Weather – Nebraska Film & Photography Locations

Nebraska is very filmable and we’re here to help. From local crew to diverse LOCATIONS that are happy to host, producing your project in Nebraska is – friendly. If you’ve never shot here, creating your project here will be a pleasant surprise.

Clouds chasing Church road NE Jamie Vesay Spring 2011 IMG_0210 WM

Photographically, the open spaces and giant sky get much of the credit. If your project will include exteriors that feature the land or clouds or natural light: it will be good.

Sunset over farmland Nov 2014 Jamie Vesay JVdotcom WM IMG_5912 - Version 3

If your location is locked and you know where you are going, great! A physical address should be found easily with any GPS or hand-held device. But be advised: rural addresses can confuse the satellite and they might take you to the wrong place. Double check this before your shoot.

Cookie Cutter hood in Omaha 2011 Jamie Vesay WM LBLD 100_1531 copy

There are still a few cellular service holes in various parts of the State. Check your provider. It is critical to have at least cell coverage on the set.

The State is big. East to west it is about 400 plus miles. In travel time, if you drive straight through in a car, you’re talking about 8 hours. There is a TIME ZONE change in west central Nebraska.

Dirt & stone. One lane tunnel. LOW CLEARANCE.

Be CAREFUL driving on GRAVEL roads and if you’re here in CONSTRUCTION season, check your routes to set. Here is one map of the State roads.

The WEATHER is the next thing to talk about right after you decide on locations. In Spring, it can be volatile. In Winter, well it’s just not fun. Here is a weather Category link. Please read if you’ll be working outside.

Snow in early fall. Four seasons in one day. — 4 seasons in one day.

There is a ton more I can tell you about Locations in Nebraska. Bounce around this site. Check the CATEGORY list. There are many options depending on your needs, except for mountains or an ocean. For fun snippets of inspiration from around the State, visit Flickr sets from Jordan McAlister’s Nebraska.

cropped-seward-nebraska-labeled-jamie-vesay-dscf2019.jpg

For additional intel about the big picture of filming in Nebraska, you can check out a post from KFTV. “…These days it attracts the occasional feature film but mostly relies on TV commercials and corporate work.” Read MORE here.

We want your experience to be a great success and prefer it be a positive experience. So have fun and hurry back!

I like to repost this reminder each Spring. PLEASE BE SAFE!

Storm Nebraska April 2013 Jamie Vesay IMG_0491 - Version 2

Although I find it a bit humorous when a crew from Los Angeles runs outside to watch the lightning here, “We don’t get shows like this in California,” we encourage you to stay inside or run fast away from the danger. I agree, the power of nature does make it tough to look away or stop shooting. But we love you, and prefer you stay alive.

The good news is there is no freakin snow in Spring (at least most years). But that means it’s tornado season. Curious and spectacular as they are, know that they are dangerous forces of nature that injure and kill human beings. Please don’t be stupid.

Storm coming Jamie Vesay copy Here are a few tips about filming in the Nebraska USA Spring time:

Today’s tech allows you to literally hold radar in your hand. Do so. Sign up for local news weather alerts and listen to your device.

Be prepared to cover up, move gear, and take shelter.

Have a plan. Think about ample space if you have to dive for safety and cover sets for extra stormy days. If a storm comes up – lower the condor, get the crew off any scaffolding, and drop all the metal. Get away from standing water.

Leave the storm-chasing to the trained professionals.

If you need to take cover for a big tornado – hide IN THE GROUND. A bathtub or drywall closet is not gonna cut it when an F4 can throw an 18 wheeler.

And if you are caught DRIVING while a twister is passing through, that idea about taking cover under an overpass is not right. Worse case scenario – take a tip from the movie Twister and strap yourself to something nearby that is grounded or anchored to the planet (and not a pickup truck or cow). Hold on and pray.