Location Highlight 
January 2019
Netflix's Bird Box, Del Norte County
Filmed in Del Norte
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Redwood Region Resources
101 Years of Film
The Redwood Region has been used as locations in filmmaking for over a century. Check out the region's filmographies.
Cassandra Hesseltine
Humboldt-Del Norte 
Film Commissioner
President, FLICS 
The Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission is here to help with your production needs  and our services are provided free of charge. 

The Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission is recognized by the County of Humboldt, County of Del Norte, and the California Film Commission  as the official advocate for filming in Humboldt and Del Norte, California.  We are  also a member of the organization FLICS (Film Liaisons in California Statewide). The Film Commissioner, Cassandra Hesseltine, is currently serving her second term as the President of FLICS. 

Cassandra Hesseltine became the region's Film Commissioner in fall of 2010.  Prior to taking on the role of Film Commissioner, Cassandra worked in film and theater.  

The Redwood Region ended 2018 on a high note by being featured prominently in Netflix's new hit film, 'Bird Box.' Our office worked hand-in-hand with the production team for months leading up to filming on Del Norte's Smith River, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, and various private properties.

What started as a location request for an epic, forked river and our reply with one picture of the Smith River, grew into the largest production to shoot in Del Norte County since 'Return of the Jedi.'

The film presented numerous, unique challenges, from placing a blindfolded Sandra Bullock and two 5 year-olds in a rowboat on a river in January, to sinking a stunt semi cab in a protected waterway. We're proud of the work we did to help this production get permitted and get their jobs done on this project. 

We're also very proud of the Locations Department and their wins at this year's California on Location Awards for Location Manager of the Year (Boyd Wilson), and Location Team of the Year, both in the Independent Feature category. 

It's amazing to hear over 45 million accounts watched 'Bird Box' in its first week on the streaming service. We never could have imagined the viral success this film would be or the  array of memes that have popped up after the release!

Congratulations to Netflix and all involved with the production of 'Bird Box.'
Senator's office visits the set of 'Bird Box' in celebration of the economic impact of the feature film made in Del Norte County.
(left to right): Hannah Politizer, Senator McGuire office intern; Cassandra Hesseltine, Film Commissioner; Phillip Jordan Brooks, Location Manager; Boyd Wilson, Location Manager; Rob Christensen, Aide to Senator McGuire
Director Susanne Bier and star Trevante Rhodes on set at the Smith River
Sandra Bullock and child co-stars preparing to enter the Smith River in a rowboat.
Director Susanne Bier directing on the Smith River
Sandra Bullock and child co-stars on the Smith River
Work trucks parked near the Smith River in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Sandra Bullock and child co-stars on the bank of the Smith River
'Bird Box' production team staged on the bank of the Smith River
Director Susanne Bier on set in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Sandra Bullock in a redwood grove in Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park
Sandra Bullock and child co-stars on private property in Del Norte County
Base camp set up in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Assistant Location Manager Phillip Brooks accepting Location Manager Boyd Wilson's COLA for Location Manager of the Year Independent Feature
Sandra bullock and child co-stars in action at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
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Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission | 707-443-4488
520 E Street, Eureka, CA 95501