A Guidebook to 'Breaking Bad' Filming Locations: Including "Better Call Saul" - Albuquerque as Physical Setting and Indispensable Character

The Sixth Edition of this book provides a systematic approach to visiting filming locations for AMC's hit television series "Breaking Bad," as well as its prequel, “Better Call Saul.” This book condenses filming-location information presented at 'Marc Valdez Weblog' (http://marcvaldez.blogspot.com). Albuquerque-area locations are presented in circuits that exploit proximity of sites for efficient tours.Filming locations for these TV shows are sometimes shared with other cinematic projects, such as movies. Filming locations sometimes resemble Surrealist artworks, or call them to mind. Thus, related movies or Surrealist artworks are presented for each filming location.A number of different enthusiasts have contributed to this book to help give people a better understanding of the geographic, historical, and cultural setting for the TV series. Personal reminisces and anecdotes are interspersed with historical information regarding Albuquerque and its complicated interactions with the television series. The author lives in Sacramento, California, but was born in Albuquerque and raised in nearby Corrales. Chief contributor is Sven Joli. Brian T. Bailey and Tom Lamb contributed illustrations, and numerous others contributed photographs (Adam Ramirez, Mary Arnold, Ron Leonard, Miguel Jaramillo, James Gelet, etc.).Vince Gilligan’s Albuquerque looks like the real Albuquerque, but it’s an artistic creation - a remapping, a kind of projection or hologram - that endlessly fascinates. Understanding Vince Gilligan’s Albuquerque requires an understanding of the real city – this book can help - but that’s only the beginning. There are deeper processes and ambitions at work – and this book can help with that understanding too.Presented with this book is the Second Edition of a sister book –“‘Breaking Bad’ Signs and Symbols: Reading Meaning into Sets, Props, and Filming Locations” - on how the creative teams tell stories in the backgrounds of scenes using elements of Albuquerque architecture, particularly those elements deriving from Chicago. Of particular note are stories about Chicago’s “Century of Progress” and the disappointing legacies of modernity in America. The history of Early Surrealism, which arose at the same time in the early 20th Century, also plays a role. Read more