The Biltmore, Seaquarium in Movies
Two of Miami, Florida's Most Popular Spots for Location Filming
Although South Florida soundstages, Miami Beach, and South Beach draw a large percentage of filmmakers, television producers, and fashion photographers to the area, these two Miami landmarks also bring in high profile projects.
Film and TV Production at The Biltmore Hotel
The four-star Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables attracts filmmakers because of the hotel’s unique mixture of Spanish, Moorish, and Italian architecture. The unusual Mediterranean mix of styles was constructed in 1926 with a variety of exotic interiors available for production use. Filmmakers have shot in the lobby area with its huge columns and dome shaped ceilings, the grand staircase, country club ballroom, Everglades Suite, and the ivy wall in the back area.
The Biltmore Hotel has housed production offices and provided crew and talent accommodations in addition to providing the backdrop for international catalog and magazine shoots, commercials, and occasional film, television and music video projects. Some of these shoots include work for Ralph Lauren, Elegant Bride Magazine, Reebok (with tennis pro Venus Williams), and a commercial for the Latin American market by Frito Lay (with singer Chayanne).
Films projects shot in part at the hotel include Bad Boys, Fair Game, Two Much, The Specialist and Curdled.
The MTV music video for “Nobody Wants to be Lonely” by Ricky Martin and Christina Aguilera was shot at The Biltmore Hotel, in addition to simultaneous shooting of the “Making of the Video” feature about the project. The music video includes scenes from the lobby and the ivy wall in the back area of the hotel.
Film and TV Production at Miami Seaquarium
Miami Seaquarium has appeared in many films because of its unique offerings. In addition to marine-life shows, presentations, and exhibits, the popular attraction established a film and television department because it fielded so many production requests. The marine-life entertainment park offers a unique location for producers, including settings with a killer whale, dolphins, flamingos, sea lions, tropical fish, rare birds, snakes, turtles, crocodile, deer and other animals.
The 38-acre landscaped park includes flowers and trees, in addition to coral reef caverns, huge pools, underwater seascapes and the Flipper Lagoon where parts of the original 1960s television show Flipper were shot. Films including Analyze This, Striptease, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Scoobs, Bad Boys II, Jack Ass, Tenderness, and Shadow Warrior shot scenes at Miami Seaquarium. The park also hosts fashion shoots and commercials from all over the world, including Japan, Germany and England.
For more information about filming on-location in Florida, read Florida Location Survival Guide.
