COOLSHIRT Supports Oscar®-Nominated Film
Director Ridley Scott’s 2015 movie, The Martian, had a worldwide theatrical gross of $630 million as of June 2016 and earned seven Oscar® nominations. During production, it also had help from COOLSHIRT SYSTEMS.
In The Martian, Matt Damon’s character is an astronaut stranded on the Red Planet. While the story throws a slew of interplanetary obstacles at the protagonist and his fellow astronauts, the film’s costuming team had its own challenges: providing the cast and stunt team with space gear that was realistic-looking and functional.
The actors’ comfort was also a priority. In addition to sound stage sets, The Martian filmed its exterior shots in the area of Wadi Rum in Jordan. This nearly 300-square-mile territory consists of canyons and red rock formations that are a close visual match to Mars but present much warmer conditions. Introduce cast members wearing costume space suits, and there’s the potential for overheating.
COOLSHIRT responded to The Martian‘s needs by supplying the production with an order of 2Cool Water Shirts. The product:
- Circulates cooling liquid through targeted heat zones.
- Uses patented non-kink tubing.
- Features a compression fit, moisture-wicking, and anti-microbial protection.
Other benefits that the garments offer came as a surprise. Erick Engebretson, who directs COOLSHIRT’s Film / FX Division, says “Typically, actors wear the cooling garment under a costume where it won’t be seen. However, The Martian chose to make our shirts visible. You can see actors wearing them in several scenes throughout the film.” The sleek, high-tech look of COOLSHIRT garments fits well with the movie’s NASA habitats and space suits.
See The Martian in theaters or in home release, and learn more about COOLSHIRT’s products for film.