Why do they use fog machines at concerts?

Reasons to Use Fog Machines at Concerts

According to many sources, fog machines are used at concerts to create atmosphere, enhance lighting effects, and add an element of drama and excitement to the performance. They can help transform a regular show into a memorable spectacle.

4 Reasons to Use a Smoke or Haze Machine for Your Next Event

Smoke and haze machines can create amazing smoke effects in a variety of settings, from theme parks to film sets, theatre productions to stadium concerts, and they can even be used for fire safety training. There are many models of smoke machines to choose from, but here are four compelling reasons to use one at your next event.

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Create a Creepy Atmosphere

Halloween or haunted house theme park events call for a smoke machine or, even better, a low-fog machine to create a spooky, creepy atmosphere. Imagine a haunted graveyard with eerie smoke swirling around, or an abandoned house with smoke rising from the floor. Smoke machines can help set the right mood for any spooky event, regardless of the time of year, and there are models available to fit any venue, from small rooms to large stadiums.

Create Some Drama

Top-of-the-range hazers create high-quality haze that lingers in the air, enhancing lighting effects on stage. Haze machines are a fantastic choice for creating a buzz at a music concert or other gig. Whether you hire or purchase the machine, they add excitement and a touch of theatre to any event.

Liven Up Your Nightclub Launch

Opening a new club or launching a club night requires making a lasting impression, so pulling out all the stops is crucial. Along with hiring dancers, the best DJs, and appropriate catering, a smoke machine can make all the difference. The right lighting and atmosphere can make or break your event, getting people talking and ensuring it's remembered long after it ends.

Set the Scene

Stage productions make excellent use of fog and smoke machines to establish the right atmosphere. If you're involved in theatre, it's important to use a smoke machine that's safe for indoor use. Smoke machines can help set various scenes, from creepy tales to misty Victorian streets; their uses are limited only by your imagination.

Smoke machines have a wide range of applications, and these are just a few of the reasons to use one for your next event.

Theatrical Smoke and Fog

Atmospheric effects used in the entertainment industry

Theatrical smoke and fog, also known as special effect smoke, fog, or haze, are atmospheric effects used in the entertainment industry. Fogs are used in motion picture and television productions, live theatre, concerts, nightclubs, raves, amusement and theme parks, and even in video arcades. These effects create special effects, make lighting and lighting effects visible, and set a specific mood or atmosphere. Recently, smaller, cheaper fog machines have become available to the general public, making fog effects more common in residential settings, from small house parties to Halloween and Christmas events.

Theatrical fog and fog machines are also becoming more prevalent in industrial applications beyond entertainment due to their ease of use, portability, and ruggedness. Common applications include environmental testing such as HVAC inspections and training exercises for emergency personnel and disaster response.

Historical uses of smoke and fog include masking troop movements in military training and combat, which are similar to techniques used in theatre and film.

Types of Effects

There are generally four types of fog effects used in entertainment applications: smoke, fog, haze, and "low-lying" effects.

Smoke

Smoke effects are produced by pyrotechnic materials such as Smoke Cookies or pre-fabricated smoke cartridges and flammable substances like incense. Smoke is composed of solid particles released during combustion, unlike the liquid droplets that fog or haze consists of.

Fog

Fog is created by pumping a glycol or glycol/water mixture (fog fluid) into a heat exchanger and heating it until it vaporizes, creating a thick cloud. Obsolete methods include using thermal foggers initially designed for distributing pesticide, which are now typically used only in movies due to their volume of fog produced and the petroleum fuel required.

Haze

Haze effects involve creating an unobtrusive cloud to reveal lighting beams, such as "light fingers" in rock concerts. This is produced using haze machines, either through mineral oil atomized via a spray pump or using a glycol/water mixture. The fluid used is called haze fluid, and the different formulations are not interchangeable.

Carbon Dioxide and Dry Ice

Liquid carbon dioxide is used with theatrical fog machines to create "low-lying" fog effects. Dry ice effects are produced by heating water and dropping in dry ice, instantly creating gas that condenses water vapor into thick white fog. Fans direct the fog where needed, creating a low-lying effect.

Nitrogen

Liquid nitrogen creates low-lying fog effects by rapidly condensing moisture in a closed container. A fan directs the fog to where it's needed, and as it dissipates, there is little to no residue left on surfaces. Machines used for this are often referred to as "dry foggers."

Historical Usage

The Globe Theatre (1598–1613) reportedly used smoke effects during performances for atmosphere and special effects. In 1934, Adelaide Hall introduced nitrogen smoke effects at Harlem's Cotton Club during her rendition of "Ill Wind," which caused a sensation as the first use of such effects on stage.

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Smoke Testing

Smoke machines are used to fill a venue with smoke to test for leaks and to check if smoke detectors are still live. This practice, known as a smoke test, is also used in HVAC systems to identify leaks and visualize air flow.

Awards

The techniques and technology for creating smoke and fog effects are continually evolving. Innovators in this field have received numerous recognitions.

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Technical Achievement Awards

• On March 7, 1992, the Academy presented a Technical Achievement Award to Jim Doyle for the design and development of the Dry Fogger, which uses liquid nitrogen to produce a safe, dense, low-hanging dry fog.
• On February 28, 1998, the Academy presented a Technical Achievement Award to James F. Foley (UCISCO), Charles Converse (UCISCO), F. Edward Gardner (UCISCO), Bob Stoker, and Matt Sweeney for the development and realization of the Liquid Synthetic Air system.
• On January 4, 2008, the Academy presented a Technical Achievement Award to Jörg Pöhler and Rüdiger Kleinke of OTTEC Technology GmbH for the design and development of the battery-operated series of fog machines known as "Tiny Foggers."

Scientific and Engineering Award

• On March 25, 1985, the Academy presented a Scientific and Engineering Award to Günther Schaidt of Rosco Laboratories for developing improved, non-toxic fluid for creating fog and smoke for motion picture production.

Adverse Health Effects

Carbon Dioxide

Unsafe concentrations of carbon dioxide can cause headaches, nausea, blurred vision, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Higher concentrations can result in loss of consciousness and death due to suffocation. Proper ventilation and emergency procedures should always be in place when handling compressed carbon dioxide or dry ice. Dry ice also presents a risk of frostbite, so protective clothing should be worn.

Liquid Nitrogen

High concentrations of nitrogen can displace oxygen, creating a suffocation hazard. Liquid nitrogen presents significant risks of frostbite or cold burn. Protective clothing should be worn, and it should be handled carefully as it is stored under pressure.

Theatrical Fog and Artificial Mists

Various studies have investigated the health effects of exposure to theatrical fogs and artificial mists, identifying risks such as irritation of mucous membranes and respiratory issues. Guidelines have been outlined to minimize these risks. To reduce exposure, the use of digital effects in post-production on film and television sets can be considered a safer practice than using theatrical smoke and fog during filming.

See Also

References

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