This post focuses on Season 4 locations.
The Blog Sidebar contains links to Filming Location posts. These include:
- Eight "Breaking Bad" filming location posts;
- Four additional posts regarding "Breaking Bad" related subjects;
- Eight "Better Call Saul" filming location posts;
- Two additional posts regarding "Better Call Saul" related subjects;
- One additional post regarding Surrealist artistic influences in "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul";
- One post regarding "El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie";
- Three links to OldeSaultie's Google maps of "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul" filming location sites. These are the best filming location maps on the Web! The KML files available at these addresses are particularly useful for importing locations into GPS-equipped devices.
Let me know if you have any problems or questions (E-Mail address: valdezmarc56@gmail.com).
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"A Guidebook To 'Breaking Bad' Filming Locations: Including 'Better Call Saul' - Albuquerque as Physical Setting and Indispensable Character" (Sixth Edition)
Purchase book at the link. This book outlines thirty-three circuits that the avid fan can travel in order to visit up to 679 different filming locations for "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul" in the Albuquerque area. Some background is provided for each site, including other movies that might have also used the site for filming.
"‘Breaking Bad’ Signs and Symbols: Reading Meaning into Sets, Props, and Filming Locations” (Second Edition)
Purchase book at the link. “‘Breaking Bad’ Signs and Symbols,” aims to understand some of the symbolism embedded in the backgrounds of “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” in order to decode messages and stories Vince Gilligan and crew have hidden there. A series of tables are used to isolate how certain (particularly architectural) features are used: Gentle Arches, Tin Ceilings, Five-Pointed Stars, Octagons, etc. Daylighting innovations that were either pioneered or promoted in Chicago are examined: Glass Block Windows, Luxfer Prismatic Tile Windows, and Plate Glass Windows.
Certain symbols advance the plot: foreshadowing symbols like Pueblo Deco Arches, or danger symbols like bell shapes and stagger symbols. Other features, like Glass Block Windows or Parallel Beams in the Ceiling, tell stories about the legacies and corruptions of modernity, particularly those best-displayed at Chicago’s “Century of Progress” (1933-34).
To avoid unnecessary friction, I have redacted the addresses of all single-family homes in these books. (These addresses are still available at Marc Valdez Weblog, however.) The pictures in the print editions are black-and-white, in order to keep costs down.
"A Guidebook To 'Breaking Bad' Filming Locations: Including 'Better Call Saul' - Albuquerque as Physical Setting and Indispensable Character" (Sixth Edition)
Purchase book at the link. This book outlines thirty-three circuits that the avid fan can travel in order to visit up to 679 different filming locations for "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul" in the Albuquerque area. Some background is provided for each site, including other movies that might have also used the site for filming.
"‘Breaking Bad’ Signs and Symbols: Reading Meaning into Sets, Props, and Filming Locations” (Second Edition)
Purchase book at the link. “‘Breaking Bad’ Signs and Symbols,” aims to understand some of the symbolism embedded in the backgrounds of “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” in order to decode messages and stories Vince Gilligan and crew have hidden there. A series of tables are used to isolate how certain (particularly architectural) features are used: Gentle Arches, Tin Ceilings, Five-Pointed Stars, Octagons, etc. Daylighting innovations that were either pioneered or promoted in Chicago are examined: Glass Block Windows, Luxfer Prismatic Tile Windows, and Plate Glass Windows.
Certain symbols advance the plot: foreshadowing symbols like Pueblo Deco Arches, or danger symbols like bell shapes and stagger symbols. Other features, like Glass Block Windows or Parallel Beams in the Ceiling, tell stories about the legacies and corruptions of modernity, particularly those best-displayed at Chicago’s “Century of Progress” (1933-34).
In addition, a number of scenes in the show are modeled after Early Surrealist artworks. The traces of various artists can be tracked in both shows, including: Comte de Lautréamont, Giorgio De Chirico, Man Ray, Max Ernst, Leonora Carrington, René Magritte, Toyen, Yves Tanguy, Remedios Varo, Paul Klee, and in particular, Salvador Dalí.
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Weaponizing “Falling Down” - “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul” Filming Location and Set Semiotics
Here is a YouTube video of the talk I gave in Albuquerque two weeks ago, on February 9th, at the SWPACA 2018 conference (my last practice run). The talk concerns itself with symbolism and coded messages in the backgrounds of "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul," and continues with the theme of my talk last year. The talk is didactic, and runs 34:35. It may not be for everyone, but some will find it interesting. I find the subject fascinating!
There's one small error in the presentation. The star on the floor of the Bernalillo County Annex is not an applique, but terrazzo. The BCS crew simply used what was already there when they were ready for it.
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"Better Call Saul," Season 4, Episode 1, "Smoke"
In the Season 4 opening, when Gene leaves his taxi, he walks around the corner, stops, and breathes heavily. In a nice bit of foreshadowing, the house in the background behind him is the Pinkman family residence (11th & Roma), where a certain someone's mom, dad, and brother are likely watching TV.
Surprised that Gene calls the mall "Cottonwood," which is an Albuquerque name.
Bridge is Highway 147 crossing of the Rio Grande River at Isleta, NM.
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"Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 3, 'Something Beautiful'
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"Better Call Saul," Season 4, Episode 6, 'Piñata'
Regarding the show opening, The Internet is focused on the second name in the first referenced case, Isaacson vs. Vakarian Holdings, because of the Vakarian video-game reference. Vakarian refers to Turian vigilante Garrus Vakarian in the Mass Effect video game series. As discussed on the Quite a Ride podcast, Cara Pifko, who plays Mesa Verde's Paige Novick, voices the character Kelly Chambers in the Mass Effect 2 and 3 video games.
It's conceivable (but there's no evidence) that Isaacson might refer to Walter Isaacson, biographer of Steve Jobs. I don't know enough about video games or the biographer to say whether Isaacson vs. Vakarian Holdings might be a subtle joke.
The second referenced case, Leannais vs. Cincinnati, is real. The third referenced case, Garcia vs. Coe Manufacturing, is real too. "Mr. Bushmills" is a sly reference directly to Bushmills Irish Whiskey.
Inspiration for the piñata warehouse scene may be here. Link from Jason Shankel:
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New Season 4 Filming Locations
Northeast Heights (E. of Wyoming, W. of Juan Tabo, S. of Osuna)
(no new locations offered with this update)
Upper Northeast Heights (E. of Juan Tabo, S. of Osuna)
(no new locations offered with this update)
Northeast Heights (N. Of Osuna)
(no new locations offered with this update)
Lower Northeast Heights (W. of Wyoming), & Lomas Blvd. Corridor
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Segment 1:
Segment 2:
Segment 3: Montgomery Park. Paseo del Nordeste Recreation Trail & Comanche Rd. NE (35.124257°, -106.582192°). Near intersection of Palo Duro Ave. NE & Comanche Rd. NE.
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Segment 5:
Segment 6: Arrival at Chuck's
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(Photo of Adam Ramirez: taken by William James Dickey.)
(Features: Plate Glass Windows, Carpet and ceiling grids.)
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(Photo of William James Dickey by Adam Ramirez.)
(Features: Parallel Beams in the ceiling of the parking area; Glass Block and Plate Glass Windows.)
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(Photo of Adam Ramirez by William James Dickey.)
Kind of ramshackle. The Pueblo Deco Arches of the garrison-like building are formidable and striking.
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(Photo of Adam Ramirez by William James Dickey.)
The staggered Stepped-Earth façade above Nail Salon is accompanied with Cartesian-grid blocks and Plate Glass Windows.
Downtown
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Chuck's funeral service ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 1, 'Smoke').
This church was designed by renowned local architect John Gaw Meem.
Bar review board likely meets somewhere in Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Government Center, same as where this stairwell is located, where Huell planted the battery on Chuck ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 9, 'Wiedersehen').
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BCS4 - Hallway in the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Government Center where Jimmy surprises Kim with his crassness. Kim stands dumbfounded when Jimmy announces his plan to become Saul Goodman ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 10, 'Winner').
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BCS4 - near DBA office at the bottom of the stairwell in the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Government Center - Andrea Nowak and James Gelet.
Parking structure adjacent to Simms Building, 400 Gold Ave. SW ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 9, 'Wiedersehen'). Frustrated Jimmy races up to the roof and lashes out at Kim. Same parking garage as where Kim pondered joining Wexler/McGill ("Better Call Saul," Season 2, episode 7, 'Inflatable'), but looking south and west rather than north and east.
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Downtown West and Old Town
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Gene Takavic leaves his taxi near the intersection of 11th St. and Roma Ave. When he stops to breathe heavily, we see the Pinkman family home in the background ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 1, 'Smoke').
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Exterior seen again ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 1, 'Smoke'; episode 2, 'Breathe'; episode 7, 'Something Stupid').
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Joe Cajero's interpretation of the sculpture:
According to the artist, the sculpture represents love, energy and oneness lifting up from the ground. It has four sides, representative of the four directions, with a female image on one side and a male image on the other side. The faces are composed of altars that represent multiple lifetimes. The colors on the inside represent the colors of the universe. The texture on the inside represents the dialogue that is inside of all of us. The texture also shows evolution of multiple lifetimes and represents the consequence of the power sentient beings have to transform energy. The colors on the outside represent the rising and setting suns and the gold symbolizes enlightenment or awareness. The base represents three levels of creation: subconscious/ consciousness/ super- consciousness or body/ mind/ spirit, or father/ son/ holy-spirit, however that resonates in an individuals understanding. The upward spiral stands for multiple lifetimes and energy rising. The stepped headpiece on the sculpture at the top of the masks represents the pinnacle of energy returning to the source.
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Adam Ramirez and Thomas Maddock recently visited Tiguex Park and got a good image of the swing set. (Photo by Thomas Maddock, 08/16/18)
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Vicinity of the Wash Tub Laundry
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Huning Castle & ABQ Country Club
The remains of Chuck's House, and Forest Park ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 1, 'Smoke').
What's interesting is that outside Chuck's house, for an instant, we see the house with the octagonal cupola (from "Breaking Bad," Season 1, episode 3, "The Bag's In The River"). The opening murder in the 1971 film “The Man With Icy Eyes” was staged here. We also see three little arched windows on the back of Jesse's house when the coroner’s van drives away with Chuck’s body. It’s the first time in “Better Call Saul” we see Jesse’s house ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 1, 'Smoke').
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Barelas
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Huning Highlands/ Martineztown Locations
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The back yard at Mike's house features punctured garden hoses ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 1, 'Smoke').
University Area & Near Presbyterian Hospital
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(Photo of Adam Ramirez by William James Dickey).
Gus' walk (35.073678°, -106.625853°).
(Features: Plate Glass Windows.)
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Nob Hill
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South Valley (West of River), Southwest Albuquerque and Pajarito Mesa
As Lalo and Nacho get into their car, Glass Block Windows are visible on the house across the street from Twisters, aka Los Pollos Hermanos, on the north side of Lakeview Rd. SW, in the vicinity of 1851 Lakeview Rd. SW ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 9, 'Wiedersehen'). This house was previously seen in Season 3, episode 2, 'Witness'.
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San Jose Neighborhood and South Valley (East of River)
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"Casa Tranquila" Nursing Home, Mountain View Community Center 201 Prosperity Avenue SE ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 9, 'Wiedersehen'). Previously seen in Season 1, episode 5, 'Alpine Shepherd Boy.' Hector Salamanca finds a home.
Southeast Heights
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Chuck gets forcibly hospitalized by APD (Season 1, episode 5, 'Alpine Shepherd Boy').
Used for either, or both, of Gene's or Tio's hospitalizations ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 1, 'Smoke'; episode 2, 'Breathe').
Several times, two features are visible looking out the windows from Hector's hospital room (notably in episode 'Piñata'): the building across the parking lot with twin columns, and the golden arch of the McDonald's Sign.
Near "Q" Studios
Denver Airport parking lot ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 5, 'Quite a Ride'). Behind UNM's Aperture Center (34.986092°, -106.612274°)
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(Photo of Adam Ramirez by William James Dickey.)
(Features: Bell-shaped lights.)
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Jimmy takes a trip to Louisiana. Bus travels up and down Los Picaros and Bobby Foster Rds. ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 8, 'Coushatta'). Example (35.003284°, -106.641304°).
"Q" Studios
Piñata Warehouse ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 6, 'Piñata'). According to the podcast, the piñata scene was filmed at "Q" Studios.
Superlab Construction Site ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 7, 'Something Stupid'; episode 8, 'Coushatta'). According to podcast, filmed at Q Studios.
Werner's Shooting - Preliminary Scene
On a "Better Call Saul" podcast, Werner's Shooting Preliminary scene was said to be close to Kim's Accident scene. This place appears to be at, or very close to (34.990468°, -106.642126°).
There is a brief view available (above) in BCS Season 4 DVD Deleted Scenes (Cleanup), looking towards the distant trees. I also have some photos of the trees from the area, and also looking north. Take a look. I don't know about the rogue lights. It might be some set dressing the BCS crew engineered, since they look so pretty. The decrepit viewing stands appear to be set dressing - not present at the site.
I-25 Corridor, North
Hector Salamanca suffers a sudden collapse ("Better Call Saul," Season 3, episode 10, 'Lantern'). Exterior seen again ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 1, 'Smoke').
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In vicinity of Gus' Industrial Laundry, Lavanderia Brillante ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 9, 'Wiedersehen').
Truck parks near Industrial Laundry (35.115294°, -106.627779°).
Heading west down Candelaria Rd. (35.115562°, -106.630074°). Background image flipped.
Heading east up Candelaria Rd., Sign seen for Global Structures, 510 Candelaria Rd NE, from about: (35.115856°, -106.631780°).
Countdown Starts (35.115143°, -106.628410°). Background image flipped.
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(Photo of Adam Ramirez by William James Dickey.)
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(Photo of Adam Ramirez by William James Dickey.)
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In "Breaking Bad," the Madrigal Houston Warehouse was also portrayed by the Sysco Warehouse ("Breaking Bad," Season 5a, episode 4, 'Fifty-One'; episode 8, 'Gliding Over All').
North Valley
(no new locations offered with this update)
Northwest Albuquerque
(no new locations offered with this update)
Corrales
(no new locations offered with this update)
West Mesa (except Pajarito Mesa)
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Photo of the "Better Call Saul" filming crew by Adam Ramirez on February 26, 2018.
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Karaoke with the brothers McGill, Monte Carlo Liquors & Steak House, 3916 Central Ave. SW ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 10, 'Winner').
Sandia And Manzano Mountains
Off Interstate 70, west of Denver, CO. On the side of Highway 165, on the road to Sandia Crest, just past the ski area parking lot: (35.209022°, -106.412427°)
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(Photo of Adam Ramirez: taken by William James Dickey.)
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(35.209022°, -106.412427°)
(Photo of Adam Ramirez with a bag on his head taken by William James Dickey.)
I’m thinking these roadside scenes in 'Quite a Ride' are a tribute to the Mumblecore film movement. According to Roger Ebert:
Mumblecore movies are very low budget, shot on video, in love with hand-held QueasyCam effects, and more often than not shot in the woods, where locations and extras are not a problem.
“The Blair Witch Project” is sometimes cited as an early example of the Mumblecore genre.
One of the more-successful Mumblecore movies is “Baghead” (2008) by the Duplass Brothers. “Baghead” is about a group of wannabe microbudget filmmakers who retire to a cabin in the woods to write a horror movie screenplay about a guy with a bag on his head, and while they are ‘writing’ they are threatened by a guy with a bag on his head.
“Better Call Saul” appears to be making an analogy between wannabe filmmakers and wannabe underground excavators. For the most part, “Better Call Saul” does not use shaky hand held cameras, but they do in 'Quite a Ride' for QueasyCam views of the feet as Mike Ehrmantraut guides the French applicant for the job of building the Superlab in and out of the transport van.
[Personal touch: I was in a community theater production of “A Chorus Line” at the Woodland Opera House, in Woodland, CA, in 1999 with one of stars of “Baghead,” Greta Gerwig, who has since gone on to be a noted, much-bigger-budget film director herself.]
To'hajiilee
(no new locations offered in this update)
Zia Pueblo, San Ysidro, and Cabezon
(no new locations offered in this update)
Bernalillo and Placitas
(no new locations offered in this update)
Santo Domingo, Cochiti, and La Bajada Hill
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(Season 3, episode 8, 'Slip'). Mike attends to the Good Samaritan.
(Season 4, episode 3, 'Something Beautiful'). Nacho suffers through a staged hit.
Santa Fe & Lamy
(no new locations offered with this update)
Near Los Lunas and Belen
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(Photo of Adam Ramirez by William James Dickey.)
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(Photo of Adam Ramirez by William James Dickey.)
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(Photo of Adam Ramirez by William James Dickey.)
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More Distant Locations
(no new locations offered with this update)
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Guessestimates and Wish List
Incidental driving scenes ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 1, 'Smoke').
Madrigal office scenes ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 1, 'Smoke'). Sysco Warehouse?
Corral where Juan Bolsa talks to Gus ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 3, 'Something Beautiful').
Courtroom ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 4, 'Talk'; episode 5, 'Quite a Ride'; episode 7, 'Something Stupid'). Bernalillo County Annex or old Valencia County Courthouse?
Judge's Chambers ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 4, 'Talk'; episode 8, 'Coushatta'). Bernalillo County Annex?
Van Interior, Q Studios? ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 5, 'Quite a Ride').
PPD Check-in Cubicles ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 5, 'Quite a Ride').
Kim & Jimmy drive to and fro from party ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 7, 'Something Stupid'). Unclear which streets they travel.
Jimmy's Apartment ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 10, 'Winner'). Symbols and a shared bed.
View of the Chicken Farm ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 10, 'Winner'). Lalo observes. Podcast says composite view of Chicken Farm from the north.