The Abandoned Town of Spectre
What do Ewan McGregor, Miley Cyrus, Steve Buscemi and Danny DeVito all have in common? Physically, not much. However, if you were to peer into the world of Tim Burton and John August’s adaptation of “Big Fish,” you will find them all playing their own part, as each holds a role in this beautifully crafted film.
In 1998, an author by the name of Daniel Wallace had just completed his novel, “Big Fish.” Screenwriter John August was given an opportunity to read the entire story six months prior to its initial release, and almost immediately began shaping a screenplay adapted to the novel. August knew instantly that this was the perfect story to craft into a film. While he worked towards its completion, producers attempted to negotiate with Stephen Spielberg to direct the film. Spielberg dropped the project in 2002 to focus his work on “Catch Me If You Can,” leaving Tim Burton and Richard D. Zanuck to take over.
Filming for “Big Fish” began, as John August tasked Tim Burton with the job of directing almost everything – pulling it all together to make that vision become reality. If you’re familiar with any of Burton’s other works, you know that this could only end in something greatly unique. In the story of Big Fish, Edward Bloom (played by Ewan McGregor and Albert Finney) sets out from his hometown of Ashton, Alabama in search of bigger, better things – more excitement in his life. During his travels he’s met with a fork in the road, with the left side leading straight out of town, and the right winding a dangerous, rarely traveled path. In the story, it was said that the poet, Norther Winslow (played by Steve Buscemi) was the last to take this road. Nobody had ever heard from Norther again, nor were quite sure what happened to him. Finally deciding to take the road less traveled, Edward would soon find himself staring down a visually haunting path, which became increasingly more physically difficult the deeper he wandered. After numerous dangerous encounters throughout the forest, Edward finds himself facing the entrance of a quaint and beautiful town – Spectre; “the best kept secret in Alabama”. His first visit, he was too early – his second, too late.
Spectre is quite a unique town brought to reality strongly through the imagination of Dennis Gassner. Dennis is an American production designer, known for his work in “Bugsy,” “Road to Perdition, and of course “Big Fish.” While many films will collect their footage from locations anywhere but what was actually written into the story, it was jointly agreed upon that “Big Fish” be shot exactly where the story takes place – Alabama. You see, this town was never truly inhabited by a single soul – it was built on an island, specifically for the purpose of filming. The “town” lived a life of no more than a couple short years, providing a unique space for actors and actresses to dance wildly through the night, or for Steve Buscemi to eat pie. While it may appear to be an incredibly bizarre “lost” or “hidden” town, that’s not entirely the case.
Once the first half of filming came to completion Spectre was intentionally altered to appear abandoned, as if it had sat for decades falling into a gloomy state of decay and disrepair – this was done for the second portion of filming when Edward returns to find Spectre in shambles. The project was eventually finished, leaving all buildings behind; a fading memory. Right from its initial abandonment in 2003, having been manually altered, it already appeared as though time stopped years ago, and that everyone had simply left. The years to follow would only come to welcome further natural destruction.
Spectre resides on a small island, which stretches over Jackson Lake within the city of Millbrook, Alabama. Twelve years later, the town still remains empty, standing in silence atop this land. The passing of time has pushed these structures into further dilapidation, and any future plans for the set remain unknown at this point.
I stood centered between the two odd trees, which frame the town into a dark and ominous, very picturesque scene. Their branches reach from one to the other, overlapping and nearly touching almost as if they’re trying to grasp the hand of one another. Shoes still dangled from a line hanging above the town’s entrance, while the lonely, empty road stretched between buildings. Traipsing back and forth around the base of these trees, I searched for the perfect photo, stepping through, on and all around them. I bounced from one side to the other for at least ten minutes before finally noticing that the trees themselves were actually made of Styrofoam – designed by Tim Burton himself.
Even though Spectre was never a “real” place – though it never actually inhabited life, we are still affected by the very real vision and somber feeling that it did – especially after seeing it portrayed as so. I’m often asked why I find such deep interest in places like this, and always struggle to describe it in just one way – see, there lists worth of reasons constantly flow through my thoughts. Every location is different. Every single space is unique in its own way. I believe that many other locations would not be able to compare to the town of Spectre, specifically for its unique story – it’s a tale that came to life exclusively here. I’m not quite sure if I was too late or too early, but I’m glad I was able to experience it before it becomes lost forever. It’s astounding, witnessing a scene from a fantasy that truly exists.
While some people know of its existence, many remain unaware that this beautifully odd place was ever even part of our real world. This strange collection of structures remains tucked behind Styrofoam trees and a gated road, just waiting for those interested enough to find it. Sometimes to discover something new and beautiful, you must choose the path less traveled.
Very often, I’m asked what gear I use for my photography, videography, etc. Questions ranging from what type of camera/cameras I use, what lenses I use, backpacks, memory cards, even what type of laptop I recommend, or what type of introductory camera I recommend…all that stuff, and more!
Well, of course I love to recommend camera gear or adventure gear that I trust and love, so at the end of each post I create here on my blog, I like to give a bit of a run-down on gear I use almost all the time!
So here it is! My entire (or most of it) list of photography/editing/adventure gear that I use.
My Camera (Sony a7riii) – https://amzn.to/2AFtzQv
Alternative Camera – https://amzn.to/2VHjR9h
Theta 360 Camera – https://amzn.to/2CaRwzm
Sandisk Memory Cards – https://amzn.to/2SN5sX6
Sony 16-35 4.0 – https://amzn.to/2HgLFhN
Zeiss 55 1.8 – https://amzn.to/2SK4Dys
Zeiss 85 1.8 Batis – https://amzn.to/2SNRQLm
Laowa 12mm 2.8 Zero-D – https://amzn.to/2AESLXD
My Favorite Backpack – https://amzn.to/2RKTi44
Tripod 1 – https://amzn.to/2SKxxON
Tripod 2 – https://amzn.to/2M2gUM6
MSI Laptop (great for editing, & much more) – https://amzn.to/2shGfZn
My e-books – https://amzn.to/2Bumcwo
Hardcover books and prints available at – www.oddworldstudio.com
Yes, those links above are all affiliate links to Amazon, so yes I do get a very small percentage if you make a purchase through one of them. This helps me keep this blog up and running!
Love this!
Thank you! 🙂
Maybe, just maybe, you were right on time…..
😀
I want to see this in person, incredible. Thanks for the history!
Go check it out before it is all gone! It’s a great place.
Bring your bug spray and $3.00
Wonderful place, and daunting pictures!
Thank you! It truly was an amazing place to see.
So did you happen to stumble across the site because after the production of movie I heard they closed the Jackson lake area off from public.
The uninhibited town of spectre was designed by Dennis Gassner Dennis Gassner (born October 22, 1948) is an American production designer. He is notable for his work in Bugsy, Road to Perdition, and Big Fish.
Thank you for that, I am about to change it! 🙂
What exactly did Miley Cyrus have to do with it, I think I missed something.
Never mind. Ruthie age 8. Didn’t even notice that was her off the bat. 😜
Beautiful photography as always! I am planning on ordering your book as soon as I set up a PayPal acct.
This is great! Thanks for making this public. I live just a few hours from there, so I definitely plan to visit for my own photo shoot.
It looks like someone still takes care of the place, because, I see in your photos that the grass is recently cut.
Also, I looked it up on Google Earth, which has an older image of it, and, at the time their satellite photo was shot, there were a total of 11 buildings on the site. However several of them looked like they had fallen in. By the time you shot your photos last month, they debris had long since been cleared, and it looks like the grass has grown in to cover any trace that there was ever a building on that spot.
Now, I’ll have to watch the movie again, because I don’t really remember much about it.
Google Lake Jackson Island. It cost $3.00 to enter gate. People fish, boat and swim.
Beautiful!
Wow! what a great story and wonderful pictures as well ! You’re so talented… it gives me a good reason to see this movie once again !
Absolutely love this! I’ve been intrigued with this place since the movie. Being from Alabama, I think it’s amazing!
obviously someone comes and mows it since the grass is not over grown. So it is not totally forgotten about…I wonder who that someone is that is paid to go mow grass for a town that never really existed yet has the look of a town?!?!
Google Lake Jackson Island. It cost $3.00 to enter gate. People fish, boat and swim
That property is private and owned by a retired law enforcement officer. I would suggest you acquire permission before trespassing.
Good to know. Thanks
It’s owned by Bobby Bright. He is a former correctional officer and former mayor of Montgomery and also served as a member of the US House of Representatives for a couple of years. Very nice guy. It is open to the public for a small fee at the gate. My family and I fished there a couple of weeks ago. The town of Spectre was awesome. There were goats living in the church. Nice place, can’t wait to go back
Not true
Jackson Lake is open again. You put your info in at the gate and pay a few dollars. Not only does it have the wonderful town of Spectre, but it is a great spot for families to kayak, fish, and relax. Absolutely beautiful!
I used to live in Millbrook, bought car tags in Wetumpka( bridge and town and the large house scenes) and absolutely LOVE the movie! I’ve been to Jackson lake many times but unfortunately, haven’t had a chance to visit “spectre” but SO want to! Thank you for the article and fantastic pictures!
An interesting article with amazing images that transport us there with you and it sounds like a cool place to visit. There’s something otherworldly about the place. Perhaps that’s what intrigues you – a link to something of the past. I too find myself moved by old things, always have been.
My family and I fished at Jackson Lake and visited the town of Spectre a few weeks ago. Absolutely beautiful place and we can’t wait to return. I’ll have to pay attention to the trees next time. We did take pictures with the goats that live in the church.
I worked on this movie set and on the special effects crew these buildings were not built to code so they couldn’t be inhabited there were other buildings including the witch house which was built on the island it was built so as to look as it if was leaning, all on a hinge system so the giant could push it back to an upright position,there was also a house in wetumpka that was modified but all of the changes were made were to code , we also changed the facade on the movie theater and old bank building to represent a certain time period
That is so awesome! It’s amazing hearing about a place I have photographed from someone who had actually been or worked there. I would love to hear more about it if you would be up for chatting through email. My email is urbexus@gmail.com but that is completely up to you! I don’t want to take up all of your time 🙂
Is this something that anyone can go and visit? I would love to tour this!
yes you can…it is very easy to visit…drive to the gate, fill out the envelope and place $3/person in the envelope…call the number and get the code to open the gate…you can also fish on the bank.
Went a couple weeks ago…l loved it. It is worth a trip with your family. The place is beautiful..