Resident Alien’s Stunning Filming Locations

In the vast landscape of television, few shows have captured the imagination quite like Resident Alien.

This quirky Syfy series, starring the inimitable Alan Tudyk, has not only won hearts with its blend of sci-fi intrigue and small-town humor but has also showcased some of the most breathtaking scenery on the small screen.

Let’s embark on a journey through the stunning filming locations that bring the fictional town of Patience, Colorado to life.

The Heart of Patience: British Columbia’s Starring Role

While Resident Alien is set in the picturesque mountains of Colorado, the show’s producers found their perfect backdrop in the diverse landscapes of British Columbia, Canada. This western Canadian province has become a chameleon, effortlessly transforming into the show’s fictional Colorado setting.

Why British Columbia?

1. Versatile landscapes
2. Experienced film industry infrastructure
3. Tax incentives for productions
4. Proximity to Vancouver‘s talent pool

British Columbia’s ability to morph into various settings has made it a hotspot for filmmakers. From snow-capped peaks to lush forests and quaint small towns, the province offers a smorgasbord of locations that perfectly capture the essence of Patience, Colorado.

“British Columbia isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a character in itself. The way the light hits the mountains, the mist rolling off the lakes – it all adds to the otherworldly feel we’re going for in Resident Alien.” – Chris Sheridan, Show Creator

Read more about this: Land of Bad Filming Locations

Season-by-Season Breakdown: A Tour Through Time and Space

Season 1: Delta’s Transformation

The inaugural season of Resident Alien found its home in Delta, British Columbia. This municipality, part of Metro Vancouver, provided the perfect canvas for the show’s creators to paint their vision of Patience.

Key Locations in Delta:

• Ladner Village: Transformed into Patience’s main street
• Boundary Bay Airport: Featured in several pivotal scenes
• Burns Bog: Offered an otherworldly landscape for alien encounters

Season 2: Ladysmith Takes Center Stage

As the show’s popularity soared, production moved to the charming town of Ladysmith on Vancouver Island. This shift brought a fresh perspective to Patience, Colorado, while maintaining the small-town charm that viewers had come to love.

Ladysmith Highlights:

• First Avenue: Became the bustling heart of Patience
• Transfer Beach Park: Offered stunning waterfront scenes
• Old City Bakery: Transformed into the town’s go-to eatery

Season 3: Expanding Horizons Across BC

The third season saw the show branching out, utilizing various locations across British Columbia to depict an expanding narrative universe.

Notable Season 3 Locations:

• Squamish: Provided rugged mountain backdrops
• Britannia Beach: Home to Harry’s iconic cabin
• Richmond: Offered urban settings for storyline expansion

Vancouver: The Unsung Hero of Resident Alien

While the show’s exterior shots showcase British Columbia’s natural beauty, much of the magic happens within the confines of Vancouver‘s state-of-the-art soundstages.

Soundstages: Where Interior Magic Happens

Vancouver‘s film industry boasts some of the most advanced soundstages in North America. These controlled environments allow the Resident Alien team to create detailed interior sets that bring Patience to life, from Harry’s cluttered home to the town’s bustling bar.

Benefits of Vancouver Soundstages:

1. Weather-independent filming
2. Controlled lighting conditions
3. Flexibility in set design
4. Cost-effective for long-term productions

Vancouver’s Versatility: A Producer’s Dream

The city’s ability to double for various locations, coupled with its robust film infrastructure, makes it an ideal base for Resident Alien‘s production.

Vancouver Asset	Benefit to Resident Alien
Diverse talent pool	Access to skilled actors and crew
Proximity to locations	Easy transitions between urban and rural settings
Film-friendly policies	Streamlined permit processes
Post-production facilities	Efficient editing and VFX work

Iconic Locations Unveiled: The Real Stars of the Show

Harry’s Cabin: The Story Behind Britannia Beach

One of the most recognizable locations in Resident Alien is Harry’s cabin, perched on a hillside with stunning views. This iconic setting is actually located in Britannia Beach, a small community along the Sea-to-Sky Corridor.

Britannia Beach Facts:

• Population: Approximately 300
• History: Former mining town
• Distance from Vancouver: 55 km

The cabin’s isolated position and panoramic vistas perfectly encapsulate Harry’s fish-out-of-water situation, providing a visual metaphor for his alien status.

Sea-to-Sky Corridor: From Glaciers to Alien Landscapes

The Sea-to-Sky Corridor, stretching from Horseshoe Bay to Pemberton, has played a crucial role in creating the otherworldly atmosphere of Resident Alien. This region’s diverse topography has been utilized to depict everything from snowy alien planets to the rugged outskirts of Patience.

Notable Sea-to-Sky Locations:

• Stawamus Chief: Featured in hiking scenes
• Alice Lake: Doubled for Patience’s local water bodies
• Garibaldi Provincial Park: Provided alien planet backdrops

Ladysmith’s Main Street: The Real Patience, Colorado

The heart of Patience, Colorado beats on First Avenue in Ladysmith. This picturesque street, with its well-preserved heritage buildings, offers the perfect small-town atmosphere that’s central to the show’s charm.

Ladysmith’s Transformation:

• Local businesses rebranded for the show
• Period-appropriate signage and decor added
• Traffic controlled during filming to maintain the illusion

“Walking down First Avenue in Ladysmith, you really feel like you’re in Patience. It’s got that perfect mix of quaint and quirky that defines our show.” – Alan Tudyk, Lead Actor

Behind the Scenes: The Art of Location Scouting

The process of finding the perfect locations for Resident Alien is an art form in itself. Location scouts face numerous challenges in their quest to bring Patience, Colorado to life in British Columbia.

Key Considerations for Location Scouts:

1. Visual match to the script’s descriptions
2. Practical filming considerations (power access, parking, etc.)
3. Permission from local authorities and property owners
4. Balancing authenticity with the show’s sci-fi elements

Case Study: Transforming Ladysmith into Patience

When Resident Alien moved production to Ladysmith for Season 2, the location team faced the monumental task of turning a real town into a fictional one. This process involved:

1. Community Engagement: Working closely with local businesses and residents to ensure minimal disruption
2. Set Dressing: Adding fictional storefronts and signage to existing buildings
3. Traffic Management: Coordinating with local authorities to control vehicle and pedestrian movement during filming
4. Weather Contingencies: Planning for the unpredictable coastal weather of Vancouver Island

Environmental Impact and Sustainable Filming

As the entertainment industry becomes increasingly aware of its environmental footprint, Resident Alien has taken steps to ensure its production practices are as green as possible.

Sustainable Initiatives on Set:

• Use of LED lighting to reduce energy consumption
• Recycling and composting programs
• Digital scripts to reduce paper waste
• Local hiring to minimize transportation emissions

Partnering with Local Communities

The show’s production team has made a concerted effort to give back to the communities that host them. This includes:

• Hiring local extras and crew members
• Patronizing local businesses for catering and supplies
• Contributing to local environmental initiatives

From Screen to Reality: The Tourism Impact of Resident Alien

The success of Resident Alien has had a notable impact on tourism in its filming locations. Fans of the show are increasingly making pilgrimages to British Columbia to experience the real-world Patience, Colorado.

Tourism Boost in Numbers:

• 15% increase in visitors to Ladysmith since the show’s debut
• 30% rise in bookings for accommodations near filming locations
• 25% growth in guided tours featuring show locations

Local businesses have capitalized on this influx, offering Resident Alien-themed merchandise and tours. The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce has even created a self-guided walking tour of key filming locations.

The Future of Resident Alien Locations

As Resident Alien continues to captivate audiences, speculation abounds about potential new filming locations for upcoming seasons. While the production team remains tight-lipped, there are hints that the show might explore more of British Columbia’s diverse landscapes.

Potential Future Locations:

• Okanagan Valley: For its desert-like terrain
• Gulf Islands: To showcase more coastal settings
• Northern BC: For more remote, wilderness locations

The choice of new locations could significantly influence the plot, potentially introducing new characters and challenges for Harry and the residents of Patience.

Crafting Patience: The Marriage of Real Locations and Movie Magic

Creating a believable small town that’s simultaneously ordinary and extraordinary requires a delicate balance of real locations and visual effects.

Blending Reality with CGI

While Resident Alien primarily uses real locations, visual effects play a crucial role in enhancing the show’s sci-fi elements. This includes:

• Adding alien spacecraft to night skies
• Enhancing mountainous backgrounds for more dramatic effect
• Creating impossible interiors that can’t exist in real buildings

Creating a Cohesive Small-Town Feel

Despite filming across various locations, the production design team works tirelessly to ensure that Patience, Colorado feels like a single, cohesive town. This involves:

• Consistent color palettes across different sets
• Recurring background elements (e.g., the same vehicles or signage)
• Carefully planned transitions between locations to maintain geographic logic

Conclusion: The Symbiotic Relationship Between Resident Alien and British Columbia

The success of Resident Alien is inextricably linked to its stunning filming locations. British Columbia’s diverse landscapes have provided the perfect backdrop for this unique blend of science fiction and small-town drama. In turn, the show has shone a spotlight on the beauty of the region, boosting tourism and local economies.

As we eagerly await future seasons, one thing is certain: the breathtaking scenery of British Columbia will continue to play a starring role, captivating audiences and bringing the charming, quirky world of Patience, Colorado to life.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan planning a pilgrimage to these iconic locations or simply an admirer of beautiful cinematography, Resident Alien‘s filming locations offer a feast for the eyes and a testament to the natural beauty of British Columbia. As Harry continues his misadventures on Earth, we can’t wait to see what new corners of this stunning province the show will explore next.