Film and television productions are demanding and challenging, and even more so in cold weather conditions. Here, we look at how honey wagon hire can make life on a winter set more comfortable for all involved.
As temperatures drop and the biting chill sets in, it becomes crucial for production teams to prioritise the comfort of cast and crew. One of the essential elements for a successful outdoor shoot in cold weather is the availability of appropriate facilities, including honey wagons. These versatile trailers are more than just on-set necessities—they become vital to keeping production running smoothly in challenging environments. Here’s why honey wagon hire is especially beneficial for cold weather shoots and how to ensure your set is well-equipped.
What is a honey wagon?
In the US, a honey wagon is a trailer outfitted with restroom facilities, dressing rooms, and sometimes office space, specifically designed to meet the needs of cast and crew members. In the UK, typically, a honey wagon is a portable toilet with no dressing room, but for cold weather shoots, a well-insulated and heated honey wagon can make all the difference, providing warmth and shelter while the cameras aren’t rolling.
The importance of honey wagon hire for cold weather shoots
Comfort for cast and crew
Cold weather can make outdoor shoots exhausting, uncomfortable, and even dangerous if precautions aren't taken. Prolonged exposure to cold can lead to a loss of concentration and slower performance, and in severe cases, hypothermia or frostbite. Offering warm and heated spaces like honey wagons gives actors and crew members a refuge from the harsh weather. This not only keeps morale high but also ensures that everyone is safe and able to perform their duties efficiently.
Efficient Use of Downtime
On any film set, there are inevitable periods of downtime while waiting for lighting adjustments, scene setups, or technical fixes. In cold weather, these waits can become unbearable if there is no place to seek warmth. Honey wagons provide a comfortable and heated environment where cast and crew can rest, or even change outfits. Having a space where they can temporarily escape the cold will help maintain focus and energy when they return to work.
Somewhere for costume changes and makeup
Cold weather shoots often require frequent wardrobe changes, whether due to layering for warmth or for scene requirements. A honey wagon equipped with a spacious vanity area allows actors to change into and out of costumes with ease. These spaces are particularly beneficial for hair and make-up teams, who often need climate-controlled environments to work effectively. The cold can ruin certain make-up products, while wind and moisture wreak havoc on hairstyles. Having a warm, well-lit place ensures that actors are always camera-ready.
Heating and insulation
Not all trailers are created equal. When hiring a honey wagon for a cold weather shoot, it’s crucial to ensure that the unit is properly insulated and has an efficient heating system. At JB Event Facilities all but our smallest luxury toilet unit have robust heaters. These help to keep the inside of the trailer at a comfortable temperature, no matter how cold it is outside.
The benefits of honey wagon hire for cold weather location filming
Ideal for remote locations, giving somewhere to shelter.
All locations can be considered even where there is a lack of facilities.
Locations without access to mains water can still be considered, as all units have their own water supply.
All honey wagons have high end interiors and are fully equipped with luxury consumables to make users feel pampered and valued.
Where honey wagons for disabled users are provided, the shoot will be fully compliant with HSE guidance on accessibility and inclusion.
Avoid the risk of dehydration by providing somewhere for cast and crew to ‘go’ – where there are insufficient facilities, people will often avoid drinking too much which can be harmful to their health.
Recommended honey wagons from JB Event Facilities
The luxury 3+1 toilet is one of our most popular units, featuring 3 ladies' toilets, 1 men's toilet and 3 urinals. It is delivered fully stocked with indulgent consumables and has fully flushing ceramic toilets and hot and cold running water.
A rarity in the honey wagon industry, the luxury 5 plus 2 unit is our biggest mains connected luxury toilet unit. Requiring mains water and waste, this is the ideal unit for less remote locations and features spacious interiors with 5 ladies' toilets, 2 men’s toilets and 4 urinals.
Our luxury 8-bay is the perfect solution where single gender or gender-neutral facilities are required. The unit contains 4 ladies' toilets and 4 men’s toilets but can be easily converted into a single unit.
Honey wagon hire from JB Event Facilities
Cold weather filming presents unique challenges, but when you hire your honey wagons from JB Event Facilities, it can be a rewarding experience for everyone involved. We offer the very best facilities on the market and our experience of working with film studios means we understand the demands of the industry. To find out how we can help your next cold weather location shoot, simply email us some details to info@jbeventfacilities.co.uk or give the team a call on 01280 851200.