“All I had to work with was a couple of ideas I had scribbled down, and an idea to tell a story of a fun time in the snow… “

Eugene had quite a snow storm during February 2019. I wanted to make the most of it!

I started the week with a sledding trip close to Union Creek, located in the Southern part of Oregon. The week was then finished with a beautiful drone flight over Eugene’s Downtown area.

“I wanted to tell a story of some fun with the snow. Here’s what happened during the production.”

10:00 pm

I was invited up to Medford, Oregon to go sledding with some friends.

12:24 am

As I traveled over the Sexton Pass, I was expecting there to be snow but the temperature was a crisp 47 degrees Fahrenheit. The only snow seen was a small amount along the road.

Traffic travels at normal speed.

February 23, 2019 1:25 pm

I arrived at my destination in Medford, Oregon. I begin to unpack, charge batteries, and get my equipment ready for the next morning.

No snow can be seen on the ground.

9:45 am

Packed my equipment in my vehicle and begin the travel to Union Creek.

No snow can be seen on the ground.

February 24, 2019 11:20 am

Heavy rain on the road.

February 24, 2019 11:45 am

The rain turns into snow. Traffic slows and Plows can be seen passing.

February 24, 2019 12:15 pm

We arrived at a park close to Union Creek. It has been snowing for a long time and piles up around us. We unload and begin our sledding adventure. The temperature is in the high 20’s, and I worry that I won’t be able to get all of the shots I was wanting to get.

February 24, 2019 2:30 pm

The day of snow had been really fun. The snow is still falling and limits me to only using my GoPro. I wanted to get some aerial shots but I know it wouldn’t be a great idea to fly my drone with the amount of snow falling.

February 24, 2019 3:45 pm

We pack up and set off.

February 24, 2019 4:30 pm

The snow turns back into to rain as our elevation decreases.

February 24, 2019 5:15 pm

I arrived at the destination, transfer my equipment to another car.

February 24, 2019 6:30 pm

I set off back to Eugene from Medford. Temp is in the low 40’s

February 24, 2019 7:15 pm

I hit the first of the passes. Traffic is traveling well. Temp is below 40.

February 24, 2019 7:30 pm

On the top of the first Pass. Plows are waiting by the side of the road. 36 degrees.

February 24, 2019 8:00 pm

Hitting the next Pass. 34 degrees.

February 24, 2019 8:15 pm

Temperature drops below 32. Snow begins to appear. Traffic slows.

February 24, 2019 8:30 pm

Passing 7 Feathers Casino. The snow is falling fast. Traffic is slow. I switch my SUV to four-wheel drive to help with control.

February 24, 2019 9:00 pm

I get to the Roseburg area, the entire area is out of power. I pull off for fuel but no power means the pumps aren’t working.

February 24, 2019 10:00 pm

I hit the final pass of the trip. Few cars were on the road and the roads were covered in snow. Traffic is slow. 31 degrees.

February 24, 2019 10:00 pm

As I travel down the north side of the Pass, I watch as cars struggle to get up the South Bound side of the pass.   

February 24, 2019 10:30 pm

I get to Cottage Grove which is deep in snow. At 3 inches in the past couple hours.

February 24, 2019 11:00 pm

Arrived in Eugene, as it was also covered in snow.

10:00 am

I set out to walk in downtown, it had snowed at least 5 inches by this time. I took some b-roll of the area around. The town is quiet, and few people are out.

February 25, 2019 2:00 pm

Snow stops and I decide to attempt to drive close to Skinner Butte Park. Trees are across the road and the snow is very deep. I continue to used four-wheel drive to help with control.

February 25, 2019 2:10 pm

Following all regulations for the area, I put my drone in the air. I made sure to fly close to myself and in eyesight of the drone. I stood on a picnic bench and had my drone take off from the hood of my car because the snow was too deep for a proper takeoff.

February 25, 2019 2:30 pm

A stressful but successful fight over.

3:00 pm

The final b-roll shots are collected and post-production starts.

In all, this experience taught me a lot about how to shoot without any type of final script. All I had to work with was a couple of ideas I had scribbled down, and an idea to tell a story of a fun time in the snow…