Help with Location Scouting

G

Gorilla King

Well-known member
I need a location somewhere in the US (anywhere is fine) that resembles the deserts of Iraq and has a river flowing through it. Forget the palm trees and all of that, just plain deserts (and preferably mountains) will work fine. I'm sure the first thing that comes to mind is the war, but this is a whole different animal I'm shooting that has nothing to do with it whatsoever. I'm planning on purchasing some stock footage for my establishing shot but then I'll need to come in much closer. So, any ideas where I can find such a location?
 
I've been told that bakersfield (and the area around ) looks like iraq. There are even a fair number of pumping oil wells nearby in taft. There are also rocky mountains up highway 58 towards the Mojave desert. You might also want to check out the Aquadulce area east of Santa Clarita (vasquez rocks has a lot of great star trek memories!)
 
They shot "3 kings in a streach of area between Tucson and Phoenix. I was too late to get on the crew, but I did go check it out. Looks cool. I know the land is probably federal wilderness, but I'm sure the AZ film commission has options. The color of the land may be a little different. You may have to tweek the colors a bit. It's harsh land. Bring a snake bite kit and wear some tall boots.
 
Thanks guys! I'll proably head out with my camera at the end ofthe summer and shoot some tests at both of these places. I have a friend who just got back from a tour in Iraq so he can help me with regards to which is more like what he saw.
 
Gorilla King said:
Thanks guys! I'll proably head out with my camera at the end ofthe summer and shoot some tests at both of these places. I have a friend who just got back from a tour in Iraq so he can help me with regards to which is more like what he saw.
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I would also recommend the stretch between Phoenix and Tucson. It has suffucient 'desert' vistas to match many of the pictures of Iraq. Southwest of Phoenix is the Gillah River, which could be a back drop for the 'desert rivers' that Iraq has, the Tigris and Euphrates.

Southeast towards Tucson is also a aircraft bone yard. Don't know what the availablity is for shooting there, but could provide some desert+aircraft shots if the location fees are not excessive.

In terms of 'desert+river' the Colorado runs between California and Arizona. However, I don't recall a segment where there is very low banks and nearly flat desert until it reaches the Arizona, California, and Mexico border. Unfortunately, in that stretch, the river flow is much reduced... and the topic of much contention between the US, either between California and Arizona, or between the US and Mexico...

The pictures of Bagdad have definately more water in the river at that point than the Colorado in this region.

Pictures of Northern Iraq, 'kurdistan' region, look similar to northern Arizona near the Grand Canyon area, and so Flagstaff and Page would be suggestive of locations.

Perhaps Utah near Green River or Moab areas.

Of course, the desert stretch between San Bernardino and Blythe California is the military training area for desert warfare... and one can visit the George S. Patton Museum... but I digress...
 
blythe ca

blythe ca

I Am In The Middle Of A Real Estate Deal For A Client To Set Up Military Training Films For Usa.gov Etc.we Have A 100 Acre Plus Location But We Need To Be Ready To Go In 3 Months The Riverside County Wants 6 Months To Give Us Conditional Approval,alternatively We Need A Site To Lease For 6 -12 {With Utiluties,} Months Near Blythe Ca, We Need Help!!! Or Any Info That Can Help
 
mervlloyd said:
I Am In The Middle Of A Real Estate Deal For A Client To Set Up Military Training Films For Usa.gov Etc.we Have A 100 Acre Plus Location But We Need To Be Ready To Go In 3 Months The Riverside County Wants 6 Months To Give Us Conditional Approval,alternatively We Need A Site To Lease For 6 -12 {With Utiluties,} Months Near Blythe Ca, We Need Help!!! Or Any Info That Can Help
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There's Needles CA, which I think is in San Bernardino County, perhaps they have quicker processing for whatever permits you need.

Needles is on I-40 just on the Colorado River, and has similar landscape as Blythe. I have no clue as to the availability of any land in the area... But it is also in the same region as the desert warfare training areas.
 
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