The place where a film is scripted to take place is not always where it is shot. Filmmakers often choose locations based on tax incentives, currency rates, and the ability to double one place for another.
Why Do Productions Double Locations?
The primary reason to double locations is to capture the best financial deal. This can be a combination of state or country tax incentives and favorable exchange rates. Through the work of talented location managers, directors, and crew, the audience is rarely the wiser.
Georgia: The Ultimate Chameleon
Georgia has become a production hub that can double for almost anywhere in the world:
- New York and Seattle: Frequently recreated on the streets of Atlanta and Savannah.
- Parts of Europe: Doubled for various projects.
- The Moon: Recreated for sci-fi productions.
New Zealand and Beyond
Other global locations offer similarly diverse doubling opportunities:
- New Zealand: Has doubled for rural America, US towns, and various fantasy locations.
- Bulgaria: Doubled for period New York in The Young Woman and the Sea.
- Australia: Recreated Los Angeles and the California coast for San Andreas.
- Ontario, Canada: Stood in for a small New England town in IT.
Capturing Magic While Managing Costs
Making movies is a collision of art and commerce. To get the most on-screen value for every dollar, producers must look for the best incentives that work for their project. Understanding the rules of each jurisdiction is critical to ensure that the anticipated funds are not lost.
Unless and until tax incentives disappear, the film and television community will continue to chase the best deals possible to create the highest quality magic on screen.