Haze for exterior forest location???

T

TFilipiak

Well-known member
Looking for ideas for creating a soft haze (not fog) in a small forest clearing about 75 ft in diameter.

I'm trying to capture the look of the sunbeams coming through the trees, plus give the location some depth and visual interest.

The only caveat is there is no access to electricity and I'm trying to stay clear of using generators.

My ideas right now, (which are completely untested!) consist of:

1. A handheld mosquito fogger with hazer juice. Runs on propane.
2. Using a small portable barbecue and burn something that gives off a lot of smoke. (green leaves???) The forest floor is dirt, so I wouldn't anticipate a fire hazard.

I am open to other ideas as long as they're safe for the actors and location.

Thanks!
 
Obviously a IGEBA fogger isn't a Hazer & was offered it as an alternative to your BBQ idea.

Haze is tricky to pull off outdoors as it dissipates quickly when not contained. Well budgeted Productions sometimes resort to hanging large frames to wrangle it.
 
Bern Caughey said:
Haze is tricky to pull off outdoors as it dissipates quickly when not contained. Well budgeted Productions sometimes resort to hanging large frames to wrangle it.
Click to expand...

Correct.

You might also rent a few Tiffen smoque filters. to help fill out the effect. As long as you have light hitting them they will show up on camera.
 
Thanks Bern and David. Gonna look into these options.
(Whoa, the IGEBA fogger looks like the mosquito fogger on steroids!)

T
 
Many moons ago I worked with a DP on a PBS historical piece and he had something he called "smoke cookies". Some sort of discs of flammable material that he would place behind trees and set alight. They created this thin haze of smoke.

Here, I found them in an online search:

http://www.rogergeorge.com/special-effects/expendables/smoke-cookies

and another variation here:

http://setshop.com/special-effects/...a-smoke-fog-smoke-cookie-smoke-chip-4065.html


I think Bern's suggestion is the best route for you. Seems such attempts to create a haze work best at night when backlight illuminates the particulate and at night there is typically less wind than during daytime. Or maybe I have just seen it most often done at night because it is often horror films wanting the haze / fog look.
 
Note you need a Pyro Agreement to purchase Smoke Cookies.

Been on Productions that used these, & they produce a lot of smoke. Thought they became illegal, but maybe that was only in Los Angeles. Seemed noxious.

Believe there are DIY recipes online, but they're not something I'd cook at home.
 
Last edited:
Hey everyone, thanks again for the replies!

Just wanted to post an update on my hair-brained mosquito fogger idea. I actually went ahead and bought one at Walmart.

I paid $60 for it, but then immediately received a $40 price adjustment.(???) So it basically ended up costing me $20!!! (plus $4 for the propane cylinder)

I filled it with Froggy's Fog Juice and Voila! It kicks out some serious fog!!! I'm not looking for that "foggy' look, just hoping for a bit of 'atmosphere'; some visual interest in the wide shots. I think this might just work! (?)

Next step: Test it on the location. I will post the test results at a later date.

Check out the photos of the un-fogged location and the fogger in action...

Clip0095T01.jpgfog1.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top