David Fincher’s Zodiac is a notable film in his career. The movie is about the search for the Zodiac killer, who was active in the San Francisco Bay Area during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The Zodiac killer was known for sending taunting letters, ciphers, and bloodstained clothing to the media and police. The film follows a cartoonist who becomes an amateur detective trying to catch the killer. Fincher’s attention to detail in the film brings the locations to life, showing the Zodiac’s crimes and the investigation that followed. Let’s look at where the movie was filmed.
Where was “Zodiac” Filmed?
Since the Zodiac’s murders mostly occurred in San Francisco and California, Fincher filmed on location to capture the authentic setting. The crew also filmed in Los Angeles and Ontario, with the Ontario International Airport featured in the movie. Let’s delve into the details.
San Francisco
One of the key filming locations in Zodiac is the San Francisco Chronicle building at 901 Mission Street. This is where the Zodiac sent many of his letters. The film shows both the exterior and interior of the building. SF Gate reported that scenes included a vintage 1960s U.S. mail truck delivering letters and a street scene on Mission Street between Fifth and Sixth streets, which was recreated to look like the past.
The Old San Francisco Transbay Terminal also appears in the film. This terminal was demolished, but in the movie, it is where Inspector David Toschi updates his captain about the Zodiac killer. The film uses the Transamerica Pyramid at 600 Montgomery Street to show the passage of time.
Other notable San Francisco locations in the film include Original Joe’s at 144 Taylor Street, where a character has a bad date, and San Francisco City Hall at 1 Carlton B Goodlett Place, where Zodiac’s letters are reviewed. The Castro Theatre at 429 Castro Street is also featured, though the film does not show the actual Castro Street. Paul Avery’s houseboat, shown in the film, is actually located at 62 Varda Landing Road in Sausalito, which is not far from San Francisco.
California
The movie also includes scenes set in Vallejo, where the Zodiac Killer was active. A significant location is Ziegler’s Hardware & Supply, Inc. at 3948 Tweedy Boulevard in South Gate, California. This is where a character confronts a suspect. Lake Berryessa in Napa County, California, is another important filming location. In the film, the Zodiac killer is shown attacking a couple by the lake.
Los Angeles, California: For some scenes, the film was shot in Los Angeles. The Downey Studios at 12214 Lakewood Boulevard were used to recreate the bridge from the film. Fincher’s team used CGI to accurately represent 1970s San Francisco. Even for establishing shots, CGI was used to capture the look of the period.
David Fincher’s Zodiac used a mix of real locations and studio work to create an authentic portrayal of the Zodiac killer’s case. While many scenes were filmed in actual places in San Francisco and California, CGI was used to recreate historical details and make the film feel like it is set in the past. This combination of real and virtual settings helps to bring the intense manhunt of the Zodiac killer to life.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Zodiac
Q: Where was Zodiac filmed?
A: Zodiac was primarily filmed in San Francisco, California. Key locations include the San Francisco Chronicle building at 901 Mission Street, the Old San Francisco Transbay Terminal, and the Castro Theatre at 429 Castro Street. Additional filming took place in South Gate, California, at Ziegler’s Hardware & Supply, and at Lake Berryessa in Napa County. Some scenes were also shot in Los Angeles, specifically at Downey Studios.
Q: When was Zodiac filmed?
A: The filming of Zodiac started in November 2005 and concluded in May 2006. The production team spent several months capturing the various locations needed to authentically portray the 1970s San Francisco setting and other relevant sites.
Q: When was Zodiac released?
A: Zodiac was released on March 2, 2007, in the United States. The film made its debut in theaters across the country on this date, bringing the story of the Zodiac killer to audiences.
Q: Were any special effects used in the filming of Zodiac?
A: Yes, Zodiac used CGI to recreate 1970s San Francisco accurately. While many scenes were shot on location, CGI was employed for establishing shots and to enhance the period details. This combination of real locations and visual effects helped to depict the historical setting effectively.
Q: Did Zodiac receive any notable recognition or awards?
A: Zodiac received critical acclaim for its detailed portrayal of the Zodiac killer case and was noted for its meticulous attention to historical detail. While it was not a major award winner, it was praised by critics and became an important film in David Fincher’s career.
