Best Jungle Location?

[MattyB]

Hey guys.  I have a friend who's a producer in the intertainment industry and she's looking for a location that looks like a wet tropical jungle somewhere in the lower 48 of the USA.  Preferably on the east coast.  She mentioned that they were considering "Hunting Island" in Beaufort South Carolina, which is where the Viet Nam jungle scenes were shot in Forrest Gump.  From what I could see of pictures online it dosen't look like Viet Nam that's for sure.   It does have a nice jungle look.  Depending on how wide of shots they need maybe they could suppliment the foliage with added palms like they do in the movies.  Anyway, can any one, especially down in the south and in Florida, recommend a good location for a wet tropical jungle looking shoot that I can pass along so she can research it further?  Thanks a lot.

-Matt

[bgl]

Sounds to me like some areas in the Everglades in SoFL might be suitable. Certainly wet and very tropical!

[RainForestt Robert]

Matt, why simulate when you can go for the real thing.  Come on down to Trinidad.  We are encouraging the film and entertainment industry down here.

[MattyB]

I think they have to stay in the USA.  But she did mention Puerto Rico as a possibility.

[sonoranfans]

The north side of Kauai'i has some of the most beautiful jungle I've ever seen.  Think Jurassic park, its gorgeous.  And no venomous snakes, plus anyone would love to work there.  Its not lower 48, but it is unparalleled in the lower 48.  Shots from the napali trail would be awesome, cant match that in the southeast.

[www.dadluvsu.com]

Trinidad Bob!, I recently noticed that Disney's "Swiss Family Robinson" was filmed in Trini's sister island, Tobago!  Definatley some rainforest on the top of that island, complete with waterfalls and great flora and fauna!

Matt, I dont have any great ideas for a tropical rainforest feelin' place down here in Florida...  I thnk Fairchild's rainforest is the closest replication that I know of...  Florida is primarily scrub and lowlands with a very windblown look when one can actually escape the concrete jungle that is so apparent from a satallite view.  Bo is correct, there are parts of the everglades that are wet and tropical...  But I figure your friend is looking for something lush....  I don't know of many places like that in the area...  Everglades national park would be a best bet, but it's a far cry from a rainforest or jungle.

[JakeK]

Matt,

It may sound a bit unconventional, but if you've ever hiked any of the backwater forests along the Mississippi River from Memphis and southward in the summer you could mistake it for a jungle, minus the palm though. The woods have a dense canopy and the understory is littered with vines and creepers. It can be really dark in those woods when it's sunny out.

[BS Man about Palms]

Is the " intertainment industry" different than the "entertainment industry"?  ???

[_Keith]

She should definitely check out Louisiana.  We have excellent film and video tax credits which is why Louisiana ranks third in the number of films produced each year, behind only California and New York.   Lord knows we have our share of jungle looking places.   (she will save real dollars)

This is part of what I do for a living.  PM me please.

PS - The first Tarzan was filmed in Louisiana.  More than 40 productions were scheduled in 2007.

[Jeff in St Pete]

Matt, Fort DeSoto State Park in the extreme tip of southern Pinellas County is a great location.  The park has beaches, mangrove swamps and jungly areas, it faces the entrance to Tampa Bay and there is even a little island offshore.  It's an easy drive from Tampa Intl Airport too.  Quite a few years ago they filmed a tv series or movie on the beach at Ft DeSoto.  I think it was something about people getting stranded on a tropical island.  They erected a thatched hut and even planted a bunch of tall coconuts on one of beaches.  All of that was removed, along with the coconuts when they finished and I'm not sure if it was ever televised but it's a great location!

[Trópico]

Show 'em my Prestoea habitat pics from El Yunque, PR; that's the place to film! That place is federally protected and there may be issues but there is a similar mountain not too far where Prestoeas abound as well, La Santa in Cayey, PR. I personally like to see more feathers and crownshafts in jungle movies!

[LJG]

Matt, maybe we can narrow down some states. I can confirm Alaska and Wyoming are not good choices.

[Tag]

Speaking of Tarzan, what about the Ocala/Silver Springs area?  The TV show was filmed at Silver Springs.  It's very junglesque.

[mnorell]

I don't know what the area looks like now, but the 1948 MGM film "On an Island with You" (Esther Williams/Ricardo Montalban) had some very effective tropical island jungle portrayed using Anna Maria Island, in Manatee County, Florida. I just saw this on the new Esther Williams DVD box-set and it looks to be a good location. Lots of coconuts and seagrapes, etc. to great island-jungle effect. The opening "tropical" scenes of the film were shot at Cypress Gardens, and some others at Key Biscayne...the Cypress Gardens material is effecively exotic but is so identifiably southern because of the cypresses and tons of Spanish moss. It may be worth checking out. Otherwise I'd suggest Puerto Rico, which is the only place other than Hawai'i you'll find real rainforest/jungle areas.

On the west coast: Everybody and his brother has used the L.A. Arboretum for jungle scenes, but it's a big greensman's job in adding Philodendrons, etc. to effectively enhance the Washingtonias and other typical California subtropical vegetation. Another unusual place in L.A. might be the Virginia Robinson Gardens in the (relatively small) Ficus/Archontophoenix forest, though I'm sure it's next to impossible to get vehicles and crew in there due to extreme restrictions imposed by the city of BH on that property.

As Keith mentions, parts of Louisiana might work but it might need amendment to avoid having it look more like a southern grand-guignol horror-show with spanish moss and cypress (think all those Universal horror movies taking place in the bayous) rather than a typical Tarzan-style jungle. But then again even here in Natchez, Mississippi, there are kudzu jungles that look like amazing giant topiary gardens with a highly exotic effect, so I suppose any of the extreme southern states could probably do the trick if it can work with the storyline.

Otherwise, at least from what I've seen, aside from a few spots in southern Florida (like Nancy's very jungly Secret Garden in Key West), ultimately Hawai'i and PR are the only places that won't need some additional greens to get a truly tropical jungle effect with really tropical vegetation, at least on a large scale.

[Daryl]

(BS, Man about Palms @ Jan. 24 2008,12:20)

QUOTE

Is the " intertainment industry" different than the "entertainment industry"?  ???

They're the same thing if you live in New Zealand...

[Walter John]

(Daryl @ Jan. 24 2008,19:08)

QUOTE

(BS @ Man about Palms,Jan. 24 2008,12:20)

QUOTE

Is the " intertainment industry" different than the "entertainment industry"?  ???

They're the same thing if you live in New Zealand...

         :laugh:  :laugh:  :laugh:  :laugh:        

[PalmGuyWC]

Matt, you asked for the lower 48.  TV commercials and TV series have been shot at Fairchild Gardens, also at the old Parrot Jungle.  Fairchild has roads and access and there are many "jungle" areas. They would probably charge and arm and a leg for the use of the garden. There are also several private gardens in S. Fla. that would fit the bill. Frankly, I wouldn't want a TV crew dragging cables and stepping on my plants. I've seen how they opperate and they have no respect for plants. They always promise you they will be carefull, but they generally aren't.

Dick

[SubTropicRay]

Louisiana Bayou

[Palmateer]

Lawrence, Kansas.

I'm surprised nobody has thought of this yet. After all, it is where the Palm Society magazine is mailed from.

[SubTropicRay]

LOL Tom.  That is a good one.  When are you and the Mrs. coming by?

[www.dadluvsu.com]

Ok, can i get a do-over?  The densest fog I have seen in SoFla rolled in today after recieving about 6" of rain in the last 2 days...  Visability is approx 3/10 of a mile...  It is undoubtedly jungley here...  I bet the cypress swamplands out in the everglades are just erie today...  I think the fog would add a very dramatic atmosphere to a jungle movie scene...  I'm thinking more central Florida would be a better bet for jungle movies cause its foggy way more often and there is less disturbance and pressure from building developers leaving more nature areas untouched...  

FOGGY DRIVE TO WORK!

[fastfeat]

(BS, Man about Palms @ Jan. 23 2008,22:20)

QUOTE

Is the " intertainment industry" different than the "entertainment industry"?  ???

I thought it was code for the porn industry, as in "in and out"...

BTW, my vote's for southern Louisiana too. Just watch out for those copperheads and 'gators on bare body parts!

[Dave-Vero]

NW Florida's big rivers have some magnificent swamp forests--Choctawhatchee or Apalachicola would do.  

Ocklawaha River near Ocala served as Tarzan's jungle.  

St. Johns River near Huntoon Island (Volusia County) has some impressive river scenery that would look quite jungle-y.  

And of course Fakahatchee Strand.

[waykoolplantz]

(Palmateer @ Jan. 24 2008,08:03)

QUOTE

Lawrence, Kansas.

I'm surprised nobody has thought of this yet. After all, it is where the Palm Society magazine is mailed from.

I went to K U in Lawrence & drove by Allen Press often. Ironic,,, i always wondered what they printed.

BTW...if there were any palms...i never saw em...too busy lookin at the Cannabis growin wild

[palmmermaid]

(Dave-Vero @ Jan. 24 2008,09:38)

QUOTE

NW Florida's big rivers have some magnificent swamp forests--Choctawhatchee or Apalachicola would do.  

Ocklawaha River near Ocala served as Tarzan's jungle.  

St. Johns River near Huntoon Island (Volusia County) has some impressive river scenery that would look quite jungle-y.  

And of course Fakahatchee Strand.

All of these would be good.  In addition you can try Wakulla Springs near Tallahassee.  The original Tarzans were filmed here.  Myakka River State Park is also good.  They don't allow power boats there so the wildlife is very plentiful.  And of course Silver Springs.  Tarzan movies and Sea Hunt were filmed there.  They used to have lots of monkeys - left over from Tarzan - but don't know if they are still there.

[TikiRick]

I agree. Wakulla Springs is my ole stomping grounds....great jungle complete with dense sabals, saw palmetto, etc.

[MattyB]

Thanks for all the input ya'll.  I'm forwarding all this info.  Keep it coming if you have any leads.

-Matt

[Palmateer]

(waykoolplantz @ Jan. 24 2008,10:24)

QUOTE

(Palmateer @ Jan. 24 2008,08:03)

QUOTE

Lawrence, Kansas.

I'm surprised nobody has thought of this yet. After all, it is where the Palm Society magazine is mailed from.

I went to K U in Lawrence & drove by Allen Press often. Ironic,,, i always wondered what they printed.

BTW...if there were any palms...i never saw em

LOL

Maybe in Lawrence, Kansas the palm trees are droopy plastic ones, like Hollywood movies shot in CA when they are too cheap to film in the REAL tropics...

[amazondk]

I know that where I live would not be used for the jungle scenes, but it is the real thing.  When they made Anaconda they filmed part of it around Manaus and the other part in Hollywood.  You can really tell what was shot where.  Especially if you pay attention to the vegetation.  And, I guess if you do know vegetation there really is not jungle setting in the lower 48.  Except for Kansas as mentioned above.

dk

[Daryl]

I don't know how many 'jungle' movies I've seen where they are surrounded by potted Livistona chinensis, Howeas and Strelitzias!

I guess most people wouldn't know the difference, or care too much.  But it always makes me laugh!

Daryl

[tropical1]

A few gardens

Sunken Gardens in St, Pete

Pinecrest Gardens, Miami

Flamingo Gardens, Ft. Lauderdale area

All have that tropical jungle feel.

For a natural setting Fakahatchee strand in summer.

[amazondk]

Maybe the Rain Forest Cafe at Sawgrass Mills in South Florida would be an option, that is if it is still in business.

dk

[amazondk]

Just as a reference here is a picture of our jungle here in Amazonia.  At least one of the many types of jungles.  I was on this road yesterday afternoon and it was a great palmy place in primary humid tropical forest.  This maybe is not what many  envision the Hollywood jungle to be, as it isn't made in Hollywood.  But, it is a pretty typical scene from what we call here, Mata Alta, or high forest.  The big trees are just out of sight and spaced around in the forest. I am putting a thread together of the afternoon excursion at my work.  And, for Matt there are some real nice Euterpe precatoria specimens.  It was a place pretty much off the beaten path.  And, this was one of the better parts of the forest road.  Without a 4 x 4 you could not through.   It had a pretty jungle feeling to the place.

dk

[Palmateer]

(amazondk @ Jan. 24 2008,18:51)

QUOTE

Just as a reference here is a picture of our jungle here in Amazonia.  At least one of the many types of jungles.  I was on this road yesterday afternoon and it was a great palmy place in primary humid tropical forest.  This maybe is not what many  envision the Hollywood jungle to be, as it isn't made in Hollywood.  But, it is a pretty typical scene from what we call here, Mata Alta, or high forest.  The big trees are just out of sight and spaced around in the forest. I am putting a thread together of the afternoon excursion at my work.  And, for Matt there are some real nice Euterpe precatoria specimens.  It was a place pretty much off the beaten path.  And, this was one of the better parts of the forest road.  Without a 4 x 4 you could not through.   It had a pretty jungle feeling to the place.

dk

Great location Don, thanks for sharing.

I also enjoyed that little picture of yourself - does that thing in your nose get uncomfortable after awhile?  

[ruskinPalms]

Fun topic. Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando looks quite jungley but they would probably charge a lot - but it might be worth asking. My only problem with Louisiana and most of the forests in the south including north and Central FL is all of the damn Spanish Moss festooned on everything. Like someone else said, it looks southern, not tropical. However, there are some areas in FL that are so full of various types of Palmetto and Serenoa, vines and other goodies that they can look extremely tropical if you find the right place and keep the camera out of the canopy with the spanish moss. Or it may be cheaper to just get a crew to clean out the spanish moss from a small section of canopy where canopy shots are needed. All the other little epiphytes look pretty tropical though.  Other cool options in FL are county and other government lands that have been overrun with invasives. There are very lush areas all over south FL and even up into central FL that portray a lot of diversity due to invasive species - for better or worse. I have posted these pics before of some county land here in Ruskin - Pretty Jungle like if you ask me. Probably not film crew friendly as it is pretty much growing around a pretty steep sided ravine.

There are other flatter forests around here I have seen with Phoenix hybrids, Washingtonia hybrids, Syagrus and the natives growing within the oak canopy but none of theses other forested areas look as tropical as the one I have posted here.

[ruskinPalms]

If there is a real market for this type of land for movies, it might be fun for someone in central FL who owns 10 or 20 acres of oak forest to fill it up with cold hardy palms and vines to make a "jungle" that can be rented out to film crews!

[Eric in Orlando]

There are a couple places around Orlando I can think of;

Mead Gardens, about a mile north of Leu Gardens. It is a 50 acre parcel that was formerly a botanic gardens owned by the City of Winter Park and is mostly wild now. There are lots of old southern live oaks, bald cypres and southern and sweetbay magnolias. Also lots of Sabal palmetto, Serenoa repens, along with many Phoenix reclinata, Livistona chinensis and Syagrus romanzoffiana that are naturalizing. There is a stream and a small wild lake there along with big clumps of bamboo, ear trees, etc. Also, the garden is invaded by syngonium, air potato vine and skunk vine besides wild grape and most of it is very jungly.

near downtown Orlando is Langford Park. Connecting to it is a ravine that runs several blocks that is very similar to Mead gardens, wild untamed and with lots of naturalizing subtropicals.

[Eric in Orlando]

Here is the website;

http://www.meadgarden.org/index.shtml

a good jungly photo I found on their website;

[amazondk]

Tom,

I take the feathers out everynight. And, occasionally put them in the dish washer.

dk

[bubba]

I conferenced with our resident season only/ author/happily retired lawyer,who is rather familiar with Vietnam(three real combat missions as a Seal together with a real Purple Heart) and he described the environs from Everglades City,Fla.East on 41(Tamiami Trail)as realistic replication.No mountains but real Jungle.