Ritesh Sharma
Created by Ashly Burch, John Howell Harris, and Katie McElhenney, ‘Side Quest’ expands the gaming universe of ‘Mythic Quest’ through four distinct yet interconnected stories. Each episode delves into a unique perspective—players forging bonds in digital realms, artists shaping immersive landscapes, musicians finding unexpected inspiration, and shop owners witnessing the gaming culture evolve around them. The series moves through carefully crafted spaces, from intimate creative hubs to bustling community centers, where passion and ambition intersect.
With a balance of humor and emotional depth, ‘Side Quest’ explores how virtual worlds leave lasting imprints on real lives, connecting people through a shared love for storytelling and play. Through its richly detailed settings and deeply personal narratives, the anthology paints a vivid portrait of creativity, competition, and camaraderie, revealing that, sometimes, the most meaningful journeys happen in the spaces between reality and the game.
Side Quest Filming Locations
Being a spin-off of ‘Mythic Quest’ and featuring similar characters, ‘Side Quest’ is seemingly filmed in California, making use of different locations in Los Angeles and Culver City. Much like the main series, the spin-off is super fun both on and off-screen for the entire cast and crew. The filming for the spin-off series likely began in the Fall of 2024, with production taking advantage of the diverse settings to bring the show’s world to life. Given the typical timeline for such projects, it’s likely that filming went on for a little while before wrapping up either at the end of the same year or the beginning of 2025.
Los Angeles, California
‘Side Quest,’ the four-part anthology series expanding the ‘Mythic Quest’ universe, is likely filmed in Los Angeles, California. The city offers a diverse array of settings that authentically depict the dynamic environment of a video game development studio. Another significant location the team appears to have settled on is Venice Beach, particularly the central stretch. The beach boasts an iconic shoreline and vibrant atmosphere and is known for its bohemian culture, street performers, as well as colorful murals, creating a visually rich backdrop that reflects the creative and often chaotic energy of the gaming world. All of this seems enough to contribute to the realism of the show’s portrayal of a game developer’s off-the-clock experiences, capturing the balance between work and leisure that many in the industry navigate.
Additionally, the spin-off series uses a location that portrays the office atrium, representing the headquarters of the fictional game company. While the exact location has been kept under wraps, the establishment’s sleek glass facades, high ceilings, and open-floor layouts reflect the aesthetics of real-life gaming studios, where collaboration and innovation thrive. The team has created a professional yet inviting environment that helps ground the series in reality, giving viewers an inside look at what it’s like to work in game development. The City of Angels serves as an excellent filming location for shows like ‘Side Quest’ due to its vast array of architectural styles and urban landscapes, allowing filmmakers to authentically depict various aspects of the tech and gaming industries.
Culver City, California
From what we can tell, Apple Studios in Culver City appears to double up as a shooting site for the show. Located at 8600 Hayden Place, this facility serves as a controlled environment where intricate office dynamics and gaming industry elements are meticulously recreated. Its advanced production facilities provide the necessary space for building detailed sets that reflect the high-energy world of game development. With soundstages equipped with cutting-edge technology, Apple Studios allows for precise set design, lighting, and sound control, ensuring that each scene is crafted to match the series’ immersive storytelling approach.
In addition to its main studio, Apple has expanded its production presence in Culver City with a new office campus at 8888 Venice Boulevard, featuring over 536,000 square feet of office and production space. This expansion ensures that Apple’s in-house productions, possibly including ‘Side Quest,’ benefit from state-of-the-art facilities tailored for modern content creation. The strategic location of this campus within Culver City means productions have access to a highly skilled workforce, post-production services, and industry resources, streamlining the entire filmmaking process.
Culver City has long been a major hub for film and television production and houses studios such as Sony Pictures and Apple Studios. The city’s infrastructure, combined with its proximity to Los Angeles, makes it an ideal location for high-profile productions. With a legacy of fostering innovation in entertainment, it continues to be a preferred choice for filmmakers who seek both convenience and creative excellence.
Read More: Where is Apple TV+’s The Studio Filmed?
