At Benchmark Event Services, every project starts with the same question: What does the client need? Sometimes the answer is straightforward. Other times, it means making brand-new bleachers look decades old.
For the opening boxing match scene in Creed II, our team partnered with the film’s production company to create a custom bleacher installation that would portray a boxing venue in Kiev, Ukraine. The production’s vision called for seating that looked weathered, improvised, and far from modern building standards—a venue that appeared to be in a poorer area of Eastern Europe in 2018.
Creating the Look Without Sacrificing the Build
While the finished bleachers needed to appear “not up to code” on camera, the underlying structure was anything but. We worked closely with the production team to develop a cost-effective understructure that could safely support cast, crew, and extras while achieving the exact visual effect they wanted.
To transform the appearance of our standard bleachers, we made several custom modifications. The aluminum seating planks were replaced with wood that was painted with a carefully crafted patina to create the appearance of years of wear and exposure. The aluminum footboards were coated with a brown and black watercolor finish to disguise their reflective surface and give them the look of aged, muddy metal.
Instead of our standard picket-style safety rails, chain-link fencing was installed around the sides and rear of the bleachers to better match the gritty atmosphere of the scene.
Once filming wrapped, the temporary finishes were removed, the footboards were pressure washed clean, and the bleachers were restored for future use.
Movie Magic Meets Real Engineering
Although audiences only saw the finished set for a few minutes on screen, a significant amount of planning and craftsmanship went into making it believable. Every modification had to satisfy both the artistic vision of the filmmakers and the practical needs of a live production environment.
The entire scene was filmed in South Philadelphia, where our crew worked alongside the production team to bring the fictional boxing venue to life.
Building More Than Events
Projects like Creed II demonstrate the versatility of temporary event structures. While Benchmark Event Services is known for providing safe, code-compliant bleacher seating for sporting events, graduations, concerts, and community gatherings, our team is equally capable of developing creative custom solutions for unique productions and specialized events.
Whether we’re building for thousands of spectators or helping create a convincing movie set, we approach every project with the same commitment to quality, collaboration, and professional execution.
