Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1480624
Haywood Ranch The production started scouting ranches in early fall, with our first location to lock being the Haywood Ranch. We scouted many, but it was a lead from the film's head wrangler, Bobby Lovgren, that led us to Firestone Ranch. This ranch was serendipitously connected to what would become the location for our frontier town (Jupiter's Claim), both out in the Agua Dulce/Santa Clarita area north of LA. Making these selections allowed Jordan to write specifically to the locations, and me to design exactly per the script. Firestone Ranch was the anchor of the entire film. It was the first location the production team visited in person, and we fell in love with it immediately. Initially we said, "No, no we must keep looking," as we were hesitant to jump right into it at first sight, but scouting several more only solidified that this was indeed the one. The ranch is nestled in a bowl surrounded by hills, giving it a naturally enclosed feeling. The sky was vast, and the Art Department developed a layout that enabled us to utilize the valley as well as the connecting property for Jupiter's Claim. Because of this, I was able to give Jordan and cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema 360-degree, camera-ready views of both locations. Originally owned by Los Angeles' pioneering civil engineer William Mulholland, the property included an existing, castle-like structure. I was into the house, but it has a peculiar style, and its location on the ranch didn't make sense story- wise. Several visits later, Jordan stood in what was at the time, a parking area off the stables (in fact, a landing pad for horse manure and stall muck- outs) and said, "You need to build the house right here." A. THE HAYWOOD RANCH. GROUND UP BUILD ON LOCATION AT FIRESTONE RANCH IN AGUA DULCE. SET PHOTO. B. HAYWOOD FARMHOUSE. SET PHOTO. C. HAYWOOD FARMHOUSE COVERED WITH "JEAN JACKET'S" DEBRIS. SET PHOTO. D. HAYWOOD FARMHOUSE. SET PHOTO. A B C D