Where the Wild Things Are: 8 Icelandic Locations That Are Out of This World
As ‘The Land of Fire and Ice’, Iceland is defined by its incredible glaciers and volcanoes and synonymous with its breath-taking views of the Northern Lights. But if you think you know the Nordic island, thanks to its prominent role in shows like Game of Thrones, its varied landscapes and a growing production industry have a lot more to offer the global film industry.
LBB’s Holly Campbell talks to Iceland’s production service companies who reveal why it’s an ideal place to shoot, as well as its locations that are out of this world…
1. Black Sand Beaches
“The black sand beaches are not common around the world. They provide a great contrast as a background and form a surreal looking expanse or desert for scenes” says Einar Sveinn Thordarson, Marketing Director at Pegasus Pictures.
Chanel Björk Sturludóttir, Assistant Producer/Co-Ordinator at Sagafilm adds “Along the south coast you will find black sand beaches, surrounded by rock and cliff formations with either snow-capped glaciers or crashing waves in the background depending on which direction the camera lens is facing.”
Formed by black volcanic rock, Iceland’s black sand beaches are a fascinating location. Scenes from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story were shot on Iceland’s beach Myrdalssandur, capturing moss green mountains in view.
2. Geothermal Fields
“Rural areas and untouched nature can be reached within a few hours drive from the capital city. Another factor that distinguishes Icelandic locations from others is the geothermal activity, which creates impressive landscapes suitable for filming that have smoke or water coming from the ground.” says Chanel Björk Sturludóttir, Assistant Producer/Co-Ordinator, Sagafilm.
"Iceland's landscape changes every few miles, creatives will be like kids in a candy store!" says Egill Thordarson, Digital Designer at Islenska.
3. Lava Fields
Iceland’s lava fields are the result of historic volcanic eruptions. The crater embedded and moss-covered landscapes provide unearthly, lunarscape settings for shoots. They bear such a likeness to the moon that the Apollo 11 crew trained on an Icelandic lava field for their moonwalk!
“Iceland is a very young country geologically and the raw nature is very powerful, striking and surreal looking in many places, to the point that it looks like a lunar landscape.” Says Einar Sveinn Thordarson, Marketing Director at Pegasus Pictures.
4. Waterfalls
Iceland is dotted with waterfalls, from the small and charming to the soaring and impressive.
“What makes Iceland an incredible shooting location is, not only the dramatic and beautiful landscapes, but the logistics and convenient infrastructure” explains Karl Sigurdarson, Producer and Marketing Director at TRUENORTH. “Within 1-hour travel, we can cater 3-4 different looking locations, with a hotel in reach, qualified and hardworking crew, and well supplied, state of the art equipment rentals. This combination gives clients an ideal opportunity to reach a number of locations within a fairly adjusted time.”
5. Volcanoes
Iceland is a volcanic hotspot and its lava filled, ice-covered mountains provide mysterious yet earthly settings for shoots. Scenes from the film Journey to the Centre of the Earth were shot on an Icelandic volcano.
However, it’s not just the incredible landscape that attracts production companies to the island. “Compared to the rest of the world, few places have so many spectacular, unique locations, in such close proximity to each other. Reykjavik [Iceland’s airport] is only a 3hr flight from London and a 5.5hr flight from New York.” Says Remi Morawski, Owner and Managing Director at Emerge Films
6. Glaciers and Ice Lakes
The thick ice masses slowly deform creating unique formations, crevasses and ice caves, making them a popular shoot location. The glaciers have hosted a backdrop to multiple Hollywood movies including Interstellar, Batman Begins and Die Another Day.
“Iceland can lend a unique style, drama, beauty and mysticism to every film shot here. It helps make a project stand out. The light in Iceland is always beautiful, whether it’s a bright sky or a moody one.” says Einar Sveinn Thordarson, Marketing Director at Pegasus Pictures.
7. Coastal Towns and Fishing Villages
Iceland’s fascinating landscapes are not all otherworldly natural wonders. The island boasts an abundance of diverse colourful and kitsch coastal towns and fishing villages.
“The coastal villages can be quite picturesque and in some cases strange and dramatic.” says Einar Sveinn Thordarson, Marketing Director at Pegasus Pictures.
“Beyond the impressive locations, Iceland offers a well-established production service centre, with a depth of professional technical and creative crews and all of the latest camera, grip and lighting equipment.” Says Remi Morawski, Owner and Managing Director at Emerge Films.
8. Grassy Highlands and Fields
Game of Thrones is well known for being shot all over Iceland, but the country’s bright green fields and moss-covered mountains provided an immersive backdrop for the series’ village scenes.
“Normally clients have a hard time choosing between locations because there are so many choices!” says Einar Sveinn Thordarson, Marketing Director at Pegasus Pictures.
“With frequent flights to Iceland from New York and Europe, creatives are free to open their eyes to marvellous locations that will allow them to brainstorm limitless ideas about new approaches to enter the consumers mind.” Says Karl Sigurdarson, Producer and Marketing Director at TRUENORTH, Iceland.
