Where was Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom filmed? Let’s explore the filming locations of the 2020 Netflix movie starring Chadwick Boseman.
While moviegoers spent much of 2020 mourning theaters over temporary shutdowns, there were still plenty of films to watch and discuss.
Netflix titles have popped up all over the “year-end” lists, and that’s hardly surprising when you think about their production.
Throughout the year, they’ve offered new movies like Charlie Kaufman ( I Think At The End Of Things ), Spike Lee ( Da 5 Bloods ), Aaron Sorkin ( The Chicago Trial 7 ), David Fincher ( Mank ) and more.
The latest to receive accolades is Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.
Directed by George C. Wolfe, the film is based on the August Wilson play of the same name in 1982 and stars Viola Davis, Glynn Turman and Chadwick Boseman in her final role.
Since arriving on Netflix on Friday, December 18, 2020, audiences have been transported to the 1920s, but where exactly was Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom filmed?
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Where was Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom filmed?
- Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom was actually filmed in Pittsburgh, PA, although it is set in Chicago.
Filming began in July 2019 and ended a month later in August, the same month Chadwick tragically passed away.
Looking back at the production of the film, a casting took place in the Monongahela Room of the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh. They were looking for a wide range of people to come on board and it was confirmed that age or acting experience was irrelevant.
James Mahathey spotted the Pittsburgh locations and, if he’s familiar with the area, you might notice a number of locations on the north side, although some work had to be done to create the Chicago illusion. In the 1920’s.
The Cinemaholic points out that the facades between Brighton Road and Galveston Avenue have been repainted and manipulated to achieve the right look. The exterior of the recording studio was captured here, while the interior of the studio was actually filmed at 31st Street Studios in the Strip District.
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THE CASTING LINE THAT WILL BE AN EXTRA IN THE @NETFLIX MOVIE OF “MY RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM” BY @ AUGUSTWILSON, EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY # DENZELWASHINGTON, IS STILL WRAPPED UP AROUND THE CORNER OF @DOUBLETREE IN @DOWNTOWNPITT. GREAT JOB, #PITTSBURGH! #HILLDISTRICT #MARAINEYMOVIE PIC.TWITTER.COM/1KIPFUC5LX, 19459004LETTER—MARAINEYMOVIE(@MARAINEYMOVIE)22JUIN2019
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Filming Locations
In addition, the crew got permission to film at Deer Lakes Park and a building was dressed there to suit the time.
Given more locations, HIP at the Flashlight Factory – 831 West North Ave. – was used for a convenience store and 722 Wood St. in the Wilkinsburg business district is where they filmed the scenes in which Levee’s attention is captured by shoes.
James revealed that they had renovated the windows for the stages: “The windows were in pretty bad shape. We set up this whole showcase for them. “
Other filming locations include a private house on North Lincoln Avenue, where the hotel footage with Ma was filmed: “We walked in and cleaned up the place for him. We did some repairs on some stuff. It ended up being good for him. The woodwork was there. We installed different lights and curtains to dress up the place. ” However, the exterior appearance of the place was filmed at 705 Brighton Road.
