Movies

Here are the famed movie and TV locations destroyed in the Southern California fires

BBG News

In the opinion of location scout Lori Balton, the smoking room inside the historic Andrew McNelly House, with its detailed wooden carvings and diamond-shaped glass windows, was nothing short of magnificent.

Constructed in 1887 for one of the founders of Rand McNally Publishing, the uniquely designed Altadena mansion is often chosen for filming due to its distinctive appearance. This Queen Anne-style residence has graced various productions, including the HBO series “Entourage.

However, unfortunately, the McNally House, as well as several other significant movie shooting spots across Southern California, were lost to the recent wildfires.

Balton, hailing from Venice, expressed, “The place was rich with texture, making it seem as if we weren’t in L.A. at all. The location was fantastic, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness.

Struggling with an overwhelming amount of damaged homes and businesses, as well as disrupted livelihoods and tragic losses of life, the region’s iconic industry will suffer another blow due to the loss of popular filming locations, notably in Altadena and Pacific Palisades.

The damage exacerbates the existing challenges for Hollywood, with the loss of housing for various industry personnel such as below-the-line crew members, actors, and executives now among them. Furthermore, this disruption in production may put a strain on their personal financial situations.

Hollywood Inc.

Between October and December, production in Hollywood increased by 6.2%, as reported by the non-profit organization FilmLA, compared to the same timeframe the previous year.

In a recent email, FilmLA representative Philip Sokoloski stated without doubt that the effects of the fires reach as far as film production businesses and the jobs they support. He suspects that both short-term and long-term consequences for the local entertainment industry due to the fires will be substantial, although the exact impact remains uncertain at this moment.

For quite some time, Ed Lippman, a location manager based in Sherman Oaks, had been surveying houses in the Palisades and Altadena districts for possible filming sites. Last week, while catching up on local news, he spotted film crews traveling down E. Mendocino Street in Altadena – a place where he’d collaborated with numerous homeowners who graciously permitted shoots on their property.

At that moment, Lippman wasn’t considering films or shooting locations. Instead, his thoughts were focused on the people and the number of individuals he had personally connected with…suddenly, their homes were destroyed. It was a rather intense and overpowering experience.

Scouts, supervisors, and interior designers are currently compiling an archive of addresses and images of homes situated within fire-stricken areas, which they’ve surveyed over the years. This resource aims to assist homeowners in need of evidence for insurance purposes. In cases where a house has been featured in a movie or television production, or even just inspected previously, there might be existing photos that could prove beneficial for such claims, according to Balton.

Balton has already added 50 homes to the list from her own records.

She stated that the movie business is ready to help them in any way possible, ‘whether it’s through logistics or resources.’ Filming on-site is simply impossible without their houses and neighborhoods.

Palisade fire: memorable film landmarks gone

Overlooking the coastline with its grand estates, Pacific Palisades is often chosen as a film location.

Lippman suggested that you might acquire an attractive, East Coast style. He also mentioned that it would be simple to film Los Angeles and use it to represent other regions across the country.

The Palisades fire has expanded over approximately 23,000 acres and destroyed countless homes, buildings, and notable landmarks in its path.

Among the places demolished was the Will Rogers State Historic Park, a complex that originally belonged to the entertainer who excelled in vaudeville and films. The land served as a backdrop for “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home,” where it stood in for San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. It also appeared in the 1981 film “Cutter’s Way” with Jeff Bridges, the 1999 movie “The Story of Us” starring Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer, as well as Lindsay Lohan’s initial feature film, “The Parent Trap,” released in 1998.

Approximately two miles distant, Palisades Charter High School experienced significant fire damage, but fortunately, the school itself did not completely burn down. School administrators have reported that roughly 40% of the campus was affected by the flames, and they are currently searching for temporary locations to continue education.

This high school has been showcased in various movie productions, such as the Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis reimagining of “Freaky Friday,” the 2001 romantic drama “Crazy/Beautiful” starring Kirsten Dunst, the crime drama “Havoc” from 2005 led by Anne Hathaway, and even in the horror film “Carrie” from 1976, where its volleyball courts and track made brief appearances.

The iconic Topanga Ranch Motel, established in 1929 with an unique bungalow design, met the same fate as many others – destruction. This site was frequently used for filming scenes for movies and television shows.

Eaton fire: homes with character up in flames

Often preferred by location teams due to its welcoming community and unique charm of older houses, Altadena has frequently stood in for both East Coast towns and foreign locations, as well as nearby settings.

The Eaton fire has scorched over 14,000 acres and destroyed countless buildings across both Altadena and Pasadena, even whole neighborhoods.

Balton remarked, “Each house has stood for so long that it seems to have its unique identity of its own.” He explained, “When we choose our filming locations, we aim for spots that contribute an additional layer of charm or uniqueness to the movie.

She sighed.

“It’s gone, it’s all gone,” Balton said.

As a passionate admirer of the silver screen, let me share my heartache: The artistic sanctuary known as Zorthian Ranch, nestled among the hills of Altadena, was unfortunately consumed by the flames. This expansive property, brimming with unique art installations, free-roaming llamas, and intriguing sculptures, graced not only my personal cinema experiences but also the music video for Capital Cities’ “Safe and Sound,” along with numerous films and TV productions.

Just a stone’s throw away, Charles S. Farnsworth Park, my beloved spot for outdoor movies and picnics under the shade of towering trees, was unfortunately engulfed by flames. This picturesque park with its panoramic view of the L.A. skyline was where scenes from Apple TV+’s series “Shrinking” featuring Harrison Ford and Jason Segel were filmed, as well as some moments from the 2001 film “American Pie 2.” It’s heartbreaking to see such a vibrant part of our city’s history go up in smoke.

Balton expressed that there were no adequate words to describe the devastation. He added, “We carry on with hope. Rebuilding houses may be possible, but restoring a community…that’s a task that takes time.

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2025-01-16 14:40

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