Orlando Florida
 

Just wondering who here is in or around Orlando Florida?
I might be doing a job there this summer and may need to hire an extra cameraman or PA, or just find people who want to go out for a beer or two.

I'd also like to know from people in the area what Orlando has for small equipment rental houses where I could get light kits and extra gear from.

Thanks!

Beer?!

Hi Dylan,

Although I live an hour and a half away, I'm in Orlando just about as much as I'm in Clearwater.

Always glad to get together and make new friends! Drop me a note sometimes...

-Phil

Hey Dylan,

I live and work in downtown Orlando, so I'll see ya when you get here. Orlando can be a wasteland when it comes to equipment locally, unlike some large cities, but we have some stuff.

Just to get you started, visit http://www.greenroomorlando.com site to see some of what's going on down here. This is just one humble site for the community, but it's something to start; they have equipment companies listed (Equipment link in the left menu).

Cheers,
Imran.

Oh, and if you're coming from BC to Orlando in the summer, and you're anything like some of the Canadians I know, I'd recommend some sunscreen, spf 2-billion. :)

Hey Dylan- I'm an hour from Orlando, close to the beach. As far as what Imran said, Orlando is like a major city, compared to where I live. People here haven't got a clue, when it comes to Pro equipment. But, it can be had.

I'm close to Phil, about an hour and a half away. You can borrow whatever I got.

I'm hoping the sun will dry out my waterlogged skin. :)

Thanks Jeff for the generous offer! I'm not sure what I'll need yet. Probably a small light kit for a few interior shots. I'm hoping to shoot most of it outside, since I hear it's pretty nice and sunny down there. I'll probably be looking for a crane as well.

Target date is mid June for possibly 8-12 days. What kind of weather should I expect there?

Imran, great link. Thanks!

Hopefully I'll get to meet as many of you as I can. I plan on adding a couple extra days of production time so I can finish early (heh heh) and see some of the local sights and have a few drinks with whoever I can.

It's still not a 100% certainty yet, but it's looking good.

Lets see.... Florida weather in the summer... Temps anywhere between 98-103 F, 100% humidity, and afternoon thunderstorms are pretty much the norm here. Of course, it will only rain when you need to do something :)

Then there are the bugs...

Should I bring a rain slicker for the camera?
For keeping my sweat off it? :)

Better safe than sorry. You can almost set your watch by the afternoon showers.

Between 1:00 and 3:00, almost every day.

Hate to be an ignant Canook, but...
Are you guys pulling my leg about the afternoon rain?

If you've got outdoor shots get up early and get them. You don't really want to be out mid-day. The light is harsh, the heat and humidity are worse. I don't think you'll be used to the humidity, it's oppressive. In the afternoon move your set indoors.

I used to spend two weeks a year in Florida on holidays with my parents when we lived in southern Ontario. We'd usualy stay in the Ocala forest and along the east coast. I loved the weather. Beautiful, perfect. Just the right heat and humidity.

However, that was always in late December, early January. :)

Hey Dylan,

I'm also a short drive (two hours) from Orlando and I tend to use any excuse to get up there and stop by my favourite coffee shop, Harold and Maude's; so keep us all updated and I'd love to come up and help out.

As for your wanting a crane, I'll be getting one at the end of May. Check out the website, see if it looks like something you mighht want to use:
www.ezfx.com
It'll have the full extention kit also, you can see a pic at http://www.ezfx.com/extension_kit.htm (but without the pan/tilt head)

And no one is pulling your leg about the Florida rain. It's super hot, extra-super humid, and it does rain at least for a while just about every day during the summer (heat + surrounded by water = lots of heavy clouds)

On the upside, if you should find yourself unable to shoot for a couple hours, there's tons to do in Orlando without going anywhere near a theme park!

Good Luck and Keep us posted!

Shawn McBee

We don't like the rain, but we prefer it to the state going up in flames. If it rains, it pours every day. If it doesn't rain, it is a drought and wildfires go out of control. We are NOT kidding.

Either way, we'll still welcome your Canuckness to our corner of the pits :)