Location scouting vs. reality
Looking through my YouTube account, I realized that I’d actually posted (and blogged about) our location scouting footage more than a year ago, shortly after we’d wrapped shooting.
I thought I’d go back and grab screencaps from the movie to show you what some of these places looked like as shot. (The following are in the order of the clip, not the order in which they play in the movie.)
No, it’s not a plate shot. The trees really are that Burton-esque.
Half an hour outside of Los Angeles. If those mountains look familiar, that’s because they were featured every week on M.A.S.H. Yup, it’s “Korea.”
Securing a “forest road” was surprisingly difficult. Bonus note for the DVD: Everything green on the ground was poison oak. We had to destroy some padded blankets afterwards, because it was impossible to get the itch out of them.
Probably our single most difficult location. A blind curve, and a 360-degree shot, on a hot day without shade.
Yards away from the previous location was this great trail. The biggest challenge was keeping the wireless mikes in range during a two-minute walk-and-talk.
The Hearst Building downtown stood in for several places. A sheriff’s department booking area…
…an adjoining hallway…
..and a very seedy Hollywood motel room.
I scouted New York locations while meeting up with Hope Davis to pre-record a song she sings in the film. That’s when we picked the Millennium Broadway Hotel as our base:
Keep in mind, the location scouting clip only includes the places we ended up shooting. It took us weeks to find (and secure) the places we wanted to film. This was my first time scouting with a videocamera, but I can’t imagine doing it without one. Photos alone don’t give you a sense of what the lens will see, particularly when it’s in motion.
It’s also worth noting what a huge difference proper cinematography (and color timing) makes. Some of these locations look vastly different based on how they were shot, and how they were timed in post. I never signed off on a location unless my d.p. had seen it and approved it. She was the only one who could really anticipate how it would look when shot.
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July 30th, 2007 at 9:35 am
I was watching a film last night that really could have used proper cinematography and colour timing: The Butterfly Effect.
July 30th, 2007 at 10:05 am
Last time my wife and I drove out of the city (Vegas trip, I think) I pointed to the mountains and said “Look familiar? Those are the mountains they used in MASH.” She informed me — impolitely, I thought — that I’d mentioned that at least ten times before, and that I’ve never pointed to the same mountains twice. Clearly, I have no idea what I’m talking about. Which ones are the actual MASH mountains?
July 30th, 2007 at 10:55 am
Thank you for the glimpse behind the scenes. I only used still photography when I went location scouting for my short. I will definitely use a videocamera next time.
The background music playing with the location scouting footage made me feel like impending doom was just over the horizon.
July 30th, 2007 at 11:01 am
Sean (#2):
It’s Malibu Canyon State Park. You can actually hike up to one of the places they would film. It’s listed on the trail guides.
July 30th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
Perhaps this is neither the time nor the place, considering you have a movie coming out and a place to ask questions, but. . .
What was it like working with Nancy Schreiber? I remember being really intrigued by the look of “November” when it was being hyped. I’ve seen “The Celluloid Closet”, of course, but as an interview driven film, the lighting and camera work tend to fade into the background. I really like what I’ve seen of “The Nines” and was curious what the collaboration was like.
Perhaps I should just wait for the DVD, eh?
July 30th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
See, no wonder I didn’t know where they were. It entails hiking and reading trail guides. They really need to start publishing that information on cereal boxes and bar coasters.
Thanks for the info, John.
August 1st, 2007 at 12:06 pm
John, I am thrilled that you cast Ryan Reynolds as your lead. I haven’t seen a preview of THE NINES, to my chagrin, but have always felt that this guy is an amazing talent, with innately impeccable timing. He is one of those actors who can elevate any material, and with writing like yours, I can’t wait to see your film and his performance. IMDb posts from those lucky enough to see the film suggest it is a tour de force performance and a great showcase for your own talents.
All the best!
August 1st, 2007 at 4:34 pm
???
why is john’s youtube account a british one?
(UK.youtube etc etc)
what am i missing while on dial up???
or am i missing something about the way youtube works? it says uk because i’m there? wouldn’t think so. but then, wouldn’t think john’s youtube account is a british one.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Tim #8: I’m in the US and there’s no uk. on the url. It’s just http://www.youtube.com.
August 4th, 2007 at 6:33 am
After reading the Times article in which Mr. August says that he has never seen 8 1/2 it became apparent why the state of movies that are supposedly insightful, original or edgy is declining.
The shalowness of current cinema is a blaring trait today. It is not that one must repeat or copy the past, but to use it to build from as a knowledge or cultural base.
THe fact of this man being hailed as one of Hollywoods most popular screenwriteres is certainly not a leap of imagination…lack of imagination that is.
August 5th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
Oh, so the fact that he hasn’t seen a specific film makes him less qualified to make worthwhile films?
BTW, do you own a dictionary? If you are going to critique a writer’s craft, you may want to examine your own ability to spell first.