Independence Day : During the L.A. destruction scene…

Were the actors/crew actually allowed on top of the Interstate Bank Building? Or did they film that via some CGI trickery?

I think it was the former, it did not look like cgi

True. Considering the height of the building and no built in area for people other than a helipad, I'm just somewhat surprised they'd be allowed up there, big budget movie or not. Definitely one of the movie's most intense scenes, though.

I agree about the scene's intensity. I was 12 when this movie came out, and it's the scene that's always stuck with me. I don't know, something about the naive party folks putting themselves in a hopeless situation only to be incinerated disturbed me. I can watch graphic horror movies without problem, but that scene gets to me. Go figure.

It looks like stunt crew extras probably for long shots, with the actors performing on sound stage for close ups.

top 50 http://www.imdb.com/list/ls056413299/