The Production Studio, Reimagined
Production studios are adapting to competition from overseas locations, new technology and expanding state incentives by making their facilities more flexible. The Fields Studios in Chicago illustrates this shift: it combines soundstages with space for events and other creative projects, aiming to keep its campus useful across changing production needs.
The 23-acre site has nine soundstages, more than 200,000 square feet of production and support space, a 1.5-acre backlot and 123 residential lofts, alongside retail and an on-site grocery store. The Balloon Museum is using five stages for a large-scale art experience, while the campus also hosted filming for the second season of “Dark Matter”; its leaders say adaptable facilities and hands-on support help attract productions.
In short
- Studios are broadening how they use their facilities.
- Chicago’s Fields Studios has nine soundstages.
- The Balloon Museum occupies five stages.
Explained simply
Film and television productions are made in soundstages, which provide controlled indoor settings, as well as on outdoor backlots and other locations. Studios compete to attract this work, and producers may weigh practical support, available space and local incentives when choosing where to film.
The Fields Studios is a production campus in Chicago with soundstages, support areas and a backlot, alongside homes, shops and event space. Its mix of uses reflects how some studios are adapting their facilities for different kinds of projects.
These changes matter to workers, local businesses and the places competing for production spending. A campus that can serve film crews and other users may remain in use as production needs and location incentives change.
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