Newsletter #2 - August 23, 2007 Newsletter #2 - August 23, 2007
|
|
Emergency Service, Rentals, and Deliveries available after-hours - 7 days on non-show nights. Last minute Wedding Photography available on open dates. Direct Phone: 407-832-3196 Quick NewsThe web site is going through a renovation and it is coming along nicely. There are a ton of venue photos, so check them out; it may save you a trip across town or a flight from far away! Many times in the past, I have used these venue pictures totalk through a show challenge and save everyone some time. The opening page now has the latest shows and some helpful links. Thanks to all the people at The Loretta Lynn Ranch last week for their hospitality and help. This is my 5th year being brought in as part of a large technical crew at the 26th Annual Loretta Lynn's Amateur Motocross Championships. The highlight of the 8 days for me was leading a 1000 or so kids and parents on Loretta's stage in my own dorky rendition of YMCA! There is a video on the web somewhere! I am looking forward to the end of the year "season" and I hope that you are getting them on your calendar. I hope to see you soon at an event! TE.C TIPS, a weekly/monthly column - Fog or Haze? Full ArticleThe dreaded topic! This is the VERY short version on this topic. Volumes have been written about the Pros and Cons of Fog Machines. I will use the word Fog (machine)to encompass all chemical smoke producing machines in this column, a throwback to the 80's, I suppose. I cannot go into the medical and health ramifications in this article, it would take pages and pages to site the different studies, but recent research has not turned up any recent (or old) news as to fog having critical or even mild long term health concerns. As with all breathable scents, smells, and particulates in the air, there will always be people that will need to be shown some additional consideration. Some people will indeed have a disposition to fog. Is it physical or mental? It really doesn't matter, they will have to be accommodated. Musicianswill generally not be pleased with fog, but some additional consideration will usually help the situation. Pros: Fog makes special effect lighting look superb, in fact, for Dance Lighting and Lasers, it is imperative to have some type of smoke in the air. Without the Fog Particulates floating in the air, the light beams have nothing to reflect off, thus no beams in the air will be visible. The whole point of Dance Floor lighting and Laser lighting is to be able to see the movement of these beams in the room, all night long. This is the total opposite of Theatrical lighting which is to see what the beams are actually lighting up. In theatres, it is important to REMOVE the fog as quickly as possible after the fog effect in a scene. Cons: Fog smells bad and hurts people's eyes. True and false, read on. In the late 70's and throughout the 80's fog machines were used to EXTREMES in live rock concerts that are not in fashion anymore. At that time, when large volume foggers were relatively new, the fog smelled – let's just say, not very pleasant. In addition, it certainly did bother my eyes, not to mention all the players on stages that were in direct contact of the fog cloud. Old personal knowledge is hard to re-educate. In today's shows, fog is used only to enhance the needed effect, and no more. The chemical technologies today have virtually eliminated the smell of fog and by using lighter amounts; eye irritation has been greatly reduced, if not eliminated. A few tidbits: In my experience, at most event rooms, you will be required to purchase a "Fire Watch". This is nothing more the Facility Manager disabling the smoke sensors in your room and paying a fire watch observer to watch for lack of fire. One last paperwork item....make sure that you have the official health paperwork on site for your brand and choice of fluid. Most fluid manufacturers will supply you with this spec sheet. Most of the time, it is not asked for, or a sheet can be faxed ahead of time, but every once in a while... Here we go: Fog or Haze? There are two basic things that need to be known to correctly choose (or not use) "smoke" machines. 1. Water Based or Oil based? (Remember, a very simple, basic description.) There are generally two types chemicals that create smoke. A water based FOG machine and an oil based HAZE Machine. Water based machines use a fluid that must be heated to an evaporation point. The fluid is pumped under pressure through a 600 degree heater block and the magic fog is forced out the front exhaust through a small orifice. This type of fog machine REQUIRES a heat up time of 4 to (sometimes) 15 minutes for the huge machines. Once the machine is hot, it is preheated (except for small down times to reheat) for the night under normal use.Oil based machines induce a mineral type oil though a series of small orifices under high pressure. It is instant and there is no heat up time. This pressure breaks the fluid up into very small floating oil droplets and distributed with a small fan mounted somewhere on the machine into your event room. In general, Oil smoke is a smaller droplet by about 4 times. This is nice because the fog tends to stay in the air a little longer….right? In my use of oil machines, this is irrelevant. I have found that modern air conditioners and general air turnover (open doors – especially front and back doors to a room) will run a full room empty of fog in a few minutes. You can tell if you have a water based machine or an oil based machine by these two rules. Does it need heat up time and is the external case warm to the touch? WATER Based. Does it supply instant haze and is it cool to the touch? OIL Based. Simple! You can check whether you are using oil fluid or water fluid (without seeing the machine) by putting a few drops on your finger tips and then rinsing in water. If your fingers “come clean” with no soap, you are holding water based fluid! Think of oil based as similar to cooking oil...same basic feel and a clean up needing soap and water. An important note: Oil or Water based in the real world? In most Hotels, Convention Centers, and that type of venue, only water based fluids/machines are allowed. There are several reasons for this, but here are 2 main concerns; #1 It is perceived as a health risk. Oil based haze is perceived (true or not) that is not expelled by the body after it is inhaled. Water based fog uses chemicals that have been in the public “consumption” for years (in other products) and is perceived (true or not) to be absorbed and pass through the body. #2 Oil is hard to clean up. Sometimes, believe it or not, owners of fog machines spill a small amount of the fluid, either during filling, or during transport. Oil is a tough clean up. Water based – although feels oily (through the use of glycerin), does indeed clean up with water and a mop. There are millions of words written on this subject, but in my experience, water based fluids will more likely be accepted. More on this on my newsletter site. 2. Fog machine or Haze machine? Fog: (Water based) Generally thought of as a white billowing cloud of smoke that people clearly take notice. I think they hate it because that cloud is reminiscent to the rock concerts they went to in the 80's. Not too many Father – Daughter dances want a 10' opaque burst of white smoke ruining the Photos and Video! Haze:(Oil based) Lightly, slowly, induced smoke that is generally not noticed until the effect lights are used and the beams are clearly visible. Clearly the best choice of introducing smoke into an environment. A Fog machine can act like a Haze machine, but a Haze machine will not ever act like a Fog machine. Read more in the full article! OK. So how do I do it? I use a high output FOG Machine (water based) with an output (cloud) adjustment and a timer control. It is somewhere near backstage and out of sight. I use it as a haze machine by adjusting the output – that big white billowing smoke cloud - to a trickle, and the timer to "puff" some smoke at regular intervals. I then use a fan to blow that small amount of fog (now “haze”) almost straight up in the air and into the main room. The air currents and air conditioners will distribute that “haze” throughout the room in a few minutes. What you end up with is a room filled enough haze to show off your light beams, a slowly filling room that is barely noticeable (ie: no huge clouds of fog), no offensive smell, and the option to really fill the room up fast by blowing the big cloud if necessary. There are even flavored scents that can be added to match a theme or décor! My favorite is Vanilla! One last Tidbit - Important: I will never put my reputation or show success on ANYONE telling me that their Fog/Haze machine or "special new" fluid will not set off the fire alarms. I have seen billowing clouds of smoke NOT set off the alarms and I have seen the slightest "puff" from a hazer shut a show down with Fire trucks pulling up in 10 minutes. DON'T TRUST SOMEONES WORD UNLESS THE SHOW BOSS (That signs your check) SAYS TO DO IT! Think Murphy' Law here. Even if you test it before the show, it is possible that the conditions will change and it will set it off during the show. Well, there you have a quick guide to most of the types of Fog and Haze machines you will encounter. It is definitely the condensed version. Please don't consider this to be the "bible" on these machines, but something to help you sort through the (ahem) fog surrounding this topic. There are a ton of brands out there and there is new technology being released all the time, so keep an eye out for new ways of doing it. Future "TE.C Tips" Columns:
Services:
Rentals:
I hope you find my mailers useful and maybe some of the things I mention in these mailers will divert you from a "situation"! I'm going to try to get these out once a month. Free estimates. Call me with any question or needs. If I can't fill your need, I will happily refer you to someone who can. I hope to talk you soon! If you would prefer not to receive this mailer, no problem! Just reply with "Cancel email" or something nice and witty - in the subject line and I will be happy to remove your name. I will not ever give away (or sell) any email addresses. I am selling my RV/Bus. Love to take trips in it, but just don't use it enough. Take a peek! Tim Eggers |