Since the Academy doesn’t give out an Oscar for Filming Locations, I thought I’d award one myself.
Of tonight’s nominated films, there is no doubt the Best Filming Location Oscar should go to Nebraska.
The locations in the movie – including Norfolk, Plainview, Osmond, Hooper, Lyons, Stanton, Elgin, Tilden and Lincoln, Nebraska, along with locations in Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming – act as a supporting character in Nebraska, as locations do in most of Alexander Payne’s films.
The movie has also shined a spotlight on a part of the country that doesn’t get much attention which will likely increase tourism to the state and potentially have a long lasting economic impact.
Here’s a closer look at just three of Nebraska’s locations that will have you longing for your next Midwestern Road Trip.
Locust Avenue, Plainview, Nebraska – Much of the movie’s action takes place in fictional town of Hawthorne, NE and much of those downtown scenes were actually shot on Locust Ave in Plainview. One of the most memorable locations on Locust is Fat’s Lounge which serves as the exterior location for Blinker’s Tavern in the movie.
Mount Rushmore, South Dakota – On their way to Lincoln, the father and son duo stop at the monument, much to Woody’s dismay. As soon as those four famous presidents appeared on screen I asked myself, “why haven’t I been there yet?”
Laurel, Montana – The Nebraska crew spent two of their five day Montana shoot at a modest home on Cedar Ave in Laurel. The home, which was largely left untouched for the shoot, is the Billings home of Woody and Kate in the movie.
That was a good piece on the sites in filming Nebraska. It got me thinking that it would have been nice for him to film it in color. I have been in that part of the country though many years ago and it has not changed much. In fact I was in Billings for a day or two but did not get to see much of it. Mostly did business but did go to Custer battlefield sit before seeing Yellowstone and Grand Teton NP..