RAIN AND WETDOWN
Nothing is quite as moody as a good bit of rain.
On smaller setups, either one or several rain towers are used. Depending on the rain-heads installed on the towers, and depending on the size of the droplets required, a towers maximum and general coverage is around 3×4 meters.
If large areas or streets are needed to be covered in heavy rain, so called overhang rain-rigs mounted on cranes or lifts, are used. Several key advantages of these sorts of rigs are that there are no towers blocking possible shots, and easier to adjust, if wind direction change, whereas rain-towers are more time consuming to move around.
Wetdown is a very easy and cheap way to create a deep mood and feeling of rain. Wet roads and sidewalk create a very visual image, as all surfaces become shiny, and reflect much more light into the rest of the environment, among other things.
WIND
We are capable of generating any sort of wind effect. Whether there is the need for a moody fall-storm with leaves in the air, or a snowstorm, we are capable of creating the illusion your production needs.
Wind effects are almost always used in combination with other atmospheric elements or particles, to make the wind visual. By adding a wind machine to an artificial rain weather, or a blizzard, the general look of the scene drastically changes.
Wind and wind machines are also used to create the sensation of speed and movement on studio shoots – even with green screens, digital sets or LED.
FOG
Thick moody atmospheric fog and haze under the open skies – a combination any photographer dreams about.
If the smoke/fog is covering a large area, a way of doing this is via the Hollywood “smoke-tube” method. The smoke is distributed via powerful fans and tubes to the environment where needed. This method enables that within a short time span, large areas can be covered in fine or heavy haze. Alternatively – large powerful wind machines can be used to distribute the smoke into finer particles / finer haze.
A flexible solution could be an ATV with a mounted custom-made smoke generator. This method enables large amounts of flexibility when working on large sets, where the requirements dictate that the smoke is able to be moved around depending on needs and wind-situation. The ATV solution can likewise be used to pump out big amounts of smoke while moving the vehicle, to cover large areas.
SNOW, FROST AND ICE.
We have a wide range of types of artificial snow, always on stock, and full capabilities when it comes to delivering any kinds of snow effects in front of the camera.
We offer snow dressing with paper and plastic, falling snow as well as static-snow for non-moving shots, where we are capable of covering large areas.
We work with cellulose paper snow, biologically safe decomposing snow and foam snow, depending on the situation and requirements and are also fully stocked, in other types of effects such as frost and icicles.
Artificial snow is an unique interaction between script and on-set location demands. An early involvement by the special effects department can save you and the production a lot of problems, loss of investment and missed opportunities.
SMOKE, STEAM AND CO2
Atmospheric effects is a common term for the many different types of smoke effects, steam and co2 effects present in the modern arsenal of SFX.
Smoke can be a simple way of adding a certain mood to the shots or simulate something burning. In many cases, the atmospheric effects are simple things such as cigarette smoke from an ashtray, steam in a bathroom, or to increase the amount of “god-rays” coming from the sun. Many of these effects are commonly thought of as no-brainers and taken for granted, but they increase and highlight realism.
If the need for a very quick disappearing smoke is needed, steam is often preferred. Steam is very effective in street-shots or at an industrial facility, where it is an easy way to set a specific mood.
Co2 are used if there is a need for an explosive and violent, but still fast-disappearing effect. Co2 is also effectively used in industrial settings, or near machine parts.
FIRE
In special effects, most fire-effects are created with the combination of flame-bars and propane gas. The advantages of this type of setup, is that the amount of fire is controlled with a valve, and can be ajusted, depending on the situation. The system can likewise be shut down very fast, if a dangerous situation arises. Propane gas can be used with great advantage, to simulate fire in a fireplace/campfire, for burning cars, house fires, and anything in between. Propan gas is also used to create gas explosions and backfire effects
A large part of the planning involving fire is the risk assessment, so all the potential issues and situations are discovered prior to filming. This work is done in cooperation with local authorities and industry professionals to keep everyone safe while working in a visual environment. Likewise covering sets and props in anti-flammable materials, choosing firefighting equipment depending on the types of combustible materials or gases are used, are all part of the work, leading up to a great scene.
PYROTECHNIC AND EXPLOSIVES
Whether or not explosions are the main turning point in a story, or part of an action movie, they have always been important elements in film and tv productions.
Grenade explosions and impacts, fuel bombs and car explosions are all classical pyrotechnical effects which we of deliver and produce, but we also design custom explosions no matter the size or look/requirements the production needs.
In most cases, we use blackpowder, as the main explosive energy in our effects, but we also use high-explosives if the need dictates it, and safety precautions can be met, in cases where size and volatility is needed. We always strive to use the absolute minimum amount needed!
Special effects pyrotechnicians employed by Spectre Effects are all certified CAT III pyrotechnicians, which are likewise worldwide convertible, and have the permits and skills required to handle and safely use high explosives.
SQUIBS AND BULLET HITS
Squibs are one of the most commonly used tools for any special effects professional. They are among other things, used to simulate bullet impacts, destruction of props, and bodyhits.
Body hits or blood hits with squibs is a classical effect, and can be very realistic, or very graphical, depending on the way it is portrayed, and the actor’s reaction. If the director has a need for an especially violent and bloody effect, the solution is to combine squibs with custom air-rigs to spread large amounts of blood on the same cue.
We produce custom breakaway elements for squib work, to produce the minimum amount of dangerous fragments, and to use the absolute smallest squibs possible. We can prepare whole wall-sections to minimise reset times, and can dimple squibs in car chassises, to simulate gunshots.
When doing steel ricochets and impacts, small spark hits are used to simulate this effect.
NON-PYRO
Pressured air effects can in some situations be a viable alternative to both pyrotechnical explosives and high explosive – so called Non Pyro.
Explosions can be simulated by releasing large amounts of nitrogen from a pressure tank, to shoot out non-dangerous soft fragments up into the air, together with dust and other visual elements. This combination can be used, in case of close-proximity stunts, to blow out doors, increase the effect of a reaction, or pressure waves.
High pressure air can with great advantages be used to simulate bullet impacts in objects and and ground, instead of squibs cal.0.68 markers are loaded withe dust and debrie capsules, to simulate bullet impacts and ricochets. Under the right circumstances, the markers can also be loaded with glass spheres, if there is a need for an especially reactive effect on windows.
Pressured air and nitrogen are also used to drive blood rigs for head shots or similar.
BREAKAWAY
No bar fight without breakaway elements. Furniture and set-pieces can all be custom made, so they can be destroyed, in a safe and controlled way, without stunt professionals, actors or crew, being hurt in any way.
We can produce and supply you with any breakaway glass, bottles and porcelain that can be manufactured on-demand.
Crash glas, exploding real windows made from tempered glass, and rubber glass.
We design controlled collapses and destruction and can implement this, together with other effects such as water, pyrotechnics or air effects.
Breakaway elements are also a very useful tool, when working with explosions, and squibs, since these materials have very low weight, and are used as a safe option, so no danger comes to cast and crew.
PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL EFFECTS
We offer a wide variety of custom design and manufacturing capabilities to suit most production needs.
Support to the art-directors and prop crew, with patinating, such as dust, cobwebs and ash particles in the air.
If the need for abstract effects and chemical reactions arise, for your macro/pack shots, we have many solutions in stock, for just this kind of visual jobs.
- Custom set-dressing – dust, cobwebs, patina, and ash particles
- Custom constructions and design – pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical, electrical, pyrotechnical
- Molding – fiberglass, plastic resin and foam
- Elements – fluids, particles, granulates and chemicals
- Water heaters for warming large amounts of water, water reservoirs, pumps and water proofing
- Dumptanks / wave generators / water cannons
- Custom design and fabrication
