Creating Safe Atmosphere with Smoke/Fog

[Derek Stettler]

Hey everyone,

 

I haven't worked with smoke/haze/fog before and I'm interested in learning the best way to create atmosphere on a set that's safe for actors/crew who may be asthmatic or very sensitive. In your experience, what's the best way to go? Smoke machines? Fog machines? Oil based? Water based? Any special non-toxic, non-allergenic formulas? Any secret tips to creating the effect in the safest, most pleasant way possible for cast and crew to be working in?

 

Thanks so much!

[Guest Christopher Sheneman]

Change the scene so the characters are wearing gas masks, make sure they're real and with working filters.

 

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5468.m570.l1313.TR2.TRC1&_nkw=russian+gas+mask&_sacat=0&_from=R40

 

You can use a fog filter on the lens or create fog, smoke with software..

 

My advice is not to use the real stuff if an indispensable member of your team can become sick from it, or worse.

 

I'm sure if John Landis and Alex Proyas could go back and prevent the deaths of actors in their productions, they would.

 

[Brian Drysdale]

How large is your set?

 

Definitely don't do what they did on a commercial I worked on, where they used smouldering cardboard... that really catches in your throat. Ironically they were making it for the fire brigade.

[Stuart Brereton]

Use a DF 50 hazer. Safe, clean and fairly cheap.