“Hidden Figures” is a 2016 biographical drama directed by Theodore Melfi and written by Melfi and Allison Schroeder. The film is loosely based on Margot Lee Shetterly’s 2016 non-fiction book of the same name. It tells the story of three African-American women mathematicians, Katherine Goble Johnson (played by Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe), who worked at NASA during the Space Race. These women played a key role in NASA’s mission to send John Glenn into Earth’s orbit in 1962, but their contributions were not widely recognized until the book and movie highlighted their stories.
Where Was “Hidden Figures” Filmed?
Although the story is set in Virginia and Cape Canaveral, the movie was filmed entirely in Georgia, mainly around Atlanta. Many of the filming locations were left unchanged because the team found it easy to use buildings from the 1960s that were still intact. Principal photography started in March 2016 in Atlanta and finished in May 2016. Other filming locations included East Point, Canton, Monroe, Columbus, and Madison in Georgia.
Atlanta, Georgia
Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral: The Kennedy Space Center is important in the real history of “Hidden Figures.” Even though the film was not shot here, it was where John Glenn’s space mission was planned and tested. Today, you can visit the Kennedy Space Center for guided tours, but you cannot go into the working areas.
Hampton, Virginia: Hampton is home to the Langley Research Center, where Dorothy, Katherine, and Mary worked. A part of this research center is now named the Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility in her honor. Hampton is also where Margot Lee Shetterly, the author of the book “Hidden Figures,” is from. The Virginia Air & Space Center is the official visitor center at Langley.
Morehouse College, Atlanta: Morehouse College in Atlanta was used to film the exterior shots of the NASA Center in the movie. A round building on the college campus was also used for the Space Task Group scenes.
East Point, Georgia: East Point, a suburb of Atlanta, was used to film the scenes showing Katherine’s home. It is located southwest of Atlanta, near the Hartsfield-Jackson airport.
Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia: For authentic wind tunnel scenes, the filmmakers used facilities at Lockheed Martin. This location was one of the few available that matched the look of a 1960s wind tunnel. Next to Dobbins Air Reserve Base, the Clay National Guard Center was used as a hangar and press conference center in the film.
Monroe, Georgia: Monroe, another suburb of Atlanta, was used to recreate many of the neighborhood scenes. The town’s Courthouse and South Broad Street were chosen for their 1960s look. Scenes of the characters commuting to work were filmed on Fairplay Road and Sandy Creek Road, where the area was surrounded by greenery.
“Hidden Figures” showcases important historical figures and their contributions to NASA. Although the film is set in Virginia and Cape Canaveral, it was mostly filmed in Georgia. The filming locations provided an authentic feel for the 1960s setting of the movie.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Hidden Figures
Q: Where was “Hidden Figures” filmed?
A: “Hidden Figures” was primarily filmed in Georgia, USA. Key locations include Atlanta, East Point, Monroe, Morehouse College, and Dobbins Air Reserve Base.
Q: When was “Hidden Figures” filmed?
A: Filming for “Hidden Figures” took place from March 2016 to May 2016.
Q: When was “Hidden Figures” released?
A; “Hidden Figures” was released in theaters on January 6, 2017, in the United States.
Q: Who are the main cast members of “Hidden Figures”?
A; The main cast includes Taraji P. Henson as Katherine Johnson, Octavia Spencer as Dorothy Vaughan, and Janelle Monáe as Mary Jackson.
Q: Which historical locations were recreated in “Hidden Figures”?
A: The film recreated significant historical locations like the NASA Langley Research Center and Kennedy Space Center, though these scenes were filmed in various locations in Georgia.
