Film and Television Services

F

Atmospheric realism may be required for the purposes of lighting and cinematography. Or, during the pre-production process, a basic understanding of what kind of weather conditions may emerge during the shoot could be needed for logistical reasons. Understanding this, CLIMET SYSTEMS can provide tailored solutions for location managers, cinematographers, directors and producers.

RECENT PAST. Was it sunny that day in Toronto in 1914? Was the sky overcast in New York for the first few days of June 1965? What was the weather like when the French revolutionaries stormed the Bastille on July 14, 1789? Archived historical weather records go as far back as the early 1800s. Some go even further back in time. Temperature, precipitation, wind and sky conditions can be reconstructed for period production pieces at locations throughout the globe.

DISTANT PAST. How many severe winter storms did northern Europe suffer during the Middle Ages? What were climate conditions like throughout the Roman Empire when the volcano at Pompeii erupted in 79 AD? What were the characteristics of the Mediterranean climate for Greek civilization in 900 BC? How expansive were the ice sheets 18000 years ago at the peak of the last ice age? Data and information from palaeoclimatological studies can be reviewed and assessed so as to provide of summary of atmospheric conditions around the world for the earliest parts of human history.

LOCATION CLIMATOLOGY. Need to anticipate what the general weather conditions will be during filming? A location has been selected for the shoot - what specific weather conditions can be expected there for the following months? Standard climate summaries give you average temperature and precipitation conditions, however such elementary information may not be of real use. A thorough analysis may be required for particular logistical and cinemagraphic applications. Besides average or "normal" climate conditions, variations, ranges, return periods, occurrence frequencies and extremes of weather variables are analyzed and prepared for the client. A selection of parameters in relation to their application include:

   ▪ Logistical: temperature, precipitation (rain, freezing rain, snowfall), wind speed, gusts, wind direction, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity, snow depth, extreme events (thunderstorms, snow storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.), humidex, wind chill, heating & cooling degree days.

   ▪ Lighting/Cinematography: cloud cover (type, coverage), bright sunshine hours, visibility, sunrise & sunset times, solar elevation & azimuth angles, moon phases, obstructions to vision.

Reports consist of three elements: (1) narrative, (2) easy-to-read data tables and (3) graphical meteograms. A description of the dominating air masses in the area is given in the narrative. Any singular or anomalous phenomenon particular to the location of interest (e.g. haze, fog, frost, hail) is highlighted in the report.