Where Was the Movie It Filmed?

Introduction to the Filming Locations of It (2017)

The 2017 Stephen King adaptation It was filmed primarily in British Columbia, Canada, with the production leveraging the region's versatile urban and coastal scenery. The principal photography wrapped in December 2016, and the movie's locations were chosen to blend a nostalgic 1980s American feel with the practical benefits of tax incentives and experienced crews in Canada. This overview details where specific scenes were shot, the logistical reasons behind these choices, and how the settings contribute to the film's atmosphere.

Primary Region: British Columbia, Canada

Most of It was produced in British Columbia, which is a common stand-in for U.S. locations thanks to its robust infrastructure and financial incentives. The production utilized a mix of purpose-built sets, soundstages, and exterior locations to realize Derry, Maine. Key areas included Vancouver and surrounding municipalities, where crews could quickly transition between riverfront, suburban, and downtown settings. The use of Canadian locations is a standard practice for large studio films seeking cost efficiency without sacrificing visual quality.

Downtown Stand-Ins and Urban Filming

The downtown portion of Derry relied on streetscapes that could pass for a small American town. Production notes indicate significant adjustments to signage, lighting, and architecture to minimize overt Canadian cues. Specific blocks in Vancouver were closed to traffic to allow for controlled shooting schedules and to manage crowds. This urban core became the backdrop for many of the film's daytime and evening sequences, anchoring the story in a recognizable Main Street USA aesthetic while using local infrastructure.

River and Waterfront Locations

The Losers' Club frequently interacts with water, whether in the canal, the sewers, or the river. These scenes were shot along the False Creek waterfront and other managed riverfront areas in Vancouver. The production team enhanced these locations with practical effects and set dressing to create the impression of a polluted, menacing waterway. The flexibility of the Vancouver shoreline allowed for both wide establishing shots and tight, claustrophobic sequences in constructed tanks and channels.

Major Exterior Locations

Several recognizable exterior locations appear in the film, including the house where the Losers first confront elements of It and the school settings used for the summer sequence. These spots were selected for their architectural character and the ability to support elaborate set builds. Temporary structures were erected to modify existing buildings, and careful camera work ensured continuity with the underlying real-world sites. This approach is common in horror productions where a sense of history and place is essential.

The House on the Hill

The iconic house used for exterior shots of the Losers' clubhouse was a private residence in a suburban neighborhood outside downtown Vancouver. The production enhanced the property with temporary fencing, landscaping, and period-appropriate details to create the lived-in feel of the 1980s setting. After filming, the sets were removed, and the house was restored to its original condition, a standard practice for location shoots.

School and Street Scenes

School interiors and street-level scenes were often shot at a combination of standing sets and real schools on non-instructional days. This allowed filmmakers to maintain the look of a specific neighborhood while controlling factors like noise and student movement. Street scenes were carefully blocked to match traffic patterns and building facades, sometimes using a mix of real pedestrians and extras to populate the background.

Soundstages and Controlled Sets

Not all of It was shot on location. Significant portions of the film, particularly the sewer sequences and interior spaces, were built on soundstages at Vancouver-based facilities. These sets provided precise control over lighting, humidity, and camera placement, which is essential for complex horror effects. The production included elevated walkways, practical water effects, and reinforced structures to accommodate the elaborate set pieces designed by the art department.

Special Effects and Set Design

The sewer set, a key location in the latter half of the film, required extensive engineering to simulate depth and flow. Crews installed pumps, drainage systems, and controlled water flow mechanisms to create the illusion of a vast underground network. Each section of the sewer was designed to be reconfigurable, allowing the camera to move through different chambers while maintaining continuity across dozens of setups.

Supporting Infrastructure and Production Logistics

Shooting in British Columbia required coordination with local municipalities, traffic authorities, and neighborhood associations. Permits were secured well in advance for street closures, nighttime shooting, and the use of public spaces. The local crew base, including experienced special effects artisans and location managers, helped streamline these processes. This level of preparation is common for studio-backed horror productions that rely on complex logistics to realize their vision.

Scheduling and Seasonal Considerations

The production schedule was timed to take advantage of late summer and early fall conditions, which provided the right mix of daylight and atmospheric weather for the film's tone. Cooler temperatures helped with practical effects like fog and water vapor, while the changing foliage added texture to exterior shots. These seasonal factors are often decisive when choosing filming locations for period horror films.

Why British Columbia for a Story Set in Maine?

British Columbia offers varied geography within a short distance, from urban centers to coastline and forested areas. Tax incentives and rebates available in the province make it financially attractive for large productions. Additionally, the ability to close streets and control specific environmental conditions makes it practical to realize the film's timeline, which spans several months and requires consistent visual continuity across seemingly disparate locations.

Conclusion

While It is set in the fictional town of Derry, Maine, the physical production was largely executed in British Columbia, with Vancouver and surrounding areas serving as the primary canvas. The combination of urban streets, waterfronts, soundstages, and controlled sets allowed the filmmakers to craft a cohesive and immersive environment that supports the story's horror elements. This approach reflects standard practice for major studio films seeking both creative flexibility and economic efficiency.

Tags: filming locations, It 2017, movie production, British Columbia filming, horror movie locations