Filmmaking Safety Tips For Filming In The Snow

[Maura]

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.

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[Lili]

Be very careful not to fall! I was not careful last winter and almost broke my leg. Fortunately I didn’t break anything in the end – my leg is fine and so is the gear.

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[Amy]

I did not know the Sun is brighter during the Winter. It makes sense, with all the white background coming from the snow, probably the lights reflects

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[Jeffery]

I did notice that the battery dies when shooting in the cold. The same happens to my smartphone’s battery

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[Marianna]

It is always dangerous to drive to the filming location with all that gear in your car. You need to drive at a low speed and be careful. There is also the possibility of being in a car crash that is caused by other drivers who are not driving with low speed in spite of the bad weather condition.

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