About Big Bear
Big Bear is a beautiful and picturesque area located in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California. It's situated at an elevation of 6,750 feet, making it one of the highest mountain communities in the region.
The area is renowned for its expansive alpine meadows, lush forests, and spectacular mountain lakes, giving it a unique natural beauty that has made it a popular destination for outdoor activities such as skiing, snowboarding, hiking, fishing, and camping. It's also home to some of the best ski resorts in the United States, including Snow Summit and Bear Mountain Resort.
Whatever your project may be - from movies and documentaries to music videos or promotional shoots - you'll find that Big Bear offers an unbeatable combination of breathtaking scenery and convenient amenities all within easy reach from Los Angeles. With its stunning landscape and views of meadows dotted with towering pine trees plus plenty of rental equipment nearby – Big Bear has everything you need to work on a successful video shoot.
Video Shoot Options in Big Bear
- Hair and Makeup
Depending on the look you want, you have options for hair and makeup vendors. If you prefer a natural appearance, or rather go for something more glamorous, there will be excellent choices. Of course, doing your hair and makeup is always an option if budgetary concerns are an issue.
- Videography
For videography, you have a few options as well. You can hire a professional videographer or DIY it with your camera and some editing software. If you're going the professional route, then be sure to ask for their work samples so you can see what they're capable of.
- Catering
Finally, for catering, you can choose to cater the food yourself, or you can hire a company to take care of it for you. If you're on a tight budget, you can always ask your friends and family to help with the food. But if you want something really special, then you can hire a private chef. No matter what you decide, just be sure to plan so that everything goes smoothly on the day of the shoot.
Video Shoot Vendors in Big Bear
- DMS Artistry
DMS Artistry is a full-service mobile makeup company established in 2013. Its owner Darlene Smith has over 15 years of experience in the professional makeup industry. She is very passionate about her work and believes that everyone should look their best on their big day, whether it’s a video shoot, photoshoot, or wedding. Darlene and her team offer mobile makeup services to Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake areas.
- Aerial Magic
Aerial Magic is a one-stop shop for all your video and photography needs! They offer drone services that will instantly improve your wedding day, house tour, or car show. The prices are unbeatable and the quality of the videos is unmatched. They also offer products for commercial, residential, and personal projects, so whether you're looking to capture a big moment or get a bird's eye view of your property, Aerial Magic is the videographer for you!
- Big Bear Catering Rescue
The Big Bear Catering Rescue team understands the importance of your event. Whether you are arranging a wedding reception, a rehearsal dinner, or a birthday party, or you need to feed your team while video shooting, they can help make it easier. Once they’ve refurbished an old fire rescue vehicle into a fully stocked cold keg room with bar and tap lines. With flashing lights and the full siren on their truck in action, everyone will be wowed by the thrill of the experience! But perhaps even more exciting than this is their ability to help you stay within your budget while still providing top-notch catering services.
Pros and Cons of Video Shoots in Big Bear
The pros of shooting videos in Big Bear far outweigh the cons. As long as you are prepared for the few setbacks you could potentially face, Big Bear doesn't disappoint as a filming location.
Advantages
- The scenery is beautiful in Big Bear, with ski mountains, pristine lakes, biking trails, and streets lined with shops and restaurants. These will provide a nice backdrop for your video shoot.
- There are plenty of activities to keep your crew busy in between filming. That includes participating in water sports and other adventures, skiing, hiking, and checking out the local cuisine and nightlife.
- The locals are always happy to help out with directions or vendors to try out.
- It’s a fantastic place for a variety of shoots, whether it’s lifestyle, sports, fashion, editorial, nature, or real estate videography.
Disadvantages
- Big Bear is a small city, spanning only 10.5 miles. This may limit your options for a video shoot location.
- Black bears are present in the city, so you need to exercise caution to avoid triggering them, especially the mother bears.
- Big Bear is a popular place, so it can be overcrowded during peak seasons, which may pose a challenge to your video shoot.
Tips on How to Organize Video Shoots in Big Bear
There are many things to consider when planning a video shoot in Big Bear, from camera settings and lighting conditions to setting up the shot and managing your crew. Here are some tips to help you navigate the process smoothly:
- Start by choosing the best filming locations that work for your objectives: Consider factors like lighting, access to power and utilities, and physical space for your equipment. Additionally, make sure that you have permission to film in the location that you choose, whether it's on public property or private land.
- Pick the props: Once you've selected the perfect filming spots, work with your crew to prepare cameras, props, set pieces, costumes, and other items that might be needed. This can include anything from ensuring that all of your cables are properly labeled and organized to working with actors ahead of time to practice their lines and movements on set. Finally, bring essential backup parts and tools so that you're ready for any unexpected issues or problems that might arise during the shoot.
- Plan the logistics: Next, come up with a logistics plan that includes pacing out scenes based on cuts or moving light in between takes. This requires good communication with all members of your team so that everyone is aware of what's expected at each step of the process and unnecessary confusion can be avoided. And don't forget to delegate roles such as production assistant or camera operator as needed so that everyone has specific tasks they're accountable for throughout the day.
- Stay focused: Finally, stay focused, bring plenty of patience, and keep an eye out for surprises (like bears and other wild animals) or little victories along the way.
Famous Locations in Big Bear
- Big Bear Alpine Zoo
The Big Bear Alpine Zoo first opened its doors in 1959 as a rehabilitation center for animals who had been injured during a forest fire. The zoo was originally known as the Moonridge Animal Park, but the name was changed a few years later. Unlike other zoos that house all sorts of different animals, the Big Bear Alpine Zoo only cares for those animals who are recovering from their injuries, orphans, or any other animal unable to live in their natural habitat for whatever reason. This makes the zoo a unique and special place, and it's one of the many reasons why people love it.
- Big Bear Lake
If you're looking for a fun California excursion, head to Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains for some peace. The lake itself is beautiful, with plenty of activities if you're seeking a fun California adventure. You can kayak, paddle, swim, fish, or even rent a jet ski or boat. There are six marinas along the coast where you may fuel up or hire a watercraft and six beaches. And if adventure is what you're after, there are charter fishing excursions, flyboarding adventures, tandem parasailing, and excellent picnic sites available. So whether you want to relax or explore, Big Bear Lake is the ideal location for you.
- Castle Rock Trail
Hiking to the top of Castle Rock Trail is one of the best ways to enjoy everything Big Bear Lake has to offer. The 1.3-mile climb is demanding, but the views from the top are well worth it. You'll be rewarded with stunning vistas of the lake, San Bernardino National Forest, and the beautiful world 800 feet above where you began. The trail is also a fantastic way to burn some calories while getting some fresh air. So what do you have to lose? Get out there and discover!