Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
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L o c a t i o n , L o c a t i o n Mark Fitzgerald The orphanage in The Cider House Rules, the lake house in Grown Ups, Fenway Park in The Town—for loca- tion scout Mark Fitzgerald, these memorable movie settings represent weeks of combing the region to find the perfect spot. "It's safe to say I discovered the old Fore River Shipyard in Quincy," he says. "I first shot there on The Departed; i t 's where Matt Damon shoots Jack Nicholson." Since graduating from Emerson College, the Framingham native has amassed thousands of photos, descriptions, and tags to fulfill any location dream a filmmaker could have. Red barn in a rural setting? He's got 50. Back alley with graf- fiti? Piece of cake. "An average film will have anywhere from 40 to 60 locations," Fitzgerald says. "The production designer will want to see 10 to 20 options for each." Judging from his résumé, he's got it nailed. beantown usa: "The locations I like best are the ones you can only get here in Boston, like Fenway Park, the State House, and Boston Public Library. The neighborhoods of Boston are spectacular, and you cannot find that look or feeling anywhere but here: Southie, Charlestown, South End, and Beacon Hill." Making it: "Be yourself. If you're full of it, people will see through it sooner or later." Finding t h e one: "Sometimes you just know. I scouted over 100 houses before I found [the house on the lake for the first Grown Ups]. I had to walk through the snow for 10 minutes in 2 degrees, but when I saw the house and the way it was situated in relation to the lake, I knew it was a winner." "the locations i like best are the ones you can only find in boston, like fenway park." —mark fitzgerald Cashmere sweater, Malo ($895). Louis, 60 Northern Ave., 617-262-6100; louisboston.com. T-shirt, John Varvatos ($198). Copley Place, 617-236- 8650; johnvarvatos.com. Jeans, Black Brown ($89). Lord & Taylor, The Shops at Prudential Center, 617-262-6000; lordandtaylor.com. Houston derbies, Coach ($345). Copley Place, 617-262-0419; coach.com bostoncommon-magazine.com 91