My first Universal Studios tram tour

The cliche is, you have to look a horse in the mouth before you buy it, but what about eyes?

That’s my favorite still from going through the tram tour. The “black eyes” made me laugh so hard, Travis was afraid that I might drop my camera in the water as we went through the tour.

Before my trip, my pals told me that a visit to Universal Studios was a must.
The second must was the studio tram tour.

As I was waiting in line with Travis I wondered,
“Wow. The trams must be going through sound-proof tubes through all sound stages so we could see what’s going on live on set.”

I really wanted to see the latest equipment on several sets.
I wondered if anyone was currently shooting with the RED camera yet, or what kind of cameras they used to shoot for broadcast?

Well, after all that anticipation, it turns out that it was a studio tram tour…
Maybe I was expecting a bit too much. After all, Vancouver is North Hollywood and often times residents walk by shoots happening around various areas in Downtown Vancouver. (See current list of films, updated regularly at BC Film Commision >)

We were guided through a vast history of movies that were shot on the various areas of the Universal Studios lot. With sound stages, there were also many exterior sets all around.

Our guide was delightful and fun.
The various ‘closed’ off sets meant for the tour were entertaining.
I think I focused too much on the fact that the cast for the tour were right on timing, and the mechanical props, like when the truck exploded in the underground subway set.

I admit, it’s such a zany idea to have an amusement park built right into a studio lot.
I wonder if crew members get sick of the rides, as I did when PNE started up every summer as I worked at Hastings Racecourse upstairs in the TV department?