Let’s be honest. The weather has its own agenda, completely separate from your production schedule. So how do you plan your video content across the year and still make the most of what each season has to offer? It all comes down to having a smart seasonal strategy.
Strategic Seasonal Content Planning: What Goes Where
Not all content needs to be shot in its respective season. In fact, planning against the seasonal grain often provides better results, a happy budget, and quicker turn around.
What to Shoot in Winter
Winter doesn’t have to be the production villain. With the right plan, it can actually be a secret weapon. Here’s the kind of content that works best in colder months:
- Customer testimonials (No one can tell it’s snowing outside while a customer raves about your product)
- Winter-focused content (Think winter sports, snow services, holiday promos)
- Product demos that don’t require outdoor environments
- Educational content and interviews
- Behind-the-scenes culture videos
- Animation projects (Your team stays cozy while creating summer scenes)
Winter Advantages
- Shorter turnaround times due to less production traffic
- Easier access to top-tier crew and equipment
- Crisp, empty landscapes for a cinematic backdrop
- Fewer location permits or crowds to work around
- Access to our indoor shooting stage with a green screen, perfect for stylized or weather-proof productions
Winter Disadvantages
- Limited outdoor locations
- Weather unpredictability and shorter daylight hours
- Requires planning for warmth, safety, and equipment care
Example Strategy:
An orthopedic surgeon might want to capture a “return to activity” story. A video of a patient figure skating post-knee replacement, filmed at an outdoor rink during the winter, can feel heartfelt, seasonal, and powerful.
What to Shoot in Summer
When the snow melts and the sun shines longer, outdoor shoots become much more feasible. Here’s what to prioritize during the warmer months:
- Active lifestyle product shots (Good luck filming joggers in January)
- Outdoor-specific products or services
- Location-based brand stories
- Seasonal content that relies on clear skies and greenery
- Large-scale events and community gatherings
- Drone footage (Fewer delays and dramatic visuals)
Summer Advantages
- A wide variety of shoot locations becomes available
- Natural lighting is more forgiving
- Better conditions for capturing motion and energy
- Ideal for big concepts that need space, movement, and color
Summer Disadvantages
- Higher competition for crew and locations
- Longer turnaround times during the busy season
- More complex logistics due to events and tourist crowds
- Location permits may take longer to secure
Example Strategy:
A product highlight video with drone footage feels more dynamic when set against a vibrant, green backdrop. Plus, your crew will thank you for not filming it in the snow.
The Winter Production Lull, Take Advantage of It
Here’s an insider tip. Production tends to slow down in the winter. While everyone else is waiting for summer, you can get ahead. Booking during winter can give you access to experienced teams, more attention to detail, and even faster delivery.
If you’re flexible and strategic, winter might be your best time to produce quality content, especially with our indoor green screen stage on standby for when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Our In-Studio Stage & Green Screen
Our in-studio production stage, complete with a professional green screen setup, gives you ultimate control over your environment. Whether you need a clean, branded backdrop for interviews or want to transport your subject to a completely different setting, we’ve got you covered.
Why it matters:
- Weather-proof: No need to reschedule due to storms, wind, or below-zero temps.
- Time-saving: Faster setup and breakdown times mean more efficient shooting.
- Versatile: Perfect for testimonials, product demos, educational content, animation elements, and more.
- Customizable: Lighting, backdrops, and set design tailored to your vision.
- Budget-friendly: Avoid the costs associated with location rentals and unpredictable delays.
The Summer Production Traffic Jam
“We need this by next week” feels a lot different in July than in February. During summer, production schedules are often packed. Even the most organized teams feel the crunch when everyone wants their content delivered yesterday.
To avoid delays, plan ahead. Build in longer post-production windows or consider reviewing preliminary edits on set to speed things along. Early planning is your best friend when demand is high.
Before You Shoot: Key Things to Remember
Each season brings something special to the screen. Summer is full of color, movement, and energy. Winter offers quiet beauty, crisp light, and a cinematic atmosphere. But no matter the season, you’ll need to prepare for the unexpected.
Here are a few things to keep in mind before you roll:
- Scope it out. Define your project’s scope early so your crew, client, and timeline are all aligned.
- Prioritize your shot list. Know what’s a must-have and what’s a nice-to-have, especially if weather or daylight becomes a factor.
- Lock in your talent and locations. Confirm availability and secure permits early, especially for outdoor or high-traffic spaces.
- Have a backup plan. Weather can shift fast. Our indoor shooting stage with a green screen is always available as a plan B (or plan A, if you want full control of the environment).
- Budget for flexibility. Build in a little wiggle room in case reshoots, delays, or extra gear rentals come into play.
The Strategic Season-Shifter
The most experienced marketers don’t think about content seasonally. They think strategically. They shoot winter and summer content during those magical spring and fall weeks, where you can style a scene to look like either. They lock in their big summer shoots months in advance to reserve the crew, rates, and timelines.
When planning your video calendar, think less about when content will air and more about when it makes the most sense to shoot. Your budget, team, and timelines will thank you.
Because at the end of the day, the most important season for video production isn’t winter or summer. It’s the planning season.
Need Some Help?
Whether you’re planning a full-scale commercial, a social media campaign, or a library of brand videos, we’re here to help bring your vision to life season after season. From strategy and scheduling to on-location shoots and indoor stage setups, our team is equipped to handle every part of the production process.
We’ll help you think ahead, stay flexible, and create content that works no matter what the weather decides to do. Let’s make something great together.