Shooting in the Desert

[Harky Jewett]

I have a shoot coming up in July in the desert (we haven't locked down the location yet, but it will probably be somewhere between Los Angeles and Las Vegas).

I was hoping to get some advice on shooting in the dust and the heat. I know that things like keeping the camera's fan on, putting those non-leak ice packs on the camera, keeping the camera shaded when possible, will all help, but I'm sure there are things I'm not thinking of.

If there are issues I need to think about please let me know, or if there's any advice you could give it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Harky

[michael zaletel]

Might be a good idea to tape up all unused openings and connections and even seal cable connections with tape. Just be careful which tape you use as some can become very sticky and cause a mess in the heat. Make sure to take canned air to blow the dust off of everything constantly. Let us know how it goes and please post what you learn to this thread after the shoot.

-shooter

[Jeff Coatney]

July in the desert can be a living hell. Budget two gallons of water per person per day, minimum. Have plenty of tents (shade), toilets and Ice in coolers. Plus you'll have to threaten to beat people to drink their water, especially your background Extras, if any. Somebody always plays a tough guy and ends up on their ass like overcooked pasta. On a lighter note, check out Dumont Dunes as a location.

Tape up all ports on the camera and don't change lenses when the wind is blowing. Gaffer tape shouldn't leave a residue but in that heat, you never know. You can't shield the camera from wind with an umbrella either. The second you put up an umbrella to stop the wind, you'll get a sand vortex on the leeward side and you'll have sand in places you never dreamed possible.

Goggles are a must. Nothing will ruin your day, or your career, like a scratched cornea. Get the military kind of goggles and wear them. Don't be a tough guy or think it's no big deal because you live in LA or Vegas and only use sunglasses. Wear the damn goggles;) The desert is a potentially dangerous place if you don't respect it.

Get a remote communication set-up. Like a cell repeater or a Sat Phone if you're going to be in a remote spot and take a GPS with you to call in an Air Ambulance if need be. Better safe than sorry and it might seem expensive, but its cheaper than brain damage or organ failure from heat stroke. Hey, they don't call it Death Valley because its a safe and nurturing environment.

Best of luck with the shoot. If you prepare, you'll have no problems.

[Gene Crucean]

Damn Jeff... it sounds like you had a rough desert experience :)

Harky, something I just wanted to mention about air can's is to just be careful when you are working with so much dust as those can's can actually blow the dust/dirt further into areas of your camera than it would normally settle without the can. They are great, just make sure to blow in the proper direction.

[Geoffrey O.]

I spent two weeks at the southern end of the Baja peninsula in Mexico in February and it is dusty and windy. This adds up to sand getting everywhere. I agree with Jeff Coatney - tape up everything. And by everything, I mean everything. Also, assuming you have an enclosed staging area, you pretty much have to to do a full cleaning every night. It's extra time, but taking care of the equipment is worth it.

Also - no joke about goggles. Wear them.

[HDPioneers.com]

Just finished a 2 day desert shoot outside las vegas. Footage looked good. But we had to shoot in short spurts...no more than 2 hours at a time. everyone lathered on sunscreen constantly, but we all still got burned. we had a trailer with us at all times that people could run to to cool down.

This was in April. And it was hot. I cannot imagine doing it in July. It's hard to explain how hot it is out there in the middle of summer if you haven't been before.

[Harky Jewett]

I grew up in Vegas, so I definitely know how hot it can get, but even taking that into account it's going to be a different experience altogether spending multiple 12 hour days out there.

HDPioneers, Did you have any camera problems due to the heat? Is that why you had to shoot in two hour spurts or was it just so everyone could get a break from the sun and heat?

Thanks for the feedback. I'll make certain everything that can get taped up does. And I'll make sure a get a pair of goggles too.