Filmmaking Safety Tips For Filming In The Snow

Maura N.

The Last Black Unicorn
The Winter season is almost here and in many parts of the world, it will soon start to snow. This could encourage many filmmakers to venture outside and film in the snow, however, there are a few safety tips that must be considered first.

1. Protect your gear
Not all your gear items can handle low temperatures. For example, batteries are sensitive to cold. It would help if you carried your batteries in an insulated bag. One of the most common things that can happen to your batteries if you are not careful is that they go from 100% to 0% very fast.
Your equipment is also sensitive to temperature changes from cold to warm. When you are returning back home with your gear, you should keep your equipment away from any source of heat such as radiators or heaters.

2. Keep your equipment dry
Filming in the snow could also mean that you are filming while it snows, too. Your equipment should be dry and clean at all times. Bring a lens-cleaning cloth to clean the snow from your lens. Even if it is not snowing, snow could get in your lens. It could fall from the trees or the wind could blow it there. You could also bring a plastic bag or a trash bag, tin foil or even sheets in case you need to shield your equipment. Avoid storing your gear in a wet bag.

3. Get warm clothes

Your first line of defence against the snow and cold temperatures is what you wear. Wear a hat, warm clothes and proper shoes. Take a blanket with you if one of your actors or extras gets cold. Take a thermos and fill it with hot tea.

4. The Sun is brighter during the Winter
When the Sun is out of the clouds, it shines brighter during the Winter. To be prepared, set up your white balance and bring filters for your lens.

5. Don't fall
When shooting in the Snow, you could easily fall. Walk carefully not to fall and break your equipment. Get proper shoes to reduce the risk of falling. Take small steps when you are walking and avoid running.
 
It is very important to keep the equipment dry. I made this mistake once. I was out in the rain, the camera was in my bag. My camera was not waterproof.
 
How do you protect your battery from dying while you are using the camera during the cold?
Keep spare batteries under your coat to keep them warm, and swap them out often. Don't wait until the battery indicator reads low. You can also use small handwarmers and mount them around the camera, inside of some sort of insulated barney. Keep spare lenses cold; they might fog up if you shift them from outdoors to indoors often.
 
Fake it! Minimize actual outdoor exposure by only shooting your establishing shots, and then going indoors (soundstage) for your close-ups. Take advantage of virtual backgrounds.... aka a large 65-85 inch video monitor for "rear projection". Check out the making of 1899 to see examples.
 
Do NOT encourage cast & crew to drive themselves, unless they are locals and have properly equipped 4x4s rigged to handle snow covered terrain. Ask around; maybe find a local off-road club to help you with the transportation. They would probably be thrilled to assist on a movie, and it is a lot safer than using urban street vehicles that are not suited for snow & ice.
 
Do NOT encourage cast & crew to drive themselves, unless they are locals and have properly equipped 4x4s rigged to handle snow covered terrain. Ask around; maybe find a local off-road club to help you with the transportation. They would probably be thrilled to assist on a movie, and it is a lot safer than using urban street vehicles that are not suited for snow & ice.
You have the best advice, Fred! Thank you for sharing! There are so many things that people do not think about :)
 
Be careful when shooting outdoor in the winter. Any of you can trip, equipment could fall in the snow or on the concrete, accidents happen.
 

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