Page 2 continued from more current info at main Pirates of Caribbean page
3 September 05 - The dredging barge is spotted heading west offshore of Grand Bahama. This is the same barge that was reported as dredging at the site of the tank. (click for enlarged version of photo)
26 August 05 - Just in from our local roving reporter, the Black Pearl returned to the shipyard today.
24 August 05 - Shiver me timbers! The Black Pearl is missing! Our local roving reporter has informed us that today she sailed away from Bradford Marine with the new destination unknown! Will keep you posted upon her whereabouts if it can be disclosed.
This following the Edinburgh being moved to an undisclosed area of the Freeport Harbour where set dressing of the boat was being commenced about a week ago.
Other independent reports have been received that another Port Lucaya Resort, Pelican Bay, has a pending reservation for 200 rooms for the film makers commencing 18 September and continuing for several months. So that would seem to indicate a mid September start date for the filming to recommence on Grand Bahama which coincides with further reports from some inside sources that filming begins on the 19th at the tank.
The Disney Casting site http://www.piratescasting.com has also announced that they will be returning the local casting staff at the end of August. Here is the exact quote:
The Caribbean Casting Department will return to the Bahamas
the last week of August.
We will begin contacting people that have were pre-fit in June about their availability
for this fall.
If you would like to be considered:
You may still submit your information and photograph via mail or email.
SUBMISSIONS
MEN of all ages are needed to portray sailors, pirates and asian seaman.
BAHAMAS
CURRENTLY CASTING MEN
The film is being shot primarily on Grand Bahama.
**Therefore, we are only accepting applicants with housing options (boats/relatives)
on Grand Bahama Island**
Please submit via email or mail
Download an application to submit via mail or email
Mail application and a recent photograph to:
Thomas Gustafson
Pirates of the Caribbean II & III
Caribbean Casting Department
c/o The Westin at Our Lucaya
P.O. Box F-42500
Royal Palm Way, Lucaya
Grand Bahama Island, The Bahamas
or submit to:
submit@piratescasting.com
For more information/questions:
submit@piratescasting.com
or call (242) 374-4129
# # #
14 August 05 just in from our new found Aqua Grand Bahama reporter some updated shots of the Collyer [water] Tank which is being rushed to completion by the Disney staff. It has been reported that since the June hiatus the hydraulics are being installed to manipulate the ships for filming. In the center is a large dredging barge at least 80 feet long. This should give you an idea of the sheer size of the tank itself. (click for enlarged versions of images)
 Closer view of second barge and island |
 New structure at Collyer Tank Opps this is just the rest rooms and previously guessed it to be a camera deck! |
 Better view of both barges working at tank |
# # #
24 July 05 our local roving reporter on Grand Bahama has come in with some up to date photos and further details of the tall ships:
The Black Pearl is still being docked locally during the summer hiatus of the film crew. Not all Disney staff is on hiatus as they continue to build the props for the films, nearby a weightless anchor rests on the ground. Disney personnel maintain the ships at the Bradford Boatyard. As you can see the refitting is complete.(click on images for larger versions)
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For the hiatus some of the masts have been removed from the Edinburgh. The distressing and detailing of the deck is complete. It is a very authentic and impressive ship as demonstrated in the following photos. The side toward the dock is open to enable filming from within same, the opposite side is totally enclosed.
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The Flying Dutchman is being built under cover in a large building. It is reported to be the most impressive of the ships in size, over 100 feet long and towering the other ships in height.
# # #
17 June 05 Today the Bahamas Vacation Guide received a statement from Walt Disney Pictures:
"PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 2/3 is currently on hiatus. The film wrapped
2 weeks early in The Bahamas. As scheduled, production will resume in Los Angeles
beginning in mid-August, followed by a return to The Bahamas for more filming.
Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley reunite in Walt Disney Pictures'/Jerry
Bruckheimer Films' PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST, an all new epic
tale chronicling the further mis-adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow.
Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Gore Verbinski, Captain Jack sets
sail on an all new adventure--filled with more intrigue, more spectacular special
effects and more comedy--in July 2006."
18 June 05 from The Pirates of the Caribbean casting site we note that they have not fulfilled all extra rolls. Here is the info from there:
"The Caribbean Casting Department is currently on hiatus until late summer
2005.
You may still submit your information and photograph via mail or email.
We will begin contacting people in September for filming in the fall in the
Bahamas.
SUBMISSIONS
MEN of all ages are needed to portray sailors, pirates and asian seaman.
Mail application and a recent photograph to:
Thomas Gustafson
Pirates of the Caribbean II & III
Caribbean Casting Department
c/o The Westin at Our Lucaya
P.O. Box F-42500
Royal Palm Way, Lucaya
Grand Bahama Island, The Bahamas
or submit to:
submit@piratescasting.com"
Link to Application: http://piratescasting.com/bahamaapplication.pdf
Please note that applicants must have housing in Grand Bahama to qualify.
# # #
9 June 05 again our local roving reporter on Grand Bahama has come in with some smashing photos and further details:
June 9 '05:-
Another busy day at Bradford (Grand Bahama) Boatyard, as Black Pearl is given
a make-over prior to this weekend shoot somewhere around the "Tank",
I was told. A replacement Figurehead was also being fitted today, positioned
a little higher than the original.
The Edinburgh. is about completed, and stores were being loading today. Perhaps
for filming, but the work crew on board were tight lipped.
Photos from the reporter follow:
 Edinburgh nearly ready |
 Edinburgh |
 Black Pearl |
 Black Pearl |
 Black Pearl here in Bahamas |
 Refitting the Black Pearl for POTC II & III |
||
A new sign has been added for cast and crew to find
their way to the studio on their journey east on
Grand Bahama
Tents and trailers have been added to the tank area for the Pirates of the Caribbean
II & III cast and crew
The water tank is receiving finishing touches
While this comes to fruition the excitement locally on Grand Bahama is tremendous and everyone is anticipating the long project of the finishing of two Disney films. This endeavor is sparking employment opportunities for many Bahamians from Grand Bahama, Abaco and Nassau as well as throughout the chain of family islands.
13 June 05: In the Freeport News Mark Singer, Disney Unit Publicist is quoted stating: "It was always scheduled to take a hiatus, close to this period of time."
It was further disclosed that one of the cast members has been prescribed by his doctor to remain home in Great Britain while recuperating from an inner ear infection.
The article stated that they will recommence filming in August.
Our local roving reporter in Freeport, Bahamas was able to snap off a few shots to share with you. Below is the Black Pearl from photos taken on 2 June 05 just after her arrival on island.
Here is the report he filed:
Some more excitement in the Bradford (Grand Bahama) Boatyard today. The Black Pearl paid us a visit, and will probably be here for an unspecified while. The strange mixture of ancient and modern sailing ships has conjured up a surreal atmosphere around the place.
Click these for over-sized images
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Our roving Freeport reporter further provides:
The third mast for the Edinburgh has finally been put in place, and the rigging is being installed as I write. Designed around the original HMS Bounty, she is larger than the Black Pearl, and has a more distinct military look to her. She may be leaving shortly for parts undisclosed at present, but I'll be keeping track of her if possible. Watch this space
Click these for over-sized image
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# # #
The movies have been filming since March at various locations throughout the US and Caribbean.
On 23 May 05 this boat turned up at a local boatyard. Our local roving reporter in Freeport was able to snap off a few shots to share with you. Below is the ship from photos taken on 31 May 05, with more to follow once the third mast is finished. From our roving Freeport reporter: Work continues apace, after a much needed Memorial Day break. The Bounty, featured below, to be known in the upcoming movie as the " Edinburgh", nears completion. The third mast is on the dockside being prepared for installation, which should happen in the next day or so. These shots also reveal the open "camera ports" for the below decks filming. More shots to come as the work progresses. # # #
The open areas will allow for filming inside the ship
Click these for over-sized images
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On 23 May 05 this is the report and photos supplied by our Freeport roving reporter. While workers "distressed" the new wood on it by hitting with balls filled with nails it was given a gangplank. This is the first reported, large arrival of props visible in Grand Bahama at least one month before the commencement of filming on the island. The boat, The Bounty, at the beginning of her creation for use in the filming.
The open areas will allow for filming inside the ship
Click these for over-sized images
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And . . . the stars are creating quite the scramble by locals and visitors. The list includes Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightly and Geoffrey Rush, to name a few. Many folks write to see if it is possible to watch filming occur. That answer is NO. There will be no spectators allowed for filming, there will be extremely high security. Other questions involve where will the stars stay. We don't know and if we did we wouldn't tell. They deserve their privacy and quiet time so please don't come here and try to infringe upon same. Face it -- after you work a long day, do you want folks poking, prodding and asking you questions about your job or your personal affairs for that matter? Respect others as you'd expect to be treated. We hope that they find their time in the Bahamas peaceful and enjoyable.
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