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Los Angeles, Calafornia: 3-4 November 2006

Click on the image to open a larger version. All images are Copyright © Mike Hume.


Los Angeles November 2006

Los Angeles is synonymous with movie-making however as a place, LA isn't really much to look at! I did the Warner Bros Studio Tour (which is probably the best for those interested in seeing real movie "stuff") and also had a look at Paramount Pictures where the famous Bronson Gate is. I also checked-out Hollywood Boulevard where the Chinese and Kodak Theatres are located (the latter being the current home of the Academy Awards). I didn't have time to examine the Walk Of Fame stars on the pavement in detail unfortunately. Of course I couldn't forget the famed "Hollywood" sign!

Chinese Theatre
Chinese Theatre
Hollywood And Vine
Hollywood And Vine
Hollywood Boulevard Stars
Hollywood Boulevard Stars
Kodak Theatre
Kodak Theatre
LAX Airport
LAX Airport
Randys Donuts
Randys Donuts

Hollywood Sign

The "Hollywood" sign was erected in 1923 and originally read "Hollywoodland" to advertise real-estate development. It was only recognised as an offical Historic Monument in 1973. It's not the easiest sight to photograph because the roads in the Hollywood hills in front of the sign are a myriad of dead-ends.
A face-on view is possible from the top of North Beachwood Drive at the intersection with Glen Holly Street. Another good place to view the sign (where you can also easily park) is on Canyon Lake Drive, just past Mulholland Highway.

From Canyon Lake Drive 1
From Canyon Lake Drive 1
From Canyon Lake Drive 2
From Canyon Lake Drive 2
From Canyon Lake Drive 3
From Canyon Lake Drive 3
From Canyon Lake Drive 4
From Canyon Lake Drive 4
From North Beachwood Drive
From North Beachwood Drive
Night
Night

Paramount Pictures Studio

Paramount Pictures is one of the main studios and home to a host of films and TV series. The Bronson Gate is a familiar sight to movie-goers.

Bronson Gate 1
Bronson Gate 1
Bronson Gate 2
Bronson Gate 2
Bronson Gate 3
Bronson Gate 3
Bronson Gate 4
Bronson Gate 4
Entrance Gate At Night
Entrance Gate At Night
Water Tower
Water Tower

Warner Brothers Studio Tour

Warner Bros is probably the best-preserved Hollywood Studio (it's actually in Burbank) and it certainly has the most extensive backlot aside from Paramount Picture's huge New York set. The Studio Tour lasts over two hours and tours most areas of the Studios. We saw some TV folk (I didn't know who they were) but aside from that it was mostly the backlot. We saw the newly-built Casino entrance set for "Ocean's Thirteen" as well as their Boston Brownstone style street, New York Street, the Chicago set (used for "ER"), the Midwestern set (used for "The Gilmore Girls" and "The Dukes Of Hazzard") and a whole host of other sets. We also got onto a Soundstage (the sets used for "The Gilmore Girls") and also toured the scenic workshops.

Backlot
Backlot
Batman Begins Batmobile
Batman Begins Batmobile
Batmobile
Batmobile
Batmobile Closeup
Batmobile Closeup
Chicago Building 1
Chicago Building 1
Chicago Building 2
Chicago Building 2
Chicago Set 1
Chicago Set 1
Chicago Set Looking To New York Street 1
Chicago Set Looking To New York Street 1
Chicago Set Looking To New York Street 2
Chicago Set Looking To New York Street 2
County Hall Building
County Hall Building
Courthouse Building
Courthouse Building
ER Admissions 1
ER Admissions 1
ER Admissions 2
ER Admissions 2
ER Hospital Admissions Entrance
ER Hospital Admissions Entrance
ER Hospital Courtyard
ER Hospital Courtyard
ER Hospital Courtyard Grid
ER Hospital Courtyard Grid
ER Hospital Driveway
ER Hospital Driveway
ER Hospital Entrance 1
ER Hospital Entrance 1
ER Hospital Entrance 2
ER Hospital Entrance 2
Harry Potters Flying Car
Harry Potters Flying Car
Midwestern Street
Midwestern Street
New York Sreet 1
New York Sreet 1
New York Street 2
New York Street 2
New York Street 3
New York Street 3
Rear Of ER Set
Rear Of ER Set
Rear Of Oceans Thirteen Casino Entrance
Rear Of Oceans Thirteen Casino Entrance
Under The El
Under The El
Water Tower
Water Tower
Water Tower At Night
Water Tower At Night