The 2015 film “Fifty Shades of Grey” is an American romantic drama with a touch of erotica, directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson. The screenplay is by Kelly Marcel. This movie is based on the 2011 novel by E. L. James and is the first in the Fifty Shades film series. It stars Dakota Johnson as Anastasia “Ana” Steele and Jamie Dornan as Christian Grey. The story is about a young college graduate, Ana, who begins a complex relationship with Christian Grey, a rich businessman with unusual tastes.
The journey of creating this film started in March 2012. Universal and Focus Features bought the rights to make the film after a big competition. Kelly Marcel was chosen to write the screenplay. Many directors were considered, including Joe Wright, Patty Jenkins, Bill Condon, Bennett Miller, and Steven Soderbergh. Finally, in June 2013, Sam Taylor-Johnson became the director. She said that her inspirations were movies like 9½ Weeks, Last Tango in Paris, and Blue Is the Warmest Colour. The main actors joined the project from October to December 2013.
Where was “Fifty Shades of Grey” Filmed?
The film’s main shooting started in December 2013 and ended in February 2014. There were some extra shoots in October 2014 in Vancouver with Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan. The music for the film was composed by Danny Elfman.
Let’s explore the different places where “Fifty Shades of Grey” was filmed. Most of the film was shot in Vancouver, British Columbia, with a few scenes in Seattle, Washington.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver was the primary location for the film. Let’s look at the specific places in Vancouver where the movie was filmed:
Gastown District: The historic Gastown District of Vancouver was used for many outdoor scenes. This area’s charming streets and old-style buildings provided a perfect backdrop for the film.
Bentall 5: The Bentall 5 building in Vancouver was used to represent Grey Enterprises, the company owned by Christian Grey. The sleek, modern look of the building fit well with Christian Grey’s powerful business image.
University of British Columbia: The University of British Columbia was used as Washington State University Vancouver in the film, where Ana Steele graduates. The beautiful campus provided a suitable setting for Ana’s important life moment.
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver: The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver was used to represent the Heathman Hotel in Portland, where many significant scenes took place. Its elegant interiors matched the luxurious lifestyle depicted in the film.
North Shore Studios: North Shore Studios in Vancouver was used for various indoor scenes. This studio helped create many of the movie’s detailed interior sets.
Casa Mia: The mansion scenes showing the Grey family home were filmed at Casa Mia in Vancouver. This grand and historic house added a rich and elegant touch to the film.
Coal Harbour: Coal Harbour in Vancouver was used for the scenes where Christian Grey is jogging. The waterfront views and city skyline made these scenes visually appealing.
West Georgia Street: West Georgia Street in Vancouver was used to show the office tower where Christian Grey works. This busy street gave a modern and urban look to the film.
Boundary Bay Airport: The Boundary Bay Airport in Delta, near Vancouver, was used for scenes involving the aircraft hangar. This location helped create the atmosphere for Christian’s adventurous side.
Lower Lonsdale: Lower Lonsdale in North Vancouver was used for the scenes where Ana is jogging. The area’s beautiful scenery made these scenes more enjoyable to watch.
Rainier Provisions Cafe: The Rainier Provisions Cafe on Carrall Street in Vancouver was used for a few key scenes. Its cozy and inviting look was perfect for intimate conversations in the film.
The Paper Hound Bookshop: The Paper Hound Bookshop on West Pender Street in Vancouver was used for the scenes where Ana buys books. This charming bookstore provided a warm and personal setting.
Carrall Street: Carrall Street in Vancouver was used for various outdoor scenes. Its unique character added depth to the movie’s urban settings.
Seattle, Washington, USA
Some parts of the movie were also filmed in Seattle, especially for scenes showing the city skyline and other outdoor views. These added a real-world touch to the setting, making the story feel more authentic.
Behind the Scenes
The making of “Fifty Shades of Grey” was filled with excitement and secrecy. Filming started on December 1, 2013, and officially ended on February 21, 2014. The film had the secret working title “The Adventures of Max and Banks.” Even during reshoots in October 2014, the film’s details were kept closely guarded.
In conclusion, the filming locations of “Fifty Shades of Grey” play a crucial role in bringing the story to life. From the bustling streets of Vancouver to the beautiful university campus, each location adds to the film’s unique atmosphere. Whether it’s the elegant hotels or the cozy bookshops, these places help tell the tale of Ana and Christian in a visually captivating way.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Fifty Shades of Grey
Q: Where was “Fifty Shades of Grey” filmed?
A: “Fifty Shades of Grey” was primarily filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Specific locations include the Gastown District, Bentall 5, University of British Columbia, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, and various other spots in and around the city. Additional filming also took place in Seattle, Washington, USA, for some of the outdoor scenes.
Q: When did filming for “Fifty Shades of Grey” take place?
A: Principal filming for “Fifty Shades of Grey” started on December 1, 2013, and concluded on February 21, 2014. Additional reshoots, particularly involving the lead actors, were conducted in Vancouver during the week of October 13, 2014.
Q: When was “Fifty Shades of Grey” released?
A: “Fifty Shades of Grey” debuted on February 13, 2015. This release date coincides with Valentine’s Day weekend, making it a popular pick among couples and romantic drama enthusiasts.
Q: What are some prominent filming locations in Vancouver for “Fifty Shades of Grey”?
A: The Gastown District for its charming streets, Bentall 5 as Grey Enterprises, the University of British Columbia for Ana’s graduation scenes, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver as the Heathman Hotel, and Casa Mia for the Grey family mansion were all filming locations for “Fifty Shades of Grey” in Vancouver.
Q: Was any filming done outside of Vancouver for “Fifty Shades of Grey”?
A: Yes, besides Vancouver, some filming for “Fifty Shades of Grey” was also done in Seattle, Washington, USA. These locations were used to capture scenes that needed the unique cityscape and atmosphere of Seattle, adding authenticity to the film’s setting.
