Shubhabrata Dutta
Helmed by the Andrew and Jon Erwin, ‘I Still Believe’ is a romantic musical drama that tells the true story of contemporary Christian music (CCM) singer-songwriter Jeremy Camp and his first wife, Melissa Lynn Henning-Camp. Jeremy, who is musically inclined, and Melissa meet in college and start dating. As much in love as they are, fate has other plans as Melissa is soon diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Thus begins Jeremy’s battle with faith as he struggles to accept the possibility of losing Melissa forever. His journey teaches him that faith strengthens the more it is tested, although the pain can be immense. While the film is based on faith and Christianity that go beyond what the eyes see, the visuals of ‘I Still Believe’ play a pivotal role in establishing the real-life-based narrative.
I Still Believe Filming Locations
Filming of ‘I Still Believe’ took place in Alabama and California. Principal photography reportedly began in the second half of May 2019 and continued for several weeks before wrapping up in June of the same year. While the state of Alabama became the base for the shoot, California was used for additional scenes. The cast and crew had a great time bringing the heartfelt story to life, one that is as inspiring as it is emotional, leading them to form a strong bond.
Mobile County, Alabama
The state of Alabama doubled for Indiana, where Jeremy Camp and Melissa Lynn Henning-Camp hail from. The crew used various Alabama counties and their gorgeous locales to highlight the country vibe in the film’s aesthetic. Mobile County is where most of the scenes in the film are shot, including Mobile, the county seat. The Spring Hill College, at 4000 Dauphin Street in Mobile, doubled for Calvary Chapel Bible College in Murrieta, California, where Jeremy studied and met Melissa. Various areas and landmarks inside the campus, like the Commons, a trio of buildings comprising the Barter Student Center, the Marnie and John Burke Memorial Library, and St. Joseph’s Chapel, were also used for indoor and outdoor scenes as well as establishing shots. The city of Mobile is known for its Mardi Gras celebrations that go back to the 18th century. Some of the famous tourist spots and historical landmarks in the city are Mobile Botanical Gardens, Bienville Square, Cathedral Square, and Mobile Museum of Art.
Baldwin County, Alabama
In Baldwin County, which lies in the state’s southwestern region, the crew shot the scenes of Jeremy performing at a music festival at the resort city of Gulf Shores. However, the music festival he performs at isn’t fake, but a real one, the annual three-day Hangout Music Festival, which is held in the third week of May. KJ Apa, who plays Jeremy Camp, surprised the crowd when he turned up on stage to perform. The crew even reached out to local musicians to play band members in the film, including Fairhope’s indie/alt rock band Strange Her, Mobile’s The Underhill Family Orchestra, and Christian Heiden, Symone French’s bass player.
While filming in Gulf Shores, executive producer Scott Lumpkin, a native of Fairhope, in Baldwin County, spoke to WKRG-TV about providing an opportunity for the locals. “We had young adults from the Mobile area make their debut in the industry on this film. From working in camera, set dressers, the office team, locations, props, sound department, & costumes; we had more Alabama natives on this film than most that come to town and hopefully, everyone of those kids and their families have enjoyed watching something they help contribute to creating,” he said.
The Hangout Music Festival features different genres of music, including rock, hip hop, and indie. Located nearby is The Hangout Restaurant, at 101 E Beach Boulevard, which is known for its live music and open-air space. The crowd’s reactions, as captured by the crew, are all real. Other places to visit in Gulf Shores are the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, the Pelican Place at Craft Farms shopping mall, and the Waterville amusement park. Some other movies that have used Alabama as the backdrop are ‘USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage,’ ‘Get Out,’ ‘Gerald’s Game,’ and ‘The Devil All the Time.’
Los Angeles, California
The crew filmed some additional scenes in California, specifically in Los Angeles, AKA LA. Known as the home of Hollywood and the entertainment capital of the world, LA is not only known for its urban skyline, glamour, and nightlife but also for its beach cities, one of which is Redondo Beach. This is where a few scenes in ‘I Still Believe’ have been lensed. The city lies along the southern portion of Santa Monica Bay and is popular for its Municipal Pier, which stretches into the Pacific, providing visitors with a scenic view.
The city of Los Angeles is reputed for being one of the world’s most sought-after filming bases. Production giants like Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, and DreamWorks Animation are based there. Its top-notch facilities, services, and skilled crew help films and shows reach fruition in a streamlined fashion. Projects that have used Los Angeles as their setting include ‘You,’ ‘Forever,’ ‘The Residence,’ and ‘Running Point.’
Read More: I Still Believe’s True Story, Explained
