Filming took place at The Travel Inn Hotel, 515 West 42nd Street, Manhattan, NYC. As of 2017, the location on West 42nd Street has considerably changed appearance, due to new construction and remodeled buildings.
Based on the true autobiography hoax of JT LeRoy which resulted in 3 books, a feature film and documentary.. The "real" JT LeRoy was writer/artist Laura Albert while her sister-in-law Savannah Knoop posed as JT LeRoy for photo shoots, appearances, etc. Several celebrities (including Winona Ryder. Liv Tyler and Bono) were even quoted in interviews discussing their supposed friendship with the non-existent JT LeRoy.