X Marks the Spot: On Location With The X-Files [Paperback]

Louisa Gradnitzer (Author), Todd Pittson (Author)

Book Description

Series: X-Files | Publication Date: July 1, 2002

The X-Files was a pop culture phenomenon. When it first hit the airwaves, The X-Files was heralded for being radically different than anything else on television. The rainy, foggy "Wet Coast," which was home to the show, affected the look of the series—dark, haunting, mysterious—and its storylines—paranoid, conspiratorial, fantastic.

Written by the former location managers for The X-Files, X Marks the Spot documents the development of the popular television series into a critical and commercial success by peering behind-the-scenes to see just what made it so different.

Gradnitzer and Pittson reveal the role that sets and locations played in creating and maintaining the X-Files "look," and provide a glimpse into the problems and conventions that the production faced during its growth.

Also in the book are plot synopses from the series' first 5 years, explicit descriptions of locations where scenes were shot, and anecdotes from crew members about life on set and with the stars—stories about producing groundbreaking television.

A collector's item for fans of the show and an informing read for anyone interested in the production of a major television program, X Marks the Spot also includes numerous images from the television show itself, as well as never-before-seen backstage photos by former crew members.

It's an essential insider's guide.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Louisa Gradnitzer is employed in the thriving Vancouver film and television industry. She and Todd Pittson were co-location managers for The X-Files during the five years the television series was produced in Vancouver.

Todd Pittson is employed in the thriving Vancouver film and television industry. He and Louisa Gradnitzer were co-location managers for The X-Files during the five years the television series was produced in Vancouver.

Product Details

• Paperback: 187 pages
• Publisher: Arsenal Pulp Press (July 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551520664
• ISBN-13: 978-1551520667
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #199,248 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for X-Files fans., September 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: X Marks the Spot: On Location With The X-Files (Paperback)

This is a great book not only for diehard fans of The X-Files, but also anyone interested in the behind the scenes making of a weekly TV series. It's got lots of on-set photos that I'd never seen before as well as the scoop on how each episode from the first 5 years were filmed. More than a fan book, I'd say.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Inside Info For Fans, January 9, 2000

By 

Erwin (Vancouver, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: X Marks the Spot: On Location With The X-Files (Paperback)

This book was an excellent read for myself, an X-Files fan and a resident of Vancouver. It expresses the love and dedication that all the X-Files crew members had for the show.

Anyone who likes the X-Files will get a kick out of reading the various stories behind acquiring all the locations for the show. A synopsis of *every* episode shot in BC is given, making this a useful episode guide as well.

After reading the book, I can say I am truly lucky to live in a city that stood for so many diverse places during the X-Files run.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A unique and interesting approach, December 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: X Marks the Spot: On Location With The X-Files (Paperback)

This entertaining and educational book shows us the development of a great TV series from a unique perspective rarely seen before: the Locations department. The first 5 seasons of The X-Files are brought to life behind the scenes with the people on the front line. The book is filled with lots of great and funny stories about the adventures of the Locations folks and their desire to turn Vancouver and environs into numerous settings across the U.S. and around the world while simultaneously enabling the producers and directors to make top-notch television. Highly recommended.