Snow effect - animation wheel?

[Mr Steve]

Hello,

 

I've been asked to make some sort of falling snow effect for a school show I'm working on soon. It's for a production of Oliver! and the director wants it during the "Boy for Sale" song where people walk through the streets in the snow. I've never used an animation wheel before, so I presume I need:

 

*A profile lantern with wheel rotator, snow disk, and controller

or

*An effects projector, wheel rotator, disk and controller

 

What sort of RPM would you suggest for slowly falling snow? If I get a fixed speed rotator, does this just plug-in and go, negating the need for a controller?

 

I might give Stage Elecs a ring tomorrow as we would be hiring from them, but I'd be glad for any advice before then.

 

Thanks.

[AndrewE]

Having used both the standard effects projector method (with a Tocatta or Cadenza EP) and the Source 4 profile adapter method, I can honestly say go the effects projector route.

You'll have a much brighter source and won't have to faff with fixing the adapter plate to the VSFX unit to make it work in the Source 4 (Stage Electrics supply it all in bits). Make sure you order the correct lens though to cover your stage - Stage Electrics will be able to advise on this.

 

From memory, the fixed speed controllers can be adjusted on the unit itself, so you will still be able to play with the speed to get the best effect. The vari-speed units simply allow you to change the speed via DMX - though unless you want your falling snow to build into a snow storm, I doubt you'll need this option!

 

Something else worth considering is that the units work best when used in pairs. If your budget can stretch to two, you'll achieve a much more realistic effect. Focus both over roughly the same area, set the speed on one to be slightly different to the other, and set the focus to be slightly softer or harder on one. This will make the "falling flakes" seem more randomly distributed.

 

Hope that helps - good luck :** laughs out loud **:

[Mr Steve]

Great, thanks. Hadn't thought of using two but I can see how two would give a more realistic effect. I'll give Stage a buzz tomorrow. Thanks!

[lxdad]

Given that Stage Electrics have closed their Cambridge office, would White Light not

be a better rental company for you?

 

Also one of the best snow effect is achieved with 2 source 4s, some gobos and a horizontally mounted mirrorball.

 

Hope that helps.

 

LXdad