Making the Bear Cage
Before Hulu’s award winning series The Bear launched the Italian Beef Sandwich into the national spotlight, producers needed help to design and fabricate an iconic prop: the bear cage.
The episode begins with a beautiful and uncanny dream sequence as Carmy, the lead character, wanders onto Chicago’s Michigan Avenue bridge to find a growling bear locked in a cage.
In reality, the bear was CGI. However, the cage was real. And, to design this set piece, the production team turned to the Chicago based welding and HVAC fabricators, Madon Sheet Metal.
Why Use Custom Welding Experts for Prop Fabrication
The Bear Cage prop was made out of welded aluminum. It was custom designed to be filmed at multiple angles and serve multiple functions in the show.
While Madon Sheet Metal usually fabricates custom duct work for industrial projects, they are also master craftsmen who can quickly and expertly design any welded metal project to the exact specifications of a production team.
According to Madon Sheet Metal president, John Madon, more prop masters, prop buyers, and set designers should consider working with shops that specialize in industrial custom fabrication. “Production teams should not overlook the artistry and craftsmanship of trade fabricators. We use the same attention to detail and quality control when making unique custom props, sets, and studio pieces for TV and film as we do when we work with engineers on hospital projects or facility managers on facility work. All of these projects require the same engineering expertise, the same equipment, and the same commitment to giving the customer the exact product that they order.”
Madon Sheet Metal can also provide much faster turnaround time than most scenic studios and can work with designers to customize any project. To learn more about how Madon Sheet Metal can help with your next welded project, Contact us or call us at (224) 300-7995.