Filming in Alaska, Filming in AK, AK Film, How to Film in Alaska, Making tv in Alaska, — Filming in Alaska

Article Overview: Filming in Alaska

We’ve spent a lot of time filming in Alaska. We’ve carried tripods and cameras for miles on ice, through the rain, and over mountains. We’ve filmed on boats, helicopters, planes, and even on horseback while filming in Alaska. While filming in Alaska may be a cameraman’s dream cinematic playground, it comes at a cost. Nothing is cheap in Alaska, and filming here will cost you more than just financially. Alaska can be strenuous on both your mental and physical health. Nearly every crew member I know has permanent back issues or nerve damage from doing this job in these conditions.

This article will share the raw, unfiltered reality of filming in Alaska. From the filming epic glaciers to the untamed, off-the-grid lifestyles of those living in the Arctic. Alaska will try to break you, your camera gear, and your crew. So, buckle up for an Alaskan Odyssey that’s not just about capturing this unique location but surviving the elements and the people in an often unforgiving business. Filming in Alaska, where the reel adventure meets the real frontier (sorry about the pun).

Why Trust Us When Reading About Filming in Alaska

AlaskaExplored is THE DESTINATION for all things Alaska. Whether you are planning to film in Alaska or if you’re just curious about the last frontier, we’ve got you covered. Here at AlaskaExplored.com you’ll find expert tips, detailed guides, stunning photographs, and so much more.

Together, AlaskaExplored has more than twenty years of experience traveling, working, and exploring the beautifully rugged 49th state. Working in television has taken us all around the world, and there is no place more than Alaska. During our time here, we’ve documented countless stories from every corner and crevasse of the state. We’ve helped showcase the grandeur of this wild place for National Geographic, Discovery, Disney, Animal Planet, and more. Now, we want to share our knowledge and real-life experiences with you!

My Experience Filming in Alaska?

There is no activity in Alaska that we here at AlaskaExplored have more experience with than filming in Alaska (maybe drinking and playing pool). We have collectively been filming in Alaska for over 25 years. We’ve shot TV shows we are really proud of and a few that we aren’t. We have been lucky enough to film some of the most amazing people in some of the most stunning locations. We have also been fortunate to work with almost every major network and studio in the business, from Disney+ and Nat Geo to Discovery Channel and BBC.

While being away from our families has been challenging, working in Alaska has also been a privilege. Typically, I spend significantly more time filming in Alaska than at home. There are obvious benefits to working in a cool location like Alaska, but there are also some pretty heavy difficulties associated with it. This article will weigh the pros and cons of filming in Alaska based on a quarter century of collective experience.

Filming in Alaska

Table of Contents: Filming in Alaska

Why Trust Us When Reading About Filming in Alaska
My Experience Filming in Alaska?
Filming in Alaska

TV shows love filming in Alaska, and no one loves filming in Alaska more than Reality TV. With its remote and exotic allure, Alaska contrasts the everyday lives of many TV viewers. Escaping to the wild and exploring the landscapes of the Last Frontier resonates with audiences looking for a break from the mundane. Unscripted TV gives viewers that taste of adventure while watching from the safety and comfort of their living rooms.

While many people scoff at the idea of watching Realty TV, the ratings say something different. Millions of people tune in weekly or binge-watch Alaska TV shows on their streaming services. The appetite for this programming is strong. As long as America has a taste for the great outdoors, a sense of freedom, and a desire to survive Alaska’s rough winters, there will be TV shows filming in Alaska.

Why are So Many TV Shows Filming in Alaska?

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So many production companies have chosen to film in Alaska for several reasons. The icy landscapes, polar bears, brown bears, and king salmon intrigue storytellers, but other states have some incredible landscapes, too. There may be more to TV’s desire to film in Alaska than just the pretty mountains and wild animals.

Most TV shows filming in Alaska fall into the non-fiction realm, often called reality TV or unscripted TV. We all know the types of shows I’m talking about. They fall between a serial documentary and a weekly dose of unscripted real-life drama. The spectrum of reality TV has grown so big that subgenres exist. Alaska has so many of these shows being filmed within its borders that Alaska may, in fact, be its own subgenre of reality television.

I’ve been filming unscripted shows in Alaska for over a decade, and most deal with some level of surviving the natural elements. I’ve been lucky to work on great shows with great crews and cast members. As a producer and a camera operator, I’m drawn to Alaska and don’t think my industry’s appetite for the Last Frontier will change anytime soon.

Alaska Film Tax Credit Program

Reality TV shows filming in Alaska has slowed down over the last few years, but it is still a big industry. When I first started traveling to Alaska on film productions, I was told that nearly thirty shows were in production at any given time. That is a staggering number, but probably not that far from the truth. In the heyday of TV production in Alaska, the state offered a very lucrative tax incentive. This incentive doesn’t exist anymore, but at the time, it made filming in Alaska a very attractive location for many production companies.

Alaska, rightfully so, determined that the program was funneling money to Hollywood production companies outside the state rather than to the people of Alaska. The film tax credits program stopped on June 30 2015, but filming in Alaska has continued slightly slower than before. Which, arguably, could be good for the state.

While the tax incentive may have initially drawn some shows to Alaska, I think most were drawn to Alaska’s incredible stories and characters. Making TV is nothing more than storytelling; when working on unscripted TV, the raw materials needed to make a great show are characters and stories. Alaska has both in spades.

Nearly everyone you meet in Alaska has an incredible story to tell, and in order to survive in the state, you have to be a real character. So, as long as Alaska has interesting residents willing to tell their stories, there will be filming in Alaska.

Challenges and Rewards of Filming in Alaska

As a filmmaker, venturing into the heart of this rugged territory offers a unique and challenging experience. From the towering peaks of the Alaska Range to the pristine waters of the Inside Passage, every frame tells a story of resilience and majesty. We are looking into the reality of filming in Alaska, exploring the challenges and rewards of capturing the magic of the 49th state.

The Challenges:

Harsh Weather Conditions

Filming in Alaska demands resilience in unpredictable weather. From bone-chilling temperatures to sudden snowstorms, filmmakers must be prepared for anything. The breathtaking shots of glaciers and icy fjords often come at the cost of enduring freezing conditions.

I have more than a few colleagues who have permanent damage from frostbite while shooting in the Arctic. The harsh conditions don’t just affect the crew members. Shooting in -50 also wreaks havoc on camera equipment: ghosted images due to monitor delays, fogged lenses, and batteries that only operate for a few minutes.

Typically, a production company will hire a safety crew or outfitter to help support a film crew, especially in rough conditions. Still, oftentimes, it will just be two or three crew members in an arctic oven tent in -50 doing their best to stay alive and make a show.

Remote Locations

Alaska’s vast expanses are often inaccessible by roads, requiring filmmakers to charter planes or boats to reach remote shooting locations. This logistical challenge adds complexity to the production process, but the reward is usually worth it, as these untouched landscapes become the cornerstone of many stories.

Accessing these remote locations comes at a considerable cost. Chartering planes and boats to move crews and pallets of camera gear comes at a high cost. Most shows I work on typically have four-wheelers, snow machines, or boats for our daily commutes, so be sure you can operate all three if you plan on filming in Alaska. These commutes are often the most dangerous element of filming; I’ve had colleague thrown from snowmachines, destroying their back and frost-bitten fingers from not wearing the right gloves during a long commute.

Wildlife Encounters

Alaska has diverse wildlife, including bears, moose, and eagles. While these creatures contribute to the natural beauty of the shots, filmmakers must exercise caution and adhere to safety protocols to avoid potential conflicts. The unpredictability of wildlife adds an element of excitement and challenge to every shoot.

When filming alone, in the wilderness, or a remote location, we typically travel with firearms for bear protection. The crows are particularly annoying, as they eat any food uncovered near your campsite. All that said, the most ruthless creatures in the Alaskan wild are the mosquitos; these f#ckers will make your life and ability to get the right shot miserable while filming in Alaska.

The Rewards:

Unrivaled Scenery

Alaska boasts some of the most stunning landscapes on Earth. The cinematographic possibilities are endless, from the sprawling tundra of Denali National Park to the Northern Lights dancing in the Arctic sky. Alaska is one of the only filming locations I have worked in where the camera crew will continue to shoot outside of work hours just for enjoyment.

Typically, on a film set, the cameras get put away once you’ve done your 12-hour shift, and no one shoots anything until the next day. In Alaska, that is different. It is not unusual to see crew members setting alarms for the middle of the night to get up and shoot time lapses before the sun rises or get a glimpse of the aurora.

Cultural Richness

Beyond the natural wonders, Alaska is home to a diverse population, from the indigenous people to the newer residents drawn to the land from all over the world. Documentaries and narrative films have explored Alaska’s rich cultural tapestry, shedding light on the traditions and histories of the state’s indigenous communities. These films contribute to a broader understanding of Alaska’s cultural diversity.

What TV Shows and Movies are Filmed in Alaska?

While reality TV shows make up the lion’s share of filming in Alaska, a few other shows, documentaries, and movies have been shot in the state. While plenty of movies have taken place in the state as well but shot in different locations, we won’t be discussing those in this article.

We are exclusively interested in productions filming in Alaska. To be on this list, at some point, a hard-working crew member for the production had to lug a tripod around Alaska and actually film a portion of their project in the state! Here is a list of shows and movies filmed in Alaska. If we leave any out, please add them in the comment section of the blog and we will do our best to update this article, thanks!

Reality TV Shows Filmed in Alaska

Many more reality shows have been filmed in Alaska than just the ones on our list; some are so bad that I don’t want to include them ~~(Alaska Bush People)~~. Here are some of the larger shows that gained attention over the years for filming in Alaska.

Deadliest Catch
Bering Sea Gold
Alaska: The Last Frontier
Port Protection
Life Below Zero
The Last Alaskans
Ice Road Truckers
Yukon Men
Alaska State Troopers
Sarah Palin’s Alaska
Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet
Outlast
Ultimate Survival Alaska
Race to Survive: Alaska
Slednecks
Flying Wild Alaska
Edge of Alaska

Movies Filmed in Alaska

The Thing (1982):

Portions of the film were shot in Juneau, Alaska, while the rest was shot on refrigerated sets in Los Angeles and Stewart, British Columbia.

Into the Wild (2007):

Filming locations included Alaska, Arizona, Oregon, and South Dakota. Filming in Alaska took place in Stampede Trail, Denali National Park and Cantwell.

Insomnia (2002):

Filming took place in Alaska and British Columbia, with the Alaska filming taking place in Valdez.

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991):

Portions of the Filming took place in Alaska at Knik Glacier, Chugach State Park, and Valdez-Cordova Census Area.

Big Miracle (2012):

While the story takes place in Barrow, filming in Alaska occurred in Anchorage and the Alaska Sea Life Center.

A Historical Glimpse into Filming in Alaska

Now that we’ve looked at what it’s like to film in Alaska today, let’s take a look at what it was like over a hundred years ago. The Girl Alaska (1919) is considered to be the first movie filmed in Alaska. The film’s opening frame says: “The first and only photoplay ever made on Alaskan soil.”

I can’t even begin to imagine the obstacles they had to overcome to make the first movie in Alaska. It’s a humbling thought. The entire film is available to view online for free, it’s worth checking out.

Filming in Alaska

Also, take a look at The Chechahcos (1923), which is also available to watch online for free. There seems to be some dispute online regarding which film was actually the first to be filmed in Alaska. Regardless of which one was first, it’s an incredible feat to consider filming a feature in Alaska over a hundred years ago.

Filming in Alaska Conclusion

Filming in Alaska is a cinematic adventure like no other. It demands creativity, resilience, and a deep appreciation and respect for Mother Nature. While the challenges are real, the rewards are immeasurable, and the resulting television shows and documentaries are a testament to Alaska’s unparalleled magic. Whether it’s a documentary, a nature film, or a thrilling adventure, capturing the essence of Alaska on film is a journey every filmmaker should embark upon at least once in their career.