Shooting in a Heatwave: Lessons from the 24H of Spa
By Fab Fixers | June 2026
France and Belgium are sweltering right now. And film sets feel every degree of it.
We learned this the hard way this week at the 24H of Spa, an event that is, historically, synonymous with rain. This time it was one of the hottest weeks on record across the region.
When the Gear Overheats Before the Crew Does
Finding ventilators in Belgium mid-shoot felt like sourcing toilet paper during the pandemic: every shop, supermarket, department store, AC rental and gear company in the country was out of stock. Same story in Luxembourg and Northern France. Online delivery? Days away.
The stakes were real. The DIT's unit needed cooling. The photographer and his team weren't getting enough sleep because of the heat. An entire shoot was on the edge, because of 15 degrees above the seasonal average.
Thanks to a relentless team effort, we finally tracked down 5 fans sitting in a shop two hours away by car. The production didn't hesitate, a driver was dispatched immediately. Problem solved.
Could we have anticipated? Yes. Will we next time? Absolutely.
Relief is on its way… five fans and a suitcase in our production vehicle.
The Field Checklist We Now Run on Every Summer Shoot
Crew health is a producer's responsibility. After the Spa experience, we've formalised what used to be informal instinct into a proper heatwave protocol. Here's what goes on every call sheet when temperatures spike:
Water - Hydrate constantly, not just when you're thirsty. Keep supplies on set at all times, not just at base camp.
Cool-down breaks - Treat them like World Cup stoppage time: non-negotiable and built into the schedule from the start.
Ice packs - On hand for the crew throughout the day, especially during outdoor setups.
Cooling towels - A genuine game-changer on exposed outdoor shoots. Worth every cent.
Umbrellas and shade structures - At every station where crew are standing or waiting. Not just for talent.
Sunscreen - Apply, reapply, repeat. Make it available, not just recommended.
Weather forecast on the call sheet - Conditions shift fast in summer. The forecast from Monday may look nothing like Thursday's reality.
What This Means If You're Planning a Summer Shoot in Europe
European summers are no longer what they were. Heatwaves that once felt exceptional are becoming a standard production variable, one that needs to be budgeted, scheduled, and risk-assessed like any other.
That means:
factoring in cooling equipment from the earliest prep stage, not scrambling for fans two hours before a DIT meltdown
building rest breaks into your shooting day
having a contingency plan for extreme heat the same way you'd have one for rain.
At Fab Fixers, we operate across France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. We know the vendors, the logistics, and, now more than ever, the summer conditions on the ground.
If you're planning a shoot in the height of summer, get in touch. We'll make sure your production runs smoothly, heatwave or not.
Fab Fixers is an international production services company based in Paris, Brussels, and Lyon, specialising in fixing, location scouting, and production coordination for broadcasters, brands, and documentary makers worldwide. Contact us at virgile@fabfixers.com