Issue date: 5/29/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Caroline New/DP File Photo A view of the Quad, one of the places on campus where a scene of the highly-anticipated movie, "Transformers 2," will be filmed. [Click to enlarge]

With temperatures on the rise, the public has begun to swarm local movie theaters - but for some, the onset of the summer movie season means the hard work has just started as filming crews get to work on next summer's blockbusters.

This June, Penn is slated to become one of the filming locations for the highly anticipated DreamWorks feature film, "Transformers 2."

The sequel to last year's special-effects juggernaut will feature "Indiana Jones" star Shia LaBeouf and will be helmed by returning director Michael Bay.

The movie follows Sam Witwicky - played by LaBeouf - as he is caught in the middle of a warring race of transforming robots from the recesses of space.

University spokeswoman Lori Doyle explained that filming would tentatively begin around June 12 with scenes using the exterior of the Quad.

According to Doyle, the extensive project is expected to involve about 200 people, 25 tractor-trailer trucks and cranes.

"They have their own landscaping people, they bring in their own catering, it's a huge operation," she said.

In addition, scenes will be shot at Psi Upsilon Tau fraternity house, better known as "The Castle," and possibly on Locust Walk and Spruce Street, Doyle said.

Director Michael Bay was Undergraduate Senior Vice-President of Wesleyan University's Psi Upsilon chapter during his time in college.

Penn's Office of University Communications was unable to divulge specific plot elements as the result of a non-disclosure agreement signed with DreamWorks Pictures.

Tryouts for extras will take place this weekend in South Philadelphia.

Heery Casting, run by founder and director Diane Heery, will host an open casting call on Saturday in the Bullies bar at the Wachovia Spectrum, looking for background talent to be used in the highly-anticipated film.

According to the casting agency's website, casting professionals will be seeing members of the Screen Actors Guild as well as non-union men and women ages 18-70 - particularly college-age men and women - for scenes to be shot next month in Philadelphia and Princeton, N.J.

For Penn students, the filming will be a charged source of pride and enthusiasm.

Wharton sophomore Dennis Ho expressed his excitement surrounding the campus filming.

"I'm excited to hear they'll be around," he said. "I just saw Shia LaBeouf in 'Indiana Jones' and he's a really cool guy. I probably won't get to meet him though. I hope I get to see them blow up a building."

*This article was edited at 1:35 am on Sunday June 1, 2008 to correct the incorrect spelling of the Psi Upsilon Tau fraternity.

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