How Syracuse Became Hulu’s Hottest Backdrop: Inside the Real-Life Locations of Summer of 69
Hulu’s Summer of ’69 isn’t just a coming-of-age comedy; it’s also a Valentine to Syracuse, N.Y. Florida Girls Jillian Bell’s unfiltered take as a high school senior questioning her sexuality, friendship, and self-assuredness, all the while being taught the ropes of stimulative arts by an unlikely mentor—stripper Chloe (née Santa Monica).
But behind the story’s enchantment was a colorful filming location that helped make it all come to life. This article deconstructs where Summer of ’69 was shot, how the team utilised actual Syracuse locations, and why the setting was ideal as a backdrop for the film’s tone and themes. Behind the scenes, from classrooms to strip clubs, Syracuse stars.
Syracuse, New York: The Heartbeat Of The Film
The Summer of ’69 was filmed entirely in Syracuse, New York. In 2024, it was filmed in a Pennsylvania summer from July to August. Syracuse had everything the team needed, from film studios to local venues.
The director, Jillian Bell, described the experience as “the most fun summer camp of our lives.” She loved the laid-back vibe, including how the cast would often hang out in between takes by barbecuing and going for boat rides. This city provided the movie with more than just a backdrop; it offered the team an atmosphere of collaboration and delight.
Chloe Fineman, who portrays Santa Monica, wrote about the project and her admiration for Bell on social media following the filming of all three episodes. High-energy both on and off the set, Syracuse informed not only the look of the film but also the entire way it was conceived.
American High At Syracuse Studios: A High School On Demand
Several scenes in the Summer of ’69 were filmed in high school settings, which were created at Syracuse Studios at the former AV Zogg Middle School in Liverpool, a Syracuse suburb. The studio, also called American High, covers more than 100,000 square feet and has sets that can be walked onto, including classrooms, cafeterias, and a gymnasium. These Locations also saved production time, as they didn’t have to build sets from the Ground up.
The filmmakers repurposed those existing sets to craft Abby Flores’s school. With its 500-seat auditorium, full gym, and office sets, the space provided credible backdrops for scenes integral to the story. American High became an ideal location for a film set in a teenage world, with over 20,000 square feet of support space — wardrobe rooms, prop storage, and production offices.
Diamond Dolls: A Real Strip Club On Screen Diamond Dolls Is On The Right Of The Mangrove
“There are ways to humanize the roles that this movie is subverting,” Pavich says, and one of the film’s key locations is Diamond Dolls, where Abby comes in contact with Chloe. This is not a made-up place — it’s a real-life strip joint at 6720 Townline Road in Syracuse. The interior and exterior of the club were used for a few scenes in the movie.
Using a real location, rather than constructing a replica, helped to make the scenes feel more real. The choice of shooting in a real-life strip club helped with a brave and authentic take on Abby as she gains advice and learns life’s lessons from Santa Monica. These moments are notable not purely for laughs but for the emotional development they demonstrate in Abby.
Cast Bonding And Summer Vibes
Off camera, the cast of Summer of ’69 formed lifelong friendships. Star Sam Morelos, whose character is Abby Flores, said the filming experience was surreal. Despite being a new kid herself, she said that part of that support extended even to one of the show’s brightest new stars, Chloe Fineman. Mr. Morelos and Mr. Fineman had also been to NYU, and that link connected them in other ways.
The team’s camaraderie contributed to giving the film more feeling. Bell explained that laughter and tears were integral to their daily shoot. The group played games, took boat rides, and even broke bread daily between scenes, and those experiences translated into some unforgettable on-screen moments.
The Revitalization Of Syracuse As A Film Centre
Syracuse has been rapidly gaining favor among indie films and streaming content. The Ultimate Playlist of Noise is not the city’s only production, with films such as Big Time Adolescence, Crush, and Adult World having previously been filmed there. Its suburban and urban environments and nearby studio facilities like American High also allow it to stand in for many different places on screen.
Brussels is also perfect for filmmakers as it is friendly, and the local businesses and services are easily accessible. For a film like Summer of ’69, which demanded the presence of school sets, nightclub spots, and suburban homes, Syracuse hit the nail on the head.
FAQs
Where Was Summer of ’69 Filmed?
The film was entirely shot in Syracuse, N.Y.
What is Syracuse Studios?
Syracuse Studios, a.k.a. American High, is a film studio with two locations in redevelopment inside a former middle school. It provides classroom sets, a gym, an auditorium, and more.
Is Diamond Dolls an actual place?
Yes, Diamond Dolls is a real strip club at 6720 Townline Road in Syracuse, and some scenes in the movie were filmed there.
When did filming take place?
It was filmed in the Summer of 2024, from July to August.
Who directed Summer of ’69?
The film was directed by Jillian Bell, who also co-wrote it.
Final Words
Summer of ’69 stands out because of its story, cast, and bold themes, but the setting is just as vital. Syracuse, N.Y., offered the production for all these seasons, including the school hall, and nightlife. The city has and continues to earn its burgeoning rep in the film biz, as evidenced in this comedy-drama from Hulu.
From scenes of historic landmarks (yes, that means Comet’s 24-hour diner) to those behind-the-scenes bonding moments, Summer of ’69 drives home that where a film is shot can significantly influence how it feels — and how effectively it resonates with audiences.
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