Homemade Diffusion Gel

[David Calson]

Hi, just doing some low budget tutorial videos and wondered if there's diffusion gel substitute you could concoct. Tried wax paper but it wasn't strong enough, thanks.

[Chris Pritzlaff]

diffusion is really not that expensive. Just get the real thing. You risk setting substitutes on fire if you try something that is not designed for high temp.

[Chad Stockfleth]

I second that. At $5-$7 per sheet, it would be much wiser to buy some. Plus, you'll have it for next time.

[David Mullen ASC]

If you put the paper on frames farther from the light, to keep the heat down, something like Tracing Paper (1000H) works well for a heavier diffusion. You can also bounce the light instead.

 

But you could but a few sheets of diffusion gel (24"x36" I think) for maybe $5 each.

 

Just the other day, we threw a semi-clear plastic grocery store bag over a B-camera camera to protect it from some splattering food (it wasn't rolling during the shot, just the A-camera) and it was the most interesting diffusion effect on the video tap monitor... Sort of a Fog #10, I suppose.

[Jonathan Bryant]

Fabric softner sheets work great. Just make sure I get credit for this secret :)

[Mike Williamson]

For gels and diff, I get stuff from The Expendables Recycler. Not free, but it's cheaper than setting locations on fire.

[Chris Cooke]

Try buying a white shower curtain liner. I have used this for quite a few scenes where it's the perfect size and weight of diffusion that I need. They're less than $10 and work well. Just make sure that the curtain is far enough from your source (you'll get a softer effect this way because it fills up the frame and it won't catch fire).

[Daniel Carruthers]

I like to use bakEing sheet paper, just make sure its not waxpaper!

baking sheet paper works great it can withstand the heat from a redhead.

and it only cost me 2$ for an entire roll at some dollor store, cant remember the brand? it came in a yellow box.