The Motel Life is a 2006 novel by musician and writer Willy Vlautin that follows the story of two brothers from Reno, NV who must flee after getting involved in a fatal car accident. The novel was adapted into a film starring Emile Hirsch, Stephen Dorff, Dakota Fanning, and Kris Kristofferson and premiered at the Rome Film Festival in 2012, receiving several awards.
Watch the trailer below:
The Motel Life Movie Trailer (YouTube)
Nevada Filming Locations
Chris Ramirez of Lola Pictures helped to oversee the making of The Motel Life, and he insisted on having the movie filmed in Reno. Ramirez helped with finding local crew, scouted the locations and organized other critical details while the State of Nevada and its local communities provided the support needed to create a true Nevadan film.
The film was shot in Reno, Gardnerville, Genoa, Minden and Virginia City using locations such as J.T. Basque Bar & Dining Room in Gardnerville, the Holiday Lodge in Minden, and a field in Genoa where a car was set on fire.
Filming Location for The Motel Life – J.T. Basque Bar & Dining Room in Gardnerville, NV.
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Watch this video below featuring Directors Gabe & Alan Polsky, Screenwriter Micah Fitzerman and Production Designer Ryan Smith about what it was like filming in Reno:
On Reno Featurette by Polsky Films (Daily Motion)
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