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Movie Location Backlot: The official Guide by David McQueen

 

 

 

 

 Location Backlots and the Cinematic Universe

 

In my capacity as a production design location architect—someone who creates movie sets on location—I have curated and optimized the movie-making potential of a large-scale, diverse, and valuable area in Seattle. This environment has been developed through years of careful organization and scouting, alongside extensive visual effects testing, making it an invaluable resource for filmmaking. Psychologically, this personal environment feels like my very own movie location backlot, akin to the setups of major Hollywood studios in the past.

 

Historically, the locations on those backlots were not real; the streets were noticeably artificial, and the one-dimensional buildings could only be photographed from the front. This production style was acceptable back then because audiences were not as discerning and knowledgeable as they are today. Nowadays, viewers expect authenticity for their time and money.

 

The advantage for individuals who understand advanced technology is immense; the world is theirs to shape. I produce everything that I do in an area valued at approximately **$50 billion**, yet I do not own it. Instead, I have systems in place to control its use. To illustrate this concept, consider **Elon Musk**—he does not own outer space, but due to his technological advancements, he has crafted rockets that grant him remarkable control over it, surpassing what the federal government can achieve.

 

In today’s landscape, possessing control often outweighs ownership. While true ownership can lead to significant responsibilities and liabilities—such as property taxes, lawsuits, and maintenance—control allows me to leverage the environment without the burdens of ownership. For instance, the estimated monthly maintenance cost for managing the infrastructure of a $50 billion investment in downtown Seattle is approximately **$83.33 million**.

 

To own and maintain such infrastructure, one must account for numerous components, including roads, sidewalks, bridges, public spaces, and utilities. In my role, not owning this property means I am insulated from legal issues on paper, granting me a unique creative liberty and freedom.

 

For those unfamiliar with my innovative approach, it is reflected in how major filmmakers inadvertently endorse my psychological mindset and production style, which focuses on maximizing emotional content. The area I produce in serves as my personal environment for all my creative projects. If a specific scene requires a unique building or an odd street that isn't present in my environment, my expertise allows me to integrate it seamlessly through high-tech architectural manipulation—creating structures that harmonize with the authentic surroundings, rendering them undetectable to the audience.

 

Davids personalized approach aligns closely with the modern concept of a **movie world** and **cinematic universe**.

 

Understanding Movie Worlds and Cinematic Universes.

When writers, producers, and directors refer to a “movie world” or “cinematic universe,” they are discussing a specific approach to storytelling that encompasses multiple films, characters, and narratives within a shared fictional framework. This concept has gained significant traction in the film industry, particularly with franchises like Marvel, Star Wars, and Harry Potter. Below is a detailed breakdown of what these terms mean.

 

Definition of Movie World and Cinematic Universe

A movie world refers to the overarching setting or environment in which the stories take place. It includes the rules, history, geography, and culture that define that universe. A cinematic universe, on the other hand, is a collection of films that share common elements such as characters, themes, or storylines. These films often interconnect through crossovers or shared narratives.

 

 

Key Components of a Cinematic Universe

1. Shared Characters: In cinematic universes like Marvel’s, characters often appear across multiple films. For example, Iron Man appears in his standalone movies as well as in ensemble films like “The Avengers.” This interconnectedness allows for character development over time and creates a richer narrative experience.

 

1. Interconnected Storylines: The stories within a cinematic universe are often linked by overarching plots or themes. For instance, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has an overarching storyline involving the Infinity Stones that connects various individual character arcs across different films.

 

1. Consistent Tone and Style: While each film may have its unique flavor, there is generally a consistent tone or style that ties the films together. This consistency helps audiences feel familiar with the universe even when exploring different facets of it.

 

1. Expansive World-Building: A well-developed cinematic universe features extensive world-building that includes lore, mythology, and backstory for its characters and settings. For example, the Star Wars franchise has created an entire galaxy with its own history, species, planets, and conflicts.

 

1. Cross-Promotion Opportunities: Cinematic universes allow for marketing strategies that can promote multiple films simultaneously. This can include merchandise tie-ins or promotional events that leverage the popularity of one film to boost interest in others within the same universe.

 

 

Examples from Major Franchises

Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)

The MCU is perhaps the most successful example of a cinematic universe to date. It began with “Iron Man” in 2008 and has expanded to include numerous interconnected films featuring various superheroes from Marvel Comics. The creators have meticulously planned phases of releases where each film contributes to an overarching narrative leading to major crossover events like “Avengers: Endgame.”

 

 

Star Wars Franchise

The Star Wars franchise exemplifies both movie worlds and cinematic universes through its expansive lore spanning several trilogies and standalone films (e.g., “Rogue One”). The creators have built a rich mythology around Jedi lore, Sith history, and galactic politics that informs not only individual movies but also animated series like “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.”

 

 

 

Harry Potter Universe

The Harry Potter series started as a book adaptation but has evolved into a broader cinematic universe with spin-off films like “Fantastic Beasts.” The filmmakers have expanded upon J.K. Rowling’s original world by exploring different timelines and characters while maintaining core themes related to magic and morality.

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

In summary, when writers, producers, and directors refer to movie worlds or cinematic universes in relation to franchises like Marvel, Star Wars, or Harry Potter, they are describing complex frameworks designed for storytelling across multiple interconnected films. These frameworks enhance audience engagement by creating familiarity through shared characters and narratives while allowing for expansive world-building that enriches each individual story.

 

 

 

In closing,  a movie world refers to the overarching setting including rules and culture; a cinematic universe is a collection of interconnected films sharing characters and storylines within this framework

 

 

 

 

For those that don’t know how on point what I have achieved is, below are major people who have inadvertently endorsed my psychological mindset and my specific production style towards producing maximum emotional content using real world  locations in a specific organized area over and over again regardless of the storyline and subject matter as long as the story unfolds inside of Davids personal frame work.

My 12 years of cataloging the rich, diverse settings; intricate spreadsheet organization; familiarity with every block; experience with high-tech architectural manipulation; and in-depth personal understanding about the people in every block of this area enable the possibility of the impossible to happen within this framework of Davids location backlot.

 

The following people demonstrate the relevance and interplay between real locations and the fascinating realm of cinematic storytelling.

 

 

Real-world movie location backlots resonate intensely with major producers, as everything is authentic. This authenticity enhances the feel, atmosphere, and believability of the story, improving actors' performances on camera. Renowned directors like Christopher Nolan, Quentin Tarantino, and Martin Scorsese have utilized real locations extensively in their films to elevate their storytelling.

 

 

Notable Directors and Films

1. Christopher Nolan: Uses real locations for authenticity in "The Dark Knight" trilogy and "Dunkirk."

2. Quentin Tarantino: Adds depth using real locations in "Pulp Fiction" and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood."

3. Martin Scorsese: Captures New York's essence in "Mean Streets" and "Taxi Driver."

4. Steven Spielberg: Creates wonder using real settings in "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" and "Jurassic Park."

5. Denzel Washington: His films, like "Training Day," "Man on Fire," and "Fences," rely heavily on authentic locations to enhance realism and character depth.

 

Here are additional well-known directors, producers, and production designers who have commented on the importance of shooting on location to enhance the realism of films:

 

### 1. **Francis Ford Coppola**

   - **Film Example**: **"Apocalypse Now"**

   - **Quote**: Coppola has remarked about the necessity of authentic environments in his films, stating, "I never wanted to make a film set in a fabricated place. It has to be the real thing." His famous war epic utilized actual locations in the Philippines to create an immersive experience reflective of the chaos of warfare.

 

### 2. **Christopher Nolan**

   - **Film Example**: **"Dunkirk"**

   - **Quote**: In discussing **"Dunkirk,"** Nolan said, "I think there's a real power to location shooting; it gives you a visceral quality that can't be simulated on a soundstage." His commitment to authenticity often leads him to shoot in real-world settings to create believable environments that resonate with audiences.

 

### 3. **Ken Loach**

   - **Film Example**: **"The Wind That Shakes the Barley"**

   - **Quote**: Loach has said, "If you can bring a bit of the world into the film, it’s going to feel more real and immediate." He is known for shooting in actual locations that reflect the social realities the films depict, enhancing the authenticity of the storyline.

 

### 4. **David Fincher**

   - **Film Example**: **"The Social Network"**

   - **Quote**: Fincher remarked, "I think shooting on location gives you a genuine sense of how space informs character." His choice to photograph many scenes on-site can deepen the narrative by fostering a sense of place and atmosphere.

 

### 5. **Greta Gerwig**

   - **Film Example**: **"Little Women"**

   - **Quote**: Gerwig noted, "When you shoot on location, you get the texture of the world. It enriches the storytelling in ways a set can't." Her choice to film portions of **"Little Women"** in real historic locations contributed significantly to the film’s authenticity.

 

### 6. **Danny Boyle**

   - **Film Example**: **"Trainspotting"**

   - **Quote**: Boyle stated, "The locations form the backbone of the film. They’re characters in their own right." His commitment to using authentic settings helps create an immersive and relatable viewing experience.

 

These directors and their quotes emphasize how critical location shooting is for crafting a more believable cinematic narrative. The use of real environments allows the audience to connect more deeply with the story, making the experience richer and more impactful.