Design
The filmmakers designed the size of each robot with the size of their vehicle mode in mind, supporting the Transformer's rationale for their choice of disguise on Earth.[21] The concept of traveling protoforms was developed by Roberto Orci when he wondered why "aliens who moonlight as vehicles need other vehicles to travel".[22] This reflected a desire to move to a more alien look, away from the "blocky" Generation 1 Transformers.[23] Another major influence in the designs was samurai armor, returning full-circle to the Japanese origins of the toy line.[21]
A product placement deal with General Motors supplied alternate forms for most of the Autobots, which saved $3 million for the production.[24] GM also provided nearly two hundred cars, destined for destruction in the climactic battle scene.[21] The military of the United States provided significant support, enhancing the film's realism: the film features F-22s, F-117s, and V-22 Ospreys, the first time these aircraft were used for a film; soldiers served as extras, and authentic uniforms were provided for the actors.[1] A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, C-5 Galaxys and AC-130s also appear. Captain Christian Hodge joked that he had to explain to his superiors that the filmmakers wanted to portray most of their aircraft as evil Decepticons: however, he remarked "people love bad guys".[21]
Filming
To save money for the production, director Michael Bay reduced his usual fee by 30%. He planned an eighty-three day shooting schedule,[1] maintaining the required pace by doing more camera set-ups per day than usual. Bay chose to shoot the film in the United States instead of Australia or Canada, allowing him to work with a crew he was familiar with, and who understood his work ethic.[1][18][24] A pre-shoot took place on April 19, 2006, and principal photography began on April 22 at Holloman Air Force Base,[2] which stood in for Qatar.[1] To film the Scorponok sequence at White Sands Missile Range, a sweep was performed to remove unexploded ordnance before building of a village set could begin; ironically, the village would be blown up. The scene was broken down for the pilots flying the AWACS aircraft, who improvised dialogue as if it were an actual battle.[25][1]
The company also shot at the Hoover Dam and the Pentagon, the first time since the September 11, 2001 attacks that film crews had been allowed at these locations.[2] The external Hoover Dam scenes were shot before tourists arrived daily at 10:00 a.m., with shooting moving inside for the remainder of the day.[25] Production in California was based at Hughes Aircraft at Playa Vista, where the hangar in which Megatron is imprisoned was built.[25] Six weekends were spent in Los Angeles, California shooting the climactic battle, with some elements being shot on the Universal Studios backlot and in Detroit.[2][25] The crew was allowed to shoot at Griffith Observatory, which was still closed for renovations begun in 2002.[2] Filming wrapped on October 4, 2006.[18]
Effects
Spielberg encouraged Bay to restrict computer-generated imagery to the robots and background elements in the action sequences.[1] Stunts such as Bonecrusher smashing through a bus were done practically, while cameras were placed into the midst of car crashes and explosions to make it look more exciting.[25] Work on the animatics began in April 2005.[9] Bay indicated that three quarters of the film's effects were made by Industrial Light & Magic, while Digital Domain made the rest,[1] including the Arctic discovery of Megatron; Frenzy's severed head; a vending machine mutated by the Allspark, and the Autobots' protoforms.[26] Many of the animators were big Transformers fans and were given free rein to experiment: a scene where Jazz attacks Devastator is a reference to a scene in The Transformers: The Movie where Kup jumps on Blitzwing.[21]
| "I just didn't want to make the boxy characters. It's boring and it would look fake. By adding more doo-dads and stuff on the robots, more car parts, you can just make it more real." |
| — Michael Bay on the level of detail he wanted for the robots[27] |
ILM created computer-generated transformations during six months in 2005, looking at every inch of the car models.[28] Initially the transformations were made to follow the laws of physics, but it did not look exciting enough and was changed to be more fluid.[29] Bay rejected a liquid metal surface for the characters' faces, instead going for a "Rubik's Cube" style of modeling.[1] He wanted numerous mechanical pieces visible so the robots would look more interesting, realistic, dynamic and quick, rather than like lumbering beasts.[27][1] One such decision was to have the wheels stay on the ground for as long as possible, allowing the robots to cruise around as they changed.[30] Bay instructed the animators to observe footage of two martial artists and numerous martial arts films to make the fights look graceful.[1]
Due to the intricate designs of the Transformers, even the simplest notion of turning a wrist needs 17 visible parts;[2] each of Ironhide's guns are made of ten thousand parts.[27] Bumblebee uses a piece below his faceplate as an eyebrow, pieces in his cheeks swivel to resemble a smile, and all the characters' eyes are designed to dilate and brighten.[30] According to Bay, "The visual effects were so complex it took a staggering 38 hours for ILM to render just one frame of movement;"[2] that meant ILM had to increase their processing facilities.[31] Each rendered piece had to look like real metal, shiny or dull. This was difficult to model because the aged and scarred robots had to transform from clean cars. Close-up shots of the robots were sped up to look "cool", but in wide shots the animation was slowed down to convincingly illustrate a sense of weight. Photographs were taken of each set. These were used as a reference for the lighting environment, which was reproduced within a computer, so the robots would look like they were convincingly moving there. Bay, who has directed numerous car commercials, understood ray tracing was the key to making the robots look real; the CG models would look realistic based on how much of the environment was reflecting on their bodies.[21] Numerous simulations were programmed into the robots, so the animators could focus on animating the particular areas needed for a convincing performance.[31]
Music
- See also: Transformers: The Album and Transformers: The Score
Composer Steve Jablonsky, who collaborated with Bay on The Island, scored music for the trailers before work began on the film itself. Recording took place in April 2007 at the Sony Scoring Stage in Culver City, California. The score, including the teaser music, uses six major themes across ninety minutes of music.[32] The Autobots have three themes, one named "Optimus" to represent their friendship with Sam, and another played during their arrival on Earth. The Decepticons have a chanted theme which relies on electronics, unlike most of the score. The All Spark also has its own theme.[33] Hans Zimmer, Jablonsky's mentor, also helped to compose the score.[1]
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