a scene with smoke

[thewheel]

hi,
i would like to set up a scene with fog to create a heaven like effect. the scene is outside. the number one option I think is a smoke machine right? I have asked a quote for that but would like to think of some other options if it is too expensive. i have been reading about putting dry ice in hot water but since the scene is outside and am forseening some complications in the shooting i cannot say that it will be a 1 min shot i think that it will be a hassle. do any cans that produce the same effect exist? should i stick only to a smoke machine? is there anything inexpensive that i can use? 10x.

[vidled]

Smoke machines are quite inexpensive for smaller units, and high output ones can be rented.
However, if it is LOW lying fog you want, it gets a little trickier. A simple solution is a standard fog machine that pushes the air through an ice box. It's a simple solution to get low lying fog, relatively inexpensive and without the use of dry ice.
Antari makes such ice-box low foggers. About $500 new IIRC.

[GageFX]

In the states, or at least L.A., you can go into a party store and get a party fogger for about $39. Go to Walmart (I'm sure they're all over Malta) and get a plastic "tupperware" type container. Go to your friendly neighborhood beer keg rental and grab a brick of dry ice. Get your trusty roll of gaffer's tape. Find an old vacuum hose.

Now cut a hole in one side of the plastic box and tape the exit port of the fogger to the plastic box. Cut a hole in the other side and tape the hose to the other side of the plastic box. Put half your bock of dy ice into the box and turn on the fog. The ice cools the fog so it will hang low to the ground. Dry ice effect in much greater quatities. It's also much more wispy and fog like than typical dry ice "smoke".

Good luck.

-GageFX

[BLT]

Hey,

We used a smoke machine for most of our 'smoke grenade' scenes. Cost us about $200. Its pretty cool. You can control the amount you want to release and at what intensity.

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/7237/nk105665219720060814mdfu4.jpg

[vidled]

:thumbsup:

GREAT shot, BLT!!!

[BLT]

Haha thanks! Taken by one of our still photographers, it isn't an actual grab from the movie though. We use smoke quite intensively. I sold my smoke machine away though cuz I was moving to the States and all. I have yet to see that Walmart smoke machine though. Know anywhere else I can get a cheap one?

[GageFX]

The smoke machine isnt at walmart, it's at the party store. The plastic container to put the dry ice in is at Walmart.

Fry's has them for $39 also.
http://shop2.outpost.com/product/3854827


Or here, . They are better units than the Fry's unit, though.
http://www.partyamericastore.com/fog-machine.html

http://www.partyamericastore.com/party-fog-machine.html


-GageFX

[BLT]

Nice... Wonder why we paid so much for ours. Gosh. I'll go check this out soon. Thanks man! (:

[thewheel]

thanks for you feedback and interest all..sorry to pu you down but i think that i will hire a low smoke machine...nope I do not beleive there are party stores around here..sorry...
i am shooting during day time (late afternoon) would you suggest that i have lights from below the smoke or from above it (refering to red heads) to light the smoke or better not light it at all. this scene is on the roof and i have some bulbs knee level there too would it be effective if i light these up too or would they be obvious what they are?
10x again guys.