FILM LOCATIONS: HOW IF I HAD LEGS I’D KICK YOU USED SMART LOCATION STRATEGY TO KEEP THE BUDGET DOWN
Film Locations: If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
9th of Mar, 2025.
HOW IF I HAD LEGS I’D KICK YOU USED SMART LOCATION STRATEGY TO KEEP THE BUDGET DOWN
Key Takeaways:
Strategic film location planning can dramatically reduce production costs: The production of If I Had Legs I'd Kick You demonstrates how independent film productions, producers, location managers and film scouts can control budgets by clustering filming locations within a single region, reducing company moves, minimising crew travel, and maximising shooting efficiency.
Choosing production-ready locations that naturally match the script reduces the need for expensive set builds: By filming primarily in Montauk with limited additional shooting in Brooklyn, the filmmakers created a rich visual world while maintaining a lean independent film production schedule of just 27 shooting days.
Norfolk House, a film location in Norfolk.
A CHARACTER-DRIVEN STORY IN A CONTROLLED WORLD
The psychological drama If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, written and directed by Mary Bronstein, is a powerful example of how smart location strategy can support storytelling while keeping production budgets under control.
The film stars Rose Byrne, Conan O'Brien, Danielle Macdonald, Christian Slater, and ASAP Rocky. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on 24 January 2025 before being released by A24 on 10 October 2025.
The film later received major recognition, including a Golden Globe for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, awarded to Rose Byrne at the Golden Globe Awards.
At its core, the story follows Linda as she struggles to keep her life and career together while dealing with:
her daughter’s unexplained illness
an absent husband
a mysterious disappearance
an unconventional relationship with her therapist
Because the story is emotionally intense and character-driven, the filmmakers did not require a large number of locations. Instead, they built a contained cinematic world, which helped streamline production.
FILMING IN MONTAUK: A COST-EFFICIENT LOCATION STRATEGY
The majority of the film was shot in Montauk, with additional scenes filmed in Brooklyn, including at 1245 Grand Street. Production ran between August and September 2023, completing principal photography in just 27 days.
Montauk offered several advantages for a lean independent production:
Multiple filming environments within a compact area:
The town offers beaches, residential streets, small businesses and modest homes within a short distance, allowing productions to capture varied visuals without constant company moves.
A built-in atmosphere for psychological storytelling:
The windswept coastline and slightly remote feel of Montauk reinforce the film’s tense, introspective tone.
Lower logistical complexity:
By concentrating filming in one region, the production significantly reduced:
transport costs
crew accommodation movement
permitting and location coordination
For producers and location managers, this approach demonstrates how carefully chosen filming locations can support both narrative and budget efficiency.
Hertfordshire School, a film location North of London.
CREATIVE COST SAVINGS DURING PRODUCTION
Director Mary Bronstein took additional steps to ensure the production could complete filming within its limited schedule.
Most notably, she gave up her director’s fee, allowing the production to allocate additional resources to shooting days.
Some of the film’s more surreal visual elements were also captured after principal photography, filmed simply by Bronstein and the director of photography rather than a full crew.
This stripped-back approach avoided the need for expensive reshoots or additional production days while still achieving the film’s distinctive tone.
Beachfront Retreat, a film location in West Sussex.
WHY LOCATION STRATEGY IS CRITICAL FOR INDEPENDENT FILMS
The production of If I Had Legs I'd Kick You highlights several important principles for filmmakers and location professionals.
Location clustering
Filming multiple scenes within one region reduces crew moves and maximises shooting time.
Story-aligned locations
Selecting locations that naturally fit the script reduces reliance on expensive production design.
Efficient shooting schedules
A well-planned location map allows productions to shoot quickly while maintaining visual consistency.
For film producers, location managers and production companies, strategic location planning is often one of the most effective ways to control budgets without sacrificing cinematic quality.
A UK SUBSTITUTE FOR MONTAUK-STYLE FILM LOCATIONS
If a similar story were set in the UK, a strong equivalent to Montauk’s atmosphere would be the North Norfolk coast.
Locations such as:
Holkham Beach
Wells-next-the-Sea
Blakeney
Offer similar benefits for production:
expansive coastal landscapes
quiet seaside communities
characterful homes and streets
natural light and dramatic weather
These environments create the same isolated emotional tone while remaining highly practical for filming.
FIND THE RIGHT FILM LOCATION FOR YOUR NEXT PROJECT
At Silverstein Locations, we work with film producers, location managers, scouts and production companies to source production-ready filming locations across the UK and internationally.
Our portfolio includes:
coastal homes and seaside properties
remote landscapes and rural settings
architecturally distinctive houses
urban filming locations and production spaces
If you’re planning a feature film, TV drama, commercial or music video, our team can help you find locations that match the world of your script while keeping production logistics efficient.
Explore our film locations or speak to our team to start sourcing the perfect location for your next shoot.
