Latest news with #DavidCain
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dragon live-action remake had 'all sorts of challenges'
Dragon live-action remake had 'all sorts of challenges' Hiccup befriends the young dragon, Toothless, in the new live-action version of the animated movie [Universal Pictures] Filming How to Train Your Dragon in Northern Ireland was not without its challenges, according to the film's producer. Dragons tend to be pretty large, for one thing. The upcoming feature is the first live-action remake of the hit animated series. "When they animated, they would draw it just to the convenient size they needed it to be," David Cain told BBC News NI. "But when you're working in real spaces, a large dragon is a large dragon and it takes up the space it needs." Gerard Butler as Viking leader Gerard Butler, one of the film's stars, as Stoick the Viking leader [Universal Pictures] Directed by Dean DuBlois, the film tells the story of how a human and dragon befriend each other, breaking generations of conflict between dragons and Vikings on the fictional isle of Berk. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement And Berk was created in a number of locations in Northern Ireland, including Belfast, Dunseverick Castle on the north coast and Tollymore Forest. Many visitors to Belfast's Titanic Quarter will have noticed the battlements of the Viking village, for instance, built just across the road from the Titanic Studios. The Sampson and Goliath cranes from the nearby shipyards towered over the set but the dragons left them alone. And the sets certainly impressed Gerard Butler, one of the film's stars as Stoick, the Viking leader. "Experiencing those sets that then are dressed and are lit and have torches on fire in the great hall, people get caught up in that energy and they believe in the story," he said in a behind-the-scenes film about the making of How to Train Your Dragon. Dunseverick Castle was one filming location [Getty Images] BBC News NI spoke to How to Train Your Dragon's producer David Cain, just before President Trump's announcement that tariffs could be applied to films made in foreign countries. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement How to Train Your Dragon began life as a hugely successful animated trilogy of films from Dreamworks Animation. And, according to Mr Cain, there are "all sorts of challenges" in turning an animated hit into a live-action film, not just the size of the dragons. "You're trying to remake something that was loved and cherished and pay homage to the original and keep the original fans happy," he said. "While at the same time bringing something fresh and new to the table." Director Dean DuBlois gives on set direction to Nico Parker [Universal Pictures] In Belfast, the production spent several months in early 2024 filming at Belfast Harbour Studios and Titanic Studios. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "We also built substantial sets on our back lot," David Cain said. "Obviously a lot of our work takes place on the mythical island of Berk and its village, so we built a lot of our sets outside for natural light and natural weather." Audiences in Northern Ireland will quickly recognize the rugged coastline of Dunseverick, where teenagers Hiccup - played by Mason Thames - and Astrid - played by Nico Parker - have a heart-to-heart talk in one of the film's key scenes. Hiccup befriends the young dragon, Toothless, challenging Viking certainties and the conflict with the dragons. Game of Thrones and Northern Ireland's reputation Mason Thames as Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III and Nico Parker as Astrid [Universal Pictures] David Cain said Northern Ireland was "doing everything right" in trying to attract more big films. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "I think you now have a ground of talent in crew," he said. "What we know as extras, the guys are just so good. "You've got stages now - I know Belfast Harbour is kind of growing as a development and there's other stages around." Six years after it ended, it is clear that Game of Thrones left a lasting legacy. David Cain thinks that How to Train Your Dragon can also screen Northern Ireland to the world. "Northern Ireland has always had a good reputation with the Game of Thrones HBO stuff that's been done there and there's been numerous films made there," he said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "We're a big film and hopefully it'll draw attention to the talent and locations and stages and the beauty that Northern Ireland has on offer." How to Train Your Dragon is in cinemas on 13 June.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How To Train Your Dragon in Northern Ireland
How to Train Your Dragon in Northern Ireland was not without its challenges. Dragons tend to be pretty large, for one thing. That is according to the film's producer, David Cain. "When they animated, they would draw it just to the convenient size they needed it to be," he told BBC News NI. "But when you're working in real spaces, a large dragon is a large dragon and it takes up the space it needs." How to Train Your Dragon is the first live action version of the films in the hit animated series. Gerard Butler as Viking leader Directed by Dean DuBlois, it tells the story of how a human and dragon befriend each other, breaking generations of conflict between dragons and Vikings on the fictional isle of Berk. And Berk was created in a number of locations in Northern Ireland, including Belfast, Dunseverick Castle on the north coast and Tollymore Forest. Many visitors to Belfast's Titanic Quarter will have noticed the battlements of the Viking village, for instance, built just across the road from the Titanic Studios. The Sampson and Goliath cranes from the nearby shipyards towered over the set but the dragons left them alone. And the sets certainly impressed Gerard Butler, one of the film's stars as Stoick, the Viking leader. "Experiencing those sets that then are dressed and are lit and have torches on fire in the great hall, people get caught up in that energy and they believe in the story," he said in a behind-the-scenes film about the making of How to Train Your Dragon. BBC News NI spoke to How to Train Your Dragon's producer David Cain, just before President Trump's announcement that tariffs could be applied to films made in foreign countries. Dunseverick Castle was one filming location [Getty Images] How to Train Your Dragon began life as a hugely successful animated trilogy of films from Dreamworks Animation. And, according to David Cain, there are "all sorts of challenges" in turning an animated hit into a live action film, not just the size of the dragons. "You're trying to remake something that was loved and cherished and pay homage to the original and keep the original fans happy," he told BBC News NI. "While at the same time bringing something fresh and new to the table." In Belfast, the production spent several months in early 2024 filming at Belfast Harbour Studios and Titanic Studios. "We also built substantial sets on our back lot," David Cain said. "Obviously a lot of our work takes place on the mythical island of Berk and its village, so we built a lot of our sets outside for natural light and natural weather." Audiences in Northern Ireland will quickly recognize the rugged coastline of Dunseverick, where teenagers Hiccup - played by Mason Thames - and Astrid - played by Nico Parker - have a heart-to-heart talk in one of the film's key scenes. Hiccup befriends the young dragon, Toothless, challenging Viking certainties and the conflict with the dragons. Game of Thrones and Northern Ireland's reputation David Cain said Northern Ireland was "doing everything right" in trying to attract more big films. "I think you now have a ground of talent in crew," he said. "What we know as extras, the guys are just so good. "You've got stages now - I know Belfast Harbour is kind of growing as a development and there's other stages around." Six years after it ended, it is clear that Game of Thrones left a lasting legacy. David Cain thinks that How to Train Your Dragon can also screen Northern Ireland to the world. "Northern Ireland has always had a good reputation with the Game of Thrones HBO stuff that's been done there and there's been numerous films made there," he said. "We're a big film and hopefully it'll draw attention to the talent and locations and stages and the beauty that Northern Ireland has on offer." How to Train Your Dragon is in cinemas on 9 June.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints delivers 40,000 pounds of food to Spokane Salvation Army
Feb. 18—More than 40,000 pounds of food were delivered Tuesday morning to the Spokane Salvation Army by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The delivery from the church's Salt Lake City headquarters will provide meals to between 800 and 1,000 Spokane families, according to the Salvation Army. "We're seeing more and more families seeking assistance, and so we are excited for this truckload of food to put food on hard-working families' tables," Salvation Army captain David Cain said. The church dropped off 72 cases of spaghetti, 68 cases of cream of mushroom soup, another 68 cases of pork and beans, and much more, according to a news release. Donations at the Salvation Army have been a challenge this year, he added. A call for help was put out to the Latter-day Saints church, which has previously been known as the Mormon Church. Spokane Latter-day Saints Mission President Todd Kerr said the church is trying to be a good local citizen for the Spokane area. "We think the world of Salvation Army. They do such a great job returning to the community, and we're super excited to be here today to help with this offloading and process and to support their efforts to provide to the needs of those who really need some help," Kerr said. The donation "comes at a crucial time," since families may have to choose between heating their homes during the recent cold snap and buying food, the news release said. Once the truck from Salt Lake City arrived, approximately a dozen LDS missionaries stationed in Spokane unloaded the dry and canned food. They were joined by Dave Crosby and his three children to unload the truck. The family belongs to the local church and runs the popular family vlogging and music YouTube channel "The Crosbys." "It is super important to teach your kids to perform service whenever you can. We want to help be representatives and promote all the goodness that the church is trying to do in the area," Dave Crosby said. Leaders of the two Christian groups said interfaith cooperation in helping those in need was essential. "We're all God's children. Right? It's like the basics of survival — just being fed so you can meet your other needs. It's very important to us to feed the needy and the poor," Latter-day Saints spokesperson Kata Dean said.
