Outdoor shoots are great until the weather turns. Here’s how to plan for rain, wind, heat, and other conditions that can kill your schedule.
Check the Forecast (But Don’t Trust It)
Look at the 10-day forecast when you’re scouting. If there’s a 60%+ chance of rain on your shoot day, consider rescheduling or moving indoors. But forecasts change — always have a backup plan.
Rain
What it affects:
- Audio (rain on mics is unusable)
- Lighting (overcast skies kill contrast, wet surfaces create reflections)
- Gear safety (cameras and electronics don’t like water)
- Talent comfort (nobody performs well when they’re soaked)
How to handle it:
- Rain covers for cameras: Keep them in your kit always
- Tents for crew and gear: Pop-up canopies are cheap insurance
- Backup indoor location: Have a rain plan you can pivot to same-day
- Postpone if needed: Rescheduling costs less than ruined footage
Wind
What it affects:
- Audio (wind noise drowns out dialog even with a deadcat)
- Lighting (flags and diffusion blow around, C-stands tip over)
- Talent (hair in face, wardrobe blowing, squinting)
How to handle it:
- Sandbags on everything: Double-bag your stands
- Deadcat + blimp for audio: Or go fully ADR in post
- Shoot with the wind, not against it: Position talent so wind isn’t hitting their face
- Move to a sheltered spot: Buildings, trees, anything that blocks wind
Heat
What it affects:
- Crew energy (people move slower, make mistakes)
- Talent makeup (sweat, shine, meltdowns)
- Gear (cameras overheat, batteries drain faster)
How to handle it:
- Start early: Shoot mornings when it’s cooler
- Shade for crew: Tents, umbrellas, anything to get people out of direct sun
- Water everywhere: Hydration prevents mistakes
- Extra batteries: Heat kills battery life
- Makeup touch-ups: Keep powder and blotters on hand for talent
Cold
What it affects:
- Batteries (die faster in cold)
- Crew comfort (people get sluggish and irritable)
- Talent performance (shivering, visible breath, red noses)
How to handle it:
- Extra batteries, keep them warm: Inside your jacket between takes
- Hand warmers for crew: $20 for a box, keeps everyone happy
- Wardrobe layers for talent: They can shed layers between takes
- Shorter setups: Get the shot and move on, don’t make talent freeze while you perfect the frame
The Weather Clause
Put this in your contract:
“In the event of inclement weather that prevents safe or effective production, the shoot will be rescheduled to the next mutually available date at no additional cost to the client.”
Protects you from losing money on a postponed shoot.
Planning an outdoor shoot?
Let’s talk. We’ll help you plan for weather contingencies so you’re covered no matter what happens.
