Setting the Scene: Fabric Structures for Film and Beyond
Does your movie set need an assortment of futuristic structures for a colony on Mars, a high-tech data center, a mobile field hospital or isolation facility to contain a virus outbreak, military shelters for a war scene, a large warehouse for a top-secret alien spaceship, or an engineered fabric structure like those used by guide and outfitting companies at the base camp of Mount Everest? Alaska Structures® works with producers, directors, production supervisors, and location managers to create one-of-a-kind structures. Our tensioned fabric structures have been used in front of the camera, as well as for onsite support facilities, including makeup and wardrobe facilities, dressing rooms, props and equipment storage, production facilities, lunch tents, office space, hospitality suites, production crew housing, sound stages, and film sets.
The total design flexibility of our building systems is unmatched. We offer a wide selection of building models, available in customizable widths and any length. We can configure our fabric buildings with windows, doors, lighting and electrical systems, insulation packages, HVAC, flooring, and interior partition systems. In-house powder coating is available for our metal frame systems in many colors, enhancing aesthetics and corrosion resistance. Our architectural fabric membranes are available in a wide range of colors, can be designed with multiple colors, and in various patterns to create visually unique structures. Alaska Structures® is the only manufacturer to offer in-house printing in North America – allowing us to print near magazine-quality images or designs directly onto our tensioned membranes.
With 50-plus years of proven expertise, our open-span and easily relocatable structures are the go-to solutions for movie production companies, film studios, television shows, and advertising agencies worldwide. Contact us today by completing an online request or call us at +1-907-344-1565 to request a quote or further discuss your upcoming fabric-building needs.
Advantages of Fabric Structures for Film Production
Choosing an Alaska Structures® fabric facility for your film production isn’t just about building a set. It’s about adding a versatile tool to your production arsenal. Discover the advantages that make our fabric structures the choice for filmmakers worldwide:
- American-Made Excellence for the Silver Screen: Every structure is proudly made in the USA, ensuring top-tier materials and rigorous quality assurance. The result? Sets and support facilities that don’t just look the part but stand up to the demands of film production.
- Versatile Open-Span Design: No intrusive support columns to disrupt your shots. Our fabric structures offer a continuous open space, allowing for easy camera movement and set adjustments.
- Low-Cube Design for Efficient Logistics: Designed for economical shipping, our structures significantly reduce the logistical burden. This is especially crucial for remote filming locations where time and resources are limited.
- Minimal Foundations, Maximum Flexibility: With fewer foundational requirements, our fabric structures are perfect for film sets that must be fast to set up and adaptable to diverse terrains.
- Quick Relocation with Repeated Setups: Engineered for repeated assembly and disassembly without mechanical failure, these structures ensure smooth transitions between different shoot locations.
- Adaptable for Multiple Filming Needs: Whether you need it in front of the camera as a prop or behind as a support facility, our fabric structures can be reconfigured quickly to meet the evolving demands of production.
- Low Maintenance, More Filming Time: Spend less time on set maintenance and more on capturing the perfect shot. Our structures are designed to require minimal upkeep, proving to be a boon in tight production schedules.
- Customizable to the Script’s Demand: From a futuristic Martian habitat to a remote military outpost, our structures can be tailored with windows, doors, lighting, insulation, and more. Your vision for the set is realized to perfection.
By integrating Alaska Structures® into your film production, you’re not only enhancing the visual appeal but also ensuring efficiency, adaptability, and reliability for the entire crew.
Iconic Fabric Structures for Every Cinematic Vision
Alaska Structures® boasts an extensive portfolio of fabric structures, each tailored for specific production requirements. Here’s a glimpse at some of our most sought-after models, perfect for your next film project:
Available in 4, 6, and 8-sided models, WeatherPort® Canopies from Alaska Structures® are built for resilience. Designed to weather heavy snow loads and robust winds, they ensure optimal safety for the film crew and talent. The sides of our canopies can be easily enclosed with assorted side curtains, offering protection from unpredictable weather conditions.
- 10’ x 10’ Canopy
- 10’ x 15’ Canopy
- 10’ x 20’ Canopy
- 12’ x 12’ Canopy
- 16’ x 16’ Canopy
- 20’ x 20’ Canopy
The WeatherPort® 6-sided canopy is available in the following sizes:
- 16’ Diameter Hexapae™
- 30’ Diameter Hexapae™
The WeatherPort® octagonal canopy is available in the following sizes:
- 35’ Diameter Octopae™
- 40’ Diameter Octopae™
Tailored for the dynamic world of film, TV, and commercial production, these fabric structures promise quick assembly and dismantling. Whether you’re creating a fictional event space, a prop storage hub, or a sheltered area for crew breaks or lunch tents, the Jubilee series provides adaptable widths from 15′ to 40′, with customizable lengths in 10′ increments. A favorite among producers and directors, it ensures efficient setups and a visually appealing backdrop for cast and crew.
Stepping into modernity, the WeatherPort® Yurt diverges from the conventional wood-lattice design, boasting a metal frame combined with tensioned fabric. Its unique aesthetic and unparalleled durability make it a favorite. With diameters ranging from 12′ to 30′, these Yurts are configured to the finest details, making them ideal for any film scene or backdrop.
The SQ Series™ stands out as the ideal choice for movies, TV shows, and commercial sets that require quick-to-set-up remote camps or smaller shelters to capture that perfect shot. With a width range of 12′ to 30′, SQ Series™ structures are known for swiftly establishing secure, dependable, and versatile onsite facilities. Numerous configurable options, such as windows, gun ports, personnel doors, and partition systems, are available. Moreover, for equipment-heavy shoots, the optional heavy-duty roll-up zipper door ensures easy storage and accessibility.
Elevating the standard in the industry, the GB Series™ fabric buildings are renowned for their straight walls and are a favorite among film crews. Crafted with precision, they combine robust framing and a tensioned architectural membrane to provide unmatched shelter against severe weather. The straight-wall architecture of the GB Series™ optimizes the interior, allowing for efficient use and comfortable working conditions. Available in widths from 8′ to 20′, these fabric structures cater flexibly to diverse filming needs, ensuring your production runs smoothly, no matter the locale or scene demands.
Built to withstand the harshest environments, the Heavy Gable Building (HGB) Series™ is the best bet for productions in extreme locales. Quick and versatile, these structures cater to the varied needs of production crews. Offering widths up to 30′, they come with a myriad of configurable features to enhance any filming experience.
The Double Arch Gable Building (DAGB) Series™ stands out when space is paramount. Suitable for wide-span indoor shoots, they can house everything – from intricate sets to sound systems. With customizable widths and infinite length possibilities, these large fabric structures ensure a seamless filming experience. The open-span design devoid of intrusive columns, combined with a plethora of configurable options, ensures your exact vision comes to life.
Lights, Camera, Shelter! Alaska Structures® in Hollywood
When the world watches stories unfold on the big screen, few realize the integral role behind-the-scenes players have in bringing cinematic dreams to life. One such unsung hero is Alaska Structures®, which has been instrumental in supporting numerous blockbuster films and TV shows. From offering authentic military shelter systems to providing state-of-the-art tents for production needs, our contributions have silently played a part in ensuring the show goes on, regardless of the challenges posed by external elements or unique location demands. Learn how fabric shelters and modular buildings from Alaska Structures® have been a part of the cinematic magic below.
In 1996, two accomplished climbers, New Zealand’s Rob Hall and American Scott Fischer, embarked on one of the most harrowing expeditions in the history of Mount Everest ascents. “Everest” vividly brings this poignant story to life, capturing the sheer magnitude of the mountain’s beauty juxtaposed against the daunting challenges and heart-wrenching realities climbers face. When filming commenced in the majestic Italian Alps, the production team trusted the robustness and dependability of WeatherPort® canopies from Alaska Structures® to stand steadfast amidst the challenging alpine conditions.
Director: Baltasar Kormákur
Written by: William Nicholson, Simon Beaufoy
Starring: Jason Clarke, Jake Gyllenhaal, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Robin Wright, Michael Kelly, Sam Worthington, Keira Knightley, Martin Henderson, Emily Watson
Produced by: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Baltasar Kormákur, Nicky Kentish Barnes, Tyler Thompson, Brian Oliver
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
“Eleventh Hour” delves into the enthralling intersection of science and crime, casting Rufus Sewell as Dr. Jacob Hood, a distinguished biophysicist with a special role as the FBI’s Special Science Adviser. Called upon to untangle complex cases that elude conventional investigation, Dr. Hood is the nation’s bulwark against the misuse of scientific breakthroughs. Alongside him is Special Agent Rachel Young, portrayed by Marley Shelton, whose duty within the FBI’s executive protection wing is to ensure Hood’s safety. As the series unfolds, they’re joined by Special Agent Felix Lee (Omar Benson Miller), adding to the depth of the investigative team. This gripping American drama, inspired by its British predecessor from 2006, is a collaborative masterpiece by Jerry Bruckheimer Television, Granada America, and Warner Bros. Television. Airing for a single season on CBS from October 9, 2008, to April 2, 2009, the show’s fifth episode, “Containment,” features the strategic use of an SQ Series™ from Alaska Structures® depicting a rapidly deployable medical shelter like those from BLU-MED Response Systems® (the medical division of AKS Industries™). The fabric building was depicted in the show as providing a critical resource in containing a perilous disease outbreak that looms over Pittsburgh, PA, showcasing the pivotal role of cutting-edge technology in emergency response scenarios.
Based on: Eleventh Hour by Stephen Gallagher
Developed by: Mick Davis
Starring: Rufus Sewell, Marley Shelton, Omar Benson Miller
Executive Producers: Jerry Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman, Danny Cannon, Cyrus Voris, Ethan Reiff, Paul Buccieri, Mick Davis
Producer: Matthew Carlisle
Production Companies: Jerry Bruckheimer Television, Granada America, Warner Bros. Television
An epic tale of robots, intense action, and the enduring human spirit, “Transformers” stands as a testament to cinematic brilliance. Amidst the vast and intricate sets of this monumental production, military shelters by Alaska Defense™, the esteemed military division of AKS Industries™, were quintessential. These shelters meticulously crafted a remote military base ambiance, setting the stage for the audience’s very first introduction to a transformer – “Blackout,” depicted as a Sikorsky MH-53 Helicopter.
Directed by: Michael Bay
Writers: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel
Produced by: Di Bonaventura Pictures, Hasbro Studios
Distributed by: DreamWorks Pictures (North America), Paramount Pictures (International)
Set against the backdrop of treacherous mountains and daring adventures, “Cliffhanger” brought to the screen breathtaking visuals and intense emotions. Fabric buildings from Alaska Structures® were used by the film crew for onsite support facilities, providing the rugged and reliable shelters that were pivotal to the production’s demanding needs when filming in remote locations.
Directed by: Renny Harlin
Written by: Michael France, Sylvester Stallone
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, John Lithgow, Michael Rooker, Janine Turner, Rex Linn, Caroline Goodall, Leon Robinson, Craig Fairbrass, Gregory Scott Cummins, Denis Forest, Paul Winfield, Ralph Waite, Max Perlich, Trey Brownell, Vyto Ruginis, John Finn, Bruce McGill, Zach Grenier, Jeff McCarthy, Wolfgang Güllich
Produced by: Alan Marshall, Renny Harlin, Mario Kassar
Production Companies: Carolco Pictures, Le Studio Canal+, Pioneer Corporation, RCS Video
Distributed by: TriStar Pictures (a division of the Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group)
