Author Topic: Act Like A Hazer?  (Read 3344 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Q the Snake

  • Tourist
  • *
  • Posts: 2
    • View Profile
  • Experience: Community Theatre
Act Like A Hazer?
« on: May 20, 2015, 07:09 pm »
Hello. I am a SM at a small theater. We have a VERY low budget, so even the cheapest hazer fogger I can find isn't an option. What we do have is your average fog machine. While the spurts of fog I get out of it are great, in the past there have been some scenes that could really have benefitted from a hazing. Does anyone have any idea how to make a normal fog machine act like a hazer? I've gotten some success from blowing the stage fog as it's spit out, but am fresh out of ideas. Thanks  :D

Mac Calder

  • Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 977
  • Plan for the future, live for the now
    • View Profile
  • Affiliations: Live Performance Australia / Media Arts and Entertainment Alliance
  • Current Gig: Technical Director
  • Experience: Former SM
Re: Act Like A Hazer?
« Reply #1 on: May 21, 2015, 02:56 am »
You will never get a "theatrically" acceptable haze out of a fog machine. Typically, a fog machine set on it's lowest pump setting with a fan running full-bore about a foot in front of the fog machine will give you SOMETHING that picks up the beams, but it tends to not be a nice even haze. For added dispersion, point it off stage with the fan blowing on stage. You can fine tune it by checking to see whether you can get a lighter fluid, but not one that is fast dispersing, that may help... I would suggest looking towards hiring in a hazer as required.

You also really want to chill the venue pre-show, then fog/haze the bejeezus out of the venue with the HVAC off and then top up as required. Air movement will kill your effect very quickly due to the high molecular weight of fog fluid.

maximillionx

  • Permanent Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 270
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Experience: Professional
Re: Act Like A Hazer?
« Reply #2 on: May 21, 2015, 04:53 pm »
If you do flood the space with fog, double check what type of smoke detectors you have.  Fog does set off particulate detectors.  /capt.obv.

KMC

  • Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 963
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Current Gig: Project Manager, Systems Integration
  • Experience: Former SM
Re: Act Like A Hazer?
« Reply #3 on: May 21, 2015, 05:08 pm »
Q: What's the cheapest you've found?  I've been able to find some hazers for under $300.  Not manufacturer's I'd recommend, but for a low budget they may do the trick if you want a new item.  You can probably find one on the second-hand market (check gearsource) for about the same price but a more reputable manufacturer.

Do you have any budget to work with, or is this strictly a "make what we have work" situation?
Get action. Do things; be sane; don’t fritter away your time; create, act, take a place wherever you are and be somebody; get action. -T. Roosevelt