Rosco Fogger 900

[Bill Totolo]

I need to smoke a day exterior in the California desert.
I'll want heavy coverage in a medium frame, then light, low-lying coverage in a wide frame.

Production sourced a Rosco 900 but I'm skeptical it has enough output.
Anyone have some anecdotal advice here?

Thanks,

 

[Nick Gardner]

Use multiple machines. Like at least 3 or 4. You can circle the set and be sort of covered for wind changes. The 900 by it's self isn't going to be enough. Also, I'm not sure what the duty cycle is for that machine, it will smoke smoke smoke and then cut out when it needs to heat back up, all the more reason to have multiple machines. The pull like 10 amps, so be prepared for that power wise. I ususally run a fan at each machine to both disperse and direct the smoke. I'm sure someone will reccomend an ajeeba (spelling?), but I have never been on a show with one where it didn't break/catch on fire. At least they are really loud. I have had good luck with 3 mole richardson foggers. you plug them in and heat them up, then you can have a guy run around with the machine unplugged and cover a pretty big area withut dragging a stinger behind you.

Nick

 

[Bill Totolo]

Use multiple machines. Like at least 3 or 4. You can circle the set and be sort of covered for wind changes. The 900 by it's self isn't going to be enough. Also, I'm not sure what the duty cycle is for that machine, it will smoke smoke smoke and then cut out when it needs to heat back up, all the more reason to have multiple machines. The pull like 10 amps, so be prepared for that power wise. I ususally run a fan at each machine to both disperse and direct the smoke. I'm sure someone will reccomend an ajeeba (spelling?), but I have never been on a show with one where it didn't break/catch on fire. At least they are really loud. I have had good luck with 3 mole richardson foggers. you plug them in and heat them up, then you can have a guy run around with the machine unplugged and cover a pretty big area withut dragging a stinger behind you.

Nick

Much appreciated, Nick. Exactly what I needed.

 

[Daniel Stilling]

You're probably going to have to use 2 different types of machines.
I just shot this spot:
https://youtu.be/B24_Lh6sTpw
I had 3 different types of ambience:
A DF50 for ambience,
2 very large smoke machines
2 very large dry ice machines.

The smoke machines provided the background smoke. A couple of large smoke machines should work for you. One thing to note is the time it needs to warm up between pufs. Find one with a small reheat time and large output.
For the low lying fog you will need the dry ice stuff. Otherwise it won't stay low.
Also it all depends on how the wind situation will be. If it's really windy you're toast...

 

[Joel Voelker]

Get lots and lots of foggers and hazers of every type. Some will break. Others will catch fire. Your operating temp and humidity will affect them. I shot this Odesza video and we ran two igebas and a couple of other foggers. The igebas did indeed become flame throwers a couple times and one of the regular hazers broke. Hard to get that sort of volume. The downside of the mineral oil hazers is that EVERYTHING gets covered in oil. It's awful.

https://vimeo.com/152158147

 

[Bill Totolo]

Get lots and lots of foggers and hazers of every type. Some will break. Others will catch fire. Your operating temp and humidity will affect them. I shot this Odesza video and we ran two igebas and a couple of other foggers. The igebas did indeed become flame throwers a couple times and one of the regular hazers broke. Hard to get that sort of volume. The downside of the mineral oil hazers is that EVERYTHING gets covered in oil. It's awful.

https://vimeo.com/152158147

That was quite stunning. I'm guessing we don't want flame throwers on-set. This shoot is already pushing the limits.

 

[Bill Totolo]

You're probably going to have to use 2 different types of machines.
I just shot this spot:
https://youtu.be/B24_Lh6sTpw
I had 3 different types of ambience:
A DF50 for ambience,
2 very large smoke machines
2 very large dry ice machines.

The smoke machines provided the background smoke. A couple of large smoke machines should work for you. One thing to note is the time it needs to warm up between pufs. Find one with a small reheat time and large output.
For the low lying fog you will need the dry ice stuff. Otherwise it won't stay low.
Also it all depends on how the wind situation will be. If it's really windy you're toast...

I saw this on another thread, Daniel. Amazing as usual.

 

[Nick Gardner]

I had the good fortune to work on a Ridley Scott movie once. We had I think 4 ritter fans. Just for smoke machines. Every smoke machine got a Ritter fan. And we had a water truck on stand by just in case he wanted to wet something down. It's good to be king.

Nick

 

[Bill Totolo]

Ended up using colored smoke grenades to great effect. Will post when content goes live.