Video Tips 101: Shooting on the Snow

1. Plan Your Day: Know which way is up!

• For dramatic angles, set up your camera at waist or ground level with the snow and with the skier coming towards you.
• Position the camera facing away from the wind – this will reduce wind noise and debris blowing into your lens.
• For safety precautions, alert other skiers to the cameraman in the area. (ex. orange cones, crossed poles, etc.)

2. Use Knowledgeable People: But can they ski?

• Use a knowledgeable person: sales representatives and product managers typically speak most effectively to product benefits.
• Be prepared to have skilled models demonstrate your snow products or apparel on location.
• Sponsored athletes or expert testimonials go a long way with consumers.

3. Environment and Preparation: Don’t forget to plug’er in

• On the snow, try and provide a clean and clutter-free background as it will help viewers focus their attention.
• Presenters on video should wear solid, light company colors that aren’t busy and provide good contrast against products.
• Be sure your brand and product stand out on location – ie. signage, trade booth or clothing.      

4. Substance Over Style: Snow bunnies are not exempt

• Know the competitive features, benefits and any technologies used in your product.
• Avoid scripts; “off the cuff” presentations work best.
• Speak to each product individually and avoid comparing it to other products in your line.

5. Audio & Visual: Keep your mittens off the lens!

• Practice shooting a few test segments to check lighting calibration, white balance and sound – re-test when changing locations.
• On the snow, cameras will have difficulty adjusting between shade and sun so keep subjects in one or the other.
• At outside venues, be sure presenters have adequate microphones available as voices are more difficult to capture.