Before Scott Trimble even started working as a location manager in the film industry, he had developed a fascination with movie locations. In 1997, he started a Web site (www.pacificnorthwestmovies.com) to provide information and to record filming locations in the Bay Area — a sort of historical archive of what happened and where — and over the past six years, the site has become the definitive resource for movie locations throughout the Pacific Northwest.
As early as age 12, Scott worked on a cable access show and at age 13, he was an extra for the film "Radio Flyer." He continued his extra work while in college, and in early 1999, he landed an internship with Beau Bonneau Casting. When another internship with the Oakland Film Commission turned into a paid gig, Scott began meeting people in the industry and he eventually took a job as a production assistant on a Macy's commercial, but found himself more interested in helping the location manager. So began a series of jobs as a day player, assisting location managers and moving quickly up the ranks.
"I spent six and a half months working on "Sweet November." Ellen Lent, the location manager, was in Connecticut and called me to start scouting — Charlize Theron hadn't even been cast yet, and I was one of the first hires," Scott says.
While they selected a house in Potrero Hill for the exterior shots, the interior was actually a set built in an aircraft hanger on Treasure Island.
"They took pictures out every window of the house, blew them up huge and hung them like drapes outside the set windows. This is called a translight," Scott explains, "On "Nash Bridges," his apartment had one of these with a view of Treasure Island, which is ironic because his apartment was a set on Treasure Island as well."
Sometimes the job can get crazy, as it did during the Union Square shoot for the upcoming Ashley Judd / Morgan Freeman film "High Crimes." The location team had convinced some stores to leave their lights and Christmas decorations on for two all-night shoots, but when Judd became ill, they had to completely renegotiate and reschedule the shoot in just three days.
"We did it," Scott says proudly, "But I went on vacation after that to clear my head."
Recently, he worked on the film "40 Days and 40 Nights" with Josh Hartnett, and when asked if he gets star-struck, Scott smiles. "I work in LA a lot, so I see stars all the time — they're just normal people, worrying about where their next job is coming from. So no, I don't get star-struck, but I get location-struck."
While on the 20th Century lot, Scott was thrilled to see the building used in the film "Die Hard," and while working on the movie "Detonator," he discovered they were shooting on the same corner as the ending scene for the remake of "Planet of the Apes."
"I get excited about this stuff," Scott admits, "That's why I like to share it with the world."
You can find out more about Scott Trimble and movie locations throughout the Pacific Northwest by visiting his Web site at www.pacificnorthwestmovies.com
Susan Dyer Reynolds grew up in the Bay Area and has been a professional writer for over 10 years. She recently wrote an article for GQ magazine, and has written features and news stories for The New Fillmore and other San Francisco newspapers. She can be reached at [email protected]
©2002 Casting Connection
