ATMOSPHERIC Effects Class Meeting 3

Atmospheric Effects

Fog, clouds, smoke, rain, mist, hail, lightning, storms. Snow, falling, set dressing and as used for miniatures. Frost & Ice Wind, blizzards, dust and cobb webs, wet & dry. Dry ice generators, Water in the studio.

The smoke gun. Lava, Quicksand and swamps.

Some atmospheric effects involve pyrotechnic devices that require you to have a licensed pyro technician on set. Check with the California State Fire Marshal prior to scheduling effects that involve pyrotechnics.

It is a felony to perform pyro effects without a license.

Fire Pan Effect

This small confined fire patch is placed around a scene to simulate a much larger fire involvement. Requires a pyro technician to be on set to operate this effect.

Lightning EFX Generator

Aluminum filings ignited with lp gas create bright flashes. Used by major studios this effects device presents a danger if not operated by licensed pyro technician.

Snowball Effect

Snowball created from Polysorb. Has look of real snowball and reacts on surfaces same as snowball when it comes in contact with those surfaces.

Falling Snow Effect

Front lighting of snow flakes blown into the air. Some applications of this technique will photograph using back light.

Brain Splatter Effect

CO2 compressed gas effects device.

Brain Splatter CO2 Technique

Compressed CO2 used to spray brain matter and blood onto set wall. Can also be accomplished with turkey baster or cup of blood technique.

Atmospheric Practice Quiz

Rain

1. Location filming can be interrupted by rain.
2. Studio filming of rain is also problematic, as you need to deal with the water after it comes down to the floor after the effect is completed.
3. Rain in the studio Tools: Rain pump device, Wind Machine,Plastic sheets (floor covering).
4. Technique: Rain falling is achieved with a series of water pipes, positioned over the set.
5. Suspend the pipes so they can be moved to avoid an obvious pattern.
6. Drill holes in the pipes.
7. Feed each pipe from both ends to equalize the water pressure.
8. Place large sheets of plastic floor covering to collect spill.
9. Keep water away from electricity.
10. Rain down a window Tools: Rain pump device, Plastic sheets (floor covering), Sheet of clear rigid plastic or glass.
11. Place plastic or glass sheet, behind the set window.
12. Position a pipe with holes just above the top of the sheet and position a pipe to disburse water down the sheet into a catch trough.
13. The water used for the effect is caught in the trough and recycled.
14. Keep water away from electricity

Exterior rain sequence

1. Exterior rain Sequence Tools: High pressure hoses, Pipes, Rain heads,
55-gallon water reservoir, Electric water pump.
2. Technique: Position rain heads so as to aim the rain in front of and behind the actors.
3. It is not always necessary to “drown” the actors, as a hint of moisture will go a long way to created believable rain effects.
4. Wet the ground anywhere that it will be seen in the final composition of the shot.
5. A 55 gallon drum, containing a water supply can be attached to a swimming pool filter motor and deliver enough water under pressure to the rain heads for most takes.
6. Back lighting the water will make it stand out. If unable to back light, in daylight, milk can be added to the water to give it density.
7. Immediate clean up, with pure water, is imperative.
8. Keep water away from electricity.

Snow Frost and Ice

1. Studio snow effects can be problematic.
2. Use of salt to create ground cover can damage the wheels of dollies and other equipment.
3. Any medium used must be fire-retardant and comply with fire regulations.
4. Falling Snow Tools: Motorized container Finely shredded paper Granulated expanded polystyrene .
5. Technique: Snow is dispensed from a motorized container.
6. The snow is forced through the slots in the bottom of the container by a motor-driven rod, containing fingers that rotate, releasing the snow.
7. Snow on the ground Tools: Sand bags, Sawdust, White plastic drop cloth, Polystyrene Granules, White Powder potatoes, Rock Salt, Crushed limestone, Baking Soda.
8. Use sand bags to build up snow depth.
9. Cover sand bags with white plastic drop cloth.
10. This technique is intended for areas where actors will not be walking.


Frost

1. Tools: Water based glue, White powder, Powdered Mica, Chalk and wood pulp, Spritzer bottle.
2. Technique: For props or scenic items first spray item with a water-based glue, they can then be lightly dusted with a white powder to resemble frost.
3. If white powder is unavailable you can use a combination of powdered mica, chalk and wood pulp.
4. Frost on Windows Tools: Mentholated spirit, Finely powdered chalk or talc.
5. On windows, where frost has to be cleared by actor to see through, mentholated spirit and finely powdered chalk or talc applies as a very light spray.

Ice

1. Tools: Paraffin wax, Polyester Twists, Sheets of acrylic plastic, Styrofoam blocks, Acetone.
2. Technique: Surface ice on water that has to be broken on camera use paraffin wax.
3. Heat water, if possible, pour melted wax onto the surface. (Cold water sets the wax poorly).
4. Ice blocks are not easy to make.
5. Ice blocks can be made from s sheets of heated and distorted acrylic plastic are welded together and filled with water for weight.
6. Styrofoam blocks sculpted with acetone can create realistic blocks of ice that float.
7. Icicles can be created in a number of ways. Pieces of twisted polythene can be dipped into hot wax or polyester resin and hung up to set.

Wind and Blizzards

1. Exterior Wind machines, both electric and aircraft engine powered, are utilized in the business of creating wind effects.
2. Snow Blizzard in the studio. Tools: Electric wind machine, Granulated expanded polystyrene, Smoke gun (optional), Hopper.
3. In the studio set up a number of wind machines operating in different directions.
4. In front blow snow from left to right, and in the back blow snow from right to left. This creates believable coverage.
5. Type: Wind in the studio, Tools: Compressed air, Wind machine, Leaves, Paper scraps, Debris.
6. Wind will be stronger nearer the wind machine.
7. Add high-pressure airline to add to the effect in areas where the wind machine weakens.
8. Compressed air can be aimed at items that must move on cue and require animation such as debris moving along a sidewalk.

Cobwebs

1. Tools: Cobweb gun, Latex, Hot glue sticks, Water bottle spritzer, Talcum powder (baby powder).
2. The cobweb gun is made up of a canister, fan blades and drill motor.
3. The canister contains tiny veins where the cover joins.
4. The canister rests on fan blades that are attached to the drill motor.
5. A latex solution is added to the canister and the drill motor is switched on.
6. The latex is secreted through the veins in the canister and blown onto sets or props by the fan blades.
7. KEEP ROTATING BLADE CLEAR OF BODY PARTS!!!
8. An alternate cobweb gun consists of a hot glue gun, mounted inside a PVC pipe.
9. The pipe is supplied with an air source, from a compressor or bottled air, and sprays hot glue onto sets and props.
10. Thin streams of hot glue are sent flying from a press of the glue gun trigger by the force of supplied air.
11. KEEP HOT GLUE AWAY FROM BODY PARTS!!!
12. Latex cobwebs remain sticky for a short period of time.
13. To build up a web, use thin fish line to create an “X” pattern to give the latex something upon which to hold.
14. Once the latex is set, you can snip the fishing line and allow the latex to go limp.
15. Latex cobwebs should be dusted with talcum powder when spraying is completed.
16. If outdoors, early morning due can be simulated by spritzing the web with water to create droplets
17. .LATEX IS FLAMABLE. NEVER USE AROUND OPEN FLAMERain

1. Location filming can be interrupted by rain.
2. Studio filming of rain is also problematic, as you need to deal with the water after it comes down to the floor after the effect is completed.
3. Rain in the studio Tools: Rain pump device, Wind Machine,Plastic sheets (floor covering).
4. Technique: Rain falling is achieved with a series of water pipes, positioned over the set.
5. Suspend the pipes so they can be moved to avoid an obvious pattern.
6. Drill holes in the pipes.
7. Feed each pipe from both ends to equalize the water pressure.
8. Place large sheets of plastic floor covering to collect spill.
9. Keep water away from electricity.
10. Rain down a window Tools: Rain pump device, Plastic sheets (floor covering), Sheet of clear rigid plastic or glass.
11. Place plastic or glass sheet, behind the set window.
12. Position a pipe with holes just above the top of the sheet and position a pipe to disburse water down the sheet into a catch trough.
13. The water used for the effect is caught in the trough and recycled.
14. Keep water away from electricity

Exterior rain sequence

1. Exterior rain Sequence Tools: High pressure hoses, Pipes, Rain heads,
55-gallon water reservoir, Electric water pump.
2. Technique: Position rain heads so as to aim the rain in front of and behind the actors.
3. It is not always necessary to “drown” the actors, as a hint of moisture will go a long way to created believable rain effects.
4. Wet the ground anywhere that it will be seen in the final composition of the shot.
5. A 55 gallon drum, containing a water supply can be attached to a swimming pool filter motor and deliver enough water under pressure to the rain heads for most takes.
6. Back lighting the water will make it stand out. If unable to back light, in daylight, milk can be added to the water to give it density.
7. Immediate clean up, with pure water, is imperative.
8. Keep water away from electricity.

Snow Frost and Ice

1. Studio snow effects can be problematic.
2. Use of salt to create ground cover can damage the wheels of dollies and other equipment.
3. Any medium used must be fire-retardant and comply with fire regulations.
4. Falling Snow Tools: Motorized container Finely shredded paper Granulated expanded polystyrene .
5. Technique: Snow is dispensed from a motorized container.
6. The snow is forced through the slots in the bottom of the container by a motor-driven rod, containing fingers that rotate, releasing the snow.
7. Snow on the ground Tools: Sand bags, Sawdust, White plastic drop cloth, Polystyrene Granules, White Powder potatoes, Rock Salt, Crushed limestone, Baking Soda.
8. Use sand bags to build up snow depth.
9. Cover sand bags with white plastic drop cloth.
10. This technique is intended for areas where actors will not be walking.


Frost

1. Tools: Water based glue, White powder, Powdered Mica, Chalk and wood pulp, Spritzer bottle.
2. Technique: For props or scenic items first spray item with a water-based glue, they can then be lightly dusted with a white powder to resemble frost.
3. If white powder is unavailable you can use a combination of powdered mica, chalk and wood pulp.
4. Frost on Windows Tools: Mentholated spirit, Finely powdered chalk or talc.
5. On windows, where frost has to be cleared by actor to see through, mentholated spirit and finely powdered chalk or talc applies as a very light spray.

Ice

1. Tools: Paraffin wax, Polyester Twists, Sheets of acrylic plastic, Styrofoam blocks, Acetone.
2. Technique: Surface ice on water that has to be broken on camera use paraffin wax.
3. Heat water, if possible, pour melted wax onto the surface. (Cold water sets the wax poorly).
4. Ice blocks are not easy to make.
5. Ice blocks can be made from s sheets of heated and distorted acrylic plastic are welded together and filled with water for weight.
6. Styrofoam blocks sculpted with acetone can create realistic blocks of ice that float.
7. Icicles can be created in a number of ways. Pieces of twisted polythene can be dipped into hot wax or polyester resin and hung up to set.

Wind and Blizzards

1. Exterior Wind machines, both electric and aircraft engine powered, are utilized in the business of creating wind effects.
2. Snow Blizzard in the studio. Tools: Electric wind machine, Granulated expanded polystyrene, Smoke gun (optional), Hopper.
3. In the studio set up a number of wind machines operating in different directions.
4. In front blow snow from left to right, and in the back blow snow from right to left. This creates believable coverage.
5. Type: Wind in the studio, Tools: Compressed air, Wind machine, Leaves, Paper scraps, Debris.
6. Wind will be stronger nearer the wind machine.
7. Add high-pressure airline to add to the effect in areas where the wind machine weakens.
8. Compressed air can be aimed at items that must move on cue and require animation such as debris moving along a sidewalk.

Cobwebs

1. Tools: Cobweb gun, Latex, Hot glue sticks, Water bottle spritzer, Talcum powder (baby powder).
2. The cobweb gun is made up of a canister, fan blades and drill motor.
3. The canister contains tiny veins where the cover joins.
4. The canister rests on fan blades that are attached to the drill motor.
5. A latex solution is added to the canister and the drill motor is switched on.
6. The latex is secreted through the veins in the canister and blown onto sets or props by the fan blades.
7. KEEP ROTATING BLADE CLEAR OF BODY PARTS!!!
8. An alternate cobweb gun consists of a hot glue gun, mounted inside a PVC pipe.
9. The pipe is supplied with an air source, from a compressor or bottled air, and sprays hot glue onto sets and props.
10. Thin streams of hot glue are sent flying from a press of the glue gun trigger by the force of supplied air.
11. KEEP HOT GLUE AWAY FROM BODY PARTS!!!
12. Latex cobwebs remain sticky for a short period of time.
13. To build up a web, use thin fish line to create an “X” pattern to give the latex something upon which to hold.
14. Once the latex is set, you can snip the fishing line and allow the latex to go limp.
15. Latex cobwebs should be dusted with talcum powder when spraying is completed.
16. If outdoors, early morning due can be simulated by spritzing the web with water to create droplets
17. .LATEX IS