<Li> Maggie Oskam as Paige Steppe </Li> <Li> Rachael Oskam as Paula Steppe </Li> <P> Preproduction began on May 5, 2003, beginning with choreography rehearsals and make - up tests . Produced on a budget of $15,000,000, filming began on June 4 . Behind the camera was Welsh director Sara Sugarman, who was known for directing the musical comedy film Very Annie Mary . While taking place in New Jersey, the film was filmed in Toronto Hamilton, Ontario and Oakville, Ontario . Scenes at Dellwood High School were filmed at King City Secondary School in King City and Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute in Scarborough . Mall scenes were filmed at Erin Mills Town Centre in Mississauga . Scenes depicting the family's move from New York to New Jersey were filmed in Hamilton, Ontario . It was also filmed on - location for the scenes in New York City . Scenes involving the train station were filmed at the Watchung Avenue Train Station in Montclair, New Jersey, on New Jersey Transit's Montclair - Boonton Line . </P> <P> Originally, the role of Lola was offered to Hilary Duff . After Duff backed out of the film, Freaky Friday's Lindsay Lohan was cast as Lola . "The part that stuck out to me most about the story was how different Lola is", Lohan said . "She's really interesting . As outgoing as she is, she keeps a lot in and I think it's really good to see how her character develops throughout the story ." Producer Robert Shapiro said, "Lindsay Lohan is absolutely a 500 - watt bulb . She's delightful to watch, she's a typical teenager, and she's very wise, and all of that comes across in the part of Lola ." </P>

Confessions of a teenage drama queen filming locations
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