Scouting locations for 1715 wrecks filming

grossmusic

grossmusic

Sr. Member
Jul 19, 2013
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Cape Canaveral
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I detect the history: I've visited archives up & down the entire US East Coast, Bahamas, Jamaica, Kew, The Hague, etc. Have yet to go to Seville or S.American archives.
Primary Interest:
Shipwrecks
As many of you know I've written a screenplay about the 1715 shipwrecks. I'm getting closer to doing some filming of The Treasure Galleons, even if only a sizzle reel or faux trailer for proof of concept. I've had some Hollywood interest, but it's a tough sell in today's market.

I just spent a week on a tall ship with other screenwriters to work on rewrites. We sailed around Catalina. Ironically, I was removing all Panama scenes from the script when we crossed the isthmus to Cat Harbor, which I discovered looks like a miniature replica of Portobelo Bay. If I add those scenes back, it's the perfect filming location.

I'd love to find the best locations to film scenes that take place in
  • Havana (harbor, castle fortress, ballroom, open-air market)
  • Florida's east coast wilderness (no buildings/signs in sight)
  • Florida's intercoastal wilderness (Indian River, Banana River or St. Johns)
  • Madrid (old palace square, large throne room)
without actually leaving the US.

I've only found one stretch of Florida beach that may fit the bill, but I'm open to all suggestions.

If anyone knows of &/or has access to possible filming locations around the US, let me know!

Here's a video of my tall ship adventure if curious:
 

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Also the Canaveral National seashore perhaps? LONG stretch of undeveloped coastline with nothing but mangroves and brush behind the dunes.
 

Hi. Sounds like a very interesting project!

Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas comes to mind, 'though not sure how it fits in the time period.
You would probably have to employ "artistic license" to get away with using it as a backdrop!

In addition to what others have mentioned here, there are plenty of remote Florida waterway locations down in the Keys, and also in/around the Flamingo, FL area. Some areas west of Flamingo are marshy since it's the tail end of the Everglades.
Bring 'skeeter repellent if arriving outside of winter.

Other good spots that are not so far off the beaten path include Key Largo, FL - especially areas around Card Sound, Elliot Key and Blackwater Sound - all located about 15 miles south of Florida City.
Basically, poke around 25.25N, -80.37W in Google Earth. Lots of pristine Florida coastline to be had there.
Good luck with your film!

View attachment 1715.kml
 

I do lots of fishing in the Indian and Banana River. Some nice areas are Mosquito Lagoon in Titusville, the thousand islands in the Banana River, the Sebastian River. Lots of nice areas in the Indian river south of Melbourne to Sebastian and on.
 

Awesome ideas, all! Keep ’em coming.

I've been assembling a production team, & the main drawback has always been the travel outside the US, so this is great! Florida is even better, though I have access to teams in Louisiana & California as well.
 

In Louisiana, I think you may run into problems with commercial shipping (i.e., mouth of the Mississippi River)!

Also, there are loads of oil rig platforms just off the coast that might be problematic to exclude from the scenes.
That is, unless the aforementioned "artistic license" is revisited. :icon_scratch:
 

True, Anduril. But the film industry in LA (not to mention L.A.) is strong & I'm hoping there are some interiors to be found even if no exteriors. Of course, filming everything in Florida would be easiest.
 

Hi ECS,

Great idea - except that there are several scenes that take place at San Marcos! But maybe we could mess around with angles at the little fort down the waterway (Matanzas). It's pretty small, though & of course we need to show the huge procession of ships leaving (major set piece of the story). We may have to actually get to Havana for that one. (At least that's a possibility these days!)
 

GM... I would let you borrow my throne...
But it is bolted to the floor :P

toilet_square.jpg
 

grossmusic said:
Hi ECS,

Great idea - except that there are several scenes that take place at San Marcos! But maybe we could mess around with angles at the little fort down the waterway (Matanzas). It's pretty small, though & of course we need to show the huge procession of ships leaving (major set piece of the story). We may have to actually get to Havana for that one. (At least that's a possibility these days!)
Click to expand...
That could be done with models.
Check out PhipsFolly's 1715 Fleet Diorama. He has done incredible work.
 

I've seen the photos. Hope to see the actual thing soon at McLarty's.

Meanwhile, that tech stuff is definitely going to have to happen, but not on a small budget. Right now I'm only thinking about locations where we can get the most bang for the buck.
 

Where the heck is that, AARC? Cool.
 

There are some scenic wilderness areas on the West coast of Florida, as well , if interested.
 

CaptEsteban said:
There are some scenic wilderness areas on the West coast of Florida, as well , if interested.
Click to expand...

IF you wanna take a trip to this coast... sheesh... location after location... amazing locations...
Far more interesting than the east coast visually...IMO.

Only one problem I see... (course I am a stickler for detail)... The Sun will give it away if not shot right. :P
 

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