Where Was “CODA” Filmed?

Have you watced the movie and found yourself wondering: “Where was ‘CODA’ filmed?” At Peerspace, we understand your curiosity. Keep reading and we’ll answer this question.

Plus, for the aspiring filmmaker or creative, we also share a “CODA”-inspired filming location that you can rent for your porject. So let’s take a trip up to the coast of Massachusetts to see where the latest Oscar winner was filmed!

What is “CODA”?

The latest film to bring home the coveted Best Picture Award at the Oscars, CODA is the story of a “child of deaf adults” named Ruby Rossi. She faces unique struggles growing up as the only hearing person in her family.

The movie took home all three awards it was nominated for, receiving the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Troy Kostur who played Ruby’s father and the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar.

One element that sticks out for viewers of the movie is the small, coastal town of Gloucester, Massachusetts where the majority of the story takes place. The quaintness of the small town along with the coastline where Frank and Leo’s fishing business operates are sure to raise the question: where was “CODA” filmed?

Curious about other Oscar-winning films? Then be sure to also read where “Dances With Wolves” was filmed!

Is Gloucester, Massachusetts a real place?

The seaside town of Gloucester, Massachusetts is the backdrop for the story of the Rossi family. Many Hollywood movies take place in fictional towns or are not actually filmed in the place they are set. In the case of “CODA,” it turns out that not only is Gloucester, Massachusetts a real place. In fact, it is the principal filming location for most of the movie.

According to Discover Gloucester, the city is on Cape Ann, about 45 minutes north of Boston. Gloucester is famous for being one of the biggest and most productive fishing ports on the East Coast, as well as America’s oldest seaport.

It’s a great place to go for some classic lighthouses and whale watching. Now that we know that Gloucester is a real place, we can move on to answering the question more specifically: where was “CODA” filmed?’

Notable “CODA” filming locations

Like many movies shot on location in real-world towns, film buffs will be eager to take a trip to Gloucester to see the spots they saw on film in “CODA” for themselves. We’ve gone ahead and listed some of the most memorable locations from the movie so you won’t wind up scratching your head when you arrive and asking yourself, “Where was ‘CODA’ filmed?”

Briscoe Middle School

To get things started, we have some locations courtesy of Atlas of Wonders. One of them is Ruby’s high school, Gloucester High School. It turns out that this is actually Briscoe Middle School.

The building is undergoing renovations to transform it into the Briscoe Village for Living and the Arts. So be sure to check out the building before it’s unrecognizable from what it was in the movie. Briscoe Middle School was also the setting when Ruby sings at the Choir’s Annual Fall Concert.

Rockport, MA

Next up on their tour of Gloucester, Massachusetts is the swimming hole that we see Ruby visit during the movie. If you’re looking for this one, you’ll find it in Rockport, Massachusetts, not far from Gloucester on Cape Ann Peninsula.

According to Sceen-It, the quarry was established all the way back in 1870 by the Pigeon Hill Granite Company. If you’re looking for a spot to take a dip aside from the beach, then this is a nice alternative!

Pratty’s C.A.V.

Remember the bar where Ruby goes to visit her friend, Gertie, who works there as a waitress there? An article in Good Morning Gloucester writes that they filmed this scene at Pratty’s C.A.V.

It’s a local bar that has been in business for over 30 years and you can visit it today! Be sure to stop by and have a drink for yourself if you’re taking a “CODA” tour of Gloucester.

Lane’s Cove

Before we move on to the question of where the house from “CODA” is, we can cover another location in Atlas of Wonders, Lane’s Cove. This historic landing and harbor has been used for years and has a granite wall blocking it that’s worth seeing.

Where Is the house from “CODA”?

Before we wrap things up today, we have one more location that fans are going to want to know about if they’ve ever wondered, “Where was ‘CODA’ filmed?”

This is the home of the Rossi family. The rustic seaside charm and eclectic outdoor decor are sure to turn heads just as they did for the film’s director, Sian Heder, who did her own scouting, according to an article by WBUR. Sian came across it and and knew it was perfect as soon as she saw it. “She jokes that she just had to let the family living there know. She simply walked up to the door and knocked. ‘You’d think everyone wants to be in a movie. But you have to work your magic to get in.’”

Sian Heder apparently grew up in the area, which was sure to make location scouting there a little easier than on your average shoot.

Next, discover where “Casablanca” was filmed!

A “CODA”-inspired filming location

“CODA” winning the Best Picture Oscar is sure to inspire filmmakers everywhere to film their own indie sensation. If you’re one of them and are looking to find your own filming location with a “CODA” vibe, look no further than Peerspace!

They have incredible locations in and around Gloucester, like this vintage New England oceanfront summer cottage. It’s sure to remind fans of the gorgeous home of Ruby’s choir teacher, Mr. V. Be sure to take a look at the high-quality images that the host has posted in the listing. They give you an idea of just how beautiful the home is.

This location and thousands more like it show why Peerspace is the best place for renting incredible filming locations.

Find unique filming locations on Peerspace