Note: This is the video version of this episode. We show you our interview with Chris Corbould and intersperse clips and photos from the movies we discuss. If you want to listen to an audio version of this podcast instead of watching this video, click here to be redirected to the audio episode page.
Video Interview of Chris Corbould
This video interview of Chris Corbould was recorded in Chicago at the press event prior to the opening of the “007 Science: Inventing the World of James Bond” exhibit. This fantastic exhibit is at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Chris Corbould OBE has worked on 15 James Bond movies, THE DARK KNIGHT Trilogy, 2 Superman movies, and he won an Acadamy Award for his work on the movie INCEPTION. Chiefly, his specialty has been visual effects, leading the team on many of these movies.
What movies do we discuss with Chris Corbould?
During this interview, Chris talks with Dan and Tom about visual effects in several of his James Bond movies and THE DARK KNIGHT.
So, listen to hear how they did the explosion in SPECTRE, which involved about 300 explosions in succession! Chris tells us how that worked. Additionally, Chris mentions the warning he gave to Daniel Craig about this scene.
Undoubtedly, you remember the doughnut scene in NO TIME TO DIE. You know, the scene where the Aston Martin spins in the square in Matera, Italy. Chris talks us through that scene and how they coordinated the “bullets” hitting the side of the buildings with the spinning of the car.
The tank scenes in GOLDENEYE! Chris also tells us the origin and some of the challenges of these tank scenes. What are the challenges of buying real tanks for a movie? Listen to find out!
One of Tom’s favorite Bond gadgets is the cello case in THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS. Chris Corbould was involved with this gadget’s development. And he gives us insight into the creation of the device. Oh, and he lets us know what actress Maryam d’Abo, who played Kara Milovy, certainly thought about this sled.
SKYFALL train crash in the subway! Chris discusses the challenges in designing this spectacular train crash. Lots of details had to be worked out simultaneously for that one.
It’s not all James Bond
Finally, since we were having this discussion in Chicago, Chris talked about the semi-trailer scene in THE DARK KNIGHT. This is the scene where the truck flips over, backend over the front end. They filmed this scene in Chicago, on LaSalle street. Chris lets us know how they got that to work.
Let us know what you think!
So, take a listen. Chris Corbould is not only a visual effects master, he’s a great guy and a fun interview. Let us know your thoughts about our video interview of Chris Corbould, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode by dropping us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com. The more we hear from you, the better the show will be!
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The Exhibit
As we mentioned, we met with Chris at the “007 Science: Inventing the World of James Bond” exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. This exhibit has vehicles, gadgets, screen-used props, and educational materials based on the James Bond movies. You can find out more about the exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry’s website.
Die Another Day was Pierce Brosnan’s last outing as Bond, released in 2002, and was Eon Production’s 20th Bond movie. Considered the weakest Brosnan movie as Bond. It involves another plot to destroy the world, this time with a space-based weapon system controlled by Gustav Graves. There is some connection between this North Korean terrorist, Graves, and diamonds. Someone is using these diamonds to basically fund the development of this space weapon.