A lot of snow and a car...

[Robert Wauu]

Oh damn, thanks guys for everything. You really help.

 

[Scott Crawley]

BTW, I worked with a set designer who used the absorbent filling of diapers for artificial snow. I believe he wet it a little, depending upon the situation. It looks really good in many applications. You can squeeze enough of the water out of it to reduce the weight and restore some of the fluffiness as needed.

 

[Glen Powell]

BTW, I worked with a set designer who used the absorbent filling of diapers for artificial snow. I believe he wet it a little, depending upon the situation. It looks really good in many applications. You can squeeze enough of the water out of it to reduce the weight and restore some of the fluffiness as needed.

That works for small amounts / close-ups; but it can get very expensive and difficult to work with on a large scale such as this. Plus it sounds like this shoot will be multiple days (?) wet diaper filling would be a full re-dress every day.

 

[Scott Crawley]

It could be very expensive indeed. On non vertical surfaces like the front and rear window, I wonder if you could use a thin layer of this, backed by a roll or two of batting material aka fiberfill. That would reduce the amount of diaper material needed and perhaps hold moisture too. Alternatively it could be used just to augment the other snow as you suggest, in close ups or when talent needs to interact with the prop.

What resource are you using for the paper snow material? After all, Diapers are paper and polymer at the core.

That works for small amounts / close-ups; but it can get very expensive and difficult to work with on a large scale such as this. Plus it sounds like this shoot will be multiple days (?) wet diaper filling would be a full re-dress every day.

from http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/water-absorbing-crystals
Water-Absorbing Crystals

Purchasing Information: Super absorbent crystals are sold at lawn and garden centers under many different trade names including HydroSource or SoilMoist. Just ask for help in finding water-absorbing polymer crystal

Soilmoist link for cost reference: http://www.gemplers.com/product/RSM...=RSM400&ef_id=UMdQ7AAAAerpgif420121211152740s
​

 

[Michael Dalton]

Hi Robert,

To build on a lot of ideas here. If the window is rolled up, then you can probably get away with shaved styrofoam held in place around the windows with tapped garbage bags, but if your going to digging through snow, look at your park and recs guide and go find a hockey arena, they have shaved ice from the Zamboni that gets dump outside to melt if your in warm climate. Just build a box around your window where it sits about 2 ft higher then the car, so the snow can fall into the car without loosing all your snow. You can control the light too if your subject is digging themselves out.


As far as light goes, you can get really creative here. Building on what bob said, there are some incredible flash light out there, have your character introduce several sources to change the mood and action.

Check out these powerful lights . You can get 330 lumen lights, and there is an add-on diffuser that will cast a nice light. If you need time to pass, have the light die out, switch to candle light (you can use another light with a gel to boost the throw of the candle), Iphone etc. Remember how nice that plastic lamp looked in Tattoo?

http://www.canadianoutdoorequipment.com/store/lithium-lithium-ion-powered-flashlights.html

http://www.canadianoutdoorequipment.com/store/fenix-ld-pd-accessories.html

Also Petzel head lamps are nice, they make some powerful ones, and it would be plausible if these people are outdoor adventures to have kit like this.

I often have a pouch like these with a flash light, head lamp, candle etc when I'm filming in the bush.

http://www.canadianoutdoorequipment.com/store/maxpedition-pockets-pouches.html

 

[Robert Wauu]

Great tips again, thanks. I will look into all of them and decide. The biggest problem would be the snow to be real as Glen said. I mean we are going to shoot for 2 weeks in the studio, and we need to have a solution for the snow that won't melt away. This probably is the prop guys job to think out. But as it is a low budget indie everyone will try to help. Therefore your help here is really appreciated. I consider everything.

 

[Michael Dalton]

I'd only use real snow if they open the window, and try to dig out. After an avalanche the snow can be incredibly hard packed. It's not light an fluffy so getting the texture right will be hard.

 

[Adam Ekblad]

To find out what it would be like simulate the conditions. Assuming you live by the snow(if not find someone who does...I guess) simulate the condition's. Put a small cam like the Go Pro in a Pickle Jar(or something similar) and cover it with how ever much snow you need!

-Adam

 

[Brandon J.F.]

Here is POV Go Pro video of a skier getting buried in an avalanche.

 

[Scott Crawley]

Here is POV Go Pro video of a skier getting buried in an avalanche.

Shit that was creepy. I was short of breath just watching it.

 

[Robert Wauu]

Here is POV Go Pro video of a skier getting buried in an avalanche.

So apparently not "pitch black" ... but he was not so deep under...but anyway I think If I light it with a slight blue tint it will look better than if I make it pitch black......