Editing Groundhog Day (film) (section)

===Preproduction===
[[File:Gobblers Knob - Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania (7086949891).jpg|thumb|left|The real Gobbler's Knob in [[Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania]] (2012)]]

The production wanted to use a "quintessential American town" for location shooting, a place that did not look as if it was specific to any particular period.<ref name="Varietyat25" /> The Pennsylvania Film Commission provided [[location scouting]] tapes of Punxsutawney, but it became obvious that attempting to film in Punxsutawney would present difficulties, as the town had few ideal filming locations for the scripted scenes.<ref name="Varietyat25" /><ref name="morning call" /> Punxsutawney was also too isolated from the necessary amenities. The rural town was nearly {{convert|80|mi}} from [[Pittsburgh]], the nearest large city and did not offer sufficient accommodation for the entire cast and crew.<ref name="morning call" /><ref name="AboutPittsburgh" />

As a Chicago native, Ramis enjoyed filming in Illinois and knew the area could meet their needs.<ref name="Varietyat25" /><ref name="morning call" /> These included being closer to a major metropolitan area with access to highways, a winter aesthetic, and the ability to complete the production as quickly as possible.<ref name="morning call" /><ref name="AboutPittsburgh" /> Ramis also wanted a [[main street]] like Punxsutawney's. Location scout Bob Hudgins thought that [[Mineral Point, Wisconsin]], could meet their requirements. During the scouting journey there, the team stopped in the city of [[Baraboo, Wisconsin]], which happened to have a [[town square]]. The filmmakers could see the benefits of a town square over a main street. Ramis asked for something similar, but in closer proximity to Chicago.<ref name="WoodstockIndependent" />

By the time they arrived in [[Woodstock, Illinois]], over 60 towns had been scouted. Hudgins was aware of Woodstock—a small town of approximately 25,000 people—from his work on the 1987 comedy film ''[[Planes, Trains and Automobiles]]''. Though relatively remote, it offered the timeless quality the filmmakers sought. After Hudgins arranged for Ramis and Albert to view the town from the bell tower of the Woodstock Opera House, the decision was made to film in Woodstock.<ref name="morning call" /><ref name="WoodstockIndependent" /> The town even came with a large pothole for Phil to step in.<ref name="Varietyat25" /><ref name="WoodstockIndependent" />

Scouts initially found a forested preserve area outside of [[McHenry, Illinois]], to film scenes at Gobbler's Knob. The filmmakers later opted to position the site in the town square instead,<ref name="WoodstockIndependent" /> recreating it to scale with detailed notes and videos,<ref name="Varietyat25" /><ref name="morning call" /><ref name="AboutPittsburgh" /> which significantly increased the effect on the town. Thousands of extras were on site across multiple takes. Several local businesses banded together to oppose the film's presence, concerned about the influence the production would have on both the town square and storefronts over an indeterminate amount of time. Hudgins said that he was proud that badges with the number "23" on them—representing the 23 united businesses—had to be amended to "14" as he won several over. The city council was also split on whether to let it proceed.<ref name="WoodstockIndependent" /> Three of the business owners sued Columbia Pictures after filming concluded for lost profits during the production. One of these cases was settled out of court; the outcomes of the other two are unknown.<ref name="ChicagoTribunePremiere" />