Where was Police Academy Filmed?
The Police Academy film series, which consists of seven movies, is a beloved comedy franchise that has entertained audiences for decades. The series follows the misadventures of a group of bumbling police recruits as they navigate the challenges of becoming police officers. But have you ever wondered where these hilarious movies were filmed? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the filming locations of the Police Academy series.
Where was Police Academy Filmed?
The first Police Academy film was released in 1984 and was filmed primarily in Los Angeles, California. The movie’s production team chose various locations throughout the city to capture the film’s comedic and action-packed scenes. Here are some of the key filming locations:
- Los Angeles Police Academy: The exterior shots of the police academy were filmed at the actual Los Angeles Police Academy, located at 1880 Academy Drive in Elysian Park, Los Angeles.
- Venice Beach: The iconic boardwalk and beach scenes were filmed at Venice Beach, a popular tourist destination in Los Angeles.
- Santa Monica Pier: The pier was used as the location for the police academy’s graduation ceremony in the first film.
- Los Angeles City Hall: The city hall building was used as the location for the police department’s headquarters in the first film.
Filming Locations for Subsequent Films
While the first film was primarily filmed in Los Angeles, subsequent films in the series were filmed in various locations across the United States. Here are some of the key filming locations for the subsequent films:
- Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985): The film was primarily filmed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with some scenes shot in Los Angeles.
- Police Academy 3: Back in Training (1986): The film was filmed in various locations in Los Angeles, including the Los Angeles Police Academy, Venice Beach, and the Santa Monica Pier.
- Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol (1987): The film was filmed in various locations in California, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento.
- Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach (1988): The film was primarily filmed in Miami, Florida, with some scenes shot in Los Angeles.
- Police Academy 6: City Under Siege (1989): The film was filmed in various locations in Los Angeles, including the Los Angeles Police Academy, Venice Beach, and the Santa Monica Pier.
- Police Academy: Mission to Moscow (1994): The film was primarily filmed in Moscow, Russia, with some scenes shot in Los Angeles.
Other Interesting Facts
Here are some other interesting facts about the filming locations of the Police Academy series:
- The iconic police academy bus: The bus used in the series was actually a modified school bus that was painted to look like a police vehicle.
- The police academy uniforms: The police academy uniforms worn by the characters in the series were actually a combination of real police uniforms and custom-made costumes.
- The police cars: The police cars used in the series were actually a combination of real police cars and custom-made props.
Conclusion
The Police Academy film series has entertained audiences for decades with its hilarious and action-packed scenes. While the films were primarily filmed in Los Angeles, subsequent films were filmed in various locations across the United States and even internationally. From the iconic police academy bus to the police academy uniforms, there are many interesting facts about the filming locations of the Police Academy series.
