<P> Principal photography began on August 24 , 1981 , in Juneau , Alaska . Filming lasted approximately 12 weeks . Carpenter insisted on two weeks of rehearsals before filming as he wanted to see how scenes would play out . This was unusual at the time because of the expense involved . Filming then moved to the Universal lot in summer when the outside heat was over 100 ° F ( 37.8 ° C ) . The internal sets were climate controlled to 28 ° F ( − 2.22 ° C ) to facilitate their work . The team considered building the sets inside an existing refrigerated structure , but were unable to find one large enough . Instead they collected as many portable air conditioners as they could , closed off the stage , and used humidifiers and misters to add moisture to the air . After watching a roughly assembled cut of filming to date , Carpenter was unhappy that the film seemed to feature too many scenes of men standing around talking . He rewrote some already completed scenes to take place outdoors to be shot on location when principal photography moved to Stewart , British Columbia . </P>
<P> Principal photography began on August 24 , 1981 , in Juneau , Alaska . Filming lasted approximately 12 weeks . Carpenter insisted on two weeks of rehearsals before filming as he wanted to see how scenes would play out . This was unusual at the time because of the expense involved . Filming then moved to the Universal lot in summer when the outside heat was over 100 ° F ( 37.8 ° C ) . The internal sets were climate controlled to 28 ° F ( − 2.22 ° C ) to facilitate their work . The team considered building the sets inside an existing refrigerated structure , but were unable to find one large enough . Instead they collected as many portable air conditioners as they could , closed off the stage , and used humidifiers and misters to add moisture to the air . After watching a roughly assembled cut of filming to date , Carpenter was unhappy that the film seemed to feature too many scenes of men standing around talking . He rewrote some already completed scenes to take place outdoors to be shot on location when principal photography moved to Stewart , British Columbia . </P>
where was john carpenter 's the thing filmed
where was john carpenter 's the thing filmed
Juneau , Alaska Stewart , British Columbia the Universal lot
Juneau , Alaska Stewart , British Columbia the Universal lot