Here's an extra who is on set for the filming of the incredible mind numbingly cool action spectacular of WILD WILD WEST. Don't read if you want to be awed and wondered. If you wish to be stunned and stimulated stay away. Of course the work ILM will do, will still most likely blow you away. Man, ILM is doing this, Star Wars Episode One and The Mummy that I know of for next summer. Kick friggin ass man! I can't wait! Here ya go....

I am an extra on the Wild Wild West shoot happening at Cook Ranch near Santa Fe, New Mexico. Just thought I'd report in with a few of the cool details. The scene being filmed there is the famous promintory point meeting of the two railroads The Union Pacific and the Western Pacific. (Except for some reason they have it as the Eastern Pacific and Western Pacific) Anyway, Kevin Kline (who's character is disguised as president Ulysses S Grant) is about to drive in the golden spike to finish the railroad, when it shakes loose. Then, the giant mechanical tarantula attacks.

The set is amazing.. They laid down railway tracks and flew in three complete trains including the two that meet in the railroad and a third, used by Will Smith's character. In addition, there is a western town in the background that was used in the film Silverado of which they are going to blow up nine buildings. But the coolest thing of all was the giant tarantula leg they had on set. It was connected to a crane, and slammed down in front of the camera to signal it's approach. It looked very much like a robotic spider leg built in the 1800's. It had about a million rivets in it and a bunch of joints and wheels. I just wish cameras were allowed on set or I was enough of an artist to draw it. The best thing was it was about 20 feet high and they said it was only one third of the actual leg. (all to be added later digitally)

As for the shooting... The extras have been doing a lot of running away as this big camera on a crane (a tarantula POV shot) bears down on us. Also we had to do a scene with all of us looking astonished about a million times. Then later, they are going to blow up one of the train engines, and Will Smith is going to climb up the tarantula leg and (presumedly) save the day. There are about 200 extras, including chinese laborers, prarie folk, railroad executives, union soldiers and cavalry, and white house staff people. Some get to sit on these bleachers set up in front of the camera (lucky bastards) while most of us just run scared in the background. Later the military reenactors are supposed to fight the tarantula.

Well, that's about it.. hope you can use it... just call me Tarantula fodder.