We Bought a Zoo Film
- Thread starter Bongo
- Start date
Here is an update on the filming location. Thousand oaks is a semi-rural area just northwest of Los Angeles. Boy I would love to be able to see that set. Apparently, someone involved in the production lives here in Tucson and commutes to L.A. for movie work. He came to our zoo (Reid Park Zoo) several months ago to look at the layout for ideas to design the zoo set. (I guess that was easier, since he lives here, than flying to Dartmoor to see the actual zoo, which of course would make more sense).
Cameron Crowe’s ‘We Bought A Zoo’ begins filming in L.A. next month
Cameron Crowe’s ‘We Bought A Zoo’ begins filming in L.A. next month
here's the cast list etc
We Bought a Zoo (2011) - IMDb
We Bought a Zoo (2011) - IMDb
I wonder how Dartmoor will come across in the film...
I have never visited, but I know that it is very similar to many other animal attractions in the English countryside in that it is modest in appearence; i.e. it does not have the multi-million dollar exhibits one finds over in the US but the enclosures are spacious for the most part, although the presence of wire and wood is evident. Most of us who visit a lot of zoos are willing to accept and look beyond that in British zoos, but what about the movie viewers? (many of whom will be American; where one exhibit may cost as much or more than it costs to run Dartmoor for a year)
Do you think the producers will be tempted to show the 'old' Dartmoor Zoo as something from the Third World and the 'new' Dartmoor Zoo as something of a British San Diego Zoo or Columbus Zoo in order to please the viewers? It would certainly not be the first time that Hollywood treats the truth like trash in order to cash in; no matter if it gives the viewers a wrong impression of what they'd be seeing over there if they'd cross the pond on their next summer vacation.
I have never visited, but I know that it is very similar to many other animal attractions in the English countryside in that it is modest in appearence; i.e. it does not have the multi-million dollar exhibits one finds over in the US but the enclosures are spacious for the most part, although the presence of wire and wood is evident. Most of us who visit a lot of zoos are willing to accept and look beyond that in British zoos, but what about the movie viewers? (many of whom will be American; where one exhibit may cost as much or more than it costs to run Dartmoor for a year)
Do you think the producers will be tempted to show the 'old' Dartmoor Zoo as something from the Third World and the 'new' Dartmoor Zoo as something of a British San Diego Zoo or Columbus Zoo in order to please the viewers? It would certainly not be the first time that Hollywood treats the truth like trash in order to cash in; no matter if it gives the viewers a wrong impression of what they'd be seeing over there if they'd cross the pond on their next summer vacation.
Which brings up another point. Will the film result in increased tourism for Dartmoor? I guess we'll find out in a couple years.
I suspect they may transplant the story-line to the USA, as Hollywood is wont to do. I can't really imagine Matt Damon and Scarlett Johanssen trying to put on English accents after all...
Cameron Crowe has a reputation for authenticity. I would be surprised if this project is any different from his previous work.
At a guess he will focus on the interaction with the animals.
I am surprised that they can film a movie and then release it in the same year, l thought it was a longer process.
BTW,
I would not mind betting that Cameron Crowe has personally visited zoochat for research. He may even be following this thread!
"Mr Crowe, if it was possible, l would love to be a extra in a scene with primates."
Hi Matt,
If so, I sure hope they'll manage it properly for the sake of the locals and the environment.
My impression from visiting Beerwah (Queensland, Australia) and speaking to locals is that many can't stand Australia Zoo and the impact it and its truckloads of tourists are having on this quiet regional town. No one could have foreseen this in 1970 when Bob Irwin moved up from Victoria with his family and founded the tiny reptile park alongside the highway.
It is hard to know if it is intentional that there is hardly a mention on the town council's website that Beerwah hosts one of Australia's most famous tourist attractions, but to be honest, I have the feeling that it is.
Beerwah.org - Serving the Community | Information / Information
On the other hand, there is almost no doubt whatsoever that Australia Zoo is the biggest employer in the town, especially for young school-leavers who otherwise might move out of the area to find work. So I'm sure it's reluctantly appreciated for this fact alone. Nevertheless, on my recent visit to the Sunshine Coast I did detect a hint or two of dislike from locals for the Irwin family and the way the place is run. I get the impression that they burn through people fairly quickly.
On topic - Scarlett Johansson and zoo animals in the one film? What more could a bloke want?
Having said that, "a reputation for authenticity" and removing this quintessentially English story to the United States would be mutually exclusive.
Really? I don't know of any other mainstream zoo-focused films. Would you care to name a few?
Off the top of my head, Fierce Creatures is the only one I've seen, but I really can't think of any others that feature a zoo as the main plot point, though I guess you could sorta include Madagascar. Though with this film, Zookeeper and Life of Pi (which, if you've read the book, portrays one brilliantly close to reality) coming out in the next couple of years I hope zoos in the movies are given a popularity boost.
Panthera Puss
Well-Known Member
There's A Zed and Two Noughts, arguably not mainstream though.
On increased visitor numbers - in my experience TV exposure can make a massive difference. If the film takes off I would say yes definitely more visitors, though the relative isolation of Dartmoor could reduce the more casual tourist intake.
That would be a very different world where Peter Greenaway films were the mainstream
The storyline on IMDb is "A father moves his family to the English countryside to own and operate a zoo." Even so, I really can't believe it is not going to be set in America with American characters, given the cast. I also bet it will make a lot of the illness and death of his wife, who was peripheral in the TV series.
And no zoo film is going to surpass A Zed and Two Noughts, very weird, and very wonderful!
Hope it's a hit though and brings lots of improvements to the zoo.
And no zoo film is going to surpass A Zed and Two Noughts, very weird, and very wonderful!
Hope it's a hit though and brings lots of improvements to the zoo.