Making a film outdoors: the challenges of a capricious climate.

Weather management

Making a film on location requires exceptional control over the weather. A sudden downpour, a gust of wind or a blazing sun can not only delay production but also affect the visual and technical rendering of the film. Understanding and anticipating the weather is therefore crucial.

Know the forecast

The most important tool for making an outdoor film is regular consultation of the weather forecast. Specialised applications offer detailed forecasts that can be crucial for planning shooting days. However, the weather remains unpredictable, so it’s wise to make contingency plans.

Adapting to change

Flexibility is a key skill when shooting on location. It is essential to be able to adjust the schedule quickly to take account of changes in the weather. For example, it’s possible to consider protecting equipment, or moving interior scenes planned for later in the shooting schedule to a time when the weather isn’t favourable.

To make an outdoor film, certain points are essential:

• Maintain clear and constant communication with the crew.
• Plan alternative routes for moving equipment.
• Make sure that all team members know the procedures in case of last-minute changes.

Protect equipment

Cinematographic equipment is extremely sensitive to the elements. That’s why it’s important to protect equipment from the elements.

To do this, it is essential to :

• Use waterproof protective covers for cameras and other electronic equipment.
• Ensure that all electrical equipment is well insulated and waterproof.
• Provide parasols or other forms of cover to prevent the equipment from overheating during periods of high temperatures.

By investing in robust equipment adapted to outdoor conditions, you will reduce the risk of premature deterioration and costly delays. The additional costs may seem high initially, but they guarantee continuity and quality of production.

Making a film in extreme weather conditions

Let’s take the example of the making of the film “The Revenant”, which was largely shot in extreme climatic conditions. The production team had to cope with sub-zero temperatures and sudden changes in the weather, requiring meticulous planning and the use of special equipment to protect both the actors and the filming equipment.

Another example is the filming of “Pirates of the Caribbean”, where storm scenes had to be carefully choreographed to coincide with the weather forecast, while ensuring the safety of the crew and the protection of the equipment.

Completion times

Delays can be frustrating, but compromising crew safety or film quality to save time can be costly. Managing weather conditions wisely when shooting outdoors requires careful preparation and the ability to remain flexible and creative in the face of the unexpected.

Permissions and shooting logistics

Making a film on location requires meticulous organisation, especially when you have to navigate the administrative and logistical maze. The challenges are many, but careful planning can make the process much easier.

Obtaining the necessary permits

The first crucial step is to obtain the necessary filming permits. Depending on the location, this may involve dealing with a number of different bodies: municipalities, private owners or public authorities. It’s important to consider a number of points:

• Identify the location precisely and make sure that the chosen site is available and suitable for the planned scenes.
• Anticipate authorisation deadlines, which can take longer than expected.
• Comply with local regulations: each area may have specific rules on filming times, noise pollution or access.

It is essential to comply with these rules to avoid interruptions that could impact on the production schedule and increase costs.

Planning access and facilities

Once the permits are in place, the challenge is to configure the set efficiently. Accessibility and temporary facilities are the main issues:

• Easy access: Make sure that the whole team can get to the venue easily with the necessary equipment. It is also essential to think about transport vehicles, catering and the emergency team.
• Necessary facilities: Marquees for equipment, dressing rooms for actors, mobile toilets, etc. The outdoor site must be as functional as a studio set.
• Rapid adaptation: Be prepared to modify the set-up according to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances.

The efficiency of on-site logistics has a direct impact on shooting productivity.

Ensuring safety on location

When making a film, especially on location, safety on the set cannot be neglected. Whether it’s the physical safety of people or the safety of equipment, every aspect must be meticulously planned:

• Risk analysis: Assess the risks specific to the location and draw up contingency plans in the event of an emergency.
• Team training: Ensure that everyone is aware of safety measures and emergency procedures.
• Regular monitoring and controls: Set up safety rounds to check that standards are respected throughout production.

These precautions are essential to prevent accidents and ensure that filming takes place in the best possible conditions.

Each phase of this process not only contributes to the smooth running of the shoot, but also reinforces the professionalism of your production in the eyes of the participants and the local authorities. The success of your location film project therefore depends significantly on your ability to navigate these administrative and logistical aspects effectively.

Sound recording in a natural environment

Achieving quality sound recording on location requires meticulous preparation and adaptation to often unpredictable conditions. Here is some practical advice on how to optimise sound recording when filming outdoors.

Choosing the right equipment

To record clear, professional sound outdoors, it’s essential to use the right equipment:

• Condenser microphones: These microphones are particularly sensitive and ideal for capturing subtle sounds outdoors.
• Windscreens: Indispensable for reducing wind noise.
• Booms: These allow the microphones to be positioned as close as possible to sound sources while remaining out of the camera’s field of vision.
• Portable recorders: Practical and robust, they are essential for filming on the move.

These tools allow you to manage the acoustic challenges specific to natural environments and to obtain optimum sound quality for filming on location.

Combating environmental noise

Background noise can greatly affect audio quality. Here are a few techniques for minimising it:

• Pre-shoot location scouting: Visit the location before shooting to identify potential sources of noise and plan accordingly.
• Scheduling sound recordings: If possible, record during the least noisy periods of the day.
• Acoustic isolation: Use portable acoustic panels to create a sound barrier and isolate your shooting area.

These practices are crucial to ensure that unwanted noise does not compromise the quality of the sound captured.

Specific techniques for outdoors

Here are some specific methods for improving sound recording in an outdoor context:

• Using tie microphones: For clear dialogue, tie microphones are excellent because they can be placed close to the sound source, reducing the impact of ambient noise.
• Dual recording: Recording with both an ambient microphone and a microphone more focused on the main sound source allows you to choose the best audio track when editing.
• Synchronisation of sound clips: Ensure that each sound clip is perfectly synchronised with the images to avoid any distracting gaps during editing.

By adopting these specific techniques, the quality of the audio makes the film more immersive and enjoyable for the audience.

Making a film on location poses particular challenges for audio capture, but with the right equipment and techniques it is possible to overcome these obstacles. Good sound capture is crucial to the success of a film, as it contributes greatly to the immersion and emotion of the viewer. It is therefore essential to prepare well and adapt working methods to the specificities of the natural environment.

Photo : Marvyn Serveaux