X Marks the Spot: On Location With The X-Files

by Louisa Gradnitzer, Todd Pittson

The first pieces of The X-Files puzzle were established in 1993, when the program debuted on American television. From its inauspicious beginnings as a cult TV show, to its becoming part of the collective conspiratorial unconscious, X Marks the Spot reveals the people and the places that helped make the show part of television history - from Chris Carter, David Duchovny, and Gillian Anderson, to UFOs, scorched corpses, and blinding lights. The X-Files has won numerous awards and captured the imaginations of television viewers around the world. For the first time, fans of the program can catch a glimpse of life on the set and behind the scenes, and find out how their favourite episodes were filmed. X Marks the Spot also includes plot synopses of the first five years, explicit descriptions of locations, and anecdotes about life on set and with the stars, all as seen through the eyes of location managers Tod Pittson and Louisa Gradnitzer, who chronicle their five-year journey through The X-Files.

Genres: Nonfiction

187 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1999

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book too late for my trip to Vancouver, B.C. - I was crushed! We still found a few of the X files filming locations but this book is chock full of addresses and descriptions of familiar sites for the first few seasons of this classic SciFi. Later they moved filming to LA and everything looked like a desert.

[Hina · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a true X-Phile, I love, love, LOVED this book! It was written by two of the location managers for the Vancouver run of the show, which was Seasons 1-5. I mean, I've always appreciated the show and been fascinated by how complex it seemed, but this book REALLY provides an in-depth description of the intricacies involved with finding the right locations, compensating for weather/lighting conditions, dealing with safety/noise concerns. It really is something!

I found out about this book shortly before my Vancouver trip and quickly ordered it. I didn't get through too much off the book before the trip, but my boyfriend and I did get a chance to visit some places, which was fun.

I would HIGHLY recommend this book to any fan of the show, so that one can gain a deeper appreciation for this show. After, and even while, reading this, I marveled at how The X-Files was just a TV show, because the each episode played more like its own movie.

[Samantha Nowatzke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun look at filming of Seasons 1-5 of X-Files in Vancouver. Good read for super fans.

[gaby · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? If you're a fan, this is a wonderful read! Especially if you're planning a trip to Vancouver :)