Filmmakers transform Michigan Avenue this weekend

Director Michael Bay has brought his crew and effects wizards to downtown Chicago for the weekend. And that means explosions. Lots of them.

Bay is filming portions of "Transformers 3" downtown throughout the weekend. The bulk of the activity is taking place along Michigan Avenue between Ontario and Wacker Drive. That stretch of the street, including the Michigan Avenue Bridge over the Chicago River, will be closed until 5 a.m. Monday. Lower Michigan Avenue between Hubbard Street and Lower Wacker Drive will also be closed until then.

On Friday, the area was transformed into a scene of urban devastation familiar to anyone who's seen the first two "Transformers" movies (or any Michael Bay film, for that matter). Crushed cars, concrete and metal debris littered the street.

"Transformers" fans and other onlookers made their way to the site on Friday, hoping to catch a glimpse of some action. Unless you happened to work in the buildings adjacent to the site, though, opportunities to check out the action up close were pretty limited.

Rich Moskal, director of the Chicago Film Office, said that Friday's shoot went well.

"Pedestrians were flowing, the businesses were open, everything seemed to work fine," he said Friday. "That's pretty good considering this was right on Michigan Avenue."

Filming is expected to start on Saturday in the same location as early as 8 a.m., and it will include the use of helicopters and stunt parachutists. The Chicago police and fire departments will be supervising the various special effects, including simulated gunfire and fireballs.

Moskal couldn't say how much fans will be able to see on Saturday. Michigan Avenue sidewalks remain open between Ohio and Illinois, but fans won't be able to access the Michigan Avenue Bridge.

On Sunday, filming also is expected to start at about 8 a.m.

ABC7 contributed to this report.