Special effects scenes for Pinocchio shot in MaltaAuthor: Fiona Galea Debono 12 February 2002 
Roll...Action! Filming Pinocchio at the Rinella tanks A couple of special effects scenes for the film Pinocchio, which is directed by and stars Italian actor Roberto Benigni (of 'Life is Beautiful' fame), were shot in Malta at the tanks of the Mediterranean Film Studios last week. The filming, which lasted two days, involved some 35 crew, 11 of whom were foreigners, including visual effects supervisor Rob Hodgson and special effects supervisor Tonino Corridori, sources from the film industry said. An Italian special effects team spent a week preparing for the shoot prior to filming, with the assistance of MFS tradesmen. Tank coordination was in the hands of Mark Caruana. Filming at the tanks involved what are known as plate shots - the capture of the real elements required for integration into painstaking computer-generated imagery (CGI), the sources explained. Computer visual effects often required elements that were shot "for real", in this case, in Malta, the sources said. Maltese stand-in Audrick Plum was dressed up as Pinocchio and performed a special effects stunt in the tank, being propelled out of the water after an encounter with a whale. Another special effect shot at the tanks involved Pinocchio in a storm on a rowing boat, which eventually capsizes, throwing him into the sea. Production of the film started last June on elaborate sets in Rome, and filming in Malta marked the end of over six months of intense shooting. Benigni's re-telling of the classic tale is set for release at the end of the year. The movie is already generating high expectations, particularly due to Benigni's glittering track record in the field. The 49-year-old actor is not only directing the film, as well as starring as Pinocchio, but he has also written the script together with his longtime partner Vincenzo Cerami. Co-starring in Pinocchio is Benigni's wife, Nicoletta Braschi, who also appeared in the Oscar-winning Life is Beautiful and who plays the part of the Blue Fairy. Source: Times of Malta, www.timesofmalta.com
 
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