It looks like that the one picture on the roof (ready to transport/just beamed down) could have been taken between the two buildings, with the lower building in the back of the picture.
Tomorrow : Yesterday and Today - The Star Trek Filming Locations
- Thread starter Botany Bay
- Start date
Thanks Marlonius. I'm enjoying sharing the journey with you guys.
Next stop : planet Neural, location of "A Private Little War".
To get there you will be driving for about an hour from downtown LA to the Simi Valley, and an old movie ranch called "Bell Location Ranch".
On the map, approximately here :
Directions (courtesy of this Bonanza fansite) :
The fastest route from downtown Los Angeles is to take the 5 freeway north to the 118 freeway west. Exit at Topanga Canyon Blvd and turn left (south). At Santa Susanna Pass Road turn right (west). Go past the Iverson Movie Ranch site and the Spahn Ranch site. Now you have two choices of how to reach the Bell Ranch. To enter the Bell Ranch from the eastern side (the Berry Ranch side and closest to the "Zorro" house), turn left on Lilac Lane and head to the end of the road. You will be on the eastern side of the ranch. To reach the western side of the ranch, instead of turning on Lilac Lane, turn left on Box Canyon Road. Head up the hill until you find Studio Road on the left. Turn there and head on up. The end of Studio Road is the approximate location of the Bell Ranch western street.
I was warned on the way out there that the residents of Simi Valley value their relative peace and quiet, and do not take kindly to film buffs trying to locate the old ranches. I have seen several websites dedicated to Western films and TV shows mention the locals do not take kindly to visitors, so I was a bit apprehensive. The ranches, as I understand it are now divided up into large private properties. Many of the roads in the area are private roads.
So, we have two approaches : the first I tried was Lilac Lane.
Definitely the right place, but as Lilac lane ends, the warning signs about trespassing seem to get more and more emphatic.
It was hard to know what was private vs. public land, and the only way ahead was a private road covered in warning signs about trespassing, so I decided to head for the other entrance.
Next stop : planet Neural, location of "A Private Little War".
To get there you will be driving for about an hour from downtown LA to the Simi Valley, and an old movie ranch called "Bell Location Ranch".
On the map, approximately here :
Directions (courtesy of this Bonanza fansite) :
The fastest route from downtown Los Angeles is to take the 5 freeway north to the 118 freeway west. Exit at Topanga Canyon Blvd and turn left (south). At Santa Susanna Pass Road turn right (west). Go past the Iverson Movie Ranch site and the Spahn Ranch site. Now you have two choices of how to reach the Bell Ranch. To enter the Bell Ranch from the eastern side (the Berry Ranch side and closest to the "Zorro" house), turn left on Lilac Lane and head to the end of the road. You will be on the eastern side of the ranch. To reach the western side of the ranch, instead of turning on Lilac Lane, turn left on Box Canyon Road. Head up the hill until you find Studio Road on the left. Turn there and head on up. The end of Studio Road is the approximate location of the Bell Ranch western street.
I was warned on the way out there that the residents of Simi Valley value their relative peace and quiet, and do not take kindly to film buffs trying to locate the old ranches. I have seen several websites dedicated to Western films and TV shows mention the locals do not take kindly to visitors, so I was a bit apprehensive. The ranches, as I understand it are now divided up into large private properties. Many of the roads in the area are private roads.
So, we have two approaches : the first I tried was Lilac Lane.
Definitely the right place, but as Lilac lane ends, the warning signs about trespassing seem to get more and more emphatic.
It was hard to know what was private vs. public land, and the only way ahead was a private road covered in warning signs about trespassing, so I decided to head for the other entrance.
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So off we went, around the twisting Box Canyon Road, hoping to access Bell Ranch from its western entrance, which is, appropriately enough, called Studio Road. The loaction is marked below :
Unfortunately, upon arrival, I was greeted with a sign promising instant arrest if I went into Studio Road.
So, that was that. Like the episode itself, my quest to find Neural ended in a stalemate.
All I can suggest for anyone wanting to visit is contacting one of the locals of Studio Rd. or Lilac Lane in advance, and maybe they'll be kind enough to give you access.
If anyone has any more info on accessing this location legally, please speak up
Unfortunately, upon arrival, I was greeted with a sign promising instant arrest if I went into Studio Road.
So, that was that. Like the episode itself, my quest to find Neural ended in a stalemate.
All I can suggest for anyone wanting to visit is contacting one of the locals of Studio Rd. or Lilac Lane in advance, and maybe they'll be kind enough to give you access.
If anyone has any more info on accessing this location legally, please speak up
Someone made it in there in 2013, however. All these pics come from this blog.
1967
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This is your entrance point - I'm not sure whether this is at Lilac Lane or Studio Rd :
And more on the risks for those thinking of making the trip, from the guy who runs the blog about the area :
"A warning about Bell Ranch: The former movie location site also remains closed to the public, hidden behind locked gates and difficult to access. While the lower plateau is still relatively undeveloped, much of the rest of Bell is now occupied by residential housing. As I mentioned in a previous blog entry about a "Bonanza" shoot on Bell's lower plateau, the area is defended by residents who don't appreciate strangers traipsing around on their turf — and other hikers who have gone into the area have received something less than a warm welcome from the locals."
1967
2013
1967
2013
1967
2013
1967
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1967
2013
This is your entrance point - I'm not sure whether this is at Lilac Lane or Studio Rd :
And more on the risks for those thinking of making the trip, from the guy who runs the blog about the area :
"A warning about Bell Ranch: The former movie location site also remains closed to the public, hidden behind locked gates and difficult to access. While the lower plateau is still relatively undeveloped, much of the rest of Bell is now occupied by residential housing. As I mentioned in a previous blog entry about a "Bonanza" shoot on Bell's lower plateau, the area is defended by residents who don't appreciate strangers traipsing around on their turf — and other hikers who have gone into the area have received something less than a warm welcome from the locals."
I was taken to Vasquez Rocks during my 2013 visit to LA. Thank you Star Trek novelist, David R George III and his wife. (Other friends had made promises - unfulfilled - on previous trips; it's really impossible to get there without a car.) As a special bonus, they took me to the 60s Batcave in Bronson Canyon on the way back to my hotel!
Ian and Andorian sock monkey by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
Dead redshirt by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
Ian and David by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
David the director by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
Take that you Gorn! by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
The 60s Batcave - Gotham City 14 Miles by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
On my recent trip to San Francisco, I had a free day to explore the city and decided to use my Andorian Sock Monkey (and friends) to reshoot scenes from ST IV (and one from "Big"):
Golden Gate Bridge, Smurf and Andorian Sock Monkey by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
"Admiral, there be whales here!" by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
Whales and Andorian Sock Monkey by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
Zoltar and Andorian Sock Monkey by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
"Well, a double dumb-ass on you!" by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
"The rest of you break up. You look like a cadet review..." by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
"Ordinarily, I could do it with a piece of transparent aluminum..." by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
"I'm afraid you're a number of years too early for that." by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
"Let your fingers do the walking?" by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
"Excuse me, vhere are ze nuclear wessels? They would be very smurfy." by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/therinofandor/sets/72157645378738051/show/
Ian and Andorian sock monkey by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
Dead redshirt by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
Ian and David by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
David the director by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
Take that you Gorn! by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
The 60s Batcave - Gotham City 14 Miles by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
On my recent trip to San Francisco, I had a free day to explore the city and decided to use my Andorian Sock Monkey (and friends) to reshoot scenes from ST IV (and one from "Big"):
Golden Gate Bridge, Smurf and Andorian Sock Monkey by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
"Admiral, there be whales here!" by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
Whales and Andorian Sock Monkey by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
Zoltar and Andorian Sock Monkey by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
"Well, a double dumb-ass on you!" by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
"The rest of you break up. You look like a cadet review..." by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
"Ordinarily, I could do it with a piece of transparent aluminum..." by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
"I'm afraid you're a number of years too early for that." by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
"Let your fingers do the walking?" by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
"Excuse me, vhere are ze nuclear wessels? They would be very smurfy." by Therin of Andor, on Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/therinofandor/sets/72157645378738051/show/
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Very cool stuff, but please, please, please.....we need map locations for the shots....not just images! Vasquez and SF are big places. For denva I indicated on the map (sorry, it's on a blog) where each camera angle was located. That way you can quickly replicate the angles.
I simply Googled a map for Vasquez:
http://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/inconsistencies/reused_planets_vasquez.htm
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/map/8586
Batcave:
http://www.hikespeak.com/trails/bronson-cave/
For ST IV, I found instructions and addresses in several blogs and on IMDb (via Google), and even replayed a ST IV Youtube clip to match up sites.
eg. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092007/locations?ref_=tt_dt_dt
This shot here is among my very favorite location shots of the whole series.
There must have been an RF test or design lab in that facility, what with those giant replicas of helical antennas and the anecholic pyramids.
Hey, listen up guys, there's a much better reason than arrest or pissing off the locals to avoid this general area. Read on:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Susana_Field_Laboratory
Botany Bay: You were less than a mile northeast of this joint, IMO too close for comfort considering the routine burning of toxic waste spanning decades almost certainly contaminated a fair amount of the surrounding area.
I love the story (with photographic evidence!) of ding-dongs disposing of toxic waste by shooting the barrels with rifles and exploding them; you can't make stuff like that up, but such was the case with early nuclear experimentation I guess.
As an L.A. resident, believe me when I say there are dozens of iconic filming locations (from Trek and many, many other productions) that are open to the public and don't involve toxic waste (as has been mentioned many times before, Vasquez Rocks is great fun -- especially for a Trek fan). Best leave this place to the locals...
There is some more info on the TRW location here... http://www.trekbbs.com/showthread.php?t=243067
There are also a few shots from when RFK visited in during his campaign...in the last one you can see the roof with the radar test gear.
http://www.jfklibrary.org/Asset-Viewer/Archives/SWPC-001-023.aspx
another shot here from Apollo 13 crew visit
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zp0GamT_zT0/UfCwMXUkUfI/AAAAAAAABgA/r5QlDG_ss34/s1600/74176-70-03+w.jpg
There are also a few shots from when RFK visited in during his campaign...in the last one you can see the roof with the radar test gear.
http://www.jfklibrary.org/Asset-Viewer/Archives/SWPC-001-023.aspx
another shot here from Apollo 13 crew visit
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zp0GamT_zT0/UfCwMXUkUfI/AAAAAAAABgA/r5QlDG_ss34/s1600/74176-70-03+w.jpg
Yeah, sadly I didn't have production stills with me on my travels either, so the pics aren't going to align perfectly with filming angles. The comparison shots I'm showing are limited by the available screencaps and my sometimes hasty photography : not all these places I'll be showing are what you would call mainstream tourist attractions, and I didn't want to hang around too long for various reasons I'll cover as the thread progresses
If someone with more skills than I have wants to use my pics to create 'now and then' shots, by all means guys, please go for it.
Meantime I'll try to give my best approximation of before and after shots, and feek61 I will keep posting my google maps for you : does anyone know how to derive GPS co-ordinates from them?
Anyway, on with the show, and if you're looking for this building, the establishing shot of Sam's lab :
You won't find it at Northrop Grumman, you will need to go to UCLA and locate "Schoenberg Hall" - I didn't take the pic, but this is how it appears today :
To me it looks like the shot in the episode was taken from the other side of the corner of the building and the image was flipped. Note the figure in the mural in at the corner in the aired shot is holding whatever it is in his hand and it faces left. In the modern shot, this figure is on the other side of the building, holding the item to the right.
Sir Rhosis
Awww, Therin, I wish I'd known when you were in SF!
As to TVH, most of the San Francisco stuff was shot at within a block of the intersection of Kearney and Columbus in North Beach, the historically Italian neighborhood.
Here's a map of what I call the "Double Dumb-Ass Tour", which takes you to all the shooting locations in the city.
A. Corner where the crew starts across the street. Also where the "Exact change" scene occurs.
B. Double Dumb-Ass corner
C. Yellow pages ad
D. Nooclear Wessels
E. Too much LDS
F. I believe I was able to communicate our intentions
The bus scenes were shot driving on the Golden Gate Bridge. The helicopter was shot flying over the bay (going the wrong way, incidentally). All the "Golden Gate Park" stuff was shot in So Cal, as was the hospital.
As to TVH, most of the San Francisco stuff was shot at within a block of the intersection of Kearney and Columbus in North Beach, the historically Italian neighborhood.
Here's a map of what I call the "Double Dumb-Ass Tour", which takes you to all the shooting locations in the city.
A. Corner where the crew starts across the street. Also where the "Exact change" scene occurs.
B. Double Dumb-Ass corner
C. Yellow pages ad
D. Nooclear Wessels
E. Too much LDS
F. I believe I was able to communicate our intentions
The bus scenes were shot driving on the Golden Gate Bridge. The helicopter was shot flying over the bay (going the wrong way, incidentally). All the "Golden Gate Park" stuff was shot in So Cal, as was the hospital.
^And E and F were shot on the San Francisco side even though the scenes were set in Sausalito.
That never made any sense because Kirk says they're headed for "San Francisco", but they're clearly walking away from the bridge.
Thanks Maurice! This will be a great resource for doing the "double dumb ass tour" one day
My next stop on my LA travels was "Bird of Prey park", pics and location maps coming when time permits
Thanks for the info. There are a lot of people living around there now. You can see that from the comparison shots of Nona getting assaulted : look over her shoulder at how many more houses there are now compared to '67. I hope the area has been remediated properly. Scary stuff.
After I struck out at Simi Valley, it was time to seek out a hassle free location, Will Rogers State Park. Which, as mentioned by Maurice was 'Golden Gate Park' in Star Trek IV.
To get there, you are heading for a very glitzy part of the city called Pacific Palisades, not too far from Santa Monica beach :
There would surely be no angry locals here - nothing could stop me this time, right?
Wrong.
There was a polo match in progress on the field
After about 40 minutes in the blazing sun, observing the well to do of LA try to whack a ball while mounted on a horse (I'd say there were 5 airswings for every time someone hit the thing), the polo players vacated the field to enjoy their caviar and champage, and we took to the park to scope out the location.
My guess is somewhere on the right is pretty close to where Gillian drove her truck in and later became a passenger on the ship.
To get there, you are heading for a very glitzy part of the city called Pacific Palisades, not too far from Santa Monica beach :
There would surely be no angry locals here - nothing could stop me this time, right?
Wrong.
There was a polo match in progress on the field
After about 40 minutes in the blazing sun, observing the well to do of LA try to whack a ball while mounted on a horse (I'd say there were 5 airswings for every time someone hit the thing), the polo players vacated the field to enjoy their caviar and champage, and we took to the park to scope out the location.
My guess is somewhere on the right is pretty close to where Gillian drove her truck in and later became a passenger on the ship.
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