Whether you love this glorious Summer sunshine or prefer the Autumn, Winter or Spring, if you’re planning your next TV ad, don’t forget to think about the weather…
We just love talking about the weather!
A recent survey found that more than eight in ten of us admit to a love of discussing the ever-changing climate, with the average Brit spending the equivalent of more than six months of their life talking about the weather!
Apparently, a typical weather chat crops up three times a day, with those polled having their first discussion about whether it’s hot or cold by 9:47am, most frequently to colleagues after arriving at work.
Filming TV ads come rain or shine
The team at Happy Hour can wax lyrical about the weather as good as anyone, particularly when we’re filming. With 20 years’ experience of creating TV ads and videos, it’s one of the key elements we know we need to consider and plan for.
Will the weather affect the look we’re trying to achieve? Can we still film at the location if it rains? How many hours of daylight can we plan for? What if it’s too hot and sunny, will there be cooler areas for the crew and cast?
We’ve certainly been tested by mother nature, most recently when filming for our clients NFU Mutual and Bluebird Care.
Filming TV ads in the freezing cold
Filming in -4 degrees in February, predominantly outdoors in the Cotswold countryside certainly brought its challenges.
Thick fog hung over the location for almost 6 hours that morning, which meant a quick re-think of the shooting schedule until the weather cleared. (It never really warmed up though!)
Make-up and wardrobe worked super quick to get our actors ready to film, and we moved exterior shots to the afternoon (before it started to get dark at around 3.30pm).
Despite the odds, our fantastic crew and production team made the finished NFU Mutual TVC look like it was filmed on a warm summer’s day.
Filming TV ads in the sweltering heat
In contrast, we filmed on the hottest day of 2022 for our client Bluebird Care. We had predicted an extremely hot studio and had hired in some industrial air-conditioning units, which (perhaps due to having to work so hard) broke down mid-morning.
Our fast-acting Production Co-ordinator, Will, organised replacement units to be delivered within the hour – along with boxes of ice lollies for all. And our brilliant make-up team made everyone on camera look cool and fresh.
No two filming days are ever the same and the unpredictable British weather certainly adds plenty of variety to a shoot. But our experienced and agile Happy Hour team will always deliver fantastic results come rain or shine.
Planning your next TV ad?
If you’re planning your next TV ad, don’t forget to factor in how the weather might impact the look and feel you’re trying to achieve. This will help guide you on the best time to brief your advertising agency and schedule your shoot.
At Happy Hour we’re in our 20th year of producing highly effective, award winning TV ads and videos – taking you from creative strategy and script all the way through to post production and distribution, all under one happy roof.
We’d love to help you grow your brand and your business through great advertising. So get in touch today and find out how we can help.
