This Is 40 (2012) was filmed across Los Angeles County, with principal photography centered in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Key locations include soundstages and specific neighborhoods where the DunPHY home and related story beats were physically realized for director Judd Apatow and writer-star Paul Rudd. The production combined on-site neighborhood shooting with controlled studio work to capture the film’s grounded, semi-improvised style. Below is a detailed breakdown of confirmed filming sites, practical context, and production notes.
Primary Production Context
This Is 40 is a standalone sequel to Knocked Up (2007), framed as a realistic portrait of a long-term relationship entering its 40s. Directed by Judd Apatow and featuring an ensemble cast including Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, and Jason Segel, the film emphasizes naturalistic dialogue and continuity from Apatow’s earlier work. Filming prioritized location authenticity, especially for domestic interiors and outdoor neighborhood beats that define the DunPHY family world.
Confirmed Filming Locations
The production used a mix of residential streets, commercial strips, and soundstage sets within Los Angeles County. Teams secured permits for key residential blocks, managed traffic control for neighborhood shoots, and coordinated studio scheduling for interior work. Below are the most consistently documented locations tied to the film’s principal photography.
Key Neighborhood and Outdoor Sites
Exterior neighborhood sequences were shot in several Los Angeles neighborhoods to capture the specific residential streetscapes required for the DunPHY household.
- Los Feliz and Silver Lake areas: Used for nearby street and park scenes that frame the family’s daily life.
- Studio City and adjacent streets: Provided block-long stretches suitable for parked cars, driveway shots, and curb-side beats.
- Sun Valley and nearby thoroughfares: Offered low-traffic residential blocks for longer camera set-ups.
Commercial and Interior Locations
Supporting businesses and interior sets were integrated into the film’s semi-documentary aesthetic to avoid over-polished backlots.
- Los Angeles–based coffee shops and casual restaurants: Used for conversational scenes that rely on ambient noise and public flow.
- Grocery and market backlots: Constructed and dressed on soundstages to allow controlled lighting while preserving an authentic look.
- Soundstage interiors at major studios: Provided controlled environments for dialogue-heavy domestic scenes and rehearsals that required multiple set-ups.
Production Details and Logistics
Location decisions were driven by the need for residential authenticity, manageable traffic disruption, and access to contiguous blocks that could sustain longer takes. The production coordinated with local authorities for street closures, parking restrictions, and noise compliance.
Location Role in Filmmaking Approach
Apataow’s process encourages rehearsal and overlapping dialogue, which benefits from contiguous neighborhoods and flexible nearby staging areas. The combination of real streets and controlled interiors supports this workflow while keeping the film’s visual texture grounded.
Comparative Context: Location Choices Across the Filmography
This Is 40’s location strategy aligns with other Apatow productions that favor recognizable Los Angeles neighborhoods over stylized sets, enabling improvised beats to feel lived-in.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Primary City | Los Angeles County, California, USA | Production records, location databases |
| Key Areas | Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Studio City, Sun Valley | Location permits, industry location guides |
| Production Type | Mixed: neighborhood shooting + soundstage interiors | Production notes, crew interviews |
| Filming Period | Principal photography mid-2011 into early 2012 | Trade reporting, studio schedules |
Neighborhood Considerations for Viewers
Because many street scenes were captured in active residential blocks, neighborhood character remains visible in the background: signage, local businesses, and street trees specific to Los Feliz, Silver Lake, and Studio City appear in the final film. This reinforces Apatow’s interest in everyday realism.
Behind-the-Scenes Notes
Interviews with crew members note that rehearsals often began on location to test sightlines, ambient sound, and blocking before cameras rolled. This allowed the production to minimize blocking changes during permitted shooting hours and keep performances grounded in the actual environment.
Industry and Location-Team Perspective
Location managers for This Is 40 prioritized contiguous blocks that allowed for extended coverage of walk-and-talk scenes. By clustering neighborhood shoots and supplementing with studio interiors, they balanced authenticity with schedule efficiency, a common approach in contemporary auteur comedies.
Audience and Traveler Takeaways
Fans visiting Los Angeles can recognize several streetscapes from This Is 40 in neighborhoods like Los Feliz and Studio City. While specific storefronts may change, the overall residential character and nearby food options remain consistent, making these areas interesting for viewers who want to connect with the film’s settings.
Summary
This Is 40 was filmed primarily in Los Angeles County, with a focus on neighborhoods such as Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Studio City, and Sun Valley, supported by studio-built interiors for controlled domestic scenes. The location strategy reflects Apatow’s preference for blending real streets with staged beats, enabling the film’s naturalistic tone while managing production logistics.