Introduction
If you’re a fan of mockumentaries, you’ve most likely watched Best in Show, the hilarious film about a dog show and the eccentric people behind it. But have you ever wondered about the filming locations of this comedy masterpiece? In this article, we’ll explore where Best in Show was filmed, sharing behind-the-scenes trivia, real-life locations, and how you can revisit the movie’s iconic scenes using Google Street View.
Behind the Scenes: Exploring the Filming Locations of Best in Show
Best in Show was filmed in various locations across the United States, from Los Angeles to Philadelphia. Director Christopher Guest and his team scouted for locations that would capture the real feel of dog shows and the people who participate in them.
One such location was the Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show in California. The crew filmed some of the dog show scenes here, and the real-life dog show participants were used as extras. The team also filmed some scenes in Los Angeles, including the hotel where the characters stayed during the show.
Another location was the Philadelphia-based Sheraton Society Hill Hotel, which served as the main filming location for the dog hotel scenes where the characters lodges their dogs. The production team also used Valhalla Memorials, a cemetery in North Hollywood, for the scenes where one of the characters visits her deceased husband’s grave.
A Guide to the Real-Life Places Featured in Best in Show
Let’s take a closer look at the real-life places that were featured in Best in Show.
Mayflower Kennel Club
The Mayflower Kennel Club, located in Los Angeles, California, served as the filming location for several scenes in Best in Show. This dog show is one of the largest in California and has been running for over sixty years.
Sheraton Society Hill Hotel
The Sheraton Society Hill Hotel in Philadelphia was the primary filming location for the dog hotel scenes in Best in Show. The hotel boasts a stunning location overlooking Penn’s Landing and the Delaware River.
Valhalla Memorials
Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery, located in North Hollywood, was used for the scenes where the character Cookie visits her husband’s grave. The cemetery covers 60 acres and is home to many notable burials, including the graves of many Hollywood celebrities.
From Louisville to Philadelphia: Tracking Best in Show’s Journey Across America
Best in Show’s plot takes place in various locations across the United States. From Louisville to Philadelphia, the film features some of the country’s most historic landmarks. The crew used a combination of actual locations and soundstages to create the movie’s realistic backdrop.
The film crew faced many challenges while shooting in multiple locations in a short span of time. The crew had only twenty-three days to shoot the entire movie. Nevertheless, they managed to capture the essence of each location, creating a convincing and believable mockumentary that still stands as a classic today.
The Untold Story of How Best in Show Found Its Perfect Settings
The location manager for Best in Show, Michael Rizzo, was instrumental in finding the perfect locations for the film. In an interview, he disclosed the challenges he faced while scouting for the locations and how he overcame them.
The most significant challenge he faced was finding a dog show in California that fit the script’s requirements. After much research, he found the Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show, which served as a perfect filming site. Rizzo also found the perfect location in Philadelphia for the dog hotel scenes, where the characters stayed with their dogs during the show.
Recalling the Best in Show Shoot: An Interview with the Film’s Location Manager
In an exclusive interview, we caught up with Michael Rizzo, the location manager for Best in Show.
For Rizzo, his job as a location manager was to scout locations based on the script or the director’s vision. He spent his time researching, traveling, and ultimately creating an environment that fit the movie’s needs.
Rizzo reminisced about how he worked closely with director Christopher Guest to ensure that he had the right locations. Although they faced many challenges, Rizzo was proud of the end product and was thankful for all the team’s efforts.
Visualizing Best in Show’s Iconic Scenes through Google Street View
If you want to experience the filming locations in Best in Show for yourself, you can use Google Street View to travel the movie’s real-life locations. To get started, enter the locations we’ve mentioned in this article into Google Maps and switch to Street View.
Some iconic scenes that you can visit include the dog show scene at the Mayflower Kennel Club, the hotel where the characters stayed during the show, and the Philadelphia locations where the dog hotel scenes were shot. With Google Street View, you can see how these locations look now compared to how they appeared in the film.
Conclusion
Best in Show is a classic parody film that has stood the test of time. It’s an exceptional comedy that captures the eccentric world of dog shows. Behind the scenes, the filmmakers worked hard to find the perfect locations for the film.
We hope this guide to where Best in Show was filmed has encouraged you to revisit the movie and explore the locations yourself. The various locations add depth and realism to the film and showcase the talented work of the location manager and the film crew.
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