Ynot Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 Scratching my head on this one.just bee asked if there's a way of creating an effect where a chimney-like hat could have smoke coming out of the top during a whole scene (though don't have details at this point as to how long the scene actually is...). As the hat will be mobile on the performer's head throughout, it's not something that's an easy fix - and for that reason and the fact that it would be inside an article of costume I'm discounting the option of using a standard smoke pellet - getting those to ignite (as anyone who's done Lincoln's course will attest to) isn't the simplest task :) Add to that the fact that the performer will be a minor and I'm pretty much agin anything articles pyrotechnic. So - open question to those with ACTUAL experience in the SFX field - is there a safe product that I can recommend to the group involved?I rarely like to give a definite NO to questions of this nature, but as it stands I'm struggling to find anything in the right ballpark... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snailtrail Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 No ACTUAL experience of these but I came across these mini smoke machines a while ago whilst researching for an effect I was after. I wondered if they might do what you need? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ynot Posted November 2, 2015 Author Share Posted November 2, 2015 I've sent the link to the director involved for their thoughts.And we have at least one Enlightened rep on the BR here who might be able to offer practical thoughts...:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImagineerTom Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 ooh oooh ooooh me sir, me me me! You need an e-cig (you can buy them at the pound shop now) a length a rubber tubing and a rubber bulb. Normally the e-cig is triggered by someone sucking air through it, use some backwards thinking and the rubber tube/bulb to create a system whereby you blow air backwards through the e-cig system and you will end up with a surprisingly powerful mini smoke machine. If you need really good volumes of smoke then some of the bigger more fancy vaporisers (which are often advertised specifically as producing more smoke than wimpy e-cigs) will be your answer, again using the rubber bulb backwards method to trigger them.I've used this method so many times now so a couple of tips.1) try not to modify the e-cig too much. They do fail/run-out so you really want a system where you can hot-swap a single part in 5 seconds if there's a problem rather than having to solder and disassemble some micro electronics.2) blow, don't suck. You need to work out the airflow and use the bulb to blow air backwards through the e-cig. If you try using the bulb just like human lungs to suck up smoke you will be shocked at just how little is produced; and how quickly it vanishes within the bulb3) look for the non-nicotine fluids and e-cigs, don't be tempted to make your own as these devices bung up almost instantly if you use the wrong mixture. There's plenty of cheep non-branded ecigs and fluid suppliers out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkPAman Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 It may also be worth investigating products designed for model railways. This, for example Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImagineerTom Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 those smoke units for trains always produce a shockingly small amount of smoke for their size/cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alistermorton Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 The tine battery operated smoke machines do produce an impressive quantity of smoke - far more than you'd expect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerry davies Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 I think the biggest problem is with the dread word "minor". Anything that produces smoke or mist has a certain level of risk and the safest option, an e-cig rig, as Tom suggests could be as alarming to some as the words, "Chaperone -Aleister Crowley". All sorts of solutions spring to mind including those mentioned here but be sure to think long and hard about the reliability and self-discipline of the "minor" involved. It could be as ludicrous a situation as here in Wales where nicotine free e-cigs are banned from places like open air football and rugby stadia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmxlights Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 http://www.antari.com/index.php/web/Products_i/70 The link above is to Antari M1 fogger it is battery powered and I have used it a good few times as I own one. When I was looking for one before for effect of a house on fire. I was told to stay away from battery powered ones but this little best was excllent I had it if front of a pipe so when it was controlled via DMX which I build to control it from my desk and when I needed the smoke I got it there and then. The effect worked very well or I should say it worked better than I though it would. I have also used it out doors for a hallowen story telling event near me where there was no mains power at all and battery powed leds controled from a mini lighting desk I had giving a flickering green light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ynot Posted November 2, 2015 Author Share Posted November 2, 2015 http://www.antari.co...b/Products_i/70 The link above is to Antari M1 fogger it is battery powered and I have used it a good few times as I own one. That looks rather too large to fit into a youngster's hat... I am intrigued by the e-cig suggestion, thanks Tom.We don't have any restriction currently at my venue so as long as they RA the idea that sounds like a possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jevans Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 I recall seeing one of the Look Solutions Tiny units at PLASA a couple of years ago and being quite impressed - I can't remember which exact unit I saw but they look to be the sort of thing you could get in a large hat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleah Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 I am intrigued by the e-cig suggestion, thanks Tom.We don't have any restriction currently at my venue so as long as they RA the idea that sounds like a possible. Could you not refer to it as an e-cig (after all it's not being used as one!) and refer to it as a "miniature vaporising unit" or something to that effect? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the kid Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 I did a show a while back with someone doing a smoking hat, they had one of the mini smoke machines, it was stunning for the size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameroon Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 Most miniature vaporising units "e-cigs" have a cutoff after a few seconds fyi! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alistermorton Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 The look solutions ones that will fit in the palm of your hand are incredible output for their size. Not exactly silent, though. Radio controllable, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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