The iconic Cousins Beach house, the central location in Amazon Prime Video’s hit series “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” isn’t actually located in a single, idyllic coastal town. The magic behind Cousins Beach relies on a blend of carefully chosen locations primarily situated in Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, seamlessly combined to create the quintessential summer escape we see on screen.
Decoding the Cousins Beach Illusion
While the fictional Cousins Beach is a composite of several real-world places, the most recognizable structure, the Fisher family’s stunning beach house, plays a pivotal role in grounding the show’s narrative. The production team masterfully utilized existing properties and sound stages to bring Jenny Han’s beloved books to life. The exterior shots of the Fisher house, crucial for establishing the summer atmosphere and iconic scenes, were primarily filmed at a privately owned residence located in Cape Fear Station on Bald Head Island, North Carolina. This exclusive island community provided the seclusion and coastal charm perfectly suited to the story.
Interior scenes, however, were largely filmed on sound stages in Wilmington, allowing for greater control over lighting and set design, accommodating complex camera setups, and ensuring continuity across different filming days. This combination of real-life exteriors and studio-built interiors is a common practice in television production, allowing for the creation of a believable and immersive world.
The overall aesthetic of Cousins Beach is further enhanced by incorporating locations from various beaches around the Wilmington area, blending them seamlessly to create the illusion of a cohesive, fictional town. This careful curation of locations allows viewers to believe in the reality of Cousins Beach, even though it doesn’t exist as a single, geographically defined place.
Exploring Key Filming Locations
Beyond the primary beach house, other significant locations contribute to the overall feel of “The Summer I Turned Pretty.” Examples include:
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Downtown Wilmington: The vibrant city center served as a stand-in for portions of Cousins Beach’s town, particularly for scenes requiring a more urban backdrop. Local shops and restaurants often appeared in the background, subtly grounding the fictional world in a real-world setting.
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Wrightsville Beach: This popular beach town lent its scenic coastline and charming atmosphere to numerous outdoor scenes. Its picturesque beauty and accessibility made it a natural choice for capturing the essence of a carefree summer.
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Private Residences: As with the main beach house, several other private residences in the Wilmington area were used for specific scenes, contributing to the overall authenticity and lived-in feel of the show.
The careful selection and blending of these locations are what make “The Summer I Turned Pretty” so visually appealing and immersive, drawing viewers into the world of Cousins Beach and the lives of its characters.
Behind-the-Scenes Magic: Creating Cousins Beach
The success of portraying Cousins Beach lies not only in choosing the right locations but also in the artful way they are presented on screen. The production design team meticulously crafted the look and feel of each location, ensuring that they align with the tone and atmosphere of the story. This includes everything from the color palette used in the set design to the specific details of the props and decorations.
The use of visual effects also plays a crucial role in creating the illusion of Cousins Beach. CGI is often used to enhance the scenery, remove unwanted elements from the background, and seamlessly blend different locations together. This allows the production team to create a consistent and believable world, even when filming in multiple locations.
The ultimate goal of the location scouting and production design is to create a world that feels both familiar and aspirational. Cousins Beach represents the idealized version of summer, a place where friendships are forged, romances blossom, and memories are made that last a lifetime. The careful selection and presentation of filming locations are essential to achieving this effect.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some commonly asked questions about the filming locations of “The Summer I Turned Pretty”:
H3: Is the Cousins Beach house a real house?
Yes, the exterior shots of the Cousins Beach house are of a real, privately-owned house located on Bald Head Island, North Carolina. However, the interior scenes were filmed on sound stages.
H3: Can I visit the Cousins Beach house?
Unfortunately, the primary beach house is a private residence and is not open to the public. Please respect the owner’s privacy and refrain from attempting to visit the property.
H3: Where exactly on Bald Head Island is the Cousins Beach house located?
The house is situated within the Cape Fear Station community on Bald Head Island. Due to its private nature, the exact address is not publicly available.
H3: What other locations in Wilmington were used for filming?
Various locations in Wilmington, including downtown Wilmington and surrounding beaches, were used to film scenes representing different parts of Cousins Beach and its surrounding areas.
H3: Is Wrightsville Beach actually Cousins Beach?
While Wrightsville Beach contributes to the overall aesthetic of Cousins Beach, it is not the sole filming location. It’s a blend of various locations in the Wilmington area.
H3: Did the cast enjoy filming in North Carolina?
Yes, the cast has frequently expressed their positive experiences filming in North Carolina, praising the beautiful scenery and welcoming atmosphere.
H3: How did they choose the locations for the show?
The location scouting team sought locations that reflected the coastal charm and idyllic summer atmosphere described in Jenny Han’s novels. They considered factors such as proximity to Wilmington, accessibility, and visual appeal.
H3: Are there any organized tours of the filming locations?
Currently, there are no officially organized tours of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” filming locations.
H3: Can I see any of the filming locations from a public beach?
Potentially, from certain vantage points on Bald Head Island or other nearby public beaches. However, the private nature of the primary house makes a close-up view unlikely.
H3: Will Season 2 use the same filming locations?
Yes, Season 2 of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” retained the same core filming locations, including Bald Head Island and Wilmington, to maintain continuity and familiarity for viewers.
H3: Was any of the show filmed in the actual town of Cousins in Massachusetts?
No, “The Summer I Turned Pretty” is primarily filmed in North Carolina, not Massachusetts. Cousins Beach is a fictional town.
H3: Are there any specific restaurants or shops in Wilmington that were featured prominently in the show?
While specific restaurant names aren’t always clearly visible, some local businesses in downtown Wilmington have appeared in background shots, adding to the show’s authenticity. Be on the lookout when exploring the downtown area.