W11 | Techniques | The using of Fog Machine

Fog Functions (The Filmmakers Blog 2017)

1. Atmosphere
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   • Atmospheric fog will help balance the light in a shot by softening the shadows;
   • Great when filming at night because the fog will brighten the shadow to help avoid noise in your footage;
2. Reflection
   • Makes lights appear fuller and brighter
   • When you use fog you’re releasing small particles into the air, those particles reflect light and create a glow
3. Effects
   • Flashlight – allows the entire beam of light to be visible
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Smoke effects (Cinecom.net 2018)

1. Horror film: graveyard – low smoke flow over the ground
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   • Smoke machines produce heat and warm air rises, we have to find a way to cool it down in order to make the smoke flow over the ground.
   • Fill up a long tube with ice so that the smoke has to travel through it to cool down
   • When the smoke turns hot again, it will go up in the air and create wind.
2. To guide smoke: smoke curtain
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   • Drill some holes in PVC tube
   • Fun effect
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3. To emphasize lights
   • Overall mist – don’t see the smoke anymore
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   • Make the rays (flashlight)  visible
   • Dreamy look
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4. To emphasize objects – comedies
   • Cold freezer
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   • Hot shower room
5. Use smoke as transition
6. Use smoke in photograph

 

Cinematography with fog (Film Riot 2014)

1. The comparison of using fog or not in daytime shot – dream like
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2. Spielberg style
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References

Cinecom.net 2018, “Tips when using smoke in your films”, YouTube, viewed on 11 Oct 2018, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIBxLm66aMA&t=240s>

Film Riot 2014, “Cinematography with Fog”, YouTube, viewed on 11 Oct 2018, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zJcjHYDIys>

The Filmmakers Blog 2017, “How to make cinematic films with fog | The Filmmakers Blog”, YouTube, viewed on 11 Oct 2018, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPmJs2k_lyk&t=129s>