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  • 1.  Simple snow machine

    Posted 10-24-2024 08:33

    Hello! I have been reading past posts on creating snow onstage, and I have a follow-up question.

    Does anyone have experience using a small retail snow machine?  I have been looking at a lot of options in the $100 range to create a brief (5 minute max) snow effect on my small stage. I am avoiding physical snow that needs to be cleaned up, so I was planning to use ultra-dry indoor snow fluid, which it seems won't set off smoke alarms. I am not endorsing this one, but it is a sample of the size/type I am researching: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010B2ETJO/

    If anyone has experience with a similar machine, I would love to know your thoughts!

    Thank you,
    Laura



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    Laura Butchy
    BASIS Independent McLean
    VA
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  • 2.  RE: Simple snow machine

    Posted 10-24-2024 10:46

    We used a machine similar to this for our last scene in A Christmas Carol and it worked great! It does leave a little bit of the soap on the floor until it dries, but it dries fine. We used it in our very last scene, so actors can out and did bows afterward and we had no slipping problems. I did mop the stage each night after the show just to make sure we didn't accumulate the dried solution and cause problems.



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    Megan Liggett
    Theater Director
    Rifle High School
    CO
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  • 3.  RE: Simple snow machine

    Posted 10-25-2024 11:39

    You'll want to mop up the residue using plenty of HOT, clean water and a clean mop. It's soapy and slippery, so chirograph/block around it. Best option is to have it over the pit area if you don't have a band, or just US of the pit if you do. 



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    Kristi Ross-Clausen
    Safety Maven/Consultant
    IATSE 470/Actors Equity Member
    Alliance for Wisconsin Theatre Education
    Association for Quality in AV Board
    AVIXA/USITT
    Teacher, Author, Speaker
    www.theaterhealthandsafety.com
    Appleton, WI
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  • 4.  RE: Simple snow machine

    Posted 10-25-2024 13:15

    Hi there.  You should be aware that snow machines (with the exception of VERY expensive ones used primarily in motion picture production) are quite noisy.  You might be better with a simple snow box shaken overhead.  Much less noise!

    kdl



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    Kirk Longhofer
    Theatrical Sound Design, Audio Production, Editing and Engineering
    Systems Design and Consultation
    www.technopraxis.org
    kirk@technoprasix.org
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  • 5.  RE: Simple snow machine

    Posted 10-26-2024 12:20

    Have you thought about a snow cradle or pvc pipe and dried instant potato flakes?  Only downside is... must vacuum after each performance.  



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    Michael Johnson, MA
    Retired
    Trinity High School
    Trinity, NC
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  • 6.  RE: Simple snow machine

    Posted 10-27-2024 17:19

    Thank you all! 



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    Laura Butchy
    BASIS Independent McLean
    VA
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