Suncoast, which was filmed in South Carolina, is the first film directed by Laura Chinn. With an autobiographical feel, the bittersweet Hulu coming-of-age comedy is set in the early 2000s and takes us into the world of Doris and her terminally ill brother, and the social ramifications that surround her and her family.
Filming Locations
Charleston, South Carolina
According to Wikipedia, principal photography of the movie started in September of 2022 and Charleston, South Carolina was the main location used. The location was chosen as it could easily replicate the areas of Florida where the film was set and has some stunning coastlines and beaches ideal for the production.
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Fort Johnson, Charleston
For a scene in the film that required a church, Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy, located in Fort Johnson, Charleston, was used. The building used can be found at 424 Fort Johnson Rd, Charleston, SC 29412, United States.
Moncks Corner, South Carolina
Wikipedia would go on to note that filming in the chosen location had to be stopped due to Hurricane Ian deciding to strike, meaning that the film had to stop production until the weather phenomena had passed. In October of 2022, filming resumed in Moncks Corner.
ABC4 News would report on the return of the film crew to the area, and a post on the site would offer up some specific locations for filming saying: “As a result, Peagler Way will be closed between Main Street and Leisure Time Way from 5:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.”
Production and Timeline
Suncoast was produced and directed by Laura Chinn, and Chinn used her memoir when making the film. This was the directorial debut for Chinn too. Named producers on the movie also included Jeremy Plager, p.g.a., Francesca Silvestri, p.g.a., Kevin Chinoy, p.g.a., and Oly Obst.
Here’s a brief timeline of how Suncoast came to fruition:
- Woody Harrelson, Laura Linney, and Nico Parker were all signed to the movie in August of 2022, meaning that production could go ahead under the auspices of Searchlight Pictures.
- Principal photography started in September 2022.
- Hurrican Ian halted filming of Suncoast until October 2022.
- Post-production wrapped in late 2023.
- Suncoast debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in January 2024.
- Suncoast was released on Hulu on February 9, 2024.
Laura Chinn’s personal experience with Suncoast
An article from Time Magazine with the producer and director of the film would reveal the personal connection that Chinn had with some of the more complex themes that the film touches upon. She would reveal that as a teenager, her brother would be diagnosed with brain cancer. Sadly after six years of being looked after by the family, her brother would be admitted to a hospice in Florida. The hospice was called Suncoast, and at that time was at the center of a media storm, as a patient called Terry Schiavo was also in the hospice, and her family entered into a legal fight to allow her to die with dignity.
There was huge media interest in the case, and crowds of people would be outside the hospital protesting. These events affected Chinn, who would speak of it in her memoir, and use it in the film.
