Commercial Shoot on Mackinac Island

On a recent commercial shoot on Mackinac Island, extreme winter weather and a remote location tested our flexibility and preparation. It was a unique challenge to work in a small community that is essentially "shut down" for the off season and doesn't allow car travel.

First challenge: the weather. Below 30 degrees and snow almost every day, travel to the island by snowmobile or plane was often impossible. Flannel and layers helped break the wind, waterproof gear was essential, and changing shirts and socks mid-day kept me warm. Planning ahead for quick scene changes kept the shoot moving smoothly. Flying in on a small prop plane meant packing light, but with everything we needed.

Second challenge: limited supplies. Only the hardware store, one convenience store, and one restaurant were open. Having a local on the team was invaluable for navigating the community, finding essentials, and keeping the shoot running smoothly.

Snowmobiles carried our gear across the island, and when weather forced a pause, we used downtime to organize, re-bin, and remove items we wouldn’t need. Staying flexible and ready to pivot allowed us to capture what we needed, even when plans changed quickly.

See below for behind-the-scenes photos of the island, the snowmobiles, and the local horses.