Jordan College Dining Room, and that the majority of this weeks filming was for the scene in which the Master asks Lyra if she really wants to go with Mrs Coulter. Two hundred students in full regalia, several servants and fellows made up the scene, together with Mrs Coulter, Lyra, the Master and various birds and beasties, with the golden monkey also in attendence.
You can now view some photographs of the filming taking place – much thanks to Jonathan for sending those in. Thanks also to the other tipsters.
Thats pretty cool!
Great location. 🙂
STILL no more pictures of the actual filming? If I lived in England I would have been all over looking for the filming in action!
FILMING!!!!!FILMING FILMING FILMING FILMING FILLMINGGG!!!!!!!
I want to see Dakota. :angry:
the truth: it's one thing to say that if you lived in England you would be all over looking for the filming, but for lots of people (like me :smile:), places like London and Oxford are a long way away. But I do agree that if I lived in London / Oxford I would be nosing round to see what I could see.
KittyKat – I want to see Dakota, too!
And what buildings do you reckon the Old Royal Naval College will be in the film?
the truth: how big do you think england is? you can't just hop in a car and drive to oxford.
anyway, i'm excited about any news we can get, although i'm against the movie.
*go the society!*
i've been working at greenwich on the site of the movie being filmed. it is being filmed in the painted hall and out in the courtyard today. i saw nicole kidman filming and there was extras in uniforms . got some pictures of it all happening.
🙂 Matt, send them into Will or Merlyn at webmaster@bridgetothestars.net
Did the same myself this afternoon, though I suspect Matt may have some better shots than me. I sadly didn't see Nicole Kidman though there was filming going on on the grass area between the painted hall and chapel. All that was visible was some white screens and filming lights. They seem to be filming day and night and the windows of the painted hall have been sealed off from external light.
I live in Greenwich and it is used extensively for filming but this is the biggest production I've seen over the two years I've been living here.
I emailed them earlier to Will so hopefully they will appear soon.
ugh…no offese, but all these pictures of closed doors are frustrating me a bit. I want to see something other than the back of someone's head or a sign that says "filming in progress." I know that's all we can get for now, but, really, why bother?
rory: Yeah, I agree. Of course, what I really want to see pictures of is Dakota, but I guess I'll just have to sit tight and be patient!
I'm not sure about the painted hall become the Jordan College dining hall, though. I always imagined it as being more oak and panels. Ornate, yes, but in a more masculine way. What does everyone else think?
same as you MCH.
i never spend as much time visualizing the setting when i'm reading. i focus on the characters. and it's strange, because i never pictures mrs. coulter with dark hair. Asriel's was dark, but not her. Where would Lyra get it from anyway? 😉
the truth and others: actually i could hop in a car and drive to oxford, its only about 45mins away, but oxford is almost IMPOSSIBLE to get to by car anyway, and are we supposed to go for a day tip or something, as intrested and excited as i am in the film, i'm usy enough as it is without going to gawp at signs that say this is a movie, i mean its not like there going to let me on set is it? just thought i'd point this tinsy winsy detail out. 🙂
Yeah all these signs and closed doors are frustrating me but i really like the golden, ornate gate in one of the pics. Looks pretty sweet. This is just coming from an israeli's point of view though.
I couldn't see Nicole either. I must say the crew were very discreet. But Greenwich is a great substitute for Oxford. Much cheaper. And as for the Great Hall becoming the Jordan College dining Hall… directors always manage to make things look different on screen. I didn't recognise the Hall when it was used in TombRaider.
When I was down there they'd covered the windows with black material. I guess that makes the hall a lot darker, and the ornamental frescos more sinister. I Wonder if they're using the underground passage that connects the great hall to the Chapel? I guess we'll have to wait and see. *sigh*