HBO's "Rome" set burns in fire

*Raph's Girl* · 08-10-2007, 11:57 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070810/tv_nm/rome_dc_1

Fire ripped through a section of Italy's famous Cinecitta film studios late on Thursday, partly destroying the set for the HBO television series "Rome."

The blaze at Cinecitta, known as 'Hollywood on the Tiber,' began around 10 p.m., apparently in an area of sprawling studio complex that was used to warehouse old film, a studio official said.

Flames climbed 40 meters (131 feet) high and spread to the old "Rome" set, which HBO once billed as the largest standing film set in the world. Cinecitta had hoped to reuse that recreation of ancient Rome for other projects.

The blaze was doused overnight by firefighters. There were no injuries, and most of the studio complex was unaffected.

"For 'Rome,' there's no impact because it's over. But it could be bad in terms (of the 'Rome' set's) future use in other productions," a Cinecitta official said, asking not to be named.

Cinecitta, also known in Italy as the "dream factory," is famous for its elaborate sets. Beyond recreating Caesar's Rome, it also recreated New York City of the 1800s in Martin Scorsese's epic "Gangs of New York."

Part of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" was filmed there, along with William Wyler's "Ben-Hur" and parts of more light-hearted movies, like "Mission: Impossible III" and "Ocean's Twelve."

It is perhaps best known as the creative workshop of Italy's legendary "La Dolce Vita" director Federico Fellini and the stomping grounds of actress Sophia Loren and even visiting luminaries like Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn.

The Cinecitta official speculated the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit, but an investigation was ongoing.

Raph's Girl note: Can we blame Nero again???

**GK Punk** · 08-10-2007, 11:59 PM

Wow. That's funny in an ironic sort of way.

*KROW* · 08-11-2007, 02:40 PM

I heard Roberto Benigni was playing a fiddle when it happened.

*Raph's Girl* · 08-11-2007, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KROW

I heard Roberto Benigni was playing a fiddle when it happened.

Nononono! It's not a Fiddle that was playing! Nero was playing a Lyre! Fiddles weren't even invented back then! There weren't even any violins till like the 10th century while Lyre's have been around forever..

*KROW* · 08-11-2007, 03:28 PM

Okay, but Roberto Benigni was born during the time of the fiddle, so... it still fits. Don't make a Lyre out of me.

*Drtooth* · 08-11-2007, 08:22 PM

Sometimes news like this is just too perfectly set up.... hmmmmmmm....

08-10-2007, 11:57 PM	#1
Raph's Girl Dierna Soul, Reporter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jakku Posts: 10,831	HBO's "Rome" set burns in fire http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070810/tv_nm/rome_dc_1 Fire ripped through a section of Italy's famous Cinecitta film studios late on Thursday, partly destroying the set for the HBO television series "Rome." The blaze at Cinecitta, known as 'Hollywood on the Tiber,' began around 10 p.m., apparently in an area of sprawling studio complex that was used to warehouse old film, a studio official said. Flames climbed 40 meters (131 feet) high and spread to the old "Rome" set, which HBO once billed as the largest standing film set in the world. Cinecitta had hoped to reuse that recreation of ancient Rome for other projects. The blaze was doused overnight by firefighters. There were no injuries, and most of the studio complex was unaffected. "For 'Rome,' there's no impact because it's over. But it could be bad in terms (of the 'Rome' set's) future use in other productions," a Cinecitta official said, asking not to be named. Cinecitta, also known in Italy as the "dream factory," is famous for its elaborate sets. Beyond recreating Caesar's Rome, it also recreated New York City of the 1800s in Martin Scorsese's epic "Gangs of New York." Part of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" was filmed there, along with William Wyler's "Ben-Hur" and parts of more light-hearted movies, like "Mission: Impossible III" and "Ocean's Twelve." It is perhaps best known as the creative workshop of Italy's legendary "La Dolce Vita" director Federico Fellini and the stomping grounds of actress Sophia Loren and even visiting luminaries like Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn. The Cinecitta official speculated the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit, but an investigation was ongoing. Raph's Girl note: Can we blame Nero again??? __________________

08-11-2007, 02:40 PM	#3
KROW Meat-n-Potatoes Man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: State's Anus, NY Posts: 6,472	I heard Roberto Benigni was playing a fiddle when it happened. __________________ - Optimus Acid Trip - Cult of a Half-Shell - Raiden's Bitter Tongue - *I don't try to be funny; I fail at it naturally.*

08-11-2007, 03:28 PM	#5
KROW Meat-n-Potatoes Man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: State's Anus, NY Posts: 6,472	Okay, but Roberto Benigni was born during the time of the fiddle, so... it still fits. Don't make a Lyre out of me. __________________ - Optimus Acid Trip - Cult of a Half-Shell - Raiden's Bitter Tongue - *I don't try to be funny; I fail at it naturally.*

08-11-2007, 08:22 PM	#6
Drtooth Foot Elite Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 4,439	Sometimes news like this is just too perfectly set up.... hmmmmmmm.... __________________ [Insert mildly amusing banner here]

08-10-2007, 11:59 PM	#2
GK Punk I'm your Devil Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 12,439	Wow. That's funny in an ironic sort of way.