This article was originally published on TVBee
Making a movie is quite a production. There is so much that goes into the creation, design, shooting, and editing that sometimes you, the viewer, forget about the behind-the-scenes. However, the behind-the-scenes moments can be some of the most interesting and the most memorable if you are lucky to get a glimpse of them. Now there is no need to be left wondering; these incredible behind-the-scenes photos captured some of the movie industry's most interesting moments. You will probably not be able to look at some of your favorite films the same way after seeing these.
The Creation of the Mask
Even in the behind the scenes photos, Jim Carrey can't help but be silly. He seems to really be having the time of his life as the makeup and crew apply and create the famous green mask from The Mask. His antics probably added a lot of time to the process but at least it made things interesting and fun. He truly was getting into the part long before he was actually being filmed.
Maybe this movie is so famous because Jim Carrey wasn't actually acting that much and rather just playing his true personality. He was a funny and wreckless man in real life as well.
When the Scenery Is Really a Miniature Set
You never really know what goes on in the production of a film. There is so much work and art and designing that must be done in order to make it look as realistic as possible. In the 1984 film The Destroyer, they hired a very talented special effects master who created what would look like an entire desert castle on a mountain. You would never know that this is actually just a miniature piece.
It's hard to imagine the amount of skill that it takes to create this piece to look so much like a real castle and to look like it fits so perfectly on the mountain.
The Cast of Encino Man
This 1990s film became quite a classic for different reasons than most other films. Although it was not classic in the normal sense of the world, the great acting and the plotline somehow combined to be just perfect. You can even see the chemistry between the three main actors, Brendan Fraser, Pauly Shore, and Sean Astin, in this photo here. They were all funny and playful and made for a great film.
It's always great to see photos of celebrities who are making funny faces or silly poses or gestures. You see another, real side of them that the media does not normally show.
Looking All Fancy in Their Period Costumes
There is nothing quite like seeing some of our favorite actors in a period piece based on a Shakespeare play. Denzel Washington Robert Sean Leonard are posing so perfectly in this behind-the-scenes photo that it is hard to imagine that it is not an actual press release image. They look so casual and natural despite the silly period clothing. They were made for this era.
We wouldn't look so casual if we were wearing Shakespearean-era clothes like that, but we guess it just goes with being an actor.
Time to Go Over the Script
It is not so common to see pictures of actors sitting together and going over their scripts. Although, it is funny that it is a rare capture. After all, it is probably one of the most common practices in the acting world. Here you can see Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, and Harrison Ford going over their lines and probably talking about exactly how they should portray themselves in the next scenes.
In case you were wondering what movie this is from and that they were filming, it is the 1979 film The Empire Strikes Back.
Laughing Before a Duel
What do you think they were laughing about as this picture was captured? Did someone tell a joke or were they complaining about how uncomfortable the costumes were? Regardless of the reason, this behind the scenes photo of Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix laughing before they filmed the final scene of Gladiator is wholesome. You can also see that Russell Crowe is holding a cigarette in his hand...maybe it helped him to film better.
There is nothing quite like a cigarette and a good laugh before filming a duel. It seems like the perfect preface to such an intense scene.
How Tim Curry Became It
It's hard to tell which version is scarier here...the first picture of Tim Curry with just a white head or the final makeup version where he becomes the monster clown from It. If you haven't seen the film, you might think that it is the original version, or maybe the second photo as he really does look quite foreboding. However, anyone who has seen the movie knows they need to be much more scared of the final version.
It's crazy to think that they had to put this much makeup and hair work on him each and every time that he came to do a shooting. Unless he wanted to go home and sleep like that..
Just a Cup of Coffee
This looks like the definition of a wholesome backyard photo of the girl next door. The blue jeans and the white oxford combined with her playful smirk and mug of coffee make for the perfect combination. Well, it looks like that is just Sissy Spacek in a nutshell, perfectly portrayed on the set of the 1976 film Carrie. It's no wonder that the film was such a success with a star like this.
This is the kind of photo that someone would keep in their wallet to remind themselves how much they loved their girlfriend or wife. One that people will look back at for years fondly.
The Shark From Jaws
Jaws is perhaps one of the most infamously scary movies of all time. People have sworn never to go swimming in the ocean ever again after watching the movie...and for good reason. They created a truly terrifying and realistic narrative. However, not many people get to see the behind the scenes photo of Bruce the Shark. Obviously deep down everyone knew that he was not a real shark, but seeing him opened up and exposed like this prooves it differently.
Even after seeing this photo of Bruce (who knew he had a name?) people are probably still too traumatized from the movie to go swimming in the ocean. It's a difficult image to get out of your mind.
Is It a Bat or Is It Heath Ledger?
How does someone manage to look so calm, cool, and collected as they hang like a bat from the ceiling? Heath Ledger is the opitamy of relaxed in this behind the scenes photo of him from the set of The Dark Knight. Well, perhaps that is what it means to be a truly good actor. You can be handing upside down against a green screen and look just like an average Joe walking down the street.
It really makes you appreciate a movie more when you see how much work goes into creating it. Sometimes it's hard to imagine all the work until you see behind the scenes photos like these.
The Monkey Also Deserves a Break
2001: A Space Odyssey was an epic film that was released in 1968. It is a science fiction film that clearly includes some very intelligent monkeys. Clearly, they also had some very impressive costumes as can be seen by the photo of this "monkey" smoking a cigar and reading the newspaper. It's hard to tell that it is a costume and not an actual monkey, it is such a realistic costume.
Maybe that was the entire point of the film, to make it seem like this could be realistic so they created behind the scenes photos like this one to make it more believable.
Doctor Strange Is Reading Doctor Strange
What better way is there to learn and understand the character that you are playing than to read the book that the script was based on? That is exactly what Benedict Cumberbatch (who plays Dr. Strange) is doing, while in costume. It's hard to tell if this is a staged press photo or if he is actually just enjoying the book and someone happened to capture the moment of it.
It's uncanny how much he looks like the person on the cover of the book. It's always exciting when the actors look like the actual characters that they are portraying.
Alan Rickman As Metatron
The 1999 Film Dogma is a classic for so many reasons. The perfect combination of comedy and fantasy made this to be a one of a kind film that would be remembered for many years to come. Alan Rickman is clearly a wonderful actor, but his true personality comes across in this behind the scenes photo of him with his enormous Metatron angel wings giving the finger to the camerman.
His facial expression shows that he is totally bored but also that he is humorous and sarcastic. It truly is a wonderful capture of his personality.
Wearing Wigs in Star Trek
Star Trek is arguably one of the most famous films of all time. It's so well known that it is hard to imagine that some things could have been very different, but were changed at the last minute. Did you know that Patrick Stewart was originally supposed to be wearing a wig in the film. This clearly would have made him look like a very different person and seem almost unrecognizable.
Most fans can agree that it is a good thing that they decided not to have him wear a wig in the end. He looks much better and more legitimate without one.
Laughing Behind the Scenes
You can tell just from one glance at this photo that it is some sort of action packed, sci-fi, or fantasy film. The green screen is covering the entire backdrop of the photo so there are definitely lots of special effects going on there. In case you didn't already discover what film it is from, it is Avengers Infinity War. Not only do you see all of the actors here, but you also see Stan Lee.
Stan Lee is probably more famous than any of the other laughing people in the photo. After all, without him and his comic book writing, the world would have never heard of "Marvel" anything.
The Most Extensive Lighting Setup
How do you make a house light up in the middle of the night? You want everything surrounding it to look dark but for there to be a very bright light on the house itself. It's quite a challenge considering a house is a pretty enormous thing and you can't just shine a few small lights on it and call it a day. You need to create some massive infrastructure as they did on the set of Nope.
Even though it was probably very expensive to create and difficult to maneuver, the film turned out to be quite a success, so it was worth all the hard work.
Making the Columbia Pictures Logo
The image of the Columbia Pictures Logo is so famous that it might be hard to imagine that that is actually a real woman and that the entire film was staged. It's funny to see the less colorized versions of this classic footage and also to see some of the other pictures of her sitting down and trying different poses. It shows the reality behind the seemingly perfect photo and video.
Some of the funnier ones are the close ups of the dress and how it was not lining up perfectly for the pictures. It makes sense, after all as it is a very long and cumbersome gown.
Time to Test the Costumes
There is something about this costume test that looks like it is actually from the 1920s silent film days. Maybe it is the heavy makeup that Malcolm Mcdowell is wearing in most of the pictures or perhaps it is the top hat. Regardless, it is actually from the year 1970 and was for the film A Clockwork Orange. The movie itself was quite intense, as can be seen by the costume test photos.
It would be interesting to know why they chose to go with some of these photos and costumes and why others were marked with a big X.
The Secret of the Riders Of Rohan
It seems like the crew that was working on the famous film Lord of the Rings were quite talented. After all, did you know that the majority of the "men" who were Riders Of Rohan were actually women? They were bedecked with fake mustaches and makeup facial hair to make them look like men. They were extremely talented riders who owned the horses and therefore needed to be the ones to ride them.
Well, at least they probably didn't have to give all the people fake long hair as well. Maybe a lot of the hair was naturally there and they did not need wigs.
What Would You Do to Get One Good Photo?
Have you ever stopped to consider how much work goes into getting just one shot in a movie? This behind the scenes capture shows how many cameras and light reflectors and people it took just to get one short clip and picture of Will Smith on the set of the 1997 film Men In Black. It looks like such a simple photo to any onlooker, but it took so much effort to capture.
It is quite an epic photo of Will Smith, so at least all of their hard work seemed to pay off. They did manage to capture an epic shot.
Dressing up as a Dinosaur
When you are cast as an extra for a movie, you never really know what your role will be. It could be anything from "woman crossing the street" to "person in their underwear" to "dinosaur". Did you know that the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park were not graphics or special effects? They were actually real people dressed up in dinosaur costumes. No wonder the scenes felt so realistic! They were real living creatures inside!
It must have been quite the challenge to dress up as a dinosaur and play the part well. That costume was probably very heavy and cumbersome. These were some talented extras.
Smiling With Ludo
Jennifer Connelly looks extremely happy as she sits there and smiles next to Ludo on the scene of the 1986 classic Labyrinth. It's hard to tell if this is a staged picture to share with the media or if it was a genuine and cute photo that these two costars wanted to take together. Either way, there is something surreal and enchanting about this photo. Maybe it is the size difference of the two actors, one in costume.
It's crazy to think that there was just one person inside that massive costume of Ludo. The one hand is larger than her whole head...by far and her body is just a quarter of its size.
The Magic of Visual Effects
It's hard to understand the magic of visual effects unlesss you work in the industry. Can you wrap your head around the fact that this is what filming Pirates of the Caribbean looked like behind the scenes? How do they know what colors to include and the outfits to wear and what are all the little dots on all the actors? There is so much work involved in these movies.
Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest is perhaps a bit heavier on the visual effects side than most movies, but that is part of the magic of this 2006 film.
The Perfect Pair in the Lord of the Rings
Liv Tyler And Miranda Otto made for the most iconic pairing in the film The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King. As you can see from this behind the scenes photo, these two women simply fit the part. Their hair and makeup are done perfectly and their costumes are without a flaw. But you can also see that they have a special aura about them, adding to the charm.
It's not saying that these two make the entire movie, but it would certainly be lacking a certain charm without the two of them. They add a lot to the classic vibes of the film.
A Back to the Future Rehersal
Back to the Future is a classic film for more reasons than one. And it is so exciting to be able to see rare captures from such legendary films. You don't usually get to see pictures or clips from the rehearsals of older films as you can in today's movie culture. However, someone captures this wonderful moment of Michael J. Fox practicing the song Johnny B. Goode, getting ready to perform.
He really seems to be getting quite into the moment, as he should be in a rehearsal. No wonder the final version came out looking so amazing if this is a snap from the rehearsal!
The Final Scene of Diehard
It is not so common that you get to see behind the scenes footage from one of the most famous movies of all time. There are countless people who consider Die Hard to be THE classic that everyone has to see at least once (and maybe twenty times) in their lifetime. This 1988 film ends with the main character Hans Gruber (played by Alan Rickman) falling from Nakatomi Tower.
It's crazy to see that there is an actual behind the scenes photo from when this clip was shot. Any diehard fan will die hard to see this incredible shot.
Alfred Hitchcock's Silly Side
What comes to mind when you think about famed thriller and horror director, Alfred Hitchcock? A silly, lighthearted side is surely lower on the list. This is the screen legend on a visit to Hamburg, Germany in the 1960s, and we can't help but wonder what drove an adult man to hide in that closet. Maybe it was a scene from one of his movies that scared him too much?
In any case, this goes to show that Hitchcock had a lighter side to him, which people rarely think about.
A Different Perspective From Fight Club
This is probably not the first image that comes to your mind when you think of the 1999 classic Fight Club. However, it looks like someone was able to capture this one of a kind, behind the scenes photo from the set. Brad Pitt and his costar Helena Bonham Carter are seen here casually relaxing in bed as they pensively think about life. Brad Pitt has a cigarette in his mouth and Helena's hair is frazzled.
They truly look as if they are questioning what the meaning of life is. There were clearly so many thoughts going through their heads as this photo was taken.
The Faces Behind the Black Panther
Do you think it is better or worse to see behind the scenes photos from action or sci-fi movies? It can no doubt be quite intriguing and cool to see how it is done and the out of character moments from all the actors. However, there is something about it that also destroys the mystery and pops the bubble of excitement surrounding the special effects. It makes it more real...which isn't something you necessarily want in that context.
Here you can see Chadwick Boseman And Ryan Coogler on the set of The Black Panther, chatting and talking as if they aren't able to film an epic movie.
Jack Nicholson Sitting in the Snow
Jack Nicholson is famous for many things, but one of his most famous and classic films was The Shining from 1980. It is a psychological horror film that is talked about greatly even over 40 years after its release. He played a classic character and his amazing portrayal is perhaps another reason that the film became so widespread. This behind the scenes photo of him sitting in the snow shows another side of the actor.
This looks like an interesting and questionable place to sit. It seems to be quite cold and snowy and all of his clothes are probably quite wet. Why would anyone want to get a picture here?
The Original Ghostbusters
1984 was a remarkable year...and not because of the famous Orwell novel entitled that. It was remarkable because it was the beginning of the Ghostbusters. The original version of this classic was film and released in 1984 starring Harold Ramis, Dan Akroyd, Bill Murray, and Ernie Hudson. The four of these iconic men can be seen in this rare behind the scenes photo taken from the set in front of the firehouse.
Do you think they knew at the time what a legendary film this would be? Or did they think it was just another random movie that they happened to be working on?
The Most Epic Stunt
It can be hard to imagine how they manage to film some of the risky stunts that are filmed in various movies, but now you have the chance to have a sneak peek at how it is done in the behind the scenes photo from the 1993 film True Lies. Jamie Lee Curtis, Arnold Schwarzenegger's stunt double, and James Cameron can be seen filming this risque helicopter scene, hanging on in mid air.
Hopefully they were pretty close to the ground and had an extensive backup system as it appears to still be a pretty dangerous situation for the actors and actresses.
She Got to Hold Grumpy Cat
Did you ever think that there are some people in the world who were lucky enough to meet and actually hold the one and only Grumpy Cat? Made famous by the film Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever, this grumpy cat became a legend. Perhaps the best part of this photo is Aubrey Plaza's face as she is holding the cat. In a certain way they look exactly alike, with the same expression.
Maybe she was trying to copy the Grumpy Cat to be Grumpy virgin Mary in the film. If she was trying she did great work and if it was a coincidence, this is a wonderful behind the scenes photo.
Is This a Photo or a Painting?
At first glance it is very difficult to decipher whether this is a photo or a painting. There is something about the composition and the texture that makes it look almost not realistic making you think that it has to be a painting. However, it is actually a behind the scenes photo taken from the set of The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King. Peter Jackson And Ian Mckellen make the perfect match posting together here.
Ian Mckellen really looks like some sort of god sitting there and posing on the steps. His costume and makeup were done so well that he looks so much in his element.
Hidden Pictures From Edward Scissorhands
There are not too many behind the scenes photos in circulation from any of the films that were made before the 2000s. It was rare for someone to capture a moment that was not meant to be shown to the whole world. It looks like someone caught this behind the scenes photo from the classic film Edward Scissorhands, showing a rarely seen image of actors Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder.
They are clearly on the set here and in full costume, so it is not an entirely candid photo (hopefully, based on the stiffness of the pair) but it is a rarely seen image nonetheless.
The Scariest Makeup Test
Who would have thought that a makeup test could be so seriously terrifying? Christian Bale had some amazing work done on him for the movie Thor Love And Thunder. He was playing Gorr, and from the looks of these photos, he truly looked exactly like him. The makeup is so realistic it is almost difficult to look at these photos. Clearly the makeup artist and this look passed the makeup test.
He was clearly the perfect actor for the job, as can be seen just in these photos. His look and movements align with the character so well.
The Famous Duo From Grease
Ahh there is nothing quite like seeing a behind the scenes photo from a classic like Grease. There is hardly a person on earth who has not seen this movie and cannot sing along to each and every one of the famous songs from it. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John made for the most perfect duo as they played sweethearts and lovers in this film. Perhaps there was even a little romance off film if this picture is any proof.
It is always exciting to see photos from classics such as this one as there aren't too many to be found. It helps to shed a different light on the entire movie.