Filming Locations: Alpha Dog (2006)

Alpha Dog is a 2006 American crime drama film written and directed by Nick Cassavetes, first screened at the Sundance Film Festival on January 27, 2006, with a wide release the following year on January 12, 2007. The film is based on the true story of the kidnapping and murder of 15-year-old Nicholas Markowitz and related events in 2000. It portrays the involvement of Jesse James Hollywood, a young middle-class drug dealer in California. The film stars Emile Hirsch, Justin Timberlake, Shawn Hatosy, Ben Foster, Olivia Wilde, Amanda Seyfried, Anton Yelchin with Harry Dean Stanton, Sharon Stone and Bruce Willis (Wikipedia).

I blogged about the true story of Alpha Dog in the post, Dont Raise Your Kids In The West Valley: A Retrospective Review of Young Adult Crime In The West Valley, which also discussed some of the actual locations for where this story took place including Jesse James Hollywood's home. 

Unfortunately, this movie was fictionalized due to the pending court case at the time the movie was filmed. The true events took place in the West Valley and Santa Barbara rather than Claremont and Palm Springs as shown in the film. However, several locations were still filmed in the SFV as discussed below.

Also check out Frankie's House, The Glen Capri Inn & Suites, Caliente Tropics Resort, and The Hartunian House from IAMNOTASTALKER.COM. Additionally, Scott Trimble who worked on the film also listed locations on his site, FilmInAmerica.com. Some of the locations listed from that site that I am not able to find were Burbank, Granada Hills, Northridge, Studio City, Sylmar, and Universal City. 

On a completely separate note, Anton Yelchin, who play Jake Mazursky recently purchased a home in Studio City and grew up in Tarzana discussed here. 

You can view more SFV Filming Locations here. 

The opening scenes starts at Johnny Truelove's home which I am unfortunately not able to locate but has a feel and look to be somewhere in the SFV. I am guessing Van Nuys or Encino but no luck finding anything. 

The beginning scenes starts with Johnny Truelove meeting with his father who is holding baseball practice at the Hjelte Sports Center at 16200 Burbank Blvd Encino. 

Johnny Truelove conducts a drug transaction at Circus Liquor (which has been used in several films) 5600 Vineland Ave North Hollywood.  

Jake, Butch, Olivia, and Zack Mazursky have dinner at the family home which I am unfortunately not able to locate but has a feel and look to be somewhere in the SFV. I am guessing Granada Hills but no luck finding anything. 

Johnny Truelove and his gang try to meet Jake Mazursky at this apartment which I am unfortunately not able to locate but has a feel and look to be somewhere in the SFV. I am guessing Van Nuys but no luck finding anything. 

Zack Mazursky is kidnapped by Johnny Truelove and gang where those ugly power lines run along Whitnall Highway near Cahuenga Blvd which is next to Whitnall Highway Park in North Hollywood. This scene takes place in front of DWP Receiving Station E. 

Frankie Ballenbacher and Zack Mazursky are hanging out at the Street Fiesta at West End Liquor Store 21500 Sherman Way Canoga Park which is across from the old Aaardvark's store. 

Johnny Truelove speaks to Jake Mazursky and his attorney at the Norwood Bar & Lounge at 16200 Nordhoff Street North Hills.  

Johnny Truelove and Elvis Schmidt meet Pick Giaimo and used his vehicle to help with the murder of Zack Mazursky which which I am unfortunately not able to locate but has a feel and look to be somewhere in the SFV. I am guessing Van Nuys but no luck finding anything. 

Johnny Truelove, Pick Giaimo, and lady friend eat at Salsa Club 2000 at 6439 Lankershim Blvd North Hollywood.

Johnny Truelove and girlfriend, Angela Holden purchase a vehicle from a used car lot that I am not able to locate but feels like somewhere in the SFV. 

Johnny Truelove and girlfriend, Angela Holden, stay at the Glen Capri Motel (used in several films) 6700 San Fernando Rd Glendale. 

Johnny Truelove meets his childhood friend, Buzz Fecske, which could be located in the SFV but not sure.

Johnny Truelove returns home to his godfather, Cosmo Gadabeeti which looks like its in the SFV but cannot locate.  

Celebrity Real Estate: Alpha Dog's Anton Yelchin Moves into Studio City

Hot off the presses from the always informative Lauren Beale at Los Angeles Times Hot Property comes word of Alpha Dog star, Anton Yelchin's purchase in Studio City for $945,000 on May 18, 2012. This home is also nearby the Waxman House by Barry Moffitt, R.M. Schindler's The Goodwin House, Calvin Straub Post and Beam House, and Fall Out Boy Pete Wentz's new pad. 

Anton Yelchin is a Russian born actor who started acting in film and television in the year 2000. He starred in Along Came A  Spider, Hearts in Atlantis, Star Trek, Terminator Salvation, The Smurfs, Fright Night, Pirates! Band of Misfits, and the upcoming Star Trek and Smurfs 2. On Television, he starred in ER, Taken, Curb Your Enthusiasm, NYPD Blue, Huff, and Criminal Minds. 

As mentioned earlier, Anton Yelchin played the role of Zack Mazursky in the crime thriller, Alpha Dog, (filming locations discussed here) which was based on the true story of Nicholas Markowitz and Jesse James Hollywood who grew up in the quiet suburb of West Hills which I briefly discussed in the post; Dont Raise Your Kids in the West Valley: A Retrospective Review of Young Adult Crime in the West Valley. Anton Yelchin played such a memorable character in the film Alpha Dog that Markowitz's mother "was moved by Anton Yelchin's portrayal of her son." (Wikipedia)

Images courtesy Leland Properties

Although Anton Yelchin was not born in the SFV, he is somewhat of a local as he attended the Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies in Tarzana. 

According to the listing, this 3 Bed/2.25 Bath, 1,845 sqft home on 0.26acres built in 1940 states:

Private and Gated Studio City Entertainers Retreat with Views, Pool, Spas and Real Charm! Situated on 1/4 acre landscaped garden lot with multiple decks/patios/cabana and mature trees. This 1940 Custom home features vaulted ceilings , chocolate hardwood floors & fireplaces in the living & dining rooms. The indoor/outdoor feel is unmatched with French doors opening to all yards. Newly remolded Gourmet Kitchen w/ Bertazzo 36"range/Asko dishwasher/dual zone wine fridge & Quortstone counters that opens to dining area that flow out to the large Cabana and the custom pool/spa areas with incredible views. Three upstairs bedrooms include the Romantic Master Suite with verdant views and a designer, sunny, spa tub, double sink bath with walk in closets & additional two bedrooms with great views. .. .. This is a private Lush setting to Celebrate Grand Occasions or Life's Most Intimate Moments. .. .

Prior to this home, the tribute.ca website claims that Anton Yelchin lived in Burbank. And prior to his Burbank home, property records show a Tarzana property purchased by Anton and his father on June 19, 2003 for $670,000 bordering the Braemar Country Club. This 4 Bed/4 Bath home is most likely where Anton Yelchin was living while attending the Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies. 

Image courtesy Google Maps

Talk about keep it real with respect to the San Fernando Valley. How many actors can say they attended a school in the SFV, own two SFV homes, and played a character in a movie based on a SFV resident? 

You can view more Celebrity Real Estate here.