Maps of Movies

Black Swan (2010)

Where Black Swan says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

The ballet world of New York was partly shot in Westchester, and the nightclub is in Chinatown

Scenes and places

Nina's apartment with her mother (2010)

Nina wakes from a dream of dancing the White Swan and tells her mother she hopes to be featured more this season. Erica, a former ballerina, watches over her every step and treats her like a child. The home is the pressure Nina is trying to dance out of.

Set in Nina and Erica's apartment — The apartment Nina shares with her overprotective mother, Erica, a former ballerina.

A home that doubles as a pressure chamber: pink, tidy and watched.

Filmed at Apartment area near Prospect Park, Brooklyn (Prospect Park, Brooklyn, New York, United States) — The film's apartment was located near Prospect Park (the pin is the park's center, not the building). Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The morning subway ride (2010)

Nina rides to work while dancers around her gossip about Beth, the company's aging prima ballerina, being back. The talk shows how fast a dancer is written off and how little time Nina feels she has.

Set in Southbound 1 train, Manhattan — A southbound 1 train, the commute to the ballet company.

The 1 train runs the length of the Upper West Side past Lincoln Center, where the company is based.

Filmed at 66th St–Lincoln Center subway station (Upper West Side, Manhattan, New York, United States) — One travel blog places the commute scene at this station; no second source. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The audition for the Swan Queen (2010)

Artistic director Thomas announces a new Swan Lake and says he needs one dancer who can be both the white and the black swan. Nina dances a flawless White Swan but cannot loosen up for the Black Swan, and he dismisses her. A new girl, Lily, walks in late and Nina notices her.

Set in Ballet company studio — The company's rehearsal studio, where the director announces the new Swan Lake.

A performing arts center north of the city that stood in for the company's studios and stage.

Filmed at Performing Arts Center, Purchase College (SUNY), Purchase NY (Purchase, Westchester County, New York, United States) — Much of the film was shot at this performing arts center; the match to this exact scene is inferred. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Nina confronts Thomas (2010)

The next day Nina goes to Thomas and asks for the part. He tells her she is a perfect White Swan but never lets go, and that perfection is also about surrender. He kisses her and she bites him and runs out.

Set in Thomas Leroy's office — The director's office, where Nina asks him to reconsider.

No filming location for this scene is documented in the sources found.

The season-opening gala (2010)

Thomas announces that Beth is retiring and that Nina will be the new Swan Queen. An intoxicated Beth accuses Nina in public of trading favors for the role. At the party Nina also meets Lily properly for the first time.

Set in Season-opening gala — A fundraising party where Thomas announces the new Swan Queen.

No filming location for this scene is documented in the sources found.

Visiting Beth in the hospital (2010)

Nina hears that Beth was hit by a car, and Thomas believes it was an attempt on her own life. Nina visits and is shaken to see Beth's injured legs. She understands that Beth will never dance again.

Set in Hospital room — The hospital where Beth is recovering after being hit by a car.

No filming location for this scene is documented in the sources found.

A night out with Lily (2010)

Nina slips out past her mother's objections to go drinking with Lily. Lily puts a drug in Nina's drink, and Nina loosens up, flirting and dancing. It is the first time she lets go, and she comes home in a haze.

Set in Nightclub in Manhattan — A club where Lily takes Nina out for drinks. Google Maps · Apple Maps

A Chinatown nightclub that closed in the 2010s.

Filmed at Santos Party House, 96 Lafayette St, Manhattan (Chinatown, Manhattan, New York, United States) — The nightclub sequence was shot here. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Opening night at the theater (2010)

Opening night arrives with Nina's hallucinations and her rivalry with Lily at their worst. She is determined to dance both swans, with the director, her mother and her own mind all pulling at her.

Set in The company's theater — The theater where the new Swan Lake opens. Google Maps · Apple Maps

Lincoln Center is home to the real New York City Ballet.

Filmed at Lincoln Center, Manhattan (Lincoln Center, Upper West Side, New York, United States) — Filming began outside Lincoln Center; only a few scenes were shot there. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Filmed at Performing Arts Center, Purchase College (SUNY), Purchase NY (Purchase, Westchester County, New York, United States) — The ballet performance scenes were shot here; the match to each scene is inferred. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Characters

• Nina Sayers — A driven New York City Ballet dancer cast as both the White and Black Swan.
• Lily — A newcomer from San Francisco whose freedom Nina both envies and fears.
• Thomas Leroy — The company's artistic director, pushing Nina to let go.
• Erica Sayers — Nina's overprotective mother, a former ballerina.
• Beth McIntyre — The company's prima ballerina, pushed into retirement.