Behind the scenes of the morphing weather video

Several people have asked me how we filmed the "All Weather Man" commercial, now showing on ABC13. 

During the 30-second spot, you first see me walking down a sunny street in a short sleeve shirt, talking about a change in the weather. Suddenly, I change...or rather "morph" and you see me wearing a rain jacket. The weather keeps getting worse with gale force winds and torrential rain. Then just as quickly, the rain stops and I walk back into the weather center, dry and wearing a suit.  All in a day's work!

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The truth is, the whole commercial was shot in a TV studio, in front of a chroma-key "green screen." This is the same method we use to put the weather maps behind me during the news. The color green is electronically removed from the video. For the commercial the green is replaced with shots of Houston. The weather was digitally added during editing.

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The morphing shot was the most difficult to film. The director had me deliver the lines while walking on a treadmill so the editors could match up my walk and talk. I had to say the lines several times, first dressed in casual clothes and then again while wearing a rain jacket. And the lines had to be delivered exactly the same way everytime. That sequence alone took about four hours to set up and shoot.

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Then we got to have some fun. The production crew sprayed me down with water to make it look like I was walking in the rain.  When the "weather takes a turn for the worst," they shot the scene using high powered fans and a water sprayer to create the perfect storm. The director kept yelling, "More wind! More rain!" Again we did several takes, over and over.

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Sure, we could have filmed the commercial outside, using real weather. But it would have taken weeks to shoot. This way the producers could control the camera shots...and control the weather. I got soaked, but everyone else (and all the camera equipment) stayed completely dry.

This was a big time, Hollywood style production. We had a crew of about 10 people working behind the scenes, including lighting and audio technicians, assistants and grips.  It was a lot of fun. But it was work, more for the crew than me!. For my part, there was a lot of standing around and waiting while the camera shot was set and the lights adjusted. And then, "Action!"

All photos from Mike McGuff. Used with permission.

Comments

[Natalie]

HA! That’s really cool! What’s funny is, every time I see it, I wonder how you did it. It looks pretty fun! I have a question though. When you’re going from outside, to the weather center, is that you that walks by?

[Serena]

Thanks for the behind the scenes look!