Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha are struggling in their personal and professional lives when the latter lands them an all-expenses-paid trip to Abu Dhabi where they meet Aidan, Carrie’s ex.
Director: Michael Patrick King
Production Designer: Jeremy Conway
Studio: Warner Bros.
Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis & Cynthia Nixon
Locations: Morocco & New York
Location Brief: Depicting various Abu Dhabi location across Morocco, including a luxury Hotel
Sex and the City 2 — Pre-Scouting the Glamorous Moroccan Locations
Overview
Sex and the City 2 took the beloved characters beyond New York City, showcasing a glamorous and sun-soaked adventure set primarily in the Middle East. My role? I was involved in the original pre-location scouting, helping set the stage for the stunning Moroccan locations that would stand in for Abu Dhabi’s luxury and grandeur.
Pre-Scouting Adventures in Morocco
The job involved scouting many of Morocco’s luxury hotels and iconic locations to find the perfect spots that matched the opulence and exotic vibe the filmmakers wanted. Sampling the local mint tea quickly became an essential part of the process — a tasty way to experience the culture while assessing each potential filming site!
The pre-scouting was crucial in shaping the look and feel of the Moroccan segments, helping the production team envision how to transform real locations into a convincing stand-in for Abu Dhabi’s lavish settings.
Behind the Scenes
Though I wasn’t on set for the main shoot, the groundwork laid during the pre-scouting phase was vital. It gave the director and production designer Jeremy Conway a solid base to build on, ensuring the final locations perfectly fit the film’s luxurious and cosmopolitan aesthetic.
Why Pre-Scouting Matters
Location scouting often happens long before cameras roll, and my experience on this project is a great example of how critical this early work is to the success of a film. It’s about spotting potential, imagining possibilities, and setting the foundation for bringing a story’s world to life.
Here are some of my original location scout photo’s from Morocco for the film:
Film Trailer:
