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  • 1.  Best Fog Machines

    Posted 09-23-2019 10:08
    Hi All,
    I'm directing Macbeth this year and I'm curious about your milage with fog machines.  I prefer low-lying fog for this show over something more diffuse.  What have you tried that you liked?
    Thanks!

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    Bryce Cahn
    Theatre Arts Teacher
    Tompkins Square Middle School
    New York, NY
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  • 2.  RE: Best Fog Machines

    Posted 09-23-2019 13:21
    Best machine would really depend on budget available. 

    The best effect is a true dry ice machine. These circulate hot water over dry ice, which creates a low lying fog. This is a really good, low budget option of that technique https://www.adj.com/entour-ice 

    The other option would be to use a fog machine with a cooling device that uses a standard fog machine that then puts the fog through a cooler that cools the fog, which makes it hug the ground. Here is a budget option of that https://www.adj.com/mister-kool-ii and here is a higher priced alternative https://www.elationlighting.com/ice-ice-101

    The associated costs of each are, with the dry ice machine, you need to have easy access to the material, and that can be expensive. With the fog coolers you just need regular ice and fog fluid.

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    Robert Mentele
    Janesville WI
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Best Fog Machines

    Posted 09-24-2019 22:05
    You can make one NEARLY as good as the $1200 ones for $60!  Email me, and I'll tell you how!  (Not trying to tell ALL my secrets)  ;)

    quinnn@rcschools.net

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    Natalie Quinn
    Smyrna TN
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Best Fog Machines

    Posted 09-24-2019 06:30
    I would suggest looking into renting a unit for your show, you will want to tell them about your stage, also let them know how fast you need the fog to get out and dissipate. The machines mentioned by others you may need multiple to meet your needs, the fastest and best is dry ice over hot water, but this too has it's own constraints for duration and reheat cycle. I would rent, I know how much it stinks to spend the money on what you really need to have it work for the first show then next time you want to use it down the road not to work.

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    Jerry Onik
    V.P. Theatrical Supplies and Equipment
    Omaha NE
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Best Fog Machines

    Posted 09-24-2019 18:10

    My favorite fog machine is Chauvet's Nimbus 2000, which sounds like something out of Harry Potter, but it covers the stage quickly and efficiently and isn't too expensive to rent.

    In both my High School Theatre Safety Manual books I include information about fog machine safety. Also, consider having a policy if your theatre is being used by a lot of events (school, district and/or outside). When you say you prefer 'low lying over something more diffuse', I assume by "diffuse" you mean airborn? Here's an excerpt from my books (feel free to appropriate, my Safety Manual books aren't copyrighted, they're for you to use...) for a suggested Fog Machine Policy – something to think about if your theatre has smoke detectors… . 

     

    High School

    Theatre Safety Manual

     

    Fog Machine and Stage Cigarette Policy

    Most smoke detectors are designed to measure particles in the air and risk being set off if the smoke level from a fog machine or the vapor from a stage cigarette gets too high on stage. Therefore smoke machines and hazers are not permitted in the theatre. Dry ice and ground fog may be safe as they tend to gravitate downwards.

    If you chose to use dry ice, ground fog or stage cigarettes, you do so at your show's own peril. If they set off the fire alarm, the theatre must be completely evacuated (performers, crew, staff and audience), and permission must be given by the Fire Department before anyone can re-enter the building. In that case, your show will most likely be shut down for the remainder of that performance.

    _____________________________________________          ____________________

    Signature of User Representative                                   Date

    • Indicates that this notice has been read

    and that User accepts all risks.

     



    ------------------------------
    Beth Rand, EBMS
    Educational Lighting Designer
    School Theatre Operations Coach
    www.PRESETT.org

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    (http://www.presett.org/litt.html)

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    beth@PRESETT.org
    Westminster, CO
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Best Fog Machines

    Posted 09-25-2019 03:48
    Hi, 
    You could build a low lying barrel with a heating element inside and just add dry ice to it with a fan attached to the top lid with a hose outlet. Or go rent a fog machine that attaches CO2 tanks to cool the fog down and pushes the fog for a low effect.

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    Jon Richert
    Geneva Community High School
    Batavia IL
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Best Fog Machines

    Posted 09-25-2019 07:41
    Just be careful when using dry ice, Gloves and goggles, also you will want to get pellets not blocks, blocks freeze over before you get the max out of your dry ice.

    There are many issues with building your own, 1 the time it takes and 2 the maintenance and leakage prevention.

    Be sure to research fully before undertaking building your own.

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    Jerry Onik
    V.P. Theatrical Supplies and Equipment
    Omaha NE
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    Original Message


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