Shubhabrata Dutta
The cutthroat world of songwriting takes center stage in Netflix’s reality show ‘Hitmakers.’ The 6-episode show centers on 12 songwriters as they travel to songwriting camps and collaborate to create songs for world-renowned artists and music bands like John Legend, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Shaboozey, BTS, Blackpink, and more. To say that competition is tough is lowballing, which is why there needs to be a constant give-and-take of ideas, which is done by dividing the writers into groups.
As the writers work on new songs, showcasing their craft and pulling off the grit that such work requires, ‘Hitmakers’ delves into the creative process of songwriting, including its challenges, creative blocks, and emotional spikes and drops. Since the industry is known for the money thrown into it, the creators don’t hold back from highlighting it using posh settings and luxurious backdrops that go with the show’s musical vibe.
Hitmakers Filming Locations
‘Hitmakers’ is filmed in the Bahamas, Tennessee, Mexico, and California, specifically in New Providence, Nashville, Los Cabos, and Los Angeles, respectively. Principal photography reportedly began in mid-September 2024 and continued for a few weeks before wrapping up in the third week of October the same year. The cast and crew had a great time jamming and filming across the various scenic locations. Songwriter Whitney Phillips, who is in the show, told Music Row how they “had a blast, wrote some incredible records, and captured the chaos, the magic, and the heart of it all. And I think that’s exactly what the world is going to see.”
New Providence, Bahamas
In the Bahamas, the crew set up shop at the Sanctuary Studios, a part of the Albany luxury resort community. The community is located at 127 South Ocean Road, on the southwestern end of the island of New Providence. The Sanctuary has six separate studios with world-class recording facilities, consoles, microphones, monitors, and other equipment and gear to provide creators with zero technical compromise. It also has an artist’s lounge and a private open-air courtyard for relaxing between sessions.
Albany itself is a 600-acre Oceanside resort community that is no less than a paradise for those looking for a tranquil getaway. It offers a range of private residences, including villas, marina residences, and residential homes. There is 24/7 concierge availability, private theaters, private pools, child care services, and more. As for recreation and fun, you get the championship golf course, a mega-yacht marina, myriad dining experiences, spa and fitness offerings, water activities, special programs for toddlers and teens, and even shopping outlets. All of this contributes to an all-around luxurious experience that underscores the rich aesthetic of ‘Hitmakers.’
Besides Albany, the crew also built sets inside a home in the gated community of Turnberry in the western part of Nassau, the capital city of the Bahamas, also on New Providence. Turnberry is a sustainable residential community that offers ample open space, lush gardens, swimming pools, tennis courts, and walking trails. Nassau is the commercial center of the country and a tropical haven that blends nature and colonial architecture, transporting tourists to a different world. If you plan to travel, must-visit hotspots include the City centre, Cable Beach, Queen’s Staircase, Pirates of Nassau museum, and Ardastra Gardens & Wildlife Conservation Centre.
Nashville, Tennessee
In Tennessee, Nashville, which is known for its music scene, became the base for the shoot. The Teuila Cowboy Bar and Grill at 305 Broadway and the Urban Cowboys Bed and Breakfast at 1603 Woodland Street were utilized for filming. Teuila Cowboy Bar and Grill is a nightspot known for its live music and great dining experiences. Urban Cowboys Bed and Breakfast is a boutique hotel that has turned a 19th-century Victorian mansion into eight customized vintage suites, each with a different personality, a public house, and a parlor bar. It is also available for social and private events and gatherings.
The writing sessions were taped at the Hutton Hotel at 1808 West End Avenue. It has 250 refined guestrooms, which include 52 suites featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive penthouses with personal service. It is also home to the Writers Studios, a customized creative space for musicians and artists to explore their skills, record, and play. This may have served as a plus for the crew and writers of the show. There is also Analog, Hutton Hotel’s personal entertainment venue with regular performances, accompanied by a cocktail bar. Twenty thousand square feet of meeting and event space is another addition to the hotel’s top-notch interior.
Los Cabos, Mexico
Mexico was the third base for the production. One of the major locations is Villa Vegas Dave 3, a luxury beachfront villa in the city of Cabo San Lucas, part of the Los Cabos region. Located at Palmilla Sur Lot 8 in the beachfront community of Punta Bella, the villa is also known as “the Villa for the Celebrities.” It offers 13 bedrooms totaling 40,200 square feet, beachfront view, outdoor dining, a spa Room, and other top-tier amenities.
Additional shoots took place at the Acre Restaurant & Cocktail Bar, an open-air eatery at Calle Rincón de las Animas. It is known for its signature 5-course brunch and five Private Dining spaces. Cameras also rolled in the Gallery District, specifically at the TWH Gallery, at Alvaro Obregon, 10 Jose Maria Morelos, and the Jardín Secreto Restaurant at 103 Jose Maria Morelos. The Gallery District is the cultural center of Los Cabos and boasts high-end fine art galleries featuring original paintings, photography, sculpture, and jewelry by local, national, and international contemporary artists. It also has some of the top-rated restaurants of Los Cabos. The district is known for Art Walk, a recurring event that takes place weekly from October through June.
Los Angeles, California
The sprawling city of Los Angeles, a global entertainment center, was used for production of ‘Hitmakers.’ The crew accessed a couple of private music studios to highlight the technology used to create music as well as the glitter of success. BLVD Steak, located at 13817 Ventura Boulevard in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood, was used for filming, too. The restaurant is famous for its fresh seafood, vegan options, and craft cocktails. It is owned by record producer/songwriter Tommy Brown, who is in the show. Los Angeles is known as the rave capital of North America and has long been one of the epicenters for the worldwide recorded music industry. Reality shows like ‘American Idol‘ and ‘The Amazing Race‘ are also filmed in LA.
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