“Freakier Friday” Breaks Norms: Rare Studio Film Shot in L.A., Original Set Lost to Fires.

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD: This article includes minor spoilers for “Freakier Friday,” now playing in cinemas.

Set in the same radiant Los Angeles backdrop as its 2003 predecessor, “Freakier Friday” portrays a world where surfing before school is ordinary. However, director Nisha Ganatra along with production designer Kay Lee from “Insecure” decided to explore more diverse locales within the city this time around.

In this sequel, Lindsay Lohan reprises her role as Anna, and Jamie Lee Curtis returns as her mother, Tess Coleman, 22 years after their original body-swapping adventure. Now, Anna has a teenage daughter named Harper, portrayed by Julia Butters. The plot thickens when Harper’s competition with her soon-to-be stepsister (Sophia Hammons) spirals out of control.

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Danny Finn, the location manager, comments on the shift in scenery: “As Anna has matured into a single mother and rock star, it seemed natural for her to gravitate towards the trendier neighborhoods in East L.A.,” he explains.

The characters of “Freakier Friday” traverse iconic spots across L.A.; they scooter around Echo Park Lake, visit Café Tropical in Silver Lake, watch a movie at the Los Feliz theater, enjoy Jeni’s Ice Cream, grab burgers at Pete’s in Eagle Rock, and drive through the Arts District and over the First Street bridge downtown.

Kay Lee described capturing these locales with a minimal crew as reminiscent of an independent film, “Our director of photography handled the camera, Nisha used just a handheld monitor. It was quite an intimate setup.”

While numerous TV shows have opted to film in L.A., “Freakier Friday” stands out as one of the few studio films to do so recently. According to FilmLA, only three major studio movies set for release in 2024 were filmed significantly within the city’s 30-mile zone.

“I have a real passion for Los Angeles as a film backdrop. There’s something about L.A. films, and unfortunately, opportunities to shoot features here have diminished,” Finn laments.

Finn was especially thrilled to have Curtis film scenes in South Pasadena, where the famous “Halloween” was shot, bringing a nostalgic element to the setting of Anna’s home. Ganatra, who was raised in this idyllic suburb, aimed for a film atmosphere akin to something John Hughes might have created. “Seeing Laurie Strode back in that context was quite special,” Finn remarks.

“The decline in local productions really impacts family life, with crew members having to travel globally for work. I’m always so thankful for projects that allow us to film here in L.A.,” says Lee. “We have access to the best crews and resources. It’s unfortunate that it’s not as bustling as before.”

“It will require collective effort to keep productions in L.A.,” Finn adds. “It’s crucial for us to remain one of the top filming destinations. I’m hopeful about our chances.”

Coordinating the closure of the First Street bridge for a car stunt scene, Finn notes, “It only took a few phone calls, numerous emails, and some walkthroughs. There’s no other city that could accommodate such a feat with such ease.”

Below, Lee and Finn delve into some key locations that defined the aesthetic of “Freakier Friday”—and discuss how some of these places were impacted by the devastating fires in January.

The Coleman House

The quaint, traditional-style house where Anna grew up, originally located in Pacific Palisades, was revisited for the filming of “Freakier Friday” in the summer of 2024. Sadly, just six months later, the entire neighborhood was destroyed in the Palisades fire. Elsewhere, the film’s pickleball tournament scene was shot at the Altadena Town & Country Club, which also succumbed to the fires.

Revisiting the original house was uncertain from the start. “Nisha and the team felt strongly about maintaining continuity with the original setting—the charming white picket fence and clapboard siding. We really wanted to preserve that connection,” Lee explains.

Reestablishing contact with the homeowner was not straightforward. Finn shares, “After trying the doorbell and leaving notes without any response, I found a landline number in a 20-year-old binder. I called on a whim, and to my surprise, it was the same owner. Her children, who were small during the first film, now have children of their own and came to visit the set.” (The owner, an artist, was painting upstairs with headphones on and hadn’t noticed the earlier attempts to reach her.)

“It was profoundly meaningful to return to that location, especially since it was our last day of filming. The loss of that house and the entire block is truly tragic,” Finn concludes.

The Record Parlor

In a nostalgic twist, Curtis and Lohan visit Lohan’s former love interest, played by Chad Michael Murray, at his eclectic record store in Hollywood’s Vinyl District. The place, named the Record Parlor both in the film and in reality, underwent a creative makeover for the shoot.

“The Record Parlor is truly a collector’s haven, filled to the brim with records. We cleared some space and added a bar to enhance the setting. Jamie Lee’s scenes involving darting between the records were incredibly fun to stage,” Lee recounts.

The Line Hotel, Openaire restaurant, and Break Room 86

The Line Hotel in Koreatown hosts two key scenes in “Freakier Friday.” The wedding rehearsal dinner takes place at Openaire, a verdant, greenhouse-like rooftop venue within the hotel, and a vibrant bachelorette party rocks the retro-themed Break Room 86, accessible through a secret vending machine entrance. The club’s wall of video monitors inspired Lee to install a similar setup displaying scenes from Anna’s life during the festivities.

“Working with The Line Hotel was a pleasure; they are very accommodating for filming. The nightclub scene was an extension of Anna’s character, reflecting her past and her circle,” Lee elaborates.

The Wiltern Theater

The film’s climactic scene unfolds at a concert at The Wiltern Theater, where the characters finally revert to their original bodies during a performance by Anna’s client, the popular musician Ella. The concert, resembling a real-life event, required extensive coordination and a special filming permit.

“The concert scene was shot like an actual live event, with a full house. Integrating celestial symbolism and elements from earlier scenes helped tie the narrative together beautifully,” explains Lee.

Ultimately, “Freakier Friday” serves as a celebration of filming in Los Angeles, capturing the city in a unique light that differs from typical portrayals. “Ganatra aimed to showcase a love for L.A., but in a way that’s perhaps not seen as often,” Lee concludes.