Tamal Kundu
In 2019, Netflix introduced ‘Hyperdrive,’ a brand-new auto-racing reality television series, giving gearheads all over the world something to salivate over. Executive-produced by Charlize Theron, the show revolves around 28 international off-the-grid racers competing against each other for the Hyperdrive championship in their custom-built cars.
Aside from the immensely talented drivers from across the globe, the audience was enthralled by the insanely complicated obstacle course. The track is a 100-acre industrial complex turned into ten courses to test every aspect of the participants’ skills behind the wheel. If you are wondering where the producers found enough land to set up such a colossal engineering and architectural marvel, we have your answer.
Hyperdrive Filming Locations
‘Hyperdrive’ is the ultimate adrenaline-pumping spectacle. It would not be as engrossing and fun if the track were any less challenging or dangerous. However, Theron and her partners did not pick some distant and exotic location to set up the stage for their tire-burning and gas-guzzling sports entertainment show. They selected the deceptively humble Eastman Business Park in Rochester, New York, a manufacturing and industrial complex long past its glory days.
Eastman Business Park, Rochester
Previously known as Kodak Park, it was established in 1890 to make photographic and motion picture film products for the namesake company. At one point, the park was the world’s largest photographic product manufacturing hub, employing a significant portion of the Rochester population. The ashes of the founder of the company, George Eastman, are interred underneath the Georgia marble monument.
Kodak’s decline and eventual bankruptcy are well-documented events in history. They forced the park to get rid of some of its biggest assets, and the downsizing is happening even today. This industrial graveyard served as the perfect home for Hyperdrive. Their behemoth drifting course seamlessly assimilated into the larger park complex.
Filming took place between July and August 2018. The producers decided to film the show during the night, between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. This caused some problems with the people living close to the park, who were agitated because they were not properly warned about the show. To placate them, the showrunners started organizing the racing practices away from the residential areas.
Texas, Illinois, and South Africa
Camera crews were sent to the homes of the contestants to interview them there and film their interactions with their families. Theron herself visited the home of fellow South African national Stacey-Lee May, popularly known as the Queen of Smoke.
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