Top 10 Movie Scenes Where You Can Spot The Crew
#10: The Crew
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“Shazam!” (2019) Director David F. Sandberg would be the first to admit that he messed up while filming “Shazam!”. Practically no one noticed this glaringly obvious mistake until Sandberg himself brought it up in a YouTube video. During the scene in which Shazam is trying to fly through the mall, a group of crew members can be seen standing around beside the escalator. Luckily, Sandberg caught this mistake before it was too late and digitally added shopping bags and a cleaning cart to make the crew members look like shoppers and janitors. Why they’re all just standing there is … harder to make sense of. But it’s certainly better than nothing!
#9: Ancient Jeans
“Gladiator” (2000) Now, we’re no historians, but we’re pretty sure they didn’t have jeans in ancient Rome. Unfortunately, a jean wearing crew member can be spotted at the very beginning of Ridley Scott’s epic, “Gladiator.” Following the opening Battle of Germania, Maximus approaches a horse. If you look through the space between the horse’s chin and neck, you will see a crew member walking in the background clad in a very modern sweater and jeans. For the sake of historical context, the term “jeans” was coined in 1795, and modern jeans as we know them totally didn’t emerge until the 1870s.
#8: Not a Care in the World
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“Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (1991) As impeccably made and produced as “T2” is, a few mistakes still managed to slip by James Cameron. One of the funnier ones can be spotted in the Cyberdyne lobby shootout. Immediately after the SWAT team opens fire on the Terminator, a crew member can be spotted walking by the left-hand side of the background with his hands in his pockets. The best part is that he seems to realize that he’s just walked directly into frame. He stops walking, faces the action, and seems to turn back the way he came as if to get out of the shot. Clearly though, it was too late. Luckily, he can now tell people that he was in “Terminator 2,” so that has to count for something!
#7: Bless These Crew Members
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975) Here we have another case of crew members simply standing around in the background. Unfortunately, filmmakers in the 1970s couldn’t just easily digitally add random goodies to disguise the crew and make them a part of the action. During Eddie’s “Hot Patootie - Bless My Soul” number, Eddie gets on a bike and begins riding through the lab. During one of his POV shots, a group of crew members can very briefly be seen on the right-hand side of the screen. You can also see some equipment legs. Luckily, the shot cuts away just as the crew pops into frame, so you really have to know where to look.
#6: Hiding in the Bushes
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“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” (2017) To get the perfect shot, sometimes the camera operator needs to go to extreme places. Like the dense, insect-filled bushes. This mistake can be seen as Smolder and Mouse run through the jungle after throwing a boomerang at the attacking bikers. As they run past a particularly large bush, the camera pans left to follow them. Unfortunately, this panning captures a camera operator in the bushes who’s filming the action from a closer angle. While they’re wearing black to better blend in to the environment, their arm is clearly visible, as is the equipment that they’re holding by their waist.
#5: Robert Rodriguez Reflection
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“Spy Kids” (2001) Here’s an example of a respected filmmaker falling to the ever pervasive reflection problem. The beginning of the film sees Ingrid Cortez sit down in front of a vanity, which has three mirrors - multiplying the chance that a crew member will be caught in its reflection. Unfortunately, both a crew member and their equipment can be spotted in the shot. If you look over actress Carla Gugino’s shoulder, you’ll clearly see director Robert Rodriguez and a camera in the mirror’s reflection. Hey, maybe he just wanted a cameo!
#4: Car Reflections
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“Twilight” (2008) The filmmakers of “Twilight” fell into the reflective trap not once, but twice! The first instance is when Bella arrives for her first day at her new high school. As she arrives in her beat up pickup truck, the boom mic can clearly be seen in the truck’s windshield. To make matters worse, it can then be seen retreating as the camera pulls away from the truck. Later, as Edward and Billy glare at each other in their cars, various crew members can be seen reflected in Edward’s backseat window.
#3: Baseball Cap
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“Braveheart” (1995) Here we have another period piece containing a very modern piece of apparel. The beginning of the movie sees Wallace and his old friend Hamish competing in a friendly boulder-throwing competition. Wallace decides to up the ante and play a game of chicken with the boulder. Just as he says “Well then, do it,” a crew member sporting a baseball cap can be seen walking in the background to his left. Obviously, there were no baseball caps in 13th century Scotland. Granted, “Braveheart” is full of anachronisms, so hey, this mistake fits in well with the rest of the movie!
#2: Filming the Duel
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“Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” (2002) Apparently Hogwarts was filming the Harry/Malfoy duel for posterity. Either that or a cameraman accidentally got in the shot. It’s probably the latter. Immediately after Malfoy is launched by Harry, Snape lifts Malfoy to his feet with an air of disappointment and fury. Just as he puts his hand on Malfoy’s shoulder, viewers can clearly spot a blonde-haired cameraman standing to the left of the stage. He doesn’t exactly fit in with the young students owing to his age and posture. Eagle-eyed viewers may also notice him tilt the camera up as Snape hauls Malfoy to his feet. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Pushing Items, “Scream” (1996) A Crew Member’s Hand Can Be Seen as They Push Items Out of the Closet Crew & Spotlight, “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” (1984) Various Crew Members & a Spotlight Can Be Seen as Short Round Runs Through the Mine Camera Reflection, “Titanic” (1997) Apparently a Camera Operator Is Coming to Dinner as Well
#1: Cowboy Hat
“Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” (2003) There’s something particularly amusing about anachronistic clothing in period pieces. Of course, the clothing wasn’t meant to be seen in the movie, but it’s still funny anyway. At the very end of “Black Pearl,” Jack examines the ship’s wheel before proudly calling his crew to action. As he says it, various extras behind Depp’s shoulder begin to move. Unfortunately, their movement reveals a man sporting a cowboy hat, a bright white shirt, and sunglasses, who simply appears to be enjoying the view. It’s a very brief shot, but he’s very noticeable once you know he’s there.
