Lighting&Sound America Online - News: The Tiny S from Look Solutions, the latest version of the Tiny series fog generators, is the smallest fog generator in the world, according to the company. The machine measures in at just 4" long by 2" wide by 1.4" high. With these small dimensions and the light weight of only a half-pound -- including the battery and fluid tank -- the fog generator can be easily used where small amounts of fog are desirable. Other updated features include battery-powered operation and more flexible fog flow controls.
14 comments:
This seems like a really great machine. Yesterday in Lighting crew we set up two different kinds of fog machines as Todd was teaching us about them one of the things we learned was that they spit pretty frequently while on.
I feel that if someone were to purchase this Tiny S their most likely reason would be that they want fog coming out from an area that a normal sized fogger would not fit. You could essentially put the Tiny S anywhere except for the problem that it has to be turned on manually. One of its selling points seems to be that there are no outside cords or tubes but if you want to turn it on from somewhere that a person cant reach that feature disappears with the addition of the power cable. I think this might sell a lot more if they could somehow make it wireless. Also I wonder how they address the problem of spitting. It seems like the most likely placement of this fogger would be out on the stage in the middle of the set or something and the spitting would take away from the allusion of whatever is happening on stage.
My thoughts were just like April's - when you need fog to appear from a prop onstage or need to sneak it into a piece of the set that is inaccessible by a standard fog machine, this one would be awesome except for the fact that it can only be controlled manually or by cable remote. Making the device wireless is definitely the next place to go, even if it is the smallest in the world. I'd at least settle for it being able to take ethernet and going up to the board that way - if you have to control it by hand, you lose a crew member for that moment, and it may be in a completely inaccessible place for that crew member to get to.
I don't want to downplay, though, how cool the streamlining of the fog-producing process is in this device. One component? Awesome. I'd worry about the device overheating.
This article called to me because I, too, was on Todd's lighting crew on Saturday, and gained the experience of setting up fog machines for the first time. They are such bulky contraptions and take up a lot of space backstage for just a few minutes of a show, it seems a bit impractical. The Tiny S seems like a wonderful idea because it could be hidden in so many more useful places. Disguised as a piece of scenery, camouflaged as part of a prop, or even concealed on an actor who will be in the right place at the right time, this minuscule, batter-powered little machine could accomplish so much and opens up a world of opportunities for the use of fog onstage.
It's fascinating that the components that make up a fogger can be condensed into such a small package. I think the re-design that allows the battery and fluid reservoir to screw directly into the body of the machine so it doesn't get messy with cables and tubes is a great one. The simpler a device such as this one is, the more likely it is to work consistently and efficiently. Next feature I'd like to see - integrated wireless DMX receiver to remotely trigger it. This device is already so well-contained, it's a shame that it has to still be remotely controlled via a cable remote.
Seeing this article just made me think about how many lighting design college students/ people of the world, will now have these in their bedrooms. Think of the fire drills! It's important to be aware of fire safety with the use of foggers in confined areas.
This is a great product but I am sure that the price is way too much for what you can make for a lot less, but not as nice. I recently had made a cheap version of this which could have been put into a small prop the major thing was that it had to stay upright and as level as possible. The thing that I did was use a train forger and modify the wiring a little bit to mount on a set and have the ability to tie into the lighting system. Also the scent that it gave off when we started to use it was less them favorable but after a time it seem to go away. Also this cost about $200 to $250 to make and you can get everything on the internet or at radio shack.
GAHHHH we could have used one of these for "A Murder Of Crows"! The director has asked for a mini fogger that a character can carry around and spray haze or fog into the air with. I think that we in the end (for comedies sake) are going to go with haze in a can, which one of the actors will spray. But this little tiny guy would be nice so that we could produce just as much haze but still be able to carry it around easily!
Here is yet another great example of how technology is actively changing the theatre. In all the circumstances I have worked with fog and most of the circumstances in which I have seen fog, it does seem to occur in excess so it is really great that there is now a machine to fix this problem. The small amounts it is able to emit will allow for a more precise setting of mood and definition of purpose. I'm also impressed by the fact that such a small device can have cues programmed and start on command by way of remote. It's small machines like this that are making a big step in our craft and I;m excited to see where we go from here.
I think this is just a perfect machine for theaters. Other than for theaters, it must have so many uses from other industries or events. Although it will not emit as much fog as bigger machine does, it will still have a capacity of emitting enough fog for the play. It seems that it is really easy to access and use since it is battery operated. Also, what intrigue me the most is the microprocessor that is in the heart of this machine. Ability to control the amount of fog will be great. Also, I can see that this company, Look Solutions, has put a lot of effort in inventing this small fog generator with every possible details, Since it has a power controller, it will last long. I really wonder what will be the price for this. Depends on how affordable this machine will be, the more companies will try to purchase for various purposes. I also strongly agree with April on how this machine will fit in "an area that a normal sized fogger would not fit." It will be also easy to hide behind any props since it is so small. I hope the effectiveness of this machine can be acknowledged by many people.
One of the main problems with fog machines is that they're big and loud and attract alot of attention. It seems like this fog machine fixes both of those problems. It's small and compact and would be perfect for haunted houses or small community theater spaces because it probably doesn't emit quite as much fog as a normal fog machine and therefore wouldn't completely fill the room with smoke when all you want is the stage foggy. This could also be used for specific purposes if you only want fog in one specific place or coming out of one object because it's small and could easily be hidden in a prop. I want one.
This sounds so awesome. I worry about how often it would have to be refilled, but the idea of a fog machine that is essentially pocket-sized could be really cool looking on stage. if there was a safe way to attach these to actors or fix them to small places on the set these fog machines could really add something to the stage. I wonder if it is possible to make it wireless. I also wonder how much fog this actually gives off. If it gives off only gives off a little fog, the effects that it could be used for could be drastically different than what other fog machines are used for. I also wonder if they could make low fog machines of this size.
This is just a super cool toy! I want one for my dorm room. But on a more serious note, I see a lot of great uses for this type of fog machine in theater. I know that in cmu's production we use a lot of fog and we use fog in a can. It's a great tool, but something like the Tiny S could really help out by making the over all cost lower and by letting us hide the fog machine in a pocket or a small corner of the set when not in use.
This is a lovely invention! I remember back to last year in Basic Design when my group and I would have loved to have our hands a such a device as this one. It is an ideal size for any sort of a project, unless your working on a show that calls for the whole stage to be filled with fog. This would be perfect for filling small areas, such as a special effect that needs to happen in a specific section on stage, its also easily transportable which allows for more convenient usage. A lot of times when you use a regular fog machine you loose control of when random spurts decide to be released, however with this I feel you would have more control simply because of how small and lighter it is. This would be a great addition to the CARNEGIE MELLON SCHOOL OF HAZE!
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