Using Smoke

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DJ Lewis

Well-known member
I've heard countless times that adding smoke will help with your lighting. Any ideas on how to effectively implament this? Should some one just use a simple smoke machine and very lightly release some smoke while setting lights, and try to keep the amount of smoke (which I imagine would be very little) consistent?

Thanks
 
I don't know how well using a smoke machine will actually work. I do the occasional DJing gig, and we use smoke machines quite a bit. Now I can't speak for all smoke machines, but the ones I have worked with are very difficult to control. They will not only spew smoke when you push the button, but when you aren't pushing the button, and for minutes after you turn them off. You can unplug the damn things, and still five minutes later...psssssshhhh....here comes some more smoke.

Kind of a pain in the ass, especially if they are in the back seat of your car when they start spewing. I had a fun time explaining that one to the cop that pulled me over.
 
Well I haven't had the problems of them smoking past turn off, but you'll learn how to control through experience. A little smoke can soften the scene, more smoke will actually paint the light, those beautiful streaks of light that come through the window for example. Personally I'm a big fan of smoke. Speaking of fan you need one to spread the smoke consistently, unless you have one of those high dollar hazers.
 
I think that Hazers instead of Smoke machines are more useful for filming. Hazers add a more atmospheric texture rather than visible billows of smoke.
 
So I need a hazer... any idea where I'd find info on one, or is this a high dollor toy that i need to rent?
 
Either the hazer or the standard smoker will work. The important thing to remember is how to spread the smoke around and keeping it constant. Using and 18x24 or a 2x3, you can PULL the smoke throught the room and diffuse it. The hazer is much easier than the smoke machine, but as long as you practice the method of pulling smoke through the room and keeping a constant level of thickness, you should be fine. You can get away with using the wal-mart smoke machine as long as you PRACTICE. Remember, they always yell at the smoke guy. It is an art, but not a hard one to master.
 
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