Movies & TV Facts for Kids
Behind-the-scenes facts from film and TV
A cinematic universe is a collection of films set in the same fictional world where characters and storylines connect. Marvel's is the most successful, but Universal, DC, and other studios have attempted to create their own.
Peter Jackson filmed The Hobbit trilogy at 48 frames per second — double the standard 24 fps. Some audiences felt the ultra-smooth motion made the film look too real and less like a fantasy.
It is estimated that over 70% of all silent films ever made have been permanently lost. Film archives around the world, including the BFI National Archive in London, work to preserve what remains on digital storage.
Child actors in the United Kingdom are protected by strict laws that limit how many hours they can work per day and require them to continue their education on set. A licensed teacher must be present on set whenever child actors are working.
Although David Prowse wore the Darth Vader suit in the original Star Wars trilogy, the character's iconic voice was provided by James Earl Jones. Prowse was reportedly kept unaware that his voice would be dubbed until he saw the finished film.
Pixar often releases a short animated film before their main feature in cinemas. This tradition began with Luxo Jr. in 1986 — the hopping desk lamp that became Pixar's logo.
A location scout travels the world finding real-world places to use as filming locations. Exotic locations can transform a film — the Sahara Desert in Morocco frequently stands in for alien worlds and ancient civilisations.
In the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971), the edible chocolate room was made from real sweets and chocolate. Cast members were encouraged to actually eat the props, and many did.
A production designer is responsible for the entire visual look of a film — sets, locations, and overall colour palette. The work is so significant that the Academy Awards have given a separate Oscar for Best Production Design since 1947.
The DeLorean time machine in Back to the Future (1985) was chosen partly because its stainless steel body looked futuristic and partly because director Robert Zemeckis thought the gull-wing doors looked spectacular on film.