My brother Seth and I headed across the border to see what we could see during the last week of shooting for season 8 of Smallville. We brought a cooler and lawn chairs knowing that all the sets are pretty much built inside the studio and we probably won't see much of anything. The studio the show is shot in is on Beersferd St in Burnaby CA, a small suburb of Vancouver. Fans aren't allowed on the property but the security and staff have no problem with you hanging out across the street and stealing glimpses when you can. We thought if we are lucky we might see Tom Welling or Allison Mack pull up or leave from the studio.
We decided to stop at the farm used for the Kent farm on the way to Burnaby. Its only 11 miles east once you cross the border. when we got there we thought Smallville was shooting a scene out there, but it turns out to be a Dolph Lundgren movie. Its called Icarus, so keep a look out if your interested. We met the father of the little girl that plays Dolphs daughter and when he found out that this was the Kent farm, and that we were big Smallville fans, he told us to follow him and he led us onto the farm. We were able to stand right in the middle of it all and take a look into the big red barn. Smallville doesn't film out there anymore, but the owners have left the "Kent Farm" sign hanging up over the driveway. In a word, surreal.
We left the farm smiling from ear to ear and headed to the studio. When we went to turn down the street to the studio there was a cop directing traffic. She waved us in and we were plunged into chaos. There were crew everywhere, big cranes and huge lights, extras walking around and people with headsets everywhere. We park the car and just walked up to the outside set. The first thing we saw was this.
For those of you who watch the show closely you'll notice Chloe' current car, the yellow Sunfire parked to the left.
We struck up a conversation with the assistant location manager. Let me say this first. Every body we met from smallvilles security and crew have been nothing short of accommodating and very nice. As long as you respect their job and the set they are more then happy to talk with you about the show and the cast and have no problem with you watching from a distance. While talking to the ALM we found out that they where doing a few pickup shots for the episode "Infamous" and shooting the season ender "Doomsday" at the same time. This guy kept on walking around in all black leather with white hair and totally bloodied up and trashed on one side of his body. The ALM said, "he's 'dead'". Later on i see the same actor walking with an actress dressed very similarly and I came to the conclusion that these two were members of the Injustice League. The next day when the shoot was done and we went back the black tarp was removed from where they were filming and we saw this:
I can only assume a fight has broken out and either Clark or one of the Injustice League breaks through the wall. Next to the whole in the wall, off camera was parked a burned out SUV that I realized was Davis Bloomes/Doomsdays blown up truck from this weeks episode Eternal.
After a little while the ALM told us we needed to move a little because they are about to film a scene with Chloe getting into the car. We were told we could stick around and watch but to stay quite and try not to distract them during shooting, Tom Welling was directing. We couldn't take pics of the cast, but we got this just before the camera was set up and Allison and Tom came out.
The scene was very simple, Chloe was getting into her car while talking on the phone. She had some blood on her face and it seemed like she was running from something. Allison Mack is just as pretty in person as she is on TV. She noticed me and my brother and when she went to leave, (it was a very short scene) she smiled and waved at both of us. I thought I'd be more star stuck by Allison then anyone, but when Tom came out to direct I was truly stunned. Superman was walking around 20 feet from me. We didn't get to talk to him, but he saw us and made eye contact. He was in a very serious mood, he was aparently very busy directing the episode, but I have to admit, it was a little scary being stared down by the last son of Krypton.
We didn't see any cast after that and took a few more pics of the sets for your enjoyment.
You'll notice in the last pic the streets of Metropolis are a wreck. Apparently there is going to be some sort of fight that spills over into the streets. I'm looking forward to seeing that.
Okay,the next day we're walking around looking at the sets again and we start talking to a very nice crew member whose name I can't use because I don't want to get him fired. We tell him that we came up to see what we can and that we're bummed because they are going to kill someone off. he asks us who we think it will be, he knows, but can't say, but he's curious to see what the "fans" are thinking. We say Chloe, and he responds immediately with, "Chloe? You think they're gonna kill Chloe?" It was such a natural reaction to the statement that i don't think he realised what he said and I do think it was an honest reaction. After said statement I began to hope again that Chloe won't meet her doom. After all, she did end Hex with the statement, "Watchtower, online.". I noticed a large open garage door on one of the set building and i could see the back of a set piece. I couldn't make out what it was but it had a circle in the middle about 8 foot in diameter. I ask the guy what it was but he wouldn't tell me. He said it was going to be a huge part of next season. He said that he thinks there will be a season 10, but thats it, and that currently for the season ender "Doomsday" all the scripts are printed on red paper to keep someone from copying it, everything is very hush hush. He was getting just as excited about telling us this as we were to hear it and finally he said, "Okay, you want your spoiler? That set with the big 8 foot hole, its Watchtower. And its looks incredible on the other side. They went all out." You read it right. Watchtower is the headquarters for the Justice league. He said that it is earthbound and not orbiting the planet, but it is THE Watchtower.
Sorry i had to make you guys read all that to get to the good stuff, but I know if i was a fan and couldn't go to Canada, I'd want some details. So i have hope that Chloe won't be killed and that since the WB won't let batmans universe intertwine with Smallvilles Chloe will become what Barbra Gordan/batgirl/the Oracle is in the comics, and become a member of the Justice League.