Hazer and Fog Machine Safety

[Mike P.]

Perhaps the Rosco is SAG approved?

I can't find the newletter on his site anywhere, so the info is only in the email sent out (I can forward it if you want)... This is what it says:

"One tool. My go to smoke/diffusion is the DF-50 by Reel EFX. This is a fairly inexpensive machine and can smoke a very large area. It looks small, but it packs a wallop. This hangs for hours and gives you that consistent level. This is mineral oil, and SAG contracts do not permit this smoke.

The Rosco 1500 has been approved by SAG to use. The problem with this smoke is that it doesn’t hang, which requires you to use 10 times the quantity. Go figure. But it has been deemed safe."

Hope that helps.

 

[Andy Jarosz]

Double check with your network/studio as well. I was on a show earlier this year and they attached a list of network approved approved fog/haze fluids to literally every email.

Steve, check out the Ultratec Radiance. It uses a slightly different formulation of fluid that I find hangs around longer. Most water based hazers just use a lower refractive index version of fog fluid, with the idea that you'll be running the machine continuously to maintain the level.

 

[Peter Lyons Collister ASC]

So SAG in the past few years has joined with some lawyers to require testing of smoke levels in each set prior to filming. The studio hires an outside testing company who comes to the particular location/set and you add smoke while they take readings with a device. When the DP says this is the level I will never exceed they note the reading. It costs production some more money but it is the new rule. I have never exceeded 2% of the allowable amount.

Basically if you do not do this and don't post the results any SAG actor does not have to be on set legally. Also this applies to children and animals. You CANNOT ever use smoke with birds but I just did a lot of smoke work on a Paramount film in NYC with a child star and animals and with the testing all was accepted.

Kinda a pain from a schedule and money standpoint but the major studios are accepting this additional cost.

 

[Joel Arvidsson]

Any advice on a budget hazer that is quite small in size, dont make a mess on set and is considered safe for actors. Anybody that have any experince using Rosco Mini -V Fog Machine or similar? or do you recommend a waterbased hazer. In that case why? pro cons.
Thanks
Joel

 

[Andy Jarosz]

Any advice on a budget hazer that is quite small in size, dont make a mess on set and is considered safe for actors. Anybody that have any experince using Rosco Mini -V Fog Machine or similar? or do you recommend a waterbased hazer. In that case why? pro cons.
Thanks
Joel

Hey Joel,

If you want a small, portable, affordable hazer, look no further than an Antari Z-350. A lot of FX friends are reaching for it as default now, as it performs well in most situations (indoors, on stage) and is far easier to lug around than larger units.

 

[Joel Arvidsson]

Thanks Andy I will read and view videos about it. I even found a local dealer wich sells them.

 

[Joel Arvidsson]

I leaning to go with Faze cause I don't want to get a hazer, and get everything oily.

I'm a little worried that a fazer will not show the light beams enough, or that the " Faze" show up as white smoke in comparison to haze that is more transparent.
Do anybody here have any example where you use a fazer instead of a hazer.


And how long is the hangtime for the faze?

Does all water-based fluid smell?

 

[Joel Arvidsson]

How about a water based hazer? What are youre feelings about them?

 

[Joel Arvidsson]

Anybody got tips on good water based hazers on budget. or share your experience of using water based hazers.

Edit: Contacted my local Hazer dealer and they say that oil based hazers have been illegal for years and that all now uses glycol and distilled water. They say Fazer and Hazer is the exact same thing. They worked with Hazers for 30 years...
I say, that I read that fazers uses a heater to make finer particles while hazers used an compressor. I was told its the same again, and that they all heat and use compressors or fans.

So Im a little lost here. They sell Antari Z-350 Fazer and the Antari Hz-100 Hazer. They have pretty close price. Annybody experienced the Hz-100?

 

[Audy Erel]

I used a mosquito fogger on my last project... and I feel guilty...

For those mosquitos.