ALCATRAZ at San Diego Comic Con 2011: Updated Panel & Screening Details!

[Jorge Garcia at a SDCC 2009 press table after the LOST panel]

Warner Brothers Television Group released details today about the shows that they will be bringing to Comic-Con this year, and we now have confirmation about both an ALCATRAZ panel and screening!


UPDATE: Executive producer/writer Elizabeth Sarnoff and director Jack Bender, along with actors Jorge Garcia, Sarah Jones, Parminder Nagra and Jason Butler Harner will be appearing on the official ALCATRAZ panel, which will take place on Saturday, July 23 at 5pm in Ballroom 20. 


* They will be screening the pilot episode of ALCATRAZ twice; first on Wednesday, July 20 in Ballroom 20 between 6pm-9pm (along with other pilots, including Michael Emerson's new series, Person of Interest), and also at the official panel on Saturday!


If you are attending SDCC, I strongly recommend getting in line at least 2-3 hours early for the Saturday panel. Given that the FRINGE panel is immediately before the ALCATRAZ panel, I have a feeling that you might need to line up even earlier to get a seat for both. 


I will be there representing TVOvermind once again, and look forward to bringing you reports from the press room and behind the scenes. Of course you can also follow all of my Comic-Con adventures via Twitter, @InsideAlcatraz and @jopinionated!


Will you be there as well? Let me know!

ALCATRAZ on Twitter

For those who have inquired, the following cast and creative from ALCATRAZ have official Twitter accounts.

• Jorge Garcia (is not on Twitter; his girlfriend, author Bethany Shady, is - and frequently tweets about him and the show): @BethanyShady

• Cole Herbert (writer): @ColeHerbert

• Leigh Dana Jackson (writer): @LDJackson

• Steven Lilien (writer/producer): @StevenLilien

• Parminder Nagra: @parmindernagra

• Sam Neill: @TwoPaddocks

• Bryan Wynbrandt (writer/producer): @BryanWynbrandt

The official FOX Twitter account for the show is: @alcatrazonfox.

As others involved with the series join Twitter, I will keep you posted!

1st Official ALCATRAZ Footage & Series Debut News!

(photo courtesy of FOX)

This trailer was just officially released by FOX, who also announced that ALCATRAZ will debut mid-season (likely be January 2012). 

You can now "like" Alcatraz on Facebook and follow @AlcatrazOnFOX on Twitter. 


Based on this initial footage, what do you think? The look and feel certainly match up to my expectations, and I am VERY excited to see more. 


If I had to guess, they will screen either the entire pilot or at least 15 minutes of it at San Diego Comic-Con in July. I will be at the panel and in the press room, so stay tuned for reports from behind the scenes!

ALCATRAZ is officially a GO!

According to Cynthia Littleton on Variety.com, "Fox is starting to spread the good news to producers, with sources saying the net has given series orders to drama Warner Bros. TV drama "Alcatraz," from J.J. Abrams and "Lost" scribe Elizabeth Sarnoff."


Congratulations to the entire cast, crew and creative team!


As more news about the show and schedule emerges during the Upfronts next week and beyond, I will be sure to update you here. 

Filming ALCATRAZ on Alcatraz: Spoiler-Free Photos

Approaching Alcatraz via ferry

A while back I promised to post a few photos and report about my day on the rock, as I was able to spend an afternoon on Alcatraz as they were filming scenes for the pilot of Alcatraz on their last day here in San Francisco. 


Per my personal site policy, nothing I post here is ever going to contain any spoilers, so feel free to read on and peruse without ruining your future viewing experience. 

The lighthouse 

Outside view of the prison

The series will be filming in Vancouver, a city which has stood for San Francisco in other films and shows. I look forward to the details of both the exteriors and the costumes that the talented folks behind the scenes create, especially those which will be featured in scenes on the simulated Alcatraz. 

Shipping label on crate

I did come upon this crate of prison doors, which were shipped down from Vancouver. If I had to venture a guess, they had already filmed scenes using these doors and wanted to ensure consistency. 

Prop doors

When you go on the real Alcatraz tour, you get a glimpse of the clothing and items that prisoners were given. 

Prison shoes and peacoats (it is quite chilly out on the rock)

Prison amenities

And judging by this gaggle of (acting) prison guards heading toward their filming location, the Alcatraz team has gone to great lengths to recreate the look and feel of the era. 

Prison guards heading to film

Prison guards awaiting their scene

Prison guards touring actual cells

Cell 108 (a LOST #, naturally)

Alcatraz itself is as creepy as you've often heard described; freezing cold winds provide the soundtrack, and the empty cells speak volumes about their former occupants. All of these elements are sure to play a role in Alcatraz.

A creepy handprint above a doorframe in the prison admin building; people repeatedly reached up touched it, likely out of superstition...a detail I hope we see on the show

Night shots being set up on and around the water

Out of respect for the cast and crew of Alcatraz, I am not sharing any photos which reveal names of characters, places or objects. After the pilot has aired, I will post for all to enjoy. 


I will tease one little item: someone or something in the pilot will be a familiar name to fans of previous J.J. Abrams' films and shows...

I have a few items from the trip to Alcatraz, which I'd love to give out in return for a simple RT! Even though Alcatraz will probably not debut until Fall 2011, I would like to start spreading the word about the existence of this site. If you simply RT this on Twitter, you will be entered to win an Alcatraz magnet or set of playing cards. Don't worry, as time goes on, the giveaways get better. The Twitter feed for this site is: @InsideAlcatraz. Thank you in advance for your interest!