Where Was Blue Jay Filmed? Alex Lehmann’s Indie Romantic Drama!

If you’re fond of romantic movies, then I bet you’ve watched the film Blue Jay (2016). But have you ever thought about the movie’s filming locations? If yes, then I’m going to tell you all about it. The romantic drama film recounts the story of two old lovers who meet after several years at a supermarket and decide to go for coffee to reflect on their shared past. In this article, I’ll discuss the movie and tell you where was Blue Jay filmed.

Blue Jay is not a typical Hollywood romantic drama. It is a lot more than that. It’s a subtle movie that narrates a realistic story and makes us understand that in life, things don’t always work out according to our wishes. Sometimes we need to face reality and accept how things are. Mark Duplass and Sarah Paulson play the lead characters. Both of them are known for their nuanced acting and underrated, critically acclaimed films.

If you’ve already watched Blue Jay, then you would know that it is the kind of film that teaches us a lot about love and how it affects us and makes us better and more responsible human beings. I think that this movie is one of the most underrated romantic dramas of 2016. 

Now to answer your primary question regarding where was Blue Jay filmed, the romantic drama movie was shot in Crestline, California, United States of America.

The romantic drama film Blue Jay premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on 12th September 2016, followed by its limited release in America on 7th October 2016. However, let’s stay focused and find out more about the movie’s filming locations.

Where Was Blue Jay Filmed? Check Out The Locations!

Alex Lehmann’s Blue Jay did not do great at the box office for its limited release, but it was a hit on Netflix. Critics were quite pleased with the movie, especially with Lehmann’s indie-style direction. RogerEbert.com’s Brian Tellerico and The Canadian Press David Friend gave the movie positive reviews, praising Sarah Paulson’s impeccable and extraordinary performance. The movie got a super high score of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and a rating of 7.3 on IMDb.

Lehmann is an American independent filmmaker and screenwriter who is best known for his indie movies like Paddleton, Acidman, and Meet Cute. However, let’s move on and get into the details of where was Blue Jay filmed.

Crestline, California, United States of America

Blue Jay, being an indie film, was made on a limited budget, and not only that, the entire film was shot within a week. The movie was filmed in Crestline, California. Crestline is a census-designated place situated in the San Bernardino Mountains. It’s basically a small town with a population of just 10,770. The town is famous for Lake Gregory, which is situated right in the center of Crestline.

The supermarket that we see in the movie where Jim and Amanda meet after a long time is actually a local supermarket in Crestline. Remember the scene where Jim and Amanda go for a walk, that place is called Crest Forest Drive. As you know, the majority of the film was shot indoors. 

Well, we cannot exactly tell you if it was shot in an actual house or a built-in set, but my best guess would be that it was shot in a studio. Mainly because it is a lot easier to shoot in a studio than in an actual location because, in a studio, the production team can function in a better way when it comes to putting the cameras in the right place or setting up lights.

Crestline is not a very famous place, and not many films are shot there. Having said that, as it is situated in California, which is home to the Hollywood industry, hundreds and thousands of other movies have been filmed in several other towns and cities in the state. A few of the popular movies that are shot in California are Babylon, Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts, The Godfather, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and many more.

Plot Of Blue Jay (2016) | A Tale Of Two Former High School Sweethearts!

The story of Blue Jay revolves around Jim, played by Mark Duplass, and Amanda, played by Sarah Paulson. Former high school lovers Jim and Amanda meet at a supermarket after twenty years. They were not expecting to bump into each other and were extremely surprised. 

Jim, at first, seems awkward, whereas Amanda acts quite calm and confident. Jim tells her that his mother passed away and he’s in California to sell the house. Amanda tells him that she’s visiting her sister, who is pregnant.

After their awkward conversation, they decide to have some coffee at a nearby cafe, where they talk about their past lives. Eventually, Jim invites her to his mother’s house to reflect on their past relationship. Amanda finds a sealed envelope that is addressed to her, and without informing Jim, she keeps it in her coat. Later, when Amanda opens the sealed envelope and reads the letter in front of Jim, both of them experience an emotional outburst.

Final Words

If you live in California, make a plan soon and visit the small mountain town of Crestline and check out the spots I’ve mentioned. It would be an interesting experience. And also, if you haven’t watched the film yet, you better get on with it. Blue Jay is the kind of movie you don’t want to miss out on. It’s a treat for all serious film enthusiasts. And also, if you want to read more articles on filming locations, then do not forget to check the Viebly website.