Cassandra Clare’s MORTAL INSTRUMENTS Set Diaries: Day 1
Day One: Monday I show up on the set actually the first week that they are shooting entirely in-studio and not on location. The studio is an old glass factory, so it has a lot of room inside — the production offices. There are a bewildering number of people, and it’s kind of alarming to realize that all these people have been herded together to make a movie out of my books. Sets, props, costumes, from the huge Institute set to the littlest family ring, all look like they came out of the book’s pages. It’s frightening. There are runes up everywhere, even in Gersha’s (the costume designer) office:On set, there’s a section of director’s chairs where the actors sit, and another section, across a bank of equipment, where the producers sit and watch the “playback” — whatever scene just filmed. Harald [Zwart], the director, ironically does not have a chair that I can discern, but is running around like a whirlwind issuing commands so that may not matter. I have my own chair with my name on it!

The producers’ chairs have their names on them; the cast chairs have their character names. It’s fun to see them lined up, though I can never see Jace’s name since Jamie [Campbell Bower] appears to own 30,000 jackets.
During the day, the actors come around to say hi, except Robbie [Sheehan], who isn’t there yet. Everyone looks fantastic. There’s a buzzer that goes off when they start filming, which means we have to be really quiet, and watch the filming with headphones on so we can hear the sound. I am once again impressed with the patience of actors, doing the same thing over and over and over again. Robert the Producer explains to me that when they think they’ve got the right take of a scene, Harald says “Check the gate,” which means they check the camera and then move on to the next scene.
I demand to meet Sideburns Guy, but no one can track him down. Tragedy!
This is such a cool idea for a series. Who else can’t wait to read more about Cassie’s experience on the set of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones? I know I can’t wait to read about the day when we and other fan sites visited the set.





This is great- I will be excited to read them all. The little details are very interesting.
Best. idea. ever. 🙂
I’m dying to read the next diary entry.
wow! great blog! I love this!
WHAT IS THAT RUNE NEXT TO THE ANGELIC POWER RUNE?!?!?!?! I HAVEN”T EVER SEEN IT BEFORE AND IT’S DRIVING ME NUTS!
I dunno. I spent the last 2 hours looking online but couldn’t find anything. I tried blowing up the image, but it’s just too blurry. I’m gonna keep on looking tho. Will post back if I come up with anything.
Now it’s bugging me too!!!
Wow we are so privelidged!!! Cassie you are simply awesome!! :). This gives us a chance to learn what goes on “on set” – something which we would never get to learn otherwise. I am so excited and can’t wait to read the next entry. Thank you Cassie for spoiling us so much!!! We love it!!!!
I think this is awesome cant wait for more
cassie, you are one of the best authors ever!
I can just picture Cassie standing in the middle of all that, wideyed, and awed. It sounds like so much fun. My husbands cousin works in Hollywood as a boom-mike man. He says it takes a ton of strength and patience. I can just imagine.
This is so beautiful.
I love it when individuals come together and share opinions. Great site, continue the good work
Of course, what a great blog and revealing posts, I will bookmark your site.Have an awsome day!