[pj3000]

Pretty cool for the 'Burgh!

Read more: http://www.postgazette.com/pg/11095/1137149-348.stm#ixzz1Ih1L65Dg

The Dark Knight Rises' will film in Pittsburgh
Tuesday, April 05, 2011

By Barbara Vancheri, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Flick the Bat Signal.

It's official. "The Dark Knight Rises" is coming to Pittsburgh this summer to film the third installment in Christopher Nolan's spectacular franchise starring recent Oscar winner Christian Bale in the title role.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/201104/20110405baleandnolan.jpg
Christian Bale and Christopher Nolan

"Pittsburgh is a beautiful city," the London-born director said in a statement. "We have been able to find everything we were looking for here, and I am excited to spend the summer in Pittsburgh with our final installment of Batman."

Mr. Nolan, a favorite of audiences and critics who also made "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight" along with "Inception," "The Prestige" and "Memento," met this morning with representatives of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl.

"We are thrilled to be welcoming the Batman film to Pittsburgh, and eager for the economic impact that our city will experience," the mayor said in a statement. "This is another example of the growing film industry in our community, and we will be rolling out the red carpet for them."

Dawn Keezer, director of the Pittsburgh Film Office, said the Warner Bros. production could be here for four to six weeks shooting in Downtown and nearby.

"They're still nailing down actual locations but what they really fell in love with was the diversity of architecture and the gorgeous buildings that we still have in Downtown Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas," she said.

Today's news has been four months in the making (and a couple of months in the rumor mill) and Ms. Keezer said the production had looked at cities elsewhere in this country and abroad. Mr. Nolan has been here a few times and staff multiple times.

"I think it's the most high profile project we've seen. I think it's as a direct result of the success we've had with the film tax-credit program that Pittsburgh is on the map and Southwestern Pennsylvania is considered now for every major production, which is great because it's all about jobs and money," she said.

"We've been thrilled with all the work we've had in Southwestern Pennsylvania but Batman's a known franchise. People know what Batman's about and we're thrilled that they have chosen Pittsburgh."

Ms. Keezer said it was too early to predict how many local cast or crew might be hired or what the demand for extras might be.

The film is slated to arrive in theaters nationwide July 20, 2012.

"A franchise as prestigious as Batman opens our region up to an entirely new audience as filmmakers and studio executives experience Southwestern Pennsylvania," Ms. Keezer said.

"The Dark Knight," released in July 2008, is the third highest grossing movie of all time. Its $533.3 million in North America puts it behind "Avatar" and "Titanic."

In addition to the returning Mr. Bale, who won an Academy Award for his work in "The Fighter," the third movie will introduce Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy, who came to Pittsburgh for "Warrior," and Anne Hathaway, who filmed "Love & Other Drugs" here.

Few details are known about the story at this point and that could be the case for some time.

Mr. Nolan will direct "The Dark Knight Rises" from a screenplay he wrote with Jonathan Nolan, from a story by him and David S. Goyer.

Christopher Nolan also will produce the film with his longtime producing partner, Emma Thomas, and Charles Roven. Warner Bros. Pictures will distribute it.

[Xing]

...and Detroit ,New Orleans, New York, and possibly Chicago. Pittsburgh is an impressive film town, like Austin and Albuquerque. It has this ability to attract and produce great film makers.

It's interesting that while Chicago played gotham city in the last 2 films, this time it's going to be a multitude of cities playing the role. I have a feeling watching this one is going to be a strange experience for a lot of the city lovers on this site.

[ue]

So should the next 15 movies set to be filmed in New York or L.A. also be posted in City Discussions?

[pj3000]

...and Detroit ,New Orleans, New York, and possibly Chicago. Pittsburgh is an impressive film town, like Austin and Albuquerque. It has this ability to attract and produce great film makers.

It's interesting that while Chicago played gotham city in the last 2 films, this time it's going to be a multitude of cities playing the role. I have a feeling watching this one is going to be a strange experience for a lot of the city lovers on this site.

I don't think so... From the evening news here tonight... official word is that it will be only Pittsburgh for outside filming. Interior shooting may be done in London as it was in the first two films. Director Nolan confirmed today that filming would not return to Chicago for this 3rd installment.

So should the next 15 movies set to be filmed in New York or L.A. also be posted in City Discussions?

Seriously... you're really making that comment?

Considering that both of the previous films in the franchise were noted for their dark, atmospheric portrayals of the urban environment to the extreme, with Chicago and London standing in for Gotham, I'd say this is just a bit of a different case than any old movie filmed in New York or LA. Not to mention that there is a good deal of interest among Batman fans, movie buffs, urban/architecture enthusiasts, and the very cities under consideration as to which city would be the next "Gotham".

I believe when the last film was announced (and that it would be filming in Chicago), there was even a quite popular thread on here.

Additionally, it is pretty big news for a city like Pittsburgh. And it would also be big news for Chicago, if it were returning there... and it would be big news for NYC and LA, as well... considering that these movies are just about the biggest blockbuster films there are.

So, I really don't get your comment. If you're saying the story is not valid for inclusion in city discussions, you're mistaken... and if you were just trying to be smug, then it's actually really misguided, since this announcement would be notable regardless of the location named.

[Evergrey]

The Chicago perspective:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/metz/ct-live-0406-batman-pittsburgh-20110405,0,6551242.story

Batman flies away from Chicago for 'Dark Knight Rises'

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/alternatethumbnails/story/2011-04/60675177-05154927.jpg

By Nina Metz, Tribune reporter

5:29 p.m. CDT, April 5, 2011
ct-live-0406-batman-pittsburgh-20110405

The Caped Crusader is headed to Pittsburgh. On Tuesday, producer and director Christopher Nolan confirmed what many in the local film industry had suspected over the past few months, that the next installment in his Batman franchise, "The Dark Knight Rises," will not be returning to Chicago to shoot.

It is a blow for the city, but, "Based on the information we were getting from Warner Bros. through back channels, this doesn't come as an entire surprise," said Richard Moskal, director of the Chicago Film Office. "They would have given us an indication by this point if they were coming. We're certainly disappointed, but also so appreciative of everything Chris brought us in terms of the two previous Batman pictures."

Both 2005's "Batman Begins" and 2008's "The Dark Knight" shot on location in downtown Chicago (standing in for Gotham), and Moskal estimates that the films spent in excess of $50 million combined when they were here — on crews, vendors and hotels, among other expenses.

The economic boost was important, Moskal said, but he also cited the prestige factor associated with the films.

"I think Chicago shared in their notoriety and that helped us generate a great deal of excitement and interest from other filmmakers about shooting in Chicago," he said. "The shoots were complicated and spectacular in terms of stunts and special effects. 'The Dark Knight' in particular raised the bar in terms of the types of things that we have done in Chicago, and I think that also let people know we can accommodate pictures like this."

...


one other note... I've noticed a few articles giving credit to PA's film tax credit for luring the Batman production. Apparently, Batman will not be accessing the tax credits. This is a location decision, and a blockbuster franchise of this scale does not need to deal with potential complications that come along with government handouts.

[Capsule F]

So should the next 15 movies set to be filmed in New York or L.A. also be posted in City Discussions?

Says someone from edmonton.

[Onn]

1. Why is the movie called "The Dark Knight Rises"? As genious of a title as the first one was, using it a second time seems a little redudent and takes away prestige from the greatest movie on Earth.

2. I can't imagine why they would want to move filming away from Chicago, much less to Pittsburgh. It's a great city for movies, but Gotham?? I agree that New York or LA would be far better choices if they had wanted to mix it up.

[Kingofthehill]

So should the next 15 movies set to be filmed in New York or L.A. also be posted in City Discussions?

:jester::rolleyes:

[Expat]

Pittsburgh is visually interesting. Very much so. Makes sense to me.

[pj3000]

2. I can't imagine why they would want to move filming away from Chicago, much less to Pittsburgh. It's a great city for movies, but Gotham?? I agree that New York or LA would be far better choices if they had wanted to mix it up.

There were probably a number of factors involved in the move. Money is always a factor in one way or another. Though Pittsburgh was chosen even though Illinois offers better tax incentives for film-making.

From the Chicago Tribune: According to Richard Moskal, director of the Chicago Film Office... "Clearly they're looking for financial incentives, but I think the producers had an interest in keeping the franchise fresh and interesting, and I can certainly understand pursuing new places to represent Gotham. They may have felt they exhausted their locations in Chicago."

Pittsburgh can provide more than ample Gotham-style, gritty urban scenery. And who are you agreeing with about New York or LA? Never saw that those cities were suggested as better choices. And anyway... LA as Gotham?

[Onn]

There were probably a number of factors involved in the move. Money is always a factor in one way or another. Though Pittsburgh was chosen even though Illinois offers better tax incentives for film-making.

From the Chicago Tribune: According to Richard Moskal, director of the Chicago Film Office... "Clearly they're looking for financial incentives, but I think the producers had an interest in keeping the franchise fresh and interesting, and I can certainly understand pursuing new places to represent Gotham. They may have felt they exhausted their locations in Chicago."

Yeah, but who thinks about production costs when you have such a rich franchise. Batman is a goldmine as is, why cut small corners? I mean, do you want to make more money because it's a good movie or more money because it was made on the cheap? If it's a good movie people will come back and see it 2, 3, 4 times over.

Pittsburgh can provide more than ample Gotham-style, gritty urban scenery. And who are you agreeing with about New York or LA? Never saw that those cities were suggested as better choices. And anyway... LA as Gotham?

I'm not dissing Pittsburgh, it's just Gotham is supposed to be a mega-city. It's supposed to be very large and expansive and dark. Pittsburgh is really not that large. Furthermore, I can't imagine how (with the change in setting) this could top TDK. It's like downgrading everything before the movie has even started. Why not pull Christian Bale and Morgan Freeman too, for cheap look-a-likes?

[mhays]

They can CG in the megacity. Location filming is more about the close-ups.

[Evergrey]

Yeah, but who thinks about production costs when you have such a rich franchise.


Well, exactly. Production costs didn't play as much of a role in this location decision as it would for a smaller film... and tax credits played no role at all... since Batman will not be accessing Pennsylvania's tax credits. Despite this, most articles about this announcement seem to be citing Pennsylvania's film tax credit.


I'm not dissing Pittsburgh, it's just Gotham is supposed to be a mega-city. It's supposed to be very large and expansive and dark. Pittsburgh is really not that large. Furthermore, I can't imagine how (with the change in setting) this could top TDK. It's like downgrading everything before the movie has even started. Why not pull Christian Bale and Morgan Freeman too, for cheap look-a-likes?

Sounds like quite the diss. You're claiming the next "Batman" movie is going to be worse merely because of the "change in setting"... though it's actually a change in filming location... as the setting will still be Gotham City. While Pittsburgh is not a megacity... its visuals are quite appropriate... there are few cities that can rival Pittsburgh's "Gotham feel" in terms of architecture and streetscapes. And while not expansive in area... Downtown Pittsburgh, crowded and vertical, can certainly pull off a megacity vibe on the silver screen. Moviemakers can enhance and modify whatever they need to in order to transform Pittsburgh into a "30 million person metropolis".

Unless you're a Chicago partisan disappointed in the loss of revenue and film exposure... why don't you settle down and relax?

Wait til the movie comes out and enjoy the way Pittsburgh's topography and urban fabric contribute to the film. It's not like they're moving the production to some inappropriate locale like Edmonton.

[pj3000]

Yeah, but who thinks about production costs when you have such a rich franchise. Batman is a goldmine as is, why cut small corners? I mean, do you want to make more money because it's a good movie or more money because it was made on the cheap? If it's a good movie people will come back and see it 2, 3, 4 times over.

First of all, you ALWAYS consider production costs... no matter what industry you're in. I don't really get your reasoning though. What "corners are being cut"? Illinois offers more lucrative tax incentives anyway. As Evergrey stated above, "Apparently, Batman will not be accessing the tax credits. This is a location decision, and a blockbuster franchise of this scale does not need to deal with potential complications that come along with government handouts." The director wanted a new location for the newest installment... that's far from uncommon in the motion picture biz.


I'm not dissing Pittsburgh, it's just Gotham is supposed to be a mega-city. It's supposed to be very large and expansive and dark. Pittsburgh is really not that large. Furthermore, I can't imagine how (with the change in setting) this could top TDK. It's like downgrading everything before the movie has even started. Why not pull Christian Bale and Morgan Freemen too for stunt doubles?

I wouldn't care if you "dissed" Pittsburgh anyway. The only reason I commented is that your position doesn't make much sense when it comes to film production. It's not as if they film the entire city, so overall size really makes no difference. It didn't matter in either of the first two. You saw some Chicago buildings, local scenes, and streets... and that's what they will do in Pittsburgh... which has plenty of Gotham-style buildings, street scenes, and a glut of post-industrial grit which is perfect for Gotham.

The movie is not saying that Pittsburgh IS Gotham, just as Chicago was not Gotham. Do you need to be reminded that the cities are basically just serving as movie sets, not actual on-location shoots of the film's setting? I think the director knows what he's doing.

[Hayward]

Well guys, guess I won't be shooting any closeups out of my office window perch.

[Centropolis]

Good for PGH!

[pj3000]

I have a feeling that Pitt's Cathedral of Learning will make an appearance in the new movie. It's a Gotham tower if I've ever seen one.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3547/3302734408_4fd5707ae8_z.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zachstern/

[Hayward]

^ The inside is beautiful too. I must have taken at least 400 photos of that building on my last visit.

[Onn]

I just think Pittsburgh is trying to be something its not, and that kind of shows the shortsightedness of the people making the decisions. Similar to the title redundancy, as I said earlier. Something smells afoul.

I'm really complaining just to complain, I'm sure it will be an excellent movie. But I'll also be disappointed if it's not up to par with the prior movies. I can already see some of the issues which could be to blame if that were to come true.

[ue]

No, I don't think so... From the evening news here tonight... official word is that it will be only Pittsburgh for outside filming. Interior shooting may be done in London as it was in the first two films. Director Nolan confirmed today that filming would not return to Chicago for this 3rd installment.



Seriously... you're really making that comment?

Considering that both of the previous films in the franchise were noted for their dark, atmospheric portrayals of the urban environment to the extreme, with Chicago and London standing in for Gotham, I'd say this is just a bit of a different case than any movie filmed in New York or LA. Not to mention that there is a good deal of interest among Batman fans, movie buffs, urban/architecture enthusiasts, and the very cities under consideration as to which city would be the next "Gotham".

I believe when the last film was announced (and that it would be filming in Chicago), there was even a quite popular thread on here.

Additionally, it is pretty big news for a city like Pittsburgh. And it would also be big news for Chicago, if it were returning there... and it would be big news for NYC and LA, as well... considering that these movies are just about the biggest blockbuster films there are.

So, I really don't get your comment. If you're saying the story is not valid for inclusion in city discussions, you're mistaken... and if you were just trying to be smug, then it's actually really misguided, since this announcement would be notable regardless of the location named.

Yes, I'm "seriously" making that comment. Otherwise, you wouldn't have read it, right?

It just goes back to why is this in the broad City Discussions is everything and anything pertaining to American cities posted here and not in the United States section? Of which, of course, wasn't fully discussed. Reasons were given as to why it started initially, but why is this still occurring?

I mean, sure, it's big news for Pittsburgh. But most people outside of the U.S. that aren't Batman fans (or even Americans that aren't Batman fans) could care less if this or another big movie is shot in Pittsburgh or Little Rock. Why not create a thread in Skybar on the movie or a thread (because yes, it does pertain to a certain city) in the Northeast section?

Of course, I was kidding at the suggestion of posting a thread for each new movie to be filmed in big movie cities like Los Angeles and New York, but I just used those because of that fact. In 2011 alone, there will be that many plus more movies shot in those cities. I could have said Atlanta or Seattle or Winnipeg or Las Vegas, but it wouldn't have dramatized my point.

Says someone from edmonton.

Says someone from the U.S. (Philadelphia?)

/sarcasm

Seriously, what the fuck does my comment have to do with my username that has a specific city in it? If it was Pittsburghenthusiast or Americanenthusiast would I suddenly have more credibility?

[pj3000]

I just think Pittsburgh is trying to be something its not, and that kind of shows the shortsightedness of the people making the decisions. Similar to the title redundancy, as I said earlier. Something smells afoul.

:haha: Come on now, you're being silly... it's not as if Pittsburgh made this decision! Trying to be something it's not? That's so ridiculous, I can't even believe I'm replying to you. The Oscar-nominated director/producer of Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Memento, and Inception (among other films) CHOSE Pittsburgh because of the "architecture and the diverse sampling of locations".

[Centropolis]

I just think Pittsburgh is trying to be something its not, and that kind of shows the shortsightedness of the people making the decisions. Similar to the title redundancy, as I said earlier. Something smells afoul.

I'm really complaining just to complain, I'm sure it will be an excellent movie. But I'll also be disappointed if it's not up to par with the prior movies. I can already see some of the issues which could be to blame if that were to come true.

shut it up.

[ardecila]

Pittsburgh isn't trying to be anything. The production team chose Pittsburgh because they saw something they liked, and they wanted that atmosphere in their movie.

The production team won't be coming to New Orleans, either. Still, it's very interesting that location scouts now routinely consider cities across the country to find the right atmosphere for shooting (tax credits don't hurt either).

I don't look at film tax credits as economic stimulus, though... it's cool if the movie filming directly generates economic activity, but really, the tax credit is a marketing expense for the city, since major motion pictures reach millions of people.

[Evergrey]

Yes, I'm "seriously" making that comment. Otherwise, you wouldn't have read it, right?

It just goes back to why is this in the broad City Discussions is everything and anything pertaining to American cities posted here and not in the United States section? Of which, of course, wasn't fully discussed. Reasons were given as to why it started initially, but why is this still occurring?

I mean, sure, it's big news for Pittsburgh. But most people outside of the U.S. that aren't Batman fans (or even Americans that aren't Batman fans) could care less if this or another big movie is shot in Pittsburgh or Little Rock. Why not create a thread in Skybar on the movie or a thread (because yes, it does pertain to a certain city) in the Northeast section?

Of course, I was kidding at the suggestion of posting a thread for each new movie to be filmed in big movie cities like Los Angeles and New York, but I just used those because of that fact. In 2011 alone, there will be that many plus more movies shot in those cities. I could have said Atlanta or Seattle or Winnipeg or Las Vegas, but it wouldn't have dramatized my point.

Dude... you really need to drop this crusade. Add something of value to the forum instead of diverting discussions with incessant complaints stemming from your warped perception of SSP topic posting etiquette.

[Jasonhouse]

^Agreed... We have numerous mods to worry about these things, so that members can worry about enjoying their time here.

However, perhaps this can go in the Skybar? That's where entertainment/movie news would typically go.

[pj3000]

^Agreed,,, However, perhaps this can go in the Skybar? That's where entertainment/movie news would typically go.

If that's where it is most properly placed, fine. No problem.

However, when The Dark Knight came out and filming was done in Chicago... there was a thread about it in City Discussions.

There are numerous other threads in the City Discussion forum that would find more appropriate homes somewhere else.

Should we all start complaining about the placement of those? Because I have some suggestions.

[ue]

Dude... you really need to drop this crusade. Add something of value to the forum instead of diverting discussions with incessant complaints stemming from your warped perception of SSP topic posting etiquette.

I just don't see the point to having both City Discussions and U.S. Forum for all these U.S. city focused discussions that are 98% with Americans only. Isn't this forum supposed to be for general city discussions, not American city discussions? At least get rid of the U.S. Forum if you're not going to use it. Maybe I should post 30 threads about Canadian urban planning just to even it out. Of course, there would be no interest as this is (American) city discussions.

[pj3000]

I just don't see the point to having both City Discussions and U.S. Forum for all these U.S. city focused discussions that are 98% with Americans only. Isn't this forum supposed to be for general city discussions, not American city discussions? At least get rid of the U.S. Forum if you're not going to use it. Maybe I should post 30 threads about Canadian urban planning just to even it out. Of course, there would be no interest as this is (American) city discussions.

Evergrey recently posted a thread about Windsor, Ontario, Canada (that has almost 1,900 views and 69 replies). That needs to go in the Canada subforum where far less people will see it.

Generic city discussions only in the City Discussions forum now. Good luck finding topics that have any longevity and stimulate much interest.

[ue]

^A lot of that discussion has comparisons to Detroit (not that it's bad). Mark posts many threads in here over time that come from Canada, Europe, Australia, Japan, etc. Most are futile attempts.

And no, I don't think it *needs* to go to the Canada forum. Unless, of course, we're scrapping the whole City Discussions forum. I also don't have a problem with threads pertaining specifically to American urban planning. But only on bigger topics/issues that would garner international interest (urban enthusiasts, at least). Detroit being remodeled and turning parts to farmland seems to be a popular one. Fine, have 1 thread for that. Have 1 thread for all those new walkable L.A./still unwalkable L.A. articles. But I just find it oversaturated with topics from 1 country. This isn't supposed to be American city discussions, but it mind as well be with a few nods here and there to the rest of the world.

[pj3000]

^A lot of that discussion has comparisons to Detroit (not that it's bad). Mark posts many threads in here over time that come from Canada, Europe, Australia, Japan, etc. Most are futile attempts.

And no, I don't think it *needs* to go to the Canada forum. Unless, of course, we're scrapping the whole City Discussions forum. I also don't have a problem with threads pertaining specifically to American urban planning. But only on bigger topics/issues that would garner international interest (urban enthusiasts, at least). Detroit being remodeled and turning parts to farmland seems to be a popular one. Fine, have 1 thread for that. Have 1 thread for all those new walkable L.A./still unwalkable L.A. articles. But I just find it oversaturated with topics from 1 country. This isn't supposed to be American city discussions, but it mind as well be with a few nods here and there to the rest of the world.

I understand your position and it's not that I disagree with it, but where does one draw the line between "general" city/urban articles and articles which pertain to a specific city but will "garner international interest". That is impossible to do.

I just don't see how it's the fault of people who post American city articles that there are not more articles posted about Canadian, European, Asian cities. And I don't really see a reason we should be wasting time on the matter.

[Markitect]

They can CG in the megacity.


Yep. They even expanded Chicago's skyline with CG in Batman Begins to make it mega-er.

[Jasonhouse]

There are numerous other threads in the City Discussion forum that would find more appropriate homes somewhere else.

Should we all start complaining about the placement of those? Because I have some suggestions.
Telling a mod or admin about it by reporting the original post of the thread, yes. But posting about it in the thread doesn't do much good, unless a mod happens to come long.

[Attrill]

As others have noted, they can very easily use CGI for skylines and such. I've spent some time wandering around Pittsburgh and I can certainly see how it is a great city for shooting a film. The look of it may just be a better fit for this film. As long as they don't shut down the Church Brew Works for shooting while I'm visiting it's all good!

The Trib article linked to before also noted that Nolan is already shooting Superman in the Chicago area this summer, and I'm sure that may be taking up a lot of production resources in the region:

At roughly the same time, "Superman: Man of Steel" (another Warner Bros. property) will be filming in the Chicago area. Moskal said that might have been a factor in the Batman decision, particularly because Nolan is producing both films.

"Two pictures of that size shooting simultaneously in the same location? I think the studio would have said it's just too much in one place," Moskal said. "It would have been challenging for the filmmakers, let alone the city. Chris Nolan might be making sure he's not sort of stepping his on his own toes by having both pictures here."

[pj3000]

Telling a mod or admin about it by reporting the original post of the thread, yes. But posting about it in the thread doesn't do much good, unless a mod happens to come long.

I know. I was really only commenting about it in response to edmontonenthusiast's complaints about the City Discussions subforum American city topic content.

I actually have have no problem with the subforum content... basically I was just stating that since he's complaining about content concerning American cities and suggesting that the threads are misplaced, then by his reasoning, there are also plenty of non-American city topic threads in the City Discussions subforum that should be moved then too.

[ColDayMan]

^A lot of that discussion has comparisons to Detroit (not that it's bad). Mark posts many threads in here over time that come from Canada, Europe, Australia, Japan, etc. Most are futile attempts.

And no, I don't think it *needs* to go to the Canada forum. Unless, of course, we're scrapping the whole City Discussions forum. I also don't have a problem with threads pertaining specifically to American urban planning. But only on bigger topics/issues that would garner international interest (urban enthusiasts, at least). Detroit being remodeled and turning parts to farmland seems to be a popular one. Fine, have 1 thread for that. Have 1 thread for all those new walkable L.A./still unwalkable L.A. articles. But I just find it oversaturated with topics from 1 country. This isn't supposed to be American city discussions, but it mind as well be with a few nods here and there to the rest of the world.

Oh good God.

This forum goes in cycles. When I registered in 1998, the discussion was "Toronto, Calgary, Trango Tower, and Atlanta/Charlotte urbanized distances on a freeway." No one complained "why is there all this Toronto stuff on this forum owned by somebody in Victoria?" Trends happen. Stop complaining, start posting Canadian articles (or any other country), and go on with it.

Back to the topic, good for Pittsburgh. Wonderful city to showcase.

[StethJeff]

And anyway... LA as Gotham?

LA has managed to fill in as basically every other place on Earth for close to a century now but all of a sudden it wouldn't be able to stand in as Gotham City? :haha: :haha:

[KevinFromTexas]

Actually, Pittsburgh with its many hills could be an interesting setting. Not to mention all the architectural landmarks. PPG Place could be his roost! haha Plus all the bridges and the Cathedral of Learning. And then there's the geography of downtown.

[Markitect]

The Dark Knight Rises is scheduled to shoot staring in May and ending in November. The Pittsburgh filming, as reported in the newspaper article, is expected to last 4-6 weeks this summer...so clearly they'll be using multiple places for Gotham.

Like the previous two movies, they'll be using a mix of exterior location shoots (Chicago and London), soundstage shoots (they have several Gotham City street sets built in a soundstage in England), miniatures, and CGI to make Gotham City.

They'll also be filming the new movie in New York City and Los Angeles. And again in England. Also in India. And Bucharest, Romania. And possibly Detroit.

[ardecila]

Given the budget on this thing, I wouldn't be surprised if Nolan got the money to send his second unit to ten different cities to get just the right shots.

The Trib article linked to before also noted that Nolan is already shooting Superman in the Chicago area this summer, and I'm sure that may be taking up a lot of production resources in the region:

Not sure about that. AFAIK Superman is shooting in Plano, not Chicago itself. Plano hasn't yet been extensively suburbanized, so it still feels like a small town.

[SHiRO]

I just think Pittsburgh is trying to be something its not, and that kind of shows the shortsightedness of the people making the decisions. Similar to the title redundancy, as I said earlier. Something smells afoul.

I'm really complaining just to complain, I'm sure it will be an excellent movie. But I'll also be disappointed if it's not up to par with the prior movies. I can already see some of the issues which could be to blame if that were to come true.
Do you always have to be a troll? :rolleyes:

[nito]

I always find the 'true' location of films to be quite a fun topic, especially if they are well implemented.

For instance, while I knew that the majority of studio work for the Dark Knight was done at Pinewood in London, what I didn't know that the Police HQ is actually a building in Clerkenwell, just north of the Square Mile. I go past the place at least once a month but didn't know it until I read about it today! Even more odd was the use of an old 19th century fort in Tilbury (on the Thames) used as a Bhutan prison in the first film!

Location scouts must have one of the coolest jobs about.

[CentralGrad258]

Very interesting. I thought that Chicago made for a great Gotham City, but Pittsburgh has some potential. Plenty of Gothic architecture to work with, great physical setting, and the hilly terrain can make for some bad ass chase scenes. Definitely feels like a much bigger city than its relatively small population may imply. Good for the city and the state!

[Lipani]

LA has managed to fill in as basically every other place on Earth for close to a century now but all of a sudden it wouldn't be able to stand in as Gotham City? :haha: :haha:

You guys haven't been forgiven ever since allowing the Fast and the Furious franchise to exist.

[dazarooney]

It's really interesting to know where the filming is done. I thought the use of Hong Kong was great but having looked at Pittsburgh I think it will be a really good setting.

[Xing]

I don't think so... From the evening news here tonight... official word is that it will be only Pittsburgh for outside filming. Interior shooting may be done in London as it was in the first two films. Director Nolan confirmed today that filming would not return to Chicago for this 3rd installment.



They've changed the location like 3 times, but the imdb page lists Chicago even though the news reports that New Orleans replaces Chicago. Then another article said Detroit replaces Chicago. Now it's Pittsburgh. I'm willing to bet it's all of them, and this is just a publicity stunt. They were doing the same with the actor's roles too. There was a moment when they were saying this person is going to play the Riddler. This person is playing Catwoman. I've been following this film for awhile now, and everything seems to be purposely misleading.

[pj3000]

LA has managed to fill in as basically every other place on Earth for close to a century now but all of a sudden it wouldn't be able to stand in as Gotham City? :haha: :haha:

You missed the context of the discussion.

Another forumer was acting as if the filming locations had to in reality look just like what Gotham is supposed to look like. Going by his logic, LA would be one of the last places in reality to accurately depict Gotham... as it is certainly far from the dark, grimy, post-industrial urban jungle with terrible weather that "Gotham" is.

We're all well aware that there have been literally thousands of movies filmed in LA, but set elsewhere... but thanks for your insight... it was so very necessary. :haha: :haha:

[pj3000]

The Dark Knight Rises is scheduled to shoot staring in May and ending in November. The Pittsburgh filming, as reported in the newspaper article, is expected to last 4-6 weeks this summer...so clearly they'll be using multiple places for Gotham.

Like the previous two movies, they'll be using a mix of exterior location shoots (Chicago and London), soundstage shoots (they have several Gotham City street sets built in a soundstage in England), miniatures, and CGI to make Gotham City.

They'll also be filming the new movie in New York City and Los Angeles. And again in England. Also in India. And Bucharest, Romania. And possibly Detroit.

Well right now, the only places that have been named where there will be actual live actors being filmed on location are Pittsburgh and London (and obviously LA... but filming on Hollywood sets really doesn't count). I'm sure they may use locational shots from other places too, as they have in the past. However, Chicago does not seem to be "in the picture" at all for this one. And the other cities (New Orleans, Detroit, Bucharest, and India) have been nothing but rumors so far. I think there has already been filming of NYC this winter for aerial shots.

They've changed the location like 3 times, but the imdb page lists Chicago even though the news reports that New Orleans replaces Chicago. Then another article said Detroit replaces Chicago. Now it's Pittsburgh. I'm willing to bet it's all of them, and this is just a publicity stunt. They were doing the same with the actor's roles too. There was a moment when they were saying this person is going to play the Riddler. This person is playing Catwoman. I've been following this film for awhile now, and everything seems to be purposely misleading.

Right, building hype for a big popular blockbuster franchise like this one isn't uncommon. I'm sure that there will be more developments/announcements coming soon. I think it would be cool if New Orleans and Detroit, and Bucharest, etc. did make appearances. The only thing that we know now is that there has long been speculation over what would be the third city for locational filming... LA and London were the givens... Pittsburgh, surprisingly, is that third. I don't think anyone saw this one coming.

[Evergrey]

http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/entertainment/movies/detroit-loses-out-on-batman,-the-dark-knight-rises-to-be-filmed-in-pittsburgh

Detroit loses out on Batman, The Dark Knight Rises to be filmed in Pittsburgh

Posted: 9:17 PM
Last Updated: 2 hours and 44 minutes ago

(WXYZ) - It's official, The Dark Knight will not be coming to Detroit.

Earlier this year the third movie in Christopher Nolan's Batman series The Dark Knight Rises had been rumored to be filming in the city. However, those rumors dried up when Governor Rick Snyder announced his budget plan, which included a cap on the state's film incentives.

Grabbing the movie, which is expected to be one of the biggest films of 2012, would have been a great coup for Michigan's film industry. The previous two films, 2005's Batman Begins and 2008's The Dark Knight, were shot in Chicago.

...




http://www.nola.com/movies/index.ssf/2011/04/dark_knight_rises_and_christop.html

'Dark Knight Rises' and Christopher Nolan pass on New Orleans

Published: Tuesday, April 05, 2011, 1:20 PM Updated: Tuesday, April 05, 2011, 6:13 PM
By Mike Scott, The Times-Picayune

Back in August, rumors started circulating that location scouts for the third film in Christopher Nolan's "Batman" trilogy -- since named "Dark Knight Rises" -- were sniffing around New Orleans as a possible shooting location.

When those rumors were revived in October, I warned against getting too terribly excited about the unsourced Internet report that claimed that it was all a done deal.

And now you know why.

...

[pj3000]

^ Thank you, Evergrey.

The only reason I posted the initial story was because it was about the official announcement from the director/producer of the film regarding what would be the third city.

Of all people involved, one would think that THE main guy involved in all aspects of making the movie just might have pretty darn accurate information. He said it would be Pittsburgh, yet still we had quite a bit of doubt on here.

[Lecom]

Says someone from the U.S. (Philadelphia?)

/sarcasm


Philly would be an interesting case study. It has the real grit and grime that Gotham is famous for, yet it has nownere near enough Gothic architecture to pass as Gotham, aside from its splendid churches scattered around the city.

[mhudson]

Philly would be an interesting case study. It has the real grit and grime that Gotham is famous for, yet it has nownere near enough Gothic architecture to pass as Gotham, aside from its splendid churches scattered around the city.

I always thought the way the unamed city in se7en looked like a perfect Gotham City from the comics. I am pretty sure a large portion was filmed in Philly.

[themaguffin]

So should the next 15 movies set to be filmed in New York or L.A. also be posted in City Discussions?

Seriously?

You are saying this because this thread is the first and only one in this section with a title referencing a specific city? I hardly think posting a thread regarding the location choice to the follow up of one the biggest movies ever is irrelevant. But I suppose, if this is not of interest to you, there are at least 2 Chicago threads on page 1 of this section, a Detroit one, an Atlanta one, a NYC one....



I just think Pittsburgh is trying to be something its not,

and what would that be? The city has been a consistent filming location for a couple decades and most certainly has ample gothic architecture, a dense downtown (and city overall) and established workforce for productions.

What is lacking?

[Steely Dan]

what was that pittsburgh movie with bruce willis where he played a river cop? the movie was ok, but all of the city scene shots from the river, with pittsburgh's spectacular setting, scenery, topography, bridges, architecture, etc. sure made for some great on location filming.

i'm a little disappointed the batman crew won't be coming back to chicago, but i'm sure pittsburgh will do a great job for filming. the fact that's it's such a radically different type of city from chicago and new york will hopefully allow them to add new textures and layers to the mythology of "gotham city".

[pj3000]

what was that pittsburgh movie with bruce willis where he played a river cop? the movie was ok, but all of the city scene shots from the river, with pittsburgh's spectacular setting, scenery, topography, bridges, architecture, etc. sure made for some great on location filming.

i'm a little disappointed the batman crew won't be coming back to chicago, but i'm sure pittsburgh will do a great job for filming. the fact that's it's such a radically different type of city from chicago and new york will hopefully allow them to add new textures and layers to the mythology of "gotham city".

Striking Distance! Also with Sarah Jessica Parker, Tom Sizemore, that guy from Law&Order, Frasier's dad, the guy from Homicide, and that other guy who's been in just about every action movie from the 1980s to today!

Yeah, the movie was kinda crappy. The scenic shots of the city, showing the terrain was the real highlight.

I think in director Nolan's hands, Pittsburgh will provide an awesome dark, urban setting for Gotham. That's the interesting thing about what Gotham is supposed to represent... urbanity in its most extreme, intimidating, and dangerous form... every city has a bit of Gotham in it, and Pittsburgh can certainly add to the mythology, as you said.

[Evergrey]

Striking Distance! Also with Sarah Jessica Parker, Tom Sizemore, that guy from Law&Order, Frasier's dad, the guy from Homicide, and that other guy who's been in just about every action movie from the 1980s to today!

Yeah, the movie was kinda crappy. The scenic shots of the city, showing the terrain was the real highlight.

I think in director Nolan's hands, Pittsburgh will provide an awesome dark, urban setting for Gotham. That's the interesting thing about what Gotham is supposed to represent... urbanity in its most extreme, intimidating, and dangerous form... every city has a bit of Gotham in it, and Pittsburgh can certainly add to the mythology, as you said.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f3/Martin_Crane.jpg

[SHiRO]

what was that pittsburgh movie with bruce willis where he played a river cop? the movie was ok, but all of the city scene shots from the river, with pittsburgh's spectacular setting, scenery, topography, bridges, architecture, etc. sure made for some great on location filming.

Sudden Death with JCVD is another one that took place in Pittsburgh. I remember it because of the skyline shots. Funny how even back then I was into that without even realizing it. :D

[pj3000]

^^ :haha: He plays a dad a lot. He was Bruce Willis' dad in Striking Distance too... and he was the dad in one of those Ed Burns brother movies... and now that I think about him, he was the girl's dad in Say Anything with John Cusack.

[pj3000]

Sudden Death with JCVD is another one that took place in Pittsburgh. I remember it because of the skyline shots. Funny how even back then I was into that without even realizing it. :D

I was in that movie!!!


... as in extra in the crowd scenes inside the arena. Actually, never able to tell if I made the final cut or not, even though tried to find myself by pausing, rewinding, and putting the VCR in slow-motion over and over when the crowd scenes were shown.

[Shawn]

I always thought the way the unamed city in se7en looked like a perfect Gotham City from the comics. I am pretty sure a large portion was filmed in Philly.

I always thought the same, but actually the whole movie was filmed in downtown LA and in Lancaster (the scenes at the end).

[Xing]

what was that pittsburgh movie with bruce willis where he played a river cop? the movie was ok, but all of the city scene shots from the river, with pittsburgh's spectacular setting, scenery, topography, bridges, architecture, etc. sure made for some great on location filming.

i'm a little disappointed the batman crew won't be coming back to chicago, but i'm sure pittsburgh will do a great job for filming. the fact that's it's such a radically different type of city from chicago and new york will hopefully allow them to add new textures and layers to the mythology of "gotham city".

Yeah, but Nolan is producing Superman which is coming to Chicago this summer instead. That'll be shot by Director Zack Snyder who did Watchmen.

[Evergrey]

^^ :haha: He plays a dad a lot. He was Bruce Willis' dad in Striking Distance too... and he was the dad in one of those Ed Burns brother movies... and now that I think about him, he was the girl's dad in Say Anything with John Cusack.

He was also the dad in "Dan in Real Life".

[mthq]

every city has a bit of Gotham in it,

even Riverside, California?


You guys haven't been forgiven ever since allowing the Fast and the Furious franchise to exist.


HA HA :haha:

good one.

[Complex01]

I love Batman. It will be interesting how they show "Gotham". Good news for Pittsburgh...


BB - Felt like a Gotham

TDK - Felt like Chicagoish with a fun trip to Hong Kong

TDKR - ????

:jester: --- he he Joker...

[pj3000]

even Riverside, California?

Riverside, California is a city?

[ardecila]

BB - Felt like a Gotham

TDK - Felt like Chicagoish with a fun trip to Hong Kong

TDKR - ????

:jester: --- he he Joker...

Well, Batman Begins relied heavily on CG. The unaltered shots of Chicago were beautifully done, but many scenes had additional buildings added in, and the "elevated train" system was entirely CG. They also inserted "the Narrows" where River North would normally be.

The Dark Knight had very little CG. I'm not sure if that was because the budget expanded, or what... The only major one I can think of is near the end, when the under-construction Trump Tower is "moved" to appear closer to the lake. But that's just a composite shot, not even true CG. Even the hospital explosion scene was entirely real - film crews put up signage to turn a derelict old candy factory into a hospital, and then worked with demolitions crews to bring it down spectacularly. (Maybe that's one reason for choosing Pittsburgh - lots of buildings waiting to be demolished?)

(watched both movies in the last week)

[gtbassett]

I think that Pittsburgh, while obviously smaller than the mega-metropolis that Gotham is, is a great fit to represent Gotham. It's got that gloomy, post-industrial feel, and amazing architectural pieces. I'm excited to see how it turns out.

And good for Pittsburgh!

[mthq]

Riverside, California is a city?


over 300,000 and quickly growing... yeah not what we SSP'ers think of as a proper city, but it is what it is..

[pj3000]

^ Riverside, California is a city?

[Brandon716]

This is great news, Pittsburgh is a natural city to film given how grand architecture can be in the city and it's quaint setting in the hills of western PA. I think it'll be a real winner, and as others have said as "rich" as this franchise is, costs probably had nothing to do with it. A lot of people on here who haven't lived in the city or visited extensively may not realize how much architectural gems that are prime for films lie within Pgh. It isn't like just downtown can serve, you could use East Liberty for some scenes, you could use Oakland for scenes, you can use downtown and neighborhoods like South Side. The opportunities are endless.

On another note, the absolute arrogant, condescending nonsense I've read in this thread is a sideshow. Pittsburgh is trying to be something it isn't? HA! I don't know many cities with the massive cathedrals, rowhomes, and settings to make a film like this other than Pittsburgh. It is the perfect location.

[texcolo]

The University of Pittsburgh "Tower of Learning' should stand in as Wayne HQ.

[Brandon716]

They should use the square in East Liberty with the church as a scene, it would be an interesting area to film in.

[Evergrey]

why Pittsburgh makes a great Gotham

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/78955531.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/81168570.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/81171760.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/78980555.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/84283307.jpg

[ozThusker]

New to this thread. But I am a skyscraper nut and also a Batman fan think many people are missing the reason (or at least why I think is the reason) they are filming here.


Bruce Wayne and his mansion are located in the hill outside of Gotham City and overlook it (for the most part in most comics) the city while having a cave below the mansion. Not many other places in America can show a clear contrast between hills around the city (that look like hills....not downtown skyscrapers, suburbs, tall mountains, mansion...) and instant skyline (at least instant skyline according to the camera) like Pittsburgh does.

I've said this on a few forums now. Expect a shot of the hills panning to the downtown or vice-versa in this film. Pittsburgh is taylor-made for this.

[Brandon716]

Welcome to the forum, and thanks for the impressive statement about Pittsburgh. I couldn't see any better fit for the Batman franchise than to film in Pgh.

[KevinFromTexas]

Of course Batman is an American franchise, but Pittsburgh just has that old world look to it, like Europe, that fits the Batman movies. It also has its industrial character that resembles the movies, that dark industrial look. Also, the Batman movies have Gotham mostly cutoff from the outside world despite it being a major city. Pittsburgh is a lot like that, too, thanks to the hills. It sort of carries that same mystique of what's just over the hill and has an isolated look.

[pesto]

why Pittsburgh makes a great Gotham

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/78955531.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/81168570.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/81171760.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/78980555.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/84283307.jpg

Reminds me of Riverside.:haha:

[ametz]

That's not at all what makes Pitt a great gotham. Pittsburgh is a gorgeous city, but a gothic tower framed by green hills is most certainly not batman-esque.

[guyFROMtheBURGH]

http://i398.photobucket.com/albums/pp66/jjs65/uniontrustbuilding.jpg

I really hope this gem of a building gets a highlight in the movie

[Austinlee]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/austindaniel/flashskyline.jpg
Credit: flash
Source (http://pittsburghskyline.com/content/2011/01/06/winter-classic-and-pittsburgh-skyline-january-2011/)


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/austindaniel/flashlighting.jpg
Credit: flash
Source (http://pittsburghskyline.com/content/2006/06/19/lightning-over-pittsburgh/)



batmens.

[kool maudit]

pittsburgh is a great gotham, except for the fact that there's not enough of it. hopefully the forested hills will either be avoided or cgied.

[Wiz Khalifa]

That's not at all what makes Pitt a great gotham. Pittsburgh is a gorgeous city, but a gothic tower framed by green hills is most certainly not batman-esque.

You can't be serious... Did you miss the pictures from street level? Also, in the orginal batman comic the batcave is in a hillside overlooking Gotham. Plus there's a little invention called cgi that has appeared in the last decade and was used heavily inthe previous 2 films.

[chicubs111]

I dont think Pittsburgh is being used as gotham at all...the plot of this movie supposdly has batman leaving gotham and therefore the reason why chicago was not needed to be used in this movie ..i believe pittsburgh is prolly being used for some other city that batman will be saving

[pj3000]

Interestingly, with Pittsburgh situated at the intersection of Allegheny and Monongahela rivers it is topographically reminiscent of the look of the section of Gotham City known as The Narrows as shown in Nolan’s first Batman film Batman Begins. - From Filmbuffonline.com


http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2011/apr/12/christopher-nolan-batman

Why Christopher Nolan is taking Batman to the rustbelt

Pittsburgh and other postindustrial cities are a fitting location for cinema's dystopian futures.

Christopher Nolan's decision to film his third Batman movie on location in Pittsburgh has a perfectly rational business explanation. Many rustbelt cities, including Pittsburgh, Detroit (Transformers 3), and Cleveland (Spider-Man 3), are cheaper alternatives to New York and Chicago, offering tax-breaks to film companies that, in turn, meld their visually striking downtowns into larger-looking places with post-production wizardry. (Reports suggest that other locations, in Los Angeles and even London, may be amalgamated with Pittsburgh for this new Gotham City.)

Yet this region of America, with its grandly tumbledown cities and postindustrial landscapes, seems a fitting location for Nolanesque creepshows. When searching for locations for The Road, the filmed adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's novel about the end of the world in nuclear winter, the producers felt no need to add much CGI to the area outside Pittsburgh in winter.

Of contemporary classics, two notable pictures filmed or set in the Pittsburgh area, The Deer Hunter and The Silence of the Lambs, aren't much more cheery. The premise of a third, Groundhog Day, is very sweet, although the salvation of its protagonist, Bill Murray's Pittsburgh weatherman, depends on his inability to return to the city.

Underneath the gritty charm depicted in productions such as Wonder Boys, Flashdance, and the American version of Queer as Folk, there's also the lurking fear contained in the work of the city's best-known director, George A Romero, whose locally shot films include Night of the Living Dead and Martin, about a Pittsburgh-area grocery bag boy convinced that he is a vampire.

Nolan's choice of locations also returns him to the very region of America where the movies began, just at the moment when many critics believe that studio cinema has reached a dead end. Mark Harris, in his GQ article The Day the Movies Died, portrays Nolan as a last great hope for studio film-making, which for Harris has reached "an all-time low". The Nation's Stuart Klawans, meanwhile, writes that "movies have lapsed into a semi-historical, niche-market status, like … easel paintings." If Nolan's career is meant to save studio pictures, it's an irony of movie history that he'd continue doing it in this area. Among the first permanent structures established as a moving picture house was Harry Davis's 1905 Nickelodeon theatre in Pittsburgh.

The Warner brothers themselves, who founded the conglomerate now producing Nolan's film, grew up just across the state line in nearby Youngstown, Ohio (its "beautiful sky of soot" immortalised by Bruce Springsteen). They opened their first cinema in 1906, the Cascade Movie Palace, in New Castle, Pennsylvania. The Cascade – the cinema was located in the Knox building on South Mill Street – seated 99 and offered three movies for a nickel. Among the more legendary stories about the place presented by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is that the Warner brothers apparently borrowed chairs from a local funeral home, which meant that they couldn't run their pictures when someone in town died. The Warners moved on to found their first film distribution company, the Duquesne Amusement and Supply Company, in Pittsburgh, in 1907.

For Pittsburgh, film means jobs in a town that's always looking for ways to reinvent as its population continues to fall (8.6% since the last census), while its hipness quotient remains steady as a tiny but lovely-to-look-at City of Bridges. The riverside area around the Cascade in nearby New Castle has seen better days: the Cascade Centre mall built on the site of the Warner brothers' cinema is now for sale, its website a dead link. Visit town on a Sunday, and you can peek through the glass at the recreated cinema entrance, flanked by vintage movie cameras. As with anywhere in the rustbelt, vacant storefronts, empty houses, and abandoned cinemas lie beyond the reach of boosters and developers. All the more appropriate for Nolan's deep strains of human darkness: his blockbusters, whatever their genre, are rarely uplifting.

Batman was a character designed as a pulp fiction detective at the tail end of the last economic depression. But his split identity as billionaire playboy and traumatiaed witness to urban collapse resonates, in a comic book kind of way, with foreclosed America in the wake of the great recession. Batman's original red costume was changed from red to dark grey by his creators, artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, to "make it look more ominous". Nolan has done something similar with the Batman cycle. Ominous, dark grey, and staggeringly wonderful to photograph, Pittsburgh makes a far more compelling Gotham than Manhattan. Only dreamers believe that a comic book character can save a city – or that an artist can save an industry singlehandedly – but that never stopped anyone from projecting the Bat-signal into the night sky.

[CyberEric]

. Ominous, dark grey, and staggeringly wonderful to photograph, Pittsburgh makes a far more compelling Gotham than Manhattan.

That's a knee slapper.

[Lecom]

pittsburgh is a great gotham, except for the fact that there's not enough of it. hopefully the forested hills will either be avoided or cgied.

Agreed. The setting looks perfect, but everything is just too small-scaled to pass as Gotham.

[themaguffin]

but everything is just too small-scaled to pass as Gotham

not at street level.